The hochokaaudio’s Podcast

Hochoka Fresh Perspectives on Catholicism Part I – The Red Heifer Ceremony

What do Jesus, the ancient Red Heifer Ceremony, White Buffalo Calf Woman and Black Elk have in common? More importantly, what deeper connections between Lakota Spirituality and Catholicism does this reveal? Let’s find out in a conversation with Dr. Damian Costello.

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 6 - Survival Songs of This Lakota Poet

“Give me a glimpse of what could be – not to ponder what might have been – reveal the blush of dawn – overlook the thorns beneath the rose – welcome the glow of winter’s stars – to laugh and play in drifts of snow – kindle that gentle beauty and pray when night and quiet come.” The poem called “Hope” is from “Survival Songs,” poetry by Lydia Whirlwind Soldier on her Native American boarding school experience.

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 5 - Memory Songs of This Lakota Poet

“I retreat to the edge of dreams, empty my heart of haunting fears. I fly with the red-tail hawk along the bank of rolling thunderheads into the mysteries of prayer.” This is poetry that gives voice to the Lakota Way with heart-stirring imaginative power. Join our conversation with Lakota Poet Lydia Whirlwind Soldier.

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 4 - Bookmobile Revisited

How is it that a seminarian from Vietnam and a business major from Ft. Myers, Florida, find themselves traveling through Indian Country of the Northern Plains distributing books? Let’s find out.

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 3 - Well, Then. What About Indigenous Evaluationi

As Native communities across the country reclaim their narratives and embrace their cultural heritages, our work at St. Joseph’s Indian School has become increasingly enriched through Indigenous ways of knowing. It is time to ask, “Well, then, what about an indigenous evaluation framework for our students?” Listen to our conversation with Dr. Melanie Nadeau

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 2 - What's All This Talk About Indigenous Ways of Knowing

What’s all this talk about Indigenous ways of knowing? Why should a school for Native American students seek to develop measurements of student achievement based on Indigenous knowledge systems? Let’s talk Dr. Melanie Nadeau, who can help us appreciate this complex topic.

Hochoka Season 6, Episode 1 - Talking Thiyóšpaye Part I -I Am on a Turtle’s Walk

What happens when a researcher and doctor in public health and an alum of St. Joseph’s, who herself works and pursues studies in health care, have the opportunity to get to know one another? Let’s find out as we listen to a conversation between St. Joseph's alum Danielle Two Two and Dr. Melanie Nadeau.

Hochoka Season 6 Teaser

Don’t miss Hóčhoka Season 6 when:
Damian Costello joins us again to provide fresh perspectives on Catholicism through an Indigenous lens. We explore the Red Heifer, the Advent season and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
We hear from South Dakota Living Treasure and Lakota Poet Lydia Whirlwind Soldier. Joseph Marshall III joins her for two episodes called the “Elders’ Circle,” when they talk about life over the past eight decades.
Three alumni “Talk Thióšpaye” – Danielle Two Two, Trinity Sazue and Distinguished Alum Danielle Arpan.
Dr. Melanie Nadeau, Indigenous Evaluation Specialist, explains the topic and works with our staff on our evaluation methods.

Hóčhoka Season 5, Episode 16 - Native American Lit. Part III - Nourishing Young Illustrators

What happens when Lakota author and artist Donald Montileaux collaborates with our librarian, Claire Nehring, and her students to create an illustrating project? Let’s listen in.

Hóčhoka Season 5, Episode 15 - Native American Lit. Part II - Words Painting Pictures

What happens when a beloved Lakota artist joins ranks with the traditional tribal storytellers who used their wisdom and gifted voices to paint pictures of wonderful, magical animals and colorful birds on the walls of young people’s minds? To borrow some words from Donald Montileaux himself, this one is for all those children whose eyes dance in the firelight as he creates words and images that jump boldly from the pages of his books and into young imaginations.