# All You Need To Know About The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (2009)

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Akeweenaw_bay%3Aa80fcd1055d8d919

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

GIIKENDAAM
CHIWIIKWEGAMAG
All You Need To Know About The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Abita-Niibini Giizis - Midsummer Moon - July 2009
Issue 61
Tribal Council Members:

CONGRATULATIONS KBIC GRADUATES, CLASS OF 2009

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President
Susan J. LaFernier, Vice-President
Toni Minton, Secretary
William E. Emery, Asst. Secretary
Jennifer Misegan, Treasurer
Elizabeth D. Mayo
Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.
Elizabeth (Chiz) Matthews
Jerry Lee Curtis
Frederick Dakota
Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr.
Isabelle H. Welsh

SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST:
•
•
Left to right (front row) — Ashtin Koski, Jessica Bianco, Brenda Malmgren, Amber Geroux, (back row)
— Daniel Perrault, Ashley Shalifoe, Robert Voakes, Janell Bianco, Tammy Shalifoe. Missing from
photo — Justine Minton.
The Keweenaw Bay Tribal Education Committee held their Annual Senior Banquet on Friday,
June 5, 2009, at the Ojibwa Casino Resort Conference Room. Ten KBIC students were honored
for earning their high school diplomas. Terri Denomie, Chairman of the Education Committee,
hosted the event with the assistance of Robin
Roe (opening prayer), William “Chill” Seppanen,
Sr. (introduction of the guest speaker), Vicki Emery and Dawn Alexander (presentation of certificates). President Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr. gave
the Council address and presented the graduates
with a monetary gift on behalf of the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community. Charles Loonsfoot, Jr.
and Dawn Alexander presented the graduates
with gifts on behalf of the KBIC Education Com-

2009 Senior Banquet Speaker, Cherie Dakota.

mittee. Ronald Spruce, Vice President of the
Ojibwa Senior Citizens, presented the graduates
with a monetary gift on behalf of the Ojibwa Senior Citizens. Beverly Lussier, Geraldine Mantila,
and Evelyn Ravindran presented the graduates
with gifts on behalf of the KBIC Cultural Committee. Cherie Dakota was the evening’s guest
speaker. Cherie is a graduate of Dearborn High
School. She attended Henry Ford Community
College and Wayne State University where she
received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work
from the University of Michigan. Cherie has been
a college instructor, has worked with Even Start
and the Early Head Start Programs for BHK Child
Development as a Family Services Coordinator,
has been employed as the Director of KBIC Social Services, New Day Treatment Center Administrator, and the Director for the KBIC Health Department. Currently, Cherie is employed at the
Ojibwa Community College as the Dean of Student Services. Cherie volunteers as a member of
the Baraga Fire Department Auxiliary, Baraga
School’s BEST Parent Group, MSU Extension
Board, Baraga County Shelter Home Board,
Michigan Department of Human Services Board
and has recently joined the Baraga Lumberjack
Committee. Before her employment with OCC,
she was a member of the Board of Regents.
Now, even with all this public experience, Cherie
contemplated about what she would say to these
graduates. Should she talk about college or
graduate school; she just couldn’t come up with a
topic, so decided she needed some help. Cherie
decided to go to the doctor. Some people go to
the doctor when they are sick, and some go to the
doctor when they want to stay well. Cherie stated
Continued on page five.

•

KBIC Graduates
June 6, 2009, Tribal
Council meeting
Older Than America Premieres in Marquette

•

Thirty-one attend DEFY
Camp

•

Miss Keweenaw Bay
Candidates

•

Historical Documents Recovered

•

Ojibwa Housing Authority News

•

Our Deepest Sympathy

•

New Employees

•

Ojibwemowin

Georgina Lightning, Director of “Older
Than America” the night of the premiere
held in Marquette, Michigan, June 6,
2009. (Continued on page two.)

(1) Bezhig

KBIC SPONSORS
“OLDER THAN AMERICA”
PREMIERE

Gary Loonsfoot, Jr., KBIC’s Ojibwemowin Language Coordinator, organized the premiere,
shown with director and film star Georgina Lightning.

The premiere of Older Than America was
held on Saturday evening, June 6th at Jamrich
Hall at Northern Michigan University. The
screening was free and open to the pubic and
was sponsored by the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community and the NMU Center for Native
American Studies. Nearly 400 were in attendance for the movie premiere which features:
Adam Beach, Tantoo Cardinal, Georgina
Lightning and Wes Studi.
Georgina Lightning’s directorial debut,
Older Than America, was inspired by stories
told to her by family members and friends who
attend the Indian boarding schools.
The
movie is a very touching story and was very
well directed. Georgina Lightning has outdone
herself not only as a talented actress, but in
this first movie she wrote and directed. Kudos!
If you ever get an opportunity to view Older
Than America make sure you cash in on the
opportunity, you definitely won’t be sorry. This
movie is a must see.

Letter to the Editor:
The U.P premiere of Older Than America
was a huge success. Actress/Director, Georgina Lightning attended the screening held at
NMU’s Jamrich Hall as well as a pot-luck feast
at the KBIC Community Building in Harvey, MI,
this past weekend. She informed me that she
was very impressed and very appreciative of
everything we have done to make her feel welcome here in the U.P. There were about fifty
people at the feast and around four hundred in
attendance for the movie screening.
I would like to personally thank everyone
who helped make this event a success: KBIC
Tribal Council, April Lindala and NMU’s Center
for Native American Studies, Lori Muhlig and
MTU’s Outreach program, Gerry Mantilla and
the KBIC Cultural Committee, WLUC TV6, Eagle Radio, Lauri Denomie of the “Giikendaam
Chiwiikwegamag”, The Eagles Nest Restaurant and staff, The Four Thunders Drum,
Eddie Edwards and the staff of O.H.A, Philomena Ekdahl and the KBIC Senior Citizens,
Liana Loonsfoot, Toni Minton, Peggy Minton,
Doreen Blaker, Jeanne Kauppila, Joe Kirkish,
Loretta Hugo,
Diana Carlson, Carrie
Ashbrook, Barb Bradley and Tammy Seymour.
If I left anybody out, please forgive me. There
was a mad scramble to organize the pot luck
feast. Volunteers from the KBIC communities
in both Baraga and Marquette stepped forward
to make everything come together at the last
minute. Without these people and the organizations involved, this surely would have not
been possible. Chi-miigwetch izhi-akina!
Sincerely,
Gary Loonsfoot, Jr.
KBIC Language Coordinator 06/08/09

THIRTY-ONE YOUTH
PARTICIPATE IN DEFY CAMP

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES,
MAY 25, 2009, PINERY CEMETERY

05/25/2009

Pictures are from Memorial Day Service at
the Pinery Cemetery after the fire. Services
were held by the American Legion Post 444 of
Baraga, with Rev. John Henry, KBIC Veterans
and the KBIC Beartown Firefighters participating. Notice the pines are scorched in the background and the land behind is burnt.
After the service, a feast was held which
was organized by the KBIC Cultural Committee. Spirit dishes with tobacco and food were
prepared and placed near the spirit house
graves by the firefighters.

(2) Niizh

Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) is a selfesteem building program that provides kids
with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs
and alcohol.
DEFY focuses on building youngsters' selfimage and setting goals. It stresses interpersonal relations, and emphasizes leadership
and teamwork. Along the way it raises awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol and
other drugs, as well as the dangerous effects
of peer pressure to join gangs. The structured
curriculum offers education, skill development
and physical fitness. DEFY is all about creating positive experiences so that kids will
choose healthy alternatives instead of substance abuse and gang involvement.
This year, 31 kids participated in the KBIC
DEFY summer camp. The kids learned life
skills that will help them make positive decisions when put into difficult situations. The
kids also had an opportunity to participate in
team activities, shoot paintball guns at stationary targets and take a tour and boat ride on
the KBIC Tribal Conservation Boat.
Chris Gerard, Weed & Seed Coordinator
states, “Thank you to Drug Demand Reduction
Division of the DEA and U.S. Air Force, the
U.S. Attorney’s Office (Grand Rapids and Marquette) and the KBIC Tribal Police and Conservation Departments for allowing members
of their departments to attend camp and teach
the kids these important life skills.”

