The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2012)

WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Manoominike Giizis - Rice Making Moon - September 2012 Issue 98

34th ANNUAL KEWEENAW BAY MAAWANJI’IDING HELD

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.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Above and below: Dancers at Sunday Grand Entry.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Carole LaPointe

Elizabeth (Chiz) Matthews

Head Veteran Dancer, Rodney Loonsfoot led the

way at Sunday afternoon’s Grand Entry at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s 34th Annual Keweenaw Bay Maawaniji’ding.

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

The KBIC 34th Annual Maawanji’iding was

held the weekend of July 27-29, 2012, at the

Ojibwa Powwow Campgrounds in Baraga,

Michigan. “Honoring Our Fallen Ogichidaa” was

chosen for this year’s theme. Records indicate

ther were 643 dancers and 21 drums registered.

Admission sales totaled nearly 3300 for participants and spectators who enjoyed a beautiful

weekend of song and dance at Keweenaw Bay.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Following Friday evening’s grand entry, the

Powwow Committee honored four KBIC elders

this year: Glen David Bressette, Sr., Carol Jean

Heckroth, Janice Helene Shalifoe, and Mathew

J. Shalifoe, Sr.

Fifteen-year-old Samantha

Tolonen was crowned as Keweenaw Bay’s Royalty for the 2012 term. Samantha is the daughter of Glenn Tolonen, Sr., and Raeanne

Gauthier of Baraga. Standing Bull honored the

Community as host drum, along with War Club

as co-host drum and home drum Four Thunders. KBIC member Rodney Loonsfoot served

as Head Veteran Dancer, Jason Dowd (KBIC)

as Head Male Dancer, Cindy Curtis (KBIC) as

Head Female Dancer, Henry Williams (LVD) as

Head Youth Male Dancer, and Samantha

Tolonen (KBIC) as Head Youth Female Dancer.

Larry Smallwood and Pet Gabow served as emPhoto by Lauri Denomie.

cees. Daniel Connor (KBIC) served as Arena

Director and was assisted by Assistant Arena Jason Dowd, Head Male Dancer, and Cindy Curtis,

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August 4, 2012 Tribal Council

Meeting

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34th Annual Keweenaw Bay

Maawanji’iding

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Physicians Earn Blue Cross Designation

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Ojibwa Summer School Program

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Two KBIC Members Awarded

Scholarships

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Ojibwa Elder News

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Deepest Sympathy

Head Female Dancer.

Director, Mitch Bolo (KBIC). Donald Stolp, Sr.

(KBIC) served as Head Firekeeper. Cultural

teachings were delivered by Dorothy Sam.

ZaaZaa Edwards (age 11) of L’Anse, MI, won

the junior fry bread championship, and Levi

Rosebear, Circle Pines, MN, won the adult division fry bread championship. Friday evening,

the “Small and Tall Foes,” Jailyn Shelifoe (age

11) and Logan Shalifoe (age 10), a cousin

team, took first place in the youth two-step competition. The adult two-step competition was

held Saturday evening. Saturday’s events included two specials in honor of KBIC’s Fallen

Soldiers. The Lance Corporal Terrance Alan

Picciano Honor Special was held at 4 p.m. and

following the evening’s grand entry the Specialist Robert Lee Voakes, Jr. Honor Dance Special

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

was held. Saturday’s events also included a

Samantha Tolonen, Head Youth Female Dancer, drum competition, a hand-drum competition, a

and Henry Williams, Head Youth Male Dancer.

Veteran’s Honor Song, and a Feast.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Youth Fry Bread Championship Winner,

ZaaZaa Edwards, pictured with Daniel

Connor, Powwow Committee member,

AKA 2012 Arena Director.

Charlotte

Loonsfoot,

KBIC, designed

this year’s winning logo.

Continues on page six.

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AUGUST 4, 2012 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Tribal Council held their regularly

scheduled Saturday Tribal Council meeting

on August 4, 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, Robert (RD) Curtis, Jr., Fred Dakota, Eddy Edwards, Jean

Jokinen, Michael F. LaFernier, Sr., Carole L.

LaPointe, and Elizabeth “Chiz” Matthews

present. Jerry Lee Curtis and Toni J.

Minton were absent.

Vice President Elizabeth D. Mayo 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 four) and Larry Denomie III gave the

CEO’s Report (page five). Council passed

the Department Head Reports for June

2012.

Brenda Jackman addressed the Council

on behalf of an Ontonagon County Tribal

Members group with a request for consideration of the Tobacco Ordinance Amendment, the Elder’s and Disability Pension

Trust Amendment, and voting privileges.

Ms. Jackman believes there are 27 Tribal

members residing in Ontonagon County and

she has had contact with 13 of these members. They are asking for the right to vote,

to be allowed to participate in the Tribal

elder’s assistance program, and to be allowed to share in the distribution of the Tobacco Ordinance funds. Jackman stated,

“In Ontonagon, we don’t feel like we’re full

fledged members of this Tribe, it’s like we’re

outcasts.” Council advised the group that

voting is regulated by the Constitution. The

Constitution Committee meets monthly on

the first Friday of the month and currently

has an open seat on the committee. They

were advised to begin there with the voting

issue. Council agreed to work on their other

requests, but it will take some time as there

is a legislative process for the Tobacco Ordinance which has a first, second, and third

reading. The Pension Trust will be discussed at the annual budget meeting in

September.

Joe Kirkish addressed the Council with a

request to be allowed to film a documentary

on the reservation. Council viewed a short

clip of Kirkish’s potential film. Consensus of

the Council was for Mr. Kirkish to move forward with his production.

Jacquelyn Velmer requested financial

assistance for five Tribal members to attend

a trip to Rome in October for the Canonization of the first Native American to be declared a Saint—Kateri Tekakwitha. Elizabeth D. Mayo motioned to approve $400

each for Agatha Cardinal, Patricia Pills-

bury, John Vuk, Jessica Velmer, and

Michaela Velmer ($2000) to travel to

Rome for the Canonization of the first

Native American Kateri Tekakwitha, supported by Frederick Dakota, nine supported (Mayo, S. LaFernier, R. Curtis, Dakota, Edwards, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, two absent (J. Curtis, Minton)

motion carried.

Joseph O’Leary retainer agreement relates to treaty farming activities to draft a

new Chapter 7 of Title 10 for the Code.

Carole LaPointe motioned for the President to sign the retainer agreement for

Joseph O’Leary, supported by Susan J.

LaFernier, seven supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R.

Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Elizabeth D. Mayo motioned to move

the September 1, 2012 meeting to September 8, 2012, supported by Carole LaPointe, seven supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R.

Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Carole LaPointe shared as an informational item, as there was no match funds

needed, an Intertribal Council Memorandum

of Cooperative Agreement (MOCA) for the

continuation of the Healthy Start Program

“Maajtaag Mnobmaadzid.”

Carole LaPointe presented the Public

Health Emergency Preparedness Grant

Agreement with Michigan Department of

Community Health as there is a $2300

match. Elizabeth D. Mayo motioned to

approve the Public Health Emergency

Preparedness Grant Agreement with

Michigan Department of Community

Health, supported by Susan J. LaFernier,

seven supported (Mayo, S. LaFernier,

Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier, LaPointe,

Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four

absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R. Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Carole LaPointe presented the Catalyst

Rx Pharmacy Provider Agreement which

will start revenues coming in from Medicaid

claims. Susan J. LaFernier motioned to

approve the Pharmacy Benefit Management Pharmacy Network Agreement between Catalyst Rx and the KBIC Pharmacy, supported by Carole LaPointe,

seven supported (Mayo, S. LaFernier,

Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier, LaPointe,

Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four

absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R. Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Larry Denomie, CEO, presented a CNAP

(Community Needs Assistance Program)

Budget Modification. This fund provides

$300 medical/nonmedical benefits.

