The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2016)

WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Manidoo Giizisoons - Little Spirit Moon - December 2016 Issue 149

Tribal Council Members:

KBIC 2016 PRIMARY ELECTIONS HELD

Warren C. Swartz, Jr. , President

Jennifer Misegan, Vice-President

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary

Toni J. Minton, Asst. Secretary

Doreen G. Blaker, Treasurer

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr.

Frederick Dakota

Eddy Edwards

Randall R. Haataja

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr.

Donald Shalifoe, Sr.

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST

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Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Voters register to cast their ballots in the Primary Election for the Baraga District.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community held their Primary Election on Saturday, November 5,

2016, at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens for the Baraga District. A Primary Election was held only in

the Baraga District for the position of Tribal Council. Diana Chaudier, Election Board Chairman,

explained, “There are two council positions in both the L’Anse and Baraga District. If there are

five candidates, we hold a Primary Election as only four candidates can move on to the General

Election. Because there are only three candidates running for the two positions in L’Anse and

one for the judicial position, we did not require primaries for those positions; they will all move on

to the General Election.”

Baraga District results:

Don Shalifoe, Sr. (Inc.) 70 votes;

Robin Chosa 31 votes;

Alden “Auddie” Conner, Jr. 23 votes;

Dan Connor 50 votes;

Ron Edwards 19 votes;

Hope Laramore 25 votes;

Rodney Loonsfoot 94 votes;

Elizabeth “Popcorn” Mayo 87 votes;

Don Messer, Jr. 78 votes.

Don Shalifoe, Sr., Rodney Loonsfoot,

Elizabeth “Popcorn” Mayo, and Don Messer,

Jr. have secured the required number of votes

to be placed on the General Election Ballot.

At the General Election, voters will cast

their ballots for two seats in both districts, and

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KBIC 2016 Primary Elections

Held

November 5, 2016 Tribal

Council Meeting

KBIC Awarded Grant to hire

Psychologist to work with

youth

KBIC Hires New General

Manager for Baraga and

Marquette Casinos

KBIC Halloween Party Held

Deepest Sympathy

one position for Associate Judge. The General Election will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016, with the following ballot:

Psychologist To Be Hired/KBIC

Baraga District Council Seat:

Rodney Loonsfoot;

Awarded Methaphetamine and

Elizabeth “Popcorn” Mayo

Suicide Prevention Grant

Don Messer, Jr.;

Donald Shalifoe, Sr. (Inc.).

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

L’Anse District Council Seat:

(KBIC) has applied for and been awarded a

Lyndon Ekdahl;

four-year grant from the Division of Behavioral

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr. (Inc.);

Health, Office of Clinical and Preventive SerGary Loonsfoot, Jr.

vices, Methaphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative, Generation Indigenous (Gen-I).

Associate Judge:

The Ginanda-gikendaamin (Seeking to Learn)

Violet M. Friisvall Ayres.

Part 2 grant is a four year project that will adContinues on page three.

KBOCC President attends Governor’s Energy

Excellence Awards

Attending the Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards luncheon in Lansing were:

Brett Niemi, WPPI Energy (left), Debbie Parrish, KBOCC President (center), and Bob

LaFave, L’Anse Village Manager (right).

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College was nominated by Brett Niemi, WPPI

Energy, for the Governor’s Energy Excellence Award for the recent renovation of the

L’Anse Wabanung Campus, with a goal of creating an energy-efficient facility with a

comfortable atmosphere rich in Ojibwa culture. Taking advantage of incentives provided through programs offered by Village of L’Anse, Efficiency United, and WPPI Energy, the College upgraded its existing lighting and HVAC systems by installing demand control ventilation, an energy management system, HVAC setup/setback controls, and air handler fan variable speed drives. The upgrades are expected to save

more than 26,700 therms of natural gas and 290,000 kWh of electricity per year. All

finalists were invited to attend the luncheon to be recognized for the efforts in energy

reduction and savings.

(1) Bezhig

KBIC HONORS LOCAL VETERANS

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Ojibwa Casino held a

Luncheon to Honor our Local Veterans on Veteran’s Day, November 11,

2016. The festivities began at 11 a.m. with a luncheon at the former Big

Bucks Bingo Hall, Baraga, Michigan. Veterans received a meal consisting

of: Baked Chicken, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn, Soup,

Roll, with cake and cupcakes for desert, free of charge. Visitors invited

made a $5.00 donation for their meal. The meal was prepared by the

Lucky 7’s restaurant. All proceeds were donated to the local U.S. Marine

Corps.“Toys For Tots.”

Following the luncheon, participants gathered at a location in front of

the KBIC Tribal Center, for a Flag Raising Ceremony. Woodland Singers

offered the Flag song and an Honor song, along with President Warren

“Chris” Swartz, Jr. addressing the cause. “I want to express my gratitude

and acknowledge all the veterans who are here today and thank them for

their service. On this day across the nation, citizens are honoring the

brave members of the United States Armed Forces. As President of the

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, I am proud to also stand and express

my gratitude to our nation’s veterans, native and non-native, reflecting on

their courage and the sacrifice they have made. Native Americans have a

long history of distinguished service in this country. Serving at one of the

highest per capita rate of any population. My own family, including myself,

my father, my grandfather, and above have served for generations. As

Native people, we exemplify high standards of support and recognition for

our Native veterans not just on Veteran’s Day but every day. We give

thanks to our veteran brothers and sisters for ensuring that we as Native

people continue to survive and thrive. Though this pursuit of honor and

recognition the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has supported a number of programs to help the veterans on the L’Anse Indian Reservation.

As we take time to celebrate today, I want to remind you, it should not be

just about honoring our veterans but also reciprocating what they have

done for us by committing to their wellbeing and quality of life. All that we

have overcome has been in no small part through the valiant efforts of our

veterans. One Native American veteran I’d like to make mention of is Ira

Hayes. Ira Hayes was an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Nation

and a United States Marine. He was one of the six flag raisers immortalized in the iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World

War II. I think it is important to acknowledge all of our veterans here to-

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

day, both native and non-native, and recognize the sacrifices they have

given. Always remember, all gave some, and some gave all, and we

know who they are, and we certainly want to think of them today.”

At the conclusion of the event, participants participated in a balloon

release. The event was organized by Kim Klopstein, Administrative Assistant, CEO Office.

~By Lauri Denomie, Editor

November 5, 2016 TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

The Regular Saturday Tribal Council Meeting was held on November

5, 2016, at the Ojibwa Casino Resort Conference Room in Baraga, Michigan. President Warren Swartz, Jr., presided over the meeting with Jennifer Misegan, Susan J. LaFernier, Toni Minton, Doreen Blaker, Fred Dakota, Randall Haataja, and Michael F. LaFernier, Sr. present. Not present:

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr., Eddy Edwards, Gary F. Loonsfoot, Sr., and Donald

Shalifoe, Sr.

President Swartz shared numerous Thank You and For Your Information items addressed to Council.

