The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2018)
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WIIKWEDONG
DAZHI-OJIBWE
The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe
Onaabani Giizi – Crusty Moon - March 2018
Issue 164
Tribal Council Members:
14th Mid-Winter Traditional Powwow Held
Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President
Jennifer Misegan, Vice-President
Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary
Toni J. Minton, Asst. Secretary
Doreen G. Blaker, Treasurer
Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr.
Frederick Dakota
Randall R. Haataja
Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.
Gary F. Loonsfoot, Jr.
Rodney Loonsfoot
Elizabeth D. Mayo
SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
At the opening event for the 14th Annual Mid-Winter Powwow, the Community’s Cultural
Committee expressed a Chi miigwech to Tribal Council presenting them with Pendleton Blankets
for their time and dedication. Their hard work does not go unnoticed and they are all truly warriors in our eyes. The event was held at the Niiwin Akeaa Community Center in Baraga, Michigan, on Saturday, January 27, 2018.
KBIC Tribal Council are pictured above after being presented with Pendleton blankets by the
Cultural Committee. (Seated) L to R: Treasurer Doreen Blaker, Assistant Secretary Toni J.
Minton, Secretary Susan J. LaFernier, Vice President Jennifer Misegan, (standing) Council
Member Rodney Loonsfoot, Council Member Gary F. Loonsfoot, Jr., President Warren “Chris”
Swartz, Jr., Council Member Robert “RD” Curtis, Jr, and Council Member Randall R. Haataja.
Missing from photo were: Council Members: Fred Dakota, Michael F. LaFernier, Sr., and Elizabeth D. Mayo.
Mavis Mantila was this year’s speaker at
the recognition. Mavis is the daughter of John
Edward Mantila and Barbara Spruce Mantila.
She graduated from the L’Anse Area Schools
and attended Flandreau Indian School. She
received an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts
from Haskell University, a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science from the University of
Michigan, and a Master’s in Education from
the University of Minnesota. Mavis has been
employed as a Middle School Coordinator,
Social Studies Teacher, Ojibwa Language
Teacher, and an Indigenous Film Festival Curator for the Minneapolis Public Schools She
is a member of the University of Michigan
Alumni Association, Education Minnesota,
Minnesota (DFL) Democratic Party, and the
Native American Caucus. She also is a
Standing Rock Water Protector. Last spring
Mavis was honored when invited by the Finnish Consulate to give the speech welcoming
the President of Finland to the USA.. It was
an amazing experience for her. A couple of
months later, the President of Finland quoted
her in a speech to the Americans regarding
the Finnish Centennial. At today’s speech,
she spoke of growing up as a FinIndian living
on the reservation or nearby Pelkie, Michigan.
Mavis shared a number of experiences when
she visited Finland recently.
Grand Entries were held at 1 pm and 6 pm
with Wes Martin, Head Veteran Dancer, leading the KBIC Wiikwedong Ogichidaa Society
(KBIC Veteran Honor Guard) into the arena.
February 3, 2018 Tribal
Council Meeting
14th Mid-Winter Traditional
Powwow Held
26th Annual Healthy Heart
Fair Held
Ojibwa Library News
Criminal Report
New Employees
Deepest Sympathy
Joe Awonohopay served as Master of Ceremonies, George Gauthier as Arena Director,
Darrell Kingbird as Assistant Arena Director,
and Todd Smith as Traditional Advisor.
Woodland Singers were this year’s Host
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Lead Dancers: (front) L to R: Machai Loonsfoot, Junior Head Boy Dancer; Daylea Blue, Junior Head Girl
Dancer; Starr Dunleavy, Miss Junior Keweenaw Bay; (back) Kristina Misegan, Head Lady Dancer; Shane
Mitchell, Head Man Dancer; Wes Martin, Head Veteran Dancer; Naethin Awonohopay, Youth Head Man
Dancer; and Tierrarose Kingbird, Youth Head Lady Dancer.
Continues on page six.
(1) Bezhig
FEBRUARY 3, 2018 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Monthly Tribal Council Meeting was held on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Big Bucks Bingo Hall in Baraga,
Michigan. President Warren Swartz, Jr., presided over the meeting
with Jennifer Misegan, Susan J. LaFernier, Toni Minton, Doreen
Blaker, Fred Dakota, Randall Haataja, Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.,
Gary F. Loonsfoot, Jr., Rodney Loonsfoot, and Elizabeth D. Mayo
present. Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr. was absent.
President Swartz shared numerous Thank You and For Your Information items addressed to Council.
President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr. gave the President’s Report
(page two), Secretary Susan J. LaFernier gave the Secretary’s Report (page three), and CEO Larry Denomie III gave the CEO Report
(page five). Council approved the Department Head Reports for
December 2017.
Under new business: Treasurer Doreen Blaker presented the
February 2018 donation requests. Motion by Rodney Loonsfoot
to approve February 2018 donations as: $500.00 for the
Baraga Senior Class of 2018 Lock-in; $500.00 for the Marquette County Youth Football’s new equipment; $1,000.00 for
Deena Misegan, NMU student’s request to attend Interdisciplinary Study in Global Health Care in Central America; and
direct the United Three Fires Against Violence donation re-
quest for membership to the OVW Program for funding. Donations for a total of $2,000.00, supported by Toni Minton.
Nine supported (S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota,
Haataja, M. LaFernier, G. Loonsfoot, R. Loonsfoot, Mayo). 0
opposed, one abstained (Misegan), one absent (Curtis), motion carried.
Doreen Blaker proposed amendments and reinstatement of
Title 21B and to move it forward with the legislative process. Motion by Doreen Blaker to waive the First Reading and schedule a Second Reading for February 22, 2018, for the Proposed
Tobacco Ordinance 2018-01, supported by Toni Minton.
Eight supported (Minton, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota, Haataja, M. LaFernier, G. Loonsfoot), one opposed
(Mayo), one abstained (R. Loonsfoot), one absent (Curtis),
motion carried.
Councilman Fred Dakota brought to Council’s attention the
poor condition of the Campground/Marina’s Mobile Home where
the park attendant resides. Council’s consensus is to work on its
condition or replace it.
Council adjourned with no further business on the agenda.
~ Submitted by Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor
President’s Report for the Month of January 2018
The following is a summary of activities that occurred in the Office
of the President for the month of January 2018.
We approved the renewal employment agreement with Jody
Jinkerson. Some of her duties include providing diagnosis treatment, consultation, and follow-up for acute, chronic, and longterm health care; implementation of a Diabetic Clinic and
Women’s Health Clinic weekly or bi-weekly.
The current continuing resolution that funds the government run
programs is set to expire on February 8, 2018. The current bill
on the continuing resolution includes six years of funding for
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
I participated in a webinar about the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm
Bill is one of the single largest pieces of domestic legislation in
the United States. Enacted by Congress approximately every
five years, it addresses everything from nutrition programs to
agricultural policies, food production, natural resource conservation, rural development, and insurance programs.
The bill is structured around 12 Titles. Each Title is significant to Indian Country. Nutrition takes up about 80% of
about the approximate $449 billion dollars in that program.
Some opportunities in the nutrition portion of farm bill include tribal administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), eliminate the match and to be able
to include traditional foods in the Food Distribution Program
on Indian Reservations (Commodity Foods). It is important
that Indian Country continue to advocate for 638 authority in
the nutrition and forestry programs in the 2018 Farm Bill.
I attended the Midwest Region Tribal Interior Budget Committee
(TIBC) FY2020 budget formulation meeting in Bloomington, MN.
