Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team is joined again by Bob Rugh and Wil Meya from the Language Conservancy ( https://languageconservancy.org ). The Language Conservancy was founded in 2005 by a concerned group of indigenous educators and language activists in reaction to the severe decline of indigenous language speakers in the United States.  Working closely with partner organizations,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team is joined by Bob Rugh and Wil Meyafrom the Language Conservancy ( https://languageconservancy.org/ ). The Language Conservancy was founded in 2005 by a concerned group of indigenous educators and language activists in reaction to the severe decline of indigenous language speakers in the United States.  Working closely with partner organizations, they...

Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode, listen to highlights from the IRC teams discussion from Episode 5 and Episode 6. In Episode 5 the team discusses the acquisition and use of knowledge from the medium of traditional songs. An Apsáalooke song from Crazy Sister-In-Law provides physical documentation of success and authority. Songs such as these commonly called "Honor Songs" are used i...

Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode, listen to highlight from the IRC teams discussions from Episode 3 and Episode 4. In Episode 3 the team discusses positive stereotyping and romanticism of Indigenous worldviews. The introduction of EuroAmerican instrument, in this case, a harmonica played by Jerome Vanderburg, facilitated the notion of composition of songs into the lifeway of Indigenous peopl...

Send us Fan Mail In the episode, the IRC team speaks with JoRee LaFrance (Apsáalooke). She is a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. She comes from the Crow Reservation located in southeastern Montana. Her Apsáalooke name is Iichiinmaaáatchilash (Fortunate with Horses) and she comes from the Greasy Mouth clan and is a child of Ties in the Bundle clan...

Send us Fan Mail In the episode, the IRC team speaks with Lydia Jennings (Pascua Yaqui and Huichol).  Lydia is doctoral candidate in the Department of Environmental Sciences, with a minor in American Indian Policy at the University of Arizona (UA). Her research interests are in environmental remediation, Indigenous science, mining policy, and environmental data ownership by tribal nations. Lydia’s...

Send us Fan Mail In the episode, the IRC team speaks with The WILLOW AGEP Alliance Fellows. The Willow AGEP Alliance brings together three institutions - University of Montana, Salish Kootenai College, and Sitting Bull College. The WILLOW AGEP Alliance includes interconnected components focusing on retention and support for NAF-STEM via a mentoring program, grant preparation, and management progra...

Send us Fan Mail In part 2 of this series of episodes, the IRC team is also joined by a special guest, John Stiffarm (A̓a̓niiih), and returning guest Mike Lafromboise (Piikani). John is from the Fort Belknap Reservation and has served as a teacher since 2007 of the A̓a̓niiih (Gros Ventre) language in kindergarten through 12th grade. His passion for culture and language revitalization has followed...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team is also joined by a special guest, John Stiffarm (A̓a̓niiih). John is from the Fort Belknap Reservation and has served as a teacher since 2007 of the A̓a̓niiih (Gros Ventre) language in kindergarten through 12th grade. His passion for culture and language revitalization has followed John into all aspects of his life as he continues to promote an Indig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses the concept of time in relation to indigenous thought and life. The episode starts with a song by Madeline Charley (Salish) that is generally labeled a Life Song. Recorded in Arlee in 1950, this song is loosely translated as, "expresses a joy or living." In the middle or the song Madeline is translated saying "This is in my he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses how we can retain or revitalize tribal protocols for the recognition of accomplishments and good deeds. The episode starts with a Crow song used for the telling of war deeds. Public acknowledgment and witnesses to the narration of deeds are one of few times an individual can boast of their accomplishments. The IRC Team used this song as a sp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses how we can communicate indigenous thought and knowledge gained from academic institutions to our tribal communities. The episode starts with the Snyeʔstn, a scout song used to welcome back the scout that was sent out to gather knowledge of enemies and game near the camp. Whenever a Scout was seen returning, loping his horse, riding in a zigz...

Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode, listen to highlight from the IRC research team discussion on the implication of traditional understandings situated into modern Indigenous life and love. Also, the exploration of modern issues facing cultural revitalization and foundational worldview characteristics important to research by Indigenous scholars. Also highlighted are discussions on the power o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses the infusion of other religious practices into important components of our Indigenous identity. The episode starts with a hymn called X̣alips Č̓awm (Daylights Prayer) sung by Joe Woodcock, Mary Ann Combs, Mary Finley & Joe Eneas (Salish & Pend d’Oreille). The hymn is used during the Salish wake service. The Hymn is sung after the nig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team begins to discuss how social order, manners, cooperation, and identity are maintained through traditional songs. The recent advent of the "Owl Dance" is discussed as an evolved dance that stems from victory in war and the quest for love.  The IRC team is also joined by a special guest, Jason HeavyRunner (Salish/Piikani). Jason is serving on...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team continues their discussion on the acquisition and use of knowledge from the medium of traditional songs. A Scalp Dance song from the Piikani used for the occasion of the killing of the Sioux Chief White Dog and used by the Brave Dog or Crazy Dog Society provides physical documentation of success and authority. The song is used as a victory song during...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses the acquisition and use of knowledge from the medium of traditional songs. An Apsáalooke song from Crazy Sister-In-Law provides physical documentation of success and authority. Songs such as these commonly called "Honor Songs" are used in times of celebration. The descendants of Crazy Sister-In-Law also have to right to use this so...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses the assumption that Indigenous thought is circular and metaphorical. The Salish Syulm, an observance by the woman of the brave deed of their male relatives, serves as a platform to discuss the misuse/use of metaphors and circularity in an Indigenous worldview. The Syulm served as a mode of recognition of brave deed as it is important to refr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discusses positive stereotyping and romanticism of Indigenous worldviews. The introduction of EuroAmerican instrument, in this case, a harmonica played by Jerome Vanderburg, facilitated the notion of composition of songs into the lifeway of Indigenous people. A practical transition to adopt a form of musical expression outside the norm of the early 19...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the IRC team discussed the power of song in an Indigenous worldview. The discussion centers on the preservation of Love Songs by Edward S. Curtis and Claude Schaeffer and how these efforts allow us to examine these songs and context. Of interest is the spiritual power of songs in Indigenous worldview and how this they can be situated in a modern context. The quest...

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode, listen to the IRC research team discuss the implication of traditional understandings situated into modern Indigenous life and love. In this discussion the IRC team uses traditional Salish Love Songs as a springboard to explore modern issues facing cultural revitalization and to explore foundational worldview characteristics important to research by Indigeno...