The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2012)

WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Abita-Niibini Giizis - Midsummer Moon - July 2012 Issue 96

KBIC HOLDS SENIOR BANQUET, HONORING GRADUATES

Tribal Council Members:

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

Elizabeth D. Mayo, Vice-President

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

Jerry Lee Curtis, Asst. Secretary

Toni Minton, Treasurer

Robert D. (RD) Curtis, Jr.

Frederick Dakota

Eddy Edwards

Jean Jokinen

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Carole LaPointe

Elizabeth (Chiz) Matthews

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

KBIC’s Baraga Area School Graduates: Left to right (back) Daniel Alexander, Jr., Richard Alexander, Durwyn Chaudier,

Jeffrey Degenaer, Otis Malmgren, Tyler Rasanen, William Ross-Geroux, Kyle Soli, (front) Paige Chosa, Savannah Dakota, Corey Pietila, Rachel Sutherland, Alisha Tilson, and Dustin Teikari.

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Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

KBIC’s L’Anse Area School Graduates: (Left to right) Sierra Ayres, Angelica Bodga, Cody Haataja, and Deena

Misegan.

KBIC’s Community Schools Graduates: (left to right)

LeRoy Gauthier, Shani Shelifoe, and Michael Shalifoe

Richard.

The Keweenaw Bay Tribal Education Committee

held its Annual Senior Banquet on Friday, June 1,

2012, at the Big Bucks Bingo Hall. Twenty-one

KBIC high school graduates were honored for their

achievements. KBIC member Jessica Koski was

chosen as this year’s guest speaker. Jessica

graduated from Rhinelander High School in Wisconsin in 2005. She is a graduate of the Ojibwa

Community College, Michigan Technological University, and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies where she recently received her

Master’s Degree in Environmental Management.

Her work experience includes: internships with

NASA, the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Forest Service. For the past year, she has been employed full

-time as KBIC’s Mining Technical Assistant addressing mining issues in the Lake Superior Basin

and Ojibwa Ceded Territory. Jessica has also

served as an adjunct instructor at Ojibwa Community College, teaching Contemporary Native American Issues for the Spring 2012 semester. She is

also helping to coordinate a KBIC Oral History Project through KBOCC.

When Ms. Koski spoke to the graduates and

said, “When I was your age, opportunities just came

and doors opened. But not all opportunities fall into

our laps. I had to keep trying to overcome fears. It

takes courage to get out of your comfort path. Follow your passions. Always remember where you

come from, and you’ll never get lost. Everyone of

our members should take advantage of the Michigan Tuition Waiver; our people need doctors, lawyers, and leaders.”

The graduates received gifts from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council, the

KBIC Education Committee, the Ojibwa Senior Citizens, and the KBIC Cultural Committee.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Each receiving a $1000 Education Committee Scholarship were Alisha Tilson from Baraga (left) and Deena

Misegan from L’Anse (right).

June 2, 2012 Tribal Council

Meeting

KBIC Holds Senior Banquet

KBIC High School Graduates

Congrats to our College Grads

Kuemmel Runs for a Cause

Retirees—Changes in Tax Laws

Nominelli Speaks on behalf of

KBIC’s Proposed Gas Station

REZHEADZ coming to KBIC

34th Annual KB Maawanji’iding schedule announced

CONGRATULATIONS TO

OUR KBIC GRADUATES

Baraga Area Schools

Daniel Alexander, Jr. is the son of Dawn

and Dan Alexander. While in high school, Dan

played varsity football for four years and was

named All-Conference Linebacker during the

2010-11 school year. He also played basketball and was in track. He participated in Copper Country power lifting. Dan was on the

Honor Roll and achieved Perfect Attendance

numerous times. He was named the Daily

Mining Gazette’s Student of the Week. His

hobbies are weightlifting, swimming, basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

Dan’s future plans are either to attend Bay

College majoring in General Studies or to join

the military.

Continues on page six.

(1) Bezhig

JUNE 2, 2012 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Tribal Council held their regularly

scheduled Saturday Tribal Council meeting

on June 2, 2012, at the Ojibwa Casino Resort Conference Room in Baraga, Michigan.

President Warren C. Swartz, Jr. presided

over the meeting with Elizabeth D. Mayo,

Susan J. LaFernier, Jerry Lee Curtis, Toni J.

Minton, Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr., Fred Dakota, Eddy Edwards, Jean Jokinen, Michael

F. LaFernier, Sr., Carole L. LaPointe, and

Elizabeth “Chiz” Matthews present.

Council was addressed at length by a

number of law firms and concerned Tribal

members regarding strategies on the legality of the mining permits issued to Kennecott

by the MDEQ/MDNRE. All parties made it

clear that the opponent/enemy here is Rio

Tinto. Jeff Loman, a KBIC member and a

Special Senior Adviser to the Secretary of

Interior at the Bureau of Ocean Management in Alaska, traveled from Alaska to address and offer suggestions to the Council

on a plan of action for the future. Loman

had concerns about mistakes made by past

attorneys in the fight against Rio Tinto and

the Kennecott Eagle Minerals. Loman recommended since a vast majority of legal

work to file an appeal with the Michigan

Court of Appeals has been completed,

Council should continue with current legal

counsel until such time that KBIC learns

whether or not the Court will hear the appeal. If the Michigan Court of Appeals

agrees to hear the case, he recommended

that KBIC retain new legal counsel who specialize in environmental law and who have a

proven record of success in representing

Indian tribes. Loman felt the Tribe’s current

counsel, a business law firm, does not have

the expertise to handle the Tribe’s best interest to protect our resources. Loman offered suggestions of law firms who specialize in environmental law to Council.

Eric Eggan of Honigman, Miller,

Schwartz & Cohn (current legal counsel)

addressed Council with a power point presentation of how past representation was

split. Eggan reviewed what his firm has

done on behalf of KBIC for the past five

years, and he stressed that his firm does

specialize in environmental law issues. Mr.

Baker (KBIC’s former lead attorney) had

participated in discussions with a study

group and had discussed with Tribal Council

the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species

Act, and the River and Harbors Act. The

lawyers involved with this group, who represented all the challengers including KBIC,

decided it was more appropriate to challenge the cases in State Court first then proceed to Federal Court because Federal

Courts defer to the State Court’s process.

Eggan said, “There were and are issues

that are unique to the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community involved in this case. This was

a proposed mine that was not on reservation land. I know Mr. Baker had consultation with the Dorsey Law Firm about Native

American issues, but the Honigman Firm

was not asked.” The issues were divided

into three areas to question the legality of

the permits. Eggan indicated that his firm

represented Part 31 Ground Water Permit,

and the firm wrote and presented the briefs.

The Part 632 Mining Permit and Air Use

(Discharge) Permit team consisted of Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation and Bruce Wallace of the Huron

Mountain Club. They wrote all the 632

briefs and argued the 632 issues and operational issues. Eggan expressed a concern

on the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit issue.

Attorney Michelle Halley of the National

Wildlife Federation spoke of her firm’s involvement in the Part 632 Mining Permit.

She handed out an excerpt from Petitioner’s

Brief in Support of Petition for Review

(Nonferrous metallic mining permit-Part

632) that a mine requires a NPDES Permit

for discharges to the East Branch of the

Salmon Trout River. She stated that the

implementation of the Clean Water Act is

delegated to the State of Michigan,

(MDNRE) and the MDEQ failed to apply the

standards to the mining operation. She also

indicated that she had spoken with Susan

LaFernier, Council member, some time

back regarding the Federal Court versus

State Court issue.

Attorney Skip Durocher of the Dorsey &

Whitney Law Firm spoke of very limited involvement of their firm. Dorsey & Whitney

has represented the Tribe on many issues

but was not assigned to work on the Kennecott Mine issue. They were asked only to

write two memos in regards to the issues in

2007 to Mr. Baker. Council took no action,

and President Swartz indicated Council will

need to make a decision on how to proceed.

President Warren C. Swartz, Jr. shared

numerous Thank You and For Your Information items addressed to Council.

President Warren C. Swartz, Jr. gave the

President’s Report (page two), Secretary

Susan J. LaFernier gave the Secretary’s

Report (page three), and Larry Denomie III

gave the CEO Report (page five). Council

passed the Department Head Reports for

April 2012.

The 3rd Reading of Proposed Limited

Liability Company Code 2011-03 was held.

Eddy Edwards explained the code was prepared for us by Lance Morgan and his law

firm. The code was designed to provide an

opportunity for Tribal members to incorporate their businesses under Tribal Law so

they can protect their personal assets. It

also authorizes the formation of whollyowned Tribal business entities for managing

the Tribe’s economic activities separate

from the general affairs of its Tribal Council.

