miziway desjarlait

photographer / multidisciplinary artist

BIOGRAPHY

Mi-zi-way DesJarlait is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation and a lifelong singer with the Hoka-Hey Singers, a Native American drum group based in South Minneapolis. His passion for music and storytelling is rooted in deep cultural tradition and a lifelong commitment to community engagement through the arts.

Mi-zi-way first became involved with In Progress in 2006 through programming at Four Directions Charter School. Since then, he has continued to grow as a multimedia artist with the goal of documenting and promoting the music and mission of the Hoka-Hey Singers. Through video, photography, and audio storytelling, Mi-zi-way seeks to highlight Native American traditions while creating platforms that generate meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities.

A seasoned powwow singer, Mi-zi-way has performed across the United States, in parts of Canada, and internationally in Ireland. His media experience includes a documentary internship with MIGIZI Communications and Minneapolis Community and Technical College, as well as audio/video production work with the Native Culture Language Arts Network (Native CLAN). He developed and launched the Native CLAN podcast and coordinated virtual events such as Drum & Dance and Family Fun Nights to preserve and share Indigenous knowledge and practices.

Today, Mi-zi-way leads efforts through Hoka-Hey to foster cultural education and creative expression. Events like Hoka-Hey Community Drum & Dance and Hoka-Hey in the Streets bring traditional music into public spaces, creating intergenerational and intercultural connections. Looking ahead, he hopes to produce a Hoka-Hey vlog series, an original album, and a community-centered podcast that documents their work and voices.

QUALIfiCATIONS

Mi-zi-way has hands-on experience with basic audio and photography setups including microphones, mixers, cables, lighting, and tripods. He is proficient in software applications such as Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, OBS, and Blender. His skills span audio mixing and mastering, video editing, and digital media production, all grounded in a deep commitment to Indigenous storytelling and community service.

Skills

  • basic audio and photography set-up: microphone, cables, mixer, lighting, tripods, Photoshop mix, and mastering/editing

  • ProTools, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Davinci Resolve, Photoshop, OBS, and Blender

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