The

$200,000 which was budgeted is near depletion. He requested an additional $40,000

for this fiscal year. Jean Jokinen motioned to approve the Budget Modification for CNAP, supported by Michael

LaFernier, seven supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R.

Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Evelyn Ravidran, of the Natural Resources Department, addressed the Council

with a request for a 3rd contract amendment

to the Fischer Biological Consulting LLC

Consultant Agreement to implement the final water monitoring setup and startup the

installed re-circulating water system equipment.

Elizabeth D. Mayo motioned to

approve the 3rd contract amendment to

Fischer Biological Consulting LLC, supported by Michael LaFernier, seven supported (Mayo, S. LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier, LaPointe, Matthews), 0

opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J.

Curtis, Minton, R. Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Evelyn Ravidran, NRD, brought forth a

request to select a bid and approve a contract for a hatchery head tank enclosure

structure. Dave Whitman was the only bid

received and they will purchase their supplies from Ojibwa Building Supplies. Susan

J. LaFernier motioned to approve the bid

for the Hatchery Head Tank Enclosure

structure proposal from David Whitman

for $19,567, supported by Carole LaPointe, seven supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R.

Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Marty Curtis of the Newday Treatment

Facility submitted information and a request

for approval of a surveillance system bid.

Jean Jokinen motioned to approve the

bid from the South Shore Services Incorporation, for $6,783.50 for security cameras at Newday, supported by Elizabeth

Matthews, seven supported (Mayo, S.

LaFernier, Dakota, Jokinen, M. LaFernier,

LaPointe, Matthews), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (J. Curtis, Minton, R.

Curtis, Edwards), motion carried.

Prior to adjourning, Council moved into

closed session with the Parade of Nations

donation request on the agenda. The donation request from Danishia Slade, MTU for

the Parade of Nations, was tabled until the

next meeting.

~ submitted by Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR THE MONTHS OF JUNE/JULY 2012

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

months of June and July 2012:

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I attended a Housing meeting in Green

Bay, Wisconsin, with Council members

Edwards, Dakota, and Curtis, along

with a number of other individuals. This

was a good meeting, and there were a

lot of open discussions. We were able

to learn what Housing does and what

they have oversight on.

I attended the powwow this weekend.

One of the booths was the Native Vote.

They had a drive to get Native people

registered and to participate in the election process this upcoming November

and in the primaries that are coming

shortly within a week or two.

We have been working on the Sexual

Offender Registration and Notification

Act now for a few years. We have re-

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ceived notification that we will be receiving substantial implementation for

SORNA. This is a huge accomplishment for the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community, and we are the only independent Tribe in Michigan who has that

designation. Chi Miigwech to those who

have worked on this project: Heather

Chapman, Dale Dakota, and Charles

Miller.

Last month, I had indicated to Council

that I was going to look into social media

policies. The CEO and a few others will

be attending a social media workshop in

Marquette. I asked the CEO to gather

some information on social media and to

bring it back, so Council can also receive training on social media. One of

the goals of our comprehensive plan is

to tape our meetings and make them

public. My goal is to train Council to understand what social media is, how it

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can help, and what are the negative aspects of social media.

During the past few months, the President’s office and a number of government staff have been busy working with

our gas station which will be opening in

Marquette.

 On May 17, and 18, Councilman

Curtis, and Economic Developer,

Greg Nominelli, attended the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Tribal Economic Forum in

Lansing. They spoke with Lance

Boldrey of Dykema Gossett about

the gas station and corporate form.

They also spoke with former Michigan Senator Mitch Irwin.

Irwin

stated that Dykema Gossett is a

good legal firm but directed KBIC to

look at another lobbying firm with

stronger ties to Governor Snyder for

the project. Upon returning from

Continues on page three.

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Lansing, they met with me, and

Nominelli was directed to contact the

firm recommended by Irwin to make

an inquiry.

On May 22, 2012, Greg Nominelli

and I met with Scott Erbisch, Marquette County Administrator, Commissioner, Gerry Corkin and Paul

Arsenault who represent the districts

where the gas station and casino will

be located. We requested support

for both projects in Marquette

County. We then met with Amy

Clickner, the CEO of Lake Superior

Community Partnership, and we

asked for support on both of those

projects. Clickner stated that her

concern with the gas station is over

existing gas stations and that they

must pay sales taxes. We met with

Marquette Township Supervisor,

Dennis Liimatta, Manager, Randy

Girard, and the Zoning Administrator, Jason McCarthy. The Township

appeared supportive of the gas station and establishing an intergovernmental agreement. The Township

also informed the Community that

the U.P. Petroleum Association was

scheduled to address the Township

Board on June 5, 2012, in opposition

to our gas station. We agreed that

we wanted to attend that hearing to

hear the U.P. Petroleum Association’s position prior to providing a

response. Fred Dakota and a number of Community members attended the meeting.

On May 23, 2012, the gas station

task force convened to discuss the

land in trust application. They conducted the environmental assessment and potential opposition to the

project from Marquette businesses.

Larry Denomie, CEO, informed the

task force that the Community had

hired Herb Nelson, formerly of the

BIA, to conduct the environmental

assessment. The CEO will work

with Char Spruce to schedule a

meeting to review the application

and process with Mr. Nelson.

On May 24, 2012, Greg Nominelli

met with Council regarding the access of grant funds from the HUD

Rural Initiative Fund. The task force

had recommended establishing a

bank account for the new corporation before the Board of Directors is

appointed to allow HUD to transfer

funds to the Community which would

then transfer funds to the Corporation. To accomplish this goal a Federal Employer Identification Number

must be created for the bank to authorize an account. Greg Nominelli

and I visited the bank as authorized

by the Articles of Incorporation, and

we established the account by placing fifty dollars into the account. A

meeting will be held next week to

discuss the movement of those

funds.

On June 3, 2012, Marquette Supervisor Liimatta stated that U.P. Petroleum Association was scheduled to

make a presentation to the Township Board, and he would allow the

Tribe to make comments. Although

we had previously planned to make

comments, we decided later not to

comment.

On June 13, 2012, the gas station

task force met with Herb Nelson,

formerly of the BIA, who will be conducting the environmental assessment for the gas station land in trust

application. He stated that the Community must prepare a bullet proof

application due to potential opposi-

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tion from the Marquette County gas

station and convenience store owners. He recommended we meet with

Marquette Township officials regarding a creation of an intergovernmental agreement to address such

things as water, sewer, storm water

runoff, emergency services, and

other things. Mr. Nelson also suggested looking at traffic capacity and

flow to ensure that entrances and

exits to the facility would be safe.

 We met with Paul Arsenault, of Concepts Consultants, who is also a

Marquette County Commissioner,

regarding financing of the gas station using loan guarantees.

 On June 25, 2012, we met with

Randy Girard and Dennis Liimatta of

Marquette Township about the specifics of an intergovernmental agreement. Greg Nominelli is preparing a

draft of that document.

 In late June, Greg Nominelli accessed the HUD Rural Initiative

Fund website to request the draw

down funds for the corporation. Matthew Robinson was scheduled to

meet with the Community on July

10, 2012, to begin a design and market study for the gas station as approved by Council. Council wanted

to use funds from the HUD RIF grant

to pay for the study. However, the

grant funds were not available by

July 10, 2012, and Matthew Robinson wanted to wait until the funds

were in hand. On July 3, 2012, we

received notification that the draw

down funds will be available to be

requested from HUD.

 On July 10, 2012, Greg Nominelli

and I met with representatives of the

Michigan Department of Transportation to discuss the traffic flow at both

the gas station and the casino.

MDOT representatives stated that

we are not required to meet with the

state, but they appreciated that we

did and that we wanted to ensure all

state traffic flows. MDOT recommended the Community obtain a

prequalified traffic capacity analysis

and geometry studies engineer firm

to assist traffic design and flows.

During the last month Council also selected three Board of Director members

for the Aanikoosing, Inc: Anthony Rabitaille, Roy Koski, and Andrew Chosa.

