You All Know About the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (2005)

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Text

GIIKENDAAM

CHIWIIKWEGAMAG

You All Know About the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Binaakwe Giizis - Falling Leaves Moon - October 2005

Issue 16

KBIC PARTICIPATES IN PARADE OF THE NATIONS

Thirty-Five KBIC dancers, drummers

along with MTU AISES students participated in the Parade of the Nations held

in Houghton/Hancock on Saturday, September 17, 2005. Four Thunders sang

numerous songs as the group danced for

the 2 mile parade route. An exhibition

dance session immediately followed the

parade at the Dee Stadium in downtown

Houghton.

The Parade of Nations and Ethnic

Food Festival is an annual event held in

conjunction with MTU’s Open House.

Students, faculty and community members from 71 countries march under their

national flags. An Ethnic Food Festival is

held for a fantastic variety of ethnic

food, entertainment, and artifact displays. [more pictures on page seven]

UPDATE ON MINING - SUSAN J. LAFERNIER,TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT

On July 17, 2004, after Kennecott Exploration Company announced its intention to mine for nickel, copper and other minerals in the

headwaters of the Yellow Dog River and Salmon Trout River, the Tribal Council passed Resolution KB-1301-2004. In that Resolution the

Tribal Council found that the mining proposed by Kennecott deeply offends the traditional and cultural values of the Keweenaw Bay

Indian Community; that, although the Tribe recognizes the temporary gains that may be produced by the proposed activities of Kennecott, those gains are far outweighed by the potential for permanent and severe damage to the environment in and around the Tribe’s

territory. In addition, the Tribal Council found that Kennecott had not shown any satisfactory evidence that it can undertake the mining

activity without polluting ground or surface water and that Kennecott has made no showing that, after it undertakes such activities, it can

protect the ground and surface waters from acid drainage which will result from sulfide mining. Based upon those and other findings set

forth in the Resolution, the Tribal Council prohibited any mining activities, and all activities related thereto, within the boundaries of the

L’Anse Reservation unless and until substantial evidence can be produced to satisfy the concerns expressed by the Tribal Council in the

Resolution.

In November 2004, the Tribe issued a press release that opposed the adoption of the sulfide mining legislation which was introduced

in the Michigan legislature last fall. The press release raised twelve issues of concern to the Tribe and stated that the proposed legislation did not adequately protect the environment from the effects of sulfide mining operations. Without giving significant considerations

to the concerns expressed by the Tribe in the press release and in testimony before the House and Senate committees that held hearings

on the proposed legislation, the Michigan legislature adopted the mining legislation which is referred to as the Sulfide Mining Act.

Continued on page 2

Tribal Council Members:

Susan J. LaFernier, President

Warren C. Swartz Jr., Vice-President

Larry J. Denomie III, Secretary

Gary F. Loonsfoot Sr., Asst. Secretary

Jennifer Misegan, Treasurer

Doreen Blaker

Fred Dakota

William E. Emery

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Elizabeth D. Mayo

Shawanung

Toni Minton

Special points of interest:

•

Coming Soon - Anishinaabe Anokii Center

•

Judge Bell dismissed KBIC lawsuit

•

Tribal Council Meeting - Sept. 10, 2005

•

Kinomaage: The Earth Shows Us The Way

•

Children’s Powwow at Assinins

•

KBIC Natural Resources Dept. Studying

Lake Sturgeon

•

Lake Trout transfer between KBIC and the

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)

(1) Bezhig

ANISHINAABE ANOKII CENTER - COMING SOON TO THE L’ANSE INDIAN RESERVATION!

Through KBIC’s Office of Planning & Development, with the approval and support of the KBIC Tribal Council, a grant application was submitted to the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) – a Federal Program in the Department of Health & Human Services. Through an initiative titled Strategies for Social & Economic Development, one of ANA’s grant programs

for Tribal communities, KBIC is expected to be the recipient of grant funding for a project titled the Anishinaabe Anokii: Strengthening the Economy of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

The proposed project will create a small business development center for Tribal members – the Anishinaabe Anokii, or “First People’s Work Center,” located here on the L’Anse Indian Reservation. The planned project will be implemented in late 2005, with an expectation of doors to open in early 2006. The actual location of the Center has not yet been determined.

Services and programs of the Center will be developed in five focus areas. Primarily, the Anishinaabe Anokii will offer comprehensive and culturally appropriate business development

and expansion services for start-up, new and existing business for Tribal members – replacing the current First Step business counseling program. Development services will include individual, confidential and culturally appropriate business plan development and counseling services, and a variety of educational and training programs for Tribal business owners and

‘owners-to-be,’ scheduled frequently throughout the year. The center will also provide Tribal business owners with cooperative and support services, including a resource room and a small

conference room for meeting with clients, along with fax, copier, computer and Internet services, a Tribal member business directory, cooperative advertising and Internet presence. Finally,

the Anishinaabe Anokii will also offer financial literacy education and credit counseling services, as well as focus on organizing development and support services for a youth entrepreneurial program and cooperative opportunities for Traditional and Native artists, artisans and craftsman.

The grant application was developed by Liana Loonsfoot, KBIC’s Grant Specialist, in conjunction with Jesse Luttenton, Community Economic Developer for KBIC. Luttenton will act as the

Project Director. Through the grant funded project, two new positions will be created – including the Program Director who will primarily offer business plan counseling and coordinate the

educational and training programs provided through the Anishinaabe Anokii. A Program Assistant will provide support services and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Center,

including the cooperative services and scheduling appointments for business counseling, financial literacy, as well as the youth entrepreneurship and Traditional artists, artisans and craftsman activities.

The Anishinaabe Anokii is the first step in providing programs and services that will diversify and strengthen the economy of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community here on the Reservation. The Center will provide the development services and programs of a much larger project planned for future development – the Anishinaabe Anokii Fund. A related project – the Anishinaabe Anokii Fund – is an additional effort to develop loan funds for Tribal member business development. Small businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives are the backbone of a local

economy, providing jobs and services to the Community, which not only employ Tribal members but also serve to improve the quality and quantity of life on the Reservation. The planned

development of the Anishinaabe Anokii Fund will provide the capital for small business development, along with the development programs and services that will insure the success of Tribal

member business owners. Tribal staff and the Tribal Council are working together to bring the Anishinaabe Anokii Fund to reality as a Community Development Financial Institute, known as

a CDFI, a secure financial initiative that provides Tribal members with alternative opportunities for financing for small business and entrepreneurial efforts that have positive economic potential to the Community. More news will be provided to the Tribal membership as the CDFI initiative unfolds. For more information and/or questions, contact Jesse Luttenton at KBIC’s Office of Planning & Development at 906.353.4133, or by email at jlutten@kbic-nsn.gov.

UPDATE ON MINING, continued

One of the requirements of the Sulfide Mining Act is that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality adopt rules and regulations to implement the Act.

During the winter and spring of this year, Todd Warner, from our Natural Resources Department and representatives of environmental groups and local units of

governments, together with privates citizens, from throughout the Upper Peninsula,

expressed various concerns, including the concerns originally raised in the Tribal

Council’s Resolution, about the proposed sulfide mining activities with the Michigan

DEQ in discussion sessions regarding the proposed rules and regulations.

Some of our concerns were addressed in the process of revising the proposed

rule, but many were not and we continue to have concerns with the current version

of the proposed rules and regulations which are now in the final stages of adoption

by the Michigan DEQ. When I attended the Tribal /State Annual Summit meeting,

on May 13, 2005, with the Governor present, I expressed the Tribe’s concerns

about proposed sulfide mining activities and regarding the DEQ’s proposed rules

and regulations. I am pleased to report that other Tribes and agencies have also

adopted their own resolutions opposing these mining activities. In addition, on behalf of the Tribe, I sent a letter to Governor Granholm, in June 2004, which also

expressed the Tribe’s concerns with the proposed rules and regulations. In that

letter, I requested that the Governor remember the May 13, 2004, Intergovernmental Water Accord, which was entered into by the Federally recognized Indian

tribes of the State of Michigan and the Governor, at the May summit meeting and

reminded the Governor that the Accord recognized the essential role of the Great

Lakes and Michigan’s inland lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater in the past,

present, and future destiny of both the State of Michigan and Tribal Nations within

the state.

