#11 - Good Deeds: Current Concepts of Tribal Recognition of Accomplishments

Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast

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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 springboard to discuss how Tribal groups currently acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals and the importance of songs in this process. How can this remain situated in today's everchanging changing world? The reality of war as an overarching event has diminished, what are equivalent deeds and accomplishment today?
The IRC team continues the discussion after listening to a song for the Sn̓t̓l̓eʔseʔ , “Dance of Bodies Meeting”. This dance marked the end of the Daytime Syulm. The women, during this Syulm had worn the clothing, weapons and adornment of the men and the men had assisted them in dressing and preparation. Even the women’s hair was dressed in the men’s style. In the Sn̓t̓l̓eʔseʔ, a row of women will dance forward until they are in contact with the men. Either foot is advanced in front of the other and a woman with the feet retaining this position shuffles forward. The line of women dancers then move backward with the same step and the row of men follows them. The row of men advances until they touch the row of women. Then the row of men begins to move back and the row of women immediately moves towards them. The distance between the two rows is about two feet during this movement. Both men and women sang the words while the two rows were moving back and forth.

The IRC Team finished their discussion by examining ways to revitalize this dance and the accompanying "Telling of war deeds." Further, the Team discusses equivalent deeds today that would merit this event to occur.
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Capitoli

1. "Telling of the War Deeds" Song - Dale Old Horn (Crow) (00:00:00)

2. Part One - Purpose of acknowledging accomplishment in Tribal life (00:01:42)

3. Sn̓t̓l̓eʔseʔ Qʷelm - Adolph Luke, Ellen Big Sam, Paul Finley (Salish) (00:26:20)

4. Part Two - Current Application of Telling of Deeds (00:27:37)

5. Outro (00:56:57)