June 6, 2009 —
Tribal Council Meeting
The Tribal Council held their regularly
scheduled Saturday Tribal Council meeting on
June 6, 2009, at the Ojibwa Casino Resort
Conference Room in Baraga, Michigan. Warren C. Swartz, Jr. presided over the meeting
with Susan LaFernier, Toni Minton, William E.
Emery, 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
Swartz shared numerous Thank You and For
Your Information items addressed to Council.
Warren (Chris) Swartz gave a President's
report for May 2009. A luncheon was held in
honor of KBIC nurses for National Nurses
week. Each received a certificate of appreciation.
As May was National Foster Parent Month,
President Swartz attended a banquet to celebrate and honor foster parents held at the Ramada Inn in Hancock, MI. The program included musical selections, recognition awards
and an excellent speech was given by KBIC
member, Lori Muhlig.
President Swartz attended the Ojibwa
Community College graduation ceremonies.
Later in the month, President Swartz attended
a meeting with the Ojibwa Community College
Board of Regents to discuss amongst other
things, ways to seek other funding opportunities to help support the college.
President Swartz participated in an oral interview with Elle Andrews for a Tribal Historical Preservation Office project.
President Swartz met with HUD officials
who were visiting KBIC to view compliance
with the rules and regulations of the ICDBG
grants.
President Swartz met with personnel of
prospective companies regarding economic
development opportunities for the Community.
More information will be made available on
this possible opportunity in the near future.
The Economic Development Committee will be
reviewing the Keweenaw Bay Economic Tribal
Development Ordinance within a set 90-day
time frame. Members with education and experience in this field are being utilized.
The SMART office has approved the Community’s request for an extension. This oneyear extension will allow the Community additional time to comply with the minimum requirements of Title I of the Adam Walsh Child
Protection and Safety Act, the Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act.
President Swartz attended a meeting with
the Baraga County Human Resource Council
who has identified a need for Faith based
members. Discussion evolved around what
we, as a community, can do to improve the
quality of life for our children.
President Swartz attended a meeting for
KBIC with the United States Attorney and his
staff from the Western District of Michigan.
They discussed issues of concern, heard case
updates, training opportunities and identified
training needs. Over 20 persons attended the
meeting including Treasurer Misegan, Council
members Jerry Lee Curtis and Isabelle Welsh,
and numerous Community department heads.
President Swartz attended a meeting with
the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the
Community’s view on the proposed permit applications by Lenore Smith, Blue Forest Timber, and Kelhart Marine Technologies regarding the submerged log recovery application.
The applicants propose to lift logs currently
resting on the lake bottom. KBIC believes the
corps should deny the applications because
the proposed log removal activities will cause
destruction of rare and important habitat for
fish, and it will cause buried contaminated
sediments to be exposed and re-suspended in
the water. It is believed that disturbing these
logs will cause MDEQ water quality criteria to
Continued on page three.

June 6, 2009 Council Meeting continued from page two.

be exceeded for both copper and mercury in at
least the study area, which includes the drinking water intake for the Village of Baraga and
the Indian Community of Zeba.
It is also
noted to the Corps that Tribal members do exercise fishing treaty rights in the areas proposed for recovery of submerged logs in Keweenaw and Huron Bays. Vice President
LaFernier, Tribal Attorney Baker, and Natural
Resources Director Warner participated in the
meeting. Participating in the meeting on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were
Lieutenant Colonel James B. Davis, District
Commander, Assistant District Counsel, Gary
Segrest, District Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison, Karen Krepps, and from the Marquette
Regulatory field office, Jean Battle. They
heard about the Regulatory Program and what
the Corps regulate. KBIC discussed Tribal
concerns and the Community’s projects including Roubillard Creek, Baraga Transportation
Corridor and the Deep Water Port Project.
President Swartz participated in a government to government meeting with the National
Indian Gaming Commission held at Mystic
Lake, MN. The Commission wanted to hear
from Tribes and discuss comments, questions,
concerns and recommendations regarding:
Gaming regulatory issues of concern to the
Tribe; training and technical assistance needs
and the NIGC training catalog; proposed revisions to licensing and background investigation regulations, including adoption of portions
of the “Pilot Program” that streamline submission requirements regarding investigative reports; recent clarification of Class II technical
standards and grandfathering of existing
equipment; alignment of NIGC’s Regions and
staffing of Regional offices, etc.
On May 20th, at approximately 4:45 p.m.
the Pinery Fire was reported to local fire agencies. This fire occurred on a red flag day and
consumed 685 acres around the Pinery Lake
area and Linden Creek. The fire has been investigated. The fire burned over the Pinery
Cemetery and one seasonal-use trailer. Agencies that responded to the fire were: L’Anse,
Baraga, Aura, Arvon, and Bear Town Fire Departments; Ottawa, Hiawatha, Huron Manistee
and Superior National Forests, Michigan DNR,
USFWS Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Bureau of Indian Affairs Michigan Agency and
BIA Midwest Regional Office. Recognizing the
potential for post-fire impacts on critical values, the Michigan Agency contacted the Midwest Regional Office on Tuesday May 26th, to
request assistance with Emergency Stabilization planning. After conducting the initial assessment of Emergency Stabilization-related
issues and values, it was decided to form a
BAER Team from qualified local staff from the
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan
Agency Branch of Forestry, Midwest Regional
Office, and NIFC. The following Emergency
Stabilization treatments were recommended
for Tribal lands: Cultural Resource Protection,
Invasive Species Control—Treatment and
Monitoring, Water Quality Protection, and Watershed Slope Stabilization. The team also
recommended designating or hiring an Implementation Leader as soon as possible to ensure treatments are initiated in a timely manner. Will Wiggins was chosen as the Implementation Leader.
Susan LaFernier gave the Vice President’s
Report.
On May 15th, Vice President
LaFernier, Treasurer Misegan and Council
member Curtis enjoyed presenting gifts to
eighteen KBIC Headstart Graduates.
Thank you to the departments, committees,
helpers, and to Jennifer Misegan for the very
informative Parental Awareness Seminar and
Dinner held on May 12th. Great information
was shared regarding drug awareness, teen
dating violence, and internet safety.
The Council began to review the 30+ page
Comprehensive Plan document for accomplishments and revisions on March 19th and
June 4th. After much discussion, only six-

seven pages have been reviewed. Council will
now try to schedule time every week to complete the review. It will then be presented to
the Department heads and the Community for
input. This is a very important document for
the entire Community’s goals of today and the
future.
We have not yet been informed of a decision from the administrative hearing officer in
our contested case hearing regarding the mining permits for the Yellow Dog Plains.
The Humboldt Mill application proposed
decision has been deferred until June 17th, by
the DEQ. They will then announce a time and
place for the public hearing to be held on the
permit applications.
We received disappointing news in May
about the petition to list the coaster brook trout
on the endangered species list. The request
was not approved and is not eligible because
the coasters are not genetically distinct from
other brook trout.
Vice Chairman reminded everyone to
please continue to call/write your elected officials and tell them that the short term benefits
of sulfide mining are not worth the harmful
long term effects on our health, rivers, Great
Lakes, and wild places because of the great
potential for acid mine drainage.
We all need to commit to do our part to
make a difference to protect our environment
and change the world. I hope that you have
been learning how to save and conserve energy to protect our Earth if you are able.
There are also everyday measures we can do
to reduce air pollution, conserve water, reduce/reuse/recycle/re-buy materials, and prevent pollution in general. Every month is
“Energy Awareness Month,” and our theme for
the year will be a “Commit to Conserve” Campaign.
Toni Minton presented the Secretary’s Report. During the month of May 2009, the Tribal
Council had one regular meeting and five special meetings. The regular Tribal Council
meeting was held on May 2, 2009, and is reported in the June 2009 Tribal Newsletter.
The following actions occurred during the special meeting held on May 7, 2009: approved
the following Resolutions — KB1670-2009
Waiving Consideration on home site leases
that will have nominal rent; KB1673-2009 Joe
LaFernier Recreational Lease, KB1674-2009
Tanya Miller Residential Lease Modification,
KB1675-2009 Russell Kinnunen Residential
Lease Modification,
KB1676-2009 Mary
Walker Residential Lease Modification;
KB1678-2009 Suzanne Jondreau Residential
Lease Modification; approved the bid of UP
Engineers for Land Use Planning; approved
the bid from Copper Country Ford in the
amount of $22,516 for a van for the KBIC
Youth; approved two motel rooms for two
nights for the Lumberjack Days Committee for
their Lumberjack Show; approved the walleye
rearing and stocking plan; approved curbside
Spring Clean-up for 2009; approved the purchase of a copier from the Office Planning
Group in the amount of $9,463 for the Baraga
Casino; agreed to move forward with the Title
IV-E Grant Application for Social Services; upheld the General Manager’s decision in Grievance Hearing case #009-09; overturned the
Manager’s decision in Grievance Hearing case
#010-09 and agreed to remove the five-day
suspension from the employee’s file and to
give back pay and annual/sick leave that
would have accrued; reinstated the employee
in Grievance Hearing case #011-09 and to
give the employee 80 hours of back pay. The
following actions occurred during the special
meeting held on May 8, 2009: approved Committee appointments; agreed to schedule
meetings every Thursday; approved $15,469
for the BIA Budgets for consolidated tribal programs; approved the salary of the Interim General Manager; approved the Services Agreement with Dale Schmeisser for the Diabetes
Program; approved the Services Agreement

