S8, E4, Pt 4: Honoring Our Choctaw Tvshka (Warriors) – In Memory, Legacy & Fatherhood: Ryan Spring (Choctaw)

In Honor of Memorial Day: This series is dedicated to our Native American veterans—our warriors—who have served with honor, courage, and an unshakable commitment to protect this land and its people. With Father’s Day around the corner: We also honor our fathers and our future warriors - our young men. Long before Choctaws were farmers and business people, they were WARRIORS. Here to talk about this subject is Choctaw Nation's Historic Preservation Department's Ryan Spring. In this episode you'll learn about warriors and the changing world: - The Battle of Caddo Hills - The Battle of Fort Rosalie (the “other side” of the story) - The story of mischievous Choctaws who brought chaos to a fort - The cultural shift from war to trade - How the influx of alcohol destabilized Choctaw communities and led to the rise of the Lighthorsemen. - As traditional roles faded, how did Choctaw men adapt - The modern warrior's path: finding today’s inner warrior - Reclaiming identity and strength through community leadership and ancestral connection