Miisaninawiind::Namebini-Giizis::February 17-23 2020
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.

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Red Cliff News & Updates
Chairman Peterson Testifies in Washington, DC
Calls for Increased Police and Roads Department Funding
On February 12, Red Cliff Tribal Chairman Richard Peterson testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Interior Department Subcommittee in Washington, DC.

Chairman Peterson spoke on the need for increased base-level funding for Tribal police departments and Tribal roads departments.

"We need to depend on that [base-level funding] year in and year out," said Chairman Peterson. "Right now we don't."

Chairman Peterson pointed to the growth of drug problems and increase in Indian Child Welfare cases. Peterson said the current funding from BIA is inadequate and the police department is becoming too stretched.

Recent funding received for the Tribal police department totaled around just $160K, after requests for over $500K. Peterson thanked Forest County Potawatomi for funding two new police vehicles, and said it is a travesty to be forced to ask neighboring tribes for this kind of support.

Regarding funding for Tribal roads departments, Peterson described the November storm that brought three feet of snow and shut down the community for five days after all snow removal equipment broke down.

"We were forced to hire private contractors to come in and clear Federal roads," Peterson said. "Again, as I mentioned with the police vehicles, this is a travesty and ultimately a health and safety issue."

Click HERE to access the public hearings and to learn more about the House Committee on Appropriations.
Bayfield County Appeals Court Ruling
in Recent Zoning Lawsuit
Council Meeting
There will be a Tribal Council meeting on Tuesday, February 18 at Legendary Waters.

Community Members are invited to attend the regular session at 4:30 PM.
Community Members Needed for Election Board
The Red Cliff Tribal Council is seeking seven community members to serve on the 2020 Election Board. The Election Board will serve both the Primary and General Elections.

The Red Cliff Primary Election is set for May 8.
The Red Cliff General Election is scheduled for July 7.

If you are interested in serving on the Election Board, please pick up an application at the Tribal Administration Building.

Applications need to be submitted to the front desk of the Administration Office by April 2, 2020 at Noon.

You must be at least 18 years of age, a Red Cliff Tribal Member, and eligible to vote at the Tribal Elections.

For further information, please contact Laura J. Gordon, Tribal Council Secretary at 715-779-3741 ext 2406 or at 715-779-5518.
Voting Day for Wisconsin State Primary
Tuesday, February 18
This is your chance to vote for who will represent our area of Wisconsin.

Where Do I Vote?
Go to myvote.wi.gov
Click on "Find My Polling Place"
Enter your address.
The site will give you the polling place and address.

Most Tribal Members living in Bayfield County will vote at the
Russell Town Garage
35900 State Highway 13, Bayfield, WI 54814
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 7.00 AM - 8.00 PM

Be sure to double check your polling place at myvote.wi.gov.

Click HERE for information on what to expect at the polls.
Request for Sealed Bids - ICW Renovation
The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s Indian Child Welfare Department is requesting sealed bids on the total renovation of a 3 bedroom / 2 bath manufactured home, intended to be used for office space. The building has been purchased and is the property of the Red Cliff Tribe.

Click HERE to view the Request for Sealed Bids with all details.

Bids must be received by February 24, 2020 no later than 4:30 PM.

Contact Joe Defoe or Ashley Peterson with any questions.
Joe Defoe – Project Manager joe.defoe@redcliff-nsn.gov
Ashley Peterson – Procurement Officer ashley.peterson@redcliff-nsn.gov
Phone: 715-779-3700
RCCHA Offers Free Tax Preparation
Need help filing your income taxes?

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority provides free income tax preparation and filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

RCCHA Staff Jean Defoe and Tanya Wachsmuth are IRS-certified and provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Their services are offered by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the tax season.

Call 715-779-3744 to make an appointment. Slots are filling fast!

If you've made an appointment and can't attend, please call to let them know.

