Joe Williams engages in a captivating conversation with Indigenous artist Rick Kagigebi, who has dedicated his life to creating meaningful blankets that tell stories and serve as ceremonial gifts. Rick shares his journey from humble beginnings, learning to sew without any prior experience, to becoming a respected fiber artist recognized for his unique approach and contributions to his community. Throughout the discussion, Rick emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his work and how each blanket carries deep cultural significance and healing energy. He reflects on the challenges he faced, including personal tragedies and health issues, and how these experiences have shaped his artistic expression and commitment to cultural practices. The episode highlights the power of art as a means of connection, healing, and community engagement, encouraging listeners to embrace their creativity and contribute to their cultural heritage.

A profound exploration of art, identity, and community unfolds as Joe Williams engages Rick Kagigebi, an Indigenous artist whose journey is marked by resilience and creativity. Rick shares his unique story, beginning with his upbringing in Newfoundland, Canada, and his eventual move to the La Courte Oreilles Reservation in Wisconsin. Through his heartfelt narrative, listeners discover how Rick found solace in sewing after facing personal tragedies, including a life-altering stroke. His art, particularly his blankets, transcends mere fabric; each piece is imbued with stories and cultural significance. Rick emphasizes the importance of ceremonial gifts, viewing his blankets not only as artistic expressions but as vessels for healing and connection. The conversation further delves into how art can foster community bonds, offering insights into Rick's teaching endeavors that aim to inspire the next generation of Indigenous artists. With a blend of personal anecdotes and cultural reflections, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the power of creativity in navigating life's challenges and preserving cultural heritage.

Takeaways:

• Rick Rick Kagigebi's journey into blanket making began in 1980, inspired by cultural ceremonies.
• He has developed his unique style, using yarn to tell stories through his blankets.
• Rick emphasizes the importance of community and sharing cultural practices through art.
• His blankets serve as both healing gifts and personal expressions of his life experiences.
• Rick's art has been influenced by his life events, including personal tragedies and recovery.
• Opportunities for sharing his craft include teaching classes to inspire others in the community.

Matt Johnson, a talented musician and songwriter, shares his journey of growth and self-discovery in the latest episode of Five Playing Questions. With a deep connection to his Native American heritage, Matt reflects on how his family’s musical legacy has shaped his artistic path. After overcoming the challenges of addiction, he found clarity and inspiration in sobriety, leading him to write more meaningful music. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in songwriting, aiming to create catchy, relatable tunes that resonate with listeners. As he discusses his current projects and the dynamics of balancing family life with a music career, Matt’s passion for his craft shines through, inspiring others to embrace their artistic journeys.

Joe Williams hosts a heartfelt conversation with Matt Johnson, a talented musician from the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. The discussion delves into Matt's rich musical heritage, highlighting the significant influence of his family, especially his grandfather, Eddie King Johnson, a country musician who inspired him from a young age. Matt shares his journey through music, from his initial guitar lessons to his self-taught approach that led him to develop a unique style blending rock, Americana, and jazz influences. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in songwriting and performance, reflecting on how his experiences as a father and a sober musician have shaped his artistic identity. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating the music industry, particularly for independent artists, and the necessity of perseverance and authenticity in creating meaningful music that resonates with listeners. Through his narrative, Matt encapsulates a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of community in artistic expression.

Takeaways:

• Matt Johnson's musical journey is deeply rooted in his family heritage and experiences.
• Sobriety has positively influenced Matt's songwriting and musical creativity, enhancing his craft.
• The importance of simplicity in songwriting allows listeners to connect with the music easily.
• Learning from family musicians inspired Matt's passion and commitment to his music career.
• Matt emphasizes the value of continuous learning and growth as an artist throughout life.
• He advocates for the significance of writing impactful lyrics that resonate with audiences.

Links referenced in this episode:

• elevenwarriorarts.com

Christina Woods, the first Anishinaabe Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute, shares her journey of transforming a predominantly white institution into a BIPOC-led hub for the arts. With over 35 years of experience working with underserved communities, Christina emphasizes the importance of community engagement and inclusivity in the arts. She reflects on the profound influence of her elders and family, particularly her mother and uncle, who instilled in her the values of love and activism. Throughout the conversation, she discusses the significance of lived experiences and storytelling in shaping artistic practices, advocating for a deeper understanding of knowledge beyond academic credentials. Christina’s passion for empowering individuals and fostering creativity shines through as she highlights the vital role of artists in enriching community life and driving change.

Hello, and welcome again to 5 Plain Questions, a podcast that proposes 5 questions to Indigenous Artists, creators, musicians, writers, movers and shakers, and culture bearers, people in the community doing great things for their communities.

