The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2015)

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WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Iskigamizige Giizis - Maple Sugar Making Moon - April 2015 Issue 129

KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATES

AT NMU’S 22ND ANNUAL “LEARNING TO WALK

TOGETHER” TRADITIONAL POWWOW

Tribal Council Members:

Warren C. Swartz, Jr. , President

Jennifer Misegan, Vice-President

Toni J. Minton, Secretary

Susan J. LaFernier, Asst. Secretary

Doreen G. Blaker, Treasurer

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr.

Eddy Edwards

Randall R. Haataja

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr.

Don Messer, Jr.

Donald Shalifoe, Sr.

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

Picture by Lauri Denomie.



March 14th Tribal Council

Meeting



22nd Annual NMU “Learning

To Walk Together” Traditional Powwow



Danison named VFW Michigan Teacher of the Year



KBIC receives Bemidji Area

Leadership for Change Grant



KBOCC Students attend AIHEC Conference



Ojibwa Senior Citizens News



Deepest Sympathy

Head Veteran Dancer, Rodney Loonsfoot, led the KBIC Veterans Honor Guard during Grand Entries.

Northern Michigan University’s (NMU)

Annual “Learning To Walk Together”

Powwow is always well attended by Native American communities throughout

the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community who provides essential support for

this mid-March event. Rodney Loonsfoot, KBIC, led the KBIC Veteran’s Honor

Guard along with Head Dancers; Royalty; and a vast number of Traditional,

Fancy, and Jingle Dress Dancers, into

the arena for Grand Entry on Saturday,

March 14th. The 22nd Annual Powwow

was held at the Vandament Arena on

NMU’s campus in Marquette, Michigan.

Summer Cohen and Shane Mitchell

served as Head Dancers for this event.

Miss Keweenaw Bay, Kayla Dakota, was

seen representing KBIC throughout the

arena, enjoying many of Inter-tribal’s, the

Jingle Dress exhibition, and many honor

dances. Wazijaci served as Host Drum

with invited drums: Woodland Singers,

Four Thunders, Little Horse, and Sturgeon Bay. Emcee, Bucko Teeple, and

Co-Emcee, Mitch Bolo, kept everyone

informed of the events and things moving quite smoothly. This year’s Arena

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Head Dancers with Miss Keweenaw Bay. Left to right, Head Veteran Dancer, Rodney Loonsfoot;

Miss Keweenaw Bay, Kayla Dakota; Head Female Dancer, Summer Cohen; and Head Male

Dancer, Shane Mitchell.

Continues on page six.

(1) Bezhig

March 14, 2015 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Regular Saturday Tribal Council

Meeting was held on March 14, 2015, at

the Big Bucks Bingo Hall in Baraga,

Michigan.

President Warren “Chris”

Swartz, Jr. presided over the meeting

with Jennifer Misegan, Toni Minton,

Susan J. LaFernier, Doreen Blaker,

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr., Eddy Edwards,

Randall Haataja, Michael F. LaFernier,

Sr., Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr., Don Messer,

Jr., and Donald Shalifoe, Sr.

President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr.

shared numerous Thank You and For

Your Information items addressed to

Council.

Toni Minton gave the Secretary’s Report (page five), Doreen Blaker gave the

Treasurer’s Report (page three), and

Larry Denomie III gave the CEO’s Report (page four).

Susan J. LaFernier discussed an

amendment to the Purchasing and Procurement Policy. It has been reviewed

by the Chief Financial Officer, Accounting Staff, and the Assistant CEO, and it

is in accordance with the OMB Super

Circular Guidelines, especially the purchasing tiers, and it is the guidance they

are giving. Motion by Toni Minton to

approve the KBIC Purchase and Procurement Policy amendments with

the changes made here today, supported by Doreen Blaker. Ten supported

(Misegan,

Minton,

LaFernier, Blaker, Curtis, Haataja, M.

LaFernier, Loonsfoot, Messer, Shalifoe), one opposed (Edwards), 0 abstained, motion carried. Councilman

Edwards stated his opposition is that it

is too bureaucratic and not empowering.

Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr. discussed the

previous motion related to the OHA

Board. The President announced the

Ordinance is not actually on the agenda;

it is the Legislative Process related to it.

Councilman Loonsfoot stated, “When

you have a law, there is a higher hierarchy of law, and it is our Constitution, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions. I

did not agree with the fact that a Motion

just eliminated a law. I thought that

there should have been a process to it,

and that there is a Legislative Process

and a public hearing for it. In the Legislative Process, there is nothing on how

to get rid of laws; it’s how you make

them. Something has to be done as it’s

not right, just like that, this law got wiped

out. What other laws will be wiped out?

What other circumstances may come up

when we have a good law in place, but if

the majority of the Council doesn’t like it,

since it may affect their family or something, they can wipe that law out with a

simple motion? After discussing this

with the Tribal President, Vice Chair,

and the Tribal Attorney, we ended up

agreeing that maybe we should change

the Legislative Process and amend it.”

President Swartz said, “Gary wanted to

address the Legislative Process because it says nothing about repealing an

Ordinance in the Legislative Process,

and Gary wanted to have the opportunity for some kind of mechanism or

process in place related to the repeal of

an Ordinance.” Much discussion occurred on legislative law with no further

action occurring.

Larry Denomie III, CEO, discussed

the Ojibwa Casino Employee Manual

(2) Niizh

and KBIC Personnel Policy Manual Revised Hiring Policies that were worked

on at the last Council meeting. A few

minor changes were noted, replacing

Indian Preference to read Native Preference, and removing step-relatives and

in-laws from the Nepotism section. Motion by Toni Minton to approve the

amendments to the Ojibwa Casino

Employee Manual and KBIC Personnel Manual for Hiring Polices with the

changes made today, supported by

Randall Haataja.

