Willard Malebear Jr. is a Lakota artist who is the CEO and owner of Unified Theory Collective, he is also the Executive Chairman of Art Shelf. Both organizations are heavily geared toward infusing creativity and getting art supplies out to the community. Willard is an experienced painter and tattoo artist who found a way to combine all his passions, embracing arts and culture for wellness.
In this week’s episode, we learn about Willards introduction into the tattoo world, his life during and after incarceration, and how he turned his trauma into triumph. He shares information about the free services UTC offers such as assorted canvases, brushes, easels, acrylic paints and more. Pulling motivation from his biggest hero’s, his children and mentors, Willard expresses his excitement for the next chapter in his life continuing to “spread the gospel of creativity” to his community and beyond.
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.
Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts
More from Native Lights
- 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. - Robert Lilligren: the Native community responds to Minneapolis ICE operations
Today, we bring you a special edition of Native Lights. We’re talking with Robert Lilligren, CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute, which is based in Minneapolis. He is also a White Earth citizen. Robert discusses the unprecedented deployment of some 2,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minneapolis, how that has impacted the Native community, and what Indigenous leaders and organizations are doing to educate and protect the community. - Victoria Marie: Learning to Surrender
Today, we’re excited to present Victoria Marie, an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. She’s the founder and owner of Indigenous Lotus, a wellness program that combines yoga classes, tribal dance, exercise and meditation with an emphasis on helping people cope with stress and trauma. Those stressors can include PTSD, homelessness, sexual exploitation and poverty.
Progress Marks Conclusion of ‘Understand Native Minnesota’ Campaign