The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe (2020)

WIIKWEDONG

DAZHI-OJIBWE

The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe

Iskigamizige Giizis – Maple Sugar Making Moon - April 2020

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Response To COVID-19

Office of the President, KBIC —March 20,

2020

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

is working together as a team to come together during this national state of emergency. In the interest of slowing the

spread of the COVID-19, all buildings will

be closed to the public, with the exception

of the Health Center, Commodity Foods,

Senior Center (pick-up and delivery of

meals only), Transitional Home Programs

and Services, Solid Waste Facility, and

Police as of 11:59 p.m. on March 21,

2020.

The Health Center will require patients

to call ahead at (906) 353-8700 to access

health needs and the pharmacy will require patients to call ahead at (906) 3534555 for pick-up of prescriptions.

The Solid Waste Facility will continue to

operate and pick up garbage.

Senior/Disability payments will be

mailed to those who normally pick up their

checks. Senior heating payments will not

be processed, as utility companies are not

disconnecting services at this time. Snow

plowing driveways for the elders/disabled

will not be done.

Water/Sewer payments may be made

once the Tribal Center opens again. No

disconnections will happen at this time.

Housing rental payments may be

mailed or put in the drop box at the housing department. No evictions due to nonpayment will happen at this time. Work

orders may still be called in to (906) 2011903. Contact with Superior View Complex tenants will be done by housing staff

to see if basic needs of food, water, or toilet paper are needed. If SVC tenants need

someone to run to the store, staff can provide this service.

Updates will be available on the website, the Tribe’s Facebook page, radio station, and on a pre-recorded phone number

(906) 353-4523.

Office of the President, KBIC —March 20,

2020

In light of the growing public health crisis regarding the Coronavirus disease

(COVID-19), the Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community has decided to temporarily

close non-essential Tribal Government offices and both of the Ojibwa Casinos in

Marquette and Baraga beginning on March

21, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. through April 12,

2020. The Tribal Council will continue to

assess the situation as the crisis unfolds.

Casino and government employees will be

compensated during this temporary closure to help ensure their financial security

during this stressful time.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Tribal Council made this decision after

Issue 189

Tribal Council Members:

Warren C. Swartz, Jr., President

consulting with public health leaders at the

tribal, state, and federal level. “It has become clear that the Coronavirus disease

can have drastic impacts, but the Community is taking bold measures to protect the

health of every member of the Community,” said President Swartz. “We can proactively work to stop the spread of this disease, and we will continue to work with

leaders at every level moving forward.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

is monitoring the ongoing crisis and is prepared to take aggressive steps to ensure

the health of the Community is protected.

Gary F. Loonsfoot, Jr., Vice-President

KBIC Health Systems Update — March

24, 2020

Don Messer, Jr.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 25,

2020, The KBIC Health System Medical

Clinic and Pharmacy will be open MondayFriday 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m. We are following CDC recommendations and have

implemented practices to limit the number

of people coming into the center while still

providing essential services. Please use

the State Street entrance when coming to

our facility. Call (906) 353-8700 before

coming in for appointments or if you have

questions regarding your health.

 We continue to evaluate all people entering the facility for COVID-19 risk.

 If individuals meet the criteria for

COVID-19 testing, we will work with our

local health department to arrange for

that person to be tested.

 Essential medical services continue to

be provided, call

(906) 353-8700 if

you

need

to

schedule an appointment or to

talk with a medical provider. Anyone with complaints of upper

respiratory symptoms will be triaged by telephone

before

coming to the

clinic.

 The Dental Clinic

is open for emergency treatment

only, call (906)

353-8700 to talk

with staff if you

have a dental

concern.

 Call the pharmacy

at (906) 353-4555 to order refills of

prescription medications. Drive up to

the main entrance when picking up

medication and it will be delivered to

Kim Klopstein, Secretary

Toni J. Minton, Asst. Secretary

Doreen G. Blaker, Treasurer

Robert R.D. Curtis, Jr.

Eddy Edwards

Dale Goodreau

Randall R. Haataja

Susan J. LaFernier

Rodney Loonsfoot

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST





KBIC Response to COVID-19



KBIC Health Systems announces two pediatricians

are now available



EPA Approves KBIC Application for TAS in Air Quality



3rd Annual Ice Fishing Tournament Held



Education Incentive Program

Awards Made



New Employees



Criminal Report



Deepest Sympathy

your vehicle. Limited home delivery is available.

Behavioral Health Services are

limited. Call (906) 353-8700 to

talk with a medical provider.

Continues page two.

(1) Bezhig

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Response To COVID-19 continued:

















To have a voucher faxed to a specialist or facility call (906) 353-4537

and the PRC clerk will fax it to the

facility/specialist you are going to

see.

WIC clients should call (906) 3534527 before coming in for an appointment.

Home visits and long distance medical transports are discontinued at

this time.

Coronavirus Resources:

Western UP Health Department

Coronavirus Call Center Monday –

Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (906)

487-5545

Michigan Coronavirus Hotline Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

1-888-535-6136

www.CDC.gov

www.Michigan.gov

www.wupdhd.org

— NOTICE —

Individuals may call Tribal

Police (906) 353-6626 if they

have an emergency or 911.

Updates to operations can

be obtained by calling (906)

353-4523.

Office of the Chief Judge

Keweenaw Bay Tribal Court

March 23, 2020 — To the Keweenaw

Bay Indian Community

While keeping the Court available to

the fullest extent, all proceedings must

be consistent with public safety as well

as any further directives from the Court,

as well as, federal and tribal public

health advisories.

The Court shall employ a balanced

and objective approach that considers

both the uninterrupted administration of

justice, health, and well being of the judicial branch of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and its Court patrons.

Therefore, all persons in custody or

who shall have the potential to be

placed into custody shall have immediate access to the Court as described by

law, as well as those requiring emergency hearings. These hearings shall

utilize telephone and polycom services.

All other hearings which can be rescheduled shall be postponed and

scheduled beginning the week of April

13, 2020.

Please contact the Court with any

questions and/or concerns. Note: Lauri

Denomie, Chief Court Clerk, shall

schedule any necessary hearings for

the Court. Contact may be made by

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

courtclerk@kbic-nsn.gov.

— NOTICE —

Breastfeeding Support Circle will be

cancelled for April.

~ Lena Wascher, BSN, RN,

KBIC WIC Coordinator

(2) Niizh

The United States President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America

15 Days to Slow the Spread

1. Listen to and follow the directions of

your state and local authorities.

2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not

go to work. Contact your medical

provider.

3. If your children are sick, keep them

at home. Do not send them to

school. Contact your medical provider.

4. If someone in your household has

tested positive for the coronavirus,

keep the entire household at home.

Do not go to work. Do not go to

school. Contact your medical provider.

5. If you are an older person, stay

home and away from other people.

6. If you are a person with a serious

underlying health condition that can

put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your

lung or heart function or weakens

your immune system), stay home

and way from other people.

7. Even if you are young, or otherwise

healthy, you are at risk, and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part

to stop the spread of the coronavirus:

 Work or engage in schooling from

home whenever possible.

 If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the

Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services,

pharmaceutical, and food supply,

you have special responsibility to

maintain your normal work

schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance

to protect your health at work.

 Avoid social gatherings in groups

of more than 10 people.

 Avoid eating or drinking in bars,

restaurants, and food courts.

Use drive thru, pickup, or delivery

options.

 Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.

 Do not visit nursing homes or retirement and long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

 Practice good hygiene:

 Wash your hands, especially

after touching any frequently

used item or surface.

 Avoid touching your face.

 Sneeze or cough into a tissue,

or the inside of your elbow.

 Disinfect frequently used

items and surfaces as much

as possible.

 School operations can accelerate the

spread of the coronavirus. Governors of states with evidence of community transmission should close

schools in affected and surrounding

areas.

Governors should close

schools in communities that are near

areas of community transmission,

even if those areas are in neighboring states. In addition, state and local officials should close schools

where coronavirus has been identified in the population associated with

the school. States and localities that

close schools need to address child-





care needs of critical responders, as

well as the nutritional needs of children.

Older people are particularly at risk

from coronavirus. All states should

follow Federal guidance and halt social visits to nursing homes, retirement, and long-term care facilities.

In states with evidence of community

transmission, bars, restaurants, food

courts, gyms, and other indoor and

outdoor venues where groups of

people congregate should be closed.

KBIC Housing Department

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

KBIC Housing Dept. will remain open

only for essential matters. Rents may

still be mailed or utilize the new drop

box located by the entrance at the

Baraga Office. For work orders, emergencies, after hours, weekends, and

holidays please call (906) 201-1903.

Please leave a detailed message, your

name, address, and phone number.

This also includes the Harvey tenants.

We realize many of our tenants are

also going through a closure or loss of

income. We will adjust rents accordingly. Any re-certifications that were

scheduled, will be rescheduled at a

later date.

Please be safe! Thank you.

~KBIC Housing Dept.

TRIBAL COURT

CRIMINAL

SENTENCES

The Tribal Court has agreed to comply

with the request of the Keweenaw Bay

Indian Community’s CEO’s Office to

publish criminal sentencing on a routine

basis.

Kerri Jo Dompier, case #19-142,

§ 3 . 2 0 2 , As s a ul t a nd ba t te ry

(domestic) – 1st offense

Sentencing on 02/26/2020, #19-142,

§3.202:

1. Fifty hours of community service.

2. Ninety days jail, credit for one-day jail

served, 89 days jail suspended pending

successful completion of all terms of

probation. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the cost of lodging

and any expenses incurred while incarcerated.

3. No violent contact with the victim.

4. Defendant shall follow her aftercare program through Women’s New Hope.

5. Defendant shall obtain a mental health

assessment within 30 days.

6. Defendant shall attend a Domestic

Abuse Intervention Program.

7. Defendant shall sign a releases of information with all providers to allow the

Court to monitor compliance.

8. Six to twelve months of standard alcohol and drug restricted probation with a

$10 monthly probation fee. Defendant

shall be financially responsible for the

costs of drug and PBT testing, if any.

9. Defendant shall report in person once

per month to the probation office and at

the discretion of the probation officer.

Continues on page three.

Justin Dunleavy, case #19-153, §5.15,

Operating under the influence – 2nd

offense

Minogheezhig Sandman Shelifoe,

case #20-011, §3.1308, Disobedience

of a lawful court order – 6th offense

Sentencing on 03/04/2020, #19-153, §5.15:

1. Fine $750.00.

2. Defendant shall obtain a substance

abuse screening and follow the recommendations of the screening until successfully discharged.

3. Defendant shall sign a release of information with all providers to allow the

Court to monitor compliance.

4. Ninety days jail, 90 days jail suspended

pending successful completion of all

terms of probation. Defendant shall be

financially responsible for the costs of

lodging and any expenses incurred

while incarcerated.

5. Six to twelve months of standard alcohol

and drug restricted probation with a $10

monthly probation fee. Defendant shall

be financially responsible for the costs

of drug and PBT testing, if any.

6. Defendant shall report as directed by

the probation officer.

Sentencing on 03/09/2020, #20-011,

§3.1308:

1. Fine $600.00.

2. Forty-five days jail, credit for 20 days jail

served, 25 days jail to be serve. Defendant shall be financially responsible for

the costs of lodging and any expenses

incurred while incarcerated.

3. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and PBT testing, if any.

4. Payment probation. Defendant’s General Welfare Exclusion Check shall be

garnished in full until all his Court obligations are paid in full. The Defendant did

consent to the garnishment.

5. Defendant shall report to the probation

office within 24-hours when released

from jail or the following business day if

released on a weekend.

Minogheezhig Sandman Shelifoe,

case #19-052, §3.1706, Controlled

substance (use, morphine) – 1st offense

Sentencing on 03/11/2020, #19-001,

§3.1101:

1. Fine $200.00, suspended upon successful completion of payment probation.

2. Restitution of $26.50 for Pines, payable

through the Court Clerk’s office.

3. Payment probation.

Sentencing on 03/09/2020, #19-052,

§3.1706:

1. Fine $500.00.

2. One-hundred-eighty days jail to be

served immediately. Defendant shall be

financially responsible for the costs of

lodging and any expenses incurred

while incarcerated.

3. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and PBT testing, if any.

4. Payment probation. Defendant’s General Welfare Exclusion Check shall be

garnished in full until all his Court obligations are paid in full. The Defendant did

consent to the garnishment.

5. Defendant shall report to the probation

office within 24-hours when released

from jail or the following business day if

released on a weekend.

Minogheezhig Sandman Shelifoe,

case #19-053, §3.1308, Disobedience

of a lawful court order – 5th offense

Sentencing on 03/09/2020, #19-053,

§3.1308:

1. Fine $500.00.

2. Forty-five days jail, credit for 45 days jail

served. Defendant shall be financially

responsible for the costs of lodging and

any expenses incurred while incarcerated.

3. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and PBT testing, if any.

4. Payment probation. Defendant’s General Welfare Exclusion Check shall be

garnished in full until all his Court obligations are paid in full. The Defendant did

consent to the garnishment.

Minogheezhig Sandman Shelifoe,

case #20-001, §5.15, Operating under

the influence – 2nd offense

Sentencing on 03/09/2020, #20-001, §5.15:

1. Fine $1,000.00.

2. One-hundred-eighty days jail, 180 days

jail to be serve concurrent with #19-052.

Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of lodging and any expenses incurred while incarcerated.

3. Defendant shall be financially responsible for the costs of drug and PBT testing, if any.

4. Payment probation. Defendant’s General Welfare Exclusion Check shall be

garnished in full until all his Court obligations are paid in full. The Defendant did

consent to the garnishment.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON

INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)

FY 2018 NET MONTHLY INCOME STANDARDS*

(Effective Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020)

*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

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP

Standard Deduction

1

$1,005

+

$160

=

$1,165

2

$1,354

+

$160

=

$1,514

3

$1,702

+

$160

=

$1,862

4

$2,050

+

$170

=

$2,220

5

$2,399

+

$199

=

$2,598

6

$2,747

+

$228

=

$2,975

7

$3,095

+

$228

=

$3,323

$3,444

+

$228

=

8

Alaska:

Use this

amount

KBIC SENIORS TAX PREPARATION

REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

Eligible Seniors: Enrolled KBIC Members 55 years of age and older residing

in Baraga County or on the Marquette

Trust property.



How the Program Works: Eligible seniors will receive reimbursement up to

$100 for their 2019 tax return preparation. This year’s program also provides

reimbursement up to $26 for completion

of your 2019 Home Heating Credit return.

To qualify for reimbursement, eligible

seniors must use a tax preparer who

has been issued a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) by the Internal

Revenue Service.

The Lake Superior Community Development Corporation and Sally

Snyder are excluded from the program.

To receive your reimbursement, please

turn in your original receipt to the Administrative Specialist in the CEO’s Office. Please allow up to 10 business

days for payment processing. (Reimbursement for personal returns only, business returns are not

covered.)

SNAP Net

Monthly

Income

Standard

SNAP

Standard Deduction

1

$1,255

+

$273

=

$1,528

2

$1,691

+

$273

=

$1,964

3

$2,127

+

$273

=

$2,400

4

$2,563

+

$273

=

$2,836

5

$2,999

+

$273

=

$3,272

6

$3,435

+

$285

=

$3,720

7

$3,870

+

$285

=

$4,155

8

$4,306

+

$285

=

$4,591

Each additional member









$3,672

+ $349

Household

Size

Sentencing on 03/11/2020, #19-091,

§8.901:

1. Fine $200.00.

2. Eleven days jail, credit for ten days jail

served, must serve one day of jail. Defendant is financially responsible for the

cost of lodging and any expenses incurred while incarcerated.

3. Payment probation.

4. Defendant must report to the probation

office upon return to the Community.

FDPIR Net

Monthly Income Standard

Each additional member

Breanna Gauthier, case #19-001,

§3.1101, Larceny – 1st offense

Breanna Gauthier, case #19-091,

§8.901, Contempt of court – 1st offense

Use this

amount

FDPIR Net

Monthly Income Standard

+ $436

Tax Pro Solutions will hold a tax

preparation seminar at the

Ojibwa Casino and Hotel in a

conference room on February

11th and 12th from 9 a.m. - 9

p.m., by appointment (sign up on

days of) or drop off service

Low Tax preparation Fees for all

tribal members.

Base Rate examples —

Single, Married, employed

and no children — $75.

Single, Married, employed

with children and EIC —

$175.

Retired, no children — $100.

Retired with children and

EIC — $150.

Investments, Rentals, and

self employed are extra

fees.

Cash and credit cards accepted,

or for a low fee of $20 we can

withhold your tax prep fees from

your refund.

May also apply for a free Tax Refund Advance of up to 25% of

your refund based on Metabank's

underwriting criteria and approval

and have funds directly deposited to your account or have a

printed check within 48 hours.

Call Jamie at Tax Pro Solutions

for questions or an appointment (906) 281-4091.

(3) Niswi

ATTENTION

KBIC MEMBERS

The 2nd Reading of the Proposed Ordinance

2020-01 to Amend Title Ten; Hunting, Fishing,

Trapping and Gathering; to repeal a restriction

on Parent Lake (10.413) will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in the former Bingo Hall at

1:00 p.m.

We are happy to announce that pediatricians, Dr. Sharon

Gilliland and Dr. Rebecca Schultz, have returned to the KBIC

Medical Clinic and are seeing patients. Currently, they will be

working Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Please call the clinic

at (906) 353-8700 to set up an appointment for your child.

The Tribal council will receive verbal and written

comments from Tribal members at the public hearing in accordance with the Legislative Process public hearing procedure adopted by the Tribal Council.

Copies of the Proposed Ordinance 2020-01 are

available at the Tribal Center, KBIC Donald LaPointe Medical Center, Pines Convenience Center,

Ojibwa Senior Citizens Center, Tribal Court, Commodity Foods Center, Housing Department, and

Ojibwa Community College. Copies are also distributed to all Departments within the Tribe.

Dr. Sharon Gilliland

(4) Niiwin

Dr. Rebecca Schultz

3rd Annual KBIC Ice Fishing

Tournament Held

The 3rd Annual KBIC Ice Fishing

Tournament was a huge success. This

year, there were 30 teams that registered. As usual, the tournament is “all

species”. Along with $1,000 guaranteed

for the first place team, courtesy of the

Ojibwa Casino, there was $1,800 paid

out for 2nd through 7th place and $1,750

in prizes, plus door prizes. Listed below

are the winners of the tournament:



The Office of the CEO would like to

introduce Robin Roe as the new Administrative Specialist in the CEO’s Office.

Robin has previously worked with our

DPW Department for the past five years.

She has achieved her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from

KBOCC. She lives in Baraga with her

other half, Kerry. Robin has two sons:

Logan and Grayson; a step-son: Gaven;

and a step-daughter: Gabrielle. She

also has two grandsons: Paxton and

Chase.

Her e-mail is robin@kbic-nsn.gov

and her extension is 4104. Please welcome Robin to her new position.

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

when the application

16429 Bear Town, Rd.

is received within this

Baraga, MI 49908

(906) 353-4222

timeline.

The Office of the CEO would like to

introduce Alden Connor, Jr. as the new

Director of Cultural Resources. Alden

was promoted by Tribal Council to fulfill

this position. Alden is a KBIC member

and resides on the reservation. He

grew up in Zeba and went to L’Anse

High School. He has been working for

the tribe off and on since he was a

youth worker. Alden has worked for

Housing Maintenance and then was

hired as THPO Tech which he has been

doing for the last five years. He has

had various trainings in this field, such

as NAGPRA, GSSI Utility scan, and

Tribal Historic Preservation Monitoring

just to name a few. Please welcome

Alden to his new position.

Bo o zh o o .

My name is

Zena Huhta,

and I am honored to be

working

for

the

KBIC

Natural Resources Department as

the Lake Superior Program Coordinator. I am a

KBIC Tribal Member and have lived on

the Keweenaw Bay Indian Reservation

my whole life. I attended Keweenaw

Bay Ojibwa Community college where I

obtained two Associate of Science Degrees, one in Liberal Studies and one in

Business Administration. I enjoy learning and believe you are never done

learning in life.

