The Menominee Indian Tribe along with the College of Menominee Nation’s Sustainable Development Institute embarked on an energy saving initiative utilizing renewable energy.

From April 24 through April 28, CMN, SDI, along with partners Indigenized Energy and GRID Alternatives hosted a weeklong workshop for community members promoting energy sovereignty.

Efforts began on April 24 with the workshops on the assembly of ground mount solar systems. Community members, along with instructors from Indigenized Energy and GRID Alternatives, began piecing together four ground arrays with 24 solar panels on the south end of the CMN campus.

According to the GRID Alternatives website, the CMN/SDI solar initiative is a 40kW ground mount solar project installed with the overall goal of developing the capacity of the Menominee tribe to plan, build, and maintain a large portfolio of solar projects so that the values and tradition the tribe has long applied in stewardship of water, wildlife, and forest can be extended into stewardship of energy resources.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

On the morning of May 2, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Learning Center in Shawano held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially note the installation of its “Omaeqnomenew Okemahwak” (meaning “Menominee Chiefs”) wall.

The wall, officially called a Menominee Tribal Historical Recognition by NWTC-Shawano, is a display to recognize the fact that NWTC has a lot of Menominee and Oneida students and to acknowledge that they are on what was previously Menominee tribal land, as well as to inspire Native American students.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Recently, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Libraries and Technology, Dr. Darrell L. Williams, was honoring National Library Week (April 23-29) with visits to libraries across the state, both to thank them for the services they provide to their communities and also to connect them to any services available through his department.

On the afternoon of April 27 Williams’s schedule had him stopping by the S. Verna Fowler Academic and Menominee County and Tribal Public Library on the Keshena College of Menominee Nation campus where interim Library Director Bethany Huse gave him a tour of the facility and the things it offered as both an academic and public library.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Planning underway for the 50th Annniversary of Menominee Restoration

In recognition of the 50^th Anniversary of Menominee Restoration, Menominee leadership have created a planning committee who are in the process of preparing an itinerary of celebratory events and are asking community members for contributions for the celebration.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Wae wae non to the small handful of volunteers who spearheaded and participated in a delayed Earth Day roadside clean-up effort near the Omaeqnomenewak Wetohkatikamek Family Center in Keshena: Eden Huntington, Ashaylex Awonohopay, Jayceon Waupoose, Amber Corn and Arlene Mahl.

Annual Denim Day Walk held

This year April 26 was Denim Day, so as part of that day and April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, people were encouraged to wear denim clothes to show support for victims and survivors of Sexual Assault.

The Menominee Tribal Department of Advocacy and Support Services also took things a step further and elaborated on the theme by holding a Denim Day walk based at the Omaeqnomenewak Wetohkatikamek Family Center where there was some food and informational brochures.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Autism Awareness Walk continues to show growing community support

April is Autism Awareness Month, so as such the annual Autism Awareness Walk was held at the Menominee Indian High School track.

People might remember earlier autism awareness efforts started with walks, a meal and some brief community talks at Keshena Primary School, but since then the walk has moved to the MIHS track every year, where besides walking there also games set up; various information booths from organizations that deal with mental health; informational and artistic signs were set up, many made by kids; food was served; and even some raffle drawings took place.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Recent workshop series helps area families grow their gardening skills together

Throughout April, UW-Extension Program-Menominee County held a program called “Garden Time is Family Time” at the Community Technology Center on the Keshena College of Menominee Nation (CMN) campus which consisted of presenters Jennifer Gauthier (UW-Extension) and Violet Bia (CMN Garden Manager) reviewing some of the fine points of gardening and helping families get started on their own home gardens.

April 10 saw an introduction to starter plants and composting at home; the April 17 workshop talked about some of the properties of plants as medicine and pollinators and on the evening of April 24 the program came to a close with a discussion on how to grow gardens when there is limited to no space, via container gardening.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Stemming out of Community Engagement Workshops, where one of the main concerns was a lack of employees in some area professions and possibly a lack of awareness about how available these opportunities were, on the afternoon of April 24 the Menominee Tribal Education Department hosted a Trades and Public Safety Career Exploration Day at Menominee Indian High School (MIHS).

Students and community members were able to speak with representatives of various trades and public safety professions in the area, as well as those who were providing the corresponding education many of these positions often require.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

At the Menominee Tribal Legislature meeting on Thursday, May 4, 2023, tribal leaders took official action to update and strengthen the tribe’s resolution on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Persons.

