The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2011)

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WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Binaakwe Giizis - Falling Leaves Moon - October 2011 Issue 87

OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ESTABLISHED

Tribal Council Members:

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

William E. Emery, Vice-President

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

Toni Minton, Asst. Secretary

Eddy Edwards, Treasurer

Elizabeth (Chiz) Matthews

Elizabeth D. Mayo

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Jerry Lee Curtis

Frederick Dakota

Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr.

Isabelle H. Welsh

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

(left to right) OVW staff, Sylvia Murray, Lori LaFernier, and Jodie Chosa at OVW fundraiser rummage and

bake sale held Saturday, September 17th. Missing from photo: Wanda Seppanen and Cody Blue.

“The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is

committed to taking a stand, by increasing

awareness, to end violence against women.

As a Community, we must endeavor to protect

survivors, bring offenders to justice, and

change attitudes that support such violence.”

The Tribal Council of the Keweenaw Bay

Indian Community announces that it has established the KBIC Office on Violence Against

Women (OVW) Programs and Services that

merges prevention, education, direct services,

and soon to be transitional home services into

one department. With guidance from the KBIC

Women Survivor Advisory Group, the bringing

together of violence against women programs

and services in this coordinated fashion provides an opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to decrease violent crimes

against tribal women while building upon community program and service expertise to make

the community a safe place to live.

Direct services provided by OVW Programs

and Services staff include accompanying survivors to court; assisting with personal protection orders, hospital and clinic responses; as

well as providing transportation and victim/

survivor advocacy, crisis intervention, and

counseling services.

Efforts have also been underway to finalize

renovations on NiimiGimiWang, a new transitional safe-home for survivors of domestic violence and their children where support groups,

cultural teachings, and activities will be provided.

Upcoming events being planned also include the 3rd Annual Chelsey LaFernier Memorial Walk on October 7th. Workshops being

held at the Ojibwa Casino and Resort preceding the walk include: The Dynamics and History of Violence Against Natives, Impacts of

Violence on Children, and Safety Planning.

The day will conclude with a Community Potluck and keynote speaker Mildred Muhammad,

the ex-wife of the DC Sniper who will speak on

“After the Trauma.”

OVW Programs and Services staff include

Sylvia Murray, Wanda Seppanen, Jodie

Chosa, Lori LaFernier, and Cody Blue. Previously located in the Donald A. LaPointe Health

and Education Building, OVW relocated in June

to NiimiGimiWang located at 755 Michigan

Avenue, Baraga. However, the Victims of

Crime Coordinator (VOCA) currently continues to be housed at the Clinic, 102 Superior

Ave., Baraga.

In its 2005 Strategic Plan, the Tribal Council

established as a key vision, that Our Community is a safe place to live… free of domestic

violence; Creating a caring Community that

supports children and families through new and

expanded services. To this end, the KBIC submitted multiple grant applications to the U.S.

Department of Justice Office of Violence

Against Women and were funded to provide

direct services and develop a transitional home

for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The Tribe was recently awarded two additional OVW grants to provide sexual assault

intervention services for those affected by sexual assault either now or in the past. KBIC

OVW programs and services are therefore

100% grant funded.

In conclusion, a DOJ (Department of Justice) study found that among Native women,

one in three reported being physically or sexually abused during their lifetime. It reported further that American Indian/Alaska Native women

are 22.5 times more likely to experience sexual

assault crimes compared to all other races. It

was further estimated that more than one-half

(54%) of violent crimes committed against Indian women go unreported. It stated a high

likelihood of underreporting is the result of the

stigma attached to intimate partner violence,

fear of retaliation from the offender, and in

many tribal communities retaliation from family

members of the offender (2004. American Indians and Crime, U.S. Dept of Justice, Bureau of

Justice Statistics).

Domestic violence against women hurts

more than one person. Research shows that

seeing or experiencing violence is bad for children. Even when children are not hurt themselves, they can see, hear, or imagine what is

•

September 3, 2011 Tribal

Council Meeting

•

Office of Violence Against

Women Established

•

2011 Ann Misegan Scholar

Awarded

•

KBIC Pharmacy Open For

Business

•

Drug Conviction Report

•

Aldred Achieves Master’s Degree

•

New Employees

happening and carry invisible wounds

that affect them emotionally and psychologically. Some children handle

their problems very well. Others act

out, have trouble with school work,

have problems making friends, develop

stomach aches, headaches, or have

other physical ailments.

If you or anyone you know is in

need of assistance or support services,

please call the OVW main number at

(906) 353-4598.

- REWARD I am offering a reward for the return of my

camera’s SD card which was in my wallet that

was taken out of my office on August 19th.

There are very important pictures on this SD

card to me, and they won't mean anything to

anybody else. Please return this SD card and

there will be no questions asked.

