The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2016)
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WIIKWEDONG
DAZHI-OJIBWE
The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe
Waabigwani Giizis - Flower Moon - May 2016 Issue 142
Tribal Council Members:
MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO BE LEGAL ON RESERVATION
On April 8, 2016, President Warren “Chris”
Swartz, Jr. signed the Ordinance for an amendment to Title Three which provides an exception to
§3.1706, Controlled Substances, entitled, Medical
Marijuana Exception.
The Proposed Amendment Ordinance 2015-03
was presented at a 1st Reading at the Tribal Council meeting held October 9, 2015, being introduced
by Council Member Doreen Blaker. Blaker continued to move for a 2nd and 3rd Reading. The 2nd
Reading was held at the November 2, 2015 Council meeting, with the 3rd Reading being held at the
February 6, 2016 Council meeting, where Council
motioned to approve the Proposed Ordinance.
President Swartz indicated that the next process in legislative law is for the Ordinance to be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Danielle
Webb, Tribal Attorney, said, “The Constitutional
provision which requires Secretarial review of the
Medical Marijuana Ordinance is Article VI, Section
1(l). Pursuant to Section 2 of the same Article, the
Superintendent of the Michigan Agency of the BIA,
Jason Oberle, has to approve or disapprove within
ten (10) days. If the Superintendent approves, then
the Ordinance will be effective. However, the Superintendent must then forward the approved Ordinance to the Secretary of the Interior who has
ninety (90) days following approval to rescind the
Ordinance.
If the Ordinance is not approved by the Superintendent within ten (10) days, then the Superintendent must notify Council of his or her reasoning
behind the disapproval. If the Council is not satisfied with the Superintendent’s reasoning, it may
refer the Ordinance to the Secretary, who may approve of it within ninety (90) days. If approved by
the Secretary, it will become effective despite the
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
Eddy Edwards
Superintendent’s disapproval.” As of publication
deadline, Council has not received a reply.
The exception reads: Any person who is a
qualifying patient or a primary caregiver under the
Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and possesses on
his or her person a valid registry identification shall
not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty for
possession of marijuana if that possession is in
compliance with the Michigan Medical Marijuana
Act. Furthermore, no registered qualifying patient
or registered primary caregiver may sell, deliver, or
transfer marijuana to someone unless the person
who is receiving marijuana is a registered qualifying patient with a valid registry identification card.
A conviction upon a violation of the provisions of
this section shall constitute a conviction of a Class
C misdemeanor and along with any other penalties
for the sale, deliver, or transfer of marijuana. In
addition, the Tribal Police and the Tribal Prosecutor may work with state law enforcement officials to
revoke the person’s registry identification card.
KBIC RECEIVES 2016 COPPER COUNTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD
President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr. attended the Copper Country Association of
School Board’s 17th Annual Education Awards
Dinner by special invitation to accept an award
on behalf of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. The event was held at the Memorial Union
Building on the MTU Campus in Houghton,
Michigan, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.
L’Anse Area Schools Board Member, Joan
Bugni, (pictured above) presented the award to
President Swartz on behalf of the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community and said, “The 2016
Southern Region Copper Country Education
Leadership Award recipient is the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community. The KBIC has provided
substantial support for regional schools for many
years. The L’Anse and Baraga Area Schools
Randall R. Haataja
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
have been generously and positively impacted
by the presence of the KBIC. Annual payments
to the schools, called 2% funds, have contributed to full programming at the schools and
have impacted all students. KBIC has provided
instruction, remediation, and personnel resources to Native American students needing
additional instructional support. The KBIC Tribal
Education Committee, our Title VII Committee,
as well as the RAP Committee are all examples
of the KBIC educational support groups that
have partnered with our schools. As a result of
the presence of the KBIC Reservation, L’Anse
and Baraga Area Schools receive Impact Aid
revenues that also benefit all of the students in
our districts. Our districts are able to offer
classes in bilingual education, as well as Tribal
culture, and Native American history classes.
Our students benefit, not only from the knowledge gained, but also from the cultural diversity
that our students learn from an early age.
From a regional perspective, the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community runs a number of businesses, educational centers, and enterprises.
Examples include the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa
Community College, retail markets such as the
Pines Convenience Center, the Ojibwa Resort
and Casino, the Ojibwa Campground, along with
many other facilities. Customers on the regional
basis benefit from the presence of these facilities, and the KBIC provides employment opportunities for individuals from several surrounding
counties. KBIC agencies provide police support,
natural resource and fisheries management,
educational opportunities, and professional interventions for issues affecting our communities
including drugs and alcohol dependencies.
Other local efforts supported by KBIC include
Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.
Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr.
Donald Shalifoe, Sr.
SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST
Medical Marijuana To Be Legal On Reservation
KBIC Receives Copper Country Leadership Award
Secretarial Election Results
—KBIC Votes to Adopt
Amendment of $500,000 Expenditures
Burial Task Force Holds Informational Meetings
KBIC Hosts Head Start Powwow
the Weed and Seed Program, the Program for
the Enhancement of Academic Readiness, the
Child Development Center and Pre-Primary Program that provides services to pre-school children.
The KBIC supports a recreational facility that
provides family-centered activities for the community. The KBIC Youth Programs sponsor
many educational, cultural, and recreational activities throughout the year that the area youth
can participate in. They are also responsible for
holding annual Youth Halloween and Christmas
parties, dances, a youth basketball league, and
an annual Youth Club Summer Trip.
One of the greatest reasons for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to receive this
award is the generous hearts of the Tribal members. Their charitable giving to schools and
communities is truly amazing. Examples of their
donations include funding field trips, little league,
senior lock-ins, school and community parks,
municipal grants, elementary and high school
programs, and other donations too numerous to
mention here. These generous donations send
a message to the community that the heart of
the Tribe is in the future of our youth. The KBIC
touches countless individuals. Their generosity,
sense of community, and positive spirit is genuine.
We are proud to present the Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community with the 2016 Copper Country Leadership Award.”
Another notable award for KBIC was given to
recipient, Corporal Everett Ekdahl, Jr., of the
KBIC Tribal Police Department. Ekdahl was
presented with the Baraga Area Schools’ Service Award.
(1) Bezhig
KBIC VOTES TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENT IN SECRETARIAL ELECTION
In a Secretarial Election members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community were asked to either adopt or reject a proposed amendment to Article VI, Section 1(h) of the Tribal Constitution. At the final tally held on
April 26th, voters adopted the Proposed Amendment with 122 for; 86
against.
The election was conducted in accordance with Tribal Constitution Article VIII — Amendments and By-Laws, Article IV—Adoption of Constitution
and By-Laws; the regulations set forth in Title 25, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 81 (25 CFR §81) and Pub. L. 100-420, as amended by Pub. L
101-301.
Voter Registration Packets were mailed out on March 11, 2016, to
Tribal members, who would be 18 years or older on April 26, 2016, and
whose name appeared on the Eligible Voters List. A side-by-side comparison of the current constitutional language and the proposed amendment was included in each voter registration packet.
On April 12, 2016, Mailout Ballot Packets were mailed to each registered voter with instructions on how to return the ballot, and the ballots
were counted on April 26, 2016, at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens Center in
Baraga, Michigan.
Voters chose to amend the Constitution by limiting the amount of funds
the Tribal Council may appropriate at any one time, without a referendum
vote, to $500,000 from $10,000.
A second Secretarial Election will be forthcoming, where the Tribal
Community will vote on is Resolution KB-042-2015 in which the KBIC desires to add in Article IX for a Judicial Branch to provide for a separate
branch of government free from political interference and conflicts of interest for the development and enhancement for the fair administration of
justice.
Ojibwa Senior Center and again at 7 p.m. at the Zeba Hall. Topics were:
wills, Estate Planning, and local Funeral Homes. Tribal members may
contact Michigan Indian Legal Services at (800) 968-6877 for assistance
with wills. KBIC elders, 55 years and older, may also contact the KBIC
Attorney’s Office at (906) 353-4107, to schedule an appointment for the
next planned session to obtain a will, Financial Power of Attorney, and
Health Care Power of Attorney documents. Staff from Jacobson Funeral
Home and Reid Funeral Service and Chapel both spoke of their services
and gave recommendations for preparing a final resting.
Session three was scheduled for, just after this publication’s print date,
Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 12 p.m. at the Ojibwa Senior Center and again at
7 p.m. at the Zeba Hall. Topics planned were: Guest Speaker, Larry
“Amik” Smallwood; family’s responsibilities; and community/tribal responsibilities.
Session four will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 12 p.m. at the
Ojibwa Senior Center and again at 7 p.m. at the Zeba Hall. Topics
planned are: Guest Speaker, Lee Staples, Author of Changing Worlds;
and Shato Gonzales, Co-author of Changing Worlds. Light snacks are
provided at the sessions, and those individuals who fill out a short survey
are eligible for the door prize drawings.
TILSON SELECTED FINALIST— PHOTOGRAPHER’S
FORUM 36th ANNUAL COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
KBIC Burial Task Force Holds Informational Meetings
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
The Funeral Task Force was set up by Tribal Council to look into funerals, green burials, and how to help our members look at the costs associated with funerals. It is a significant burden on families who are left behind
to plan and pay for a funeral when their loved ones walk on.