President Warren Swartz, Jr. gave the President’s Report (page three),

Vice President Jennifer Misegan gave the Vice President’s Report (page

three), Susan J. LaFernier gave the Secretary’s Report (page four), and

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

Report, discussion occurred indicating Tribal members should prepare for

a much smaller check next year due to the fact that we will no longer sell

the Native brand cigarettes after our current stock is depleted. The stores

will carry the national brands in its place until the Tribe’s tobacco manufacturing operation is up and running. The process to begin manufacturing is

moving forward as quickly as possible and will likely take six to nine

months to complete.

Council passed Department Head Reports for September 2016, and

approved Meeting Minutes for: September 23, 2016, September 26, 2016,

September 27, 2016, September 28, 2016, and September 29, 2016.

Under old business: Doreen Blaker presented a T-shirt design for the

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. The T-shirt includes the home territory

area on the left sleeve, KBIC logo on right sleeve, and a U.P. dream

catcher on the front. They will be available in a variety of colors for individuals to purchase at cost. Consensus of the Council was to approve the

design and to order them.

Under new business: Danielle Webb, Tribal Attorney, and Carole LaPointe, Health Administrator, presented an Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. Memorandum of Cooperative Agreement, Tribal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). This grant provides preventive

programming for our youth, including summer programs on life skills, personal choices, and a babysitting training class. The grant has increased

from $25,000 to $40,000 this year which is reflected in the minor changes

of the agreement from the prior year. Council requested the Health Director include some trainings for the summer youth children. Motion by

Susan J. LaFernier to approve the Memorandum of Cooperative

Agreement with ITC for the Tribal Personal Responsibility Education

Program, co-supported by Toni Minton and Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Seven supported (Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota,

Haataja, M. LaFernier), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (Curtis,

Edwards, Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), motion carried.

President Swartz presented a letter he received from Kenneth Meshigaud, Tribal Chairman of the Hannahville Indian Community, with a challenge to KBIC for a match donation to the Pine Ridge Reservation. President Meshigaud’s letter indicates alcoholism has risen to 80% in the Pine

Ridge community, and last year they were declared a state of emergency

due to frequent youth suicide. With the holiday season upon us, many of

us are blessed to looking forward to holiday dinners with our families. Our

indigenous brothers and sisters of Pine Ridge are not so fortunate, and

many children of Pine Ridge do not get dinner any day of the week – let

alone a holiday feast. On behalf of the Hannahville Indian Community, I

(Meshigaud), would like to challenge KBIC and Tribes of Michigan to

match our donation of $2,760 to donate frozen turkeys to the children of

the Wounded Knee School District of Pine Ridge and the six Bureau of

Indian Education Schools located on Pine Ridge reservation. Motion by

Michael F. LaFernier, Sr. to accept and approve the challenge of a

donation of $2,760 (for frozen turkeys) to one of the six Bureau of

Indian Education Schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation (President

Swartz is to choose one), supported by Toni Minton. Seven supported (Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota, Haataja, M.

LaFernier), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (Curtis, Edwards,

Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), motion carried.

Treasurer Doreen Blaker presented the November 2016 donations requests. Motion by Jennifer Misegan to approve the November 2016

donations as: $5,000.00 to Marine Corps League – Keweenaw Detachment #1016 for Toys for Tots for Baraga County, $500.00 for

Baraga Fire Department for Children’s Christmas Party, and $200.00

to Let’s Eat Community Program’s free community meal for a total of

$5,700.00, supported by Susan J. LaFernier. Seven supported

(Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota, Haataja, M.

LaFernier), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (Curtis, Edwards,

Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), motion carried.

Council scheduled an Employee Appeal of Dismissal Hearing Case

#007-16 for Thursday’s Council Meeting on November 10, 2016, 1:00 p.m.

Larry Denomie III, CEO, addressed Council on this year’s Government

Christmas/New Year’s Holiday schedule as the holidays all fall on the

weekend. Motion by Jennifer Misegan to approve the third option

presented to Council for the Christmas and New Years holidays, supported by Toni Minton. Seven supported (Misegan, S. LaFernier,

Minton, Blaker, Dakota, Haataja, M. LaFernier), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (Curtis, Edwards, Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), motion

carried. Government offices will be closed for the holidays on Thursday,

December 22, 2016; Friday, December 23, 2016; Monday, December 26,

2016; Friday December 30, 2016; and Monday, January 2, 2017.

Jennifer Misegan, Vice President, presented Baraga Ojibwa Senior

Citizens’ options involving a Christmas party to eliminate any confusion.

Beth Koski will be responsible to notify all the seniors of the following

choices, and an announcement will be published in the December newsletter. Motion by Jennifer Misegan that all Baraga and Marquette

County Ojibwa Seniors will receive a $75.00 gift card if they don’t attend the party, or they will receive a $50.00 gift card if they do attend

the senior’s Christmas Party, supported by Michael F. LaFernier, Sr.

Seven supported (Misegan, S. LaFernier, Minton, Blaker, Dakota,

Haataja, M. LaFernier), 0 opposed, 0 abstained, four absent (Curtis,

Edwards, Loonsfoot, Shalifoe), motion carried.

Council moved into closed session with Danielle Webb, Tribal Attorney,

on the agenda with a retainer agreement and an attorney update prior to

adjournment.

~ By Lauri Denomie, Newsletter Editor

December 2016 Calendar Events

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Dec. 3: Reg. Sat. Council Meeting, 9 am, Ojibwa Casino Conference

Room, Baraga;

Dec. 17: General Election 10 am—6 pm;

Dec. 22, 23, 26: Christmas Holiday, Gov’t offices closed;

Dec. 30 & Jan. 2: New Years Holiday, Gov’t offices closed.

~ submitted by newsletter editor

(2) Niizh

Psychologist To Be Hired continued:

dress the following identified community goals

outlined in our strategic plan: expand behavioral

and mental health services; create a safe and

healthy community free from drug and alcohol

use/abuse; prevent suicide; provide opportunity

and support for all Tribal families to flourish and

strengthen in a caring, safe, and supportive environment; preserve and protect our language

and the 'well-briety' (physical, emotional, spiritual, mental) of our Anishinabek life ways.

The project activities will be geared toward

our Tribal youth and young adults ages eight to

twenty-four and include the following: hire a

Psychologist, attend trainings, conduct evidence

based practices, create community action and

crisis plans, assist with pre and post surveys,

and provide counseling services (one on one

and family).

The project outcomes include: improving

public awareness of drug abuse and suicide prevention; decreasing substance use and abuse;

increasing family engagement and involvement;

and decreasing suicide plans, attempts, and

completions. Spillover effects expected include:

influential and positive effects such as responsibility, accountability, increased self-esteem, and

persistence to learn which will lead to a future of

sobriety, peace, and togetherness.

This project is a cooperative effort between

the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Health

Center and our Youth Program; each has a

separate advisory board/committee. This project will build upon other relationships throughout the four year project as well as include:

Tribal Social Services, Tribal Court, Tribal Police, and local schools.

This project will aid in developing an antisuicide and substance abuse campaign within

our community.