It was stated that the KBIC attorneys reviewed this code briefly yesterday and offered suggestions. Fred Dakota motioned

to approve the Proposed Limited Liability Company Code 2011-03, supported by

Eddy Edwards. Eddy Edwards motioned

to amend Section 1.13, Execution by Judicial Act, to read “Any person who is

adversely affected by the failure of any

person to execute and file any articles or

other document to be filed under this

Code may petition the Tribal Council to

direct the execution and filing of the articles or other document. Nothing in this

Code, however, serves to waive any aspect of the Tribe’s sovereign immunity,

and any waiver, thereof, must be provided explicitly in the LLC’s Articles or

Organization and/or Operating Agreement.”

All references should be

changed from Tribal Court to Tribal

Council, and the effective date will be in

six months, supported by Susan J.

LaFernier, eleven supported, 0 opposed,

0 abstained, motion carried. Vote on

Fred Dakota’s motioned to approve the

Proposed Limited Liability Company

Code 2011-03, supported by Eddy Edwards, eleven supported, 0 opposed, 0

abstained, motion carried.

The Education Committee has four seats

open. After discussion regarding the May

31, 2012 meeting motion, President Swartz

said, “Those people who met the deadline

for applying for the Education Committee

should be considered for the other three

seats that are available.” Eddy Edwards

motioned to reconsider the Education

Committee nomination, supported by

Robert D. (RD) Curtis, eleven supported,

0 opposed, 0 abstained, motion carried.

Elizabeth D. Mayo motioned to approve

Terri Denomie, Lynn Haataja, and

Charles Loonsfoot, Jr., to the Education

Committee and to post for one more position of an individual with a child in

grades K-12, supported by Eddy Edwards, ten supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, J. Curtis, Minton, R. Curtis,

Dakota, Edwards, M. LaFernier, LaPointe,

Matthews), one opposed (Jokinen), 0 abstained, motion carried.

Elizabeth D. Mayo brought forth a policy

regarding press coverage of Council meetings (recordings). Reporters will be required to sign a request to record meetings

which will include an agreement not to release recordings in accordance of the Tribal

Council’s By-laws, which states they are

only to be released by the Tribal Council

Secretary, who in turn, will get permission

from the Tribal Council. Elizabeth D. Mayo

motioned to adopt the policy for press

coverage of council meetings, supported

by Fred Dakota, seven supported (Mayo,

S. LaFernier, J. Curtis, Minton, Dakota,

M. LaFernier, Matthews), one opposed

(Edwards), three abstained (R. Curtis,

Jokinen, LaPointe), motion carried.

Treasurer Toni Minton presented donation requests for June 2012 to the Council

for their consideration. Susan J. LaFernier

motioned to approve $500 for L’Anse Eagle’s Club, $250 for KBOCC Student

Gov’t & AISES, and $185 donation for

Sydni Voakes to attend band camp, for a

total of $935, supported by Carol LaPointe, eleven supported, 0 abstained, 0

opposed, motion carried.

Council adjourned with no closed business on the agenda.

~ submitted by Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2012

The following is a list of activities that occurred in the office of the President for the

month of May 2012:

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I attended the first ever Tribal Mining

Forum at the Niiwin Akeaa Center

(Ojibwa Community College) Gymnasium. The purpose of this forum is to

educate the Community on mining in

order to increase awareness of its historical and contemporary impacts within

the Lake Superior basin and Ojibwa

ceded territory.

I participated in an economic prosperity

meeting held at Northern Michigan Uni-

(2) Niizh

versity wherein economic leaders and

stakeholders identified obstacles in the

way of economic prosperity in the U.P.

as well as to identify specific solutions to

allow for long term sustainable growth.

Over 60 people gathered to help Governor Snyder’s request to meet. The goal

is to deliver a guidance paper that provides a list of perceived opportunities

and obstacles to economic growth and

development in the UP and offers action

items to help the UP prosper as a region

taking the opportunities and obstacles

into account.

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I was informed the Michigan Department

of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced that they formally approve of

Orvana's project in the western Upper

Peninsula. Other permits for air emissions, wetlands/streams, and water discharges are still under review for Copperwood Project.

The status of the Clean Water Act/

Treatment as a state continues to move

forward. The Director of the Natural Resources Department submitted the application to the Attorney’s office for review. Once the application materials

Continues top of page three.

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are finalized, a legal opinion on the

Community’s ability to perform the functions as a state will be needed. Due to

our current situation in the Attorney’s

office, we decided to use the law firm of

Dorsey and Whitney to do the legal

opinion. They were low bidders and

have experience in Indian law including

experience in doing these types of applications.

The Community received a resolution of

support from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe

of Chippewa Indians supporting its two

part Determination and respectfully requested the Governor for the State of

Michigan to promptly concur with the

positive determination made by the Secretary of Interior and to sign a concurrence letter in support of the KBIC’s

Gaming application to place land in trust

for gaming purposes in Negaunee

Township, Michigan.

Through the advice of Jeffrey Loman,

the Community requested governmentto-government consultation with Dr.

Hedman from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This will

serve as an opportunity to negotiate an

agreement by which EPA, and not the

State of Michigan, demand (issue an

Order) that Rio Tinto obtain a NPDES

permit. We received notification from

Dr. Hedman that her department is willing to sit down and discuss the issues

raised in our letter. We are awaiting

contact from that office to schedule the

consultation.

We are waiting on a decision from the

Michigan Court of Appeals whether or

not that Court will hear our mining case.

The record is so extensive that the attorneys do not believe any additional paperwork will have to be filed, and the

Court may not even want oral argument.

(The record is probably in the neighborhood of 200,000 to 500,000 pages

long.)

I was reading a report in the US News

that ranked schools according to Math

and English proficiencies. In that report,

I noted that Baraga scored low. I contacted Baraga Area School board member, Bill Jondreau, regarding the report.

He informed me that he would address

these concerns at a Board meeting. After a meeting of the Board, Bill noted

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that these areas have been identified by

the school administration based upon

various testing components, and the

school matrix and testing methods are

being adjusted to address the concerns.

On Thursday, May 17, as President of

the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, I

met with Professor James Anaya, the

United Nations Special Rapporteur on

the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, at the

11th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in

New York, New York. Also in attendance for this meeting were KBIC Tribal

member Jessica Koski, Professor Nicole

Friederichs, and her student Lillian from

the Suffolk University Law School Indian

Law & Indigenous Peoples Clinic.

 During our consultation, I raised

awareness of the serious threats to

our lands and waters posed by mining activities on our ceded territory

where we retain subsistence and

cultural rights to hunt, fish, and

gather. I highlighted immediate issues concerning the Rio Tinto Eagle

Mine that is currently under construction on the Yellow Dog Plains at

our sacred site, Eagle Rock. We

provided a brief overview of the case

history, aerial photographs of the

site before and after construction,

and maps showing the extent of Rio

Tinto’s mineral interest on our ceded

territory that expand westward and

reach to within our permanent reservation homeland on allotted lands at

the “BIC” site. I explained that these

activities are being permitted by the

State of Michigan without federal

regulatory protections, and without

meaningful consultation and our informed consent -- which are internationally recognized rights endorsed

in the UN Declaration on the Rights

of Indigenous Peoples.

 I asked the UN Special Rapporteur

what actions he can take to help address the issues we face with mining

on our territory. He said that he may

be able to include information from

our recently submitted Statement of

Information on mining activities, in

collaboration with the Bad River

Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in

his official country report following

his official visit to the United States

from April 23 through May 4. He

also selects specific cases to investigate in more detail, and ours is an

urgent issue that he may choose to

consider. He may also issue specific recommendations to the United

States.

 I sent out a letter seeking interested

Tribal members to submit their letters to

apply for three open seats to our newly

created Tribal Business Corporation.

Those interested in being on the Board

of Aanikoosing, Inc. should exhibit exemplary experience in business, be responsible, and express integrity, as well

as good judgment. I decided to send

out letters instead of using the local media because the cost to send letters to

Tribal members were significantly lower

than using local newspaper ads.

 Earlier in the month, the economic developer and I met with a number of governmental officials in the Marquette area

to discuss an opportunity for them to

submit a letter to Governor Snyder supporting the Casino in Negaunee Township near the old airport. The meetings

went well, and we look forward to their

letters to the governor.

 A power grab threatening the livelihood

of small farmers across the state and

the ceded territory was brought to the

attention of the KBIC Council. The

Michigan Department of Natural Resources is using the state Invasive Species Act to expand its jurisdiction beyond hunting and fishing to farming operations. We heard from Joseph

O’Leary and Brenda Turunen regarding

a license for her and decided to issue

her a farming license from the Community, so she could continue to raise her

pigs.

We believe this is a treatyprotected right to farm from both a sovereignty standpoint and an economic

development standpoint. The Tribal

Council decided to donate $25,000 to

the Farm-to-Consumer legal defense

fund.

This concludes my report.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR MAY 2012

Activities reported by the Secretary, Susan

J. LaFernier, for the month of May 2012.

ANIN! We honor the greatness in you.

