For the last few months on every 2nd Monday, Andrea has been bringing on different Native American leaders on her show to discuss their origins & history. On this show, she welcomes Chief Dennis Coker on the show. He's a lifelong resident of Kent County, Delaware, and has been honored to be elected Principal Chief of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware since 1996. He joins The Source to discuss the role of complexion in people identifying as Native American, the role his tribe has played in history, and much more!

The Source w/ Andrea Lawful-Sanders | Chief Dennis Coker - 2.13.23

We kick off our first episode of season 6 with a 5-part series on the most requested topic from my listeners – The Code Talkers. 

Meet scholar and Anthropologist, Dr. William Meadows, Professor at Missouri State University who shares about the groundbreaking research detailed in his book, “The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I”. Get ready to experience a mix of oral history, individual soldiers’ accounts and newspapers, truly bringing these heroes’ stories to life. 

You can find Dr. Meadows’ book here and in many online and retail shops: http://tinyurl.com/bdfwp2kb 

In this episode you’ll learn about:
•	The importance and power of secure communications in military operations. 
•	How code talking dumbfounded the Germans. 
•	A 1919 Stars and Strips article stating attributes of Native servicemen, included being good runners, good marksmen, stoic under fire, using signals readily, their “uncanny sense of direction,” in blindfolded tests, scouting and patrol work in combat and their abilities at night.
•	The term, “Indian Scout Syndrome”.
•	Compared to the total population at the time, Native Americans volunteered at a rate nearly twice that of the rest of the American population.
•	The Easter Band of Cherokee in WWI.


Dr. Meadows set out to discover the following in his research:
•	Who were the first code talkers? Some think the Navajo, some would guess the Choctaw. 
•	You may be surprised at the answer!
•	Was code talking actually classified as secret after the war? 
•	What factors led to the formation of Native-language military communicators in World War I? 
•	Who originated the idea to utilize the Choctaw, and how many were used in WW I? 

I hope you’ll enjoy this series on our brave Native American men and women who served our country. 

And yakoke for sharing your research with us, Dr. Meadows!

Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast  
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/

S6E1Pt1 Dr Meadows on The First Code Talkers, Native American Communicators of World War I Pt1

"Mohawk Innovators: The True Inventors of the Bunk Bed" is a hard-hitting track that sets the record straight on the origins of the bunk bed. Contrary to popular belief, this space-saving creation wasn't born in ancient Egypt, Greece, or Europe—it was actually invented by the Mohawk people of the Iroquois Confederacy 500 years ago. Originally designed not for two people, but as a clever solution for storage and sleeping space, the bunk bed's true history is laid out in this powerful rap. 
The song is delivered in an aggressive gangsta bounce rap style, with high-quality, clear, and loud studio vocals. It features a beat mashup remix, complete with record scratching and a dynamic hip-hop flow. This track doesn’t just educate—it hits hard, paying homage to the true innovators with style and grit.

Mohawk Innovators The True Inventors Of The Bunk Bed

Thulean Land Bridge Legacy Mohawk Path to America is an aggressive gangsta bounce rap track that delves deep into the ancient history of the Mohawk people, revealing the truth behind their journey to the Americas. This song uncovers the forgotten Thulean North Atlantic Bridge, a land connection from Europe to America that predates the Bering Land Bridge. The Mohawk people, the oldest tribe in the Americas, crossed this path long before the last ice age, making them the first to settle in North America. The track also highlights the European Native American roots, proving that not all Native tribes originated solely from Asia. With studio-quality vocals, record scratching, and a beat mashup, this song is a powerful reminder of the Mohawk people's enduring legacy as the keepers of the eastern door.

Thulean Land Bridge Legacy Mohawk Path to America

"The Mohawk Tribe American Innovators" is a song that celebrates the many inventions and contributions of the Mohawk people long before they were adopted by the rest of the world. The lyrics highlight how the Mohawk were pioneers in areas such as agriculture, architecture, transportation, medicine, and even warfare tactics, showcasing their innovative spirit and the lasting impact of their traditions and knowledge. From fry bread and bunk beds to lacrosse and maple syrup, the song pays tribute to the Mohawk's role as trailblazers whose ideas and creations have become integral parts of modern life. Through this musical tribute, the song aims to raise awareness of the Mohawk's rich history of invention and their enduring legacy as a people who have shaped the world in profound ways.

The Mohawk Tribe American Innovators

"Assassin's Creed 3 Misrepresented The Mohawk Tribe " is a powerful and provocative track that challenges the inaccurate portrayal of the Mohawk people in popular media, particularly in the game Assassin's Creed 3. The lyrics delve into the rich history and cultural heritage of the Mohawk tribe, highlighting their European roots, agricultural traditions, and unique styles. The song critiques the game's depiction of the Mohawk as mere warriors with dark skin, living in poverty, and lacking structure. With a strong message of pride and truth, "Assassin's Creed 3 Misrepresented The Mohawk Tribe " seeks to set the record straight, reclaiming the authentic narrative of the most European Native Americans.

Assassin's Creed 3 Misrepresented The Mohawk Tribe

Duane “Dewey” Goodwin is a Minnesota artist and sculptor who lives near Bemidji. A member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Goodwin is a sculptor who primarily works in stone. He’s worked for over 50 years as an artist, including as art teacher in Bemidji. In 2012, Goodwin was a Community Spirit Award Honoree with the First Peoples Fund, which honors people for their commitment to sustaining the cultural values of Native people. His sculptures can be found across Minnesota, including along the banks of the Mississippi River and on college campuses. The sculptures portray the reality of life for Indigenous people in Minnesota, a mixture of embracing their culture and a remembrance of pain inflicted through colonization. 