The Health Administrator

(Project Director), Niiwin Akeaa Programs Director (Project Coordinator), and the Project Psychologist will attend community events and project activities. One of the most important teachings for our youth will inform them about how as

soon as they are born they belong somewhere

(to a Tribe... a family). In addition, it is important

they understand that to Ojibwe people alcohol

and/or drug use is not traditional, and if they are

under the influence of either, they should not be

around anything considered sacred to our people such as drumming, eagle feathers, ceremonies, etc.

Sarah Maki, Assistant CEO, said, “We currently have the Psychologist position advertised.

We plan on providing these services to our

youth in the local schools with some office hours

being offered at the Donald LaPointe Medical

Center.”

~By Lauri Denomie, Editor

President’s Report for October 2016

The following briefly summarizes the activities in the Office of the President for the month of October 2016. (The President’s Report was given

orally and transcribed by the editor.)

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I have been filling in for the duties of the vacant building inspector position. I did approve the concrete portion of Jason Chaudier’s building

permit. I also approved a certificate of occupancy for the cell tower

that was completed last year.

Council held their October’s Saturday meeting in Harvey where students from NMU ‘s NAS 310 Tribal Law and Government class were

present. This class is taught by KBIC’s Associate Judge Violet Friisvall Ayres. The students had the opportunity to see how Tribal Council conducts business. We were able to participate in a question and

answer session following the meeting.

As there is an opening for the position of one of our Appellate Judges,

I made contact with two individuals who may be interested in filling the

position. I hope to make my recommendation to Council at the next

meeting.

Stephen King contacted the President’s office. Mr. King has worked

with a snowmobile magazine for the last fifteen years. He would like

to do some writing on his own but is looking for some financial assistance for his distribution of the magazine. He spoke of a possible joint

venture with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the need for a

few employees. I suggested that he provide us with a business plan,

and we’d take a look at it. It may be a marketing opportunity for our

Casino.

On October 17, 2016, I was made aware of a Clean Water Act violation that occurred on the Golf Course Road. Evidently there was a

huge rain storm that made the F-lawn fields of CertainTeed deposit a

number of contaminates into the water table. More specifically, it

turned Taylor Creek, located on the Golf Course Road, white, and we

were very concerned about it. In fact, our natural resource department were the first people on scene after a concerned citizen reported

it. They took some samples with officials of MDEQ. The CertainTeed

Company was notified in regards to contaminates that were flowing

downstream impacting the waters of the Falls River and Lake Superior. CertainTeed immediately responded to the F-lawn fields in question and bermed the site to take care of it temporarily. Obviously there

are some huge loads running downstream into the water table, so we

need to make a determination the kind of impact this is going to have

on our treaty protective resources and the waters of the United States.

Council has met with officials of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Buffalo Reef

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near Bay Degree spawning grounds. The copper mine’s tailing waste

from the copper mine industry is slowly engulfing the Buffalo Reef

which is a Grade A habitat for Lake Trout and White Fish spawning.

This is pollution from the copper industry which is going to have a

huge impact on the treaty rights we have. We spoke with them about

the importance of our treaty rights and the importance of fish to our

community. It is important those people who have the responsibility to

mitigate these efforts understand the importance of the treaty rights to

our people, and we took the opportunity to let them know the importance of that resource to our community.

I, along with a number of community officials, attended a meeting with

the Warden of the Baraga Correctional Center. The Warden gave an

update regarding food, overtime issues, and the quality and quantity of

food. He updated us on the situation that has been going on at the

Kinross Correctional Facility. We learned of an inmate commodity

called spud juice which is from the peelings of their potatoes which

they make some kind of beverage from it. The Warden spoke of classification of prisoners, and he did go over the meanings of the sirens

and the lock down procedures. He gave us a handout about a community alert system called Nixle. It is expected that in the next few

years there will be a lot of correctional officers retiring, so there will be

many job opportunities available. The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) offers the classes needed to become a correctional officer. A correctional officer starts at $17.00 an hour with

healthy pay increases. They also gave a presentation on their Leader

Dog Program where model prisoners are training eight dogs to help

with the blind.

I attended a Casino meeting, and things are moving forward with our

projects.

I met with Terri Denomie, Director of the KBIC Headstart. She spoke

of concerns regarding the InterTribal Council (ITC) program’s wage

and benefit package. I informed her that I would bring her concerns

up at the next ITC Board meeting.

Council recently approved Resolution KB-056-2016 related to the

sewer rate increases. Sewer will increase from $38.00 to $41.00, and

water will increase from $30.00 to $35.00. The reason for the increase

is to help offset some of the expenses related to the upkeep of the

systems.

We recently approved a Resolution related to the Menominee Tribe in

their opposition to the Back Forty Project, the Open Pit Sulfide Mine.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren C. Swartz

Vice President’s Report for October 2016

I am pleased to announce that as of November 1, 2016, all enrolled

members are covered under a $5,000.00 life insurance policy. Funeral

homes will be required to contact the Enrollment Department, provide a

death certificate, and an invoice; expenses will be covered up to

$5,000.00. I am currently working on providing Symetra, the life insurance

company we have chosen, with a census of the membership and getting

the information out to the members.

On October 6, Council entered into an agreement with Allegany Capital Enterprises (ACE), an Indian owned and federally licensed manufacturer of tobacco products. This partnership has been formed to assist us

in our tobacco manufacturing endeavors. Several years back the Tribe

had purchased equipment that will soon be put into operation. There are

several steps that need to be taken first. The first is creation of a separate

limited liability corporation which will be called the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community Tobacco Company, or KBICTC. We will need to adopt Articles of Incorporation, we will need to continue with the selection of the

Board of Directors, and the most important thing will be the filing of an application for a TTB license. Time is of the essence to get these things

completed and to begin producing product on the reservation. We are

currently working closely with the ACE staff, and conference calls are held

each week. They will have a team here to meet with the Council on November 17.

On October 27, we implemented a new program pursuant to the Tribal

General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014 called the General Welfare Support Program. This program will replace the former Christmas Gift/

Sovereignty Check program. This Federal law, which was enacted in

2014, allows the Tribe to provide assistance to the tribal membership as

nontaxable income. It is also no longer reportable as income to any governmental agency. Also, our Elder and Disability Pension Trust has been

reinstated and the same premise will apply; it is nontaxable and no longer

reportable as income. I have contacted both Michigan Department of

Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration. I informed them of the resolutions as well as the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act. We have several members who receive benefits from both

agencies, and the changes will definitely help them. Once we have more

information back from those agencies on what our members are to do and

what will happen, especially with this upcoming payment this month, we

will pass that along to the membership.

The eligibility guidelines for the General Welfare Support Program are

the same as the Christmas Gift/Sovereignty Check have been for several

years. I would like to clarify the many issues that I have been hearing or

seeing around the Community. First of all, a Committee has been in place

for years that includes directors and staff from Education, Probation, Child

Support, Social Services, Housing, Community Assistance, and the CEO.

If a tribal member tells anyone from one of these departments or reports to

them an address different from what is on file in the Enrollment Department, it is changed. For instance; if a member lives in Tribal Housing and

moves out, we know that, and the tribal member needs to contact us with

the new address. If a member is on probation and reports to the Probation

Officer that they have moved downstate, we change their address. If a

member is on Facebook or the internet and posts that they have

moved and pictures and posts follow, we have every right to require

an address verification from them. There is no expectation of priContinues on page four.