Remember: “Indian Country Counts” and

“Our People, Our Nations, Our Future.”

We continue to recognize the richness of

Native American contributions, accomplishments, and sacrifices to the political, cultural, and economic life of Michigan and the

United States.

NATIVE VOTE 2012—every vote and

voice count. NCAI (National Congress of

American Indians) President Jefferson Keel

stated in his State of Indian Nations Address that our Native vote can have a significant impact on the upcoming 2012 elections and challenged Indian Country to turn

out the largest Native vote in history. There

are more than one million eligible voters in

Indian Country who are not registered! We

need to get out and vote not only to have

Native voices heard but also to ensure that

U.S. leaders understand Indian Country and

that Indian Country matters, especially in

Michigan. Attached is more information regarding voting in our national, state, local,

and Tribal elections. Our goal for Keweenaw Bay is to have 100% of our eligible

members vote! Here are five challenges

that can make a big difference: 1) Get your-

self registered to vote TODAY! You can do

it online. 2) Think of three people you care

about. Make sure they are registered and

challenge them to reach out to three more

people they care about. 3) Our Native Vote

Community Coordinator is Jennifer Misegan. 4) Volunteer to make calls encouraging others to register and vote. 5) With less

than six months to go until Election Day,

spread the word. Also see the website NativeVote.org. August Primary: Tuesday,

August 7, 2012. November General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

The President and I continue to hold

update/informational Mining meetings each

month with Chuck Brumleve, Jessica Koski,

and Todd Warner. I attended the Tribal

Mining Forum on Friday, May 11, at

KBOCC which was hosted by the KBIC

Mining Outreach & Education Initiative. Our

thanks to Jessica Koski, NRD Mining Technical Assistant, for facilitating the forum. It

was interesting to hear from Tina VanZile,

the Director of the Mole Lake Sokaogon

Chippewa Community Environmental Department, that for many, many years their

Tribe spent all of their funds on the fight

against the Crandon Mine. They had nothing else, and only today are they beginning

to grow with new programs and businesses.

She also stated that they never talked to the

mining companies, and we have a tougher

battle here in Michigan. Because of the

state laws, it is easier to get a mine.

The list is very long for a special thank

you to everyone who remembered, prepared, and presented on Memorial Day.

We invite you to visit the cemeteries during

the Summer. The Pinery Cemetery is beginning to recover after the fire, and the lake

in the distance is beautiful. Remember that

Earth Day is every day, and please don’t

litter.

The employee W.H.I.P.P. (Wellness,

Health, Intervention, Prevention Program)

Task Force and volunteers continue to have

monthly meetings. It is never too late to encourage and begin positive lifestyle changes

to help us live longer, healthier, happier

lives. Mino-Bimaadizin “Live Well.” Remember everyone should participate in at least

30 minutes of physical activity, five times a

week, to stay fit. The 3rd Annual “Walk Your

Way to Wellness” challenge is underway

until August 12, 2012, and new this year is

the Fourth of July Lumberjack Days 5K Liberty Run/Walk and Youth 1 mile fun run!

See the flyer and register. Saturday, June

23, is the Denise Marth Fun Run. There are

many fun summer activities.

Continues on page four.

(3) Niswi

Secretary’s Report Continues:

The Drug Tip Line number is 353-DRUG

or 353-3784.

The yellow banners are

around the reservation with this drug tip line

number displayed. The Drug Task Force

holds monthly meetings, and their Mission

Statement is: “To promote education

through public awareness with the specific

objective to eliminate the use of ‘illegal

drugs’ for the betterment of the health, welfare, and safety of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and our neighboring Communities.”

Continue to pray for each other as well

as to honor and remember all of our veterans, service men and women, and their

families. Remember those who are ill, our

economic struggles, and all who have lost

loved ones. Thank you, God and Creator,

for the great blessings of our land, loved

ones, and friends. Let us continue to be

thankful for our beautiful area. We pray for

peace in the world. Remember to honor

your fathers on June 17, both here on Earth

and in heaven.

During May 2012, the Tribal Council held

one Regular Tribal Council Meeting on May

5, 2012. This meeting is covered in the

June 2012 Newsletter. Tribal Council held

five Special Council Meetings. Following

are the unapproved motions from May.

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At a council meeting held May 17, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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At a council meeting held May 3, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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Approved the July 9 and July 14, 2011

Tribal Council meeting minutes;

Approved John Gervais for the Casino

Restaurant lease per the recommendation of the General Manager.

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At a council meeting held May 10, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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Approved the July 21 and July 28, 2011

Tribal Council meeting minutes;

Tabled the Director of Fire Management

job description and have the Firefighting

Committee review the job description,

review the Fire Prevention Technician’s

position and have a recommendation

from the Committee in two weeks;

Denied another request from Paul Smith

for the LIFE subscriptions;

Approved the former Weed & Seed office space for the Youth Department,

three rooms at the Four Seasons Motel

for college office space, and the use of

any other space in the new Pre-Primary

building that is available;

Approved to overturn the CEO’s termination decision on case #007-12, give

her back pay, and return the sick and

annual leave she used for the EAP sessions;

Approved to encourage management to

implement the recommended changes

received from Energy.3 energy efficiency reports and recommendations;

Approved to adopt proposed Ordinance

2012-03, 3.2025 Temporary Lodging

and Travel: an Ordinance of the KBIC

adopted under the authority of the Constitution and By-Laws of the KBIC for

the purpose of amending 3.20, Sex Offender Registration Code, of the Tribal

Code to bring it into compliance with

2012 federal statutes and guidelines,

and incorporate it into the Tribal Code,

thereby repealing and replacing the existing version of 3.2025 Temporary

Lodging with Ordinance 2012-03. It is

further requested as part of this motion

that Ordinance 2012-03 be codified as

3.2025 of the Tribal Code and be submitted to the Secretary of the Bureau of

Indian Affairs for approval in accordance

with the requirements of Article VI sec. 1

(l) and (n) of the Constitution;

Approved Resolution KB 1889-2012 BIA

IRR Referenced Funding Agreement

pursuant to KB’s IRR Program Agree-

(4) Niiwin

ment;

Approved the bid from U.P. Concrete &

Pipe for $37,200.40 for culverts for the

fish passage projects (Department of

Public Works);

Approved the bid from Midwest Security

Systems, Inc. for $4,245 for the security

system for the Ojibwa Senior Citizens

building;

Approved the CVS Caremark Pharmacy

Network Provider Agreement-2011

Medicare Part D Services/Addendum;

Approved to hire Mariah Dunham as the

Summer Youth Coordinator.

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Approved medical travel reimbursement

to Eleanor Nieskes and Danny to Milwaukee, WI on May 1, 2012, for

$338.11;

Tabled Raeanne Gauthier’s request for

softball equipment purchase for more

information until the next meeting;

Approved $1,764 from the youth budget

for a youth basketball tournament on

May 18, at Peshawbetown, MI per the

Youth Trip Policy;

Approved to amend the motion adopted

at the May 10, 2012 meeting which

reads: “to overturn the termination in

case #007-12 and give back pay from

the date of termination and return the

annual and sick leave used for EAP sessions that were mandated and move to

withdraw the return of back pay from the

date of termination”;

Approved the James Nankervis Professional Services Agreement to provide

architectural

design

services

(preliminary design) for future renovations of the Pressbox Bar and kitchen

areas;

Approved the KBIC Treaty Rights Farming License for Brenda Turunen d/b/a

Ma Hog Farm;

Approved the Professional Services

Agreement with Pine Beach LLC to prepare an environmental assessment for

the BIA application for the fee-to-trust

for the three acre property near the City

of Marquette and change the term of the

agreement to 90 days for completion;

Approved Ed Janisse’s General Manager/Radio Stations Employment Agreement for one year;

Approved the Aanikoosing, Inc. Board of

Directors posting;

Approved the applicants for the Economic Development Committee

(Anthony Veker, Sr.) and post for two

seats; Health Board (Cheryl Bogda, Carl

Rasanen, Kerry Picciano) and post for

three seats; Substance Abuse Advisory

Board (Melissa Koepp, Janice Shalifoe,

Anthony Veker, Sr., Jennifer Almli) and

post for two seats;

Tabled the background investigations

revisions until the next meeting;

Approved the updates to the ACH

Agreement Exhibit D with Superior National Bank (for direct deposits);

Approved to add the New Day Treatment Center Medicaid reimbursement

issue (letter) to the agenda;

Approved to have the New Day staff review the Medicaid issue with the Director by tomorrow and decide whether

they will appeal and have the letter written by the deadline.

