Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Jamie Becker-Finn’s Path to Bringing Community Together Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

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 – Jamie Becker-Finn’s Path to Bringing Community Together

Today we’ll chat with State Representative and Entrepreneur Jamie Becker-Finn (Leech Lake). Recently she celebrated the opening of her coffee shop – Makwa Coffee. We talk with Jamie about the first few weeks of Makwa Coffee, how she got the idea amidst the pandemic and how the community has supported Makwa so far. In addition to Makwa Coffee and her work in the legislature, Jamie is also a teacher and supports initiatives encouraging kids to get outside and into nature.
You can find out more about Makwa Coffee online at https://www.makwacoffee.com/ and Jamie Becker-Finn in the House of Representatives at https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15457
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/

Marisa Miakonda Cummings’ Gift for Leadership and Empowering Native Women Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Marisa Miakonda Cummings’ Gift for Leadership and Empowering Native Women

On today’s show, Leah and Cole chat with Marisa Miakonda Cummings (Umonhon). She’s the President/CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. The MIWRC empowers Native women and families to exercise their cultural values and integrity, and to achieve sustainable lifeways, while advocating for justice and equity.

Marisa shares about her journey to becoming the CEO/President of MIWRC, she tells how her family empowered her from a young age, and how she leads with traditional knowledge in her work.

The MIWRC will soon hold its inaugural Red Dress Gala, the Gala is September 9, 2022. More information about the Gala and the MIWRC at https://www.miwrc.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/

Megan Lhotka’s Gift For Teaching and Family Empowerment Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

On today’s show, we talk with Megan Lhotka, a descendant of the White Earth Nation. Megan is a Facilitator for the White Earth Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative (IPLI), a training program that guides parents to become leading advocates for children using a cultural lens.

Megan is also teaching dual language classes for the first time this fall and works as a Anishinaabemowin translator and teacher. We hear how Megan found the path to her current work and how learning the language has been a gift in her life. This summer, Megan is training for her first triathlon as a way to highlight IPLI and she shares with us how training is going. Miigwech Megan for your chatting with us today!

The Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative is a 21-week course for parents that integrates Ojibwe culture, child development and leadership.

Megan’s triathlon is in support of IPLI, you can find more information at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/raise-awareness-for-native-american-parenting

To find out more about the next cohort at IPLI, visit https://www.indigenousvisioning.com/ or on their Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/Indigenous-Parent-Leadership-Initiative-104913428664845

Tadd Johnson’s Gift For Teaching and Advocating Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Tadd Johnson’s Gift For Teaching and Advocating

Today we talk with retired professor, former tribal attorney and lecturer Tadd Johnson (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa). Tadd was recently appointed to the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents, where he is serving the 8th Congressional District and as the first Native person to be a part of the school’s governing body. Tadd talked about how he got to be appointed to the board; what the board does and why it’s important for the school to finally have Native representation and dialogue with tribal nations.

We appreciate all the work Tadd has done for decades and we’re excited to see where his leadership will take the University in the future! Chi-Miigwech Tadd!

Juliet Rudie Leads Minnesota’s new Office of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Relatives Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Juliet Rudie Leads Minnesota’s new Office of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Relatives

On today’s show, Cole shares his conversation with Juliet Rudie (Lower Sioux Indian Community). Juliet is the Director of Minnesota’s new Office of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). She talks with us about how she is leading the new office, the report that guides the work she does, and how she became interested in public safety as a child. Juliet has been in public service for nearly 30 years, beginning as a patrol officer with St. Paul police in 1990.

The MMIR office is the first of its kind in the nation and was created in February 2022. The office was created based on the findings of the Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives report to the legislature by the Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives Task Force.

Find more information on the MMIR Office at: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/Pages/missing-murdered-indigenous-relatives-office.aspx
And read the report that guides the office’s work at: https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2020/mandated/201198.pdf

Miigwech to Juliet Rudie for taking time to share with us today!