There are other locations that offer the VITA service in the area. Click HERE to learn more!
Red Cliff Merchandise Available
Draft a Will, Power of Attorney
Red Cliff THPO Offers Video Workshop
Get Paid to Interview or be Interviewed!
Help the Red Cliff Volunteer Fire Department
Red Cliff and Wellbriety: A Native Way of Healing
It has been shown that 12 Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are very effective at helping people get sober, and stay sober, through sharing and listening to others who have experienced addiction and are now in recovery.

Millions of people have been helped in this way. Sometimes, however, people are looking for a program that is closer to their personal culture and spirituality - one that speaks a common language of understanding. This is how the Wellbriety Movement came to be. It was designed by and for Native American people who have a different historical experience and different way of understanding than those who developed the AA program.

While the 12 steps in Wellbriety are patterned after AA, they encompass many Native cultural components, including: Medicine Wheel Teachings, the sacredness of the Circle, Traditional Values (such as humility, cooperation, group emphasis), Wisdom of the Elders, and the equal importance of healing the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual parts of ourselves and our families and communities.

Culture is a real source of strength to help people heal and the Wellbriety program was designed based on many conversations with Elders from many tribes. The 12 steps are placed in a circle in Wellbriety, and aligned with the Four Directions and the Natural Laws.

Wellbriety incorporates Native culture and spirituality but is open to anyone, regardless of their cultural heritage. Through discussion of the changes that occurred as a result of colonization, and the subsequent historical and inter generational trauma experienced by Native people, this program can create a better understanding between cultures and a new unity and supportive recovery community as a result.

The book used in Wellbriety is The Red Road to Wellbriety by White Bison, Inc. There are also other books available including a study guide and Meditations with Native American Elders - The Four Seasons by Don L. Coyhis. You can also find out more information online at https://whitebison.org and http://wellbriety.com

Th Noojimo'iwewin Center Wellbriety meetings are open to everyone each Wednesday evening at 6 PM. Please feel free to join us or call for more information: 715-779-3508
Video: Biboon Gabeshiwin Winter Camp
Red Cliff hosted Biboon Gabeshiwin Winter Camp on February 15-16, 2020 at Buffalo Bay Campground and the Red Cliff Library.

The Biboon Gabeshiwin planning team, along with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Family-Human Services BFI Program, Native Connections Program, Treaty Natural Resources, and GLIFWC, shared two full days of activities with the area families and children.

Some featured activities included a herring net demo, deer hide mitten making, wood splitting, beading, star legends, and so much more.

THPO Director Marvin Defoe said " . "

Watch the video below to see some some highlights and photos from Red Cliff Vice Chairman Nathan Gordon. You can also find more photos on Gordon's Facebook page HERE .

Miigwech to so many people for helping during the weekend and for making Biboon Gabeshiwin Winter Camp a success, and miigwech to Vice Chair Gordon for the photos and video!

Keep an eye out for future THPO events like Snowshoe Making and a Spring Spearing Camp!
Native Connections Youth Advisory Group
Native youth (age 12-24) are invited to join on February 21st at 5:00 pm at the Mishomis Wellness Center to review Red Cliff’s Community Readiness Assessment results and provide input on Red Cliff Native Connections Grant programming.

Food, beverages, and stipend provided!

Contact Mark or Shelley to sign up.
715-779-3741 ext 2409, 2405
mgokee@redcliffhealth.org
smaday@redcliffhealth.org
Economic Development Summit
Health & Wellness
Improving Your Heart Health
Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people?

February is Heart Health Month, and is the perfect time to commit to improving heart health, preventing heart disease and stroke. About 90 percent of middle-aged people and more than 74 percent of young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.

Here are some tips to inspire you to improve your heart health.

Connect with Others, it’s good for your Heart!
Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship. 

Eat heart healthy.
Diet can lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce damage to arteries. Eat more fruits and vegetables, decrease the amount of red meat, and choose foods that are low in salt (sodium).

Increase physical activity.
Start with small goals. Even 10 minutes a day can decrease the risk of developing problems. Involve a friend or family member to help stay motivated. Use the stairs and park further away from building entrances whenever possible.
How much is enough? Aim for at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week - that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, do muscle strengthening exercises 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Try 10 or 15 minutes a few times a day.

