Join us for another Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on Native Roots Radio: I’m Awake for a conversation with Fawn YoungBear Tibbetts, the executive director of Wicoie Nandagikendan, Minneapolis's first Indigenous urban
preschool immersion program.
This Indigenous Urban Preschool Emergent Program is not just teaching children Dakota and Ojibwe languages—it's cultivating a generation of future leaders who are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. You'll hear about the
program's unique environment, which immerses children, from toddlers to five-year-olds, in a dual-language setting that fosters both cultural understanding and language preservation. Traditional practices like preparing
indigenous foods are woven into everyday learning, making education an enriching journey back to cultural roots.
Beyond language, the conversation moves to the critical link between nutrition and brain development, particularly in communities grappling with poverty and health disparities. Fawn shares her mission to combat the food desert in South Minneapolis by introducing innovative solutions like native
HelloFresh boxes, turning families into food influencers who champion nutritious choices. We'll explore how engaging parents through hands-on learning can shift dietary habits and instill lifelong healthy eating.
This episode is a testament to the power of culture and nutrition in building strong, resilient communities and a brighter future for the next generation.
This episode was recorded on October 16th, 2024 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio-I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. To hear more interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days
of life–just through little moments every day, visit
littlemomentscount.org/podcast