with Rose Trudeau for the Pane Immersion
Program; approved the Services Agreement
with Peggy Minton for THPO transcribing; and
approved the KBIC and Hannahville WIC
agreement. The following actions occurred
during the special meeting held on May 14,
2009: approved meeting minutes of February
6, 7, and 17, 2009; changed the scheduled
clear-cut in the Industrial Park to a selective
cut; approved Resolution KB1679-2009 Turpeinen Acquisition of 160 acres; waived the
business license fee and approved an alcoholic beverage license application for the
Baraga Fire Department for the May 30th Mud
Drag; approved the purchase of a Ford Taurus
for the Tribal Center Fleet from Copper Country Ford in the amount of $19,500; added Dickinson County to the Emergency Fund Program; agreed to continue with the First Lease
Amendment of Olympic Steel; approved the
Services Agreements with Mindy Lantz and
Ronda Dowd for the Substance Abuse Program; and approved the budget modification
for the Economic Developer for the feasibility
study for a new gas station. The following actions occurred during the special meeting held
on May 21, 2009: approved meeting minutes
of May 2 and 6, 2006; approved Resolution
KB1680-2009 Forest Development Plan; approved the purchase of a 2009 Ford Taurus for
the Tribal Center Fleet from Thomas Ford in
the amount of $20,983 (due to the sale by the
dealer of the prior car approved); approved
Ojibwa Housing Authority’s application for a
RHED grant; approved Resolution KB16822009 Baraga 2%; approved Resolution
KB1683-2009 Marquette 2%; approved $300
for Tribal member request KB-15-09; and
moved the July 4th, Regular Council meeting
to July 11, 2009. The following actions occurred during the special meeting held on May
28, 2009: approved meeting minutes of February 19, 2009, March 2, 2009, and March 3,
2009; approved an additional $435.25 for the
Commodity Foods refrigerated truck purchase;
agreed to move forward with drafting drug free
workplace and computer use policy amendments; approved additional funds in the
amount of $2,635.98 for the Ojibwa Seniors for
their MIEA Conference expenses; approved
the following Resolutions — KB1681-2009
Miller Acquisition, KB1684-2009 Mark Misegan
Residential Lease; KB1685-2009 Requesting
the KBOCC be named in the Land Grant
Status Act of 1994; appointed Joe Brazeau to
a one-year term as Building Inspector;
amended the sick leave policies of the government and casinos to include grandchildren,
step-parents,
step-brothers,
step-sisters,
aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews to the list
of immediate family; approved the business
license renewal of Tim Mayo for All Purpose
Drywall; approved the May donations of $500
to the Baraga Girls Varsity Basketball team for
attending a camp, $500 to the National Indian
Education Association for their 40th Annual
Convention and $250 to the Baraga High
School Committee to Promote Alcohol Awareness for alcohol free graduation parties; ratified the lease agreement between KBIC and
Peter Magaraggia; agreed to seek additional
ICDBG funding for the Early Childhood Education Center; and agreed not to offset the
Baraga Casino 8% payment.
Secretary
Minton, Council member Matthews, and Language Coordinator Gary Loonsfoot, Jr., attended the National Native Language Revitalization Summit in Washington, D.C. on May 11
-13th. Matthews and Minton toured the National Anthropological Archives and Loonsfoot
toured the Library of Congress. They listened
to two World War II Code Talkers speak, who
were also honored. They attended sessions
on Organizing Immersion Schools, a Fund
Raising Training Session, Strategies for Revitalizing Language with small populations, and
a Master Apprentice Method Workshop. Matthews and Minton met with Kim Teehee, Director of the Native American Caucus, who is a
Continued on page eight.

(3) Niswi

If you’re burning garbage, you may be making poison!
Burning garbage such as
packaging, plastic, fabrics,
PVC, painted or treated woods,
food scraps, batteries, or even
newspapers and junk mail releases many pollutants into the
environment, including dioxins.
Pollutants released settle on
our fields, woods, water and
soils and may accumulate in
the foods we eat and the foods
that wildlife eat, ending up in
our bodies or theirs.
The use of burn barrels, stoves and fire pits to dispose of
household garbage is one of the greatest sources of dioxin emissions in the United States, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A family of four burning their garbage could emit as much dioxin as a municipal waste incinerator
that serves thousands of people, due to the lack of pollution controls and lower temperature burning in a burn barrel.
Dioxin is a toxic chemical that accumulates in the food chain

and can cause serious health problems for children and adults
including cancer, the breakdown of the immune systems, reproductive disorders, genetic alterations, permanent regulatory hormone changes and other such problems. Dioxin impacts to fish
and wildlife are often similar, resulting in disrupted or breakdown
in the ability to reproduce, early life stage mortalities, hormone
level changes, and other negative health impacts.
Burning garbage affects your health, other area residents, and
the area natural resources and environment more than most people realize. We recommend disposing of trash the safe manner.
Recycle newsprint, plastics, glass, office paper and pasteboard.
Compost organic waste such as vegetable scraps, leaves and
grass clippings and add the compost to your lawn or garden.
Look for products with less packaging and buy only what you
need. Call your local garbage hauler for service options, or bring
your waste to your local transfer station.
Proper waste disposal through recycling or land fill is always
preferable to burning. Proper disposal will help keep toxins out of
our local environment, out of our local food supplies, and help
support healthy fish and wildlife populations.
Remember, it’s better not to burn! For more information contact the Natural Resources Department at (906) 524-5757.

KBIC Women’s Advisory Committee pictured above.
Left to right (front) Janice Shalifoe, Sharon Brunk,
Wanda Seppanen, (back) Cheryl Bodga, Molly Loonsfoot, Jeanne Kauppila. Missing from photo: Jerri Lynn
Duschaine, Ginny Ann Jermac, Carole LaPointe, Liz
Julio, and Charlotte Loonsfoot.

Our Deepest Sympathy
Paul Howard Byykkonen
November 16, 1956— June 11, 2009

Paul Howard Byykkonen, age 52, of
Pelkie, MI, passed away on Thursday,
June 11, 2009, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born November 16,
1956, in Marquette, MI, son of the late
Howard and Stella (Kunick) Byykkonen.
Paul grew up in Ishpeming and graduated
from Ishpeming High School in 1973. He
worked for Tribal Construction and then for
the Casino in security; retiring in 2003, due
to his disability. Paul was a member of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Ottawa Sportsman Club and enjoyed fishing,
hunting, and guns. He was a very caring
and friendly guy.
Surviving are his brother James Byykkonen of Baraga, niece Barbie Byykkonen, special friend Lynn Lepola of
Pelkie, a special buddy Austin Seppanen,
and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
No funeral services were held. The Jacobson Funeral Home of L’Anse assisted
the family. Friends may sign Paul’s guest
book or send condolences at
www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.

