May 29 - June 4, 2023

Ode'imini Giizis June (Strawberry Moon)

Howah! Red Cliff Tribal Member Heather Boyd is the new superintendent at Grand Portage National Monument, becoming the first woman and first Anishinaabe to lead this National Monument. Great job, Heather. Aho!

Enjoy this feature by Alex V. Cipolle for MPR News North Star Journey.

A few miles from the Canada border, Heather Boyd walks the grassy trail of the national monument’s Ojibwe Village. She passes the soaring pointed timber of the palisade fence that encircles the recreated historic depot, what was once the famed 18th-century cultural crossroads of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe and the fur trade.

Boyd then stops in the field where the National Monument hosts the annual Rendezvous Days event. Thousands of visitors flock to the remote site every August for music, camping, reenactments and craft workshops.

“This is the encampment area,” Boyd says. “It’s wild to see tent upon tent here.” 

She looks up at the nearby western hills, the site of the Grand Portage Band’s annual powwow, also in August.

“I’m really looking forward to blending the two events a bit more, the powwow and the Rendezvous here” Boyd says. “Well, it’s celebrating both cultures, right? So, being able to encourage not only visitors here, but encourage them to go up to the powwow, too, and have that experience.”

Boyd is the new superintendent of the Grand Portage National Monument. She is the first woman and first Anishinaabe person to hold the National Park Service position since the monument was established in 1958. The Anishinaabe have occupied the land since “time immemorial,” as the monument’s signage points out.

Today, Boyd is wearing a pin given to her by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the tribe that has been co-managing the site with the park service for decades. She is also wearing a traditional Native ribbon skirt, striped in red, white and black.

“The ribbon skirt represents resiliency and identity and is just empowering as a woman,” Boyd says, “and a woman in a management position — that I'm the first Anishinaabe and the first woman to ever lead here.” 

Many say her appointment is a historic moment in the co-stewardship of the monument, which is within the boundaries of the of the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. The Grand Portage Band donated the land to the federal government.

“I understand living in a tribal community,” says Boyd, who is an enrolled member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from Bayfield, Wis. “I think that’s one of the things they saw in me.”

Less than half a mile up the road, April McCormick sits in the timber building that houses the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council, the partner in co-management with the National Park Service. McCormick is the Tribal Council secretary treasurer.

View the entire story here.

Plant & Seed Giveaway, Red Cliff Tree Day

Red Cliff Mino Bimaadiziiwin Tribal Farm's Annual Plant & Seed Give-Away is set for this Thursday June 1 and Friday June 2! The Farm freely shares plants and seeds with the Gaa-Miskwaabikaang community and visitors to support home gardeners and advance Tribal food sovereignty. A variety of mitigoog (trees) will also be available for pick up! See all details and times on the flyers below.

Garden Assistance

Garden Assistance is also available for Red Cliff Tribal Members. The Farm offers garden support for Red Cliff elders who need assistance preparing beds and planting. Home gardeners can also get help with both a rototiller and no-tilling methods.

Please contact the Farm with any questions about the Plant & Seed Giveaway or to request garden assistance.

715-779-3782

Farm@redcliff-nsn.gov

Boozhoo Elders! The next Tribal Elder Food Box Program date is this Friday June 2, 2023. This giveaway is for tribal members aged 55 and older. Boxes are expected to be ready around 1 PM this week.

This week’s boxes will contain:

Frozen Lake Trout; Chicken Drumsticks; Lettuce; Mushrooms; Tomatoes on the Vine; Organic Rhubarb; WI Russet Potatoes; WI Yellow Onions; Organic Strawberries; Maple Sugar Pecans.

Please see letter below from Food Distribution Director Butch Bresette. Call Food Distribution with any questions at 715-779-3740.

Boozhoo Gaa-Miskwaabikaang, there has been a series of fraud schemes targeting various tribal communities with fake behavioral health centers, phony sober living homes, and fake service offerings.

The Red Cliff Band and the Red Cliff Behavioral Health Department offer behavioral health services at four main locations, including the Red Cliff Community Health Center (36745 Aiken Rd), the Noojimo’iwewin Center (37450 Water Tower Rd), the Mishomis Wellness Center (37390 North Bradum Rd), and the Comprehensive Community Services CCS building (37280 Community Rd).