I am the proud mother to my son

Joshua Huhta. We live on our small

hobby farm where we spend most of our

free time with our beloved animals. In

my free time, I enjoy riding my horses,

running with my dogs, and quality time

with my family and close friends. I

would like to say Miigwech to my Tribal

Community for the ability to work for

them; it is an honor.

Biggest Fish (9# 2 oz bourbot) – Ed

Bourdage—Helix 5 Fish finder;

 1st Place: (21# 12 oz) – Hard Water

Assassins, $1,000;

 2nd Place: (21# 7 oz) – 2 Handed

Rod Jerkers, $500;

 3rd Place: (19# 4 oz) – 69 Mixed Bag,

$400;

 4th Place: (18# 13 oz) – Rod Squad,

$300;

 5th Place: (16# 9 oz) – Bite’s On,

$250;

 6th Place: (16# 9 oz) – 4 Rods, 1

Hole, $200;

 7th Place: (15# 1 oz) – Superior

Shores Contracting, $150.

I would like to thank our vendors for

their generous donations, as well as our

local businesses that donated. Without

all of your generosity, this tournament

would not have been possible.

Vendor Donors:

Ojibwa Casino - $1,000,

M3 Insurance - $600,

CARBS Contracting - $400,

Gundlach/Champion - $250,

Bigfoot Wellness - $200,

Seneca Tobacco - $200,

Wells Fargo - $100.

Local Businesses:

Woodland Firearms, Van

Straten Bros., The Pines

Convenience

Store,

Skytta’s General Store,

Indian Country Sports,

Bay Auto, Cue Master,

The Pizza Shack, Erickson’s True Value, KBIC

Tobacco Co., Larry’s

Market, J & R Automotive, The Baraga Lakeside Inn, Sweetgrass Spa, Pat’s IGA,

and Baraga Legion Post #444.

Chi Miigwech to everyone who donated their time, gifts, or money, and to

all of our participants. Our tournament

would not be what it is without you!

~ Gary Loonsfoot, Jr.

KBIC Vice President

StrongHearts Native Helpline Will Continue to Offer Services During COVID-19 Pandemic

(EAGAN, Minn., March 19, 2020) — StrongHearts Native Helpline acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for

all Native people. We are very concerned about those most

vulnerable including those who may be in unhealthy or abusive relationships; therefore, we will continue to operate and

offer our services as long as possible.

At the StrongHearts office, we are taking the directed social distancing protocols very seriously. As such, callers may

experience longer call wait times. Callers may press one at

any time to be transferred to The National Domestic Violence

Hotline, a non-Native Hotline. The Hotline is also responding

to the directed protocols, so callers may experience extended

call wait times.

Please note that the StrongHearts website and social media sites are not equipped for support services.

We hope that this situation is temporary. Again, we will

continue to operate and offer our services daily from 7 a.m. to

10 p.m. Central Daylight Time. We apologize for any disruptions in service and thank all of our Native communities for

your patience and understanding.

We are here. We are ready to listen. 1-844-7NATIVE

(844-762-8483).

(5) Naanan

(6) Ningodwaaswi

Keweenaw Bay Indian

Community

Office of Child Support

Services

P.O. Box 490, Baraga, MI 49908

Phone: 906-353-4566

Fax: 906-353-8132

“YOUR Children …

OUR Priority”

We provide the following

services:

• Paternity Establishment

• Establishment of Child Support

• Outreach Services

• Mediation

April 2020 Calendar:

April 1 through April 12, 2020 — Ojibwa Casino Baraga and

Ojibwa Casino Marquette — closed due to Coronavirus Pandemic;

 April 1 through April 12, 2020 — Tribal Government offices limited — due to Coronavirus Pandemic;

 April Quarterly Council Meeting — Date To Be Determined due

to Coronavirus Pandemic.



~ submitted by newsletter editor

(7) Niizhwaaswi

EDUCATION INCENTIVE

PROGRAM

AWARDS STUDENTS

The Keweenaw Bay Education Committee offers the Education Incentive Program to local KBIC Tribal students. Monetary incentives are awarded at the end of

each of the four marking periods of the

academic year. Students must be enrolled

KBIC members; reside in Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, or Marquette counties;

and must attend a public or private school.

A student’s Honor Roll status is defined

according to the requirements of their

school district.

The following thirty-nine students

were placed on the Honor Roll for the

second marking period of the 20192020 academic year:

Baraga – Breyelle Bowers, Taylianna

Bryan, Robert Curtis, Dhanya Ekdahl,

Richard Geroux, Jr., Bailey Harden, Jalisa

Heath, Wyatt Hebert, Rylee Holm, Jayla

Isaacson, Breanna Jondreau, Charlotte

Jondreau, Kamrin Kahkonen, Keegin

Kahkonen, Layla Loonsfoot, O’Dell Loonsfoot, Steven Maki, Kylie Michaelson,

Leeah Owens, Maddan Owens, Brooklyn

Rajacic, Presley Rasanen, Alana

Schofield, and Logan Shalifoe.