Paul Stark was chosen as an alternate.

We are moving forward with the

Aanikoosing, Inc., and Council now will

need to choose two board members

from the Council.

On June 1, 2012, Greg Nominelli and I

met with Jeff Thornton, City Manager of

Negaunee, regarding the sewer system.

We also met with Governor Snyder’s

representative, Greg Andrews, and requested the Governor’s support for the

casino location.

Mr. Andrews mentioned the gas station and mining issues

as areas of potential conflict between

the Governor and Tribe. We replied that

they are two separate issues and that

we didn’t want to mix the casino issue

with other issues such as the gas issue

and the tax agreement.

On June 13, 2012, Nominelli and I met

with Ken Delinger and Brian Savolainen

of U.P. Engineer and Architects regarding the potential lagoon system to support the expansion of the casino facility

in Negaunee Township. It appears that

the existing four inch pipeline is sufficient at this time. Once we begin to expand, we will need to address that four

inch sewer line.

On June 25, 2012, Nominelli and I met

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with Pat Black, Pete O’Dovero, and Joe

Durocha, seeking support for the Casino. Joe Durocha is the Supervisor of

Humboldt Township and is especially

supportive of the Community’s efforts.

Mr. Durocha agreed to contact the local

township on our behalf and the county

board to encourage them to reaffirm

their support for the Casino relocation.

On July 9, 2012, we did have that meeting, and we met with Representatives

from Negaunee, Ishpeming, Humboldt,

Champion, Eli, Big Bay, Republic, the

Marquette County Board, and Senator

Casperson to build on support for the

Casino relocation. All in attendance

were in support of the Tribe’s move from

Chocolay Township to Negaunee Township, and there is no apparent opposition to our Casino relocation project. A

number of these governments have issued letters of support to the Governor’s

office.

On July 18, 2012, Attorney Heather

Chapman, Greg Nominelli, and I traveled to Lansing to meet with Governor

Snyder regarding the two-part application for the proposed Casino. Prior to

this meeting, we met with former house

speakers, Lewis Dodak and Rick Johnson, who have a business consulting

firm. They have inside knowledge of the

State Executive and Legislative Offices,

and Johnson is particularly tight with

Governor Snyder. Johnson informed us

that there doesn’t seem to be a problem

with the Casino location, but we may

have opposition to the gas station. As

the Governor’s concurrence to the Secretary of Interior’s determining the Casino relocation is in the best interest of

the Tribe and not detrimental to the surrounding area. After that meeting, I ran

into Representative Matt Huuki, who

talked of his concerns of the Community

opening a gas station and how this affects business owners and his idea of

using the Casino as a bargaining chip

with the gas station. I told him that we

wanted to separate the issues and that

we didn’t want to intermingle the gas

station or the tax agreement issue with

the Casino issue. We then met with the

Governor briefly. I informed the Governor of all the support we have, the letters of support received, jobs that this

Casino relocation would create which

includes good paying jobs, the citizens

of Marquette support it, and it is a good

idea for him to consider the request from

the Bureau of Indian Affairs to concur

with our two-part application. The Governor indicated he needed time to look

at the application. I told him if he

needed any help at all to contact us.

Last week, I found out that the Governor

will be at the Escanaba State Fair. I

plan on meeting with him on Friday to

offer anything else he may need from

the Community in regards to his concurrence.

This concludes my report.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

IF ANYONE NEEDS

WOOD FOR FOUR

DAY CEREMONY

PURPOSES,

CONTACT

R.D. CURTIS AT

201-2198.

(3) Niswi

SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR JULY 2012

Activities reported by the Secretary, Susan

J. LaFernier, for the month of July 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 he has 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. 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 yourself 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 three months to go until Election Day,

spread the word. Also see the website NativeVote.org. Good job to Jennifer who had

a Native Vote booth at the Powwow! August Primary: Tuesday, August 7, 2012.

November General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

On July 13, 2012, Larry Denomie and I

from the WHIPP Task Force provided a

healthy lunch for the Lake Superior Day

beach cleanup crew. We grilled chicken

breasts, and he prepared the salad and watermelon. Thanks to all who participated in

the event. It was a beautiful day, and much

garbage was collected. Remember to keep

our roadsides and beaches clean.

On July 17th the Department Head meeting was held, and the departments have

been working on their annual report to the

membership which will be completed by the

annual budget reviews. As we read in the

many great news articles, our 34th Annual

Keweenaw Bay Maawanji’iding Powwow“Honoring Our Fallen Ogichidaa”: Lance

Corporal Terrance A. Picciano, U.S. Marine

Corps-Vietnam and Specialist Robert L.

Voakes, Jr., U.S. Army Military PoliceAfghanistan, was again a success. It was a

beautiful, busy weekend, and our thanks

and congratulations to our Powwow Committee for a job well done. Also, be watching for next year’s Finn Fest events on June

19-23, 2013, to include our four county areas. I attended a planning meeting with

their committee on July 31, 2012.

Our most sincere sympathy to the family

of our friend, colleague, and director of our

Natural Resources Department, Todd Warner who walked on to a new land on July

18, 2012. A celebration of Todd’s life will be

held at his home in Marquette on September 22, 2012. We will also be remembering

Todd here at KBIC on September 21, 2012.

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

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

Way to Wellness” challenge is underway

until August 12, 2012, with two more drawings. Congratulations to Keweenaw Bay

who finished third out of the seven Tribes in

the “Tribe to Tribe” Walking Challenge and

Congratulations to Rodney Meis from the

Ojibwa Motel who ranked in the top ten

walkers.

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. We pray

for peace in the world. “Who does the land

belong to? Some to those that have walked

on, a little to those still living, but most to

those yet to be born.” ~ unknown.

During July 2012, the Tribal Council held

one Regular Tribal Council Meeting on July

7, 2012. This meeting is covered in the August 2012 Newsletter. Tribal Council held

two Special Council Meetings. Following

are the unapproved motions from July.

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At a council meeting held July 26, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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At a council meeting held July 19, 2012,

the following actions were taken:

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Approved the September 1, 3, 8, 9, 14,

15, and 16, 2011 Tribal Council meeting

minutes;

Approved

$75,000.00 to the KBIC

Tribal Health Fund which is for KB

Tribal members;

Approved to overturn the CEO’s decision in regards to a government employee grievance #008-12, take off of

his record, and return his back pay;

Approved the services agreement with

Blackrock Geoscience for $10,000.00

for the KBIC Solid Waste Management

Plan Update;

Approved the budget modification for a

$35,000.00 increase for the Fall Semester for the 511 Sovereign Student Fund;

Approved a donation request of $300.00

and tank of gas from the Pines for Eleanor Nieskes for medical travel for her

grandson;

Approved to apply for the “Let’s Play

Community Construction” grant up to

$15,000.00 with a minimum of

$9,000.00 match from the THPO program (for Sand Point playground equipment per the Parks & Recreation Committee request);

Approved a donation of $300.00 to Eric

LaFernier for gas from Chicago for his

services with the playground grant;

Approved OHM (Hancock) for $640.00

per day for the backfill nuclear density

testing for the Gamanche Creek fish

passages (culverts);

Approved Resolution KB 1891-2012 for

FY2013 Stefanie Tubbs Jones Child

Welfare Services-Title IV-B Subpart 1

Child Welfare Services grant (Tribal Social Services Department);

Approved Friday, July 27, 2012, as a

day off (closure) for government employees to attend the Powwow;

Approved Friday, August 3, 2012, as a

day off for the government employee

picnic;

Defeated a motion to interview Dawn

Sturdevant Baum, Todd Gravelle, Dean

Antilla, and Damian Fischer for the attorney position;

Approved to interview Dawn Sturdevant

Baum, Todd Gravelle, Dean Antilla,

Damian Fischer, Heather Chapman, and

Greg Nominelli for the attorney position

(on August 16, 2012);

Approved Resolution KB 1892-2012

which cancels Randy S. Owens residential lease and transfers to Melvin J. Durant;

Approved to include a 3% employee

raise in the upcoming 2012-13 budgets;

Approved to file a request for investigation of the former Tribal attorney John

Baker (with the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission) and have the President sign the request;

Approved the promotion of Lyndon Ekdahl to Systems and Facilities Coordinator at the Natural Resources Department;

Approved to offer the OVW Programs

and Services Team Lead position to

Cherie Dakota;

Approved the services agreement with

U.P. Environmental Services, Inc. to

provide services for the pumping-out,

removal and disposal of the underground storage tanks at the Commodity

Food building for $42,500.00;

Approved a provisional license for Jennifer Misegan for the ICWA Committee.