At a council meeting held May 24, 2012, the

following actions were taken:

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Approved to add arrests to Paragraph 4

Process: to the language revision to the

Personnel Policy Section 3.6 Security

Background Checks (Investigations);

Approved the revisions to the KBIC

Background Investigations Policy for

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employees, volunteers, and others subject to the Indian Child Protection and

Family Violence Prevention Act and to

change the adjudicating panel to the

ICWA Committee;

Approved to hire George DeCota fulltime as the Fire Prevention Technician,

give him his accrued annual and sick

leave and back pay;

Approved to reclassify George DeCota

as the Fire Management Director and

that he be able to receive a full-time Fire

Administrative Assistant, so he will be

able to supervise fire crews when

needed;

Approved to change the final contract

ending date back to six months from 90

days for the Pine Beach LLC Professional Services Agreement;

Approved that the President sign the

letter to Judson S. Gilbert II, Chair of the

Tax Policy Committee, MI House of

Representatives that we do not oppose

House Bill 5609 regarding the transfer of

property to a Native American to avoid

property taxes;

Approved to continue the policy as is

regarding “eligible applicants” in the

CNAP (Community Needs Assistance

Program);

Approved Klas Robinson to do a Design

Study and business plan for $35,000

(per bid) for the proposed Marquette

Gas Station to be paid from the HUD

RIF (Rural Innovation Fund);

Approved the WIC Registered Dietician

Services (Agreement) with Hannahville;

Approved the purchase of 32mg Apple IPads for the Council, Recording Secretary, CEO, and Assistant CEO;

Approved up to $10,759.75 pending

available funds in the 655 budget for the

2012 Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby;

Approved the contract change order to

three years with Tri Matrix Laboratories,

Inc. (regarding the Brownfield Program);

Approved to amend the Flexible Work

Arrangement Policy: if an employee has

over 160 hours of annual leave, they will

not be eligible for the 10 hour work day

schedule;

Approved the RezHeadz Entertainment

Offer of Presentation Agreement for

$20,000 to be held July 16-17, 2012;

Approved the ASCAP Radio Station License Agreement for WCUP/WGLI for

2010-2016 (per court settlement);

Approved the John R. Gervais Casino

Restaurant Space Lease Agreement.

At a council meeting held May 31, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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Approved Mary Kaye Durant’s request

for an additional $228 for funeral travel

(prior approval of $1,000) pending verifications of enrollments;

Approved a donation of $25,000 to the

“Farm to Consumer Legal Defense

Fund” for the Brenda Turunen Hog Farm

treaty right case;

Approved the Services Agreement with

Rebecca (Mark) Panasiewicz to provide

group counseling services pending approval of the DOJ grant;

Approved the Argus Pharmacy Contract

and the MedImpact Pharmacy Agreement;

Approved the Cultural Committee applicants for three year terms (Diana Charron, Melissa Koepp, Gerry Mantila);

Approved to appoint Suzanne Kahkonen

and Robin Roe to the Education Committee for three year terms and advertise for the four remaining seats;

Approved the Diamond Talent LLC Contract for “Hunks the Show” male revue

on November 14, 2012, at the Pressbox;

Approved a new firework’s permit for

Jeremy Hebert for three months;

Continues top of page five.

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Approved the revisions to the Drug Free

Workplace Policy.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

CEO REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2012

The month of May 2012 included the following activities and reportable items:



KUEMMEL RUNS FOR A CAUSE—

PRESENTS DONALD LAPOINTE

MEDICAL CENTER WITH

PLEDGE CHECK

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Lynn Kuemmel is definitely a player

you’d want on your team. Lynn, who has

rheumatoid arthritisf, runs to give assistance

to those in need. This heartfelt woman is an

employee of KBIC, employed as a pharmacist assistant at the Tribal Pharmacy located

in the Donald LaPointe Medical Center.

Lynn said, “I began running in 1999 in

Alaska. I was living in Illinois at the time but

became interested in a run in Alaska where

I raised $30,000 for a young boy who suffered from Leukemia. I wanted to assist him

and his family, so they could make journeys

to and from the hospital.” Lynn continued to

make runs to raise money for many organizations and individuals in need. To date she

has completed ten marathons and has two

more planned this summer and early fall.

Lynn said, “I do charity runs to assist financially for organizations and needy individuals, and I do so with all of my heart. People

pledge money for me to run in the name of

the organization or individual who I am determined to help. I once ran for pledges for

the Brain Tumor Foundation and the Marine

Corp Marathon in honor of my cousin, Mike,

who died from a brain tumor at the age of

50.”

Recently Lynn ran in the Baraga County

Lake Trout Festival held in Baraga County

on June 9, 2012. She raised over $1000

from pledges which she has donated to the

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Donald

LaPointe Medical Center. Because of her

medical condition, Lynn stated, “I didn’t

have a good day on Saturday’s run, but I

ran because I knew why I was running. I

ended up taking third in my age group.”

Lynn, who trains by running every other

night, plans to run a marathon in October

with pledges to assist funding at the KBIC

Donald LaPointe Medical Center and a

young “patient hero” who has arthritis.

Lynn, who now lives in L’Anse, MI, grew up

locally, moved to Arizona and Illinois, but

returned home when her mom took ill and

passed away.

Lynn said, “Running helps me relieve

everyday stress, and at the same time I am

helping people. It is a win-win situation.

The more I can run, the more I can give.”

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As was mentioned at last month’s meeting, the $600,000 HUD ICDBG grant for

the Transfer Station Project was denied;

based on the fact they had scored an

already funded project. The agency has

agreed to score the proper application.

As of this past Thursday, the application

had not been completely scored and a

follow up call to Elton Jones will be

made this coming week to provide comment on questions they have before

they finalize the scoring process.

The energy efficiency reports and recommendations have been completed by

Energy .3. The reports provide the

Tribe with a number of ways to effectively save energy and provide savings

while reducing emissions. The recommendations include immediate plans as

well as future plans and have been distributed to affected departments to begin implementing them.

The former Red Apple Restaurant is

now leased to John Gervais and will be

called the Lucky 7’s Restaurant. He is

in the process of hiring staff and as of

Friday, is in the facility which will be fully

operational next week offering a full line

of menu items for breakfast, lunch, and

dinner.

On the 15th, the bi-monthly department

head meeting was held. Gregg

Nominelli, Economic Developer, provided the group with the upcoming plan

for reviewing the Tribes Comprehensive

Strategic Plan. Department heads will

be meeting with Council throughout the

next couple of months to update the

plan. Also provided during the meeting

to the group was the new format for

their monthly reports. They will begin

using it with the development of their

May report.

As was reported during my May 17th

weekly update, the Citizens Corporation, aka the CITGO, funding was not

awarded this year. Sarah Maki, Asst.

CEO and Janice Halverson, CAP Director, have been working on getting to the

bottom of the denial. The funds, in past

years, have been provided to LIHEAP

To be added to the mailing list or to correct your

mailing address, contact

the enrollment office at

(906) 353-6623 ext. 4113.

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eligible applicants and provided just

over $200 in heating assistance funds.

The Tribe has filled the newly developed

Director of Fire Management position.

George DeCota has been reclassified

from Fuels Technician to the new position and will officially begin in the capacity on June 4th. The position will aid in

providing a more cohesive bond between the very successful Beartown

Wildland Firefighters operations and the

Tribe. The position will also be developing plans to take on the responsibilities

of emergency management for the

Tribe.

The Ojibwa Community Library is now

connected to the Great Lakes Digital

Library. The new program allows access to thousands of audio books and

ebooks by downloading them to your

computer, mobile device, iPod, or eBook

reader. Those wishing to use the program will need to acquire an Ojibwa

Community Library card. For more information stop by or call the library.

Plans are well underway for the 10th Annual KBIC Kids Fishing Derby. The

event will be held at the Tribe’s Sand

Point Recreation Area on June 30th.

This year’s event is being held in honor

of the Gauthier Family. Anyone wishing

to help can contact the Natural Resources Department.

The Tribe’s Summer Youth Employment

program will be coordinated by Maria

Dunham this year. She and three supervisors who have been hired will be

very busy over the next couple of weeks

preparing for the hiring of the summer

youth workers who will begin the week

of June 18th.

In a final note, our office has been overseeing and directing the activities of the

Natural Resources Department during

the absence of Todd Warner, NRD Director. It is anticipated that Todd will

return around the middle part of June.

As always, if anyone has questions, concerns, or issues that the CEO’s office can

assist with, please don’t hesitate to stop, email, or call.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry J. Denomie, III, CEO

All Tribal Veterans’ Meeting at the

Lighthouse, Sand Point, will be

held every third Wednesday of the

month at 1900 hours. All Tribal

Veterans Welcome!

(5) Naanan

Graduates continues:

Paige Chosa is the daughter of Brandy and Tom

Chosa. She played on the junior varsity and varsity

basketball all four years of high school. She was on

the Cross-Country team for three years and was a

Rez Runner with the Youth Program. Paige received

perfect attendance numerous times throughout her

high school career. Paige likes to attend mud drags

in the summer, and she enjoys reading, walking, playing basketball, and being with friends. She received

the Baraga County Whitetails scholarship and is the

alternate for the Baraga Fire Dept. and Auxiliary

scholarship. She will be attending Northern Michigan

University this fall to study environmental science.

