April 24-30, 2023

Iskigamizige-Giizis (Sugarbushing Moon)

Candidates for the 2023 Red Cliff Tribal Council Primary Election have been set. All voting for the Primary Election will occur on Friday May 5, 2023 at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino. Polls will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM. View all important Tribal Council election dates and information at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/election.

Chairperson Candidates

Two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election on Tuesday July 4, 2023.

Christopher D. Boyd

Gretchen Morris

Mercie A. Gordon

Michael D. Soulier

Nicole L. Boyd

Treasurer Candidates

Two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election on Tuesday July 4, 2023.

Stephanie A. (Defoe) Haskins

Chanell Curran

Grace A. Livingston

Laura J. Gordon

The League of Women Voters of Ashland and Bayfield Counties will host a candidate forum on Wednesday April 26 at Legendary Waters, beginning at 6 PM. Click HERE for details. Candidates are not required to participate in this forum.

Nmé the Tribal Way, a film about Name/Nmé (sturgeon), premiered in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang on April 13 at Legendary Waters! The film explores the role of the Name/Nmé (sturgeon) in Great Lakes traditional cultures, the life cycle of Nmé, the demise of once pristine Nmé habitat, and the Tribal nations that are assisting the Nmé as they lead Great Lakes restoration efforts with outstanding results.

Gaa-Miskwaabikaang elder Anakwad (Frank Montano) and Andrew Noyes created original music for this film. Howah! The National Park Service and Polka Dot Perch Media produced the film and collaborated with tribes to help highlight sturgeon and conservation efforts.

Language and Culture Coordinator Mishkwaa-desi Kalvin Hartwig did a wonderful job moderating the event, Bebaa Minowaajimod Mark Gokee presented an opening prayer, and Chief Bob Buffalo provided a very nice welcome. Grand Chief Ted Roll from the Wyandotte Nation also traveled to be a part of the premiere.

Gifts were exchanged, great words were spoken, and a meal was enjoyed before the viewing. Chi-Miigwech to the Red Cliff Education Department and all involved in bringing Nmé the Tribal Way to Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

Those who missed the premiere can view the film by contacting Red Cliff's Ginanda Gikendaasomin Library at 715-779-3766.

Effective April 24, 2023, masking will be optional at the Red Cliff Community Health Center. 

You may be asked to mask in certain situations and settings for your protection or the protection of others. If you are coming in for care and have a recent COVID-19 exposure, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever, please mask.

You may also request that staff wear masks when providing service. We understand some patients may be more vulnerable and/or feel uncomfortable without masking – please do not hesitate to request masking of any employee.

The Health Center continues to monitor Covid-19 and other respiratory illness in the community. Notification will be provided if any increase in illness results in reinstatement of safety measures.

As we roll back the Covid-19 measures, we want to say Chi-Miigwetch to the Tribal community and Tribal workforce for doing their part to keep our families and each other safe during the past three years.

Please contact RCCHC with any questions at 715-779-3707.

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is seeking sealed bid proposals for the construction of a new 6,300 sq ft Cultural Center located at 88989 Nuzzo Rd., Gaa-Miskwaabikaang (Red Cliff) Reservation in Bayfield County, WI.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 27 at 9 AM. Bids should be submitted by May 11, 2023. View the entire request packet, project details, and submission requirements at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/rfp/

Project Description

Red Cliff is seeking to contract with a General Contractor to construct a 6,300 sq. ft. building. The facility includes an Event Hall, Entry Vestibule, Kitchen, Storage Room, Mechanical Room, IT room, and Men's and Women's Restrooms. See detailed specifications in Project Manual and construction documents.

All provisions and requirements of the funding sources shall apply, including prevailing wages for all workers. Please see 'Notice of Tribal and Federal Compliance Requirements' attached to this RFP for more details.

An optional pre-bid meeting has been scheduled to allow potential bidders the opportunity to learn more about the project prior to submitting their bid. The meeting will be facilitated in-person at Red Cliff and virtually through the Microsoft Teams meeting platform. Bidders are encouraged to submit questions in writing prior to the meeting. Verbal questions will also be accepted during the meeting, provided bidders confirm verbal questions in writing for the record. After the meeting, an amendment to the original RFP will be made publicly available with the questions and answers discussed at the conference. If attending the conference in-person, an opportunity to visit the proposed build site will be extended upon request.

The pre-bid meeting will take place on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 9:00 am at the Red Cliff Tribal Administration Building located at 88455 Pike Rd. Bayfield, WI 54814. A Microsoft Teams link for the meeting will be extended upon request.

Contact the Red Cliff Planning Department with any questions at 715-779-3700.

The Red Cliff Tribal Council and Legendary Waters Resort & Casino have set the next Larry & Jeanne Gordon Memorial Camping Week for May 15-22, 2023. Red Cliff Tribal Members will be able to camp for free at Legendary Waters Buffalo Bay Campground. This year’s free camping week is set later in May due to the lingering snow and late winter conditions.

