Cultural Medicines and Viewing the Pandemic through a Traditional Lens

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 today’s show, Leah reflects on conversations about cultural
medicines and viewing the pandemic and vaccinations through a
lens of history and experience. 


 


We hear from Megan Schnitker (Lakota) who works with plant
medicines. Megan learned about plant medicines from her
grandmother. She shares perspectives about the year-long harvest
cycle, the rise in interest in first medicines, and traditional
reliance on plant medicines to get through hard times, including
COVID.


 


We also hear from Briana Michels (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) who
works for the American Indian Resource and Resiliency team out of
the University of Minnesota extension. Briana leads workshops on
healing from trauma, and connects historical and current traumas,
like the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd, with vaccine
hesitation, and what it takes to heal. 


 


Plus, Dr. Antony Stately recalls his first-hand experience
becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, and how he recovered with
the aid of medical care combined with traditional practices,
prayer, and wisdom from elders.


 


And, Governor Walz and Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin (Mille
Lacs Band of Ojibwe) both express hope for the future, tempered
with caution and safety, as we move into the future with many
more people receiving vaccines.


 


Many thanks to all of our guests, we appreciate your insights and
perspectives. 


 


Learn about cultural medicines at Megan Schnitker’s website:
https://www.lakotamade.com/


 


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