Although she’s Choctaw, my guest, Nancy Tecumseh Mason is emersed within her husband and children’s tribe (Muscogee Nation). And for years now, Nancy has relentlessly poured her time and energy into supporting the youth of the tribe as Director of the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Mvskoke Nation Youth Services:
• This program is created by youth for youth, and “Nothing about us without us” is the motto that empowers these youth to make decisions and to have a voice at the table from day one.
• Check out Mvskoke artists, including some pieces from these talented youth, where you can even purchase some of their items! https://www.mvskokeyouth.com/mvskokeartists

You’ll also learn about:
• The story of her dad and her Uncle Amos who both had an eye for Nancy’s mother
• The many spellings and versions of the Muscogee name
• Nancy isn’t related to Tecumseh, the Shawnee Warrior Chief we’ve read about in history books, but we do talk about the historical rhyme that could correct the way many of us say,
“Tecumseh”. How do YOU say this name?
• Our Choctaw tribe. Nancy also encourages anyone who would like to discuss Choctaw spiritual practices to reach out to her at https://www.facebook.com/supernance2
• P.S. Shout out to Nancy’s cousin Peggy – the family “paparazzi” (I fully support this title as I also hold that role within my own family too). Halito, Peggy!

Nancy’s Recommended Book Reading:
“Living in the Land of Death: The Choctaw Nation, 1830-1860” Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yckxx7b7

Mvskoke Nation Youth Services:
• Website: https://www.mvskokeyouth.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MvskokeYouth
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvskokeyouth/

I hope you’ll check out this good cause and support in the multiple ways Nancy talks about in this episode!

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Prior to non-Natives settling in what is now the United States, Native American spirituality had solidified over centuries, differing within each tribe.

But it wasn’t long after the settlers arrived that missionaries felt called (and/or were appointed) to spread the gospel of Jesus to the Indigenous people. Some missionaries grew to love their friendships with the Natives, even adopting some of their culture, language and ways of life, some even creating dictionaries which thankfully today can be attributed to the preservation of languages that otherwise would have become “dust in the wind”. Again, some evangelists cared for and didn’t wish to change the Indians, but rather sought to act as a liaison and mentor in an inevitably changing world, for the sake of the survival of the tribes.

Some tribes welcomed the missionaries and adopted Christianity, even holding to and passing their faith on to future generations, into present day. On the other hand, some of their peers then and now perceived this adherence to Christianity as contribution to the breakdown of their ancient culture and their long-established spirituality.

The darker side to this infiltration of the missionaries was brought upon by those who had a more sinister goal in mind. That “kill the Indian, save the man” mentality meant at times “beating” the spirituality, language, culture and traditions out of the Indigenous people so that the non-Natives would be more easily able to assimilate them into their own culture and grab their land and resources. One may wonder, how could any person draw near to a God who used such vessels who would abuse them.

Some American Indians gave up their centuries-old spirituality in exchange for Christianity, while others defied the white man’s ways and took their beliefs and practices underground, fearful of the ramifications of being discovered, but even more afraid of giving up all they had ever known, which by that time was only hanging on by a thread. And yet, there was still another option that many grew to adopt – a hybrid, so-to-speak of the two (both their ancient spirituality and their newly adopted religion).

And still today, an inner turmoil often arises for those who practice Christianity in tandem along with their centuries-old spiritual traditions. At church, they don’t dare tell their Christian friends that they still go to Indian Church, for fear of being judged. And yet, they won’t tell their Native friends that they go to a Christian church, due to accusations of giving in to colonization. But a new revelation has come about for some who are now openly practicing their Christian faith along with their spiritual traditions. Some say you can’t mix the two, others say it’s not for anyone to judge.

You may recall my friend and guest who appeared in Season 1 - Monroe Tsatoke (Kiowa), descendent of Hunting Horse and Monroe Tsatoke of the well-known artists group, The Kiowa 5/Kiowa 6. Today, Monroe and I come to you from Hunting Horse United Methodist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma where Monroe lovingly leads as Pastor, and he has kindly agreed to share his take on this controversial subject.

You’ll hear about:
• The history of the United Methodist Church among Native Americans
• Monroe’s long legacy of family preachers
• How many years back, prayer (or “cottage”) meetings lasted from morning to night
• His own recollections of being talked down to by outside missionaries coming into the Native community
• How Stumbling Bear was one of the first Methodist Kiowas to convert to Christianity
• How the United Methodist Church of Oklahoma was able to get Native American attendance
• About his grandparents who would walk 5 miles to church every Sunday to preach
• If you haven’t heard the story of the Tin Lizzie from last time, you’re in for a treat!
• How Monroe almost ruined the Christmas pageant
• Hilarious stories from Kiowa country
• And I can’t help but give you a spoiler – Monroe himself sings a hymn for us in Kiowa. I hope his words and voice will bless your soul.

You are invited to hear Monroe preach at Hunting Horse United Methodist Church: 611 S 25th, Lawton, OK 73505; service at 11:00 am on Sundays (communion is the 1st Sunday of each month)

Yakoke, Monroe for your kind and encouraging spirit and for all you do in our communities!

