Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations

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

Native Lights

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 – 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: 

Here’s a link to the “Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo” radio show on KAXE/KBXE radio:  https://www.kaxe.org/term/boozhoo-nana-boozhoo#stream/0

Boarding School survivors’ resources mentioned in the show

National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

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