S2, E1, P1: Rachael Youngman, Part 1, The Choctaw Girl from Hog Creek

01/14/22 • 88 min

WELCOME to Season 2 of Native Choctalk, A Podcast by Natives For All! I’d like to thank each and every one of you who listened in Season 1 and supported this effort to preserve our American Indian stories, history, culture and traditions! And, in order to take my own advice about preserving stories, today’s episode is in 2 parts and it’s a bit of my own story as well as that of my own ancestors. My Producer and friend, Bee will be interviewing me today. We may have had a little too much fun recording these episodes - we can’t seem to get together without laughing and carrying on. However, although we may occasionally burst into friendship mode and a laugh or two, we do care deeply about the people we’re discussing, and we take the issues at hand very seriously. In this first of 2 parts in this series, I share about growing up as 1 of 3 “feral” children in the country way out yonder in Hog Creek, miles outside of Anadarko, Oklahoma. And I’ll share the raw truth about the challenges that came later as I navigated life as a divorced, single mom. And about the inspiration I found in my favorite Bible verse and how it prompted this Okie girl to pull herself up by her bootstraps. Yakoke (thanks) to Chihowa (God) and to my chukka achvffa (family) for loving and supporting me. Chahta sia hoke! All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/ Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

Previous Episode

S1, E17: Steve & Seba Discuss Their New Book, The Native American Contest Powwow

Public Service Announcement: Y’all have to check out the Choctaw Powwow, coming up Dec 4th and 5th, 2021 in Durant, Oklahoma! You’ll get to experience the Dancer Contest, Drum Contest, Pow Wow Stickball Exhibition games and good fellowship. Feel free to post photos to my Native ChocTalk Facebook page if you get to go! https://www.choctawnation.com/powwow My guests, Dr. Steven Aicinena and Dr. Seba Ziyanak share details from their new book, “The Native American Contest Powwow: Cultural Tethering Theory” and I think you’ll find it fascinating and informative. You’ll learn about: • Why the powwows are actually crucial (not just social) • Can contest dancing be considered a sport? • The “stranger viewpoint” on powwows (observances by non-Natives) • Comparison of powwows to other cultures globally • Traditional powwows vs contest powwows • Are the contests spiritual or just for competition? Let me know what you think and yakoke! Season 1, Episode 17: “Steve & Seba Discuss Their New Book, “The Native American Contest Powwow: Cultural Tethering Theory” All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/ Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

Next Episode

S2, E1, P2: Rachael Youngman, Part 2, The Choctaw Girl from Hog Creek

WELCOME to Season 2 of Native Choctalk, A Podcast by Natives For All! My Producer and friend, Bee will be interviewing me in this 2nd of a 2 part series. I am honored to openly share about my ancestral stories, following the lineage of my great grandmother Ella, starting with her mother, Rosa Coley. I say “openly share”, because for too long, our ancestors were told to “be quiet”, to not speak their language and to disown their culture and traditions. I hope to be their voice today, to keep their memories alive and to honor their story and their journey. You’ll hear about the journey of the Coley family, who were outstanding and prominent citizens in their Choctaw community. Yet, in the year 1896, with the fate of one single decision, their lives would change forever, and generations to come would stare poverty, loss, abuse and death in the face. Yet even in the midst of such sorrow, resiliency, faith and sheer Okie red dirt grit, held this tight-knit family together. 1896 may have knocked some down, but they were not out, and they found strength in family and in rebuilding together. Bee and I enjoyed recording these 2 episodes - we can’t seem to get together without laughing and carrying on. However, although we may occasionally burst into friendship mode and a laugh or two, we do care deeply about the people we’re discussing, and we take the issues at hand very seriously. Yakoke to my ancestors for choosing to carry on, despite the pain and sorrow, and for living the example of strength and resiliency by which we, your descendants can forever be inspired. CHAHTA SIA HOKE! All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/ Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast