Miisaninawiind :: January 11 - 17, 2021
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 [email protected].

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Red Cliff News & Updates
COVID-19 Community Updates
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.
Red Cliff Community Vaccine Update
Boozhoo, we are aware of the many questions our community has regarding the vaccine and when you will be able to receive it. We have many of these same questions and are working with federal agencies to get answers as best as we can. Unfortunately, receiving these answers and our needed vaccine doses has been extremely challenging. We understand that there is a lot of anxiety and stress in trying to get vaccinated against the covid-19 virus, but we like many other communities across the country, are doing our best to obtain the vaccines which have a very limited available supply and extremely difficult shipping/storage logistics.

There are currently two vaccines approved for Emergency Use Authorization. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. As of this report, Red Cliff received 60 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which is a fraction of what we need. This is the first dose of a required two dose series. When we do receive shipment of some of our allocated vaccine dosage, we immediately schedule patients in accordance with our priority tiers. Those tiers are:

Tier 1A: healthcare workers, EMS, PD, critical infrastructure personnel

Tier 1B: Elders 75+, frontline essential workers

Tier 1C: Elders 64-75, Elders 55-64 high risk, 16 – 54 with underlying conditions, other essential workers

We are diligently working our way down the priority tiers as vaccine dosage becomes available. As soon as we receive more, we will continue to follow this priority list until all are vaccinated. We will call patients and schedule so please do not call clinic staff unless you are called. The clinic staff has been receiving an enormous amount of calls from those wanting to get the vaccine. While we understand your frustrations, repeated calls about the vaccine only takes staff away from their other critical medical duties.

We ask for your patience as we work to overcome these challenges and fulfill our goal of vaccinating all who want it.

Miigwech,
RCCHC Staff
Free Drive Up Testing Events
The Wisconsin National Guard is assisting the Red Cliff Band to provide drive up COVID-19 testing. Testing is FREE and available to everyone.

If elders need assistance preregistering, please call 715-779-3707 ext 2319.

Testing will be available from 9 AM - 4 PM at the Red Cliff Community Health Center on the following dates:
Saturday January 16, 2021
Saturday February 13, 2021
Saturday March 6, 2021

The Red Cliff Community Health Center is located at 36745 Aiken Rd in Bayfield.

There are 300 tests available. Anyone aged 5-17 must have a parent or legal guardian present.
Food Giveaway Set For January 12
The Red Cliff Food Distribution Program will be giving away food on Tuesday January 12.

The giveaway is expected to begin around 1:00 PM once the food truck arrives. Items being given away include milk, Sartori Cotija cheese, hot dogs, and greek yogurt.

Please practice safe social distancing while you are receiving food.

Call Food Distribution at 715-779-3740 with any questions.
Mino Bimaadiziiwin Farm
Ramps Up Composting Efforts
Mino Bimaadiziiwin Farm is collaborating with the Red Cliff Fish Company to minimize waste from the facility and utilize all parts of the gigoonh (fish) being harvested.

The Farm has been receiving the fish waste (heads, guts, carcasses) from the fish processing facility and building piles to turn the fish waste into compost for use at the fam and throughout the community.

What is compost?
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic matter (in this case, fish waste) and turning it into a nutrient rich fertilizer for plants and gardens. It requires oxygen, water, and the right ratios of Carbon and Nitrogen. To simplify, think of Nitrogen as the "green stuff" - such as vegetable scraps, plant material, or fish waste. The "brown stuff" is the Carbon - dried leaves, cardboard, or woodchips for example. When the green stuff and the brown stuff is combined in a pile, with the right balance of oxygen and water, the materials will heat up and decompose into nutrient-rich compost.

The Farm completed some successful trial compost piles in 2019. This fall, the methods were scaled up to accommodate the thousands of pounds of fish waste coming from the facility. The piles are built by first spreading out a base layer of wood chips. Next, alternating layers of fish waste and wood chips are added. After all the material has been added, the piles are mixed with a tractor and covered with a compost blanket that helps retain moisture. The right ratio of fish to woodchips (green stuff and brown stuff) ensures the decomposition occurs properly, with minimal odors. The result is nutrient-rich compost.
New Red Cliff Outreach Site Coordinator Needed
Red Cliff's Outreach Site for Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College is seeking a new Outreach Site Coordinator.

The Red Cliff Outreach Site Coordinator focuses on general site duties to provide and enhance educational opportunities to LCOOC students. This position also focuses on direct student support services at the post-secondary level.

Applications for this full-time position are due by January 20, 2021.

Click HERE for position details and application instructions.
Native Connections To Host Youth Talent Show
Video submissions due by January 18
The Red Cliff Native Connections Program is hosting a virtual youth talent show, with all submitted videos being broadcast on January 22 at 5:00 PM. The broadcast will stream on the Red Cliff Tribal Facebook Page and will be included in the Miisaninawiind newsletter.

Red Cliff and Bayfield area youth aged 6-18 are invited to show their skills and talents as we hold a virtual celebration of individuality and culture. From singing to dancing, drawing, or whatever your talent is, you can record and create your video to submit.

Videos should be submitted by January 18 via email to [email protected] or [email protected].
Artful Healing: Paint Away Pandemic Stress
The Red Cliff Behavioral Health Department will host its second "Artful Healing" virtual community painting event on January 25 at 5:30 PM.

Community members are invited to join the live group to connect with your community, laugh, chat, and paint away stress amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please RSVP by January 15 to reserve your spot! To RSVP please call Makayla at 715-779-3741 ext 2408.

