This episode was recorded on a sunny spring afternoon, on the banks of the St.Marys River, Baawaating (place of the rapids), also known as Sault Saint Marie. We were incredibly grateful to speak with Dr. Dan Longboat , who is Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation, originally from Six Nations community on the Grand River. Dan helped create some of the OG Indigenous Education programs in Canada, weaving together Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems at Trent University. We learned about many of the ...
May 11, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 26
For all of you also in Southern Alberta and dreaming of warmer weather, here is an episode just for you. We are currently in "SPRING 2026" in the midst of imbalance between winter and spring...thanks for that teaching Bruce Starlight, so we thought we would re-release this episode about plant teachings. The Ancestral Science Podcast recorded this episode on a hot mid-summer afternoon back in 2024, hanging out at the Biogeoscience Field Station, in beautiful Kananaskis, home to Îethka Nakoda Peop...
Apr 27, 2026•43 min•Season 3Ep. 25
We recorded this episode back in the Fall of 2025, on a windy fall evening here on the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis. The Ancestral Science Podcast team gathered to speak about their experiences at the Majorville Sacred Site or Iniskum Umapii. Visiting this location evokes an indescribable feeling of reverence for both its location and connection to the Ancestors that knew of its significance. Overlookin...
Apr 13, 2026•38 min•Season 3Ep. 24
On this episode, we recorded in the midst of a warm winter morning here on the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis. We were incredibly grateful to speak with a neechie superhero line-up of guests, inclusive of Dr. LAURIE Rousseau-Nepton (Innu), WILFRED Buck (Opaskwayak Cree), ROB Cardinal (Siksika), & Dr. ALVIN Harvey (Dine Navajo) about stars as reconnection to stories and Ancestors, Indigenous and Ancest...
Mar 30, 2026•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Smoketalk is BACK. On this episode, we got the band back together with special guest Alex. On this episode, we recorded in the midst of a snowstorm in between the winter and spring seasons, here on the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis. We were inspired by a previous podcast episode Karen Colbert , an advocate for culturally grounded STEM and AI integration specialist. We talked about protocols and AI, racis...
Mar 16, 2026•55 min•Season 3Ep. 22
The Ancestral Science Podcast was grateful to speak with the absolutely lovely and talented LilyMarleen Uta’i , who is first generation Samoan, grew up in Hawai’i, currently living in He’eia Valley. We chatted about relational body measurement, aggressive & invasive species, waking up the kalo patches, our favourite smells, ancestral knowledges of Kalo, the significance of “just one breathe- just one moment” that has the ability to can set you on your path, and paana... the pulse that connec...
Mar 02, 2026•1 hr 26 min•Season 3Ep. 21
We were grateful to speak with Karen Colbert , data scientist, department chair, Tribal College Faculty leader, advocate for culturally grounded STEM and AI integration specialist about finding your identity within mathematics, translating and code switching in the math classroom, the pie of DEI, teaching AI to embrace failure, not giving up on the ethics within AI, and pushing back against the default systems of confirmation bias. Check out Karen’s TEDx talk , released on YouTube in the coming ...
Feb 17, 2026•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 20
The pod is in the midst of planning and recording some really interesting episodes, so to focus on those we thought we would re-release one of our fav's... it is also a little teaser for the upcoming ones... So enjoy, and go learn some science from the stars... This episode was recorded on an early Spring morning back in 2024, here on the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis . As we patiently waited for the...
Feb 09, 2026•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 19
It was a windy late spring morning back in 2024, just before Summer Solstice, and the Ancestral Science Podcast got to record this episode ontop of Nosehill Park in the heart (or nose, haha) of Calgary, in Treaty 7. We were grateful to speak with Brendon Many Bears , from Siksika Nation, who, alongside Blackfoot Elders and Knowledge Keepers have been working alongside Lindsay Amundsen-Meyer of the University of Calgary Archaeology Field School & Public Archaeology Program to learn more about...
Feb 02, 2026•37 min•Season 3Ep. 18
The Ancestral Science Podcast thought we needed some Auntie Laughs, so we reconnected with Melissa Roberts and Emily Kerton, Indigenous educators weaving knowledges and Land-based science into the Ontario curriculum. This is the SECOND part, of the Auntie Laugh-based episode. If you haven't listened to part one, released on January 19th, maybe go check that out first. But if you already have...are you ready for some more knowledge, stories, science, and laughs? In this episode, the Ancestral Sci...
Jan 26, 2026•49 min•Season 3Ep. 17
This episode was recorded on a windy warm chinook pre-equinox evening back in 2024 here on the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis. The Ancestral Science Podcast wanted to re-release our dear friend Walter's episode. He had a brain aneuruym, and needs all the positive energy, prayers, and support. If you can, please consider donating to his GoFundMe , this is going to be a journey of recovery and support. Ever...