Elvera Lantz, CHS Clerk KBIC Dept. of

Health and Human Services/Donald A. LaPointe Health and Education Center, 102 Superior Ave., Baraga, MI. 49908. 906-353-4537.

(1) Bezhig

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Tribal Council held their regularly

scheduled Saturday Tribal Council meeting

on September 3, 2011, at the Ojibwa Casino Resort Conference Room in Baraga,

Michigan. President Warren C. Swartz, Jr.

presided over the meeting with William E.

Emery, Susan J. LaFernier, Toni J. Minton,

Eddy Edwards, Jerry Lee Curtis, Fred Dakota, Michael F. LaFernier, Sr., Gary F.

Loonsfoot, Sr., Elizabeth “Chiz” Matthews,

Elizabeth D. Mayo, and Isabelle Helene

Welsh present. President Warren C. Swartz,

Jr. shared numerous Thank You and For

Your Information items addressed to Council.

President Warren C. Swartz, Jr., gave

the President’s Report (page three); Secretary Susan J. LaFernier gave the Secretary’s Report (page four); Treasurer Eddy

Edwards gave the Treasurer’s Report (page

three), and Larry Denomie II gave the CEO

Report (page two). Council passed the Department Head Reports for July 2011.

Debra Williamson of Turtle Island Cultural Services announced to the Council and

Community a newly funded grant program

their organization has secured.

OJIBWEMOWIN WADISWAN (Ojibwe Language

Nest) is a three-year grant which will provide programming to teach the Ojibwe language and culture to Indian children, their

parents, and extended family to equip them

with the necessary knowledge and skills to

carry the language and culture forward for

the next generation. Turtle Island Cultural

Services is a private non-profit corporation

which organized to follow a vision to reclaim

Indian children and bring back the honor

and dignity of living the Ojibwe language

and culture in a way and spirit of the ancestors who walked before them. OJIBWEMOWIN WADISWAN will implement services to children ages two-six utilizing a

classroom setting Monday thru Friday.

They plan to begin operations October 1st.

President Swartz indicated more requests had come from KBIC households for

travel assistance to attend the LVD Rice

Camp being held the weekend of September 9th. A motion made at the August 25th

meeting approved 20 households $125 for

travel expenses.

Motion by Elizabeth

“Popcorn” Mayo to approve an additional ten households (from 20 to 30)

$125 to pre-registered KBIC households

to attend the LVD Rice Camp, supported

by Michael F. LaFernier, Sr., ten supported (Emery, S. LaFernier, Minton, Edwards, Curtis, M. LaFernier, Loonsfoot,

Matthews, Mayo, Welsh), 0 opposed, 0

abstained, one absent (Dakota—out of

the room), motion carried.

Eddy Edwards, Treasurer, presented

donation requests for September 2011 to

the Council for their consideration. Motion

by Elizabeth D. “Popcorn” Mayo to approve $250 for a Fifth Quarter sponsorship on behalf of the L’Anse Varsity

Football Players for the L’Anse/Baraga

game; $1,000 for the National Indian Education Association; $2,000 for the National Indian Health Board; and $1,000

for the U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

campaign; for a total of $4,250, supported by Susan J. LaFernier, eleven in

favor (Emery, S. LaFernier, Minton, Edwards, Curtis, Dakota, M. LaFernier,

Loonsfoot, Matthews, Mayo, Welsh), 0

opposed, 0 abstained, 0 absent, motion

carried.

Council adjourned with no further actions.

~ submitted by Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor

(2) Niizh

CEO REPORT FOR THE MONTHS OF AUGUST 2011

The month of August 2011 included the following activities and reportable items:

•

On the 1st, a thorough review of the

new Weatherization Program was conducted by our office at Council’s request. The review revealed that two

homes slated for work had issues

which have been dealt with. We have

also received notice that some of the

funding for the low-income weatherization projects, through the LIHEAP program, may not be received. Notices are

being prepared for the homeowners affected indicating that they will remain on

the list until formal word is received.

We are expecting word about the funding by the end of 2011. The funding

shortfall is related to the appropriations

issues at the federal level.

It is important to note that the shortfall in

the LIHEAP program is just the beginning. Other programs within the Tribe

have already experienced similar issues

that are related to the Federal Government’s financial problems. Once final

federal appropriations for FY12 are approved, we may need to further adjust

budgets. For KBIC’s FY12 budgeting,

we are estimating based on historical

appropriations which may not hold true.

Program Directors are aware of this and

will develop contingency plans or adjustments based on priorities in their

departments.

On the 5th, the annual Government Employee Picnic was held at the L’Anse

Golf Course. About a third of the employees attended and participated in the

planned activities which included: golf,

cribbage, horse shoes, and bingo. Recently a survey was conducted, and the

results indicated that most enjoyed the

event and food. A huge Miigwech goes

out to all of the staff and volunteers who

worked on planning and putting on the

event.