As everyone is also probably aware, last year we posted signs on our land

near where exploratory drilling was taking place. These postings stated: “This

Property Owned By The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community” “No Entrance Without

Permission”. We continue to monitor the exploratory drilling operations in our area

on an ongoing basis.

Our goals for the coming year are to adopt a Mining Ordinance, possibly hiring a Mining Coordinator, obtaining federal assistance and funding, inviting speakers to community meetings and developing partnerships with local governments,

agencies, and groups which are also concerned about sulfide mining activities. The

Tribal Council’s position on the mining issue has not changed since the adoption of

the Resolution in July 2004, which is to continue to preserve our Homelands and

Ceded Territory for the next seven generations.

(2) Niizh

The Pink Shawl Project

Promoting Breast Health Awareness among Anishinaabe Kwe

Shawls are representative of the warmth and security of the Anishnaabeg mother to their children.

The shawl Project began as a way to promote and educate the Native community about the importance of breast care. Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer death in Anishinaabe kwe, but it

does not have to be this way. Breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it is

detected early. As pink is the nationally recognized color for breast cancer awareness, a group of

native women and other health care professionals have developed the idea of to have our women

make shawls with this color. With these shawls, they have entered the dance circle during an honor

song for breast cancer survivors, not only to honor them but also to increase Breast Health awareness within Native Communities. Please join us by making your own pink shawl—spread the word

to your sewing circle and other Anishinaabe kwe, or start a circle. By participating in this project

and being visible at the Pow-Wows, together, we can bring Breast Health awareness to all! Miigwech!

For more information contact:

Geraldine Mantila, 353-6623 ext 4134, Cindy Curtis 353-6008, or Doreen Blaker, 353-4565.

This Project has been made possible through a grant provided by the AVON BREAST CARE FUND,

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

JUDGE RULED AGAINST KBIC’S TOBACCO CASE

On September 12, 2005, Judge Robert Holmes Bell dismissed KBIC’s lawsuit, which alleges that the State had no authority to seize tobacco products en-route to businesses

within the reservation. The suit also alleges that the State has no authority to impose its tax

on the product or force the Tribe and businesses within the reservation to collect the tax on

sales made to non-tribal customers. Judge Bell said the tribe can seek refunds for taxes

paid to the State, although this system could be open to review.

The Council is definitely disappointed with Judge Bell’s decision. “We weren’t totally

surprised, but we were hoping that on some of the counts, Judge Bell would rule in our favor, but that did not happen. After listening to our attorneys in a recent Council meeting,

we still have many issues that Council needs to discuss before we make any kind of decision

on appeal,” President Susan LaFernier stated. Additional information will be related to

Tribal membership when decisions are made.

Tribal Council Meeting—September 10, 2005

The regularly scheduled Saturday Tribal Council meeting was held on September 10,

2005. Susan LaFernier presided over the meeting with Warren C. Swartz Jr., Larry J. Denomie III, Gary Loonsfoot Sr., Jennifer Misegan, Doreen Blaker, Fred Dakota, William E.

Emery, Michael F. LaFernier Sr., Elizabeth D. Mayo and Toni Minton present.

President LaFernier shared a number of Thank You letters with those who were present.

A request has been received from Saginaw Tribal Chief Audrey Falcon requesting a list of

our delegates who will be attending the October 6, 2005 Tribal Summit. We also received

a letter from ITC informing us that KB will not be receiving Family First services from them.

This is sad news. Families First services have been offered to KB for the past 18 years.

The Constitutional Survey results have been tabulated and provided for Council. They will

be posted. There were 600 distributed surveys with 151 responses. ‘Separation of Powers’

was the top concern gathered in the tabulation. Prizes for this survey were randomly drawn

- Thomas Chosa Sr. awarded $100, Leslie Haataja awarded $75 and Shirley McKasey

awarded $50.

In the President’s Report, Susan LaFernier indicated that she would like to thank Doreen

Blaker, our youth and drum who attended the opening ceremony and parade on August 9th

for the Grand Finn Festivities. They did a great job representing our community. Mrs.

LaFernier also indicated that she had spoken with a Finnish journalist, Yoko, who was quite

interested in the Tribe and the Finnish/Indian relationships. On August 14th, she attend the

Open House ceremony for the Omega House in Houghton, which the tribe has supported for

three years. Mrs. LaFernier noted, “It is a beautiful facility and it certainly will serve their

purpose.” Susan LaFernier also met with 15 Ojibwa Senior Citizens who will be going on

their trip September 28th through October 2nd. August 22nd, President LaFernier, along

with Jesse Luttenton, members of the Economic Development Committee, Fred Dakota, Sarah

Smith, Attorney John Baker and our area bankers met with Bill Dorsey who presented information on the Tribe’s proposed CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). The

Tribe also has a grant for a small business center that would partner with this CDFI. In another matter, President LaFernier, Jason Ayres, and Lynn Ketola met with Doug Mills of the

Baraga County Road Commission. He gave an update on the area road projects and they

also discussed the need for various new signs and when they would be put up. President

LaFernier indicated, “I would like to thank the Road Commission for helping to clear the

sides of the road by the Pinery Cemetery in order to extend the electricity down that road.”

She added, “I am excited to ask for your assistance with a new program which would be

similar to the ‘Adopt A Highway’ program where volunteers clean designated roadsides.

Mr. Mills states that this program could begin in the Spring for the Reservation and the

County. We will need names of volunteers who would clean the designated roadway and a

sign would indicate the miles and if you were doing the cleaning in memory of someone or

the name of your group. I will keep you informed more about this program in the next few

months. We are also participating in a program to collect old cell phones/phones for the

Special Olympics. Bins are at the entranceway at the Tribal Center.” Mike and Susan

LaFernier attended the Marquette Casino picnic. President LaFernier indicated that she

gave the welcome at the Tribal Center Government picnic, which was held at Sand Point this

year. She thanked Kim Klopstein and her committee for all of their hard work in organizing

the events that everyone enjoyed - games, great food and prizes. President LaFernier also

gave a special thank you directed to everyone at the health clinic for the beautiful

“Farewell Tribute” for Denise Marth, which was held on August 30th. She added, “Please

remember to keep the family of James Schlender, Executive Director of the Great Lakes

Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, who passed away on August 30th, in your prayers.”

President LaFernier indicated, “Last month I reported on our Cigarette Case Summary Judgment Hearing that was held in Grand Rapids before Judge Bell and at this time he still has

not made a decision, but we believe he will decide next week, and the trial that is scheduled for September 19th in Grand Rapids may be rescheduled. Also last month I reported

that the information to begin the 2-part application for the transfer of the Marquette Casino

was sent to the Stetson firm. They have completed a first draft which requires additional

information. President LaFernier stated that she has received an email from Matthew Wesaw, which states “In case you aren’t aware, we as Native Americans should be proud to

know that included in the first deployment of Emergency Management Assistance to the devastation in Louisiana includes four members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department. A deployment of about 100 Michigan law enforcement officers, under the jurisdiction

of the State Police, were dispatched Sunday to assist. Continue to pray for our people and

all those in need.” In closing she indicated, “It has been a very busy month with department

head and employee meetings, Council grievance hearings, Gaming Commission meeting/

hearings, job interviews, telephone calls, and of course Council meetings that Larry will report on. We also held five days of budget/finance meetings in preparation for next year.

A reminder that next month’s Saturday meeting will be held on October 1, 2005 @ 10:00

a.m. at the Marquette Community Center.”