Richard Alexander is the son of Dawn and Dan

Alexander. He participated in track for three years.

He also played junior varsity and varsity football. He

was also involved in the power lifting program at the

Baraga school. Richard recently competed in the

power lifting competition and won the following medals: Three 1st place, two 2nd place, and one 3rd

place. He has been a KBIC Summer Youth worker

and was a member of the Rez Runners basketball

program.

Richard’s hobbies include weightlifting, watching

tv, and spending time with family and friends. He

plans on joining the Navy after graduation.

Savannah Dakota is the daughter of Cherie and

Brad Dakota. Some of her activities include Honors

band, bowling, golf, SADD, High Five Mentoring, Local History Smackdown, High School Bowl, and Michigan Tech University’s Engineering Olympics. She

was a Camp Nesbitt counselor, a member of the

Baraga County Community Foundation, and was the

President of her class every year since the seventh

grade. Savannah also represented the KBIC at the

National Intertribal Youth Summit in New Mexico in

2011. She has been in the National Honor Society

since 2011, and has been consistently on the Honor

Roll throughout her school career.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, singing, stargazing and the company of her friends and

family.

Savannah is the class of 2012’s Valedictorian.

She was selected as an Outstanding Senior by the

Baraga High School faculty. She received the Russell

J. Osterman Scholarship, the Michigan Competitive

Scholarship, and numerous other awards. She will be

attending the University of Michigan in the fall majoring in education.

Durwyn Chaudier is the son of Aimee Emery and

Durwyn Chaudier. While in high school, DJ participated in basketball and football for four years. He

was an All-Conference second team pick his senior

year along with an All-U.P. honorable mention in basketball. DJ was a High-Five mentor and a counselor

at Camp Nesbitt. He has helped with Young Author’s

Day at P.L.E.S. for the last two years. He was a Rez

Runner and employed as a KBIC Summer Youth

worker.

His hobbies include weightlifting, basketball, and

spending time with family and friends. He was selected as an Outstanding Senior by the Baraga High

School Faculty. DJ will be attending Northern Michigan University this fall majoring in elementary education.

Corey Pietila is the daughter of Juliet Goyen and

Chuckie Pietila. She has played junior varsity and

varsity volleyball. She received Honorable Mention

for her two years of varsity volleyball. Corey played

basketball for seven years, beginning in the fifth

grade. She was a member of the varsity track team

for two years and also played Rez Runner basketball.

In her free time, Corey enjoys swimming, bowling,

and bonding with family and friends. She will be attending Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Jeffrey Degenaer is the son of Ann and Patrick

Degenaer. He has played football since the seventh

grade. He played basketball for four years. In his

senior year, he joined the Baraga/L’Anse bowling

team. He has achieved Perfect Attendance and has

been on the Honor Roll. He worked for the KBIC in

the Summer Youth Program. His hobbies include

hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and being with friends.

Jeff’s plans are to attend college with an undeclared

major.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Otis Malmgren is the son of Kathy Malmgren and

Neil Malmgren. While in high school, he completed

the Auto Tech class offered in Hancock and the Vocational Construction class in Baraga. He was very

involved in the construction class and was the lead

carpenter on building sites including a garage. Otis

has been an outstanding student in the carpentry

class, and his instructor speaks highly of him.

His hobbies include hunting, fishing, four-wheeling,

racing, mudding, and volleyball. He also likes to collect and haul metal.

Otis will be attending Gogebic Community College

this fall majoring in Automotive Technology.

Tyler Rasanen is the son of Jodene and Jim

Rasanen. He has been on the track team for three

years and on the Cross Country track team for one

year. He has achieved Perfect Attendance. His hobbies include making CD’s and video libraries for

friends, running, weightlifting, and spending time with

friends and family.

He will be leaving for Army Basic Training in October. He plans on attending college while in the Army

and to continue his education after the Army.

William Ross-Geroux is the son of Janet Ross

and Bruce Geroux. He has played basketball for four

years. He also ran track for four years participating in

both field and running events. He was on the CrossCountry team in his junior year. He received athletic

letters for sports including track, cross country track,

and basketball. He was selected to be the Daily Mining Gazette Student of the Week.

William enjoys skating, skiing, basketball, playing

the piano, four-wheeling, and playing his X-Box.

He plans on working for a year and then will attend

college to earn a degree in aviation mechanics.

Kyle Soli is the son of Michelle St. George and

Mark Soli. He has been in the construction trades

class and was a participant in this year’s Construction

Trades Challenge at Northern Michigan University.

He has assisted many students in his shop class with

their projects.

He enjoys hunting, fishing, construction, and working. Kyle’s plans are to work for a year and then attend Northern Michigan University.

Dustin Teikari is the son of Sarah Mayo. He has

played basketball every year since the seventh grade.

He also played football in junior high and the tenth

grade. He received varsity letters for basketball and

track. He was on the basketball team that was district

champions and made it to the regional championship.

He enjoys being with friends, bowling, softball, and

swimming.

Dustin’s plans after school are to join the United

States Army.

Alisha Tilson is the daughter of Allison and Dana

Hietikko and Tim Tilson. She was a cheerleader, a

member of SADD, and the yearbook committee. She

was her class vice-president and was the president of

the National Honor Society. She has consistently

been on the Honor Roll and finished off her high

school year with all A’s. She has received Perfect

Attendance numerous times. As an advanced art

student, Alisha painted a mural in the school of a famous castle. She received the Copper Country Student Leadership award, was the Daily Mining Gazette

Student of the Week, was Miss Congeniality for the

Lumberjack Days Queen contest, and her artwork

was selected for the Student Note Card Contest.

Her hobbies are reading, writing, photography,

traveling, working with children, and video editing.

She was selected as an Outstanding Senior by the

Baraga High School Principal. She received the

Robert Reed Memorial Scholarship and several other

scholarships.

She will be attending Northern Michigan University

this fall majoring in Digital Cinema.

Sierra Ayres is the daughter of Violet and Jason

Ayres. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, International Travel Club, Drama

Club, Varsity Cheerleading, Pep and Symphony

Band, and the 2012 MSBOA District XIV Honors

Band. She was cast in the 2011 Copper Country AllSchool Musical “Annie” and performed in the 2011

and 2012 District and State Solo and Ensemble receiving top scores in trumpet solo and trio pieces.

She volunteered in High Five mentoring, Adopt a

Highway, KBIC Youth Club, and she was the Varsity

Volleyball statistician. Sierra has been an elected

Class Officer since the sixth grade serving as Historian and Treasurer. She was the 2011 KBIC MidWinter Pow-wow Head Female Youth Dancer and

represented her tribe as a delegate at the 2011 National Inter-tribal Youth Summit in New Mexico. She

has received the annual Honors Convocation every

year since the fourth grade and was on the Honor Roll

every quarter. Sierra received the Ina McClintock

Been Scholarship, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and the Presidential Distinction Award given to

graduates with a GPA higher than 3.8. She graduated sixth in her class.

Her hobbies include reading, playing the trumpet,

singing, walking, camping, and spending time with her

family and friends. Sierra has worked as a math tutor,

barista, Pre-Primary worker, and independent intern

for the Tribe’s Natural Resource Department.

Sierra will be attending the University of Michigan

this fall to study Actuarial and Financial Mathematics

and Music, and she has been accepted into the Michigan Community Scholars Program at U of M.

Angelica Bogda is the daughter of Cheryl Bogda.

While in high school, she was involved in basketball,

cross-country, and Health Occupations Students of

America. She has been on the Honor Roll. She knew

she wanted a career in the medical field and participated in the Nurse’s Aide class at LHS. She was the

vice-president of the KBIC Youth Club. Angelica took

two classes at Ojibwa Community College and received a Scholastic Achievement Award from the college for obtaining a 4.00 GPA.

Angelica spends her time taking care of her son,

Blake, plus shopping, computers, four-wheeling, hunting, and being with her family. She has worked at the

Pre-Primary program, the Pines, and the Youth Center.

After graduation, she plans on attending Finlandia

University to study Phlebotomy and obtain a degree.

She would like to continue her education to make a

better life for herself and her son.

L’Anse Area Schools

Rachel Sutherland is the daughter of Lynelle

Lussier and Curtis Sutherland. She has participated

in junior varsity basketball for two years, track for four

years, cross country for two years, cheerleading for

three years, and bowling for one year. Rachel received All-State honors in track and cross country and

was on the West-Pac first team in cross country. She

has been on the Honor Roll every quarter.

She enjoys reading, writing, running, being at the

lake, and spending time with friends and family.

Rachel will be attending Grand Valley State University majoring in English.

Cody Haataja is the son of Cindy and Leslie

Haataja. While in high school, Cody played football.

