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PODCAST

The Waterers

a series of stories and reflections shared across generations. These episodes were created by young artists seeking to honor stories shared with them by family members across the state of Minnesota.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

1:44

The Yearling

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Deanna Drift from Nett Lake Village shares a lighthearted story about a mischievous young bear that frequently visited her home, earning the nickname “mangy butt.” Through humor and observation, she reminds us that bears are curious yet gentle beings, often more afraid of humans than we are of them. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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0:41

Taking A Ride

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Serena Logan, a youth from Nett Lake Village, shares her joy in watching bears with her great-grandmother Mavis and caring for them by leaving food along the road. Her story reflects the love, respect, and connection between generations and the bears that live nearby. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:20

Stand Up For Bears

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Margaret Benner from Nett Lake Village emphasizes the need to educate others about the cultural and spiritual importance of bears to Native people. She shares how she greets bears in Ojibwe, honoring them as relatives who understand and deserve respect and protection. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:48

Spiritual Protectors

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Téa Drift Rivera from Nett Lake Village shares teachings learned from her elders about the Bear Clan and the sacred role of bears as protectors, healers, and symbols of bravery. She reflects on their wisdom and self-healing nature, drawing connections between the bears’ behavior and the teachings that guide her community. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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2:19

Spiritual Protection

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Deanna Drift from Nett Lake Village recounts how she sought guidance from spiritual advisor Vern Adams to speak to tribal leaders about the sacredness of bears and the harm caused by their killing. She reflects on the spiritual and communal consequences that followed, the ceremonies of forgiveness, and the courage it takes to speak for those who cannot. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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0:33

Protect Them

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Serena Logan, a youth from Nett Lake Village, expresses her heartfelt wish to protect the bears and honor their place in Ojibwe culture. Her words reflect a deep sense of care and responsibility for the natural world and its sacred beings. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:24

Poor Bear

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Téa Drift Rivera from Nett Lake Village shares a humorous yet heartfelt story about a bear that climbed into her car, teaching an unexpected lesson about responsibility and compassion. Through her young daughter’s innocent response, she reflects on the deep understanding that bears are relatives deserving of care, not fear. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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0:56

Our Relatives

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Téa Drift Rivera from Nett Lake Village speaks about the sacred kinship between people and bears, emphasizing respect, protection, and reciprocity. She reflects on traditional teachings that honor the bear’s sacrifice and condemns wasteful harm against these spiritual relatives. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:07

A Message To Our Leaders

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Deanna Drift of Nett Lake Village calls on community leaders to deepen their understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of bears within Bois Forte traditions. She reminds them that true leadership includes learning from both traditional and contemporary knowledge to better serve their people. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:16

Makwa

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Mavis Drift, an elder from Nett Lake Village, shares teachings about the Bear Clan and its deep meaning in Ojibwe culture—symbolizing bravery, family, and spiritual protection. She reflects on the importance of naming ceremonies and the guidance they offer in understanding one’s connection to the spirit world. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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0:30

Honor Them

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Serena Logan, a youth from Nett Lake Village, reflects on her experiences growing up in connection with her community and the natural world that surrounds it. Her story highlights the importance of listening, learning, and carrying forward the teachings of her elders. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:31

Ceremonies

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Margaret Benner of Nett Lake Village reflects on the teachings passed down from her mother, aunties, and elders about honoring the bears through seasonal feasts and ceremony. She shares how these traditions and the guidance of spiritual advisors continue to shape her understanding of culture, dance, and lifelong learning.

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1:07

Bears Are Medicine

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Margaret Benner of Nett Lake Village reflects on the sacred relationship between her community and the bears that share their land. As a Bear Clan member, she speaks about standing up to protect them, honoring the deep spiritual connection that defines her identity and responsibility. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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1:13

Bears Won't Attack

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Téa Drift Rivera from Nett Lake Village reflects on growing up alongside the bears that roam her backyard, sharing a story of coexistence and trust. Her words reveal a deep respect for the animals and the balance between humans and nature in her community. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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2:06

Bear Hunt

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Deanna Drift of Nett Lake Village, Bois Forte Nation, shares her thoughts on the spiritual and impact of bear hunts in her community. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

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0:33

Protect Them

The Waterers ·

2025/10/23

Serena Logan, at her young age, is already working with family members to protect her makwa (bears) that live in her village of Nett Lake on the Bois Forte Reservation. Though very young, she is passionate about telling bear stories and providing insights into her relationship with them. Serena recorded this story and helped to record other members of her family as they talked about makwa.

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1:47

Growing Up In Bena

The Waterers ·

2025/10/02

Valerie Cash Young shares with her daughter Animikiikaakwezenz (Mickaylynn Fasthorse) memories of what her life was like grwoing up in the small community of Bena, located on the Leech Lake Reservation. Animikiikaakwezenz, recorded Valerie's stories as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program in partnership with Niigaane Bizindamoo-makak program and the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School located on the Leech Lake Reservation.

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3:09

Parenting

The Waterers ·

2025/10/02

Valerie Cash Young shares parenting advice and reflections to her daughter Animikiikaakwezenz (Mickaylynn Fasthorse). Animikiikaakwezenz, recorded Valerie's stories as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program in partnership with Niigaane Bizindamoo-makak program and the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School located on the Leech Lake Reservation.

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5:50

Respect

The Waterers ·

2025/09/28

Elder Shirley Young speaks to the need to show respect and kindness to others Animikiikaakwezenz, her granddaughter, recorded Shirey's stories as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program in partnership with Niigaane Bizindamoo-makak program and the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School located on the Leech Lake Reservation.

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3:27

Memories of Childhood

The Waterers ·

2025/09/28

Elder Shirley Young recalls memories of growing up in Winnie Dam on the Leech Lake Reservatio. Animikiikaakwezenz, her granddaughter, recorded Shirey's stories as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program in partnership with Niigaane Bizindamoo-makak program and the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School located on the Leech Lake Reservation.

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52 results

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