Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Honoring the Life and Legacy AIM Co-Founder Clyde Bellecourt (1938-2022) – Part 1 Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

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/

Dominique White’s Gift for Healthy Skin & Healthy Attitudes About Appearance Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

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.

Graci Horne’s Many Gifts as a Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Curator, and Storyteller Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

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/

Sage Yeager’s Gift for Creating Beautiful Wedding Videos Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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/

Master Jingle Dress Maker Adrienne Benjamin’s Gift for Guiding Reconciliation Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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/

Pediatric COVID Vaccines Now Available for Kids 5+ and Coming Soon: Boosters for All Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

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/

Reuben Kitto Stately’s Gift for Reclaiming Dakota Roots through Language and Music Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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

Jaida Grey Eagle Gifts for Photojournalism, Filmmaking, and Beadwork Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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/

Toya Stewart Downey’s Gift for Journalism, Inclusive Leadership, and Education Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

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!

Robert Rice’s Gift for Gathering Community Around Coffee, Frybread, and Wild Ricing Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

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!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected