New Look For Our Newsletter
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Welcome to the 'new look' Tribal Newsletter. We hope you like it. The email provider we use for designing and distributing the Tribal Newsletter upgraded its online platform.
This update required us to use one of their new design formats. The result is the new format you see before you.
We are always open to suggestions on how to improve your Tribal Newsletter experience. If you have suggestions, please share those with us at communications@ldftribe.com
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COVID-19 Community Updates
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We want to assure you that the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is working diligently to provide our Tribal Members, employees and surrounding communities with the most up to date COVID-19 information on a regular basis.
Daily updates will be posted to our Facebook page and sent to Tribal e-mails, as well as appear on LDFTribe.com. We realize not everyone is on digital platforms, however.
Please help share this information with those in the community who may not be on social media or e-mail.
To protect our community, we may need to make difficult decisions in the coming days. We ask for your patience and understanding. We will make the most informed decisions possible to protect our Members, Employees and Visitors. This is a situation that changes daily, if not hourly.
As new developments happen, we will continue to communicate to ensure Tribal Members and Tribal Staff are informed. Please know we are making decisions based on recommendations of health officials while balancing our responsibility to both serve our community and protect our community, including those most vulnerable to this virus.
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LAC DU FLAMBEAU TRIBAL COUNCIL
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November is Native American Heritage Month
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National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the United States.
"National American Indian Heritage Month" had its origins in 1986 when Congress passed Pub. L. 99-471 (PDF, 93KB) which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week." As directed by Congress, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5577 in November 1986 proclaiming the first American Indian Week. Both law and proclamation recognized the American Indians as the first inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States as well as making mention of their contributions to American society:
Many of the foods we eat and the medicines and remedies we use were introduced by Indians and more than one highway follows an Indian trail. Indians make contributions in every area of endeavor and American life, and our literature and all our arts draw upon Indian themes and wisdom. Countless American Indians have served in our Armed Forces and have fought valiantly for our country.
For almost one hundred years, Americans both Indian and non-Indian have urged that there be permanently designated by the nation a special place on the calendar to honor the contributions, achievements, sacrifices, and cultural and historical legacy of the original inhabitants of what is now the United States and their descendants: the American Indian and Alaska Native people.
The quest for a national honoring of Native Americans began in the early 20th Century as a private effort. As far back as the late 1970s, Congress has enacted legislation and subsequent presidents have issued annual proclamations designating a day, a week or a month to celebrate and commemorate the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native heritage. In 2009, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that established the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day of each year as "Native American Heritage Day."
After 1900, one of the earliest proponents of a day honoring American Indians was Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, a Cattaraugus Seneca and the director of the Rochester Museum in New York (now the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences). Dr. Parker (Gawasco Waneh) was a noted anthropologist, historian and author whose great-uncle was Brigadier General Ely S. Parker, secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War and the first American Indian to serve as Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior. Dr. Parker also served as the first president of the Society for American Archaeology (1935-36).
Dr. Parker was a founder of a number of American Indian rights organizations, including the Society of American Indians (SAI) in 1911 and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944, and advocated for American Indians to be given U.S. citizenship. He was successful in persuading the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the "First Americans," which they did from 1912 to 1915.
In the spring of 1914, another Indian rights advocate, the Reverend Red Fox James, also known as Red Fox Skiukusha, whose tribal identity is undetermined, began a 4,000-mile trek on horseback to Washington, D.C., to petition the president for an "Indian Day." The next year, again on horseback, he travelled state-to-state seeking gubernatorial support for U.S. citizenship to be extended to American Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented to the White House the endorsements of 24 governors. In 1919, he petitioned the state of Washington to designate the fourth Saturday in September as an "Indian holiday."
Also in 1915, the Congress of the American Indian Association, meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, directed its president, the Reverend Sherman Coolidge, an Arapaho minister and one of the founders of the SAI, to call upon the nation to observe a day for American Indians. On September 18, 1915, he issued a proclamation declaring the second Saturday of each May as "American Indian Day" and appealing for U.S. citizenship for American Indians. Read More
The National Museum of the American Indian is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans. Established by an act of Congress in 1989, the museum works in collaboration with the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere to protect and foster their cultures by reaffirming traditions and beliefs, encouraging contemporary artistic expression, and empowering the Indian voice.
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LDF Tribe Helps Reduce Food Struggles in Northern Wisc.
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Early on the LDF Tribe activated their Incident Command Team (ICT) which worked behind the scenes to help work out some of the difficult tasks in order to reduce risk factors of contracting COVID, increase the needed PPE to our employees, develop plans to have safety precautions in the workplace, and help with providing needed resources to our community while enduring financial struggles as a result of the pandemic. During this pandemic, our Lac du Flambeau community endured many challenges. All the way from toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizer shortages, curfew orders, community Shelter at Home Orders, and signs of losing our food supply to our community.
In May 2020, the ICT decided to join a statewide coalition, “Hunger Task Force”, which helped bring many programs to the community. Such programs consisted of Dairy Recovery, Farmers to Families, and two WI - Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection sub-recipient grants to decrease food disparities for our region.
The Hunger Task Force was founded in 1974 by a group of parent advocates to support a school breakfast program in Milwaukee Public Schools. That work continues today and is part of our Mission Statement:
“We work to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow.”
One of the most important ways Hunger Task Force works to end hunger is working with elected officials, government agencies and citizen advocates to strengthen and improve important food security programs on the national, state and local level. Shortly after the pandemic began, news reports surfaced of dairy farmers spilling milk – milk that was no longer needed in schools or restaurants. Hunger Task Force devised a swift remedy, a partnership with WI-DATCP and dairy Farmers called the Wisconsin Recovery Program. Hunger Task Force than reached out to all regions of Wisconsin to help distribution of
dairy products to all communities. Lac du Flambeau ICT jumped on board and started
to handout milk, yogurt, and cheese every other Monday to our community and surrounding areas in need.
The Farmers to Families Food Box Program was created in mid-April in order to purchase and distribute agricultural products to those in need. Through the program, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which helps farmers sell their products, partnered with national, regional and local suppliers whose workforce was
impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products.
Lac du Flambeau ICT partnered with the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe to bring food boxes to our local and surrounding community in June 2020. Many programs and individual volunteers provided a “no questions asked” food distribution for all. The only qualification was you had to have your trunk open and stay in your vehicle. On average, we would give
over 18,000 lbs. of food in less than 2 hours every Thursday.
Truly this event showed how our Tribal programs can work together and help our community when times get hard.
The WI – Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) sub-recipient grants under Hunger Task Force were awarded to the Lac du Flambeau ICT. Hunger Task Force submitted the first application that consisted of 62 distinct nonprofit organizations and Tribal Nations in a single application in the amount of $4,948,061.
The focus of the application was to help build capacity to increase building food storage/management and transportation capacity. Hunger Task Force was then notified to scale down the application to $2.2 million.
The Hunger Task Force focused on building regional hubs all across Wisconsin and making sure that Tribes were included in the hub. Lac du Flambeau ICT Section Chiefs and Grants team zoomed with Hunger Task Force in discussion of becoming a HUB for the northern region and the Tribes in Wisconsin. After working out the details, LDF ICT accepted being a HUB for the northern region and the Tribes in Wisconsin.
The LDF ICT strategized on what items would be requested and determined the need based on the new Emergency Management Building being constructed. LDF ICT was awarded $157,012.81 in gifts towards the project. On 10/29/2020, representatives for the grant and LDF Tribe attended a gifting ceremony accepting a 24’ non-CDL refrigerated truck. Other items received are a 3 door reach-in refrigerator, 3 door reach-in freezer, and
a Stand up electric forklift. The items received will build the appropriate infrastructure to deliver items to our elders and families in quarantine/isolation.
The second sub-recipient grant had two priorities: 1 – to help distribute as a hub to food banks in the northern part of WI and Tribal Nations and 2 – to HUB traditional meats to Tribal Nations. The LDF ICT is on their way planning a Tribal drive-thru, similar to Farmers to Families, which will help bring traditional meat to their local Tribal members.
