Emilie Amundson, Secretary-Designee of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), and Danielle Melfi, her assistant, met with Bad River Tribal leaders and Social and Family Services staff on May 9th. Esie Leoso-Corbine, Social and Family Services Director, took time out of her busy schedule to talk about the recent meeting.

During her time at Bad River, Secretary-Designee Amundson asked Esie about the programs she oversees and was particularly interested in those involving children and the inclusion of Ojibwe culture and language.

"We have a close relationship with the State because they fund Family Service Program grants such as Indian Child Welfare, Independent Living and Childcare. Others are partially funded by the State. We are developing a Tribal parenting program that will partner with other programs because of the needs of different parents. Secretary Amundson liked this proposal, and she thought it sounded like a great plan," Esie shared.

Secretary-Designee Amundson also asked about the Independent Living Program, the Biizindaadedah Program, and a new Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) program the Tribe is working on. "She liked the innovative ideas we've come up with, and that we're working with the youth. She asked how they were doing. We created a prevention unit in the Abinoojiiyag Resource Center. All these programs relate because they involve parenting. We needed those services; they were long overdue."

Esie also discussed a new initiative. "As part of the Drug Task Force, I would like to add that we are developing a draft for a Tribal Action Plan (TAP). We need good ideas from the community. We're gathering ideas until August, and the finalized plan should be ready in September."

The Bad River AODA program along with Wisconsin Department of Health Services are working this summer to raise awareness of the prescription painkiller abuse crisis in Wisconsin, especially among those at highest risk - Native Americans ages 12-25.

Mike Berlin, Bad River Vice-Chairman and Barb Merrill, AODA, were out recently and held the community signs that are part of the billboard and media campaign to kick off the summer event season.

At the Health Fair on June 26th, free lock boxes will be available to safely store your medication. To learn more about prescription pill abuse, visit this website.

The Bad River Drug Task Force has been working on an organizational template to address the opioid crisis and drug epidemic for the Tribal Action Plan. The first draft of the Tribal Action Plan is almost complete but needs community input. The TAP will be presented for feedback at various meetings throughout the community.

A Bad River Community Tribal Action Plan meeting will be held on June 25th, and the draft will also be available at the Health Fair on June 26th. Watch for more information coming soon. Email comments or questions to the Task Force.

The current phase of the water tower replacement of the new Odanah-to-Diaperville water consolidation project is now taking place.

According to Philip, the project is expected to be completed in a month, weather permitting.

For more information, you may contact the Water/Wastewater Utility at (715) 685-7878.

By: Doug Erickson, UW Communications

The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the 12 Native Nations in Wisconsin met May 10th for a day of discussion about new and ongoing partnerships to improve health services, preserve the environment, develop local economies, strengthen families, and expand educational opportunities.

Among the announcements at the Native Nations and UW Leadership Summit: the university and the Tribes will collaboratively pursue the creation of a culturally responsive research center on indigenous issues, and UW-Madison will hire a Tribal relations liaison to identify opportunities and facilitate communication between UW-Madison and Tribal governments in Wisconsin on matters of shared interest. The position will jointly report to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations and the Division of Extension.

Photo Courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Madison

"It's wonderful to see the enthusiasm in this room - and back on campus - as we explore ways we can work more closely together," UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said.

The summit in Madison was the second such gathering for university officials and representatives from 12 Tribes. About 80 people attended. Read more.

Esie Leoso-Corbine, Social and Family Services Director, provides this update on the Star Quilt Project:

We appreciate your support and want to keep you updated on the Star Quilt Project 2019. Right now, the sewing room is bustling, and the sewers are sweating!

This year the target was 40 Star Quilts, and we will make that goal by next Wednesday. This project started eight years ago with the hopes that it would become a tradition. So far, volunteers have made a total of 285 star quilts!

This is truly a community project, with regular volunteers and donations. Miigwech for the work and generosity of the people.

There are a group of volunteers that come together every Sunday to share in food, stories and laughter. Many of the volunteers bring their own materials, and we also raise funds to purchase material and supplies. It takes approximately $180 of material and supplies to do a Star Quilt, and that is a conservative figure. Depending on the quality of material and supplies, it can get as high as $300 per quilt.

Miigwech everyone for your generous support and time! We will be tying the last of the Star Quilts this Sunday from Noon to 4:00 pm at the Community Center.

Tina Gerovac, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Registered Nurse (RN), has been the Public Health Nurse Case Manager for the Bad River Health and Wellness Center since the beginning of January.

Tina lives in the Ashland area with her fiancé and four children. She spent nearly nine years as an instructor for the nursing program at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Ashland. She is currently finishing her doctorate degree, and loves the outdoors, kayaking and biking.

Tina's program has been in development for three years, and the first two years mostly consisted of staff transitioning and policy development. Now fully prepared to provide services to the community, her program helps those with behavioral health or substance abuse issues who are looking to begin their journey to recovery.

Through community health surveys, the clinic staff identified that substance abuse and behavioral health diagnoses were underserved areas. With these issues come complex care plans, and that what Tina is here to help the community with.

Tina's case management responsibilities include support and coordination of services for individuals. She develops individualized care plans for patients, meaning each patient's care is based on their own specific needs, challenges and goals. Part of developing a care plan includes setting up different appointments, coordinating with medical providers, counselors, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA), Housing and Social Service programs.

Tina can also assist in transporting patients to appointments and referrals to other resources. She is available to meet with patients at the clinic, in their own home or within the community. You can meet Tina at the upcoming Health Fair on June 26th.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with Tina, you may contact her at (715) 292-9666 or by email.

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Lacrosse Mondays at 4:30 pm Community Center	MOVE Project - Ladies Workout Tuesdays at 4:30 pm Community Center A weekly workout class open to women, girls, ladies and moms of all ages. Join us for a 45 to 60 minute workout, all equipment provided, just bring gym shoes/clothes and water.
Language Table 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm  at Head Start	Picnic in the Park Play Group Thursdays from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Head Start

Visit these sites for current employment opportunities:

Bad River Lodge and Casino

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College

Job Center of Wisconsin

Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program (CEP)

2020 Census Jobs