Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast
#13 - PT 1 Song Knowledge: Retention and use of songs in Tribal communities - Guest: John Stiffarm
31 Jul 2020
Send us a textIn 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 Indigenous life through his work in education.The IRC team discusses the knowledge of songs both contemporarily and traditionally. The episode starts with a Brave Heart Song sung by Paul Stiffarm (A̓a̓niiih). The song is used to honor and help people at significant times in their lives. They could be sung at funerals and wakes or during significant accomplishments of individuals. The continuing discussion contributes to a growing body of knowledge in how one acquires information about song and singing. John shares how he started on his journey into learning songs and the traditions associated with them. The IRC team continues the discussion after listening to a clip of John singing an old hang game song. Hand game, stick game, and two-button game are discussed. These gambling games are described from an A̓a̓niiih perspective, while the IRC provides corroborative information about gambling games from our respective tribes. The discussion centers around questions such as "How can traditionally acquired, and spiritually derived songs co-exist with composed contemporary songs?" "How will the next generation maintain traditions in the evolving landscape of song and song use?" 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 Hosts: Aaron Brien, Marty Lopez, Brenda Shepard, Shandin PeteWebsite http://irc.skc.edu Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-irc/id1512551396Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1H5Y1pWYI8N6SYZAaawwxbInstagram https://www.instagram.com/ircskc/ Twitter https://twitter.com/IRCSKC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/106832977633248/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWwuqsg39_mE76xMxER5MSQSupport the show
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
Trump $82 Million Bond Spree, Brazil Tariffs 'Too High,' More
16 Nov 2025
Bloomberg News Now
Ex-Fed Gov Resigned After Rules Violations, Trump Buys $82 Mil of Bonds, More
16 Nov 2025
Bloomberg News Now
THIS TRUMP INTERVIEW WAS INSANE!
16 Nov 2025
HasanAbi
Epstein Emails and Trump's Alleged Involvement
15 Nov 2025
Conspiracy Theories Exploring The Unseen
New Epstein Emails Directly Implicate Trump - H3 Show #211
15 Nov 2025
H3 Podcast
Trump Humiliates Himself on FOX as They Call Him Out
15 Nov 2025
IHIP News