Please beware of any unsolicited offers for behavioral health treatment that ask you to meet at other locations. If something feels “off” or if you receive an offer for a health service you are not sure about, please contact the Red Cliff Behavioral Health Department at 715-779-3741 or 715-779-3707.

Click HERE to learn more about these fraud schemes and how to stay vigilant.

ICYMI - Red Cliff Tribal Member and Bayfield High School sophomore Quintin Bresette set a new single-game scoring record on February 3rd in a basketball game at South Shore High School. Bresette scored 58 points, breaking the previous record of 54 points scored by Butch Vanderventer in 1964. Howah!

Bresette was honored last week at the Bayfield High School athletic banquet. Vanderventer was also in attendance to congratulate Bresette.

Bresette will represent team Wisconsin this July at the North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia. Stay tuned for more details. Learn about the North American Indigenous Games HERE.

Photo from a WDIO story by Shalon Monroe.

Chi-Miigwech to all who participated in this year’s Honor Banquet to celebrate the Bayfield High School Class of 2023! On May 22nd, the Red Cliff Education Department, in collaboration with the Bayfield School and other Red Cliff Band departments, hosted the annual Honor Banquet at Legendary Waters. It was a great turnout for the Bayfield graduates.

Gaa-Miskwaabikaang elder Guyaushk (Jim Pete) performed an opening ceremony and blessed the food. Wiigwam Express then performed an honor song for the graduates and families. We had some great speakers, including Scott Babineau, Gerald DePerry, Justin Hansen, Ed Metelica, and Andreah Bonney. They all had a little something to tell the students to carry with them when they graduate on June 3, 2023.

All of us at the Education Department and the JOM Committee would like to thank the local businesses that donated the raffle items: Howl Adventure Center, Harbor House Sweets, Apostle Islands Booksellers, and Honest Dog Books.

We would also like to thank the Family Violence Prevention Program and Health Center for the wonderful donations to the students, as well as Bayfield School District and Legendary Waters for all the work they did. The food was delicious as always.

Aho!

Gaa-Miskwaabikaang and the Red Cliff ICW program would like to say Chi-Miigwech to all of our foster care parents! You are helping keep our children safe, and you are impacting our future generations.

Open House Dates

All foster care families -- and anyone interested in becoming a foster care parent -- are invited to join our Foster Care Open House events throughout May. On Tuesdays (May 9, May 16, May 23, and May 30) join us between 12-3 PM at the Red Cliff ICW office located at 37250 Watertower Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

Please call the Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare Program with any questions at 715-779-3747.

A new kind of career fair is coming! Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority and Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library have partnered together to bring you an Unconventional Opportunity.

All are welcome to attend this FREE opportunity, skills, knowledge, and career fair event. You will have access to over 20 vendors and breakout sessions to learn more about trades and skills training, building resumes, entrepreneurship, managing income, growing your business, military career opportunities, and much more.

The fair will be open from 10 AM - 6 PM on Wednesday June 14 at Legendary Waters Event Center in Red Cliff, WI.

Learn more at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/opportunityfair.

Interested in being a vendor at this event? Register here.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Deb Morris

ROSS Resource Coordinator / Stability Coach

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority

715-779-3744 Ext 3514

dmorris@redcliffhousing.org

Get ready to compete in the 2nd Annual Legendary BBQ Battle! $1800 in Cash Prizes are up for grabs! Pack up your grill and head over to Legendary Waters on Saturday June 17.

$100 entry fee gets you a whole chicken, pork ribs, and beef brisket for you to work your magic and get the judges taste buds tingling! Cash prizes for each meat category and a Best in Show Trophy (and of course bragging rights!)

Judging criteria includes: Taste (duh), Tenderness, Appearance, and Smoke Ring.

Pre-register by June 10th. Call or email: 715-779-9463 / dmorris@legendarywaters.com

Secure your spot today!

RCCHC and Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library will host a mental health awareness walk on May 31. See flyer for details

The next Circle of Security Parenting Class begins June 21. Limited spots are available. This program aims to help you understand your child's emotional needs, support your child's ability to manage emotions, enhance the development of your child's self esteem, and honor your wisdom and desire for your child to be secure.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Mercie Gordon or Johanna Wilson:

715-292-8227

mercie.gordon@redcliff-nsn.gov

johanna.wilson@redcliff-nsn.gov

The Red Cliff Tribal Council General Election will be held on Tuesday July 4, 2023. Red Cliff Tribal Members will have the opportunity to vote for a Chairperson, Treasurer, and three At-Large members. Polls will be open from 8 AM - 8 PM at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino.

