Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

Respected Anishinaabe elder and well-known physician, Dr. Arne Vainio (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) tells the story of how he became one of only 3,400 Native physicians in the United States. He is currently a family physician at the Fond du Lac tribal clinic. His story is about class divisions, lateral violence, and the unwavering generosity of people in his Native community.

Hosts: Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and Cole Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), siblings, musicians, and contributors to Minnesota Native News.

In-studio Guest: Melissa Townsend, producer & reporter

Theme Music: Cole Premo

Links: https://www.wearehealers.org/doctor/dr-arne-vainio/

You can reach us at: [email protected]

Native Lights Podcast is a production of Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, and made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund, and the citizens of Minnesota. Ampers is an association of 18 independent community radio stations in Minnesota, which are all licensed to a college, school, university, Native American tribe, or directly to the community. http://ampers.org/

We kick off our new season with a story from Mnicoujou [mini-co-jew] Lakota doula, Takayla Lightfield. She stands side-by-side with Native women supporting the birth of the next generation.

Takayla Lightfield (Mnicoujou Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota), is a self-employed doula who also works at the Division of Indian Work and is a breastfeeding consultant in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Hosts: Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and Cole Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), siblings, musicians, and contributors to Minnesota Native News.

Theme Music: Cole Premo

Additional Music: Leah Lemm

Links: Division of Indian work  https://www.diw-mn.org/

Send a note to us: [email protected]

Native Lights Podcast is a production of Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, and made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund, and the citizens of Minnesota.  Ampers is an association of 18 independent community radio stations in Minnesota, which are all licensed to a college, school, university, Native American tribe, or directly to the community. http://ampers.org/

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Greetings! Today we check in with Antony Stately, Ph.D. (Ojibwe/Oneida), CEO of Native American Community Clinic (NACC). NACC is located in the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis and provides health, dental, and counseling services to community members. Antony speaks about the challenges of managing a health care clinic during the pandemic, transitioning to telehealth, and we compare notes on the fun and foibles of distance learning.

Boozhoo! Join us for a fun conversation with Chef Benjamin Shendo (Cochiti and Jemez Pueblo), the Café Manager of Gatherings Café, at the American Indian Center in south Minneapolis.

When the pandemic hit, Benjamin and his team moved quickly to deliver daily meals to Native elders sheltering at home. Gatherings Café serves fresh, locally grown foods that are Indigenous and prepared in healthy ways. Way to go Chef Benjamin Shendo!

Greetings!  We are excited to catch up with renowned author, playwright and poet, Marcie Rendon (White Earth Nation) and we hear how she is using her time cooped up at home.  Spoiler alert: she’s been writing funny stories and planning her garden!  Enjoy this conversation with the insightful and creative Marcie Rendon.

We are happy to say Boozhoo! to our friend James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw today. James is the creator of “Ojibwe Word of the Day,” which he shares on Facebook and YouTube, and he is a leading voice in Native Language revitalization efforts and spiritual teachings.  James shares some Ojibwemowin that offers perspective and help for staying in balance during challenging times like this pandemic.

Boozhoo! Today we talk with RJ Dahl of Deer River (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) to find out how he is coping and thriving during the pandemic, with humor and connection. RJ works at the White Oak Casino, which has been temporarily shut down, so now he’s focused on homeschooling his four kids. RJ stays connected to his buddies through video games, which has been a great way to joke and lift each other’s spirits in these strange times.

Hello! Today we're catching up with our favorite Rez Reporter, Rob Fairbanks (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), to find out how the comedian and YouTube star is coping with the pandemic, and whether his homeschooling skills are a pass or a fail. Join us, your hosts Leah Lemm and Cole Premo, for a few minutes of conversation and laughs.

Biidaapi: s/he comes laughing. (Ojibwemowin)

Greetings! Today we’re honored to talk with Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Nation). Peggy Flanagan speaks about her daily duties as a state leader, the challenge of helping her first-grader with distance learning, as well as the deep loss felt by many families, including her own, during these times. We laugh over fashion choices during the pandemic. And Peggy shares how the online social distance powwow gives her a lift and a smile.

Greetings! Today we talk with Patina Park (Mnicoujou Lakota) the Director of Tribal State Relations for Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan.  As the top liaison between the state and Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations, Patina Park plays a key role in helping communities face the pandemic. She tells us what her days are like, and we hear how she and her family are coping during these difficult times.