Today, we're very excited to speak with David Wise, descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and founder of Native Wise, a farm which is focused on soil health, restorative farming and Indigenous agricultural practices.

David started his bison herd after a dream with Chief Buffalo, who told him to bring back his namesake. Starting with twelve, he now has a herd that numbers close to sixty, including Renegade and Brutus, two bulls that have become best buddies. The ranch is also home to three Ojibwe Spirit Horses.

David and wife Patra teach their kids that good food is good medicine. They share that good medicine with the community through Native Wise's seasonal CSAs and online store. 

Today, we are excited to speak with Wendy Roy, a beader and entrepreneur from the White Earth Nation. She mentors other artists and also teaches at White Earth Tribal and Community College.

Wendy learned beading from her grandmother, who shared the trick to knowing which bead colors go together. Her grandma would pour beads on a tray to see which beads grouped together and wanted to be friends with each other. She also taught her granddaughter that every bead you sew is a prayer for the person who will wear the object.

For Wendy, beading is not just a way to share her culture and make a living but also a form of healing. She talks about dealing with depression and coming back from a recent wrist injury that kept her from her beadwork.

In her free time, Wendy likes to read books, spend time with family and ride Harley Davidsons.

In this episode, we talk with Indigenous Affairs journalist and author Allison Herrera.

Allison’s indigenous ties are from her Xolon Salinan tribal heritage. Her family's village is in the Toro Creek area of the Central California coast. She didn’t take the traditional route into journalism with a degree. She just decided she wanted to do it and did it. Starting out at Minneapolis community station KFAI, she brought her talents and desire to report on indigenous stories to various media outlets. With Association for Independents in Radio (AIR), she had the opportunity to collaborate with an Oklahoma radio station that wanted to cover indigenous stories but didn’t have the resources for a producer. Immediately, she fell in love with the area and now splits her time between Minneapolis and Oklahoma. She is a journalist with APM Reports and is the author of Tribal Justice: The Struggle for Black Rights on Native Land, produced as an audiobook in 2024. 

Producer Hosts: Leah Lemm & Cole Premo
Editors: Britt Aamodt and Chris Harwood

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Honoring the Life and Legacy AIM Co-Founder Clyde Bellecourt (1938-2022) – Part 1

Today, the first of two special editions of our show, honoring the life and legacy of NeeGawNwayWeeDun, The Thunder Before the Storm, who was known by his colonial name Clyde Bellecourt. Bellecourt passed away in his Minneapolis home on January 11th, 2022. He was 85.

Clyde Bellecourt was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and was a long-time civil rights advocate and co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968. 

Throughout his many decades of activism, Bellecourt and AIM leaders sought solutions to police brutality, treaty rights, housing discrimination, and the loss of Indian children. He fought to create culturally specific education, innovative job programs, against sports mascots, and for human rights for Indigenous people here and around the world. 

His work was revolutionary and sometimes controversial.  Today we honor NeeGawNwayWeeDun, by hearing from community members who knew him well, and who share stories and shed light on the impact and legacy of Clyde Bellecourt.

** We also want to acknowledge the passing of Peggy Bellcourt on March 16, 2022 – Peggy co-founded the American Indian Movement alongside her husband Clyde. They were married for 56 years. Clyde said in his 2016 autobiography that his life with Peggy was inseparable from the Movement… and it was her strength and support that made his work in the Movement possible.

Miigwech to the folks who have shared their stories in these shows: Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Dakota and Muskogee Creek), Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D. (Red Lake Nation), Dr. Antony Stately Ph.D. (Ojibwe and Oneida), Robert Pilot (Ho-Chunk Nation), Bob Rice (White Earth Nation), Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), and Bob Blake (Red Lake Nation). 

Originally published as Episode S3 E50

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Honoring the Life and Legacy AIM Co-Founder Clyde Bellecourt (1938-2022) – Part 2

This is the second part of our special edition show, honoring the life and legacy of NeeGawNwayWeeDun, The Thunder Before the Storm, who was known by his colonial name Clyde Bellecourt. 

Clyde Bellecourt was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and was a long-time civil rights advocate and co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968. Bellecourt passed away in Minneapolis on January 11th, 2022. He was 85.

On today’s show, we learn more about Clyde’s time in prison as a young man, and how it strongly impacted him uncovered his purpose.  During that time of incarceration, Clyde Bellecourt met key people who helped him connect to Native traditions and spirituality, and together with whom he would co-found AIM.  This time of growth and healing informed every aspect of NeeGawNwayWeeDun’s advocacy work, which he carried throughout his life.

Chi miigwech to the folks who have shared their stories in these shows: Dr. Kate Beane Ph.D. (Flandreau Santee Dakota and Muskogee Creek), Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D. (Red Lake Nation), Dr. Antony Stately Ph.D. (Ojibwe and Oneida), Robert Pilot (Ho-Chunk Nation), Bob Rice (White Earth Nation), Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), and Bob Blake (Red Lake Nation). 

** We also want to acknowledge the passing of Peggy Bellcourt on March 16, 2022 – Peggy co-founded the American Indian Movement alongside her husband Clyde. They were married for 56 years. Clyde said in his 2016 autobiography that his life with Peggy was inseparable from the Movement… and it was her strength and support that made his work in the Movement possible.

Originally published as Episode S3 E51

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Wayne Ducheneaux’s Gift for Leadership and Native Nation Rebuilding

On today’s show, we talk with Wayne L. Ducheneaux, II (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) who is the Executive Director of the Native Governance Center, an organization dedicated to strengthening Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous leadership, through its Native Nation Rebuilders program.

Wayne shares his path of leadership and commitment to serving the needs of Native nations by helping leaders acquire the skills, training, and resources to support their citizens. Wayne is also dedicated to his family, is an enthusiastic video gamer, and an avid supporter of self-care and work-life balance, even though he hasn’t always practiced it himself. 

