Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Anishinaabe writer Marcie Rendon has just been awarded the prestigious McKnight Distinguished Artist Award for 2020. Rendon is a citizen of the White Earth Nation who lives in south Minneapolis. She is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, play write, author and poet. The McKnight honor comes with 50-thousand dollars. Reporter Melissa Townsend talked with Rendon about her work and the most recent recognition. This is the extended, edited version of their conversation.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On today’s show, Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) looks at how tribal leaders and health care providers are ensuring tribal community members are getting the care and information they need.

Joining Leah is Community Health Nurse Teri Morrison, who has lived and worked on the Bois Forte Reservation for 18 years. Teri shares how the tribe’s emergency response team has been preparing for crises, including viral outbreaks, for years. And Teri emphasizes the continued importance of battling COVID fatigue, by providing timely and accurate information.

We also hear from Daniel Frye, Director of Indian Health Services in the Bemidji Area, which includes Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the urban center of Chicago. Melissa Townsend reports on how the Indian Health Services works with tribes in the region to manage the complex logistics of COVID testing, as needs shift and change.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we heard from Stacy Hammer, the Director of Community Health at the Lower Sioux Health Care Center, who spoke about how this crisis will reveal both strengths and areas that need improvement.  We reflect on her words, and on our gratitude to all the health care workers helping to keep us informed and safe as we continue to encounter all the unknowns of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On this show, Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) continues her look at how parents of very young children and specifically how new moms are facing the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic

Leah’s guest today is Shashana Craft (White Earth Nation) who works for Headway Emotional Health as a Family Spirit Infant Parent Support Specialist and is also the founder of the Minneapolis Indigenous Breastfeeding Support Circle.  Leah and Shashana talk about breastfeeding, the stresses parents of little ones are facing right now during the pandemic, and how to build strong support. Shashana shares how learning traditional practices can be especially during these times.

We also hear from Dr. Anne Eglash, with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin, about how breastfeeding helps a baby’s immune system and may offer extra protection if they become ill with COVID-19.

Additional resources for new moms and moms-to-be: 

Pregnancy and Post-Partum Support Minnesota: 612-787-7776.

Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7-NATIVE or 1-844-762-8483.

Look for the Minneapolis Indigenous Breastfeeding Support Circle on Facebook. 

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On this show, Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) looks at how parents and teachers are facing the challenges and opportunities of getting back to school, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  The state is providing data-driven guidance, which allows local school districts to determine what’s best for their students when it comes to returning to classrooms, distance learning, or a combination method.

Leah talks with Andrea Fairbanks (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), a mother and educator, who speaks about considerations from both the parental and educator perspective when it comes to the new school year. Andrea shares her insights about online learning: what works well and what is lost by not being in the classroom.

MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Native educator Govinda Budrow (White Earth Nation) about the challenges and opportunities distance learning created for Native students and families. They have a thoughtful conversation about the unique challenges to Native students, including those in special education.

And Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan conveys an empathetic and hopeful message to students, parents, and educators, as she speaks to the challenge of balancing health and safety with meeting the educational needs of all students.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

On this show, Host Leah Lemm reflects on the themes of rising to the challenge of the pandemic, respecting the virus, and coping with many unknowns. Leah is joined by reporter Melissa Townsend and together they review and reflect on some of their wonderful conversations with community members. 

Minnesota Native News launched several programs in response to the pandemic in addition to this one, including Biidaapi Podcast hosted by Leah Lemm and her brother Cole Premo. Through dozens of interviews with folks in Indian Country in Minnesota, we stayed connected and learned a lot over the last four months.

Some of the voices highlighted in this show include Vanessa Goodthunder (Lower Sioux Indian Community), Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Nation), Anishinaabe M.C. Tall Paul (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), elder Sharon Day (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa), addiction counselor Sharyl Whitehawk (Lac Courte de Oreilles Ojibwe), Anishinaabe elder and healer Dennis Jones (Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation), actress Isabella Star Leblanc (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota), and Anishinaabe artist Robert DesJarlait (Red Lake Nation).

We heard about passing the time while staying home, keeping up healthy practices, and using technology to stay connected. During the blur of days in quarantine, we also faced the tragedy of George Floyd’s killing which unearthed deep pain around police brutality and long-standing racial inequities.  We are so grateful to all our relatives for sharing their wisdom, insights, and hope, as we support one another during these difficult times.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis. On this show, we hear some nuts and bolts about COVID testing in Indian Country and current challenges our relatives face in getting treatment.

