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.
On today’s show, we talk with Bradley Harrington (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who is an entrepreneur, owner of Wenji-bimaadizing Media, and is currently the Tribal Liaison for the State of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources.
Bradley is more than ten years sober and explains why he says, “sobriety is an act of Indigenous Resistance.” He tells us about being incarcerated multiple times, and how he finally broke the pattern when he decided to accept treatment, while incorporating Anishinaabe traditional knowledge, history, and language aspects into it.
We loved hearing Bradley’s honest and encouraging story of healing and how his Spiritual path led to him becoming a tribal pipe carrier. Chi Miigwech Bradley, for all you do, including sharing your passion for teaching Ojibwemowin in fun and engaging ways on social media!
Wenji-bimaadizing Media website https://www.wenji-bimaadizingmedia.com/
Here’s an explainer about Midewiwin ceremonies:
Bradley’s Facebook language page: https://www.facebook.com/WenjibimaadizingMedia
Bradley’s MNsure video in Ojibwemowin:
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.
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Today, we’re excited to be joined by one of the most recognizable faces in Indigenous film. Gary Farmer is from the Cayuga Nation and has a long career in movies and TV, and he’s a musician, performing with his group Gary Farmer & The Troublemakers. - David Amitrano: Witnessing
Today, Leah speaks with David Amitrano, the owner of Midwest All-Star Wrestling, a Minnesota-based, Native-owned independent wrestling organization in Woodbury. - Nikki Love (Pieratos): Keeping Relatives and Neighbors Safe in Uncertain Times
Today, we are honored to welcome Nikki Love (Pieratos) to the Native Lights podcast. An enrolled citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Nikki is the executive director of the Tiwahe Foundation, which is a community organization serving Native people around Minnesota. She’s also a part of the Metro Urban Indian Directors. Nikki shares her insight on what keeps her grounded and how keeping a prayerful attitude and a focus on the present helps keeps her from dwelling in fear and negativity.


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