(3) Niswi

Vice President Report Continued:

vacy for anything on the internet and receiving benefits from the Tribe is not an entitlement because you once lived here. Be honest about where you live.

The CEO and I worked on both the advertisement and the article to be printed in

the December edition of the Delta Sky

Magazine. The time frame was very tight,

but we pulled it off with help from the Casino

Marketing department.

I participated in a workgroup session at

the Health Clinic for the Tribal Premium

Sponsorship Coverage as well as a webinar

for the Affordable Care Act.

Several

changes were made to the initial draft of the

program that was presented to the Council.

We are waiting on some statistical reports

before going further along with revisions to

the current draft.

After hearing from Chief of Police Mise-

gan about his concerns of the drug epidemic in our Community following another

drug overdose, we have formed a workgroup to revise the Controlled Substance

provisions in our Tribal Code. I will facilitate

the group and have included Chief Duane

Misegan, Prosecutor Danielle Webb, Treasurer Doreen Blaker, Chief Judge Bradley

Dakota, and Associate Judge Violet Friisvall

Ayres so far. If there are suggestions or if

anyone else would like to participate, please

let me know to include you in the meetings.

Almost 200 letters were sent this week to

those who assisted, sent cards, donations,

or supported the Community during the

tragic loss of the firefighters. We are still

working on placing additional thank yous in

various newspapers.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Misegan

Lake Superior Strain of

Lake Trout Retired from Federal

Hatchery System — Large Brood

Lake Trout Released

USFWS and KBIC-NRD Staff, along with with

KBOCC students, tagging and prepping Lake

Trout.

Continues on page twelve.

Tribal Council Secretary’s Report for the Month of October 2016

ANIN! We honor the greatness in you.

Remember: “Indian Country Counts”

“Our People, Our Nations, Our Future”

We continue to recognize the richness of Native American contributions, accomplishments, and sacrifices to the political, cultural,

and economic life of Michigan and the United States.

We wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!

Remember our Veterans on November 11, 2016, to honor and

celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. Veterans. Memorial

Day honors service members who died in service to their country or

as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are

also remembered on Veteran’s Day, but the day is set aside to

thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime.

Mino-Bimaadizin “Live Well”

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The Tribal Council held their Regular Saturday Meeting on October 8, 2016; five Special Council meetings were held on October 4,

6, 13, 20, and 27, 2016. The unapproved motions for October 4, 6,

8, 13, 20, and 27, 2016, follow. Actions taken were:

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October 4, 2016 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):

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Approved the Tier III Services Agreement renewal with Diane

Charron to provide teachings in traditional and contemporary

techniques in sewing, beading, dance regalia, quilting, and

crafting.

Approved the continuation of operations of governmental services for the next 30 days.

October 6, 2016 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):

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Approved the BIA CTGP Tactical Training Budget for

$47,000.00.

Approved the Worker’s Comp Lump Sum Settlement from Accident Fund as presented.

Approved to table the tobacco issue until the October 13, 2016

meeting.

October 8, 2016 Regular Council Meeting-Marquette Community Center (unapproved):

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Approved the Tribal Council President’s September 2016 Report (Warren C. Swartz, Jr.).

Approved the Tribal Council Vice President’s September 2016

Report (Jennifer Misegan).

Approved the Tribal Council Secretary’s September 2016 Report (Susan J. LaFernier).

Approved the CEO’s September 2016 Report (Larry J. Denomie

III).

Approved the August 2016 Department Head Reports.

Approved the candidates for the November 5, 2016, Primary

Election for the Baraga District: Donald Shalifoe, Sr. (Inc.),

Robin Chosa, Alden Connor, Daniel Connor, Ronald Edwards,

Hope Laramore, Rodney Loonsfoot, Elizabeth D. Mayo, and

Donald Messer, Jr. Also the candidate for the Associate Judge:

Violet M. Friisvall Ayres. The L’Anse District candidates are:

Michael F. LaFernier (Inc.), Lyndon Ekdahl, and Gary Loonsfoot, Jr. Per the Election Ordinance, a primary election will not

be held in the L’Anse District as there are only three candidates.

Approved the October 2016 donations as the following:

$500.00 to Bay Cliff Health Camp and $250.00 to Little Brothers

Friends of the Elderly

October 13, 2016 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):

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Approved the West Publishing Corporation Subscription Contract for the Tribal Attorney’s office for up to three years.

(4) Niiwin

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Approved the Special Counsel Contract with Dorsey & Whitney,

LLP for one year ending September 30, 2017.

Approved the Food Service Business License renewal for the

Sidetrack Bar and Grill with Ronald T. Edwards for one year.

Approved the Alcoholic Beverage License renewal for the Sidetrack Bar and Grill with Ronald T. Edwards for one year.

Approved the Memorandum of Cooperative Agreement with the

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan for the Affordable Care Act

Tribal Home Visiting Grant for one year for $148,000.00.

Approved the Memorandum of Cooperative Agreement with the

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan for the U.P. Tribal Breast Health

Coalition and Learning Collaborative Grant Program for one

year for $2,500.00.

Approved the Tier III Services Agreement with Environmental

International, Ltd to provide assistance in developing a set of

sediment and surface water cleanup criteria and water quality

standards for $46,000.00, May 13, 2016, through December 30,

2016.

Approved the Interconnection and Parallel Operating Agreement

for Category 2 Project for the solar energy project at the Donald

A. LaPointe Health and Education Center.

Approved Resolution KB 055-2016 Forest Development Project

Proposal to implement FY 2017 Catherine Valentine Commercial Forest Stand Improvement Plantation Brushing.

Tabled the Enterprise Employee Appeal of Dismissal Hearing

Case #006-2016 for more information next week.

Approved the proposed position and wage changes for the

Tribal Police Department.

Approved the cigarette manufacturing joint venture agreement,

term sheet, and establishment of an escrow account.

October 20, 2016 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):

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Approved to uphold the CEO’s decision in the Enterprise Employee Appeal of Dismissal Hearing Case #006-2016.

Tabled a Tribal member donation request for a teen pageant

sponsorship for more information/clarification.

Approved to appoint Terri Denomie to the ICWA Committee.

Approved the 2017 WIC Special Supplemental Grant for

$68,297.00 for one year and the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant for $18,126.00.

Approved the FY 2017 Budgets with a 2% raise.

October 27, 2016 Special Council Meeting (unapproved):

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Approved the September 10, and 15, 2016 Tribal Council Meeting Minutes.

Approved the Village of Baraga Electric Utility Distributed Generation-Avoided Cost Agreement for customer-generator renewable energy systems (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and

hydro generation).

Approved Resolution KB 060-2016 KBIC Second Amended and

Restated Tribal Elders and Disability Pension Trust. Benefits

provided from the Trust are provided in a manner consistent

with applicable federal law and IRS guidance, are not compensation for services, are not lavish and extravagant, and thus are

not subject to federal or state income tax and shall not be included as income by any government agency.