(4) Niiwin

2009 ANN MISEGAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
The KBIC Education Department announces the availability of the 2009 Ann Misegan Memorial Scholarship applications. The scholarship amount is $1,000, twice a year for up to six years and will be
awarded to a new student each fall. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Enrolled Tribal member
Attending an accredited college/university
Enrolled as a full-time student
Pursuing a degree in a Health Care field
Resident of Baraga or Marquette County
Eligible students must complete an application, submit an essay detailing their interest in their chosen
health field and submit a copy of their official transcripts (high school or college).
For more information and to request an application contact Amy St. Arnold, Education Director at 906353-6623, ext. 4117 or at amy@KBIC-nsn.gov. The application deadline is August 3, 2009, at 4 p.m.

2009 KBIC FORESTRY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
The KBIC Education Department announces the availability of the 2009 KBIC Forestry Scholarship
applications. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has a vital interest in the preservation of the land
and forests on and near the reservation. The Tribal Council has approved two scholarships for college
students pursuing Forestry degrees. The scholarship amount is $2,500 twice a year for up to four years.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Enrolled Tribal member
Resident of Michigan, Wisconsin or Minnesota
Attending an accredited college/university in Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota
Enrolled as a full-time student
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry documented by their college
Eligible students must complete an application, submit an essay detailing their interest in their chosen
field and submit a copy of their official transcripts (high school or college).
For more information and to request an application, contact Amy St. Arnold, Education Director at 906353-6623, ext. 4117 or at amy@KBIC-nsn.gov. The application deadline is August 3, 2009 at 4 p.m.

Continued from page one—KBIC Graduates

she goes to the doctor when she needs help
deciding what to talk about for a public
speech.
Which doctor did Cherie go to?
Since Cherie has worked for over half of her
professional career with children and as a
mental health specialist, the doctor Cherie
went to see was Dr. Seuss. Cherie spoke
about the fundamentals of life with a little help
from Dr. Seuss. She focused on three topics:
1) How you treat others. The Golden rule—
treat others the way you want to be treated.
This is one of the seven teachings about respect. ‘A person is a person, no matter how
small.’ (Horton Hears a Who, by Dr. Seuss).
In the perfect world everyone would be following the golden rule; that’s not true in today’s
world. You may ask if other people aren’t doing that, why do I need to do that? You do
something because you just know it is the right
thing to do. You don’t need any other reason
to do so. As you go along in life you start
building your network of people. Look around
you; you have your network already started.
So as you do that and you move forward in
life, treat people with respect. These are the
people who are going to help you and are going to sustain you through life.” ‘I know, up on
top you are seeing great sights, but down on
the bottom, we, too should have rights.’ (Yertle
the Turtle, by Dr. Seuss). How many of you
know who the CEO is? The Tribal President
is? Who opens the doors of the Tribal Center
in the morning? Who locks them at night?
Who makes sure the places are cleaned? It
takes the whole group; it takes everybody to
make a system work, a family, a community, a
tribe. No matter where you’re at in the system,
we all depend on each other, so treat each
other with respect. If you’re Yertle the Turtle,
down at the bottom, and some of you may be
coming in at an entry level position, what you
do is important. Everybody relies on each
other. And especially remember that if someday you’re somewhere on the top, and you
have people relying on you. If you’re the CEO,
if you’re an administrator, remember how you
treat your Yertle the Turtle. Say good morning, see how that person’s doing. Because all
of these people are part of your network, and
you rely on them. What happens if Yertle the
Turtle decides to take a hike, it’s Turtle Soup.
Care about Yertle. When I meet people and
talk with people, I look at not only how they
treat the people that are above them, but how
they treat the people that are their subordinates, people that rely on them, because that
is part of your character. 2) Looking at you.
‘Today you are you! That is truer than true!
There is no one alive that is more you-er than
you!’ (Happy Birthday to You, by Dr. Seuss).
Be true to you, you are unique, and we need
you. All of you are different, all of you are
unique, and all of you are important; it takes all
kinds of people to make our communities
work. Develop your strengths, become your
own person. You’re going to be more impressive being the best you that you can be rather
than being a mediocre carbon copy of someone else. Give yourself a chance to move forward in the lead and not just be a follower.”
‘Today was good, today was fun, tomorrow is
another one.’ (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish,
Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss). Be in charge of your
attitude. You can decide if you are going to
have a positive attitude or a negative attitude.
You own your attitude; you are the only one
who can do that. Where you focus not only
makes a difference to you but it makes a difference to all the people who you are around,
it affects everyone. 3) Pursuing your direction
in life. ‘You have brains in your head. You
have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you chose.’ (Oh, The
Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss). “Now I tell
you new graduates, this is an excellent age to
be. You have your whole life ahead of you.
You have a whole world of opportunities that

you can explore. So go out there and do it. If
you don’t know what you want to do, that is
okay. Go out there and discover what you
want to do in life. You might not know what
you want to do when you grow up, but as long
as you move forward you try to find out what
your direction is. Do the things that you’re interested in. The opportunities aren’t going to
come to you; you are the one who is going to
make those opportunities. Start networking
with people; the more you get yourself involved in the things that you’re interested in,
the more you’re taking the first steps to pursue
your goals. Internships are available and are
a great way to explore directions. You need to
make your own decisions, and you need to
decide what’s right for you. If you don’t, ‘You
may find ourselves in some punkerish place,
like a rusty old clothes hanger hanging in
space.’ (Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You
Are? by Dr. Seuss). If you start doing something just because someone else is doing it,
you might end up doing something you don’t
like. It’s not your passion; it’s not your interest.
It’s up to you to find that fit. You can run your
life, or you can allow your life to run you.
‘These things are fun and fun is good.’ (One
Fish, Two Fish, Red fish, Blue fish, by Dr.
Seuss.) Graduates, remember three things.
The first is the Golden Rule, respecting others.
The second is to be true to yourself, that's respecting you. The third is go ahead and pursue your passion with gusto. Go forward and
discover where you need to be, but please remember to enjoy the ride and not just the destination.”
At the conclusion of the evening, Lynn
Haataja presented the scholarship awards for
2009. The KBIC Education Department offers
two $1000 Scholarships yearly to their graduates. The Baraga scholarship was awarded to
Ashton Koski and the L’Anse scholarship was
awarded to Janell Bianco. Terri Denomie presented the Dawn Louise Denomie Memorial
Scholarship on behalf of Larry Denomie III to
Daniel Perrault.
Members of the Keweenaw Bay Education
Committee are: Terri Denomie (Chairman),
Lynn Haataja (Vice Chairman), William Seppanen (Secretary), Dawn Alexander, Vicki Emery, Charles Loonsfoot Jr., and Robin Roe.

Lynn Haataja presents $1000 KBIC Education
Dept. scholarship to Janell Bianco of L’Anse.

Lynn Haataja presents $1000 KBIC Education
Dept. scholarship to Ashtin Koski of Baraga.

Terri Denomie presents Daniel Perrault with the
Dawn Louise Denomie Memorial Scholarship.
Continued on page six.

The Education Department is pleased to
announce the following ten KBIC college
graduates for the 2008-09 academic year:
•
•
•
Beverly Lussier, KBIC Cultural Committee member, presents gifts to the graduates.

•
•
•
•

•

•
•

Ronald Spruce, Vice President of the Ojibwa Senior Citizens, presents gifts to the graduates.

Danielle Arens, Gogebic Community College, Nursing A.A.
Leonard Beaudoin, Northern Michigan
University, Auto Service Technology A.A.
Martin Michaelson, Jr., Northern Michigan
University, Aviation Technology, A.A.
Karen Andersen, Northern Michigan University, Psychology B.S.
Jessica Koski, Michigan Technological
University, Social Science, B.S.
Brigitte LaPointe-Tolonen, Northern
Michigan University, Sports Science, B.S.
Cheryne LaPointe-Tolonen, Northern
Michigan University, Health & Fitness
Management, B.S.
Joan LaPointe-Kelto, Central Michigan
University, Health, Fitness & Rehabilitation, B.S.
Dan MacNeil, Northern Michigan University, Political Science, B.S.
Keith Rolof, Michigan Technological University, Business Administration, B.S.