He received the First Team Defensive line All WestPac award and Defensive Lineman of the Year team

award. He has been on the Honor Roll and has had

Perfect Attendance.

He enjoys hunting, fishing, weightlifting, and fourwheeling. He has worked as a cashier at BP and has

worked for the Summer Youth Program. Cody plans

on attending college or joining the military.

Continues on page twelve. (7) Niizhwaaswi

ATTENTION RETIREES

Changes to Michigan’s Tax Laws Could Cost You

As of January 1, 2012, Michigan is taxing

pension and retirement benefits at the standard rate of 4.35%. Some pension and retirement plan administrators are automatically withholding this tax from your distributions.

If you are a Tribal member whose income is exempt from state taxes, you

MUST ACT to prevent the state from taking

this tax out of your retirement distributions.

Contact your tax advisor to find out if your

distributions have been subject to state income tax withholding in the past and if this

new tax should apply to you.

There is a form (MI W-4P) to claim exemption from the tax. The form must be

completed by you and filed with your retirement plan administrator. For a copy of the

form go to www.michigan.gov/taxes, and

click on the link under Highlights for

“Withholding Information for Pension Recipients”. This will take you to the page with

the MI W-4P form and instructions. You

should check Box 1 if you believe you will

not have any balance due on a Michigan

income tax return.

If you find out that this tax has already

been taken out of your retirement distributions and you are exempt from Michigan

income taxes, you may have to file a Michigan income tax return at the end of the year

to get your money refunded. Please contact

your tax advisor to find out how this new tax

has affected you and how to protect your

exempt income from future taxation.

EMJAY Participants: Phil Giuffre, our

contact with the EMJAY Pension Plan, sent

letters to all those recipients who were affected by the new tax laws, along with a

copy of the MI W-4P form. Those who do

not want this tax withheld from their distributions must complete the form by checking

box 1, and return it to EMJAY in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible.

For more information please see the following excerpt from the 2012 Pension Withholding Guide below:

Effective January 1, 2012, Michigan’s tax

treatment of pension and retirement benefits

will change, and these benefits will be subject to income tax for many recipients.

Michigan law now requires the administrators of pension and retirement benefits to

withhold income tax on payments that will

be subject to tax.

Under Michigan law, qualifying pension

and retirement benefits include most payments that are reported on a 1099-R for federal tax purposes. This includes defined

benefit pensions, IRA distributions, and

most payments from defined contribution

plans. Payments received before the recipient could retire under the provisions of the

plan or benefits from 401(k), 457, or 403(b)

plans attributable to employee contributions

alone are not pension and retirement benefits under Michigan law and are subject to

withholding.

Beginning in 2012, pension and retirement benefits will be taxed differently depending on the age of the recipient. For

couples, age is determined using the age of

the older spouse. Military pensions, Social

Security benefits, and railroad retirement

benefits continue to be exempt from tax.

For recipients born before 1946, the law

remains the same as it was prior to 2012.

Those born before 1946 may subtract all

qualifying pension and retirement benefits

received from public sources and may subtract private pension and retirement benefits

up to $47,309 if single or married filing

separate, or $94,618 if married filing a joint

return. Withholding will only be necessary

on taxable pension payments (private pension payments) that exceed the pension limits stated above for recipients born before

1946.

Recipients born during the period 1946

and 1952 will be able to deduct $20,000 in

pension and retirement benefits if single or

married filing separate or $40,000 if married

filing a joint return. This exemption does not

apply to payments from 457 plans, 401(k)

plans, 403(b) plans or any other elective

deferral plans if only the employee made

contributions to the plan. If the benefit will

be less than the deduction amounts, no

withholding is required unless the recipient

requests withholding by submitting an MI W4P. If benefits are paid other than monthly,

withholding is only due on the amount that

exceeds the recipients’ deduction amount.

Recipients who indicate on the MI W-4P

they are married (withhold as single) should

have withholding computed as if they are

single.

For recipients born after 1952, all pension and retirement benefits are taxable.

The entire 2012 Pension Withholding

Guide is available at the following web address: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/

taxes/2012_Pension_Withholding_Guide_3

65268_7.pdf. More information regarding

Michigan tax laws can be found at: http://

www.michigan.gov/taxes.

CONGRATULATIONS TO KBIC’S COLLEGE GRADUATES

The Education Department is pleased to

announce the following nineteen KBIC college graduates for the 2011-12 academic

year:

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DeAnna Hadden, Northern Michigan

University, Auto Service Technology

A.A.

Angela Loonsfoot-Pearson, Ojibwa

Community College, Liberal Studies,

A.A.

Patrick Madden, Bay de Noc Community College, Criminal Justice A.A.

Kim Maki, Ojibwa Community College,

Early Childhood Education, A.S.

Nissa Morningstar, Ojibwa Community

College, Early Childhood Education,

A.S.

Laura Mayo, Gogebic Community College, Business/Medical Coding & Billing

A.A.

Ashley Soli, Ojibwa Community College,

Early Childhood Education, A.S.

Nicole Arens, Michigan Technological

University, English, B.A.

Leonard Beaudoin, Northern Michigan

University, Criminal Justice, B.S.

Leslie Haataja II, Northern Michigan

University, Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S.

Melissa Kruse, Alverno College, Nursing

B.S.N.

Lisa Madosh, Northern Michigan University, Criminal Justice, B.S.

Joshua Mayo, Michigan Technological

University, Scientific and Technical

Communication, B.A.

Candice Rajala, Northern Michigan University, Personal Financial Management, B.S.

Paul Smith, Northern Michigan University, Criminal Justice, B.S.

Sarah Welch, Central Michigan Univer-

(8) Ishwaaswi

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sity, English, B.A.

Brigitte LaPointe-Tolonen, Northern

Michigan University, Graduate Certificate, Performance Improvement.

Angela Badke, Michigan Technological

University, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, M.S.

Andrew Chosa, Northern Michigan University, Business, M.B.A.

Congratulations to all of our graduates.

We are very proud of you and your accomplishments!

CREBESSA GRADUATES

WITH BSN DEGREE

KBIC Tribal Member, Melissa “Crebessa”

Kruse graduated from Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI, with a BSN Degree in May

2012. Melissa is the daughter of the late

Jerry “Yogi” Crebessa and granddaughter of

Lois and Roger Bodga of L’Anse. She will

be applying at the Veterans Hospital in Illinois were her husband and brother will be

attending college.

To place an ad, submit an article, or

relate information or ideas on possible

articles contact: Lauri Denomie at

(906) 201-0263, or e-mail

newsletter@kbic-nsn.gov.

SORNA

MEETING

ATTENTION

KBIC MEMBERS

A meeting to discuss the Keweenaw

Bay Indian Community’s participation in

the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) will be held on

Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in the Ojibwa

Casino Resort Conference Room from

2:00 p.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m.

This meeting is designed to educate

Tribal members and residents living within

the L’Anse Reservation about the current

status of KBIC as a SORNA registration jurisdiction. Any questions regarding how sex

offender registration and notification works,

the requirements for registration, and the

reasons why someone may or may not be

on the sex offenders list can be answered

or looked into at this meeting. In addition,

there will be a session covering the KBIC

sex offender public website, where anyone

interested can register to receive e-mail notices when changes to the public registry

occur. For more information, please contact Chuck Miller, SORNA Coordinator –

KBIC Tribal Police, at 353-6626 or cmiller@kbic-nsn.gov.

Zeba Indian Mission

United Methodist Church

“We welcome each of

you to our worship

services, at 9:00 a.m.

each Sunday.”

Pastor: Rev. Stephen

Rhoades

Church office 524-7939

Parsonage 524-7936

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON

INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)

NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*

(Effective October 1, 2011)

*The net monthly income standard for each household size is the sum of the applicable Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) net monthly

income eligibility standard and the applicable SNAP

standard deduction.

48 Contiguous

United States:

House

hold

Size

Use this

amount

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP Standard Deduction

1

$ 908

+

$147

=

$1,055

2

$1,226

+

$147

=

$1,373

3

$1,545

+

$147

=

$1,692

4

$1,863

+

$155

=

$2,018

5

$2,181

+

$181

=

$2,362

6

$2,500

+

$208

=

$2,708

7

$2,818

+

$208

=

$3,026

8

$3,136

+

$208

=

$3,344

Each additional member

+ $319

Alaska:

Household

Size

FDPIR Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

Use this

amount

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP Standard Deduction

1

$1,134

+

$252

=

$1,386

2

$1,532

+

$252

=

$1,784

3

$1,930

+

$252

=

$2,182

4

$2,329

+

$252

=

$2,581

5

$2,727

+

$252

=

$2,979

6

$3,125

+

$260

=

$3,385

7

$3,524

+

$260

=

$3,784

8

$3,922

+

$260

=

$4,182

Each additional member

FDPIR Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

+ $399

FDPIR Income Deductions—see 7 CFR 253.6(f)

NEWDAY DIRECTOR PRESENTS AT METH SUMMIT

New Day/KBIC was represented at the

Dept. of Justice (DOJ) Meth Summit in

Phoenix, AZ, this past May. Those making

the trip included KBIC Tribal Police Commissioner, Dale Dakota, Council Member

P o p c o r n

M a y o ,

K B I C

Tribal Police Officer, Matt Shalifoe, Jr. and

New

Day

Administrator/Council

Member, Jerry Lee Curtis.