Larry J. Denomie III reported on the Tribal Council meetings held throughout the month

of August in the Secretary’s report. Items of importance noted that the Council approved

the filling of two committee vacancies; amending the Personnel Policy regarding the temporary on-call/part-time classification; approved minutes from September 13, 15, 18, 23, 24,

30, October 1, 2, 7, 19, 28, November 6, 11, 22, and 29, 2004 meetings; approved an

additional $32,418.13 in operational funding for the Ojibwa Community College; approved Resolution KB1423-2005 for the IRR Co-op Project; approved Resolution KB14182005 for a residential lease modification for Bruce Banuchie; approved a timeline and

process for the development of a separate Gaming Commission; approved Imminent Threat

funding for the Baraga Sewer Project; scheduled September 29th for a review of the final

draft of the Communities Comprehensive Plan; approved the Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby to

be held in memory of Denise Marth; approved senior’s remaining pension fund to be applied toward their outstanding funeral expenses; approved Tribal Construction to complete

the Slot Department expansion at $26,000.00; approved Jim Cote’s family to have his allocated Senior Assistance funding applied toward his funeral expenses; tabled a funding request for a radio tower project until after the budget review process; approved Resolution

KB 1424-2005 - the 638 Contract to fund Forestry Programs; approved a Services Agreement for the Building Inspector at a rate of $20 per hour; motioned to offer the position of

Associate Director for the Health Center to Cheri Dakota; motioned to have all information/

court documents (filings) regarding the Todd Chosa case and the Cigarette Tax case to

Council members by 4:30 pm on August 22nd; a roll call vote regarding a motion made by

Fred Dakota and supported by Elizabeth Mayo to have Mr. Baker released/fired and reported to the MI Bar Association and to have damages to our cases with the State of MI

investigated resulted in three in favor (Fred Dakota, Elizabeth Mayo, and Shawanung), one

not present (Gary Loonsfoot Sr.) and the remaining seven opposed - the motion was defeated; approved a revision to the Emergency Fund Policy; approved residential leases for

Collette Gemignani; Deloris LeMaire and Robin Roe; approved a modification to a recreation lease for Floyd Forcia; authorized the Headstart Program to do in-house position transfers; approved inviting the ITC employees to the Tribe’s parties; approved Resolution

KB1429-2005 for the Office of Child Enforcement; approved a raffle license of KBOCC;

approved changes to the Written Internal Control Systems; and budget reviews.

Jennifer Misegan gave the Treasurer’s Report. Budgets requests were submitted by the

Business Managers and Department Heads, for Council reviews. These requests are quite

extensive and include items such as additions to existing buildings, on-line equipment and

casino equipment. The total of these requests are 3.5 million over our allocated income

projections. Keith Tourtillott Sr. - CEO, Sarah Smith - CEO Assistant, Francois LaPointe CFO, Dawn Richards - Interim Comptroller, Susan LaFernier - Tribal Council President, and

Jennifer Misegan - Tribal Council Treasurer have been assigned to the budget-team to aid

in balancing the budget for FY2006.

Keith Tourtillott Sr. indicated in the CEO Report that his office had handled 175 contacts. His desk conducted 97 sessions focusing primarily on budgetary issues, legal structure

and associations, training development and personnel relations. The majority of their focus

this month has been on the budget process. Another major area for the CEO office this

month has been collecting data and responses to inquires made from insurance companies

who are preparing to submit a quote on the Communities insurance needs.

Lori Sherman of MTU requested a donation to help with AISES travel expenses and the

10th Annual Spirit of the Harvest Powwow. There are stricter food policies to follow this

year, which increased the budget dramatically. Motion by Jennifer Misegan to donate

$8,882 to assist with the 10th Annual Spirit of the Harvest Powwow and AISES Travel, supported by Elizabeth Mayo, and carried.

Elizabeth Mayo requested a donation of $1000 to bring the Pink Shawl Dancers from

Gun Lake for the Harvest Powwow. Motioned by Gary Loonsfoot to donate $1000 to bring

the Pink Shawl Dancers here, supported by Mike LaFernier Sr., and carried.

Terri Denomie made a request for Council to purchase a school bus for the KBIC

Headstart program. Various bids were provided and Dave Zeramba of the Zeramba Bus

company was present to assist with questions. An International bus from this company was

also made available for Council to view. Motion by Elizabeth Mayo to purchase the larger

bus at the cost of $64,472 for the KBIC Early Headstart Program and for one of the

(current) Headstart buses to be utilized by KBIC Youth for the purpose of transporting children to and from Zeba to the Community Center, supported by Larry Denomie, and carried.

Charlotte Loonsfoot made a request for funding 15 women to attend the Georgianna

Maynard-Native Women’s Gathering September 22nd - 25th. This gathering is on Mackinaw Island. Motion by Warren C. Swartz Jr. to donate $2500 to the women’s group to

attend the native Women’s Gathering September 22nd - 25th, supported by Toni Minton,

and carried.

Tom Chosa, Rhea Koski and Dan Koski requested sponsorship to assist with their three

vehicles at the Mud Drag Races which are held throughout the U.P. Motion by Mike

Continued on page 11

(3) Niswi

Greg and Lindsey

(center) Loonsfoot

would like you to meet

their twin sons, (left)

Darious Wayne Loonsfoot and (right) O’Dell

William Loonsfoot,

born 08/16/2005.

Darious weighed 4

lbs, 3 oz, and was 16

Meet Cassandra Lynn Zasadnyj. She

inches in length. O’Dell

was

born 08/17/2005 and weighed 7 lbs,

weighed 4 lbs, 7 oz,

oz,

and was 20 ¼ inches in length. She

and was 16 ¼ inches

is the daughter of David and Lisa Zasadnyj.

in length.

Meet Aidan Thomas James, born July

19, 2005 at 10:55 a.m. to Waba Sandman Shelifoe and Thomas Alakayak. He

weighed 9 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21 inches

KINOMAAGE: THE EARTH SHOWS US THE WAY, by Aimee Dunn

What mental image do you have when you think of the Northwoods? Pines towering

over blueberries? Waves rocking wild rice? Trout swimming in the shade of cool waters?

The Great Lakes? Chances are your mental image does not include smokestacks belching

pollution, mines draining sulfuric acid into wild streams, or large power lines webbing their

way through field and wood.

Sadly enough, these latter images are also a part of the northern Great Lakes area.

Worse still, they threaten the more beautiful, healthful images of birch stands, cattails, and

the sun rising pink on the mists of a small inland lake. But this is not merely a threat to

beauty – it is also a threat to the cultures, health, and subsistence lifestyles of the Northwoods.

A recent course at Northern Michigan University, offered through the Center for Native

American Studies, focused on learning about the ways in which this northern land provides

for its human inhabitants. Called “Kinomaage,” (which translates from Anishinaabemowin

into English most literally as “the earth shows us the way”), the course took students out into

the field and engaged them in classroom discussions to learn about the traditional ecological knowledge of the Anishinaabeg, knowledge that has been acquired through centuries

of intergenerational residency in the Northwoods. The course also asked students to pay

attention to the plant community as an indicator of ecological stress, to be aware of what it

means to have a respectful relationship with the land, and to develop a consciousness of

how cultural values shape people’s attitudes toward the earth. As part of this, students

looked at the way in which the Northwoods, and the people’s ability to harvest healthy

food, has been affected by industrialization.

Far from being an untouched forest prior to European settlement, the Anishinaabeg

thoroughly utilized the northland by farming, harvesting, hunting and fishing. In fact, it

could be argued that the Anishinaabeg made more thorough use of the land prior to the

advent of Western society than anyone does today. This concept is important to recognize

for it shows that it is possible to utilize the land while also respecting it and keeping it

whole.

Some have a difficult time understanding this perspective.

As discussed in

“Kinomaage,” this difficulty often comes from the anthropocentric worldview of the majority

society that humans are separate from this vague, often menacing, concept called “nature.”

Today this worldview has gone to such an extent that many believe eating directly from

the earth is unsanitary and dangerous. Things must be sprayed with insecticide and packaged in cellophane before they are “safe” to eat. “Kinomaage” contradicts this worldview

by offering an introduction to the idea that such things as wiinisiibag (wintergreen), apakweshkway (cattail), mazaanaatig (stinging nettle), baakwaanaak (sumac), wiigwaasag

(birch), and miinan (blueberry) are harvestable and edible or usable. Indeed, the harvest

is more than a functional utilization of the earth; it is also heavily spiritual.

