#14 - PT 2 Song Knowledge: Retention and use of songs in Tribal communities - Guest: John Stiffarm & Mike Lafromboise

Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast

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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 John into all aspects of his life as he continues to promote an Indigenous life through his work in education. Mike is a faculty member in the Tribal Governance program, at Salish Kootenai College.

The IRC team discusses the knowledge of songs both contemporarily and traditionally. The episode starts with a clip of Louie NinePipe singing the Snčučaw, a Shoshone war dance song used by the Salish at the end of the war dance in preparation for the distribution of food. The similarity of this song and others, originating from the Omaha grass dance across the plains and plateau tribes, provides context to the historical sharing of knowledge. The discussion of protocols and procedures related to songs and singing are shared between the respective hosts (Apsáalooke & Seliš) and guests (A̓a̓niiih & Piikani) tribes.
The IRC team continues the discussion after listening to a clip of a song composed for Sampson Birdinground (Apsáalooke) to remark his deeds. The song, generally sung to remark war deeds, was composed to note Sampsons horsemanship and general good qualities. Along with the guests, the IRC continues to discuss how deeds are thought of today the complement those of our ancestors.
The discussion centers around questions such as "How can tribes reinvent or revive traditional practices that were common across our communities?" "How can songs and singing be utilized again to promote inquiry and quests for knowledge?"

Have answers? Suggestions? Agree? Disagree? Join the conversation at one of our social media sites. Your input is valuable to advance our understanding.

Guest: John Stiffarm, Mike Lafromboise
Hosts: Aaron Brien, Shandin Pete
Website http://irc.skc.edu
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-irc/id1512551396
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1H5Y1pWYI8N6SYZAaawwxb
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ircskc/
Twitter https://twitter.com/IRCSKC
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/106832977633248/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWwuqsg39_mE76xMxER5MSQ

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Capíttulos

1. Intro - Snčučaw - Louie NinePipe (Salish) - 1950 (00:00:00)

2. Part One - Returning songs and ceremonies to Tribal communities (00:01:44)

3. Praise Song - Sampson BirdingGround (Apsaalooke) (00:55:42)

4. Part two - Using songs to recognizing good deeds in todays age (00:56:55)

5. Outro (01:41:06)