Approved Resolution KB 061-2016 General Welfare Support

Program which replaces the “Christmas Check” and

“Sovereignty Check” programs but checks will still be issued.

The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to

Adult Tribal Members to assist them for their education, housing, transportation, child care, medical care, non-prescription

drugs or other medicines not covered by insurance or public

health programs, temporary meals and lodging in connection

Continues on page five.

Secretary Report Continued:

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with obtaining health care, health insurance deductible payments, and similar

needs which are not subject to federal

or state income tax.

Defeated a motion to approve $2,100.00

for the Sovereignty/Christmas Check.

Approved $2,000.00 for the KBIC General

Welfare

Support

Program

(Christmas) check.

Approved a 2% annual raise for FY

2017 for all Governmental and Enterprise employees effective on each employees anniversary date, retroactive to

October 1, 2016, except: a) Employees

whose increases are identified in their

employment agreement; b) Employees

who work as a consultant, under a services agreement, or perform outside

sales and receive commissions; c) Employees serving in interim or temporary/

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on-call positions.

Approved Resolution KB 056-2016 Zeba

Water and Sewer Rate/Reconnection

Fee increases effective January 1,

2017. The sewer rates will be increased

from $38.00 to $41.00 and the water

rates will be increased from $30.00 to

$35.00 per month. The reconnection

fees (after shutoff) will be increased

from $10.0 to $30.00.

Approved Jeremy Hebert’s C & C Tire

Business License Renewal (tire sales

and repair).

Approved the Ford Farm Road Project

(paving) Modification No. 2 to remove

existing dirt and replace with special

sand $45,474.77.

Approved the Services Agreement with

Lyndon Ekdahl to provide building official services.

Approved Resolution KB 059-2016 to

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support the Menominee Indian Tribe of

Wisconsin in their opposition to Aquila’s

Back Forty open pit metal sulfide mine

project in the Menominee River Watershed and hereby recognizes that the

short term by so few is not worth the

long term risk to the wellbeing of the

next seven generations.

Approved the wage adjustment, option

number one, for the Interim BP manager

and to grant the retroactive wages in the

amount of $4,036.32 from the 2014 promotion.

Approved to open a checking account

with River Valley Bank and transfer the

Trust investment accounts from Wells

Fargo to Superior National Bank.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan J. LaFernier

CEO’s Report for the month of October 2016

During the month of October 2016, the CEO's office reported the

following:

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Fiscal Year 2017 budgets were approved and included a 2%

raise for most employees. The budgeting process was tedious,

but in the end, it did wrap up with a surplus of just over

$100,000.

On October 31, the Tribe's Social Services Department became

fully staffed, and the department no longer depends on the State

of Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to provide services 24/7. The next step in the process is to have our

department provide after hours and weekend coverage. It is

expected that aspect will be running effective December 1. Until

that time, the MI DHHS will continue to assist with the afterhours

and weekend work.

A number of projects are progressing and slated to be completed before the onset of winter. The solar array projects at

both the health center and New Day Treatment facility are set to

be completed on time. The Ford Farm Road project is receiving

its last layer of asphalt and is expected to be completed within

the next two weeks.

The Ojibwa BP and Rez Stop stores were closed October 12-16

to address a number of operational issues. Roberta Jondreau is

no longer the manager of the businesses. Patricia Koski and

Michael Lahti have taken over management and will be streamlining operations consistent with the Pines Convenience Center.

In the interim, the manager position will not be filled permanently, and options for restructuring management of the convenience stores, carwash, and laundromat were developed.

A wage and benefits analysis was conducted for the Tribal Police Department due to a request by the Chief of Police. After

investing thousands of dollars into training his officers, a number

of them left to be hired by other area departments. That analysis

revealed that our officers were undercompensated. With the

recent approval by Tribal Council to increase the starting wage,

the department will be better positioned to acquire and retain

officers.

The Tribe has received the renewal quote for the health insurance provided for employees. If no changes are made to current coverage, a 5.6% increase will be realized. The future, however, doesn't look as good. Our agent isn't able to provide a

PUBLIC APOLOGY/

EMBEZZLEMENT

To all K.B.I.C. members whose

trust I have violated. What I put each

and everyone of you’s through regarding my dishonestly was… IS very

uncalled for. I know better. I was

raised to treat people with respect

and dignity.

Stealing from anyone is a disgrace

and then to take from low income

families is an all time low. People

who live on a fixed income have it

hard enough.

I can not express enough how

very sorry I am. I hope someday I

can prove to everyone that I can be

trusted again, but I truly understand if

this doesn’t happen.

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solid number at this time but warns that a significant increase,

due mostly to costs associated with the prescription coverage

provided, is likely with our renewal in 2018. It was pointed out

that a huge part of the increase in prescription coverage is due

to the increasing costs of specialized drugs. One-percent (1%)

of all scripts written on our plan is for specialized drugs, but this

accounts for 35% of the cost. Educating participants is also going to be the key in controlling the cost. Employees will receive

education this coming year as to how they can assist. As part of

the upcoming renewal, a change to the prescription co-pay

could be an option to help lessen the burden on employees in

the future. Council will need to make its decision on the renewal

at its upcoming meeting.

I participated in the semi-annual review of the Tribes 401(k) and

Defined Benefit plan. Both experienced moderate growth and

income gains. Investment selections for both plans remain

strong and require no changes at this time. Our advisors provided insight into the political affects that may arise after the national elections are over but were optimistic with the outcome

regardless of who became our next president.

It is with much regret that I have to report the Tribal Council has

determined it will no longer sell the Native brand cigarettes after

our current stock is depleted. The stores will carry the national

brands in its place until the Tribe’s tobacco manufacturing operation is up and running. The process to begin manufacturing is

moving forward as quickly as possible and will likely take six to

nine months to complete.

In a final note, the governmental offices of the Tribe will be

closed on Friday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day.

A luncheon is being hosted for all Veterans by staff and the

Ojibwa Casino Baraga at the former Big Bucks Bingo Hall from

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. A flag raising ceremony will take place at 1:30

p.m. in front of the Tribal Center. Anyone may attend; the meal

is free for Veterans and non-veterans may make a $5 donation

which will go toward the local "Toys for Tots" campaign. We will

also be providing delivered meals for our homebound KBIC Seniors due to the Ojibwa Seniors Center being closed for the day.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry Denomie III, CEO

To place an ad, submit an

article, or relate information,

ideas, or possible articles

contact: Lauri Denomie at

(906) 201-0263, or e-mail:

newsletter@kbic-nsn.gov.

Notice from the Motor

Vehicle Division

Lengthy transactions will

not be processed after 4:10

each day, effective immediately. Thank you in advance

for your cooperation.

To be added to the mailing

list or to correct your mailing address, contact the

enrollment office at

(906) 353-6623 ext.

4113.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Is your charitable organization planning on holding a raffle or selling raffle tickets on the L’Anse Indian Reservation?

Federal law, through the Indian Gaming Regulatory

Act, granted Tribes exclusive right to regulate gaming

activity on Indian lands. Even if you or the members of

your organization are not tribal members, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Gaming Commission

has the authority to regulate your raffle. It is unlawful to

game without a license.

