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Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
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September 12, 2018
The summer season is slowly turning into autumn. As the leaves are changing color quickly, mornings are crisp and cool.
The ricing season is coming to an end, hunting season is beginning, and we are preparing for another winter.
School has now started, and we wish you all a safe and productive school year!
- September 12th - First Day of School 4K and Kindergarten
- September 26th - Early Dismissal for all students
The next special Tribal Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 18th at the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.
Please scroll down for more news and upcoming events in Mashkiiziibii.
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Backpack Giveaway Serving Community Youth
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Francis Bigboy III at the Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway
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For more than 10 years now, the back-to-school backpack giveaway event has been helping area students with supplies to get the school year started out right.
Last week, over 400 backpacks were given out. This was made possible largely by donations, and backpacks were filled with most of the supplies the kids need.
"Various programs, departments, community members, and the Bad River VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) donated money for us to purchase all the supplies,"
Wendy Corbine of Bad River Social Services explained.
The annual event serves Tribal youth, who are enrolled or are eligible for enrollment in kindergarten through high school in the Ashland School District.
"It's so nice to see the kids get excited to pick which backpack they want, and open them up to see what's inside," Wendy said. "We also noticed that there have been several young men in high school attending the event this year which is really cool seeing them take the initiative to come out to this on their own."
Wendy would like to make sure that Georgianne Smart and Lynn Wiggins are recognized for all their efforts in helping pull this event together, organizing lists and shopping for the supplies.
Miigwech to all the volunteers for their hard work and making this a successful event for our community!
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Crow Hip Hop Artist Brings Communities Together
The band shell in Ashland was the place to be last Thursday evening, with a special performance by award-winning hip hop artist Christian "Supaman" Takes Gun Parrish, of the Apsaalooke Nation, also known as the Crow Tribe of Montana.
The performance was made possible by the Big Top Chautauqua, and performances were also held at several schools earlier in the day. Beautiful weather and Supaman's popularity in Native communities all over the country brought a huge crowd to Ashland, along with many others from the area who were curious to see what the hype was about.
Supaman, a fancy dancer dressed in full regalia, did not disappoint as he had everyone in the audience dancing and singing along. He shared his life story, giving the crowd a snapshot of the life he experienced growing up on the Crow Reservation, outside of Billings. While his childhood was filled with traumatic experiences, including living with addicted parents, losing his father at a young age and being placed in a foster home, Supaman shared that despite those tragic moments in his life he made the decision to never drink, smoke or do drugs. After his father passed away, his mother made the choice to live a sober life and got her children back. This inspired Supaman to lead a life of sobriety, and to make his love for his wife and children a strong focal point in his performances.
Traveling around the country, Supaman set out to help inspire the young and old to find the positives in life, no matter what their circumstances are. During his performances, he says that if he can do it, so can they. He raps about life on the reservation, and brings attention to the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women across the United States and Canada. These and other issues are delivered with a dose of humor.
Supaman was featured in the video "Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL" with Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message in 2017. He made several trips to Standing Rock to perform and speak during the movement. His latest album Illuminatives has been well received, and fuses together hip hop beats with his Apsaalooke language, drums and flute music.
Promoting the vision that anything is possible, Supaman continues to show Native youth they can achieve whatever they put their minds to and educates the non-Native community, helping to bring better understanding and bridging the gap between these two worlds.
For more information, follow Supaman on Facebook.
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Dine and Learn Tonight at Food Sovereignty
The "Dine and Learn" community event took place last week at the Mashkisibi Boys and Girls Club where participants learned to make pesto and salsa. The community is always welcome to come visit, help out a little and take home some fresh veggies!
The next community "Dine and Learn" is tonight at the Food Sovereignty Building (old Tribal School) from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Please feel free to join us. We will demonstrate the medicinal uses of Calendula as a tea, as an ointment for many common ailments. It's also a plant grown right at the Food Sovereignty Site.
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Happy Retirement to Julie Stone
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Birch Hill Community House Welcomes New Director
Boozhoo! My name is Lisa Fawn Whitebird. I'm 36 years old and was born an
d raised
here in Bad River. I have three beautiful children: Rayonah 16, Patience 12 and my baby son, Francis, 6. We have lived in New Odanah in the compound for more than 10 years. We love to camp, powwow and learn new things together as a family.