Jan 25, 2026•1 hr 46 min
The Ancestral Science Podcast thought we needed some Auntie Laughs, so we reconnected with Melissa Roberts and Emily Kerton , Indigenous educators weaving knowledges and Land-based science into the Ontario curriculum. In this first part, we discuss the difference between outdoor experiential knowledge/Land-based knowledge/and Indigenous knowledges, the reverence of silence and slowing down, protocols of Indigenous knowledges within education, the "ridiculous rigour" of Indigenous Science through...
Jan 19, 2026•55 min•Season 3Ep. 16
"Smoketalk" with Emil & Kori, is a follow up episode digging deeper into the tellings and science of the previous Ancestral Science Podcast Episode. So, if you haven't listened to the previous episode with Dr. Bruce Starlight titled " Tea, Tobacco, & Tipi Tellings ," please go listen to that first, it will give some context to this episode. Here, we discussed sacred numbers, alien fungi, #spaceback, and new tattoos (shout out @lnkbyDawn and @pirates.loot). Check out NEW #spaceback INDIGE...
Jan 12, 2026•36 min•Season 3Ep. 15
The pod thought it would re-launch some previous episodes we made with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE , and this was one of them. It was a windy winter afternoon back in 2024, and we recorded inside a tipi at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut'ina Nation, amongst the Lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy and Îethka Nakoda First Nation, and more recently the Otipemisiwak Métis. The Ancestral Science Podcast was excited to learn from BRUCE STARLIGHT from the Tsuut'ina Nation about the disconnect of sci...
Jan 05, 2026•40 min•Season 3Ep. 14
It's been a cortisol-inducing year, and with the holidays approaching, we thought re-launching a mindfulness episode would be helpful. Reconnect with your body, brain, DNA, and the Land with a Mindfulness Episode of the Ancestral Science Podcast with Dr. Michael Yellow Bird FULL SHOWNOTES & Additional educational LINKS: here NEW Video of this episode on YouTube ! Unique Indigenous Science Merch here . Help keep the podcast going! This episode was recorded in November 2024, on a mild wintery ...
Dec 15, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 13
The Ancestral Science pod team has been wanting to do a " Show n Tell " episode for awhile...so, here we are! This is a great way to learn a bit more about the team, rate our nerdiness levels, and learn a bit about land-based science. This is probably a great episode to check out on YouTube , link here . This was way too much fun...unfortunately, a part 2 is needed! Stay tuned for that next week. So come join the team to learn about decolonizing movie posters, fishing lures, the connection betwe...
Dec 08, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Hang out with the Ancestral Science Podcast Team to discuss the last episode...which was "Art & Science of Beads, Quills, Fur, Hide, & Bark" with Kim Brothers of Moonstone Creation . WE ARE ON YOUTUBE! If you want to SEE this episode, go here . Check out: Moonstone Creation in Inglewood in Calgary Alberta Authentically Indigenous Craft Market , December 5-7 at The Confluence in Calgary Alberta. Great places to get some authentic, local holiday gifts, and support Indigenous businesses! Ge...
Dec 01, 2025•46 min•Season 3Ep. 11
This episode was recorded on a warm winter afternoon in 2024, at Moonstone Creation in Calgary Alberta. And amongst the company of millions of beads and Indigenous art, the Ancestral Science Podcast was excited to speak with KIM BROTHERS, Cree from Northern Alberta, about revitalizing the lost arts of quillwork, tufting, and fish scale art, the sacred ratio of brain to hide within tanning, birch bark biting, art with tails, bones, and scales, the OG beads, the difference between appreciation and...
Nov 24, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Welcome to Smoketalk! If you haven't listened to the previous episode "Deadly Math: Movement, Kinship, & Action" with Chris Matthews, I recommend going there first then coming back to smoketalk to listen to the Pod Team's takes and expanded conversation about this episode. This episode Emil & Kori welcomed Brendon Many Bears who brought insights about tipi aerodynamics and Blackfoot mathematics. Check out ATSIMA (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance), an amazing o...
Nov 17, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 9
We were grateful to speak with CHRIS MATTHEWS of the Quandamooka People in modern day Queensland Australia about his realization about the importance and depth of culture & country within mathematics, iron mines and nuclear testing highlighting land rights and Aboriginal voices, don’t hike Uluru!, deadly coders, numbers as a process and action, kinship systems as group theory and algebra, and how to close the educational gap by walking together. Honoraria from this episode was donated to ATS...
