Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Latest Episodes:

Ernest Briggs: A Journey in Acting and Empowering Indigenous artists Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode, Leah and Cole speak with Ernest Briggs (White Earth Nation), who is a director, writer, producer, teacher, and actor from the Twin Cities where he's worked in the theater community for 15+ years. He’s the artistic director of Turtle Theater Collective, a collective of Indigenous theater artists focused on telling Native stories.
Ernest recently made his Guthrie Theater debut in “For The People,” a Native comedy that’s based on the Minneapolis Native community. He speaks with us about the significance of play and how it wouldn’t have been possible without important collaboration with the community.
From recreating movie scenes with his brother to studying acting in Los Angeles, Ernest shares his journey as an actor and storyteller.
Ernest is also a member of the Guthrie Theater’s Native Advisory Council, which works to help decolonize spaces and open doors for Indigenous performers and creators
“For the People” runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12. You can find ticket information here.

Adrienne Zimiga-January: Bringing more Native Voices to Theaters Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Today, Leah and Cole chat with Adrienne Zimiga-January, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation who has been creating and performing in the Twin Cities theater community for over a decade.
This fall, she’s making her Guthrie debut on stage in “For The People.” It’s billed as a “world premiere comedy by Native voices” with a story set in the Minneapolis Native community.
In addition to her insights on the play, Adrienne talks about her passion for theater, bringing more Native stories to the stage, and making theater a place that’s welcoming for all.
Adrienne is also a member of the Guthrie Theater’s Native Advisory Council, which works to help decolonize spaces and open doors for Indigenous performers and creators. Plus, she’s the designer of “You Are On Native Land” artwork, available in the Guthrie’s Store.
“For the People” runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12.

Tony Drews: Capturing Excitement for Native Culture and Language Through Games Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Today, Leah and Cole chat with Tony Drews (first-generation direct descendent of Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), a lifelong student of Ojibwe culture and language.
As president and founder of Nashke Native Games, Drews talks about his background in education and how he has found ways to better engage native students in their culture. He describes how excited the students are with these games that not only teach language, but the meaning and history behind the words.
Drews is also the program coordinator for the American Indian Family Empowerment Fund at the Tiwahe Foundation.
Miigwech, Tony, for sharing your story!

Shaun Chosa: Reimagining Indigenous Presence in Pop Culture Sep 09, 2023

Show notes

Today, Leah and Cole chat with artist Shaun Chosa. Shaun's art boldly blends Indigenous heritage, counterculture, and pop culture influences, echoing his self-described nomadic upbringing.

Currently, his pieces are on display at the Friedli Gallery through October 2023, where he weaves Indigenous traditions into the fabric of popular culture. Shaun shares captivating stories from his travels across Indian country, offers unique insights into Indigenous representation in pop culture, and his journey as an artist.

Miigwech, Shaun, for sharing your journey!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine
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: 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/

Tashia Hart: Art, Nature and The Path to Growing Joy Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

This week, Leah and Cole chat with Tashia Hart (Red Lake Nation), a culinary ethnobotanist, artist, photographer, award-winning author, and cook. As a multifaceted artist, Tashia’s art reflects the stages of her life, connections to nature and food. She shares about the making of her most recent work, Native Love Jams, a “sweet” romance that explores the relationships of love and food. Tashia also shares how adversity from publishers led to the creation of her publishing company (Not) Too Far Removed Press and how connecting to plants and nature has helped her along her path. Miigwech to Tashia for chatting!

Tashia has a collection of food and love-themed illustrations on display at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) titled “Indigenous Expressions Love Culture and Reinvention” – a co-presentation with artist Sam Zimmerman and bead artist Chenoa Williams.

In addition to Native Love Jams, Tashia has authored Girl Unreserved, Gidjie and the Wolves, and The Good Berry Cookbook.

Sam Zimmerman’s Journey Back to Painting and the Homelands Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

Leah and Cole chat with artist Sam Zimmerman (Grand Portage). After two decades on the east coast in public education, Sam moved back to Minnesota to rededicate himself to his passion for painting and to be closer to his family and community. His artwork explores his Ojibwe heritage, as well as his learnings and experiences in nature after returning to his ancestral homelands. Sam shares about learning language and culture through community collaborations, illustrating books for Native authors, and collaborating with family. He tells Leah and Cole about his path, which began with a college-age passion for painting, and then a love for teaching, and has now come full circle as he returns home.

Sam discusses his experience venturing into watercolor painting for the first time, which is showcased in his latest gallery exhibition titled "Indigenous Expressions Love Culture and Reinvention" at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO). This exhibition is a collaborative effort with author and illustrator Tashia Hart, as well as bead artist Chenoa Williams.

Rhiana Yazzie: Empowering Indigenous Creativity Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

Leah and Cole are joined by the multi-talented Rhiana Yazzie (Diné Nation), a remarkable theatre artist, filmmaker, playwright, and the visionary force behind New Native Theatre. Rhiana shares the latest developments at New Native Theatre, delves into her award-winning feature film ""A Winter Love," and shares about her lifelong passion for storytelling that has shaped her journey from childhood to becoming a leading voice in Indigenous creativity.

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: 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/

John Villebrun: Cultivating the Next Generation Through Basketball Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Cole and Leah meet and chat with high school basketball coach John Villebrun (Bois Forte Band). John coaches girls’ basketball at Mountain Iron-Buhl High School on the Iron Range. The team was recently crowned the Minnesota Class A State Girls’ Basketball Champions, and John received the honor of Assistant Coach of the Year! Now as a decorated coach, John remains modest and continues to lead with perseverance and determination, setting an example for the next generation. Miigwech to John for chatting with us!

Native Lights At The Four Sisters Farmers Market Pt. 2 Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Leah and Cole take a trip to Four Sisters Farmers Market in Minneapolis! It’s the first market day of the year, and our hosts chat with poet, playwright, and author Marcie Rendon; Janet Court from the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI); and The Pretendians who played music at the Farmers Market! We also hear Pretendians songs “For the Sun” and “The 38” from their upcoming album Stories From the Fire

Four Sisters Farmers Marketis every Thursday 11am to 3pm during the summer and fall at The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) in Minneapolis.

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Native Lights At The Four Sisters Farmers Market Pt. 1 Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Leah and Cole take a trip to Four Sisters Farmers Market in Minneapolis! It’s the first market day of the year, and our hosts chat with nature-inspired jewelry designer Lali Aguilar from Corn Silk Daughter; food and plant loving Rivianna Zeller, a Farmer & Distribution Coordinator with Dream of Wild Health; Native book publisher Tom Peacock from Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing; and Destiny Jones, Food Sovereignty Coordinator and Farmers Market Manager at Four Sisters Farmers Market at NACDI.
Stay tuned for part two of our trip to the market!

The Four Sisters Market is every Thursday 11am to 3pm during the summer and fall at The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) in Minneapolis.

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