Boozhoo!  We catch up with our friend Mike Laverdure (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota), a partner with DSGW Architects. Mike offers his perspective on how the pandemic will change building codes and designs long into the future.  And when Mike shares a story about his 3-year-old twin daughters, we laugh about the joys and woes of working from home, especially with children around.

Greetings! Today we talk with Louise Matson (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) the Executive Director of the Division of Indian Work and founding board member of Bdote Learning Center. Louise shares how she and her staff are working hard to support community members, by making remote connections and distributing pre-packed food supplies, even as they long for and miss the in-person gatherings.  

Boozhoo! We’re happy to connect with our friend Briand Morrison (Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), the renowned jazz guitar player (you can hear him and his music on Native Lights podcast S1 Ep2, check it out!). Briand has no public gigs right now, due to the pandemic, but he’s still making plenty of music and enjoying life with family at home

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Hello! Today we talk with Jenn Hall (Leech Lake), who is a brand-new Minneapolis firefighter!  Jenn gives us a glimpse into how she safely does her job, answers calls, responds to emergencies, and faces danger, even with the pandemic going on.  Jenn also shares how she stays grounded through quiet time, rest, watching Netflix, and talking on the phone with family and friends. 

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Greetings! On this day we check in with registered dietician Stacy Hammer (Bdewakantunwan Dakota).  Stacy is the Director of Community Health at the Lower Sioux Health Care Center.  When the pandemic hit, Stacy and her team swung into action to figure out how to provide health care and support, even as everything was shutting down.  

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Hello Relatives!  Today we talk with Shelbie Shelder (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians), a 4th year medical student at the University of Minnesota. Shelbie talks about how the Coronavirus pandemic has impacted her rigorous academic load but also re-invigorated her desire to be a physician. Shelby is also focused on Native youth mental health during this time and recording the health disparities amplified by Covid-19.

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Boozhoo! Today we catch up with Marie Rock (White Earth) who is the Program Manager at KOJB-FM “The Eagle” Radio which broadcasts to the Leech Lake Reservation, where she hosts the morning show.  Marie is also the host of MN Native News, so her voice is familiar throughout the state.  Enjoy our fun and lively chat with Marie who shares how she copes and keeps spirits high during the pandemic.

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Hello! Connecting with friends and family during this pandemic is incredibly important.  So today, we are catching up with our brother Bryce Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). Bryce works in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention, and he manages a Sober House. Bryce tells us some of the ways he and the residents help each other maintain good mental health, even while facing the challenges and uncertainty of these times. 

Greetings!  Today we catch up with Deb Foster (St. Croix Ojibwe), Executive Director of the Ain Dah Yung Center which provides a healing place of safety and support for Native youth.  We first met Deb Foster in our Native Lights Podcast (S2 EP4) when we talked about how Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung came to life. Now Deb shares how the youth and staff are faring during the pandemic, and how traditional practices offer strength and hope.

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Boozhoo!  Today we meet Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) the owner/designer/artist at Makwa Studio, a small knitwear business. When the pandemic hit, she answered the call and fired up her sewing machine. Maggie and her team crank out cotton masks to donate to healthcare workers, alongside creating and selling special ribbon masks celebrating adaptation and resilience.