Congratulations to all of our graduates.
We are very proud of you and your accomplishments!

(5) Naanan

L’Anse-Baraga Community Schools
Tammy Shalifoe is the
daughter of Donald Shalifoe,
Sr. and Melissa Koepp. Her
hobbies are camping, fishing,
walking and spending time
with family and friends.
Tammy plans on working for
the summer and then attending Bay de Noc Community
College in Escanaba. She is
undecided on a major at this
time.

KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY

OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT
SERVICES
427 N. Superior Ave. • Baraga, MI 49908
In Tribal Court Building
Phone: 906-353-4566 • Fax: 906-353-8132
• Email: ocss@kbic-nsn.gov

“Your Children…Our Priority”
We provide the following services:
• Establishment, Enforcement and
• Location of Custodial and
Modification of Child Support Orders
Non-Custodial Parents
• Paternity Establishment

• Community Education

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

L’Anse Seniors
Janell Bianco is the daughter of Jim and Theresa Bianco. While in school, she
participated in junior varsity
basketball. She was on the
Honor Roll every year
throughout high school, Student of the Month, and also
achieved perfect attendance.
She was employed by the
KBIC Summer Youth Program and worked at the
campground and the Day
Camp at OCC. Her hobbies
include fishing, hunting, and
being outdoors. Janell will be
attending Northern Michigan
University this fall majoring in
Pre-Dental.
Daniel Perrault is the son of
Kevin and Jayne Perrault.
While in high school, he was
on the Honor Roll numerous
times.
He participated in
hockey, track, golf and football.
He received many
awards for football during his
high school career. In 2008,
he was named to the AllConference 1st team, the AllU.P. Dream Team and received the Detroit Free Press
All-State Honorable Mention.
In his career, he had three,
300 rushing yards and 49
touchdowns. He will be playing in the upcoming All-Star
game at the Superior Dome.
His hobbies include weightlifting, riding dirt bikes, snowboarding, hunting and fishing.
Daniel was recruited by
Michigan Technological University and will be attending
MTU this fall majoring in
General Sciences and Arts
and playing football for the
Huskies.
Ashley Shalifoe is the
daughter of Mickey Shalifoe.
She has worked for the KBIC
Summer Youth Program.
Her hobbies are drawing,
artwork and being outside.
She is a member of the Beartown Firefighters.
Ashley
plans on attending college to
become an animation artist.

Ashley Shalifoe

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Baraga Seniors

Janell Bianco

Daniel Perrault

Brenda Malmgren is the
daughter of Kathy White
and Neil Malmgren. While
in high school, she helped
with the greenhouse project. She also tutored students in the special education room. Brenda also did
a “job shadow” at the
L’Anse Sentinel where she
learned all the basics of
printing a paper. She has
also been employed with
the KBIC Summer Youth
Program. Her hobbies include taking pictures, reading and listening to music.
After graduation, she plans
on getting a job and attending college to study photography.

Brenda Malmgren

Jessica Bianco is the
daughter of Jerri Lynn
Duschaine and Jim Bianco.
While in school, she played
basketball for nine years
from second grade to 10th
grade. She has been placed
on the Honor Roll many
times. She also participated
in Rez Runner basketball,
to ok K B IC s wim m ing
classes, language and
dance classes.
She has
worked for the tribe’s Summer Youth Program for three
years. Her hobbies include
fishing, hunting, walking,
camping and basketball. She
will be attending Northern
Michigan University this fall
majoring in either cosmetology or a pre-dental program.

Jessica Bianco

Amber Geroux is the
daughter of George and
Mary Geroux.
While in
high school she was a Varsity Cheerleader for the
Baraga Vikings. She also
had perfect attendance
numerous times. She was
involved in putting together
the senior slide show for
graduation. She also won
the 2009 Principal’s Award
for Student of the Year.
Amber enjoys photography
and computers in her free
time. She plans on attending Gogebic Community
College m ajoring
in
Graphic Communications.

Justine Minton is the
daughter of Jeffrey Minton
Ashtin Koski
and Juliet Loonsfoot. While
in school she was placed
on the Honor Roll and
Ashtin Koski is the daugh- achieved perfect attenter of Suzanne Kahkonen dance many times. She
and Dan Koski. She has played Rez Runner basketbeen involved in figure skat- ball and is a member of the
ing for many years. She has Beartown Firefighters. She
performed at many ice enjoys dancing at powshows as a member of the wows, weightlifting, swimL’Anse-Baraga Figure Skat- ming, walking and movies.
ing Club. While in school, She plans on moving to the
she was a cheerleader, a Sault Ste. Marie area, findmember of the yearbook ing employment and attendstaff and the golf team. She ing college.
was a runner-up medalist for
golf in the Copper Country
Conference. Ashtin’s inter- Justine Minton
ests include skating, golf,
being outdoors and spending time with family and
friends. She plans to attend
Northern Michigan University
majoring in Art and Design.

Amber Geroux

Robert Voakes, Jr.

Robert Voakes, Jr. is the son of Valerie and Robert Voakes. While in
high school Robert was on the junior
varsity basketball team. He also
joined the International Club and was
able to travel to Italy for a ten day
tour. He was in the Drama Club and
made his acting debut in the play
“Kids Say the Darndest Things.” He
was the KBIC Youth Club President
for two years and played Rez Runner basketball for six years. Robert
also dances at pow-wows and has
been the head male youth dancer
many times, including at the ITC pow
-wow and the Michigan Tech powwow. Robert was a police cadet for
the KBIC Police Department and is
currently a Beartown Firefighter. He
enjoys playing basketball, jogging,
working out and traveling. His plans
after graduation are undecided. He
may join the army or seek employment.

353-4539

See page eight for Miss Keweenaw Bay Candidates.

(7) Niizhwaaswi

June 6, 2009 Council Meeting continued from page three.

staff member of Representative’s Dale
Kildee’s office. They spoke with her on
KBIC’s efforts to revitalize language, and the
need for increased funding to continue to expand our efforts to save our language.
Larry Denomie presented the CEO Report
for May 2009. May 5th-8th, auditors performed review of past and current ICDBG
grants acquired by the Community and Ojibwa
Housing Authority. The auditors were pleased
with our record keeping, and there were no
major findings reported.
On May 6th a false fire alarm occurred at
the Tribal Center due to a malfunction in the
alarm system. On May 7th the Tribal Center
was closed in the afternoon due to sewer gas
fumes. It was later discovered that a man hole
cover was opened on the west side of the
building where the fresh air intake is located,
and gases were being sucked into the ventilation system. Operations were back to normal
the following day.
Work continues with the Tribe’s insurance
agent to finalize the costs and claim due to the
water damage caused by the flood last November at the Health Center. Once the costs
are agreed upon, the claim will be paid by our
agent. The building will not be repaired at this
time due to the upcoming renovation and expansion of the existing facility in the coming
months.
Gary Loonsfoot, Jr., Language Coordinator,
has been working on acquiring historic audio
tapes and related equipment that had been
used in the Baraga and L’Anse school system’s Native Language program over the
years. Several Tribal elders were recorded in
our Native Language and were used to teach
children in the schools. A plan has been developed to transfer the information on the deteriorating audio cards to a digital format for
use in the future. The material and equipment
will be preserved and added to our historical
archives.
On May 13th, CEO Denomie along with numerous staff and Council members attended
an informal meeting with the staff of the U.S.
Attorney’s office of Western District of MI. The
meeting was held to provide input on issues
our Tribe has with the U.S. Attorney’s office,
including training needs. The U.S. Attorney’s
staff has held meetings with other Michigan
Tribes as well.
CEO Denomie attended the KBIC Head
Start Graduation. The staff of the program did
a great job in providing a memorable event for
the little ones moving on to the big schools.
The proposed Early Childhood Education
Center addition on to the Community Center
has received Council support in applying for
an additional $600,000 in funding through the
ICDBG program. If granted, along with the
$600,000 we have already been awarded, a
total of nearly $1.3 million dollars would be
available for the project. Sarah Smith, Assistant CEO, Terri Denomie, Director of Head
Start and Early Head Start Programs, and Lisa
Denomie, Pre-primary Director, have worked
on revising the project after visiting with the
Hannahville Indian School. The project which
was originally $4 million has been revised
closer to $2 million. If KBIC is awarded this
additional funding, Council will be approached
for the remainder costs.
If all goes as
planned, the project could be completed and
ready for the start up of the 2010 school year.
Paul Stark and staff of Sacred Heart School
presented a request to Council for assistance
with their underfunded budget for not only this
school year but future ones. Other options for
assistance includes school counselor services
for their students, funding to pay for fencing
around the school playground to increase the
safety of the children and funding to purchase
new energy efficient windows. The average
school population is 31% Tribal or descendent
children. Council indicated they were interested in helping Sacred Heart School and
would look into some ways they could do so