Gwinn – Kaitlyn Shelafoe.

Houghton – Bryton Bergstrom.

L’Anse – Dysean Allen, Deija Dakota, Kydan Dean, Aiyanna Gauthier, Robert Genschow III, William Genschow, Payton LeClaire, Tianna Pillsbury, Willow Rexford,

Alicia Stein, Cassandra Zasadnyj, and

Paige Zasadnyj.

Marquette – Aden Hamalainen.

The following forty-nine students received awards for achieving Perfect Attendance:

Baraga – Daniel Connor, Jr., Robert Curtis, Connor Dakota, Tyler Dakota, Jayden

Denomie, Starr Dunleavy, Madyson Evans, Noah Evans, Destiney Gauthier, Liliana Gauthier, Reed Geroux, Bailey

Harden, Jalisa Heath, Rylee Holm, Jayla

Isaacson, Adrianna Kyllonen, Aaliyah

Loonsfoot, Angel Loonsfoot, Darious

Loonsfoot, Kadynce Loonsfoot, Neveah

Loonsfoot, O’Dell Loonsfoot, Kevin McIntyre, Jr., Kylie Michaelson, Virgil Mongozid, Kylie Peterson, Presley Rasanen,

Alana Schofield, Logan Shalifoe, Tyler

Shalifoe, Javon Shelifoe, Caleb Smith,

and Robert Webb-Grisham.

Gwinn – Kaitlyn Shelafoe and Destinee

Stanton.

Houghton – Bryton Bergstrom.

L’Anse – Dysean Allen, Jace Chosa, Deija

Dakota, Michael Delich, Autumn Durant,

Kobe Forcia, Brendon Friisvall, Nathan Friisvall, Payton LeClaire, Leeland Meador,

Willow Rexford, Matthew Stein, and Sadie

Voakes.

BIA Scholarship Deadline

The deadline to apply for a BIA Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year is May 1, 2020.

Applicants must be enrolled KBIC members, legal residents of

Michigan attending a two or four year accredited Michigan college in

pursuit of a two or four year degree and must complete the FAFSA

(Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Applications are available from the Education Office, Keweenaw

Bay Tribal Center, 16429 Beartown Rd. Baraga MI 49908.

For more information, please contact the Education Office at (906)

353-4117.

Aspirus Establishes Call Center for COVID-19 Questions

WAUSAU, Wis. – To prevent the spread of the virus and provide the most appropriate care to the communities we serve, Aspirus has established a call center

for people concerned they might be infected with COVID-19.

The dedicated line will be operational and staffed by live operators beginning

at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. The phone lines will be staffed 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends.

Operators will direct callers to the closest regional testing location if they need

to see a medical professional.

Call Center Number

1-844-568-0701

Hours of Operation:

7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday – Sunday

To be added to the mailing list

or to correct your mailing address, contact the enrollment

office at (906) 353-6623 ext.

4113.

(8) Ishwaaswi

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of influenza. They include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Aspirus is prepared for COVID-19

and will continue to provide vital health service to the community.

Because the COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, we will communicate

changes promptly. For more information, please visit aspirus.org or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Victoria Lynn “Vicki” Dakota

(April 26, 1968—February 24, 2020)

nieces, nephews, other relatives, and

friends.

Services will be held at a later date.

The Heritage Funeral Homes, Milwaukee, assisted the family.

Employment Opportunities

Victoria Lynn "Vicki” Dakota, age 51,

of Baraga, MI, passed away Monday,

February 24, 2020, at her home with her

loving family by her side. She was born

in L’Anse, MI, on April 26, 1968, the

daughter of the late Virginia Emery.

Vicki graduated from L’Anse High

School in 1986, and received her Associates Degree in Accounting at Gogebic

Community College. She had been employed as an accountant for KBIC for

many years and during the past eight

years had worked as an accountant for

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. Vicki was a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. She

married Brandon Dakota in Baraga on

June 20, 2015. Vicki enjoyed walking,

especially at Sand Point, swimming, hiking, working out, traveling, sewing, reading, and watching movies with Brandon.

Vicki loved spending time with her family. Her daughter Sydni was her best

friend.

Vicki is survived by her loving husband: Brandon; children: Casey Maki

and Sydni Voakes; brothers: Jim Shelifoe, Bahgi Sandman Shelifoe, and Mino

Sandman Shelifoe; and sisters: Jeanne

Emery, Kelly Shelifoe, Waba Alakayak,

and Wausau Sandman Shelifoe. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

also survive. She was preceded in

death by her mother; her brothers:

Freddy Jr, Jerry, and Allen; her sisters:

Cathy and Brigitte; her nephew: Jimmy;

and her brother-in-law: D.J.

Funeral services for Vicki were held

on Monday, March 2, 2020, at the Reid

Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI,

with Father Corey Litzner officiating.

The family greeted friends at the funeral

chapel on Monday from 11 am until the

time of the funeral service. Immediately

following the funeral service, friends

were invited to join the family for fellowship and a luncheon at the Ojibwa Senior Center, Baraga.

The Funeral Service and Chapel,

L’Anse assisted the family.

