Serving the Eastern Upper Peninsula

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BAY MILLS NEWS

Serving the Eastern Upper Peninsula

“Gnoozhekaaning Bidajimowin”

July 2022

Four Seasons Market & Deli partners with local farms

By Shannon Jones

Bay Mills News

BRIMLEY — Four Seasons Market

& Deli, owned by Bay Mills Indian

Community, has begun purchasing beef

from Bay Mills Community College’s

Waishkey Bay Farm to sell to the general public.

The decision to stock local meat

products comes after a months-long

planning process between the tribal enterprise and the tribal college.

In March of this year, staff from Four

Seasons Market met with Waishkey Bay

Farm Manager Kat Jacques about a partnership to offer local beef in the market.

A short time later, Four Seasons’ Retail

Manager Justin LeBlanc was approached by another local farm,

Mikolowski Farms, who works with

Waishkey Bay Farm to raise and sell

pigs.

“We got invited out to the farm and

of course we took them up on the offer

for providing pork to the market as

well,” said LeBlanc. “During our visit

we could tell how much hard work and

heart they put into raising these animals.

We are very excited for this chance at

bringing local meat and produce to our

community.”

Waishkey Bay Farm sends their beef

to USDA inspected meat processor. This

allows them to sell to institutional purchasers (grocery stores, etc.) or to

USDA funded meal programs.

In the past, the farm offered the herdshare program to community members

as a way to source households with local

beef. That program will continue.

“Waishkey Bay Farm will continue

offering our herd-share program for

years to come. With additional acreage

purchased by BMCC in 2020, we plan

to grow our infrastructure, herd and capacity to make more herd-shares available in addition to supplying (a portion

of) beef for Four Seasons,” said

Jacques.

As part of the BMCC Land Grant

Department, theWaishkey Bay Farm is

an education, research, and extension

farm.

“We have dual goals of providing

agricultural education throughout the

lifespan and supporting healthy food access in our community,” added Jacques.

“Growing our farm capacity to this point

has been years in the making and

BMCC is grateful to all staff and partners past and present who have and continue to help us move towards those

goals. We have a long way to go to fully

reach our goals for providing healthy

local food in the community and the college looks forward to the path ahead.”

Waishkey Bay Farm has been accepted into the Intertribal Agriculture

Council American Indian Foods Program which means their products will

have the "Produced by American Indians" trademark stamp.

“The Waishkey Bay Farm and

BMCC are proud to offer locally grown

beef to the Tribe’s grocery store. We

look forward to the continued partnership with Four Seasons Market & Deli,”

said BMCC President Duane Bedell.

“We are looking forward to growing our

partnership by offering more Waishkey

Bay Farm products in the future. Farm

Manager Kat Jacques and her staff

worked hard to make this possibility a

Comment period for state wolf management plan closes on Aug. 4

Michigan’s wolf management plan – created in

2008 and updated in 2015 – is being updated this

year, using public input to identify prominent issues,

assess public attitudes and review the biological and

social science surrounding wolves.

Those interested in sharing feedback about the

Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ newest

draft of the state’s wolf management plan are invited

to complete an online questionnaire, available

through Aug. 4.

The draft 2022 plan has four principal goals:

• Maintain a viable wolf population.

• Facilitate wolf-related benefits.

• Minimize wolf-related conflicts.

• Conduct science-based and socially responsible

management of wolves.

Michigan’s wolf management plan has guided

oversight of this species in the state for the last 13

years. The 2022 update will include recent scientific

literature, input from the Wolf Management Advisory Council and results of a new public survey

about wolves in Michigan.

"Now that we have written a draft of the updated

2022 wolf management plan, it’s important that we

gather feedback from the public to ensure the

changes we’re proposing will support the long-term

presence of a viable wolf population in Michigan,

while addressing the needs of those with an interest

in the health and viability of the state’s wolf population,” said Cody Norton, DNR large carnivore specialist.

Bay Mills Indian Community provided official

comments on an initial draft and encourages all citizens to participate. BMIC’s submission can be

viewed online at www.baymills.org.

Michigan’s gray wolf population was almost elim-

inated by the mid-1970s. Today, Michigan has a wolf

population close to 700 in the Upper Peninsula. Gray

wolves in Michigan were again removed from the

federal endangered species list in early 2021, but a

federal court decision in February 2022 returned

them to federal protections.

The online questionnaire will accept comments

through Aug. 4 and the link is available online at the

Bay

Mills

Indian

Community

website,

www.baymills.org.

Farmer’s Market kicks off the season on July 28

BAY MILLS — The Brimley-Bay Mills Farmer’s Market will kick off its seventh season on Thursday, July 28,

from 4 - 7 p.m.

The market will take place, rain or shine, at the Market Pavilion, located at 11644 Plantation Road in Brimley.

What started out with only a handful of vendors has grown exponentially.

“We started out with five vendors. Three years later we had an average of 25 vendors,” said Market Master

Connie Watson. “While COVID required us to limit our vendors to 15, this year we are back in full swing. We already have 20 vendors signed up for the 2022 market.”

Vendors offer a variety of products, including local vegetables, fruit, beef, pork, eggs, honey, maple syrup,

breads and other baked goods, local art and crafts.

Even with limited vendors last year, the market saw a record night in 2021 with 332 shoppers in one evening.

On average, 300 people stop by the market each week, a combination of both locals and tourists.

Vendors follow the Jibaakwann Production Ordinance of Bay Mills Indian Community’s Cottage Food Law,

which was established in 2019.

“We sell products that are produced or prepared in a traditionally safe manner,” said Watson.

The Brimley-Bay Mills Market is the only market in Chippewa Country that accepts the Michigan Bridge Card

and P-EBT. We also accept Senior Market Fresh and WIC coupons, Food is Medicine Vouchers, and Bay Mills

Prescription for Health Market Coupons.

The EUPISD provides food navigators for each market promoting SNAP education and the Michigan Bridge

Card. They have provided sample food product made from items available at the market. Kat Jacques, Waishkey

Bay Farm manager, is also a market master. The market is a member of the Michigan Farmers Market Association.

The market is open every Thursday from July 28 until Oct. 27.

Page 2

Soo Locks begins Phase 3 construction on new lock

SAULT STE. MARIE — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District anticipates Phase 3 construction will

start this summer with the $1.068 billion of the New Lock

at the Soo Phase 3 contract.

Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC, a joint venture headquartered in Westerville, Ohio will begin constructing the

largest phase, the new lock chamber and rehabilitation of

the downstream approach walls. This contract allows the

contractor to begin work. With continued funding, the remaining work, valued at $803.95 million may be awarded

over the next three years. Corps of Engineers officials expect Phase 3 construction to take seven years.

“The Corps of Engineers looks forward to beginning

construction on the new lock chamber later this summer,

and we continue to work hard to maintain the pace and continue to make progress toward New Lock at the Soo total

project completion in summer 2030,” said New Lock at the

Soo Project Manager Mollie Mahoney.

With Phase 1 nearly complete and Phase 2 scheduled for

completion in summer 2024, the third construction phase is

a big milestone for the project. A major cost increase led to

a five-month contract award delay while the Corps of Engineers developed necessary reports to deliver a new cost

estimate for reauthorization to Congress. The cost increase

root causes are changing market conditions, inflation, a nationwide labor shortage, design modifications and early estimate assumptions.

The changes in cost since the project’s authorization in

America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 are, First Cost

changed from $922 million to $2.932 billion, and the Project

Fully Funded Cost changed from $1.031 billion to $3.189

billion. The Project First Cost is for project authorization

use and calculated in today’s dollars. The Project Fully

Funded Cost allows for escalation through the construction

mid-point and anticipates what the project will cost.

“We recognize funding a larger amount for the New

Lock at the Soo is a challenge that could potentially result

in schedule impacts,” said Deputy District Engineer Kevin

McDaniels. “The Corps of Engineers is partnering with industry and federal agencies to find collaborative solutions

aimed at addressing the cost impacts to Corps of Engineers

programs and projects nationwide.”

The project’s first phase to deepen the upstream channel

began in spring of 2020 and is substantially complete with

punch-list items and final cleanup remaining. The project’s

second phase to rehabilitate the upstream approach walls

began in spring of 2021 and is scheduled to be complete

summer of 2024.

The Soo Locks are situated on the St. Mary’s River at

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and allow vessels to transit the

21-foot elevation change at the St. Marys Falls Canal. Over

88 percent of commodity tonnage through the Soo Locks

is restricted by vessel size to the Poe Lock. This new lock

project will construct a second Poe-sized lock (110’ by

1,200’) on the existing decommissioned Davis and Sabin

locks site.