Approved the video presentation

(proposed agreement) with Charles

Miller up to $4,500.00 and consensus

for him to begin filming at the Powwow;

Approved the Entertainment Agreement

with SquidWheelies, LLC to perform at

the Inkrum Event at the Bingo Hall on

August 11, 2012;

Approved to appoint Michael Duschene

to the Gaming Commission (three interviews –one declined);

Approved to appoint Andrew Chosa,

Roy Koski, Anthony Rabitaille, and Paul

Stark as the alternate to the Aanikoosing, Inc. Board of Directors;

Approved to reconsider (from the July

19, 2012, meeting motion) to send the

letter of request for investigation of the

former Tribal Attorney John Baker (with

the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission) after reviewing information;

Defeated a motion to file a request for

investigation of the former Tribal Attorney John Baker (with the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission) and

have the President sign the request.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

MICHIGAN’S 2012

ELECTION CALENDAR

This election year, make sure Your

Voice is heard—Register and Vote!

CEO REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE/JULY 2012

The months of June and July 2012 included

the following activities and reportable items:



One of the fundamental rights of our democracy is the right to vote. Any U.S. citizen who is a least age 18 on election day is

eligible. You must also be a resident of

Michigan and the city or township where

you are applying to register to vote. Before

you can cast a ballot, you must register.

Voter registration forms are available at any

Secretary of State office, the Bureau of

Elections on-line at www.Michigan.gov/

elections, or from your local clerks.

In a democratic society, we have the

privilege of voting to choose the representatives who will work on the problems important to us.

Elect your representatives: Deciding

who gets your vote is not always easy! The

following steps will help you find the candidate who will best represent you. Web

sites, personal flyers, and newspaper/

newsletters can provide information to help

you decide:

 Find out where the candidates stand on

issues that are important to you;

 Explore the candidates’ experience.

DATES TO REMEMBER

October 9

Last day to register for the November

General Election

November 3

November General Election absentee

ballot requests must be received by 2

p.m.

T u e s d a y , November General Election

November 6

Local Physician Earns

Patient-Centered Medical Home

Designation from Blue Cross

Blue Shield of Michigan

Nation’s largest PCMH program transforming primary care in Michigan

Baraga, Mich. — Blue Cross Blue Shield

of Michigan has designated Dr. Chung Oh

and Dr. Joseph Zobro from the KBIC Medical Clinic as a patient-centered medical

home practice. The designation period runs

from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013.

This means that Dr. Oh and Dr. Zobro,

are among a select group of primary care

physicians in Michigan who adopt the

PCMH model of care to further improve primary care in Michigan

“The patient-centered medical home is

health care centered on the patient,” said

Dr. Oh. “We take a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient care helping our

patients meet their health goals and keeping

track of all their specialist visits, test results,

and prescriptions.”

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

KBIC Medical Physicians: Dr. Joseph Zobro

(left) and Dr. Chung Oh (right).

The Blues have designated 994 primary

care practices — with 3,017 primary care

doctors — as PCMH practices. The program is the largest of its kind in the country





It is with deep sadness that I report the

passing of Todd Warner who served as

our Natural Resources Director. Todd

worked for the department for just over

nine years. He began working in July of

2003 as the Environmental Response

Program Specialist and as the director

of the department in January of 2005

until his passing on July 18. Todd’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life

Memorial at Todd’s home in Marquette,

MI, on September 22, 2012. The family

has also set up a memorial fund with

the Lake Superior Watershed to continue funding the Summer Youth Work

Crew program which he worked very

hard at developing and was very passionate about continuing. The Tribe has

contributed to the program for the past

three years which provides six of our

summer youth workers experience in

the field with the hopes of inspiring them

to make a career of protecting Mother

Earth. Todd will be missed and the

work he has done at KBIC to further the

goals of protecting the air, land, and water will long be remembered.

We have received official notice that the

Tribe will be receiving the HUD ICDBG

grant in the amount of $600,000. The

notice indicated that the funds will be

available, pending approved appropriations, this fall. The funds will be used to

purchase equipment for the new Transfer Station project.

Indian Health Services is providing

$500,000 for the transfer station project

also. In order to move forward with soliciting for RFP’s for the project, they

must give final approval of the work plan

which has been submitted and is under

review. The Northwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is providing the funds for a hazardous waste collection area at the site. They have solicited bids for that portion of the project

which includes a concrete slab where a

self contained storage pod will be

placed. Funds from the Great Lakes

Restoration Initiative will also be used in

the construction of the road accessing

the hazardous waste collection site.

There are several ancillary tasks that

need to be completed prior to operating

the facility which includes the approval

of a Solid Waste Ordinance which has

been drafted, a wastewater plan completed and approved, and final selection, by Council, as to the organizational

structure and operation of the business.

Options for operations will be presented

to Council at the August 9, 2012 meet-

and has the potential to affect close to two

million Michigan residents.

Health Director, Carole LaPointe, said,

“With the PCMH model, we create care

teams that work with patients to keep them

healthy and monitor their care on an ongoing basis.

We coordinate your health care, using

registries to track your conditions and ensure that you receive the care you need.

We offer you more access to the care team,

coordinate complementary care (such as

nutrition counseling) and help you to better

manage conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension to name a few.

A recent analysis of Blue Cross claims

data shows that PCMH-designated doctors

are succeeding in more effectively managing patients’ care to keep them healthy and

prevent complications.

KBIC Dept. of Health and Human Services is the first Tribal Health Center in the











ing.

Cherie Dakota has officially accepted

the position of OVW Team Lead which

was formerly held by Sylvia Murray who

resigned effective July 7. Cherie currently works for the Ojibwa Community

College and will begin in the new position in early September.

Development of the FY13 budgets is

well underway. Budgets are due in from

all departments by mid August which will

then be prepared and readied for Council review the week of September 10.

On July 13, 2012, the Natural Resources Department held the annual

lake shore cleanup event in conjunction

with Lake Superior Day. Approximately

30 bags of trash were collected by NRD

staff, the Tribe’s Summer Youth workers

and several community volunteers.

Susan LaFernier and I provided a light

lunch for the event which was sponsored by the WHIPP Task Force.

Our Natural Resources Department became aware of a mercury spill that occurred on July 2, 2012, at a waterfront

property on Portage Canal of Lake Superior in Chassell, MI. Two metal flasks

were found by swimmers about 30 feet

offshore. One of the containers seals

was broken and resulted in the mercury

being spilled onto the lakebed near the

dock area. The US EPA On-Scene Coordinator Kathy Halbur and Steve Harrington of MDEQ arrived at the site later

that afternoon. Due to pending weather

issues, the containers were packed and

kept onsite. The following day, EPA and

its START and ERRS contractors conducted an emergency removal action

which removed the spill and the site was

cleared that day. A comprehensive site

assessment occurred the week of July

9.

In a final note, the annual governmental

employee picnic took place yesterday.

Employees enjoyed a beautiful day of

golfing, playing cribbage, bean bag toss,

and bingo. A picnic style lunch was

served and prizes were awarded where

every employee in attendance received

one. A huge Miigwech to Kim Klopstein,

Susan LaFernier, and Gary Loonsfoot,

Jr. for planning and organizing the

event as well as those who assisted

them.

