Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine
In Native Lights, people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce - a.k.a. Minnesota - tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community. These are stories of joy, strength, history, and change from Native people who are shaping the future and honoring those who came before them.
Native Lights is also 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.
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/
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 28 minutes
- Episodes
- 251
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
A Special Extended Interview with McKnight Awardee Marcie Rendon
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 …
Rising to the Challenge of Keeping Tribal Communities Safe and Informed
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 lead…
Supporting New Moms Through Pregnancy and Breastfeeding During the 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 pa…
Doing Our Best for Our Children’s Education During the 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) looks at how parents and te…
Reflections on Rising to the Challenge of the Pandemic and Respecting the Virus
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…
Keeping Track of COVID Testing and Treatment in Indian Country
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 …
Tribal Sovereignty and the Health of Native Communities
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…
How Art Helps Us Rise and Heal in a Crisis
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 art…
How Artistic Gifts Help Inspire and Motivate Good Health
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 prioriti…
Confronting Added Risk and Uncertainty During the Pandemic
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 exp…
Tribal Leaders are Deciding When and How to Re-open
Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the COVID-19 health crisis. Today’s in-depth conversation looks at how Tribal leaders are deciding when and how to re-op…
Health Care Providers and the Path of Healing During Times of Pain, Continued Racial Unrest, and the Pandemic.
On this show, we find out how Native health care providers are expressing their values through their work during the Covid-19 pandemic
Samantha Nelson, a Health Unit Coordinator in Monticello who is w…
Adapting Traditional Practices to Stay Healthy During the Pandemic.
Leah talks with Sharyl Whitehawk, who is Lac Courte de Oreilles Ojibwe, and an addiction counselor at the American Indian Family Center in Saint Paul. Sharyl shares how she keeps herself balanced and…
How Tribal Communities Help Reduce the Risks of Commercial Tobacco Use and COVID-19
Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current pandemic health crisis.
Lung disease, cancer, and now complications due to COVID19 are a few of the many dang…
NL: Biidaapi – Xander Ripley-Jaakola
Hello! Today we talk with 13-year-old Xander Ripley-Jaakoa, an Anishinaabe youth from Cloquet, MN. Xander chats with us about how his school year ended up (and the joys and perils of distance learnin…
NL: Biidaapi – Mike Laverdure
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 c…
NL: Biidaapi – Louise Matson
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 s…
NL: Biidaapi – Briand Morrison
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 podcas…
NL: Biidaapi – Jenn Hall
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, an…
NL: Biidaapi – Stacy Hammer
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 …