September 25

Bonnie Greene

September 26
Pat Blanchard
Lenore Plucinski
Linny Salas

September 29
Richard Ackley

	WIEA's Indian Mascot and Logo Task Force

At Monday's School Board meeting, the Board of Education voted to support the legislation requiring school districts to retire Native American mascots.

Ashland joins Wausau, Green Bay, Appleton, Madison and several other districts in calling for the legislation. Resolutions will be sent to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, who will decide whether to put it to a statewide vote at its annual convention in January. If approved, the association will lobby state lawmakers to introduce legislation.

"It was a proud day to hear the Ashland school board pass the attached resolution by unanimous vote. It signifies the decades of work paving the way for changes between the Tribe and the District. It's Charlotte Dickerson doing cultural work in the 1980s, Matt O'Claire drumming in the 1990s, and Joe Corbine building up the Powwows and the Open Houses to the hundreds that attended every event for over a decade. There is so much more work to do, but let's celebrate today. We're moving forward in a good way," shared Lynn Bigboy.

According to the resolution, 31 school districts in Wisconsin still use such imagery despite "the harm caused to the social identity development and self-esteem of Native American students and because non-Native American students witness perpetuation of derogatory stereotypes".

The resolution also notes that "continued use of Native American mascots, symbols, images, logos and nicknames does not empower Native American students towards academic achievement and success" and "continued use of Native American mascots, symbols, images, logs and nicknames is a form of discrimination, oppression and racism".

By Hayley Nye 

As a part of the Bad River Survival Revival Series, partners from numerous programs serving our youth came together to give students from the Ashland Middle and High School the opportunity to harvest manoomin (wild rice).

 The  Bad River Survival Revival Series - Manoomin took place at Pacwawong Lake in Sawyer County on Monday, September 16th and Tuesday, September 17th.

Students were taught water safety, proper use of rice sticks to avoid damaging rice stalks, and how to use push poles. Students also had the opportunity to learn how to make their own set of rice sticks, and were able to take out canoes to gather manoomin with the guidance of experienced ricers.

High School students attended the Monday session, and a couple returned Tuesday to assist the Middle School students. After both sessions were complete, students collected a total of 72 pounds of green rice. The manoomin harvested by the students will be used to teach students how to traditionally process manoomin at the Ashland High School Fall Festival on October 17th. A portion of the manoomin will also be donated to Bad River Food Sovereignty for use at community events.

Danielle Kaeding from Wisconsin Public Radio attended the event on Tuesday to learn about manoomin harvesting and speak with participants for an upcoming episode of the series Wisconsin Life.

This was a historic event because it was the first time middle school students were invited to participate in the ricing event. Bad River Food Sovereignty will have its very own fleet of canoes and will able to expand the youth ricing event next season.

Many people participated in making this event a success including Chairman Mike Wiggins, Jr., Lynn Bigboy, Joe Corbine, Faye Maday, Nate Ante, Fred Pero, Lori Lemieux, Star Ames, Joy Schelble and Kannon Kilander.

Thank you to the very generous Bruce Prentice for supporting this event for the past three years by graciously allowing the use of his fleet of canoes. Also, a very big thank you to GLIFWC Wardens Christina Dzwonkowski and Jim Stone for sharing their experience, skills and knowledge as well as ensuring the safety of all participants throughout the event! Miigwech!

"It's such an honor to recognize four educators who help students connect with successful paths in the world," said State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor in congratulating Wisconsin's 2020 Teachers of the Year.

Bawaajigekwe Andrea Boulley of Washburn, a special education teacher at Ashland Middle and Lake Superior Elementary Schools in the Ashland School District, and Special Services Teacher of the Year, was one of four educators chosen to represent Wisconsin's teaching corps as Teachers of the Year during the 2019-20 school year.

State Superintendent Stanford Taylor notified each of the teachers of the honor during surprise announcements in their school districts.


Selection of the four Teachers of the Year is through a statewide committee made up of educators, parents, and community leaders. The panel reviews applications from the 86 public school recipients of the Kohl Teacher Fellowship who were named earlier this spring. Teacher Fellowship recipients are nominated and selected based on their ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, ability to motivate others, and their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.

	Photo by Senator Janet Bewley

"Our Teachers of the Year represent the thousands of dedicated educators in Wisconsin who take on multiple roles to help our students succeed," Stanford Taylor said. "Teachers lay the foundation for our next generation so they can contribute and lead in the future."

"Our teachers work so hard to inspire young people and help them become the leaders of tomorrow. I am honored to support the Teacher of the Year program to recognize our teachers' efforts and support their unrealized goals for their classroom, their school, or their professional development," said Herb Kohl, philanthropist and businessman who co-sponsors the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year program through his foundation.

