Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day! Oct 14, 2021

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 – 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/

Brian Joyce’s Gift for Acting and Directing in the Twin Cities Theater Scene Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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.

Rob Pero’s Gift for Entrepreneurship, Media, and Marketing Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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

Leah and Cole: Sharing Our Gifts and Purpose Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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

Christina Wood’s Gift for Busting Bias Through Art Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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.

Cece Benimon’s Gift for Connecting Kids with Culture & Conservation Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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!

Navigating the Knowns and Unknowns of Back-to-School Time Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

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/

Amber Buckanaga’s Gift for Art and Fashion Design Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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/

How Visionaries Deb Foster and Mike Laverdure Create Healing Spaces Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

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

Donald Eubanks’ Gift for Speaking Out for Racial and Social Justice Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

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/

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