The Turtle Story – Eddie Lindsey (Creek)
“We’ve always been people of Storying”, Eddie says. He shares a story that his momma told him about a turtle. The lesson was not lost on him. Then he shares another story – the most important story any of us will ever hear. It’s a story that each of us needs to take to heart.
God, I don’t want to live like this anymore – The Story of Chug Garreau (Lakota)
Chug grew up in the ranch and rodeo life. He also grew up with alcohol and the problems that come with it. He left home in high school after a fight with his dad. But that didn’t fix his problems. In fact, they were really just beginning. Years past and his troubles grew worse. He could see that his rebellion and addictions were bringing him down and taking a toll on his young family. The pain and shame of his actions – it was all catching up and he wanted to find a way out.
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Edna Shugak (Denaʼina) Part 1
Edna grew up in Pedro Bay, Alaska.Her father died when she was five. At age 14, she took on a commercial fishing venture for the family. Then her mother died. Life was challenging for this young woman. But, there was much yet ahead of her.
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Free from more than the Bottle – The Story of Molly Littlejohn (Cherokee)
Molly’s early years were marked with abuse. Alcohol had a hold of her, but she wasn’t content. This is her story of how she was set free from the bottle… and so much more. Click to Listen.
You don’t have to live a secret life. The Story of Edna Shugak (Denaʼina)
Edna grew up in Pedro Bay, Alaska a small community that began when her parents started trapping there. Life took a challenging turn when her father passed away when she was five. It wasn’t an easy life. Eventually, she heard about God’s love for her. She got married. And soon found out that her husband was an angry man. One day she decided she couldn’t take it anymore… and did something that many aren’t willing to do. Click here to Listen.
I was lost in alcohol – The Story of Mike Lente (Isleta)
Drinking was a part of Mike’s family culture as he was growing up… and it left it’s mark on him. Eventually, he picked up the bottle himself and became an alcoholic. He brought those troubles into his own family. Then something happened to his wife. She was acting different. One day Mike came home to find that she and the children were gone… and so he went looking for them. What he found would change his life forever. Click here to Listen.
In my darkest times… in my darkest hours – The Story of Jeff VanEvery
Jeff VanEvery (Upper Cayuga) has a story to tell. It's his story of hope, how radical change came into the life of a man who once was a drinker, bouncer, and fighter... and who almost lost everything he really cared for.
I’m Not Ready – A Compelling Story about Death, Judgment, and Eternity
If you were to die tonight and stand before your Creator, would you be ready?
Herman’s Haircut – The Story of a medicine man, a Navajo preacher, and the power of God
Navajo Herman Williams was living and preaching on a reservation in South Dakota. One day a man came to give Herman a haircut. It turned out the he was a local medicine man… and he had plans for Herman’s hair. This is an amazing story about spiritual power. If you’ve ever wondered about whether Jesus is greater than the spirits, you’ll want to listen to this story.
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Tom Claus (Mohawk) Shares Christmas Memories
Tom Claus reflects on what Christmas was like growing up on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario many years ago. After all the gifts were opened, the family would sit down together and read the Christmas story from the Bible. Tom goes on to read the story for us and then speaks about the precious gift that God gave to all people – His Son, Jesus Christ.
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An Orphan’s Christmas – Soapy Dollar (Mescalero Apache)
Soapy Dollar is a Mescalero Apache who was abandoned at birth on the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. After being picked up by a fortune teller and passed around till he was five, he was placed in a ranch for homeless and delinquent boys. This would become home for the rest of his youth. As an orphan, his memories and perspective of Christmas are different than most. Would bitterness and resentment mark the man who was born rejected… or would his path be different? What was Christmas like for a boy with no family? It might just surprise you… and encourage you. Got 15 minutes? Listen to his story and then pass it on.
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I’m Free – The Story of Allen Early (San Carlos Apache)
Allen, a San Carlos Apache, was raised in the traditional way by his father. His dad sent him away to school. Soon Allen got involved in alcohol, drugs, and gang life. He became so violent that the people in his community wanted him put away. But jail couldn’t hold him. He escaped many times. Finally, after a successful manhunt, he was placed in solitary confinement. He tried to hang himself but failed. So he decided to starve himself to death. It was then that a man came into the jail and shared his personal story about how he had been set free. Allen listened through the walls of his cell… and what happened next changed his life forever.
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He was seeking revenge, but found Love. The Story of Jim Rickteroff (Athabaskan)
Jim grew up being hated, abused, and very angry… and so it wasn’t long before he was bent on getting revenge. He trained in martial arts, preparing for the day when he would meet his abusers again. He was hot on the trail of one of them in Anchorage… but when Jim would go in the front door, the man would slip out the back. Then something incredible happened which brought him face to face with this man. If you’ve ever been abused, struggled with forgiveness, or know someone who has, this is a story you won’t want to miss. Have a listen, and then pass along the blessing to someone who needs to hear this.
The Rescuer Rescued – The Story of Gordon Thayer (Ojibwe)
Gordon got into serious trouble as a young man. He ended up standing before a judge who presented him with two choices: join the military or go to reform school. Gordon joined the Air Force and eventually became a part of the special forces unit, Pararescue, serving two tours in Vietnam. Pararescue’s motto is “These things we do, that others may live”. That was his mission during the war, and he fulfilled it valiantly… receiving the US military’s third highest combat-only award, the Silver Star. Years later, though, in a different battle, Gordon found himself as a prisoner – powerless to set himself free.
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Abandoned, abused, forgiven, free. An elder shares her story – The Testimony of Anne Morrow (Cree)
Anne’s mother abandoned the family when Anne was just a little girl. When Anne was five years old her father put her in residential school where she was abused. How does one overcome such trauma? As she shares her life’s journey you’ll find a remarkable story of forgiveness… not just in what she says, but in what she does. Her story reminds us that there really is hope – no matter what.
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The Shepherd’s Song – Psalm 23
These are challenging days across Native North America and throughout the world. For many First Nations and Native American communities, the prospect of contracting Covid-19 is frightening. Underlying health conditions put many Native people at greater risk with this coronavirus. Tribal leaders are working hard to protect their communities and we’re grateful. The uncertainty of life is very apparent in times like these… and so is the shadow of death. So where do we turn… where do we find hope when things are so difficult? Soapy Dollar, Mescalero Apache and host of The Storyteller radio program points us to where he has found it, and where you can too.
The Story behind Christmas – Jason French (Cherokee)
Like all of us, the Christmas story has a background… and it begins with our Creator. Join us as Jason French starts at the beginning and helps us understand the significance of this day that was first celebrated by angels in the night sky near Bethlehem and now is celebrated by people from tribes and nations around the world.
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Abandoned but not Forsaken. The Testimony of Soapy Dollar (Mescalero Apache)
A young, pregnant teenager leaves her reservation for the city and gives birth to her child. She returns home alone, after leaving her baby in an alley. The child is found by a fortune-teller who takes him home and passes him around for the first five years of his life. Finally, she places him in a home for delinquent and homeless boys. You could say that life had not begun well for this little boy. But God had plans for this abandoned child that no one could have ever imagined. If you need to be reminded today that God is bigger than your circumstances, and unhindered by your past, this story will encourage and inspire you. Listen. Enjoy. Share.
New Life – The Testimony of Jess French (Cherokee)
Ever heard voices? Jess has. As a night club entertainer, he was preparing for a show one Friday evening when he heard an unfamiliar voice ask him a strange question. Besides Jess and the bartender, there was no one else around… and the bartender hadn’t said anything. It was disturbing. Jess immediately asked for a straight shot of whiskey and took some pills to try to forget what had just happened. It worked for a while, but alcohol and drugs couldn’t keep the voice from coming back. So instead of running from it, he decided to pursue what he heard. It turned out to be the voice of Truth. Jess French is a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. This is his story....
The Fear is Gone – The Story of Eddie Lindsey (Creek)
As a young person, Eddie was afraid of dying. One day he and his aunt had a good talk about it. If you’ve ever wondered about death you might be interested in what she shared with him. Eddie also reflects on the influence that his father had on him. He always knew that his daddy loved him though he never heard the words. One day something happened in his father’s life that would impact the whole family. Daddy was different… he was changed. He didn’t drink anymore. That gave Eddie hope that he could change too.
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“Why you always smiling?” The Testimony of Julius Twohearts (Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux)
Julius Twohearts – Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux: Julius grew up on the Spirit Lake reservation in northeastern North Dakota. From his youth, his life was a toxic mixture of anger and alcohol. He eventually went to prison for attacking a police officer – sending him to the hospital. Years later, while Julius was drinking under a bridge, a stranger came and told him about Jesus. After that it seemed no matter where he went people would talk to him about Jesus. Slowly, his hard heart began to soften… and he opened it to the Lord. It’s been a long and painful journey, but today, Julius is known for his smile. As you listen to him share, you’ll actually hear him smiling. Find out why… maybe...