PART 5

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

In this episode you'll learn about untold Choctaw warrior legends: 

• A Choctaw warrior on foot who outwitted and outran twelve Muscogee horsemen
  • The incredible tale of a Choctaw warrior who fell through a ceiling into a room full of sleeping enemies
  • Nearly forgotten details of Choctaw valor at the Battle of New Orleans
  • The heroic story of 65 Choctaw warriors who helped turn the tide of the War of 1812

These are the stories you’ve probably never heard—until now.

PART 4

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

In this episode you’ll learn about: warriors and the changing world

• The Battle of Caddo Hills
• The Battle of Fort Rosalie (the “other side” of the story)
• The story of mischievous Choctaws who brought chaos to a fort
• The cultural shift from war to trade
• How the influx of alcohol destabilized Choctaw communities and led to the rise of the Lighthorsemen.
• As traditional roles faded, how did Choctaw men adapt
• The modern warrior's path: finding today’s inner warrior
• Reclaiming identity and strength through community leadership and ancestral connection

PART 3

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men.

Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring.

In this episode you'll learn about:

• The role of boys and young men in Choctaw life
• The strength of our matriarchal society
• What Choctaw people ate — in hunting season and at home
• Coordinated strength: how Choctaws hunted and fought as one
• Teaching the hunt: how boys learned the ways of the woods
• Storytelling: passing down wisdom to the next generation
• Balance and respect: the equality of men and women in Choctaw society
• Becoming a warrior: proving bravery, skill, and endurance
• Returning from battle: the 30-day period of reflection and healing
• Mourning those lost — even enemies
• Did Choctaw warriors practice scalping? The truth behind the stories
• Legendary battles of the Choctaw — told in a way you’ve never heard

PART 2

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people.

With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers—thank you for your strength, guidance, and love.

To our young men:
You are the future. We hope you’ll tune in and remember:
- You are important.
- You are needed.
- Your life matters.

In this episode you’ll hear stories of strength: The Choctaw and the Path of the Warrior

• The role of the bison: a short look at its presence in Choctaw homelands
• Were bison native to our lands — and how did we interact with them?
• What did it take to become a Chief?
• Preparing for battle: war paint, feathers, and red dye
• The meaning behind warrior tattoos — marks of honor and identity
• Allies and enemies: tribes we stood with and those we stood against
• The Choctaw and Chickasaw conflict — why did two sister nations clash?