Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Tribal Communities Moving Forward and Learning from Pandemic May 21, 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 today’s show, Leah catches up with Daniel Frye (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), who is the Director of Indian Health Services in the Bemidji Area, which includes Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the urban center of Chicago. Daniel speaks about the many ways that Indian Health Services has risen to meet the challenges of the pandemic, including the complex process of vaccine distribution, ongoing COVID testing, and how things are changing now that restrictions are loosening.

Daniel and Leah discuss some of the changes the world has gone through since the pandemic began, how it brought many lessons both personally and professionally, and how these tools and valuable insights can be carried into the future, to keep each other healthy.

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

Robert Lilligren’s Gift for Indigenizing Leadership Part 2 (Early Years and Mentors) May 20, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights – Robert Lilligren’s Gift for Indigenizing Leadership Part 2 (Early Years and Mentors)

On today’s show, Leah and Cole continue their rich conversation with the visionary leader Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibwe Nation) who is the President and CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute, and who serves the 7th District (South Minneapolis, downtown, North Minneapolis and Robbinsdale)on the Metropolitan Council.

In this 2nd part of their discussion, Robert Lilligren shares stories about his early years, the elders and mentors who influenced him, and how he overcame his natural shyness and burst into politics, so he could fully embrace his life’s purpose of service.

Robert Lilligren’s impressive leadership experience includes local government (he was the first tribal member to serve on the Minneapolis City Council), he has served on numerous boards for non-profit organizations, and his expertise and impact spans from housing, transportation, community development, and community engagement. Robert Lilligren is an avid reader, a classically trained singer, a year-round bike commuter, and he lives in south Minneapolis with his husband, Steve.

Plus, we highlight a story from our newest member of the Minnesota Native News team. Emma Needham (Red Lake) shares her latest story for MN Native News about Ojibwe language revitalization. Enjoy!

How Tribes Provide Leadership and Learning for Public Health Approaches During Pandemic May 14, 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 today’s show, Leah talks with Mariah Norwood (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) who is the Infectious Disease American Indian Liaison at the Minnesota Department of Health. Mariah Norwood is also a J.D. Candidate at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and she has her Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Mariah explains how her passion for decolonizing public health, advancing health equity, promoting Tribal data sovereignty, makes her a fervent advocate for community-led change in the health system.

In our conversation, Mariah offers examples of how Tribal approaches have led the way in caring for communities and confronting the health crisis brought on by the pandemic.

Mariah’s enthusiasm is inspiring, as she makes the case for why this all matters, and how Indigenous perspectives and practices can positively impact public health care systems for Native and non-Native people and communities. Miigwech, Mariah!

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

Robert Lilligren’s Gift for Indigenizing Leadership, Politics, and Policy Making May 13, 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.

On today’s show, part one of Leah and Cole’s rich conversation with the visionary leader Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibwe Nation) who is the President and CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute, and who serves the 7th District (South Minneapolis, downtown, North Minneapolis and Robbinsdale) on the Metropolitan Council.

Robert Lilligren shares stories and wisdom from his extensive experience in local government (he was the first tribal member to serve on the Minneapolis City Council), he has served on numerous boards for non-profit organizations, and his expertise and impact spans from housing, transportation, community development, and community engagement. Robert Lilligren is an avid reader, a classically trained singer, a year-round bike commuter, and he lives in south Minneapolis with his husband, Steve.

Please enjoy this deep conversation with this thoughtful public leader, who has done so much to bring Indigenous perspectives about leadership, community, and collaboration to everything he does.

Next week we will present part two of our conversation, and learn more about the elders and mentors who influenced Robert Lilligren’s early years, how he overcame his natural shyness and burst into politics, so he could fully embrace his life’s purpose of service.

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/

Bob Blake’s Gift for Advocating for Renewable Energy in Indian Country May 06, 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 – Bob Blakes’s Gift for Advocating for Renewable Energy in Indian Country

On today’s show, Leah and Cole talk with Bob Blake (Red Lake Nation) who is the founder and owner of Solar Bear, a solar installation company, and the Executive Director of the non-project organization Native Sun Community Power Development. Both organizations are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Bob Blake makes the case for how Tribal Nations are key to solving climate change and environmental problems, by embracing energy sovereignty. And we hear how Bob has made it his mission to inspire and empower people in Indian Country to not only pursue careers in renewable energy but also to become the leaders capable of solving energy issues, which are not being properly addressed by corporate power companies or the US government.

Bob Blake’s enthusiasm is infectious, and we appreciate his vision and encouragement to everyone at any age, to take on these challenges and make the world a better place. Chi Miigwech, Bob!

Bob Blake’s company is Solar Bear, Gizis-o-makwa in Ojibwemowin: https://solarbear.earth/

Highlighting Stories of Strength During Difficult Times May 05, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, Leah focuses on people who are highlighting stories of strength and healing, even during the difficult times brought on by the pandemic.

