Have you visited the new First Americans Museum (FAM) in Oklahoma City? If not, it’s a must-see!

Welana Queton, Curatorial Specialist was kind enough to walk us through the meaningful layout of the museum and the story around the precious artifacts of our Indigenous past.

My sister, Stacy and I visited FAM on opening day and were in awe of the many beautiful colors – from regalia to art to feathers to jewelry to artifacts. What a breathtaking site to see that day, as Natives from across our 39 different tribes of Oklahoma were in full regalia, ready to dance, drum and sing.

I highly recommend taking some time to visit FAM and while you’re there, be sure to visit the FAM store which includes Oklahoma-centric treasures created by local artists (or by Oklahoma tribes living elsewhere). You’ll also love the children’s area filled with toys, books and unique finds by Native Americans for children of any age. So pack up the family, go visit the First Americans Museum and get ready for a new experience!

First Americans Museum:

Website: https://famok.org/

Address: 659 First Americans Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10-5, Saturday and Sunday 11-5. Closed Tuesdays

Season 1, Episode 11: “Welcome to First Americans Museum - Welana Queton, Osage/Cherokee/Creek”

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Did you know that at one time, “Mexican bandits” rode through Oklahoma’s Choctaw country and tried to take down the tribe? The Choctaws banded together and killed their enemies, allowing their bodies to float down the river.

I once spoke to my guest, Solomon Tonihka, Choctaw about this and other stories his family had passed down over time, one ancestor to another, the traditional oral way that Native Americans have preserved their stories and history for centuries. And these are things you just won’t find in the history books.

Solomon once told that story of the “Mexican bandits” to a white historian (who studied and taught American Indian history). The historian said he didn’t know of Mexican people riding through the area in that time frame so he told him it couldn’t be true. So Solomon said to me, “I just figured it’s something I should never talk about again then.” To which I replied, “I hope to someday provide an outlet for you to share these stories, if you’d like.” Shortly after, I started Native ChocTalk.

In a culture where not much is written on paper, these oral histories are some of the few things our Indigenous people have to hold onto. And many times, they’re unwilling to share, careful to protect this precious history. I meet with many Natives who will tell me crucial and interesting history of their people but then say, “But don’t tell anyone.” I understand and respect their decision to hold those stories close. So I consider it an honor when folks like Solomon are open to these discussions and the willingness to share with you, our listeners.

I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation with my friend, Solomon as we discuss both history and folklore that you won’t find in the history books, from deep in the heart of Choctaw country in Wright City, Oklahoma!

Hear about:

• Solomon as a first language (Choctaw) speaker, detailing stories in Mississippi Choctaw dialect
• The Steel family homestead – a Sooner family with 40 acres right next to the Tonihka allotments
• Choctaw folklore (“folklore” according to some) such as big foot, shape shifters and witches
• Could there once have been mermaids in Oklahoma?
• Take a ride with me around Solomon and his family’s 160 acres – their original Native land allotments
• Stickball of old and the blood that was spilled nearby
• The family graveyard on the Tonihka property
• Banaha and Indian frybread like you’ve never heard about it before

Yakoke for sharing, Solomon!

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 WARNING: Some of the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in this episode may be disturbing for some listeners so please be advised

 

“Don’t let anyone tell you you’re just a stupid little Indian girl”, was the advice her father gave her many times over. And later these words would run through her mind as she had to muster strength, determination and sheer willpower to survive and escape the unthinkable.

More than once, she herself was nearly deemed a missing or murdered Indigenous woman. And now she offers that strength and determination to help other Indigenous people.

Meet the Kiowa Chapter President of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), “Fawn Tsatoke: The Kiowa Woman Who Came Back with a Vengeance”. I hope that you’ll listen with your all heart and mind and that her story she has so bravely come forward to tell will inspire you to help others too.

Consider these stats about our Missing and Murdered Indigenous People:

From NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons), https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/missing-indigenous-persons:

• The 2 states with the highest amount of Indigenous missing persons are Alaska and Oklahoma.
• As of June of 2021, Alaska had 292 missing indigenous persons and Oklahoma had 79.
• Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than an average citizen, according to the US Department of Justice.

From Native Womens Wilderness, https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/:

• Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women (Centers for Disease Control).
• More than half of Indigenous Women experience sexual violence (56.1%).
• Indigenous Women are 2xs more likely to be raped than Anglo-American white women.

Praying these words over our Indigenous people, from Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV Bible):

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

Season 1, Episode 9: “Fawn Tsatoke: The Kiowa Woman Who Came Back with a Vengeance”

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He’s the Chippewa from Turtle Mountain Reservation and his name means “King of the Badlands”. He’s LeRoy Malaterre and he stays busy - from story telling to pow wow dancing and even to ballroom dancing!

Hear LeRoy’s views on:

• How the movies shaped the way the world viewed Native Americans
• Why his Metis language was called a “nasty” language
• How his job supported his efforts for sobriety after his time in the service
• Why the Chippewa cheered when Lincoln was assassinated
• And more…

Season 1, Episode 8, “LeRoy Malaterre, the Chippewa from Turtle Mountain Reservation”

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