Kim J. “Kimber” Soman

(1966—March 8, 2020)

Kim J. “Kimber” Soman (nee Durant)

passed away peacefully on March 8,

2020, age 54. She was the beloved

mother of Kristen Durant, Sara

McQuary, Stacy Peralta, Emmy

McQuary, Liliana Durant, and Evelyn

Cruz. She was the dear daughter of

Leo Sam and the late LaRayne Durant.

A beloved sister of Amanda Durant, the

late Steve, the late Leo Sam Jr., Amy

Durant, and Mitchell Durant. The stepsister of Jamie Brisbois, Caroline Brisbois, and Jackie Olney. She is also survived by step-children, grandchildren,

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of

the Potawatomi Hosts Annual

Golf Outing to Support

Local Veterans

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the

Potawatomi (NHBP) is proud to announce the date of the 2020 Chief Moguago Veterans Golf Outing.

This

year’s event will take place May 29 at

Binder Park Golf Course in Battle Creek,

Michigan.

Those who have a love of golfing and

giving back are encouraged to create a

team and join us for a day of delicious

food, friendly competition, and an opportunity to give back to those who have

served. The funds raised will be used to

support the NHBP Veterans Fund,

which was established to assist local

foundations and organizations in providing immediate assistance and relief for

Veterans who have given so much to

this country.

This year’s event is a four-person

team scramble and will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Throughout the

day, participants will enjoy great food

prepared by the title sponsor of the

event, Firekeepers Casino Hotel, and

their culinary team. A cookout, awards,

and raffle will round out the day.

The price for a four-person team to

enjoy the day is $700. It is an honor to

help those who have sacrificed so much

for our freedom. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals who share

our dedication for providing assistance

to Veterans are invited to be sponsors of

the event.

Sponsorship packages include:

Hole Sponsorship ($300): Signage at

an individual tee with logo or business/

organization name.

Bronze Sponsorship ($600): Hole sponsorship recognition and logo on welcome or banquet banner.

Silver Sponsorship ($1,200): Bronze

level recognition and card sponsorship.

Gold Sponsorship ($1,700): Silver level

recognition and scramble foursome.

Platinum Sponsorship ($3,250): Gold

level recognition and recognition

throughout event, plus two scramble

foursomes.

Golf Ball Sponsorship ($5,000): Platinum level recognition and your company

logo on a sleeve of golf balls for every

player.

To register a foursome, go to

www.birdeasepro.com/ChiefMoguago.

Space is limited. Early registration is

recommended as spots will fill quickly.

For more information or to be an

event sponsor, please contact Matthew

Goldner at mgoldner@nhbpi.com or 269

-704-8355.

Start a great career at Ojibwa Casinos!

We’re currently looking for great, friendly

people to fill our open positions. If you

want to provide guests with great customer

service in a fun atmosphere, are looking

for a full or part-time position, and are willing to learn if you don’t have any previous

experience, then we may have the right job

for you!

Great benefit options for full-time employees.











Medical

Dental

Vision

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Basic life insurance and accidental

death and dismemberment

 Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

 Short and long-term disability

 Supplemental life

 Dependent life

 401(k) retirement savings with company match

 Pre-tax health contributions

Two ways to apply. In person or via email,

HR@ojibwacasino.com.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Employment Opportunities

Current Positions

Wildlife Technician, NRD;

Seasonal Wildlife Technician, NRD;

Education Director, Education;

Seasonal Fire Technician;

Enrollment/Licensing Coordinator, Tribal

Center;

Dentist, DHHS;

Plant Technician—College Intern, NRD;

Community Health Worker, DHHS;

Accounting Manager, Housing;

Family Health Educator, DHHS;

Peer Recovery Mentor, Oshki Maaji;

Physician, DHHS;

IT Helpdesk Technician, IT;

Nurse Practitioner, DHHS.

On-going recruitment (open continuous): Unit Manager (Newday). (on-call

positions): Cleaning Person, Facility Attendant, Firefighter, Laborer, LPN, Prep

Cook, Natural Resource Technician,

Nurse Practitioner, Outpatient Counselor,

OVW Unit Manager, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Receptionist/Clerical

Worker, Receptionist Housing, RN, Treatment Counselor, Tobacco Stamping

Worker, Teaching Assistant II, and Van

Driver.

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.

(9) Zhaangaswi

EPA Approves KBIC Application For TAS In Air Quality

February 10, 2020

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) is pleased

to announce that in October 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved KBIC’s application for Treatment as a State (TAS) status for Air Quality. KBIC is the first

tribe in Michigan to achieve TAS authority for air quality.

“The KBIC is now formally recognized by the EPA as a

sovereign nation with proficient capability to manage the

natural resources on our Reservation. By obtaining the designation of Treatment as a State for Air Quality, we commit

ourselves to protecting not only the environment but the

health of all who live within our community”, says KBIC President Chris Swartz. “We look forward to working with local,

state, and federal partners to co-manage and preserve those

resources that are of benefit to all for the next seven generations.” TAS approval provides for Clean Air Act (CAA) 105

grant funding eligibility to administer the KBIC Air Quality Program, as well as, the advantage of Section 505(a)(2) which

provides KBIC early notification of Title V air permit requests

within 50 miles of the L’Anse Indian Reservation boundaries.