The purpose is to provide a forum and process whereby tribes
and the Department work together to develop policy and budgets that provide the Department of Interior to fulfill its Trust responsibilities and Treaty Obligations and to strengthen Tribal
governmental capacity to serve its’ citizens.
I submitted the Assistant CEO’s name for our Point of Contact (POC) for survey submissions. All of our program directors should submit their shortfalls underfunded obligations,
and other needs of their respective departments. The purpose is to continually show a need for our programs and
how they are justified. A couple of surveys were submitted
regarding the preferred programs and unfunded obligations
the Community has. The Community chose ten preferred
programs for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
Requested the Department hold a Secretarial Election to
amend the Tribe’s Constitution pursuant to Resolutions
(which removes the Secretary of Interior) and KB-042-2015
(Judicial Amendment). The Constitution Committee is meeting to review the comments from the Department for consideration by the Council in regards to the 2015 resolution.
Those comments were received on January 12, 2018.
At the beginning of this year, the BIA informed us that they
may have funds remaining (left over money) that were appropriated to operations that weren’t used. Due to the left
over funds, the Department requested from tribes one-time
proposals that would be considered for funding. We submitted a couple of proposals related to controlling invasive species here on the reservation - $35,000, and the Walleye
rearing facility - $55,000.
On behalf of the Community, I called upon our Congressional
Representative, Jack Bergman, and informed him that the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) was NOT included in
the House Continuing Resolution proposed by the House. The
(2) Niizh
program is invaluable, and it has proven itself highly effective in
reducing deaths, amputations, other symptoms of diabetes, and
related implications like heart disease. I told his office that this
has been one of the greatest programs for Indian Country.
Congressman Bergman is a member of the Native American
Caucus, and we strongly urged him to fight for inclusion of this
important program.
We participated in a government-to-government consultation
meeting with the Michigan Department of Environment Quality
on Lundin Mining Corporation’s request to amend their Part 632
mining permit. We believe they are not prepared to request an
amendment to their mining permit. This is due to the state of
understanding of the Pit Lake in 2017, the modeling performed
to date, and the unavailability of relevant data. There are apparently Pit Lake chemical fluid flow and geotechnical mechanisms in the Humboldt Pit Lake that are not understood. The
Humboldt Mill has released information indicating that the Pit
Lake is not performing as expected. Relevant data is missing,
potential effects to threatened, endangered, and special concern species.
We concluded that the mining company would be in and out
of here in a matter of less than ten years. We’re opposed to
this activity and feel it’s not right to gamble the environmental health and sustainability of any of our natural resources, including the Middle Branch of the Escanaba River,
on model predictions.
Late in December of last year, I submitted joint comments on
Dynamics Risk Final Alternatives Analysis in regards to Line 5
that travels under the Mackinac Bridge. Those comments set
forth in detail a number of concerns with the draft that are of
great importance to us, and we hoped would be addressed by
Dynamic Risk in its revised report. To our disappointment, the
Final Report addressed none of our concerns and is, in all material respects, a reproduction of the deeply flawed Draft Report.
The final report continues to:
Obscure the risk of rupture in the straits. The odds of a rupture in the next 35 years are about one in sixty.
Obscure the fact that operation of the straits pipelines cannot be justified by Michigan-based needs. We noted Michigan’s portion of Line 5 is largely a thoroughfare for the transportation of product to the benefit of out-of-state commercial,
governmental, and consumer interests.
Prioritize the commercial needs of Enbridge instead of
evaluating for the needs of the people, businesses, and governments within the State of Michigan.
The final report fails to account for Tribal interests. We set
forth in detail a number of interests, including treaty rights
attaching to lands and waters at and around the Straits
guaranteed by the United States and affirmed by the Federal Courts. The final report addresses none of this other
than it may affect implicit tribal-reserved treaty rights.
Underestimate the costs of a spill.
The final report continues its unexplained focus on the funneling alternative. In our comments, we asserted that the
report placed undue emphasis on the tunneling alternative,
failed to properly account for the vast disruption to tribal and
state interest that tunneling would cause, and failed to explain how Michigan interest justified this option as opposed
to the commercial needs of Enbridge.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will continue to engage in further consultation with the state over the future of
the Straits pipelines. We trust and hope that such consultation will be meaningful, and the state and the tribes will work
Continued on page three.
together towards a common goal of decommissioning the
Straits Pipelines. We deserve nothing less.
I was made aware of a bill introduced in the House by Noem in
the past week (co-sponsored by Gowdy). It is HR 4864 and
can be found at https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4864/
BILLS-115hr4864ih.pdf. There has been no consultation with
tribal nations on this bill, and it has far reaching negative consequences for tribes and will disrupt Tribal/Federal and Tribal/
State relations. The bill will allow U.S. Marshalls to arrest Tribal
Members at their home reservations with state warrants without
having to comply with any Tribal/State MOU or Tribal extradition
process. This flies in the face of tribal sovereignty, will disrupt
Tribal/State relations where MOU’s and procedures have already been established, and will disrupt Tribal/Federal relations
when Federal officers arrest on state warrants without following
the laws of the tribal nation. We may have to amend section
2.402 of the KBIC Tribal Code regarding the extradition process
by requiring law enforcement officers of another jurisdiction to
seek judicial review by our Court.
I signed amendment two of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for the purposes of providing additional funding to be used for all activities related to construction
of 1.5 miles of the non-motorized trail that will run from Sandpoint Lighthouse to the Baraga Municipal Marina. The MEDC
wished to extend the term of the agreement to allow for the
completion of phase two of the project and to provide
$300,000.00 additional funding. The proposed trail routes numerous areas of interest together and provides a designated
safer route.
There is a vacancy in the Aanikoosing, Inc. Board of Directors
for a Council Member.
The Community supported the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of
2017 (TLSA). The TLSA would respect and promote tribal sovereignty by affirming the rights of tribal governments to determine our own labor practices on our own lands. Since 2004,
the National Labor Board has been aggressively asserting jurisdiction over tribal labor practices when it determines tribal government employers are acting in a “commercial” rather than
“governmental” capacity. This same analysis does not apply to
state or local governments.
On behalf of the Community, we submitted comments voicing
our opposition to the HB4 soybean receiving non-regulated
status. The threat posed by the release of genetically modified
organisms into our environment is a concern in our Community.
I had the opportunity to talk to Jennifer Kurland. She is a candidate from the green party for the Governor of Michigan. She is
promoting “A Green New Deal.” Some of the issues we discussed include public education, infrastructure and roads, environment, and public health and healthcare.
I appointed Michelle St. George to the Community’s Health
Board as a regular board member and appointed Mary Dee
Shanahan in her place to fulfill the remaining term as an employee representative to the Board.
We submitted comments regarding the Baraga Lakeside Inn’s
Submerged Lands permit application request to dredge the
channel to their marina, remediate docks, and placement of riprap along the shore. KBIC believes it is within the best interest
of the Tribe and neighboring residents to protect the land and
waters of the Upper Peninsula. The Community’s water supply
has an intake value about 1000 feet or less where the proposed
dredging is to take place. We’re concerned about sediment intake and build-up in the water supplies, sediment control precautions, and wonder if a laboratory analysis on the proposed
dredged material has been done, and its influence on water
treatment.
Respectfully submitted,
Warren C. Swartz
P.O. Box 453, Houghton, Michigan 49931
906-487-9560
e-mail: contactus@cchumanesociety.com
www.cchumanesociety.com
Notifying the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the following CCHS
programs are available to assist you with your pet care needs:
Low cost vaccination Clinic—May 27, 2018.
Low cost microchips for pet identification — each Monday at
CCHS animal shelter and also will be available during the vaccination clinic in May.
Spay/Neuter assistance program.