On the 13th, the Kelly Pickler concert

kicked off the Ojibwa Casino Resort’s

“Summer Tent Events” promotion. Approximately 900 of 1500 tickets were

sold for the concert. Several other

events have taken place as well with the

final tent event taking place on Saturday, September 10th which is the Upper

Peninsula Cage Fighting.

The environmental testing of the former

Los 3 Amigos site in Marquette is complete. The results will be used to complete the RFP (requests for proposals)

for demolition of the building. Once bids

are received they will be presented to

Council for consideration and approval.

Tom Miller, Superintendant of the Hannahville School will be assisting KBIC in

the development of, as well as the conducting of a Tribal School survey. Staff

will be meeting with Tom in early September. Our plan is to have the survey

ready by mid September. The surveys

will be conducted by going directly to

community members’ homes to get a

better return. Once the results are in

they will be presented to Council and if

desired the Community.

On the 9th through the 11th, I attended

the first annual BIA Midwest Region

“Partners in Action” conference in

Hinkley, MN. The conference provided

updates on BIA programs. While at the

conference, I was able to connect with

our contacts to discuss some of the issues KBIC has relating to the secretarial

election process which has been shared

with the Constitution Committee and

recent Constitution Convention attendees. I received input on how the Tribe

may be able recoup some of the funds

•

spent cleaning up the Pinery Cemetery.

We are preparing the paperwork for that

issue to be submitted to the BIA Regional office. President Swartz and

Elizabeth Mayo also attended, and we

were able to get to many of the breakout

sessions.

KBIC’s Commodity Food program has

received supplemental funding from

USDA to replace windows, the main entrance, the A/C unit, and siding. The

facility also received a little face lift with

new paint. We will also be working on

landscaping and a new road sign. The

Head Start and Early Head Start facility

has also been freshened up, and a new

sign is in the works there as well. Both

buildings are looking good!

The Natural Resources Department is

conducting a community tire collection

event. Details are being finalized but it

is planned to take place at the former

Tribal Construction site September 2224. The final details will be distributed

throughout the community in the next

week or so.

The potential to extend the Tribe’s Department of Justice funded Weed &

Seed program through March of 2012 is

being worked on. We should know

more about that in the coming weeks.

Chris Chosa has been hired as the new

THPO Director. He was filling in as interim THPO Coordinator until his formal

hire on August 25th. The THPO Technician position, which is currently held in

an interim capacity by Juliet Loonsfoot,

is posted and should be filled permanently in the next few weeks.

Lynn Haataja has been hired as the

Gaming Commissions Executive Director. She is filling the role Dale Shalifoe

held. Dale is working as the Assistant

General Manager of the Ojibwa Casino

and Resort. He is training under Robert

Mudd, General Manager, whose contract ends July of 2012.

I regretfully report that the ANA Language grant applied for to continue the

Tribes Language program was not

funded. We may have an opportunity to

continue a program for language which

will be discussed during Council’s FY12

Budget Sessions that begin next week.

The THPO program has potential funding available, but we need to further discuss that department’s priorities with

Council along with the recently ANA

funded program with Debbie Williamson

who is presenting today.

On a more positive note, the KBIC Pharmacy, a long term goal of the Tribe, will

be open for business at 8 a.m. on

Wednesday, September 7th. All Tribal

Members and descendants are eligible

for prescription services but must be a

patient of our Tribal physicians. In an

effort to bring in as much contract third

party revenue as possible, patients are

being requested to bring in their medical

cards, insurance cards, and any other

prescription coverage they may have.

There will not be a co-pay for prescriptions for patients using the KBIC Pharmacy. Congratulations to all of the

Health Center and related staff for their

hard work and dedication toward making

the KBIC Pharmacy a reality!

The New Day Treatment Program received good news as well. Their CARF

Accreditation approval notification was

received on September 2, 2011. The

designation provides that the facility and

programs meet the high standards expected by the accreditation status. It

also provides for potential revenue

streams.

On a final note, I would like to report that

Continues page three.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2011

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

month of August 2011:

•

Update relating to the MET tower project

proposed near the old Tribal center site.

The project proposes the erection of a

60 meter MET Tower to study the feasibility of wind resources at the site for

potential installation of wind turbines in

the future. The estimated footprint is

100 meters by 100 meters to accommodate four guy wires to support the tower.

The duration for the project is a one

year study after which time the MET

tower would be dismantled. The area

for the proposed MET tower would be

located in the monk garden, in the field

between Old US 41 and the site of the

old Tribal Center. An archaeological

survey (Phase II) was done in 1989, under the supervision of Dr. Patrick Martin

of Michigan Technological University.

