Today, Leah and Cole speak with Thomas Draskovic, a citizen of the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota who is an educator, actor, musician, artist and activist. 

Thomas has worked in the Twin Cities Native community in both schools and nonprofits for over 20 years, and for the past 16 years he’s been at the American Indian Magnet School in East St. Paul as the Lakota Language and Cultural Specialist.

He shares with us how storytelling and authenticity are crucial in his approach to teaching. He also explains why his mother, a master linguist, inspires his passion for educating youth and his strength to “do something” out in the world. 
 

In addition to his work teaching, Thomas also plays guitar and sings in the band Pretendians, featured as part of a previous Native Lights episode. He talks with us more about the meaning behind the name and how it brings about discussion.

On today’s episode, Leah and Cole speak with Mathew Holding Eagle III, a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation – federally recognized as the Three Affiliated Tribes – in western North Dakota.

Mathew started his career in construction before pivoting to journalism! He now works at MPR News as a reporter. He’s covered Native communities in Minnesota for quite a bit and recently received a National Native Award from the Indigenous Journalist Association for his reporting.

He speaks with us about how he found his way to doing what he does, the philosophy behind his journalistic endeavors, and much more. 

Mathew received his bachelor’s in mass communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead and he worked as a producer on the 2015 PBS documentary “Black Gold Boom,” about the oil boom in western North Dakota.

On today's episode, Leah and Cole speak with Travis Zimmerman, whose family is from the Crane Clan of Grand Portage. He is the site manager for the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post.  Travis also hosted "DeCoded: Native Veterans In Minnesota Who Helped Win World War II," — produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers. 

Travis talks about his love for Native American history, specifically Ojibwe history and culture, and his path to the museum and trading post.  You can find out about the Mille Lacs Museum and Trading Post events here.

On today’s episode, Leah and Cole speak with Ernest Briggs (White Earth Nation), who is a director, writer, producer, teacher, and actor from the Twin Cities where he's worked in the theater community for 15+ years. He’s the artistic director of Turtle Theater Collective, a collective of Indigenous theater artists focused on telling Native stories.
 
Ernest recently made his Guthrie Theater debut in “For The People,” a Native comedy that’s based on the Minneapolis Native community. He speaks with us about the significance of play and how it wouldn’t have been possible without important collaboration with the community.
 
From recreating movie scenes with his brother to studying acting in Los Angeles, Ernest shares his journey as an actor and storyteller.
 
Ernest is also a member of the Guthrie Theater’s Native Advisory Council, which works to help decolonize spaces and open doors for Indigenous performers and creators
 
“For the People” runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12. You can find ticket information here.

On today’s episode, Leah and Cole speak with Ernest Briggs (White Earth Nation), who is a director, writer, producer, teacher, and actor from the Twin Cities where he's worked in the theater community for 15+ years. He’s the artistic director of Turtle Theater Collective, a collective of Indigenous theater artists focused on telling Native stories.
 
Ernest recently made his Guthrie Theater debut in “For The People,” a Native comedy that’s based on the Minneapolis Native community. He speaks with us about the significance of play and how it wouldn’t have been possible without important collaboration with the community.
 
From recreating movie scenes with his brother to studying acting in Los Angeles, Ernest shares his journey as an actor and storyteller.
 
Ernest is also a member of the Guthrie Theater’s Native Advisory Council, which works to help decolonize spaces and open doors for Indigenous performers and creators
 
“For the People” runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12. You can find ticket information here.

Today, Leah and Cole chat with Adrienne Zimiga-January, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation who has been creating and performing in the Twin Cities theater community for over a decade.
 
 This fall, she’s making her Guthrie debut on stage in “For The People.” It’s billed as a “world premiere comedy by Native voices” with a story set in the Minneapolis Native community.
 
 In addition to her insights on the play, Adrienne talks about her passion for theater, bringing more Native stories to the stage, and making theater a place that’s welcoming for all.
 
 Adrienne is also a member of the Guthrie Theater’s Native Advisory Council, which works to help decolonize spaces and open doors for Indigenous performers and creators. Plus, she’s the designer of “You Are On Native Land” artwork, available in the Guthrie’s Store.
 
 “For the People” runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12. 

Today, Leah and Cole chat with Tony Drews (first-generation direct descendent of Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), a lifelong student of Ojibwe culture and language. 
 
As president and founder of Nashke Native Games, Drews talks about his background in education and how he has found ways to better engage native students in their culture. He describes how excited the students are with these games that not only teach language, but the meaning and history behind the words. 
 
Drews is also the program coordinator for the American Indian Family Empowerment Fund at the Tiwahe Foundation. 
 
 Miigwech, Tony, for sharing your story! 

Today, Leah and Cole chat with artist Shaun Chosa. Shaun's art boldly blends Indigenous heritage, counterculture, and pop culture influences, echoing his self-described nomadic upbringing. 

Currently, his pieces are on display at the Friedli Gallery through October 2023, where he weaves Indigenous traditions into the fabric of popular culture. Shaun shares captivating stories from his travels across Indian country, offers unique insights into Indigenous representation in pop culture, and his journey as an artist. 

Miigwech, Shaun, for sharing your journey!

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine
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.
 
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 https://minnesotanativenews.org/

This week, Leah and Cole chat with Tashia Hart (Red Lake Nation), a culinary ethnobotanist, artist, photographer, award-winning author, and cook. As a multifaceted artist, Tashia’s art reflects the stages of her life, connections to nature and food. She shares about the making of her most recent work, Native Love Jams, a “sweet” romance that explores the relationships of love and food. Tashia also shares how adversity from publishers led to the creation of her publishing company (Not) Too Far Removed Press and how connecting to plants and nature has helped her along her path. Miigwech to Tashia for chatting!

Tashia has a collection of food and love-themed illustrations on display at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) titled “Indigenous Expressions Love Culture and Reinvention” – a co-presentation with artist Sam Zimmerman and bead artist Chenoa Williams.

In addition to Native Love Jams, Tashia has authored Girl Unreserved, Gidjie and the Wolves,  and The Good Berry Cookbook.

Leah and Cole chat with artist Sam Zimmerman (Grand Portage). After two decades on the east coast in public education, Sam moved back to Minnesota to rededicate himself to his passion for painting and to be closer to his family and community. His artwork explores his Ojibwe heritage, as well as his learnings and experiences in nature after returning to his ancestral homelands. Sam shares about learning language and culture through community collaborations, illustrating books for Native authors, and collaborating with family. He tells Leah and Cole about his path, which began with a college-age passion for painting, and then a love for teaching, and has now come full circle as he returns home.

Sam discusses his experience venturing into watercolor painting for the first time, which is showcased in his latest gallery exhibition titled "Indigenous Expressions Love Culture and Reinvention" at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO). This exhibition is a collaborative effort with author and illustrator Tashia Hart, as well as bead artist Chenoa Williams. 

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine
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.
 
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 https://minnesotanativenews.org/