Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
17 Unique Stations from Border to Border
As Minneapolis moves to re-open during the pandemic, protests erupted in the streets following the death of George Floyd. A Minneapolis office has now been charged with his murder.
But as anger and frustrations took over demonstrations, hundreds of buildings in Minneapolis were set on fire and burned to the ground.
Among them was the new offices of a beloved Native non-profit, MIGIZI.
This week on the Minnesota Native News Health Report, we answer some of your questions and hear the first entry in a Covid-19 diary. And we are calling on Dr. Antony Stately from the Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis to help answer them. Laurie Stern has the story.
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-open businesses and assessing how to keep employees, patrons, and community members safe.
Leah talks with Casino employee RJ Dahl. And MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Joe Nayquonabe, CEO of Mille Lacs Band Corporate Ventures. MN Native News Special Edition: COVID-19 Community Conversations is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Britta Aas graduates from Bemidji High School this weekend. She spoke on the morning show about how Covid has affected her senior year and the lessons she’s gleaned during these times.
It’s been really hard, especially having those last couple of months that were considered to be the best of your of anyone’s high school experience. But, you know, day to day, just realizing how blessed and lucky I’ve still been in this time. My family’s been healthy… I’ve definitely learned to to live more in the moment.
A natural on stage, Britta hadn’t performed in a play until 8th grade and this fall she kicked off her senior year starring as Elle Woods in Bemidji High School’s production of Legally Blonde. Her love of performing will be incorporated into her college experience at Mankato State University this fall and she’s currently a finalist in Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Triple Thread Spotlight Showcase competition.
I’m involved in a theater competition through Hennepin Theatre Trust…in Minneapolis, and it’s called Triple Threat. I submitted video auditions of me singing, dancing and performing monologues. And I actually became a finalist this year… that gives me the opportunity to work with professionals in Minneapolis over Zoom calls …And it just gives a lot of opportunities for me…
Most graduation ceremonies look different in 2020 including Bemidji’s. A vehicle processional will drive from the Sanford Center thru town and to the Bemidji High School. During the time, a radio broadast on FM 104.5 will honor the seniors with speeches and stories. Rather than share her thoughts about gradutation with a typical speech Britta, gathered her musings and recorded an original song, “Scenes From a Forever Home,” that will have its radio debut during the graduation ceremony.
I was asked to write a speech which I surprisingly was kind of scared when I was asked to. Of course, I loved singing and performing in front of people, but for some reason, reading off a sheet of paper in front of a bunch of people on the radio did not sound fun to me. So I decided to write a song and they chose it and they’re going to play it on the radio. I just recorded it the other day. So it’s an original and I’m really excited for that…
In this interview, Britta discusses all of the above topics as well as what it’s like to be a student with a parent as her teacher, how her high school performance career has taught her to work hard and be determined, and she even shares tips on how overcoming stagefright – a lesson all of of might remind ourselves of…
… remind yourself that everyone who is watching…they’re rooting for you. They’re not hoping that you do poorly… when I figured that out, I think that played a huge role in my confidence onstage.
We’re definitely rooting for Britta and all the 2020 graduates! Congratulations! This will indeed be a year to remember!
2020 is an extraordinary year, especially for local high school seniors. They are experiencing something no one has gone through before: celebrating and honoring their education in a world of social distancing.
Cede Waldo graduates from Kelliher School this spring. We caught up with Cede on the morning show and were thrilled with her positivity, selflessness, and can-do spirit.
In terms of how online school has affected the end of her high school career, Cede’s attitude is one of care and acceptance:
…it’s definitely a change…some people are dying… I definitely do want to go to school. I miss my friends and I miss everyone, but because of the circumstance we’re under, I wouldn’t want to be selfish and want to go to school… it’s gonna be OK. Well, we’ll work through it.