Bawaajigekwe and the three other Teachers of the Year were honored during Stanford Taylor's State of Education address and awards program at the State Capitol in Madison last week. The Teachers of the Year will interview with a committee that will select one of the four to represent Wisconsin in the National Teacher of the Year program. That individual will receive an additional $6,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

Bawaajigekwe is a Tribal Member, and is pursuing a doctorate in First Nations education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Congratulations Bawaajigekwe!

The Bad River Education Department offers a variety of family services and supports many activities and program within the Tribe.

TeleStory offers child-friendly video visitations for children with a parent in the Ashland County Jail. This free program is for children under age 13 who have a parent in the jail, and provides children and their jailed parents an opportunity to connect using books, games and toys.

"This is a pilot program nationally and in Wisconsin. We are one of just a couple of sites, and are partnering with the UW-Extension in Ashland County," explained Stephanie Julian, Educator Director.

Weekly video visits are available in 30 minute sessions at the Chief Blackbird Center. Visits are by appointment only, with limited days and hours. For more information, contact Stephanie at 715-682-7111, extension 1530.

Plans are underway for the Dagwaagin-gabeshiwin Fall Camp, which will be held November 16th and November 17th. Activities will be held at the Community Center and at the Food Sovereignty program. Head Start will be offering child-friendly cultural activities.

The Education Department is once again partnering with GLIFWC, as well as Youth Services, Healthy Lifestyles, Native Connections and other programs to provide an array of offerings during the camp this year. More information will be coming soon.

Math Tutoring is being offered every Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Jim Grittner from Ashland High School, and Susie Smith from the Bad River Natural Resources Department, are volunteering their time and talent to assist students.

Tutoring is also available for English, social studies and science. For more information, contact the Education Department at (715) 682-7111, extension 1533.

Earlier this month, the Education Department distributed 440 backpacks filled with school supplies for our youth.

"Michaela Deloney and Lori Lemieux from the Education Department, and Katie Wolf from the Roads Department, shopped and packed the backpacks," Stephanie said.

Scholarship applications for 2020 are typically due next February and March, and the Education Department encourages all high school seniors to plan ahead and look now. Contact Michaela for more information at 715-682-7111, extension 1533.

The Bad River Education Department welcomed Michaela Deloney this past July as the new Administrative Assistant.

Michaela will be managing the many scholarships that are distributed by the Education Department, and ensuring the information is submitted a timely manner.

"I'm excited to welcome Michaela, and so glad she's here!" Stephanie Julian, Educator Director, said enthusiastically.

Michaela is a Bad River Tribal Member, and has previously worked at the Casino and the Clinic.

Welcome Michaela!

Ian Carbon joined the Bad River Dental Clinic five months ago, and it was a long-time goal that finally came to be realized.

"I always wanted to work for the Bad River Tribe. It's something I've always wanted to do, and I applied several times. I left Red Cliff Dental to come here when this position opened."

Ian did his schooling online, and assists the doctor in procedures, preparation of the treatment rooms, and sterilizes the instruments.

"We're basically a nurse to the doctor. Our days are busy. It's fast paced, and it's nice to busy," Ian shares.

The Bad River Dental Clinic offers dental services and excellent patient care.

Ian explains, "We are all compassionate. We offer nitrous oxide to help with anxiety, as it helps people be more comfortable and able to relax. We have a great team and good teamwork. Our clinic works well together."

For more information on the Bad River Dental Clinic, or to schedule an appointment, call 715-682-7133.

Welcome Ian!

Last Wednesday, Representative Beth Meyers, Representative Amanda Stuck, Senator Janet Bewley, and advocates gathered in Lac Du Flambeau to release a bill that would create a statewide inter-governmental task force to address the problem of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Photo by Ian Henderson, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Indigenous people define the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (often abbreviate "MMIW") as an epidemic level of violence against Native women. Native women are subjected to higher levels of violence, including trafficking, sexual assault, domestic abuse and homicide, than virtually any other group in the United States. Perpetrators of the violence are usually non-Native. Advocates say that this continuing disproportionate level of cruelty directed at Native women is rooted in colonialism, sexism and racism and is a continuation of patterns of violence that have been present since European arrival.

"This is an extremely important issue as murder is the third leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaskan Native Women," said Pennie Meyers, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "We fully support increasing the visibility of this devastating epidemic and urge the legislature to quickly pass this bill."

"We are grateful to the Native advocates and legislators who have brought this bill forward," said Patti Seger, executive director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. "The violence that Native women have been subjected to since colonization is beyond inhumane. It's high time we recognize it, understand it and end it."