Avoid commercial tobacco, the number one preventable risk factor for heart disease.
Never start smoking or using oral tobacco. Breathing people’s smoke, called secondhand smoke, is dangerous. Thousands of adult nonsmokers die of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke. If you already smoke or use oral tobacco, talk with your health care provider about ways you can quit. Talk with your children about the dangers of commercial tobacco.
Learning healthy ways to de-stress.
Physical activity, meditation and deep breathing help reduce stress and improve your heart's health.
Improve sleep.
Sleeping 7–8 hours a night helps to improve heart health. De-stressing will help you sleep, as does getting a 30-minute daily dose of sunlight. Take a walk instead of a late afternoon nap! Remind family and friends to turn off the screen and stick to a regular bedtime. Instead of watching TV before bed, relax by listening to music or reading.

Lifestyle changes can seem overwhelming and frustrating at times. Remember, change doesn’t happen overnight; patience, family, friends and perseverance are important. Take time to learn more about risk factors and prevention by talking with your health care provider at your next visit.
Reference: www.ihs.gov

Here’s to your Heart Health!
Red Cliff Community Health Center 36745 Aiken Road  Red Cliff, WI 54814
       715-779-3707  www.redcliffhealth.org
Cancer Support Group
The Red Cliff Community Health Center is offering a monthly Cancer Support Group. The group will typically meet on the third Thursday of every month from 5-7 PM.

Have you been treated for cancer?
Do you or a loved one have cancer?
Are you a survivor?
Do you want someone to listen, share, learn , or support?

You are welcome to join us at the Red Cliff Community Health Center.

Click HERE for the 2020 meeting dates and more information.
Nooji Center Newsletter & Calendar
The Noojimo'iwewin Center has released its February newsletter.
Click HERE to read the newsletter and learn about services and events provided to you!

Click HERE to see the February calendar of events for the Noojimo'iwewin Center
Bear Grease Making Workshop
February 19 from 10 am - 2 pm @ Mishomis Wellness Center

Maria Nevala – GLITC VRNA Counselor will be teaching how to make Bear Grease and how it can be used for healing.

Each Participant will learn how to process Bear Grease.

There will be information on the VRNA Program & other programs available

All supplies & Lunch will be provided

To Register with Linda Dunbar call by February 14, 2020
779-3741 x 2403

Only 10 spots Available!
For other Health Center information or general questions call: 715-779-3707 or Email   RCHealthCenter@redcliffhealth.org

Click HERE to visit the Red Cliff Community Health Center website
Would You Like to Save a Life?
Health Clinic Offers Free Training and NARCAN Doses
The Red Cliff Community Health Clinic is offering NARCAN training to the community that will prepare you to help save lives.

NARCAN can save lives. This training will teach you what NARCAN is, what an Opioid is, and signs of an overdose. You will learn how to administer NARCAN to someone in need, and what to do after administration of NARCAN.

The Clinic will offer training once a month on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the front conference room at the Clinic.

For more information, please contact Bryon Daley at 715-779-3707. Community members that attend the training will receive NARCAN to take with them.
Human & Family Services
Red Cliff Offers Fit Families Program
Enrollment will begin towards the end of February.

Click HERE for more information on the Fit Families Program.
Click HERE for information on the enrollment procedure.

Your Fit Families Coach for Red Cliff is
Mercie Gordon
88430 Pike Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
715-779-3740
mercie.gordon@redcliff-nsn.gov
Zasagasowe-ididiwag Feb 21 & 22
Meeting and Gathering in a Traditional Way
Young Love Matters
The Red Cliff Family Violence Prevention Program brings the Native Nations Young Love Matters movement to Red Cliff.

On February 25th the middle school, high school, and Boys & Girls Club will present videos and workshops in tune with Teen Dating Violence Awareness.

The Native Nations Young Love Matters movement features Star Nayea, an Ojibway National Native Youth/Teen Prevention Advocate and Native Grammy Recording Artist.

Click HERE for more details.
Education
Northern Wisconsin Outdoor Scholarship
Open to Youth and Adults
The spring 2020 round of applications for the Northern Wisconsin Outdoor Experiential Education Scholarship is now open.