Barb Fabre’s Gift for Empowering Native Families and Children Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Barb Fabre’s Gift for Empowering Native Families and Children

On today’s show, we talk with Barbara Fabre (White Earth Ojibwe). For decades, Barb has been an advocate for Native families and children. She’s the President of All Nations Rise and the CEO of Indigenous Visioning.

She talks about how culture leads the work she does and how Native teachings help empower, educate, and mentor Native families, children, and childcare providers. Barb has led numerous projects that aim to improve childcare systems throughout Indian country.

You can find more about her work at https://www.indigenousvisioning.com/

Miigwech to Barb Fabre for the informative conversation!

Emma Needham’s Gift For Uplifting Indigenous Perspectives Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights – Emma Needham’s Gift For Uplifting Indigenous Perspectives

On today’s show, we talk with Emma Needham (Red Lake Nation). She is a mother, water protector, and reporter. We talk with Emma about the impacts of environmental issues locally and nationally, and how caring about those issues led her on her journey of storytelling. Emma co-hosts and reports on Indigenous issues as a part of Native Roots Radio’s daily radio show “I’m Awake” and for us at Minnesota Native News.
We loved hearing Emma’s thoughts about independent journalism and the importance of Indigenous perspectives in media. Miigwech Emma Needham for the great conversation!

Darek DeLille’s Gift for Building Up Community & Audio Arts Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

On today’s show, we talk with Darek DeLille (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Artistic Producer at New Native Theatre, community organizer, musician and audio artist. Darek now lives in Southeast Minneapolis after living on Fond du Lac for many years.

Darek considers himself the “Anishinaabe army knife” who is always ready to learn and expand his knowledge while uplifting the people around him. Recently, Darek has started producing audio plays with New Native Theatre, managing the Four Sisters Farmers Market in Minneapolis and helping to organize the inaugural Two Spirit Pow Wow in Minneapolis.

We loved hearing about Darek's love for community and his wisdom about life. Miigwech Darek DeLille!

Filmmaker Khayman Goodsky’s Gift for Visual Storytelling and Collaboration Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Today, a lively conversation with Khayman Goodsky (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa) a Duluth filmmaker who creates films exploring Ojibwe teachings side by side with punk music. Khayman tells about how she first found her path, her love of comic books and cosplay, and how she enjoys the whole collaboration process. Khayman also shares her plans for an upcoming sequel to her short film Dream Wanderer. We spoke with her in Spring of 2021.

We learn how the Duluth Superior Film Festival is partnering with The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) for a virtual Indigenous film series, kicking off in April and running through July. Each month, Khayman will host online discussions with Indigenous filmmakers, following the screenings of their films.

Khayman Goodsky offers great advice to up-and-coming artists and visual storytellers, urging them to just take those first vulnerable steps, then to keep learning as they go. Miigwech Khayman for sharing your gifts and encouragement!

Khayman Goodsky’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf2dwu6dEwssDXZy0ltaxkw

Learn more about the Virtual Indigenous Film Series in partnership with the Duluth Superior Film Festival: https://www.ds-ff.com/aicho

Great-Grandmother Mary Lyons’ Gift for Sharing Indigenous Traditions & Spiritual Guidance Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Great-Grandmother Mary Lyons’ Gift for Sharing Indigenous Traditions & Spiritual Guidance

On today’s show, we talk with Great-Grandmother Mary Lyons (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) a spiritual advisor, storyteller, activist, wisdom keeper, and revered elder. Mary Lyons is the founder of the Minnesota Coalition on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and serves as a counselor for the women’s sobriety group, which she also co-founded, called Women of Wellbriety International.

Mary’s inspiring book, “Wisdom Lessons: Spirited Guidance from an Ojibwe Great-Grandmother,” was published in 2018, and delivers love and advice through stories and perspectives grounded in traditional Indigenous values.

Chi Miigwech to Mary Lyons for generously sharing traditional teachings, your wise approach to healing, and life-changing spiritual guidance.

Find Mary Lyons’ book here: https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/wisdom-lessons

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