S2, E21 From Red Dirt to Mechanical Engineer: Phil Cross, Lowell Edmonds, Caddo

He was raised in a home with no electricity and no running water on his family’s Indian allotment land in western Oklahoma – out where that bright red dirt could both stain your clothes and, in some ways, stir that Okie pride. From red dirt, ancient village country living to Mechanical Engineer specializing in aerodynamics, my guest’s stories on this last episode of Season 2 do not disappoint! I’d like to introduce you to Phil Cross - a historian, lecturer, Caddo traditional songs and dances lead singer, author, drummer, woodworker, flute maker and much more. And may I also point out, he’s from my hometown of Anadarko, Oklahoma. (He gets extra points for that.) In this episode you’ll hear about: - How Phil’s dad was born on their allotment in western Oklahoma in a dug-out house - How he’s one of the only remaining experts that can build a koo hoot kiwat (Caddo grass-thatched house) - How his bow-and-arrow-making skills, using bodark wood (also known as Osage Orange) - The Caddo’s Turkey Dance (in fact, you’ll also hear from Caddo, Lowell Edmonds on the subject as well) - How his father played on the Haskell Indian football team - Phil shares about his greatest regret and words of wisdom for young men - How Phil produced and wrote a documentary called “Disinherited: Caddo Indians Loss of their Homelands” about the removal of Caddos from their ancient homelands to their reservation in Oklahoma. - How he’s related to Jim Thorpe! - The Caddo’s battles with the Osage Yakoke, Phil for all your expertise and allowing us to learn more from you! Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/