May 15-21, 2023

Zaagibagaa-Giizis (Budding Moon)

Families and youth from Gaa-Miskwaabikaang and Mashkiiziibii took a group trip to Lake Namekagon near Cable, WI last week for a wonderful night of spearing and practicing treaty rights!

Youth were able to ride in Boys & Girls Club vans, and families were provided gas vouchers if they were able to drive themselves.

Chi-Miigwech to all who participated and volunteered to make this possible.

TNR wildlife staff have been working with a wildlife class from Northland College in Ashland to teach them wildlife capture and handling techniques for research purposes.

The students certainly had a diverse set of experiences last week! Trap lines were set for the first time this year, and students were able to assist staff members in capturing and collaring a female coyote and two male wolf pups. It will be interesting to see where these animals go and how they utilize their habitat. These collared animals will add to an extensive existing dataset that TNR has gathered from years of collaring predators in the area.

In addition, one of the foothold traps captured a bear, which is a non-target species (we usually trap for wolves, coyotes, and bobcats). The bear ran up a tree with the foothold trap, and figuring out how to release the bear was quite a challenge. With the help of tribal game wardens and Northland students, we were able to work together to bring the bear down from the tree, immobilize it, and successfully release it from the foothold trap. When checked later in the day, the bear had awakened and gone back into the woods, presumably a little bit wiser than he was before his trapping experience.

Great job to Red Cliff Wildlife Staff! Learn more about TNR program happenings in the latest Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Ganawenjigaade ziigwan newsletter.

Larry & Jeanne Gordon Memorial Camping Week is here! Red Cliff Tribal Members will be able to camp for free at Legendary Waters Buffalo Bay Campground May 15-22.

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.

The Red Cliff Summer Youth Employment Program is accepting applications for youth aged 14-18. This program is a great opportunity for youth to gain work experience and earn money over the summer months.

Access an application and view details online at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/SYEP or pick up an application at the Tribal Administration Building.

Work is expected to be available for 4-8 weeks beginning around June 19, and ending around August 11.

Please contact Julie Barstad with any questions at 715-779-3700.

Join us at Red Cliff's Noojimo'iwewin Center for our BBQ Cook Off series every third Saturday of the month through August, starting with May 20 @ 1 PM.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to the participants with the best homemade rub/sauce. Each month you participate your points add up to see who will take home the grand prize!

We had such a great time with the Chili Cook Off Series over the winter months, we decided to do this BBQ Cook Off.

The Noojimo'iwewin Center is located at 37450 Watertower Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

Please call 715-779-3508 with any questions.

Boozhoo Elders, the Tribal Elder Food Box Program is back! The next giveaway is set for this Friday May 19 beginning around 1 PM. Please call Red Cliff Food Distribution with any questions at 715-779-3740.

See flyer for all dates through the end of 2023. This program is for Red Cliff Tribal Members aged 55 and older.

Gaa-Miskwaabikaang and the Red Cliff ICW program would like to say Chi-Miigwech to all of our foster care parents! You are helping keep our children safe, and you are impacting our future generations.

Open House Dates

All foster care families -- and anyone interested in becoming a foster care parent -- are invited to join our Foster Care Open House events throughout May. On Tuesdays (May 9, May 16, May 23, and May 30) join us between 12-3 PM at the Red Cliff ICW office located at 37250 Watertower Rd in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

Please call the Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare Program with any questions at 715-779-3747.

The Environmental Department has set dates for spring clean up events. Please call 715-779-3650 with any questions or to volunteer. *Please note, RCCHA tenants also have a separate spring cleanup week. RCCHA tenants see details in the Housing Authority section further down in this newsletter, or click HERE.*

Spring Clean Up Week: May 22-26, 2023

Hazardous Waste Collection Event: May 22

Roadside Cleanup: May 23

Transfer Station Hours: May 22-26 open 10 AM - 6 PM. May 27 open 8 AM - 12 PM.

View Spring Cleanup details and the Transfer Station brochure HERE.

Howah! Red Cliff's Mino Bimaadiziiwin Gitigaanin Tribal Farm is currently looking to buy zhiiwaagamizigan (maple syrup) and ziinzibaakwad (maple sugar) from Red Cliff Tribal Members.

The Farm was awarded a USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program grant, which will allow the Farm to purchase foods grown/harvested/produced by Red Cliff members throughout the year.

Syrup and sugar will be used during Red Cliff youth events like Language Camp, and may also be distributed free for Red Cliff members through a new Local Food Box Program the Farm will be starting this summer.

Contact the Farm to learn more at 715-779-3782, or email [email protected].

Project LAUNCH, RCCHC, and Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library will host a pair of mental health awareness walks on May 26 and May 31. See flyers for details!

Please join us for the 2023 Honor Banquet on May 22 at Legendary Waters from 6-8 PM as we celebrate the 2023 graduates of Bayfield High School! This is for ALL Class of 2023 Bayfield High School graduates.

The graduates will be honored and will receive gifts. A feast will also be provided.

Please contact the Red Cliff Education Department with any questions via email at [email protected].

Stock boxes are available for pick up at the Food Distribution building located at 88430 Pike Rd. Stop by any time Monday—Friday between 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Stock boxes are for members aged 60+. Each member of a family aged 60+ will receive a box.

For more information please call Red Cliff Food Distribution at 715-779-3740.

The Duwayne Soulier Memorial VFW in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang will host a meat raffle this Saturday May 20. Please call the VFW with any questions at715-779-9711.

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.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its May 2023 newsletter!

FoodWIse is federally funded statewide by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). FoodWIse advances healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for Wisconsin residents with limited incomes through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels.

Click HERE to view the full May 2023 FoodWIse 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 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.

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.

You are also able to apply for Home Repair Assistance and Down Payment Assistance.

Click HERE to access an application.

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.

The Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division has released its latest edition of the Ganawenjigaade newsletter for Ziigwan (Spring) 2023.

You will find anishinaabemowin vocabulary, program updates, permit information, rabies clinic, updates on water protection, hazardous waste collection event, details on Spring Clean Up Week scheduled for May 22-26, and more!

Click HERE to access.

Click HERE to order online!

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is seeking applicants for a permanent GS 5/7/9 Ojibwe Education Ranger position.

This position will share knowledge of Ojibwe culture, study Ojibwemowin and help shape how youth, visitors and park staff understand the area.

The position announcement will be open from May 15, 2023, through May 29, 2023. However, the application period will close after 60 applications are received. Apply as soon as possible.

Starting May 15th apply at: www.usajobs.gov/job/723594700

If you have questions, please get in touch with either Myra Foster at [email protected] or Lucas Westcott at [email protected].

Madeline Island Museum is seeking applications for several open positions and volunteers!

View Madeline Island Museum job opportunities HERE.

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 [email protected] 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.