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Stuff You Should Know

Short Stuff: "Peace" Pipes

Published November 5, 2025
View Show Notes

About This Episode

The hosts discuss the misnomer of the term "peace pipe" and explain that many Native American cultures simply refer to them as pipes or ceremonial pipes used in a variety of solemn and communal contexts, not just peace treaties. They describe the geographic spread, cultural meanings, construction, and materials of these pipes, with special attention to sacred red pipestone from Pipestone National Monument and Lakota traditions around the Chinunpa. The episode closes by emphasizing that these practices are ongoing and remain sacred parts of contemporary Native cultures, as highlighted by a quote from Yankton Sioux tribal member Gabriel Drapeau.

Topics Covered

Native American culture Ceremonial pipes Cultural inheritance Religion and spirituality Lakota traditions Pipestone National Monument Tobacco Ritual symbolism Sacred objects Pipestone

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Quick Takeaways

  • The term "peace pipe" is largely a European misnomer for ceremonial pipes that Native American cultures use in many kinds of rituals, not just peace treaties.
  • Ceremonial pipes are found across North America among many tribes, indicating a very old and widespread tradition.
  • These pipes consist of multiple pieces (usually stem, bowl, and mouthpiece) that are kept separate and only assembled for ceremonies.
  • Red pipestone from Pipestone National Monument in southwest Minnesota is especially sacred and difficult to quarry, with strict access rules.
  • The plants smoked in ceremonial pipes, including an older, more potent indigenous tobacco strain and sacred mixtures like kinnikinnik, are understood to connect earth and spirit by carrying prayers in the smoke.
  • Among the Lakota and Dakota, assembling the Chinunpa pipe marks the beginning of a ceremony or prayer session, and peace ceremonies may involve each party contributing a piece of the pipe.
  • Ceremonial pipes can be carved from various materials such as pipestone, limestone, bone, pottery, or shale, and stems are often wooden and decorated with feathers and beadwork.
  • Members of tribes such as the Yankton Sioux emphasize that these practices are not historical relics but living, ongoing aspects of their culture.

Podcast Notes

Reframing the idea of the "peace pipe"

Origin of the term "peace pipe" and its problems

European soldiers misinterpreted ceremonial smoking during treaty signings[1:29]
• The hosts say soldiers saw Native people smoking pipes during treaty signings and assumed those were specifically "peace pipes"
• They note that while pipes might indeed be smoked during treaty signings, they are also used in many other contexts
"Peace pipe" as a misnomer[1:29]
• The hosts explicitly call "peace pipe" a bit of a misnomer because the pipes are not limited to peace-making events
• They emphasize that these pipes show up in many different parts of Native American culture beyond peace treaties

Widespread use across North American tribes

Ceremonial pipes appear to be nearly universal among North American tribes[1:59]
• One host says he could not find mention of any North American tribe that does not use ceremonial pipes
• He describes archaeological finds of old pipes from Florida up to the Midwest, including the Hopewell culture in Ohio
• He notes that from the Southwest to the Pacific Northwest, pipes are used, indicating the practice is found all over the continent
Implication of an ancient tradition[2:16]
• The broad geographic distribution suggests to the hosts that pipe use is a very old tradition
• They add that the practice likely predates some later tribes that grew out of older tribal groups

Names, terminology, and cultural framing of ceremonial pipes

What Native people call these objects

They are generally just called pipes[3:00]
• The hosts stress that Native people themselves typically refer to them simply as pipes, not "peace pipes"
Broader term "calumet" and its origin[2:29]
• They mention a broader term, "calumet", used in some contexts to be more specific
• One host says "calumet" apparently comes from a French word he pronounces like "chalomet", jokingly connecting it to Timothy Chalamet
• They explain that the French-derived word means reed or flute
• They humorously describe Timothy Chalamet himself as "a little flutey reed"

Diverse names in different languages

Tribal and linguistic variation[2:59]
• They note that different tribes and cultures each have their own specific names for these pipes
• These names can be in each group's own language, reflecting cultural specificity

Ritual contexts and spiritual symbolism of ceremonial pipes

Situations where ceremonial pipes are used

Range of ceremonial uses[3:59]
• The hosts say pipes are typically brought out during ceremonies, such as prayers or treaty signings
• They add that pipes might also be used at a party or a "monarchy situation", as stated in the transcript

Pipes as a physical representation of connection

Connection to God, nature, and the spirit world[3:14]
• One host describes the pipe as a physical representation of a connection to God
• They also talk about the smoke flowing out in all directions as a way of connecting to nature
• They suggest the smoke's movement can symbolize connection to the broader world
Variations in spiritual meaning across tribes[3:31]
• The hosts underline that the specific meaning of the pipe definitely depends on the tribe
• Even though pipes are generally used for prayer or solemn occasions, the nuanced beliefs and interpretations vary by culture