Nine supported

(Misegan, Minton, S. LaFernier,

Blaker, Curtis, Haataja, M. LaFernier,

Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0

abstained, two absent (Edwards,

Messer), motion carried.

Doreen Blaker discussed a legislative update regarding Same Sex Marriage. The attorney’s office is currently

working on this matter. Areas of the

Tribal Code that will require amendments are: marriage, divorce, custody

of children, pension, and marriage fraud.

Tribal Attorney, Dan MacNeil, believes it

will be ready to go through legislative

process by next month.

President Swartz discussed an update related to marijuana which was

passed by the majority at a referendum

related to it. One of the first steps to be

done relating to this is to have a meeting

with the Department of Justice/Attorney

General Office as in the Cold Memorandum; it identifies steps on how to move

forward with the regulation of marijuana.

That meeting is scheduled late in April.

President Swartz indicated he did notify

the State of Michigan and requested

some laws from them on this matter.

Treasurer Doreen Blaker presented

the March 2015 donations requests.

Consensus of the Council was to refer a

$5,000.00 sponsorship for the Relay of

Life County and the Saginaw Chippewa

Indian’s request for a donation for the MI

Indian Family Olympics to the Casino

Enterprises. Motion by Jennifer Misegan to approve $1,214.00 for Abby

Durant, a NMU student’s, request for

a donation to attend a Surgical Technology Conference in San Antonio on

May 12-16, 2015, and a $1,500.00 donation to Billy Jo and Sandy Tahtinen’s request for assistance with

their granddaughter’s medical travel

to the University of Michigan Hospital

for a total of $2,714.00, supported by

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr. Nine supported

(Misegan,

Minton,

LaFernier, Blaker, Curtis, Haataja, M.

LaFernier, Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, two absent

(Edwards, Messer), motion carried.

Council closed with no further business on the agenda.

~ Submitted by Newsletter Editor.

DANISON NAMED VFW MICHIGAN’S

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

KBIC Tribal Member, Angela Danison, received some exciting news earlier this year. Angela has been selected

as the “VFW Michigan’s Teacher of the

Year.” Angela, a third grade teacher at

Chassell Elementary School, was chosen for the award in the K-5 grade category, and never expected to win this

award. “Oh my goodness, when I heard

the news I just thought, ‘really?’” said

Danison. “Educators work so hard, and

there is a lot of time where you just don’t

feel worthy because there are a lot of

other dedicated people working around

you.”

She traveled to Lansing in January

and was presented with the award on

the Senate floor. Rep. Dan Benishek

said, “Mrs. Danison’s dedication to

teaching her students is a credit to her

hard work and her attention to her students.

Mrs. Danison decided she

wanted to help the next generation while

she was a high school student herself.

She turned this dream into a successful

lifelong teaching career. I applaud her

for her hard work and dedication.”

“This is a huge honor for me; it was a

huge shock,” said Danison. “I think for

the most part that is not why we are

here and that is not why we do that.”

Her classroom of sixteen students

agrees it was well deserved. One of the

third grade students said, “Mrs. Danison

is smart, kind, and she loves kids!” Another student said, “She puts our lessons that are hard into games, so it

makes it more fun for us.”

“I try to create a caring classroom;

that is a big focus for me. The fact that

the kids support each other and help

each other through things is what I like

to see at the end of each day,” said

Danison. “This is really gratifying to me

because that is life, and we need to support each other and help to create those

citizens.”

Danison’s class works closely with

the VFW with service learning projects

and it is these projects that get her students excited to come to school every

day. “Just seeing their faces and their

smiles and their understanding is what

keeps me going,” said Danison. “That’s

what keeps me coming to work every

day.”

BIA Scholarship Deadline

The deadline to apply for a BIA Scholarship for the 2015-16 academic year is

May 1, 2015.

Applicants must be enrolled KBIC members, residents of Michigan attending a 2

or 4 yr. accredited Michigan college in pursuit of a 2 or 4 yr. 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 906353-4117 or amy@KBIC-nsn.gov.

TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2015

Treasurer, Doreen Blaker, gave a

verbal report for the month of February

2015. (This verbal report was transcribed and edited by the Newsletter

Editor with Ms. Doreen Blaker’s final approval).



Baraga’s Casino revenues are coming in, and end of year profits remained approximately the same.

Looking at the past four years; we’ve

taken a decline. Marquette’s Casino

revenues have declined much more

than the Baraga revenue. At the end

of the year, revenue was down and

that has overall affected the profit. In

January, our casinos have shown a

modest increase in profit which is

probably due to the snowmobiling

season. The snow, which brings in

the snowmobilers, has been good for

all our businesses.

I was unable to access financial

statements for the government side.

I have to have some computer issues cleared up.

At the end of February, Don Messer,

Jennifer Misegan, and I attended the

NCI Mid-Winter Executive Conference in Washington D.C. where we

were presented with proposals to the

President’s budget for 2016. Looking at the Indian Country proposals,

they are looking at mandatory contract support costs. One of which

you may be familiar with is Generation Indigenous which will be a

budget to take a comprehensive approach to improve the lives and op-

portunities of Native Youth. They

are looking at a nine-percent increase in Indian Health Services.

These are all budgets being reviewed

Senate

Hearings/

Congressional Hearings presently.

While there, we attended one regarding Indian Health. They are

looking at establishing a One-Time

Stop Tribal Support Center to help

tribes in accessing services of the

Federal Government. They are establishing an Indian Energy Service

Center to develop energy development in Indian Country. We all know

that in about fifty years there will be

problems with accessing energy.

One of the best things we can do for

our future is to get on board with this

and find alternative sources of energies for our future generations.

There is a data initiative which is going to help improve data to collect

and analysis to use as evidence to

help with policy making and program

implementation. They are going to

build upon the Tihawane Family Initiative which will help address poverty, violence, and substance abuse

faced by Tribal Indian Communities.

