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.
Today, Leah and Cole speak with Thomas Draskovic, a citizen of the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota who is an educator, actor, musician, artist and activist.
Thomas has worked in the Twin Cities Native community in both schools and nonprofits for over 20 years, and for the past 16 years he’s been at the American Indian Magnet School in East St. Paul as the Lakota Language and Cultural Specialist.
He shares with us how storytelling and authenticity are crucial in his approach to teaching. He also explains why his mother, a master linguist, inspires his passion for educating youth and his strength to “do something” out in the world.
In addition to his work teaching, Thomas also plays guitar and sings in the band Pretendians, featured as part of a previous Native Lights episode. He talks with us more about the meaning behind the name and how it brings about discussion.
Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts
More from Native Lights
- Mattie Harper DeCarlo on Making Change in Indian Country Through Philanthropy
In this episode, we talk with grantmaking officer and former educator and historian Mattie Harper DeCarlo, PhD. Mattie, a Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe citizen who grew up on Leech Lake Reservation, works in philanthropy at the Bush Foundation, focusing on Indigenous communities. She speaks with us about the nuance of supporting 23 Native nations … - From Children’s Books to Murals: Moira Villiard on Examining and Bridging Disconnection Through Art
In this episode, we talk with artist, public speaker, and community organizer Moira Villiard. Moira, a Twin Cities-based visual artist and Fond Du Lac direct descendent, is a 2023 McKnight Foundation Community-Engaged Practice fellow and a 2024-2026 Bush Fellow. We chat with her about her current projects, Waiting for Beds, a traveling exhibition that explores … - The Gift of Listening: Colleen Baldrica on writing, being guided, and mentoring others
In this episode, we chat with author and retired school counselor Colleen Baldrica. Colleen, a White Earth Nation citizen, authored the book Tree Spirited Woman in 2006. During the pandemic, she recorded the audio version, so that her grandchildren could have an archive of her voice when they’re older. Colleen shares the experience – central …
Leech Lake Survey Hopes to Help Unhoused Tribal Members