In addition to these efforts, Feeding America reached out to see how they can help support our community. Feeding America developed a partnership between the Lac du Flambeau ICT and the Arbor Vitae Food Pantry. This allowed us to share resources between each other to help increase the spread of available foods to the communities.
The Lac du Flambeau Community would like to thank the Incident Command Team, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council, and all the volunteers and employees for all their time volunteered, hard work, and support giving to our community and northern region during the pandemic. A lot of things are being done by numerous individuals in the background and do not get the recognition they deserve. We truly are blessed to come together as a region and community in helping decrease food disparities during COVID.
Story and photos submitted by Stacy Stone - State of Emergency Coordinator
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Safe Halloween Fun for Community Youth
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The Lac du Flambeau Youth Funds Committee and Youth Center held a virtual Halloween Costume Contest last weekend for Tribal Member Youth and Descendants. The contest included three different categories, Birth to 2nd Grade, 3rd - 6th Grade and 7th -12th Grade. The winners received gift cards which were $25, $50 and $75.
On Halloween evening, the LDF Youth Center hosted a drive-up movie night in the parking lot, with a large projection screen, and tuning into a radio station for the sound. Everyone was required to stay in their vehicles for the duration of the movies that were being shown. Youth Funds Committee members were on hand to assist and give away popcorn, and leftover Halloween costumes to families that wanted them.
Congratulations to all the youth costume contest winners, and miigwech to everyone that helped make Halloween a safe, and enjoyable event within our community!
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1st Place
Nathan James Archer
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3rd Place
Henri St. Germaine
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2nd Place
Jolon Rising Sun - Poupart
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3rd Place
Raymond Labarge
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1st Place
Raymond Soulier, Jr.
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Valliere Joins the United States Marine Corps
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Ian Valliere is a 19-year-old Tribal Member from Lac du Flambeau, son of Hillary Valliere and step-son of George Thompson. In May 2020, Ian left for boot camp and graduated in September becoming a United States Marine.
What or who inspired Ian to become a Marine?
Ian really didn’t have an inspiration, he had his mind set on becoming a Marine. When he was 11 years old, he would watch the commercials for the Marines Corps and always said; I’m going to be one of those guys. He wanted to do something that would help others but also show others that you could do what you dream of or what your goal is. You just have to keep moving forward. He is doing something for the greater good, something to make a positive impact for his community.
How did you, as his parents, feel while he was going through recruit boot camp? Were you worried?
While he was going through boot camp it was a tough time, always wondering how he was doing, did he achieve the goal he set for boot camp? As a mom and being close to my children, I worried until I received his letters or when he finally earned that 1 call home. Not being able to talk to him or see him when we wanted was very hard. Ian being the oldest of the children, we had a lot to learn on this new adventure too. As a mom, I worry and will worry still, I think it’s just something you as a parent do no matter what. It was a struggle but we knew as parents that he was taken care of and he was in good hands.
Did you have concerns about him going into the military or were you supportive right from the start?
As a mom I had concerns of Ian going into the military. Ian knew my concerns, and, as step dad, George was always very supportive of Ian choosing this path. The biggest thing was learning how to communicate concerns without making him feel guilty or him changing his mind of wanting to go. We were able to bring concerns, questions, and things that may happen in the future to the table and go over those as a family. It was a good feeling to know how each of us felt and at the end of the table discussion we all were on the same wave length. We as parents had to understand that this is what he wants to do and we need to support him no matter the cost.
Any words of encouragement for other military parents out there?
Be supportive. It will be a rough emotional road at first but there are people in the community that you can talk to that have stepped on those same yellow foot prints or have been down the same road when they became a Marine parent. There has been a lot of people helping us understand the process and what he has or will go though from start to finish. Being able to find even other military parents or groups helps us so much. We were able to see what he may have been doing. To us being a parent of a United States Marine is the greatest feeling as we couldn’t be more proud of Ian!
Your Tribe and community is so proud of you Ian! Miigwech for your service.