The KBIC Burial Task Force have met for the past few months and
have been working on several issues. They organized educational session to provide the Community with information and choices regarding
burials, funeral planning, and preparations. Sessions are open to the public. The Burial Task Force members are: Larry Denomie, Susan J.
LaFernier, Gary Loonsfoot, Jr., Rodney Loonsfoot, Jennifer Misegan, and
Debbie Williamson.
Session one was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 12 p.m. at the
Ojibwa Senior Center and again at 7 p.m. at the Zeba Hall. Topics were:
burial benefits, life Insurance, advanced directives, faith services, and burial grounds input. Currently, KBIC assists its members with a $4,000 burial
fund for burials in Baraga, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, and
Ontonagon Counties. There is an additional amount for oversized caskets. KBIC funds $585 for grave markers and $665 for veteran grave
markers. There is a BIA Burial Fund Program which allows up to $2500;
you must be low income; and eligibility is for Baraga, Dickenson, Gogebic,
Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, and Ontonagon Counties. KBIC
also funds Tribal members who reside in Baraga County and the Marquette Trust Land with out-of-the-area funerals up to $300 per individual
per year. To apply for any of these funds or for more information, please
contact the Community Assistance Program (CAP office) at the KBIC
Tribal Center, (906) 353-4162.
KBIC has looked at different life insurance plans for its members
($10,000 and $15,000) which would run well over $400,000 per year. This
is not feasible as yearly average utilized funeral funds are $75,000. The
Task Force will be researching life insurance policies which members may
purchase for themselves from insurance companies where KBIC currently
has business relationships and could supplement the $4,000 KBIC fund.
A cremation in our area costs approximately $4,000, cremation with a visitation costs approximately $7,000-$8,000, burial with no vault costs approximately $8,500-$9,500, and burial with a vault costs approximately
$9,500-$14,000. Guest Speaker, Holley Makela, Baraga County Memorial
Hospice Social Worker, provided forms for and spoke about advance directives, living wills, and durable power of attorney. You may contact Ms.
Makela at the Baraga County Memorial Hospital, U.S. 41, L’Anse, MI,
(906) 524-3355. Jay Green, Keweenaw Green Burial Association, gave a
presentation on green burials. Green or natural burial is a return to a
more traditional form of burial that seeks to let our bodies return to and
nourish the earth, remaining within the cycle of life, while minimizing negative environmental impact on the earth. You can learn more about green
burials at the Keweenaw Green Burial Association website at
kgba.weebly.com. or e-mail keweenawgreenburial@gmail.com, or like
them at KGBA on facebook.
Session two was held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 12 p.m. at the
(2) Niizh
Alisha Tilson, daughter of Tim Tilson and Allison Hietikko, is a senior
photography major at Northern Michigan University. She is completing an
internship as the designated marketing photographer for dining services
and Simply Superior Catering at Northern Michigan University. She is
also NMU's Art and Design department's social media and content producer. In her free time she does freelance photography for others. For
her personal projects and work, she acts as a self-portrait photographer
creating collages of surreal and fantasy-like environments. Her most recent photographic series, “Wonderland” is currently being shown in the
“62 Point Perspective Senior Art Exhibition” in the Devos Art Museum in
Marquette, Michigan. The show is open now until the closing reception on
April 29th. An image from her "Wonderland" series recently was accepted
into the "2016 College Collective Show”. This is an art exhibition in Rochester, New York, showcasing emerging artists best in College Book Arts,
Ceramics, and Photography at the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education. (Pictured above, right).
Earlier this year one of Alisha’s photographs was selected to be a finalist in the
Photographer’s Forum 36th Annual College and High School Photography Contest. She entered an image from her series titled, “Becoming Bird” which was a
surreal conceptual image relating emotion
to nature. The international contest received over 14,000 photographs from
around the world! As a finalist, Alisha’s
photograph will be published in the hardcover book Best of College & High School
Photography 2016. The book is distributed to college libraries and instructors of
photography, art, and graphic design.
Alisha is graduating magna cum laude
(high honors). She will be receiving her
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University’s School of Art
and Design next week.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
WALK AT KBIC
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Continues on page three.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Office of Violence against
Women (OVW) held their 3rd Annual Zaagibashagaabawing “Stepping
Out of the Darkness” Sexual Assault Awareness Walk on Friday, April 22,
2016. The walk began at 4:30 p.m. at the Ojibwa Casino’s Chippewa
Room in Baraga, Michigan. Participants walked to promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month and show support for sexual assault victims. Following the walk, a skype presentation by author Vincent Schilling, “I am a
Male Victim of Sexual Assault” was held. Vincent Schilling is Mohawk
from the Wolf Clan. He is a prominent Native editor for Indian County Today. Vincent said, “Today, I am not ashamed of what happened. It was
not my fault. The reality is that I was targeted, groomed, coerced, and
assaulted at the hands of men who manipulated me and took advantage
of my nature.”
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
At the conclusion of his speech, Vincent added, “Here are the things I
have learned for myself that I hope might help other Native men who have
been victims of sexual crimes: 1) ‘You should have known better’ is not
true. 2) You were a victim. 3) It doesn’t matter if you responded physically; our psyche is NOT connected to our physicality. 4) It was not your
fault. 5) It doesn’t matter how much older the person was than you.
Physical maturity is not the same for everyone. 6) You don’t have to ‘get
over it.’ 7) Being molested, raped, or assaulted does not make you a
weak man. 8) It does not mean ‘you wanted it’ if you did not fight back or
if you agreed to it. I am sure there are a lot more things to say that would
be relevant.”
Cherie Dakota, OVW Lead, said, “The Office Of Violence Against
Women Programs is guided by a Women’s Advisory Board, and they had
suggested that we contact Vincent Schilling as this year’s speaker. The
OVW offers services to both women and men who need them.”
Local 24-Hour Crisis Numbers:
Dial 911 for emergency services including police and ambulance.
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Office on Violence Against Women
at (906) 353-4599.
Baraga County Shelter Home 24-Hours Crisis Line (906) 524-7078.
Women’s Center Harbor House (located in Marquette) 24-Hour Crisis
Line (906) 226-6611.
Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home (located in Houghton County)
24-Hour Crisis Line (906) 337-5623.
Dial HELP 24-Hour Crisis Line (906) 482-HELP (4357).
Updates from the Ojibwa Community Library
The Ojibwa Community Library’s projects and events have been in full
swing over the last few months, and we are excited to share what we have
been doing. First of all, we have purchased new books for patrons to borrow, which include not only health and wellness books, but also include
new fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.
Some of the newest titles we have are:
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stadal
A Pledge of Silence by Flora J. Solomon
The Finest Hours by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
A Bear Ate Your Sandwich
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
We are still holding Healthy Eating Group meetings, which we will continue to do in May and June before taking a summer break. Meetings will
then start back up again in the fall. Please be on the lookout for fliers for
the May and June Healthy Eating Group meetings and meeting details!
Additionally, we’ve expanded our Health and Wellness Section of the
library. It has a variety of topics available including addiction, stopping
smoking, healthy eating books and cookbooks, whole foods and glutenfree information, yoga, and stress relief. We are also working on adding
updated exercise DVDs to our collection.
Another grant project we are working on is the Visiting Library program,
which works closely with DHHS’s Family Spirit Program. On April 5 th, the
Library Director attended the Family Spirit Family Gathering and was able
to meet with attendees to discuss Visiting Library. Visiting Library is for
families actively participating in the Family Spirit program. The librarian
visits participants’ homes and reads to the children; afterwards, she leaves
a book for them to keep. The library then invites participants and their
families to an end of the month story time.
Other than grant projects, we still have our ongoing book sale. Many
different titles have been added to the sale, and we encourage people to
stop by and browse. Book sale prices are $1.00 for hardcover and $.50
for paperback books. New titles are added often.
Please don’t forget to “Like” and Follow the Ojibwa Community Library
on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest from the Library!
Who’s Who—Who’s New—and What Do We Do
I am running an informational article in this issue and subsequent issues as room allows recognizing Tribal Government employees and duties
they perform in an effort to allow the Community to know who to contact
regarding specific needs and services. I ran the Accounting Department in
January 2016 issue and will continue through the departments alphabetically as room allows. Keep watch for the numerous departments of KBIC
Employees are the key to our success.
KBIC’s Cultural Program — Tribal Historical Preservation Office
(THPO) is located at the KBIC Tribal Center, 16429 Bear Town Road,
Baraga, MI 49908, (906) 353-4108.
Gary Loonsfoot, Jr.: Director of Cultural Resources. Gary oversees all
aspects of the Cultural Programs.
Alden (Audie) Connor, Jr.: THPO Technician. Audie assists the Director
with all aspects of the Cultural Programs.
Darrell Kingbird: KBIC Cultural Language Teacher. Teaches cultural aspects in the local school settings.
In February of 2005, The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal
Council assumed the responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). By doing so, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO)
was established. The Tribal Historic Preservation Office’s mission is to protect and preserve all aspects of Ojibwa (Anishinaabe) culture, including the
aspects of development and protecting cultural sites and artifacts, as well
as intellectual property rights for culturally specific language and art.