This scholarship is designed to help youth (and adults!) of the Chequamegon Bay area participate in outdoor educational programs through programs like Outward Bound, Wilderness Inquiry or Northland College.
 
Apply by April 1st!

This scholarship pays up to $1000 to Chequamegon Bay area residents.

Follow the link above to find out more or contact the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation at 218-726-0232.

Click HERE for the flyer!
Ojibwe Phrase of the Week
Sandy Gokee, Anishinaabe Language and Cultural Coordinator for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, shares a message about managing sickness in the Ojibwe Phrase of the Week for February 17, 2020.

Click  HERE  to learn more on the Red Cliff Heritage and Culture site.

Have a suggestion for next week's phrase?
Email sandy.gokee@redcliff-nsn.gov
Bayfield School Winter Gala
Do you need a fun night out? Do you like good food and lively music? Come help our band students get to San Francisco!
Please contact Mr. Borchers for more information.
rborchers@bayfield.k12.wi.us or (715)779-3201 ext. 221
Click HERE to visit the School District of Bayfield website.
Click HERE to view the Bayfield School bulletin.
Early Childhood Center
Boys and Girls Club of Gitchigami
Planet Fitness Scholarship
Youth of the Month: Quintin Bresette
By the Boys and Girls Club Staff

Quintin is 12 years old and goes to Bayfield School. His favorite sport is basketball, his favorite team is the Chicago Bulls.

Quintin’s favorite color is red. His favorite movie is Uncle Drew, and he likes to play basketball during his free time.

We asked Quintin if he could go anywhere in the World where would it be? Quintin said Los Angeles California.

We asked what his favorite food is, he said Pizza!

Quintin’s best friend is Richard, and chickens are his favorite animal.

When Quintin grows up, he wants to play in the NBA.

Lastly, we asked Quintin what his two favorite things about the Boys & Girls Club are: 1) Basketball, 2) Food!
B&G February Calendar
The Boys & Girls Club have announced their calendar of events for February! Click HERE to see what activities they have going on this month.

Contact Youth Director Paige Moilanen at 715-779-3722 with any questions.
Gichiayaa'aag - Elderly Services
Library Trip
Wednesday, February 19
9:00-10:30 AM
Corny Day Trip
Thursday, February 20
Leaving at 9:30 AM
Monthly Elders Meeting
Friday, February 21
Meeting at the Dining Center 10-11:30 AM
If interested in attending any of these events, please feel free to call Elderly Program a few days before scheduled event at 715-209-6892 or 715-779-3746

Click HERE for the entire Elderly Activity Menu for February
Elderly February Meal Menu
Click HERE for the Elderly Food Menu for February
Contact Elderly Services for more information:
Elderly Dining Site: 715-779-3746 ext. 3511
Office Phone: 715-779-3706 ext. 5018

Click HERE for the Elderly Nutrition Program Information.

Click HERE for the Gichiayaa'aag website.
Treaty Natural Resources
Styrofoam - What's the Deal?
By Linda Nguyen, Environmental Director

What do throw-away coffee cups, soup bowls, and trays all have in common? None of them can be recycled at the Red Cliff Transfer Station.

Some commercial mailing houses may accept packing peanuts, but for the most part, community recycling centers do not accept throwaway foam food containers.

Also, styrofoam does not decompose in the environment under normal circumstances. Much like plastic, styrofoam is made from a polystyrene-based petroleum product that is not biodegradable. Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, and styrofoam takes much longer because it is a stronger form of plastic, while it can also release hazardous toxins into the environment.

When it is littered in the environment, turtles and fish can mistake it for food, and can lead to death.

How do we reduce styrofoam litter in the environment and landfills? Some cities like New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and San Francisco have banned styrofoam!

Here at Red Cliff, we can reduce styrofoam litter by reducing our usage of it. Some ways include:
-Take your own containers to restaurants for any leftovers.
-Hold off on purchasing single-use cups, plates and bowls. Instead, use reusable cups, plates, and bowls.
-Avoid using non-recyclable packaging for mailings
-If you have to use single-use, use plant based or compostable materials.