I’m Joe Williams, your host for this conversation. My goal is to showcase the amazing people in our Indigenous community around the region and country. So, join me as we sit down and hear the stories and perspectives from our amazing community, where there is a story with each and every one of us.

I want to introduce you to Christina Woods.

Christina Woods has 35 years working with underserved communities and individuals and serves the Duluth Art Institute (DAI) as its first Anishinaabe Executive Director. Currently, she serves on the City of Duluth Public Arts Commission, past president, State of Minnesota Capitol Arts Committee as the Chair, the State of MN CAAPB task force participant, State of Minnesota State Arts Board, Arts Midwest Board of Directors, Chair of the Board New Native Theatre, U.S. Senate Curatorial Advisory Board, The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees. Christina is an enrolled member of the Bois Fort Band of Chippewa and works closely with the Anishinaabe community as a leader and mentor. Christina also conducts trainings and workshops on equity, diversity and inclusion including the program she created for the DAI, Commission Your Bias. Christina’s work social justice brings a unique lens to the context of an arts organization. Christina is a 2019 AARP 50 0ver 50 awardee in bias busting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Leadership. Christina is called upon locally, regionally and nationally as an expert in decolonization, diversity, equity and inclusion. Christina consults on these topics through her company Diversity Consulting.

A top talent, brilliant administrator and strategist, Christina Woods is a talented leader. Her success includes a 14 year career teaching, 10 years narrating and on camera work on the national program Native Report, and 30 years writing curriculum and grants, fundraising, and diversity/inclusion consultation. Christina brings an extensive range of non-profit experience as a board member, executive director and business leader. As an Anishinaabekwe and community leader, Christina shares

her enthusiasm for empowering individuals and illuminating the breadth of human experiences.

Christina enthusiastically leads the vision of the Duluth Art Institute as its first Anishinaabe leader. Her focus is delivered with tender attention to advocacy rooted in celebrating inclusivity and expansive thinking. Christina thoughtfully serves our community with a vision to the future. She lives in Duluth, MN with her acknowledged home in the Bois Forte Nation of Northern MN.

So let’s jump into this conversation with Christina…

Website:

duluthartinstitute.org

Links referenced in

5 Plain Questions is moving platforms, so there will be no new episode this week. But don't fear, new episodes will be coming next week.

In the meantime, check out Beyond the Art by myself and Cray Bauxmont-Flynn and Beyond the Design with Cray. Also, check out Sage-Based Wisdom with Jana Schmieding and Brian Bahe.

Jesse Hernandez (@UrbanAztec) is a visual artist born and raised in the
 San Francisco bay area. He is most widely recognized for his street art murals, vinyl toys, and diverse Illustration work. His style is known as Urban Aztec, a combination of graffiti and ancient indigenous culture. Hernandez’s artwork has been featured by Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Comics, Gears of war 4, San Jose Sharks, The Oakland Museum, Rockstar energy drink, Rolling Stone, Fandango, Juxtapoz, X-Box, Playstation, WWE, Run the Jewels, Oakland Athletics, and the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. Hernandez has shown art in galleries and museums around the world. He has also painted murals in Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Richmond, Los Angeles, Mexico city and Amsterdam.

Website: Urbanaztec.com

Instagram: @Urbanaztec

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Chris Pappan is an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation and honors his Osage and Lakota heritage. His cited artistic influences are the Lowbrow art movement, Heavy Metal and Juxtapoz magazines, and taps into the American cultural roots of 1970s underground comics, punk, and hot rod cultures. His art literally reflects the dominant culture’s distorted perceptions of Native peoples and is based on the Plains Native art tradition known as Ledger Art.

A graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and a nationally recognized painter and ledger artist, Chris’ work is in numerous museums such as the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington D.C.; the Tia collection in Santa Fe NM and the Speed Museum of Art in Louisville KY among many other important collections both nationally and internationally. He is represented by Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe NM.

Chris is currently a board member of the Illinois State Museum and is a co-founder of the Center for Native Futures, a Native American gallery and studio space in Chicago’s

Loop. He lives and works in Chicago with his wife Debra Yepa-Pappan, and their daughter Ji Hae.

headshot photo by Tran Tran

Website:

http://chrispappan.com/

Center for Native Futures Website:

https://www.centerfornativefutures.org/

Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains

https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/item?id=1005

Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore is an independent filmmaker and Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) citizen. She is the founder of The Aunties Dandelion media organization which is focused on revitalizing communities through stories of land, language, and relationships. She spent 15 years in Washington, DC creating films for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and others. And she a fluent Mohawk speaker (ACTFL Intermediate High).

Website:

https://www.theauntiesdandelion.com/

Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4XI2I2r58vb2kVXRr5mKWb

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahstoserakwathe/