Radio Camp 2023: Indigenous leaders seek justice, accurate representation

Twelve Twin Cities-area students spent a week in late June at MPR News listening to Indigenous leaders in the law, arts and media describe their work and mission make sure Native lives are accurately portrayed.

The 2023 Radio Campers interviewed legal scholar and Chief Justice on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Supreme Court, Angelique EagleWoman; educator and Santee Sioux Dakota Nation member Ramona Kitto Stately, musician Reuben Kitto Stately and artist Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee). They were part of the 2023 Indigenous & Media Community Roundtable held at MPR.

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Radio Camp drew students from several media organizations: ThreeSixty Journalism based at University of St. Thomas; KRSM, a low power radio station in the Phillips neighborhood and part of Pillsbury United Communities’ media initiative and MIGIZI, a Minneapolis-based organization that supports Native American youth.

The students were asked to reflect on what they learned. Here are their projects for the week.

Fatima Abdurahman is a ThreeSixty Journalism student and attends Rosemount High School. Fatima interviewed Marlena Myles about using art to fill the need to represent Dakota culture in the Twin Cities, especially for young people.

Kendra Andrews came to Radio Camp from MIGIZI. Kendra attends Eden Prairie Online. Kendra talked with Reuben Kitto Stately about his art. The musician said expectations placed on Native art limit artists’ work.

Alexis Aryeequaye is a ThreeSixty participant who attends Rosemount High School. Alexis reported on Ramona Kitto Stately’s efforts to change narratives that are harmful to young people through the educator’s work for We Are Still Here Minnesota.

Anna Brodin, from ThreeSixty, attends Mounds View High School. Anna talked with musician Reuben Kitto Stately about his message of Dakota sovereignty and strength to younger audiences, delivered through hip hop.

Douglas Buckanaga, a student at South High School, also has worked with MIGIZI. Douglas interviewed Sisseton-Wahpeton chief justice Angelique EagleWoman about the experiences that shaped her desire to become a lawyer.

Laniya Campbell is a student at FAIR School for Arts and came to Radio Camp from KRSM Radio. Laniya spoke with EagleWoman about media stereotypes that continue to harm Native youth in particular.

Marquan Harper has worked with Listen Up! Youth Radio and ThreeSixty. Marquan is a student at Twin Cities Academy. Marquan interviewed Ramona Kitto Stately about navigating two different cultures every day.

Guillermo Mcelrath is a student at Roosevelt High School, and is affiliated with MIGIZI. Guillermo talked with chief justice EagleWoman, who related a story about her family's negative experiences with law enforcement and her desire to become a lawyer to serve her people.

Gloria Ngwa attends Washington Technology Magnet School and participated in Listen Up! Youth Radio and ThreeSixty. Gloria reports on how Reuben Kitto Stately uses music —specifically hip hop — to reflect his life as an artist from the Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation.

Riauna Rone is a student at FAIR School for Arts and is affiliated with KRSM. Riauna focused her story on Ramona Kitto Stately's efforts to fight false narratives the longtime educator says are absorbed by and negatively affect Indigenous children and children of color.

Cameron Toal has studied at MIGIZI. He goes to South High School. Cameron talked with artist Myles who also publishes books that allow Native children to see themselves in art, something Myles did not have as a young person.

Thuy-Sa Truong attends Eagan High School and came to Radio Camp from ThreeSixty. Thuy-Sa says EagleWoman presented students with ways in which the media may address inaccurate portrayals of Indigenous people. The attorney recommended media develop more sources and look for those who are doing good work.

Radio Camp was created in 2017 by ThreeSixty Journalism and MPR News, in memory of longtime MPR News employee and ThreeSixty champion Toni Randolph. Radio Camp participants are automatically eligible to be considered for full-tuition, four-year scholarship to study journalism at the University of St. Thomas.

Radio Camp organizers included:

Marlina Gonzalez, Radio Camp Project Director, MPR Community Engagement Specialist

Andrea Pierre, KRSM Radio Station Manager

Binesikwe Means (enrolled citizen of Oglala Lakota Tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and descendant of the White Earth Nation), Lead Media Instructor, MIGIZI

Denise Huang Engagement Manager, ThreeSixty Journalism

Theresa Malloy Lemickson Program Manager, ThreeSixty Journalism

• Indigenous narratives at Radio Camp 2022
• Radio Camp 2021: Youth staying resilient and fighting for change in trying times
• Radio Camp 2019: Juxtaposition Arts, a creative engine in the heart of north Mpls.