Miisaninawiind :: Odemiini-giizis :: June 1 - 7, 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.

Check our Facebook page HERE and our website HERE . We are working on a new website and can't wait to share it with you!

Want to receive the newsletter each week? Sign up HERE .

Red Cliff News & Updates
COVID-19 Community Updates
Various Tribal programs, services, and events have been canceled or temporarily suspended in our efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

An up-to-date list can be found on the Tribal Facebook page, and is updated continuously throughout each day.

You can also find a series of video updates from the Red Cliff Health Division on the Tribal Facebook page.
Reminder: Events Cancelled Through July
At the Regular Council Meeting held on the evening of Monday May 4, 2020, the Red Cliff Tribal Council took action and approved to cancel all Tribal-sponsored events for the months of May, June, and July 2020 in order to preserve the safety of the Red Cliff community, membership, and guests.

Cancellations include, but aren’t limited to, the annual Red Cliff Pow Wow, ECC Summer Gathering, and Red Cliff Language Camp. Please contact the Tribal Administration building at 715-779-3700 regarding any events you may be unsure of.

“Given the uncertainty of COVID-19 and safety of our community being the utmost importance, we felt this was the best direction to take,” said Tribal Chairman Rick Peterson. “We want to ensure that we also consider the safety of visitors who may attend these events.”

The Red Cliff Tribal Council will continue to place the community’s health at the forefront of any decision-making process.
Reservation access roads closed to non-residents
Excludes Hwy 13, deliveries, and construction
At the Special Council meeting held on Wednesday May 27, 2020 at Merchant Property, the Tribal Council took action and approved a motion to close reservation access roads to non-residents. The closure does not include Highway 13 access.

The motion was seconded by Marvin Defoe. Discussion: this would also exclude deliveries along with construction businesses. One vote was opposed (Steven Boyd). Tribal Chairman was not present. The motion carried.
Tribal Members Could Qualify for Legal Compensation Over Opioid Impacts
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TRIBAL ATTORNEY:

Many tribal members are aware that the Tribe has joined a federal class action lawsuit against the manufacturers and distributors of opioids. One of those manufactures, Purdue, has recently filed for bankruptcy. While the Tribe is already involved in the lawsuit, individual tribal members who have been impacted by the devastating impacts of opioids also have the right to potential compensation if they qualify. Because of an upcoming deadline in the Purdue bankruptcy proceeding, it is important that impacted tribal members file a proof of claim before June 30 to obtain compensation from Purdue.

The following is a message from the Tribe’s outside counsel:

Purdue, a major manufacturer of prescription opioids including Oxycontin, has filed bankruptcy. As part of that bankruptcy, victims of prescription opioid abuse may file a proof claim for compensation. This would include people who became addicted to Purdue’s products and children who were injured through opioid use by a parent. The claim deadline is June 30, 2020. If you do not file a claim by that deadline, the Court Order does not allow any claim in the future. If you or a loved one has been injured from prescription opioid abuse, including overdose, addiction, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), or death, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Please call 877-Drug101.
Care Packages Go To Red Cliff Families
Community Health Department hands out 180 care packages
The Red Cliff Community Health Department created and handed out 180 care packages last week, with donations going to Red Cliff families that have children living in the home.

The Community Health Department had been collecting donations for roughly nine weeks from various Tribal departments, community members, tribal employees, and Eagles Wings Ministry. Care packages included household and hygiene items, such as paper towels and toilet paper, hand sanitizer, masks, children's coloring packets, community health information, and cleaning supplies.

"We have been receiving donations from all over, and so many clinic employees have helped," said Heidi Livingston, Community Health Lead CHR. "Community Health is here to help."

These family care packages come after the Community Health Department distributed elder care packages in April. The department will continue to operate the supply closet with household and hygiene items.

"I would like to give a huge shout out to Amanda [Peterson-Teschner] for stepping up and taking the lead with the supply closet and getting care packages together," said Livingston. "I really appreciate everything she has done and I'd like to give a big thank you to so many that helped this be a huge success for helping the community."

Community Members are encouraged to contact the Community Health Department at 715-779-3707 if they are in need of supplies.