A 2015 Department of Homeland Security study estimates a six-month Poe Lock closure would temporarily reduce the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by $1.1 trillion,

resulting in the loss of 11 million jobs. This Great Lakes

Navigation System critical node is essential to U.S. manufacturing and National Security according to the study.

For more information about the New Lock at the Soo

project,

visit

our

website:

https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/About/Highlighted-Projects/New_Soo_Lock/

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Call Us!

1-866-967-BMCC(2622)

Visit Us!

www.BMCC.edu

Bay Mills Community College

12214 W Lakeshore Dr. Brimley, MI 49715 • www.BMCC.edu • 1-866-967-BMCC (2622)

Bay Mills Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission • hlcommission.org and

participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) • nc-sara.org

Page 3

Executive Council discusses business at regular meetings

July 11, 2022

Council Reports

President Whitney Gravelle

— The fireworks were held on July 9 due to weather issues. The crew did a great

job. No injuries reported. People were really impressed with the show.

— General Tribal Council is scheduled for July 20, 6 p.m. We will discuss casino

expansion and Riverview Campground area.

— Met with grants department for road improvement opportunities. Money

would come from Build Back Better bill.

— Shoreline erosion team met with EPA to discuss next steps. Some legal issues

being worked out. Will move forward. Preliminary estimates could cost $7-13

million.

— Met with legal department regarding recent Supreme Court decisions. We are

continuing to watch, research. Legal experts from across Indian Country do not

know what the impact will be regarding crimes in Indian Country.

— Line 5: Work continues in a variety of aspects. Will keep moving forward.

— 2020 Consent Decree negotiations meeting held end of last month. Conservation Committee met to discuss negotiations. It is the hope that attorneys will complete a draft after this four year process and bring to the table in the near future.

Tribal Manager Rachel Lyons

— Monthly grants meeting held. New grants compliance officer is Lonnie

LeBlanc.

— Met with BIA to discuss various roads projects and funding.

— Met with BIA staff for a discussion of leasing cost recovery.

— Elders meeting held. Joan Jerman is drafting policies and procedures for the

department.

— Court and commodities expansion process discussed. Commodities to be done

by September 2023. Court will be a two part process.

— Boys & Girls Club build check-in held. Will open on Wednesday.

— Working on collaboration with Forest Service about management.

— Asst. Health & Human Services Director position offered and accepted by

Lucy Dewildt.

— Interviewed for Grants Coordinator, position has been offered to an individual.

— July Governmental Employees of the Month Selected: Laura Baragwanath

and Crystal Zimmerman. Monthly governmental employee newsletter to be sent

out.

— Posted for a victim services coordinator.

Chief Financial Officer Albert Bertram

— Working on new accounting system.

— Accounting meeting will be held to get feedback for new system.

— Received some insurance funds from fire.

— AOT: looking to tie their building into the main sewer line.

— Still working on audits.

— Working on the accounting manual.

— Looking at accounting processes for Northern Light.

Health Director Audrey Breakie

— COVID update: 4 active tribal cases on the reservation as of last Friday. The

county had 38 active cases. Two more deaths were associated with COVID. We

are still vaccinating and testing here.

— Brimley Area Schools: Held a meeting about services in the school and funding. Brimley has some funding for school nurse for upcoming year. We have

drawn up some plans for remodeling so we could provide better service in that

space. We will release an RFP for that project.

— Pharmacy drive-thru you have to get out of car to get medicines. There is an

issue with asphalt, repaving must be redone. This is at the expense of the developer.

— 204 E. Portage contractor in place. City of Sault Ste. Marie Beautification

policy requires landscaping ordinance if building is completely torn down. We

are trying to find answers about that.

— All applicants did a great job in the interviews for assistant health director position.

— Tribal Action Plan has been submitted for review. It is on the agenda for approval today.

— New health center building is getting an appraisal.

— Health Director’s quarterly meeting is being held this week.

— Working on annual HRSA application.

— Indian Health Service will be having consultation with tribe on July 20. Long

term care funds to be part of the discussion.

Bay Mills Gaming Authority General Manager Richard LeBlanc

— Been working on estimates for the resort property. Back Bay roof is a project

that will be addressed. Parking lot concerns to be addressed as well once quotes

are received.

— Working to complete the sports book venue. We hope to complete by September.

— Front desk reservation issue still being dealt with. Hope to get trained on new

system in next week.

— Sound system has been reconnected after fire damage.

Bay Mills Business Holdings General Manager Kimmi Walden

— Worked with retail and NLCC managers. Have begun procedure processes to

meet needs of accounting department.

— Met with marijuana commission about how they want communications to go.

— Grow operation should be done end of July and ready to go.

— Bay Mart tank replacement- working for an October shutdown. Will know

more in the future.

New Business

1. Resolution No. 22-07-11A: Waiver of Sovereign Immunity – Whitener Group.

This is for training to be held Approved.

2. Approval of the Bay Mills Tribal Action Plan FY 2022. Approved.

3. Approval of the Solid Waste Management Plan. Looking to get funding for a

waste transfer station, plan required some changes from original. Will apply to

Indian Health Service. Approved.

4. Approval to Submit Application for the State Digital Equity Program. National

Telecommunications Funding. No match required. Will be used for a needs assessment regarding broadband access. Approved.

5. Lease Cancellation – Marilyn Yon. Tabled until next meeting because resolution is not prepared.

6. Gaming Waiver: Individual is not present online. Tabled until next meeting.

7. Reaffirmation of Poll Vote: Approved.

- Removal and Declaration of Vacancies for Utility Board

Tribal Member Comment

— Question about reactivating Elder’s Committee. Update will be given next

meeting.

— Will Elder trips be made available again in the future? This is something to

be discussed. Bingo was mentioned as well, will be discussed.

Actions taken at the June 27th Executive Council meeting

1.Resolution No. 22-06-27A: Establishment of Two Spirit Committee. Conversation took place amongst council. In honor of Pride Month we would like to

form this committee. They would offer guidance on how to make BMIC a more

inclusive environment. Approved.

2. Resolution No. 22-06-27B:Acceptance of Funds for the Bureau of Indian Affairs FY2022 Tribal Youth Initiative Funding- $40,000. Funding is to provide

natural resources programming to Boys & Girls Club. Approved.

3. Resolution No. 22-06-27-C: Waiver of Sovereign Immunity – Michigan Dept.

of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and Materials Management Division.

Approved.

4. Approval to Submit Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging (UPCAP) for the

FY 2023-2025 Services for Older Adults Contracts & Grant Application. This is

for transportation, nutrition services, in-home care assistance and homemaker

aid. Application is due in August. Some services require a match.

5. Approval to submit Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Policy

and Planning- 2023 Grant Application. Annual application. Approved.

6. Approval to release Tribal Citizen Youth Information to Boys & Girls Club of

Bay Mills. Approved.

7. Health Center Policies: Approved.

— Risk Management Plan

— 2022 Quality Improvement Plan

— #7 Referrals Tracking

— #2004 Acknowledgment & Follow Up of normal/abnormal results of diagnostic tests

— #2025 Hospital Admittance

— #2011 Emergency Care

— Annual Summary of Risk Management

8. Raffle License Request- Candice LeBlanc (volleyball) Approved

9. Donation Requests Approved

— Hospice of EUP: $500 sponsorship opportunity for event

— Native American Indigenous Student Organization at MSU Pow Wow of Love

request for donation, $500.

— Brimley Varsity Volleyball Team, NMU Volleyball Camp, $1100

— Walt Lyons, getting Driver Education Certification Training. Only two trainers

in UP. He has paid majority of cost to offset remaining balance. In return for donation, will give tribal students discount for signing up. $1000 donation, will

give 25 percent discount to BMIC tribal youth that sign up for instruction.

Page 4

OPINION

Make national park

admission free for all

By Peter Funt

For just one day this summer — and

if you’re planning a vacation, it’s Thursday, Aug. 4 — entrance fees are waived

at the 110 national parks that normally

charge admission. These include top

tourist favorites such as the Grand

Canyon, Yellowstone and Zion National

Park, each of which collects $35 per vehicle or $20 per pedestrian.

With so many Americans eager for

post-pandemic travel, but with gasoline

prices damnably high, wouldn’t this be a

great time to give citizens free access to

the parks that they do, after all, own? And

not just on one weekday in August, but

all summer long?