Declare Candidacy for Member At-Large

If you would like to declare your candidacy for a Member At-Large seat on the Tribal Council, please submit your intentions in writing no later than 6 PM on June 19 to the Red Cliff Tribal Council Secretary Nora Cadotte.

For more information or to submit your candidacy, contact:

secretary@redcliff-nsn.gov

715-209-3989

View all election details and information here.

Mark your calendars for Giwiidosendimin Project LAUNCH's Kwe Connections group beginning June 17. The group will meet every other Saturday through August 26. Join for a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and to make ribbon skirts, earrings, and belts.

Please contact Amaris or Johanna with any questions:

715-979-1554

amaris.andrews@redcliff-nsn.gov

johanna.wilson@redcliff-nsn.gov

The Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation Department is accepting proposals for an individual to cook for the upcoming 2023 Archaeology Field School, June 19 - July 15, 2023. Please submit your bid for the following:

Details

Meals will be needed for the following dates:

Week 1: June 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2023

Week 2: June 27, 28, 29, 30, 2023

Week 3: July 4, 5, 7, 8, 2023

Week 4: July 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2023

20 meals total.

1 meal per day (dinner).

19 people per meal.

Bid will need to include a proposed menu and list of food items needed. The proposed menu should include a variety of a protein, starch, and vegetable for each meal.

Please do not include the cost of food in your bid although you will be doing the shopping for food.

Cook must provide their own cooking and serving utensils.

Deliver, prepared/ready-to-eat food, to Legendary Waters Campgrounds at 5:30 p.m.(on the dates listed above).

Please submit your bids to the Tribal Historic Preservation Department: 

In-Person – 36750 Hwy. 13, Red Cliff, WI  

Mail – 88455 Pike. Rd. Bayfield, WI 54814 ATTN: THPO Dept. 

Email - Marvin DeFoe, marvin.defoe@redcliff-nsn.gov or Edwina Buffalo-Reyes, edwina.buffalo-reyes@redcliff-nsn.gov  

Deadline to submit bids: June 2, 2023 – 4:00 p.m.

Contact the Tribal Historic Preservation Department for any questions – 715-779-3761. 

Howah! Red Cliff's Mino Bimaadiziiwin Gitigaanin Tribal Farm is interested in buying wild harvested foods from Red Cliff harvesters to be shared during Red Cliff's youth camps throughout the year.

If you are interested, please contact the Farm before harvesting.

See flyer below and contact the Farm to learn more at 715-779-3782, or email Farm@redcliff-nsn.gov.

The Red Cliff Community Health Center is seeking a vendor to provide a comprehensive, electronic health record (EHR) with billing / practice management, laboratory, radiology, and community health capabilities, interoperability, chronic care management, online patient portal, remote patient monitoring capabilities, electronic prescriptions for controlled substance (EPCS), scheduling and real time eligibility capability.

View all details and requirements HERE.

Bids/quotes are due no later than 4:30 PM on June 2.

The Volunteers in Mission Ministry Group offers free labor for a variety of projects. The group is accepting work orders until June 12, with work scheduled to be done between June 19 - June 23, 2023.

If you are interested in getting some assistance at your home or perhaps on a community venture, please fill out the form and return to the Tribal Administration Building. Forms are also available to pick up at the Admin Building. If you know of anyone that could make use of these services, please feel free to make a referral or assist the individual with the form.

Please call the Administration Building at 715-779-3700 with any questions.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its June 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 June 2023 FoodWIse newsletter.

Click image to access the full ECC May Newsletter

Dear Early Head Start Families,

I hope that the New Year finds you and your family happy and healthy.

I would like to let you know that we will be reducing our service hours for Early Head Start. We will be closed for students eight extra Fridays through the end of the school year.

Below are dates of closure that were regularly scheduled for services. We will also be sending out amended calendar pages to assist with keeping track of the changes.