Tribal Council Secretary’s Report for the Month of
January 2018 to the Council/Community
ANIN! We honor the greatness in you.
Remember: “Indian Country Counts”
“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.
Mino-Bimaadizin “Live Well”
During January, the Tribal Council held one Regular meeting
on January 6, 2018, one Work Session on January 22, 2018, and
three Special Council meetings on January 12, 18, and 25, 2018.
Following are the unapproved minutes. This report will be published in the KBIC “Wiikwedong Dazhi-Ojibwe” newsletter, and the
approved minutes may also be found on the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community Website.
January 6, 2018 Regular Council Meeting (unapproved):
Approved the Vice President’s (Jennifer Misegan) December
2017 Report.
Approved the Secretary’s (Susan J. LaFernier) December 2017
Report.
Approved the CEO’s (Larry Denomie III) November and December 2017 Reports.
Approved the November 22 and 30, 2017 Tribal Council Meeting Minutes
Approved Resolution KB 001-2018 Clara L. Corbett Recreational Lease and sale of the leasehold interest and improvements on Herman Road in L’Anse, Michigan, and cancels
lease to Betsey C. Robillard Ross
Approved the January 2018 Donations: $5,000.00 to Wounded
Warriors Family Support Program; $1,000.00 donation to protect and enhance the Bete Grise Reserve; $1,000.00 Visionary
Supporter for Ken Summers for State Representative and (4)
$20.00 tickets for the fundraiser event on January 26, 2018, in
Houghton; $1,500.00 for Tim Lofquist/Jesse Ekdahl for
mother’s pool tournament benefit; and travel expenses for Kelly
Shelifoe from Green Bay, WI using the CAP guidelines to visit
her uncle in Marquette General Hospital.
Approved the certification of the KBIC General Election held on
December 16, 2017. Doreen Blaker and Robert “RD” Curtis
from the Baraga District and Randy Haataja and Toni J. Minton
from the L’Anse District were sworn in.
Ballot Vote for President: Warren J. Swartz, Jr. - 10, R.D. Curtis – 2.
Ballot Vote for Vice President: Jennifer Misegan – 7, Elizabeth
Mayo – 5.
Susan J. LaFernier: Secretary.
Toni J. Minton: Assistant Secretary.
Doreen Blaker: Treasurer.
Approved Superior National Bank and Wells Fargo as the Depository of Funds.
Approved all of the Tribal Council members as check signers
with two signatures required on documents.
Approved the check signers for the Tribal Court as the Council,
Chief Judge, Associate Judge, and Chief Court Clerk with two
signatures required on documents, and for the Child Support
Office as the Council, Chief Judge, Associate Judge, Chief
Court Clerk, Child Support Director, and Child Support Specialist with two signatures required on documents.
January 12, 2018 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):
Approved the November 2017 Department Head Reports.
Approved the December 2 and 7, 2017 Tribal Council Meeting
Minutes.
Approved the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement for
KBIC Tobacco Company, LLC.
Approved the Management Agreement between KBIC Tobacco
Company, LLC and Allegany Capital Enterprises, LLC for the
federally licensed tobacco products manufacturing business.
Approved the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Law Enforcement Services Program January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020.
Approved the renewal for the Rez Stop License to Purchase
and Sell Tobacco Products January 21, 2018 – January 20,
2019.
Approved the Lease/Rental Agreement with IGT and the two
orders for 14 machines for the Marquette Casino.
Approved the four orders for machines and table games for the
Marquette and Baraga Ojibwa Casinos from Bally Gaming, Inc.
Approved the 16 games device order with Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. for the Marquette Casino.
Approved the Amendment to Program Contract for the FY
2018 “Bemidji Area Leaders Acting for Change” (BALAC).
Grant Program with Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. to
change the end date from March 2018 to September 29, 2018.
Approved the renewal with Marketron Broadcast Solutions
Continued on page four.
(3) Niswi
Secretary Report continues:
LLC, software license and service agreement for visual traffic
with the Radio Station for five years.
Approved Klas Robinson Hospitality Consulting to provide an
updated feasibility study and trade market analysis regarding
the two planned casino developments (three bids).
Approved the Greenway Health LLC outbound immunizations
implementation service for the Department of Health and Human Service for $3,500.00.
Approved the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Memorandum of Understanding regarding use of American Indian/Alaskan Native Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Data
to be used for health planning and supersedes the prior agreement approved on June 6, 2017.
Approved the budget balance for the Marquette Casino Sanitary Force Main Design proposal with Gundlach Champion.
January 18, 2018 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):
Approved the December 14 and 19, 2017 Tribal Council meeting minutes.
Approved the Product Sales Agreement with American Welding
& Gas Inc. for five years and the Beverage Gas Agreement with
the Ojibwa Casinos and Pressbox Sports Bar and Grill.
Approved the Cultural Committee budget modification increase
request for $13,000.00.
Approved Resolution KB 002-2018 National Indian Gaming Association membership renewal for $7,500.00 based on the
Tribe’s gross annual revenue and to include the entire Tribal
Council as delegate/alternate delegates.
Approved the formation of the Asemaa Wholesale and Distribution Company (cigarette sales to retail outlets) and establish a
checking account.
Approved Options A and B proposal from Northwest Petroleum
Service, Inc. for the Pines Convenience Center installation of
card readers $39,580.00 and media connect modules for the
dispensers $9,125.00.
January 22, 2018 Work Session:
Government Personnel Policy Review – Closure of the Tribal
Center; Inclement Weather Policy; Other policies.
Reviewed the proposed Administrative Office Organizational
Structure.
Established a list of priorities for 2018 for review.
Approved Resolution KB 003-2018 request to the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community Business Council to assist financially in any amount to improve the Baraga Ojibwa Casino
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan J. LaFernier
Meet Diane McMahon
the new Ojibwa Seniors
Director.
“I have lived in Baraga
for over 20 years. I’m
married to Jay McMahon
and I have three children,
now all adults: Mitch,
Zack, and Ariel. We have
three grandchildren: Rion,
Anen, Dusk, and another
one is on the way.
I have worked in the
food service area most of
my working career. I am
looking forward to working at the Senior Center
working for and learning
from my elders.”
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
“My name is Rachel Sutherland, and I am an enrolled
Tribal Member of the KBIC. I
began working with Tribal Social Services as a Social Services Specialist in February of
2018, transferring from the Office of Child Support Services.
I recently graduated from
Grand Valley State University
with my Bachelor’s Degree in
Legal Studies. I live in Baraga
and enjoy spending my free
time with my fiancé usually outdoors or with friends and family. I’m glad to be back in my
hometown to support and help
our community in any way I
can.”
(4) Niiwin
facility.
January 25, 2018 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):
Approved the KBIC Housing Department “Home Ownership
Program Lease to Own” Policy.
Approved the Tier III Services Agreement with MJP Healthcare
Consulting (Michael J. Popp) to provide the Community Information Technology (IT) Services by way of, but not limited to,
Electronic Medical Records Management, Project Management, and HIPAA Support and Consulting Services, July 1,
2017 - June 30, 2018, and renegotiate the travel time cost for
the new agreement.
Approved the Trademark/Service Mark Application, Principal
Register TEAS Plus Application for the two versions of the new
Ojibwa Casinos Logo.
Approved the Request for Proposal one for the Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Plan Development from Mary
Hindelang, PhD, Ecology and Education Consultant for the
Natural Resources Department.
Approved the Amendment to Tier IV Services Agreement with
Henley Boat Manufacturing for additional services of $8,333.50
to build and deliver a boat to the Natural Resources Department.