This idea that the earth provides us with what we need often comes as a surprise to

those who are immersed in the Western paradigm. For example, at a recent DEQ hearing

on Kennecott’s proposed metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains in Michigan’s Upper

Peninsula, one of the few citizens who spoke in favor of the mine told his fellow Yoopers

that he was tired of hearing how we needed to protect the “pristine” landscape of the

Yellow Dog Plains. “You can’t eat landscape,” he said. Raised in a culture that denigrates

the earth and sees no value in “uncultivated” or “undeveloped” land, this man was able to

say, without embarrassment, that the landscape was inedible. However, there were others at

the hearing who were aware of how inaccurate his comment was. One woman from Keweenaw Bay Indian Community “wanted to tell them about the blueberries ‘up there’ being

important for our food and feasts.”

Although many of the students in “Kinomaage” are well experienced in the area of wild

edibles, one of the goals of “Kinomaage” is to help those who don’t know realize how deliciously edible the landscape is. Bagaanag (hazelnuts) go well with wild rice dishes, as demonstrated by a dish offered by Don Chosa at the end of the semester “Kinomaage” feast.

Parts of apakweshkway (cattail) taste like tender corn. Syrup made from ininaatig (sugar

maple) is delicious over popped manoomin (wild rice). Sap from spruce trees offer chewing

gum. The new growth ends of various conifers provide a tender snack. Ode’iminan (wild

strawberries), odatagaagominag (blackberries), and miskominag (raspberries) are well

known, abundant northern berries. Not only do they taste good, but, according to Karen

Danielson of Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), berries such as miinan (blueberries) provide “important nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.” And these plants are only an introduction to how edible our landscape is.

As discussed in “Kinomaage,” these plants and numerous others are not only important for

sustenance, they are important culturally as well. The sugar bush, while hard work, is much

looked forward to in late March as the sun warms up the woods. Gathering bagwaji-zhiig

(wild leeks) soaks one in the quiet beauty of the spring woods. July and August are known as

miini-giizis (blueberry moon) “illustrating the importance of this harvest,” according to Danielson. The harvesting of manoomin (wild rice) is a much anticipated, sacred part of the year.

In fact, harvesting rights were seen as so important that they were reserved for the coming

generations in various treaties the Anishinaabeg made with the United States government.

It is worth noting that, according to Kennecott, the area for the proposed metallic sulfide

mine site on the Yellow Dog Plains has no “cultural resources.” On the contrary, while the

area may not harbor manoomin (wild rice), it certainly grows an abundance of miinan

(blueberries). This is not to mention that the area is also home to a variety of animals, including waawaashkeshi (white-tail deer) and various giigoonyag (fish), particularly trout, important to both the Anishinaabeg and the Yooper cultures.

Like the man who saw the landscape as inedible, Kennecott reflects the anthropocentric worldview. As discussed in “Kinomaage,” this worldview feels that where humans exist, humans should dominate. Not surprisingly, such a perception of the earth tends to lead to

ecological imbalance and disrupted lives for all concerned.

Kennecott, with its proposed sulfuric acid mine drainage, is the most recent in a line of

industrial exploiters who have sought to make a fortune off the wealth of the northland and

its inhabitants. This industrial exploitation, while lining the pockets of outsiders such as the

Rockefellers, undermined the subsistence lifestyle of the Northwoods.

In the mid-1800s, around the time the Anishinaabeg were pressured into ceding vast areas of mineral- and timber-rich land to the U.S., the Big Cut began in the northern Great

Lakes area. The area soon led the nation in timber-production with the result that by 1910,

the forests of the Great Lakes were mostly depleted. By 1929, both as a direct result of

industrial-scale logging and as an indirect effect (such as forest fires caused by logging),

Continued on page 5

(4) Niiwin

92% of Michigan’s forests were destroyed. Prior to the Big Cut, trees tended to grow over

150 feet tall and were so large in diameter that three men could not reach around them.

Today, only 1% of that pre-Cut forest remains. What this has meant to the Anishinaabeg

culture, a forest culture, has not yet been fully introduced into public discourse. As Anishinaabe activist, Walt Bresette, once said, “We have not yet taken the time to mourn our

pines.”

Industrial-scale mining was brought to the Northwoods a little over 150 years ago.

Unfortunately for the northern Great Lakes area, mining has devastating effects. According to an EPA report to Congress during the Reagan era, mining wastes may contain everything from cyanide to asbestos to heavy metals. As one example of this, the White Pine

mine in Michigan’s U.P. was recently sued by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and

the National Wildlife Federation for emissions of lead, arsenic and mercury over Lake Superior – these emissions were 500% higher than the established legal limit. In addition,

Kennecott’s proposed metallic sulfide mine is at high-risk to leak sulfuric acid into the surrounding area (which includes an important trout stream, a wetland, an aquifer, and, as it

flows down the trout stream, Lake Superior). This risk is as good as a certainty, for every

metallic sulfide mine in North America has contaminated its surroundings within ten years of

closing. Such contamination certainly affects the quality of healthy food available for harvest in those areas.

Sociologist and environmental activist, Al Gedicks, tells us that the Anishinaabeg of

northern Wisconsin “suffer a disproportionate environmental risk of illness and other health

problems from eating fish, deer, and other wildlife contaminated with industrial pollutants

like airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and other toxins deposited on land

and water.” All lakes in Michigan have a fish consumption advisory due to the mercury

and PCB contamination. Wisconsin and Minnesota waterways face similar dire straits as

do the Great Lakes themselves. The presence of heavy metals has been found in

manoomin (wild rice) as well. A study done by GLIFWC in 2001 found concentrations of

“arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and chromium in the

seeds and roots of wild rice.” These concentrations were “relatively low but detectable.”

Acid rain, created from the pollution of a variety of industries, is also affecting the forests

of the northland, particularly the white birch trees. According to Marquette environmental

group, “Witness for the Earth,” “acid rain disrupts photosynthesis and healthy soil processes,

thus causing plants to become malnourished. Such malnourished plants grow slowly and are

much more susceptible to pests and diseases.” Once abundant in the Upper Peninsula, particularly in the eastern portion, the beautiful and useful birch tree has greatly declined in

number. Various Anishinaabeg talk of how difficult it is now to find a birch tree suitable for

various projects, particularly canoe-making.

While much of this is depressing news, all is not hopeless. There are ways to heal and

protect the land in the long-term while also fighting today to stop the industrial projects that

currently threaten our area. One very important way is to help the Euro-American culture

finds its way to minobimaadiziiwin or “the good life.” Minobimaadiziiwin is an Anishinaabeg

and Cree concept that, on one level, involves living in awareness of the land and of how the

different forms of life interact with each other. According to Winona LaDuke, minobimaadiziiwin is based on “spiritual-cultural instructions from ‘time immemorial’ and on generations of

careful observation within an ecosystem of continuous residence.”

Courses like “Kinomaage” are intended to introduce people to and encourage them in

their acquisition of this traditional ecological knowledge. By listening to those cultures that

have lived mindfully, for generations, with the land, we can maintain a healthy, wellbalanced habitat. As Anishinaabeg, Yoopers, Wisconsinites, and Minnesotans, it is our duty

and our privilege to nurture the land we love. We must protect this beautiful and bountiful

northland that we call home. References are available by emailing adunn@nmu.edu

PINK SHAWL PROJECT BEGINS AT KBIC - WOMEN WANTED

The Pink Shawl Project is being initiated within a KB Women’s Circle

who recently met for an organizational meeting on Wednesday, August

24th at the Ojibwa Motel Conference Room. With the assistance of the

BCCCP facilitator, Becky Tussing, who is the Lead RN at KBIC Medical

Clinic, the group began discussing how they plan on getting the word out ”Get an annual mammogram and pap exam.” The group of ladies will

begin meeting regularly at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens to make shawls for

our survivors. There is a Powwow being planned for January within the

community, and the group plans to request an honor song for our survivors

of Breast and Cervical cancer, with others joining in.