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

State of Michigan to receive the PCMH designation by Blue Cross Blue Shield.

We are pleased to be your medical

home and invite you to contact us at (906)

353-8700.”

NOTICE

The KBIC Head Start and Early Head Start

will have their “OPEN HOUSE” on September 7, 2012, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. First

day of classes will be Monday Sept. 10,

2012. Your child’s teacher will be in contact

with

you

prior to the

O p e n

House. Any

questions

feel free to

call

the

school

at

524-6626.

(5) Naanan

34th Annual Keweenaw Bay Maawanji’iding continues:

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

The Specialist Robert Lee Voakes, Jr. Honor Dance/Special.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

The Lance Corporal Terrance Alan Picciano Honor/Special.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Shown above, Honored Elders (left to right) Glen David Bressette, Sr.,

Mathew J. Shalifoe, Sr., Ginny Ann Jermac on behalf of her sister, Janice

Helene Shalifoe (unavailable due to a family emergency), and Carol Jean

Heckroth.

Glen David Bressette, Sr.

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Samantha Tolonen, moments after being crowned the 2012 Keweenaw

Bay Royalty, with her proud parents, Glenn Tolonen, Sr. and Raeanne

Gauthier.

Glen Bressette, Sr. is 64 years old. He was born 10/06/1947, in Marquette,

Michigan, to Clifford and Sarephine (Papin) Bressette. Glen’s grandparents were:

Paul and Susan (Knight) Bressette. He is married to Joann (Rupiper) Bressette,

and they have six children, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He

attended St. Michael’s School and Bishop Baraga High School in Marquette. He

also attended Northern Michigan University for two years and Keweenaw Bay

Ojibwa Community College. Glen served in the United States Marine Corps and

was a Hydraulic Mechanic for helicopters. He is a Combat Veteran from Vietnam

in 1969, and was a 50 cal. Machine Gunner on the CH-46 Helicopter. His awards

include: Combat Air Wings, three Air Medals for flying over 90 combat missions,

and six other awards.

In 2005, Glen was elected the “State Commandant” for the Marine Corps

League of Michigan. Glen was the first Yooper to hold that position and the first

Native American from the state in the position. He is a member of five different

Veteran organizations in Marquette. He is the Commandant of the Lake Superior

Detachment #764 in Marquette; Chairman of the Veteran Service Board for the

Marine Corps League of Michigan; and Secretary of the Veteran’s Facility CoOrdinators Committee at the Jacobetti Home. Glen worked for Northern Michigan

University as a High Pressure Boiler Operator for 31½ years before retiring in

2005. Over the years, he has taught our Native Culture in many schools in Marquette, Negaunee, Ishpeming, and Gwinn, and classes at the Marquette Museum.

He also is a frequent speaker at many group and community activities. Currently,

Glen is the Chairman of the Enrollment Committee and is a member of the Constitutional Committee of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Glen is a proud

member of the KBIC Honor Guard and had the honor to dance as “Head Veteran

Dancer” at the KBIC Annual Powwow a few years back. Glen remains very active

with our culture and spirituality today.

Carol Jean Heckroth

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Youth Two-Step Champions, “Small and Tall Foes,” Jailyn Shelifoe

and Logan Shalifoe.

Carol Jean Heckroth (aka: Carol Jean Barrette, Carol Jean Palosaari) is 68

years young. She is a single parent to five beautiful daughters. Carla, her oldest

daughter, resides with her in Lake Linden. Carol has devoted her life to caring for

Carla; who is visually impaired and has special needs. Carol said, “Carla is an

extremely loving and a friendly young lady, and I don’t know what I’d do without

her. She has become my friend, as well as my cheerleader. I am very blessed.”

Carol’s other daughters are: Cheryl, who lives in Kalamazoo with five children including triplets; Carolyn, who lives in Holland and has a daughter and a son;

Heather, who lives in Hudsonville with two daughters; and Stephanie, who is sinContinues on page eleven.

STUDENTS LEARN OF OJBIWA CULTURE AT L’ANSE/BARAGA SCHOOL’S OJIBWA SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM

A 2.5 hour daily Ojibwa Summer School Program was held June

25, through July 26, 2012, in both the L’Anse and Baraga School

Districts. With 29 students enrolled between the two settings, participants learned about Ojibwa Native culture, plants, language,

drumming, and other aspects of their culture. The Summer Program was staffed by teachers Mitzi Marcotte and JoAnn Pennock

and aides Sheila Halverson and Savannah Dakota. Liz Julio, Erik

Awonohopay and sons, Paul Halverson, Deb Williamson, Elizabeth

“Popcorn” Mayo, and Mary Dee Shanahan were amongst the presenters who shared knowledge with these youngsters, ages 5-13.

An introduction of the Ojibwa language was stressed daily and

games were used to help with the learning retention. Student’s experiences included how to make moccasins, dream catchers, and

braid sweet grass. A dance and singing session was provided by

Awonohopay and sons in both locations on Wednesday, July 25,

2012. On the final day, students were guests at the Ojibwa Campgrounds where the 34th Annual Maawanji’iding ground blessing occurred, followed by a feast, and the princess dance competition.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Bryton Loonsfoot (left) and Jade Curtis (right) weave sweet grass. Picture by L’Anse Sentinel.

2012 Ann Misegan Memorial

Scholarship Recipient Chosen

D e e n a

Misegan has

been

selected as the

sixth recipient

of the Tribe’s

Ann Misegan

Memorial

Scholarship.

The

Tribal

Education

Committee,

along with a

member

of

the

Health

Board,

selected Misegan to receive the scholarship.

Deena is the daughter of Jennifer and Duane Misegan of

L’Anse. She is a graduate of L’Anse High School and will be attending Northern Michigan University this fall majoring in Nursing.

Ann Misegan was a long time Tribal Council member whose priority was the health of the Tribal membership. She was adamant

that Tribal members be trained for as many positions as possible

within the Tribe and also encouraged members to seek further education, especially in health fields. She was a member of the Tribe’s

Health Board and was the Dental Assistant at the Tribal Clinic for

many years. She held an LPN certificate from Northern Michigan

University and worked as a nurse for Baraga County Memorial

Hospital before coming to work for the Tribe. This scholarship

seeks to reward members who have the same passion for health

care that Ann did.

This scholarship amount is $1,000 twice per year for up to six

years and will be awarded to a new student each fall. Applicants

must meet the following criteria: be an enrolled Tribal member; attend an accredited college/university as a full-time student; pursue

a degree in a Health Care field documented by their college

(preference will be given to students either in a nursing or dental

program); and be a resident of Baraga or Marquette County. Applications for the 2013-14 academic year will be available June 2013.

For more information about this scholarship, please contact Amy

St. Arnold, KBIC Education Director at 906-353-6623, ext. 4117.

2012 KBIC Forestry

Scholarship Recipient Chosen

Paige Chosa, a Northern Michigan freshman

from Baraga, has been selected as the second recipient of the Tribe’s KBIC

Forestry Scholarship. The

Tribal Education Committee reviewed the applicants

and selected Chosa to receive the scholarship.

Paige is the daughter of

Brandy and Tom Chosa of

Baraga.

She graduated

from Baraga High School

in May 2012. She will be

attending Northern Michigan University this fall majoring in Environmental

Science.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has a vital interest in the

preservation of the land and forests on and near the reservation. It

has been a longstanding wish of the Tribe to employ a Tribal member as a forester to oversee the Tribal interests.

This scholarship amount is $2,500 twice per year for up to four

years and will be awarded to a new student each fall. Applicants

must meet the following criteria: be an enrolled Tribal member; attend an accredited college/university as a full-time student; pursue

a degree in Forestry or related field as documented by their college; and be a resident of Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. Applications for the 2013-14 academic year will be available June

2013. For more information on this scholarship, please contact

Amy St. Arnold, KBIC Education Director at 906-353-6623, ext.

