Skokomish Tribe's Dr. Burgo Shares Bigfoot Childhood Encounter and Cultural Perspective

In a recent episode of the Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast, hosts Cliff Barackman and James "Bobo" Faye sat down with Dr. Kevin Bourgault, a Skokomish Native American and expert in indigenous knowledge of Bigfoot. The conversation was a fascinating exploration of the intersection between cultural oral history and academic research when it comes to the elusive creature known as Bigfoot. Dr. Bourgault grew up on the Skokomish reservation and was exposed to the idea of Bigfoot as one of many beings in a pantheon of cultural creatures. This upbringing provided him with a unique perspective and mindset when it comes to locating and understanding the Sasquatch. He emphasized the importance of trying to answer the questions of where they were, where they are, and where they are going. One of the most interesting aspects of the conversation was Dr. Bourgault's discussion of the tension between ontology and epistemology in the study of Bigfoot. In Western academia, objects and things are counted and taxonomized, while in the American Indian Community, the world is primarily made up of breath and there is an interdependence between all beings. This tension is at the heart of many discussions and debates about the existence and study of Bigfoot. Dr. Bourgault also shared some of his personal experiences with Bigfoot, including an encounter when he was just three years old. He was watching an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man that featured Andre the Giant, when he started hearing adults talk about their own encounters with something similar. This sparked his lifelong interest in the creature and its place in indigenous knowledge and culture. In addition to his cultural knowledge, Dr. Bourgault also has a PhD in education and has served as a cultural liaison for the North American Bigfoot Center. He emphasized the importance of providing access to indigenous knowledge and experiences with Bigfoot to those outside of the tribe. He also discussed the challenges of developing proof and acknowledgment for the existence of Bigfoot in a way that is respectful of both cultural and rational ways of knowing. Overall, the conversation between Cliff, Bobo, and Dr. Bourgault was a fascinating exploration of the intersection between cultural oral history and academic research when it comes to Bigfoot. It provided valuable insights into the unique perspective and knowledge that indigenous communities bring to the study of this elusive creature. As Bigfoot believers and enthusiasts, it's important for us to be open-minded and respectful of all ways of knowing and understanding this fascinating creature. If you're interested in learning more about Dr. Bourgault's work and perspectives on Bigfoot, be sure to check out the full episode of the Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast. And as always, we encourage our readers to keep an open mind and an open heart when it comes to the search for Bigfoot.