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Join us as we delve into the crucial history of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe with Professor Lee Panich, an archaeologist and historical anthropologist from Santa Clara University. Professor Panich's research focuses on the long-term impacts of colonialism on California's Indigenous peoples, particularly the mission system.In this interview, we explore:The devastating effects of the Spanish missions on Ohlone land access and tribal structures.The historical injustices that led to the Muwekma Ohlone's lack of federal recognition.The ongoing fight for recognition and the importance of education and advocacy.The complex issue of repatriation of ancestral remains and the role of NAGPRA.Discover how historical biases continue to affect the Muwekma Ohlone and learn about their vital efforts to reclaim their heritage and achieve justice. #MuwekmaOhlone #NativeAmericanHistory #FederalRecognition #CaliforniaHistory #repatriation

This episode features Prof. Blatchford, an environmental historian, assistant professor of environmental history at the University of Northern British Columbiato discuss the intersection of ecology, animal migration, and racial identity in 19th and 20th century North America. Prof. Blatchford is currently specializing in American history, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, and in environmental history, studying the interaction between humans and nature. He is particularly interested in the human-animal relationship. Prof. Blatchford explains how the introduction of new species, like the ring-necked pheasant and the Chinook salmon, was intertwined with settler colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. He explores how these introductions were seen as "improvements" to the environment, reflecting the belief in the superiority of Euro-American civilization and the inevitability of Indigenous peoples' decline.Prof. Blatchford also highlights the case of the McLoud River salmon hatchery, which impacted the Winnemem Wintu Tribe's traditional fishing practices and their relationship with the land. He discusses how the Fish Commission's focus on propagating fish favored by white anglers further marginalized Indigenous fishing traditions. This episode delves into the complex ways in which environmental change was used as a tool to assert dominance and shape racial identities in the American West.

This podcast episode highlights Guardian Art, an Indigenous fighting art form focused on protecting others. Condor Kaan, founder of the Praxeum gym in San Jose, discusses the art's emphasis on teamwork, protection, and community building.

Key Points:

• Purpose: Guardian Art prioritizes protecting others over self-defense, integrating team-building exercises.

• Origins and Evolution: Rooted in Native American traditions, it has evolved while retaining its core mission.

• Praxeum Gym: Opened by Condor Kaan in 2003, it offers a dedicated space for learning and practicing Guardian Art.

• Student Impact: It develops life skills such as Strong Mind (focus, courage, strategic thinking) and Strong Care (appreciation, teamwork, healthy relationships).

• Cultural Preservation: Promotes Indigenous values like caring for people and the land, fostering cross-cultural appreciation.

• Inclusivity: Aims to empower individuals against bullying, fostering a community of support and inclusivity.

• Future Plans: Expansion into underserved communities via partnerships, workshops, camps, and scholarships.

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to support or partner with Praxeum for workshops and nonprofit initiatives.

Visit ⁠ https://www.guardiansaga.support/ to learn more and contact us.

On September 23rd, 2024 in Livermore, California, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day. A lively day of dance, celebration, and culture, look into the perspective of some of the event's organizers and performers to gain a new perspective on America's history and culture.

https://livermorearts.org/events/indigenous-peoples-day/ 

A celebration of story, song, and dance appreciating the long history of culture and traditions that Native Americans and Hispanic Americans have preserved through the centuries. Featuring Altar, Land Acknowledgement, Traditional Dance, Storytime, Book Giveaway, Flute Performance,  Community Drum Circle, and more. Experience Indigenous People’s Day with vendors from Queen of My Heart Boutique, Xpresion Cultural, Livermore American Indian Center, Las Positas College, Dublin High Hispanic Club, TVNPA (Tri Valley Nin Profit Alliance), GHS Latino Club, Interactive TIPI, and La Familia.

* This podcast was generated by NotebookLM based on the research paper authored by Isaac He - Resilience through Ritual: A Critical Theory-Driven Analysis of Kiowa Dances using JZ Smith’s Theory on the Bare Facts of Ritual 

This podcast examines how the Kiowa tribe used dance and ritual to preserve their culture in the face of pressure to assimilate from the U.S. government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 19th and 20th centuries. The podcast focuses on three dances: the Sun Dance, the Ghost Dance, and the Gourd Dance. Using historian of religion Jonathan Z. Smith's theory of ritual, the podcast argues that these dances created a ritual space where Kiowa people could experience the contrast between their ideal world and the reality of life under BIA control, motivating them to resist assimilation and preserve their cultural traditions. This contrast is demonstrated by how each dance embodied the Kiowa's values and traditions, even when those traditions were outlawed or discouraged by the U.S. government. For example, the Sun Dance celebrated the importance of the buffalo hunt, which was central to the Kiowa way of life before they were forced onto reservations, while the Ghost Dance offered visions of a future free from oppression, and the Gourd Dance, performed in the context of intertribal powwows, provides a space for Kiowa people to celebrate their culture and connect with other Native Americans. The podcast concludes that the Kiowa dances played a crucial role in the tribe's cultural resilience, demonstrating the power of ritual to help people maintain their identity in the face of adversity.

* This Podcast was generated by NotebookLM based on the research paper authored by Isaac He: The Fremont Frontier: A Modern Middle Ground?

The podcast discusses the concept of the "middle ground," a term coined by historian Richard White to describe the cultural fusion that occurs when two distinct groups interact and create a new shared culture. The podcast explores this concept through the lens of Asian American suburbanization, specifically in Fremont, California. It examines how the influx of Asian immigrants, driven by the rise of Silicon Valley and favorable immigration policies, led to the formation of a unique cultural blend in Fremont. The podcast highlights the presence of "rough" economic balance between Asian Americans and other residents, mutual dependence between these groups, and the inability of either group to completely assimilate the other – all conditions that are necessary for the creation of a middle ground. The podcast provides evidence for this cultural fusion by pointing to the prevalence of Asian businesses that cater to both Asian and non-Asian customers and the adaptation of American volunteer culture within Asian communities. It concludes that Fremont exemplifies a modern middle ground, showcasing a distinct cultural space born from the interaction of American and Asian cultures.