4117.

LEGAL AID CLINIC

A legal aid clinic will be available to Tribal members on Tuesday,

September 18, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.in a conference room of

the Ojibwa Casino Motel. The clinic is provided by Michigan Indian

Legal Services, for questions call 1-800-968-6877.

(7) Niizhwaaswi

NEWS FROM OUR KBIC ELDERS

Elders volunteering for various functions

are eligible to participate in the various activities which are approved at scheduled

elder’s meetings.

Senior volunteers who signed up to attend the Daddy D Lost in the 50’s show,

Wednesday, on September 12, 2012, in

Green Bay, WI, will be receiving an itinerary. Sign up closed on August 8, 2012.

Cancellation policy applies.

Senior volunteers may sign up to attend

the Travis Tritt show at the Kewadin Casino

in Sault Ste. Marie, on Saturday, October

12, 2012. Sign up will close on September

7, 2012.

Senior volunteers may sign up to attend

A Brule’ Christmas Show, at the Black Bear

Casino Resort, on Saturday, December 15,

2012. Sign up will close on November 16,

2012.

See Loretta for more information or call

353-7691. These trips are provided via the

Senior Fund Raising Account.

The Ojibwa Elder regular monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, September

19, 2012, at 12:30 p.m. at Senior Center.

The Ojibwa Senior Citizen Pasty Sale

will be held on Thursday, September 27,

2012. Please call in your pasty orders by

Wednesday, September 26, 2012, by calling

353-7691 or 353-6096. Senior volunteers—

we need your help for this pasty sale on

Wednesday, September 26, and Thursday,

September 27, 2012.

Our elder’s September birthdays are:

Allen DeCota 9/3, Lance Forcia 9/4, Linda

LaPine 9/6, Bill St. George, Sr. 9/9, Dorothy

Juutilainen 9/10, Gary Loonsfoot, Sr. 9/17,

Judy Smith 9/20, Theresa Velmer 9/22,

Vicki Dompier 9/23, Janice Shalifoe 9/26,

Barb Swartz 9/27, and Stan LaFernier 9/29.

Please wish them a Happy Birthday when

you see them.

CONTEST CAN GIVE

CAREGIVERS GETAWAY

Family caregivers understand all too well

the stress of caring for an aging loved one…

and how great it can be to have a break.

That’s why residents of Michigan are invited

to nominate deserving family caregivers, or

themselves, for the opportunity to win a

free, five-day cruise.

The Home Instead Senior Care Network

is sponsoring the cruise for one lucky caregiver and guest. Nominations and votes

can be submitted by September 15, 2012,

at cruise.caregiverstress.com.

The five-night, six-day Caregiver Cruise

is scheduled for February 25 to March 2,

2013, on the Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of

the Seas. The cruise will set sail from Fort

Lauderdale, Fla., with stops in Labadee,

Haiti and Falmouth, Jamaica. In addition to

the cruise, the winning recipient and guest

will receive 40 hours of free care from a

Home Instead Senior Care professional

CAREGiverSM for their senior loved one

while they are away.

“The stress of caregiving eventually

takes its toll on those looking after an aging

family member,” said President and Chief

Operating Officer (COO) Jeff Huber of

Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home

Instead Senior Care Network. “That’s why

we are pleased to be sponsoring this tropical getaway for a deserving family caregiver.”

For more information about Home Instead

Senior

Care,

go

to

www.homeinstead.com.

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!

(8) Ishwaaswi

SORNA

MEETING

ATTENTION

KBIC MEMBERS

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has been granted status as a fully

independent Sex Offender Registration

Jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of

Justice. A meeting concerning the continuing SORNA related activities of the

Tribal Police Department will be held on

Wednesday, September 19, 2012, in the

Ojibwa Casino Resort Conference Room

from 2:00 p.m. until around 4:00 p.m.

KBIC has its own Sex Offender Website,

(http://kbic.nsopw.gov) and is the primary

registration jurisdiction for any offender living on tribal land. Any questions related to

how sex offender registration and monitoring works can be answered at this meeting.

Attendees can also sign up to receive notification when changes to the public registry

occur.

Fore more information, please contact

Chuck Miller, SORNA Coordinator — KBIC

Tribal Police at 353-6623, or cmiller@kbicnsn.gov.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Keweenaw Bay Education Committee offers the Education Incentive Program

to local KBIC tribal students. Monetary incentives are awarded at the end of each of

the four marking periods of the academic

year. Awards are given for Honor Roll and

Perfect Attendance. Students must meet

the following criteria:

1. Must be enrolled KBIC members.

2. Must reside in one of the following four

counties: Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, or Marquette.

3. Must attend a public or private school.

A student’s Honor Roll status is defined

according to the regulations of their school

district. Students in grades four through

twelve are eligible to receive this award.

Perfect Attendance follows the school

policy also but time for doctor or dental appointments and funerals may be allowed.

Please contact the following people for

more information:

L’Anse Area Schools – Shellie Denomie

524-0367 shdenomi@laschools.K12.mi.us

Baraga Area Schools – Helen Jondreau 353

-6661 hjondreau@up.net

All others contact Amy St. Arnold 353-4117

amy@kbic-nsn.gov

Houghton, Ontonagon, and Marquette

students must provide a copy of student report card. If attendance is not noted on the

card, please have a school official document by signature. Report cards may be

mailed to Keweenaw Bay Tribal Center,

Education Office, 16429 Beartown Rd.

Baraga MI 49908.

The KBOCC Student Government and

AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering society) is looking for students to

get involved. The groups do many fundraisers, organize community events, and

volunteer work. ASIES goals are to increase interest in science, conduct community service activities, and generate funds

for students to attend science events such

as scientific conferences. These groups

are a great way to make new friends, have

social interaction, get involved in your community, and make your experience at

KBOCC a more wonderful experience.

Next meeting dates for both groups will be

posted at the KBOCC campus, so be

watching for the notices and come join the

fun.

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)

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.

Tribal Youth Conservation Program

Celebrates another Successful

Summer of Projects

Memorial Fund Established

For Program Founder

The Keweenaw Bay

Indian

Community

(KBIC) and the Superior

Watershed Partnership

(SWP) have teamed up

for the fourth year in a

row to offer a Youth

Conservation

Corps

(YCC)

program

for

Tribal youth. The KBIC

YCC allows local youth

to gain hands-on experience with real-life environmental conservation

and restoration work.

This summer the

crew has had the opportunity to work on numerous projects including

releasing five-year-old

Lake Trout into Lake

Superior

and

over

10,000 Brook Trout into

rivers

and

streams

throughout the Lake Superior Watershed, as

well as removing invasive species such as

Spotted Knapweed and

Marsh Thistle. In addition, the crew helped

with native plant restoration at Sand Point,

clipped fins at the fish

hatchery, monitored the

hatchery’s Walleye ponds, built hiking trails, built turtle platforms,

worked at the new KBIC greenhouse, prepared for the KBIC’s annual free kids’ fishing derby, and conducted a special clean up of

the area’s beaches for Lake Superior Day.

The crew also designed their own t-shirts, learned about a variety of environmental conservation topics, and wrote about their experiences in their journals. Over the years the KBIC youth crews

have also learned about the Anishinabe culture and language from

Tribal elders. Also at the top of the list of things the crew enjoyed

doing was to check on the wild

rice beds that the KBIC Natural

Resource

Department

has

helped to start. In addition to

checking on the wild rice beds,

the crew also collected information and samples of aquatic invasive species.

The

Youth

Conservation

Corps was originally conceived

by Todd Warner, KBIC Natural

Resource Director. Sadly, Warner died recently after a brief battle with cancer. In 2009, Warner

worked with the SWP to design

the youth program, so it included

work on real environmental restoration projects, learning essential

The (late) Todd Warner.

job skills, incorporating journaling

and outdoor recreation. In 2010,

Warner said, “These kids are the future stewards of this part of the

world, so we’re hoping to provide them with some education and

experience and maybe spark some interest in pursuing educational

opportunities in a natural resource field.” The Warner family, in cooperation with the SWP, have established the Todd Warner Memorial Fund with proceeds going to the Youth Conservation Corps and

college scholarships for youth corps members who pursue a college education in a conservation field.