June 2, July 14 

This is only through this school year and will impact 8 scheduled Fridays. We know that this may cause challenges for some families and for that we apologize!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jamie, Center Director, at 715-779-5030 ext. 2527 or Jenn, Center Administrator, at 715-779-5030 ext. 2561.

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

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.

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, hazardous waste collection event, details on Spring Clean Up Week scheduled for May 22-26, and more!

Click HERE to access.

Click HERE to order online!

There will be a vaccine clinic for area pets on Saturday June 3rd at the Rec Center on Madeline Island from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM with Dr. Matt Sturmer, DVM.

Vaccine Fees: 2023 Vaccine Clinic 

Dog:

-Rabies Vaccine (1 year and 3 year) $15 includes vaccination certificate and tag

-Distemper Parvo complex.

-(DHPP) $17 Distemper Parvo Leptospira

-(DHPPL) $ 20 Leptospira $17 Kennel Cough (Bordetella)

-$20 Lyme vaccine Deworming

-Interceptor Plus $9 per dose 

Cat: 

-Rabies Vaccine (1 year and 3 year) $15 includes vaccination certificate and tag.

-FVRCP (Upper Respiratory/Panleuk) $17 

-FVRCP-FL (add Feline Leukemia vaccine) $25 Deworming- Revolution Plus $18 

Cash or Check appreciated, (if you have trouble paying for vaccinations for your pet, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 715-747-2801 for help!). If there are people on the island that are unable to travel, the vet can accommodate them with a home visit after the vaccine clinic ends on the respective day.

BIA Great Lakes Agency in Ashland has three new positions open for job applications.

Administrative Support Assistant for Branch of Natural Resources: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726216500

Administrative Support Assistant for Deputy Superintendent of Trust Services: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726222800

Administrative Support Assistant for Office of the Program Manager: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726226100

The Federal Highway Administration's Local Aid Support (LAS) is giving the newly re-established Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) a makeover. We are asking for assistance from the Tribal community to develop a creative and innovative look for the TTAP. The logo created must be engaging and align with the TTAP's mission and vision for providing training and technical assistance to Tribal transportation agencies all over the country that improves safety and encourages the use of innovation.

Entries will be judged on visual appeal, concept, logo meaning description,

design quality, and ease of reproduction.

The winning design will be announced during the National LTAP/TTAP annual conference in Columbus, OH, July 17-20, 2023.

Don't delay! Showcase your creativity by bringing the TTAP purpose to life!

*All entries must be submitted to TTAP@DOT.GOV by June 30th, 2023.*

For more information on the FHWA's TTAP or to find a regional TTAP center, visit https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/ttap/

Are you ready to pitch your best stuff for the chance at $5,000? First Nations Community Financial, Woodland Financial Partners (formerly known as NiiJii Capital Partners) and WIEDC, in collaboration with SCORE and the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), bring you the 2023 Business Plan Pitch Contest.

We want to help aspiring Native American entrepreneurs in Wisconsin on their journey by offering support, guidance and technical assistance through workshops sharing the 10-Step Business Planning Guide and the Pitch Anything S.T.R.O.N.G. framework.

 We are hosting workshops to help you gain clarity of your business idea, structure your idea and write a comprehensive business plan as you look to secure funding, seek investors or potential business partners, and prepare you to craft a pitch for the Business Plan Pitch Contest.

Upcoming Workshops:

5/30 – Black River Falls – First Nations Community Financial (206 S Roosevelt Rd #123) – 5:00 to 8:00 pm

6/1 - Nekoosa or Stevens Point – TBD – 2:00 to 5:00 pm

6/8 – Keshena – College of Menominee Nation (N172 Hwy 55) – Noon to 3:00 pm

6/5 – Madison – Ho-Chunk Community Center (4724 Tradewinds Pkwy) – 5:00 to 8:00 pm

6/13 – Hayward – LCO Kinnamon School and Visitor Center (N8493 Hwy E) – Noon to 3:00 pm

6/15 – Milwaukee – Ho-Chunk Community Center (3501 S Howell Ave) – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

At the Business Plan Pitch Contest, Native entrepreneurs will give a “Shark Tank” style presentation and pitch their business, competing for one of two $5,000 prizes, on June 21st in Keshena at the NATOW Annual Conference.

Click here to register.