Approved the Amendment to Tier III Services Agreement with
Dave Whitman Construction that the term of the agreement will
end on June 30, 2018, instead of December 31, 2017, to construct a slab and roof over the outdoor fish tanks building at the
Hatchery.
Approved the bid for a 2018 Chevrolet 3500 Crew Cab with flat
bed for $37,117.00 from Keweenaw Chevrolet for the Natural
Resources Department for a fish stocking vehicle.
Approved the purchase of two snowmobiles for $10,250.00
each from Timberline Sports in Bergland, MI, for the Ojibwa
Casinos January 2018 Snowmobile Promotion.
Approved the Director of Fire and Emergency Management job
description with the changes.
Approved the KBIC Seniors Tax Preparation Reimbursement
Program for the 2017 tax returns. Seniors will be reimbursed
$100.00 if they use a tax preparer who has been issued a preparer tax identification number by the Internal Revenue Service. The KB OHCDC has been excluded.
Tabled the proposed Administrative Office Organizational
Structure until the finance meeting with the Casino staff.
“Hello! My name is
Nick Gehring. I work as a
Social Services Specialist
for Tribal Social Services.
I recently moved here
from Wisconsin. I previously worked as a Social
Worker in Milwaukee
County for several years.
In my free time I enjoy
spending time with friends
and family, hiking, and
reading. I am very excited to be here and am
thankful for the opportunity to serve the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.”
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Employment Opportunities
(Closes 03//09/18): Personnel Director; (Open-until-filled): Niiwin
Akeaa Programs Assistant; Registered Nurse; Community Health
Nurse; Health Administrator. Accounting Clerk; Physician; Youth Plant
Technician (part-time); Youth Fisheries Technician (part-time).
On-going recruitment (open continuous): Account Executive/Sales, Cashier/Deli
Worker, Internal Sales Specialist, Unit Manager (Newday). (on-call positions): Board Operator, Cashier/Deli Worker, Cleaning Person, Facility Attendant, Laborer, Licensed Practical Nurse, Natural Resource Technician, Nurse Practitioner, OVW Unit Manager, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Registered Nurse, Van Driver.
http://www.kbic-nsn.gov/html/personnel.htm
Baraga location: Count Team, Casino Bartender,
Surveillance Monitor, Guest Service Clerk, Security
Officer, Slot Attendant, Games Dealer, Cage Cashier, Casino Snack Bar Cook, Lanes Bartender Cook, Maintenance Worker, Casino Housekeeper, Casino Bar Waitstaff,
Motel Front Desk, Room Attendant, Shuttle Driver.
Marquette location: Casino Bartender, Cage Cashier, Security Officer, Games Dealer, Slot Attendant, Guest Services
Clerk, Waitstaff, Snackbar Cook, Casino Housekeeper, Maintenance Worker.
For complete job announcement and application requirements contact: KBIC Personnel Department, 16429 Bear
Town Road, Baraga, Michigan, 49908. (906) 353-6623,
ext. 4176 or 4140, or visit us
at www.kbic-nsn.gov.
For
Casino jobs — Human Resources Office, Baraga (906)
353– 6623, Marquette (906)
249-4200, ext. 205, or visit
www. Ojibwacasino.com.
CEO’s Report for the Month of January 2018
On January 9, Push, Inc., a subcontractor hired by our General
Contractor Gundlach Champion, began to bore and install a new
water service line for the Baraga Casino and Hotel. Near the end
of the boring process, it was discovered that Push accidently ruptured the active waterline near the east side entrance to the casino. The break was first noticed just after noon. In order to repair
the break, the entire resort had to be closed and the initial estimated reopening was scheduled for around 5 p.m. that day. Once
the repair was complete and pressure restored to the line, water
still wasn’t present within areas of the facilities. After researching
and exploring several options, it was determined that sand had entered the water system and caused blockage of valves. Gundlach
called in local plumbers to assist with repairing the issues, but the
process went late into the evening and additional parts needed
weren’t readily available. This caused the casino to remain closed
throughout the night. The crew returned in the early morning
hours of the 10th to continue the repairs, and at approximately 2
p.m., the casino was reopened for business, although some of the
restrooms remained closed due to additional parts needing to be
ordered. All repairs were completed, reports were written by all
parties involved, and our insurance carrier was contacted. We
have met with Gundlach regarding the issue, and they have taken
care of the costs of the repairs. The last issue to be resolved relates to the lost revenue we experienced. Our staff is preparing
that information, and we hope to have that issue resolved next
week as well.
We are continuing our work on moving the casino projects forward. The updated market study, required by our financing partners due to the significant changes in the scope of the projects, is
underway. Don Wren, Casino GM, and I met with Matt Robinson of
Klas Robinson this week to provide the details they require to perform their work on the study. They estimate they will have a draft
report to us within a few weeks with the final report expected within
two weeks following it. Once we have the final study, the next
steps will include meeting with our financing partners, finalization
of the Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal by Gundlach Champion, and final review and consideration by Council to approve the
GMP. In a final note on this topic, our request for grant funding
from the Shakopee Tribe of MN was denied. The request was intended to provide funds toward the Baraga project in hopes of
bringing more elements back into the project that had to be removed to keep the Marquette project scope intact.
Our office was directed to acquire cost proposals to have a review of the Tribe’s compensation structure performed. The companies who prepared proposals last year have been contacted and
asked to update them. Hannah Beesley, Personnel Director, has
also contacted two other companies to submit proposals of which
we received this week. We will be presenting those proposals for
your consideration next week.
The Tribe’s Housing Department will be soon instituting a new
lease for the home ownership program. Doreen Blaker, Director,
KBIC SENIORS TAX PREPARATION
REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Eligible Seniors: Enrolled KBIC Members
55 years of age and older residing in
Baraga County or on the Marquette Trust
property.
How the Program Works: Eligible seniors
will receive reimbursement up to $100 for
their 2017 tax return preparation. This
year’s program also provides reimbursement up to $26 for completion of your 2017
Home Heating Credit return.
To qualify for reimbursement, eligible seniors must use a tax preparer who has been
issued a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Housing
Community Development Corporation
and Sally Snyder are excluded from the
program due to a litigation matter involving the Tribe.
To receive your reimbursement, please
turn in your original receipt to Kim Klopstein, Administrative Asst., in the CEO’s
Office. Please allow up to 10 business
days
for
p a y me n t
p r o c e s si n g .
(Reimbursement for personal returns only,
business returns are not covered.)
developed the program and guidelines for Council approval. Information regarding the new program will be coming out soon.
The Elderly Nutrition Program Director has been filled, and
Diane McMahon will begin work this coming Monday, February 5.
During the hiring process, Michael Duschene and then Agnes
“Totsie” Huecksteadt were brought on board to fill-in. Totsie will
work the first week with Diane to help get her settled into the position.
The Youth Program Director position has also been filled. Jodene Rasanen began work on January 22. She is settling into the
position and working on filling other employee positions that are
vacant.
We are continuing to work on filling the Health Director position. The selection committee has interviewed one applicant to
date and have an additional two candidates who are finalizing their
package submissions to Personnel. The committee will meet to
review their information once complete and consider whether interviews are appropriate.
Earlier this week, Darrell Kingbird provided his notice to terminate his employment agreement with the Tribe. Darrell has provided language instruction in both Baraga and L’Anse School districts as well as cultural services and programming for the Community. Gary Loonsfoot, Jr., Director of Cultural Resources, is
working on continuation of the programming. The schools will
continue to provide the high school level instruction via a substitute teacher. More information will be provided on this as it develops.
Redevelopment and institution of the Tribe’s Fire Program is
moving forward. The director level position is posted for two
weeks, and once it closes, the selection committee will meet and
review that applicant pool.