To be clear, the nation’s national parks

need all the money they can get. Most locations have what the Parks Service calls

an “extensive maintenance backlog,”

with repairs and upgrades deferred year

after year. The annual budget for all 423

park properties is a modest $3.5 billion

— and the contribution from entrance

fees is a pittance, totaling less than $250

million a year.

Visits to national parks fell slightly

during the pandemic, but are expected to

surge this summer. While $35 per car

doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s a regressive

fee whose greatest impact is on those

least able to afford it. Waiving admission

fees — at least during this period of economic, medical and emotional stress —

would boost Americans’ spirits while also

stimulating business.

New government figures indicate that

in 2021 park visitors spent $20.5 billion

in communities within 60 miles of the

venues. The lodging sector gained $7 billion while restaurant operators took in

$4.2 billion. It’s estimated that these expenditures directly supported a total of

190,700 full and part-time jobs.

Not surprisingly, half of all visits to

national parks occur at the 25 most popular locations, and that’s where the highest admission prices are charged — with

one notable exception.

The most popular national park, according to 2021 statistics, is Great Smoky

Mountains National Park, stretching

through portions of Tennessee and North

Carolina, with just over 14 million admissions last year. Yet, this spectacular

park charges no entry fee — not because

the Parks Service doesn’t want to, but because a tangle of local and federal laws

prohibits it. The facility manages just

fine, contributing $1.3 billion to the local

economy.

This would seem to confirm the eagerness of Americans to visit a major park if

no fee is required. When fees are

charged, attendance drops dramatically.

The next most popular location is

Zion National Park in southwest Utah,

which had roughly 5 million admissions

last year.

Admission to all national parks is free

for active U.S. military and their dependents as well as for veterans. Fees are also

waived for the disabled. Seniors over age

62 can purchase a $20 annual pass or an

$80 lifetime pass and, in an interesting

educational program, all fourth grade students may enter for free. For the rest of

us, the best deal is an $80 annual pass.

There are only five fully free days

each year. In 2022 the dates are Jan. 17

(MLK Day); April 16 (the start of National Park Week); Aug. 4 (anniversary of

the Great American Outdoors Act); Sept.

24 (National Public Lands Day), and

Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).

I find visiting National Parks not only

breathtaking but also inspirational. If we

really want people to love and appreciate

our country, making it easier for them to

visit its vast natural treasures seems like

a no-brainer.

The tab for annual free admissions

would be under $250 million. By way of

comparison: This year the federal government is spending $250 million on

something called The Restoring Brand

USA Act. Its goal is to attract international visitors and support local tourism

businesses. Sounds like a nifty program.

But I can’t think of a better way to

spend that $250 million than by throwing

open the gates at our national parks and

saying, “Come on in. This land is your

land.”

by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

There is a need to vacay this summer

By Tom Purcell

I sure could use a vacation about now

— but I have no plans to take one this

summer.

That’s the breaks for self-employed

people like me who do not enjoy paidvacation benefits. When I do not work, I

do not get paid.

However, nearly one in four American workers are not taking a summer vacation, either — in part because we’re

the only advanced economy in the world

that doesn’t mandate employer-paid vacations for them.

This is the time each year when I

envy my friends in vacation-rich countries around the world.

In Kuwait, according to Far and

Wide, employees receive 30 days of paid

vacation. When including days off for

religious holidays, employees can enjoy

up to 64 days of paid leave — 13 weeks

off a year.

In France, the government mandates

every employee get at least five weeks

of paid vacation. French workers average 37 days of vacation a year — and 22

paid holidays on top of that.

Austria requires employers to give

their workers 25 days off and 30 days off

to those who have worked 25 years or

more.

The Austrians also require one of the

great job perks of all time: Employees

can clock out at 3 p.m. on Fridays rather

than suffer on until 5 or 5:30 as we

Americans do.

Compare these generous time-off

policies to America, where employees

average about 15 vacation days a year.

We Americans really can’t complain.

We’re world famous for being a nation

of workaholics, even in good times.

In tough economic times such as now,

when costs are soaring and the buying

power of our paychecks is shrinking, we

have to work even harder to keep revenues coming in.

We don’t like our government telling

us or our employers how we ought to

conduct our business or how many vacation days employers must provide.

Our style has been, for the most part,

to favor freedom over mandates of any

kind.

Goodness knows our government has

been so busy handing out goodies to citizens, it’s just a matter of time before the

freedom lovers are overrun by the benefit lovers.

It will be a sad day if that ever hap-

pens. We’ll have a perpetually anemic

economy, and all of us will have to struggle more to find the job opportunities

that’ll bring us happiness and wealth.

That said, we Americans could learn

a thing or two from our vacationing

friends around the world.

“Vacating” from the stresses, responsibilities and worries of our daily lives is

great for our health.

We know we should take off work

and go somewhere with our loved ones

or friends and completely get lost for a

week at a beach or lake.

We know we should find more time

to sit at an outdoor restaurant as the sun

goes down, enjoying good wine, conversation and the delicious foods we never

have time to prepare.

We know we should step off the earth

just for a little while, laugh heartily and

sleep until we are fully rested.

Vacating, or vacation, is good for

each of us — and America. It restores

our equilibrium and helps us become

more productive, civil and poised when

we return to our daily lives.

Ah, heck, I’ve talked myself into it.

I’m going to plan a trip to the ocean

this summer and let its powerful waves

wash my daily worries away — for a day

or two, anyway.

newspaper syndicate.

Tom Purcell, creator of the infotainment site ThurbersTail.com, is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist.

ail him at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

Bay Mills News

12140 W. Lakeshore Drive Brimley, MI 49715

Phone: 9063229820

This publication is owned and operated by Bay Mills Indian Community.

Opinions expressed on this page are those of the relevant contributors.

The next deadline is Thursday, Aug. 11 at 4 p.m.

Submissions may be emailed to: newspaper@baymills.org.

Page 5

Two new faces join Bay Mills Police Department

By Shannon Jones

Bay Mills News

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Police

Department added two new faces to

the force recently.

Thomas Curtis and Amanda

Menominee have completed the police

academy and begun working full time

for Bay Mills Indian Community.

“With the addition of Officer’s Curtis and Menominee, we are at full staff

again with eight officers. Both officers

are currently on the Field Training

Program at this time and we are looking forward to them completing this

and being able to patrol by themselves,” said Police Chief Ron Carrick

Jr.

Curtis attended Pickford Public

School until the 11th grade, and then

went on to graduate from Sault Area

High School. He later attended Bay

Mills Community College, studying

criminal justice.

Prior to joining BMPD in December 2021, he served four years active

duty as a U.S. Marine in the infantry

division, from 2016 to 2020. Once he

left the Marines, he took a position at

the Chippewa County Jail as a correc-

tions officer from 2020-2021. In 2020

he also enlisted in the Army National

Guard, where he is a heavy equipment

operator.

Mackinac County Sheriff ’s Office

makes arrest in cold case from 1997

ST. IGNACE — The Mackinac

County Sheriff’s office has announced an

arrest related to a 1997 cold case.

In 1997, authorities were called to the

scene of infant remains in a vault toilet at

the Garnet Lake Campground in Hudson

Township of Mackinac County. The baby

girl was found on June 26, 1997 and her

cause of death was unknown.

The baby was never identified and

was named “Baby Garnet” by local officials. Community members even raised

the funds for her burial and headstone.

Although an investigation took place, the

case went cold.

During the summer of 2017, investigators from the Mackinac County Sheriff’s office and Michigan State Police- St.

Ignace Post began a review of the case.

In their review of prior reports, investigators opted to use forensic genetic genealogy.

In working with a genealogist and

with the DNA sample, investigators were

able to identify family blood lines. The

genealogist also was able to provide investigators with the name of the brith

mother.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators followed up on the information, and it led to the arrest of a

58-year-old woman living in Wyoming.

Investigators reportedly went to

Wyoming and found “Baby Garnet’s”

birth mother, and a warrant for her arrest

was obtained for homicide –– open murder.

The Sheriff’s Office did not disclose

the mother’s name but said she has been

arrested and was awaiting extradition

back to Michigan.

Curtis saw the opening at BMPD as

something he always wanted to do.

“I always wanted to be a police officer and wanted to serve my commu-

nity,” said Curtis. “I want to make my

community safer. Adjusting to each

call is a learning experience, as each

call is different.”