The THPO is also responsible for protecting sites that are traditionally
used for harvesting, hunting/gathering, and sites used for burials. These
also include sites where ceremonies and traditional gatherings have taken
place in the past, and are culturally relevant to this day.
The enactment of the American Indian Religious Freedoms Act of 1978
(AIRFA) has laid the foundation of our THPO. But it was not until 1996
that the tribes were given the right to assume the responsibilities of the
State Historic Preservation Offices on their respective reservations pursuant to Section 101(d) of the National Historic Preservation Act. This allowed tribes to determine the traditional, cultural, and historical significance
of their own properties, within reservation boundaries and outside of them.
The creation of the Native American Graves Protection Act in 1990
gave tribes the authority to go after cultural items, ancestral remains, funerary and sacred objects, along with objects of cultural patrimony from
collections that receive Federal funding, such as public museums and universities. To date, our office has brought home around 40 ancestors and
around 100 associated funerary objects.
Our Language Program is also under the THPO. Currently, the KBIC
has language classes throughout the community. Darrell Kingbird is an
employee of the KBIC and is providing teachings to our school children in
both Baraga and L’Anse Schools. He starts his day in L’Anse with four
classes ranging from elementary to high school students. Included in
these teachings are the students from Alternative Education. After lunch,
Darrell heads over to Baraga to provide four more classes for the elementary through high school students. Classes from both districts are 100%
funded through by the KBIC Tribe with class space being donated by each
school district. Darrell is providing teachings to approximately 160 students between both schools. The adult language classes are offered
through the Pane Language Class of Bay Mills Community College. The
language instruction is taught through the immersion. This class is an accredited college course and is currently an 8-credit class through BMCC.
There are currently 12 students enrolled in this program. Linda Trudeau
and Mabel Lewis-Hill provide the language instruction for this program. All
language instructors are fully fluent in anishnaabemowin and both programs have a Motion of Understanding (MOU) with the KBIC.
There are currently two committee budgets the THPO oversees. These
are the Cultural Committee and the Powwow Committee. The Cultural
Committee provides many cultural and traditional events throughout the
community, including the Mid-Winter Powwow, traditional teachings, dance
exhibitions, harvest feast, traditional healing, medicine gathering, and
many other events. They usually meet twice per month at the Cultural
Building. The Powwow Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of running the annual powwow. There are many responsibilities
involved with planning and coordinating our largest community event.
They handle everything
from the traditional
teachings on Wednesday
to the giveaway on Sunday and every detail in
between.
One of the goals of
the KBIC THPO is to
establish a museum displaying the history of our
tribe and the anishnaabe
people, in general. Our
area is rich in history and
culture. It is imperative
for our people to know
our history, culture and Picture by Lauri Denomie.
traditions and pass them Gary Loonsfoot, Jr. (front), Darrell Kingbird
on for the next seven (left), and Alden Connor, Jr. (right).
generations to come.
Spearing Walleye
As Anishinabek people, our natural resources are an important part of
our lives. Spear fishing for Walleye is a part of our history and a way to
provide sustenance for our Tribal members.
On April 22, 2016, our Tribal President declared Spear Fishing open on
Portage Lake. Portage Lake has been designated as a Quota Lake and is
not open to spearing until the KBIC President declares it open. KBIC
Continues on page twelve.
(3) Niswi
April 2, 2016 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Saturday Tribal Council Meeting
was held on April 2, 2016, at the Ojibwa Casino
Resort Conference Room in Baraga, Michigan.
President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr., presided
over the meeting with Jennifer Misegan, Susan
J. LaFernier, Toni Minton, Doreen Blaker,
Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr., Fred Dakota, Eddy Edwards, Randall Haataja, Michael F. LaFernier,
Sr., Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr. and Donald Shalifoe,
Sr.
President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr. shared
numerous Thank You and For Your Information
items addressed to Council.
President Swartz gave the President’s Report
(page eight), Susan J. LaFernier gave the Secretary’s Report (page four), Doreen Blaker gave
the Treasurer’s Report (page four), and Larry
Denomie III gave the CEO’s Report (page nine).
Council passed Department Head Reports for
January and February 2016.
Under Old Business: Charles Miller, SORNA
Coordinator, (Sex Offender Registration and
Notification Art) addressed Council regarding the
Policies and Procedures for the Keweenaw Bay
Tribal Police involving accessing the CJIN and
LEIN (Criminal Justice Information Network/Law
Enforcement Information Network); systems
where KBIC officials communicate with FBI, Department of Justice (CJIN), and the State of
Michigan (LEIN) to run plates, obtain criminal
histories, rap sheets, etc. Mr. Miller presented
for review, the updated "Policies and Procedures
Use and Security CJIN and LEIN Networks"
which adds references to a second terminal
used to access Federal Databases Directly
through the Justice Telecommunications System
(JUST). Background checks on the individuals
who are accessing either system need to be renewed every five years. Additionally, when the
system is in use, no unauthorized individuals
shall have access to the room where the system
is in use unless escorted by authorized personnel. Another policy was presented for review,
Treasurer’s Quarterly Report –
April 2016
Enterprises
Modest profit reported by both Baraga and
Marquette properties as of February 2016.
Baraga is up by 5% for February from last
year with notable increases by the Pressbox and Bingo.
Marquette is down by less than one percent
for February due most likely from the Casino Bar. However, it should be noted that
games were in the black again.
Council received from the CFO the following:
2015 Ojibwa Casino Audit Report.
2015 Ojibwa Casino II Audit Report.
2015 Communication with Those Charged
with Governance (SAS 114) Letter.
A No Communication of Significant Deficiencies and Material Weaknesses (SAS
115) letter was issued as a result of this
audit.
Anderson & Tackman continue to work on
the financials of Housing and the Holding
Company, and with the audit coming in
April, they will be working with the auditors.
Other:
The illegal seizure of our cigarettes by the
State impacted the cigarette revenue, and
the issue is being dealt with through legal
measures by the Council.
The CEO office approved of budget modifications for Health (various program implementations), Public Works (vehicle purchase), the Firefighters (training), and the
Natural Resource Department.
Respectfully submitted,
Doreen Blaker
Save the Date!!!
KBIC Kids’ Fishing
Derby
June 25, 2016
(4) Niiwin
Keweenaw Bay Community Policy Regarding
Screening Requirements for Individuals requiring access to criminal justice information through
the U.S. DOJ Tribal Access Program. This is a
document required by the Department of Justice
for each agency that will be accessing criminal
justice information and is part of the Tribal Access Program where finger and palm prints will
be processed, and communication will be with
the Department of Justice and the FBI. Motion
by Jennifer Misegan to approve the "Policy
and Procedures Use and Security for
the CJIN and LEIN Networks," and the Policy
regarding screening requirements for individuals accessing the Cession for the Tribal
Access Program, supported by Robert “RD”
Curtis, Jr. Eleven supported (Misegan, S.
LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Curtis, Dakota,
Edwards, Haataja, M. LaFernier, Loonsfoot,
Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, 0 absent,
motion carried.
Under New Business:
Attorney Danielle
Webb and Health Director Carole LaPointe presented for review the Western Upper Peninsula
Health Department Services Agreement for
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening which is
a grant KBIC has secured for over ten years
now. It pays for breast and cervical screenings
for low income and uninsured women. Motion
by Susan J. LaFernier to approve the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Services Agreement between KBIC and the
Western U.P. for breast and cervical cancer
screening and/or diagnostic services, supported by Randall Haataja. Eleven supported
(Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Curtis, Dakota, Edwards, Haataja, M. LaFernier,
Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0 abstained,
0 absent, motion carried.
Health Director Carole LaPointe and Attorney
Danielle Webb brought forth another contract for
approval: Provide LT Locums Tenens Service
Agreement. This contract will provide temporary
physician coverage for the KBIC Medical Clinic.
Motion by Toni Minton to approve the Provide LT Locums Tenens Service Agreement
with the deletion of line twelve, supported by
Jennifer
Misegan.
Eleven
supported
(Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Curtis, Dakota, Edwards, Haataja, M. LaFernier,
Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0 abstained,
0 absent, motion carried.
Public Works Director Bruce LaPointe and
Attorney Danielle Webb presented a Tier III Service Agreement with Northern Pipe Equipment,
Inc. This project is funded by IHS but requires
Council’s approval.
Motion by Susan J.
LaFernier to approve the Service Agreement
with Northern Pipe Equipment, Inc. to provide sewer main cleaning, televising, and
smoke testing services, supported by Michael F. LaFernier, Sr. Eleven supported
(Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Curtis, Dakota, Edwards, Haataja, M. LaFernier,
Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0 opposed, 0 abstained,
0 absent, motion carried.
Treasurer Doreen Blaker presented the April
2016 donations requests. Motion by Jennifer
Misegan to approve donations to the Bowling Benefit for Carter Lindgren requested by
Heather Chosa in the amount of $1500.00
plus a basket, request for medical travel to
Rochester, Minnesota, for Connie (Rios) Vandemark in the amount of $350.00, and the
American Legion’s request to purchase
brass grave markers and American flags in
the amount of $500.00 for a total of $2,350.00,
supported by Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.
