January 2024

JANUARY 2024

WWW.KBIC-NSN.GOV

ISSUE 15

KBIC NEWS

GICHI MANIDOO GIIZIS - GREAT SPIRIT MOON

Tribal Council Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly Elected Members and Associate Judge

PRESIDENT'S REPORT CEO'S CORNER ANISHINAABE DENTAL OUTREACH SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL FEATURE YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Doreen Blaker, President Rodney Loonsfoot, Vice President

The Tribal Council convened for its reorganization meeting on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

Elected members Doreen Blaker, Robert RD Curtis, Jr., Toni Minton, and Dale Goodreau stood before 2023 Tribal Council Secretary Elizabeth Julio to pledge their commitment to their roles by taking their oaths.

Adding to the ceremonial proceedings, the newly elected Associate Judge, Mark Smith, was sworn in by 2023 Tribal Council President Doreen Blaker

IN THIS ISSUE

2024 TRIBAL COUNCIL

Susan J. LaFernier, Secretary Elizabeth Liz Julio, Jr, Asst. Secretary Theodore "Austin" Ayres, Treasurer Robert RD Curtis, Jr. Everett Ekdahl, Jr. Sue Ellen Elmblad Dale Goodreau Kim Klopstein Sam Loonsfoot Toni J. Minton

Following the swearing-in, the Tribal Council announced the reorganization of the executive board, voting on who will guide the tribe in the coming year. Doreen Blaker was appointed president, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the tribe's history. Rodney Loonsfoot assumed the position of vice president, Susan J. laFernier as Secretary, Elizabeth Liz Julio as Assistant Secretary, and Theodore Ausitin Ayres as Treasurer.

Office of the President Boozhoo Anin Gakina,

FALL - 2% DISTRIBUTIONS

On behalf of the Tribal Council, I would like to say Chi Miigwetch to everyone who made our KBIC holiday activities, parties and events a success. For the month of December, the Tribal Council had two Special Meetings. The Tribal Council took action on the following items listed below.

The KBIC Tribal Council distributed 2% monies in the amount of $378,288.44 for the second half of 2023 to the local governments of Baraga and Marquette counties. The distributions are listed below.

12/06/2023 Special Meeting Approved Resolution KB-030-2023 Chocolay Township Sewer System Bill of Sale/Perpetual Utility Easement.

Approved the WZAM Downgrade Proposal to remove the AM station. This will not reduce or interfere with the current audience the radio station now serves.

Appointed Yvette Simmons, Rebecca Genschow, Rodney Loonsfoot and Nannie Beck to the powwow committee.

Approved KB-066-2023 and KB-067-2023 2% Fall distributions for Baraga & Marquette counties.

12/13/2023 Special meeting Approved a donation to 31-Backpacks in the amount of $500.00.

Approved a donation in the amount of $1,000.00 for the medical travel of Kristian Levi.

Approved the bid from Rhinelander Toyota for the purchase of two 2023 Toyota Tacomas in the amount of $75,066.00.

Approved a donation to Feeding America in the amount of $2,500.00.

Approved the replacement of (4) slot machines in Baraga and (6) slot machines in Marquette with new participation games from LNW Gaming, Inc. Approved the bid from World of Wood, Inc. in the amount of $74,679.00 for the remodeling of the Pines bathrooms, to be allocated using the Pines capital as the funding source.

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2024 General Election

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CEO’s Corner For my CEO Corner article this month I want to include an email I sent to our KBIC Government staff near the end of 2023. At the end, I included my office’s 2024 goals.

Reflecting on 2023 and Wishing You a Happy New Year!

KBIC Team, As we bid farewell to 2023 and embark on a new chapter, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together.

The past year has been a testament to our collective strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to serving our community. From overcoming challenges to celebrating victories, each one of you has played a vital role in making 2023 a year to remember.

