May 13-19, 2024

Zaagibagaa-Giizis (Budding Moon)

Fiber installation is underway here in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang as part of the Fiber To Home Project that will bring qualifying broadband service and high-speed internet to all tribal homes, government programs, and businesses within Red Cliff tribal jurisdiction. This also includes tribal member households off the reservation in the neighboring Town of Russell and tribal member households within the Belanger Settlement.

The map below shows the current active work zone for May 2024.

See all project details and find regular Fiber To Home Project updates online at www.redcliff-nsn.gov/fibertohome.

Spring Cleanup Week is set for May 20-25, 2024. Click the button below to see all details and FAQ.

Join us on Monday May 20 for our Volunteer Roadside Cleanup! Volunteers can call the Environmental Office to sign up for an area or road section at 715-779-3650. The Environmental Office will provide bags and supplies.

The Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division will be hosting a series of community presentations to highlight the work of its various TNR programs.

The first presentation is set for May 28 from 5:00-7:00 at Legendary Waters. TNR Fisheries Biologist Ian Harding will present an overview of the Fisheries Department and the work they do on Gichigami and on the streams across Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

The first Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class taught by Red Cliff EMS in partnership with Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication of the students and the exceptional instruction provided. Red Cliff EMS extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Red Cliff Community Health Center for allowing us to utilize their facilities, which played a significant role in the class's achievement. There was a 100% completion rate with nine (9) students completing the course.

The students in the Red Cliff class demonstrated remarkable commitment and enthusiasm, going above and beyond to complete the course. Their hard work and teamwork paid off, as they gained the skills and knowledge necessary to provide critical emergency care in their community.

The need for EMRs and EMTs has never been more pressing. As we face growing healthcare demands, our communities rely on volunteer first responders to provide lifesaving services. By becoming an EMR or EMT, individuals can make a real difference in the lives of those around them.

If you're interested in joining the ranks of these dedicated volunteers, please contact Michael Lang at the Red Cliff Community Health Center to learn more about upcoming training opportunities. Let's continue to build a strong and supportive community by investing in our emergency response capabilities. Please call 715-779-3707.

Congratulations once again to the Red Cliff EMR class on their outstanding achievement!

Chi-Miigwech to all who took part in the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives gatherings this past Sunday May 5 as we continue to raise awareness and work to bring change to the MMIR crisis.

There was a ceremony, information, and walk here in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang. The group then travelled to take part in the MMIR event in Ashland with our relatives from Mashkiiziibii (Bad River).

You may often see red dresses hanging in public places. These represent missing and murdered Indigenous women. You may also see a red handprint over the mouth, which is another symbol representing this crisis and the lost voice of our relatives.

The murder rate of Native women living on reservations is 10 times higher than the national average. Murder is the third leading cause of death for Native women. More than 84 percent of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, and Indigenous women are seven times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be murdered by serial killers.

Chi-Miigwech to Paul M. Walsh for contributing these photos.

Several Red Cliff Health staff had the opportunity to attend the Community Health Worker (CHW) Sustainability Summit in Spokane, Washington. Red Cliff is a current grantee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community Health Workers for Public Health and Resilience program.

Red Cliff Community Health Workers/Representatives were critical to the Tribe’s success in managing the Covid-19 pandemic. They are an important link between the health system and the community. CHWs are trained healthcare professionals that focus on awareness of resources and linking our community to those services.  

On the heels of the pandemic, Red Cliff EMS is also developing parallel programming to CHWs– Community EMS. The goal of Community EMS is to follow through on emergency calls with that same connection to services. This is a unique program not offered in many service systems or jurisdictions.

The primary focus of the Summit was to strengthen sustainability of CHW programs. One success is that Medicare recognizes the importance of CHWs to the healthcare system and now reimburse for their services. It is our goal to develop the infrastructure to capture this reimbursement to expand these much-needed services to the community.

Chi-Miigwetch to all Red Cliff CHWs – we appreciate everything you do!

The Red Cliff Tribal Council has passed a resolution officially recognizing May as Foster Care Month. Chi-Miigwech to our foster parents and caregivers for your commitment to nurturing and helping our children!

The Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare Department will host Foster Parent Open House events every Wednesday throughout May (except for the final Wednesday, May 29) from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM.

If you are a current foster parent, or if you are interested in learning more about how to become a foster parent, please join us at the ICW office located at 37250 Watertower Road in Gaa-Miskwaabikaang.

The Red Cliff Law Enforcement Commission is scheduled to meet Monday May 13 at the Red Cliff Family & Human Services Building (88385 Pike Road, upper level).

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM. Community members are encouraged to attend. Please call 715-779-3733 with any questions.

The Red Cliff Fishing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday May 22 at the Red Cliff VFW.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM.