I continue to assist with the development of the tobacco manufacturing project. The license to manufacture has been issued,
and agreements with partners have been approved. One final approval is needed by our partners on the agreements which is expected very soon. The sales of the product to our retail outlets will
be handled by the newly created Asemaa Wholesale and Distribution Company. Asemaa will be a business of the Tribe and managed through the CEO’s office.
Tribal Council held a work session on January 22. The session
will aid the CEO’s office and departments in setting up priorities for
the year. It also included review of the employee policy manual
which requires updating. That process will continue through additional work sessions. The session also included review of the current and proposed change to the organizational structure of the
CEO’s office to better align the workload that has developed due
to growth across the Tribe.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Denomie III, CEO
KBIC SENIORS
Eliason Law Office is taking appointments
for phone conferences for: Tribal Elder Wills
and General Durable Powers of Attorney/
Health Care Powers of Attorney. Please call
Geneva Brennan at the Tribal Attorney’s office (906) 353-4107 to schedule a phone
conference and pick up intake worksheets.
There is no charge for this service.
BIA SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for a BIA Scholarship
for the 2018-19 academic year is May 1,
2018.
Applicants must be enrolled KBIC members,
legal residents of Michigan attending a two
or four year accredited Michigan college in
pursuit of a two or four year degree and must
complete the FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid).
Applications are available from the Education
Office, Keweenaw Bay Tribal Center, 16429
Beartown Rd. Baraga MI 49908.
For more information, please contact Amy
St. Arnold, Education Director at 906-3534117 or amy@KBIC-nsn.gov.
PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT
Is your charitable organization planning on holding a raffle or selling raffle tickets on
the L’Anse Indian Reservation?
Federal law, through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,
granted Tribes exclusive right to
regulate gaming activity on Indian
lands. Even if you or the members of your organization are not
tribal members, the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community Gaming
Commission has the authority to
regulate your raffle. It is unlawful
to game without a license.
Please contact the KBIC Gaming Commission Office at (906)
353-4222 or stop by the office
located at the Tribal Center for an
application and a copy of the
rules and regulations.
Application deadline for submission of ALL Class I Drawings
is 30 days and Class II Raffles
is 60 days prior to your event.
License Fee
will be waived
when the application
is
receiv ed
within
this
16429 Bear Town, Rd.
timeline.
Baraga, MI 49908
(906) 353-4222
(5) Naanan
14th Mid-Winter Powwow continued:
Drum. Invited drums were: Eagle Clan Singers,
Four Thunders, and Wiikwedong Ogichidaa Society. Also honored were Jaycie Forcia, Miss Keweenaw Bay; Starr Dunleavy, Miss Junior Keweenaw Bay; and Tribal Elders: Elizabeth “Chiz”
Matthews and Albert W. Matthews. A Pink Shawl
Honor Dance was held honoring Rosemary
Haataja, Laurie Irwin, and Amanda BloxtonKippola. Participants honored the memories of
fallen Beartown Firefighters: James “Jimmy” Shelifoe, Jr. and Alan J. “AJ” Swartz with a memorial
dance. A grand feast was held between grand
entries.
Honored Elders:
Elizabeth “Chiz” Charlotte Matthews was born
in Zeba, Michigan. Her Indian name is Nesewin
Ikwe which means Breath of Earth Woman. Her
parents were Charlotte Baker and George Matthews. She is the mother of five children: Michael,
Mark, Lori Ann, Loring, and Elizabeth. She has 16
grandchildren: Eddie, Mark, Matthew, Michael,
Nathen, Tanya, Jacob, Kirsten, Breanna, Charlotte, Ethan, Abbey, Alden, Keagan, Alisha, and
Grayson. She has three sisters: Sarah, Myrtle,
and Dorothy. She has six brothers: Amos, Donald, Ted, Matt, Glenn, and Albert.
After graduation, she worked at the Detroit
Glass Car in Pontiac, Michigan; Ted’s Drive-In,
Old Colony Laundry, and Home Health in Plymouth, Massachusetts. In the 70’s, she began
her employment with the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community as a receptionist for 18 years. “I had
the Tribe at my fingertip,” was a quote from the
Daily Mining Gazette when she was interviewed.
She was a member of the Michigan Child Welfare Committee, KBIC Education Committee, and
the North American Indian Women’s Association,
and she is currently a member of the KBIC Cultural Committee. Chiz attends the Nishaabemowin Pane Immersion Program at the Baraga
Campus where classes are held once a month for
three days.
She loves the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay
Packers. She enjoys playing Wheel of Fortune on
-line, reading books, and spending time with family. Most important are her children, grandkids,
nieces, and nephews. She is retired and lives a
great life. There are a few projects she is involved
with through the Tribe which keeps her busy. She
has a bird feeder outside her kitchen window and
has a cat, Tigger, who wants her attention most of
the time.
Her future plans include selling her house and
moving to Superior View Senior complex in
Baraga. She hates to leave Zeba, but she knows
she needs to downsize.
Albert W. Matthews whose Ojibwa name
means Bad Uncle, is married to Elsie Loonsfoot.
They have five children: Julie, Mary, Scott, Dan,
and Jon; seven grandchildren: T.J., Jade, Adam,
Patrick, Bobby, Jeremy, and Marie; and nine great
grandchildren. Albert has four sisters: Myrtle
Tolonen, Sarah Shelifoe, Elizabeth Matthews, and
Dorothy Belmore; and five brothers: Glen, Amox,
Don, Ted, and Matt.
Albert worked 12 years in the Meat Department
as the manager of Sureway Stores in Green Bay,
Wisconsin. He was sales manager at an IGA
Food Distribution Center serving IGA Grocery
Stores in the Eastern part of Wisconsin and the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He was the owner
and operator of IGA Food Stores retiring in 2003.
Albert likes to golf, go musky fishing (he caught
a 51” musky in Canada) and hunt the four-legged.
His freezer is always full of venison and rainbows
from the Zeba Ravine and Silver River. He doesn’t spear them anymore, but he does go each
spring and watches the fish jump the falls at the
Silver River.
Albert “Bad Uncle” expresses his love for his
brothers and sisters. “I spent my life away from
the rez, but I always come back each year to be
with my people. I love who I am, and I love each
and every one of you.”
~ submitted by Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor
(6) Ningodwaaswi
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Honored Elders: Albert W. Matthews and Elizabeth “Chiz” Matthews
with numerous family members.
To place an ad, submit an article, or relate information, ideas,
or possible articles contact: Lauri Denomie at (906) 201-0263,
or e-mail: newsletter@kbic-nsn.gov.
(7) Niizhwaaswi
4.
TRIBAL COURT
CRIMINAL SENTENCES
The Tribal Court has agreed to comply with the
request of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s CEO’s office to publish criminal sentencing
on a routine basis.
Daniel Morro, case #17-237, §5.15. OUIL – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/17/2017, #17-237, §5.15:
1. Fine $500.00.
2. Forty-five (45) days jail, credit for one day jail served, 44 days jail suspended
pending successful completion of all terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of lodging, and any expenses incurred while
incarcerated.
3. Three to six months standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a $10
monthly fee. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and
PBT tests, if any.
4. Defendant shall obtain a substance abuse screening within 30 days of sentencing, and is to comply with the recommendations of the screening until successfully discharged. Defendant shall sign a release of information for the Court to
monitor compliance.
Daniel Morro, case #17-238, §5.61, Driver’s license required – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/17/2018, #17-238, §5.61:
1. Fine $100.00.
2. Ten (10) days jail, ten days jail suspended pending successful completion of all
terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of
lodging, and any expenses incurred while incarcerated.