The study of 1989 does not define the

boundaries clearly. On February 7,

2011, the previous THPO for the KBIC

sent a letter to the project manager Katie Kruse of the KBNRD stating that no

impact would be suffered by the historical spaces within the vicinity. However,

on February 24, 2011, the THPO office

received a letter from the Department of

the Interior in opposition to the project

claiming, “It is our view of this project

that the proposed EPA action is an undertaking as defined in 36CFR800Protection of Historic Properties and is

the type of activity that has the potential

to cause effects to this historic property.

The effects would be adverse in that

there could be damage to part of the

property; change the character of the

properties physical features; and introduce visual, atmospheric, or audible elements that diminish the integrity of the

property’s significant historic features

(800.5(a)).”

They require that an archaeological survey be done on the

area of potential effect and a public

comment period if the project is to proceed within the boundaries of the 1989

survey. Furthermore the cultural committee denied the site at least three

times. Further investigation of the proposed area is needed.

I sent a request to the BIA Regional Office requesting an additional $20,000 for

the fuels project and $3,000 for the

“Smokey the Bear” funding. Both of

these funding opportunities will be used

by our Beartown Firefighters. Currently

our firefighting crews are out on assignment in two different locations.

All Tribal Veterans’ Meeting at the

Lighthouse, Sand Point, will be held

every third Wednesday of the month

at 1900 hours. All Tribal Veterans

Welcome!

CEO Report Continues:

after some 20 plus years I am going

back to college. I have enrolled in

classes with Gogebic Community College, part time, to further my education

and assist in the responsibilities of the

CEO position.

As always, if anyone has questions, concerns, or issues that the CEO’s office can

assist with, please don’t hesitate to stop, email, or call.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry J. Denomie, III, CEO

•

Charles Brumleve, our mining specialist,

reported to me that Kennecott is back

on the Reservation. He reported the

following activities: Thursday, August 4,

Jessica Koski and Erin Johnston of the

Natural Resources Department and the

Mining Specialist visited the BIC

(Struble) site on the Indian Road north

of Herman. The NRD has been compiling information on mineral exploration

on the L’Anse reservation, and the BIC

(Bovine Igneous Complex) site visit was

planned to be for informational purposes

only, and we assumed the site was inactive. During the site visit, we observed

the following:

1. On the northeast side of the BIC outcrop, a recent drilling pad was observed, and a large drill cuttings settlement sump was still open. The drill

cuttings sump was full of cuttings,

water, and bentonite/grout and was

fenced off. The drill rig moved off this

location only days ago, and the surveyor’s lath identified this borehole as

BIC 54.

2. Before walking up the steep road to

the top of the outcrop, we heard the

distinctive sound of an operating drill

rig nearby up on top of the outcrop.

Not wishing to announce our presence by walking the road, we cut

through the woods and upon reaching the top of the outcrop, we observed a drilling crew actively drilling

on the east end of the outcrop.

3. We bypassed the drilling crew and

proceeded to hike the access road to

the end passing eight or so known

former drilling locations.

On the

south edge of the outcrop, we found

and hiked a very recently used twotrack road which plunged straight

down the steep hill to the south and

ended at Indian Road. Whatever

went down this road was heavy as

the tire tracks were over a foot deep

in places. According to the plat book,

this road crosses KBIC property in

Section 19.

• Earlier this month Councilwoman Mayo,

CEO Denomie, and I attended the partners in action conference held in Hinckley, Minnesota. CEO Denomie has an

update in his report regarding this 1st

annual conference.

• The President’s office is busily working

on completing the FY2012 budget. All

budgets have been submitted except for

the cultural committee’s budget. They

have turned the budget into me, and on

Monday I’ll forward it to the Asst. CEO’s

office.

•

Jerry Lee and I attended the “Tribal Tobacco Tax Seminar” last month. It was

very interesting, educational, and a Nation building experience. Attendees

learned how to build a Tribal Tax Infrastructure which creates a Tobacco (and

other) Tax, how to obtain your own

unique Tribal Tobacco Tax Stamp, how

to sell your tobacco products with YOUR

TRIBAL TAX instead of a state tax, and

a MSA fee. (Keep all the money for

your Tribe.) Tribes are making millions

of dollars in net profits, plus a new revenue source, your Tribal Tax. They plan

on making this an annual event. Tribes

learned how to get out from under state

control and domination. Tribal leaders

learned how to exercise Tribal Sovereignty to become independent from the

state and to be able to shape their own

destiny. They saw, first hand, how the

Winnebago Ho-Chunk Nation uses their

tax revenue to assist their youth, their

elderly, their students, their warriors,

their firefighters, and their efforts to promote health education and treat health

problems.

I signed a contract retaining the services

of Lance Boldrey from the Dykema Law

Firm. He will be used to help move our

two-part application in Negaunee Township through the governor’s office.

I attended the Heritage Celebration

Days in Calumet, Michigan. The event

was a success, and a good time was

had by all.

