The community fire, which was ignited to address the rising number of drug overdoses on the Menominee Reservation officially came to a close with some appropriate ceremonies on the morning of December 10.

The night before a candlelight vigil march was organized from the College of Menominee Nation all the way to the site of the fire in Veterans Park in remembrance of those who were lost to drugs and alcohol.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Menominee Chefs participate in Tribal Nations Summit at White House

Two Menominee culinary creationists had a chance to share some Indigenous food items with some Washington D.C. VIPs.

From December 4 through December 8, Menominee chefs, Francisco Alegria and Leah Husby were among Menominee representatives participating in the Biden Administrations Third Annual White House Tribal Nations Summit.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Mill updates provided at Annual Business Meeting

On Saturday, December 9, the Menominee Tribal Enterprises Board of Directors, along with MTE President, Michael Skenadore, met with a handful of tribal members at the MTE Manufacturing Office Complex at the lumber mill in Neopit for the Annual Business meeting.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

General Welfare Assistance Payment 2023 Update

Portal now open

The Menominee Indian Tribe has authorized a $100 (one hundred) General Welfare Assistance payment to all enrolled Menominee Tribal members as of November 16, 2023. This payment will be made in the form of a check for those 18 years and older as of November 16th, while minors under the age of 18 will have their funds deposited into trust accounts.

To receive the assistance, all enrolled tribal members, will need to apply through the members portal on the Tribe’s official website at www.menominee-nsn.gov which is now open.

MINORS:

Parents or guardians of minors must fill out a form on the portal for their minors.

INMATES:

Forms will be provided for tribal members who are incarcerated at the Menominee Tribal Jail. All other inmates will need to call Member Services and request a form be mailed to them if they do not have access to the portal. The form must then be mailed back to the Member Services Department.

Please note that this payment is not automatic and requires the form to be filled out. Use of the portal is highly encouraged.

For those without computer access, printed forms will be available and collected at the following locations:

• Menominee Tribal Office Switchboard
• Members Services Department in the Gordon Dickie (FIC) Building in Keshena

Forms are also available for download here or on the Tribal Website, News and Announcements section.

Tribal members living off reservation/out of state, who cannot download to the form, access the portal or pick up a form, may call Member Services to request a form be mailed to them. The form must then be mailed back to the Member Services Department.

The deadline to apply for assistance is June 14, 2024. 

Checks will be mailed to the address on file at the Member Services Department. All applications received by 3:30pm on Wednesday’s, will be mailed on Thursday’s. Applications received after that time, will be processed the following week. Please note THERE IS NO PICK-UP OPTION, so please make sure your address is up to date with Member Services.

Please allow 5-10 business days for your check to be delivered. Any returned checks will be posted on the MITW website, Menominee Nation News Facebook page and the MITW app. Those individuals will be able to either have their check sent to an updated address or pick up at finance with a valid ID or POA paperwork. If picking up check AFTER RETURNED, please stop at member services to verify identity and enrollment. 

For more information contact Member Services at (715) 799-5121.

Notice: This Program is designed to comply with Section 139E of the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act, which excludes general welfare benefits provided to tribal members from being considered gross income by the IRS. Although the Tribe intends the most favorable income tax treatment available under federal laws, the Tribe will not provide or pay for professional assistance to complete tax returns, or pay for professional assistance if benefit recipients are audited or reviewed by federal or state taxing authorities. The Tribe will not be responsible for, or pay, any tax penalties or interest incurred by benefit recipients in connection with their receipt of Tribal benefits. It is the responsibility of each recipient of Tribal benefits to consult with his or her own tax advisor regarding the taxability or reporting obligations they have.

Heating Assistance to be provided to Tribal Elders

Heating assistance in the amount of $391.28 will be provided to Menominee tribal elders on and off reservation, age 65 and older as of November 2, 2023, per motion made by the Menominee Tribal Legislature.

The assistance is being provided through the American Recovery Act funding the Tribe received, therefore it is required that an application be completed.

Paper applications were mailed to all eligible elders last week. Applications are also available for download here or on the Tribal website at www.menominee-nsn.gov. Once complete, applications must be returned to The Department of Administration, P.O. Box 910, Keshena, WI 54135 or dropped off at their office located in the Tribal Office Building in Keshena for processing. Checks will be processed as applications are received.

In some cases, more than one enrolled elder may live in the same home. In those instances, only one payment per household will be made and the benefit cannot be transferred. Those who currently live in an assisted facility center do not qualify.

In January 2024, a list will be published on the MITW website and in the Menominee Nation News of elders that were not reached. Prior to this publication elders may contact Member Services directly at [email protected] or call 715-799-5121 or 715-799-5142 with your updated information.

If you have any questions on this process, please contact the Department of Administration at 715-799-5154.