Please call 715-779-3795 with any questions.

The Red Cliff Tribal Council is seeking community members to serve on various boards and committees. These entities provide a communication channel between elected officials and the community. Issues, ideas, and expertise are brought to the public decision-making process. You do not have to live in Red Cliff to serve on a board or committee!

The Red Cliff Legal Department has proposed changes to the Red Cliff Code of Laws Chapter 7 - Commercial Fishing. Click the button below to see the proposed changes.

Public comment is encouraged. Please drop your comments at the Tribal Administration Building or forward them directly to the Tribal Council. The proposed changes will be voted upon on June 3, 2024 at the Tribal Council meeting.

90 years ago this April, a census was taken of Red Cliff members. With the Indian Reorganization Act of that year and the 1935-36 Constitution, this census became one of the two base rolls for Red Cliff membership.

To commemorate this anniversary, the Enrollment Office is looking for a photograph of every Red Cliff tribal member around at that time. Eventually, we hope to add personal memories and stories, digitally archive the material, and make it all available to the public.

Click HERE to see the list of members or to submit photos and material online.

We need your help! There are two ways to share your family photos with the 1934 Project. Click the button below or bring material to the admin office during normal work hours. We can scan photos on the spot and return the originals to you. Email rcenrollment@redcliff-nsn.gov with any questions or feedback. Miigwech!

This week, we have two pictures of Susan Gurnoe, and a short biographical article written by Sister Victoria that we found in a 1941 issue of the Indian Sentinel. The article emphasizes Gurnoe’s church activities but does not mention that she was also well-regarded for her traditional knowledge, including as a midwife who delivered many Red Cliff babies. Susan Gurnoe is on the 1934 Census with her husband John, children Merceda Roy, Josephine LaFernier, Rose Duffy, Ida Fizell, Mike Gurnoe, Leo Gurnoe, Robert Gurnoe, and numerous grandchildren including Richard L. Gurnoe, whom she raised. The top photo accompanied the article, and the bottom was part of a clipping from a 1986 article about the Red Cliff powwow. Thanks to the Belanger Settlement Historical Society for sharing that one. If you have more memories to share, please let us know. 

Biographical Article of Susan Gurnoe:

Susan Gurnoe is one of the outstanding Catholics on the Red Cliff Reservation. 

She is one of the oldest of eleven children of Antoine Buffalo and of Esther Jibway. Her father, like his father and forefathers, was chief of the Chippewa band who finally made their home on the Red Cliff Reservation, opposite old La Pointe, famous in early days as a mission center and as a trading post. Chief Buffalo and his wife were good practical Catholics and staunch supporters of St. Francis Mission. The chief con-ducted a little store, besides cultivating a farm, and was a mod-el of industriousness to the people of his tribe. 

Susan was five years old when the mission school was opened on the reservation in 1881, and was one of the first pu-pils. She began singing in the choir when she was fourteen years old and taking music lessons from the organist. 

It was her organ that was used in the little log mission chapel near her home and it was carried back and forth for services. The Mass was sung in Chippewa set to Gregorian mu-sic. Two years before her marriage to John Gurnoe, in 1896, she took over the duties of organist, a post which she filled continuously for over thirty years. She still plays when Chippewa hymns are sung.

She is the proud mother of seven grown children and twice a great-grandmother. One son, Vincent, died in the first World War. She has proved herself all these years to be a mod-el Christian woman and is still an untiring worker for the church and the mission school.

~SISTER M. VICTORIA, O.S.F. (1941) 

Fourth of July and Memorial Day festivities are just around the corner! If you have unused, misfired, or "dud" fireworks, following the safe disposal steps below will minimize fire hazards and help ensure the protection of you, your family, and waste haulers when handling.

If you plan to store unused fireworks that have not yet expired, keep them in a cool, dry place such as a garage and out of the reach of children. Never place fireworks on top of an electrical appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer. The appliance could be struck or damaged through extreme weather events such as lightning or power surges, resulting in the possible ignition of the fireworks. Please also follow any other instructions accompanying the firework products.

If there are any questions, call the Red Cliff Environmental Department at 715-779-3650 or Transfer Station at 715-779-0171.

Check out our online events calendar to see more!

Buffalo Bay Store is looking for some talented people to work at the C-store. There are openings for three part-time employees to work from 2:30 PM - 8:15 PM, including weekends.

Please stop by the store to pick up an application. Please contact Roger Cadotte or Janine Deragon at the Buffalo Bay Store with any questions: 715-779-5309.

Red Cliff’s USDA Food Distribution Program offers a wide variety of monthly food for program participants.

Many households participate in our Food Distribution Program as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, households are able to obtain more food through the Food Distribution program.