Menominee was born and raised in

Manistique. She attended Lake Superior State University for criminal justice and recently completed the

MCOLES Academy at LSSU. She previously worked as a student auxiliary

officer at the Public Safety Office at

LSSU.

Her college internship was through

BMPD and she officially joined the

force in January.

“I grew a liking towards the atmosphere and the people. It shortly started

feeling like family and I knew that

BMPD would be the place where I

would feel comfortable starting and

continuing my career,” she said. “I’m

excited to get to know more of the

community and build relationships

with the people that I encounter. I hope

to have a positive impact on others as

I start my career here. I am a Bay Mills

member, but I was not raised in this

area so I’m excited to get back to my

roots.”

Carrick expects field training to be

completed this summer, with the officers patrolling on their own this fall.

Give Your Child a Good Start ...

with Head Start!

The Bay Mills Child Development Center

is currently accepting

applications for the upcoming school year.

For more information, please call

Andrea Shaw or Christel LeBlanc at 248-8700.

Page 6

Michigan Public Service Commission requests

further data regarding Line 5 safety risks

LANSING — On Thursday, July 7, the Michigan Public Service Commission requested additional information concerning the safety risks posed by the

Enbridge Line 5 pipeline segment in the Straits of Mackinac, and its proposed

tunnel replacement.

The existing dual pipelines have been operating illegally in the Straits for

more than a year, and Enbridge seeks to build a replacement for this segment

and encase it in a tunnel beneath the lakebed.

The Commission’s order comes after frontline tribal nations stressed that

continuing to operate Line 5 jeopardizes the health, safety, and livelihoods of

Indigenous communities native to the Great Lakes Basin. Pipeline safety expert

Richard Kuprewicz also underscored to the Commission the increased likelihood of an explosion in the Straits when transporting crude oil through a tunnel, which would have catastrophic impacts to water supply, wildlife, and air

quality.

The Bay Mills Indian Community intervened in the Public Service Commission's review process due to the threats that the tunnel poses to the Tribe's food

and water supply, medicinal plant species, economic livelihood, and treaty

rights. The Tribe has lived along the Straits of Mackinac since time immemorial and retains treaty-protected access for hunting, fishing, and cultural traditions.

“Any decision that may jeopardize the very livelihoods of Tribal Nations

deserves serious and careful consideration,” said BMIC President Whitney

Gravelle. “We are grateful the Commission is examining the serious safety

risks posed by Line 5 and its proposed tunnel replacement. The Straits are the

center of creation for our people, and the construction of a tunnel through this

sacred area endangers our livelihoods, our fisheries, and our culture. Every day

that the Line 5 dual pipelines continue to pump oil and gas through the Great

Lakes amounts to a violation of our treaty-protected rights and an acceleration

of climate change. We must stop the tunnel project and shut down Line 5.”

Earthjustice, in partnership with the Native American Rights Fund, represents BMIC in the tribal nation’s fight to protect the Straits and the Tribe’s

treaty rights throughout waters in Michigan.

“The Line 5 pipeline and the misguided tunnel replacement pose a very real

threat to the health and safety of the Bay Mills Indian Community and all who

live and work in the Great Lakes region,” said Christopher Clark, senior attorney at Earthjustice. “We look forward to presenting the Commission with evidence on the important issues raised in its order. Enbridge’s disastrous safety

track record proves it is too reckless and untrustworthy to continue operations

in the Straits of Mackinac.”

“It is reassuring to know that the Commission is doing its due diligence in

order to accurately consider the impacts, risks, and damages the existing Line

5 oil pipeline and a tunnel would cause for the public, in particular tribal citizens,” said NARF Staff Attorney David L. Gover. “I am hopeful that the Commission will join tribal and state governments in guarding public safety, the

local economy, and the Great Lakes ecosystem from a risky and unnecessary

project.”

LSSU renews tuition agreement with Michigan National Guard

Lake Superior State University recently renewed its time-honored annual tuition agreement with the

Michigan National Guard. The collaboration, now in its 12th year, welcomes active drilling members of the

Michigan Army National Guard and

Michigan Air National Guard to pursue an undergraduate degree at LSSU

at a reduced tuition.

Participants pay $250 per credit

hour, saving more than half of

LSSU’s regular rate of $560 per

credit hour for fall 2022 and spring

2023 and almost one-third the standard price of $373 per credit hour for

winter 2022 and summer 2023. The

compact aligns LSSU tuition with the

allowable amount offered by the National Guard’s federal tuition assistance program.

“We uphold this important tradition again for many reasons. It’s not

only in the best interests of both

Lake Superior State University and

the Michigan National Guard but

also is the patriotic thing to do,” said

LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley. “On a personal level, this alliance means the world to me

because when I served in the Illinois

Army National Guard, I participated

in something similar at Eastern Illinois University. More essentially,

initiatives like this reinforce LSSU’s

community partnerships, which form

a cornerstone of our strategic plan.

Furthermore, Lake State was established in 1946 on the site of a former

Army fort for World War II veterans.

So it’s fitting to continue to give

back to soldiers who take an oath to

serve our country.”

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D.

Rogers, adjutant general of the

Michigan National Guard and director of the Michigan Department of

Military and Veterans Affairs, added,

“These 12 years of partnership between Lake Superior State University

and the Michigan National Guard

have delivered tremendous opportunity for our soldiers and airmen who

selflessly volunteer to serve their

community, state, and nation whenever called upon. I am thrilled to

renew this tuition agreement with

President Hanley and LSSU—their

support offers a more skilled and

highly trained force and is another

example of why Michigan is an ideal

place for veterans and service members to thrive as they pursue their

goals.”

We have a complete line of

building materials and supplies.

Call us today!

906-478-3821 • 906-495-2975 • 1-800-743-3395

Open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

19030 S. Mackinac Trail

P.O. Box 309

Rudyard, Michigan

Page 7

Bay Mills Health Center provides new services to community

By Shannon Jones

Bay Mills News

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Health Center has settled

into their new facility and is moving forward with expanding services to their clients.

The new, $11 million facility, opened in April.

Staff were able to transition into the new facility in

a matter of days, with minimal interruption of services

to the community. This monumental effort included

moving all medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and community health staff into the 34,000

square foot state-of-the art facility.

The expanded square footage is home to a new vision clinic and and will also begin offering mammograms in the near future.

“Bay Mills Vision Clinic provides comprehensive

eye care and up-to-date products for the community.

We want to help you and your family achieve and maintain clear, comfortable vision for years to come,” said

Clinic Director Abby Kaunisto. “We are currently recruiting a technician for the mammography services.”

The dental clinic has expanded and will now have

the ability to perform dental implants, as well as create

dentures and crowns on-site.

New staff at the facility include:

— Rachel Hileman – Behavioral Health, mental

health therapist

— DaeFawn Rajacic, RN – Community Health

Dept, patient health educator/infection control coordinator

– Housekeeping technicians: Benjamin Hyde, Angela Lavergne, and Sharolynn Warner

— London Erber, optician

Bay Mills Health Center moved to their new location in April and held grand opening ceremonies in May.

Above, retired Clinic Director Walt Parish holds the ribbon while BMIC President Whitney Gravelle and

Health Center Director Audrey Breakie cut the ribbon.

— Keith Swendsen, optometric technician

— Dr. Ashley O’Dwyer, optometrist

— Beth Pershinske, dental hygienist

— Kelly Owens, dental assistant

— Alicia Bugg, billing & collections specialist

— Aaron Carrick, receptionist

In total, BMHC employs 105 individuals, including

EMS and social services staff.

“The employees of the BMHC have built a facility

that we hope tribal citizens and patients can be proud

of,” said Health Center Director Audrey Breakie.”We

would not be here without the support of the BMIC and

its elected leaders, and the employees that have worked

here before us.”

The Health Center was recently recognized by the

Indian Health Service with the Director’s Award for

their services offered during the pandemic.

BMHC opened in 1978 and is open to the public.

They currently serve an estimated 3,000 patients per

year.

You can learn more about the health center by visiting their Facebook page.

Page 8

DeWildt hired as assistant health director at Health Center

By Shannon Jones

Bay Mills News

Bay Mills Health Center has hired Lucy DeWildt

to fill the position of assistant health director.

DeWildt is replacing Joshua Hudson, who left the

health center in May to take a position with the Native Organizers Alliance.

DeWildt has been with Bay Mills Pharmacy since

2009. She has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State University. She did her undergraduate work

at Central Michigan University and is a 1999 graduate of Brimley High School.

