Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine

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 teachers are facing the challenges and opportunities of getting back to school, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  The state is providing data-driven guidance, which allows local school districts to determine what’s best for their students when it comes to returning to classrooms, distance learning, or a combination method.
 
Leah talks with Andrea Fairbanks (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), a mother and educator, who speaks about considerations from both the parental and educator perspective when it comes to the new school year. Andrea shares her insights about online learning: what works well and what is lost by not being in the classroom.
 
MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Native educator Govinda Budrow (White Earth Nation) about the challenges and opportunities distance learning created for Native students and families. They have a thoughtful conversation about the unique challenges to Native students, including those in special education.
 
And Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan conveys an empathetic and hopeful message to students, parents, and educators, as she speaks to the challenge of balancing health and safety with meeting the educational needs of all students.

Show Notes

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 teachers are facing the challenges and opportunities of getting back to school, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  The state is providing data-driven guidance, which allows local school districts to determine what’s best for their students when it comes to returning to classrooms, distance learning, or a combination method.
 
Leah talks with Andrea Fairbanks (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), a mother and educator, who speaks about considerations from both the parental and educator perspective when it comes to the new school year. Andrea shares her insights about online learning: what works well and what is lost by not being in the classroom.
 
MN Native News reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Native educator Govinda Budrow (White Earth Nation) about the challenges and opportunities distance learning created for Native students and families. They have a thoughtful conversation about the unique challenges to Native students, including those in special education.
 
And Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan conveys an empathetic and hopeful message to students, parents, and educators, as she speaks to the challenge of balancing health and safety with meeting the educational needs of all students.

Creators and Guests

CP
Producer
Cole Premo
LL
Producer
Lean Lemm

What is 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/