I'm excited to start this new journey working with our youth as the Birch Hill Community House Youth Coordinator. I plan on keeping some of the activities Joseph has already incorporated, and I have a lot of new ideas to bring with as well. I grew up on Birch Hill and know the challenges; it was hard, but I am so happy the youth now have a safe place at the Birch Hill Community House (BHCH).
Any and all ideas are welcome. Please stop by and visit! Miigwech!
You may reach Lisa at 715-292-1321.
Congratulations on your new position Lisa!
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Information Needed About American Can Land Parcels
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe is currently in the process of evaluating 110 parcels of land within the boundaries of the reservation that were formerly owned by the American Can Company, as shown on this map. These parcels are currently part of our Tribal land (as Tribal fee lands), and the goal is to put these parcels into trust status.
As part of the process, we are required to review the historical use of the parcels to determine if there are any potential environmental problems that were caused by the historical use of the properties.
This process will also identify suspect parcels that require a more thorough investigation and determine appropriate steps to address any potential concerns.
The Natural Resource Department requests that anyone with knowledge of the past historical use of these parcels please contact Naomi Tillison at 715-685-7840, extension 1561, or send Naomi an email to help with the property evaluations. Miigwech!
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Chequamegon Point Beach Clean-Up
Submitted by Lacey Hill Kastern, Certified Wildlife Biologist
The Bad River Wildlife Program wrapped up the piping plover monitoring efforts on Chequamegon Point on August 8th this summer. This is an annual effort to ensure the survival of this federally protected species.
Over the course of the season the Tribe's piping plover monitors, we noticed the piping plover chicks were having difficulties evading predators due to garbage and accumulating driftwood on the beaches. Driftwood on a beach is normal, but the storms in recent years have exacerbated the accumulation of these materials, creating difficult conditions for the piping plovers.
The program organized a beach clean-up day on the last day of the monitoring season with the Apostle Island National Lakeshore staff, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff, and staff from the Bad River Natural Resources Department. We spent the day removing the excessive amounts of driftwood, decking material, plastic materials, and litter from the nesting beaches. This day was a great success and we were able to get a lot accomplished.
Storms this winter will likely continue to alter the beaches leading up to the nesting season next May. Some years we are unable to get to the point before the piping plovers returned and nested. If given a window of opportunity, we will plan another trip to the beaches prior to the piping plovers return to ensure suitable nesting areas for the birds, which are listed as endangered in the Great Lakes Region.
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Housing Authority Donates to BRICK Ministries
The BRICK Ministries is thrilled to accept a donation from the Bad River Housing Authority (BRHA) to the Make A Difference Fund! For the second year in a row, BRHA has been one of several business seed donors to this matching fund.
The Make A Difference (MAD) Fund supports the Benevolence Program, which helps consumers catch up on overdue rent, utility bills and similar emergency financial needs, and also provides motel vouchers for the homeless.
Using MAD money, together with Salvation Army vouchers and grant funds, the Benevolence Program helped over 1,100 people in more than 470 households from Ashland and Bayfield Counties with over $75,000 in emergency financial aid in 2017 for critical needs. Over 35% of those served were children.
With the support of BRHA, MAD Funds help folks right here in our community and make a direct impact in people's lives. "Bad River Housing is dedicated to serve the people of the Bad River reservation and to provide safe and affordable housing to our Tribal Members. In addition, we are proud to work with local organizations such as The BRICK who also have a similar goal and mission to meet the needs of our area's low-income residents," said Robert Houle, Bad River Housing Authority Executive Director.
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Robert Houle, Bad River Housing Authority Exec. Dir., (center) presenting a donation to (L to R) The BRICK's Office Mgr. Cheyanne Reeves, Benevolence Mgr. Sam Ray, Pres. Bill Holzhaeuser, Treas. Jim Matzinger, and Exec. Dir. Liz Seefeldt
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The Make A Difference Fund is an ongoing, matching fund that is supported by seed money ($1,000 or more) donated by local businesses. The BRICK accepts MAD Fund donations from the community throughout the year, and its board and staff welcome pledges from local businesses to match those funds. The MAD Fund is an opportunity for the community and businesses to come together and double their donations to make sure that the least fortunate have access to emergency help from the Benevolence Program.
