July 24-30, 2023

Abitaa-niibini Giizis July (Halfway Summer Moon)

Boozhoo Gaa-Miskwaabikaang, the wildfire smoke from the fires in Canada continues to impact our area. The current Air Quality Index is Moderate - Unhealthy for sensitive groups.

This advisory applies to Gaa-Miskwaabikaang for July 24 and July 25. The air quality may pose a problem for those unusually sensitive and may experience respiratory problems. It is recommended that people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, while everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion while outside.

Please contact the Red Cliff Air Program with any questions by calling 715-779-3650 ext 4310 or email linda.nguyen@redcliff-nsn.gov.

This year’s Mikwendaagoziwag Memorial Annual Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday July 26 at Big Sandy Lake, Minnesota.

Schedule:

9:00 AM – Opening ceremony and canoe launch from Big Sandy Public Water Access on the east shore (Indian point).

11:30 AM – Ceremony and feast at Sandy Lake Recreation Area, McGregor, Minn.

Please contact GLIFWC for more information at 715-682-6619.

They Are Remembered

The Sandy Lake Memorial Ceremony allows us to remember the tragedy that took place in 1850, when 12 Ojibwe Tribes from Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin were falsely lured to Sandy Lake in Minnesota with promises of receiving their annual annuity distribution from the federal government. The taxing journey, harsh winter conditions, and lack of adequate food and shelter ravaged Ojibwe families.

More than 150 people died waiting. Following a partial payment, many left to return home, and 250 people died on the trip. “The Ojibwe vowed never to abandon their villages in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan for Sandy Lake. Driven by the events at Sandy Lake and a love for the homeland and the graves of their forefathers, these Ojibwe were resolved to stay in their traditional villages,” reads the Great Lakes Indian Fish Wildlife Commission’s Sandy Lake Tragedy Memorial brochure.

Their resolve led to the creation of reservations in Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, and the Ojibwe were one of the few American Indian Tribes to successfully reserve hunting, fishing and gathering rights on ceded land.

Howah! Four Red Cliff Tribal Members represented Gaa-Miskwaabikaang at the 10th North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia last week.

Quintin Bresette and Team Wisconsin earned a gold medal in the Basketball 16U division. Bresette scored 17 points in the gold medal game to beat Team Minnesota 75-71.

Cree Defoe earned several podium finishes in the 16U Athletics division:

Silver medal in the 1200 M

Bronze medal in the 2000 M

4th in the 800 M

Jayden Defoe had great finishes in the 14U Athletics division:

4th place in the 4x400 M relay

5th place in the 4x100 M relay

12th place in the 1200 M

14th place in the 800 M

Brooke Dorman-Defoe also had great finishes in the 14U Athletics division:

4th place in the 4x400 M relay

7th place in the 4x100 M relay

11th place in the discus

14th place in the long jump

18th place in the shot put

Great job and miigwech for representing Gaa-Miskwaabikaang!

NAIG 2023 is the 10th North American Indigenous Games, continuing the dream to hold Games for the world’s Indigenous Peoples which began in the 1970’s. Learn more at NAIG2023.com.

The Tribal Council is requesting Tribal Members to vote on an advisory referendum question pertaining to Red Cliff Code of Laws Chapter 40 - Exclusion Ordinance.

Currently, Chapter 40 provides for the exclusion and removal of NON-MEMBERS who act in disregard of tribal or other law, destroy tribal fish and game, trespass upon tribal trust property, pollute tribal lands and waters, destroy real or personal property of the Band, its members or Reservation residents, or endanger or harm the natural, social, psychological or physical well-being of members or other persons on the Reservation.

The referendum question will ask if Chapter 40 should also apply to Tribal Members who violate the terms of Chapter 40. Please vote on Friday August 18, 2023 at Legendary Waters. Polls will be open 8 AM to 8 PM.

Click HERE to see the Tribal Council resolution, Chapter 40, and sample ballot.

Our little ones at the Red Cliff Early Childhood Center had their last day of school on Thursday last week, and many of them will be moving on up to the "big school" ~ aho!

They celebrated with a foam party and watermelon from one of the school planters, followed by a graduation ceremony on Friday. Great job ECC staff, children, and families!

Boozhoo Elders! The next Tribal Elder Food Box Program date is this Friday July 28. This giveaway is for tribal members aged 55 and older. Boxes are expected to be ready around 1 PM this week.

Please call Food Distribution with any questions at 715-779-3740.

Tribal Members have opportunities to collect birch bark from US Forest Service potential timber sale locations. Opportunities are available in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Ottawa National Forest.

Anyone interested should follow this link, then click on the "birch maps" tab. Under that tab, there are maps of both national forests that show the areas open to birch bark collecting and the approximate size of trees in that stand, if that data is available.