Health issues have made it challenging for Goodwin to make art in recent years, and KFAI’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with the artist to find out if he is still planning to work and make art in the years ahead.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Dewey Goodwin reflects on his long history — and hopeful future — of making art

AfricaNow! Special October 14, 2024 Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment

Topic and Guest:  AfricaNow! goes into its archive to feature Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment.  According to Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz in an article titled, Settler Colonialism and the Second Amendment in Monthly Review, which is adapted from her recently published book, Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment, Professor Dunbar-Ortiz points out that “in a book first published in 1876 but written decades earlier, historian Joseph Doddridge (1769–1826), a minister and early settler in the Ohio country, wrote: According to Dunbar-Ortiz, the early settlers on the frontiers of this country were like Arabs of the desert of Africa, in at least two respects; every man was a soldier, and from early in the spring till late in the fall, was almost continually in arms. Their work was often carried on by parties, each one of whom had his rifle and everything else belonging to his wardress. These were deposited in some central place in the field... 

The Second Amendment thus reflects this dependence on individual armed men, not just in terms of a right to bear arms, but also as a requirement to bear arms, which was crucial to the integrity of the state and the conception of security achieved through a relationship between state and citizen... Britain’s transfer of its claim to Indian Country west of the colonies spelled a nightmarish disaster for all Indigenous peoples east of the Mississippi, and ultimately all of North America that would be claimed and occupied by the United States. Britain’s withdrawal in 1783 opened a new chapter of unrestrained racist violence and colonization of the continent. ....

Today, Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui of AfricaNow! and Africa World Now Collective and Dr. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, further explore the disarming history of the second amendment and its relationship to Africa and African descendant peoples.

Having grown up in rural Oklahoma, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, the daughter of a tenant farmer and part-Indian mother, has been active in the international Indigenous movement for more than four decades and is known for her lifelong commitment to national and international social justice issues. After receiving her PhD in history at the University of California at Los Angeles, she taught in the newly established Native American Studies Program at California State University, Hayward, and helped found the Departments of Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies. Her 1977 book The Great Sioux Nation was the fundamental document at the first international conference on Indigenous peoples of the Americas, held at the United Nations’ headquarters in Geneva. Dunbar-Ortiz is the author or editor of seven other books, including An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States; Blood on the Border: Memoir of the Contra War; Roots of Resistance: A History of Land Tenure in New Mexico; and Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment. She lives in San Francisco.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“ANCESTRAL HOME” BY CARLOS NAKAI) commemorating Indigenous People's Day, October 14, 2024; closing song--"YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FREEDOM" BY PHAROAH SANDERS remembering Pharoah Sanders’ birthday (October 13, 1940—September 23, 2022).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during our Fall Pledge Drive October 14 to November 3.  Donate online visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Special Oct. 14, 2024 Loaded--A Disarming History of the Second Amendment

This week, we're learning all about Zitkala-Sa, an Indigenous activist and writer who helped to launch one of the biggest investigations into the exploitation of Native Peoples in America.

Zitkala-Sa

Native Americans share ancestral stories, history, & culture. www.nativechoctalk.com

MinneCulture is KFAI’s award-winning audio storytelling program. We produce audio documentaries exploring Minnesota’s art, culture, and history — stories about musical sensations, small town heroes, cultural icons, local lore, and everything in between.

WURD Radio is the only African-American owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania, and one of few in the country. Taking a multimedia approach – on-air, online and in the community – WURD is widely recognized as the pulse of the African-American community locally, regionally, and nationally. From mayoral races to presidential elections, from the street corner to the corner suite, WURD has tackled the hard issues as an influential, respected and powerful voice in the marketplace.

I am sick again And I'm really burning up this year has been the worst year for me I've been getting sick a lot which I never get usually So I'm sorry I won't be posting for a couple of days most likely anyways thank you for all the support everybody I appreciate it: 
Born on February 28, 1990, I’m a DJ, rapper, and instrumental beatmaker with deep roots in both music and the land. I’m Mohawk-Dutch, part of the Turtle Clan, born in the Appalachian heart of Pennsylvania’s Poconos and raised in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. My journey is rooted in that country spirit — though I might be known for my rap tracks, country music flows in my veins, and I can sing it just as naturally as I drop bars.

I started making music young, back in 1999, and I've never stopped. Music’s been my constant, carrying me through every struggle and chapter of my life, right up to today in 2024. My catalog is massive: over 4,770 tracks and snippets fill my archives, each one a piece waiting to be crafted into something real. My process is unique — I record vocals first, then set them aside, moving onto new ones. After that, I dive into beats and instrumentals, layering each track, creating, arranging, and mixing everything when the time’s right. I might still make new songs, but with so many pieces ready to pull together, there’s always something brewing.

I’m into more than rap; I’m a fan of classic country, jazz from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and just about every era that shaped music — from the ‘50s through to the ‘90s. I’m not one for modern sounds past the millennium; it’s the raw, old-school vibe that drives me. My SoundCloud is a glimpse into that journey, a mix of my influences, a blend of rap and country spirit, and the heart of an artist who’s never stopped creating.

New tracks tagged #Native American History