Building Bridges and Empowering Native Youth - Conversations with Kansas Middletown
Join us in this inspiring episode as Rick Hanson chat's with Kansas Middletown, a community champion from Lower Brule, South Dakota. We explore the importance of cultural understanding, youth empowerment, and the power of authentic connection to create positive change in our communities.
In this episode:
- Kansas shares his journey from growing up on the reservation to becoming a community leader and public speaker
- The impact of sports and storytelling in breaking stereotypes and building bridges
- How Native American youth can be inspired and empowered through opportunity and representation
- The significance of conversations around mental health and suicide prevention
- Lessons learned from notable figures like Billy Mills and interactions with celebrities like Gary Vee
- Practical ways to foster kindness, courage, and community support in everyday life
- Kansas's vision for Native tourism, cultural exchange, and creating generational wealth
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and the purpose of this conversation
00:31 - How Kansas's background and leadership journey began
01:44 - Embracing culture, heritage, and shared humanity
05:10 - Experiencing San Francisco and connecting with influential figures
06:44 - The Native youth flag football events and their significance
08:02 - The power of sports in uniting communities and inspiring young people
09:27 - Insights from Gary Vee interview and Native representation
11:11 - Sharing stories of celebrity encounters like Billy Mills
13:07 - Overcoming mental health challenges and the importance of open dialogue
16:42 - Building opportunities in sports, academia, and entrepreneurship
19:00 - Challenging stereotypes and encouraging visitation to reservations
20:29 - Billy Mills's impact and the meaningful connections made
24:04 - Kansas's motivation rooted in resilience and community service
25:01 - Embracing risk and the journey to personal growth
28:28 - The role of community, family, and leadership in Native empowerment
33:34 - The universality of problems and the importance of compassion
36:14 - Making small gestures count and supporting each other daily
39:16 - The significance of random acts of kindness and meaningful communication
45:06 - Kansas's vision for bridging racial divides and fostering understanding
52:59 - Living your dreams daily and helping others do the same
54:23 - Final thoughts on gratitude, community, and continuous growth
Resources & Links:
Connect with Kansas Middletown:
Facebook @Kansas Middletent
Instagram @siouxperman605
Connect with Rick Hanson and Don't Die Rusty
Facebook: @Rick Hanson, @Don't Die Rusty
Instagram @rickhanson24, @dontdierusty
Email: rick@dontdierusty.com
Remember:
The good life is living your dreams every day, making meaningful connections, and lifting others along the way. Keep chasing your dreams, and don't die rusty!