Eleven supported (Misegan, S. LaFernier,
Minton, Blaker, Curtis, Dakota, Edwards,
Haataja, M. LaFernier, Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), 0
opposed, 0 abstained, 0 absent, motion carried.
Council moved into closed session with Danielle Webb and Vice President Jennifer Misegan
on the agenda prior to adjournment.
Secretary’s Report for the months of February and March 2016
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.
For all the Earth one prayer in this New Year:
That all can live as one, and peace will reign
everywhere. Mino-Bimaadizin “Live Well”
In February 2016, the Tribal Council held one
Regular Council meeting and four Special Council meetings. This report will be published in the
KBIC “Wiikwedong Dazhi-Ojibwe” newsletter
and the approved minutes can be found on the
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Website.
Actions taken were:
February 4, 2016 Special Council Meeting
Approved the January 21, 25, and 28, 2016
Tribal Council meeting minutes.
Rescinded a prior meeting motion for a bid
from Fox Negaunee and approved a new bid
from them in the amount of $29,619.00 for a
2016 Ford Police Interceptor SUV all-wheel
drive with a 3.5 eco boost engine to be paid
from the COPS Grant.
Approved changes to the Government Personnel Policy 6.10 Payroll Advances.
Approved changes to the Government Personnel Policies: 23.0 No Smoking, Chewing
Tobacco, and E-Cigarette Policy; the PrePrimary Program Tobacco Use Policy;
10.1B (11) Annual Leave Policy; 11.1B (11)
Sick Leave Policy; 10.1 3.(a-d) Annual
Leave Policy; 11.1 3.(a-d) Sick Leave Policy;
11.1B (6) Utilizing Sick Leave; 17.1 Deaths;
2.4 (A-F) Classification of Employees; 16.1
(A-B) Holidays.
Approved Resolution KB 005-2016 Request
for Fee to Trust Title Application for lands in
Marquette Township (Ojibwa Express Gas
Station).
Approved to appoint Diana Chaudier, Peggy
Loonsfoot, Jeanne Emery, and Kim Klopstein to the Secretarial Election Board for
the amendment to Article VI 1(h) of the Constitution which received BIA authorization on
January 12, 2016, to hold an election.
Approved to appoint Joseph P. Eckerberg to
the Constitution Committee.
Approved to offer the employee a full time
position regarding the Baraga Casino Employee Grievance Case #001-16.
February 6, 2016 Regular Council Meeting
Approved the January 2016 Secretary’s Report (Susan J. LaFernier).
Approved the Department Head Reports for
December 2015.
Approved the February 2016 Donations to
the following: $500.00 to the Baraga Senior
Class 2016 Lock-in and $250.00 for the
Baraga Area Schools pink-out basketball
game.
3rd Reading for Proposed Ordinance 201503 Title Three: 3.1707 Medical Marijuana
Exception and 3.1708 Unauthorized Sale of
Medical Marijuana.
Approved amendments related to Section
3.1708 Unauthorized Sale of Medical Marijuana.
Approved Proposed Ordinance 2015-03 Title Three: 3.1707 Medical Marijuana Exception and 3.1708 Unauthorized Sale of Medical Marijuana.
2nd Reading for Proposed Ordinance 201603 Title Four: Juvenile Division Section
4.512 Finds of Probable Cause and Need
for Detention, C. add: “all parents of a sibling of a child, where such parent has legal
custody of such sibling.”
February 11, 2016 Special Council Meeting
3rd Reading for Proposed Ordinance 201603 Title Four: Juvenile Division Section
4.512 Finds of Probable Cause and Need
for Detention, C. add: “all parents of a sibling
of a child, where such parent has legal custody of such sibling.”
Approved Proposed Ordinance 2016-03 to
amend Title Four Juvenile Division Section
4.512 of the Tribal Code to add to C. “all
parents of a sibling of a child, where such
parent has legal custody of such sibling.”
Approved the addendum to the Inter-Tribal
Council of Michigan Memorandum of Cooperative Agreement for the Healthy Start IniContinues on page five.
Secretary’s Report continued:
tiative which adds an additional $2,000.00 to
the agreement and ends March 31, 2016.
Approved two sub-contractual agreements
with the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan for
the Mental Health and Aging Initiative for
Indian Elders ($1,800.00) and Mental Health
Delivery System for Native Americans
($34,573.00).
Approved the purchase from Northwest Marine Technology for a Quality Control Device
for $11,340.00 for the Natural Resources
Department to help tag, sort, and count fish.
Approved a sponsorship donation of
$1,500.00 pending available funding for a
presentation on addiction research and recovery strategies on March 11, 2016, by Dr.
Kevin T. McCauley, M.D., Institute for Addiction Study, “The Brain and Recovery: An
update on Neuroscience of Addiction.”
Approved an ongoing medical travel request
donation of $889.10.
Approved an additional loan to the Ojibwa
Holding Company in the amount of
$200,000.00 to pay bills.
February 18, 2016 Special Council Meeting
Approved the bid for a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado (Delivery Truck) for Commodity
Foods from Fox Negaunee in the amount of
$30,008.44.
Approved Resolution KB 002-2016 Department of Justice.
FY 2016 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation for up to $600,000.00 for equipment
and two police officers for three years.
Approved the Tier III Services Agreement
with Gegare Tile, Inc. to replace the carpeting on the second floor, stairs, and breakroom at the Donald A. LaPointe Health
Clinic.
Approved the NRT Technologies Corporation Master Supply and Processing Services
Agreement Amendment No. 1 to include a
renewal term for five years from the date of
the initial term.
Approved the Attorney Employment Resignation Agreement effective February 12,
2016, with Nicholas Lewis.
2nd Reading Proposed Ordinance 2016-01
Waste Management Ordinance and 2016-02
Title Twenty Hazardous Substances Control.
February 25, 2016 Special Council Meeting
Approved the February 4, and 6, 2016 Tribal
Council meeting minutes.
Approved the Tier III Services Agreement
with Shirley Recollet for the language immersion instruction from Bay Mills Community College.
Approved to replace the Tribal Court Advocate position on the Background Investigations Adjudication Panel with a trained employee representative from the Tribal Social
Services Department.
Approved any trained Tribal employees eligible as alternates for the Background Investigations Adjudication Panel.
Approved Resolution KB 008-2016 as Men’s
Health Week June 13-19, 2016.
Approved to allow the use of alcohol at the
Zeba Hall for community member events
and to work on the policies that pertain to
the use of the Hall.
Approved the Consulting Agreement with
MJP (Michael J. Popp) Healthcare Consulting, LLC for professional assistance with
billing and insurance claim follow up as requested.
In March 2016 the Tribal Council held four
Special Council meetings. The Tribal Council
did not hold a Regular Saturday Meeting. Actions taken were:
March 2, 2016 Special Council Meeting
(approved)
Approved the Memorandum of Agreement
between Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
and the Western Upper Peninsula Substance
Abuse
Services
Coordinating
Agency, Inc. for substance abuse services
to the U.S. District Court offenders for outpatient counseling and personalized breathalyzer testing.
Approved the renewal bid from Accident
Fund for workers compensation coverage.
Approved to offer the attorney position to
Jacob Spear.
March 10, 2016 Special Council Meeting
(approved)
Approved the February 11, 18, 25, and
March 2, 2016 Tribal Council meeting minutes.
Approved to amend the CNAP (Community
Needs Assistance Policy) to include flood
damage to the fire assistance section up to
$1,000.00.
Approved the Registered Dietician Services
Agreement with Dale Schmeisser, R.D.
Ph.D. for the Community’s Diabetes Program.
Approved the U.S. Department of Interior
U.S. Geological Survey amendment of joint
funding agreement for the operation and
maintenance of the stream gaging station on
the Falls River for five years.
Approved the Northwest Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission Memorandum of
Agreement amendment to extend the end
date to December 2016 and collection dates
to September 2016 for the hazardous
(household) waste program.
Tabled the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance Services Agreement to provide training
on the solar powered furnaces installation
until the homes are properly insulated.
Approved Resolution KB 009-2016 Tribal
Transportation Plan to add the Zeba Community Hall parking lot and the nonmotorized trail from Sand Point to the
Baraga Marina.
Approved the bid from Northern Pipe Equipment, Inc. for the Zeba Sewer Main cleaning
and televising work and smoke testing in the
amount of $26,210.00.
Approved the bid from Fox Negaunee for a
2016 Chevrolet 15 passenger express van
for the Tribal Center in the amount of
$28,018.30.
Approved the bid from Fox Negaunee for a
2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited for the Tribal
Center in the amount of $18,704.29.
Approved Resolution KB 007-2016 Expression of Interest in the “Land Buy Back Program” for Tribal Nations on the L’Anse and
Ontonagon Indian Reservations, including
those Public Domain Allotments located in
Ontonagon County and authorized the
President to sign.
Approved the Commercial Fishing applicants (21) who were presented contingent
on the restrictions imposed by the Court,
and they have to submit their boat safety
inspection documentation before receiving
their license.
Approved to name the 13th Annual Kid’s
Fishing Derby in honor of John Tolonen.
Tabled the Midewin/Ceremony Assistance
Funding Policy for Cultural Committee review.