(8) Ishwaaswi

i.e. 2% funding options, and will discuss in
more detail at their next donation meeting.
Under New Business, Larry Denomie presented a request for renovation at Even Start.
More space is needed to accommodate three,
four and five-year-old children, and another
room is needed to separate family activities
from the class rooms. There is a full basement
area that can be used to serve their varied
needs throughout the school year. This area
has not been utilized as there is no emergency
exit. An estimate has been submitted by
Tribal Construction in the amount of $5,502.08
to install a fire exit in the basement. Motion
by William E. Emery to approve the Tribal
Construction bid of $5,502.08 to install a
fire exit in the basement at the Even Start
building, supported by Toni Minton, nine
supported, one opposed (Mayo), 0 abstained, motion carried. Mayo stated her
opposition is due to only one bid being available to consider for costs.
President Swartz brought forth bids for recording equipment. Two bids were available.
One from BIS Digital in the amount of $5,763,
a second bid was received from IQM2 that includes a perpetual software fee in the amount
of $17,420.01. Tribal Court currently utilizes
the BIS Digital system and they are very
happy with it. Motion by Michael LaFernier,
Sr., to purchase the BIS Digital recorder for
the amount of $5,763, supported by Elizabeth D. Mayo, ten supported, 0 opposed, 0
abstained, motion carried.
CEO Denomie requested grievance hearing dates for #012-09 and #013-09. It was the
consensus of the Council to allow the CEO to
schedule grievance hearings directly with
Peggy Minton, Recording Secretary, for these
two grievance filings and future ones.
Council passed Department Head Reports
for April 2009, and the meeting minutes of
March 7, 2009. Council entered into closed
session with Attorney John Baker, CEO Larry
Denomie, President Swartz (Tribal request
KB16-09), and Isabelle Welsh (Tribal request)
on the agenda.
Subject: Presidential Appointment
The President's Committee on People with
Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) has seven vacancies to fill on their Committee. So far no
Native American has applied for appointment,
which is probably due to the fact they aren’t
aware of this Committee. We’d like to help
change that by provide notice of this opportunity.
For more information contact:
Kim Romine
Administration for Native Americans
Executive Director, Intradepartmental Council
on Native American Affairs
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW
Aerospace Bldg, 2-West
Washington, DC 20447
Voice: 202-205-5603
Fax: 202-690-7441
ANA Help: 1-877-922-9262

The KBIC Community Health
Dept. has received a $500.00
grant from Inter-Tribal Council
of Michigan, Inc. The purpose
for the grant is to work collaboratively between ITC and KBIC
to implement a smoke-free
grounds policy/ordinance on the campus of
the KBIC Department of Health and Human
Services. The grant objectives will be completed by September 2009.

Did you know?
Facts about the Ojibwa Senior Meal Program
•

Congregate Meals are available at the
Ojibwa Senior Center five days a week for
seniors age 55 and up?

•

Home Delivered Meals (HDM) are available
to *qualified persons five days a week? see criteria below:
In addition to providing nutrition services to
older Indians, a tribal organization may: (1) Provide nutrition services to the spouses of older Indians; (2) Provide nutrition services to non-elderly
handicapped or disabled Indians who reside in
housing facilities occupied primarily by the elderly,
at which congregate nutrition services are provided; (3) Offer a meal, on the same basis as
meals are provided to older Indians, to individuals
providing volunteer services during meal hours;
and (4) Provide a meal to individuals with disabilities who reside in a non-institutional household
with and accompany a person eligible for congregate meals under that part.
Criteria for home delivered meals include:
9.2.3.10 TITLE III C:
A. Individuals eligible to receive congregate meals
and nutrition support services include:
1. any person age 55 or older and his/her
spouse regardless of age; or
2. any handicapped or disabled individuals,
who have not attained 55 years of age, but
who reside in housing facilities occupied
primarily by elderly persons at which congregate nutrition services are provided; or
3. individuals, regardless of age, providing volunteer services during meal hours based on
procedures established by each area
agency; or
4. individuals with disabilities, regardless of
age, who reside at home with or accompany
eligible, older individuals, are eligible based
on procedures established by each area
agency, which allow nutrition providers the
option to provide such services.
B. Individuals eligible to receive home delivered
meals and nutrition support services include
those individuals, age 60 or older, who have
been determined to be in need of home delivered meals based on an assessment of need,
developed by the state agency and area agencies, which assesses functional ability, adequate support systems and risk.
1. Area agencies must insure that each nutrition program uses written eligibility criteria
to assess the need for service. At a minimum, the following criteria must be included:
a. an older individual must be homebound,
that is unable to leave home due to a
disabling physical, emotional or cognitive impairment;
b. an older individual must be unable to
participate in a congregate meal because of impairment or lack of appropriate transportation;
c. an older individual is unable to obtain
food and prepare a nutritious meal; and
d. an older individual has no family, friends
or community support able and willing to
assist in meal preparation.
2. Depending on the individual's condition, the
eligibility status must be reevaluated on a
regular basis, but not less frequently than
once every six months; and
3. Priority shall be given to emergency requests, in which home delivered meals are
started as soon as possible after the determination of urgent need.
Annual Assessments for eligibility for Congregate or HDMs will be done during July. Please
stop by and see Philly Ekdahl to finish your assessment, or ask for one to be delivered with your
meal by calling 353-6096.

ATR Program and Outpatient
Counseling has moved to Baraga.
New location:
202 US 41 South, Baraga, MI
Phone: 906-353-8121

Miss Keweenaw Bay Candidates
Jade Evelyn Chaudier
Sixteen-year-old Jade Chaudier
was born on October 3, 1992, in Escanaba, MI. She is turtle clan, and her
native name is Obowashishbemequay,
which means “Warm Sky Woman”.
Jade is the daughter of Aimee Emery
and Durwyn Chaudier, and she has
one sister and one brother. Jade is a
fancy shawl dancer and will be entering
the 11th grade at Baraga High School
next fall. She is involved in basketball,
both for the high school and the Tribe.
She has also been involved in local
youth governments with the Tribe and
a member of Student Council at the
Baraga High School. Jade volunteers
a lot of her time at community events
and has been a head dancer at recent
powwows. She feels being chosen as
KBIC Princess would be an awesome
opportunity to represent the Tribe.
Jade plans on attending college in Michigan to possibly pursue nursing.
Gabrielle Marie “Mabs” Picciano
Fourteen-year-old Mabs was born
on March 26, 1995, in Hancock, MI. A
special ceremony is planned early this
summer where Mabs will be given her
native name. Mabs is the daughter of
Kerry Picciano and Tina Messer. She
has two brothers and one sister. Mabs
is a fancy shawl dancer and will be entering the ninth grade at Baraga High
School next fall. She is very active in
basketball, track and volleyball. Mabs
also volunteers in our Community and
would like to continue to do so. She
has always looked up to the KBIC Princesses as a little girl and feels she
would be just the right role model for
other little girls to look up to. Mabs
feels being chosen as Miss KBIC would
be a great opportunity to show her
commitment to her Tribe.
Savannah Marie Seymour
Thirteen-year-old Savannah was born on
March 4, 1996, in Marquette, MI. Her native
name is Wish-con. She has three sisters and
one brother. Savannah will be attending Marquette High School. She is very active in basketball and softball. Savannah loves spending
time with her family and loves attending powwows. She feels she would be a good role model for the youth of our
Tribe and be a great representative. Savannah would love the opportunity as Miss KBIC to bring our culture to other places so that other people could see what the native culture is like.
Picture unavailable

Three Summer Youth Supervisors on the left (left to right) Cody Blue, Nancy
Voakes, and Daniel Giddings, pictured with numerous campground summer
youth workers.