Those interested in donating supplies can also contact the Community Health Department to arrange a drop off time.
Tribal Council Meeting
There will be a Tribal Council Meeting on June 1 at Legendary Waters Buffalo Bay Grand Ballroom.

The Regular Session will begin at 4:30 PM.

Click HERE to view the meeting agenda.
Seniors Sign Safe and Sober Graduation Pledge
Contest winners announced
By Sonia E. Reyes-Buffalo
Red Cliff AODA Reduction Team Chairwoman

Boozhoo Miskwaabekong!

I wanted to share with you all the awesome entries for this year’s AODA Reduction Team, Safe and SOBER Graduation 2020 and Ink Your Voice Contest. This year has been quite fulfilling and goal accomplishing for the Red Cliff AODA Reduction Team! We decided to re-introduce the Safe and Sober Graduation and the Ink Your Voice Contest right off the bat and did a lot of planning and organizing. Sadly not every goal will come to fruition, but the most important parts were to impact the seniors in a powerful way so they would in return impact our community with their words and voices.

We had 12 Bayfield High School Seniors sign the Safe and Sober Pledge that said:

I will not drink alcohol or use drugs.
I will not drive intoxicated.
I will not let my friends drive intoxicated.
I will not ride in a car with an intoxicated driver.

That alone is a huge accomplishment! This is a great preventative tool to making sobriety a normal for our loved ones within our communities. Here is a list of seniors who pledged:

Dillan Krisik
Harleigh Dahl
Dayton Washkeleski
Adam Weber
Dusty LaFernier
Maleyna Bressler
Sophia Panek
Morgan Tutor
Coleman Kent
James Lagrew
Victoria Kahite
Janelle Gordon

Next time you see these brave seniors congratulate them and THANK THEM for keeping our community safe and making such an amazing choice!

On March 13th, the AODA Reduction team decided to have a motivational speaker come to the Bayfield School and speak to the kids about his past life. Our speaker Brian Cole, Drummond, WI, spoke fiercely about the real and raw reality he once used to live. He started drinking at a young age and ended up in prison for half of his life because of the poor choices he made under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This man really brought the hard truths about that type of living and taught the seniors valuable lessons in the process of telling his story. Here are some pictures:
After the students signed the pledge they qualified to enter the Ink Your Voice Contest to win up to $1,000 dollars first place prize! We had 4 entries and 4 winners! All of the contest entries were full of heart and even personal experiences that molded their decisions to have a sober future. Here are the winners of our contest:
1st Place
Victoria Kahite
2nd Place
Sophia Panek
3rd Place
Janelle Gordon
4th Place
Dayton Washeleski
Even though the actual graduation ceremony will not happen in person we still wanted to give our awesome seniors an awesome graduation card signed by us, and their pledges framed to remember for the rest of their lives why they chose to sign it. We will be present to congratulate the students via Zoom and award the Ink Your Voice Contest winners.
Chimiigwech to those who participated and helped out to make this year successful! Big thank you to all of the department heads and support for their continuing efforts to help and heal the next 7 generations.

Walk in Beauty,

Sonia E. Reyes-Buffalo
Red Cliff AODA Reduction Team Chairwoman
Regional Job Opportunity
Wisconsin Conservation Voices has a great job opportunity for 15-20 hours of weekly work from June 15 - November 15.

Wisconsin Conservation Voices is looking for energetic and outgoing organizers to work with tribal communities throughout the state (urban and reservation-based).

This position will primarily focus on building a team of volunteers and carrying out activities associated with nonpartisan voter education and voter engagement. To ensure the health and safety of our staff, in light of COVID-19, organizers will utilize digital formats (Zoom, social media, etc) for outreach efforts and planning activities, as well as phone banking, texting apps, and email.

Click HERE for the full job posting and details. Applications are due by June 10!
Health & Wellness
Traditional Medicines and Helping
Our Children with Emotions
By Linda Dunbar, PC-IT, PC
AODA Services Coordinator

Sit back and take a deep breath. Quiet the mind and focus on your breathing. Breathe in and see your belly extend, let the breath out slowly and see your belly descend. Repeat 4 times or more. Doing this simple breathing technique is so beneficial in slowing our mind and relaxing our bodies to alleviate stress.