Nov 10, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Welcome to Smoketalk! If you haven't listened to the previous episode " Food Sovereignty, Smoke Science, & tending the flame of Cultural Resilience " with Daryl Kootenay , I recommend going there first then coming back to smoketalk to listen to the Pod Team's takes and expanded conversation about this episode. Check out HOWL , an amazing organization that provides land-based education for youth across Canada! Daryl was on the Ancestral Science Podcast Season 1, Episode 16, check out his epis...
Nov 03, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This episode was recorded in fall 2024 at Star 6 Ranch at the "Harvesting Spirit" camp as hosted by HOWL (they do amazing land-based camps across Canada with youth). At this camp, the Ancestral Science Podcast was invited to learn from DARYL KOOTENAY about the science of smoke, the patience and resilience needed to live on the land, Indian popcorn, science of tending to the flame, moose noses and Elk brains, the need for multiple freezers, how smoke is the traditional Gore-Tex, and how food sove...
Oct 27, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Welcome to Smoketalk! If you haven't listened to the previous episode "Decolonizing Blood & Birth" with Alycia Two Bears , I recommend going there first then coming back to smoketalk to listen to the Pod Team's takes and expanded conversation about the previous episode. Check out Alycia's book " The Feast " If you are curious or an educator, here are some shownotes for additional content and links. Ancestral Science Podcast Website Ancestral Science Podcast Merch Follow us on IG and FB Pleas...
Oct 20, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The Pod was grateful to learn from THE Alycia Two Bears , a Two-Spirit mixed Cree educator and author from Misatawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation, about her journey to become a midwife, what is a land-birth, how to decolonize and de-stigmatize blood, reconnecting ceremony and community with birthing, reproductive justice and birth sovereignty, caregiving roles of men and partners within pregnancy, birth, and caregiving, and of course...moss bag science, adult moss bags, and one comfy swaddled podcas...
Oct 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Join the Ancestral Science Pod Team as we chat about the previous episode. We had some technical difficulties this week, so we decided to re-release a previous episode about a similar topic connected to Drew Hayden Taylor. But, "Smoketalk" going to be even cooler after the next episode drop on October 13 with Alycia Two Bears, sorry, THE Alycia Two Bears! Check out our webpage, which is being updated (again, stick with is!) https://www.relationalsciencecircle.com -lots of resources for educators...
Oct 06, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 3
We were grateful to speak with contemporary storyteller Drew Hayden Taylor , Ojibwe from Curve Lake First Nation about learning to write through osmosis, dimensional hopping & portaging, how Indigenous stories make great Science Fiction, 1492 and Alien contact, anthropomorphizing animals and plants through relationality, humour as WD40, and science fiction as a metaphor for many of life’s issues. Remember, you can support the pod and rock some unique Indigenous Science merch at www.relationa...
Sep 22, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The Pod Team decided to begin Season 3 by reconnecting over Smoketalk where we chat about what we have learned over the summer, our goals for season 3...from new segments to opening up more conversations with community and the pod listeners. Remember, you can support the pod and rock some unique Indigenous Science merch at www.relationalsciencecircle.com/shop , all proceeds go towards Knowledge Keeper honoraria, following protocols, and keeping the pod going. Please like, share, follow, and rate...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The Ancestral Science pod crew, Emil Starlight , Alex Flett, and Kori Chewbacca (haha), chatted about INDIGENOUS SCIENCE FICTION while recording LIVE on location, beyond Earth...I mean... at the Calgary Comic Convention about how Science Fiction has been inspired by Indigenous Teachings, was Barf from Space Balls inspired by a rez dog? Thinking about how animals, trees, and the wind are Ancestors and therefore use language that goes beyond human-to-human, The Force, glitches in the Matrix or tea...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 23
The Ancestral Science Podcast was grateful to speak with TCHADAS LEO , from Xwemalhkwu and Stillaguamish Nations, a journalist and tv and podcast host (check out his pod " Our Native Land "). We chatted about his passion for being an Indigenous journalist and how he balances time constraints with protocols, his dream story to cover, the courage needed to "tell the truth," and artifact/ancestor rematriation. We heard more about his SOON TO BE LAUNCHED graphic novel named " Xwémalhkwu Hero Storie...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Within this "active" Spring season of re-birth and re-growth, the Ancestral Science Podcast is taking a brief break to refresh and heal ourselves...so in deciding what episode to re-launch we were guided by the recent first thunder (amidst a thunderSNOW storm) that prompted the pop of the cottonwood buds, emerging crocus, and increased desires to reconnect with Native plants and our gardens, we thought...let's promote a previous guest Latifa of ALCLA Native Plants. The episode was recorded in Fa...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 21