Tribal Behavioral Health will receive

a proposed $30 million dollar, being

$15 million of it towards mental

health and $15 million towards substance abuse. Part of that would

also go to Generation Indigenous.

They would increase the Department

of Justice with $102 million dollars,

and there is also tax provisions being

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM AWARDS STUDENTS

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. Students must be

enrolled KBIC members, reside in

Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, or Marquette counties and must attend a public

or private school. A student’s Honor

Roll status is defined according to the

requirements of their school district.

The following forty-five students were

placed on the Honor Roll for the second

marking period of the 2014-15 academic

year:

Baraga — Kylie Michaelson, Javon

Shelifoe, Dysean Allen, Harley Geroux,

Thomas Lofquist, Liliana Messer, Thomas Rasanen, Alana Schofield, Richard

Geroux, Jr., Bailey Harden, Steele Jondreau, Keegin Kahkonen, Dana Kelly,

Angel Loonsfoot, Shawna Lussier, Steven Maki, Presley Rasanen, Cheyenne

Welsh, Opal Ellsworth, William Jondreau, Jr., Nikari Maki, Jenna Messer,

Jailyn Shelifoe, Annaleese Rasanen,

and Brendan Varline.

L’Anse — Mariana Teikari, Cassandra

Zasadnyj, Deija Dakota, Christopher

Genschow, Charles Spruce, Robert

Genschow III, William Genschow, Alicia

Stein, Kayla Dakota, Abbygail Spruce,

Shay Ekdahl, Grayson Roe, Cody Clement, and Karli Hoggard.

Marquette — Aiyana Aldred and Neebin Ashbrook-Pietila.

Sacred Heart — Rachael Velmer.

Gwinn — Taylor Shelafoe, Kimber Shelafoe, and Lacie Stanton.

The following twenty-seven students

received awards for achieving Perfect

Attendance:

Baraga — Noah Evans,

Kamrin

Kahkonen, Jaycee Maki, Preston Ellsworth, Bailey Harden, Austin Heath,

Steele Jondreau, William Jondreau, Jr.,

Keegin Kahkonen, Steven Maki, Presley

Rasanen, Jenna Messer, and Kayla

Szaroletta.

L’Anse — Chase Larson, Jade Curtis,

Philip Edwards II, Christopher Genschow, Abbygail Spruce, Daniel Curtis,

Grayson Roe, and Cody Clement.

Negaunee — Brayden Velmer.

Gwinn — Kaitlyn Shelafoe, Kimber Shelafoe, Taylor Shelafoe, Destinee

Stanton, and Lacie Stanton.

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.

To be added to the mailing

list or to correct your mailing address, contact the

enrollment office at (906)

353-6623 ext. 4113.

asked for. NCI does a really good

job; they make requests, and once

the budget has been proposed by

the President, they go through and

summarize it for us, so we know

what we are looking at. We depend

on this. This is not a handout to us;

this is a treaty with this government,

and this is their trust responsibility to

us. When looking at summaries of

these proposals, tribal governments

will be able to see a six-percent increase, Human Services a fourpercent increase, Natural Resource

Management a twenty-five-percent

increase, Real Estate Services a thirteen-percent increase, Public Safety

and Justice a three-percent increase,

Executive Direction and Administrative Services a six-percent increase,

Indian Education a nine-percent, and

BIA Construction with emphasize on

educational construction of schools

is a forty-six percent increase. Tribal

Members should get a hold of local

congressmen and senators and ask

them to consider these increases in

Indian County as we never have

enough funds. With the increasing

costs in health and education, we

need our people to contact these officials and let them know we need

this money to keep us functioning.

We do have great programs offered

here on the reservation, but we need

more funding to keep them.

Respectfully submitted,

Doreen Blaker, Treasurer

DISCOVERING OUR

CONSTITUTION

The February Discovering our Constitution winner is Robin Roe. February

2015, Question #3 was: “Who are the

original bands listed in the Tribal Constitution?” Answer: They are the L’Anse,

Lac Vieux Desert, and Ontonagon

Bands of Chippewa Indians. Robin won

a $50 Pine’s Convenience Gift Certificate!

April 2015, Question 5:

“Who can inherit assigned land,

and what are the exceptions?

A reminder to eligible members, submit your answer for the April question

before the end of month. You may be

the next winner of a $50 Pines Convenience Gift Certificate!

How to enter:

Each Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Member, 18 years of age or

older, and living on the reservation, will

be allowed to submit answers to the

Constitutional Committee via; e-mail at

const-committee@kbic-nsn.gov; or by

letter to Constitutional Committee Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, 16429

Bear Town Road, Baraga, Michigan,

49908, or by dropping off your answers

at the Tribal Center to be placed into the

Constitutional Committee’s mail box. To

be eligible to win, your name and enrollment number must be on the document

you are submitting, and it must be

turned in no later than the last day of the

month in which the question was asked.

(3) Niswi

CEO’S REPORT FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

During the first two months of 2015, the

CEO's office reports the following:



Sarah Maki, Interim Assistant CEO,

and I were issued provisional gaming

licenses allowing us to provide oversight of both casino properties.

The New Day Treatment Facility in

L'Anse had a small fire which was

essentially extinguished by a staff

member prior to the fire department

arriving. The cause was related to a

substance smoldering on top of an

employee's desk which somehow

ignited a blanket and then scorched

about a 2X3 foot section of wall. The

cost of the damages falls below our

insurance deductible, so the filing of

a claim wasn't necessary.

The Lighthouse sprung a couple of

leaks in late January due to the cold

weather and pipes freezing. The resulting damage was minimal, and an

insurance claim wasn't necessary.

The General Manager position continues to be posted, and a pool of

applicants are ready for Council review at any time. Jim Nardi, HR Director, will assemble the information

once a date has been set to review

and consider applicants for interview.