The legislation introduced would bring together Tribal and state government leaders, survivors, advocates and law enforcement to examine the problem of missing and murdered Indigenous women and require that group to submit a report with recommendations to the state legislature and Tribal governments.

By Alicia Eler, Star Tribune

	Photo by Alicia Eler, Star Tribune

Some call him a late bloomer. Others might say he's mid-career. Whatever label you put on Jim Denomie, one thing is certain: the prolific, soft-spoken artist, whose paintings provocatively and humorously comment on U.S. history from a Native American perspective, just landed the 2019 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award.

Mr. Denomie, 63, is the first Native American artist to win the honor, given annually to someone who has contributed significantly to the state's cultural life. Minnesota's most prestigious artistic honor, it includes a $50,000 prize.

Born on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation near Hayward, Mr. Denomie grew up in south Minneapolis and has said that Minnesota shaped who he is as an artist.

Bob Cozzolino, a painting curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, believes Mr. Denomie's work speaks to both a regional story and a national narrative.

"He is committed to making his art and to telling the stories of Native Americans - the deep, complex, traumatic history in this region - in a way that doesn't gloss over any of the trauma, but does it with humor, wit and irony."

It's been a busy year for the Ojibwe artist, who lives in Franconia, Minnesota, with his wife, Diane, and a menagerie of pets, and works a day job doing drywall. In February, he opened "Standing Rock Paintings," his sixth solo exhibition at Bockley Gallery. The show was a response to the 2016 oil pipeline protests near Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, and the racism and violence he witnessed through social media accounts of the clash.

The exhibit sparked a backlash from a state legislator who objected to a massive painting of a confrontation at Standing Rock that depicted President Donald Trump groping a blindfolded Lady Justice.

"I went through a lot of tension with the negative backlash, but the positive backlash was 10 times as strong," said Mr. Denomie, adding that he was "terribly surprised" by the McKnight award.

Both the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Weisman Art Museum are interested in the painting, but they'll have to wait because it's traveling to "Imagined Communities" at SESC Videobrasil (Serviço Social do Comércio), a biennial exhibition in Sao Paulo, Brazil, opening October 9th. Mr. Denomie's work is already in museum collections at Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art), Walker Art Center and the Denver Art Museum.

Arleta Little, arts program officer for the McKnight Foundation, sees a link between Mr. Denomie's art and the tradition of Anishinaabe storytelling.

"There is so much in his work that we need now - the humor, beauty, inspiration, the provocative dialogue, critical analysis of history," said Ms. Little. "So much of his work is spiritually evocative, and all those things lend to healing and communities that have lived with so much trauma."

Thanks to the McKnight money, Mr. Denomie is thinking of taking some time off and traveling. The trip to Brazil has already got his clever brain going.

"The Amazon is burning," he said. "I feel some sort of painting or comment coming on."

We are in the process of gathering community input for a new multi-use building for our community. 

As we see the community center struggle with age, it's essential we have your opinion to help make those decisions. The survey  quick and will take around two to five minutes. 

Take the Survey

If you have any questions, or would like a hard copy, please let me know.

Miigwetch,

Lynn Bigboy,
Medweoshkakwe
Youth Services Director
715-682-7111, ext. 1439
Email Lynn

	Image by Arizona State University

The Bad River Food Sovereignty Program is seeking input from community members.

Take the online survey.


Thank you,

The Food Sovereignty Program

Recently, several inclined infant sleepers have been recalled due to being linked with infant deaths or as a precautionary measure because they are similar to the products that are linked to infant deaths.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group conducted a survey of child care programs and found that 1 in 10 programs that were surveyed are still using recalled sleepers. DCF licensing and certification rules require that the indoor and outdoor premises shall be free of hazards, including any recalled products.

The inclined sleepers that have been recalled include, but may not be limited to:

• Disney Baby Doze and Dream Bassinet
• Eddie Bauer Slumber and Soothe Rock Bassinet
• Fisher Price Rock 'n Play Sleepers
• Fisher Price Inclined Sleeper Accessory for Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards
• Kids II Rocking Sleepers

Please keep the children you care for safe by removing recalled products from your child care program. For more information, or to see future recall notices, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website and sign up for their email alerts.

Thank you,
Your Department of Children and Families Child Care Team

The fall 2019 round of applications for the Northern Wisconsin Outdoor Experiential Education Scholarship is now open.

This scholarship is designed to help youth (and adults!) of the Chequamegon Bay area participate in outdoor educational programs through programs like Outward Bound, Wilderness Inquiry or Northland College.

The deadline to apply is October 1, 2019.

View Contest Rules and Sign-Up Sheet

 

View the Brochure

Visit these sites for current employment opportunities:

Bad River Lodge and Casino

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College

Job Center of Wisconsin

Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program (CEP)