Shandin Pete, Aaron Brien

Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast

Society EN ↓ 71 episodes

Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast tackle real issues related to research by Tribal people in their communities. The show is hosted by Dr. Shandin Pete (Salish/Diné) and Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke). Dr. Pete is from the Flathead Indian Reservation in Arlee, Montana. He completed a M.S. in Geology and an Ed. D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Montana. Brien resides in Hardin, MT and the Crow Indian Reservation. He completed his M.A. in Anthropology at the University of Montana. The show includes discussions on matters important in Indian Country, including reclaiming resea...

Author

Shandin Pete, Aaron Brien

Episodes

#71 - Seven Generations Later: ChatGPT Arrives on Turtle Island and Asks, “Where’s the Red Road?” 11.05.2026 1:45:47

Send us Fan Mail 0:00:00 Warm-Up Songs, Old Powwow Tapes & “Old Style” vs “Contemp” 0:09:00 Sweet Grass, Flying Eagle & The Sweet Spot of 80s–90s Singing 0:13:30 Copying Songs, Social Media Beadwork Beef & Who Owns a Melody? 0:18:10 “Walking the Red Road”: Black Elk, Recovery Culture & Pan-Indian Buzzwords 0:25:00 Medicine Wheel 101: Stone Circles, Four Quadrants & a 1970s Best...

#70 - Don’t Be an Analyst, Be an Indian: Cultural Revitalization, Armchair Expertise, and the Problem of Not Doing Anything - Guest: Jakob Knudson 26.03.2026 2:08:43

Send us Fan Mail 0:00:00 Planet Talk, Aging Filters & Cold Open Chaos 0:05:53 AI Space Pics, Social Media Lies & Critical Thinking for Kids 0:08:51 Old Wax Cylinders, Cowboy Love Song & Language Nerding 0:14:18 Salish Language Nerd-Out, Borderland Territories & Rodeo Lore 0:24:43 Nonprofit Life Crisis: “Should an Org Throw a Potlatch?” 0:36:28 Ethnography Addiction & the Interv...

#69 - Rent‑to‑Own Indigenous Traditions On & Off the Rez: High‑Interest Responsibility for Communities, Easy Credit for Scholars 20.02.2026 1:44:58

Send us Fan Mail Couches, Rent-to-Own Memories 0:00:00 Talent Night, Gold-Speckled Mirrors & 80s/90s Home Aesthetics 0:00:50 Weather Channel Lightning, Thunderbirds & Power Everywhere 0:10:30 Cultural Knowledge vs. Knowledge of Culture 0:14:20 Lived Experience, Book Learning & Cultural Competency 0:18:20 Academic Discomfort & Being the “Native Scholar” 0:25:20 Ceremonial Pressure a...

#68 - Memoirs of an Indigenous Knowledge Dojo Dropout and the Vin Diesel School of Indigenous Philosophy 03.02.2026 1:18:36

Send us Fan Mail Introduction & Reel‑to‑Reel Time Travel 0:00:00 YouTube Archives & Arlee 1958 Powwow Tapes 0:01:11 Life Updates Sweat Lodge Smart Board & Office Feng Shui 0:09:35 Genealogy Historic Trauma & Reinvented Family Histories 0:11:13 Mythical Cree Blood Chiefs and Grandma Being Wrong 0:18:54 Vin Diesel Philosophy & You Keep What You Kill 0:23:14 Belief Depression &amp...

#67 - Entitled or Excluded? Paving Over Tradition with Curriculum and Policy 05.12.2025 1:32:40

Send us Fan Mail Introduction & Busting Myths on Success 0:00:00 Reservation Fashion & Cultural Standards 0:01:16 Archetypes & Unique Characters on the Rez 0:05:11 Tribal Jobs & Entitlement 0:11:19 Committees, Cultural Transmission & Gatekeeping 0:19:30 Learning Tradition: Formal vs. Authentic 0:38:28 Ceremony, Custom, and Curriculum 0:52:43 Institutionalization, Education &amp...