Approved the March 2016 donations:
$500.00 to the Kiwanis Club International
(Copper Country); $500.00 to the Pawating
Megedwin Kikaajik Native American Elder
Food Program; $350.00 for the Family of
Gary Hueckstaedt’s fundraiser.
Denied the request from the Yellow Dog
Watershed Preserve for a donation request
of $10,000.00 for the Yellow Dog River
Community Forest purchase.
Approved Resolution KB 010-2016 Eligible
Voter’s List for the Secretarial Election on
April 26, 2016, to amend Article VI Powers
and Duties of the Tribal Council Section 1(h)
of the Constitution.
Approved Lisa Denomie and Terri Denomie
as candidates for the KB Ojibwa Community
College Board of Regents slate.
Approved the employee transfer (personnel)
policy changes as discussed.
Approved adding the additional relationships” to the Enterprise (Employment Manual) Policy for utilizing sick leave.
March 18, 2016 Special Council Meeting
(approved)
Approved a contribution of $5,400.00 to the
campaign of Lon Johnson who is running for
the U.S. Congress First District.
Approved $2,494.97 to the Woodland
(Youth) Boxing Program for equipment purchases for the Zeba Community Hall.
Approved the Altronex Control Systems Tier
III Services Agreement pending the date
changes for a new well pump at the Hatchery for $19,266.00.
Approved the Legal Services Agreement
with Eliason Law Office, P.C. (Hancock, MI)
to review, draft, revise, negotiate, and finalize contracts and related assignments.
Approved the bid from Signature Ford in the
amount of $26,723.00 for a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD K-8 patrol vehicle.
Approved Resolution KB 011-2016 Opposition to the diversion of the Great Lakes water to Waukesha, Wisconsin, because unacceptable levels of radium in its groundwater
drinking supply which may return to the
Great Lakes needs to be addressed.
Approved the appointment of Vicki Dompier
to the ICWA Committee for a three year
term.
Approved the Attorney Services Agreement
with Brandon T. Rickard for the Tribal Court
Public Defender until December 21, 2016.
Approved the amendment to the Casino
General Manager Employment Agreement
regarding salary effective February 7, 2016.
Approved to terminate the Employment
Agreement with Dr. Peter Benson for cause,
effective Monday, March 21, 2016.
March 31, 2016 Special Council Meeting
(unapproved)
Approved the March 10, and 18, 2016 Tribal
Council meeting minutes.
Approved the bid from Keweenaw Chevrolet
for a 16 passenger Tribal Center van for
$28,615.00. The prior approved bid for a
van from Fox Negaunee was not able to be
obtained.
Tabled the purchase of a Tribal Center car
for comparisons on model and price. The
prior approved bid for a car from Fox Negaunee was not able to be obtained.
Approved KB 016-2016 KB Ojibwa Community College: Tribal Heritage Grant for
$40,000.00 to continue the oral history narrative project.
Approved Resolution KB 006-2016 USDA
Sale of a home on 16343 Beartown Road for
$50,445.00.
Tabled Resolution KB 013-2016 Gerald P.
Jondreau Business Lease of Tribal Owned
Land (40 acres) for commercially collecting
maple sap for sap products until the Forest
Management Plan is presented.
Tabled Resolution KB 014-2016 Thomas E.
Chosa Business Lease of Tribal Owned
Land (38) acres for commercially collecting
maple sap for sap products.
Approved Resolution KB 015-2016 Request
for Fee to Trust (Title) Application Negaunee
Township Marquette County (old airport) to
facilitate Tribal Self-Determination for economic sustainability.
Approved the Second Amendment to the
Legal Services Agreement with Short Cressman & Burgess PLLC to extend the end
date to September 30, 2016, to complete the
Waste Management Ordinance Policy and
Guidance Document and the Hazardous
Substance Control Enforcement Manual.
Approved the Senior Citizen’s 635 Budget
Modification for an additional $41,477.00 for
temporary wages, additional food costs, and
a new furnace.
Approved FY 2016 Consolidated Tribal Government Program contract modification
(increase) to the Annual Funding Agreement
with the B.I.A.
Approved Resolution KB 017-2016 ANA
Environmental Regulatory Program Area
Grant for a Wetland Program by the KB
Natural Resources Department.
Tabled the Policy and Procedures for the
“Use and Security” of criminal justice information obtained through the Criminal Justice
Information Network (CJIN) and Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN).
Continues on page eight.
(5) Naanan
KBIC HOSTS ANNUAL HEAD START CHILDREN’S POWWOW
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
The Annual Head Start Children’s Powwow is held on a different Michigan Reservation each year. This year KBIC Head Start organized the event which was held on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Niiwin Akeaa Center in Baraga, Michigan, and sponsored
by ITC and KBIC THPO.
Darrell Kingbird emceed the afternoon event. Host Drums Woodland and Four
Thunders provided the songs with Keweenaw Bay Veteran Honor Guard leading
Grand Entry and posting the colors. Pictured above are the Head Dancers: Jailyn
Shelifoe (right) and Raisltin Awonohopay (left), with KBIC Princess Kayla Dakota Picture by Lauri Denomie.
(center). Children and their families enjoyed the opportunity for dance and socializing
Pictured above is one of KBIC’s young jingle dancamongst friends. One highlight of the day was — KBIC’s First Musical Chairs Compeers,
Dalanna Connor.
tition.
Pictured below are two cousins enjoying the drumbeat throughout the arena. Kruze Ekdahl (left) and JJ
Ekdahl (right).
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Head Start
& Early Head Start will be accepting applications
for the 2016-2017 school year. Applications are
available at the KBIC Health Clinic, KBIC Tribal
Center, Ojibwa Community College, and at the
Head Start & Early Head Start Center. You may
also have an application mailed to you by calling
(906) 524-6626.
The fax is (906) 5246622. Reminder, all applications MUST be returned with a proof of income. All applications
are due by June 24, 2016.
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.
(6) Ningodwaaswi
4th Annual Baraga County
Spring Fling Held
The 4th Annual Baraga County Spring Fling
was held Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the KBIC
Niiwin Akeaa Center in Baraga, Michigan. Over
200 children and 100 adults attended the event.
Families and children had an opportunity to receive free books, tote bags, balloons, and a number of give-away items from over 20 booths. Children had the opportunity to play in the Bouncy
House, attend a Teddy Bear Clinic, get their face
painted, and participate in stretching activities with
the KBIC Pre-Primary Program’s “Let’s Move in
Child Care”. The Copper Country Great Start Collaborative along with BHK Child Development, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Baraga Memorial
Hospital, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, and the Baraga and L'Anse Schools Area
Schools organized the event. “We would like to
thank each of the service providers, as well as the
families, who participated in this awesome event!”
said Heather Jahfetson, BCSF Chair.
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Children enjoying activity station for hands-on fun.
To be added to the mailing list or to correct your mailing address, contact the enrollment office at (906) 353-6623 ext. 4113.
AAIP Announces the 18th National Native American Youth
Initiative Dates and Application
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
Picture to left: Payton LeClaire and her
family spend some time getting physical
at the KBIC Pre-Primary Program’s
“Let’s Move in Child Care” station.
Above: Paige Cote gets the face painting of her choice.
The Association of American Indian Physicians
(AAIP) is accepting applications for the 18th National
Native American Youth Initiative (NNAYI), which will be
held on the George Washington University Campus in
Washington D.C., July 1-10, 2016. American Indian/
Alaska Native (AI/AN) high school students, ages 16 18, who have an interest in the health field and/or biomedical research
are encouraged to apply.
Selected high school students will receive a scholarship that will cover
airfare, lodging, and most meals during the NNAYI program. NNAYI's
curriculum is strategically designed to prepare high school students for
admission to college and professional schools, as well as for careers in
health and biomedical research.
To fill out the student application to be considered for the 2016 NNAYI
program, please visit AAIP website at www.aaip.org for more information. Please feel free to contact Gary Lankford at (405) 946-7072 or email glankford@aaip.org with any questions. Applications and supporting materials are due by Friday, May 13, 2016. Late submissions will not be viewed.
Picture by Lauri Denomie.
KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY
OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES
472 N. Superior Ave. • Baraga, MI 49908
In Tribal Court Building
Phone: 906-353-4566 • Fax: 906-353-8132
• E-mail: ocss@kbic-nsn.gov
“Your Children…Our Priority”
We provide the follow Establishment, Enforcement
and Modification of Child
Support Orders
Paternity Establishment
Location of Custodial and
Non-Custodial Parents
Community Education
http://www.kbic-nsn.gov
(7) Niizhwaaswi
President’s Report for February and March 2016
The following briefly summarizes the activities in
the Office of the President for the months of
February and March 2016.
Gary Loonsfoot and I attended the VOIGT
Task Force meeting. At the meeting we provided a list of lakes the Community intends
to exercise its home territory rights in the
upcoming spring spearing season. As in
every year we declared all lakes and
streams within our home territory.
I provided a letter of support to Lynn Ketola
supporting the Baraga County Historical Society Grant.
We’ve been monitoring Portage Lake since
early March. As of last week the lake is just
starting to open up. We will continue to
monitor to move as quickly as we can to
open up Portage Lake for the special spring
spearing season.
