Kicking off the series, episode one of the Wičháho Blihélya podcast explores the histories around some of the last names heard in Lakota communities today. We hear stories about mistranslations and stories of how those names came to be. We also get to hear a few naming songs sung by renown Lakota singer, Ben Iron Hawk (Oglála).

Speakers in this episode include: Edna Plenty Arrows (Oglála), Ben Black Bear (Sičháŋǧu), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

Episode two was recorded in light of Valentine’s Day, modernly celebrated by Lakota people and observed as “Čhaŋté Skúya Aŋpétu” or “Sweet Heart Day”. We discuss the history of traditional Lakota courtship, marriage, values as well as discussing love songs such as the wiówešte olówaŋ. This episode features love songs sung by both Melvin Young Bear (Oglála) and Royal Yellow Hawk (Sičháŋǧu).

Speakers in this episode include: Jerry Yellow Hawk (Cheyenne River), Ben Black Bear (Sičháŋǧu), Theresa Mendoza (Oglála), Clifford Canku (Sisíthuŋwaŋ Dakhóta), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

This episode was recorded in hopes that it would be the last time we discuss winter weather until far after the coming summer has passed. We spoke with elders who recalled that winter was the time for storytelling, and how these stories have lessons and teachings attached to them. We also heard true stories and memories of one of the worst blizzards in South Dakota history, the 1949 Blizzard. Akhé pȟeží tȟó uŋkálipi kte. We will walk upon green grass again!

Speakers in this episode include: Harriet Brings (Oglála), Edna Plenty Arrows (Oglála), Dellmarie DullKnife-Bradfield (Oglála), Florida Young Bull Bear (Ogála), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

We can finally say that spring has arrived and it’s actually starting to look like it. In this episode we discuss birds, namely the meadowlark who returns in the springtime. We discuss various experiences seeing and hearing these birds speak Lakota, as well as some stories that talk about them as well. We would like to dedicate this episode to the late Kevin Locke who is remembered talking about meadowlarks every spring.

Speakers in this episode include: Florida Young Bull Bear – Jealous Of Him (Oglála), Gerald Yellow Hawk (Cheyenne River), Ben Black Bear Jr (Sičháŋǧu), Clifford Canku (Sisíthuŋwaŋ/Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ Dakhóta), Peter “Pahá” Hill, Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála). We also hear a song titled, “Meadowlark”, played on the flute by the late Kevin Locke.