#66 - When the Ceremony Goes Viral: Who Gets to Comment? 11.10.2025 1:09:44

Send us Fan Mail Shirt Fails 0:00:00 Honey 0:01:23 Archival Music & YouTube Plug 0:04:45 Recording Sacredness: The Big Debate 0:09:37 Public or Private? Drawing the Line 0:21:58 Comments, Critiques & Cross-Tribal Shade 0:27:47 History, Law & Sacred Documentation 0:39:52 Modern Moments: Livestreams & Boundaries 0:47:22 Wrap-Up: Lessons, Laughs & Respect 1:01:21 Hosts: Aaron Bri...

#65 - Singing, Gambling, and Social Change: A Brief Ethnography of Modern Native Gatherings 27.08.2025 1:09:32

Send us Fan Mail Opening and Introductions 0:00:00 Physical Recovery and Masculinity 0:02:52 Hand Game and Stick Game Traditions 0:05:25 Gambling, Community, and Cultural Reflections 0:34:01 Powwow Evolution and Dance Trends 0:49:00 Personal Stories and Lifestyle Changes 0:58:32 Hosts: Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), Shandin Pete (Salish/Diné). How to cite this episode (apa) Pete, S. H. & Brien, A...

#64 - Between Good and Bad: Where Black Bears Eat Eagles - Guest: Terry Brockie 21.07.2025 1:29:13

Send us Fan Mail Cold Open & Banter 03:50 Buffalo Skulls and Song Memories 08:15 Thought Power and Gossip as Harm 15:30 Good Intentions, Bad Spirits & Colonial Influence 23:00 Warriors, Morality, and Historical Context 29:30 Interrogating the Good/Bad Dichotomy 38:00 Collective Intention and the Power to Harm 44:30 Language Loss: Beyond Boarding Schools 54:00 Economic Security and Self-Act...

#63 – Mountain Dew, Cigarettes, and Coffee: Practicing Reciprocity the Old Way - Guest: Terry Brockie 20.06.2025 1:30:27

Send us Fan Mail Train Observations and Internet Issues 0:00 Cultural Preservation and Historic Preservation 0:15 Philosophy of Reciprocity 0:30 Examples of Reciprocity in Practice 0:45 Challenges of Teaching and Learning Culture 1:00 Impact of Modern Influences on Traditional Practices 1:15 Personal Stories and Cultural Reflections 1:30 Thoughts and Reflections 1:45 Reflections on Language and Id...

#62 - Indigenous Wisdom or Intellectual Tourism: Problematizing Indigenous Academic Knowledge 21.05.2025 1:31:40

Send us Fan Mail Discussion on Facetiousness and Cultural References 0:00 Indigenizing and Decolonizing Literature 6:11 Thanksgiving, Columbus Day, and Liberation Day 11:02 Challenges of Academic Engagement 17:15 Sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledge 31:32 Data Sovereignty and Academic Validation 50:40 The Role of Indigenous Scholars 59:59 The Impact of Academic Research on Indigenous Communities 1...

#61 - From Trauma to Teasing: The Epigenetics of Indigenous Humor - Guest: Kasey Nicholson 18.03.2025 1:52:37

Send us Fan Mail Code-Switching & Cultural Banter 0:00:00 Trauma, Humor, and Healing 0:15:00 Counselor to Comedian 0:35:00 Joke Anatomy 101 0:55:00 Academic Comedy Fails 1:15:00 The Art of Native Teasing 1:35:00 Generational Laughs 1:55:00 Breaking Stereotypes 2:15:00 Guest: Kasey Nicholson (A’aa’niii’nin) https://www.rezzalicious.com/ Hosts: Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), Salisha Old Bull (Salish...

