We hope you are doing well and staying warm.

Tribal Offices are closed today in observance of Chief Ackley's birthday. The Health Clinic is closed today due to the weather.

Please stay warm and safe. We hope you have a great day and a terrific weekend. 😊

By Katie Thoresen, WXPR

No matter where you go in the country or state, highway signs for places are fairly uniform. Giant green signs with big block letters in white mark the location letting you know what town or city you’re in. A new sign installed Monday in Mole Lake prominently reads Sokaogon Chippewa Community with the tribe’s seal beside it.

But different from the vast majority of similar signs you find across the state, this one includes the tribe’s name in their own Ojibwemoin language.

“Zaaga'inganiin,” said Chairman Robert VanZile reading from the sign. “It’s a spiritual, cultural light that was in the water. It’s part of our teaching and our migration stories, teachings that came about a long, long time ago.”

Sokaogon Chippewa Community Chairman Robert VanZile was proud to unveil the new sign Friday alongside community members and officials from federal and state transportation offices.

“It’s very positive. It’s heartwarming to see these dual language signs come to life. It’s an ideal that should have happened a long time ago, but it’s happening today and that’s a good thing,” he said.

The Sokaogon Chippewa Community is the fourth tribe in Wisconsin to install a dual-language sign.

With the holidays upon us, it's a good time to discuss holiday blues. Though the holidays are generally seen as a time of happiness, they may also bring other emotions such as grief, loneliness, anxiety and depression.

This may happen for a variety of reasons, and even people who usually enjoy the holidays may feel the blues. We may reflect and miss those who are no longer with us. Some of us may feel unrealistic expectations of how the holiday “should” be, such as attending family gatherings, social events, and the expectation to feel only joy and cheer with the over commercialization of the holiday. 

Some may experience financial stress due to overextending their budget or struggling to afford gifts for others. There may be increased feelings of isolation and loneliness due to not being with family, being incarcerated or having a family member incarcerated, or being ill and unable to visit family or friends. Some may have an additional component of seasonal affective disorder or low vitamin D levels, further inhibiting feelings of joy and inclusion.

There are some healthy coping strategies that may help with holiday blues, such as setting boundaries and having realistic expectations of how much you can do or afford. Find some time for self-care, get enough rest, and take care of yourself as well as others. Try not to isolate – it’s important to reach out to others for even small amounts of healthy social interaction.

Often the holidays are a time of increased alcohol use during celebrations. Alcohol may add to the holiday blues, as it is a depressant, so limit alcohol use. Overall, some stress is normal around the holidays, but if you find yourself feeling increased symptoms that just don’t seem to get better over time, or if you are struggling to function as you normally do, please reach out for help. 

You may want to talk to your medical provider or call for behavioral health services. It is always a good idea to let someone know how you are feeling, and to seek healthy support and encouragement. The mental health crisis line is available 24/7 at 1-888-299-1188, the national number of 988, or text “HELP” to 741741 anytime.

For more information, contact Kimberlee A. Soldier, Interim Director, Human Resources, at 715-478-7663.

Mole Lake Casino Opportunities:

View the application here.

For more information, please visit the Casino's website or contact Thomas E. Van Zile, Human Resource Manager of the Mole Lake Casino Lodge & Conference Center, at 715-478-7549.

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