Here are some highlights and accomplishments that stand out as we look back: 1. Our dedication to community welfare remained at the forefront of our efforts. Through various initiatives and programs, we made a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. An uptick in youth, elder, and overall events and activities in general was seen. With that, diligent and continuous progress was made towards greater housing options, including a partnership that will provide access to housing in the greater Marquette area by 2025. All of this providing some kind of impact to a person’s overall well-being – physical, mental, cultural, socially etc.

Our entire Health Systems team has been integral to this piece, providing more accessible and streamlined care and health services for our community. This will only get better as we move into 2024.

2. The collaborative spirit within our team has been truly inspiring.

Together, we've achieved milestones that reflect our shared values and commitment to excellence. KBIC was awarded many different grant awards in 2023 ranging from

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Natural Resources to Education to Broadband implementation and MORE. The effects of these awards will resonate for years to come as we look to sustain programming for the future.

Collaboration was also seen in our larger community events such as the Mid-winter Traditional Pow Wow, our FIRST EVER Spring Contest Pow Wow and of course our Summer Pow Wow. Each of these events take lots of effort and planning, to see each and every one come out as a success is something we should all be proud of.

Other large community events such as walks to raise awareness and to bring honor to initiatives were huge this past year. The first ever KBIC Community Social should be commended as well.

We were able to come together to not only provide something enjoyable and informative to our community but to remember a soul lost too soon this past March – Chief Judge Bill Jondreau.

3. In the face of change and uncertainty, our ability to innovate and adapt has not gone unnoticed.

Enhancing our brand and image is not a small under taking. It takes a team and it was fun to be apart of that effort with you. Look for more changes with our branding and where we take it in the year to come.

With this came a website update to provide accessible and relevant information to our community. While this is still in the crawling stages to full implementation, we are on the cusp of realtime access to membership services, no matter where one may be.

Tribal Council has been a staple to this adaptability.

They set the tone for the community and being able to watch them tackle many legislative issues and bring forth things that matter for the community and see it through the process has been applaudable. The KBIC Land Claim Settlement Act is a testament to that.

4. Our commitment to personal and professional growth shone through in the numerous training sessions, workshops, and skill-building opportunities that many of you actively participated in. Look for more of this in a hands-on effort as we increase the number of Personnel staff in 2024.

5. The sense of camaraderie and unity within our team has been a source of strength. Our shared

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CEO's Corner experiences and mutual support have contributed to a positive and thriving work environment. I know in 2024, we can improve this even more.

As we turn the page to 2024, let's carry the lessons and successes of the past year with us. May the new year bring even more opportunities for collaboration, growth, and meaningful contributions to our community.

and finally, take a deep dive into our sustainability efforts through the creation of a Sustainability Office – this office will provide sustainabilityrelated services for the tribe, including policy development, energy saving analysis, clean energy generation projects, and look at other areas of related infrastructure to provide a vision for even more opportunities in this sector.

Sincerely,

On behalf of KBIC leadership, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your hard work and dedication. Each one of you is an invaluable part of our team, and we look forward to achieving even greater heights together in the coming year. ____________________________________________

Brigitte

I want to echo this message to each and every one of our KBIC citizens. I look forward to continuous feedback and comments on the work our Government does. My door is always open to meet with you and address concerns you may have.

Our work is never done here at KBIC, my 2024 goals include: tackle and create an even stronger strategic plan for our community and businesses take steps to increase overall capacity and community development enhance our Personnel efforts through a more streamlined onboarding and orientation process dig into the span of control within departments and understand where we can trim things up and make structures more efficient continue to better our communication efforts between departments and the community as well as internally, department to department and/or supervisor to staff continue policy review and development to fit KBIC’s growth and meet trends have high focus on developing our human services – social services, victim services, behavioral and mental health, and substance abuse services to meet the challenge that these areas bring forth through greater staffing, education, and outreach.

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Youth Christmas Parties 2023 Youth Christmas Parties Spread Festive Cheer in Baraga and Marquette In a heartwarming celebration of the holiday season, the Youth Programs hosted the muchanticipated 2023 Youth Christmas Parties. The festive events occurred at the Niiwin Akeaa Community Center in Baraga on Saturday, December 16, and at the Events Center in Marquette on Sunday, December 17.

