We hope you are doing well and staying warm. Please check on Elders and keep your pets inside during these dangerous temperatures.

Tribal Offices, the Clinic, the Casino and the C-Store all have updated holiday hours. As you scroll down, you'll see the notices grouped together.

Born on December 25, 1889, in a traditional Ojibwe wigwam along the shores of what was once known as Dry Lake (now called Bishop Lake), Chief Willard Ackley is said to have been one of the last born into the old ways of the Sokaogon.

"The thing about Chief Ackley is, he wasn't voted in as Tribal Chairman," said Fred Ackley, Jr., Chief Ackley's nephew, in 2015. "He was chosen by the people the old way - he came to us down through heaven, through the sky, and was put here as an Ogema (Chief)."

Chief Ackley is well known across Wisconsin and beyond. He worked tirelessly to help the people. "He spent much of his life fighting to establish the Mole Lake reservation. He saw what was happening to Indian people here. He saw how his people were forced to move off their land," Fred said.

The Treaty of 1854, also known as the Treaty of LaPointe, established various reservations of the Ojibwe. Although this was to include the Mole Lake and St. Croix Tribes, both were left without a land base. This placed the people of each Tribe in peril, and oral history tells us of corrupt government land and military agents using firewater and a language barrier to deny the claims of the Tribes.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable task, Chief Ackley continued his quest for repatriation for his people, and in 1939, the Sokaogon of Mole Lake were finally granted 1,680 acres of reservation land.

It is said that Chief Ackley was skilled in many Ojibwe customs, including the use of traditional plant medicines, hunting and fishing, and the creation of birch bark crafts. He taught many in the ways of the natural laws. He was also an ambassador of goodwill and advocated for the advancement of Indian people into the 20th century. To this day, his legacy lives on in our community.

"He was a true leader of the people. He represented the Great Spirit, and everything that's good about Indian people," Fred shared. "He taught myself and many others what it means to be a good person - to be a good human being. Through him, our Tribe has survived."

Hear Chief Ackley share some history of the Tribe, as well as words in Ojibwe and their meanings.

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the people of your community!

I was passing through the Mole Lake area when the brakes on my truck failed and I slid into a snowbank, hopelessly stuck. I was far from home with no money and no plan when one of your Tribal Elders pulled up and said, "It looks like you could use some help, brother."

I agreed I did, and yes, he called me brother although I am not Indian. His name was Tim, and he and several other Tribal Members with 4-wheel drive vehicles and shovels helped me get out of the snowbank and back on the road where I repaired my brakes and continued on my journey.

These men asked nothing in return except a thank you. Tim was so very helpful and showed me that we are all brothers. After a great conversation, I thanked him again and he replied, "Thank you for letting me help because it feels good in my heart."

He is a good man and representative of your people! He opened my eyes and my heart! I thank all of you for being the people you are. I am grateful and will pass the help you've given me to the next brother or sister who needs some help along my journey, and I will not forget what you have done for me.

Paul Tessmer

The ERA (Emergency Rental Assistance) program has distributed all funds.

If you need assistance, here are some local resources available.

Merry Christmas 😊

Tribal Elders are starting to go out on field trips again since Covid. Our first one was to the Rondele Ranch in Harshaw to look at the Christmas Lights.

After we got back to the Elderly building, we decorated our Christmas tree and enjoyed soup and snacks.

We are hoping to go out on more field trips. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Carla A. Storm, Elderly Services Director

Office: 715-478-1229   Cell: 715-622-0510

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.

The weekly e-newsletter is sent every Thursday morning, excluding holidays.

If you have something you wish to share, please email your information by Tuesday afternoon.