The Pink Shawl Project is an effort to promote Breast Health Awareness among Anishinaabe kwe. Shawls are representative of warmth and

security of the Anishnaabeg mother to their children. The shawl project

began as a way to promote and educate the Native community about the

importance of breast care. Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer

death in Anishinaabe kwe, but it does not have to be this way. Breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it is detected early. As

pink is the nationally recognized color for breast cancer awareness, a group of native women and other health care professionals have developed the

idea of having our women make shawls with this color. With these shawls, they have entered the dance circle during an honor song for breast cancer

survivors, not only to honor them but also to increase Breast Health awareness within Native communities. Please join us by making your own pink shawl

- spread the word to your sewing circle and other Anishinaabe kwe, or start a circle. By participating in this project and being visible at the Powwows,

together, we can bring Breast Health awareness to all! Miigwech!

Ruth Bussey, KBIC DHHS Health Director, spoke with the group as a survivor of Breast cancer. When speaking of the BCCCP program, she stated, “I

never dreamt I’d be a recipient of the program. After receiving 28 radiation treatments, I am now 6 years cancer free now.”

For more information and to join the group, contact Becky Tussing, Avon Grant Administrator at 353-4516 or Monica Kohn, KBIC’s BCCCP Coordinator at 353-4580. This project is being made possible through a grant provided by the AVON BREAST CARE FUND, and KBIC DHHS.

PINK SHAWL DANCERS TO PERFORM AT HARVEST POWWOW

The ‘Pink Shawl Dancers’ will be displaying an exhibition to Honor Breast/

Cervical Cancer survivors on Saturday, October 29th, 2005 @ 2:00 p.m., at the

10th Annual Spirit of the Harvest Powwow, MTU Gates Tennis Center, Houghton, MI.

A large group of women met at the Grand Valley State University in the Spring

of 2003. They wanted to produce a way to raise awareness for breast cancer

screening in Native American women within a cultural manner. Mother-to-daughter

teachings were initiated and the idea to create traditional Native shawls in the color

of pink to symbolize breast cancer awareness. This group of women have been

dancing in their shawls at local Powwows and the idea is spreading to other tribal

communities in Michigan.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

DELEGATION MEETING

OJIBWA MOTEL,

CHIPPEWA ROOM

BARAGA, MI

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 2005

10:00 A.M.

ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE

ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND,

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!

(Left to right) Monica Kohn - KBIC

BCCCP Coordinator, Ruth Bussey KBIC DHHS Health Director, and

Becky Tussing - Lead RN at Medical

Clinic. Ruth Bussey is a recipient of

a pink shawl, presented to her by

Grand Traverse Band.

Recipe Of The Month

Wild Rice Salad

~ submitted by Gerry Mantila

1 cup wild rice

1 cup walnuts

1 can water chestnuts

1 cup grapes

Mayonnaise

3 skinless chicken breasts (cooked)

Cook and drain wild rice. Chop

& dice chicken, walnuts and water chestnuts. Mix all ingredients

together.

Add mayonnaise.

Serve cold.

(5) Naanan

10th Annual

Native American

Speakers’ Forum

Friday, October 28, 2005

MTU MUB Ballroom A

10:00~10:10 a.m.

Opening Drum

10:00~10:15 am.

Welcome Admissions

10:15~11:00 am.

Earl’s Wigwam

11:00~11:15 a.m.

Keenan Quarderer

Fiddle Player

11:20~12:00 p.m.

Red Feather Woman

Storyteller/Singer/Songwriter

12:00~1:00 p.m.

lunch by invitation

1:00~1:50 p.m.

Lowery Begay

Special Guest

Performance

World Champion Hoop Dancer

Special Guest

Performance

Lowery Begay (Navajo)

Hoop dance exhibition

3:00 pm

Red Feather Woman

(Sioux/Assiniboine)

Singer/Storyteller

3:45 pm

10th Annual Spirit of the Harvest Pow Wow

Saturday, October 29, 2005

MTU Gates Tennis Center, Houghton, MI

All Events are Free & Open to the Public

Grand Entries at 1 & 7 pm

Head Veteran - Shawanung

Joe Dowd (KBIC)

Head Female Dancer

Francie Wyers (Sault Ste. Marie)

Head Male Dancer

Rodney Loonsfoot (KBIC)

Head Female Teen Dancer

Britanee Gauthier (KBIC)

Head Male Teen Dancer

Donald Chosa III (KBIC)

Head Female Youth Dancer

Vanessa Beaver (KBIC)

Head Male Youth Dancer

Leon Chosa (KBIC)

Host Drum

Color Guard

Invited Drums

CoCo-Host Ditibasin

Emcee

Four Thunders

(Baraga & Watersmeet)

Lac Du Flambeau

(Ojibwe Veterans)

KBIC Color Guard

(Ojibwe Veterans)

Stanley Spruce (KBIC)

(Hannahville)

Arena Directors

LCO Eagles (La Courte Oreilles)

Paul Pouttu (KBIC)

Loon Travelers

Antonio Cerroni (Six Nations)

For more information contact

Grindstone Lake (LCO)

Lori Sherman at 487-2920 or

Woodland (Baraga)

lasherma@mtu.edu

Treetown

Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Educational Opportunity, MTU/American Indian Science and Engineering Society,

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Ford Motor Company and the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

1:50 ~ 2:00 p.m.

Closing Drum

Speakers’ Forum &

Powwow are sponsored in

part by the following:

Keweenaw Bay

Indian Community

Indigenous Insights

Children & Youth

Initiative Grant Indian Health Services

Ford Motor Company Fund

General Motors

Corporation

Daimler Chrysler

Corp Fund

Presidential Commission on

Diversity

Educational Opportunity Department

Kimberly-Clark

Tribal Technical

Assistance Program

MTU/AISES

Miigwech

KBIC @ PARADE OF THE NATIONS continued

CHILDREN’S POWWOW @ ASSININS

The 9th Annual Children’s Powwow

was held at Assinins on September 24,

2005. Eddy and Christine Edwards have

been organizing the event for many of

these years. Mr. Edwards states, “The

children have a real good time. You

should see their eyes when it comes time

for the give-away. Each child leaves for

home with quite a loot of presents. There

are spot dances, where they might receive ten bucks; and there are snowcones, popcorn, hotdogs and water

available free of charge for the children.” It was a beautiful afternoon for

many families and friends to visit as well.

Woodland drum provided the music

and KBIC Color Guard lead grand entry.

Robert Voakes was this year’s Head

Youth Male Dancer, with Tashina Emery

as Head Youth Female Dancer.

MTU

AISES group had a fry-bread concession

stand, which also included raffles

throughout the afternoon where a child

could win a pumpkin. A feast followed

the afternoon events.

Ojibwa Housing Authority,

Beartown Road Home, Lot #5

•

1404 square feet of living space, two story;

3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms;

Master bedroom with walk-in closet;

1-car insulated garage;

Tribal leased lot 150’ x 200’

Basement built with Insulated Concrete Forms;

House built with Structural Insulated Panels for

super insulation;

Gas forced air furnace, water heater and air-air

exchanger.

No appliances or finish flooring are included in the sale.

The Ojibwa Housing is selling this home for a minimum

of $95,000.00. Offers may be made to Eddy Edwards

or Natalie Mleko at the Zeba office.

(7) Niizhwaaswi

KBIC TRIBAL EMPLOYEES PICNIC

The Keweenaw Bay Tribal Council rewards

their employees every year with an Annual

KBIC Employee Picnic. This year the event was

held at the Sand Point Campground on Friday,

August 26, 2005. Keweenaw Bay Tribal Government Offices closed their doors for an afternoon of fun. Approximately 145 employees

gathered at the Sand Point Campground for an

afternoon of relaxation and fun. Many participated in Bingo while others tried their hand at

horseshoes, miniature golfing, water balloon toss and, the brave at heart dared in the

egg toss as well. A delicious lunch was enjoyed; catered by Kentucky Fried Chicken of

Houghton.

This year Marty Curtis won the grand prize - a gift certificate for the Tundra

Lodge in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Many other great prizes were awarded.

GROUP HIKES LITTLE MOUNTAIN FAMILY ORIENTED HEALTH ACTIVITIES

DHHS staff conducted their

third planned hike of three in

their “Feet In The Forest” series.