“While I still have a great love for pharmacy, I

have always been interested in the operations of the

health center as a whole. During the planning of the

new health center and preparation for moving, I was

able to become involved with this process. It allowed

me to work with other departments within the health

center. I enjoyed this process and taking on an expanded role with the health center,” said DeWildt.

“Now that we are in the new health center, it seemed

like a great opportunity to apply for the assistant director position. It would allow me to continue to

work with multiple departments and keep the momentum of health center going in a very positive direction.”

DeWildt added that she is looking forward to the

challenge of the new position and learning more

about the departments that comprise the inner workings of the health center.

Under the general direction of the health and

human services director, the assistant health and

human services director performs extensive administrative, evaluative, and technical work pertaining to

the overall administration of the tribally-operated

health and human services programs. This position

will work with the health director overseeing all

health and human services departments, specifically

community health, behavioral health, administration

support, emergency medical services, and patient support positions. This position will oversee the daily

operations of the Health Center when the health director is unavailable.

“I am excited to see what the future holds for the

health center. We are enjoying being in the new

building and excited for the next step in expanding

our services. We have a lot of upcoming projects on

the near horizon – social services has a few different

big projects they are working on, we are expanding

our role at Brimley Area Schools with our nurse practitioner there. Improving the health and wellness of

our surrounding community and working with such

talented and dedicated employees are huge driving

forces behind the health center’s success.”

New operations manager named by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

SAULT STE. MARIE — The U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has hired LeighAnn Ryckeghem

to the newly named operations manager position at the Soo Locks, effective July 1.

The operations manager, formerly

known as the area engineer, is responsible for overseeing all Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance

activities as well as stakeholder outreach from the Menominee River Watershed in Wisconsin, East across

northern Lake Michigan and Huron to

the St. Mary’s River, then West along

Lake Superior to Munising. The area

of responsibility includes maintenance

of 13 harbors and offshore channels,

maintenance of approximately 70

miles of Federal Navigation Channel

in the St. Mary’s River, and Operation

and Maintenance of the Soo Project

Office which includes Hydropower, a

Class I Visitor Center and the Soo

Locks.

“This position is vital to providing

reliable public service to the maritime

industry, hydroelectric power customers, water resource interests, recreational users and the public,” said

Operations Division Chief Marie

Strum. “The primary responsibilities

include leading all aspects of our mission such as safety, labor relations,

public outreach, human resources,

budgeting, planning, engineering,

scheduling, security, operations, maintenance and managing a workforce of

140 employees.”

Ryckeghem has more than 20 years

of experience in engineering, construction, and management. She has worked

for the Detroit District since 2008

serving in various roles, including

Construction Administration Branch

Chief, Assistant to the Great Lakes

Navigation Team, Value Engineering

Program Manager, Project Management Specialist, and Senior Civil Engineer. Ryckeghem has been with the

Soo Project Office since 2017 initially

serving as Chief of Construction prior

to her promotion to the Maintenance

Branch Chief in November 2018.

Ryckeghem has a Master of Science

in Acquisition and Contract Management from Bellevue University in

Bellevue, Nebraska and a Bachelor of

Science in Civil Engineering from

Wayne State University in Detroit,

Michigan.

“LeighAnn is well-prepared to lead

our team into the future, integrating

our operations and maintenance team

with the exciting activities surrounding New Lock construction,” said

Cindy Jarema, operations & mainte-

nance branch chief and hiring manager

for the position. “She brings insightful

leadership and strategic thinking to the

position.”

“I grew up on the Great Lakes and

had frequent visits to the Soo Locks,

which is where I first learned about the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” Ryckeghem said. “After having experience

in both the private and public sector I

developed a strong appreciation for

public service and was fortunate to be

hired mid-career with the Detroit District. Working at the district provided

me many opportunities to work on

complex navigation projects, one of

which was the Soo Locks. I have a

deep passion for public service with

loyalty to the Great Lakes and the Soo

Locks missions.”

There are many disciplines Ryckeghem will oversee as the operations

manager, from skilled trades, opera-

tors, and marine plant to professional

series such as engineers and program

analysts. Organizationally, the Soo

Project Office consists of an Executive

Branch, Operations Branch, Maintenance Branch, Administrative Section,

Hydropower Section, Lock Operations

Section, Maintenance & Repair Section, Maintenance Engineering Section, and the St. Mary’s River Section.

Ryckeghem says she has strong

support systems – which have helped

contribute to her success. “My family

is very supportive of my career, while

the Corps of Engineers has consistently invested in me with various

training and development opportunities.”

“It is a privilege to serve as the operations manager for the Soo Project

Office. I look forward to continuing to

serve the team, the public and all our

stakeholders,” said Ryckeghem.

Page 9

Boys & Girls Club officially opens new building

On July 14 the Boys & Girls Club of

Bay Mills/Brimley Advisory Council

toured the new Bay Mills Clubhouse,

which officially opened on July 13.

With three new activity rooms,

kitchen, and study room - the new clubhouse serves as an addition to other Boys

& Girls Club sites at Brimley High

School and Sault Middle School, which

together service more than 400 children

across Chippewa County.

BMIC Anishinaabe culture is woven

throughout the facility as a reminder of

the Boys & Girls Club's mission - to celebrate and rejoice in who we are as Indigenous people while embodying

teachings of love, respect, honesty, bravery, humility, truth, and wisdom in everyday activities.

According to the Club kids, the new

building "absolutely rocks bruh!" They

like learning about dinosaurs, dancing,

and the hot dogs. The new clubhouse is

located at 12435 W. Industrial Drive in

Brimley, MI 49715.

A grand opening will be held in the

near future.

The project was funded by an Indian

Community Development Block Grant

from HUD, Bay Mills Indian Community, and Boys & Girls Club of Bay Mills

grant funds.

“An early morning walk is a

blessing for the whole day.”

~Henry David Thoreau

Although Thoreau wrote those words more than 150 years

ago, modern science suggests that he was onto something:

Moving your body outside makes you healthier.

Exposure to nature not only has a positive impact on emotional

well-being, but can help improve sleep and reduce blood

pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and

the production of stress hormones.

So enjoy some nature walks in our beautiful

community this summer!

PSA courtesy of Bay Mills Health Center’s Special Diabetes Program for Indians Grant

Page 10

Northern Light Cannabis prepares to launch grow operation

By Shannon Jones

Bay Mills News

BAY MILLS —Less than two years

after opening, Bay Mills Indian Community is preparing to launch their

grow operation at Northern Light

Cannabis Company. Construction on

the grow building is on schedule to be

completed by the end of the summer,

with operations expected to be in full

swing shortly after.

NLCC, the state’s first triballyowned provisioning center in Michigan, will be vertically integrated with

the first harvest from seed to sale operation before the years end. The grow

includes three, 17’ x 60’ flowering

rooms, utilizing vertical racking systems accompanied by Airtech environmental controls.

Cultivation Manager Sean Dyament

joined the NLCC staff in March from

local company, Indigenous Farms.

“We are so excited about the opportunity for our grow to be vertically integrated, and test out new craft

genetics,” says Dyament. “Our rooms

are huge. We’ve got 72 lights in each

room. It’s such a big open floor space

and we’ve fully utilized the height of

the place, setting up levels of growing

with vertical racking system. Instead of

growing on the floor, we set up two stories of grows in each room.”

NLCC will have their products

available after they harvest, trim, cure

and package — likely after the first of

the year. The NLCC team is has been

gearing up for this moment and is looking forward to the product launch.

“We take pride in our high-quality

products, creating custom strains that

can only be found at NLCC. Our mission is to provide Michigan with the

highest-grade custom craft cannabis

and bring the best flowers, concentrates, and edibles to our customers,”

said Dyament.

The grow operation is just one

change taking place at NLCC. As

Michigan’s recreational cannabis sales

steadily rise, NLCC is working to differentiate themselves from competition

with consumption-friendly events.

The Bay Mills Marijuana Commission oversees operations at NLCC, and

most recently, the Commission approved on-site consumption events. On

Fridays, the lounge is available for

cannabis consumption from 12-8 p.m.,

and this opportunity is often coupled

with other opportunities for the community such as yoga and massage.

Keep your address current in your

Social Security account

By Vonda Van Til

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

If you receive Social Security benefits, the easiest way to change your address and phone number is by creating a

personal my Social Security account at

www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you create your account, you can update your

contact information from your preferred

location. This feature is available for

people who receive retirement, survivors,

or disability benefits, along with

Medicare enrollees. If you receive Supplemental Security Income, you can

check the address that we have on record

with your account.