Tribal Members interested in free camping at Buffalo Bay Campground should contact the Legendary Waters Hotel Front Desk at (800) 226-8478 to reserve a spot. Members must still check in with the Hotel Front Desk to receive tags for the campsite.

A map of Buffalo Bay Campground is included below for those who wish to select a specific site.

Larry Gordon is a Red Cliff Tribal Member who dedicated a 30-year career to Isle Vista Casino – now Legendary Waters Resort & Casino. Larry offered much love and care for the community and spent countless weekends camping with friends and family. Larry passed away on November 12, 2020 while enjoying the outdoors. His wife and long-time Tribal leader Jeanne Gordon passed away December 31, 2021. Jeanne proudly served the Red Cliff community for years on the Tribal Council and as the executive secretary, only wanting to build a better community for the next generations to come. She worked to ensure the community was put first.

Read more about Larry HERE.

Read more about Jeanne HERE.

Join the Noojimo'iwewin Center on April 26 for the next Sobriety Speaker Feast, beginning at 4 PM.

There will be food along with a community member speaking about their recovery journey: what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now.

The Noojimo'iwewin Center is located at 37450 Water Tower Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang. Call 715-779-3508 with any questions.

Looking ahead, the May Sobriety Speaker Feast is scheduled for May 31 at 4 PM.

The Noojimo'iwewin Center will host community herbalists Monarda Thrasher and Hannah Mississippi on April 27 from 1-3 PM.

Herbal medicine can assist in the healing process for all types of physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses.

Join for consultations and herbal medicines such as teas, topical medicines, and glycerin-based tinctures.

Please contact monardathrasher@gmail.com or call the Noojimo'iwewin Center at 715-779-3508.

Join the Red Cliff Family Violence Prevention Program for a Sexual Assault Awareness Walk on Wednesday April 26 from 11 AM - 1 PM at the Family & Human Services Building, located at 88385 Pike Rd. Registration starts at 11 am - spin the wheel for a prize before you walk!

Participants are encouraged to take a picture on your walk and email it to aubrey.defoe@redcliff-nsn.gov or andrea.beeksma@redcliff-nsn.gov for a chance to win a raffle prize.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Red Cliff Family Violence Prevention Program for help. Call 715-779-3706.

The Red Cliff Early Childhood Center is hosting a Day of the Young Child Event on April 26 from 4:30-6:00 PM. This is a walk-through event with booths, all community members are welcome.

The ECC is located at 89830 Tiny Tot Drive. Please contact the ECC for more information at 715-779-5030 ext 2551.

Ginanda Gikendaasomin Library's next Book Club date is scheduled for April 27. The group will review Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley.

Contact the Library with any questions at 7156-779-3766.

Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library will be revamping several program offerings to better serve library patrons.

Stay caught up with program changes and offerings on the Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library Facebook page.

Contact the Library with any questions at 715-779-3766.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is seeking feedback on plans to create trails at Little Sand Bay and an accessible ramp at Meyers Beach. A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) is available for review until May 12, 2023 – Click HERE to review the proposal and provide input. Hard copies are available upon request, please email apis_resource_issues@nps.gov.

Virtual Public Meeting

Community members are also invited to attend a virtual public meeting on April 26 at 7:00 PM to learn more about the proposed project and ask questions. Click HERE to access the virtual meeting.

What Is Proposed?

1) An ABA accessible boardwalk loop (approx. ½ mile) with views of the wetland, bi-lingual signs and waysides (Ojibwemowin and English), and a gathering place for school and other groups.

2) A coastal trail with island views. The route would follow the beach for 0.4 miles from Little Sand Bay to Allen Road and continue along a trail for 0.3 miles from Allen Road to the park’s boundary.

3) A trail that connects Little Sand Bay with the historic Nelson Cabin (0.1 mile), with the potential for a partnership trail that continues to Wilderness Inquiry (0.2 miles).

4) An ABA ramp at Meyers Beach to provide much easier access for all from the parking lot to the beach.

Chi-Miigwech for providing your thoughts and feedback!

The Tribal Council is seeking community input to help inform decision making about the future of some Tribal properties. Click HERE to learn more and provide feedback.

Please think about priorities, needs, and uses for the sites. The sites include:

Merchant Property

Merchant House site

Former Jim Pete House on Hwy 13 North

Former Cheers Bar site on County Rd K

Duplex on Hwy 13 next to Red Cliff Storage

House on Nuzzo Rd

Buffalo Bay Store (current site)

88260 Hwy 13 (Former Living Adventure's Kayak business site)

Open the survey for more details on each site, and to provide your suggestions.

Please contact the Planning Department with any questions at 715-779-3700.

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.

Online Resources

Community members can now access Iskigamizigan resources online! Visit www.redcliff-nsn.gov/sugarbush.

You will find vocabulary videos to watch and listen to, a downloadable document with vocabulary to use while you're out at your sugarbush, a How To Guide, information on accessing supplies, Maple ID Booklet, and a maple coloring activity for your little ones. Aho!