Several years ago, a few days before they were to go back to live with their Dad and stepmom, I had brought my children and an Elder to a gathering in a neighboring community. My children started whining about having to go back to their Dad’s and the situation quickly turned into a full-blown tantrum. I reacted in anger, threatening to give them something to cry about and promised they were going to get the worst punishment when we got home. I grabbed them by the arms and marched them to the car and threw them in the back seat, slamming the door behind them, I helped the Elder into the car and we sped off, I was fuming, embarrassed and was feeling out of control. When we got home, I told the kids to go to their room. I sat down, full of emotion, disgusted by my behavior. The Elder sitting quietly at the table, reached over and held my hand, I burst into tears. She quietly said "I can see that you are very upset and have a lot of feelings going on and I see that your children also have a lot of feelings going on and you all are having a hard time talking about your feelings.” She reached into her bag and got out her smudge bowl and medicines, she lit the smudge and smudge me down as she did this the tears began to ease and I told her how hard it was to let my kids go back to their Dad's, even though I know it was the best for them. She listened and continued to burn the medicines, she got up and got my children and brought us all the living room and sat us down. She smudged all of us down, she got out her eagle feather and offered a prayer and talked to us about having a lot of emotions and the importance of talking about them. She explained that emotions are an essential part of our everyday lives and emotions are neither good or bad, they just are, it is what we do with them, or not do with them that gets us into trouble. She explained to us that when we don’t deal with our emotions, it can affect our health, make us sick. She said our emotions are strong and used improperly can harm ourselves or the people we love.

As I watched the smudge smoldering as she talked, I noticed a difference in my body, the tension, the anger, and the sadness began to leave. I looked at my children and they were calmer and not crying as hard. The Elder handed my kids the Eagle feather and they told us, how they were going to miss me and how they hated having to live apart. They cried and as they cried the Elder smudged them down and when they were done, they no longer were crying and were calm. We all had the opportunity to share and then we were brushed down with smudge, we all felt better and did a group hug. The Elder said “Now you see the power of our medicines and when you need to express feelings, this medicine will help you.”

Since that time I have witnessed the healing that takes place when we utilize the medicines. A young mom early in her recovery from Meth and Opioid addiction was introduced to the using smudge, teas and other traditional practices as part of her healing journey. One of her greatest challenges in her early recovery was her 2-year-old son. In her words, he was super hyper, had serious behavioral problems and was constantly throwing tantrums. She began practicing the morning and evening smudge with her son. When her son was out of control, she would again use the medicines. She noticed a calming effect in him when they would smudge. At bedtime, it became a nightly practice of smudging and to her amazement, her son would be calm and have a restful night of sleep. After some time, her son would be acting up and he would initiate the smudge. To this day, the young boy continues to improve in his behaviors and is able to express his emotions in a calmer manner.

Sage which is the most common medicine used for smudging has antimicrobial properties, simply means sage can fight infectious bacteria, viruses, fungi, and can clear the air of pathogens and help with respiratory conditions. It also can repel insects. (Dr. D.R. Wilson - PHD,MSN, RN, IBCLC,AHN,BC, IBCLC) (Healthline.org). 

Sitting with smudge can help us rid ourselves of negative thoughts and the benefits will reduce the stress and help us process our emotions better. When children's/adults’ emotions take over we nor our children can think clearly and rationally. Taking the time to smudge can produce a calming effect. It teaches our children healthy coping skills for dealing with their emotions. When our children are upset, it is important to help our children to understand their feelings and help them express them in a calm manner without their emotions escalating into inappropriate or harmful behaviors. Smudging, observing and helping your child to identify their feelings can reduce stress, improve concentration, and help them to release their emotions in healthy ways. Sage, cedar, sweetgrass all are beneficial for helping our children deal with their emotions.
Notice To PRC Clients
Purchase / Referred Care
In the interest of safety to the community, the PRC department shall forego requiring clients to come into the office to pick up purchase orders prior to their appointments.

You must still notify the program via telephone in order to verify eligibility and get the required information. Purchase orders will be faxed directly to your provider.

Please call Anna Merritt, at 715-779-3097 with the following information:
o Name
o Date of birth
o Call back number
o Location of referral
▪ Facility
▪ Telephone/virtual visit
o Purpose of visit
o Date of service
o Name of your primary provider
o Who is referring you (if not from Red Cliff Health)

Please let the program know as soon as possible that you have an appointment. This gives the staff time to review the information and ask questions if necessary.

