This Land podcast investigates stories that discuss the history of Native American rights. It's an award-winning documentary show hosted by journalist Rebecca Nagle. She's also a citizen of Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the US.
The first season of the This Land podcast starts with the murder of George Jacobs. The courts found Patrick Murphy guilty and sentenced him to death in Oklahoma in 1999. Yet, this story isn't about the murder itself. This story is about where it happened and why it became a fight over property and land ownership.
Upon Patrick's appeal, a lawyer discovered a rusty cross that marked where George died. The cross also proved that the police had the wrong crime scene. This detail mattered for an important reason. George and Patrick were part of the Native American tribe, Muscogee Creek Nation. If the murder happened here, Oklahoma didn't have the right to prosecute Patrick or put him on death row. Rebecca starts by visiting the location where her ancestors lived and died. As someone frustrated by people ignoring her ancestors, this story was important to her. The final This Land podcast episodes of that season share the historic decision made by the US Supreme Court.
Following on from this compelling story is season two of This Land. This series is about a law that prevented the removal of Native American children. At the story's center is a white couple who sue against this law to adopt a Navajo and Cherokee toddler. Rebecca hosts this season, too, with a team of investigators exploring a single case for a year. It opens up a history of family separation with far-reaching consequences. That season also ends with an important Supreme Court decision.
This Land explores cases with lasting impacts on Native American tribes. Every season is a ten-part series, sharing the details and facts of these issues.
Episodes