Many thanks to Wayne Ducheneaux for his dedicated leadership in guiding the Native Governance Center’s work supporting and training leaders, and for being a great example of how we thrive by being a good relative and building relationships. We appreciate your inspiring vision for the transformed future for Native nations. 

Learn more about how the Native Governance Center supports Indigenous Leadership here: https://nativegov.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Wayne Ducheneaux’s Gift for Leadership and Native Nation Rebuilding

On today’s show, we talk with Wayne L. Ducheneaux, II (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) who is the Executive Director of the Native Governance Center, an organization dedicated to strengthening Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous leadership, through its Native Nation Rebuilders program.

Wayne shares his path of leadership and commitment to serving the needs of Native nations by helping leaders acquire the skills, training, and resources to support their citizens. Wayne is also dedicated to his family, is an enthusiastic video gamer, and an avid supporter of self-care and work-life balance, even though he hasn’t always practiced it himself. 

Many thanks to Wayne Ducheneaux for his dedicated leadership in guiding the Native Governance Center’s work supporting and training leaders, and for being a great example of how we thrive by being a good relative and building relationships. We appreciate your inspiring vision for the transformed future for Native nations. 

Learn more about how the Native Governance Center supports Indigenous Leadership here: https://nativegov.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Linsey McMurrin’s Gift for Healing in Community and Remembering Resilience

On today’s show, we talk with Linsey McMurrin (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) who is the Director of Prevention Initiatives and Tribal Projects at FamilyWiseServices, where she leads programs aimed at supporting stronger, healthier, families and communities. Linsey is also a co-host of “Remembering Resilience,” a podcast exploring stories and practices for healing while highlighting Native resilience through and beyond trauma. 

Linsey shares her story, of when she first learned about ACES or adverse childhood experiences, and how that experience set her on a wider path; leading her to study science, history, medicine, and culture, eventually making her a passionate advocate for healing in community, truth-telling, and systemic change. 

We appreciate all the work Linsey is doing to help build healthy families and serve our communities in a culturally affirming way promoting truth-seeking, healing, and change. Chi Migwech Linsey! 

 “Remembering Resilience” podcast is here: https://rememberingresilience.home.blog/season-two/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Brook LaFloe’s Gift for Creating Equity in Early Childhood Programs

On today’s show, we’re speaking with Brook LaFloe (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) who is an educator and entrepreneur. Brook is the founder of Niniijaanis One of Ones, a social enterprise aimed at creating educational equity in early childhood for Indigenous children. 

Brook’s enthusiasm for developing culturally-relevant learning materials and curriculum is inspiring. Drawing on the contributions of Indigenous artists, Niniijaanis One of Ones, seeks to revitalize and maintain culture across generations, with a unique business model that pairs critical donations with all product sales.  

We loved hearing all the different ways Brook LaFloe is working with parents, educators, and administrators on policies and advocacy to better serve Indigenous children, from the time they are babies throughout their school-aged years.  

Find more information about Niniijaanis One of Ones here: https://niniijaanis1of1s.com/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Baabiitaw Boyd’s Gift for Sharing the Beautiful and Complex Ojibwe Language

On today’s show, we talk with Baabiitaw Boyd (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is is the Mille Lacs Band’s Deputy Commissioner on language revitalization initiatives. Her work includes the Anjibimaadizing program, which has developed a partnership with Rosetta Stone and published five Ojibwemowin books of stories collected from first speakers. Baabiitaw Boyd was also awarded a Bush Leadership Fellowship in 2017. 

In our conversation, Baabiitaw shares her path of awakening to her purpose: helping to revitalize the Ojibwemowin language for the benefit of the larger community.  We are inspired by Baabiitaw’s motivation and enthusiasm for learning her ancestral language and the wisdom it carries.  We appreciate Baabiitaw’s deep passion for helping others learn and speak Ojibwemowin, and her efforts to change both habits and systems, to better support and sustain the gifts of our Ojibwe culture. 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Leslie Harper’s Gift for Preserving Ojibwemowin by Inspiring Students and Empowering Teachers

On today’s show, we talk with Leslie Harper, who is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and a passionate advocate for language preservation and revitalization. Growing up, Leslie Harper loved hearing her Grandparents and relatives telling stories in their Native language. This sparked her own path as a language learner, eventually leading her to co-found an Ojibwe language immersion school in Leech Lake.  

A self-described policy-nerd, Leslie Harper connects the dots between personal values and public policies and tirelessly fights against oppressive educational systems that are not in alignment with what tribal community members want for the next generation. 

From classroom teaching to administration, Leslie has worked in many roles, including currently serving as the President of the National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs. 

Leslie Harper was featured in the Emmy-winning Twin Cities PBS documentary “First Speakers: Restoring the Ojibwe Language”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RooWZc4lLok

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. It's a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

On today’s show, we talk with Lance Haavisto, a direct decedent of M'Chigeeng First Nation, and the Lead Videographer/Editor for Native Report at WDSE-TV. Lance earned a bachelor’s degree in Media Production from Northern Michigan University and has started working on his Master's in Communication from the University of Wisconsin Superior.

Lance Haavisto loves sharing stories on the PBS magazine-style series, Native Report, where he fulfills a childhood dream of working in television.  As the lead videographer and editor, Lance works closely with all the members of the production team, making critical decisions about what goes on the air.  

It was great to chat with a fellow media maker and inspiring to hear how Lance continually looks for new and innovative ways to present stories, especially those of our Native relatives. 

Check out many thoughtful and wonderful stories shared on Native Report, now in its 17th season, here: https://wdse.org/show/native-report/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Allison Waukau’s Gift for Raising Native Representation in Libraries 

On today’s show, we talk with Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) a community builder who works in library programs, raising Native representation on the shelves and behind the scenes, making libraries more welcoming to Native community members. 