The festivities included a cake walk, face painting by our very own youth volunteers, visits with Santa Clause, candy and lunch was served.

As the 2023 Youth Christmas Parties came to a close, the organizers expressed their gratitude to the community for their participation. These events not only celebrated the holiday season but also reinforced the importance of community bonding and creating joyful memories for the youth.

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Youth Christmas Parties

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Around the Community Healthy Teeth, Healthy Life, Healthy Tribe, Healthy Anishinaabe Looking for a great way to kick off the new year?

How about participating in National Staying Healthy Month to create habits that will follow you all year? The mouth is the gateway to the body, and a healthy mouth can mean better overall health. Running throughout the month of January, National Staying Healthy Month gives you an opportunity to establish better oral health routines.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) applauds innovations in medicine, such as vaccinations, therapies, drugs, and surgical procedures, which have contributed greatly to our improved health, it also understands that the responsibility for good health and well-being starts with the individual. Medical science is discovering more about what the body needs to function.

Innovations in dentistry such as sealants, fluoride, and implants enhance and improve oral health, but it's still up to you to implement and initiate this care.

National Staying Healthy Month Suggested Activities: Laughter is the best medicine. Smile right now!

The seven muscles used when smiling trigger happiness throughout your whole body.

Endorphins are released, promoting a sense of well-being. Laughing also decreases stress hormones and increases blood flow by 20 percent. The power of human connection begins with a smile. The more humans connect with each other, the more we share tools and knowledge to keep ourselves healthy. A good oral health care program makes you more likely to smile.

Get more exercise. Spending time outdoors in green spaces can boost mental health, selfesteem, and reduce negative thoughts. As Anishinaabe, we are less than 10 miles from water in this beautiful state of Michigan.

Finding and enjoying waterscapes can help reduce stress.

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Consume the right fuel. Increase your whole foods and grains intake. Eat raw fruits and vegetables. Having all your natural teeth, strong and healthy, begins the digestive process with thorough chewing. If teeth are missing, the dentist can fabricate replacements, making eating healthy foods easier.

Squash, carrots, potatoes, and cauliflower are all delicious additions to your menu. Extra fiber enhances your digestive system, so add legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds to your daily menu. Whole foods also help you resist the temptation for less-healthy options.

Reduce one unhealthy food from your diet. It may be sugar, alcohol, fast food, processed carbohydrates, or soda. Whatever you choose, commit to eliminating it for one full week.

Afterward, you might find it easier to continue one day at a time without that food.

Water keeps you healthy. The human body is nearly 60 percent water. Make sure you drink plenty of water every day.

Sing! When you wake up, sing as you go through your morning routine. Try this: "When you're happy and you know it, give a smile!

When you're happy and you know it, give a smile! When you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it! When you're happy and you know it, give a smile!" From school fight songs to hymns to pop music or even opera – odds are you know the words to your favorite song. There will be several times throughout the day when you can fit in a song, whether singing softly or with gusto. Excellent oral health increases confidence to sing any song.

1.Lead by example and inspire others to stay healthy by sharing your tips with friends and family. Model excellent dental care at home.

Model excellent dental care by keeping all dental appointment.

Good dental health is very important. National Staying Healthy Month is the boost we need to improve our lives. We can take better care of ourselves in 2024. Are you up to the challenge?

Sources: National Today Medical News Today Early To Rise World Health Organization Jessica A. Rickert, DDS, Anishinaabe Dental Outreach

JANUARY 2024

Winter Pow-Wow

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Current Job Postings

https://www.kbocc.edu/employment/openings/

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JANUARY 2024

Around the Community

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Special Feature Cera Shelafoe, KBIC Member, Publishes Research on Caregiver Cognitive Skills and Young Offspring Fitness Cera Shelafoe, a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, has recently achieved a significant milestone in her academic career by coauthoring a peer-reviewed article published in October 2023. The study, titled "Caregiver’s cognitive traits are associated with pup fitness in a cooperatively breeding mammal," which originated during Cera's master's program, explores whether the cognitive skills of a caregiver affect the fitness of the young they care for.