Most of the crew members have said that they enjoy their job

because they get to be outside, learn how to help the environment,

and do something different every day. The program also provides

a unique opportunity for these youth to get valuable experience in

the natural resources field. For more information about the KBIC

YCC or the Todd Warner Memorial Fund contact the Superior Watershed Partnership at (906) 228-6095 or visit us on the web at

www.superiorwatersheds.org or for more information about the

Youth Conservation Corps: http://www.superiorwatersheds.org/

youthconservation.php.

COLLEEN S. DEROCHE

(April 13, 1960—August 3,, 2012)

Colleen S. DeRoche, age 52, of Zeba, passed away Friday, August 3, 2012, at her residence following a lengthy illness. She was

born in L’Anse, MI on April 13, 1960, the daughter of William

“Gene” Emery and Georgianna Curtis. She graduated from L’Anse

High School in 1978, and attended Bay Mills College. Colleen married John DeRoche in Marquette in 2004. She most recently was a

dispatcher for the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police. Colleen was a

member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Tribal Youth

Program, Powwow Committee for three years, Friday Night Bowling

League in Baraga, and coached for Zeba Rez Runners. Colleen

enjoyed doing arts and crafts, bowling, softball, and was an avid

Green Bay Packer and Detroit Tiger fan.

Mrs. DeRoche is survived by her loving husband John, children:

Joshua (Tricia) Emery, Carmen Emery of Harvey, Janelle (Thomas)

Hooper of Harvey, and Melissa McSawby (Arlan Boland) of Green

Bay, WI; grandchildren: Cassie, Jamie, Kara, Joshua, Eli, Draven,

Xander, Kade, Peyton, and soon to be Declan; great grandson Tyson; father William “Gene” (Gretchen) Emery; and sister Tracy Emery of Zeba. Nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other

family members also survive. She was preceded in death by her

mother, Georgianna, grandparents: George and Alice Curtis, William I. Emery, and Margaret Sipe; brother, William Emery Jr.; and

granddaughter, Vanessa Gauthier.

Funeral services for Mrs. DeRoche were held on Monday, August 6, 2012, from the Ojibwa Ceremonial Room, Baraga, with Traditional Services and Pastor Steve Rhoades officiating. Interment

took place in the Pinery Cemetery, L’Anse. The Reid Funeral Home

assisted the family.

RICHARD (SMACK) L. SEMASKY, SR.

(April 17, 1937—August 13,, 2012)

Richard (Smack) L. Semasky, Sr, age 75, of Zeba, MI, walked

on peacefully at home surrounded by his close friends and family

on Monday, August 13, 2012.

Smack was born April 17, 1937. in L’Anse, MI, son of John and

Delia (Santeline) Semasky. He grew up in L’Anse and joined the

US Air Force in 1954. Smack was a long-time fishermen from Bay

Mills, and was one of the first law enforcement officers for the Bay

Mills Indian Community before moving back to L’Anse and taking a

job with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Conservation in

the mid-80’s where he spent over 25 years on the job and ultimately retiring as the Supervisor of Law Enforcement for all Tribes

surrounding the Great Lakes for the entire Western District of

Michigan with offices as far as Moe Lake, WI, to Watersmeet and

Bay Mills, Michigan.

He was a member of the VFW, KBIC, and the Ojibwa Seniors.

Smack loved hunting, fishing, and enjoyed cooking and smoking

fish; he also enjoyed spending time with his best friends Robbie

and R.B., Nikki, and Rob.

He is survived by his long-time very special friend, Gwen Loonsfoot of Zeba; five sons: Irving A. (Susan) Teeple of Ohio, Michael

Semasky of Georgia, Richard (Lydia) Semasky, Jr. of Brimley, MI,

John (Jodi) Semasky of Traverse City, MI, and Dale Semasky of

Shingleton, MI; three daughters: Elaine (Elmer) Lehre of Sault Ste.

Marie, MI, Irene (Ron) Semasky of Sault Ste. Marie, and Joy

(Dave) Hunt of Brimley, MI; grandchildren: Christopher, Gisele, and

Stephanie Teeple, Stephanie and Steven Semasky, Tasheena

McCullough, Casey Spencer-Semasky, Kayla Semasky, Dale, Joseph, Joshua, and Dillon Semasky, Darren, Megan, and Emily Lehre, and Jayna Hunt; nieces: Carol Holland, Delia (Robert) Bowen;

nephew: William (Scooby) Schofield (Tweek); and several great

grandchildren.

Smack was preceeded in death by his parents; wife, Terese

(Rapson); sisters: Jean and Gracie; brothers: Harold, Elmer, and

Raymond; his son, Robert; and his granddaughter, Alicia.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at

the Ojibwa Seniors Ceremonial Room in Baraga, MI. Interment

took place in the Pinery Cemetery, L’Anse, with military rites being

conducted by the Baraga County Area Veterans under the direction

of the American Legion Post 444. The Jacobson Funeral Home

assisted the family.

KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA LIBRARY NEWS…

The Ojibwa Community Library has added new items to its collection. New Native American books, children's chapter books,

and these movies: Despicable Me, Rio, Horton Hears A Who!, The

Gruffalo, and Puss in Boots.

A reminder for those who have overdue books, please return

them as soon as possible. You are keeping them from being circulated to other patrons. As for the fines associated with the overdue items, I am willing to make payment arrangements with you.

~ Mary Bergerson, Ojibwa Community Library Director

(9) Zhaangaswi

SEPTEMBER 2012 Calendar

Sept 3: Gov’t offices closed, Labor Day;

Sept 7: Head Start and Early Head Start

OPEN HOUSE, 11 am, Constitutional Committee Meeting, 1 pm, Council Chambers;

Sept 8: Reg. Sat. Council Meeting, 9 am,

Ojibwa Resort Conference Room;

Sept 14: DHHS’ Protect Yourself From

Cancer Program, 9:30 am;

Sept 18: Legal Clinic, 8 am;

Sept 19: SORNA meeting, 2 pm, Veteran’s meeting, 7 pm;

Sept 22: Parade of Nations, 12 pm;

Sept 27: DHHS’ Donate Blood Clinic 9:30

am—3:30 pm, Ojibwa Senior Pasty Sale;

Sept 28: Gov’t offices closed, Michigan

Indian Day;

Sept 29: Household Hazardous Waste &

Electronic Waste Collection, 10 am.

~ 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 upto-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.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Employment Opportunities

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

For current job listings,

complete job announcements, applications and

closing dates contact:

KBIC Personnel Department, 16429 Bear Town

Road, Baraga, MI 499089210 or 906-353-6623, ext

4176 or 4140 or visit:

www.ojibwa.com.





Pharmacist—open continuously

Unit Manager (OVW)—open continuously

On Call positions:

* Cashier

* Receptionist/Clerical

Worker

* Youth Program &

Facility Attendant

* Family Aide

* Van Driver

* Pre-Primary Teaching Assistant

* Community Service

Supervisor

* Unit Manager

* LPN

* RN

* Account Executive/

Sales

To be added to the mailing

list or to correct your mailing address, contact the enrollment office at (906) 3536623 ext. 4113.

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.

ATTENTION KBIC MEMBERS:

The following Committees/Boards

have vacant seats:

Economic Board –

Seven (7) regular seats

Constitution Committee –

Two (2) alternate seats

Indian Child Welare Committee –

One (1) regular seat

Substance Abuse Advisory Board –

Two (2) regular seats

Please submit an application (located at the

Tribal Center in Kim Klopstein or Peggy

Minton’s office) by 4 p.m. on

September 14, 2012, to:

Warren C. Swartz, Jr. – President

16429 Bear Town Rd.

Baraga, MI 49908

(10) Midaaswi

34th Annual Keweenaw Bay Maawanji’iding continues:

gle and lives in Florida. Altogether she has nine very active, wonderful grandchildren who are active in band, choir, dance, acting, cheerleading, and sports.