Visit the my Social Security webpage

to get started. To create an account, you

must:

• be at least 18 years old.

• Provide a valid email address.

• Have a Social Security number

(SSN).

• Provide a U.S. mailing address (includes

military

addresses,

APO/FPO/DPO, AE, AP, or AA).

Once you have a valid email address,

you are ready to create your personal my

Social Security account. When you visit

my Social Security, select the “Create an

Account” button. You will have the option to create your new my Social Security account with one of our two

credential partners: Login.gov or ID.me.

• Login.gov is the public’s one account

for simple, secure, and private access to

participating U.S. government agencies.

• ID.me is a single sign-on provider that

meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements.

Please note, if you already have a

either one and access your personal my

Social Security account. If you previously verified your identity with

do so again. If you don’t have a

the one-time registration process.

If you create a new Login.gov credential, we will still complete the

identity verification part, so you will

need to provide some personal information to us. You will also receive an activation code from us to complete the

process.

Remember, you can do much of your

business

with

online

www.ssa.gov/onlineservices.

Vonda Van Til is the Public Affairs

Specialist for West Michigan. You

can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand

Rapids MI 49525 or via email at

vonda.vantil@ssa.gov

All staff at NLCC are Leafly certified in the art and science of cannabis,

continually improving their education

to meet the needs of their customers.

Director of Store Operations,

Stephanie Roose, believes education is

one of the keys to success in the

cannabis industry.

“Education is key to breaking the

stigma. This is one of the major areas

in which we set ourselves apart. We are

the first local provisioning center to

offer full terpene testing on every

strain, available on every receipt via

QR code. Plus, we’ve partnered with

Leafly on educational materials that go

beyond the basics,” said Roose. “This

is more than just purchasing cannabis;

we strive to make every transaction an

unforgettable experience. You have

peace of mind knowing our array of

products are tested and safe for you to

enjoy.”

You can learn more about NLCC

and upcoming events at NorthernLightCannabis.com.

Michigan Veterans Facility Authority

announces board seat openings

LANSING— The Michigan Veterans Facility Authority, a nine-member

board that governs Michigan Veteran

Homes, is looking to fill two seats on

the board as soon as possible. Board

members will serve a four-year term.

“We are looking for candidates that

have professional knowledge, skill or

experience in long-term care, healthcare licensure, finance or medicine,”

said David Henry, chair of the MVFA

Board. “Our ideal candidate is a veteran or veteran advocate with healthcare experience. They can be based

anywhere in Michigan but with the recent addition of our Macomb County

home, we would love to have more

representation on our board from the

east side of Michigan.”

For information related to the

MVFA Board, visit Michigan Veterans

Facility Authority - About. If you are

interested in serving on the board,

complete an application for appointment here: Board or Commission Application. If you have questions about

the board or application process, please

contact Beth Simonton-Kramer at 616498-5357 or simontonkramerb@michigan.gov.

Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) is

the administrative entity that operates

the state’s veteran homes on behalf of

the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority (MVFA) and is a branch of the

Michigan Department of Military and

Veterans Affairs (DMVA). MVH

strives to ensure that quality long-term

care is provided to the veterans and

their eligible family members that live

within the Homes. High quality care

for this phase of life is central to the

“member for life” concept that DMVA

embraces. The MVH operates the

Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand

Rapids (MVHGR), the Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti (MVHDJJ)

in Marquette and the new Michigan

Veteran Homes at Chesterfield Township (MVHCT). For more information,

please

visit:

https://www.michigan.gov/mvh.

Page 11

Walking On

Linda Alice Bowen

Linda Alice Bowen, 81, of Brimley, Mich. passed away Friday afternoon, July 1, 2022, at My Michigan Medical Center in

Sault Ste. Marie.

Linda was born in Bay City, Mich. on Sept. 25, 1940, the daughter of the late Arnett and Alice (Marsh) Tinsley. She graduated

from Brimley High School with the class of 1958. On Oct. 4, 1973, she married George E. Bowen, Sr. in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

She was an avid reader and even when her eyes no longer allowed it, she listened to audio books. She enjoyed playing games,

cards, honors, phase10, skip-Bo, cribbage and especially loved beating people at these games but more than that enjoyed the

people that played with her. She attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church for years. Her greatest joy was taking care of her

grandchildren. She loved the "littles".

Linda is survived by her children: George Bowen, Jr, Perri (Arthur) Cooper of Sault Ste Marie, Robin (Fred) Farris of Bradley,

SD, Jill Dorsett of Denton TX, Honesty Willis, Jesse (Lori) Bowen, and Noah (Marilyn) Bowen all of Bay Mills; a son-in-law:

Terry Sebastian of Sugar Island, 18 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren and one great-grandchild as well as many nieces

and nephews. Linda is also survived by two siblings: Demaris (Alex) Richardson of Newberry and John (Barb) Carlisle of Brimley.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: George Bowen Sr, a daughter: Mindy Sebastian; two grandchildren,

Billy Cameron and Jessi Dorsett, brothers Samuel Carlisle, Tim Tinsley, and sister Marsha Wiser.

Services have taken place with interment at Mission Hill Cemetery.

Fewer whitefish are growing into adults say researchers

By KURT WILLIAMS

Capital News Service

LANSING — Three men pull a fat-tired wagon filled with scientific equipment through

the sand of Muskegon’s Pere Marquette beach. Dressed in layers against the late spring

cold, their camo-print chest waders lend a rocking character to their gait not typical of

beachgoers.

“It’s one of the most fun things we get to do in our jobs,” said Steve Pothoven, a fishery

biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes

Environmental Research Laboratory in Muskegon.

Pothoven and fellow researchers Jeff Elliott and Aaron Dunnuck work beaches along

Lake Michigan in May and June, studying how well young lake whitefish grow to be

adults.

Lake whitefish in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have a recruitment problem.

Since the early 2000s, fewer young whitefish have been making it to adulthood. Fewer

adults mean fewer fish for commercial fishers to catch.

“We just don’t know a whole lot about these fish and what supports them early in their

life,” said Pothoven.

They study the problem at familiar and popular beaches – places like Pere Marquette

and Grand Haven State Park.

They get to work.

Dunnuck hits the water. Walking straight into the lake, he drags 150 feet of seine net

weighted on the bottom, the water rising to his chest. Turning left, he walks parallel to

shore, the net unfurling, forming a crescent as he returns to shore. He and Elliot pull in the

net, gathering up any fish in its path.

On shore they open the net to assess their haul.

On this day it’s scant.

A few small silvery fish – what most people would call “minnows” – lay in the net.

They rapidly identify and count all the fish, keeping the whitefish and tossing the rest

back.

Dunnuck heads back into the water with a small net on a pole with a small jar on the

end to sweep through the water. He’s collecting zooplankton – baby lake whitefish food –

to see what’s out there for them to eat.

Back at the NOAA lab, Elliott looks at the zooplankton under a microscope, identifying

the tiny animals based on differences in their otherworldly bodies. He’ll open the stomachs

of the young whitefish to compare what they’re eating with what’s living in the water.

Understanding the decline of lake whitefish recruitment is important as fishery managers and regulators approach the deadline to update a 2000 consent decree regulating

recreational and commercial fishing in lakes Huron and Michigan.

Prized for its mild flavor, finding whitefish on the menu of local restaurants is an important part of the “Up North” experience for summer tourists.

Lake whitefish compose 95% of sales of commercially caught fish in Michigan, with

a dockside value of just over $4 million, Sea Grant, Michigan reported in 2020.

For members of tribal communities, lake whitefish are much more than a source of income. The fish have been integral to their diet and culture for thousands of years.

Understanding why young lake whitefish struggle across much of the Great Lakes is a

major focus of fisheries research by the state and tribes.

“You have to remember, 99.9% of all fish eggs laid, die,” said Mark Ebener, a fishery

biologist who worked 37 years for two inter-tribal Great Lakes organizations. He is the

lead author of a 2021 review addressing declining recruitment in lake whitefish published

by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Most of the evidence for poor lake whitefish recruitment points to one culprit: invasive

mussels.

The premise is that quagga mussels have fundamentally changed how energy flows

through the system, dramatically reducing zooplankton in nearshore waters, Ebener said.

Zooplankton are the primary food source for baby lake whitefish.

The timing of the mussels’ arrival and the drop in lake whitefish recruitment is likely

more than mere coincidence.

“Yeah, certainly, we think that’s one of the primary causes of the decline in whitefish

recruitment – the lack of zooplankton,” Ebener said.