Allison Waukau started as a liaison at the Hennepin County Library, where her role quickly expanded into creating a Native Employee Resource Group for library and county employees, aimed at recruiting, supporting, and retaining Native colleagues. Allison is a member-at-large with the American Indian Library Association and one of Library Journal’s 2021 Movers & Shakers. 

We enjoyed talking with Allison about her many professional interests, including exploring library land acknowledgment practices, developing community-led library programs, and elevating the voices and perspectives of the Native community near and far.

Allison’s book recommendations can all be found at https://birchbarkbooks.com/

Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley

Voices from Pejuhutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers by Teresa Peterson & Walter Labatte Jr.

The Seed Keeper by Diane WilsonMoon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Allison also wants to note a new Minnesota publishing company focusing on Dakota/Lakota authors and voices, launched by Spirit Lake Dakota artist Marlena Myles: http://wiyounkihipi.com/

Hennepin County Library events page: https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library: https://thefriends.org/calendar-of-events/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

In this episode, we talk with grantmaking officer and former educator and historian Mattie Harper DeCarlo, PhD.  

Mattie, a Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe citizen who grew up on Leech Lake Reservation, works in philanthropy at the Bush Foundation, focusing on Indigenous communities. She speaks with us about the nuance of supporting 23 Native nations through philanthropy, how to provide context to non-Native donors on what investment can look like, and her affection for Ojibwe language revitalization. 

Mattie also shares how journey of learning about herself and the history her people, and how it helped her fostered a sense of awe for the beauty of Ojibwe community. 

Tune in for an engaging conversation about investing in Indigenous self-sustainability through philanthropy!

Producer Hosts: Leah Lemm & Cole Premo
Editor: Britt Aamodt

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Bradley Harrington’s Gift for Transforming through Cultural Connection 

On today’s show, we talk with Bradley Harrington (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is an entrepreneur, owner of Wenji-bimaadizing Media, and is currently the Tribal Liaison for the State of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources.

Bradley is more than ten years sober and explains why he says, “sobriety is an act of Indigenous Resistance.” He tells us about being incarcerated multiple times, and how he finally broke the pattern when he decided to accept treatment, while incorporating Anishinaabe traditional knowledge, history, and language aspects into it.  

We loved hearing Bradley’s honest and encouraging story of healing and how his Spiritual path led to him becoming a tribal pipe carrier. Chi Miigwech Bradley, for all you do, including sharing your passion for teaching Ojibwemowin in fun and engaging ways on social media!

Wenji-bimaadizing Media website https://www.wenji-bimaadizingmedia.com/

Here's an explainer about Midewiwin ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VpMNA8z5as

Bradley’s Facebook language page: https://www.facebook.com/WenjibimaadizingMedia

Bradley’s MNsure video in Ojibwemowin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1f9YkDWwQQ

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Beth Ann Dodds’ Passion for Helping Parents to Powerfully Claim their Voices

On today’s show, we talk with musician Beth Ann Dodds, a first-generation descendant of the White Earth Nation. Beth Ann is the Project Coordinator for the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, a training program from the Native-led organization, Indigenous Visioning. The program guides parents from White Earth Nation and Red Lake Nation to become leading advocates for children using a cultural lens.

We hear how Beth Ann’s own path brought her to her current work.  When her music and life partner, Bruce Jackson, received a terminal diagnosis, the couple embraced self-love and reflection throughout his remaining years.  After his passing, Beth Ann sought the quiet of the North woods was inspired to learn more about her Ojibwe culture.

Now, through her role with the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, a 21-week course for parents that integrates child development, leadership, democracy skills, and Ojibwe culture, Beth Ann is helping others to find, claim, and powerfully use their voices. Miigwech Beth Ann for your sharing your gifts!

Learn more about the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative on Facebook or go online to: https://www.indigenousvisioning.com/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Honoring the Life and Legacy AIM Co-Founder Clyde Bellecourt (1938-2022) – Part 2

This is the second part of our special edition show, honoring the life and legacy of NeeGawNwayWeeDun, The Thunder Before the Storm, who was known by his colonial name Clyde Bellecourt. 

Clyde Bellecourt was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and was a long-time civil rights advocate and co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968. Bellecourt passed away in Minneapolis on January 11th, 2022. He was 85.

On today’s show, we learn more about Clyde’s time in prison as a young man, and how it strongly impacted him uncovered his purpose.  During that time of incarceration, Clyde Bellecourt met key people who helped him connect to Native traditions and spirituality, and together with whom he would co-found AIM.  This time of growth and healing informed every aspect of NeeGawNwayWeeDun’s advocacy work, which he carried throughout his life. 

Chi miigwech to the folks who have shared their stories in these shows: Dr. Kate Beane Ph.D. (Flandreau Santee Dakota and Muskogee Creek), Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D. (Red Lake Nation), Dr. Antony Stately Ph.D. (Ojibwe and Oneida), Robert Pilot (Ho-Chunk Nation), Bob Rice (White Earth Nation), Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), and Bob Blake (Red Lake Nation). 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Honoring the Life and Legacy AIM Co-Founder Clyde Bellecourt (1938-2022) – Part 1

Today, the first of two special editions of our show, honoring the life and legacy of NeeGawNwayWeeDun, The Thunder Before the Storm, who was known by his colonial name Clyde Bellecourt. Bellecourt passed away in his Minneapolis home on January 11th, 2022. He was 85.

Clyde Bellecourt was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and was a long-time civil rights advocate and co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968. 

Throughout his many decades of activism, Bellecourt and AIM leaders sought solutions to police brutality, treaty rights, housing discrimination, and the loss of Indian children. He fought to create culturally specific education, innovative job programs, against sports mascots, and for human rights for Indigenous people here and around the world. 

His work was revolutionary and sometimes controversial.  Today we honor NeeGawNwayWeeDun, by hearing from community members who knew him well, and who share stories and shed light on the impact and legacy of Clyde Bellecourt.