Click HERE to access the event on January 25. The password to join the virtual group is 12345.
This is what we'll be painting!
Health & Wellness
Free COVID-19 At Home Testing Kits Available
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 
Once you receive your collection kit, you must collect the sample in the presence of a licensed health care professional over a virtual Zoom call (Download Zoom(link is external)). Once you have downloaded Zoom and are ready to produce a saliva sample, you may join a virtual waiting room(link is external). 

Step three: Send in your sample 
After you have collected your saliva sample, you will need to drop off your collection kit at a UPS drop-off location(link is external)on the same day as the collection. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REQUEST A COLLECTION KIT: 
For other Health Center information or general questions call: 715-779-3707 or Email  [email protected]

Click HERE to visit the Red Cliff Community Health Center website.

Click HERE for COVID-19 Updates and Resources.
Family & Human Services
Economic Stimulus Payments Won't
Be Intercepted for Child Support
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, authorized an additional round of Economic Impact Payments to eligible individuals. In accordance with the Act, the Federal of Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) has confirmed with Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service that these payments cannot be intercepted for child support.

The IRS added a new Economic Impact Payment FAQ which includes a Q&A indicating that the second round of stimulus payments are not eligible for child support offset (see “Receiving My Payment” section of the FAQ).

If you have any questions, please contact the Red Cliff Child Support Services Agency at 715-779-3769 or email [email protected]
New Child Care Center Is
Hiring Child Care Staff!
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.
Education
Early Childhood Center January Newsletter
Click to access the full ECC January Newsletter
Barnyard Hullabaloo with Ms. Nadine
Bayfield School District Weekly Updates
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.
Access Scholarship Opportunities
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

Four Directions Scholarship Fund for Native Students
2021 Awards are $2500
Applications Due January 15, 2021
Click HERE

AISES Together Towards Tomorrow T3 Scholarships
Applications now open! Click HERE for details.

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
Click HERE
Boys and Girls Club of Gitchigami
Virtual Lessons
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!

Click HERE to access!
Treaty Natural Resources
Housing Authority
Community Is Urged To Take Tribal
Housing Needs Assessment Survey
Data will enhance local programs, funding
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
Click HERE to access a Tenant Association interest form
GLIHA Scholarships Available
The Great Lakes Indian Housing Association (GLIHA) will award a limited number of scholarships to selected college applicants. The number and amount of each scholarship will be established by the Scholarship Committee which is composed of GLIHA’s Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer.

Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
  1. Satisfactory scholastic standing; and
  2. Current enrollment or acceptance in a post-secondary educational institution

The deadline date for postmarked or delivered applications is January 15, 2021.

Click HERE for an application.

Applications must be sent to:
GLIHA Scholarship Fund
Linda McGraw-Adams
P.O. Box 219
Red Lake, MN 56671
218-679-3368
218-679-2264 fax

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Red Cliff Fish Company
Living Our Legacy

Red Cliff Fish Company is more than a business. It’s the embodiment of a way of life begun by Lake Superior’s first peoples, the continuation of a legacy of living in harmony with the environment, and a vital contributor to the ongoing health of our community.
Legendary Waters Resort & Casino
News Across Indian Country
Funding Opportunity For Native Artists
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.
NCAI Food Sovereignty and Food Production Resource Directory Webinar
This January, NCAI’s Tribal Food Sovereignty Advancement Initiative (TFSAI) will release its tribal food sovereignty and food production resource directory. Developed in close collaboration with NCAI’s organizational partners, this resource directory provides a comprehensive collation of relevant funding resources, technical assistance, and other sources of support available to individual Native food producers and tribal nations and organizations as they work to establish, grow, and sustain their food production, sovereignty, and security efforts.
Please join NCAI staff for a live walk-through of the directory, followed by remarks from NCAI’s partners. Webinar speakers include:
• Diane Cullo, Director, USDA Office of Tribal Relations
• Zach Ducheneaux, Executive Director, Intertribal Agriculture Council
• Janie Hipp, CEO, Native American Agriculture Fund
• Sadie Red Eagle, Research Associate, National Congress of American Indians
• A-dae Romero-Briones, Director of Programs – Native Agriculture and Food Systems, First Nations Development Institute
• Cris Stainbrook, President, Indian Land Tenure Foundation

Time
Jan 14, 2021 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

WisDOT Entry Transportation Specialist Openings
Join the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) team and help shape the future of the State of Wisconsin's transportation infrastructure!

Graduating December 2020 through May 2021? APPLY!

WisDOT is recruiting to fill entry and senior level Transportation Specialist positions located in the Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) offices throughout the State: Central Office Bureaus positions located in Madison, the Southeast (SE) Region, headquartered in Waukesha; the Southwest (SW) Region, headquartered in LaCrosse or Madison; the Northwest Region (NW) with offices in SuperiorSpooner and Eau Claire; the North Central ( NC) Region - offices in Rhinelander and Wisconsin Rapids and the Northeast (NE) Region in Green Bay

WisDOT is a great place to work. We offer amazing benefits that include a casual office atmosphere, flexible work schedules, ample vacation time, excellent health benefits, and an exceptional employee assistance program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health.

Positions are responsible for performing transportation specialist entry or senior level duties and applying engineering practices and principles for multi-modal transportation programs. Positions will work in one of the department’s engineering program areas that may include: Utilities, Design, Construction, Plans Production, Soils, Planning, Traffic and Maintenance of transportation facilities in addition to other areas of focus.

NOTE: Interviews will be conducted virtually. In efforts to keep our employees safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to ensure adherence to CDC and local government requirements and business needs, the individual hired into this position may temporarily be permitted or required to work from home.

Click HERE to learn more about the position and to apply.
Community Events
Interested in upcoming events?

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