Mashkiiziibii News
August 1, 2018


The beautiful and delicious blueberry has offered up a bountiful harvest this season and are currently near or at peak in many areas.  Hopefully you will have the chance to pick and enjoy some, whether in the bush or at a local farm.

The Bad River Tribal Offices were closed on Monday, July 30th for Treaty Day in observance of the 1837 Treaty with the Chippewa made with the United States on July 29, 1837.

The Annual Manoomin Celebration is coming up this month and Powwow Committee meetings are being held every Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Casino Convention Center. Everyone is welcome to join the meetings!

Tribal Council Meeting: The Regular Tribal Council Meeting is today at 4:30 pm in the Bad River Convention Center.

Please scroll down for more news and upcoming events in Mashkiiziibii.
GLIFWC Healing Circle Run 2018

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission's (GLIFWC) 2018 Healing Circle Run began in Lac Courte Oreilles with runners and walkers making their way through Ojibwe communities in Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. For some, this year was their first time being involved while others continued their annual tradition. 

In two different areas of Ashland, runners from Bad River met up with Red Cliff runners who then continued the relay up the scenic and hilly Highway 13.

Walkers Paige Turner, Red Cliff Boys and Girls Club Director, and Shane Moilanen, an officer with the Red Cliff Tribal Police Department, participated in the Healing Circle Run for the first time. They began their leg of the journey in Barksdale and ended in Washburn. Supporting the community was their main reason for participating.

"It's been really nice walking today," Paige said. "It gave us the opportunity reflect, and share our thoughts about things and it was just really peaceful being out here. It's also a great way to honor those that may have done this run before and are no longer with us."

Photo courtesy of GLIFWC Facebook Page
Paula Maday, a Bad River Tribal Member has done the Healing Circle Run for the past three years, and participated in the run six out of seven days. She completed 20 miles over the course of those days. Next year, she is hoping to have her family complete the entire run together.

"Basically, ever since I started working at GLIFWC, I've participated," Paula said. "The first year, I walked one short leg near the Port Wing area. The second year, I participated for one day on the journey from Red Cliff to Fond du Lac. This year, I decided to do as much as I could, and it made a huge difference being able to be present for the ceremonies that are part of the run and putting in the miles day after day. I am really lucky to work for an organization and have a boss that supports participation in Ojibwe cultural events."


For anyone who wants to get involved next year, be sure to follow the GLIFWC Facebook page. They will post flyers and information there when the time is approaching. Also, don't let fear get in your way. You can walk, you can run, do a half mile or 20 miles. Just do what you can and know that you are doing very important work for yourself, your family, your community and the earth.

"My journey on the run was phenomenal, and I can't wait until next year," Paula said. "Everyone who goes on the run becomes one big family, and you really get to know people on a deeper personal level - what they're going through, what they're struggling with. You listen, you talk, you pray, and then you leave it all out on the road. It's a really powerful experience."

Chi Miigwech to all the runners for their collective thoughts and prayers during this year's Healing Circle Run!
Bad River Food Sovereignty Represents in D.C.

The Bad River Food Sovereignty Program was on the road recently for a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., after being invited to participate in the 9th Annual Living Earth Festival.

Two Bad River Youth Representatives, Sydnee Bigboy and Tia Burns along with her baby, accompanied Director Loretta Livingston and Joy Schelble to the festival and manned a booth. They spent three days talking to museum visitors about Bad River Food Sovereignty.


Loretta participated in a panel discussion while the youth participated in a presentation and shared their vision of the future for the community. 

Watch the video below to learn more about the Bad River Food Sovereignty Programs participation at the Living Earth Festival.

Living Earth Festival 2018 - Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe
This presentation was webcast and recorded in the Potomac Atrium of the National Museum of the American Indian on July 21, 2018.
Gathering of Native Americans Held at Convention Center

Youth and adults gathered at the Bad River Casino Convention Center for the annual Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) event that took place over three days in July.

T he GONA curriculum was developed around 1990 and has been used in Tribal Communities  to provide culturally specific substance abuse prevention training. Community healing from historical and cultural trauma is a central theme of the GONA events that take place every year throughout Indian Country.

The youth were able to work on creating a banner with the guidance of program leaders, and teamed up with Elders to dance to some hip-hop hits during the afternoon session. 