Governor Snyder was in the studios of

Eagle Radio last month. He met with

Dick Storm and was interviewed for

“Keeping It In The U.P.” show. On the

same day, I met and talked with Tom

Casperson and Matt Huuki.

Vice-President Emery reported that a

resolution honoring the accomplishment

of Councilman Fred Dakota’s contributions to Indian Gaming was unanimously

passed at the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST) meeting.

The President’s Office has been working

on the relocation of the operations from

the Chocolay Casino to the Airport Casino pursuant to the agreement of the

State of Michigan and the Community

as embodied in the Consent Judgment.

The relocation of the casino operation

has been supported by virtually all the

local units of government within a 25

mile radius of the Airport Property.

This concludes my report.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

AUGUST 2011 TREASURER’S REPORT

Activities reported by the Treasurer, Eddy

Edwards, for the month of August 2011.

We have less than a month until the end

of our fiscal year. Budget meetings among

staff have been going on and will continue

into next week. Staff will present their goals

for next fiscal year's business revenue, desired expenses, and grants awarded.

Council will begin meeting on this new fiscal

year's budget September 8th. Council expects to complete budget review in a timely

manner, plenty of time before the start of

the new fiscal year, October 1st.

Here is an update our community's

schedule of cash and trust accounts. On

August 1, 2011, we had these cash and

trust account balances:

• Total government cash was up 65%

from August 1, last year to $1.1M;

• Total business cash was down 44.5%

from August 1, last year to $6.4M;

•

Total trust accounts were up 7% from

August 1, last year to $38M;

The total of all cash and trust accounts for our community is down

4.8%, as August 1, 2011;

The interest income earned from our

trust accounts for this past fiscal year

exceeds $825,000;

A total of $28,784 has been spent by

council on council travel, as of the

end of July 2011.

Later on in the agenda, we will be addressing donation requests submitted to

Tribal Council. As of the end of July, Council had $4,637 left available in donation

budget. We have spent over $128,000 on

donations so far.

Respectfully submitted,

Eddy Edwards, Treasurer

(3) Niswi

SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2011

Activities reported by the Secretary, Susan

J. LaFernier, for the month of August 2011.

ANIN! We honor the greatness in you.

Remember: “Indian Country Counts” and

“Our People, Our Nations, Our Future.”

We continue to recognize the richness of

Native American contributions, accomplishments, and sacrifices to the political, cultural, and economic life of Michigan and the

United States.

The annual Heritage Celebration 2011

was held in Calumet on August 15-20,

2011, which celebrated and honored the

history of our Ojibwa people of the Keweenaw. On Monday evening, our KBIC

Veterans Honor Guard and Eric Awonohopay and family with the Drum opened the

festivities at the Calumet Heritage Center.

President Swartz officially presented our

gift, the KBIC Flag to the Center. Doreen

Blaker gave a presentation on our Tribal

History beginning with the Great Migration

Story to the 1800’s, and I was privileged to

give our history from the 1800’s to the present. Fred Dakota gave a gaming history

presentation. Our tribe is celebrating important events this year (Constitution’s 75th

anniversary, 40th anniversary of the Tribal

Center, and the Radio Station’s 10th anniversary). We were also entertained by singers Nicole Sobay and E Halverson with a

wonderful song. The KBIC Dance Troupe

and “Summer Cloud” drum group performed

great presentations on Wednesday and Saturday, and Christine Awonohopay did a fry

bread presentation on Friday evening.

Thanks to our six Tribal Council members

who attended the Heritage Parade on Saturday morning. President Warren “Chris”

Swartz, Jr., Fred Dakota, and Elizabeth

“Popcorn” Mayo rode in Popcorn’s convertible; Toni Minton and I walked; and Elizabeth

“Chiz” Matthews rode with other Tribal

members in the trolley. We then had a

great presentation by our dance troupe and

drum at the Agassiz Park, a Nishnaabemwin Pane Immersion Language presentation, and enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food,

music, vendors, games, and horse drawn

guided tours. I was amazed with the number of vendors and people who attended

these events; it was an absolutely great

week! I don’t know how to thank everyone

who helped, participated, and attended this

weeklong event. Many thanks need to be

given to our Cultural Committee who coordinated this event with the Calumet committee for many months.

On August 5th, our Government employees enjoyed a day of fun at our annual picnic held at the L’Anse Golf Club. Onehundred-forty-five employees attended the

picnic, and once again many thanks to our

Picnic Committee.

These events take

months of planning, work, and preparation.

Our Donald A. LaPointe Health and Education Center celebrated National Health

Center Week on August 7-13th. We enjoyed an outdoor lunch during Health Center

Appreciation Day on August 10th.