Issues related to the Tribe’s new

health insurance plan with Consumers Mutual have developed. Representatives for the insurance company were on-site and addressed

employee issues. Another issue, related to patients receiving refund

checks, remains outstanding. Carole

LaPointe, Health Director, has issued a notice requesting patients to

drop their checks off to the health

center related to prescription drug

refunds. Other employees have received checks for other services as

well. Representatives from VAST,

CMI, and employees of KBIC are

continuing to address the issue to

figure out why this happened. Payments should have been provided

directly to the providers and not the

patients.

Preparations for Council's review of



the FY15 budgets were completed

by Interim Asst. CEO, Sarah Maki.

Notices regarding the final approval

of the FY15 budgets, which occurred

this past Thursday, have been prepared and sent to directors and managers by Sarah as well. They have

also been notified that an annual

raise will be addressed in the very

near future.

Notices to departments and current

employees regarding Council's recent approval of wage increases for

employees in positions classified in

the wage system up to grade four

are pending approval of an annual

raise. An overall increase of 10% to

the minimum starting wages in those

grades has been approved, and new

employees hired as of the March 2

effective date are provided the increase. Once the annual raise is addressed, current employees will be

provided the increase as well. The

increase was requested to come inline with the State of MI's minimum

wage increase which occurred in

September of last year.

Global Market Advisors (GMA) representative, Andrew Klebanow, arrived on-site this past week to begin

their work on preparing the strategic

development plan for both of the

Tribe's casinos. The plan will include

facility planning recommendations

based on their gaming market assessment. Upon completion of their

work, the group will provide strategic

recommendation on the best course

of action for the Tribe. The expected

timeline for completion of their work

is approximately 30 days out.

Some offices have been relocated

within the Tribal Center. The titling,

licensing, and enrollment offices

have switched locations with the

CAP offices, and TERO is located in

the North hallway near the rest

rooms.

A majority of my time to date has

been spent reviewing and addressing staffing changes made in 2014.

KBIC receives Bemidji Area Leadership for Change Grant

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

DHHS recently received a $480,000 five

-year grant from the Great Lakes Epi

Center in Lac du Flambeau.

The award, which stems from the

CDCs' Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country, is one of three others that

were awarded in the Bemidji Area,

which consists of Michigan, Wisconsin,

and Minnesota Tribes.

The health issues we are funded to

address are choosing an active life style

and healthy eating. The project will be

lead by the Health department and

Health Board, who will work with the

Youth Program, Pre-Primary, Elders,

and College to complete activities over

the next five years.

Activities scheduled for the first year

will be aimed at:

1. Building / bolstering our Good Health

and Wellness Coalition, making it a

strong coalition

2. Designing and implementing a

(4) Niiwin

Health Assessment of our Community

3. Picking Issues/Problems to focus on

related to physical activity and

healthy eating

4. Choosing an Intervention.

If you are interested in becoming a

part of the Keweenaw Bay Good Health

& Wellness Coalition, please call Carole

LaPointe, Health Administrator at (906)

353-4553.

Monthly events to promote our coalition building will be starting soon, look

for flyers and announcements in the

community!

NOTICE

The Ojibwa Community Library now has

new hours:

Monday — Thursday, 1 pm — 6 pm

Friday, 9 am — 12 pm

In summary, 82 employees within

the government and 45 employees

within the casinos have been identified in the comprehensive lists I was

given as being affected. Approximately half of the issues within the

government have been addressed,

and 18 of the 45 issues have been

addressed within the casinos. The

remaining issues will be addressed

by the end of March.

 Several policy manual changes have

been drafted and approved. Drafts

for additional changes continue to be

worked on and presented for Council's approval.

 To date, a number of contracts have

surfaced which did not receive approval as outlined in the purchasing

and procurement policy. If those issues continue to arise, they will be

brought forward for your consideration and approval as we have done

to date.

 As many of you are aware, numerous weather related closures occurred this winter. I believe more

were likely related to extreme cold

than snow storms. The safety and

well being of our employees and

those utilizing the services must be a

priority. However, the Tribe does

offer programs and services which

are needed by those they serve regardless of the weather. Finding a

balance is necessary to ensure both

goals are met and is why I have

drafted an amendment to the government’s closure policy for your review and consideration.

 Finally, I would like to express my

sincere gratitude for allowing me to

take several weeks off to spend time

with my mom before her passing in

February - it is greatly appreciated.

For those who are fortunate enough

to still have their parents here on

earth to enjoy, please take every opportunity you can to spend time as

much time as possible with them.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry Denomie III, INTERIM CEO

SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2015

In February 2015 the Tribal Council

held one regular meeting and six special

Council meetings. Actions taken were:

February 3, 2015

 Approved renewing the Business License, Alcoholic Beverage License,

and Food Service License for the

Cue Master.

 Held Budget Reviews.

February 4, 2015

 Held Budget Reviews.

February 5, 2015

 Held Budget Reviews.

 Attended the NAFOA Webinar Marijuana in Indian Country: A Legal,

Economic, and Political Analysis regarding the Legalization of Marijuana.

February 5, 2015 Phone Poll

 Approved a donation of $200 each to

Denise

Moschetto and Waba

Alakayak for their trip to Washington

D.C. by telephone poll.

February 7, 2015 Regular Meeting

 Approved the President’s, Treasurer’s, and Secretary’s January reports.

 Approved Senior Tax Preparation

 Approved Resolution KB-004-2015

Great Lakes Inter Tribal Epidemic

Center (GLITEC) Application.

 Approved Resolution KB-006-2015

NIGA Membership Renewal and

Delegates.

 Approved Resolution KB-007-2015

abolishing Resolution KB-005-2014

Popular Referendums.

February 13, 2015

 Approved meeting minutes of January 10, 15, and 29, 2015.

 Approved the Business License Renewals of the Ojibwa BP Gas Station, Ojibwa Car Wash and the

Ojibwa Laundromat.

 Renewed the Liquor License of the

Ojibwa BP Gas Station.