Cody Blue — Cody Blue is one of the supervisors down at the campgrounds this summer. Cody states, “I’m happy to be working with the
Summer Youth Program for a second year. I have lived and worked on
the reservation most of my life and I look forward to having another enjoyable experience working with our Tribal youth.”
Nancy Voakes — Nancy is a Tribal member who is working her fourth
summer as a Youth Supervisor. Nancy states, “I am very excited for
another summer with the Summer Youth Program. I also work with the
KBIC Preprimary program and currently am on a leave of absence
which allows me to work with our youth of all ages.”
Daniel Giddings — Dan is a KBIC member who is working his first
year as a Summer Youth Supervisor. Dan states, “This is something
different than I am used too, but I enjoy working with kids so it will be
fine. I am currently enrolled at Northern Michigan University pursuing a
bachelor’s in Construction Management.”
The Summer Youth Program is eight weeks duration which employees
community youth ages 14-18. Jodene Rasanen is the Director of the
Summer Youth Program.
Deidre Kolbus has been hired as the IT
Support Technician at the Tribal Center. She
was born and raised in Munising, MI, and graduated from Munising High School in 1997. She
attended DeVry University in Chicago, IL where
she earned her Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Management.
Deidre states, “I have spent my last four winters in Vail, Colorado, and have always come
back for the summers on Lake Superior in Michigan. I was recently married in Las Vegas with 40
other Yoopers present on May 15th. I am very
excited to be settled back in the area, living in
Houghton, and closer to my entire family in Munising. In my spare time,
I love to be outdoors, skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, camping and anything else that involves my dog, Alta. I am thrilled at this opportunity to
work here and learn from this community.” (906) 353-6623, ext. 4234.
Michelle L. Picciano is the new Clerk/
Intake worker for the Community Assistance
Program. Michelle was born and raised in
Baraga County and has been employed by
the KBIC for the past 15 years. Michelle
says, “I look forward to working with Debbie
Picciano as her Assistant and serving my
Tribal community.” Michelle is the daughter
of Shirley and Joe Stevens of L’Anse.

Effective June 2, 2009:
Information/Documents you need to bring
for each visit to the KBIC Health Center
• Tribal ID
Medicaid/UPHP Number
Insurance Plan Number
Social Security Number
• Proof of Physical Address
(from any regular bill you receive at home)
•
•
•

Services may not be rendered until this information is obtained*

WORD SEARCH

ma n i d o o m i n e n s i

k a a n

a b h e g j a i k b d m n e p a a j

Thank you for your cooperation!

OJIBWEMOWIN
Abita-Niibini Giizis —
Midsummer Moon — July
The language page was designed from reference of “A Concise Dictionary of Minnesota
Ojibwe” by John D. Nichols and Earl Nyholm.

niimi’idim
bwaanzhiiwion
ikwe-niimi’idiwin
bimoonjigan
manidoominensikaan

d n o i w i

i h z n a a w b a g b o

n i w i d i

i m i

i n e w k

i

a i m

k i e r g o a s p b r i n i

k

t i p

s m h a p w b e z m y j n e s g w j
d i s d g y a a g y i o a e d a a r
m i e n h b e k p h o r k h g k e z

niimi’idim — powwow
a d o a a w m i j m a b m d a o r h
bwaanzhiiwion — dance regalia
ikwe-niimi’idiwin — women’s dance i i e r g i n t i d o g j p h o n j
bimoonjigan — dance bustle
manidoominensikaan—bead work k m a t d m a b a o e b y k n t w e

(9) Zhaangaswi

Mission: To provide affordable and attractive housing opportunities in a
safe and healthy environment to qualifying tribal members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, encourage self-improvement of the
community’s low income families and provide employment opportunities.
Programs and Services provided by the KBOHA:
• Low income rental homes and apartments
1. 158 Homes/apartments in Baraga
2. 50 Homes in Zeba
3. 40 Homes in Marquette/Harvey
• Supportive housing/transitional housing to help address family issues;
• New, custom built, super-insulated homes for homeownership on
Beartown Road;
• Home buyer training to prepare members for home ownership;
• Financial literacy training to improve members’ financial skills;
• Home maintenance training to improve members’ ability to maintain
homes;
• Home rehabilitation program to improve the condition of memberowned homes;
• Home emergency assistance program to remedy negative conditions in the home;
• Individual development account program – a 4:1 matched savings
program for member goals that include:

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Housing Authority recently began operating the Ojibwa BP gas station, car wash and laundry. It is another
business venture we took on for two main reasons: first, the creation of
job opportunities for Tribal members, and second, the creation of additional revenue for housing programs.
In addition to hiring ten Tribal members for the Ojibwa BP, we have
12 more Tribal members working for our construction company, Ojibwa
Builders, and six more Tribal members working at our Ojibwa Building
Supply. These three businesses have created 28 new jobs for our community that were never there before. That doesn't even include the 14
new jobs created at the Housing Authority over the recent past. We believe this type of job creation for Tribal members is very important and
that it is something surely needed in our community.
At the Housing Authority, we see the need for more programs to
serve our community. In the recent past, we have used profits from our
businesses to fund programs that serve our Indian Community. Some
of those programs funded include our Individual development account
program.

(10) Midaaswi

1. Down payment assistance for home purchase;
2. College tuition and expenses for residents;
3. Business expansion/start-up expenses;
4. Home repair for member-owned homes;
5. Credit repair for homeownership;
6. Vehicle purchase for work/school.
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Low cost home improvement loan program for qualifying tribal
members;
Low cost tax preparation program for residents and tribal members;
Surplus FEMA mobile home program for tribal members;
Stipend program covering mileage and child care expenses for
residents attending college;
Affordable curbside trash service for residents and members;
Prescription subsidy program to reimburse tribal elders and disabled households for prescriptions purchased;
Ojibwa Building Supply Do It Best- providing tribal employment,
quality affordable building supplies and profits for housing programs;
Ojibwa Builders construction company- providing tribal employment, quality affordable construction, and profits for housing programs;
Market rate rentals - five rental properties in Baraga and one in
Negaunee- providing profits for housing programs.

Tribal members can get money for home repair. They have received money to repair their credit so they can purchase a home.
Members have received money to help purchase a vehicle to get to
work or school.
We have also funded our Elder and disabled prescription subsidy
program, where we reimburse low income elders and disabled Tribal
members for their personal expense for their prescriptions. We have
already reimbursed over $25,000 to Tribal participants so far; all from
profits from our businesses.
All of these new programs have been taken advantage by many
Tribal members. We will continue to work hard at creating new jobs
and new programs like these that serve our community. Your support
of these businesses benefits our community.
~ Eddy Edwards,
Executive Director

Historical Documents Recovered
On June 16th
the
KBIC
reclaimed some very
important
language documents.
About
thirty-two
years ago several
of our elders realized that our people were losing
their original language.
A language revitalization project was
funded through the
Title IV Indian
Education Act in
1976. Textbooks,
slo-scan video and
the Language Master machine with “tape-cards”
were developed to teach children in the 4th through
12th grade in L’Anse and Baraga schools. Courses
were also offered to adults at the Tribal Center with
University credits through Michigan Technological
University. Courses in Ojibwa I, II, and III were
given by the Ojibwa Community College for 3 credit
hours each through Michigan Tech University.
Our tribe is once again in possession of the Bell
and Howell “Language Master” as well as all the
“tape cards”. These “tape cards” contain the voices
of our ancestors speaking their native tongue. Our
plan is to turn these “tape cards” into a medium that
everyone in our community could use. Following
are the listed elders on the “tape cards”:
Richard Shelifoe
Ted St. Arnold
Fred Shelifoe
Alice Shelifoe
Veronica Rabideaux
Florence Uusitalo
Evelyn Holappa
Sarah Shelifoe
Mino Jondreau
Boise Jondreau
Jim St. Arnold
Isabelle St. Arnold
George Curtis
Isabelle Chosa
Eugene Chosa
Joe Loonsfoot
Amos Pine
Nora Shalifoe

