December 28, 2020 - January 3, 2021 |
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Boozhoo and welcome to the Miisaninawiind weekly newsletter!
The Miisaniinawind brings you important news, announcements and updates, designed specifically for the Red Cliff community. But that's not all. The weekly eNewsletter will also provide news about neighboring tribes, communities and broader issues across Indian Country that matter to you.
If you have photos, news or information you'd like to share, please email submissions to communications@redcliff-nsn.gov.
Check out our website HERE and our Facebook page HERE.
Want to receive the newsletter each week? Sign up HERE.
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COVID-19 Community Updates |
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An up-to-date list of COVID-19 related notices and educational resources can be found on the Red Cliff website.
Tribal Departments and Programs are still offering virtual and social-distance events! Check out the Events Calendar.
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Red Cliff Offers Free Ojibwemowin Classes
Wayeshkad Ojibwemowin with Memegwesi
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Free Ojibwemowin classes are being offered to the Tribal Community. Classes will be held virtually for 12 weeks beginning January 9, and will take place each Saturday from 10:00-11:30 AM.
A message from the course instructor:
"My name is Memegwesi. My english name is David Sutherland. My family / clan is Polar Bear - Waabak. My parents are Mary and Leonard Moose. A part of my childhood I spent growing up in the wilderness of Ontario and Quebec Canada with my mother where I learned a great deal of the Ojibwe culture and language."
To register please contact Richard LaFernier, Language and Culture Coordinator at 715-779-3700 ext 4261 or by email at richard.lafernier@redcliff-nsn.gov.
This series of Ojibwemowin classes is sponsored by the Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Treaty Natural Resources Department, Native Connections, Family Services, and Red Cliff Tribal Court.
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Everyone's An Artist Paints
Away Pandemic Stress
Virtual painting event to be held monthly
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Miigwech to everyone who participated in the "Everyone's an Artist" event. Native Connections and RC TREE handed out 36 art kits for the first painting event on December 21.
Participants enjoyed a virtual time of community and healing as they painted away stress and enjoyed each others company.
RC TREE and Native Connections plan to continue these art events once per month. Click HERE for some photos of the first class paintings.
Call 715-779-3741 with any questions about the Everyone's An Artist events.
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Free COVID-19 At Home Testing Kits Available |
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The State of Wisconsin and Vault Medical Services have teamed up to offer a new COVID-19 testing option for everyone who lives in Wisconsin, with or without symptoms, at no cost. This new service allows people to collect their own saliva samples for testing in their home. The capacity is expected to expand over time.
Step one: Request an at-home collection kit
Request an at-home collection kit using the button below. A collection kit will be delivered directly to your home; PO boxes are not eligible to have kits delivered.
Step two: Collect your sample
Step three: Send in your sample
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REQUEST A COLLECTION KIT:
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Click HERE to visit the Red Cliff Community Health Center website.
Click HERE for COVID-19 Updates and Resources.
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Food Distribution Temporary Closure January 4 |
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The Food Distribution Program will be closed on Monday January 4, 2021. A new ordering system is being implemented that day.
Food Distribution is scheduled to reopen the following day, January 5.
Sorry for any inconvenience! Please call 715-779-3740 with any questions.
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New Child Care Center Is
Hiring Child Care Staff!
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The investment that has been put into this new daycare facility will impact economic development and improve the quality of life throughout our county. We are proud to say that our 4,000 square foot new construction child care center will boast 40 new child care spaces and will be located on a 1.3-acre site, located on the corner of Blueberry and Water Tower Roads.
The center is still looking to grow its childcare family. If you are a person or know a person that has a passion for working with children and would love to be part of our team, please visit www.redcliff-nsn.gov for a job description and application.
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Happy Holidays From Red Cliff
Family Violence Prevention Program
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Bayfield School Board Election
Candidacy Declaration due January 5
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The School District of Bayfield will hold an election on April 6, 2021 for three school board office openings. A Campaign Registration Statement and a Declaration of Candidacy must be filed no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday January 5, 2021.
The term of office for a school board member is three years beginning on Monday April 26, 2021.
Click HERE for more information, including a guide for candidates and official Registration Statement and Notice of Candidacy Form.
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Bayfield School District Weekly Updates |
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The Bayfield School District will be releasing
weekly updates for parents and students.
You can view the school's weekly updates on their website:
You can also find the weekly updates on the
Bayfield School District Facebook page.
Bayfield School Board Virtual Meeting
The Bayfield School Board will host its December meeting virtually on Monday December 21 at 6:00 PM.
Click HERE to access the meeting.
Meeting ID: 872 2394 9391
Passcode: 867557
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 872 2394 9391
Passcode: 867557
Bayfield School Yearbook Ad Space Available
Thank you for considering sponsoring the Bayfield High senior class with your purchase of a yearbook ad. All ads will be in color.
