July 31 - August 6, 2023

Abitaa-niibini Giizis July (Halfway Summer Moon)

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.

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.

There will be a study on nestling bald eagles as indicators of PFAS exposure in the Lake Superior food web.

Project Description

The Wisconsin Bald Eagle Biosentinel Program was initiated around 1990 to track contaminant levels in bald eagles, with an initial emphasis on eagles nesting along the Great Lakes shoreline. This project has identified relationships between increased bald eagle productivity and decreased contaminant levels (DDE and total PCBs) in plasma from eagles nesting within contaminated sites in Wisconsin. In addition, this project has documented per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) exposure in certain populations that may be of concern for aquatic ecosystems. Results from this project have illustrated that bald eagles can be a sentinel indicator species for changes in the environment.

This project will identify trends and changes in contaminant exposure in nestling bald eagles, with a specific emphasis on PFAS, thereby being a measure of environmental health and change. As the number of chemicals released into the environment continues to increase, it is better and more cost effective to be proactive and monitor what is occurring in the environment rather than be reactive and have to deal with adverse impacts that can be difficult, timely, and expensive to reverse.

Being an apex predator, eagles are a sensitive indicator of trends in environmental contaminant exposure in the habitats for which they reside. The ability to identify trends in contaminant exposure is a valuable tool not only for the health of the species, but for the long-term health of the ecosystem as well. The bald eagle is a prominent indicator species which integrates effects that operate at a variety of levels within the ecosystem.

The bald eagle is a valuable indicator species due in part to the extensive information that is known about the species. The bald eagle has numerous characteristics that make it desirable as an indicator species for environmental change:

• Established monitoring programs exist for the bald eagle.
• Long-term and extensive datasets are available.
• Wide presence within the Area of Concern.
• Sensitive to environmental pollution.
• There are known thresholds for population health and toxicity to some contaminants.
• Top of the food chain predator and largely tied to aquatic habitats where pollution is often concentrated.
• The bald eagle represents a species that share similar habitats and dietary requirements.
• Bald eagles are used to track environmental quality and ecosystem changes.
• Strong interest from partners for using the bald eagle as a bioindicator species.
• The bald eagle is our national symbol, highly prized by the public, high profile, and a charismatic species.

Objective

The objective of this project is to monitor PFAS levels in nestling bald eagles from the Apostle Islands and the south shore of Lake Superior as indicators of ecosystem health and change with a specific focus on PFAS exposure. Results will be compared with toxic thresholds as well as with results from samples collected elsewhere in Wisconsin.

Methods

Two aerial surveys of the bald eagle nests will be conducted, one in late March/April to document occupancy, the second in May/June to document productivity. Bald eagle nestlings will be sampled for blood and feathers (mercury) at all successful nests when nestlings are approximately 5-8 weeks of age. Contaminant analysis will be conducted at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Madison, WI. PFAS levels of nestling bald eagles from the Apostle Islands and the south shore of Lake Superior will be compared to known thresholds of effect as well as compared to results from nestlings from other locations in Wisconsin.

Expected Outcome

This monitoring program is designed to answer the following questions: 1) What is the direction and magnitude of change (if any) in concentrations of PFAS in eagle nestlings from the Apostle Islands and the south shore of Lake Superior? 2) How do contaminant levels from these eagles compare with known toxic threshold concentrations? 3) How do PFAS levels from Apostle Island/Lake Superior eagles compare to levels observed in other populations sampled in Wisconsin?

This program will further illustrate the utility of nestling bald eagles as indicators of ecosystem health and environmental change. This project will provide an accurate snapshot of contaminants, potentially identifying problem areas to other natural resource programs. We believe bald eagles can be used as a sentinel species to help identify potential problem trends in contaminant exposure before they reach a level of causing adverse population level impacts. As the number of contaminants released into our environment continues to increase, so does the need for a monitoring system to identify exposure trends and potential adverse impacts.

