Episode 87 More Than A Mascot--We are Made in God's Image

Episode 88: No, We Don’t All Look the Same as Indigenous Peoples

SHOW NOTES: Native identity is diverse. One of the most persistent stereotypes about Native Americans is the belief that we all look alike, dress alike, think alike, and share the same culture. The truth is much richer. There are hundreds of tribes, hundreds of histories, and countless ways Native people express their identity. This episode challenges the idea that there is a single “Native look” and encourages listeners to embrace the beautiful diversity that exists within Indigenous communities. Most importantly, this episode reminds Native listeners that they do not need to perform their identity for anyone else’s approval. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: * Sign up [https://natives-following-jesus.captivate.fm/] for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter. * Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus [https://www.instagram.com/nativesfollowjesus?igsh=YWxwZ3ZnZnpjNHJn&utm_source=qr] * Send me an email at nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com [nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks. * Check out the Lumbee Federal Tribal Recognition that happened in December of 2025 here [https://www.lumbeetribe.com/federalrecognition]. * Peruse the Native Blood Quantum discussion from these two perspectives online: The California Law Review [https://www.californialawreview.org/online/blood-quantum-and-the-white-gatekeeping-of-native-american-identity] and Native Governance Center's Blood Quantum Guide [https://nativegov.org/resources/blood-quantum-and-sovereignty-a-guide/] * Review the answers to the myth that all indigenous peoples live on reservations from the Bureau of Indian Affairs [https://www.bia.gov/faqs/must-all-american-indians-and-alaska-natives-live-reservations] and the story of the struggle whether native peoples live on or off the reservation [https://nativenews.jour.umt.edu/2014/?page_id=171]. * Discover how Native Americans migrated into North America from Answers in Genesis [https://answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/ice-age/migrant-native-americans/] and where Native Peoples settled [https://youtu.be/OJMjR2h__nA]. * Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.com [https://www.podchaser.com/NativesFollowJesus] Join us for the next episode when you can dismantle the Strong Silent Native stereotype with me.

Episode 87 More Than A Mascot--We are Made in God's Image

Native identity is sacred, not entertainment. This episode explores why Native mascots, costumes, and caricatures continue to affect Native people today. While many people say they intend to honor Native Americans through mascots, the reality is often very different. What is presented as appreciation frequently becomes a shallow stereotype that reduces living cultures to symbols, costumes, and mascots. This conversation is not about anger. It is about dignity. It is about seeing Native people as human beings created in God’s image rather than symbols used for entertainment. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: * Sign up [https://natives-following-jesus.captivate.fm/] for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter. * Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus [https://www.instagram.com/nativesfollowjesus?igsh=YWxwZ3ZnZnpjNHJn&utm_source=qr] * Send me an email at nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com [nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks. * Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.com [https://www.podchaser.com/NativesFollowJesus] Join us for the next episode when you will learn that "No, we don't all look the same." Indigenous people look different and are dignified. Mentioned in this episode: Part two

Episode 86: We’re Still Here--Confronting the Myth That Native Americans Only Exist in the Past

SHOW NOTES: Indigenous Peoples are not mascots, myths, or museum pieces. We are living peoples created by God with stories, beauty, pain, humor, and purpose. We’re starting a new series, entitled, Beyond the Stereotype. This series is designed to help Native and non-Native listeners confront harmful stereotypes, reclaim indigenous identity, and a desire to follow Jesus with honesty, strength, humor, and dignity. Many people talk about Native people as if we disappeared. This episode reminds listeners that Native communities are alive, evolving, resilient, and still carrying culture, language, faith, and identity. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: * Sign up [https://natives-following-jesus.captivate.fm/] for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter. * Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus [https://www.instagram.com/nativesfollowjesus?igsh=YWxwZ3ZnZnpjNHJn&utm_source=qr] * Documentaries exploring Hollywood's stereotypes of Native Americans unpack how early cinema reduced diverse, rich Indigenous cultures into two-dimensional tropes—such as the "noble savage," the bloodthirsty villain, or the mystic. They analyze how these caricatures justified historical mistreatment and shaped public perception. * Watch Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003): This documentary details the history of Native American representation in cinema, breaking down how film was utilized as a propaganda tool. View trailer here [https://youtu.be/_hJFi7SRH7Q]. * Check out Reel Injun (2009): Directed by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond, this award-winning feature is the definitive documentary on the subject. It traces the evolution of the "Hollywood Indian" from the silent era to the modern day and features interviews with iconic figures like Clint Eastwood and Russell Means. You can stream or rent it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Watch trailer here [https://youtu.be/rbDvteUUrm4]. * Tune into What Hollywood Gets Wrong About Native America (2024): Produced by PBS as part of their A People's History series, this short-form documentary investigates why Native people and stories remain marginalized, and highlights how modern Indigenous filmmakers are reclaiming their narratives. You can watch the full episode for free on the PBS Website [https://www.pbs.org/video/what-hollywood-gets-wrong-about-native-america-pbfqvv/]. * Send me an email at nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com [nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks. * Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.com [https://www.podchaser.com/NativesFollowJesus] Join us for the next episode when you can join me in addressing sports mascots and cultural caricatures.

Episode 85: Counting Blessings--Celebrating Birthdays and Spiritual Milestones as Indigenous Followers of Jesus

SHOW NOTES: Birthdays are more than getting older. They’re reminders that the Creator carried us another year. This week on Natives Follow Jesus, we talk about celebrating birthdays as Indigenous followers of Jesus — and why spiritual milestones matter too. Celebrate: * your healing * your sobriety * your baptism * your growth * your survival * your journey with Jesus Some victories are quiet…but they still matter deeply. Walk in beauty, relatives. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: * Sign up [https://natives-following-jesus.captivate.fm/] for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter. * Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus [https://www.instagram.com/nativesfollowjesus?igsh=YWxwZ3ZnZnpjNHJn&utm_source=qr] * Send me an email at nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com [nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks. * Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.com [https://www.podchaser.com/NativesFollowJesus] Join us for the next series where we confront harmful stereotypes, reclaim identity, and follow Jesus with honesty, integrity, humor, and dignity.

Episode 84 Memorial Day: Honor, Grief, and the Indigenous Warrior

SHOW NOTES: Memorial Day can feel complicated for Indigenous people. Many Native communities carry both pride in our veterans and pain from the history our people endured. This week on Natives Follow Jesus, we talk honestly about: • Native warrior traditions • Indigenous military service • historical trauma • faith, lament, and healing through Jesus We honor Native veterans while refusing to erase the truth of history. You can hold grief and gratitude at the same time. Walk in beauty, relatives. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: * Sign up [https://natives-following-jesus.captivate.fm/] for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter. * Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus [https://www.instagram.com/nativesfollowjesus?igsh=YWxwZ3ZnZnpjNHJn&utm_source=qr] * Send me an email at nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com [nativefollowsjesus@gmail.com] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks. * Read more about Ira Hayes a World War II hero from the Pima Nation in Arizona from the Museum of Native American History here [https://www.monah.org/luminaries/2021/1/5/ira-hayes-national-war-hero]. Scroll down to view song made popular by Johnny Cash about the tragic death of Ira Hayes. * Peruse the information about the Navajo Code Talkers here [https://www.visitgallup.com/blog/navajo-code-talkers/] from the Gallup, New Mexico online postings honor the Navajo Code Talkers. You can scroll down to watch an hour long movie talking about the Navajo Code Talkers too. * Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.com [https://www.podchaser.com/NativesFollowJesus] Join us for the next episode when you can find out how to count your blessings in your walk with Jesus.