Symbolic interpretation of plants and smoke

Roots in earth, smoke to the heavens[3:49]
• They cite an explanation that the plants used in the pipe have roots in the earth
• The smoke from these plants travels up to the heavens or spirit world, carrying the person's prayers
• This vertical movement of smoke from earth to sky is described as part of what makes pipe use sacred and solemn

Lakota traditions and the origin story of the pipe

White Buffalo Calf Woman and the Lakota

Mythic origin of the pipe for the Lakota[4:13]
• One host explains that, in Lakota tradition, the people were given the pipe by the White Buffalo Calf Woman
• He notes the pipe was used for prayer in Lakota culture
Sacred status of the white buffalo calf[4:24]
• Because of this origin story, the white buffalo calf is described as very sacred

Lakota terminology: Chinunpa

Name and pronunciation[4:34]
• The Lakota term for the ceremonial pipe is given as "Chinunpa"
• A host comments that "Chinunpa" is a cool word to say

Physical structure and handling protocols of ceremonial pipes

Pipes as multipart objects

Components of the pipe[4:34]
• They explain that ceremonial pipes come in pieces and are not typically one solid object
• For the Dakota and Lakota (both Sioux), the pipe is meant to stay in separate parts when not in use
• They mention that, beyond the stem and bowl, there is often a separate mouthpiece as well
Assembly as a ritual signal[4:58]
• Putting the parts together is a deliberate act indicating that a ceremony or prayer session is beginning
• The hosts stress that assembling the pipe marks the start of the ritual; disassembled, it is at rest

Guidelines for storage and display

Respectful storage practices[5:10]
• They say you do not keep the pipe put together when storing it
• Pieces are kept apart until it is time for ceremony or prayer
Museum display etiquette[5:04]
• If a museum has one of these pipes and chooses to display it, the hosts say it should not be shown assembled
• Instead, the parts are "exploded" in display, laid out as separate components to honor that they are not casually joined

Materials and construction: pipestone and other substances

Common material: pipestone

Pipestone as a shared feature[7:58]
• They state that many ceremonial pipes in North America are made from a rock generally called pipestone
• There are different variations of this rock, but all fall under the broad category of pipestone
Pipe structure revisited: stem and bowl[8:03]
• The pipe typically has a wooden stem and an L-shaped or T-shaped bowl made from pipestone
• They note that pipestone can come in different colors, making many bowls visually striking

Sacred red pipestone from Pipestone National Monument

Location and sacred status[8:26]
• One particular type of red pipestone from Pipestone National Monument in southwest Minnesota is described as especially revered
• They say this red pipestone is considered sacred by many Indigenous tribes
• Tribal members will travel from all over North America to obtain this red pipestone
Geology and workability[8:43]
• The red pipestone is identified as a kind of catlinite, a stone made from clay
• They mention that catlinite is fairly easy to work with once accessed

Difficult quarrying process and access rules

Permit requirements and tribal enrollment[8:48]
• To quarry pipestone at Pipestone National Monument, you must first obtain a permit
• You cannot get such a permit unless you are enrolled in a North American tribe
Physical challenge of accessing the stone[8:56]
• The hosts explain that the red pipestone at the park exists only underneath a thick quartz layer
• Quarrying is restricted to hand tools such as pickaxes, chisels, and sledgehammers
• Park rangers recommend planning at least a weekend of work with multiple people to reach the stone
• They say some people have to get an annual pass because they must keep returning over time to finally access the pipestone
Hypothetical frustrations in quarrying[9:28]
• A host imagines someone dedicating months to digging, returning for a final trip only to discover someone else used their work to reach the red pipestone first
• Another imagined frustration is finally making a beautiful bowl only to have a friend named Gary knock it off the kitchen counter and break it
• They joke that Gary might also be the person who used someone else's quarry hole, dubbing him a "notorious hole user"

Other materials used in pipes

Alternative bowl materials[9:39]
• The bowl is not always made from pipestone; other materials can include limestone, bone, pottery, or shale
Stem materials and decoration[10:03]
• Stems are generally made of wood, such as alder or ash
• Stems are often decorative, with feathers and beadwork, though some pipes are plain
• They mention that there are different kinds of pipes, some meant for specific ceremonies and some that are personal pipes

Plant mixtures and what is smoked in ceremonial pipes

Variety of smoked substances

Beyond tobacco[10:23]
• They reiterate that the pipe is not always used for tobacco and is never used for marijuana
• They say the joke about Native people smoking marijuana in a "peace pipe" likely comes from white people, perhaps in a cartoon strip
Examples of plant materials[10:59]
• Sometimes the mixture includes dried bark of "a red oyster dogwood", as stated in the transcript
• Another example is a ground shrub from the prairie, known as kinnikinnik
• They note that kinnikinnik is also called bearberry

