Episode 23 The Story of Rebecca Williams
The Freedmen Files
This is the story of Rebecca Williams from South McAlester in the Choctaw Nation. Her background was of Chickasaw history, culture and life, and her mother was a native woman from the Territory. Her story is significant because she chose to sepak to her truth, especially when she realized that something was being taken away from her. Hers is a story to tell and a story to be remembered.
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episode 22 Looking for a Slave Named Jake
The Freedmen Files
Jake was enslaved on a plantation in Skullyville in the Choctaw Nation. He was said to have been on the estate of Joseph Hall. In the early days of the Civil War, a slave uprising was said to have occurred, but Jake was the man who was able to bring the violence to an end, saving the life of one of the Hall family members. Nothing more was ever said about Jake, the enslaved man except that he died during the war. Could more be learned about him? This is a story of my journey to see what I could learn about him.
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Episode 21 The Remarkable James Coody Johnson
The Freedmen Files
James Coody John was a remarkable man who emerged as a leader in both Creek and Seminole communities. His was fluent in both Muscogee language as well as English, went on to obtain an education in the east returning to Oklahoma where he would be a man in demand by many who needed his legal skills as much as his language skills. He was active politically working for tribal Freedmen as well as blacks who emigrated to Oklahoma from other states. In addition, he emerged as a leader as a Grand Master in the community of Masons in Oklahoma. A building erected by Johnson still stands in Wewoka...
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Episode 20 Moses Whitemire, Cherokee Freedmen Trustee
The Freedmen Files
This podcast focuses on Moses Whitmire who was elected as a Trustee for Cherokee Freedmen in response to an act from the tribal council in 1883 that planned to exclude the Freedmen from the Nation in sharing in a percapita payment that was being allocated to the Cherokee Nation. Moses Whitmire was elected by the Freedmen to be their trustee and to travel to Washington to negotiage on their behalf. In an effort to secure an attorney he signed an agreement with two attorneys from St. Louis Missouri, and this led to a larger issues where he had unknowingly signed an agreement...
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Episode 19 Annie Keel, Remarkable Church Woman
The Freedmen Files
This episode describes the work of Annie Keel a Chickasaw Freedwoman who lived in the Choctaw Nation. After slavery ended she was interested in the establishment of a church in her community, and in particular that of the AME Church. She did not have contacts herself, but took the initiative to contact the Chief of the Choctaw Nation for assistance. Her boldness and her tenacity paid off and the AME Church was established in the Choctaw Nation and she and her husband Billy hosted the first AME Church conference in the Territory. Hers is a remarkable story of vision, action and determination.
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Episode 18: The Sango Legacy
The Freedmen Files
This episode explores the remarkable legacy of the Sango family from the Muscogee Creek Nation. From the days before the removal of Creek Indians from Georgia and Alabama, to Indian Territory in the west, the Sangos have left their mark on the soil of Oklahoma. Beginning with Scipio Sango to his son Alexander known better as A.G.W. Sango, this is a story of a strong father and son, who left their mark on Oklahoma. Theirs are names that should never be forgotten.
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Episode 17, Zach Foreman, Leader and Man of Wealth from the Cherokee Nation
The Freedmen Files
This episode focuses on the story of Zach Foreman, a Cherokee Freedman who managed to create a small town named after himself. From humble beginnings as a slave, to become a wealthy cattleman, and town leader, his story is one to remember. He became a man of prominence and fortune, though today he is largely forgotten and seldom mentioned among Freedmen leaders from Indian Territory.
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Episode 16 Celebrating Freedom as it Came to Indian Territory
The Freedmen Files
There are many stories of freedom and how it came to enslaved people. Those of us who have ties to Indian Territory also have stories of freedom. Some seized their own freedom, and some were told of their freedom. Regardless, though slavery was not abolished till 1866 when the treaties were signed, descendants of Oklahoma Freedmen also join the symbolic commemoration of the end of a 400 year saga of slavery. Therefore we lift our voices and sing, with the harmony of liberty! This episode is in honor of the Freedmen of Indian Territory and their freedom from bondage in the Cherokee, Choctaw,...
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Episode 15 John "Doc Coosey" Baldridge
The Freedmen Files
John Baldridge had an incredible life as a Cherokee slave, and emerged as a freedom fighter, then had two other lives in which his name was made as a religious leader, and also as an herbalist. This is the story of a man well known in the Cherokee Nation, who should be remembered by all who are fascinated by men of courage, intelligence, and strength!
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Episode 14 Deep Roots of the Dunford Family
The Freedmen Files
This episode explores a family from the southern part of the Choctaw Nation whose roots extend beyond the Nation, beyond Indian Territory, and even beyond the United States. The head of the family, Zach Dunford was the son of Dock and Charity Dunford, both of whom were elders at the time of the Dawes Commission, and they had records that led to more information about the family's past.
info_outlineThis episode presents the life of Rev. Wiley Homer, from the Choctaw Nation. Born enslaved in the southern part of the Choctaw Nation, the young man Wiley was driven by a burning desire to learn how to read, and write. He began by learning how to recognize cattle brands, and by practicing writing what he saw with stick in hand, in the sand. Later when given a primer and a catechism, his fervent desire to read was strengthened. With time his skills became widely known and Homer emerged as a church elder, educator and leader within the small Choctaw community where he lived. His is a story of the resilience of one man and his name should be among the many whose influence left a lasting legacy in southern Oklahoma.