Miigwech to the folks who have shared their stories in these shows: Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Dakota and Muskogee Creek), Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D. (Red Lake Nation), Dr. Antony Stately Ph.D. (Ojibwe and Oneida), Robert Pilot (Ho-Chunk Nation), Bob Rice (White Earth Nation), Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), and Bob Blake (Red Lake Nation). 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Dominique White’s Gift for Healthy Skin & Healthy Attitudes About Appearance

On today’s show, we enjoy a wide-ranging conversation with Dominique White (Prairie Island), who is an esthetician, laser technician, and owns a spa called Waśteda Aesthetics in Woodbury, MN.  She is a constant learner, and currently holds 17 certifications for various skin and beauty treatments. 

Dominique shares how struggles with her own skin and painful cystic acne, put her on a path of learning about what remedies are good and which ones are harmful when it comes to caring for your skin.  Studying ingredients in beauty products led Dominique to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be healthy, including claiming your own interpretation of beauty standards. 

Dominique credits her grandmother for helping her develop her healthy attitudes around appearance and being your authentic self.  Thank you, Dominique, for this fascinating conversation about facials, lash lifts, body contouring, and feeling comfortable in your own skin!

You can find Waśteda Aesthetics on Instagram and Facebook. 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Graci Horne’s Many Gifts as a Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Curator, and Storyteller

On today’s show, we talk with Graci Horne (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Hunkpapa Lakota/Dakota) who is a multi-disciplinary artist specializing in painting, printmaking, puppet making, photography, film, and poetry. Graci Horne is also the story keeper at the Mnisota Native Artists Alliance, a Native-led initiative formed to develop, protect, and promote expressions of Native art.

Graci Horne holds a degree in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. Graci shares why enjoys expressing herself through many artistic mediums, how she loves working with up-and-coming and seasoned artists, and how curating the artwork of other Native artists is one of her greatest joys.

Check out the Mnisota Native Artists Alliance here: https://www.mninativeartists.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Sage Yeager’s Gift for Creating Beautiful Wedding Videos

On today’s show, we talk with Sage Yeager (Prairie Island Indian Community) who is a videographer for intimate weddings and elopements. Sage combines her “love of love” with her filmmaking skills to create beautiful videos commemorating a couple’s big day. 

We loved getting the inside scoop from Sage about what it takes to plan and produce these lovely wedding videos for couples taking the plunge.  And we hear how Sage first uncovered her passion and talent for filmmaking, and why she chose this niche of video production.  Plus, Sage gives us her tips on how she “pops up like the paparazzi” when hired to film a marriage proposal. Enjoy this fun conversation with Sage Yeager!

Check out Sage’s portfolio of wedding videos here: https://sageyeagerfilms.com/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Master Jingle Dress Maker Adrienne Benjamin’s Gift for Guiding Reconciliation

On today’s show, we talk with Adrienne Benjamin (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is a community activist and multi-faceted artist, including being a master jingle dress maker.

Most recently, Adrienne Benjamin has been in the news for her equity work with a Minnesota company that just publicly apologized for profiting off Native-inspired designs for decades. Adrienne tells us how she came to be involved with the owners of Minnetonka Moccasins, who were seeking ways to acknowledge and make amends for their company’s long-time appropriations; and how she is helping them on a path toward reconciliation.
 

We were delighted to hear the story of how Adrienne found her path to becoming a master jingle dress maker, with the persistent encouragement and humor of one visionary elder, who inspired us all over the years.  Chi Miigwech, Adrienne for your wonderful art and your ability to have difficult conversations with a smile!

Watch the video about the Mille Lacs Band’s Jingle Dress origin story here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk7Cha5BVUc

Read Adrienne Benjamin’s “Repairing Relations” blog post here:

https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/blog/adrienne-benjamin-repairing-relations/

Visit Adrienne Benjamin’s website here: https://www.yoadrienneb.net/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

MN Native News Special Edition: COVID-19 Community Conversations

Pediatric COVID Vaccines Now Available for Kids 5+ and Coming Soon: Boosters for All

Co-Hosts Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and Antony Stately Ph.D. (Ojibwe/Oneida) explore how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On today’s show, Leah and Antony discuss pediatric COVID vaccines and how parents can go about getting their young ones vaccinated, as children who are ages 5 and up are now eligible.  We also discuss the recent surge of COVID in our region and how Minnesota Health Officials are preparing to recommend booster shots for all vaccinated adults. 

KBFT Producer Chaz Wagner (Bois Forte Ojibwe) catches up with Daniel Frye (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), the Director of Indian Health Services in the Bemidji Area. Daniel shares how tribes are faring at this point in the pandemic, as many wrestle with the question of vaccine mandates, and the future of Indian Health Care. 

Dr. Antony Stately is the CEO of the Native American Community Clinic. 

Listen to past COVID-19 Community Conversations here: https://minnesotanativenews.org/category/community-conversations/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Reuben Kitto Stately’s Gift for Reclaiming Dakota Roots through Language and Music

On today’s show, we talk with Reuben Kitto Stately (Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation) who is a fourth-year student at Augsburg University and Dakota language learner. He’s also a musician and recording artist, known as Kitto.

Reuben shares how he discovered his passion for learning Dakhóta language, how he has dedicated himself to being a life-long learner, as his gift to share.  He believes language is the key to reclaiming Indigenous culture, art, and identity.  Reuben also traces his love of music back to falling asleep to drums on the Pow Wow trail as a baby. And he explains how Indigenous musicians inspired him to pursue music, tell his own authentic stories, find his own creative voice.  

We loved Reuban’s enthusiasm for finding his roots, and for his wonderful vision for helping people reconnect and bring alive their Indigenous language, as the pathway to thriving long into the future. 

