It’s the “Best of Native Lights” as we revisit a wonderful conversation with Respected Anishinaabe elder and well-known physician, Dr. Arne Vainio (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). Dr. Vainio tells the story of how he became one of only 3,400 Native physicians in the United States. He is currently a family physician at the Fond …
Native Lights
Ramona Kitto Stately’s Gift for Changing Native Narratives
Ramona Kitto Stately makes the case that Indian Education should be mandatory for all students: when Native history and culture are missing from K-12 curriculum, students are deprived of accurate narratives, and stereotypes continue to thrive.
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The Gift of Amplifying Many Voices with Radio Host Robert Pilot
Robert speaks about the importance of building relationships, whether he’s working as an educator (teaching film and video production at Harding High in St. Paul) or producing and hosting radio shows
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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.
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Ashley Fairbanks’ Gift of Bold Vulnerability
Today’s conversation is with Ashley Fairbanks, an Anishinaabe artist, organizer, designer, and digital strategist, and the Creative Director for the 100% Campaign. She shares about growing up in South Minneapolis with a large and loving Ojibwe family. And she shares how she found her voice and harnessed her power, for politics and activism through bold and vulnerable sharing on social media.
Sharing Gifts Through Story: Native Lights Podcast
Leah Lemm talks to educators at SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 about sharing Native voices in Minnesota.
Gifts of Culture & Storytelling with Deanna StandingCloud
Today’s conversation is with Deanna StandingCloud (Red Lake Anishinaabe) who is a mom, playwright, organizer, artist, community leader, pow-wow emcee, and advocate for Indigenous people.
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Dalton Walker’s Gift for Sharing Stories
Today’s conversation features Dalton Walker (Red Lake Anishinaabe) who is a National Correspondent, 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.
A Gift for Numbers with Daniel Lemm
Today’s conversation features Daniel Lemm (Lower Sioux Indian Community) who is the Chief Financial Officer at the Charles K. Blandin Foundation, in addition to being Leah’s spouse. Daniel Lemm shares how his love of numbers led to his career in philanthropy, helping get resources out into communities and in a good way.
Listen to Native Lights Season 2
In Native Lights, people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce – a.k.a. Minnesota – tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community. These are stories of joy, strength, history, and change from Native people who are shaping the future and honoring those who came before them.
Listen to Native Lights Season 1
Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine | In Native Lights, people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce – a.k.a. Minnesota – tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community. These are stories of joy, strength, history, and change from Native people who are shaping the future and honoring those who …
Celebrating Accomplished Artists
We round out Season 2 of our Native Lights podcast by exploring the cultural influences that have shaped the work of two celebrated and accomplished Native artists. Chaz Wagner (Bois Forte Ojibwe) is a musician, singer, traditional drummer, and co-leader of the Native American rock band, War Bonnet, which was nominated for two 2019 Native …