3. Three to six months standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a $10
monthly fee. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and
PBT tests, if any.
4. Defendant shall attempt to obtain a driver’s license and provide proof to the probation office.
Yancey DeCota, case #18-003, §3.904, Domestic animals – required restraints
– 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/17/2018, #18-003, §3.904:
1. Fine $100.00.
2. Animal must remain restrained at all times.
KC Rantanen, case #17-216, §5.61, License restricted – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/22/2018, #17-216, §5.61:
1. Fine $100.00.
2. Ten days jail, credit for ten days served. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of lodging and any expense incurred while incarcerated.
3. Defendant shall report within 48-hours of being released from jail or if released on
the weekend shall report on first business day to the probation office to set up a
payment order. Payment probation shall be made at a minimum of one time per
month. Community service shall be pre-arranged with the probation office.
4. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of random drug and alcohol tests, if any.
KC Rantanen, case #17-217, §16.515, Improper use of license plate – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/22/2018, #17-217, §16.515:
1. Fine $125.00.
2. Twenty-five days jail, credit for two days jail served, twenty-three days jail to be
served. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of lodging and
any expense incurred while incarcerated.
3. Defendant shall report within 48-hours of being released from jail or if released on
the weekend shall report on first business day to the probation office to set up a
payment order. Payment probation shall be made at a minimum of one time per
month. Community service shall be pre-arranged with the probation office.
Lisa M. (Perrault) Kill
(October 16, 1961—January 24, 2018)
Lisa M. (Perrault) Kill, age 56, of Three
Oaks, Michigan, passed away at her home
on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. She was
born on October 16, 1961, in L’Anse, Michigan, the daughter of Mark and Carolyn
(Hartsuff) Perrault. Lisa was a proud member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Chippewa) Tribe and her Native American name was Ozaawaa Bineshii Quay Yellowbird Woman. After high school, she
met her husband, Doug Kill, and attended
Austin Modeling School. On September 15,
1984, they married in Holt, Michigan. Lisa
worked for the Department of Agriculture for
the State of Michigan for many years and
then the Family Independence Agency.
Lisa loved the outdoors and Northern
Michigan where she was raised; she went
up to deer camp, swam in Lake Superior,
fished, smelted, skied, attended Powwows,
and was a Green Bay Packer fan. Lisa also
loved going to estate sales. Her biggest joy
was taking care of and cooking for her family. She also loved her dog, Tag, and her
“grand dogs”.
Lisa is survived by her husband: Doug;
three sons: Brian Kill of Buchanan, Kevin
Kill of Three Oaks; and Thomas
(Cassandra) Kill of Fowlerville, MI.; her
mother: Carolyn Perrault; two brothers:
Kevin and Dan Perrault; and two sisters:
Kelli and Kori Perrault.
(8) Ishwaaswi
Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of random drug and alcohol tests, if any.
LeRoy Gauthier, case #17-221, §3.402, Malicious destruction of personal
property – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/22/2018, #17-221, §3.402:
1. Fine $100.00.
2. Ten (10) days jail, ten days jail suspended pending successful completion of all
terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of
lodging, and any expenses incurred while incarcerated.
3. Defendant shall obtain a substance abuse screening and follow recommendations until successfully completed.
4. Three to six months standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a $10
monthly fee. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and
PBT tests, if any. Defendant shall report to the probation office a minimum of
one time a month or as directed by the probation office.
David Madosh, case #16-220TNR, §10.220, Prohibited method of catching
fish species – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/30/2018, #16-220TNR, §10.220:
1. Fine $1,000.00.
2. Defendant shall be responsible for Court costs in the amount of $324.87.
3. Defendant shall be responsible for restitution to KBIC Natural Resources’ Fisheries Department in the amount of $500.00, and shall be paid to the KBIC Tribal
Court for processing.
4. Forty-five (45) days jail, 45 days jail suspended pending successful completion
of all terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs
of lodging and any expense incurred while incarcerated.
5. Twelve months standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a $10
monthly fee. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and
PBT tests, if any. Defendant shall report to the probation office a minimum of
one time a month or as directed by the probation office. Defendant shall submit
to a baseline drug test today.
6. Defendant’s commercial fishing license is suspended for a period of two years
from today, after which will continue for another additional year after all Court
obligations are paid in full.
David Madosh, case #17-045TNR, §10.217, Wanton Waste of fish species –
1st offense
Sentencing on 01/30/2018, #17-045TNR, §10.217:
1. Fine $1,500.00.
2. Defendant shall be responsible for Court costs in the amount of $324.87.
(Concurrent with #16-220TNR).
3. Defendant shall be responsible for restitution to KBIC Natural Resources’ Fisheries Department in the amount of $500.00, and shall be paid to the KBIC Tribal
Court for processing. (Concurrent with #16-220TNR).
4. Forty-five (45) days jail, 45 days jail suspended pending successful completion
of all terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs
of lodging and any expense incurred while incarcerated.
5. Twelve months standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a $10
monthly fee. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and
PBT tests, if any. Defendant shall report to the probation office a minimum of
one time a month or as directed by the probation office. Defendant shall submit
to a baseline drug test today. (Consecutive to #16-220TNR).
6. Defendant’s commercial fishing license is suspended for a period of two years
from today, after which will continue for another additional year after all his Court
obligations are paid in full. (Concurrent with #16-220TNR).
David Madosh, case #17-169, §8.901, Contempt of Court – 1st offense
Sentencing on 01/30/2018, #17-045TNR, §10.217:
1. Fine $500.00, which shall be transferred to the Court costs in relation to the Jury
Trial he is in Contempt of Court, i.e. failure to appear.
2. One-hundred-eighty (180) days jail, 180 days jail suspended pending successful
completion of all terms of probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible
for the costs of lodging and any expense incurred while incarcerated.
A Celebration of Life Service was held
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the Starks &
Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St.
Joseph Michigan. The family was assisted
by the Starks Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph, Michigan.
Eleanor Mae Seppanen
(January 12, 1925—January 27, 2018)
Eleanor Mae Seppanen, age 93, of
L’Anse, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at her home on
Pikes Peak Road. She was born January
12, 1925, in L’Anse, Michigan, the daughter
of Samuel and Margaret (Kipsoden) Spruce.
Eleanor attended L’Anse School through the
sixth grade. She married Waino Seppanen
in 1946. In 1970 Eleanor went to work for
WigWam Industries for two years. She then
worked as a cook for 15 years at the New
Day Treatment Center, retiring in 1990.
Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her
family, going to the casino, playing Bingo,
playing cards, working crossword puzzles,
and watching westerns and game shows on
television.
Surviving are her children: Ronald
(Elizabeth) Spruce, Robert Seppanen, John
(Carol) Seppanen all of L’Anse, William
Seppanen, Dorothy Stephens, Wanda Seppanen all of Baraga; sister: Rosemary
Haataja of L’Anse; 12 grandchildren; and 27
great grandchildren.
Proceeding her in death are her parents;
son: Roger Seppanen; brothers: Russell,
Robert, Samuel Jr., Kenneth, and William
Spruce; sisters: Evelyn Holappa, Barbara
Mantila; infants: Patricia and Stephen
Spruce, and a grandson: Travis Seppanen.
A graveside service will be held in the
spring at the Pelkie Cemetery. The Jacobson Funeral Home of L’Anse, Michigan is in
charge of arrangements.