Sacredness and potency of indigenous tobacco

Sacred plants[10:59]
• Kinnikinnik is described as a sacred plant
• The tobacco used is also considered sacred, but it is a distinct, older indigenous strain
Difference from Virginia tobacco[11:07]
• They clarify that this sacred tobacco is not the standard Virginia tobacco strain
• The indigenous strain is described as more potent and stronger than Virginia tobacco
• One host suggests that in a pinch you could use the Virginia kind, but there is a preferred sacred kind that is not that
• He jokingly refers to the indigenous strain as "the good stuff"

Ceremonial uses, peace treaties, and contemporary practice

Ceremonial settings for pipe use

Range of events involving the pipe[11:29]
• Ceremonial pipes may be used in a sweat lodge
• They can be part of a wedding ceremony
• The hosts reiterate that pipes were sometimes used in peace treaties between warring nations

Peace-making ritual involving a medicine man and chiefs

Roles in the peace ceremony[11:53]
• In some Native American cultures, a medicine man would participate alongside the chiefs of two warring tribes during a peace ceremony
Each party contributes a piece of the pipe[12:11]
• The medicine man and each of the two chiefs bring a piece of the pipe to the ceremony
• The medicine man assembles the pieces into a complete pipe
• The hosts interpret this assembly as a symbolic act indicating that all parties are connected again

Emphasis on living culture and continuity of practice

Correcting the idea that these practices are only in the past

Reference to an interview on HowStuffWorks.com[12:28]
• The hosts say that information they are sharing comes from HowStuffWorks.com, which interviewed a woman from a Native community
• They initially describe her as a woman from the Lakota
Identity and affiliation of the interviewee[12:36]
• They identify her as Gabriel Drapeau
• She is said to be with the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota

Message from Gabriel Drapeau about present-day practice

Insistence that this is not just history[12:49]
• The hosts paraphrase her point that these ceremonial practices are not in the past tense
• She emphasizes that they still have their culture and still perform these ceremonies
• She stresses that the culture and the ceremonial pipes remain sacred to them today
Hosts' appreciation[12:59]
• One host says this is "pretty cool" and expresses that he loves what the symbolism represents

Closing of the episode

Sign-off

Short Stuff conclusion[13:07]
• A host declares that Short Stuff is out, signaling the end of the mini-episode
Production credit[13:09]
• They state that Stuff You Should Know is a production of iHeartRadio and direct listeners to find more podcasts via the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms

Lessons Learned

Actionable insights and wisdom you can apply to your business, career, and personal life.

1

Be careful with labels and common phrases, because names like "peace pipe" can misrepresent and oversimplify complex cultural practices.

Reflection Questions:

  • • What terms or phrases do I use regularly that might distort or oversimplify someone else's culture or experience?
  • • How could I check the origins and accuracy of a label I often repeat without thinking about it?
  • • What is one phrase I could stop using or rephrase this week to be more precise and respectful?
2

Sacred objects and rituals often gain their power from intentional handling and context-how, when, and by whom they are used or assembled matters as much as the object itself.

Reflection Questions:

  • • In my own life, what tools or symbols do I treat differently depending on the context in which I use them?
  • • How might adding more intention or ritual to key actions (like starting work or making decisions) change how seriously I take them?
  • • What is one recurring activity I could mark with a small ritual to give it clearer meaning and focus?
3

Living cultures are not museum pieces; practices we might think of as "historical" are often ongoing and deeply meaningful to people today.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Where have I mentally filed a culture, tradition, or group as "past tense" without considering its current reality?
  • • How could I update my understanding by seeking out present-day voices from the communities I read or talk about?
  • • What is one culture or tradition I could learn about this month specifically from contemporary practitioners rather than only historical sources?
4

Scarcity and effort often enhance the value and respect given to materials or experiences, as seen in the time and labor required to quarry sacred pipestone.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Which things in my life came too easily and therefore I may be undervaluing them?
  • • How might deliberately investing more time and effort into a goal change how I care for and use the result?
  • • What is one project I could choose to pursue more slowly and deliberately to deepen my connection to its outcome?
5

Symbolic systems often connect different realms-like earth and sky, or individuals and communities-reminding us that actions in one domain can carry meaning into another.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Where in my life do small, concrete actions carry larger symbolic meaning for me or others?
  • • How could I design a simple symbol or practice that connects my everyday routines to my long-term values or beliefs?
  • • What is one area of my work or relationships where being more aware of symbolic meaning could change how I show up?

Episode Summary - Notes by Morgan

Short Stuff: "Peace" Pipes
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