A total of 491 Walleye were registered as
spear harvested during the 2015 season
on Portage Lake; of these 160 (32.6%)
were females. As part of the Total Allowable Catch Rules that have been implemented by KBNRD, each harvested female is to count as two (2) toward the
safe harvest limits for Portage Lake.
When factoring in this harvest adjustment,
651 of a Total Allowable Portage Lake
Catch of approximately 2,000 fish (33%)
were achieved in 2015.
In addition to the raw spear harvest of 491
fish, 55 walleye were retained by KBNRD
during Fyke Net surveying that took place
throughout the greater Portage system
(including North and South Entry Canals,
Torch Bay, and the main body of Portage
Lake). Twenty fish (40 fillets) were donated to the KBIC Seniors Center, 15 fish
(30 fillets) were donated to the Memorial
Day Veteran’s Feast (care of Doreen
Blaker), and 20 fish were distributed to
NRD staff and/ or OCC Staff and students. All of these fish were sampled and
processed in a manner that made them
part of the overall harvest effort (thus raw
Walleye extraction from Portage Lake in
2015 was 491+55; 546 fish).
Additionally, a sub-sample of the total of
546 fish extracted from Portage were analyzed more thoroughly, as we took dorsal
fin-ray spines for age estimations, and
retained heads and carcasses for lab
analyses to attempt to detect absence/
presence of Oxy-tetracycline (OTC).
When present, OTC leaves a permanent
mark on boney structures of fish, indicating likelihood that those fish were
stocked.
I participated in Monthly Tribal/State Conference calls. The draft agenda included discussions on Net-Pen aquaculture; Flint Water updates; and some legislative updates
including Senate Bill 588 which requires
hunters, anglers, and trappers to exhibit license upon demand of a Tribal Conservation Officer who complied with certain requirements. A couple of bills were introduced to relate to aquaculture; one to prohibit it and one to regulate it.
We also talked about the City of Waukesha
Application for Great Lakes Water Diversion.
The City of Waukesha is applying to divert
Secretary’s Report continued:
Approved the present seven Enrollment
Board members for three year terms.
Approved Michael Lahti to the ICWA Committee for a three year term.
Approved Alden Connor, Jr., Daniel Connor,
and Justin Gauthier to the Powwow Committee for three year terms.
Tabled the Services Agreement for the Radio Station tower and transmission proposal
until next week.
Approved the organizational structure proposal as presented by Michael Schrader,
Casino General Manager.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan J. LaFernier
(8) Ishwaaswi
water from the Great Lakes for its water supply. As requested, the Community provided
its resolution opposing the application by the
city. The resolution states, “The Community
opposes any diversion that could result in
contaminated water returning to the Great
Lakes which would be detrimental to public
health and to the overall ecosystem. In addition the Community requested that the
state of Michigan and all other voting members of the Great Lakes Compact Council
reject this diversion request on the grounds
that it is an unacceptable threat to the continued viability of the Great Lakes Basin water quality.”
The Community again formally expressed its
interest in the implementation of the Land
Buy Back Program for Tribal Nations. We
appointed Jason Ayres to be the Tribe’s
point of contact for the program. The Program will review the submissions received
as we develop our next implementation
schedule. Tribal expressions of interest are
one factor among others that the Program
will consider when developing its implementation schedule. Other factors include the
level of fractionation, degree of ownership
overlap between locations, geographic diversity, appraisal complexity, number of owners who have indicated interest in
selling fractional interests, and cost and time
efficiency. Please understand that submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee that a location will be scheduled for
implementation.
The Council approved Lisa Denomie and
Teri Denomie for the candidates to the
KBOCC Board of Regents.
Northern Natural Gas Company fulfilled their
obligations
pursuant
to
Tribal
Council Resolution KB-044-2015. Accordingly Jason Ayres, the Community’s point of
contact, executed Consent of Landowner to
Accompany Application for Permission to
make Survey on Trust and Restricted Land
for the L’Anse Indian Reservation. We were
informed that the survey crew is verifying
some requirements with the Bureau of Land
Management and will be getting back to us
with a timeline soon.
I’ve asked the Community’s Health Administrator to present a draft Food Code. The
code is needed to properly regulate foods on
the reservation, especially when Tribal
members are engaging in that type of service in the community. Carole provided a
draft code to start working on the regulation
and to go through the legislative process.
There may be some grants available to receive some funding such as the First Nations Food Sovereignty Grants or the Environmental Sustainability Grant Program.
In March I was notified that there are potential carry-over funds from last fiscal year
from BIA RPI funding for “Lake Superior
Special Projects.” Jim Zorn from GLIFWC
advised the FY 2015 Lakes Superior Special
Projects carry-over money will be available
for budgeting once their FY’15 comprehensive single audit is completed; generally
around August/September. This will verify
the remaining amount which our budget
analyst informs me will likely be in the
$65,000 range. I informed the Lakes Committee in December of 2015 that if there
were any carry-over monies that the Community is in need of a tow vessel at an estimated cost of about $35,000 and put in a
request for additional KBIC monitoring and
observing in the amount of about $25,400.
I received an update from Tribal Forester,
Gerald Jondreau, regarding the Forest Management Plan in mid-March. The forester
said he has another version of the KBIC Forest Management Plan that he’s been working on with Kristen Lease from the BIA.
They were going to do a quick revision to
the current FMP, but the BIA has a requirement that will need to be incorporated into
any revision of the current plan. Also the
current plan needs a large amount of
changes to meet the BIA requirements, so
he has to rewrite the entire plan. I also
talked to Gerald about the USDA new planning rule. The USDA has adopted a new
planning rule that directs the revision of forest plans which are the documents that
guide the management of National Forests. I feel that all interim forest management plans should acknowledge treaty rights
exist in National forests and open to exercise treaty rights. The Department of Natural Resources does not recognize treaty
rights. This is a serious omission. Nothing
in a management plan should interfere or
restrict treaty reserved HFT or gathering
rights by the Tribe.
The Council approved appointments of
Tribal members to the Enrollment, Indian
Child Welfare, and Powwow Committees.
The Tribal Attorney’s office continues to
work on filling the vacancies in that office.
We have been shorthanded in the attorney’s
office, and it’s creating a backlog of services
provided. We are aware of the situation and
will continue to work diligently to fill those
positions. We were able to secure the services of Brandon Rickard, DBA Rickard Law
Office, for the public defender position. The
terms of the agreement expires on December 31, 2016. We also secured Matt Eliason
as a contract review attorney.
I attended the National RES (Reservation
Economic Summit) in Las Vegas, March 2124. The theme of the summit was Honoring
our Past…Defining our Future. This year’s
event was the first ever that I attended, and I
was impressed with the opportunities to network with other respected Tribal leaders,
members of Congress, federal agency representatives, as well as other Native CEOs.
While at the conference, I attended a number of breakout sessions including meeting
with a number of people in the cigarette
manufacturing business doing business on a
nation to nation basis, a negotiation session
put on by Jeff Crawford from the Forest
County Potawatomi Tribe, a session on
Tribal Cannabis about some legal challenges and emerging best practices. Many
viewed tribes on equal footing as States regarding Cannabis production, sale, and consumption. As attitudes evolve on the legality
of industrial hemp production, tribes have
begun to explore the potential economic
development opportunity in the industrial
hemp industry.
Respectfully submitted,
Warren C. Swartz
KBNRD—Offers Indoor Air Quality Assessment
The KBIC Natural Resource Department received
funding in 2012 to begin an Air Quality Program.
Since that time, the program has grown, and we now
have the capacity to offer services to the public.
Beginning in January, we began offering indoor air
quality assessments to all residents. We help diagnose problems in the home that may contribute to
illnesses, allergies, or breathing problems. All IAQ
assessments are free and performed upon request.
Thanks to a small grant from the Midwest AmeriGreen Cleaning Kit
can Lung Association, we are able to offer remediation services or products to tenants who have children suffering from asthma. If you have a child under the age of 18, who suffers from asthma, and
you would like additional information regarding our collaboration with the American Lung Association,
please give our department a call at (906) 524-5757, ext. 28.
On May 24th from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Stephanie Kozich, Air Quality Specialist, will be on hand
during the Ojibwa Housing Resident Service hours at Zeba Hall.
CEO’S Report for February and March 2016
During the months of February and March 2016,
the CEO's office reported the following:
The Funeral Task Force, comprised of myself, Rodney Loonsfoot, Jennifer Misegan,
Susan LaFernier, Debbie Williamson, and
Gary Loonsfoot continue to meet and develop plans regarding "Green" burials. Part
of the process includes educating our community. To aid in that process, several community meetings have been planned for the
month of April which will include cultural
teachings on the subject and information
sharing by local Funeral Home Directors and
the Task Force. Notices will be posted
soon, so please be checking social media
pages, the Tribe's Website, and the local
newspaper for specific dates and times.
In an effort to bolster communication across
the Tribe’s departments and businesses, bimonthly department head meetings are being hosted by the CEO's office, and individual quarterly meetings with each Director
are held with Council.
