August 21-27, 2023

Manoominike Giizis (Ricing Moon)

The Community Healing Gathering is set for 5 PM this Wednesday August 23 at the Pow Wow Grounds. Please join us for a healing ceremony and community discussions, followed by a feast. Please consider bringing a dish to share.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Please remember there are many resources available to you and your loved ones, and it is okay to ask for help. Please, ask for help. If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, or any other problems, call 715-779-3707 to begin services or to get help answering any questions you may have.

Grief & Counseling

Resources are available to anyone grieving and impacted by the recent incidents in our community. The Red Cliff Community Health Center and Red Cliff Behavioral Health Department offer care and grief support to anyone in need. Please call 715-779-3707 or 715-779-3741.

Learn more and see suicide prevention resources online.

Remember - it is not too late to ask for help.

The Red Cliff Police Department, with the support of the Red Cliff Tribal Council, has initiated a federal drug trafficking investigation, targeting the trafficking of narcotics to and within Indian Country. The investigation began in June of 2023, and is an ongoing investigation that has seen support, collaboration, and assistance from Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI), High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribal Police Department, Iron River Police Department, Superior Police Department, and the US Attorney’s Office.

Red Cliff Police are working most closely with the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the US Attorney’s Office. Red Cliff is thankful to the deputies, investigators, and agents for their time, expertise, and dedication they continue to provide to help make our community a safer place. Red Cliff also gives thanks to their families who have sacrificed time with their loved ones in uniform as this investigation demands long hours and unpredictable schedules.

“Addressing the drug crisis in our community and across our entire region is a priority for the Tribal Council and the Red Cliff Police Department,” said Red Cliff Chairwoman Nicole Boyd. “Drug activity causes serious harm to our community, our youth, our families, and our future generations. Simply talking about it is not enough, and we are proud to be taking the drug crisis head on.”

Drug related activity in Indian Country poses major health and economic hardships on indigenous communities and is a major contributor to violent crime. Drug traffickers have used Indian Country as a safe haven from law enforcement for decades, but with the help of the Red Cliff Community and through the collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement, we can send the message that Indian Country, and specifically Red Cliff, has had enough. “No More!”

This investigation is an ongoing effort. The Red Cliff Tribal Council and Red Cliff Police Department will continue to provide updates as they are available for release. We thank the community for all your support. If you have any information you are able and willing to share, please contact RCPD at 715-779-3733, or stop by the RCPD office at 88385 Pike Rd (lower level).

Miigwech,

Red Cliff Tribal Council & Red Cliff Police Department

The Tribal Council requested Tribal Member feedback regarding Red Cliff Code of Laws Chapter 40. Tribal Members had the opportunity to vote last week in an advisory referendum.* A total of 202 members voted:

Yes - 128

No - 74

*The referendum results do NOT automatically enact any changes to Chapter 40. The results provide the Tribal Council with community feedback so the Tribal Council can make an informed decision on whether or not to officially amend Chapter 40.

Currently, Chapter 40 provides for the exclusion and removal of NON-MEMBERS who act in disregard of tribal or other law, destroy tribal fish and game, trespass upon tribal trust property, pollute tribal lands and waters, destroy real or personal property of the Band, its members or Reservation residents, or endanger or harm the natural, social, psychological or physical well-being of members or other persons on the Reservation.

The referendum question asked if Chapter 40 should also apply to Tribal Members who violate the terms of Chapter 40.

Any updates on potential changes to the Red Cliff Code of Laws will be provided as they become available.

Click HERE to see the Tribal Council resolution, Chapter 40, and sample ballot.

After several years of not having enough players and teams, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Cliff Softball League has been back in full swing this summer.

Behind the organizational efforts of Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Melissa Topping, and others, community members have been able to have fun, gather, and get outside every week.

"In 2020, 2021, and 2022 we had a few people interested in playing but never enough to create a team," said Gonzalez. "In early 2023, Brady DeFoe and Noodin Basina reached out to me about getting a league going and we all gathered 10 players so we could have three teams. We also reached out to Chris Hicks and he gathered 10 more players and the league was back."

Anyone who heads out to the field on Tuesday nights can see the importance of having a consistent opportunity to gather and be active.

"I think any positive activity is good for any community. It keeps people occupied and gives them a purpose," said Gonzalez. "It is not only about the players but also the crowd, the kids that are watching the games and a place where the community can come and have some entertainment at no cost. It keeps the body, mind, and soul healthy. As a chiropractor I love to see people moving and that helps with their overall health."

With the league back and successful this year, more players are hoping the league can grow in the future.

"We'd love to keep the momentum going where it gives us options on what to do. We can expand and bring in teams from local communities like Bayfield, Madeline Island, Washburn, Cornucopia, and Ashland, but ultimately the goal is to keep games in Red Cliff to keep our community motivated and entertained," said Gonzalez.

The season typically starts mid-May and goes through the end of August, concluding with a playoff tournament. Aside from the regular weekly games, Gonzalez and others have also hosted a tournament during the Annual Red Cliff Cultural Days celebration in September, bringing in teams from six different reservations.

"In 2021 we had 10 teams at the Cultural Days tournament and last year we had 13 teams," said Gonzalez.

This year's tournament will have new dates and will be a memorial to two players and friends of the community who loved softball. The tournament will honor Harold Leask and Ed Boyd, and is scheduled for September 8-10. Gonzalez expects to have 15 teams - 10 male and 5 coed.

Interested in joining the Red Cliff Softball League? Contact Guillermo Gonzalez via email at ggonzalez@redcliffhealth.org. Stay tuned for more details about the Memorial Tournament scheduled for September.

Ginanda Gikendaasomin Red Cliff Library will host Ojibwemowin Jeopardy Monday August 21! All ages and levels of our language are welcome.