Check out Kitto’s music here: https://soundcloud.com/yungkitto

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

In this episode, we talk with artist, public speaker, and community organizer Moira Villiard.

Moira, a Twin Cities-based visual artist and Fond Du Lac direct descendent, is a 2023 McKnight Foundation Community-Engaged Practice fellow and a 2024-2026 Bush Fellow. We chat with her about her current projects, Waiting for Beds, a traveling exhibition that explores the experience of waiting while in crisis, and a soon-to-be-released children’s book about the Ojibwe practice of prescribed fires that she illustrated.

Moira shares about her study of human rights, creating work for her inner child, and her rumination about the social-political bubbles many of us live in. For Moira, art is a venue to elicit these disconnects and ultimately birth understanding between people so that harmful histories don’t repeat. She also describes the process of creating art at the scale of mural, finding artistic courage from her father, and incorporating animals that cross her path into her art.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about Moira’s intentionality behind her creative practice.

Producer Hosts: Leah Lemm & Cole Premo
Editor: Britt Aamodt

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Jaida Grey Eagle Gifts for Photojournalism, Filmmaking, and Beadwork

On today’s show, we talk with Jaida Grey Eagle (Oglala Lakota) a photojournalist, film producer, beadwork artist, and writer. Jaida earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

We loved this conversation, hearing about how she got her start in photojournalism and landed her current job at Sahan Journal.  Jaida shares the story of becoming a co-producer of the Sister Rising documentary, a powerful film about six Native women reclaiming their sovereignty. And we get to hear some fun stories about what it's like to freelance for the New York Times and Vogue. Plus, Jaida explains her long love of beadwork art, inspired by her great-grandmother’s quilts, and her family’s legacy as Lakota artists.  

We appreciate Jaida’s fearless willingness to try new things and her enthusiastic encouragement for up-and-coming Native media makers!

Learn more about Jaida’s many creative pursuits on her website: https://www.jaidagreyeagle.com/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Toya Stewart Downey’s Gift for Journalism, Inclusive Leadership, and Education

On today’s show, we talk with Toya Stewart Downey (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is the Executive Director of Strategic Communication, Equity and Inclusion for Robbinsdale Area Schools. 

Toya earned her master’s degree in Health Journalism from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and worked as a journalist for leading newspapers around the country, and for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s Inaajimowin news, closer to home. Toya also worked in crisis communications for St. Paul Schools, and in public relations, for the Ordway.

In addition to her work leading diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the Robbinsdale schools, Toya Stewart Downey serves on the board of several organizations, bringing her perspective and insights to both MinnPost, the online news service, and Theater Latte Da. 

We loved hearing how Toya’s path began with her love of news and writing, and her willingness to try new things. Toya’s enthusiasm for encouraging and mentoring students is admirable and inspiring.  Miigwech Toya!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Robert Rice’s Gift for Gathering Community around Coffee, Frybread, and Wild Ricing 

On today’s show, we talk with Robert Rice (White Earth Nation) the owner and operator of the Pow Wow Grounds coffee shop on Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis, a hub for gathering for conversation and art, over coffee, frybread, and tacos. Robert also has decades of experience harvesting wild rice and a passion for sharing the tradition with others. 

Robert shares how Pow Wow Ground’s parking lot became the staging area for AIM patrols during the uprising in response to the murder of George Floyd, protecting businesses along Franklin Ave, with more than 300 people showing up to help. As food donations poured in, the space transitioned and became a food shelf, serving the needs of residents, as nearby grocery stores shut down amid the chaos and destruction. 

We appreciate Robert’s good work creating a thriving business, centered on the values of collaboration and kindness, and for all the good coffee and delicious frybread! Chi Miigwech!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day!

Today we talk about different ways Indigenous People’s Day is being recognized and celebrated throughout Mni Sota Mkoce.
  

Leah catches up with the festivities in Grand Rapids hosted by Anishinaabe Gikinoo’ amaadiwin (aka Indian Education) along with the City of Grand Rapids Human Rights Commission.  Cole checks out the music, food, artwork, and fun happening at the Owamni Falling Water Festival in Minneapolis near the stone arch bridge.

Both Leah and Cole share how they were moved and excited to attend a publication party for the Aanjibimaadizing Project, an amazing language and culture preservation initiative, collecting stories from elders and first language speakers, and then sharing them through beautifully illustrated publications. The book release party was held at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post with many friends, relatives, and community members in attendance. 

Plus, as a special treat, we hear audio from William Premo Jr, telling a fun story from one of  Aanjibimaadizing Project books, which he shares in Ojibwemowin and in English.  

Chi Miigwech Papi Premo!

Would you or someone you know be a great guest on Native Lights?  Drop us line at: nativelights@ampers.org.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Brian Joyce’s Gift for Acting and Directing in the Twin Cities Theater Scene

Today we’re talking with Brian Joyce (White Earth Nation), who has been acting and directing in the Twin Cities Theater scene for more than 40 years.  Brian first appeared on stage in St. Paul at the age of four, and later earned his BA in Theatre Arts from Bethel College.  Brian has been enjoying acting onstage and working behind the scenes, ever since. He also appears in some commercials and films. 

Brian shares his insights about humor and fun being key ingredients of daily life and explains what being a theater director has taught him about patience and working with others. Brian also tells us about his work with the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Program Director at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, where helps people find and train for jobs. 

We discuss the exciting and profound work going on with two Indigenous-led companies: New Native Theatre and Turtle Theater. And, coming soon, Brian will direct shows for Theatre in the Round and Lakeshore Players Theatre.

Break a leg, Brian! Chi miigwech for this enjoyable conversation!

Would you or someone you know be a great guest on Native Lights?  Drop us line at: nativelights@ampers.org.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Rob Pero’s Gift for Entrepreneurship, Media, and Marketing

On today’s show, we’re speaking with entrepreneur Rob Pero (Bad River Tribe), CEO and creative director of the Indigenous-led marketing firm Perodigm. He’s also the voice behind Minnesota's statewide “Your Call MN” campaign raising awareness about sex trafficking.