 Approved a Business License for the

Rez Stop Gas Station.

 Tabled the Rez Stop Liquor License

until they provide proof of liability insurance.

 Tabled the Ojibwa BP and Rez Stop

Tobacco Licenses until Council

meets with the Ojibwa Housing Authority Board.

 Amended the Background Policy,

page 15, regarding felonies.

 Approved a motion directing the

Ojibwa Housing Authority to provide

the Tribal President with the documents he requested.

 Continued Budget Review.

 Approved Dr. Zobro’s Physician’s

Employment Agreement.

February 20, 2015

 Approved the meeting minutes of

February 3, 4, 5, and 7, 2015.

 Approved the amended MOU for the

Access to Recovery (ATR) Program.

 Approved Resolutions:

 KB-008-2015 Department of Justice (DOJ) Coordinated Tribal Assistance

Solicitation

(CTAS)

Grant.

 KB-009-2015 BIA Consolidation

Tribal Government Programs

(CTGP).

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON

INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)

NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*

(Effective October 1, 2013)



KB-010-2015 BIA Law Enforcement Services (LES) Contract.

 Renewed the KBIC Verizon Contract.

 Donated $1,500.00 to the Debbie

LaPointe Baraga Basketball Pink Out

event.

 Continued Budget Review.

February 27, 2015

 Approved the meeting minutes of

July 11, 2013 – September 26, 2013,

and February 13, 2015.

 Approved the Rebecca Panasiewicz

Services Agreement for the Healing

To Wellness Program.

 Approved Resolution KB-011-2015

ANA

Environmental

Regulatory

Grant application.

 Approved Resolution KB-012-2015

OCC Land into Trust application.

 Approved Resolution KB-013-2015

Referenced Funding Agreement Pursuant to the KBIC Tribal Transportation Program Agreement for FY15.

 Hired Elizabeth Koski as the Elderly

Nutrition Director.

 Approved the bid of Z & R Electric to

rebuild the pump of the Zeba Lift

Station.

 Amended the Ojibwa Casinos Employee Manual - Section VI (O.)

Gambling by Employees and Section

II (G.) Rest Periods.

 Amended KBIC Annual Leave Policy

(B.3) to increase the carryover hour’s

limit to 240 and extend the deadline

to use hours to 9/30/15.

 Met with members of the OHA Board

and they agreed to give Tribal Members their full tax refund of $2.00 per

pack on MI taxed name brand cigarettes.

 Approved renewing the Ojibwa BP

Gas Station Tobacco License.

 Approved a new Tobacco License

for the Rez Stop Gas Station.

 Tabled the Liquor License of the Rez

Stop until they provide proof of Liability Insurance.

 Approved the Master Supply and

Processing Service Agreement with

NRT Technologies, Inc. for kiosks for

both casinos.

Respectfully Submitted,

Toni J. Minton, Secretary

Welcome Drayden Loyal Forcia,

born February 25, 2014, to Jade Chaudier and Jaren Forcia. Drayden was four

lbs. six ounces and 18 inches in length.

Proud grandparents are: Aimee Emery,

Dur Chaudier, Colleen Morin, and Leslie

Forcia.

*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

$ 958

$152

$1,110

$1,293

$152

$1,445

$1,628

$152

$1,780

$1,963

$163

$2,126

$2,298

$191

$2,489

$2,633

$219

$2,852

$2,968

$219

$3,187

$3,303

$219

$3,522

Each additional member

+ $335

Alaska:

Use this

amount

Household

Size

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP

Standard Deduction

$1,196

$260

$1,456

$1,615

$260

$1,875

$2,035

$260

$2,295

$2,454

$260

$2,714

$2,873

$260

$3,133

$3,292

$274

$3,566

$3,711

$274

$3,985

$4,130

$274

$4,404

Each additional member

FDPIR Net

Monthly Income Standard

+ $420

FDPIR Income Deductions—see 7 CFR 253.6(e)

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 nonhousehold member.

Child Support Deduction — Households that incur the

cost of legally required child support to or for a nonhousehold member are allowed a deduction for the

amount of monthly child support paid.

Medical Expense Deduction — Households that incur

monthly medical expenses by any household member

who is elderly or disabled are allowed a deduction in the

amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses paid in excess

of $35 per month. Allowable medical expenses are provided at 7 CFR 273.9(d)(3).

Home Care Meal-Related Deduction — Households who

furnish the majority of meals for a home care attendant

are allowed an income deduction equal to the maximum

SNAP benefit for a one-person household. In Fiscal Year

2014, the amounts are as follows:

48 Contiguous U.S. States



October 1, 2013—October 31, 2013 = $200



October 1, 2013—October 31, 2013 = $200

November 1, 2013—September 30, 2014—$189

For Alaska, please select appropriate link below.

November 1, 2013—September 30, 2014—$189

See 7 CFR 272.7(b) for area designations in Alaska.

Standard Shelter/Utility Expense Deduction — Households that incur at least one monthly shelter or utility expense are allowed a standard income deduction (see

chart below). Allowable shelter/utility expenses are provided at 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6)(ii).

FY2014 FDPPIR Standard Shelter/Utility Expense Deductions - Based on Region*

Region

States Currently with

FDPIR Programs

Shelter/

Utility Deduction

Northeast/

Midwest

Michigan, Minnesota, New

York, Wisconsin

$400

Southeast/

Southwest

Mississippi, New Mexico,

North Carolina, Oklahoma,

Texas

$300

Mountain

Plains

Colorado, Kansas, Montana,

Nebraska, North Dakota,

South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

$400

West

Alaska, Arizona, California,

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon,

Washington

$350

*If the geographic boundaries of an Indian reservation

extend to more than one region per the identified regional

groupings above, then a qualifying household has the

option to receive the appropriate shelter/utility expense

deduction amount for the State in which the household

resides or the State in which the State agency’s central

administrative office is located.