#60 - Deossifying Myths at the Crossroad of Modern Tribal Boundaries 25.01.2025 46:20

Send us Fan Mail Introductions 0:00 Discussion on Leftovers and Turkey 3:00 Cultural Dependence on Buffalo 9:28 Cultural Politics and Narrative Dominance 14:16 Intermixing of Cultures and Cultural Preservation 32:08 Challenges in Cultural Preservation and Future Directions 45:41 Hosts: Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), Salisha Old Bull (Salish/Apsáalooke), (Shandin Pete (Salish/Diné) How to cite this epis...

#59 - Crushing Myths, Prophesying Futures: Indigenous Perspectives on Life and Extinction 13.12.2024 1:15:41

Send us Fan Mail 0:00 - Casual Conversation About Daily Life 8:29 - Philosophy of Extinction and Survival 23:08 - Navigating Cultural Learning and Extinction 27:32 - Exploring Morality and Cultural Prophecy 43:53 - Exploring Cultural Beliefs and Mortality 58:16 - Cultural Wisdom and Language Shorthand 1:13:05 - Podcast Topic Creation and Cultural Reflections Hosts: Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), Salish...

#58 - Raising a Wisdom Baby: Indigenous Knowledge That Won't Let You Sleep - Guest: Miranda Rowland 15.11.2024 1:32:52

Send us Fan Mail 0:00 Language and Cultural Heritage 6:27 Indigenous Music and Academic Research 21:00 Navigating Native Scholars' Experiences 30:12 Critiquing Research and Academic Mentorship 39:50 Native Research and Epiphanies 45:56 Challenges in Indigenous Knowledge Transmission 58:34 Academic Integrity in Indigenous Research 1:08:21 Realizations in Indigenous Research 1:22:45 Unity Among...

#57 - Conversation on Traditions: Walking Belly First with Indigenous Practitioners and Scholars 20.09.2024 1:16:26

Send us Fan Mail 00:01 Indigenous vs. Tribal Archaeology 11:21 Discussion on Singing Protocol 18:51 Unspoken Hierarchy in PowWow Culture 28:53 Social Dynamics in Native Gatherings 34:07 Struggles With Traditional and Academic Knowledge 43:20 Navigating Indigenous Knowledge and Protocol 56:40 Practitioners vs. Scholars in Traditions 01:01:24 Reinterpreting Traditional Ecological Knowledge 01:13:34...

#56 - Native Cousin Chronicles: "She's my Mom's, Dad's, Sister-in-Law's, Daughter's Grandson" 31.07.2024 1:37:42

Send us Fan Mail 0:00 Dream Guests on My Podcast 7:33 Musical Reflections on Seven Generations 26:05 Complexities of Kinship Rules 33:51 Crow Kinship Structure Clarified 42:03 Crow Kinship Structure and Roles 52:33 Navigating Crow Kinship and Social Rules 1:07:25 Preserving Salish Kinship and Language 1:11:38 Salish Social Organization and Kinship 1:24:00 Cultural Preservation and Social Organizat...

#55 - O.G. Powwow Boy Band: Evolution of a Contemporary Powwow Singing Group - Guest: James "Bud" Day 28.05.2024 2:13:41

Send us Fan Mail Powwow Music Evolution and Stories - 00:12:03 Discussion on Traditional Singing Fundamentals - 00:21:48 Evolution of Contemporary Powwow Singing Styles - 00:27:51 More on the Evolution of Contemporary Powwow Singing - 00:36:09 TBZ Evolution - 00:52:04 Powwow Singing Critique and Memories - 01:02:43 Music & Culture - 01:09:19 Influential Singers and Song Making - 01:15:40 Songw...

#54 - Fencepost Philosophy: Familial Boundaries Delineating Logic, Tradition and Belief. 17.04.2024 1:05:56

Send us Fan Mail Missing VHS tape and a burial board. 0:00 Slang phrases and their origins. 4:38 Cultural preservation, imposition, and ethnocentrism. 11:56 Conflicts within families due to differing beliefs and values. 20:35 Family dynamics and cultural preservation among Native American siblings. 26:01 Cultural loss and its impact on family dynamics and identity. 34:27 Cultural practices, family...