 And Leah looks at ways we embrace a healthy lifestyle while keeping an eye on our communities. Leah catches up with Dani Pieratos (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa) who is a mother, an entrepreneur, and a passionate supporter of food sovereignty and access. Pieratos is President/Sales & Marketing Director of Harvest Nation Inc., and she works with The Rutabaga Project, an Iron Range initiative making local, nutritious, food accessible and affordable for everyone. 

Reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Jackie Dionne (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) who is the Director of American Indian Health at the Minnesota Department of Health. As the public health liaison for tribes and urban Indian communities, Dionne has been working with the 11 tribes in Minnesota on the response to Covid-19. And she speaks frankly about testing, managing positive cases, and making life and death decisions if there is a surge in the number of people hospitalized for Covid-19. 

Plus, Red Lake Nation Chairman Seki makes a heartfelt plea, encouraging everyone in Minnesota to take the virus seriously.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

In this show, Leah welcomes Lyz Jaakola, an Anishinaabe mother, teacher, and musician living on her home Rez, Fond du Lac in Cloquet, MN.  They reflect on the relationship between the federal government and tribes –and how it affects the health and economic well-being of tribal communities during the pandemic.

Reporter Melissa Townsend talks with U.S. Senator Tina Smith about her recent speech on the floor of the Senate, where she urged Congress and the President to make good on treaty and trust responsibilities to Native America, specifically about money allocated by the CARES Act, which has been slow in reaching tribes.  Minnesota Senator Tina Smith (D) is a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Lyz Jaakola shares her perspectives on how COVID-19 and highlights long-held misunderstandings around tribal sovereignty and treaty promises, which can directly impact the health and well-being of community members.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

In this show Host Leah Lemm continues her conversation about art and health, with artist Isabella Star Leblanc (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota).  Leblanc grew up in the Twin Cities and is a writer and acclaimed actress, starring in theater productions around the country and on the big screen.

Leah and Isabella have a lively discussion about how we use art to adapt to crisis, what it takes to be inspired, and to rise to the occasion, and for each of us, making art helps heal and protect our communities.

We also get a reminder from the playwright, poet, and author Marcie Rendon (White Earth Nation) about taking time to experience joy no matter what.  And we get perspective from Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe, on moving ahead even during times of uncertainty.  Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash recently kicked off a panel called Stories, Sovereignty, and Imagining Forward at The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, an annual event in Connecticut.

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

Today on the show, Leah looks at how our artistic gifts can be motivation to prioritize health, to get healthy, to stay healthy. Last week we discussed how a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be complicated during the pandemic.

Today on the show, Leah looks at how our artistic gifts can be motivation to prioritize health, to get healthy, to stay healthy. Last week we discussed how a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be complicated during the pandemic.

And this week, our guest shares how to live life even more fully after facing the illness, and we begin a continued conversation about health and artistry.
Robert DesJarlait is a Red Lake citizen, a celebrated artist, and a cancer survivor. Leah is joined by MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend, who spoke to Robert DesJarlait. Robert is also a Tiwahe Foundation grant recipient who is making art inspired by resilience in response to COVID-19, and Tiwahe will share the work of grant recipients on their website and through social media. 
We also include a message from Herb Fineday, artist and owner of Round Lake Traditions, who created a video with the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) in Duluth and their project to engage Native communities with COVID 19 info that’s culturally relevant, weaving teachings and values throughout. https://www.aicho.org/

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.

June is National Cancer Survivor Awareness Month, and in this show Host Leah Lemm explores how it's important to stay focused on health, even as the pandemic adds more risk and uncertainty.

Leah is joined by MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend, who is a cancer survivor herself and discusses staying vigilant around taking care of your health, even as the pandemic complicates the whole process of seeking screenings, treatments, and follow-up care.

We hear wise words from Dr. Anthony Stately, and elder Sharon Day. And we also hear information from Mayo Clinic oncologist Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab and Dr. Halena Gazelka of the Mayo Clinic, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast

Also, MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend speaks with AICAF’s Misha Loeffler and Jessica Makori, about getting help and support while navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially given the added challenges of the pandemic.

And we check out the great resources the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) has on their website, including the Cancer Burden Booklet. Find out more at americanindiancancer.org.