Playlist: Jordan Nelson's Portfolio
Selected radio features produced by Jordan Nelson
Additional pieces available by clicking on my profile.
Generations: Cherokee language through art
From Jordan Nelson | 03:38
The Cherokee Heritage Center is using art to help pass on the Cherokee language.
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- Generations: Cherokee language through art
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- Jordan Nelson
The Cherokee language is thousands of years old. In 1821, Sequoyah--one of the most famous Cherokees in history--created a written syllabary of characters to represent the Cherokee language's sounds.
From the late 1800s through much of the 20th century, discrimination and English-only rules at Indian boarding schools discouraged use of the language, meaning most of today's Cherokees cannot speak their own language.
The Cherokee Heritage Center's new exhibit in Tahlequah, Okla., is using art to help pass on the native language.
Young Cherokees ride to remember
From Jordan Nelson | 03:41
This year, a group of young Cherokees set out on a journey to remember, on bicycle. It took them nearly 1,000 miles away from home--and back again. KOSU's Jordan Nelson, himself a Cherokee citizen, rode the last few miles with the group. Here's his report.
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- Young Cherokees ride to remember
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- Jordan Nelson
These eight Cherokee citizens--ages 16 to 24--traveled the Trail of Tears by bicycle. They left the capital of the Cherokee Nation--Tahlequah, Okla.--this June and drove to New Echota, Ga., where their ancestors lived more than 170 years ago. After touring various sites around the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, they packed onto their bicycles, and began to pedal home.
A total of 12 Cherokees rode the Trail of Tears, including Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. They biked a total of about 1,000 miles, averaging 60-70 miles a day.
They returned to the Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation July 15, to much local fanfare.
The ride was the second of its kind, with a group of young Cherokees making the same trip 25 years ago in 1984. Todd Enlow, the ride organizer, hopes to make this an annual event so young Cherokees have the chance to retrace their ancestors' footsteps.
Horned lizards of our nation's Air Force
From Jordan Nelson | 03:32
After Texas Horned Lizards were found living at Tinker Air Force base, government biologists and private researchers began to study the animal. Piece by Jordan Nelson of KOSU in Stillwater, Okla.
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- Horned lizards of our nation's Air Force
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- Jordan Nelson
After Texas Horned Lizards were found to be living at Tinker Air Force base, government biologists and private researchers began to study the animal. Ray Moody, John Krupovage and Vic Bogosian are three of the people who help protect the species of concern on the base. They manage the lizards' habitat, track their movements and advise base officials on how to limit base activities' impact on the habitat. Piece by Jordan Nelson of KOSU in Stillwater, Okla.
Graduates' Next American Dream
From Jordan Nelson | 03:33
This year's college graduates weigh in on what's next for the American Dream, in this piece by Jordan Nelson of KOSU in Stillwater, Okla.
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- Graduates' Next American Dream
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- Jordan Nelson
Created in response to American Public Media's series, "The Next American Dream," this piece includes college graduates at their commencement ceremonies weighing in on what the American Dream means to them. This piece is by Jordan Nelson, of KOSU in Stillwater, Okla.