#6 - PT 2 - Rites vs Being Right: Acquiring and Using Indigenous Knowledge from Songs - Guest: Mike Lafromboise

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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 the ceremonies of that society as a praising song to herald someone about their accomplishments. These are important constructs when examining knowledge in a modern Indigenous context.
The IRC team is also joined by a special guest, Mike Lafromboise (Piikani). Mike is a faculty member in the Tribal Governance program, at Salish Kootenai College. He holds a Masters of Education from the Montana State University-Northern. He is an American Indian College Fund Andrew B Mellon Fellow in research on the Blackfoot ceremonial process. He is a member of the Brave Dog Society and is involved in all of the ceremonial activities that Piikani people practice including Medicine Lodge (Sun Dance), Thunder Medicine Pipe, Beaver Bundle and is the caretaker of the Black-Tailed Deer dance bundle that Piikani people have adopted from the Salish and Kootenai peoples.
Along with Mike, the IRC Team continues to discuss the importance of songs as tools used during times of uncertainty. In a historical sense, this was during warfare between tribes. Today, the reliance on rites and rituals on songs is still alive yet the 'rights' to sing and use these songs are contentious. Validation of personal knowledge of songs and ceremonialism is still held by the community. However, how can Tribal Colleges begin to embrace these communal construct and integrate them into their educational structures? Does this even belong in this space?
The Team and Mike continue this discussion using the White Dog victory song used for capturing someone into their societies. These songs act as a source of validation knowledge within their societies and add to the importance of song in Tribal life.
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Guest: Mike Lafromboise
Hosts: Aaron Brien, Kamiah Dumontier, Salena Hill, Marty Lopez, Brenda Shepard, Shandin Pete

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