The Zeba Hall use is increasing as time progresses. Due to requests to hold wedding
receptions, a request to allow the consumption of alcohol was presented and approved
by Council. The April issue of the Tribe's
newsletter includes a listing of other community activities planned as well. Those interested in using the hall will need to contact
the Housing Department to check on availability.
The Tribe has received authorization to proceed with expending funds from the recently
awarded ICDBG grant for mold remediation
within the housing homes. Internal meetings
have been held to develop work plans which
are underway.
Jeanne Hirzel, a long-term employee at the
New Day Treatment Facility, has been hired
as the new Substance Abuse Programs Director. She is overseeing the New Day and
Out-Patient Programs and began those duties on March 28.
Cynthia Garneau, who has been serving as
the Tribe's Pharmacist, has put in her notice
to terminate her contract. She will continue
in the position for six-eight weeks to allow
time to find a replacement.
Dr. Peter Benson, whose contract was recently terminated for cause by Council, was
officially relieved of his duties as one of the
Tribe's physicians and Medical Director effective March 28. The department is working
on filling the role permanently as well as for
the short term to ensure patients will be
seen in a timely fashion.
Work on the new casino projects continues
and consumes a good portion of my time.
The following are tasks that continue to be
worked on:
The work group that has been formed to
work on the projects have met several
times regarding branding of the hotel and
restaurants in the new casinos.
We have essentially narrowed the hotel
brand down to two options - a Country Inn
& Suites or Comfort Inn & Suites which
are both 3-star in quality as recommended in the Global Market Advisors
study. Both offer franchising opportunities
that would fit well with our needs. To ensure we make the best choice, a side-byside comparison is being developed for
Tribal Council review and consideration.
On the restaurant side of branding, we
have reached out to a number of franchisors with very little response back. A
large part of the problem relates to their
requirements for consideration including
population base, highway traffic counts,
size of the facility needed, the requirement to be stand alone, as well as other
factors we don't meet. Jennifer Misegan,
who is part of the work group, reached out
to Dave Anderson of Famous Dave's franchise to see if he would meet with us to
discuss another opportunity outside of the
BBQ Mecca he created. That meeting
was held yesterday and will be discussed
with Council in more detail. To this point,
we don't have a branded restaurant to
work with. Related to food outlets in the
new casinos, the work group requested
and was approved by Council to add a
grille at both. This will provide guests the
opportunity for food similar to what is offered at the Press Box in Baraga and
Snack Bar at Marquette.
Doreen Blaker, Vicki Dompier, and I held
a meeting for the Harvey housing tenants
to provide an update on the project there
as well as field any questions they had. It
also provided the opportunity to introduce
Doreen, who is the new Housing Department Director.
A meeting was held with the Bingo staff to
discuss the process involved with closing
the Bingo Hall due to the construction of
the new casino in Baraga. Staff is being
provided the opportunity to transfer to
other positions within the Tribe due to the
closure of Bingo, which the last session
was held on March 31. A VIP event is
being held in early April for select bingo
players to thank them for their loyal support.
We continue to work on finalizing the construction contract for the projects with
Gundlach Champion. The draft was provided to them in February, and we have
now received their suggested changes
and related comments back.
The
changes are now with our outside legal
for review. It is anticipated that an internal conference call will take place next
week and discussion on the proposed
changes with Council on Thursday.
Michael Schrader, General Manager of the
Ojibwa Casinos, completed his first six
months in the position in early February. I
completed and shared his performance review with him which in summary indicated
he met the requirements. Based on his employment agreement, he was able to negotiate a salary adjustment which was presented and approved by Council.
The casinos continue to show positive gains
over FY’15 through the end of February with
a combined increase just shy of $500,000.
The FY’16 to date numbers do fall short of
projections for the period, however.
In an effort to cut losses seen with two businesses acquired through the transfer of
Ojibwa Housing Authority and Holding Company businesses, the Ojibwa Builders and
Ojibwa Roads officially ceased operating
effective February 13. Employees of both
businesses were transferred to other entities
of the Tribe as part of the process.
During the week of March 20, I, along with
President Swartz, attended the 30th Annual
Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, NV. The conference opened with a
powerful procession of nearly 1,000 attendees dancing through the halls of the Mirage
Resort to the main hall where the trade
show was held. The procession was intended to show the unity and power of Native people. I attended a number of sessions related to business development, diversification, and sustainability. I also attended a session that provided regulatory
overview and update on cannabis and how
Tribes across the country are attempting to
take advantage of the lucrative industry. I
also met outside of the conference sessions
with individuals related to our casino projects and tobacco manufacturing efforts.
In a final note, the Ojibwa Senior's meals
have increased from $3 to $5 for non-eligible
seniors. The increase is due to the rising
cost of food as well as the increase in numbers taking advantage of the delicious meals
being provided by the staff.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Denomie III, CEO
KBIC YOUTH PROGRAM SUMMER CAMP
Applications are now available for the 2016
Summer Day Camp. The application deadline is
May 20, 2016. Applications are at the Niiwin
Akeaa Center Office and the Tribal Center Receptionist. We are only accepting 50 children;
so get yours ASAP to assure your child a spot!
One child per application. Thank you!
FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON
INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)
FY 2016 NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*
(Effective Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016)
*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
$ 981
+
$155
=
$1,136
2
$1,328
+
$155
=
$1,483
3
$1,675
+
$155
=
$1,830
4
$2,021
+
$168
=
$2,189
5
$2,368
+
$197
=
$2,565
6
$2,715
+
$226
=
$2,941
7
$3,061
+
$226
=
$3,287
8
$3,408
+
$226
=
$3,634
Each additional member
+ $347
Alaska:
Use this
amount
Household
Size
SNAP Net
Monthly
Income
Standard
SNAP
Standard Deduction
1
$1,227
+
$265
=
$1,492
2
$1,660
+
$265
=
$1,925
3
$2,094
+
$265
=
$2,359
4
$2,527
+
$265
=
$2,792
5
$2,960
+
$265
=
$3,225
6
$3,394
+
$282
=
$3,676
7
$3,827
+
$282
=
$4,109
8
$4,260
+
$282
=
$4,542
Each additional member
FDPIR Net
Monthly Income Standard
+ $434
April 8, 2016
To: People of the KBIC
Re: Introduction
I am very happy to be a part of your community as your new public defender. In order to
better serve you, I wanted to tell you how to
reach me.
As I understand it, your former advocate, Doreen Blaker, was a full-time employee with regular office hours. However, I am only contracted
to provide services two days per week and am
not an employee of the tribe. Therefore, I do not
hold regular office hours. I have a work space in
the courthouse, but my office is in Marquette.
Please bear with me and the Court as we figure out how best to serve you within my allotted
hours. I prefer that you contact me through my
office and not the court. You may call my office
(906) 225-9705 to schedule appointments or to
talk about your case. We can physically meet in
the Tribal Court workspace though—you won’t
have to drive to Marquette, but you are welcome
to do so if you like.
I am usually very busy while in Baraga, so I
will discourage you from doing walk-ins. However, should you choose to try then I must give
priority to those who have appointments or
scheduled court for that day, and I will get to you
as soon as possible.
If you had a case with the former advocate,
then it is your responsibility to get with me as
soon as possible. Please don’t assume I have
any information about your case. I will not until I
file my appearance.
Thank you, and I look forward to working with
you and the KBIC.
Brandon Thomas Rickard,
Attorney at Law (P75104)
(9) Zhaangaswi
BARAGA/MARQUETTE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION (ENTERPRISES)
KBIC/Ojibwa Enterprises held a Recognition
Luncheon for long term Casino employees
(Baraga) on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in the Chippewa Conference Room. Pictured above are employees honored for their extensive years of service. (Left to right) William Seppanen, Jr. (10
years), Stacey Blamer (10 years), Alyna Toleffson
(15 years), Tenia Hodges (15 years), Sara Mayo
(25 years), Nancy Shalifoe (30 years), Connie Sullivan (15 years), Debbie Hietikko (20 years), and
David Haataja (30 years). Also honored but not
present were: Jack Witt (10 years), Dianne Gallagher (10 years), Mary Egan (15 years), Michael
DeCota (15 years), Richard Blamer (20 years),
Debra Wirkkala (20 years), and Mary Kostamo (30
years).
A Luncheon for Marquette was held on Monday, April 4, 2016. Employees honored for their extensive years of service were: Todd Couture (10
years), Amanda Furr (10 years), Ryan Higgins (10 years), Misty Rose (10
years), David Tousignant (10 years), Robert Balbierz (15 years), Mark
Ward (15 years), Terri Alexander (20 years), Jay MacGugan (20 years),
Dawn Rivord (20 years), and Peggy Winters (20 years).
(Photo compliments of Stan Spruce).
KBIC GREENHOUSE UPGRADES
One of the main attractions for groups touring the KBIC Natural Resources Department (NRD) facilities, aside from the fish hatchery, is the
geodesic dome greenhouse that is central to the NRD Native Plants program. The greenhouse was given to the KBIC through the Zaagkii Project, a cooperative pollinator program established under the Cedar Tree
Institute (http://cedartreeinstitute.org/) and Earth Keepers Covenant (http://
earthkeepersup.org/). All five Tribes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
have Tribal resolutions supporting the Zaagkii Project.