Pearl Nancy Rose Thoresen
(June 2, 1932—February 8, 2018)
Pearl Nancy Rose Thoresen, age 85, of
L’Anse, Michigan, passed away peacefully
with her family by her side on Thursday,
February 8, 2018, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, L’Anse. She was born in Zeba,
Michigan, on June 2, 1932, the daughter of
the late John “Mickey” and Clara (Knapp)
Swartz. Pearl graduated from L’Anse High
School in 1950. She married Harold “Hellie”
Thoresen on October 21, 1950, at Zeba Indian Mission United Methodist Church. He
preceded her in death on July 25, 1993.
Throughout Pearl’s career she worked as a
clerk for ITC, a cook at L’Anse Area
Schools, a clerk at the former NorGas Company, a secretary for Michigan Inter-Tribal
Education Association, Tribal Health Services, the Department of Health and Human
Services, and had retired January 5, 1998,
as administrative secretary for Keweenaw
Bay Tribal Center. Pearl was a member of
the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the
Zeba Indian Mission United Methodist
Church, Baragaland Senior Citizens, and
had been a member of the L’Anse Women’s
Bowling League. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, being on her computer, feeding and
watching the birds and deer, going to the
Continued on page nine.
Obituaries continued:
casino, until recently she would go to the
fitness center with her friends three times a
week, loved listening to classic country music, attending her grandchildren and great
grandchildren’s sporting events, and playing
cribbage with her brother Bill and friend
Jane Elmblad.
Pearl is survived by her loving children:
Nancy (Jim) Shannon of Baraga, Jennifer
(Jerry) Almli of Baraga, Steve Thoresen of
New Prague, Minnesota, Julie Deschaine of
Elkhart, Indiana, and Harold (Jody) Thoresen of L’Anse; nine grandchildren; ten great
grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; brothers: Bill Swartz of L’Anse, Ward
(Nancy) Swartz of Millington, MI, and Roland (Cheryl “Dodo”) Swartz of L’Anse; sister: Amelia “Dolly” Sapcut of Baraga; and
numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is also survived by her best friend Connie Lytikainen of L’Anse. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband;
her son, Billy; and brothers: Wayne, Clyde
and Jerry Swartz.
A memorial funeral service for Pearl was
held on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the
Zeba Indian Mission United Methodist
Church in Zeba, Michigan, with Reverend
Steve Rhoades officiating. The family received friends at the church at 11 am until
the time of the service. A fellowship and
luncheon immediately followed the service
at the Zeba Community Hall. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI assisted the family.
Ojibwa Community Library News and
Events
By Angela Badke, Librarian
Delores M. Eberl
(June 13, 1928—February 18, 2018)
Delores M. Eberl (nee Denomie) found
peace and joined her husband, Joseph
Frank Eberl, on February 18, 2018, at the
age of 89. She was born June 13, 1928, in
Baraga, Michigan, the daughter of Lawrence and Leona (LaCosse). Delores was
the loving mother of the late Frank Joseph
Eberl and Barbara Jo Strehlow, dear grandmother of Jenafer (Ken) Schinner and Kristen Ruegg, and beloved great-grandmother
of Joseph and Rachel Schinner. She is further survived by many other family members and friends. Delores bestowed on her
family a love for cooking, political activism,
and public service.
Also preceding Delores in death were
siblings: Lawrence Denomie Jr., Carlotta
Beauprey, Joan Bemis, and Patricia Imig.
She was a member of the Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community.
Services were held on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at the Max Sass & Sons Funeral Home in Greenfield, Wisconsin.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON
INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)
FY 2018 NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*
(Effective Oct. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018)
*The net monthly income standard for each household size
is the sum of the applicable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) net monthly income standard and
the applicable SNAP standard deduction.
48 Contiguous United
States:
Household
Size
Use this
amount
SNAP Net
Monthly
Income
Standard
SNAP
Standard Deduction
FDPIR Net
Monthly Income Standard
1
$1,005
+
$160
=
$1,165
2
$1,354
+
$160
=
$1,514
3
$1,702
+
$160
=
$1,862
4
$2,050
+
$170
=
$2,220
5
$2,399
+
$199
=
$2,598
6
$2,747
+
$228
=
$2,975
7
$3,095
+
$228
=
$3,323
8
$3,444
+
$228
=
$3,672
Each additional member
+ $349
Alaska:
Use this
amount
Household
Size
SNAP Net
Monthly
Income
Standard
SNAP
Standard Deduction
1
$1,255
+
$273
=
$1,528
2
$1,691
+
$273
=
$1,964
3
$2,127
+
$273
=
$2,400
4
$2,563
+
$273
=
$2,836
5
$2,999
+
$273
=
$3,272
6
$3,435
+
$285
=
$3,720
7
$3,870
+
$285
=
$4,155
8
$4,306
+
$285
=
$4,591
Each additional member
FDPIR Net
Monthly Income Standard
+ $436
If you haven’t been to the library in
awhile, it’s time to stop in and see what’s
new. We have a new staff member, new
hours, new events, and new books!
We are really excited to introduce our
newest staff member, Dawn Browning! We
hired Dawn in late January as the new library assistant. She is a newcomer to the
area and enjoys getting to know all about
the community. She is originally from Manitoba, but she lived and worked in Alabama.
Dawn lives with her husband, daughter, and
two large grand-dogs on a farm in the
Baraga area. Welcome, Dawn!
With extra staff onboard, the library will
be able to have extended hours. Our current hours of operation are as follows:
Monday and Friday: 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday:
9:00 AM -6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM
Events happening in March at the library
include the Building Adult Skills in Computing (B.A.S.I.C.) sessions with students from
Michigan Tech University. You can bring in
your own laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and
the students will walk you through your
questions. The next session is March 23 rd
from 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM in the library.
We are also happy to announce the Library’s coding club started at the end of
February. If you have a student in your
home in grades 5-8 who is interested in
learning more about computer programming, have them fill out a short application
at our circulation desk.
Sessions are
Wednesday nights from 4:00 PM- 5:30 PM.
Space is limited.
New books are always popping up in the
library! Recently added titles include:
Death at Nuremberg – W.E.B. Griffin
The Midnight Line – Lee Child
Past Perfect – Danielle Steel
A Warrior of the People – Joe Starita
Flowers of the Killer Moon – David Grann
For more information about any of our
events, hours, or books, please email
oclib@up.net or call 353-8163.
(9) Zhaangaswi
Text of Court-Ordered Corrective Statements:
United States v. Philip Morris USA Inc.
Adverse Health Effects of Smoking
A Federal Court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA to make this statement about the health
effects of smoking.
Smoking kills, on average, 1,200 Americans, every day.
More people die every year from smoking than from murder,
AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes, and alcohol combined.
Smoking causes heart disease, emphysema, acute myeloid leukemia, and cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, lung, stomach, kidney, bladder, and pancreas.
Smoking also causes reduced fertility, low birth weight in newborns, and cancer of the cervix.
Addictiveness of Smoking and Nicotine
A Federal Court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA to make this statement about the addictiveness of smoking and nicotine.
Smoking is highly addictive. Nicotine is the addictive drug in
tobacco.
Cigarette companies intentionally designed cigarettes with
enough nicotine to create and sustain addiction.
It’s not easy to quit.
When you smoke, the nicotine actually changes the brain —
that’s why quitting is so hard.
Lack of Significant Health Benefit from Smoking “Low Tar,”
“Light,” “Ultra Light,” “Mild,” and “Natural” Cigarettes
A Federal Court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA to make this statement about low tar
and light cigarettes being as harmful as regular cigarettes.
Many smokers switch to low tar and light cigarettes rather than
quitting because the thin low tar and light cigarettes are less
harmful. They are not.
“Low tar” and “light” cigarette smokers inhale essentially the
same amount of tar and nicotine as they would from regular
cigarettes.
