News from the Mashkiiziibii Community

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Mashkiiziibii News

July 18, 2018


	Ojibwe Artist Nokomis - Women Harvesting Summer Berries

There are many good things happening in our community and we hope everyone can get out to take part in some of the events.

The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) event started on Tuesday and will continue until Thursday, July 19th. Activities are being held at the Casino Convention Center daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

The Annual Manoomin Celebration is coming up next month, and Powwow Committee meetings are held every Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Casino Convention Center. Everyone is welcome to join the meetings !

Please scroll down for more news and upcoming events in Mashkiiziibii.

Tribal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Open for Comment


	BIA Image - Courtesy of WPR.org

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (PDMP) is currently available for Tribal Members to review and submit their comments. These comments will help planners determine if any changes need to be made.

"We currently have posted an opportunity to get public input on our Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded project to develop this PDMP," said Naomi Tillison, Director of Natural Resources. "One part is to evaluate the natural hazards and the potential impact on the reservation's resources."

The goal is to come up with actions the Tribe can take to help mitigate those impacts, such as installing larger culverts at certain crossings to minimize flooding, or taking action to reduce wildfire potential by reducing the amount of fuel in certain areas.

"We've been working with a team across the Tribal organization to develop this plan, and we're really excited that we're almost done," Naomi said. "Hopefully we can get some public input on the plan to see if they like the actions we came up with or if they agree with the way we ranked the hazards."

Public comments will be taken until Thursday, July 26th. Informational reading materials are available at the Chief Blackbird Center or from the offices of the Bad River Natural Resources Department. Written comments may be sent via email or by mail to Naomi Tillison:

Bad River Natural Resources Department

P.O. Box 39

Odanah, WI 54861

There will also be a community meeting on Wednesday, July 25th at 5:30 pm at the Bad River Housing Authority to receive public input on this plan.

Click to View Mitigation Actions

Click to View Risk Assessment for Public Comment

Lake Superior Days - a Fun and Educational Event

The annual Lake Superior Days gathering was held at Joe Rose's place on the shore of Lake Superior last Friday. The warm day invited attendees to enjoy the cooling waters of the lake and to learn how the Mashkiiziibii community continues to be heritage keepers and water protectors.

"The significance of this event is to recognize Lake Superior," said Edith Leoso, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. "The event runs in conjunction with Bay Days in Ashland, but this is a multi-state event that recognizes Lake Superior and water resources. The entire Natural Resources Department has the opportunity to showcase their particular areas. That's what we're doing here today too."

Attendees were able to view the many displays and a colossal map showcasing the Lake Superior watershed. Everyone enjoyed a community lunch, the opportunity to swim and gather to share stories.

"The Tribal Historic Preservation Office worked with the Nelson Institute and UW-Madison to create this map. Jessie Conway actually did her master's thesis on the waterways of this area," Edith said. "The map was a product of one of the things she did to gain awareness of our proximity to the lake, and how everything affects us. This is a huge map of the watershed, and the watershed drains into the Bad River Reservation. We are interested in everything that goes on around us, within our Reservation, and how it affects the water."

The map wasn't just to be looked at - it was an interactive experience for the attendees, who noted the places they've been to by writing on the map.

"People wrote on the map to show something significant they did at the place they noted," Edith said. "It shows the number of people who have been a part of this area - whether they are visiting or residents of our area - and gains awareness to our relationship to Lake Superior - Gitcheegumi."

At one of the booths, April Stone, a Bad River Tribal Member, demonstrated her skill in basket making, which she has practiced for almost 20 years.

"I've been sharing my knowledge with anybody who has an interest - youth groups, after school programs, Tribes, at-risk groups. It's a lot of hard work. We have to go into the swamps, harvest live trees and pound out our material. Strips are hand-removed from Black Ash logs."

April shared her concern that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) are eliminating this natural resource.

"The Emerald Ash Borer isn't up here yet, but it's only a matter of time because the state is now quarantined for EAB," April said.

April showed how strips are removed from the logs and how the strips eventually become materials for baskets. She is self-taught, and began in 1998 by watching and learning about baskets. Today, her handmade baskets are true works of art.

More photos of the 2018 Lake Superior Days gathering may be viewed on the Tribe's Facebook page.

View firewood rules to stop the spread of EAB.

Summer Youth Programs Are Educational and Inspiring

The youth in our community are keeping busy and learning new skills this summer. There are three summer youth programs running this year: one funded primarily by the Tribe, one by Bad River Outdoors and one by the Tribal Natural Resources Department's other funding sources.

"Right now we have around 55 youth involved in these programs," Mitch Crowe, Jr., Director of Youth Services, said. "They have been out harvesting berries with Food Sovereignty, doing different jobs around the community, going out to the beaches to make sure things are maintained and cleaned up."

Mitch explained that there is an educational component to the programs. It is more than just youth out in the field working and getting blisters on their hands.

"We want the youth to learn something and take away some value to what they're doing. We want them connecting things back to culture such as harvesting, visiting our sacred sites, spending time at the sloughs, going to Waverly," Mitch said. "Getting ourselves back to the woods and the water in a healthy and safe way."

The facilitators hope that their programs will inspire participants to consider career options in those particular fields when they get older.