I attended the first and second Constitution Convention meetings held on Wednesday, August 17th and Wednesday, August

31st. An amendment to the constitution is

being proposed regarding Article VIII, Section 1, to remove the Secretary of Interior.

I also attended the Weed & Seed meeting on August 24th.

The Comprehensive Plan document will

be distributed for review, comments, and

updates by the department heads and Community in the next few weeks with final approval by Council.

The W.H.I.P.P. (Wellness, Health, Intervention, Prevention Program) Task Force

and volunteers continue to have monthly

meetings. It is never too late to encourage

and begin positive lifestyle changes that will

help us live longer, healthier, happier lives.

(4) Niiwin

September 22nd is “Give Blood Thursday”

at the LaPointe Health Center from 10:00—

12:00 noon and at the Ojibwa Community

College from 1:30-3:30 p.m. This is KBIC’s

first blood drive. Thanks to the Blood Committee for coordinating this event! This is a

great way to save lives and thank you in

advance.

The Drug Tip Line number is 353-DRUG

or 353-3784.

The yellow banners are

around the reservation with this tip line

number displayed. The Drug Task Force

holds monthly meetings. The Drug Task

Force Mission Statement is: “To promote

education through public awareness with

the specific objective to eliminate the use of

‘illegal drugs’ for the betterment of the

health, welfare, and safety of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and our

neighboring Communities.”

Remember to continue to pray for each

other and to honor and remember all of our

veterans, service men and women, and

their families. Also remember those who

are ill, our economic struggles, and all who

have lost loved ones. Let us continue to be

thankful for our beautiful area, and we pray

for peace in the world, good health, and

happiness.

During August 2011, the Tribal Council

held one Regular Tribal Council Meeting on

August 6, 2011. This meeting is covered in

the September 2011 Newsletter. Tribal

Council held five Special Council Meetings.

Following are the unapproved motions from

August.

At a council meeting held August 4,

2011, the following actions were taken:

• Approved the January 27 and 28, 2011

meeting minutes;

• Tabled approval of the KBIC Youth Programs-Youth/Parent Trip Policy (for review);

• Tabled the THPO (Tribal Historic Preservation Office) job description until the

proposed changes can be reviewed;

• Approved the Ojibwa Builder’s bid for

$20,511 for the Pressbox—replacement

of ceiling heat diffusers and ceiling tile;

• Approved the amendments for the LIHEAP and REACH Programs, Department of Energy and Tribal Funds Programs from here forward (regarding eligibility);

• Approved to cancel Kyle Stein’s lease

on Monday if he doesn’t clean up the

dumping, and if he doesn’t clean up—

the bill will be given to him;

• Approved to engage R. Lance Boldrey

as our lobbyist in Lansing for the 2-part

application;

• Approved the Independent Blue Cross

and Blue Shield of MI Traditional RX

Pharmacy Participant Agreement (for

the new Pharmacy)

• Approved the reclassification of the Director of Natural Resources at $26.01;

• Approved the THPO job description deleting the language portion and to post

the position.

At a council meeting held August 11,

2011, the following actions were taken:

• Tabled the approval of the KBIC Youth

Programs—Youth/Parent Trip Policy

until the August 18th meeting;

• Tabled the Articles of Incorporation for

Ojibwa, Inc. for attorney review until the

August 18th meeting;

• Approved Resolution KB1850-2011

Charles W. Gauthier Residential Lease

and cancels prior leases.

At a council meeting held August 18,

2011, the following actions were taken:

• Approved the KBIC Youth Programs—

Youth/Parent Trip Policy;

• Approved the Tribal Council Secretary’s

Report from the August 6, 2011 meeting

regarding the unapproved July Tribal

Council motions;

• Approved to allow Troutman Sanders to

continue their work regarding the Roll

Your Own machines (to waive the conflict);

• Approved the MOA with IHS BE-11-G61

Construction of Sanitation Facilities

Wells and Septics;

• Approved the MOA with IHS BE-11-G55

Solid Waste Dump Site Cleanup;

• Approved the request from his father for

payment of the airfare and hotel costs

for Colt St. Arnold (military) to attend the

Indian Summer Festival in Milwaukee;

• Approved Resolution KB1851-2011

ACA Tribal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) teen pregnancy

prevention grant program with I.T.C.;

• Approved the Pre-Primary Education

Program license renewal—Child Care

Center for 48 children;

• Approved the addendum to the lease

agreement with Shuffle Master, Inc.

(Casino Electronic Table Systems);

• Approved to authorize the Tribal Attorney to draft an amendment to Chapter

15 of the Business Corporation Code to

provide a charter for a wholly owned unincorporated entity of the Tribe.