Late winter into early spring is a busy time for the KBIC NRD native
plants program. This is typically when seeds of various species of native
and medicinal plants are started in the greenhouse in preparation for outplanting in late spring and summer. Unfortunately, the 2016 growing season is off to a rough start. In March it was discovered that several of the
main beams in the greenhouse were deteriorating due to moisture control
issues over the years and it was unsafe to be inside planting seed. The
maximum life expectancy of the geodesic dome greenhouse is 10 years.
Built in 2010, the greenhouse has gone through many upgrades and alterations in design for both optimal planting and heat and moisture control.
During routine inspection of the greenhouse, the issues were discovered,
and the greenhouse was immediately shut down. NRD staff contacted
Growing Spaces and within a month they sent a worker (all expenses
paid) all the way from Colorado to assist NRD staff in addressing the issues. The work was completed in three days with materials provided by
the NRD. Growing Spaces will return in the fall of 2016 to complete additional upgrades including solar venting, fans, and additional insulation.
For the 2016 growing season, a small potting shed was used to begin
seeding several species, and the Keweenaw Greenhouse on Silver Road
in L’Anse was willing to start the rest of the native plant seed in addition to
the vegetables they grow for the NRD Brewery Road Community Garden
(People’s Garden). With the geodesic dome operational again, planting
will commence on schedule. As always, volunteers are welcome to join us
this summer with our restoration efforts along the beautiful shoreline of
Lake Superior. Please contact Deanna Hadden dhadden@kbic-nsn.gov
for more information on volunteer opportunities.
Background on the NRD Greenhouse: The KBIC greenhouse is a
geodesic growing dome designed by Growing Spaces (http://geodesicgreenhouse-kits.com/). Since the beginning, the Green House has been a
collaborative effort between the KBIC, Growing Spaces, Cedar Tree Institute, and the U.S. Forest Service. Volunteers and staff from each of the
aforementioned organizations participated in the construction of the greenhouse in 2010. The main purpose of the greenhouse is native and medicinal plant propagation for planting at our Sand Point Restoration Site in
Baraga and the more recently established seed orchard at the Brewery
Road Community Garden. The J.W. Toumey Nursery (U.S. Forest Service) and the Keweenaw Greenhouse in L’Anse have been instrumental in
the KBIC native plants program, providing seed and trees seed and in
some cases assisting with plant propagation (native plants and vegetables
for the community garden).
ZEBA COMMUNITY HALL
Greetings from the Ojibwa
Housing Resident Services!
The following is a list for upcoming events and activities
scheduled at the Zeba Community Building for the months
of May and June.
Ojibwa Housing Resident Services: Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm. On
May 18th hours will be 2pm to 4pm (for this Tuesday only). Questions or
needing assistance regarding housing call Natalie Mleko at (906) 5245500 or (906) 353-7117 ext. 112.
Craft Group: Sundays from 1pm to 6pm. All are welcome. Children must
be accompanied by an adult.
Youth Boxing: Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 3pm, Monday, Wednesday,
Friday from 6pm to 8pm. Contact Justin Gauthier and Alden Connor for
more information at (906) 353-6623.
Powwow Sweat: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7 pm.
Ends May 5th.
KBIC Head Start Graduation: Friday, May 13th 11 am.
Burial Task Force Informational Meeting: Wednesday, May 18th, 7pm.
Natural Resources: Tuesday, May 24th. Stephanie of Natural Resources will be available from 1pm to 3pm to answer questions regarding
Indoor Air Quality. You can stop in or call her at (906) 524-5500.
L’Anse/Baraga Community Schools Graduation: Tuesday, May 24th,
6pm.
Powwow Sweat: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7 pm.
Ends May 5th.
KBIC Junior/Senior Banquet: Friday, June 3rd.
Medical Clinic / WIC: There will be WIC hours available on Wednesday,
June 22nd, 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
The Community Hall is available to rent for showers, birthday parties,
wedding Receptions, etc., Call Natalie Mleko at (906) 353-7117 ext. 112 to
make reservations.
(10) Midaaswi
SUMMER COLLEGE INTERN PROGRAM
The Tribal Council has approved funding for a Summer College Intern
Program. Eight students will be placed within Tribal Departments for 12
weeks this summer, working 40 hours per week at $9.80 per hour.
Students must be:
KBIC Members.
Attending college full-time during the 2015-2016 academic year and
continuing during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Must have a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Must provide proof of GPA, full-time status, and college major.
If the number of students applying is greater than the number of positions available, the highest GPA’s will be used to determine placement.
To apply, please submit your application and required documents
(listed on the Checklist form) to the Personnel Office located in the Tribal
Center via in-person, fax (906) 353-8068), or e-mail to personnel@kbicnsn.gov. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 13, 2016, 4:00 p.m. Applications will be accepted after May 13th if all the positions are not filled.
If you have any questions regarding the Summer College Intern Program, please contact Amy St. Arnold, Education Director, at (906) 3534117 or e-mail amy@kbic-nsn.gov or Hannah Beesley, Personnel Director, at (906) 353-4140 or e-mail hbeesley@kbic-nsn.gov.
Distribution Date: April 19, 2016
Closing Date: May 13, 2016, 4:00 p.m.
KBIC PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Community Development Block Grant
Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages
For our proposed Halfway House Project Grant Proposal
A discussion with:
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Members
The meeting will run from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, May 4th–Tribal Center Conference Room
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Employment Opportunities
http://www.kbic-nsn.gov/html/personnel.htm
♦Treatment Counselor (2 positions) NewDay, (full-time), 5/5/2016
♦ Law Clerk, Attorney Office (full-time, temporary), open until filled
♦ Sales Associate/Project Estimator, Ojibwa Building Supply (part-time up to 37
hrs.), 4/4/2016
♦ Lake Superior Program Coordinator, KBTNRD, (full-time), open until filled
♦ Environmental Response Program Specialist, KBNRD (full-time), open until
filled
♦ Billing Clerk, DHHS, (full-time), open until filled
♦ Teaching Assistant II, Pre-Primary (part-time up to 37 hrs.), open until filled
♦ Youth Mentor, (youth position), Niiwin Akeaa (part-time), open until filled
♦ IT Help Desk Technician, (/Marquette), IT Dept., (full-time), open until filled
♦ Tribal Attorney (full-time), Office of the Attorney, open until filled
We will obtain the views of Tribal Member attendees on community development and
housing needs. We will also be accepting public comments and input for the planning
process and development of the grant application. The grant guidelines and a questionnaire will be discussed and available for all participants to fill out. The Tribe is
eligible to apply for up to $600,000.
We will also be accepting public comments and have copies of the questionnaire available for those that are unable to attend by:
CALLING: Jean Jokinen at the Grants Office 353-4205
E-MAILING: jjokinen@kbic-nsn.gov
MAILING: Grants Office; 16429 Beartown Road; Baraga, MI 49908
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT: When the final draft of the
application is complete, all KBIC Tribal Members are afforded the opportunity to examine its contents and submit comments to Jean Jokinen using the same contact information provided above. Tribal Members can also review and comment on the Tribe’s
performance under any active Community Development Block Grant.
(11) Ashi bezhig
Walleye Spearing continues:
Justin Gauthier displays his catch.
Members (or Members from other Tribes
who are visiting KBIC declared Home Territory) interested in attempting to spear harvest Walleye from Portage Lake must register with KBIC Police and Natural Resources Staff at the Pike Bay Boat Launch
Site in Chassell, MI. Fishermen must register each night that the Quota Lake is
open.
All the fish harvested during this time
are counted, weighed, and sexed by our
creel workers under the close supervision
of our Natural Resources Fish Biologist.
Creel workers are paid through the Great
Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Watching our Tribal members exercise
their treaty rights and carry on this tradition
is an amazing sight. The grins on our fishermen’s faces are ear to ear, and you can
feel the excitement. The Walleye are
spawning and will quickly move out, so
now is the time for Spring Spearing.
(Picture/article
KBNRD.)
compliments
of
Lori
Sherman,
NEWS FROM THE OJIBWA
SENIOR CITIZENS
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
(12) Ashi Niizh
You can now get your
blood pressure checked
every Thursday at the
Ojibwa Senior Citizens
Center, 11:00 a.m.
Join us for Tai Chi offered
every Wednesday at the
Ojibwa Senior Citizens Center
10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. or
4:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m.
May:
May 11, 12:15 p.m. Senior Meeting. Senior Elections (May 11) 10 a.m. —
7 p.m. Information on the
candidates is available at
the center. The Election Committee will be
handling this election. Members are: Carole
LaPointe, Wanda Seppanen, and Mary
Kauppila.
May 25, Pasty prep starts at 12:15 p.m. until
approx. 3:00 p.m.
May 26, Pasty Sale at 5:00 a.m. All volunteers are needed as early as possible.
Clean up immediately follows the baking of
the pasties—please plan to stay for clean
up; were usually done by 11:00 a.m.
June:
June 8, Senior Meeting
June 22, Pasty prep.
June 23, Pasty Sale.
Please mark your calendars with these dates!
Effective April 1, 2016, all guest (non-senior)
lunches will be $5.00. Lunch is available
Monday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. until 12:30
p.m. at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens Center.
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.