(5) Naanan

“Learning To Walk Together” Powwow continues:

Director, Robert Blackdeer,

was very attentive to the

arena needs, and Firekeeper, Sam Doyle, kept the

sacred fire well attended.

A grand feast was held

between the grand entries at

the Jacobetti Center where a

Hand Drum Competition was

also held.

Kristina Misegan, KBIC

Member, and the former

Miss Keweenaw Bay 2013,

served as the powwow

chairperson for this year’s

event. Kristina, a freshman

at NMU, welcomed all to the

Native American Students

Association (NASA) Annual

Powwow.

Kristina expressed a Chi Miigwech to

all the vendors, volunteers,

and supporters who helped

make this powwow a success.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Head Female Dancer, Summer Cohen, leads the Women’s Swan Dance.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Attention KBIC Members:

Job Bank Applications

Please stop in the

KBIC TERO Office to complete a Job Bank Application or

to update an application on file - - Employers regularly contact this office looking for workers with a variety

of skills --- you may be the one they

are looking for.

Marquette residents are urged to

apply for the Job Bank --- several opportunities may be opening up with

the New Year.

If you want to work at the Marquette or Baraga Casinos – Tribal

Members are urged to apply – qualified Tribal Members have top priority

for job openings. Job applications

can be picked up at either Casino

and will soon be available online --- If

you need assistance completing the

application or need copies of documents – Please stop by my office,

and I will be more than happy to assist you.

TERO assistance is available during regular office hours in the Tribal

Center (Monday-Friday) to assist

KBIC Tribal Members in completing

the application packet.

Job Bank Applications will soon

be available online.

Please stop by or contact Debbie

Picciano @ 353-4167

OR E-MAIL:

debbie.picciano@kbic-nsn.gov

“Find a job you love and you’ll

never work a day in your life”

April 2015 Calendar Events



April 03:

Gov’t Offices closed,

Good Friday;

Apr. 06: Constitutional Committee

Meeting, 10 am, Council Chambers;

Apr. 11: Reg. Sat. Council Meeting,

9 am, Ojibwa, Conference Rooms;

Spring Fling, 11 am, Niiwin Akeaa

Center;

Apr. 25: Healing Stories on Racial

Equity, 10 am, Niiwin Akeaa Center;

Apr. 30: Senior Pasties.

~ submitted by

newsletter editor

Events occurring throughout KBIC are

welcome to be listed on the Calendar of

Events.

Contact

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

Some events are more detailed FYI within

the newsletter. For up-to-date event listings, visit www.ojibwa.com and click on

calendar.

For Youth events, see @

www.ojibwa.com, click on youth club, or

contact 353-4643/Main Office at Youth

Club, or 353-4644 for the facility attendants or the Kitchen/craft rooms.

(7) Niizhwaaswi

Sand Point Restoration Inducted into the

Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame 2015

The KBIC Sand Point Brownfield Remediation and Habitat

Restoration Site will be inducted into the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame for 2015. The Hall of Fame was created

in 2010 by the Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society (MERES) to fill a void they identified in honoring

long-time supporters of the environment. Categories include

nonprofit organizations, colleges/schools, environmental projects, business/industry, individual, and legacy circle. Sand

Point was selected under the environmental projects category. The induction ceremony will be held on May 20 in

Grand Rapids, MI. The KBIC Natural Resources Department

intends to send a representative to participate in the ceremony. In 2014, the Sand Point Brownfield Remediation and

Habitat Restoration Site also received a Lake Superior Stewardship Award through the Binational Program.

Since 2006, the KBIC Natural Resources Department has

been working to restore the Sand Point Site for wildlife, native

plants, and recreational use. After several years of planting

and monitoring, the improvements are noticeable. Natural

Resource Department staff documented an increase in pollinators in the native plant “garden,” and increased use of the

area by song birds, geese, deer, turtles, and other wildlife.

The fitness trail has also become a popular spot for walkers

and joggers. A floating bridge was constructed in 2014 to

connect the light house/camp group area to the walking trail

at the Sand Point Restoration Site. Work will continue in

2015 to enhance the area for future generations of people

and wildlife.

KBOCC ARCHERY TEAM PLACES 3RD AT

AIHEC CONFERENCE

The KBOCC Archery Team took third place in the archery

competition at the AIHEC Student Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Shown above are the team members and

KBOCC President Debbie Parrish. Left to right, Mark Misegan, Robert Rajacic, Debbie Parrish, Travis Rajacic, and

Jerry Jondreau. Debbie Parrish, KBOCC President, served

as coach for the event. Ten men’s teams and six women’s

teams participated from thirteen tribal colleges and universities.

KBOCC STUDENTS ATTEND AIHEC

CONFERENCE IN NEW MEXICO

Nine students from Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community

College attended the annual AIHEC Student Conference held

in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Andrew Kozich, Environmental

Science Dept. Chair, coached the students in the Science

Bowl and Poster Presentation. Participating in the event

were: Mike Rodriguez, Wabanungoquay Alakayak, Dylan Friisvall, Andrew Kozich, Robert Rajacic, Max Rivas, Travis Rajacic, Mark Misegan, and Jerry Jondreau.

Bench along the walking trail at Sand Point.

Native Plant “Garden” area in bloom.

(8) Ishwaaswi

TIPS FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT:



Get Safe! If you are in danger or seriously injured, call 911

for emergency assistance.

You are NOT to blame.

If you decide to report the crime, call 911 for police assistance as soon as possible.

You may call KBIC’s Office of Violence Against Women’s

24 hour helpline at (906) 353-4599 for support, information, shelter, and advocate services.

Preserve evidence - do not change clothes, shower, brush

teeth, comb hair, or use the restroom.

