In this episode, two stories highlight significant work to build supportive environments for Native people to heal and thrive.

Kwe Pack is a spectacular group of Native women supporting each other to run long-distance trail races. Kwe Pack has been featured on Good Morning America, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Oprah Winfrey’s World Vision Tour.  This group encourages each other to draw on their inner strength; to heal and flourish in all areas of their lives.

We also talk with hosts Leah and Cole’s brother Bryce Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) about how facing his own struggles with depression and anxiety brought him tools that he now shares with others in his work in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.  As a youth leader at the Division of Indian Work, a Safe Talk presenter, and Sober House manager, Bryce explains how helping create supportive environments for others is the best medicine for himself.

Hosts: Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and Cole Premo (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), siblings, musicians, and contributors to Minnesota Native News.

In-studio Guest: Melissa Townsend, producer & reporter

Theme Music: Cole Premo

Links:

Find Kwe Pack on Facebook

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

Or Text HOME to 741741

You can reach us at: nativelights@ampers.org

Native Lights Podcast is a production of Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, and made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund, and the citizens of Minnesota. Ampers is an association of 18 independent community radio stations in Minnesota, which are all licensed to a college, school, university, Native American tribe, or directly to the community. http://ampers.org/

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