Marcella Loonsfoot
Pearl Loonsfoot
Betty Brunk
Albert Brunk, Sr.
Clara Swartz
Lizzie Roberts
Liz Pelto
Annie Schofield
Evelyn Onkala
Helen Miller
Hank Miller
Charles Marksman
Ted Chosa
Puck Mayo
Chix Asher
Martha Kunick
Marty White

These names were given taken from documentation from Eleanor Deling Mike. Please accept
apology if names are misspelled. Gary Loonsfoot,
Jr., KBIC Language Coordinator, will keep the Community up to date on the progress of the digitizing
process.
BARAGA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
FAMILY EVENT/FUNDRAISER — 4th Annual
DENISE MARTH, FAMILY FUN RUN
Walk—Run—Bowl
Saturday, July 11, 2009
9:00 a.m. ‘till Noon
REGISTRATION begins @ 8:30 a.m.
FUN RUN, Walk — begins @ 9:00 a.m.
L’Anse Waterfront Park to the Whirl-i-gig
Bowl-A-Thon and Banquet immediately following
at the Whirl-i-gig, L’Anse
Bring you walking shoes, bike and helmet, skates or
board and bowling ball!
Each volunteer and participant receives a free T-shirt.
Sponsored by the Keweenaw Bay
Tribal Council.
Registration Cost—
Fun Run/Walk — $5.00
bowling — $6.00
To participate or become a
sponsor, call Gordette at 353-7898.
Proceeds of this event go to support the services of the Baraga
County Community Foundation.

SECTION 00100
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

July 2009
Calendars Events

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Owner

July 2 — Ojibwa Seniors Bldg. 11
a.m. blood pressure & glucose
checks.
July 3 — Gov’t Offices closed, July
4th holiday.
July 4 — Happy 4th of July.
July 7 — Ojibwa Seniors attending
MIEA Summer Conference at Bay
Mills.
July 8 — Ojibwa Seniors attending
MIEA Summer Conference at Bay
Mills; 4 p.m. deadline to apply for
powwow jobs.
July 9 — Ojibwa Seniors Bldg. 11
a.m. blood pressure & glucose
checks; Ojibwa Seniors attending
MIEA Summer Conference at Bay
Mills.
July 11 — FAMILY FUN RUN
July 15 — 12:30 p.m. Ojibwa Senior
Regular Monthly Meeting
July 16 — Ojibwa Seniors Bldg. 11
a.m. blood pressure & glucose
checks.
July 23 — Ojibwa Senior Citizen’s
Pasty Sale; Ojibwa Seniors bldg. 11
a.m. blood pressure & glucose
checks.
July 23 — 11 a.m. Powwow
Grounds Blessing & Feast.
July 24 — Powwow
July 25 — Powwow
July 26 — Powwow
July 30 — Ojibwa Seniors Bldg. 11
a.m. blood pressure & glucose
checks.

16429 Beartown Road, Baraga, MI 49908
Address
United States Public Health Service, Indian
Health Service, Rhinelander District Office
Engineer
Separate sealed Bids for the construction of a
water extension along Old Hwy 41 (Mission
Road), in the Village of Baraga, Michigan for the
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
Major
components of this work include:
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~4325 feet of 8-inch D.I. water main.
~235 feet of directionally drilled 8-inch PE
water main.
~50 feet of directionally drilled 1-inch copper
water service line.
~2598 feet of 1-inch copper water service
line.
~450 feet of 1-1/4-inch copper water service
line.
~196 feet of 2-inch copper water service
line.
Six (6) hydrants with gate valves.
Seven (7) 8-inch main line gate valves.
One (1) main line pressure reducing valve
and vault.
Corp stops, curb stops with boxes, and water meters to serve existing homes.
Fourteen (14) individual pressure reducing
valves.
Abandonment of fourteen (14) individual
wells and water systems.

All work will take place in the Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community, Baraga Township, Michigan
and shall be substantially completed by November 1, 2009.

Events occurring throughout KBIC are
welcome to be listed on the Calendar of
Events.
Contact
newsletter@kbic.nsn.gov to list your events.
Events are more detailed FYI within the
newsletter. For up-to-day event listings,
visit www.ojibwa.com and click on calendar.
For Youth events, see @
www.ojibwa.com, click on youth club, or
contact 353-4643/Main Office at Youth
Club, or 353-4644 for the facility attendants or the Kitchen/craft rooms.

The Bids will be received by Larry J. Denomie
III, CEO, KBIC, at the KBIC Tribal Center, which
is located at 16429 Beartown Road, Baraga,
Michigan 49908, until 11:00 a.m., (Local Time)
July 17, 2009, and then publicly opened and
read aloud at 11:15 a.m. in the KBIC Tribal
Center.
The Bidding Documents may be examined at
the following location: KBIC Tribal Center,
16429 Beartown Road, Baraga, Michigan
49908.
Copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained at the Issuing Office, the KBIC Tribal
Center, 16429 Beartown Road, Baraga, Michigan 49908 upon payment of $50.00 for each
set.
NOTICE REGARDING INDIAN PREFERENCE
All employers, contractors and subcontractors
operating within the jurisdiction of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community are required to
give preference to Indians and Indian organizations/enterprises in contracting, hiring, promotions, training, and all other aspects of employment. Employers and contractors must comply
with all rules, regulations, and guidelines of the
Community’s Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) which sets forth specific obligations of the employer regarding Indian preference. All employers and contractors shall sign
and submit a compliance plan for approval by
the TERO Director.
For information and compliance assistance:
16429 Bear Town Road
Office of Tribal Employment Rights
Baraga, Michigan 49908
Phone: (906) 353-4167
Fax (906) 353-7540
E-mail: tero@kbic-nsn.gov

GLIFWC celebrations mark 25 years.
Public invited to attend. Events are free
and open to the public.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), representing eleven Ojibwe tribes, will be celebrating twenty-five years of contemporary treaty history during two events this
July. Both events promise to be educational and entertaining.
❶

Big Top Chautauqua on July 2.

❷

Minwajimo Treaty Symposium
July 28-30.
For more information call
715.682.6619 or visit GLIFWC’s website at www.glifwc.org. Register online.

Larry
Denomie,
KBIC member and
CEO for the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community, entered
the Baraga County
Lake Trout Festival
Half-Marathon
and
Pequaming Run/Walk
on June 13, 2009.
Thirty-one participated
in the half-marathon
which began at the
Aura Fire Dept. and
finished at the L’Anse Waterfront Park.
This was Denomie’s first marathon, in
which he placed third in the male age
40-49 category. Pictured is Larry with
his bronze medal.

(11) Ashi bezhig

ATTENTION!
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT
YOUR LOCAL TAXI SERVICE
MOST LOCAL RIDES COST $6 OR LESS!
• DISCOUNTS AS MUCH AS 50% OFF FOR QUALIFIED APPLICANTS!
• CONSTANT PROMOTIONS SO YOU CAN WIN CASH!
• WE PROVIDE A PROMPT AND INEXPENSIVE VEHICLE LOCKOUT SERVICE!
• NOW SERVING L’ANSE, BARAGA, HOUGHTON AND HANCOCK!
• OPEN 7 DAYS/WEEK! SUN: 3 P.M. - 12 A.M. AND MON - SAT: 10 A.M. - 2 A.M.
WE ARE “the clean, reliable, and affordable way to get there!”

LL LYNX TRANSPORT

906 231 3330
www.lllynxtransport.com

P.O. Box 787 Baraga, MI 49908

(12) Ashi Niizh

Permit No. 5
Calumet, MI
PAID

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
16429 Bear Town Rd-Baraga, Mi 49908-9210

U.S Postage
PRESORTED STD

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Akeweenaw_bay%3Aa80fcd1055d8d919. Public record. Not legal advice.