The BRICK's Board of Directors and staff wish to acknowledge the other businesses that have supported the Make A Difference Fund so far this year with seed money, including: Ashland Audiology, Memorial Medical Center, Northwoods Paving Company, and Ringenberg Financial Group.
The BRICK's leaders also wish to thank the many individuals, organizations, churches and businesses that have made contributions to the Make A Difference Fund each year to meet the matching challenge to double their donations. All these gifts combined ensure that The BRICK is able to meet the community need.
To double your gift, please write "MAD Fund" on your check's memo line and deposit directly to the Make A Difference Fund at Northern State Bank, or send to The BRICK, 420 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806. For more information, contact The BRICK's Executive Director Liz Seefeldt at 715-682-7425 or
send Liz an email.
The BRICK Ministries also serves the community with its emergency Food Shelf Program at its four pantries in Ashland, Cable, Cornucopia and Mellen. For more information on receiving assistance or volunteer opportunities, contact The BRICK at 715-682-7425,
send an email or visit
visit our website.
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Bad River Housing Expands Board and Seeks Volunteers
The Bad River Housing Authority Board recently welcomed new members.
The new Board includes two Council and five Tribal Members.
Foreground to back: Council Member Lisa Corbine, Daniel Wiggins, Suzette Rembert, Vice Chairman Mike Berlin, Mary Kaulity, Al Pero and Elizabeth Wabindato.
Congratulations and good luck!
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Head Start Begins New School Year
The Ricing Season is coming to an end, and now school has begun.
Bad River Head Start had it's first day of school on September 4th. It was exciting to see all of the new faces, and it was a beautiful reunion to greet our returning students.
We are so blessed by the parents who are sharing their children with us.
We look forward to a new and exciting school year.
Miigwech from your Head Start Staff!
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Wild Rice Harvest and Restoration Information
Wild Rice Harvest and Restoration:
- The wild rice harvest was opened for a portion of the Kakagon Sloughs on Monday, August 20th. Our Wild Rice Committee, consisting of seven Tribal Members, determines when and where to open the wild rice harvest in the sloughs. The current members of our Wild Rice Committee are: Myron Burns, Sr., Hilary (Junie) Butler, Dale Corbine, Charles (Chaz) Connors, Sr., Ken (Basher) Couture, Mike (Woody) Denomie and Megan Powless.
- The Bad River Natural Resources Department is buying back green rice from harvesters at $3.00 per pound. This rice is then reseeded by Department staff in areas where cattail management has occurred, and in other areas where wild rice may be sparse. Over the last 10 years, the amount of green rice purchased and reseeded ranged from 79 pounds in 2016 to 617 pounds in 2009. In 2017, we purchased and reseeded 511 pounds.
Public Comments are Wanted on the Tribe's Draft Water Quality Certification and Water Quality Review Code:
- In 2009, the Bad River Band received Treatment-in-a-manner-similar-to-A-State (TAS) authority from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Clean Water Act Sections 303(c) and 401 for a water quality standards program. The Bad River Tribe is the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 certification authority within the Reservation boundaries.
- The purpose of Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications is to ensure federal permits issued are in compliance with relevant water quality considerations, including the Tribe's Water Quality Standards and Tribal ordinances. The Tribe reviews permits proposed by Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, or other federal agencies and determines if additional conditions need to be included in a permit or if a certification needs to be denied to protect water resources.
- If the Tribe denies certification, the federal permit is not valid for the proposed activity. The first CWA Section 401 certification issued by the Tribe was at the beginning of 2011.
- The Tribe is proposing to adopt an ordinance describing the process for water quality certifications. This draft code is currently out for public comment and can be viewed by clicking here.
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Natural Resource Project Review Process
The Bad River Natural Resources Department (NRD) recently went to the Tribal Council for approval to begin implementing a new process that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of project reviews completed by NRD.
The goal of this new Project Review Process (PRP) is it to provide community members and other applicants within the Reservation a straight forward and efficient way to get feedback from NRD on their projects and to protect the natural resources on the Reservation.
