Miisaninawiind August 29 - September 4, 2022

Manoominike-Giizis (Ricing Moon)

The Red Cliff Tribe has been awarded an $8 million grant from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) to bring qualifying broadband service and high-speed internet to all tribal homes, government programs, and businesses within Red Cliff tribal jurisdiction. This also includes tribal member households off the reservation in the neighboring Town of Russell and tribal member households within the Belanger Settlement.

“This is an incredible award for the Red Cliff Tribe here in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang,” said Red Cliff Chairman Christopher Boyd. “Providing high-speed internet to every home, business, and program on our Tribal lands opens opportunities for our membership and community to access more education, increased telehealth services, job opportunities, and economic growth. Our rural community has faced many disadvantages due to the lack of reliable and affordable internet access, and the Tribe is relieved to finally be able to close the gap with the rest of the country. For our future generations to thrive, we must keep up with the times. Our Tribal Nation would like to recognize our former IT Director Theron Rutyna along with our Planning Administrator Nicole Boyd for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition. Chi-Miigwech to the NTIA for this award.”

Households, Businesses, and Community Anchor Institutions

The project will install 80 miles of fiber optic cable, serving nearly 700 connection points. This includes unserved businesses, tribal government programs, households, and lease sites. Off reservation, the project includes 12 tribal member households in the Town of Russell and 15 tribal member households within the Belanger Settlement. There are over 50 Tribal Government entities, Tribal-owned enterprises, private businesses owned by tribal members, and other community institutions on the reservation.

Attention Community Members – Digging and Hookup Operations Being Scheduled

To complete this project in bringing high-speed internet and broadband to you, crews will be working to dig and connect these fiber-optic cables to your homes. Please stay tuned for updates of when you can expect this work to happen. Work with Engineers and Environmental Assessment teams will begin immediately with installation soon to follow. The estimated full completion date is Spring 2025. Notices will be posted in the weekly Miisaninawiind newsletter, online at www.redcliff-nsn.gov, through the Tribe’s official Facebook page, and directly to households.



This grant award and Fiber to the Home Project comes after a series of previous technology infrastructure developments: AT&T/FirstNet tower brought cellular service to Red Cliff in 2019; A Wisconsin Public Service Commission grant connected Red Cliff to Bayfield with 3 miles of fiber-optic cable in 2020, setting the stage for this Fiber to the Home Project; Another grant in 2020 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs allowed the Tribe to conduct a full feasibility study of broadband on the reservation; Also in 2020, the Tribe received a FEMA Tribal Homeland Security Grant to install surveillance, cybersecurity, and WISCOM communications throughout the reservation. These developments have also increased the Tribe’s emergency communication and emergency response efforts.

Red Cliff's Ginanda Gikendaasomin Library is offering new programs and groups for Gaa-Miskwaabikaang! See individual flyers or visit the Library's Facebook Page for all program details.

Game Night is scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday of every month, beginning with Tuesday September 13.

Bring your game, your group and let's play!

The Strange & Unusual Chat Circle is for adults only and is scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of every month, beginning with September 14.

We'll discuss cryptids, extraterrestrials, paranormal, the metaphysical, and more! For ages 18+

The homeschoolers group is set for every Thursday at 10 AM! The Library provides the space for you to come in and learn. You can also socialize and collaborate with other homeschoolers in the area!

Chats on the Mystical Realm is designed for young adults aged 14-18, and is scheduled for the 2^nd Friday of every month, beginning with September 9.

We’ll discuss the paranormal, cryptids, and the metaphysical. Are you curious enough?

Film & Digital Club is scheduled for the 3^rd Friday of every month and is designed for ages 14-18 who may be interested in a career of film making, social media, communications, or online gaming.

Join the group starting September 16!

Boozhoo Elders! Need help with your iPad or technology? Stop by the Library for assistance! You can also schedule an appointment by calling 715-779-3700 or 715-779-3766.

The Library also has an ongoing Book & DVD Sale every weekday from 8am-6pm and on Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Help the Library clear more space for new materials.

From an article by Rick Olivo with the Ashland Daily Press

Red Cliff Vice Chairman Richard Peterson invited wounded veteran Nico Sever from the 101^st Airborne Division to the second annual Camp Benesi event in Red Cliff.

Camp Benesi was organized by Peterson and fellow Red Cliff resident Linda Dunbar. It is held at Red Cliff for families who have lost a service member in action and for veterans who can benefit from the tranquility of Lake Superior and the Red Cliff region. It is intended as a healing experience and is named after Linda Dunbar's son, Master Sgt. Jonathon Dunbar, a member of the Army's elite Delta Force who was killed in Syria in 2018. His Ojibwe name was Benesi, the Ojibwe name for thunderbird. When not on duty, he loved to come to Red Cliff to enjoy the big lake and the woods, recharging his spirit.

Sever accepted Peterson's invitation and one evening something happened that neither he or Peterson or anyone else there at the time had expected.

As people relaxed at the Red Cliff Veterans of Foreign Wars clubhouse, Zach and Tara Albert stopped by with a pair of Labrador retriever puppies. The pair raise AKC­certified Labs at their Out in the Sticks kennel, selling some as pets and hunting dogs for up to $2,000, while others are raised as search and rescue and service dogs.

They entered with a chocolate Lab and a yellow Lab, littermates from their kennel. The moment the yellow Lab saw Sever, he walked up to the fragile veteran and started licking him, his tail furiously wagging.

