SO EP:590 "Before Bigfoot: Native America's Forest Giants"

In this episode, we dive deep into the rich and often overlooked indigenous history of what we now call Sasquatch or Bigfoot. Drawing from centuries of oral traditions and documented encounters, we explore how Native American and First Nations peoples across North America have long maintained detailed knowledge of these forest beings. Brian shares personal experiences with these creatures while acknowledging the importance of maintaining healthy skepticism about evidence. The episode highlights the remarkable consistency in descriptions from tribes that had no contact with one another – from physical characteristics like height and hair covering to behaviors such as wood knocking and whistling communications.We journey across the continent, examining traditions from the Pacific Northwest's Coast Salish peoples (who gave us the term "Sasquatch"), the California tribes' accounts of Oh-mah, the Lakota's sacred Chiye-tanka, and many others. 


The narrative explores how these weren't simply folk tales but sophisticated ecological knowledge embedded with practical information about forest stewardship and proper protocols for respecting all beings.The episode also addresses the impact of colonization on these traditions, including missionary suppression and boarding schools that disrupted knowledge transmission. Despite these challenges, we learn how many tribes are now revitalizing these traditions through cultural preservation programs, educational initiatives, and even formal research partnerships that blend traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methods.

Listeners will gain insight into the diverse perspectives within indigenous communities today – from those who maintain literal belief in these beings to those who interpret the traditions metaphorically as embodiments of ecological relationships. Throughout the episode, we examine how these ancient traditions align with modern encounters, suggesting continuity of experience across cultures and time periods.Whether you're a dedicated Sasquatch researcher, interested in indigenous knowledge systems, or simply curious about one of North America's most enduring mysteries, this episode offers a respectful and comprehensive look at a subject that bridges the ancient and contemporary, the spiritual and the scientific.



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