On Wednesday, August 24th,

a group of 21 participants

hiked up Little Mountain. One

hiker stated, “It sure was beautiful hiking up the trail, and it

was very aerobic also. It’s fun

socializing and meeting with

different people, it kind of

helps make the exercising more

pleasurable.” The participants

received a belt water bottle

holder, water and trail mix on

their hiking adventure. The

events are very family oriented. The second planned hike was canceled due to rain. If

anyone would like to hike the Pinery Trail—maps are available by request - contact Deb

Arens @ 353-4559 or Kathy Mayo @ 353-4519. This event was sponsored by KBIC

Diabetes Program, STEPS, and KBOCC Honoring Youth Health.

HIKING GROUP “FOOTSTEPS IN THE FOREST”

CRAFT WALKING STICKS

Participants who hiked with the “Footsteps In the Forest” Series were invited to attend a craft

session on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at the Ojibwa Senior Center to make their own walking

stick. This event was sponsored by KBIC Diabetes Program, STEPS, and KBOCC Honoring Youth

Health. Watch for future flyers/ads when the hikes begin a new series.

NEWS RELEASE - Michigan, September 8, 2005:

USDA Rural Development has federally subsidized housing

available for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Rural Development has 1,700 vacant apartment units and 15 houses

available throughout the state that are available rent free for up to six

months to victims of Hurricane Katrina who have relocated to Michigan.

Food stamps will soon be available for these families, and we are

also seeking partnerships with local community and faith-based organizations to provide social services to dislocated families.

We have already placed families in northern Michigan and are seeking your help to identify and assist others affected by this disaster.

Together we can make a difference.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY

ASSINIIS!!

~ love,

Mom & Dad

Please contact Jason Church at: (800) 944-8119 or (517) 324-5217.

If Jason is not available, please leave a message and you will be contacted shortly. Or fax your request to (517) 324-5224, and

you will be contacted shortly.

PRESS RELEASE- September 21, 2005:

“The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Housing Authority (KBOHA) has just recently been awarded a $400,000

Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development. The grant will be used in a comprehensive approach to increase efficiency between existing

programs which will strengthen KBOHA capacity, increase financial literacy, increase assets, increase the

number of available affordable housing units, increase job skills, and encourage job growth.

More specifically, the grant will allow the KBOHA to update our computers and file server, provide home

buyer/financial counseling, provide youth financial forums, provide down payment assistance to low-income

community members, provide matched funds for Individual Development Accounts to low and moderateincome community members, provide home rehabilitation assistance, extend utility lines through a housing

subdivision, and to construct two innovative and energy efficient SIP homes using an KBOHA crew, local

college interns, and high school students from the advanced construction trades class at Baraga High School.

(8) Ishwaaswi

KBIC NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT STUDYING LAKE STURGEON

Ogimaa giigoonh, or sturgeon, the king of fish, inhabits Keweenaw Bay and connecting waters. It was once very abundant in the near shore waters of Lake Superior, but over fishing

and habitat degradation nearly led to its extinction in the early

to mid 1900’s. Protective measures have since resulted in a

slow recovery of this prehistoric fish, but the population is still

Federally protected due to concerningly low numbers.

The cultural, economic and ecological importance of the lake

sturgeon has prompted a great amount of attention and research from several entities, including Federal, State, Tribal and

University professionals. In 2004, KBIC received monies from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to

increase efforts to understand lake sturgeon population dynamics in western Lake Superior.

KBIC Natural Resources Department (KBNRD) has conducted surveys in 2004-2005 with the

goal of capturing, tagging and releasing adult lake sturgeon in Keweenaw Bay near South Portage Entry and other areas. Over 30 adult sturgeon have been assessed through August, with

some of these fish measuring over 5 feet in length and estimated to be over 80 years old! Most

of the fish have appeared to be very healthy and untouched by humans (a single fish captured

had been previously tagged by researchers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources).

As more fish are captured and important information is gained, KBNRD will contribute to increasing understanding of lake sturgeon distribution, movement, and survival in Keweenaw Bay.

For more information, feel free to contact KBNRD at (906) 524-5757.

NEW KBIC EMPLOYEES

CALL FOR DANCERS!

MTU will be hosting a drum/dance exhibition Thursday, October 6th, 3:30—4:30 p.m. at the Rozsa Center in conjunction

with the Fifth Biennial Feminism(s) and Rhetoric(s) Conference.

We are looking for dancers from the L’Anse/Baraga area

who would like to participate in this event. Transportation will

be provided and a small honorarium for each dancer. Contact

Lori Sherman at (906) 487-3692 if you are interested in attending or see Zena at the Youth Center for a sign-up sheet.

Meet Cherie Dakota, Administrative Associate Director, Dept. of

Health & Human Services

Meet Timothy Tilson,

KB Tribal Conservation

Meet Angie Pearson, KB Tribal

Police Secretary/Dispatcher

Hello. My name is Cherie

Dakota, and I’ve recently been

hired as the Associate Director

for the Department of Health &

Human Services.

I bring 19

years of human services experience to this position, ranging

from working in acute care settings to home visiting. I worked

for Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in the past and am enjoying working once again in my

own community.

On a personal note, I enjoy

being “Mom” to my two children

and “Auntie Cherie” to nieces

and nephews.

Timothy Tilson has recently

been hired by the KBIC Tribal

Conservation Department. Tilson

has previous game warden experience - he was previously employed with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

(GLIFWC).

Due to scheduled training, Officer Tilson was unavailable for

comment.

Hi, my name is Angie Pearson.

I’m the daughter of Pat and Jay

Loonsfoot and returned to my

tribe from beautiful Vail Valley,

Colorado this past March.

brought with me my “four” children: son Brendon and his fiancé

Lauren, who both work at the

Casino, son Bret and daughter

Breanna, both students at Baraga

Sr. and Jr. High Schools.

I am very excited to be the

new Secretary/Dispatcher for the

Tribal Police Department. I bring

to the position over 9 years experience as a Legal Assistant/

Researcher and Officer Manager

as well as prior medical training

including EMT Basic. I look forward to using my experience to

assist the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community and it’s officers.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON

INDIAN RESERVATIONS

NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS FOR THE

CONTIGUOUS UNITIED STATES

[EFFECTIVE OCT. 1, 2005]

Household size

Income Limits

$ 932

1,204

1,475

1,747

2,042

2,335

2,607

2,879

Each additional member + $272

Computation of Income Eligibility Standards - The income eligibility

limits for each household size are based on the sum of the Food

Stamp Program net monthly income limits and the food stamp standard deduction amounts used for the contiguous United States.

Income Deductions—see 7 CFR 2.53.6(f)

Dependent Care Deduction—The current maximum allowable dependent care deduction is $200 for dependent children under 2 years

of age, and $175 for all other dependents. Earned Income Deductions—Households with earned income are allowed a deduction of 20

percent of their earned income. Medicare Part B Medical Insurance

Premium Deductions—Households that incur the cost of Medicare

Part B medical insurance premiums are allowed a deduction for the

monthly cost of the premium.

Child Support Deductions—

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.

LAKE TROUT TRANSFER BETWEEN

KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY AND THE

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS)

On Thursday, July 28, 2005, the Keweenaw Bay Natural

Resource Department released thousands of Lake Trout to the

Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service. There were approximately 3,000 Lake Trout

taken to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish hatchery in Iron

River, Wisconsin. The Lake Trout that were taken are around

two years of age and will be

used to produce around

700,000 offspring each year.

These offspring will be planted

in Lakes Michigan, Huron and

Superior. There were 1300

“backup” Lake Trout and a

portion of these were released

into Keweenaw Bay, with the

remaining fish being given to

the Michigan DNR.

Gene Mensch, the KBIC Fish

and Wildlife Biologist stated,

“We raise the Lake Trout on

behalf of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at our quarantine

facility in Pequaming to certify

that they are disease free and

raise additional brood stock as

a backup.” As of July 2005,

Lake Trout in our facility are

certified “disease free” by

both the Michigan DNR and

USFWS.

Many people were present

during the transfer. Included

were the Keweenaw Bay

Natural Resource Department

staff and John Leornard, regional Native American Liaison from

the USFWS. What topped off the transfer were two young

boys who enjoyed helping carry the Lake Trout in nets from the

isolation building to the holding tanks where they would be riding for the next three hours.