BIG NEWS: FDPIR Food Package Gets Another Boost in Protein and Vegetables this Summer! Beginning June 1, 2024, households will be able to take more protein and vegetables in their FDPIR Food Package.

Here’s what to expect in the next food package update:

-Vegetable units will increase from 18 units to 20 units per person per month.

-Meat/Poultry/Fish will increase from 5 units to 6 units per person per month.

-New foods will be added to the food package. The new items include:

• Low-Sodium Turkey Deli Meat, frozen – 2 lb. pack
• Vegetable Stir Fry blend, frozen – 1 lb. bag
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 16.9 oz. bottle.

For more information about the updated food package or information on how to sign up for FDPIR, please call the Red Cliff Food Distribution building at 715-779-3740.

The College of Menominee Nation and USDA NEXT-GEN is providing a grant opportunity to support and empower Wisconsin’s Native American communities by fostering projects focused on natural resources, sustainable foods, and nutrition.

Through this mini-grant program, they hope to contribute to food sovereignty and community development within tribal communities.

Grant Details

Amount: Up to $5,000 per project

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be a Tribe, Tribal Entity, or an existing business owner who is an enrolled member or descendant of the 12 Tribes in Wisconsin.
• Projects must align with the goals of fostering food sovereignty and community development.
• Emphasis should be on natural resources, sustainable foods, and/or nutrition.

Application Process:

1.   Review the grant guidelines and eligibility criteria online here.

2.   Prepare a project proposal that clearly outlines your initiative’s objectives, budget, and expected outcomes.

3.   Submit your application by the specified deadline. Application link.

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: June 1, 2024

All eligible individuals and organizations are encouraged to apply and contribute to the well-being of our tribal communities. Let’s work together to create positive change!

For more information: www.menominee.edu/nextgen-grants

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center will host a series of small business clinics throughout the summer! These one-day sessions are exclusively designed to provide personalized support to entrepreneurs. With pre-registration, entrepreneurs enjoy the flexibility to schedule appointments at their convenience throughout the entire day of the clinic.

“Volunteers in Mission” Ministry Group is coming to Red Cliff June 16, 2024 and is now accepting work orders.

This program is not limited. The group offers free labor for a variety of projects. The service is extended community wide. Needs MAY be prioritized based on number of requests and circumstances such as, disabled, elderly, low-income, and capabilities of the work group.

If you are interested in getting some assistance at your home or perhaps on a community venture, please fill out this form. If you know of anyone that could make use of these services, please feel free to make a referral or assist the individual with this form.

Completed forms should be returned to the Tribal Administration Building front desk at 88455 Pike Road. The deadline to submit a work order request is June 11, 2024.

Remember: You are not alone! Check out our May Newsletter for resources, trainings, hotlines, and more.

Looking for help or guidance? Give us a call at 715-779-3741.

The Housing Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill two vacant seats.

The HBOC meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM. If you are interested in serving on the HBOC, pick up an application at the Tribal Administration Building or apply online.

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.

GLIFWC will be sponsoring Seafood HACCP Trainings.

AFDO Seafood Alliance HACCP Training May 14-15, 2024

St. Croix Education Building, Webster, WI

Register Online

GLIFWC will pay the $160 HACCP Registration fee (which includes the course book), provide hotel rooms, and food and mileage reimbursements* for the following qualified participants:

• Any Lake Superior commercial fisherman licensed by Red Cliff, Bad River, Keweenaw Bay or Bay Mills.

• Adult family members of any Red Cliff, Bad River, Keweenaw Bay or Bay Mills licensed fisherman currently working at a family's fish shop.

• Any enrolled member from any GLIFWC member tribe (i.e. enrolled members of Fond du Lac, Mille Lacs, Red Cliff, Bad River, St. Croix, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Sokaogon, Lac Vieux Desert, Keweenaw Bay, and Bay Mills). This includes subsistence fishermen and those active in harvesting and processing fish.

• The costs for Tribal fisheries and conservation staff of GLIFWC member tribes will also be covered.

Participants must attend all three days to obtain the HACCP certificate and have their travel costs reimbursed by GLIFWC. *After participants complete the three-day class, they will sign a GLIFWC travel form for mileage and per diem (meals) reimbursement based on Federal GSA rates.

Please contact Laurie White if you have any questions:

715-292-8726

lwhite@glifwc.org

The annual Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) Conference will be held at Legendary Waters June 13-15, 2024. NATOW works with the eleven federally recognized Wisconsin tribes to establish and maintain eco-friendly tourism initiatives throughout the state.

Click the image below to view all conference details, including a registration form, lodging information, vendor information, golf tournament, Business Pitch Competition, and sponsorship opportunities. Aho!

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission is accepting applications for several positions.

View all details and GLIFWC jobs at https://glifwc.org/