Miisaninawiind :: Zaagibagaa-giizis :: May 4-10, 2020
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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].
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
.
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COVID-19 Community Updates
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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.
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Red Cliff Primary Elections Set For May 8th
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Primary Election Candidates
Vice-Chairperson
Nathan W. Gordon
Mercie A. Gordon
Steven L. Boyd
Christopher Hicks
Joseph D. Montano
Tribal Secretary
Laura J. Gordon
Troy D. Gordon
For more information:
715-779-3700
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Tribal Council Extends Stay at Home Order
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On April 28, 2020 during the Special Council Meeting, The Red Cliff Tribal Council approved to extend the Stay at Home Resolution through May 26, 2020 in order to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the Red Cliff community.
The resolution orders all persons currently living on the Red Cliff Reservation to stay home or in their place of residence, except to engage in necessary activities and work.
Click
HERE
to view Tribal Council's Stay at Home order for details and exceptions.
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Tribal Council Meeting May 4
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The Red Cliff Tribal Council will hold a regular council meeting on Monday May 4, 2020 at the Red Cliff Community Health Center.
The Regular Session will begin at 4:30 PM.
Click
HERE
for the meeting agenda.
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ECC Parades Through Red Cliff and Bayfield
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Red Cliff Early Childhood Center staff drove through the Red Cliff and Bayfield communities last week to greet students and families.
Click
HERE
to see more photos on the ECC Facebook page!
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How to Make Zhingwaak Tea
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Alex Breslav, Indigenous Arts & Sciences Coordinator for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, shows us how to make some delicious Zhingwaak Tea (White Pine Tea)!
Want more videos like this one?
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Housing Board Committee Posting
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The Red Cliff Tribal Council is seeking one individual interested in serving on the Housing Board.
For further information contact Cheryl Cloud at 715-779-3744.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please pick up an application at the front desk of the administration building.
Please return your application to the administration building.
The deadline is May 18, 2020 at 4pm.
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Proposed Addition to Code of Law
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The Red Cliff Legal Department has proposed adding Chapter 58--Red Cliff Probate Code to the Red Cliff Code of Laws.
Click
HERE
to view the official notice.
You can view the proposed Chapter 58
HERE
.
Public comment on this proposal is encouraged. Please drop your comments at the Tribal Administration Building, or forward them directly to the Tribal Council. This proposal will be voted upon on May 19, 2020 at the regular meeting of the Red Cliff Tribal Council. If the Council enacts this code addition, the code shall become effective upon enactment.
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Proposed Revision to Code of Law
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The Red Cliff Legal Department and the Red Cliff Planning Department have proposed revisions to Chapter 37 of the Red Cliff Code of Laws.
Click
HERE
to view the official notice.
You can view the revised Chapter 37
HERE
.
Public comment on this proposal is encouraged. Please drop your comments at the Tribal Administration Building, or forward them directly to the Tribal Council. This proposal will be voted upon on June 1, 2020 at the regular meeting of the Red Cliff Tribal Council. If the Council enacts this code addition, the code shall become effective upon enactment.
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Proposed Revision to Code of Law
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The Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation Office has proposed revisions to Chapter 20 of Red Cliff Code of Laws.
Click
HERE
to view the official notice and proposed changes.
Public comment on this proposal is encouraged. Please drop your comments at the Tribal Administration Building, or forward them directly to the Tribal Council. This proposal will be voted upon on June 1, 2020 at the regular meeting of the Red Cliff Tribal Council. If the Council enacts this code, the code shall become effective upon enactment.
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Lifeline Program: Internet and Phone Help
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What is Lifeline?
The Lifeline program provides low-income Wisconsin residents affordable access to essential telecommunications by discounting the cost of phone, cell and internet services.
How much money can I save with Lifeline?
The is depends on which type of services you have, but your discount could range from $7.25-$18.50 per month. Your service provider can tell you the exact amount.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if you participate in one of the following qualifying programs:
-Medicaid (including SeniorCare and BadgerCare)
-FoodShare
-Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
-Federal public housing assistance (Section 8)
-Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
Or, if your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Only one person per household may receive a Lifeline discount.
How can I find out if I am eligible?
How can I enroll?
You must contact an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) to enroll. You can find a list of ETCs at
psc.wi.gov
on the Lifeline Program webpage under the Programs tab.
You can determine your eligibility before you contact the ETC, or you can ask them to help you find out if you are eligible.
How can I get help?
Wisconsin Internet & Phone Helpline: 608-267-3595
Federal (USAC) Lifeline Support number: 800-234-9473
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Wisconsin 7th District Voting Day
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The Special Election for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District will take place Tuesday, May 12.
For information on your registration status, where your polling place is, who is on your ballot, and to request an absentee ballot: visit
myvote.wi.gov
.
You can also request an absentee ballot in in writing (mail or email) to the Town Clerk's office. The request must include a copy of your photo ID, your name, the address you are registered to, the address you wish to receive your ballot at, and a current phone number and/or email.