Please contact the Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division with any questions at 715-779-3750.

View more in the Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Ganawenjigaade Niibin 2023 newsletter.

The Red Cliff Tribal Council is set to meet next Monday August 7 at Legendary Waters.

The Regular Session is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM. The Tribal Council will recognize recent tribal member achievements, including four members' participation at the North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia, and Christopher Hicks' recent boxing achievements. Community members are invited to attend.

The full meeting agenda will be available HERE once it is finalized.

Wildfire smoke continues to cause periods of poor air quality for our area, and we post health advisories as necessary. On June 22, the Tribe declared a State of Emergency, which enables the Tribe to access additional resources to protect community members.

There are air purifiers available to help sensitive community members. These purifiers will improve air quality in areas up to 1,200 sq. ft. Upkeep and cleaning of the filter will be the owners' responsibility.

Air purifiers will be available for pick up at the Food Distribution building on Wednesday August 2 from 2 PM - 4 PM. Elders will be prioritized between 2-3 PM. All others are welcomed after. Homebound elders may request delivery by calling 715-209-3863. Please be sure to request delivery by August 1 at 4 PM.

By Cris Carusi

From UW-News

HAYWARD – On a warm June afternoon, students in a field course hosted by Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University navigated the waters of the Chippewa Flowage in pontoon boats, witnessing firsthand both the majesty of soaring eagles and the impacts of water erosion on the hundreds of tree-covered islands that stipple this 15,300-acre body of water.

The most important lesson, however, was that there is more than one way to look at the Chippewa Flowage. The islands are also hilltops, and the third largest lake in Wisconsin — famous for its giant muskie — is a site of tragedy and loss for the Lac Courte Oreilles people. When the flowage was first proposed a century ago, tribal members voted against damming the Chippewa River for hydroelectricity, as doing so would flood their lands. Nonetheless, the federal government authorized the project, submerging wild rice beds, ancient burial grounds and an entire village.

This trip to the Chippewa Flowage was part of LA 360: Indigenous Field-Based Learning for Land Stewardship, a weeklong summer field course that interweaves Native history and culture with science education. First offered in 2022 at the College of Menominee Nation, this course is a unique collaboration involving Wisconsin’s three land-grant institutions: LCOOU, CMN and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is coordinated by Earth Partnership Indigenous Arts and Sciences, an initiative in the UW–Madison Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture focused on culturally relevant environmental education.

Students in the class — including members of Wisconsin’s Ho-Chunk, Lac Courte Oreilles, Menominee, Oneida, Red Cliff and Stockbridge-Munsee nations — experienced field and classroom learning focused on human relationships with land, water, wildlife, forests and plants. In addition to the Chippewa Flowage, students visited manoomin (wild rice) beds, a cranberry marsh, a fish hatchery, forestry projects, the LCOOU farm and sacred Ojibwe sites. 

Cultural learning is important to Red Cliff Tribal Member Christie Branagan, who is working on her bachelor’s degree in human services at LCOOU at the outreach in Red Cliff. Branagan is interested in the connections between land stewardship and Native culture, and her experiences on the Chippewa Flowage and during other field visits throughout the week helped her integrate Indigenous and Western ways of understanding natural resources.

“On the flowage, we learned about water. In Ojibwe, nibi is water. Water is the life blood that flows through lakes, rivers and oceans. It plays an important role across faith-based traditions, not only here but worldwide,” says Branagan.

View the full article here.

Boozhoo Elders! Here is your meal menu for August. Please call 715-779-3706 with any questions.

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.

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 Environmental Department is seeking sealed bid proposals for laboratory services from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The vendor will be testing various samples for PFAS, mercury, nitrogen, and other contaminants. View the entire RFP and project details HERE.

Proposals should be submitted by Tuesday August 15, 2023.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its August 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 August 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.

Click to access the entire Treaty Natural Resources Division Ganawenjigaade newsletter for niibin (summer) 2023.

Click HERE to order online!