Some restaurants in the area, like Maggie’s, uses these!

I challenge each and every one of you to help clean up and protect our natural resources!
Click HERE to view the Treaty Natural
Resources Division Winter Newsletter!
Events


See Legendary Waters Section Below for Events
Legendary Waters Resort & Casino
Legendary Idol Audition: February 19
Annual Dart Tournament
New Deals and Promotions
Click HERE to visit the Legendary Waters Resort and Casino website.
Business Spotlight:
Rustic Makwa Den & Wolftrack Guides
Looking for a winter adventure off the beaten path? Rustic Makwa Den and Wolftrack Guides offer several breathtaking snowshoe and ice cave tours on Lake Superior’s South Shore.

Owned and operated by Tribal Members Travis Barningham and Troy Gordon, along with tour guide Jon Michels, they offer amazing hidden places they’ve discovered over lifetimes of exploring the woods and waters of the Apostle Islands and Bayfield area.

With Barningham growing up in Red Cliff and Michels' 30+ years working as a geologist and natural resource specialist, they offer incredible knowledge and history of the landscape, while also ensuring a safe atmosphere for their tour guests.

“I believe our trips are shared experiences,” said Michels. “I believe no matter how many times someone walks the same path, each journey can be seen with a new awareness. As a guide I hope to help you develop your own insight and awareness.”

Barningham enjoys guiding in order to create an impact on clients’ lives.

“When you leave, I hope you carry a strong memory of the beauty, peace, and spirit of this place,” said Barningham. “As a Tribal Member, I can access areas unavailable to the general public.”

With several tour options already available for booking on their websites, they are currently developing more tour options. You can explore deep, old growth forest and track wolves, otters, or pine marten, and experience panoramic views of Gitchi Gami and the Apostle Islands.

Rustic Makwa Den also transitions to kayak tours in the summertime.

Visit the Rustic Makwa Den and Wolftrack Guides websites to learn more and book an epic snowshoe ice cave tour at rusticmakwaden.com and wolftrackguides.com.

They are also on Facebook (Apostle Islands Rustic Makwa Den @RUSTICMAKWADEN and Wolftrack Guides Snowshoe Adventures @icecavesbayfield) and Instagram (rustic.makwa.den and Wolftrack.guides).
New Employee
Amanda Peterson, Doula and Home Visitor
 
Amanda Peterson-Teschner has recently joined our team here at the Red Cliff Community Health Clinic. She is our new Doula in the ZHV family partner program. She has attended births in the community and became Certified with D.O.N.A while pregnant with her 3rd child. She also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and was a teacher at the Red Cliff ECC. Amanda also owned a certified in-home daycare in her past.
 
Amanda is a Red Cliff tribal member raised here on the shores of Lake Superior. She and her husband are now raising 5 children here as well. Culture and traditional values are important to her and her family.
 
She is excited to be here to support the families expecting, help with the ceremony of birth, and post-partum. As a doula Amanda will attend weekly visits with the mother, travel to where the family would like to birth, and resume post-partum care for the baby and baby’s family. If you or someone you know is interested in having extra support through their pregnancy and/or post-partum Amanda would love to join their birth team.
 
Amanda can be reached here at the Red Cliff Community Health Center. 
 
(715)779-3707 ext. 2235               
 
apeterson@redcliffhealth.com
February Birthdays
Be sure to wish these members a happy birthday this month!
Click  HERE  to view the Tribal Member February Birthdays
News Across Indian Country
Bayfield County Wild Podcast
It may be cold in the winter, but that makes it nice for everything ice!

Join us to hear about ice fishing and the natural wonders of the Apostle Islands Ice Caves on this episode of  Bayfield County Wild .