Obtain medical attention including evidence collection

from the assault - you do not have to press charges and

you may request to get these costs covered.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2010 KT AX 0001 & Grant No. 2014-TW-AX-0004 awarded by

the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions,

and recommendations expressed in the publication/program/exhibition are those of the author and do not

necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence against Women.

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH!

Join the KBIC Office of Violence against Women and Tribal Police in the

Second Annual

Zaagibashagaabawing

“Stepping Out of the Darkness”

Sexual Assault Awareness Walk

When: Friday April 24, 2015 11:30 a.m. ~ 1:00 p.m.

Where: The KBIC Niiwin Akeaa Community Building on Beartown Rd.

The walk will begin at Niiwin Akeaa @ 11:30 a.m.

Safety information and snacks will be provided afterwards at Niiwin Akeaa.

Feel free to bring snacks to pass.

~WEAR TEAL – the color of sexual assault awareness~

This project was supported by Grant No. 2010 KT AX 0001 & Grant No. 2014-TW-AX-0004 awarded by

the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions,

and recommendations expressed in the publication/program/exhibition are those of the author and do not

necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence against Women.

MAKI AND FRIISVALL RECEIVE HONORS

AT AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE

FUND BANQUET

Two students from Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community

College received honors at the American Indian College Fund

Banquet in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday, March 16,

2015. Heather Maki was selected as Student of the Year by

staff and faculty and Dylan Friisvall was selected by the AICF

to receive the Coca Cola Scholarship. Monetary awards

were given to each of the students in recognition of their

achievements.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Heather Maki, AICF Student of the Dylan Friisvall, Chosen AICF Coca

Cola Scholarship Award.

Year.

On March 12, 2015, two recently hired Tribal Police Officers, Jacob Misegan (left) and Marshall Thomas (right) gave

their oath as officers before the Honorable Bradley T. Dakota

(right), in the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Courthouse.

Officer Misegan joins the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police Department as a new hire. Misegan, who is the son of Sgt.

Duane Misegan and Jennifer Misegan, is scheduled to attend

a 17-week training program at the Police Academy located in

New Mexico in the very near future.

Officer Thomas is no stranger to the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community. Thomas left his employment as a Tribal Police

Officer with KBIC to relocate in 2014. Thomas returned to the

area, applied for an open position with the department, and is

now on regular routine patrol.

The Department plans on hiring two additional patrol officers within the next month.

Welcome our new Elderly Nutrition Director, Beth Koski. Beth is taking on the position that Dave Firestone, who will be enjoying his retirement, held previously.

Beth said, “I am very excited to work with and also learn from our

tribal elders, and I hope to bring fresh and innovative ideas that will enhance the health and well being of all our elders.

I studied Business Administration at our Tribal College and Finlandia

University, plus recently earned a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship at Moraine Park Technical College in Wisconsin. I previously

worked with elders as a nurse’s aide and as a home healthcare worker.

I was born in L’Anse and lived in this area for many years before

moving to Wisconsin with my husband, Donny Koski. Between the two of

us, we have four children and two grandsons. Some of my interests include plants used as medicine, alternative healing practices, and green

energy.”

If you need to contact Beth, you can call the Ojibwa Senior's Center

at 353-6096 or email her at bkoski@kbic-nsn.gov.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

(9) Zhaangaswi

Violet Rebecca Marksman Friisvall

(December 10, 1932 - March 6, 2015)

Before sunrise on Friday, March 6, 2015,

at her home in Zeba, our beloved Violet Rebecca Marksman Friisvall, age 82, departed

this life for the hereafter to join the loved

ones who made the journey before her. In

the time leading to her passing she was attended to by her children, Arlan and Violet;

her son-in-law, Jason; grandchildren Yvette,

Sierra, and Austin; and the loving caregivers

of Baragaland Senior Citizens.

Violet was born in Zeba, on December

10, 1932, to parents Charles H. and Susan

(White) Marksman. It is here that she was

born, lived, and died. Violet spent her

youth, as many of her generation did, helping to support her family by working the

farms in the Alston/Nisula area, gathering

medicines from the woods, and helping to

clean and cook the game and fish her family

hunted and caught. She spent her leisure

time with her sisters and brothers, and visiting with her cousins whom she held close to

her heart. Violet attended the Zeba Foot

School up until the 3rd grade, and then the

L’Anse Area Schools. Violet suffered from

severe asthma her entire life and because

of her health problems only went to the 9th

grade. Though many years had passed,

Violet was determined to earn her high

school diploma and did so in 1982 through

the L’Anse/Baraga Community School Programs.

At the age of 17, she met her husband,

Kenneth Howard Friisvall, whom she married at the age of 19. This love spanned

their lifetime, the birth of eight children, 52

years of marriage, and continued to remain

strong in the 11 years after his death.

Throughout her adult life, Violet, in addition to being a mother, was a housekeeper

and home aide, worked at the Ojibwa Transit Authority as a bookkeeper and then the

Director, Janus Home Health Care, and

Northern Lights Nursing. Violet was dedicated to her people and contributed many

years of her life to the betterment of the

Tribe. She wore numerous hats on many

different committees, doing the uncelebrated work of the Tribe, never seeking acknowledgement or credit for it. She was

also a member of the Zeba Indian United

Methodist Church. Her intelligence and wisdom were profound. When her loved ones

were troubled, she always had a way of putting things into perspective. Though she

was not wealthy, her generosity was unparalleled, and she was generous to all. Her

dignity and principles were unwavering.

Violet provided an incredible example of

integrity for those who had the pleasure to

know her. She was the essence of reverence, and everything she touched became

valid because of the immense depth of dignity she possessed and imparted. She was

also incredibly strong and self-sufficient.

Although she suffered great heartache, from

the death of her oldest son at the age of 14,

to the death of her youngest son as an infant a year later; she saw the blessings in

life and always expressed her gratitude to

the Lord for each day.