Tribe plans events to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Restoration

This year the Tribe will observe the 50th anniversary of the Restoration Act that was signed by President Richard M. Nixon on December 22, 1973.

The signing of the Act returned federally recognized sovereignty to the Menominee Tribe and restored Tribal supervision over property and membership, as well as federal services granted to American Indian Tribes.

The Act officially repealed the Termination Act of 1954 and called for the creation of the Menominee Restoration Committee responsible for drafting a tribal constitution and serve as interim authority until an officially elected tribal government was put in place.

The Menominee Restoration Committee, headed by Ada Deer, was given responsibility of administering the affairs of the Tribe in April, 1975.

To honor the efforts of Deer and others who spearheaded the effort to rescind Termination and institute Restoration, Menominee Tribal leaders have planned a series of community events to mark the historical day.

The remaining events for December include:

A pow wow and feast will be held at Omaeqnomenewak Wetohkatikamek on December 21. The day will begin with a feast from 1pm-3pm and will include speakers and a presentation. The powwow will follow from 4pm-6pm.

Student winners of the essay contest will be announced at the pow wow.

MTE President testifies before National Subcommittee on expanding tribal forest management opportunities

In early December, Menominee Tribal Enterprises President, Michael Skenadore, participated in a hearing in Washington, D.C. with federal authorities regarding legislation that includes Indian Tribes being able to share in timber revenue from joint projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Latest Kemāmaceqtaq project has artists using trees to put their stamp on walking area

Recently, the first run of the UW-Extension program Kemāmaceqtaq: We’re All Moving (September 2018 - September 2023) came to a close with the painting of a mural on a retaining wall by the Keshena post office and also the addition of several signs along the circular Wolf River and Courthouse Lane roads describing various trees in the area that can be seen by walkers.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

New 13 moons program

Recently the College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute (CMN SDI) in conjunction with the Sovereign Equity Fund received a Cultural Foodways grant to do food workshops which will be called “13 Moons” during the next year that correspond to common traditional foods that are in season.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Reiter promoted to sergeant for Wisconsin State Patrol

A Menominee law enforcement officer who has been helping to keep Wisconsin’s highways safe was recently promoted for his commitment to duty.

On Monday, October 9, Wisconsin State Trooper, Brent Reiter, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

CEW gets a new look

On December 7, the latest Community Engagement Workshop (CEW) was held in the Five Clans Ballroom at Menominee Casino Resort, and as it was tied in with the tribe’s recently announced 2023 Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (MITW) Strategic Plan it has a new look about it.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Vets Park Christmas wreath lit up

On December 7, the Veterans Christmas Wreath was lit at the Veterans Park pavilion in downtown Keshena.

The event was attended by veterans and third grade students from the Menominee Tribal School.

MTPD educates MTS students on dangers of drug problem in Menominee community

In the continuing effort to battle the scourge of dangerous drugs in the Menominee community, members of the Menominee Tribal Police Department engaged middle school students at the Menominee Tribal School.

MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN

MENOMINEE TRIBAL ELECTION COMMISSION

PO BOX 562

KESHENA, WI 54135

715-799-3446

November 2023

Posoh Menominee Tribal Member:

The 2024 Main Election will be held :

At the Neopit Precinct on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 from 9:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

At the Menominee Convention Center on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 from 9:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

The "ON RESERVATION" Candidates on the ballot are:

Joey Awonohopay Sr

Randal Chevalier

Joan Delabreau

Rachel Fernandez

The "OFF RESERVATION" Candidates are:

Michael Fish Jr

Due to the resignation of a tribal legislator in 2022, the 4th highest Candidate will fill the vacancy for the remaining 1 year term.

Respectfully,

Sarah Miller,

Election Commission Chairperson

Note: For eligible members wanting an absentee ballot, the deadline to request an absentee

ballot is on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 4 P.M.

MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN

MENOMINEE TRIBAL ELECTION COMMISSION

PO BOX 562

KESHENA, WI 54135

715-799-3446

Notice of Write-In Candidacy

2024 Legislature Main Election

Write- In Candidacy Begins at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, November 20, 2023 and ends at 4:00 P.M. on January 5, 2024.

Menominee tribal members seeking to become a Write-In Candidate for the Menominee Tribal Legislature must provide the Menominee Tribal Election Commission with a signed written notice of his/her intention to run as a Write-In Candidate.

Notices maybe submitted in- person to the Election Commission Office, located at

W3293 Wolf River Dr. in Keshena, WI 54135. Rm 136,

Office Phone # 715-799-3446

Email to [email protected]

Mail letter to P.O. Box 562, Keshena, WI 54135

To be eligible as a write-in candidate, you must be enrolled in the Menominee Indian Tribe and you must be at least 25 years of age as of the date on which the election is held. No member shall be eligible to be a write-in candidate for the Menominee Tribal Legislature who has been convicted of a major crime as

defined in the Bylaw V of the Constitution and Bylaws, unless the Tribal Judiciary, in accordance with such rules as it may establish, certifies that a tribal member in question is rehabilitated. Such certificate of rehabilitation shall be based upon the tribal member's record of behavior since the conviction.