Available wherever you get your podcasts (iTunes, Spotify, etc.) or view the show notes and listen online at www.travelbayfieldcounty.com/podcast .
LCO Joins Other Tribes in Submitting Comments on Hemp Final Rule
By Joe Morey
LCO News Editor

Lac Courte Oreilles joined multiple tribes who issued comments to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the Interim Final Rule for the 2018 Farm Bill and hemp production plans. The main concerns of the Tribes include testing requirements, disposal of hemp that exceeds THC levels and tribal sovereignty when dealing with USDA.

The Interim Final Rule requires that hemp crops which test higher than the acceptable level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is .3% be collected for destruction by an authorized person under the Controlled Substances Act, or a duly authorized officer.

The tribes objected to this rule with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe stating, "Only a western culture would create a rule whereby a valuable item must be destroyed in whole rather than simply using it for another equally useful and unoffensive purpose.”

LCO Tribal Governing Board member Tweed Shuman told the USDA rather than destruction, tribes, as sovereign nations and primary regulators over hemp within tribal jurisdictions, should have the opportunity to dispose of these crops in other ways so long as they are used for non-consumptive and non-commercial purposes.

“Arguably, there is enough leeway in the language in the statute to allow for alternative methods of disposing of hemp plants that exceed the allowable THC level,” Shuman said. “Hemp plants could still be ‘disposed’ of by being used for research or farm usage or through another remediation measure. In this way, plants will not be sold by a producer as hemp, and will not end up in a hemp product.

“Each time a producer is required to destroy a lot of crops, the producers loses out on the profits that would be made off of the sale of that lot. It seems logical that it would take some time for producers to be able to ensure continuity with hemp THC levels, so newer producers may suffer higher rates of hemp crop destruction. This has the potential for putting a producer out of business pretty quickly. Tribes, like LCO, who are just entering the industry likely will not have the financial backing to lose a majority of their crops in the first growing season and then continue on.”

Shuman said with an alternative to destruction of the crops, there would be an opportunity to mitigate these losses.

“For example, hemp has the ability to withstand and accumulate the toxins from contaminated soils, leading it to be beneficial to brownfield cleanups,” Shuman noted. “Additionally, universities may find it useful to study the cannabis plant regardless of THC level for research purposes. If remediation was an alternative to destruction, LCO and other producers may have the opportunity to sell non-conforming hemp crops for these non-consumptive purposes and make back a small portion of the loss from not distributing the plants into the market.”

The Interim Final Rule requires that laboratory testing for the THC level of hemp crops be conducted in a laboratory certified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The rule requires crops to be certified below a 0.3% the THC threshold within 15 days of harvest and would require Tribes to quickly shuttle samples to federal labs which are located some distance away, for example, in Wisconsin, the nearest labs are two located in Milwaukee.

The Ute Mountain Tribe stated, "The idea of limiting a nationwide legal commercial industry to a few dozen already overburdened and backlogged DEA labs is baffling, represents a substantial chokepoint in hemp production, and frankly sets the stage for many hemp producers to fail under the proposed regulatory framework.”

Shuman remarked in his comments, “The requirement to utilize DEA certified laboratories will result in a higher cost to LCO and other tribes. State producers have a larger availability of planting locations since they utilize fee lands within the state, comprising the majority of the state. There is a stronger likelihood that a DEA certified laboratory will be located near metro centers, like Milwaukee, and that state producers are located a shorter distance from these areas. In contrast, tribes are confined to the boundaries of the reservation under tribal plans, keeping the production location to remote areas. If tribes had the ability to utilize other laboratories that were not DEA certified for the testing of hemp crops, there would likely be more laboratories available and closer to rural areas like LCO’s reservation. This would decrease the time and resources tribes would need to expend just to transport the hemp crops to a laboratory for testing.

Shuman also commented about LCO losing the 2019 growing season because, although the Farm Bill was passed in December of 2019, the Interim Final Rule was not published until October 31, 2019.