Please contact the KBIC Gaming Commission Office

at (906) 353-4222 or stop by the office located at the

Tribal Center for an application and a

copy of the rules and regulations.

Application deadline for submission

of ALL Class I Drawings is 30 days

and Class II Raffles is 60 days prior to

your event. License Fee will be waived

16429 Bear Town, Rd.

when the application is received within Baraga, MI 49908

(906) 353-4222

this timeline.

(5) Naanan

KBIC Announces New General

Manager of the Baraga and

Marquette Casinos

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has

hired 30-year casino veteran Don Wren as General

Manager of their Marquette and Baraga properties.

Don has a very unique and successful background holding top executive level positions in

Gaming, Hotel, and Marketing. He has worked

with companies such as Caesars Entertainment,

MGM Grand, Tropicana, Las Vegas Hilton, and

Greektown Casinos.

Don began his career in Atlantic City and has

worked in numerous markets throughout the

United States, such as Chicago, Las Vegas, and

Detroit. A Native of Franklinville, New Jersey, he

earned his bachelor’s degree from The University

of Nevada Las Vegas.

Along with the properties’ operations, Don will

play a key role in the $40 million expansion projects expected to break ground soon for Marquette

and Baraga.

(6) Ningodwaaswi

(7) Niizhwaaswi

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON

INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)

FY 2016 NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*

(Effective Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016)

*The net monthly income standard for each household size

is the sum of the applicable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) net monthly income standard and

the applicable SNAP standard deduction.

48 Contiguous United

States:

Household

Size

Use this

amount

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP

Standard Deduction

FDPIR Net

Monthly Income Standard

1

$ 981

+

$155

=

$1,136

2

$1,328

+

$155

=

$1,483

3

$1,675

+

$155

=

$1,830

4

$2,021

+

$168

=

$2,189

5

$2,368

+

$197

=

$2,565

6

$2,715

+

$226

=

$2,941

7

$3,061

+

$226

=

$3,287

8

$3,408

+

$226

=

$3,634

Each additional member

+ $347

Alaska:

Use this

amount

Household

Size

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP

Standard Deduction

1

$1,227

+

$265

=

$1,492

2

$1,660

+

$265

=

$1,925

3

$2,094

+

$265

=

$2,359

4

$2,527

+

$265

=

$2,792

5

$2,960

+

$265

=

$3,225

6

$3,394

+

$282

=

$3,676

7

$3,827

+

$282

=

$4,109

8

$4,260

+

$282

=

$4,542

Each additional member

FDPIR Net

Monthly Income Standard

+ $434

Floyd Joseph Forcia, Sr.

(November 6, 1931—November 15, 2016)

Floyd Joseph Forcia, Sr, age 85, of L’Anse,

MI, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2016,

at The Lighthouse of Hancock.

He was born November 6, 1931, in Assinins,

MI, and attended school there. He was in the US

Army from 1948-52. Floyd worked at the White

Pine Copper Mine. Then he moved to Flint, MI,

where he worked for Grand Truck Railroad and

Construction until he took a job with GM where

he retired from in 1988. He then moved back to

L’Anse.

Floyd was a member of KBIC and Ojibwa

Seniors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on

cars, and tinkering in his garage.

Surviving are his son: Floyd Jr. of L’Anse;

daughters: Vicky Forcia of Flint, MI, Sherry Lynn

(Jack) Martin of Clio, MI, and Faye Ann (Rusty)

Hallett of Davison, MI; sisters: Laura Lee and

Anna Nobel both of Flint; nine grandchildren;

many great grandchildren; nieces: and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents; siblings: Pauline Harrington, Irene Vuk, Celia Mayo,

Mildred LaFernier, Jack Forcia, and Clarence

Forcia.

Visitation was held on Friday, November 18,

2016, from 11-1:00 p.m. at Jacobson Funeral

Home, with funeral service held at 1:00 p.m. with

Deacon John Cadeau officiating. The Jacobson

Funeral Home assisted the family.

Kathleen Jean Manning

(November 23, 1952—November 21, 2016)

Kathleen Jean Manning, age 63 of Baraga,

MI, passed away on Monday, November 21,

2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born November 23, 1952, in Keweenaw Bay, MI, daughter of Bernard and Virginia (Kunick) LaFernier. Kathy graduated from

Baraga High School.

She married Robert

“Gumba” Manning on May 26, 1977, in Baraga.

She worked for KBIC for 15 years as an accountant, retiring in 2015.

Kathy enjoyed picking berries, camp fires, and

the outdoors. She was an avid reader; she enjoyed going to the casino, and shopping. Kathy

(8) Ishwaaswi

was generous by nature. She was a woman of

faith and deeply loved her family.

Surviving are her husband Robert “Gumba”

of Baraga; daughters: Tina Durant of Baraga,

Maura (Craig) Holma of Iron River, Karin (Carl)

Adams of Baraga, and Heidi Larson of Kingsford; brothers: Bernard and Jerry LaFernier both

of Baraga; grandchildren, she called “her six

pack”: Hannah Kathleen, Travis, Austin, Kassidy

Jean, Allison, Faith; and numerous nieces and

nephews. She was preceded by her parents.

Visitation was held on Friday, November 25,

2016, from 12-2:00 p.m. at Jacobson Funeral

Home in L’Anse. A memorial service followed

with Rev. Julie Belew officiating. The Jacobson

Funeral Home assisted the family.

KBIC Youth Halloween Party

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

KBIC Youth Program held the Baraga County Halloween party

on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Niiwin Akeaa Facility. Participants took part in a number of games for great prizes, took a horsedrawn wagon ride, and enjoyed a meal consisting of Jets Pizza. A

costume contest was held for different age groups. All the children

left the event with a number of prizes and a huge bag of candy.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 0-1, (L to R): 1st place—Kennadie Forcia, 2nd place—Dekkar

Denomie, 3rd place—Logan Ekdahl.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Alan Swartz, Jr. (left) and Cara Connor (right) enjoyed spending some

time visiting with the horses.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 2-3, (L to R): 1st place—Aaliyah Loonsfoot, 2nd place—Zander

Tammelin, 3rd place—Emma Lynn Rothenberger.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 4-5, (L to R): 1st place—Kobe Forcia, 2nd place—Alia Curtis, 3rd

place—Jordan Ekdahl.

Ages 6-8, (L to R): 1st place—Laila Dowd, 2nd place—Sam Lee, 3rd

place—Kamryn and Arianna Loonsfoot.

Continues on page ten.

(9) Zhaangaswi

KBIC Youth Halloween Party continues:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2016

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 9-10, (L to R): 1st place—Rion Fountaine, 2nd place—Annali

Hendrickson, 3rd place Shayna Pittsley.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 11-14, (L to R): 1st place—Deija Dakota, 2nd place—Tokala

Chosa, 3rd place Hailey Tellin.