In addition they authorized a $5,000 reward for missing person Justin Dickenson.

Anyone with information on any of our missing & murdered relatives are encouraged to call Menominee Tribal Police Department at (715) 799-3881.

In support of MMIW/P Awareness Day on May 5th, they wore red and posed for a group photo in remembrance of our missing and murdered relatives.

• Lisa Ninham
• Rae Tourtillott
• Katelyn Kelley
• Robert Lyons
• Justin Dickenson

Amongst other holidays, May 4 was also Firefighters Appreciation Day, where firefighters are recognized for all that they do.

One thing they do is mitigate the damage that can be done by a natural or manmade fire by having controlled burns (to remove potential fire fuels and restore natural ecosystems) such as this one that took place near Go Around Road that very evening.

The Keshena Assembly of God church will frequently make announcements that it is aware of the various negative issues that have been occurring throughout Menominee Reservation/County which have seen an uptick in recent years.

The congregation always makes intercessional prayers for those who are suffering and provides what spiritual and material help, support and motivation it can. They also encourage people to seek a higher power for help.

It was in that spirit that Keshena Assembly of God organized a Prayer Walk that took place on the evening of May 4.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Menominee Tribal Court Deputy Clerks receive Master Level Certification

Each of the Deputy Clerks at Menominee Tribal Court all completed training and were certified as a Masters Level Clerk of Court as of April 18, 2023.

Devin Askenette, Teanna Davis, Jean Grignon and Tricia Murphy received education through the indigenous program Sage Education (SE) which describes itself as “presenting tribal court education to Indian Country with insight and vision.”

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Hard work of duel credit students recognized

A group of area high school students with college aspirations were recognized for their efforts to get a jump start on their collegiate careers by earning college credits while in high school.

On Wednesday, April 26, the College of Menominee Nation hosted the 2nd Annual Recognition Event for area high school students who have participated in the college’s Work-Based Learning Grant program.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

April 25 was Conservation Lobby Day where as Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was releasing his 2023-2025 Biennial budget, many people were in Madison promoting some of their main conservation-related priorities to state legislators.

Some of the main things being promoted were initiatives towards clean water, clean energy, automatic voter registration, and getting federal grants oriented around these initiatives to local communities.

In addition to Menominee Tribal Leadership, 17 sixth and seventh grade students from Menominee Tribal School were in attendance to address their concerns about what they saw as a shortage of natural wild rice.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

Groundbreaking for an expansion of the Dolores K. Boyd Head Start Building took place May 1, 2023.

Done to accommodate an expanding student population, the west rear side of the building will be expanded to create a larger rectangular building and the new area will have six classrooms (with bathrooms) two bathrooms, five offices, an IT room, fire exits and a vestibule lobby area.

Read more in the May 8, 2023 print edition of Menominee Nation News.

General Welfare Assistance Payment

The Menominee Indian Tribe has authorized a $200 General Welfare Assistance payment to enrolled Menominee Tribal members who are 18 years and older as of December 1, 2022.

The funding source, related legalities, and reporting means that a required application form will need to be submitted to the Tribe in order to receive the payment.

The Tribal member portal is now available for tribal members to begin the process of filing for the $200 General Welfare Assistance payment.

Please visit https://menominee-nsn.gov/SecurePages/MembersOnly/MemberLogin.aspx to complete the application.

The computer lab at the Community Resource Center in Keshena is open for members to apply online, however, staff are not available to assist.

For those without computer access, applications can be downloaded here and are also available at the Licensing & Members Services Department in the Gordon Dickie (FIC) Building in Keshena;

Completed forms will be collected at the following sites only:

• Members Services Department;
• Aging & Long-Term Care; and
• Menominee Tribal Office
• Mail to

Licensing & Members Services Department

PO Box 910

Keshena WI 54135

Use of the portal is highly encouraged.



Tribal members who cannot access the portal, download or pick up a form, may call the Menominee Department of Administration at (715) 799-5154 to request a form be mailed to them. The form must then be mailed back to the Licensing & Member Services Department.

Tribal members will have from December 12, 2022 until June 16, 2023 to complete the request.

Checks will be mailed daily starting December 16, 2022 for those that have completed and submitted the required form.

Please allow up to ten (10) business days for the United States Postal Service for delivery.

These funds are tax exempt and do not need to be claimed on your taxes as it is not counted as income. The funds are not subject to intercept per Chapter 44 Debt Collection.

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

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.