At this time, KBIC TAS authority is non-regulatory which

means that KBIC cannot directly make decisions on or issue

permits. However, TAS increases KBIC capabilities to review

permit requests and provide recommendations to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy

(EGLE), and the EPA on issues that may contribute to compromised air quality in our region.

TAS is an acronym, short for “Treatment as a State.”

KBIC and others are beginning to interpret TAS to stand for

“Treatment as a Sovereign”. TAS as a legal status means

“treatment in a similar manner as states (TAS)”, and it refers

to the transfer of specific authorities from the federal government to federally-recognized Indian Tribal governments.

When federal regulations such as the Clean Air and Water

Acts were first written, the law included delegated authority to

state governments for administering these programs.

Through the last few decades, federal environmental statutes

increasingly recognized the role of Indian tribes to administer

their own management programs on Indian lands. Thus tribal

capacity has grown and strengthened to assume authorities

similar to that of states. Rather than rewrite an entirely new

set of laws and procedures to be inclusive of tribal nations,

the federal government mandated TAS so that in all laws

where “states” are articulated, it is known that tribes may also

legally act “in a similar manner as states”. EPA actively encourages tribal and state governments to apply environmental standards that are specific to their local environments;

local standards are more relevant for communities and thus

more protective of community needs.

TAS is important to KBIC for many reasons. First and

foremost, TAS is a responsibility stipulated by the First

Treaty. In implementing TAS, we are honoring our First

Treaty with all orders of creation which include our obligations and connections to the natural environment. Second,

KBIC is a co-management partner with state and federal government agencies; many of our natural resources, such as

fish and wildlife, are included in our shared stewardship responsibilities alongside other entities. Finally, TAS provides

for locally relevant considerations of environmental quality.

Within our area, including both the tribal and non-tribal communities, there is greater dependence on locally harvested

foods such as wild fish and game. Therefore, local environmental standards can ensure greater protections for the good

of the community as a whole.

Tribal government authority to legally assume responsibility for programs such as air quality is rooted in their status as

sovereign nations. In a series of 18 and 19th centuries treaties, federal and tribal governments negotiated agreements

between the U.S. and American Indian Nations in the Great

Lakes region. These treaties established the unique government-to-government relationship, including shared governance and federal trust responsibilities. Treaties can only be

established between sovereign nations, and in the U.S., treaties are sanctioned by the Constitution and upheld as the

“supreme law of the land.” In the current era, tribal nation

sovereignty has been reaffirmed by a number of key federal

statutes, agreements, and Supreme Court decisions by both

states and U.S., many of which provide governance authority

foundations for KBIC TAS. For more information on Tribal

National Air Quality programs, please visit the National Tribal

(10) Midaaswi

Air Association, which includes the 2019 Status of Tribal Air

Report and 2019 EPA Region 5 Tribal Air Resources Journal.

KBIC TAS will greatly support strengthening the KBIC Air

Quality Program which has been steadily growing since its

establishment in 2012. KBIC began its program with a CAA

Section 103 project to conduct an air emissions inventory and

gather published data to assess air quality in the region. Currently, the KBIC air program is also focused on indoor air

quality, assessing community homes and KBIC housing, primarily for radon and mold. TAS will provide CAA 105 grant

funding to continue administering this important work, and

also, to build program capacity towards creating an ambient

air monitoring program for our region. At the same time,

KBIC Natural Resources staff will use early permit notifications provided by Section 505(a)(2) to research and review

technical reports, seek out experts, and engage in other fact

finding that will contribute to composing a response to permit

requests. Although the KBIC TAS designation is nonregulatory, KBIC will continue to work in partnership with

EGLE and the EPA to examine potential impacts of both

point and non-point sources and to protect air quality in the

Keweenaw Bay region.

The State of Michigan’s Department of Environment,

Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) offered thoughts on the

KBIC TAS designation, “EGLE welcomes the opportunity to

collaborate with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

(KBIC) to fulfill our shared goals of preserving and protecting

our natural resources and public health,” said Mary Ann Dolehanty, EGLE Air Quality Division Director. “We are pleased

KBIC has received this designation, and with their demonstrated commitment to improving air quality and quality of life

on the L’Anse Reservation.”

The EPA also shared thoughts on KBIC's TAS under the

CAA, "The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is one of EPA's

important partners in protecting human health and the environment on the reservation and the community at large," said

EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede. "KBIC is a leader,

and I applaud their efforts to build the capacity to reduce air

pollution in their community."

For more information about TAS, we welcome you to visit

these websites:

https://elr.info/sites/default/files/articles/23.10579.htm

https://www.ntaatribalair.org/

https://www.ntaatribalair.org/status-of-tribal-air-report/

https://www.ntaatribalair.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/

Region-5-Tribal-Air-Resources-Journal-2019-11th-Year-1218-19.pdf

(11) Ashi bezhig

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.

Permit No. 62

U.S Postage PAID

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

16429 Bear Town Rd-Baraga, MI 49908-9210

PRE-SORT STANDARD

(12) Ashi Niizh