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PART 2, Jim Gray

“Despite our wealth, our lives were cheap.”
- Jim Gray discussing his Osage people in “Indian Country Today” magazine, Sept 13, 2019

On February 6th, 1923, hunters came upon a Buick that had crashed into a slope in Fairfax, Oklahoma. The 40-year-old driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, a bullet in the back of his head. He was an Osage man, lured into a dangerous trap by a white man - someone he thought was a good and trusted friend.

The book, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann tells the story of the Osage murders and “The Reign of Terror”, a time when non-Native guardians were killing for the sake of inheriting land. But not just any land – Oklahoma mineral rich land, and the oil was producing millions of dollars for the tribe. This story is soon to be released as a movie by Martin Scorsese, with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and an impressive slew of Native actors from across Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Join me in this conversation with Jim Gray, the great grandson of the man found murdered in the car - Henry Roan. Although it happened long ago, the pain couldn’t be more real, and it’s still felt today among his family members and the community.

As former Chief of the Osage Nation, Jim was actually the youngest Chief in modern history! We talk in this episode about how perhaps it took someone young and daring enough to go out and do what he did, which was to change the entire future for the Osage Nation in a groundbreaking and incredibly impactful way.

You see, for many years, by federal law, 75% of the Osage population weren’t considered members of the tribe. What?! Yep. Jim and team fought this issue and won! In 2004, the Osage’s sovereignty was finally recognized, signed by President Bush in 2004. Now the Osage could form their own government and determine their own members. As we dig into the ramifications of this change for the tribe, you’ll discover why this is so significant. PUBLIC LAW 108–431—DEC. 3, 2004: https://tinyurl.com/yckcz6pt

In addition, Jim’s background included these accomplishments (and more):
• Introduced the Osage language into the public schools while Chief (hear the story about how the local high school quarterback used the language to his advantage)
• Journalist and Publisher of the “Native American Times”
• Worked for the Cherokee and Sac & Fox Nations
• Director of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
• Was recently interviewed on CNN’s “This is Life” with Lisa Ling
• Helping to roll out Korbyt.com – an app controlled by the tribe to communicate to tribal members

You’ll also hear:
• The impact Jim had on Martin Scorsese to rewrite the “Killers of the Flower Moon” script
• How his friend taught Robert De Niro to speak Osage
• Thoughts on Osage living side-by-side with descendants of those who killed the Osage
• Whizbang, OK and why Jim’s face turned red
• The latest on McGirt vs Oklahoma and tribal sovereignty, and Governor Stitt’s fight to have the Supreme Court ruling reversed
• The story of David Grann at a book signing. Hint: the descendants of both William Hale and Henry Roan were present

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

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

“Despite our wealth, our lives were cheap.”
- Jim Gray discussing his Osage people in “Indian Country Today” magazine, Sept 13, 2019

On February 6th, 1923, hunters came upon a Buick that had crashed into a slope in Fairfax, Oklahoma. The 40-year-old driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, a bullet in the back of his head. He was an Osage man, lured into a dangerous trap by a white man - someone he thought was a good and trusted friend.

The book, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann tells the story of the Osage murders and “The Reign of Terror”, a time when non-Native guardians were killing for the sake of inheriting land. But not just any land – Oklahoma mineral rich land, and the oil was producing millions of dollars for the tribe. This story is soon to be released as a movie by Martin Scorsese, with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and an impressive slew of Native actors from across Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Join me in this conversation with Jim Gray, the great grandson of the man found murdered in the car - Henry Roan. Although it happened long ago, the pain couldn’t be more real, and it’s still felt today among his family members and the community.

As former Chief of the Osage Nation, Jim was actually the youngest Chief in modern history! We talk in this episode about how perhaps it took someone young and daring enough to go out and do what he did, which was to change the entire future for the Osage Nation in a groundbreaking and incredibly impactful way.

You see, for many years, by federal law, 75% of the Osage population weren’t considered members of the tribe. What?! Yep. Jim and team fought this issue and won! In 2004, the Osage’s sovereignty was finally recognized, signed by President Bush in 2004. Now the Osage could form their own government and determine their own members. As we dig into the ramifications of this change for the tribe, you’ll discover why this is so significant. PUBLIC LAW 108–431—DEC. 3, 2004: https://tinyurl.com/yckcz6pt

In addition, Jim’s background included these accomplishments (and more):
• Introduced the Osage language into the public schools while Chief (hear the story about how the local high school quarterback used the language to his advantage)
• Journalist and Publisher of the “Native American Times”
• Worked for the Cherokee and Sac & Fox Nations
• Director of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
• Was recently interviewed on CNN’s “This is Life” with Lisa Ling
• Helping to roll out Korbyt.com – an app controlled by the tribe to communicate to tribal members

You’ll also hear:
• The impact Jim had on Martin Scorsese to rewrite the “Killers of the Flower Moon” script
• How his friend taught Robert De Niro to speak Osage
• Thoughts on Osage living side-by-side with descendants of those who killed the Osage
• Whizbang, OK and why Jim’s face turned red
• The latest on McGirt vs Oklahoma and tribal sovereignty, and Governor Stitt’s fight to have the Supreme Court ruling reversed
• The story of David Grann at a book signing. Hint: the descendants of both William Hale and Henry Roan were present

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

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