Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Vern Northrup Honors the Spirit of Fire and Shares His Gift for Visual Storytelling Jul 22, 2021

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 – 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/

A Gift for Numbers with Daniel Lemm Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

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 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.

Dalton Walker’s Gift for Sharing Stories Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

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.

A Gift for Revitalization with Language Warrior Anton Treuer Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

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.

Briand Morrison’s Gift for Combining Jazz Guitar and Anishinaabe Heritage Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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/

Madonna Peltier Yawakie’s Gift for Connecting Tribal Communities through Technology Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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 servicesto 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 Yawakiehas 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

Michael Lyons’ Gift for teaching Ojibwe Language with Puppets, Cartoons, and Song Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

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

Angela Two Stars’ Gift for Celebrating and Supporting Native Artists Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

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.

Online at https://minnesotanativenews.org/

Syngen Kanassatega’s Gifts for Law, Humor, and Storytelling May 27, 2021

Show notes

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

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

That’s a Wrap! Reflections on Pandemic Conversations, Guests, and Shared Wisdom May 26, 2021

Show notes

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/

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