With so many people fond of a fish struggling so mightily to hold its own, a key question

for negotiators is how many can be harvested each year if fewer are reaching adulthood?

It takes more time now for lake whitefish to become large enough to be caught commercially and old enough to reproduce the next generation.

“It used to just be two to three years and they’d be in the fishery, probably reproducing,”

said NOAA’s Pothoven.

Because of the mussel’s impact on the base of the food web, now it takes at least five

years, and perhaps up to seven or more, he said.

“They don’t grow like they used to.”

Pothoven and a team are trying to understand the early life history of lake whitefish.

The team is led by Kevin Donner, the Great Lakes Fisheries program manager of the

Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in Harbor Springs,.

“For us, when we started this in 2013, whitefish were already in decline, but we didn’t

know how much,” Donner said.

Predicting the future is always dicey.

A major concern is that by the time they collect information on fish big enough to be

commercially caught, six or seven years may have passed without anyone knowing there

might be problems that began while the fish were babies. Nobody was looking.

“So, if something bad happens, for example today, let’s say no whitefish are born for

whatever reason, we are going to continue along on our merry little way for seven years

before anyone has enough data to say, ‘Oh God, something’s wrong.’” Donner said.

It could also go the other way.

If the group’s work bears fruit, it might calm nerves and predict better how many are

available for commercial harvest years in advance.

Since 2013, the survey team has sampled beaches in the spring, mostly in the northern

Lower Peninsula.

Lake whitefish spawn in autumn, favoring protective rocky nearshore areas. When eggs

hatch in the spring, the larval whitefish survive off a yolk sac, a pouch coming off their

bellies filled with fats and other goodies, until they’ve grown enough to hunt on their own.

When this happens, they venture into open waters, many choosing the seemingly barren

environment found on sandy beaches favored by people.

“Most people wouldn’t even know that larval whitefish exist right around their ankles

just before they’re comfortable swimming in the lake,” Donner said.

There are places in the Great Lakes where baby lake whitefish do much better.

Ebener said, “Lower Green Bay is still good, Saginaw Bay is good, the north channel

of Lake Huron is good, Lake Superior is still good. The problems are in the open waters

of the main basin in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Ontario.”

In areas where lake whitefish do best, mussels don’t have the stranglehold they do in

the open waters of lakes Michigan and Huron.

It’s always been risky to be a baby lake whitefish. Improving their odds for survival

even a little bit can pay off significantly, Ebener said.

If 99.995% of fish eggs don’t survive, even a miniscule bump in baby fish surviving

can be very important to the species, he said.

“It’s a numbers game.”

Kurt Williams writes for Great Lakes Echo.

Page 12

Brimley comes out in full force for July 4th parade despite rain

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Bay Mills Pow Wow announces competition results

The 2022 Bay Mills Indian

Community Honoring Our

Veterans Pow Wow took

place from June 24th- June

June 26th. Here are the winners from the event:

Drum Competition

1. Young Enemy

2. Crazy Spirit

3. Eagle Flight

4. Little Thunder

Golden Age Women

1. Terri Webster

2. Vickie Hindsley

3. Punkin Shawanaquit

4. Faith Carmona-Pego

Golden Age Men

1. Walker Stonefish

2. Tim Recollet

3. Amos Pond

4. Gerald Garrow

Adult Women’s Traditional

1. Summer Baldwin

2. Ashley Rave

3. Aaliyah Webster

4. Brooke Funmaker

Adult Women's Fancy

1. Beedoskah Stonefish

2. Valerie Campbell

3. Oke-tw’sha Roberts

4. Paige Twardzi

Adult Women's Jingle

1. Waskwane Stonefish

2. Shay Schulyer

3. Kianna White

4. Sonja Bellew

Adult Mens Traditional

1. Zach Antoine-Jackson

2. Naakwam Shawanda

3. DJ Scott

4. Noodin Shawanda

2. Anyssa Miles

3. Alexia Hall-Pine

Teen Boy's Traditional

1. Gegek Webkamigad

2. Elliot Penass

Teen Boy's Grass

1. William Temoke Jr.

2. Dasan Smith

3. Griffin Sands

Adult Men's Grass

1. Desmond Madera

2. Miisheen Shawanda

3. Quincey Antoine Jackson

4. Cortes Osborne

Teen Boy's Fancy

1. Wiingashk Shawana

Adult Men's Fancy

1. Ascension Harjo

2. Floyd Silas III

3. Tyrone Shawana

4. Liam Sands

Junior Girls' Jingle

1. Nalani Hopps

2. Ivey Sands

3. Shania Stumblingbear

Teen Girl's Traditional

1. Cypress Deleary

2. Miah Perez

3. Aanimikwan Trudeau

Teen Girl's Jingle

1. Kayla Dreaver

2. Juniper Deleary

3. Aubrie Fay Trudeau

Teen Girls' Fancy

1. Kyla Henry

Juniors Girl's Traditional

1. Violet Pyawasit

Junior Girl's Fancy

1. Kendraya Teeple

2. Sofia Manzano

3. Waabin Pyawasit

Junior Boy's Traditional

1. Blake Funmaker

2. Gunner Stevens

Junior Boy's Grass

1. Diamond Temoke

2. Eyabay Wemigwans

3. Brody Funmaker

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Crews to survey local streams to find lamprey

The continuing battle against sea lampreys soon will

come to locations in the local area. A U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service assessment crew will conduct work on

Pendills, Grants, Halfaday, Ankadosh and Roxbury

Creeks (Chippewa County, Michigan) July 19-28,

2022, to estimate the abundance of sea lampreys. The

information gathered will be used to determine the need

for sea lamprey control.

A first step in the control of sea lampreys is to survey

streams tributary to the Great Lakes to determine the

presence of lamprey larvae. Sea lampreys invaded the

Great Lakes during the 1920s and have been a permanent, destructive element of the fishery ever since. Sea

lampreys attach to fish with a suction cup mouth, rasp

a hole though the fish’s scales and skin, and feed on

blood and body fluids. The average sea lamprey will

destroy up to 40 lbs of fish during its parasitic phase.

Sea lamprey larvae hatch from eggs laid by adult

lampreys in gravel nests, and drift into silty bottom

areas where they burrow and live for several years.

Also, larvae sometimes drift out of streams and settle

in the immediate offshore areas near stream mouths.

Failure to detect and subsequently eliminate larvae allows the lampreys to transform into parasitic adults and

kill Great Lakes fish.

Fishery biologists and technicians conduct surveys

for sea lamprey larvae in hundreds of Great Lakes

streams each year. Most surveys are conducted by electrofishing, but in deep waters crews use Bayluscide

3.2% Granular Sea Lamprey Larvicide, a lampricide

approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory

Agency. This lampricide is specially formulated onto

sand granules and covered with a time-release coating.

The formulation is sprayed over a measured surface

area of water where it sinks to the bottom, rapidly dissolves, and causes the larval sea lampreys to leave their

burrows and swim to the surface where they are collected.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and

Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency

have reviewed human health and environmental safety

data for the lampricides, and in 2003 concluded that

Bayluscide poses no unreasonable risk to the general

population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to detect larval sea lampreys. Applications are conducted in accordance with State of

Michigan permits.

The sea lamprey control program is formulated and

implemented by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission,

in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey. The Commission

initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in 1958.

Since that time the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.

The Commission is committed to delivering a sea

lamprey control program that practices good environmental stewardship. To support the continued safe use

of lampricides the Commission recently conducted a

series of studies at a total cost of $6 million to assess

the effects of the lampricides on human health and the

environment. In addition to these studies the Commission has implemented a research program to develop

alternative control techniques. The Commission also is

developing a strategy to increase the number of barriers

on sea lamprey-producing streams, and is conducting

research into barrier design, traps, attractants, and biological control.

For additional information in the U.S. call 1-800472-9212 and in Canada call 1-800-553-9091. TTY

users may reach the Marquette or Ludington Biological

Stations through the Michigan State Relay Service at

1-800-649-3777.

Vaccinations urged for pets and livestock

From rabies to mosquito-borne illnesses, one visit to a veterinarian can make an impact

LANSING — With the potential for pets and livestock to be exposed to wild

and other domestic animals or bitten by insects (like mosquitoes) that could

carry disease, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

encourages animal owners to talk to their veterinarian about what vaccinations

are needed to best protect their animals, benefiting not only the animals’ health

but also human health.

