S7, E6, Part 4: Our Choctaw Hymns & Ancestral Stories with Paula Carney & Cheryl Weeden, Choctaw

Native ChocTalk

Part 4

It is said that as our ancestors walked the hundreds of miles on the Trail of Tears from their homelands to Indian Territory during The Removal, that singing could be heard echoing through the trees. Those near enough to hear those melodious sounds may have assumed a nearby church service was taking place.

What they probably didn’t know at the time was that those singers, young and old, feeble and strong, were forced to walk in frigid weather, and some would succumb to the cold or illness, or were killed by soldiers. And yet, despite their anguish, they sang to their Creator - sometimes songs of sorrow, and other times, songs of hope and praise.

Our Choctaw hymns embody a harrowing, yet beautiful history, connected to a deep cultural and spiritual significance. Rooted in the 19th century, these hymns were adapted from Christian traditions introduced by missionaries. And they symbolize resilience, faith, and the enduring spirit of the Choctaw people.

I spent an incredibly precious day with my guests, Paula Carney and her daughter, Cheryl Weeden (both Choctaw) as I attended their church and enjoyed the Choctaw hymns that were sung (I also sang a couple myself), followed by a wonderful Choctaw meal. Afterwards, Paula and Cheryl shared about their life and ancestral stories with me.

Paula also spoke in detail about her time in the boarding schools and how the hymns gave her strength during trying times.

May you be blessed as you listen to these hymns and stories of strength and hope!

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