Rob explains the many turns his career path took: first engineering school, the Navy, working in sales, and then back to school again to study design. Now Rob leads his own media company in Wisconsin, which specializes in design, marketing, and media production, working with clients across the country. 

Rob shares how his grandmother instilled his Indigenous identity, and how as an adult, he prioritized learning about his tribe. It’s terrific to hear Rob’s enthusiasm for so many projects, including a documentary film called “Bad Indian," about the life of his father who died when Rob was just a baby.

Rob’s passion for amplifying Indigenous voices and supporting Native economic development organizations is woven into all his entrepreneurial pursuits. 

Check out Rob Pero’s media company here: https://www.perodigm.com/

Learn more about raising awareness about sex trafficking and the “Your Call MN” campaign here: https://yourcallmn.org/resources/#toolkit

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Leah and Cole: Sharing Our Gifts and Purpose

On today’s show, we turn the microphone on each other!  No guest today… instead, we ask each other some questions about our own purpose and passions, starting with music.  Cole tells some stories about discovering his love for making music and the many mentors who helped him on his path.  Leah shares a sweet story of her first solo singing performance in kindergarten, and how she is passing her passion along to her son.

Most of all, we love hosting this podcast and getting the honor of amplifying Native Voices, meeting new people, and hearing how community members are uncovering their gifts and living their purpose.  

Would you or someone you know be a great guest on Native Lights?  Drop us line at: nativelights@ampers.org.

Check out Cole Premo music here: https://soundcloud.com/cole-e-premo

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Christina Wood’s Gift for Busting Bias Through Art

On today’s show, we talk with Christina Woods (Bois Forte Tribal Nation) who is the first Anishinaabikwe to be the Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute. Christina is also currently performing in the play The UnPlugging presented by New Native Theatre in Minneapolis.

We caught up with Christina during a break in the rehearsal of the play, which will be performed on the site of the old Migizi building and the Gandhi Mahal restaurant, both of which were destroyed by fire and water in the uprising following the murder of George Floyd. 

Christina shares her path as a teacher, media-maker, and diversity/inclusion consultant and explains how visual arts and advocacy all can work together for positive change and learning. Christina’s enthusiasm for all her cools projects is contagious.  Christina was awarded an AARP 50 over 50 most influential people in MN award as a bias buster.  Enjoy this fun and hilarious conversation!

More information about the Chesley Antoinette exhibition that Christina mentioned is here: https://www.duluthartinstitute.org/Steffl

Check out the play that Christina is in - The UnPlugging, by Yvette Nolan and presented by New Native Theatre at https://newnativetheatre.org/ - Outdoor performances run through Sept 19th. 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Cece Benimon’s Gift for Connecting Kids with Culture & Conservation
 

On today’s show, we talk with Cece Benimon (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) who is the family liaison for Anishinaabe Academy, a Minneapolis school with a Native-centered curriculum. Cece shares some of the different ways the school is revitalizing and Indigenizing curriculum.  We learn how Cece’s business background helped her develop relationships with students, families, and community members; inspiring deeper connections with each other and the land too. 
  

Cece tells us about the exciting new long-term partnership between Anishinaabe Academy and the Belwin Conservancy in Afton, called “Restoring Land, Reviving Heritage: Conservation Through Indigenous Culture.”  The reciprocal project dedicates 17 acres to the Anishinaabe Academy, providing a space for Native elders to lead students from the urban school in hands-on learning about conservation, restoration, and gardening. The Belwin Conservancy also gains from the Indigenous stewardship of some of its St. Croix Valley land. 

Miigwech Cece for your enthusiastic work connecting kids and community with culture and land conservation!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Leah and Antony discuss getting our young ones back to school and how to navigate all the knowns and unknowns of what’s ahead, so we can make good decisions for ourselves, our families, and our communities. 

Plus, producer Chaz Wagner talks with Bois Forte community members to hear what’s on their minds about kids going back to the classroom, the challenges of the Delta variant, vaccinations, and much more. 

Dr. Antony Stately is the CEO of the Native American Community Clinic. 

Listen to past COVID-19 Community Conversations here: https://minnesotanativenews.org/category/community-conversations/

In this episode, we chat with author and retired school counselor Colleen Baldrica.

Colleen, a White Earth Nation citizen, authored the book Tree Spirited Woman in 2006. During the pandemic, she recorded the audio version, so that her grandchildren could have an archive of her voice when they’re older.

Colleen shares the experience - central to her story - of being directed towards a life of writing as a young single mother. She describes how this spiritual experience shaped her personal framework and inspired her book. She also talks about her current joy of mentoring new authors, teaching writers to develop the courage to promote their work, and participating in a women’s writing group.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about the gift – and lesson – of listening with another talented Indigenous writer! 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Amber Buckanaga’s Gift for Art and Fashion Design

On today’s show, we have a fun conversation with Amber Buckanaga (Leech Lake Band) who is an artist, fashion designer, and mother.  Amber left her career in education, to follow her artistic dreams, which led to sewing, then designing fashions, and eventually the runways of NYC’s fashion week! 

We hear how Amber’s passion for creating unique and colorful clothing grew into the creation of her in-demand fashion brand called the Buckanaga Social Club: an innovative artist collective producing high-quality Indigenous art, fashion, clothing, accessories, home décor, and more.  

Amber shares how she balances the (sometimes conflicting) demands of family and work and family, and how her art helps her to stay grounded, enthusiastic, and clear on her priorities.  

Miigwech Amber Buckanaga for sharing your beautiful art and thoughtful perspectives.