On October 20, 2016, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, a

federally recognized Indian Tribe, was notified by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office that criminal warrants were issued for two of

its members and former employees for alleged felony violations of

the Michigan Tobacco Products Tax Act. The warrants are based

on Michigan State Police’s wrongful seizure of tobacco products on

December 11, 2015. The seized products included tobacco products, a pickup truck and trailer, all owned by the Keweenaw Bay

Indian Community. The two men were KBIC employees at the time

of the seizure and were transporting cigarettes which were manufactured in Indian Country, were intended to be sold in Indian Country, and were illegally seized within the ceded home territory of the

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

This was the first of three wrongful seizures by the State of

Michigan. KBIC has taken actions to protect its sovereignty and its

members by filing a civil complaint in the Federal Court in the Western District of Michigan regarding these seizures and Michigan‘s

application of sales and use tax on KBIC and its members.

KBIC takes its duty to provide for the welfare of its members seriously. Michigan has now resorted to threatening incarceration

against employees and members of KBIC for KBIC’s exercise of its

sovereignty. It is due to this and other reasons that for now, KBIC

will be selling tobacco which bears a Michigan tax stamp.

It should be known that KBIC is not giving up — in fact, they are

fighting back with full-force. KBIC has begun to prepare to manufacture and sell its own cigarettes in Indian County, on the L’Anse

Reservation and on KBIC’s trust lands. The revenues raised from

these sales will be used to provide benefits to KBIC members.

KBIC will not be coerced into paying state taxes by Michigan’s

strong-armed prosecution of KBIC’s members. KBIC and its leaders will do what they can to protect its sovereignty and its people.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Employment Opportunities

http://www.kbic-nsn.gov/html/personnel.htm

For current job listings, complete job announcements, applications, and

closing dates contact: KBIC Personnel Department, 16429 Bear Town

Road, Baraga, MI 49908-9210 or 906-353-6623, ext 4176 or 4140 or visit:

www.kbic-nsn.gov.

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Ecologist, KBNRD, (full-time), 12/2/2016

Air Quality Specialist, KBNRD, (part-time), 12/2/2016

Assistant Manager, KBIC Convenience Stores, (full-time), 12/5/2016

Great Lakes Resources Specialist, KBNRD, (full-time) 12/9/2016

Laborer, various departments, (on-call) 12/9/2016

Physician/Medical Director, DHHS, (full-time), open until filled

Law Clerk, Office of the Attorney, (full-time, temporary), open until

filled

Tribal Assistant Attorney (full-time), Office of the Attorney, open until

filled

On-call positions (open continuous): Pharmacy Technician, Facility Attendant, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Internal Sales Specialist,

Pharmacist, Receptionist/Clerical Worker, Fill-in Receptionist, Board Operator,

Cashier, Account Executive/Sales, Community Service Supervisor, Unit Manager (Newday), Unit Manager (OVW), Van Driver, Cleaning Person, Natural

Resources Technician.

Picture by Lauri Denomie.

Ages 15 up, (L to R): 1st place—Kayla Dakota, 2nd place—Marianna

Teikari, 3rd place Keira Dakota.

WHAT:

An indoor walking program.

WHEN:

Beginning Monday, December 5, 2016, from 10:30 am

to 1:30 pm on weekdays (excluding holidays, or

snow days) through Friday, April 7, 2017. Only work

day activity will count toward earning Prizes.

For complete job announcement and application requirements contact: KBIC Personnel Department, 16429 Bear Town Road, Baraga, Michigan, 49908. (906)353-6623,

ext. 4176 or 4140, or visit us at www.kbic-nsn.gov.

CONSTITUTION CORNER

ARTICLE VI

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Earn prizes for every ten times you walk.

Grab a buddy

and walk during

your lunch

break, be sure to

bring a sack

lunch and leave

a few minutes to

eat!

Contact Popcorn at 353-4531 or popcorn@kbic-nsn.gov for a

log information or to redeem your prize.

This is a tobacco

free event.

WHERE: The KBOCC Gymnasium.

WHO:

Anyone who would like to stay active through the

winter months.

WHY:

Everyone should participate in at least 30 minutes of

Physical activity 5 times a week to stay fit.

Program sponsored by CDC/REACH Journey to wellness, and KBIC Youth.

(10) Midaaswi

Section 1. The Tribal Council shall have the

power, subject to any limitations imposed by

the Statutes or the Constitution of the United

States, and subject to all express restrictions

upon such powers contained in this Constitution and attached By-laws.

Question: What does this mean to you as an

individual?

Constitution and By-laws of the Keweenaw

Bay Indian Community are available at the

Tribal Center.

Drugs and Alcohol on the Rez, by Ginnyann Jermac, Elder

There is an alarming rate of dysfunction in our native community.

Healing seems to be infrequent. In fact, throughout Indian County,

a U.S. Civil Rights Commission report says, “Indians are 770 times

more likely to die of alcoholism than any other group.” Indian

Health Service data shows the alcoholism rate for Indians is more

than 600 times the national average (Robertson). We are heavily

into alcoholism and prescription and street drugs on our Rez. Every

family within our tribe is affected by the devastation it brings on our

community.

I was the Alcohol Educator for many years at Newday Treatment

Center for our Tribe, and one of my responsibilities consisted of

showing films, videos, and sharing my personal story as an addict

and how I came into recovery. There is a video entitled The Honor

of All (Ben), about a band of Shuswop Indians from British Columbia, who fought a 15-year battle with alcoholism and substance

abuse between 1970 and 1985. At the time of the 1970’s, the Alkali

Lake citizens were 100% users of alcohol. By 1985, there was a

sobriety rate of 95%. “The Honor of one is the Honor of all.” What

happened with the natives of this tribe can happen with our tribe.

Our community has been going through trauma and unbelievable sadness the last year or so. We have lost many of our tribal

members because of the devastating effects alcohol and drugs, and

sadly many of those have been our youth. According to Nancy

Gale, who studies substance abuse among American Indians and

Alaskan Natives, “Living up to worthy expectations can be difficult

for anyone…. Most youth are challenged to experiment with alcohol

and drugs.” Many Native youth however, face additional hazards

that increase their risk for alcohol and substance abuse: cultural

conflict, post-traumatic stress, and low self-esteem. When traditional Native values clash with the values of the dominant society,

cultural conflict results. Native youth must also deal with their identity as Indians. In this effort they face a microcosm of all the problems with which their culture struggles.” (United States) The community and everyone who lives here is shocked and in despair as to

what to do about this debilitating abuse among our people. What is

the answer? What can we do? Where do we turn?

My tribe is my family, and my heart has always felt a sadness,

and my continued prayer is to help in any way that I can with this

devastating problem of alcoholism and drugs that is destroying our

people. It is my belief that we as a people are strong, and we can

do this. We, ourselves, can decide on recovery.

Four Worlds International Institute is a family of people and organizations bound together by a set of common principles based on

the traditional teachings of North American tribal peoples, brought

together in a non-profit organization with the best that western science and technology have to offer. For more than 18 years, Four

Worlds has been learning how to support individual, families, organizations, communities, and nations in building a healthy and

sustainable future for the human family (www.4worlds.org).