Doors open at 5:30pm and the game starts at 6pm. Come on in and have some fun!! Please contact Kathy Barri with any questions.

The Red Cliff Tribal Council is set to meet on Tuesday August 22 at Legendary Waters.

The Regular Session is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM. Community members are encouraged to attend.

Click HERE to access the meeting agenda.

Boozhoo Elders! The next Tribal Elder Food Box Program date is this Friday August 25, 2023. This giveaway is for tribal members aged 55 and older. Boxes are expected to be ready around 1 PM this week, pending the arrival time of the delivery truck.

Please call Food Distribution with any questions at 715-779-3740.

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Historic Preservation Office is seeking proposals for the following:

Two (2) contractors to provide Archaeological Paraprofessional Monitor services as needed, and One (1) contractor with an Archeological Degree to manage the project (Fiber Optics Project), between 2023 field season from September 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

These services are coordinated through the Red Cliff Tribal Historic Preservation office. This bid proposal is an opportunity for qualified candidates to demonstrate their capacity to conduct professional Tribal Monitoring services, as needed, on and off the Red Cliff Reservation.

Bids should be submitted by 4:00 PM on August 30.

Click HERE to access the entire request and to view all details. Please contact Marvin Defoe, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, with any questions at 715-779-3761 ext 4802 or email marvin.defoe@redcliff-nsn.gov.

The Red Cliff Band and Tribal Council extend condolences to the family of the great Ada Deer and to the Menominee Nation.

She was, and continues to be, a true inspiration for Indian Country. Her work opened pathways for so many of us, and we are grateful for her dedication to improving the lives of indigenous communities.

Learn more about Ada Deer HERE.

The Red Cliff Education Department and JOM Committee will be having their school supply giveaway soon. A set day and time will be announced once all the supplies are in.

*If your child is not part of the Bayfield School District, that's OK! There are still resources available to your child. Please contact the Education Department at 715-779-3766 ext 4826, or email education@redcliff-nsn.gov.

Changes to the Red Cliff Code of Laws Chapter 18 are being proposed by the Red Cliff Legal Department.

The proposed changes pertain to Land Lease Regulations Sections 18.2.3 and 18.2.6. View all details of the proposed changes HERE.

Public comment on this proposal is encouraged. Please drop your comments at the Tribal Administration Building, or forward them directly to the Tribal Council. This proposal will be voted upon on September 19, 2023 at the Tribal Council meeting.

Click to access the entire Behavioral Health Newsletter for August.

Attention SSI Medicaid members, you may be receiving one of these notices from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Please contact the Family & Human Services Division with any questions at 715-779-3706.

FoodWIse Nutrition has released its August 2023 newsletter!

FoodWIse is federally funded statewide by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). FoodWIse advances healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for Wisconsin residents with limited incomes through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels.

Click HERE to view the full August 2023 FoodWIse newsletter.

The Red Cliff Education Department is offering additional financial support for those who have already applied for the Higher Education and Job Training Program.

Want to apply for the scholarship? Here's what we need from you:

Application, Education Plan, Unofficial Transcript, Fall/Spring Schedule.

Click HERE to learn more and access an application.

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority is accepting applications for housing and housing assistance!

RCCHA provides clean, safe, adequate, and affordable housing for qualified families and elders.

Housing options to apply for include low rent, 6-plex, 4-plex, Elderly, Tax Credit, Tax Credit Rehab.

Oski-Ombendaam New Hope Supportive Housing

The Oski-Ombendaam New Hope housing contains efficiency, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. The goal of New Hope housing is to provide supportive services to those individuals and families while providing clean, safe, adequate, and affordable housing.

You are also able to apply for Home Repair Assistance and Down Payment Assistance.

Click HERE to access an application.

Red Cliff Chippewa Housing Authority tenants have access to a Residential Resource Coordinator. The coordinator will help tenants get connected with various resources.

This service is available to Housing tenants Monday through Friday at New Hope Building A, at 37580 Pageant Road.

Please call 715-779-3744 extension 3514 with any questions.

Click to access the entire Treaty Natural Resources Division Ganawenjigaade newsletter for niibin (summer) 2023.

Tribal Members have opportunities to collect birch bark from US Forest Service potential timber sale locations. Opportunities are available in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Ottawa National Forest.

Anyone interested should follow this link, then click on the "birch maps" tab. Under that tab, there are maps of both national forests that show the areas open to birch bark collecting and the approximate size of trees in that stand, if that data is available.

Please note: Tribal members should not remove bark from trees that are already marked with paint. Birch bark can be collected until a timber sale contract has been awarded. Once a timber sale contract has been awarded, tribal members would need to get permission from the timber sale purchaser to collect birch bark within the timber sale units.  

If anyone has questions, they can contact contact Alex Bohman at abohman@glifwc.org or 715-685-2125.

Click HERE to order online!

The Wisconsin Indian Education Association (WIEA) expresses its deepest sympathy in the passing of Dr. Verna Fowler and the passing of Ada Deer.

Dr. Fowler dedicated her life to the world of Indian Education and will have an everlasting effect on future generations, the Menominee Nation, and throughout Indian Country.

Ada Deer was a true warrior in the modern day world for the Menominee Nation, including Indian Country throughout the United States and Canada.

Her legacy and driving force in dedication and commitment will live on for generations and generations.

Thoughts, prayers, and blessings are offered to the families, relatives, and many others impacted by these two great leaders.

Wisconsin Conservation Voices is looking for a Native Vote Director who has a deep commitment to Wisconsin’s tribal communities, enjoys managing staff and developing programs, and believes in the power of voting to create positive change. This is a full-time position and there is geographic flexibility within the state. The full position description can be found HERE.