We hear from Melissa Walls, Ph.D. (Bois Forte and Couchiching First Nation Anishinaabe), who recently helped launch a virtual program called Indigenous Stories of Strength, which showcases stories in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Melissa Walls is the Director of the Great Lakes Hub for the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health and associate professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

We also hear from Christine Diindiisi McCleave, M.A. (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), who is the Chief Executive Officer for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. Christine Diindiisi McCleave shares how the organization adapted to the pandemic and is supporting boarding school survivors and descendants with loving care packages.

And finally, we revisit an inspiring conversation with addiction specialist Sharyl Whitehawk (Lac Courte de Oreilles Ojibwe), who makes the critical connection between caring for oneself to be able to be of service to others.

Indigenous Stories of Strength: A Virtual Showcase https://indigenousstrengths.com/

National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition https://boardingschoolhealing.org/

Serving Others and Helping People Thrive During the Pandemic Apr 30, 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 today’s show, Leah revisits several conversations with people rising to meet the challenges of the pandemic. We hear from Jenn Hall (Leech Lake), a Minneapolis Firefighter who is on the front lines responding to medical emergencies, in addition to fighting fires. Jenn shares how she wrestled with the decision to get vaccinated, and why she chose to do so. We also hear how Jenn and her colleagues reacted to the vaccine.

We also hear from Jessica Bobrowski (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), the program coordinator for ISD 318 Indian Education, and Ella Cummings, a Student Advocate at the Grand Rapids High School. Jessica and Ella share many of the different ways they and their colleagues are innovating and problem-solving so that their students can thrive even as school life has been changed and disrupted. Jessica and Ella explain how incorporating the Seven Grandfather teachings of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth has helped raise up all students, both Native and Non-Native in their schools and classrooms.

And we hear from Red Lake Nation Chairman Seki, who offers encouraging words reminding everyone that the pandemic is not yet over, and we must remain vigilant and continue caring for others by taking safety precautions, like masking up and social distancing when necessary.

Artist Steve Premo’s Gifts for Painting, Drawing, and Graphic Design Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, Leah and Cole talk with well-known Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer, Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), who is also their uncle! Steve Premo is married to Ojibwe historian and author Brenda Child (Red Lake Nation) who has also been a guest on Native Lights.

Steve Premo shares how he first discovered his passion for drawing, as a child while bed-bound and recovering from an injury, he first found his flair for drawing and painting. Steve’s drawing skills brought attention from his classmates, then his teachers, and then from the public eager to purchase his artwork. Steve tells Leah and Cole about some of his latest projects, including illustrating stories for Rosetta Stone Ojibwe language videos. And he offers advice for young and budding artists to just keep doing what they love, and eventually, the money and recognition will come.

Chi Miigwech Uncle Steve Premo for sharing your artistic gifts and for your encouragement for others to do the same!

You can view more about Steve Premo’s art here: http://edgecenterarts.blogspot.com/2014/05/introspection-native-american-art-in.html

And here: https://millelacsband.com/news/steve-premo-becomes-a-full-time-artist

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D., the Northrop Professor of American Studies and American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota here: https://minnesotanativenews.org/biidaapi-with-brenda-child/

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 MinnesotaNativeNews.org

Filmmaker Khayman Goodsky’s Gift for Visual Storytelling and Collaboration Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine – Weekly Radio Show

Native Lights – Filmmaker Khayman Goodsky’s Gift for Visual Storytelling and Collaboration

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 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!

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

Fun and Culturally Based Video Games Boost Math Skills During the Pandemic Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, Leah meets two dynamic education innovators who are helping bolster math skills for students, by drawing on Indigenous language and history, and creating fun and engaging digital games.

Leah talks with CEO Maria Burns Ortiz and Juliana Taken Alive (Hunkpapa/Mnicoujou Lakota and Standing Rock Nation) who is Director of Regional Partnerships for 7 Generation Games. Maria Burns Ortiz co-founded the company back in 2013. Since then, 7 Generation Games has been braiding math, language, and Indigenous history into educational games for students and schools across the country.

In November of 2020, the company was awarded a one-million-dollar COVID-19 Rapid Response grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aimed at creating more resources to help meet the challenges in education during the pandemic, especially for students in Indigenous, Latino, underserved, and rural communities.

The popularity of these 7 Generation Games has grown swiftly among students, parents, and educators as everyone strives to keep young people engaged and learning through all the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Maria and Juliana explain how the company has sought counsel from elders and students to meet multiple goals: to increase learning about historical and contemporary Indigenous culture and to demonstrate measurable improvement in math skills among students playing the games.

Miigwech to Maria and Juliana for your creative innovation, even during the pandemic!

Check out 7 Generation Games here: https://www.7generationgames.com/

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