At a council meeting held August 25,

2011, the following actions were taken:

• Approved to offer the THPO position to

Chris Chosa as the other applicants do

not meet the qualifications;

• Approved the Youth Work Placement

and Reimbursement Agreement;

• Approved the McKesson Enterprise RX

Application Service Provider Contract

Supplement;

• Approved the Dykema Retention Letter

for R. Lance Boldrey (for the 2-part application);

• Motion to terminate the Zeba Trailer

Court lease with Heather Funke and

give a 30-day notice was defeated;

• Approved to send a letter to Heather

Funke to get rid of her dogs in one-week

or her lease will be terminated in 30

days;

• Approved the KBIC Youth Employment

Program Policy Handbook with the revisions;

• Motion to approve $125 per registered

KBIC member to attend the LVD Wild

Rice Camp and turn in the receipts was

defeated;

• Approved $125 per KBIC household up

to 20 to attend the LVD Wild Rice

Camp;

• Approved the capital equipment purchase for the fiber optics projects (at the

Health Center and Tribal Center) for

$24,400 to CDW-G (GIS Program);

• Approved Resolution KB1852-2011 U.S.

Fish & Wildlife Service/Tribal Wildlife

Grant application;

• Approved the used tire collection proposal at four tires per participant and $2

per extra tire on September 22-24 (KB

NRD);

• Approved the Altronex Control Systems

quote for $53,153 for the Hatchery

monitoring and alarm systems upgrade;

• Approved to change the Regular October 1st Tribal Council Meeting to October 8th at Harvey, MI;

• Approved the Primary Election for November 5, 2011, and the General Election for December 17, 2011.

At a council meeting held August 26,

2011, the following actions were taken:

• Approved to hire Lynn Haataja as the

Executive Director of the Gaming Commission (after seven interviews).

Respectfully submitted,

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE’S FIRST PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Resolution KB-1804-2011 was passed by the Keweenaw 2. submits final request based on decision to accept or reject

Bay Indian Community’s Tribal Council on April 14, 2011, escomments accompanied by:

tablishing a Constitution Committee and approving the Coma. document to be voted upon

mittee’s By-laws. The purpose of the Constitution Committee

b. resolution.

shall be to advance, organize, coordinate, and host Constitu- BIA:

tion Conventions so that recommendations may be submitted 1. Regional Director authorizes the Agency Superintendent to

to the Tribal Council for their consideration, regarding areas of

call and conduct the election;

the Constitution and By-laws of the Keweenaw Bay Indian 2. “authorization” is valid for 90 days;

Community for amendment.

3. Agency Superintendent, as officer in charge, is appointed

The Constitution Committee members are: (Chairman) MiChairman of the Secretarial Election Board.

chael Cardinal, (Vice-Chairman) William E. Emery, (Secretary)

Sarah Maki, Glenn Bressette, Sr., Lawrence J. Denomie III, Tribe:

Gretchen Emery, Jim Rasanen, and (alternate) Glenn Bres- 1. appoints at least two members to serve on the election

board.

sette, Jr.

The Constitution Committee held two Constitutional Con- Election Board:

vention Meetings on August 17th and August 31st to introduce 1. sets date, time, polling site, and appropriate deadlines for

election;

the Constitution Committee, discuss their purpose, discuss the

proposed amendment to the KBIC Constitution Article VIII 2. requests the tribe to provide a list of all members who will

be 18 years of age on the date of the election and who are

Section 1, and take comments regarding other areas of the

within the eligible class of voters;

Constitution members feel need to be addressed.

The Constitution Committee’s First Proposed Amendment 3. prepares election notice package containing:

a. the election notice:

to Council will be: Removal of the Secretary of Interior from

i. date of election

ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 1 – AMENDMENTS.

ii. polling site

Article VIII, Section 1 currently reads: This Constitution

iii. explanation for the election

and By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the

iv. deadline for registration and requesting absentee

qualified voters of the Community voting at an election

ballot

called for that purpose by the Secretary of the Interior prov.

the

return address for the registration form

vided that at least thirty (30) per cent of those entitled to

b. the document or proposed amendment to be voted

vote shall vote in such election, but no amendment shall

upon,

become effective until it shall have been approved by the

sample ballot,

Secretary of the Interior. It shall be the duty of the Secred. registration form,

tary of the Interior to call an election on any proposed

e. request for absentee ballot,

amendment upon presentation of a petition signed by twof. self-addressed return envelope;

thirds of the eligible voters of the Community.