"We want to make this area 'sticky' is a term I've heard being used," Mitch said. "Meaning that we want our people to stay here, to see all the cool things we have here within our reservations boundaries and the Ceded Territory. We want them to be here at home, working for the Tribe or even just advocating for us. Our strength is in our membership."

Mitch would like to send a "Chi miigwech!" out to Lori Lemieux , the DNR Crew Leader, to Nate Ante with Healthy Lifestyles and to Wendy Corbine, Bad River Youth Outdoors. Also, miigwech to the Summer Feeding Program which has been extremely helpful in making sure that students have lunches, even if they are away from the community, as well as to everyone else in the community who is helping to encourage and support the youth.

For more information on the Youth Services, please contact Mitch Crowe, Jr., at 715-553-0884 or send him an email.

Youth Hold Fundraiser for Trip to Minneapolis

Several youth who play traditional lacrosse with the Birch Hill Community House held a pancake fundraiser at the Chief Blackbird Center last week. The group made pancakes and bacon, and had a few raffle drawings at the event.

"We're having this fundraiser to help us bring some kids to play lacrosse over at Twin Cities Native Lacrosse in Minneapolis," Noah Connors said.

For some of the kids, including Noah, this will be their first time visiting the Twin Cities area and they are very excited. The funds raised will help them with food and lodging costs, although kids will need to bring their own spending money if they plan to buy any souvenirs.

"I think we are also going to try to visit the Mall of America while we're there," Noah said. "I heard it's a really big place, so I'm excited to see it."

The youth going on the trip have spent time playing traditional and modern lacrosse, and they look forward to playing with kids from other areas.

Noah shared that he and the other youth were very grateful for the community support with their fundraiser and felt it was a successful event.

Bad River Housing Authority Expands Board

The Bad River Housing Authority Board recently updated their Bylaws, and the suggested revisions were passed on June 12, 2018.

"The current Housing Authority Board consists of Tribal Council Members. The Board felt that it would better serve the Housing Authority and the community to have a Board that includes two current Council Members and five members who are Tribal Members and reside in the area to represent the community at large," Robert Houle, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, said.

"We now have a new set of Bylaws for the administration of the Tribal Housing Authority and under the federal government's HUD funding. We are soliciting to the Tribal Member community for the newly opened seats on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners," Robert continued.

The position is voluntary. The Housing Authority Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm at the Housing Authority. Meetings usually last two to three hours. A stipend is paid for Board Members who attend the meetings.

Board positions are staggered, and initial appointments are one, two and three-year commitments. Thereafter, appointments are for three-year terms. Training will be provided.

The Board is primarily responsible for policies and procedures of the Housing Authority and reviews housing applications and determines approvals. It is also responsible for making recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding the budget. The day to day responsibilities of the Housing Authority Board resides with the Executive Director.

"We have more than 170 housing units in the community. When a home becomes available, we bring applications to the Board for their review and the Board makes the determination," Robert explained.

"The new Franks Field II subdivision just west of our offices is a project that we hope to move forward with soon. We are exploring renewable energy options to continue our commitment to the land and lower our utility costs," Robert continued.

"Income is a variable, but there are other variables as well. Our goal is to provide low income, safe and affordable housing for the people in our community, starting with our Elders. We are also exploring options for the homeless. We encourage everyone and anyone seeking housing to apply."

For more information on the newly opened seats with the Housing Authority Board or information on housing options, please view the Housing Authority's website or call 715-292-8847.

Bad River Manoomin Celebration T-Shirts on Sale Now

Bad River Manoomin Celebration T-shirts are on sale now! These beautiful T-shirts are available at the Community Center for $20 each. Please email Nate Ante or call 715-292-3191 for information on sizes and ordering.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Summer Feeding Happening Now

Free meals are available for children from birth to 18 years of age at these locations:

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:30 am at the Community Center in Odanah.

Lunch will be served from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Community Center and at the Birch Hill Community House.

Snacks will be served from 2:30 to 3:00 pm at the Mashkiiziibii Boys & Girls Club and at the Community House.

Summer School Transportation

Summer School students who live in the Bad River area are eligible to take advantage of free transportation provided by Bad River Transportation, available July 9th - 20th.

Pickup is at 7:30 am at the Community Center. The bus will leave LSE 11:50 am and go to the Moccasin Trail Bus Stop. Students may then take the 1:05 pm bus to Birch Hill, and students living in New Odanah will be dropped off at home.

Students will be able to take advantage of the lunch program in Odanah. If you have additional questions about the route or times, please contact Lloyd Hartwell at 715-685-9461, ext 1315.

Tribal Council Meetings

All Regular Tribal Council Meetings are held at

the Bad River Convention Center at 4:30 pm.

August 1, 2018

September 5, 2018

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.

July 17, 2018

August 21, 2018

September 18, 2018

October 16, 2018

November 20, 2018

December 18, 2018

Bad River Family Foundations

Head Start Registration Information

Tribal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Accepting Comments

Tribal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Meeting - July 25th

Vehicle Registration and Titling

Powwow Committee Meeting - Every Thursday

Refer a Friend Internet Promotion

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Practice Your Ojibwemowin

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 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the following evenings -