Belated, Sincere Wishes to: July 1 Rita Cadotte Jeanne Holliday July 2 Mitch Soulier July 5 Myron Burns, Jr. Mike Houle Dennis Soulier July 8 Darlene Kupsco Sue Houle July 9 Bea Moore-Reas July 10 Ethel Plucinski July 11 Mike Plucinski July 14 Rick Lucero July 15 Deb Tutor Bill Roundwind July 16 Donna Salawater

Mino-dibishkaan to: July 19 Siaki Leoso Catherine Berogan Ruby Sanatana July 20 Joann Woodhull July 22 Bernard Stone Walter Soulier July 23 Donna Lynk July 24 Frank Connors July 26 Cathy Jackson Myron Burns, Sr. July 30 Dale Stone Alan Pero

The Healing Circle Run/Walk passed through our community yesterday. A Prayer Ceremony was held in the morning, and everyone enjoyed a feast last night.

The eight-day run will end on Saturday, July 20th, in Lac Courte Oreilles, and is approximately 790 miles.

Learn more about the long history and the dedication that began the Healing Circle Run/Walk here.

View GLIFWC's Every Step: A Healing Circle video here.

In the spring, the community voted on the new design for the water tower.

As you've probably noticed, the makeover is happening - and it's beautiful!

The artwork was originally done by Matt O'Claire.

The spelling of Mashkiiziibii has been updated to Mashkiiziibiing. This spelling will also be implemented at the new Immersion School and in future community signage.

By: Bizhikiins Jennings

Indian Country today is never void of professionals and entrepreneurs. Hard work and perseverance are key components to success in the eyes of both Len Steltz and Dawn Staples. Both are living in Superior, Wisconsin, and providing great service to their communities while representing their Tribal Nations in a positive manner.

Len is a Bad River Tribal Member who owns and operates Len's Auto Body and Auto Sales. He is a Vietnam Veteran, and attended UW-Superior in the late 1990's through a Small Business Administration program. He muscled through school to acquire the framework needed to operate his own shop, and took out a loan to secure his first location in 1999.

His once humble business with one staff member has grown tremendously over the years, and Len now employs multiple people - half of whom are Tribal Members from various communities.

Len regularly gives back to the community and volunteers many hours with the local high school rebuilding and restoring old cars with the Spartan Hot Rod Club. Participating high school seniors complete a final project at Len's garage, and learn valuable skills including upholstery, glass replacement, engine dressing and exterior painting.

Len loves to work with youth, and has offered employment opportunities and job training to many adolescents throughout the years. However, he acknowledges that getting youth motivated these days can be extremely challenging. "It takes good parenting and a strong community. For all of you kids, you should have a good work ethic and good attitude, and you will go far."

Len also spoke of the importance of having respect and listening to the Elders and knowledge holders in the community.

Today, Len's Auto uses special machinery and computerized systems to offer a wide array of services. There are many fields and specialties in the automotive business, and Len reminds visitors that they are always looking for new team members and members of younger generations to learn these skills and trades.

Just two miles down the road at Superior Savings Bank, Dawn Staples, a St. Croix Tribal Member with family from Bad River, serves as the branch president.

Dawn began her path in 1984 at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior, in the Account Clerk program. In 1985, she applied to be a teller at Superior Savings Bank and quickly worked her way to the top.

Dawn recalls, "Every couple of years the job changed, and it was important for me to stay up to date with the times and changing technology." As banking changed over the last 15 years, it has also become more heavily regulated.

Today, as the Branch President, Dawn oversees administrative functions including reviewing daily reports, personnel management, the budget, and day-to-day operations.

Dawn's message to young people is, "You simply have to want to better yourself and things can be set in motion. Work ethics have diminished over the years from what I've seen, and we need to get our youth motivated to achieve."

Dawn also reiterated that Superior Savings Bank is always looking for hard working and motivated staff to enter the world of banking and finance.

Visit Len's Auto Body website for more information.

Visit the Superior Savings Bank website for more information.

Bad River Housing welcomed Arthur Schenk, the new Assistant Director, last month. Arthur is an Enrolled Member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, and lives in Wakefield, Michigan.