The last day to request a ballot by mail is May 7.
Town of Russell Clerk: 715-779-3284, 715-779-5338.
In-person early voting 11 am - 1 pm on Mondays through May 4.
City of Bayfield, City Hall: 715-779-5712
In-person early voting 11 am - 1 pm Mon-Fri through May 8.
Town of Bayfield Town Hall: 715-779-3128
In-person early voting by appointment only
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Responding to the 2020 U.S. Census
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Red Cliff - Your voice counts, and we need to hear it on the 2020 Census! Your responses to the 2020 Census shape the future for our community.
Click
HERE
for a guide on responding to the 2020 Census.
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Nooji Center May Newsletter
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The Noojimo'iwewin Center has released its May newsletter.
Click
HERE
to learn about behavioral health services and resources offered to the community, along with some self-help tips!
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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
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WIC is here for you during the COVID-19 outbreak
In an effort to protect you, your family, and our community, we are having our participants complete benefit pick up over the phone.
Also open to new families. Please call for details.
Amaris Andrews-DePerry
715-779-3707 ext 2307
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Michael Bonney, Summer Food Program
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Hi, my name is Michael Bonney. I live here in Red Cliff. I first helped with the Summer Food Program back when I was working on General Assistance.
In 2018, I was hired to work full-time as the Site Supervisor Assistant for the Summer Food Program.
I am happy to be back in this position again this year, working to help our community during these trying times.
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Click
HERE
to register for the workshop!
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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.
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Boys and Girls Club of Gitchigami
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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!
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Click
HERE
to view the TNR Ziigwan Spring Newsletter.
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Legendary Waters Resort & Casino
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Click
HERE
to visit the Legendary Waters Resort and Casino website.
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News Across Indian Country
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Tribes Take Issue With Native Corporations That Are Eligible For $8B Coronavirus Relief
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From WPR
By Danielle Kaeding
Around
$8 billion
has been set aside for direct payments to tribes nationwide under the federal government's coronavirus relief package, or CARES Act. However, some Wisconsin tribes are concerned about how that money is being distributed.
There are 574 federally recognized tribes that would be eligible for aid. In addition, Alaska Native corporations would also be able to receive funding, which is a problem for Rick Peterson, tribal chairman for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
"They are not tribal governments. They should not be involved in this at all," said Peterson. "Tribal governments right now — tribal communities are being hit really hard."
Peterson said he also believes there's a conflict of interest because Tara Sweeney, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs,
formerly worked
for one of the largest Alaska Native corporations.
The U.S. Department of Interior has said such statements seek to divide tribes and Alaska Native communities.
According to DOI
, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is following the law and consulted with the Interior Department officials and tribes earlier this month.
Joan Delabreau, chairperson for the governing body of the Menominee Indian Tribe, said corporations aren't sovereign nations and that their inclusion "will critically dilute the amount of money that could be available for all of the federally recognized tribes."
A group of tribes has filed a
lawsuit
arguing more than 230 Alaska Native businesses don't qualify for coronavirus relief. Treasury Department officials were set to release funding this week, but a federal judge has
blocked
any aid to those corporations for now.
Meanwhile, tribes are still waiting for funding.
"Clearly, it will probably impact when any disbursement comes down," said Delabreau.
A Treasury spokesperson said the department is working to allocate funding to tribes as soon as possible.
She said tribes have also struggled with the process to apply for funding, as well as understanding what the money would cover. While many expenses are covered,
Treasury
officials said "revenue replacement is not a permissible use" of direct aid.
"We're taking money that we had saved in what we technically put in reserves because we gear up for the next part of the fiscal year or like an emergency fund," said Delabreau. "And that's what we use to pay people longer and provide for their insurance."
She said about 400 people have been laid off from the tribe's casino, and it's funding their insurance for March and April. Delabreau added about 10 percent of the tribe's government employees — 80 workers — were laid off last week.
Red Cliff's Peterson said the tribe has also used discretionary funding to pay for some services and employees in response to the pandemic, adding that revenues at its clinic has declined from a lack of walk-in patients.
"One of my big concerns is how long we're going to be able to sustain some of this stuff," said Peterson.
American Indians in Wisconsin have higher rates of diabetes, a chronic medical condition that may place them at higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. They're also less likely than Wisconsin residents to have health insurance coverage,
according to survey findings released in 2015
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Native Report
With Rita Aspinwall & Ernie Stevens
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Meet Norman Deschampe, Chairman of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Joyce LaPorte, a maker of traditional Ojibwe faceless dolls.
And Richard Smith and his sister Bertha Christensen, both of whom served in the military during World War II.
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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.
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Follow the link below to see announcements for upcoming events!
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Red Cliff Tribal Administration Office
88455 Pike Road
Bayfield, Wi. 54814
715-779-3700
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