Yajmownen

Margaret Long is a tribal citizen, mother, Potawatomi language apprentice, and she’s a domestic violence survivor. She is sharing her full story of enduring domestic violence and healing in the years that follow. Margaret shares in detail several violent stories, so please be aware that this episode may not be beneficial for young ears. photo by Emily Sobecki for Michiana Life Magazine

Citizen Jordan Brewer isn't far from home at the University of Michigan, but his world has completely changed. He started as a transfer to U of M this season, and now he's headed to professional ball. His journey here hasn't been all highs. It was filled with obstacles, but without them, he’d tell you he wouldn’t be who he is or where he is today.

In this episode, you'll hear not one story but three because community storyteller Colin Wesaw came and recorded three of his stories with us, each with lessons and entertainment for people of all generations. So take a break, sit back, and listen as these stories are brought to life with Colin's words, music, and the sounds of the stories.

Sally Clausen walked into Pokagon Health Services, unsure what to expect in this unfamiliar space in a place she only recently started calling "home." She left there and took her first steps on a journey she never anticipated, one starting in brokenness, but ending in transformation.

After years of perseverance, John Morseau can officially, legally practice law in the State of Michigan. His path here, though, was not a straight line, nor was he always on the side of law he is now. John had to figure this journey out on his own, but he knew exactly where his path was going to lead.

Jake Williams is a Pokagon citizen, but up until a couple years ago, his Native identity was essentially a secret to anyone who met him after high school. He wrote about his journey from invisibility to being quite vocal about his identity in a raw piece for Medium called “Elizabeth Warren and the Invisible Indian.” In this episode, Jake shares more about why he went silent and why he’s speaking so openly about it to the point of purposely embarrassing himself now. Find out more about the Nigani Scholarship

Michelle Barco was a new mom, but instead of feeling overjoyed, she awoke shaking, her heart pounding and body tense. She didn't understand what was happening to her—until she sought help and the stories of others.

Our people have long known we are the Keepers of the Fire, but we were tasked with another calling, one that citizens like Gary Morseau and Jason Wesaw are fighting to fulfill. They're working beyond our lands, forging partnerships with entities like the University of Michigan to return our seeds—our ancestors—back to our people.

Lindsey Williams survived an 8-year abusive relationship. Kept away from her community for so long, she's finally experiencing her culture and embracing her new name.

Thomas Klemm discovered alcohol and heroin by 16, and found himself under florescent lights, observed every hour, before he turned 20. Despite his fears, his life was not over, and now—he's flourishing.

Pokagon elder Jeannie Mollett journeyed to the Navajo nation in New Mexico, where 40 percent of households live without running water, relying on one woman to drive their water to them once a month. Seeing it with her own eyes, Jeannie returned home and raised $20,000 for the tribe.

This is the conclusion to Jacob Miller's story. After six years of heroin addiction, Jacob found himself in jail, and Marci was heartbroken to see her son locked away. This is not the end of Jacob's story, though. Forced to live without drugs for a month, Jacob sees he might be able to achieve happiness, after all.

Jacob Miller remembers the first time he ever tried an opiate—a small, white Vicodin pill offered to him at a high school party. “I fell in love with that opiate feeling, that down, relaxed feeling. I don’t know, different drugs are for different people, and opiates was for me.” For six years, Jacob was lost in addiction, while his mother, Marci, watched and hoped he would find his way out. This is part one of their story. sources National Institute on Drug Abuse Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American Society of Addiction Medicine Daun Bieda, Behavioral Health Program Supervisor

Skyler Daisy, a Pokagon citizen, is attending the Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle, Washington. When he leaves, he will be a certified commercial diver, which is no small feat. He's pursuing a dream he never thought possible in a world he imagined unreachable.

In the late 1800s through the early 1900s, Native American children were forced from their homes and taken to boarding schools across the US. Hear one elder try to understand what happened to her mother at the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School. You'll also hear results from years of excavation and research by archaeologists from Central Michigan University, Dr. Sarah Surface-Evans and Coleen Green.

Carla Collins left her home for four years to study our Potawatomi language with three of the only native fluent speakers left, and her lens through which she sees the world is completely changed.

Teri Barber always knew she was adopted, but what she didn't know was that she was Potawatomi. Hear her story of finding her 12 siblings and embracing this tribal community.

Jason Holloway talks about his passion for sugar bush, but claims he could never be a master of the trade. Hear him speak about sugar's ability to bring our community together and revitalize our culture.

Bob Moody shares his story of leaving tobacco abuse behind and embracing Creator's purpose for séma.

Terri Getz-Raich traveled to Standing Rock to support her brothers and sisters in the fight for their rights and their water, and the hope she experienced there was life-changing. You may read about the tribe's stance on the DAPL on our website by searching "Standing Rock."