Arthur said, "I am very happy to be working here helping provide safe, sanitary, affordable housing."

He previously worked as the Tribal Planner and wanted to come back to Bad River because he liked the community. He has been in the area since 1991, and has devoted 31 years of his professional life to working for Tribes because he enjoys the challenges.

Arthur has a Bachelor of Arts in Non-Profit Management, and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. He has previous experience as federal employee with the Internal Revenue Service, both as a Compliance Officer and as a Regulatory Agent at Lac Vieux Desert, working with office administration on Tribal, state and federal levels.

Arthur is in the process of learning the ropes and about upcoming projects. He is a key assistant to the Executive Director, responsible for planning and operational functions regarding the Indian Housing Plan, including grant and policy writing, property management, reports and supervising the Housing staff.

Welcome Arthur!

The Bad River Natural Resources Department welcomed Gena Abramson, a Natural Resources Forest Specialist, on June 3rd. Gena's position was previously listed as a Forest Technician, and now she will also have management responsibilities.

Gena worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for three years, and recently graduated from Northland College with a Bachelors in Natural Resources, with an emphasis on ecological restoration and forestry. She is also a graduate of Gogebic Community College's Forestry program.

"I'm very excited about gathering foods and medicines, and taking advantage of the historical culture in the forest. I have realized there are so many opportunities in forestry, and I hope to be able to help Tribal Members explore that same path," Gena said.

Gena has four adult children, and lives in Kimball with two of them. She enjoys snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and in the summer running and participating in races. Her family has acreage with chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs. She is an avid reader, and is reading author Louise Erdrich right now.

Gena shares that it's a blessing to be given this position, and welcomes anyone with questions about the forest to contact her. She is also seeking suggestions for forestry ojibwemowin and ways she can help. Gena may be reached via email or at 715-628-7133, extension 1563.

Welcome Gena!

From Left: Tina Nault, Tammy Gregory (Program Supervisor) and Corrin Kangas

The Family Foundation programs welcomed Tina Nault on July 1st as their Family Support Specialist. Tina lives in Bad River, has four children, and has been in the community for the last five years. She holds an Associate Degree in Business, has a Tribal Foster Care License, owned and operated her own daycare, and was an assistant child-care teacher. "I am excited to be helping families, moms and kids. I have always worked with kids and high-risk families. I know the parts that moms struggle with, and have been a supportive person."

Tina is very family-orientated, loves doing things with her family, and shares that she loves to help people.

Corrin Kangas joined Family Foundations as a Family Resource Specialist in November 2018. Corrin lives in Ashland, grew up in Iron County with family in Odanah, has five children, and is an artist in photography and painting. Corrin was previously a caregiver, and feels that she was led to this position because she identifies with the families she works with.

"Being able to provide support, set goals, achieve them, and support growth and change are my goals."

Corrin shared her love for her position, and shared that the ability to be creative and meet the needs of families are important to her. She is trained and certified as a Recovery Coach, has a background in parent peer support, and offers a nonjudgmental approach. "After you have a baby, it is a very sensitive time where support is most needed," Corrin said.

"We're available and resourceful. We're also here to just listen," Tina added.

Family Foundations is a free and voluntary program that provides support to parents, caregivers and their children. The program serves families with prenatal to school-aged children, and works to create consistency and build strong, trusting relationships.

The program offers incentives to families, providing nesting supplies including diapers, wipes, personal toiletries and funds for necessities such as breast pumps. Flex funds are also available for families in crisis.

As a program requirement, enrollment is time sensitive and families need to register before their child is three months old. There are 14 families participating in the program now, and there is room for more. Activities include attending program events, such as the quarterly baby shower, and scheduled staff interaction including biweekly appointments.

The program also offers a Community Resource Guide, health screenings for the entire family, and resources based screening results. Educational programming includes track and growth development and stronger connection development. The first five years of a child's life are important, and Corrin and Tina are eager to help.