MTC Updates

Pharmacy

• The MTC Pharmacy IVR (automated refill line) system is working and has been assigned to a new phone number. Please call us at 715-994-7005 for automated refills or to speak with a member of staff. We appreciate your patience during the transition.

Holiday hours

• Friday, December 22, 2023 – CLINIC WILL BE OPEN 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
• Monday, December 25, 2023 – Clinic will BE CLOSED observing Christmas Eve
• Tuesday, December 26, 2023 – Clinic will BE CLOSED observing Christmas Day

Please plan ahead if needing refills

Fall elders exercise class come to an end

The fall run of the Elders Exercise program, at the Omāēqnomenēwak Wētōhkatikamek Family Center, has come to an end. The program, which is organized by the Menominee Tribal Clinic Diabetes Prevention program, offers valuable opportunities for our elders to stay active and healthy.

CMN rings in spring semester with Holiday Open House

On December 13, the College of Menominee Nation hosted a holiday-themed open house for the spring semester where students were able to register for classes and order textbooks.

To incorporate the holiday spirit, various activities were held in the Christmas-decked atrium between Shirley Daly Hall and Glenn Miller Hall. Attendees were able to enjoy coloring Christmas-themed pictures, decorating Christmas cookies with sprinkles and frosting, and indulging in hot cocoa and popcorn.

Komanekin wins third pro bout in front of Menominee fans

On Saturday, December 7, Jason Komanekin Jr. was part of the Menominee Casino Resort and International Boxing Promotions Rise Up event at the MCR where he won a four round bout by unanimous decision against Davonzell Patterson in the 135-pound weight class.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Menominee softball player set to play at collegiate level

On Thursday, December 14, 17-year-old Menominee Indian High School senior, Danika Wynos, signed a letter of intent to play softball for the Dakota County Technical College, a two-year technical college located in Rosemount, Minnesota, just south of St. Paul.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

4-H means 4 the holidays as Nicianak holds Christmas party

On the evening of December 14, Menominee County/Reservation 4H group Nicianak held a Christmas Party for members and other community youths and their families at the Cultural Building on the Keshena College of Menominee Nation campus.

Read more in the December 18, 2023 issue of Menominee Nation News.

Episode 9: How to Talk About Fentanyl

Discussing how people can talk about Fentanyl and Opioids with children (of different ages), those currently using and those in recovery; providing some concrete examples and language.

Guest: MAT Program Case Manager, Davey Boyd

Click here to listen to Episode 9.

Click here to find previous episodes.

You can also find the podcast on Spotify or Apple podcast.

Nixle - Emergency Notifications

Employees, Residents and Business Owners

Menominee County and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin utilize the Nixle service to provide emergency notifications and community advisories.

All alerts are targeted geographically, allowing individuals to receive localized, relevant alerts from Menominee Public Safety agencies (Police, Fire, EMS, and Public Health).

Messages may include any information that is considered essential for the safety of the community, such as law enforcement activity as well as other relevant safety and community information. Weather warnings from the National Weather Service will also be rebroadcast.

PRIVACY: Your contact information remains private and will only be used for critical communications.

JOIN THE NIXLE DATABASE: If you reside or own property, business owner or an employee within the County/Reservation you are urged to sign up for Nixle emergency messages. We also ask you to let neighbors, friends, and family know and encourage them to register.

Click on the link below to register now or update information:

Nixle Registration

OR

Text the relevant ZIP CODE to 888777 from your mobile phone

(Zip code for employees will be the location of your employer address)

Keshena – 54135, Neopit - 54150

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation text. Residents may also customize their alert settings by going to www.nixle.com and creating a User Profile. You can also access the Frequently Asked Questions at FAQs

THIS SYSTEM WILL ONLY BE USED FOR EMERGENCY AND LIFE SAFETY PURPOSES. Examples of times when the Nixle system could be utilized: Drinking water contamination, extended utility outages, evacuation notice and route, missing person, fires, floods, bomb threat, hostage situation, chemical spill or gas leak, and other incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety.

To insure that the call reach residents and utility users, accurate and up-to-date information is essential. IMPORTANT USE YOUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS. DO NOT USE POST OFFICE OR ADDRESS OUTSIDE OF THE MENOMINEE COUNTY/RESERVATION.

To add or change a phone number, including cell phones, or opt for the text message and/or alerts, please revisit the Nixle registration page and enter your information. If you have any difficulty in submitting your information, or at any time wish to be removed from the Nixle database, please call the Menominee County Sheriff's Department at 715-799-3357.