Jerry Lee was invited as a Speaker/

Presenter on the importance of the cultural

aspect in a treatment setting and the history

and longevity of New Day.

In attendance at Jerry Lee's presentation

was Don Coyhis, Founder and President of

White Bison, Inc. Don is from the Mohican

Nation and has authored numerous books,

CDs, and DVDs that are or have been implemented into the recovery/treatment setting

throughout

I ndian Countr y.

New Day utilizes one of Don's books titled, "The Red Road to Wellbriety." Upon

the conclusion of his presentation, Jerry Lee

was approached by Don Coyhis, who stated

he was in "awe" of the methods of therapy

and how the cultural components are integrated into such at New Day.

Don also spoke in one of the Plenary

Sessions and in a Breakout Session. Jerry

Lee attended both presentations. During

his talks, Don referenced New Day and how

it has already instituted the cultural components into a treatment setting. That is exactly the message that Don wished to bring

forth to conference attendees, i.e., how important it is to have that cultural connection

or reconnection.

It was pretty humbling to hear such kudos from one of the main speakers of the

conference as Don referenced “New Day for

the work they do in serving those in the

strangleholds of addiction,” Jerry Lee said.

KBIC should be proud, yet humble, in knowing their treatment center is recognized at

the national level.

Jerry Lee attributed the longevity and

success of New Day to the past and present

staff and this awareness of the need for the

cultural component and how vital a role it

plays in getting the much needed balance

and harmony back into one's life while on

the road to recovery.

If one has any questions, please feel free

to call New Day at (906) 524-4411.

Earned Income Deduction — Households with

earned income are allowed a deduction of 20 percent

of their earned income.

Dependant Care Deduction — Households that

qualify for the dependent care deduction are allowed

a deduction of actual dependent care costs paid

monthly to a non-household member.

Child Support Deduction — Households that incur

the cost of legally required child support to or for a

non-household member are allowed a deduction for

the amount of monthly child support paid.

Medicare Part B Medical Insurance and Part D

Prescription Drug Coverage Premiums — Households that incur the cost of Medicare Part B medical

insurance and/or Part D prescription drug coverage

premiums are allowed a deduction for the monthly

cost of the premiums.

FDPIR Resource Standards—see 7 CFR 253.6(d)

$3,250 for households with at least one elderly or

disabled member.

$2,000 for households without any elderly or disabled members.

(9) Zhaangaswi

NOMINELLI SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF KBIC’S PROPOSED GAS STATION

by Mark Wilcox, Eagle Radio News Director

The pros and cons of plans by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to operate a

gas station near Marquette were presented

at a meeting of the Marquette Township

Board on June 5, 2012. A standing room

only crowd packed the small conference

room to lend support both to the Upper Peninsula Petroleum Association, which opposes the project and to KBIC.

The public forum was scheduled by the

Township Board after the UPPA asked to be

on the agenda to ask the board to oppose

construction of the gas station/convenience

store to be constructed on the former Los

Tres Amigos restaurant property just west of

Marquette on U.S. 41.

Brooke Ferns, President of the UPPA,

who with her husband owns three gas stations and a gasoline distribution business,

addressed the board. She said, “The issue

is the fact the proposed KBIC gas station

would not be subject to state sales tax. Because the mark up of gasoline is only five

percent, the omission of sales tax would

give the tribal-owned station an unfair advantage.”

Ferns said, “Because sales taxes are

used to fund education, tens of thousands

of dollars would be diverted from the Marquette Area School District which is already

financially strapped.”

“Also,” she said,

“Increased traffic in the area due to the station would result in an increase of traffic accidents and presumably fatalities.” She

cited the Pines Convenience in Baraga

which is owned by the KBIC saying lower

gas prices have caused businesses in that

area to suffer. She concluded by expressing her appreciation for what she called, “an

outpouring of support and a Tribal gas station that didn’t collect sales tax would be

devastating to Marquette area businesses

and the school system.”

Greg Nominelli, Economic Developer for

KBIC painted an entirely different picture.

2012 ANN MISEGAN MEMORIAL

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

AVAILABLE

The KBIC Education Department announced the availability of the 2012 Ann

Misegan Memorial Scholarship applications. The scholarship amount is $1,000

twice a year for up to six years and will be

awarded to a new student each fall. Applicants must meet the following criteria:











Enrolled Tribal member

Attending an accredited college/

university

Enrolled as a full-time student

Pursuing a degree in a Health Care

field

Resident of Baraga or Marquette

County

Eligible students must complete an application, submit an essay detailing their

interest in their chosen health field, and

submit a copy of their official transcripts

(high school or college).

For more information and to request an

application, contact Amy St. Arnold, Education Director at (906) 353-6623, ext.

4117 or at amy@KBIC-nsn.gov. The application deadline is August 1, 2012, at 4

p.m.

Nominelli told the board the issue is simply

about profits. Nominelli said, “I used to live

in Marquette, and I like the area a great

deal, however what I don’t like is the fact it

has the highest gasoline prices in the state.”

He said, “I understand the concern of the

UPPA that competition will cut into their

profits, but lower gas prices are good for

KBIC, its members, as well as residents and

businesses in the Marquette area.”

Nominelli addressed the concerns about the

loss of sales tax money by listing some of

the many contributions KBIC has made to

local units of government in Marquette and

Baraga counties.

He concluded by acknowledging those opposed to competition

are very vocal and urged those who support

lower priced gas in Marquette to make their

voices heard.

KBIC Tribal member Fred Dakota addressed a question from Board Trustee,

Pete Larue, on whether the Tribe would adhere to the township’s zoning and signage

ordinances because if the land were put in

trust the Tribe would not be bound by such

ordinances.

Dakota told Larue, “I’ve been on the

Tribal Council for 42 years and Chairman

for 21 … I think we can work together.”

After the presentations, Ferns spoke with

Eagle Radio news and explained why Marquette’s gas prices are so high. “In Marquette, we’re further away from fuel

sources, the nearest place to buy gas is

Green Bay,” she said. “We can’t put a fortyfive cent stamp on the gasoline truck; we

have to pay to get it here with fuel which is

very very expensive.”

Ferns said, “Obviously competitors in the

Baraga area have lowered their prices.

Otherwise there’s no way they’d get people

into their stores to buy things they can potentially profit from.”

Ferns defended her allegation, the Pines

causes businesses to suffer because she’s

2012 KBIC FORESTRY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The KBIC Education Department announces the availability of the 2012 KBIC Forestry

Scholarship applications. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has a vital interest in the

preservation of the land and forests on and near the reservation. The Tribal Council has

approved two scholarships for college students pursuing Forestry degrees. The scholarship

amount is $2,500 twice a year for up to four years. Applicants must meet the following

criteria:

 Enrolled Tribal member

 Resident of Michigan, Wisconsin or Minnesota

 Attending an accredited college/university in Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota

 Enrolled as a full-time student

 Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry documented by their college

Eligible students must complete an application, submit an essay detailing their interest

in their chosen field, and submit a copy of their official transcripts (high school or college).

For more information and to request an application, contact Amy St. Arnold, Education

Director at (906) 353-6623, ext. 4117 or at amy@KBIC-nsn.gov. The application deadline

is August 1, 2012, at 4 p.m.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Head Start & Early Head Start will be accepting applications for the 2012-2013

school year. Applications are available at

the KBIC Health Clinic, KBIC Tribal Center, Ojibwa Community College, and the

Head Start & Early Head Start Center. You

may also have an application mailed to

you by calling Barb at 524-6626. All applications MUST be returned with a proof of

income! All applications with proof of income are due by July 6, 2012.

ATTENTION ATR CLIENTS

ATR clients who have one year in the program and have completed their phase

(either phase 1, 2, or 3), and did their six month follow up. You are eligible and encouraged to attend a special session on July 9, 2012, 5—8 p.m. at the Chippewa Conference

Room. You must register for this session! Please call R.D. Curtis at 353-8121. If you attended the March 5, 2012, session, you are not eligible. There will be nice prizes given

away, but you must be present to win them!

(10) Midaaswi

seen it first hand from personal experience.

“I drove to L’Anse yesterday to co-sign a

loan to keep my dealer in business because

he isn’t able to keep up with his fuel bill at

this point in time because of the prices he’s

forced to compete with.” She said, “It is a

real issue for a lot of people.”