“While you should always work with your veterinarian to determine what is

best for the health of your animal, vaccines play a critical role in preventing

numerous diseases,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. “Some of these

diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can affect both animals and people. By vaccinating animals, it can keep animals and people healthy.”

For dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, and other animals, a core vaccination they

should have is for rabies. In fact, Michigan law requires dogs and ferrets to be

vaccinated against this disease. Rabies is zoonotic, often fatal, and carried by

certain wildlife species in Michigan. Last year, within the state, there were 48

cases of rabies detected in bats and one case confirmed in a dog. Highly safe

and effective vaccines are available to protect animals against this virus.

There are other important vaccinations available for dogs and cats to help

protect them from diseases common to their species. Dogs can be vaccinated

against a number of serious diseases such as parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. Like rabies, leptospirosis is zoonotic and carried by

some of Michigan’s native wildlife, making the vaccine more of a necessity.

For cats, some of the key vaccines they can receive are for feline leukemia,

panleukopenia, herpes virus, and calicivirus.

Beyond dogs and cats, domestic rabbits can now be vaccinated against rabbit

hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2), an extremely contagious and fatal

virus that affects only rabbits and hares. Even though RHDV2 has not been detected in the state of Michigan, cases of the virus have been found in other U.S.

states and Ontario, Canada. In 2021, a U.S.-based vaccine was developed for

RHDV2, which is a vital tool for protecting Michigan’s domestic rabbits and

keeping the disease out of the state.

Vaccinations are also vital to protecting the health of horses, especially from

several mosquito-borne diseases—such as West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern

Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE). WNV and

EEE are regularly seen in Michigan; and EEE is particularly fatal. In 2021,

seven cases of WNV in horses were discovered, and there were nine confirmed

cases of EEE in horses. For a majority of these detections, the animals were either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, and many of the horses died or were euthanized due to the severity their illness.

It should also be noted one other core vaccine for horses is for tetanus.

While there are many diseases out there that can impact animal health, contacting your veterinarian can help you to determine what vaccinations are best

for your animals and make sure these vaccinations are up to date. One simple

visit can make a big difference in protecting animal and human health.

More information on animal diseases can be found on MDARD’s website.

Also, for more resources on equine diseases (including cases in Michigan),

please visit the Equine Disease Communication Center’s website.

State budget includes $34 million for fish

hatchery upgrades, new research vessel

Fish hatchery infrastructure and maintenance and fisheries survey vessel modernization

efforts will benefit from the state budget recently approved for fiscal year 2023. The budget

includes $30 million for fish hatchery infrastructure improvements and $4 million to replace

an outdated Great Lakes survey vessel – all of which are critical to better supporting and

understanding Michigan’s world-class fisheries.

For more than 120 years, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has operated

fish hatcheries to produce fish for stocking lakes and streams across Michigan. Today, there

are six hatchery facilities – in Alanson, Beulah, Harrietta, Manistique, Marquette and Mattawan – vital to managing and maintaining the state’s fisheries. At 20 years old, Oden State

Fish Hatchery is the newest facility, with the others ranging from 40 to over 50 years old.

Though staff have done their best to keep operations running and fish thriving, the aging

facilities have developed a large backlog of critical infrastructure maintenance needs.

With the $30 million investment in hatcheries, the DNR will upgrade production water

supplies, replace roofs, upgrade outdated electrical distribution systems, repair and replace

deteriorating asphalt, upgrade water aeration systems, replace outdated backup power generators and provide biosecurity enhancements that better protect fish health.

“Upgrading electrical distribution systems, replacing outdated backup power supplies

and improving water supplies would all reduce the likelihood of catastrophic fish loss and

increase our ability to manage disease issues,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger.

One such targeted biosecurity enhancement is the construction of a dedicated cool-water

facility at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, in Mattawan. Currently, walleyes hatched at

this hatchery are incubated in the same building where steelhead and Chinook salmon production occurs, and that creates significant biosecurity vulnerability for both groups of fish.

The proposed, new facility would include a production building with an incubation area

for hatching of walleye and muskellunge eggs, a tank room for early rearing of muskellunge, an egg receiving room for disinfection of incoming eggs, and equipment for heating

and chilling of water for more efficient hatching management.

The remaining $4 million will be used to replace the DNR survey vessel Steelhead,

which has been in operation for 54 years.

Such vessels play a vital role in conducting research and completing surveys of the

Great Lakes. The data collected assists in making sound management decisions, provides

assessment capabilities for Tribal Consent Decree management and supports aquatic invasive species surveillance.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bay Mills Elk Hunting application period

The application period is open. Interested Bay

Mills citizens may apply at the Conservation Office

through Aug. 1st (4 p.m.). The drawing is scheduled for Aug. 3rd, at the Conservation Committee

meeting. For more information, please call (906)

248-8645.

clement weather, power outages, etc.

Lighthouse Tower closure announced

The Point Iroquois Tower will be CLOSED beginning on Monday, July 11, until further notice.

The Tower is getting a much needed paint job. In

the best interest of safety of workers and guests, the

tower will remain closed until the painting is completed.

The Bay Mills Indian Community exhibit will be

open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

and Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m..

The Maritime Exhibit and Gift Shop will be open

on Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Please call 437-5272 if you are wanting to check

the hours before visiting.

Walking path is closed to motorized vehicles

BMIC has developed a pedestrian/bicycle path

connecting both sides of the Reservation. This path

is for pedestrians and bicyclists only, and our existing tribal ordinances prohibit motorized vehicles

from using this path. Signs have been posted. Please

be aware that BMPD has been directed to strictly

enforce this rule along that pathway to protect

walkers, runners, cyclists, and the path itself. If you

ride an ATV, ORV, dirt bike, motorcycle, golf cart,

etc on this path, you should expect to receive a

ticket and pay a fine.

BMIC App Available

You can now head to your Google Play or Apple

App Store and search Bay Mills Indian Community

to download. This mobile app is just another example of various ways our Tribal Nation seeks to improve communication with our tribal citizens,

employees, and community members. It will serve

as a central source of information, services, websites, recreation, and food throughout Bay Mills Indian Community.Furthermore, the mobile app will

also allow for push notifications for important

and/or emergency events, which will alert all individuals who install the app. This may include in-

Have you moved? Update your address!

Bay Mills Tribal Enrollment office asks all tribal

citizens to maintain a current address with their office. An online form can be found at

www.baymills.org.

Looking for events?

Please check out the community calendar on

www.baymills.org for the most up to date listings

of events and cultural workshops. You can send

your events to newspaper@baymills.org as well to

be posted on the calendar.

Join the BMIC Two Spirit Committee

On June 27, 2022 the Bay Mills Executive Council approved Resolution No. 22-06-27A – Establishment of a Two Spirit Committee comprised of five

(5) individuals, both tribal citizens and tribal employees.

Recognizing the month of June as PRIDE month,

and is a time to raise awareness, celebrate and pro-

We are excited to announce that the

Boys & Girls Club of Bay Mills

is back in action!

We are finally in our new building and ready

to fill our new site with happy club members!

You can find our new site at

12435 W. Industrial Dr.

Brimley, MI 49715

Our GRAND OPENING ceremony is coming soon!

A date is still TBD.

For more information contact:

Sandra Walden, Director

(906)248-8575

sawalden@baymills.org

Jennalee Somes, Director of Operations

(906)248-8577

jsomes@baymills.org

Tiffany Elliott, Administrative Specialist

(906)248-8571

telliott@baymills.org

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vide support and advocacy for the Two Spirit and

LGBTQ+ community, and is a time to foster a dialogue to promote a healthy and safe work environment, community and lifestyle for all.

The Two Spirit Committee shall meet no less

than bi-annually to submit recommendations to the

Executive Council to create and foster a more inclusive environment across tribal government and

tribal enterprise operations for our Two Spirit relatives.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and

must be a member of the Bay Mills Indian Community.

If you would like to be considered to fill one of

these vacancies, please submit a letter to:

Bay Mills Executive Council

Attn: Kathi Carrick

12140 W. Lakeshore Drive

Brimley, MI 49715

Tribal Foster Care Information Session planned

The Bay Mills Social Services Department will

be hosting a Tribal Foster Care Information Session

on July 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level of Bay

Mills Community College.

If you are interested in learning about becoming

a foster parent, or the great work the Social Services Department has been doing, please come to this

event.

Community Clean Up Event on Aug. 6

Bay Mills will host a community clean up event

on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This

event is open to the public. Volunteers will meet at

12084 W. Lakeshore Drive. Brimley, MI 49715.

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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.