For those interested in reading the study, the article is available through open access. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-02344950-6 Cera Shelafoe's journey exemplifies the remarkable achievements that individuals from indigenous communities can attain through academics and scientific research.

Her commitment to expanding our understanding of ecological relationships is a source of inspiration for aspiring researchers within and beyond the KBIC community.

One of the remarkable aspects of this research is the collaboration between Cera Shelafoe and her co-author, who is affiliated with the University of Helsinki. Leveraging this collaboration, the duo secured funding from the Helsinki University Library to make their research freely accessible through open access publication.

Cera Shelafoe is the daughter of Peter and Gery Shelafoe. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School, where she participated in both the swimming and track and field teams.

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation from Central Michigan University in 2021, Cera pursued her passion for ecological research further. In 2022, she earned her Master's Degree in Research in Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour from the University of Roehampton in London.

Currently in search of funded PhD projects, Cera Shelafoe is eager to continue her research. She is actively exploring potential sources of funding to sustain her commitment to understanding the intricate dynamics between caregiver cognitive skills and the fitness of their young.

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Around the Community

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Around the Community

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Health System

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Elders

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Elders

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Around the Community

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JANUARY 2024

Around the Community

GICHI MANIDOO GIIZIS - GREAT SPIRIT MOON

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Sports Dasan Smith, All-American and Letter of Intent Signed Dasan originally was invited to play in the Indigenous bowl, which was held in southern California during the month of December. However, just weeks before the game and just days before the deadline, Dasan received an invitation to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl, held in Arlington Texas. This event is played at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.Over 6,500 athletes were nominated, but only a small few made the cut. All were recipients of all-conference or all-state awards from their respective conferences and states. Dasan was the only player invited from Michigan. He was selected to play on Team East as an offensive tackle. During the practice week, Dasan made a big impression on his coaches, he ended up practicing on the 1st string line as well as the 2nd string and they nicknamed him “Big Red”.

During the game, Dasan played all but one drive due to an injury just before halftime. He was able to make a recovery and push on for the win.

You can watch the game at http://youtu.be/S vbkryyJiVk? feature=shared Upon his return, it was National Signing Day for colleges across the country.

Dasan had a signing event held at the Marquette High School.

There, Dasan made it official and signed his letter of intent to play Division 1 Football for Central Michigan University. Fire Up Chips! TV6’s Kevin McNulty called Dasan, “The heart and soul in the trenches” for Marquette, interviewed him and asked why he chose Central Michigan. Dasan had this to say, “I always wanted to go to Central. I feel like it would be a great fit for me. Central has a big influence from the reservation there and I’m sure it will feel like home.”

During the event, Head Coach for Marquette Eric Mason had this to say, “I am extremely proud of Dasan. I know he is going to do great things for Central and I am excited to watch him progress at the next level, and potentially beyond.”

Dasan said he was extremely grateful for the opportunity to play in the game, and he was having the time of his life. He proudly represented himself, his family, as well as the tribe, who helped him attend. “This is so great. I am happy everything was able to come together, and I want to thank everyone that upported me getting here” said Dasan. When asked what it was like to interact with some of the top players across the country, Dasan had this to say about the experience, “They said I sound Canadian.”

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You can read Dasan’s bio at https://cmuchippewas.com/sports/football/roster/das an-smith/5446

JANUARY 2024

Sports

Zoongide' Rantanen was named Best Goalie during skills competition on 12/16/23 at the Frozen Cup! This accomplishment won him family tickets to an MTU home game.

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Ojibwa Casino Promotions

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JANUARY 2024

A low-interest, 30-year fixed mortgage (a fixed mortgage means your interest rate will stay the same over the full life of the loan). The current VA interest rate for NADLs starts at 2.5%. To find out what your interest rate will be, contact an NADL coordinator by email at NADL@va.gov or by phone at 888-349-7541 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.