That’s a Wrap! Reflections on Pandemic Conversations, Guests, and Shared Wisdom

Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) is back exploring how
Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current
pandemic health crisis.


On this show, Leah is joined by her spouse, Daniel Lemm (Lower
Sioux Indian Community), to remember and reflect on some of the
wisdom and insights shared by the many guests to this program
over the last 14 months. 


We recall our early conversation with James Vukelich (Turtle
Mountain Band), a linguist and educator, who reminded us to keep
in mind the joy of small moments, even as we all faced the
uncertainty of the pandemic.


Susan Beaulieu (Red Lake Nation) who works for the UMN Extension,
offered great perspectives about meeting challenges, with
compassion for self and others, and reminded us to keep
breathing!


We were moved by Laz Carreon, RN, who heads the COVID team at the
Indian Health Board (IHB) of Minneapolis, as he recounted the
relief and joy among health care workers, as vaccinations
arrived, following so many months of exhausting work caring for
patients.


We appreciated hearing how Indian Health Service (IHS) rose to
meet the logistical challenges of vaccine distribution, as told
by Daniel Frye (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), the
Director of Indian Health Services for the Bemidji Area.


We are thankful for the leadership of so many, including Patina
Park (Mnicoujou Lakota) who is Director of Tribal State Relations
and Systems Implementation at the State of Minnesota, and who
reminded us that we can always learn from hardship.


Chi Miigwech to all our guests on this program, to our Tribal
leaders and ancestors, and to all of you who shared your time and
attention listening. Gigaawaabamin!


 


Listen to past COVID-19 Community Conversations here:
https://minnesotanativenews.org/category/community-conversations/