Miigwetch and stay healthy!!
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
Family & Human Services
Various Family and Human Services offerings have unique guidelines and hours in response to COVID-19.

See the Notices section toward the top of this newsletter for more information. You can also call the Family Human Services Division
at 715-779-3706.
Education
Bayfield School Graduation Parade
There will be a graduation parade on June 6 for the high school class of 2020.

The parade is set to begin at 4:00 PM, but might start later depending on the length of the virtual graduation starting at 2:00 PM.

Click HERE to view the parade route.

Decorate your yards and businesses for the class of 2020.
Indigenous Legacy Scholarship
TC Energy has extended the application period for the TC Energy Scholarship Program to June 12 th , 2020! The Program offers scholarships to students in three categories, including 77 scholarships specifically for Indigenous students who can apply online at www.tcscholarships.com :

  1. TC Energy Indigenous Legacy Scholarship ($5,000 each) – awarded to Indigenous (Native American) students pursuing any full-time, post-secondary program at a registered education institute. Our priority is to support students from the Nations we work with.
  2. TC Energy Community Leaders Scholarship ($2,500 each) – awarded to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities through volunteerism, leadership and other activities.
  3. TC Energy Trades Scholarship ($2,500 each) – awarded to students who are studying a skilled trade relevant to our business.

If you have any questions about the Program or the application process please contact TCScholarships@transcanada.com.
ECC: Julie Cloutier-Erickson
Boozhoo,

Indizhinokaaz Julie Cloutier-Erickson AKA Ms. J

I have been working at the ECC for 23 years. On January 2nd of this year I took a new position with the Launch Grant as the Social Emotional Support Teacher. My duties will include working in collaboration with the Mental Health Consultant, Launch Team, Bayfield School, ECC Management and support staff.

My heart will always be with the children and this position allows me to be in all of the classrooms which I so love. I am still at the ECC. I have the little office at the end of the building which is perfect for me. I have one additional part to my position and that is the assistant to our Educational/Abilities Manager with helping with the IEP process and children with special needs. I look forward to continuing my career for the Red Cliff Tribe which I am forever grateful, and to work with the wonderful families of Red Cliff. It has been a true passion and mission in my life… I look forward in continuing my journey.
Chi-miigwech
Boys and Girls Club of Gitchigami
Senior Week Challenges
Paige Moilanen, Youth Director for the Boys and Girls Club, has created a series of videos for the graduating class of 2020!

Each day this week, a video will be posted on the Red Cliff Tribal Facebook page with a challenge. Seniors (and parents) are encouraged to participate by posting photos in the comments. Watch each video for details.

Congratulations Class of 2020!

Check the Tribal Facebook page now!
Native Learning Center Art Contest
The Native Learning Center is hosting a poster contest for Tribal Youth and is offering prizes for three different age group winners.

Theme: WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME

ENTER TO WIN A PRIZE!

Accepting Submissions from
April 1- June 30, 2020

All Tribal Communities are Welcomed to Submit! All Posters Must Be Original Art Work.

You May Use: Markers, Paints, Crayons, Colored Pencils, Beads and Fabric! Get as Creative as you'd like! Create a poster that shows what home means to you!

All forms of art are welcome; however your submission does need to be poster friendly.

Once you've finished your poster or if you have any questions, submit to: WilmaNoah@semtribe.com or KrystalCedeno@semtribe.com

3 AGE GROUP WINNERS!
5-10; 11-13; 14-18
Virtual Daily Lessons
The Boys and Girls Club has created Virtual Daily Lessons for school-age children!

There is a schedule of activities for both 3rd-5th graders and middle to high schoolers.

Want to access the activity links? Simply click on the Closures & Notices post that is pinned to the top of the Tribal Facebook page. Then click on "Boys & Girls Club Virtual Daily Lesson"

Enjoy!
Treaty Natural Resources
Video: Introduction to Tracking
Alex Breslav, Indigenous Arts & Sciences Coordinator for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, shares some useful tips for youth (and adults) who may be interested in tracking.
Click HERE to view the TNR Ziigwan Spring Newsletter.
News Across Indian Country
Sharp-tailed Grouse Activity
From Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

Last Dance

Even though most sharp-tailed grouse hens are now occupied with nesting in late May, male birds continue to perform courtship activity, including “dancing” and sparring, on traditional breeding grounds known as leks in the Ceded Territory of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

These two sharptails (photo) faced off on a lek in the Moquah Barrens recently.