Find the Buckanaga Social Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckanaga_social_club/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

We meet Deb Foster (Ojibwe), the Executive Director of Ain Dah Yung, and Mike Laverdure (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota), a partner with DSGW Architects.  Deb Foster and Mike Laverdure both played leading roles in the creation of Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung, a beautiful new apartment building in St. Paul, where formerly homeless Native young adults can live, reconnect to culture, and get job skills. Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung opened in November of 2019.

Reporter/Producer Laurie Stern joins Leah and Cole in-studio for this program, which originally aired in Season Two Episode Four of Native Lights podcast. https://minnesotanativenews.org/two-visionaries-one-project/

Meaning “Our Home” in Ojibwe, Ain Dah Yung Center provides a healing place within the community for American Indian youth and families to thrive in safety and wholeness. http://adycenter.org/

Check out the American Indian Science and Engineering Society here: https://www.aises.org/about/board/michael-laverdure

Mike Laverdure is Principal, Director of First American Design at DSGW: https://dsgw.com/category/projects/native-american/

This episode originally comes from Season 2 of Native Lights

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Donald Eubanks’ Gift for Speaking Out for Racial and Social Justice

On today’s show, we speak with fellow podcaster and Mille Lacs band member Donald Eubanks who recently retired from teaching social work at Metropolitan University, where he was an associate professor.  Previously, Donald Eubanks served two terms as Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

We enjoyed this wide-ranging thoughtful conversation with Don, who has many insights and opinions to share! We admire Don’s passion for using his voice to speak up, educate, and fight for racial and social justice – on his weekly Counter Stories podcast and now in new roles as a Cultural Consultant serving organizations striving for equity and change.

Donald Eubanks co-hosts the Counter Stories podcast: https://counterstoriespodcast.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Vern Northrup Honors the Spirit of Fire and Shares His Gift for Visual Storytelling

On Native Lights, we speak to Vern Northrup (Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe) who is a visual storyteller and a retired wildland firefighter. He shares his knowledge and cultural perspective of fire - from the spirit of fire to the practice of controlled burns. This is a timely conversation, as wildfires are impacting precious areas, air quality, and lives across North America. We also talk deeply about how Vern Northrup shares his environment and what The Creator shows him through his photography. Additionally, Vern, who is one of his tribe's Rice Chiefs, gives us an update on how the wild rice beds are doing in the Fond du Lac area.

Chi-miigwech, Vern, for taking time to share with us your words, your art, and your connection to fire.

Vern Northrup's 'Akinomaage' exhibit is now showing at the Reif Gallery at the Reif Performing Arts Center.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Today’s conversation features Daniel Lemm (Lower Sioux Indian Community) who is the Chief Financial Officer at the Charles K. Blandin Foundation, in addition to being Leah’s spouse. Daniel Lemm shares how his love of numbers led to his career in philanthropy, helping get resources out into communities and in a good way. Daniel also speaks about working through loss, learning to proudly embrace his heritage, and the importance of support from others along his journey.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce — a.k.a. Minnesota — to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Today we are revisiting our conversation with Dalton Walker (Red Lake Anishinaabe) who is Deputy Managing Editor for Indian Country Today. Dalton Walker shares how he followed his teenage dreams of expanding on the kind of coverage he would see in newspapers about Native people. Dalton also has contributed to Minnesota Native News' pandemic coverage

By becoming a journalist he’s providing a more complete picture of the issues and opportunities affecting Native people, communities, and all our lives.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Today’s conversation is with Dr. Anton Treuer (White Earth/Leech Lake Ojibwe), a prolific author, international speaker, historian, and professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University. As a spiritual guide and father of nine, Anton Treuer embodies and defines what it means to be a Language Warrior, which he writes about in his latest book. What does it take to keep the Ojibwe language thriving even as fewer first speakers are available to teach? Anton Treuer embraces this challenge with both timeless wisdom and the latest technology. We loved learning more about how Anton uncovered his gift for language revitalization and how he enthusiastically inspires others, all in the service of keeping Ojibwemowin flourishing long into the future.

Native Lights is a weekly radio program and podcast hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Briand Morrison’s Gift for Combining Jazz Guitar and Anishinaabe Heritage

On today’s show, we revisit our conversation with Briand Morrison (Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) a renowned jazz guitar player, composer, and son of the late George Morrison, the well-known visual artist. We talk with Briand about his music and his path to reclaiming his Anishinaabe Heritage, and how culture and identity inspires his artistry.

Chi-Miigwech Briand for sharing very personal stories about your relationship with your father, your journey to sobriety, and how connecting to the ancestors helps you create such beautiful music.

Learn more about Briand Morrison’s music here:

https://www.briandmorrison.com/

We first spoke with Briand on Native Lights podcast season 1 here:https://minnesotanativenews.org/listen-to-native-lights-season-1/

Listen to Briand on our Biidaapi podcast, recorded during the early months of the pandemic. https://minnesotanativenews.org/biidaapi-with-briand-morrison/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Madonna Peltier Yawakie’s Gift for Connecting Tribal Communities through Technology

On today’s show, we talk with Madonna Yawakie (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians) who is the President of Turtle Island Communications, Inc. (TICOM). Together with her husband, Madonna founded this company which provides broadband engineering and consulting services to Tribal Nations. Madonna Peltier Yawakie holds a B.S. in Business Administration, and a Masters in Community & Regional Planning from NDSU. 

TICOM has provided engineering and consulting services to the first 100% tribally owned Commercial Wireless System in the Nation, and the first 100% tribally owned Fiber to the Home Network which provides 1-gigabit capacity to all residents and businesses within its tribal lands. Madonna Peltier Yawakie has contributed to the FCC’s Telecom/Broadband Policies for Tribal Nations.

It is fantastic to hear how Madonna and her company are helping to close the digital divide in Indian Country, by increasing broadband access in education, public safety, and healthcare opportunities for those living and working on tribal lands. 