Corrin and Tina are following the  Healthy Families America program model, and they are using the Prevent Child Abuse America program, which focuses on an infant mental health approach. Empathetic parenting is a core value of the program, as is strength-based support, building up families' abilities to support themselves, and fostering increased confidence and independent parenting skills.

For more information, contact Corrin and Tina at the Health and Wellness Center at 715-682-7133, extension 4352.

Welcome Corrin and Tina!

The new year began with the Health and Wellness Center opening a new Fitness Room at the Moccasin Trails Complex. Fred Pero, the Healthy Lifestyles Youth Coordinator, was influential bringing renovations to the facility.

"We needed access and better equipment for the community, and we're seeing more people workout now," Fred shared.

Since January, new machines including two bikes, an elliptical and two treadmills, as well as free weights, bench presses and aerobic equipment, are accessible for all community members. Inspiring wall decals provided by Idea Design Studio in Iron River, coupled with fresh paint and new music options, add the right atmosphere to a long-awaited upgrade.

Many collaborators worked with Healthy Lifestyles to make the upgrades possible, including Tribal Maintenance, Surveillance, the Tribal Council, Pam Sanborn, Lucy Koivisto, and the Health and Wellness Center staff members.

"Someday we'd like to expand the facility, depending on the turnout and opportunities, and we would definitely like to shoot for our own facility," Fred said.

The Fitness Room is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, seven days a week. Key cards are $10 for one year, and may be purchased from Fred, who is available to provide tours of the Fitness Room and assist where needed.

For more information, call Fred at 715-682-7133, extension 4357.

There's nothing with more impact than connecting classroom instruction with real-world learning opportunities. During his 24 years in the U.S. Senate, Herb Kohl welcomed Wisconsin students to Washington, D.C.,  and witnessed their curiosity and commitment to learning about our nation's capital, the center of American government and history.

Today, Herb Kohl Philanthropies is committed to supporting organizations that provide access to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience and learn about our civics and democracy through the power of travel with a front-row seat.

Herb Kohl Philanthropies funds Learning Journeys, run by separate sponsoring organizations that give youth the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., and gain the invaluable experience of travel, personal responsibility and leadership development. Students learn information that can be applied in the classroom and skills that help them develop individually.

Learning Journeys are customized experiences designed to fit the age and schedule of interested participants. Three intervals throughout the year - fall, spring and summer - are available for groups to select for their trip. All costs related to travel, lodging, trip materials, meals, snacks and exhibits, including chaperones, are covered for the duration of the trip under the Learning Journey experience.

The Mashkisibi Boys & Girls Club will be able to bring six youth on this amazing trip August 18-23, 2019! 

2018 Trip to Washington, D.C.

Youth and chaperones will depart the Boys & Girls Club at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 18th, and will return by 8:00 pm on Friday, August 23rd.

During this trip youth will be going to: the Arlington National Cemetery, Marine Corps War Memorial, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR and MLK Memorials, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veteran and Korean War Veteran Memorials.

Youth will have the opportunity to take photos of the White House, and enjoy a Supreme Court lecture and tour, photo stop at Library of Congress, United States Capitol Building, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Water Taxi to Alexandria, a Walking Ghost & Graveyard Tour of Alexandria, a Walking Tour of George Washington University, and visits to the Pentagon Memorial, National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian.

In order to participate on this trip, youth applicants must apply by Friday, July 19th and meet these qualifications:

• Have completed 6th grade through 11th grade at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
• Have a current Mashkisibi Boys & Girls Club membership on file.
• Be an active, regular participant at the Mashkisibi Boys & Girls Club, and be respectful to other Club members, staff and facilities.
• Have consistent school attendance.
• No behavior reports from school or the Club.
• Submit a two-page, double-spaced essay on why they should be able to go and how they will benefit from the trip. A copy of their last report card should be attached. This is due to the Mashkisibi Boys & Girls Club by July 19th. 

The top six youth participants will be chosen by July 31, 2019.

 

View the Brochure

Click on an image to view a larger version

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

Complete bid information can be obtained by contacting:
Arthur Schenk, Assistant Director
assistexecdir@badriver.nsn.gov
715-682-2271, ext 1677