Brave Little State

Telling Indigenous stories through music


Listen Later

Question-asker David Hess was curious about Native stories that speak to the Vermont landscape. Enter Mali Obomsawin’s new album, Sweet Tooth. Across three movements, she blends Wabanaki music with free jazz, and ancient stories with new ones, all of which offers a unique look at the land called Vermont.


Check out the web version of this episode to see photos and music from Mali Obomsawin. And thanks to David Hess for the great question.


Josh Crane reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane, with editing and additional production from Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn, Elodie Reed and Mark Davis. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Mali Obomsawin.


Special thanks to Savannah Maher, Gregory Cajete, Seth Bedard, and Melody Mackin, and to Mali Obomsawin for her input and help with this episode.


As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:


  • Ask a question about Vermont
  • Sign up for the BLS newsletter
  • Say hi on Twitter, Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt
  • Drop us an email: [email protected]
  • Make a gift to support people-powered journalism
  • Tell your friends about the show!

  • Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Brave Little StateBy Vermont Public

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    399 ratings


    More shows like Brave Little State

    View all
    This American Life by This American Life

    This American Life

    91,086 Listeners

    Radiolab by WNYC Studios

    Radiolab

    44,034 Listeners

    Fresh Air by NPR

    Fresh Air

    38,583 Listeners

    The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

    The New Yorker Radio Hour

    6,799 Listeners

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

    38,843 Listeners

    The Moth by The Moth

    The Moth

    27,128 Listeners

    99% Invisible by Roman Mars

    99% Invisible

    26,235 Listeners

    Outside/In by NHPR

    Outside/In

    1,487 Listeners

    Eye On The Night Sky by Vermont Public Radio

    Eye On The Night Sky

    18 Listeners

    The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters by American Public Media

    The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

    3,074 Listeners

    The Sporkful by Dan Pashman

    The Sporkful

    3,955 Listeners

    Vermont Edition by Vermont Public

    Vermont Edition

    103 Listeners

    All Things Gardening Podcast by Mary Williams Engisch, Charlie Nardozzi

    All Things Gardening Podcast

    62 Listeners

    Outdoor Radio by

    Outdoor Radio

    26 Listeners

    Eye On The Sky by Vermont Public

    Eye On The Sky

    22 Listeners

    But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids by Vermont Public

    But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

    5,167 Listeners

    News from Vermont Public by Vermont Public

    News from Vermont Public

    37 Listeners

    Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

    Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

    3,021 Listeners

    The Sports Rapport by Vermont Public

    The Sports Rapport

    3 Listeners

    Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

    Ologies with Alie Ward

    24,549 Listeners

    Throughline by NPR

    Throughline

    16,479 Listeners

    The Frequency by Vermont Public

    The Frequency

    111 Listeners

    Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast by King Arthur Baking Company

    Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast

    624 Listeners