Two case studies were developed by the Four Worlds International Institute – Alkali Lake and Hollow Water, Manitoba. Alkali

Lake is a band of natives from British Columbia, Canada, who decided to fight the war of alcoholism on their reserve by becoming

involved in a “new beginning” seen through the participants’ own

eyes. If the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community decided to implement and research how these two communities began their healing

with alcoholism and the struggles of their dysfunctional communities

and we opened up our hearts and believed in ourselves, we as a

community can do this also (www.4worlds.org).

My family achieved their sobriety through the process of treatment, counseling, AA, and most importantly, they started to live the

way of life the Creator gave to us. They attended ceremonies,

sweats, talking circles, and began a cycle of learning how we as

natives live our lives in harmony with the earth.

My family and their history of alcoholism and drugs is an amazing journey. I am from a family of ten consisting of six brothers and

four sisters. My father and mother were both alcoholics and their

fathers and mothers also. I can remember as a child, we were

raised in dysfunctional junction, raised in a zoo. There was spouse

abuse, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, homicide, extensive

unemployment, and continued deterioration of the family structure.

It seems the behavior is normal when one is living it, and I have

learned throughout my recovery that it is not.

Today, my siblings and I are sober and free from the demons of

alcohol and drugs. But, there are many more addictions we have

had to face throughout our progression and growth to sobriety. We

are dealing with food, sex, gambling, and I think an ongoing battle

with obsessive compulsive behavior. As my family progressed in

the disease of alcoholism and drugs, we fell one by one, and we

received treatment one after another. Without the intervention of

treatment and continued support of each other, we would not have

survived. Without the love for one another, we would not have the

courage and strength to continue.

My family lives our traditional way of life. It is a very spiritual

path we are on. It is what our spirits need to survive. Without sobriety and living our cultural and traditional ways, I don’t think we

would be where we are today. Each and every family member continues to walk with the Creator, and we are an inspiration for each

other sharing our strengths and courage. It is not easy to walk this

road, but it is our journey of life and we have been given a gift, and

we will continue to share with our people for “the honor of one is the

honor of all.”

My faith is in the goodness of the human spirit, and I cannot fully

express this in words. It is my connection with the Creator. What

he has done for my family, he can do for my community. Let this

continue to be my prayer for my people: allow our minds, our spirits,

and our hearts to be open and ready when it begins to happen. It

will if we keep the faith and believe in miracles.

We need to go back to our way of life, we need to be who we are

as a people, and we need to begin living our culture and traditional

ways. We need to be family and love each other and care and

share and give to one another. It is a good way; it is the way the

Creator wants us to be. It is how he created us to be good human

beings.

The process that Alkali Lake was given to begin their healing is

the same as my family used to begin our healing. Even though we

were brought up in a very dysfunctional family with alcohol and

drugs, we were also raised with the traditional cultural ways of our

people. So it was only natural for my brothers and sisters to relearn

and follow our traditions after we began to heal from alcoholism.

A beginning for our tribe would be to go to the key people involved and go to the Tribal Council, Newday Treatment Center, the

Department of Health and Human Services, the Tribal Court, Police

Department, and the Department of Social Services. We, the sober

community, are a very important resource, and we must come together and combat drugs and alcohol. We must share our stories

and support each other. We have many sober tribal people, and we

must make it a priority to send a message of “NO TOLERANCE

FOR ALCOHOL/DRUGS ON OUR REZ.”

______________________

Ben, Leon W., Wellness Circles: The Alkali Lake Model in Community Recovery Processes,”

Proc. of Annual Meeting of the Arizona Educational Research Association, Tempe, AZ., Nov.

1992 Web. 28 Nov. 2011. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb

-truc&_&ERICExtSearch_

Search Value_0=ED352347&ERICExtSearch_Search/Type_0=no&accno+ED352347.

Lane, Jr., Phil, Part IV – Case Studies, Four Worlds International Institute, 1995. Web. 28

Nov. 2011. http://www.4worlds.org/4w/sar/Partiv.htm.

Robertson, Tom. Alcohol Exposure Affects Generations on Indian Reservations. MPR.

Bemidji, MN. MPR News. Minnesota Public Radio, 17 Oct. 2007, Web. 8 Dec. 2011. http://

minnesota.public radio.org/display/web/2007/10/17/indianfasd.

United States, ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools. Fighting Alcohol

and Substance Abuse among American Indian and Alaskan Native Youth. By Nancy Gale.

ERIC Digest, July 1991. Web. 8 Dec. 2011. http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9221/indian.htm

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has

been detected in Baraga

County.

Infested firewood is the most common

way that EAB is spread.

Please don’t move firewood!

For more information about EAB contact the KBIC Natural Resources Department at 524-5757 or look on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Website:

http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-2390_18298---,00.html

(11) Ashi bezhig

~ NOTICE ~

TO ALL KBIC SENIORS 55 YEARS

OF AGE OR OLDER, AND PERMANENTLY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED-DISABLED PERSON:

SNOW PLOWING REQUIREMENTS

Head of Household Name: ______________

____________________________________

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal

Member’s Enrollment #: ____________

Reside on the Reservation (Baraga County):

__________ Yes __________ No

Physical Address: _____________________

____________________________________

L’Anse __________

Baraga __________

Telephone Number: (906) _______________

Proof of Age — Birth Date: ____/____/_____

Sign up at the front desk at the Tribal Center

with proof (Enrollment Card, Driver’s License,

and/or proof of disability) or mail the information to:

KBIC Tribal Center

ATTN: Front Desk Receptionist

16429 Bear Town Road

Baraga, MI 49908

The Tribal Council will consider plowing privileges for those with permanent, physical disabilities within a “five” mile radius off the Reservation. Please submit a request and the

above information.

* approved 01-14-2011

Tribal Council Meeting

Lake Superior Strain of Lake Trout Retired

From Hatchery continued:

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Iron

River National Fish Hatchery (IRNFH) coordinated a

Lake Trout stocking effort with multiple agencies, including KBIC. Lake Trout that originated from the

eastern Lake Superior Basin (Klondike Reef Strain)

were being used to provide eggs and hatchery reared

fish for rehabilitative stocking in the lower Great Lakes,

but a group of more than 400 fish were being retired.

A portion of these fish were stocked in inland waters by

Permit No. 62

U.S Postage PAID

Big Rapids, MI 49307

PRE-SORT STANDARD

(12) Ashi Niizh

outside agencies, and 350 fish

were stocked in Keweenaw Bay,

Lake Superior.

KEWEENAW BAY INDIAN COMMUNITY

OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

472 N. Superior Ave. • Baraga, MI 49908

In Tribal Court Building

Phone: 906-353-4566 • Fax: 906-353-8132

• E-mail: ocss@kbic-nsn.gov

“Your Children…Our Priority”

We provide the following services:

KBOCC student Serene Smith releases

a freshly tagged Klondike Reef Lake

Trout.

All Lake Trout were tagged before handling and release. Anyone

capturing a tagged fish is encouraged to contact KBIC-NRD, or mail

in tags for eventual reward.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

16429 Bear Town Rd-Baraga, Mi 49908-9210

Please feel free to contact KBIC-NRD for more information at (906) 524-5757.

 Establishment, Enforcement

and Modification of Child

Support Orders

 Paternity Establishment

 Location of Custodial and

Non-Custodial Parents

 Community Education