Please contact Stacy Peterson, Yearbook Advisor at 715-779-3201 or at speterson@bayfield.k12.wi.us.
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Access Scholarship Opportunities |
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Red Cliff Community Members have access to a variety of scholarships.
Click HERE to visit the Education Department's Scholarships page.
Upcoming External Scholarship Opportunities
Truman D. Picard Scholarship
The Truman D. Picard Scholarship Program is dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing a higher education in Natural Resources.
Deadline March 12, 2021
AfterCollege AACN Nursing Scholarship
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31
Travel Nurse America
Deadline: January 1, 2021
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Boys and Girls Club of Gitchigami |
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Boys and Girls Club staff have created Virtual Daily Lessons for youth to follow while the Club is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lessons incorporate fitness and fun, fine arts, virtual field trips, mental workouts, and lessons on character, leadership, and service!
The lessons are dated, but contain activities that can be done year-round!
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Community Is Urged To Take Tribal
Housing Needs Assessment Survey
Data will enhance local programs, funding
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The Red Cliff Tribe, in partnership with the Red Cliff Housing Authority, has launched a Tribal Housing Needs Assessment household survey taking place from December 2020 - February 2021. The survey will have two phases: all households on-reservation will receive a door hanger with an online survey code in December, and all off-reservation member households in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan will receive a mailer containing an online survey code in January.
This survey is an important data collection project designed to compile accurate demographic, employment and housing information about Red Cliff tribal members. The data collected during this survey will be used to enhance local programs and attract funding for housing and other community programs.
Beginning in December 2020, survey staff will drop off information and instructions so that individuals can complete the survey online. Survey topics include: income, education, housing situation, use of and need for community programs and services. All household information requested by the survey is essential to accomplishing the project’s goals. The responses provided to field staff will remain confidential and anonymous.
Please provide honest and complete answers to field staff to support their efforts to:
- Challenge and replace the Census Bureau’s housing needs data for the Red Cliff Reservation
- Ensure that the Tribe receives their fair share of affordable housing funding
- Affirm the Tribe’s sovereignty and expand its self-determination
- Determine current and future need for housing and essential services
The information you provide will help our community!
The on-reservation survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and we need complete responses from every household on the reservation. The off-reservation Tribal Member survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. As a special thank you, households that complete the survey will receive an individual incentive and be entered into weekly drawings for larger prizes valued up to $200!
The project is funded by Enterprise Community Partners and the Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority.
On-reservation tribal members will receive a door hanger with a unique survey code at their home that they can use to complete their survey online at: https://www.redcliff-nsn.gov/survey. Off-reservation tribal members will receive a mailed letter containing their online survey code—watch for yours in the mail in January.
We will drop off paper forms to on-reservation households without internet access starting two weeks after we release the survey.
FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Liz Boyd
Tribal Survey Manager, Red Cliff
Phone: (715) 779-3744 ext. 3515
Kevin Klingbeil (Survey Coordinator)
Managing Director, Big Water Consulting
Phone: (206) 466-2065
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Click HERE to access a Tenant Association interest form
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Gift Certificates Available! |
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Legendary Waters Resort & Casino |
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Legendary Pow Wow Postponed |
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Legendary Waters New Years Eve |
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News Across Indian Country |
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Funding Opportunity For Native Artists |
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The Wisconsin Arts Board has announced the Woodland Indian Arts Emergency Relief Fund to support individual Native American artists experiencing economic distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grant funding may be used for basic expenses such as food, rent, medical costs, childcare, etc., or artistic supplies and materials, including those related to the development of skills or equipment that will enable applicants to transition their income-generating practices to virtual platforms or practices.
The deadline to apply is January 28, 2021. Click HERE for eligibility requirements and to apply.
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USDA to Open Signup for Conservation Reserve Program and CRP Grasslands in Early 2021 |
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the 2021 signup periods for general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and CRP Grasslands offers. General signup for CRP will be open from January 4, 2021 to February 12, 2021; signup for CRP Grasslands runs from March 15, 2021 to April 23, 2021. Both programs are competitive and provide annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.
“The Conservation Reserve Program and the many focused programs that come under it, like CRP Grasslands, are some of our most critical tools we have to help producers better manage their operations while conserving natural resources,” said State Executive Director, Sandy Chalmers. “As one of our nation’s largest conservation endeavors, CRP has proven to protect our Nation’s valuable resources; and next year’s signup gives our farmers and ranchers an opportunity to enroll in CRP for the first time or continue their participation for another term.
Click HERE to learn more.
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Pipelines and Plastic Bottles:
Michigan Advocate focuses on Line 5 and Nestle bottled water issue
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By Gary Wilson
Great Lakes Now
When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took office in January 2019, she immediately put a spotlight on the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline and started the process that would eventually lead to her ordering it shut down.