Nominelli told Eagle News, “The reason

the price of gas is higher in Marquette is

simple … It’s all about profit. We all get gas

from the same terminal in Green Bay. We

all pay the same prices there. You can do

the math to figure out how much farther it is

to Marquette from Munising or from Houghton-Hancock or Baraga, and you can see

the difference in price. The price difference

isn’t about the cost of gas, or the taxes, or

not very much to the cost of transportation.

So what does that leave?”

The KBIC bought the property in 2010

and earlier this year had the former restaurant torn down. The Tribe is now waiting for

a decision from the Bureau of Indian Affairs

to put the land in trust. If the application is

approved, construction of the gas station

can begin.

Nominelli said, “While approval from

Marquette township is not required by the

federal government, support from local municipalities and the public is weighed by the

BIA when ruling on the application. The

Secretary of the Department of Interior will

have to make a determination that putting

the land in trust will be a benefit to the Tribal

Community and not a determent to the surrounding communities. So the question is,

‘is having a gas station with lower gas

prices detrimental to the surrounding communities or not?’”

The Township Board neither endorsed

nor opposed the plan. However, Supervisor

Dennis Liimitta, said, “Another public forum

may be held to gather additional comment.”

REZHEADZ events will be held at the KBOCC gym and are guaranteed to be an amazing event to be remembered by all.

July 16, 2012—Evening Event hosted by Dakota Black

6:20 pm—Introduction to Conference—Smoke

6:50 pm—Comedy by Dakota Black, Featured in: CSI-NY, Sons of

Anarchy, 1000 Ways to Die, Indian Island

8:20 pm—Live Musical Performance—Smoke & Mimi—Multiple

Award Winning—International Recording Artists

8:40 pm—Live Musical Performance—Cisko—Award Winning Recording Artist

8:50 pm—Live Musical Performance—Big Gemini—Billboard Top

10 Recording Artist

9:30 pm—Autograph Photo Session—All Presenters

July 17, 2012—Conference Agenda hosted by Smoke

9:00 am—Opening Prayer—Cisko

9:20 am—Introduction—All Presenters

10:00 am—T.E.A.M. Building Exercises—All Presenters—All Attendees

11:00 am— Workshop Rotation begins

11:10am—Gathering of Nations—Smoke, Mimi, & Cisko (Drug &

Alcohol Abuse)

12:00 pm—Lunch break

12:45 pm—Gathering of Nations—Smoke, Mimi, & Cisko

(Leadership, Bullying)

1:20 pm—Dakota Black—Culture, Comedy, & Motivation (Drug &

Alcohol Prev.)

2:00 pm—Brian “Cisko” Gower—Knowledge is Power (Positive

Choices)

2:35 pm—Lyrical Healing—Smoke (Expression & Identity)

3:10 pm— Break

3:25 pm—One on One with Big Gemini—(I believe in me)

4:00 pm—Open Panel—All presenters (Question & Answer)

4:30 pm—Closing Keynote Presentations—All Presenters

5:15 pm—Dinner

YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN REZ ROAD CLEAN UP

On May

26, 2012, a

group

of

K B I C

Youth took

time

to

clean

up

the Mission

Road

in

Baraga.

This project

gave KBIC

Youth

a

chance to

take part in keeping their community clean, and they were taught

the importance of a clean environment. A second clean up is

scheduled in June.

Pictured left to right: Brian Spruce, Abby Spruce, Steele Jondreau, Jaycie Forcia, Nikki Maki, Youth Director,Cheryne Clements,

Charlie Spruce, Kayla Szaroletta, Jailyn Shelifoe, William Jondreau,

Summer College Intern, Rebecca Rasanen, Ryan DesRochers,

Vanessa Beaver, Parent Volunteer, Sarah Beaver, and Jeani Aho.

Rezheadz is sponsored by KB Outpatient Services with donations

from the community. Please call R.D. Curtis at 353-8121 for more

information.

JULY 2012 Calendar Events

July 4: Gov’t offices closed for the

July 4th Holiday;

July 5: Gov’t offices closed for the

July 4th holiday;

July 6:

Constitutional Committee

Meeting, 1 pm, Council Chambers;

July 7: Reg. Sat. Council Meeting, 9

am, Ojibwa Resort Conference Room;

July 9: ATR Special Session 5 pm;

July 16 REZHEADS, 6:20 pm;

July 17: REZHEADS, 9 am;

July 18: Sorna Meeting, 2 p.m.; Veteran’s meeting, 7 pm;

July 27: 34th Annual Keweenaw Bay

Maawanji’iding Grand Entry 6 pm;

July 28: 34th Annual Keweenaw Bay

Maawanji’iding Grand Entry 12 pm

and 6 pm;

July 29: 34th Annual Keweenaw Bay

Maawanji’iding Grand Entry 12 pm.

~ submitted by newsletter editor

Events occurring throughout KBIC

are welcome to be listed on the Calendar of Events.

Contact newsletter@kbic.nsn.gov to list your events.

Some events are more detailed FYI

within the newsletter. For up-to-date

event listings, visit www.ojibwa.com

and click on calendar. For Youth

events, see @ www.ojibwa.com, click

on youth club, or contact 353-4643/

Main Office at Youth Club, or 353-4644

for the facility attendants or the

Kitchen/craft rooms.

(11) Ashi bezhig

Deena Misegan

is the daughter of

Jennifer and Duane

Misegan. Her activities

in

high

school

included

SADD, Youth in

Government, Prom

Committee,

and

Health Occupations

Students of America. She was involved in the KBIC

Youth Group and

Rez

Runners.

Deena attended the

National Congress

of American Indians

as a Youth representative for the

Tribe.

She has

volunteered at Bayside Village, with the Little Brothers

Friends of the Elderly, at the flu shot clinics at Baraga

County Memorial Hospital, and for many activities with the

Youth Group. Deena has been on the Honor Roll every

marking period since the fourth grade and has been an

Honors Convocation recipient. She enjoys spending time

with her family and friends, shopping, and volunteering.

She has worked for three summers at the Early Head Start

Program through the Summer Youth Program and after

school at the Pre-Primary Program. She was a student in

the Certified Nurse’s Aid Class this year, and it helped her

to decide that Nursing is what she wants to do.

Deena received the Dr. Tamas Lanczy Memorial Scholarship and a Northern Michigan University merit award.

She will be attending Northern Michigan University this fall

to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing.

L’Anse/Baraga Community Schools

LeRoy Gauthier is the

son of Cathy LaBeau and

George Gauthier. While

in school, he played Junior High and Junior Varsity football and basketball. He also played Rez

Runner basketball for six

years. He was a member

of the Youth Club and

was Vice-president of the

Youth Committee.

He

also joined the Youth Advisory committee for

Baraga County and

served as Vice-president.

He attended multiple leadership programs in Ann

Arbor at the University of

Michigan. He achieved Honor Roll status at the time of his

graduation. He had a poem published in the Star of Hearts,

book of 2012. He has worked for the Summer Youth Program and at the Pressbox. His hobbies are playing X-Box,

being with friends, babysitting, and helping out others when

needed. He plans on moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to

work construction and is considering attending college in

the future.

Permit No. 62

U.S Postage PAID

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

16429 Bear Town Rd-Baraga, Mi 49908-9210

PRE-SORT STARDARD

(12) Ashi Niizh

Michael Shalifoe Richard is the son

of Michael Shalifoe. While in high

school, he states that he worked very

hard and got good grades! His hobby is

playing basketball. He has worked in

maintenance and as a Beartown Fire

Fighter.

His plans after graduation are to find

employment.

Catholic Community of

Baraga County

Holy Name of Jesus

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Pastor

Father John Longbucco

Father Antony Lukka

Confessions: Sunday before Mass

Sunday Mass 12:00 p.m.

353-6565

saintann@up.net

S h a n i

Shelifoe

is

the daughter

of the late

Brigitte Shelifoe

and

Robert Curtis

and her second

mom,

J e a n n e

Kauppila.

She

was

active in basketball

at

Baraga Area

Schools and

also played

for the Rez Runners. She was a member of the Youth Club

and traveled to New York City as a member of the Youth Entrepreneur group in 2008. Her hobbies include swimming, camping, traveling, and attending pow-wows. She was employed at

the Pre-Primary Program and Even Start for the Summer

Youth Program. Her future plans are to attend Northern Michigan University to major in Computer Science.

KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY

OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT

SERVICES

427 N. Superior Ave. • Baraga, MI 49908

In Tribal Court Building

Phone: 906-353-4566 • Fax: 906-353-8132

• Email: ocss@kbic-nsn.gov

“Your Children…Our Priority”

We provide the following services:

 Establishment, Enforcement and

 Location of Custodial and

Modification of Child Support Orders

Non-Custodial Parents

 Paternity Establishment

 Community Education

tp://www.kbic-nsn.gov/html/ocss.htm