Sharp-tailed grouse rely on a mixed habitat containing brushland, grassy areas, and scattered trees. With assistance from GLIFWC, Bad River and Red Cliff Ojibwe Bands, and state Departments of Natural Resources, the  U.S. Forest Service - Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest  is leading conservation efforts for these distinctive indigenous birds.
Environmentalists, tribe lose bid to halt uranium mine
Environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe sued the U.S. Forest Service arguing the agency failed to consider the environmental and cultural costs of extracting uranium ore

By FELICIA FONSECA
Associated Press

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A federal judge has ruled against environmental groups and a tribe in their bid to keep a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon from operating.
The Canyon Mine near the national park's South Rim entrance has been on standby for nearly 20 years. The company that owns it, Energy Fuels Resources, is waiting for uranium prices to rebound before opening it.

Still, environmental groups and the Havasupai Tribe sought to prevent that from happening. They sued the U.S. Forest Service, arguing the agency failed to consider the environmental and cultural costs of extracting uranium ore when it reviewed the company's mining claims.
U.S. District Judge David Campbell in Arizona said those costs would have been minimal, considering the Forest Service projected Canyon Mine's profits at a conservative $29 million. 
"A drop in profits is not enough to defeat valid existing rights if the mine remains profitable," Campbell wrote in a ruling last week.

The environmental groups said Wednesday that they are reviewing the decision and evaluating whether to appeal. 

"Canyon Mine should not have been allowed to go forward," said Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter. "We do know that. The risks are significant and the benefits negligible."

Energy Fuels is among the companies pushing for intervention from the federal government to rescue U.S. uranium mining in a tough global marketplace. Company spokesman Curtis Moore said Wednesday that Energy Fuels is actively maintaining the site.

"Energy Fuels will continue to operate the mine responsibly, and we are confident the court's decision will withstand any further appeals," he said.

A spokeswoman for Kaibab National Forest did not immediately return a request for comment.
The Canyon Mine lies within a roughly 1,562 square-mile area that was placed off-limits to new mining claims in the Obama administration. The moratorium outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park runs until 2032 but doesn't prevent uranium companies with grandfathered claims from developing them.

The Forest Service concluded in 2012 that Energy Fuels has a valid, existing right to mine near Tusayan. The Grand Canyon Trust, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Havasupai Tribe sued the following year.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived a single claim from the lawsuit in 2018 and sent it back to the lower court for a decision on the merits.
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Program sign up begins May 26, 2020 and ends August 28, 2020.


Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance program on April 17, 2020. CFAP will use funding and authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other USDA existing authorities.

This $19 billion immediate relief program includes direct support to agricultural producers as well as the  Farmers to Families Food Box Program .

CFAP will provide vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market costs. Eligible commodities include:
  • Non-specialty Crops: malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat
  • Wool
  • Livestock: cattle, hogs, and sheep (lambs and yearlings only)
  • Dairy
  • Specialty Crops
  • Fruits: apples, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, oranges, papaya, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes, watermelons
  • Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, dry onions, green onions, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, taro
  • Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts
  • Other: beans, mushrooms
USDA will consider additional crops to be eligible for CFAP by collecting information on potentially eligible crops, as outlined under "Request for Additional Commodities" below on this page.

Eligible farmers and ranchers will receive one CFAP payment, drawn from two possible funding sources. The first source of funding is $9.5 billion in appropriated funding provided in the CARES Act and compensates farmers for losses due to price declines that occurred between mid-January 2020, and mid-April 2020 and for specialty crops for product that was shipped and spoiled or unpaid product. The second funding source uses the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to compensate producers for $6.5 billion in losses due to on-going market disruptions.

Beginning May 26, USDA's Farm Service Agency will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses. While offices are open by phone appointment only, FSA will be working with our agricultural producers by phone and using email and online tools to process applications.

Click HERE for more information.
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