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 people. The fact that Indigenous people are adaptable and our cultural expressions are not static is a factor in combating the effects of positive stereotyping and the development of a romanticized version of ourselves. Stereotypes that are deemed favorable beliefs about ourselves that directly or indirectly suggest that we have a more significant advantage or superiority in areas such as stewardship, holistic solutions, and circular thinking can steer us away from our practical roots.

In Episode 4 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 has been described metaphorically as a "scalp dance", as the woman will dance with the articles their male relatives wore in battle or took from a battle; often this was a scalp of the enemy. In this same way, the "circle" has been touted as a primary component of Indigenous life when in reality it may be simply a description of the cyclical pattern of life and not an all-encompassing symbolic representation of reality.

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

Join the conversation at one of our social media sites. Our listener's input is valuable!

Featuring: Aaron Brien, Kamiah Dumontier, Salena Hill, Serra Hoagland, Marty Lopez, Brenda Shepard, Shandin Pete

Website http://irc.skc.edu   
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

Support the Show.