Maria A. Trevizo, (Ysleta Pueblo/Purépecha), a Health and Wellness Consultant, and facilitator with GONA, has come to Bad River several times throughout the years and loves how close-knit the community is.

"I love coming to this hall here in the Convention Center, with all these Veterans' photos hung up," Maria said. "It's not just like a typical casino; this wall honors all the work that has been done here by the men and the women who were willing to fight not necessarily for the government, but for the safety of the people."

Maria shared that Bad River is a lot like her people of the Ysleta Pueblo in the ways of how they too revere, honor and respect their warriors and ancestors.

She was invited here about five-years ago for the first time to facilitate the GONA curriculum, and each year she has been invited back to cover the next strategic planning stages. They also do asset mapping to look at the resources available in the community.

"One of the questions we have asked in the past was what would our community look like if families had everything they ever needed to be strong?" Maria said. "We didn't talk about it, we didn't write about it - we drew it. They drew pictures of families eating together, playing together, being at powwows, sweats and language. There were pictures of families fishing together and being in canoes."

The focus this year was on the youth, weaving together their hopes, dreams and desires, not those designed by the adults, but the vision solely created by the youth.

"Every once in awhile we have to re-direct," Maria said. "That's what happened with one of the groups here, but they have the mentors, aunties and uncles who guided them to choose a more positive team name and make a more positive banner."

Maria explained that the participants focused on their strengths, and how to re-frame those qualities to always be reflected in a positive way.

"I didn't come here to teach anything new," Maria said. "My job is to reflect the wisdom that is already here."

Read more about Gathering of Native Americans.
Jason "Ike" Pero Receives Award Posthumously 

Photo Courtesy of Ashland Daily Press
Bad River Tribal Member Jason "Ike" Pero, who was shot and killed by an Ashland County Sheriff's deputy last November, was honored by his peers and the Ashland Rotary Club o ver the weekend.

In his short 14 years of life, Jason was considered a leader among his peers and in the community. His friends and classmates initiated the nomination for the "Service Above Self" award. His teacher, Andrea DeBungie submitted the nomination and was notified that Jason was chosen for the July award.

Jason was very active in the community, and he learned cultural ways by being active on the Ashland Middle School drum, traveling with the Native American Club to different events for Indigenous students, and wild ricing just to name a few things. Everyone who knew him felt that he was this gentle, teddy-bear of a kid who didn't deserve to have his life ended that fateful day of November 8, 2017.

"I worked with Jason primarily as his advisor through the Native American Club at the Ashland Middle School,"Andrea DeBungie shared. "He was the kind of student every teacher wished they had." 

"He was smart and articulate.  He was knowledgeable and used his humor to teach others, peers and adults alike, about the tough issues we face in society today. During group gatherings or field trips, Jason was talkative, outgoing, and thoughtful about what he had to say."

Although it is still hard to believe that such a thoughtful, caring young boy was taken from his family and community so violently, which was completely opposite of how he lived his life, this recognition may help ease the pain of his loss just a little bit knowing that even in death his legacy lives on.

"We are approaching the one-year mark of this tragic incident, and there is a long road of healing ahead for all connected to this," Andrea said. "Remember the message the youth put forth for us all - they said, 'Let this unite our community to stand up together and support one another. This is be an issue that impacts us all.' "
BRHWC Welcomes New Clinical Psychologist

Aaniin, Bozhoo, Greetings!

My name is Carole Livingston, and I am writing to let the Bad River Tribal community know that on July 2nd, I joined the staff at the Bad River Health and Wellness Center as a clinical psychologist.

For mental health concerns across the lifespan, as a clinical psychologist, I can provide diagnostic assessments and treatment planning, psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups, psychological evaluations and testing, and consultation and supervision. 

I recently moved back to Northern Wisconsin from the New Mexico Four Corners area where I was employed as a clinical psychologist with the Northern Navajo Medical Center, an Indian Health Service unit. I am a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and I was raised on the Bad River reservation. 

I earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology.

If you or family members need mental health services, please feel free to contact the Health and Wellness Center at 715-682-7133 and schedule an appointment.

