Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) 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 moments of beauty during challenging times. Leah is joined by reporter Melissa Townsend and together they review and reflect on some of their inspiring conversations with community members.
Minnesota Native News launched several programs in response to the pandemic in addition to this one, including Native Lights: Biidaapi, a podcast hosted by Leah Lemm and her brother Cole Premo. And in the last six months, we’ve learned so much from Native voices in MN.
Some of the voices highlighted in this show include James Vukelich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), Maggie Thomspon (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Rafael Gonzalez – a.k.a.Tufawon – (Dakota, Boricua), Dr. Shelbie Shelder (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians), Susan Beaulieu (Red Lake Nation), and Patina Park (Mnicoujou Lakota).
We hear how people are connecting with one another, how they’re recognizing and working to resist injustice and inequities, and how they’ve learned to cope with the shared trauma of the pandemic.
A big thank you to all who have shared their stories and reflections.