In her 2018 campaign, Whitmer also pledged to remedy the inequities related to water withdrawal issues, specifically a Nestle Waters case being fought by grassroots advocates that originated in the administration of former Gov. Rick Snyder.
Both are among the most high-profile environmental issues in Michigan in recent times and are at the heart of the public trust advocacy work Liz Kirkwood does.
Kirkwood, executive director of Traverse City-based For Love of Water, told Great Lakes Now that FLOW’s origins are in the original Nestle bottled water case in the early 2000s and its work is based on public trust principles as is its Line 5 work.
The essence of the public trust doctrine is that resources like groundwater and the Great Lakes are held in trust by the state for the people.
“We are very focused on accountability of government through public trust protections and empowerment of citizens to hold state governments accountable,” Kirkwood said in a recent interview where she talked about the Line 5 and bottled water issues.
Line 5
After originally negotiating with Enbridge to settle the Line 5 issue, Whitmer recently ordered the shutdown of the aged pipeline that threatens the water in the Straits of Mackinac.
The fate of Line 5 is now enmeshed in the courts, which is what Whitmer has said could be the worst case scenario.
FLOW knew it would take litigation to shut Line 5 down, Kirkwood said, and likened Whitmer’s November order to “the other shoe dropping” after Attorney General Dana Nessel’s 2019 lawsuit.
Kirkwood cautioned that there’s more to come.
“I don’t think a lot of people know or understand that this is just the beginning of the litigation to stop and shut down Line 5 permanently,” said Kirkwood, who called for Michiganders to support the shutdown.
“This is the moment for citizens, businesses, tribes and state leaders to support the governor’s actions,” Kirkwood said.
Enbridge has consistently said that the current Line 5 is safe and it operates with the approval of its federal regulator.
Prior to leaving office, the Snyder administration signed an agreement with Enbridge to construct a pipeline in a tunnel that would run under the Straits of Mackinac and replace the existing Line 5.
Enbridge said its polling indicates the tunnel replacement has the support of Michiganders and is supported by the Michigan House of Representatives and 26 counties including 14 of the 15 Upper Peninsula counties.
Great Lakes Now asked Kirkwood if the tunnel is a reasonable compromise.
The option of either the existing Line 5 or a pipeline in a tunnel is a false dichotomy rooted in the past, and Line 5 “is not vital energy infrastructure” for Michigan, she said.
Kirkwood also cited Gov. Whitmer’s executive order aspiring to have Michigan be carbon neutral by 2050 as another reason the tunnel should not be built. If constructed, it means Michigan would be an oil transport conduit for decades to come.
“The tunnel alternative necessarily charts a future of fossil fuel dependency in an era where oil markets are dramatically changing, and there’s extraordinary scientific consensus that we must adapt immediately, and that means embracing renewable energies,” Kirkwood said.
Bottled water and the Nestle case
The recent decision by Michigan to dismiss a citizen’s contested case complaint concerning water withdrawals for bottled water elicited strong reactions from Kirkwood and FLOW.
By dismissing the case, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy affirmed a decision by the Snyder administration to allow Nestle Water to take more water for bottled water.
On its website, FLOW said the decision was “baffling” and that EGLE “dodged a decision and Nestle dodged the rule of law.”
“The EGLE director’s decision effectively erased a year and a half of a contested case that the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation brought before an administrative law judge,” Kirkwood said.
EGLE in its decision said that it did not have subject matter jurisdiction and that the case should have been appealed directly to a circuit court.
“The decision is disappointing because it sets the bar so high for citizens to challenge any bottled water permits,” Kirkwood said. Plaintiffs would be faced with costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees if they have to go directly to a court, according to Kirkwood.
“That is not what I believe the legislature intended,” Kirkwood said, and she thinks the bottled water issue has “really touched a nerve with everybody in Michigan.”
“There’s something that feels so wrong” when a multinational corporation can come to a rural area, pay a nominal $200 fee to take water then sell it back in plastic bottles for profit, Kirkwood said.
Nestle Waters North America said in a statement after the dismissal of the case, “we firmly believe that EGLE’s decision to approve our permit application was appropriate, as it carefully reviewed and considered our permit application in what it called ‘the most extensive analysis of any water withdrawal in Michigan history.’”
Because Gov. Whitmer campaigned on remedying the bottled water withdrawal issue then affirmed the Snyder decision allowing for increased withdrawals, Great Lakes Now asked Kirkwood if the issue is settled.
“I don’t think people are going to be willing to let this go. This issue has been a thorn in everybody’s side, and I don’t think political affiliation matters here. Michiganders are outraged that you can have a corporation come in and take a resource like our water essentially for free,” Kirkwood said.
Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation continues to oppose the increased withdrawal and has renewed a request for Attorney General Dana Nessel to conduct an investigation and take action as she did on Line 5.
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Interested in upcoming events?
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Red Cliff Tribal Administration Office
88455 Pike Road
Bayfield, Wi. 54814
715-779-3700
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