Entertainer Provides Positive Message At Northside

Entertainer StenJoddi delivered a positive message to students at Northside Elementary School on Thursday, May 19.

StenJoddi, who resides in Iowa, describes himself as a rapper, tattoo artist, actor and motivational speaker.

“Indigenous representation is important especially for our youth,” he explained. “I inspire and motivate them to be the best they can be. Live life to the fullest.”

He noted that some Indigenous individuals don’t have respect in themselves.

“It’s important for them to know that they can be successful on and off the reservation,” StenJoddi said.

His presentation to the students included a mixture of speaking and his rap songs.

“It’s almost all positive,” he said.

He told the students that they can all be heroes.

StenJoddi stressed the importance of community especially for indigenous people. “We all rely on each other,” he said.

He noted that teachers, parents and other family members care about students.

“Community makes us happy, being around each other gives us a good feeling,” he said.

He stressed to students the importance of making good choices. Stenjoddi, 40, said that he went down the wrong path and made bad decisions in his younger years. Those choices resulted in jail time and an addiction to alcohol.

“There’s no good in those types of choices,” StenJoddi said. “There’s nothing good about it.”

He explained to students that a bad lifestyle is a lie.

“There’s no type of life in that,” StenJoddi said. “It won’t do anything but put up in a grave quick or in jail.”