Through the PRP, the NRD will provide insight and comments on how to reduce impacts to natural resources and identify any conditions or permits an applicant may need to move forward towards starting their project.
Once the application is received by NRD, staff will compile comments from each program on the proposed project. These comments will then be provided to the applicant so they can see if any additional steps are needed prior to starting the proposed work. If any additional steps are needed, the NRD review comments will clearly identify what these steps are and the NRD staff member contact.
Since the Bad River Tribal Council has supported the Project Review Process with a motion to allow the NRD to begin implementation at the August 1, 2018 regular Tribal Council meeting, the NRD has now started to require that all new projects start using the PRP. If you are planning a project, please begin your PRP form today.
Miigwech!
Please contact Florence Powless or Jessica Strand with any questions at 715-682-7123.
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Bad River Veterans Memorial Fundraiser
There has been an effort under way to develop a Bad River Veterans Memorial at the cemetery near the Veterans Pavilion.
Community members can help fund this effort by
buying a brick to be included in the paving of the memorial.
The idea for this for fundraiser began when the Repatriation Committee was on the grounds one day and thought something was lacking. They discussed doing something that would make it look better for the Veterans and the community, and eventually came up with the idea of installing black granite slabs to add each of the wars or conflicts Tribal Members have been involved in as way to honor them.
"One day I just Googled fundraising and the Buy-a-Brick campaign popped up," Edith Leoso said. "We had to go through a whole slew of things to determine what kind of bricks we wanted. Essentially, we are trying to raise money through the sale of these bricks and the buyer has the opportunity to put what they want on their brick, such as the name a family member who served or whatever the purchaser would like that is allowable according the text limits."
The goal is to raise enough money through this campaign to follow through with the developments to enhance the Veterans Pavilion area.
Click here to learn more.
"It becomes a community effort to make this happen," Edith shared. "It will become aesthetically pleasing for our Veterans and community members to come enjoy and reflect and will also be handicap accessible."
Initially they had an end date set for September 1st; however, Edith explained that they are leaving the end date open, so they can get more people involved in the fundraising effort.
Click here to buy a brick.
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Honoring Our Elders DVD Available
Two copies of "Honoring Our Elders," a DVD featuring interviews with beloved elders from Bad River, are available at the Bad River Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
Interviews include Viola Neveaum Mildred "Beanie" Lemieux and Flavia Neveaux, and were recorded in 2006.
Any interested family and friends who would like to view the DVD can visit the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
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Tribal Council Meetings
All Regular Tribal Council Meetings are held at
the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.
October 3, 2018
November 7, 2018
December 5, 2018
All Special Tribal Council Meetings are held at
the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.
September 18, 2018
October 16, 2018
November 20, 2018
December 18, 2018
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Youth Department Surcharge Begins October 1st
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Bad River Family Foundations Program
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Head Start Registration Information
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Vehicle Registration and Titling at Chief Blackbird Center
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Refer a Friend Internet Promotion
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Click on image for larger version
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Click on image for larger version
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Practice Your Ojibwemowin - Today!
Boozhoo Niijii!
Are you interested in practicing your Ojibwemowin?
Come join us for a variety of language learning opportunities at the Language Tables at Head Start, tonight, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Please bring a dish to share.
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Black Ash Basket Class - Today and Tomorrow
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Breastfeeding Counselor Training Begins September 17th
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Ma'iingan Conversation Circle - September 19th
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Plant Identification & Use Class - Begins September 21st
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Dog Vaccination Clinic - September 22nd
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Peer Specialist Training - Register by September 24th
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Black Ash & Birchbark Class - Begins September 29th
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Snapshot Wisconsin Training Event - October 4th
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Trapping Education Course - Begins October 10th
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Native Nations Nursing Summit - November 16th
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CEO - Bad River Business Development Corporation
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Share Your News
Share your good news with the community! The e-newsletter will be sent every other Wednesday.
Email us your information and story ideas, and please include your contact information so that we can follow up with you.
Please include a photo if possible.
Chi Miigwech!
Carri Chapman & Kim Swisher
Communications Team
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