As part of the most recent isolation agreement, the USFWS

has stocked over 180,000 yearling Lake Trout into Keweenaw

Bay on behalf of KBIC, and have also provided Coaster Brook

Trout for stocking in local streams.

(9) Zhaangaswi

Community Calendar - October 2005

Events listed in calendar are listed throughout the newsletter FYI.

Events occurring throughout the KBIC Community are welcomed to be listed on this calendar. email

newsletter@kbic-nsn.gov

Sun

Wed

Mon

Tue

Thu

Fri

Home buyer Information & Training Session - October 17th & 24th, 6pm Ojibwa Senior Citizens in Baraga

On the first evening of the session, professionals from a number of agencies will provide information on different types of loans and the home buying

process. The second evening will be the training session put on by Christine LaPointe and Natalie Mleko. Both sessions are required for anyone receiving

Down Payment funds through the Ojibwa Housing Authority. For information or to sign up, call Christine or Natalie at 524-5514!

4 Growing Healthy

6 pm Home buyer

Training @ OSC

Annual Harvest

Feast @ Ojibwa Senior

Citizens, 1pm

6 pm Home buyer

Training @ OSC

Families series begins,

11:30 am Lakeside,

1 10 am Tribal Council Meeting @ Marquette Community

Center

Reading Buddies @

OCC Library, 5:30 pm

(Childbirth class - 6:30)

Walking In Balance

@ NMU 9am, Dance

exhibition 3:30pm MTU

8 Constitutional Con-

12 (Childbirth

class-6:30 pm)

18 Lunch & Learn, 19Reading Buddies

vention Meeting 10:00

am, Chip Rm

@ OCC Library 5:30

pm (Childbirth class 6:30 pm)

12 noon DHHS

Big Buck Night,

7pm @ OCC; Senior

Pasty Sale 353-6096

26 (Childbirth

Halloween Dance

9-12 midnite, ages 1318 (still in school)

29 10th Annual

Class - 6:30 pm)

Happy

30KBIC youth 0-12 31

Halloween

KBIC YOUTH HALLOWEEN PARTY (AGES 0-12

YEARS), SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2005 1pm - 4

pm @ THE NIIWIN AKEAA CENTER.

TEEN HALLOWEEN DANCE (AGES 13 - 18

[STILL IN SCHOOL], FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28,

2005, 9pm - 12 midnight, @ THE NIIWIN

AKEAA CENTER.

ANNUAL KBIC HARVEST FEAST

October 23, 2005 - 1:00 p.m.

@ Ojibwa Senior Citizens Center,

Mission Road, Baraga, MI 49908

Please bring a dish.

HARVEST HEALTH & SAFETY FAIR

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

12:00 noon - 6:00 pm

@ the Ojibwa Community College

111 Beartown Road

Baraga, MI 49908

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

FREE screenings, demonstrations, health &

safety information and prizes!

This event is sponsored by: KBOCC and

KBIC/DHHS, grant funding from CDC.

Call Rachelle Bachran @ 353-4628 or

email rachelle123@charter.net

Kathleen Mayo @ 353-4519 or email

kathleenmayo@hotmail.com

The Ojibwa Community Library offers a

reading program for children ages 3-5. Reading Buddies is held twice monthly on a Wednesday, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. An adult must stay

with the child. Not only do we read to the children, we also have age appropriate art projects,

plus activities for pre-cutting, alphabet, numbers

and shapes.

Spirit of the Harvest

Powwow, 1pm MTU

Seize Your Power & Kick Nicotine Out of Your Life! Tobacco Cessation program, Baraga

Best Western Lakeside, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm with lunch provided. [Wednesdays, Sept

28, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 19, Oct 26, Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16.] Call Deb Arens 353-4559 or

Ruth Keller 353-4543 to register. Gail Ploe, UP Western District Health Dept. is facilitator.

years Halloween Party

(10) Midaaswi

Sat

“Growing Healthy Families,” an eight-week

series facilitated by Mr. Michael Beiring, CAC2,

CDVD2. Many issues facing families today can

be addressed through improved communication,

consistency, and examination of personal values

and goals. Please come and join with us as we

address topics designed to help parents and individuals make positive changes that promote

“Growing Healthy Families”.

Beginning October 4th, 2005 at the Baraga

Lakeside Inn, 11:30 am—2:00 pm, lunch is provided. The event is sponsored by KBIC DHHS

Healthy Start Program. Registration is required

and space is limited. Contact Ruth Keller at 3534543 to register.

QUIT & WIN

Smoking Cessation Campaign - with a chance to win 1 of 5 $100 drawings.

Contest rules - must sign up and participate in the Tobacco Quit Line program. Register by

October 31st @ 1-800-480-QUIT (7848).

This program provides you with: Free Quit Smoking Coaching Program you can do anywhere by phone! One-on-one help to quit smoking at your own pace. 5 phone call sessions

over 12 months with your health coach. FREE PATCHES for eligible participants.

Benefits of Quitting: Decrease your change of getting lunch cancer and heart disease.

Improved health of your children. Secondhand smoke can lead to an increase in asthma,

ear infections, and bronchitis. Savings of over $1600 dollars a year… the cost of smoking

one pack a day for a year.

THERES MORE - A $500 drawing will be held at the end of the contest for those who have

successfully quit! (6-month follow-up) Call Today!

Sponsored by: Michigan Department of Community Health, Leade Health, Western U.P. District Health Department and

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MI.

KBIC Constitutional Task Force Survey Results - August 2005

Age

18-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61 & older

Total

151

0.13245

0.18543

0.218543

0.178808

0.284768

Gender

Male

Female

Total

151

Changes needed?

Yes

Maybe

Total

151

Voting age

Important

Not important

No opinion

Total

•

Wiidoktaaadwin “Walking In Balance”

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 9 am

@NMU University Center

Culturally Responsive Treatment Practices

Engaging Youth through Anishinaabe Culture

Recovery vs. Discovery

Tribal Justice

$15 registration fee, pre-registration necessary, space

limited. Call the Center for Native American Studies @

(906) 227-1397

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS, presented by:

Laura Cladas, RN. Baraga Lakeside Inn, October

5th, 12th, 19th, 26th @ 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Classes

are free and are open to any pregnant person &

their birth partner. Funded with a grant by

March of Dimes. Sponsored by: KBIC-DHHS, WIC

& Healthy Start.

Surveys mailed 600/Responses 151 0.251667

0.701987

0.165563

0.13245

Separation of powers

Important

117

Not important

No opinion

Total

151

0.463576

0.536424

Nominations and elections

Important

115

Not important

No opinion

Total

151

0.761589

0.119205

Removal of Secretary approval

Important

0.516556

Not important

0.218534

No opinion

0.264901

Total

151

0.649007

0.072848

0.278146

Separation of Business and Politics

Important

115

0.761589

Not important

0.139073

No opinion

0.099338

Total

151

Change or address the $10,000 limit

Important

0.615894

Not important

0.092715

No opinion

0.291391

Total

151

106

151

0.774834

0.125828

0.099338

Tribal Council Meeting - September 10, 2005 - continued

Continued from page 3

LaFernier Sr. to donate $500 to each of

these three individuals with a tribal business emblem to be placed on each vehicle, supported by Warren C. Swartz Jr.,

and carried.

Virginia Jermac requested information on eligible voter lists and a list of

voters who participated in the last election being given to an individual. Kim

Klopstein, Election Chairperson, informed

Ms. Jermac that there was no rule that it

could not be given out as requested,

therefore it was made available to Fred

Dakota. Eligible voter lists have always

been available to candidates running for

offices. The lists indicating who voted in

the last election are now available to

any Tribal member.

Resolution KB1422-2005, requesting

a Secretarial Election on the proposal to

change the voting age from 21 to 18,

was presented by Larry Denomie. The

recent constitution survey results indicated

70% believed that we should be addressing the voting age change. Moved

by Larry Denomie to approve the Resolution KB1422-2005, supported by Gary

Loonsfoot Sr., and carried.

