On today’s show, we have a fun conversation with Amber Buckanaga (Leech Lake Band) who is an artist, fashion designer, and mother. Amber left her career in education, to follow her artistic dreams, which led to sewing, then designing fashions, and eventually the runways of NYC’s fashion week!
Native Lights
How Visionaries Deb Foster and Mike Laverdure Create Healing Spaces
We meet Deb Foster (Ojibwe), the Executive Director of Ain Dah Yung, and Mike Laverdure (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota), a partner with DSGW Architects. Deb Foster and Mike Laverdure both played leading roles in the creation of Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung, a beautiful new apartment building in St. Paul, where formerly homeless Native young adults can live, reconnect to culture, and get job skills. Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung opened in November of 2019.
How Visionaries Deb Foster and Mike Laverdure Create Healing SpacesRead More
Donald Eubanks’ Gift for Speaking Out for Racial and Social Justice
On today’s show, we speak with fellow podcaster and Mille Lacs band member Donald Eubanks who recently retired from teaching social work at Metropolitan University, where he was an associate professor. Previously, Donald Eubanks served two terms as Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
Donald Eubanks’ Gift for Speaking Out for Racial and Social JusticeRead More
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.
Vern Northrup Honors the Spirit of Fire and Shares His Gift for Visual StorytellingRead More
Dalton Walker’s Gift for Sharing Stories
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 …
A Gift for Revitalization with Language Warrior Anton Treuer
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.
A Gift for Revitalization with Language Warrior Anton TreuerRead More
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.
Briand Morrison’s Gift for Combining Jazz Guitar and Anishinaabe HeritageRead More
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)
Madonna Peltier Yawakie’s Gift for Connecting Tribal Communities through TechnologyRead More
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,” The program explores Ojibwe language and culture, through skits, music, and conversations.
Michael Lyons’ Gift for teaching Ojibwe Language with Puppets, Cartoons, and SongRead More
Angela Two Stars’ Gift for Celebrating and Supporting Native Artists
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 Two Stars’ Gift for Celebrating and Supporting Native ArtistsRead More
Syngen Kanassatega’s Gifts for Law, Humor, and Storytelling
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’s Gifts for Law, Humor, and StorytellingRead More
Robert Lilligren’s Gift for Indigenizing Leadership Part 2 (Early Years and Mentors)
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 Gift for Indigenizing Leadership Part 2 (Early Years and Mentors)Read More