Carol has had a vast arrangement of employment. She began as a waitress

when she was 16 at the historic Lindell Chocolate Shop in Lake Linden. She was

employed at Michigan Tech as the Sports Information Secretary after she graduated from high school. In 1970, she moved to Port Huron and was employed as

an Executive Secretary at the Diamond Crystal Salt Company, where she also

attended the St. Clair Community College at the same time. Carol then married

and moved to Bay City where she worked as a Secretary, Hostess, and a Sales

Associate. She then moved back to Lake Linden and took employment as a bank

teller with First National Bank. Finally, Carol retired to tend to her daughter, Carla.

Carol said, “Living in Lake Linden has not allowed me to become as involved

with the Tribe as I would have liked. Recently, I have joined the elders, and I am

looking forward to activities and becoming more involved in helping preserve tribal

traditions and values. I do appreciate the emotional support I have received from

Tribal members who know me, to help me become a better caregiver for my

daughter; and I am very grateful for all the services that have been provided to me

throughout the years.”

Carol’s hobbies include: crafting, sewing, calligraphy, reading, decorating, and

using her Nordic Trak. Carol has made large banners to be used at church services, and she enjoys decorating large store front windows in city competitions,

where she won twice! Carol’s reading includes the culture, history, customs, of

traditions of Native Americans. She has made pouches and done some beading,

but she is looking forward to doing more Native American crafting.

Carol has had health issues and is a breast cancer survivor of 13 years. Carol

said, “I live my life in Thanksgiving.” Carol is ¼ Native American and has always

been very proud of her heritage. As a young girl, she participated in the 100 th Anniversary of Bishop Baraga. She was on a float in a parade held in Marquette as a

young Ojibwa child he was teaching. Once while living in Bay City, she was asked

to give a presentation about the Ojibwa. She was embarrassed because she wasn’t knowledgeable enough and couldn’t do it. Since then, she wanted to know our

history, culture, beliefs, traditions, and the meaning of words. Carol said, “Our

children are not the only ones needing education. Children in all schools should

learn the local history – Native connections with the French, with the Hudson Bay

Company, Isle Royal, etc.”

Carol said, “Most of you don’t know me because I live in Lake Linden. My

grandparents were Mary Denomme and Ulric Barrette, and I am related to the

Denommes and the Picards. I remember as a young girl, a fine Native American

Chief dressed in his regalia visited my grandparents. How proud I was to see him

and know we were related. My dad, Reuben (Hayseed) Barrette, three of his

brothers, and one sister, attended Mt. Pleasant School. They were not happy

there and ran away.”

Carol has attempted to walk the path of love, respect, and compassion by volunteering. She taught religious education for 20 years to elementary age children,

has lectured at Mass as a Eucharistic Minister, and while assisting at different

wakes has received many spiritual blessings. As a chairperson for Christian Services, she saw that visits to shut-ins and seniors were done, food was provided to

the needy, clothing provided for those interviewing for employment, and that rides

were provided to and from Church or the doctors. She was also responsible for

the Soup Kitchen through the Lenten months. Carol has also involved in many

fund raising activities for: The March of Dimes, MS, Cancer Drive, United Way,

Crop Walk, and Special Olympics.

Coming Soon:

Meet the Silversmith’s

L’Anse /Baraga 2ND thru 6TH grade School

Curriculum & American Indian Nutrition Game

Janice Helen Shalifoe (Migizimiigwaans)

Janice Helen Shalifoe (Migizimiigwaans) was born September 26, 1940. She

is the daughter of Richard and Sarah Shalifoe; she has nine siblings. Her precious

baby brother, Danny, walked on a few years ago. Janice has nine children: Angels: Emily, Helen, and Petey, Janice, Jean, Paul, Mike, Colin, and sister Babe.

Janice has 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two aunts, one uncle, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Janice has worked as a factory worker, teacher’s aide in L’Anse and Behweting, Indian Outreach Worker, Unit Manager, Fitness Worker, Home Help Worker,

and an Ojibwemowin Elder Mentor.

Janice has been associated with the Alcohol Advisory Board, Ojibwe Senior

Citizens, Ojibwemowin Elder Advisory Board, MIEA,

Health Board, and as the President of the Native

American Women’s Association.

Janice’s hobbies include: volunteering for her

community, playing cards, walking, traveling, and

exercising at the Fitness Center. She enjoys singing

with the Four Thunders Drum, Traditional Dancing,

and attending powwows. And she is very excited

that she will finally be visiting Elvis’s home this year.

Janice said, “Chi Miigwech to Gizhe-Manidoo for

everything and everyone in my life today. I am

proud to be an Anishinaabe Elder, Mom, Nokomis

and Great Grandma, Sister, and Aunt; to live by eating healthy and living a healthy life style by walking

and exercising and aging gracefully. I’m so very

happy, joyful, and free today. Miigwech.”

Mathew J. Shalifoe, Sr.

Mathew J. Shalifoe, Sr. was born August 19,

1948, in Beartown. He is the son of Richard and

Sarah (Whetung) Shalifoe. Matt has five brothers:

Richard, Fred, Ted, Donny, and Danny who is deceased. He has four sisters: Janice, Molly, Virginia,

and Myrtle. Matt married Nancy (Morin) Shalifoe.

They have been married for 39 years and have three

children: Emily, Mathew Jr., and Ashley; a son-inlaw, Aaron; and four grandchildren: Logan, Tyler,

Noah, and Madyson.

Matt was employed for the State DNR prior to

enlisting in the Navy. After serving four years in the

U.S. Navy, he received an honorable discharge.

Matt then worked as a Tribal Police Officer for 25

years, one of the very first in the State of Michigan.

He is now retired.

Matt is presently active with the KBIC Honor

Guard. In the past he has been a member of the

Indian Child Welfare Committee and the Hiring Committee. Matt is also a member of the American Legion Honor Guard and drives Veterans to wherever

they want to go… he continues to work to help all

Veterans out.

Matt’s hobbies include: bowling, golfing, hunting,

fishing, staying at camp, and working in the Sugar

Bush. He plans on spending time with his grandchildren and plans on doing some traveling when Nancy

retires.

(11) Ashi bezhig

Baraga 8th Grade Student Awarded

10th/11th Grade Scholarship

Photo by Lauri Denomie.

Fourteen-year-old, Aleah Ezma Maskew, an

8th grader from Baraga, was awarded a scholarship intended for 10th and 11th grade high school

students to attend a Michigan Technological

University’s Summer Youth Camp. Aleah, a

KBIC member, is the daughter of Jamie Loonsfoot and Wayne Maskew. Aleah said, “Helen

Jondreau (Baraga Schools KBIC High School

Tutor) told me about the scholarship program. I

put in an application and wrote a letter why I

wanted to attend the Michigan Tech Summer

Youth Camp. I really enjoy science in school,

and I plan on attending college for science or art

when I am older.” Helen Jondreau stated, “It is

quite an achievement for an 8th grader to be

chosen for this scholarship. Aleah is a good student.”

The Michigan Technological University’s

Summer Youth Camp began July 9, and concluded August 3, 2012. Aleah stated, “A university car transported me and another student

from L’Anse, Austin Ayres, to the college. I truly

appreciate the opportunity to have been able to

participate in this camp. I learned a lot about

general engineering, electronic engineering, biomed engineering, and materials. It gave me

more of an idea of what I want to study in the

future; that being environmental sciences.”

Aleah Maskew will be attending Baraga High

School’s 9th grade this fall. Aleah lives in

Baraga with her parents and her brother, Scott

Loonsfoot Maskew.

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

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

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

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

 Community Education

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