
From Maine to the World: The Artistic Vision of Mali Obomsawin
Mali Obomsawin is a bassist, composer, vocalist and citizen of Odanak First Nation. Obomsawin's increasingly broad body of work spans jazz and roots music, indie rock and experimental sound.
An international touring artist and celebrated accompanist, her current projects include her eponymous free-jazz ensemble, the rock band Deerlady, and the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band. Obomsawin's expansive practice models 21st century Indigeneity, challenging the complacency of our times with lush, bombastic, and at times haunting compositions.
Mali has been blessed to study and perform with notable musicians including Esperanza Spalding, Raven Chacon, Taylor Ho Bynum, Dave Holland, Angelica Sanchez, Kris Davis, Billy Hart, Jeff Parker, Peter Apfelbaum, Craig Harris, Bill Cole, Althea Sully-Cole, Tomas Fujiwara, Mike Formanek, and more…

From Gold Medal to Community Champion: Billy Mills' Inspiring Journey
This podcast episode features a profound dialogue with Billy Mills, an esteemed Olympic gold medalist and advocate for Indigenous youth. Mills, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Nation, delves into the significance of his victory in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which he transformed into a lifelong commitment to empowering Native youth through sports and health advocacy. He shares his journey, revealing how his triumph on the world stage catalyzed over five decades of advocacy, including co-founding Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Throughout our conversation, we explore the values of humility, compassion, and the importance of cultural heritage, emphasizing the role of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering understanding among diverse communities. Mills’ insights serve as both a reflection on personal resilience and a clarion call to future generations to harness their passions and dreams in the pursuit of a more equitable society.