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LDF Country Market Launches 'Hunger Hurts'
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LDF Country Market announced its “Hunger Hurts” food drive that will run through Dec.23. Donations of non-perishable food items and dry-goods will benefit the LDF Tribal Economic Support Program and be delivered before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
LDF Country Market Launches 'Hunger Hurts' Campaign to Combat Hunger Starting November 1
The annual campaign launches Nov. 1 to support people struggling to provide food for their families through the end of the year. LDF Country Market shoppers can place non-perishable food and dry-good items into “Hunger Hurts” bins found inside the store.
“Hunger pain is real and, sadly, even more common during the pandemic,” LDF Country Market General Manager George Carufel says. “We’ve witnessed many heroic efforts by our teammates and shoppers during the pandemic. We’re looking forward to pulling together during the holidays to do what we can to eliminate hunger from the many stressful situations we all face during the pandemic.”
The pandemic makes hunger more prevalent this holiday season. Elderly sheltering at home unable to shop for themselves. Families with newborns unable to afford basic necessities. Children with parents out of work, struggling to make ends meet. All experience stress unlike any time in recent memory.
“The ‘Hunger Hurts’ initiative allows us to live our values by feeding the hungry,” George says. “One of our Tribal Teachings says when people are weak that’s when they need our love the most. This year, more than ever, requires we all do our part to fill the hollow feeling of hunger within our community.”
“Hunger Hurts” collection bins can be found at the LDF Country Market through year-end. Every donation helps. Canned fruits, vegetables, soups and mac-and-cheese all help. Baby formula, diapers and other dry goods also help families with newborns.
“No one feels good when hungry, and nobody should feel hungry during the holidays,” George says. “If the ‘Hunger Hurts’ bins are empty, it means a human is hungry, a baby is crying, an Elder is struggling.”
Non-perishable food and other dry-goods collected during the “Hunger Hurts” campaign go directly to the Tribal Economic Support Program in November and December to help families throughout the holidays.
“We’re hopeful our efforts in November and December will help make the holidays happier and a less stressful time for those who need our help,” George says.
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Help for Families Impacted by Suicide
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Staying Connected: Healing Loss, Finding Forgiveness
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Loss of life never makes sense especially to those of us who are left behind. What makes a loss even more painful is when it is loss that could have been avoided. Loss by suicide is one of those losses. Sometimes suicide calls out to others causing more loss and more pain.
Things can get difficult, it may seem like there is no answer, all you can see is the pain, all you feel is distress. It is like you are caught in a whirlpool and being sucked down. Reach out for help. Asking for help not only helps you, it also helps those you love and those who care about you. If you know someone who is suffering and considering suicide reach out to them and those they trust. Help them all seek answers.
If you have lost someone to suicide, seek understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness for them and for yourself. Understand that suicide is a result of many pains – traumas, historical trauma, unforgiveness, self-hate, hopelessness – coming to the point that the only answer seems to be to escape and the only escape that is seen is death. There is no fault, because they see no other way and you may have missed the signs. Not due to a lack of caring, but due to a lack of knowledge and understanding.
There is no blame: they thought there was no other way and you did not know. You can now learn and begin to share your new knowledge with others. This is part of Self-Care. Please, if you are considering suicide or have lost someone to suicide, do not hesitate to contact someone for counseling and support whether a therapist, spiritual leader and/or cultural leader.
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Good Journey. Take Care and Be Well.
Cynthia Lei-Nako
Opioid Overdose Prevention and Education Project
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Committees, Commissions & Boards Vacancies
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Click on images for larger version
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Request for Bids - Snow Removal
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LDF Grade School Virtual Veterans Day Event
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LDF Tribal Member FY 2021 Per Cap Notice
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Grocery Worker's Relief Fund
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Celebrating Namaanakwad's 28th Birthday
- Virtual Facebook Contest
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This is a virtual celebration to honor the life of Wayne Namaanakwad Valliere, Jr.
You can upload your video entry to Facebook with the (hashtag) #HBDCloudsUnderneath.
Contact Iris Jane with any questions. Donations are not necessary but if you would like to donate you can do so by sending an email to waabigoniin@gmail.com.