“While the USDA worked to ensure that tribes and states would have the opportunity to submit regulatory plans for approval in time for the 2020 planting season, the 2019 planting season was lost,” Shuman said. “During this time, some states produced hemp outside of the USDA framework and licensed growers under state laws. Further, while many states took advantage of the opportunity to produce hemp under the authorities of the 2014 Farm Bill, tribes did not have the same autonomous opportunity. To participate in the production of hemp under the 2014 Farm Bill, tribes had to partner with a state institution of higher education or department of agriculture in order to be eligible. These nuances in the law led to tribes essentially being left behind in the hemp industry and now seek to enter the hemp industry on unequal footing. Many tribes, like LCO, have yet to begin the production of hemp as we follow the protocols laid out in the 2018 Farm Bill and the regulations and guidance produced by the USDA.”

Regarding sovereignty, Shuman stated, “While the USDA works to advance a final rule to replace the Interim Final Rule, it is important to remember that tribes are sovereign nations and should not be left behind or disadvantaged in a federally implemented economic development opportunity. This is especially important because of the unique relationship between tribes and the federal government whereby the federal government owes a trust responsibility to Indian tribes. This relationship dates back to the start of this country, is recognized through the U.S. Constitution and decades of Supreme Court precedent, and grounded in the premise that tribes are sovereign bodies and domestic dependent nations under the trust of the federal government. Thus, the federal government, through its agencies, should work to ensure that opportunities are provided for tribes, and that tribes are not left behind.”

Shuman added further consultation is necessary to ensure there is adequate time to collect feedback from the Tribes as the hemp regulations are important to shaping the outcome of the USDA’s hemp production program and will clearly have an effect on tribal producers.

“In summary, we respectfully ask the USDA to consider the unique attributes of tribal sovereignty when finalizing the Industrial Hemp Interim Final Rule. If tribes are really to take on the primary regulatory authority of hemp production on the reservation, there should be flexibility within the hemp provisions to allow tribes to truly exercise this authority and end up on even footing with states in the production of hemp,” Shuman concluded.
Menominee Tribe Swears in New Legislature:
Joan Delabreau Voted as Chairwoman
(Menominee Indian Reservation, WI) – The newly elected members of the Menominee Tribal Legislature, the governing body of the Menominee Nation, were sworn into office on Sunday, February 9, 2020 during the Annual Swearing in and Organizational meeting, and Joan Delabreau was voted in as Chairwoman of the Menominee Tribe.

With a January election, voters chose Ronald Corn Sr., Gena Kakkak, and Ron Waukau Sr. to fill three tribal legislator seats. The oath of office was administered to the newly elected officials. They join the current members of the Menominee Tribal Legislature: Gary Besaw, Douglas Cox, Joan Delabreau, Pershing Frechette, Gunnar Peters, and Myrna Warrington. Corn returns as an incumbent member of the 9 member governing body, and Kakkak and Waukau will serve their first term on the Tribal Legislature.

The Menominee Tribal Legislature is organized to include a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and a Secretary. In accordance with the Tribe’s Constitution, the Tribal Legislature voted in new officers. Joan Delabreau as Chairperson, Douglas Cox as Vice Chairperson, and Pershing Frechette as Secretary.

Delabreau will serve as Tribal Chairperson for the next year. She has previously served as Tribal Chairperson and most recently as Vice Chairperson. She has been serving on the Tribal Legislature for the past 8 years, and served previous terms on the Tribal Legislature.

Menominee Tribal Legislature members serve three year terms. Every year, three are up for re-election. Tribal Legislature Offices of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary are selected every year at the February 9 Swearing In and Organizational Meeting.
Native Report
With Rita Aspinwall & Ernie Stevens
On this edition of Native Report: We visit a coffeeshop developed by a group of Elders in Northern Wisconsin.

We meet Richard Smith and his sister Bertha Christensen, both of whom served in the military during World War II.

And we interview actor Gary Farmer. We also learn something new about healthy living and hear from our Elders on this edition of Native Report.
The Native Report is an entertaining, informative magazine style series that celebrates Native American culture and heritage, listens to tribal elders, and talks to some of the most powerful and influential leaders of Indian Country today.

Click HERE to visit the Native Report website.
Community Updates
Follow the link below to see announcements for upcoming events!

Red Cliff Tribal Administration Office 
88455 Pike Road 
Bayfield, Wi. 54814 
715-779-3700