Miigwech Opi Chi! Thank you!
Bad River Housing Expands Board and Seeks Volunteers

The Bad River Housing Authority Board recently updated their Bylaws, and the suggested revisions were passed on June 12, 2018.

"The current Housing Authority Board consists of Tribal Council Members. The Board felt that it would better serve the Housing Authority and the community to have a Board that includes two current Council Members and five members who are Tribal Members and reside in the area to represent the community at large," Robert Houle, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, said.

"We now have a new set of Bylaws for the administration of the Tribal Housing Authority and under the federal government's HUD funding. We are soliciting to the Tribal Member community to fill the newly opened seats on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners," Robert continued.

These five new board positions are voluntary. The Housing Authority Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm at the Housing Authority. Meetings usually last two to three hours. A stipend is paid for Board Members who attend the meetings.

Board positions are staggered, and initial appointments are one, two and three-year commitments. Thereafter, appointments are for three-year terms. Training will be provided.
 
The Board is primarily responsible for policies and procedures of the Housing Authority and reviews housing applications and determines approvals. It is also responsible for making recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding the budget. The day-to-day responsibilities of the Housing Authority Board resides with the Executive Director.

"We have more than 170 housing units in the community. When a home becomes available, we bring applications to the Board for their review and the Board makes the determination," Robert explained.

"The new Franks Field II subdivision, just west of our offices, is a project that we hope to move forward with soon. We are exploring renewable energy options to continue our commitment to the land and lower our utility costs," Robert continued.

"Income is a variable, but there are other variables as well. Our goal is to provide low-income, safe and affordable housing for the people in our community, starting with our Elders. We are also exploring options for the homeless. We encourage everyone and anyone seeking housing to apply."

For more information on the newly opened seats with the Housing Authority Board, or for information on housing options, please 
visit the Housing Authority's website  or call 715-292-8847.
Notice of Housing Board Vacancy - Open until August 17th


Open until 8/17/2018 4:30 pm

Please submit resume to:
Barb Smart, Executive Secretary
PO Box 39
72682 Maple Street
Odanah, WI 54861
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Summer Feeding Happening Now

Free meals are available for children from birth to 18 years of age at these locations:
  • Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:30 am at the Community Center in Odanah.
  • Lunch will be served from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Community Center and at the Birch Hill Community House.
  • Snacks will be served from 2:30 to 3:00 pm at the Mashkiiziibii Boys & Girls Club and at the Community House.
Tribal Council Meetings

All Regular Tribal Council Meetings are held at
the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.

August 1, 2018
September 5, 2018
October 3, 2018
November 7, 2018
December 5, 2018

All Special Tribal Council Meetings are held at
the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.

 August 21, 2018
 September 18, 2018
 October 16, 2018
 November 20, 2018
 December 18, 2018
Apply Now - LCO College Classes Begin August 27th

Bad River Family Foundations

Head Start Registration Information

Vehicle Registration and Titling
 
Powwow Committee Meeting - Every Thursday
 
Bad River Manoomin Celebration T-Shirts on Sale Now

Bad River Manoomin Celebration T-shirts are on sale now! These beautiful T-shirts are available at the Community Center for $20 each. Please email Nate Ante or call 715-292-3191 for information on sizes and ordering.

Refer a Friend Internet Promotion

COMMUNITY EVENTS
Practice Your Ojibwemowin

Boozhoo Niijii!

Are you interested in practicing your Ojibwemowin?

Come join us for a variety of language learning opportunities at the Language Tables at Head Start from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the following evenings -
  • August 5th
  • August 29th
Please bring a dish to share.
10th Annual Cultural Exchange - Now thru August 3rd
 
Menominee Contest Powwow - August 3rd thru August 5th
 
Bingo - August 10th

American Legion Post 25 Golf Tournament - August 11th

Madeline Island Jingle Dress Project



Youth Basketball Camp - August 13th thru August 15th

Mental Wellness Training - August 14th and August 15th

Childhood Education Day - August 22nd

Bad River Manomin Pow-Wow - August 24th thru 26th

SHARE YOUR NEWS
Share Your News

Share your good news with the community! The e-newsletter will be sent every other Wednesday.

Email us your information and story ideas, and please include your contact information so that we can follow up with you.

Please include a photo if possible.

Chi Miigwech!

Carri Chapman & Kim Swisher
Communications Team
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