Of the many things Violet cherished in

life, her family was the most treasured. She

was a supportive wife, a mother who made

a wonderful home for her children, and a

grandmother who nurtured the children she

loved so dearly. Even on her deathbed,

Violet made her love for her family known in

a small note that she left on her nightstand

that read, “Lord Jesus, watch over my children - Virginia, Verna, Gerald, Dale, Arlan,

and Violet. And my grandchildren and great

grandchildren.”

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her sons, Theodore

(10) Midaaswi

(Manny) and Daryl; her grandson, Nathan;

her parents, Charles and Susan; and her

siblings, Laura Haataja, Rose Haataja,

Samuel Marksman, and Theodore Marksman. She is survived by her three daughters - Virginia (Bob Kangas) Anderson of

Zeba, Verna Comfort of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Violet and her husband, Jason

Ayres, of Zeba; her three sons - Gerald and

his wife, Angela Friisvall, of Havelock, North

Carolina, Dale Friisvall of Zeba, and Arlan

Friisvall of Zeba; her 13 grandchildren - Lee,

Venus, Ryan, Rebecca, Tim, Yvette, Matthew, Sheena, Sondra, Dylan, Ti’ia, Sierra,

and Austin; 21 great-grandchildren - Robert,

Victoria, Pamela, Velicity, Vanessa, Blake,

Keera, Jace, Brendan, Nathan, Richard,

Harley, Octavia, Jax, Bryce, Iziah, Takoda,

Leland, Chayton, Sayge, and Leeona; along

with three grandchildren-in-law -- Jake,

Shawnee, and Samuel. Violet is also survived by her sister, Lena Koupus, of Pikes

Peak.

Funeral services for Violet were held on

Monday, March 9, 2015, at the Reid Funeral

Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI, with Reverend Steve Rhoades officiating. The family

greeted friends on Sunday, March 8, 2015,

at the funeral chapel from 6 until 8 p.m. and

on Monday from 10 am until the time of the

funeral service. Following the funeral service, the family invited friends to join them

for fellowship and a luncheon at the Zeba

Community Hall. Spring interment will take

place in the Pinery Cemetery. The family

was assisted by the Reid Funeral Service

and Chapel, L’Anse, MI.

Jo-Ann Sue Jaukkuri

(January 23, 1961 - March 14, 2015)

Jo-Ann Sue Jaukkuri, age 54, of Baraga,

MI, passed away suddenly on Saturday,

March 14, 2015, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, L’Anse. She was born in

L’Anse on January 23, 1961, the daughter

of Howard and Marjorie (Raymond) Lamson. Jo-Ann graduated from Baraga High

School in 1979. She was a member of St.

Ann’s Catholic Church, Baraga, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and

Friends and Supporters of Angel On Your

Shoulder.

Jo-Ann is survived by her loving children:

Elizabeth Jaukkuri of Baraga and Vikki;

grandchildren: Breonna and Jordin; her

mother, Marjorie Giddings; brothers: Robert,

Daniel, and Jeff Lamson; and sister, Ruth

Lamson, all of Baraga. Numerous nieces

and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her father, her son,

Jessie, in 2007, and her step-father Poncho

Giddings.

A memorial service for Jo-Ann was held

on Friday, March 20, 2015, at the Ceremonial Room at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens

building in Baraga, with Deacon John

Cadeau officiating. Following the funeral

service, the family invited friends to join

them for fellowship and a luncheon at the

Ojibwa Senior Citizens. Spring interment will

take place in the Assinins Cemetery. The

family was assisted by the Reid Funeral

Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI.

Allen David Shelifoe

(April 27, 1965 - March 21, 2015)

Allen David Shelifoe, age 49, of Baraga,

MI, passed away on Saturday, March 21,

2015, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born April 27, 1965, in San

Diego, CA, the son of Frederick and Margaret (DeCota) Shelifoe. Allen grew up in

L’Anse and graduated from L’Anse High

School in 1984. He then entered the US

Navy from 1984-87. He returned to Zeba

and worked numerous jobs for the KBIC; he

last worked maintenance at the Ojibwa Casino.

Allen was a member of the KBIC and the

KBIC Honor Guard. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and liked watching football. He

enjoyed spending time with his family and

liked going to his uncle Matt’s camp.

Surviving are his father, Frederick

(Margaret) Shelifoe, Sr. of Baraga; girlfriend, Cathy LaBeau of Baraga; stepchildren: Haley Yaniskivis of Iron Mountain,

Justin, Jamie, LeRoy, Rebecca, and Kyle

Gauthier, all of Baraga; siblings: Victoria

Emery of Baraga, Kelly Shelifoe of Baraga,

Steven (Tamara) Coffin of Cleveland, OH,

Jeanne Kauppila of Baraga, Jim Fred Shelifoe of Baraga, Cathy (Larry) Velmer of

Zeba, Mino (Jessica Koski) Sandman Shelifoe of Baraga, Waba Alakayak of Baraga,

Bahgi Sandman Shelifoe of Baraga, and

Wausau Sandman Newhouse of Baraga;

step siblings: Jaime Jager of Iron River, MI,

Kathleen Gude of Green Bay, WI, Kristen

Gude of Iron River, MI, and Megan Gude of

Baraga; six step- grandchildren; numerous

nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his mother,

Margaret Shelifoe; siblings: Frederick Shelifoe Jr., Bridget Shelifoe, and Gerald Shelifoe.

Visitation was held at the KBIC Zeba

Community Hall on Monday, March 23rd

starting at 6:00 p.m. and continued throughout the evening. The Baraga County Area

Veterans conducted military rites on Tuesday, March 24th at 11:00 a.m. under the

direction of the American Legion Post 444

at the KBIC Zeba Community Hall. A traditional Native American Service followed the

military service, under the direction of Paul

Halverson. Burial will be in the Assinins

Cemetery in the spring. The Jacobson Funeral Home assisted the family.

Onji-Akiing Cultural Youth Camp