All cigarettes cause cancer, lung disease, heart attacks, and
premature death — lights, low tar, ultra lights, and naturals.
There is no safe cigarette.
Manipulation of Cigarette Design and Composition to Ensure
Optimum Nicotine Delivery
A Federal Court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA to make this statement about designing
cigarettes to enhance the delivery of nicotine.
Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA
intentionally designed cigarettes to make them more addictive.
Cigarette companies control the impact and delivery of nicotine
in many ways, including designing filters and selecting cigarette
paper to maximize the ingestion of nicotine, adding ammonia to
make the cigarette taste less harsh, and controlling the physical
and chemical make-up of the tobacco blend.
When you smoke, the nicotine actually changes the brain —
that’s why quitting is so hard.
Adverse Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
A Federal Court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA to make this statement about the health
effects of secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke kills over 38,000 Americans each year.
Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and coronary heart disease in adults who do not smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk
for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma, and reduced lung function.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
REACH Receives Extra Year of Funding to Improve Native American Health
SAULT STE. MARIE – The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan’s
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Journey to Wellness Program was awarded a supplemental year of
funding in order to build upon and sustain progress made in the first
three years (September 30, 2014 – September 29, 2017). REACH
Journey to Wellness is focused on cardiovascular disease prevention in Native Americans residing within six Michigan federally recognized tribes in one urban Indian health Services Agency: The
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of
the Potawatomi, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa and Chippewa Indians, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Hannahville Indian Community, the Bay Mills Indian Community, and American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit.
REACH is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in part by the Prevention and Public Health Fund
of the Affordable Care Act, and serves as the only communitybased, culturally relevant, and multi-disciplinary program dedicated
to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. Awardees
create healthier communities by strengthening the capacity and implementing tailored evidence- and practice-based strategies that will
reach at least 75% of the selected priority population across multiple settings.
“While all segments of society are affected by chronic disease,
the American Indian population is disproportionately burdened and
suffer higher rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease,” said
Cathy Edgerly, Program Manager with Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.
Edgerly continues, “REACH supports our efforts to advance culturally tailored and evidence-based strategies which work to reduce
chronic disease and related risk factors. In our first three years of
the REACH Journey to Wellness project, outcomes included increased commercial tobacco policies, access to healthy food, and
physical activity opportunities. This year’s supplemental year of
funding, was reduced by 30%; however, the dedicated REACH
Tribes and Agencies utilized tribal and non-tribal partnerships and
resources in order to update their year four community action plans
building upon progress made to date.”
The REACH Journey to Wellness community action plans each
include local culturally tailored strategies which address four key
areas:
Increased access to prevention, risk reduction, and chronic disease management opportunities.
Increased access to environments with healthy food or beverage options.
Increased access to physical activity opportunities.
Increased access to commercial tobacco-free and smoke-free
environments.
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“Our REACH Journey to Wellness project is focused on strategies which will positively change the health and quality of life of Native Americans in our community,” said Elizabeth D. Mayo, REACH
KBIC Coordinator.
The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation duly organized
under a state charter filed April 16, 1968. The agency represents all twelve federally recognized tribes in Michigan. The agency is divided into several different divisions, including:
headstart; early headstart; health services; behavioral health; environmental services; child,
family, and education services; and administration. The agency employs approximately 160
employees. 35 of these employees are based in the agency’s central office in Sault Ste.
Marie, while member tribes have offices and staff on site. Visit http://www.itcmi.org/ to learn
more about the agency. The REACH Journey to Wellness is funded by the CDC under grant
number 6NU58DP005946-03-03.
26th ANNUAL HEALTHY HEART FAIR
HELD ON VALENTINE’S DAY
What better day than Valentine’s Day to hold a
Healthy Heart Fair. The Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community’s Department of Health and Human Services held their 26th consecutive annual Healthy
Heart Fair on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, Valentine’s Day. The event was held at the Niiwin
Akeaa Center and, as usual, was very well attended
by the local community both tribal and non-tribal.
The event is held to ensure health screenings and
education are available for the public. Participants
visited a number of booths which distributed pamphlets and samples on how to live a healthier lifestyle, offered screenings, and prize drawings. Prize
incentives were raffled throughout the event.
A Chi Miigwech to the following
vendors who made this event a
success! They were: Baraga
County DHHS Licensing & ICWA,
Baraga County Shelter Home, Bay
Ambulance, Inc., BHK Child Development Board, Copper Country
Great Start Collaborative, GLIFWC, Indian Health
Service, KBIC BALAC , KBIC DHHS – Colorectal
Cancer, KBIC DHHS – Tobacco Cessation, KBIC
Diabetes Program, KBIC Health System Medical
Clinic, KBIC Health System Pharmacy, KBIC Healthy
Start - Family Spirit Programs, KBIC Natural Resources Air Quality, KBIC Nutrition Program, KBIC
Office of Child Support Services, KBIC OVW, KBIC
REACH, KBIC Tribal Prep, KBIC Tribal Social Services, KBIC VOCA & KBIC Health System Behavioral Health, KBIC WIC, KBOCC Children’s Literature
Class, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College,
Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police, Little Brothers Friends
of the Elderly, MSU Extension, Ojibwa Community
Library, New Day Treatment Center; KBIC Substance Abuse Program, Superior Family Chiropractic, UP Kids, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, and KBIC
Youth (for the use of their building).
~ submitted by Lauri Denomie,
Newsletter Editor
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Carrie Paquette (right), visits the KBOCC Natural Resource vendor
booth and obtained some seeds to start her vegetable garden this
spring. Booth operators: Tim Dombrowski and Jane Kahkonen.
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
The event offers something for all ages. Emma Rothenberg and Damien DeCota spent the afternoon with Grandma Lynn Velmer visiting
the many booths.
March 2018 Calendar
Mar. 3: Saturday Council Meeting at Big Bucks Bingo,
Baraga, at 9 a.m.;
Mar. 30: Good Friday Holiday, Gov’t offices closed.
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Heads Up! Another Community
Survey On Its Way Soon!
I know what you’re thinking, “not another survey!” But yes, it’s another survey from the Natural
Resources Department (NRD) all about wetlands!
Now you’re thinking “why should I take the time to
complete this survey?” Well, the bottom line is
that your insights help the NRD better serve the
Community as a whole. The NRD relies on contributions from Community members to provide a
richer foundation for decision making into the future. The purpose of gathering this information is
to explore the more holistic view of wetlands and
the importance of these vital natural systems to
KBIC Tribal Members.
This survey is funded by the Administration for
Native Americans (ANA) which is currently providing the NRD funding to conduct two years of
baseline data collection within wetlands on the
L’Anse Reservation. We will be gathering biological, ecological, social, and cultural information
related to wetland systems in an effort to prepare
for future changes that may occur as a result of
shifts in weather and climatic events.
Our wetlands are presently in danger of being
negatively impacted from many different sources.
For example, potential impacts of climate change
on wetland ecosystems include changes in seasonal weather patterns, increase in extreme
weather events, changes in Lake Superior ice
cover and water levels, change in abundance and
distribution of coastal wetlands, loss of native
plant and animal species, and increase in nonnative and invasive species. The NRD has considered these potential impacts and understand
that inaction may yield negative consequences for
our community in the near future.
We all play an important role in protecting, defending, and healing our natural environment and
the NRD intends to continue a pro-active approach to resource stewardship to ensure that
wetlands and their associated resources are
maintained in good health for future generations.
To be added to the mailing list or
to correct your mailing address,
contact the enrollment office at
(906) 353-6623 ext. 4113.
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 STANDARD
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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.