Scalding hot rocks were placed in the center of the dirt floor. Water was poured onto the rocks, inviting a heavy steam that permeated throughout, increasing our heart rates, and causing a profuse sweat.

We came for a cleansing of our bodies, minds and souls, the rejuvenation of our spirits, and a deeper connection with our Creator. This was a Christian-based sweat, and we prayed about each other’s needs and requests throughout the evening. These were just of few of my experiences during the sweat lodge I joined at my guest, Weylin Thompson’s house a couple years back.

According to choctawschool.com, “…the sweat lodge has been known by several different Choctaw names including ‘anuka,’ meaning ‘the inside,’ and ‘alaksha,’ meaning ‘a place of sweating’. The process of using heat on the body itself is sometimes referred to as ‘shila,’ ‘to bake.’”

To know Weylin today, you’d never sense the pain he faced in the past, his eventual turn to substance abuse and his time in jail. I was grateful that Weylin shared how he turned his life around and is now helping others through sweat lodges and drum circle meetings. In this episode, you’ll hear his story, and about the history, spiritual significance, and healing of sweat lodges, and more.

If you’re ever near Madill, Oklahoma, Weylin and his wonderful wife, Sharon invite you to join them at their healing sweat lodge. You don’t have to be native to join them in Madill, which is near Fort Washita (near where our Choctaw ancestors came during the removal on the Trail of Tears). All are welcome!

Weylin shared some encouraging words of wisdom for us: “You can’t change the past, but you can change the path you’re on.”

If you’re struggling with addiction or are just looking for some encouragement, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Weylin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Yakoke, Weylin and Sharon and may God bless you both.

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

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In this 3^rd and final part of this episode with my guest, Dodie Rogers (Choctaw), adopted daughter of the legendary “King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers (also Choctaw) and his talented wife, Dale Evans, you’ll hear about:

• Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger who knew 150 tricks and starred in over 100 movies!
• What it was like to grow up with a large family and lots of animals on the Evans farm
• Those last precious moments with Roy and Dale before they passed away
• What’s next for the Rogers kids

Although Roy and Dale Rogers have passed on, Dodie and her siblings continue to share their memories and to create their own stories, carrying with them the joy, faith, and strength they were taught in their loving upbringing.

Yakoke, Dodie for inspiring us - blessings to you and your family!

Special thanks to Anadarko Heritage Museum for pulling some photos of Roy, Dale and Dodie Rogers and their visit to Anadarko!

Check Out:

Cheryl Rogers: https://www.cherylrogers.com/

Sons of the Pioneers: https://sonsofthepioneers.org/

Anadarko Indian Expo: https://www.facebook.com/AmericianIndianExposition

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

#dodierogers #choctawnationofoklahoma #royrogers #daleevansrogers #dalerogers #happytrailstoyou #anadarko #anadarkooklahoma #cityofanadarko #saveouranadarkoheritagemuseum #anadarkoheritagemuseum #adravance

#nativechoctalkpodcast #nativechoctalk #rachaelellenyoungman #rachaelyoungman #Choctaw #chahta #nativeamerican #AmericanIndian #nativepodcast

Have you ever heard the famous song, “Happy Trails to You”? Do you know who wrote and performed it?

In part one of this episode, we met the lovely Dodie Rogers (Choctaw), adopted daughter of the legendary “King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers (also Choctaw) and his talented wife, Dale Evans, who wrote the aforementioned song. Together they performed “Happy Trails to You” many times over. Even to this day, some of the younger generations are familiar with the piece – and thus the Rogers legend lives on.

Here in Part 2, Dodie continues to share the inspiring, yet heartbreaking story of the Rogers family – a family filled with love bursting at the seams, breaking social norms, changing perspectives on autism, and paving the way for future adoptive families.

You may need to grab your Kleenex box for this one, because as you’ll hear, this family faced one loss after another. And yet, their faith in God remained strong, while their family drew closer through every single challenge.

You’ll also hear about:

• Roy and Dale’s 9 children and their interesting stories
• The inspiring, yet humorous story about how Dodie was adopted
• The Chicki Wicki Choctaw song, written for Dodie by her mom (you’ll also get to hear the song)
• My own personal theory about why Dale started pushing Dodie to learn more about her heritage

Stay tuned for part 3 coming up next!

Special thanks to Anadarko Heritage Museum for pulling some photos of Roy, Dale and Dodie Rogers and their visit to Anadarko!

Check Out:

Cheryl Rogers: https://www.cherylrogers.com/

Sons of the Pioneers: https://sonsofthepioneers.org/

Anadarko Indian Expo: https://www.facebook.com/AmericianIndianExposition

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

#dodierogers #choctawnationofoklahoma #royrogers #daleevansrogers #dalerogers #happytrailstoyou #anadarko #anadarkooklahoma #cityofanadarko #saveouranadarkoheritagemuseum #anadarkoheritagemuseum #adravance

#nativechoctalkpodcast #nativechoctalk #rachaelellenyoungman #rachaelyoungman #Choctaw #chahta #nativeamerican #AmericanIndian #nativepodcast

The town: Anadarko, Oklahoma. The year: 1967. Hundreds of onlookers, both locals and those from elsewhere (even from around the world) lined the streets of the little town.

The 36th annual Indian Expo was to kick off as usual, with a parade featuring Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Fort Sill Apache, Ponca, Pawnee, Delaware, Cheyenne, Arapaho Caddo, Osage, Sac, Fox, Otoe-Missouri, Wichita, and up to 50 other tribes proudly singing, drumming and dancing their way in their regalia down Main Street.

As every year, a Native celebrity was selected as “Indian of the Year” and in 1967, the Choctaw “King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers was the grateful recipient. There he rode, cowboy hat and all, in a convertible, along with his cowgirl wife, Dale Evans adorned in an apple-print dress. Seated between the two was a young girl, also wearing a dress with apple print.

The girl’s name was Mary Little Doe or “Dodie” for short, and I had the honor of visiting with Dodie (Choctaw) to hear her story in this 3-part series. Listeners, this is one you do not want to miss!

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The surprising story of Dale Evans’ firstborn son
• Roy Rogers and Dale Evans - their early life, careers, heartbreak in the love department prior to meeting each other, and finally their love story
• Roy Rogers’ trips to children’s hospitals with his horse, Trigger who would climb the stairs to see the kids
• The hilarious story of Roy and Dale’s wedding in Oklahoma
• Anadarko, Ok (my hometown) and Horace Poolaw and Robert Goombi Jr’s connection to Dodie and her parents

Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 coming up next!

Check Out:

Cheryl Rogers: https://www.cherylrogers.com/

Sons of the Pioneers: https://sonsofthepioneers.org/

Anadarko Indian Expo: https://www.facebook.com/AmericianIndianExposition

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast

All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

#dodierogers #choctawnationofoklahoma #royrogers #daleevansrogers #dalerogers #happytrailstoyou #anadarko #anadarkooklahoma #anadarkoheritagemuseum #saveouranadarkoheritagemuseum #adravance

#nativechoctalkpodcast #nativechoctalk #rachaelellenyoungman #rachaelyoungman #Choctaw #chahta #nativeamerican #AmericanIndian #nativepodcast