Click imto access the entire vocabulary document.

Iskigamizigan supplies available to use

Red Cliff's Tribal Historic Preservation Office and Mino Bimaadiziiwin Farm are offering supplies and guidance for community members to start their own sugar bush! Howah!

See flyers below for all details. Please contact the THPO Department at 715-779-3761 or the Farm at 715-779-3782 with any questions

Click image to access the entire Behavioral Health Department April 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.

May 5, May 19, 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.

The Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority (RCCHA) has two (2) openings in its Maintenance Department: Maintenance Foreman and Maintenance Worker. Both are full-time positions with a full range of benefits.

MAINTENANCE FOREMAN: Primary duties include, but not limited to, assisting the Maintenance Supervisor with the identification of housing units in need of repairs and or rehabilitation; ordering of materials and supplies; monitor daily work duties of Maintenance staff; prepare weekly work schedules of Maintenance Staff; possess knowledge of construction contracts, bid documents, procurement policies and solicitations of competitive bids.

MAINTENANCE WORKER: Primary duties for this position, but not limited to, are performing basic carpentry tasks; plastering and sheetrock duties; minor plumbing repairs; some electrical and HVAC repairs and general residential maintenance-related tasks.

FOR A DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EITHER POSITION CONTACT ANGELA D. EMRICH, HR MANAGER, AT aemrich@redcliffhousing.org phone number is 715-779-3744, EXT. 3509

THE RCCHA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES CONSIDER INDIAN PREFERENCE IN SITUATIONS OF EQUALLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.

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.

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 HERE to order online!

Under the supervision of the Climate Change Program Coordinator the Tribal Climate Adaptation Specialist participates in a broad range of GLIFWC Climate Change Program activities and provides support to the Tribal Adaptation Menu (TAM) Team. Primary duties include participating in the creation of a Ceded Territory climate adaptation plan, assisting with field research and adaptation projects, interacting with Tribal and non-Tribal partners, and coordinating and facilitating workshops and presentations sharing and implementing Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu, a tool created by a diverse multi-organizational team to guide Tribes and their non-Tribal partners in conducting culturally appropriate climate adaptation planning.

View more details about the position and apply at www.glifwc.org.

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/

Two $5,000 prizes to be awarded at NATOW Conference in June

Hayward, Wis—First Native Community Financial today announced a collaboration

with Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) and SCORE Mentors to provide Native American entrepreneurs in Wisconsin with an opportunity to win one of two $5,000 prizes for business planning and development. This competition is open to start-ups, developing businesses, growing businesses or businesses looking to expand their operations.

All aspiring or established Native American entrepreneurs in the state of Wisconsin are strongly encouraged to register and participate in workshops and mentoring that will help you develop your idea into a strong business plan and pitch to compete for a chance to win at NATOW’s annual conference on June 21, 2023, at the Menominee Convention Center in Keshena, Wisconsin.

First Nations Community Financial was a recipient of the Wisconsin Department of Administration Diverse Business Assistance and Diverse Business Investment grants in the amount of $2.85M. Those funds go to help support aspiring and established Native American entrepreneurs across the entire state of Wisconsin.

We will provide in-person workshops revolving around business planning and pitching business ideas. These workshops will provide participants support, resources and virtual learning opportunities, as well as requirements scoring matrix.

Workshops will be conducted in the 11 tribal communities throughout the state of Wisconsin, and participation and registration is required to be part of the contest.

First Nations Community Financial has a goal of helping start, grow or expand 100 Native American owned businesses by December 31, 2024 and the business plan pitch contest is just one of many initiatives that will surface throughout the year. The Native American Tourism of Wisconsin has added ‘Economic Development’ to their annual initiatives making this a prime collaboration opportunity to bring more awareness and spotlight on the Native American entrepreneurs across the state of Wisconsin. SCORE Mentors will also join in on the action and help provide support, 1-on-1 mentoring, instruction in the workshops as well as help judge the pitches on the pitch contest date.

To learn more about the Wisconsin Native Business Plan Pitch Contest, go to

www.NativeBizContest.com. This is absolutely free to any and all Native American entrepreneurs in the state of Wisconsin enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.

Show us your stuff Indian Country! Let’s get you fast tracked to achieving your dreams.

The Wooruwi Business Program is open to any Native American residing in the state of Wisconsin that wishes to start or develop their business.

The primary benefits of the Wooruwi Business Program include pre-funding services which include free Native-American focused business courses, solidifying your business idea, conducting market research, developing your financial statements, and assistance writing your business plan. Once a client is funded by First Nations Community Financial, a technical assistance plan is established to help shore up areas that need the most improvement and get set up with a business mentor to work on sharpening business skills.

For more information on the Wooruwi Business Program, interested individuals can contact First Nations Community Financial for more information, or visit https://firstnationsfinancial.org/ and submit a loan inquiry to get the process started.