#53 - A Smudge Too Far: Perils of Pretendigenous Smudging 08.03.2024 1:14:56

Send us Fan Mail Police encounters. 0:24 Colonialism, language, and smudging. 4:48 Smudging practice and techniques. 11:25 The origin and usage of the word "smudge" in Native American contexts. 16:58 Smudging practices and Timing. 23:08 Smudging practices and cultural context. 30:53 Cultural knowledge and tradition invention. 38:27 Smudging and its significance. 43:13 Smudging and gang f...

#52 - Authenticity Under Surveillance: A Native’s Guide to Being Yourself…Everywhere! 18.02.2024 1:20:28

Send us Fan Mail Archive music and recording techniques. 0:00 Native American music styles and cultural influences. 5:37 Tribal engagement and cultural resource management. 13:59 Tribal consultation and engagement in BLM meetings. 20:16 Identity and cultural expression. 28:12 Identity and spirituality. 33:02 Cultural preservation and learning. 37:50 Indigenous identity and research methods....

#51 - Anti-Un-De-Colonial Indigenization Potluck: A cornucopia of gripes and thoughts 19.12.2023 1:13:39

Send us Fan Mail Traditions Unveiled: Navigating the True Meaning of Thanksgiving. 0:00 Feast or Fiesta: Exploring Food Choices Beyond Thanksgiving . 6:21 Reclaiming Histories: Indigenous Research Challenges and Opportunities . 12:52 From Podcasts to Papers: Academic Writing Adventures. 20:29 Success, Legitimacy, and Indigenous Research Methodologies. 28:41 Ownership and Equality: Indigenous Knowl...

#50 - Drama at Club NCAI: Native Identity Scuffles for Federal Scraps - Guest: Salisha Old Bull 24.11.2023 1:00:08

Send us Fan Mail Native American identity and organization. 0:00 Federal recognition for Native American tribes. 7:07 Native American identity and federal recognition. 19:25 Tribal recognition and federal government responsibilities. 21:58 Tribal recognition and identity. 27:21 Cultural identity and authenticity. 34:22 Native American policy and advocacy. 42:26 Tribal sovereignty and cultural pres...

#49 - Nakoa HeavyRunner Unplugged: The Life and Times of a Round Dance Alchemist 17.11.2023 1:34:23

Send us Fan Mail Pain, suffering, and aging. 0:00 Changes in powwow music and culture. 9:43 The evolution of music and its impact on artists. 16:07 Music evolution and nostalgia. 17:52 Round dance music and production. 26:56 Music recording techniques and cringe-worthy old songs. 35:17 Audio engineering and preserving cultural heritage. 39:30 Preserving cultural heritage through storytelling. 45:0...

#48 - Drums, Dreams and Cultural Schemes: A Beatdown on Indigenous Conferences. 10.11.2023 1:32:49

Send us Fan Mail Traditional songs and their cultural significance. 0:04 Indigenous singing and morality. 22:28 Indigenous land acknowledgments and cultural appropriation. 34:43 Conference planning and land acknowledgments. 41:45 Incorporating traditional ceremonies into a conference. 55:45 Indigenous Research Methodologies and Identity. 1:12:21 Organizing a conference for indigenous researchers....

#47 - Highbrowing Indigenous Cinema: What do Natives want... realism or escapism? Guest: Salisha Old Bull 08.09.2023 1:42:33

Send us Fan Mail Intro: Too much sodium? 0:00 The best Predator movie ever made. 18:15 You’re not active listening 22:48 Eagle feathers and fake feathers. 35:43 Not so good Ten Indigenous Movies List. 49:24 TRS Top 5 Indigenous Movies List. 1:08:08 Cinema should be an escape from the past. 1:36:47 Movie Quotes Thunderheart (1992) - Busted arm Dances With Wolves (1990) - Why don't he wr...