little moments count radio podcast

In the latest episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on Native Roots Radio, guest Fawn YoungBear Tibbetts, executive director of Wicoie Nandagikendan, discusses Minneapolis's first Indigenous urban preschool immersion program. The program not only teaches Dakota and Ojibwe languages but also aims to nurture future leaders grounded in their cultural heritage. Children aged toddlers to five engage in a dual-language environment that promotes cultural understanding, with traditional practices like Indigenous food preparation integrated into daily learning. The podcast also addresses the vital connection between nutrition and brain development, particularly in communities facing poverty and health issues. Fawn shares her efforts to combat food deserts in South Minneapolis by introducing innovative solutions such as native HelloFresh boxes, empowering families to make healthier food choices. The episode highlights the importance of culture and nutrition in fostering resilient communities and a promising future for the next generation. This episode was recorded on October 16th, 2024

Join us as we discuss the Dakota Language Nest, an inspiring immersion daycare program at the University of Minnesota. We are joined by Wóokiye wiŋ, lead teacher, and the passionate Šišókadut, linguistic director at Dakota IápiOkhódakičhiye. We explore how this initiative is reviving the Dakota language for children. Through full-day immersion, these young learners engage in cultural traditions like singing and smudging, building a foundation that reconnects them to their roots while countering the historical impacts of the boarding school era. Discover how art and storytelling, alongside scholarships and parental resources, play a vital role in nurturing a new generation of Dakota speakers. This episode reveals how education and community efforts intertwine to ensure the Dakota language and culture flourish for years to come... This episode was recorded on September 18, 2024

How do you empower a community to create lasting change from within? In our latest episode, we're joined by Beth Ann Dodds, Program Manager at All Nations Rise, and Ashley Bunker, a 2023 graduate of the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative (IPLI). Beth informs us how IPLI, a 23-week program, integrates child development, leadership, democracy skills, and Ojibwe culture to uplift Indigenous parents and caregivers. Ashley shares her compelling journey, emphasizing how IPLI has emboldened her to advocate for changes in her family and the broader White Earth Tribal Community. This episode was recorded on July 17, 2024.

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we talk with Lucy Arias, an Early Language and Literacy Specialist. Lucy shares insights from her extensive experience, discussing effective strategies for parents and caregivers to support language acquisition through everyday activities such as talking, reading, singing, and playing. We also explore the cultural significance of early learning practices within Native communities and the long-term impact on a child's educational trajectory. Gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between culture, early childhood education, and how intentional, small moments can contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities. This episode was recorded on August 21st, 2024.