Doreen Blaker requested a donation

to assist with the Children’s Powwow to

be held on September 26th in Assinins.

Moved by Toni Minton to donate $500

to assist with the Children’s Powwow,

supported by Mike LaFernier Sr., and

carried.

Doreen Blaker indicated that Newday has volunteered to oversee the Harvest Feast, which will be held October

23rd this year. Jerry Lee Curtis and Paul

Halverson have volunteered to provide

the venison. She is requesting two deer

tags for this feast.

Moved by Gary

Loonsfoot Sr. for two deer tags for the

Harvest Feast, supported by William E.

Emery, and carried.

Susan LaFernier read a request from

NMU

for

assistance

with

their

“Sweetgrass Cinema” Native American

Film Festival. Moved by Toni to donate

$500 to NMU for the “Sweetgrass Cin-

ema,” supported by Mike LaFernier Sr.,

Larry Denomie abstained, and carried.

Susan LaFernier read a request for

donation by Project WEAVE for assistance with their Seminar “Walking In

Balance.” Moved by Doreen Blaker to

donate $500 to assist Project WEAVE,

supported by Mike LaFernier Sr., Opposed by Warren C. Swartz Jr., Elizabeth Mayo, Fred Dakota, and carried.

Debi Williamson requested Resolution KB1431-2005 be approved for EPA

Brownsfield Job Training Grant application. This is a second attempt on this

grant, it is for $200,000 with no matching funds. The purpose of the grant is to

prepare individuals for future employment in the environmental cleanup field

and facilitate cleanup of Brownfield sites

contaminated with hazardous substances,

pollutants, or contaminants and petroleum. Moved by Doreen Blaker to approve Resolution KB1431-2005, supported by Toni Minton, and carried.

Attorney John Baker submitted a

business license request for a car dealership for KBO (Gerald Magnant and Keri

Varline). Moved by Doreen Blaker to

approve a car dealership license for

Gerald Magnant and Keri Varline, supported by Warren C. Swartz, opposed

by Jennifer Misegan, Mike LaFernier Sr.,

and carried.

Letter from Ojibwa Senior Citizens

requesting approval for Loretta Hugo as

a voting delegate for a two-year period,

Virginia Jermac as a voting delegate for

a two-year period, and Margaret Dunn

as an alternate voting delegate for a

two-year period for the MIEA (Michigan

Indian Elders Association). Moved by

Larry Denomie to approve these three

individuals as voting delegates as requested for the MIEA, supported by Jennifer Misegan, and carried.

Motion by Doreen Blaker to approve Department Head Reports for July

2005, supported by William E. Emery,

and carried.

Council went into closed session prior

to adjournment.

October 20, 2005

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

111 Beartown Road, Baraga, MI 49908

BIG BUCK NIGHT

Promoting Healthy Hunters

Hunter Training Camp

Fitness In The Field

And More!!!

Drawings to win a Smoker and other prizes.

BRING YOUR HUNTING BUDDY.

This event is sponsored by the KBOCC Honoring Our Health Grant, the KBIC Diabetes

Program and STEPS. For more information contact Rachelle Bachran at 353-4628 or

email: rachelle123@charter.net

ANISHINAABEMOWIN

Binaakwe Giizis

Falling Leaves Moon-October

Vocabulary

Four Sacred Herbs

Nookwezigan

Tobacco

Asemaa

Sweet grass

Wiingashk

Cedar (small boughs)

Giizhikaandagoons

Sage

Bashkodejiibik

Smudge (someone)

Nookwezo

Fall/Autumn

Dagwaagin

He/she smells good

Minomaagozi

He/she smells bad

Maazhimaagozi

He/she combs hair

Binaakwe’o

Binaakwe Giizis Word Find

L X C K S D L I C X Q Q A A A P W F C K

N E W O V H S O N I I X N U Y N F C U B

G I I Z H I K A A N D A G O O N S U R D

B A K Z I Q T W T O N C C O L J B U T K

D A S H L T X N E A A G K Y G A P J B K

C C S E S M W W E A L W W L M N I H E F

H D Z H M A K F X O E A Z Q A I Y O L I

Y P L B K A G Q X Z Q N K L A G V X Y C

E C U L A O A N I W H V T S Z A M H N H

O W T N D M D G I Z C H R P H A S B U D

R A I S I N A E H I P Y E A I W L G X H

V B Y Q X N T G J S W U X L M G N P C H

R F B C J B G V U I D B K E A A S K M T

X J F B W B L O Z Z I D N J A D I X Z Q

N O O K W E Z O T D E B Z J G T B H X A

I Z O G A A M O N I M C I W O C W N B N

X L G M R M G E U T R E V K Z T X G Y U

U A J L G N M P P J P J H R I V K A W G

Q B V H X O Q G E M Y K U O C Z D P I Q

H X F B K D G T R H C M E A K I P B O N

Anishinaabemowin page created by

Donald Chosa, Jr.

Anishinaabemowin Instructor/

Professor

Northern Michigan University

Word Find Word List

ASEMAA

BASHKODEJIIBIK

BINAAKWEO

DAGWAAGIN

GIIZHIKAANDAGOONS

MAAZHIMAAGOZI

MINOMAAGOZI

NOOKWEZIGAN

NOOKWEZO

WIINGASHK

(11) Ashi bezhig

Lunch & Learn - Vegetarian Style

Another “Free Lunch” was held

on Thursday, September 8th at the

Donald LaPointe Medical Facility.

Dr. Dale Schmeisser, Ph.D. prepared a vegetarian style lunch,

which consisted of Bocca burgers

and Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Dr. Dale is employed as a Nutritionist for the KBIC/DHHS. With

the assistance of the Diabetes staff,

Debbie Arens, LPN and Kathy

Mayo, RN, Dr. Dale has been teaching KBIC employees how to eat more

healthy. The employee wellness series is sponsored by the Diabetes Program

and STEPS, and is held monthly. The food served is most delicious! The next

free lunch employee wellness session is planned for October 18th @ 12:00

noon. Dr. Dale plans on preparing a meal from

South Africa, as he has recently attended a conference there in late September. During the

September 8th session, the participants learned

it was Dr. Dale’s birthday and sang “Happy

Birthday” to him. They presented him with a ‘no

buttons’ jacket. Pre-registration is required for

each session, sign up be calling Deb Arens @

353-4559.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community/Employment Opportunities

Assistant Tribal Attorney - open until filled

On Call positions: LPN - RN - Unit Manager - Account Executive/Sales

Child Care Provider - Cashier - Receptionist/Clerical Worker

For complete job announcement, application and closing dates contact:

KBIC Personnel Department

107 Beartown Road, Baraga, MI 49908

906-353-6623, ext 4176 or 4140

Or visit http://www.kbic-nsn.gov/html/personnel.htm

(12) Ashi Niizh

PRESORTED STD

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

107 Beartown Rd-Baraga, Mi 49908

U.S Postage

PAID

Calumet, MI

Permit No. 5

PRESS RELEASE

FUNDS NOW AVAILABLE FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS

TO PURCHASE A HOME

L’Anse, MI, September 13, 2005: Funds have become available for low-income members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community to become home owners through a joint project between Superior National Bank and the Ojibwa Housing Authority. Awards are in

the form of a three-to-one matched grant in which the recipient can receive up to $5,000 in down payment assistance. Recipients must be

able to secure a fixed– or variable-rate home loan through Superior National Bank. Income limits apply (for example, a household of four must

have an annual income less than $38,920). Anyone desiring mo e information may contact Paul Lampinen at Superior National at 353-6695 or

Natalie Mleko at Ojibwa Housing at 524-5514. Time and funds are limited so interested parties are encouraged to inquire as soon as possible.

1ST STEP COUNSELING

SERVICE

To place an ad, contact

If you are interested in

starting

buying

business and

don’t know

what to do next…

Lauri Denomie at

Call

Donna

Sackett @ (906)

353-4115 at the

Office of Planning & Development.

She can also set you up

an appointment with a

certified business

counselor in the

Baraga County area.

Sessions are free and

confidential.

Donald Chosa, Jr., or

newsletter@kbic-nsn.gov.

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.