"Just seeing the connection between the two was amazing," Tara Albert said. "It was very, very emotional to be able to see the sigh of relief, telling the soldier that he was going to be OK."

The Alberts told Sever he could have the pup, no charge, and his reaction was almost immediate.

"He cried," Tara Albert said. "We all got tears in our eyes."

That moment changed the veteran's Life.

"I was absolutely floored," Sever said. "This little dog just crawled into my lap and started snoring. I guess it didn't really hit home until I picked him up after the camp, and was taking him home when he crawled over the center console, went into my lap as I was driving and fell asleep again."

Albert said there was never any question about making the gift to Sever.

My husband is a veteran himself, and it's just helping another brother in arms," she said. "He was in need and the time was right. It was just meant to be. He fought for this country, many people have put their Lives on the Line, and we have always supported military members after what they have been through, we will support them every single day."

Like everyone else in the room that day, Peterson came away moved.

"None of us at the VFW Post had any idea this was going to happen," Peterson said. "It was really pretty emotional. We couldn't have written that story. It is a complete act of kindness, but I am not surprised by it. This is how we take care of each other."

After being presented with the dog, Sever asked if he could name the puppy Benesi, in honor of the camp and its namesake. That brought more tears and a hug from Linda Dunbar.

Read the full article by Rick Olivo HERE.

"...to repair, revitalize, and reconnect with a language, you, and other people like you, must make the conscious choice to speak. Language revitalization is a responsibility that lies with all of us and it is a choice that leads to a firm sense of identity, a stronger community, and a brighter future."

Don't forget about our Weekly Language Table every Monday from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation Office, located at the Pow Wow / Cultural Grounds.

You can also access other Ojibwemowin / Anishinaabemowin resources online at https://www.redcliff-nsn.gov/ojibwemowin/

Feel free to contact THPO with any language-related questions at 715-779-3761. Aho!

DePerry's on the Lake is a place for a relaxing vacation in a beautiful setting. Located just minutes north of Bayfield on the shores of Lake Superior. These cozy and inviting suites have a close up view of Lake Superior, Basswood Island, and the North Channel.

The Annex suites are on the second floor, with private outside stairways and small private decks with lounge chairs and gas grills. In each unit is a living area with love seat, dining table and chairs, a kitchenette area with small refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffeepot, dishes and cutlery, a bath with glass-enclosed shower, and a bedroom with queen bed. Although most of the time our lake breeze and the sound of the waves invite you to keep your windows open, there are air conditioning units, just in case! Stairs lead down to the water’s edge of Lake Superior.

Check availability and book your stay online HERE.

Mino Bimaadiziiwin Gitigaanin has several events planned for September, starting with its Garden Gathering this Friday September 2! From 1-3 PM you can stop by the farm and help staff care for the Medicine Beds. Then from 3-4 PM join staff for a conversation and tea in the garden. Farm Tours are also offered.

Join staff on Thursday September 15 at 5 PM for a Mushroom Foraging workshop led by Loras Their. Learn about wild mushroom foraging and identification by looking for mushrooms in the woods behind the Farm.

The Farm will then host a Harvest Potluck & Open House on Thursday September 22 from 4:30-7:00 PM. Join staff in celebrating the bounty of the harvest. Please bring a dish to share if you are able.

Stop by the Farm or contact 715-779-3782 with any questions. 

The Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority is accepting and processing applications.

The purpose of the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020.

Funds from the HAF may be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, utility payments, and other specified purposes.

Our HAF plan has been approved by the U.S. Treasury and the funds have been received by RCCHA as of 08/18/2022.

If you need any assistance filling out the application or have any questions, please contact Liz Boyd or Shane Basina at 715-779-3744.

Applications are available at the RCCHA office or by clicking HERE.



Please email HAF@redcliffhousing.org with any questions  

Howah! Farm Stand Fridays are back at Mino Bimaadiziiwin Gitigaanin Red Cliff Tribal Farm -- and the Farm Stand will be moving around Red Cliff! Let the Farm know where you think they should set up next to reach more community members. The Farm Stand is open from 10 AM – 4 PM every Friday through October.

Mino Bimaadiziiwin Tribal Farm believes that food is medicine, and everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy foods, and that local food systems have the power to transform our communities and lives.

The Farm Stand is open to everyone and features a Sliding Scale Contribution System (Pay-What-You-Can). The Farm also accepts EBT/SNAP benefits!

The Farm is located at 36735 Aiken Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang. Call the Farm with any questions at 715-779-3782 or send an email to Farm@redcliff-nsn.gov.

Keep up with Farm happenings on Facebook and Instagram!

Howah! The Red Cliff Tribe is excited to host its sixth annual Red Cliff Cultural Days, scheduled to take place September 16-18, 2022 in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang (Red Cliff). A full event schedule along with individual event details and contact information can be found at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/culturaldays.

Events and attractions include a two-day pow wow, carnival & amusement rides, canoe races, cultural stations, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, softball tournament, car show, golf tournament fundraiser to benefit the Red Cliff Kids Holiday gift giveaway, fireworks, food and craft vendors, as well as a DJ and live music. All events are open to the public.

Click image to access the entire Behavioral Health August newsletter.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its September 2022 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 September 2022 FoodWIse newsletter.

Click image to access the entire summer TNR Ganawenjigaade newsletter.

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.

Click HERE to access an application for Housing Assistance.

Click HERE to access an application for New Hope Housing Assistance.

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.