4. receives registration forms and requests for absentee balThe proposed change in language to Article VIII, Section

lots;

1 is: This Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a

5. posts the registered voters list for ten days;

majority vote of the qualified voters of the Community vot6. decides on challenges to the registered voters list;

ing at an election called for that purpose by the Tribal

7. posts a corrected registered voters list, if necessary;

Council provided that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of

8. sends out absentee ballots, if necessary;

those entitled to vote shall vote in such election. The

9. monitors election process on election day;

Constitution may also be amended by a petition signed by

10. counts ballots cast at polling place and absentee ballots;

two-thirds of the eligible voters of the Community and pre11. certifies election results;

sented to the Election Board who will call for an election to

12. posts election results at local BIA office, tribal office, and

amend the Constitution. The amendment shall become

any other designated location;

effective only after a majority (51%) of the membership

13. receives any challenge to the election results;

voting in the election called for that purpose passed the

14. submits to the officer in charge:

amendment, and the election is then certified by the Eleca. copy of election package sent to eligible members,

tion Board.

b. registered voters list,

The notable changes in Proposed Constitutional Amendc. copy of ballot and absentee ballot,

ment are:

d. certification of election results,

• Amendments no longer require the Secretary of the Interior

e. challenges to the election results,

approval.

f. report on the election.

• Final approval of amendments will be certified by the KBIC BIA:

Election Board.

1. Authorizing Officer determines whether the challenges are

• Fifty-one percent (51%) vs. thirty percent (30%) of those

valid and warrant a recount of the ballots, or a new elecentitled to vote required.

tion;

• In order for an amendment to pass, fifty-one percent (51%) 2. Authorizing Officer approves or disapproves the document

of those voting must vote in favor.

and election results;

Secretarial Elections, 25 CFR Part 81, are described as: 3. sends original document to the tribe;

an election authorized by the Secretary of the Interior and held 4. retains all election documents for Constitution file.

according to the federal regulations found at 25 CFR Part 81.

The Committee received written and verbal comments

This differs from a tribal election that is conducted and held during both of these meetings and continues to accept writunder tribal authority.

The election provides eligible tribal ten comments until September 30, 2011. There were apmembers with the opportunity to vote to adopt constitutional proximately 18-24 KBIC members present at each of these

amendments; vote to accept or reject proposed or revised Constitution Convention meetings (August 17th & 31st). The

constitutions; vote to amend and ratify charters; and vote to current KBIC Constitution and By-laws can be accessed for

revoke constitutions. An outline of the Secretarial Election review and consideration at Ojibwa.com.

Process follows:

Larry Denomie, Committee member, stated, “The next

step will be presenting the proposed amendment to Council

Tribe:

along with the comments within the next couple of weeks;

1. requests election accompanied with:

most likely after budget review sessions. If they approve

a. proposed document

moving forward, they will adopt a resolution requesting the

b. resolution or petition.

BIA/Secretary to review the proposed amendment, basically

BIA:

a legal review, and provide KBIC with an opinion. If the BIA/

1. reviews documents

Secretary provides an opinion that indicates there aren’t any

2. requests legal review

issues, an election will be called for the membership to vote

3. issues technical comments

4. advises tribe if any section of document is contrary to fed- on the proposed amendment by the Secretary. If the

amendment passes, the Tribe will then be able to make

eral law.

amendments to the Constitution using their own process,

Tribe:

eliminating the Secretary’s approval. The voting would occur

1. accepts or rejects comments

as outlined in the process detailed above.”

(5) Naanan

2011 Ann Misegan Memorial

Scholarship Recipient Chosen

Joel Mayo, a Northern

Michigan University sophomore from Baraga, has been

selected as the fifth recipient

of the Tribe’s Ann Misegan

Memorial Scholarship. The

Tribal Education Committee,

along with a member of the

Health Board, reviewed the

applicants and selected

Mayo to receive the scholarship.

Joel is majoring in Clinical

Laboratory Technology. He

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

is a graduate of Baraga High

School and has attended

Gogebic Community College, Finlandia University, and Mayville

State University. He and his wife Laura live in Baraga where they

are raising their three children.

Ann Misegan was a long time Tribal Council member whose

priority was the health of the Tribal membership. She was adamant that Tribal members be trained for as many positions as possible within the Tribe and also encouraged members to seek further education, especially in health fields. She was a member of

the Tribe’s Health Board and was the Dental Assistant at the Tribal

Clinic for many years. She held an LPN certificate from Northern

Michigan University and worked as a nurse for Baraga County Memorial Hospital before coming to work for the Tribe. This scholarship seeks to reward members who have the same passion for

health care that Ann did.

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

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

must meet the following criteria: be an enrolled Tribal member,

attend an accredited college/university as a full-time student; pursue a degree in a Health Care field documented by their college

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

program) and be a resident of Baraga or Marquette County. Applications for the 2012-13 academic year will be available in June

2012. For more information about this scholarship, please contact

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

4117.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Annie Tammelin and

Donald Shalifoe, Jr., are

the proud parents of a 7

lb, 7 oz, son, Brayden

Dean Shalifoe. Brayden

was

born

08/31/2011.

“Empowering Our Youth,

Dealing With The Bullying Issue”

• Open to all members of Baraga

County in 7th—12th Grades,

Saturday — November 5th, 2011,

1:00 — 3:30 p.m. at the KBOCC

Gymnasium