Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this first episode, Rebecca speaks with Wayne Ducheneaux, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux nation in South Dakota and the executive director of the Native Governance Center. Wayne shares his background and how he was called to serving his tribe and Indian Country in his career. The conversation centers on the importance of Native American representation – whether its in the White House Cabinet or in pop culture – and how the current focus on racial inequities can serve Native communities. “In the wake of the George Floyd incident, there’s been a bright light shown on inequities. We as Native people have experienced these since the first treaty was broken… we have a chance to address them now.”
Learn more about this podcast series at understandnativemn.org/podcast
Understand Native Minnesota is a multifaceted strategic initiative and philanthropic campaign focused on Native American narrative change in Minnesota’s schools. Learn more at understandnativemn.org
Follow the campaign on Instagram at instagram.com/NativeMNFacts and Twitter at twitter.com/NativeMNFacts
Song: Buffalo Moon by Brulé
In this first episode, Rebecca speaks with Wayne Ducheneaux, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux nation in South Dakota and the executive director of the Native Governance Center. Wayne shares his background and how he was called to serving his tribe and Indian Country in his career. The conversation centers on the importance of Native American representation – whether its in the White House Cabinet or in pop culture – and how the current focus on racial inequities can serve Native communities. “In the wake of the George Floyd incident, there’s been a bright light shown on inequities. We as Native people have experienced these since the first treaty was broken… we have a chance to address them now.”
Learn more about this podcast series at understandnativemn.org/podcast
Understand Native Minnesota is a multifaceted strategic initiative and philanthropic campaign focused on Native American narrative change in Minnesota’s schools. Learn more at understandnativemn.org
Follow the campaign on Instagram at instagram.com/NativeMNFacts and Twitter at twitter.com/NativeMNFacts
Song: Buffalo Moon by Brulé