Please note: Tribal members should not remove bark from trees that are already marked with paint. Birch bark can be collected until a timber sale contract has been awarded. Once a timber sale contract has been awarded, tribal members would need to get permission from the timber sale purchaser to collect birch bark within the timber sale units.  

If anyone has questions, they can contact contact Alex Bohman at abohman@glifwc.org or 715-685-2125.

The Red Cliff Community Health Center is currently recruiting for two (2) Community Health Worker (CHW) positions. A CHW is a frontline employee who is a trusted member or has a good understanding of the community. This position serves as a liaison between the community, health services, and social services.

Do you enjoy working directly with the community? The CHW position participates in many Tribal community events. They also interact with special populations, such as the elderly, to assist with direct needs and connect them to other needed services. The goal is to strengthen and expand services to our elders in areas of transportation, basic health monitoring and assistance with navigating through the complex health/service systems. 

We need you to make this happen!

The position description and application can be found HERE.

Travel Wisconsin will be filming a national commercial at Big Top Chautauqua during the July 28th showing of Pickin' On Rock. Big Top would like The Tent to be as full as possible to showcase all the energy of an event at The Big Top, and they're inviting the community to be there in full force. To help, Big Top is offering free tickets!

These tickets can be used for yourselves, employees, friends, and family. To get your tickets call or go online and use coupon code 2FREETIX.

The Wisconsin Indian Education Association (WIEA) will host an ACT 31 Celebration event at Legendary Waters on August 17.

All are welcome to join, including Tribal Council members, Tribal Education Committees, Tribal staff, Elders and Tribal Community. This is an opportunity to learn and hear about the integration of ACT 31 in our School Districts.

Wisconsin Act 31 is the statutory requirement that all school districts provide instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the American Indian nations in the state. This requirement represents our state’s commitment to serve our diverse communities and the American Indian tribes and bands who reside within Wisconsin’s borders.

There is space for up to five vendors. Please contact WIEA President Guyaushk (Jim Pete) with any questions or if you'd like to be a vendor during this event. Email guyaushk2002@yahoo.com.

James E. Pete, DBA

Anishinaabe/Ojibwe/Chippewa

The Red Cliff Tribe is seeking sealed bid proposals for the construction of a new Office/Storage building located at 36845 Aiken Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang (Red Cliff Reservation).

Red Cliff is seeking to contract with a General Contractor to construct a 2,160 sq. ft. building. The first level will include a large, conditioned garage area, a conditioned storage area, three offices, a bathroom and mechanical room. The conditioned second level will include an open loft/storage area, and IT/security rack.

Proposals should be submitted by July 26, 2023.

View the entire RFP and project details HERE.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its July 2023 newsletter!

FoodWIse is federally funded statewide by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). FoodWIse advances healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for Wisconsin residents with limited incomes through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels.

Click HERE to view the full July 2023 FoodWIse newsletter.

The Red Cliff Education Department is offering additional financial support for those who have already applied for the Higher Education and Job Training Program.

Want to apply for the scholarship? Here's what we need from you:

Application, Education Plan, Unofficial Transcript, Fall/Spring Schedule.

Click HERE to learn more and access an application.

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority is accepting applications for housing and housing assistance!

RCCHA provides clean, safe, adequate, and affordable housing for qualified families and elders.

Housing options to apply for include low rent, 6-plex, 4-plex, Elderly, Tax Credit, Tax Credit Rehab.

Oski-Ombendaam New Hope Supportive Housing

The Oski-Ombendaam New Hope housing contains efficiency, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. The goal of New Hope housing is to provide supportive services to those individuals and families while providing clean, safe, adequate, and affordable housing.

You are also able to apply for Home Repair Assistance and Down Payment Assistance.

Click HERE to access an application.

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority tenants have access to a Residential Resource Coordinator. The coordinator will help tenants get connected with various resources.

This service is available to Housing tenants Monday through Friday at New Hope Building A, at 37580 Pageant Road.

Please call 715-779-3744 extension 3514 with any questions.

HI! I am Shania Nordby the new Water Resources Program Manager. I am a Red Cliff tribal member who recently moved back to the area from Sparta, WI with my husband and our two beautiful children.

I have a degree in biology with an emphasis in aquatic science and am looking forward to being a part of the environmental team here at the tribe. I am so excited to be home and be able to raise my children in the community that I grew up in. I look forward to seeing everyone around!

The Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division has released its latest edition of the Ganawenjigaade newsletter for Ziigwan (Spring) 2023.

You will find anishinaabemowin vocabulary, program updates, permit information, rabies clinic, updates on water protection, and more!

Click HERE to access.

Click HERE to order online!