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Lakeland Union High School Meal Distribution Information
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The Lakeland Union High School District will be offering free breakfast and lunch to any child between the ages of 0-18 through December 31, 2020.*
This opportunity was made possible through the USDA. When a student is at school, they can get one free breakfast and one free lunch at the normal time meals are served. If students want to purchase additional items or additional meals, they are still able to do that as well but must have funds in their account.
If your student is on Virtual Learning or Remote Option, or if you have a student who does not attend school in-person, they may still participate and receive meals.
Parents of students not attending school in-person will need to fill out this weekly meal request form:
The form needs to be filled out by 10:00 am Friday for meal pickup for the following Monday or Wednesday between 9:30 am and 11:00 am. First Meal Distribution will take place on Wednesday, September 9th.
If a student wants only milk, they will have to pay 50 cents. Students can purchase additional milk for 50 cents each at any time with their meal as well.
If you have any questions, please call Lakeland Union High School Food Service Director, Randy Weitz, at (715) 356-5252 extension 3402.
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THOSE THAT APPLIED LAST YEAR ARE NOT ELIGIBLE, UNLESS WE HAVE VOUCHERS LEFT. WE ONLY RECEIVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT.
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Forward Health Community Partners
Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.
Temporary Adjustments to Certain FoodShare Program Rules
Effective immediately, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is temporarily adjusting certain FoodShare program rules as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The adjustments include postponing renewals, eliminating Six-Month Report submissions, and suspending interviews. DHS is able to make these adjustments due to provisions in the federal Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act.
October and November Renewals Postponed Six Months
FoodShare members with renewals due in October and November 2020 will not need to complete their renewals until April and May 2021, respectively.
Members with renewals due in October may have already received their renewal letters. If they have already started or submitted their renewals, they will still need to complete the renewal process. Their renewals are being processed as normal to allow them to continue with their regular enrollment period. If members have not yet started their renewal, they do not need to take any action at this time.
Members with renewals due in November will not receive a renewal letter.
Members will receive renewal letters prior to having to complete their renewals in April and May.
October and November Six-Month Reports Eliminated
FoodShare members with Six-Month Reports due in October and November 2020 will not need to submit their report.
Although members with Six-Month Reports that were due in October may have already received their report forms, they do not need to take any action. Members with reports due in November will not receive report forms.
Most FoodShare Interviews Suspended Until December 31
FoodShare applicants and members may not need to complete an interview with their income maintenance or tribal agency if they provide all the information necessary to process their application or renewal, once renewals resume.
This includes providing enough information to confirm their identity and meet verification requirements. Information will be confirmed through data exchanges to the extent possible. However, agencies may still contact applicants and members to clarify information, if needed.
Applicants who only provide a name, address, and signature when they apply will still need to complete an interview.
The interview suspension will continue through December 31, 2020, with the possibility of an extension.
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Peter Christensen Health Center News
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NEWS FROM LDF PUBLIC SCHOOL
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Boozhoo Families,
We invite you to complete the 2020-2021 Impact Aid Questionnaire. The purpose of the Impact Aid Program Indian Policies and Procedures is to ensure equal participation of Indian Children in the Lac du Flambeau School District education program and activities.
The Lac du Flambeau School District not only supports this purpose, but the District’s goal is to better serve all students and families.
In an effort to hear the voices of our parents, community members and Lac du Flambeau Tribal leaders in the planning and development of our educational programs and activities, the following questionnaire was created. Your input is very important to us. Please fill out the questionnaire below and use the space provided for an opportunity to make additional educational comments.
If you prefer a paper copy of the questionnaire mailed to you please call the front office at 715-588-3838. Completed questionnaires can then be dropped off at our 24/7 secured drop box located outside of the front entrance.
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NEWS FROM LCO OJIBWE COLLEGE
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LDF Business Development Corporation
Love Where You Work!
Other Employment Opportunities:
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Share your good news with the community!
If you have something you wish to share in the weekly
Please forward your information by Wednesday afternoon.
Miigwech!
Carri Chapman with Karl James & Company
Cell: (715) 437-0061
Cell: (262) 470-9849
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