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.

On today’s show, Leah and Cole talk with well-known Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer, Steve Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), who is also their uncle!  Steve Premo is married to Ojibwe historian and author Brenda Child (Red Lake Nation) who has also been a guest on Native Lights.

Steve Premo shares how he first discovered his passion for drawing, as a child while bed-bound and recovering from an injury, he first found his flair for drawing and painting. Steve’s drawing skills brought attention from his classmates, then his teachers, and then from the public eager to purchase his artwork.   Steve tells Leah and Cole about some of his latest projects, including illustrating stories for Rosetta Stone Ojibwe language videos.  And he offers advice for young and budding artists to just keep doing what they love, and eventually, the money and recognition will come.

Chi Miigwech Uncle Steve Premo for sharing your artistic gifts and for your encouragement for others to do the same!

You can view more about Steve Premo’s art here: http://edgecenterarts.blogspot.com/2014/05/introspection-native-american-art-in.html

And here: https://millelacsband.com/news/steve-premo-becomes-a-full-time-artist

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Brenda J. Child Ph.D., the Northrop Professor of American Studies and American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota here: https://minnesotanativenews.org/biidaapi-with-brenda-child/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Online at MinnesotaNativeNews.org