Turtle Island Communications, Inc. is online at: www.turtleislandcom.com

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Native Lights – Michael Lyons’ Gift for teaching Ojibwe Language with Puppets, Cartoons, and Song

On today’s show, we talk with Anishinaabe author and artist, Michael Lyons, who is the creator of “Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo,” a daily live-streamed, "puppet podcast" on YouTube.  The program explores Ojibwe language and culture, through skits, music, and conversations.  This show also airs on KAXE/KBXE community radio in Northern Minnesota. 

Michael Lyons has written and illustrated many publications, including comic books and several children's books in Ojibwe including: "Dog and Ma'iingan", "Boozhoo Ajidamoo" and "Little Cutie: A Teddy Bear's Vision Quest."

Michael Lyons, along with his puppets Nanaboozhoo and Natasha, creates shows that are funny and whimsical, but the show and its characters also contend with topics that are sad and even tragic.  We asked Michael about the heartfelt way he recently addressed the news of the remains of 215 children recently found at the Kamloops Boarding School in British Columbia. 

Chi Miigwech Michael Lyons for sharing your passion for puppets, songs, humor, and heartfelt conversations.

Here’s a link to the “Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo” show on the recent events in Canada and the residential school on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6_zpQPXGM

Here’s a link to the “Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo” radio show on KAXE/KBXE radio:  https://www.kaxe.org/term/boozhoo-nana-boozhoo#stream/0

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

In this episode, we chat with human rights advocate, singer, storyteller, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities American Studies doctoral student Wakinyan LaPointe.

Wakinyan, a Sicangu (Burnt Thigh) Lakota citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, focuses his studies on Indigenous rights, human rights, and youth organizing. He describes how his work with Indigenous young people, Indigenous people across the globe, and water scholars has informed his understanding of how to generate a sustainable future. One strategy he shares is the deepening of Indigenous youth’s relationship with their ancestral waterways, which has shown to improve water and land health.

For Wakinyan, having his parents share stories and cultural traditions with him during his childhood – spent in Washington, California, and the Rosebud reservation before landing in Minneapolis – was foundational to his understanding of self and the world. Today, Wakinyan uses these teachings and those embedded within the songs he sings to reclaim his time from the “weeds of academia” and establish a healthy grounding to his days. 

Tune in for an engaging conversation with one of today’s most vibrant, Indigenous artist scholars! 

On today’s show, we talk with Angela Two Stars (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) a public artist, curator, and director of All My Relations Arts, the art gallery at the Native American Community Development Institute in Minneapolis. Angela shares her enthusiasm for supporting contemporary Native Artists, and her passion for appreciating Native artwork without viewing it through a Euro-centric lens. Angela also shares her commitment to raising awareness of the endangered status of her tribe’s language, as well as others’, and draws attention to the critical need for language revitalization efforts.

While she is always on the lookout for ways to create opportunities for other artists, Angela Two Stars is renowned for her own artwork. Her professional arts career began at All My Relations Arts gallery as an exhibiting artist, which then led to her first curatorial role for the exhibition titled, Bring Her Home, Stolen Daughters of Turtle Island, a powerful exhibition highlighting the ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Angela's public art graces the shores of Bde Maka Ska and honors the Dakota people of Mni Sota.  She has also been commissioned by the Walker Art Center to create a new work of public art at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in the fall of 2021.

Miigwech Angela for sharing your gift for art and your passion for artists and the power of creative expression.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Today, we’re talking with Syngen Kanassatega (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is a lawyer – his job is the Legal and Policy Counsel for the Mille Lacs Band's Office of the Chief Executive, a drum keeper, and he’s also well-known on Tik Tok, the video-sharing social media site, with thousands of followers.  

Syngen Kanassatega shares why he decided to go to law school, what he loves about practicing law, and how culture and tradition are woven into policymaking and government for the tribe.  Syngen shares insights from a few of his favorite mentors, and reminisces about Mille Lacs Band Member “Amik” Larry Smallwood, who deeply influenced him in so many ways.  (Leah shares how Amik’s wisdom helps shape this podcast too!)

We also hear how Syngen Kanassatega found a creative outlet on Tik Tok, by bringing tidbits of legal information (about Tribal Sovereignty and more) along with jokes and stories, to the popular social media platform.  One recent video took aim at politician Rick Santorum’s ignorance about Native peoples’ contributions to the founding of our country. Check it out here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@skanassa/video/6955588218221825286?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.

Chi Miigwech Syngen for spending time chatting and sharing your humor, legal knowledge, and inspiration!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) is back exploring how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On this show, Leah is joined by her spouse, Daniel Lemm (Lower Sioux Indian Community), to remember and reflect on some of the wisdom and insights shared by the many guests to this program over the last 14 months. 

We recall our early conversation with James Vukelich (Turtle Mountain Band), a linguist and educator, who reminded us to keep in mind the joy of small moments, even as we all faced the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Susan Beaulieu (Red Lake Nation) who works for the UMN Extension, offered great perspectives about meeting challenges, with compassion for self and others, and reminded us to keep breathing!

We were moved by Laz Carreon, RN, who heads the COVID team at the Indian Health Board (IHB) of Minneapolis, as he recounted the relief and joy among health care workers, as vaccinations arrived, following so many months of exhausting work caring for patients.

We appreciated hearing how Indian Health Service (IHS) rose to meet the logistical challenges of vaccine distribution, as told by Daniel Frye (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), the Director of Indian Health Services for the Bemidji Area.

We are thankful for the leadership of so many, including Patina Park (Mnicoujou Lakota) who is Director of Tribal State Relations and Systems Implementation at the State of Minnesota, and who reminded us that we can always learn from hardship.

Chi Miigwech to all our guests on this program, to our Tribal leaders and ancestors, and to all of you who shared your time and attention listening. Gigaawaabamin!

Listen to past COVID-19 Community Conversations here: https://minnesotanativenews.org/category/community-conversations/