Office of the President

Boozhoo Gakina,

For the month of May, the Tribal Council had five Regular Meetings. The Tribal Council took action on the following items listed below.

05/03/2023 Regular Meeting

Approved ITC Addendum to Mental Health & Delivery System for Native Americans FY 2022-2023

Approved ITC Resolution for data collection. Vice President Minton administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Associate Judge Tashina Emery.

05/10/2023 – Regular Meeting

Approved an updated Organizational Chart for the Health Clinic.

Approved a Locums Tenens Agency Contract.

Approved Baraga Lumberjack Donation for $10,000

Approved $500 donation for Baraga American Legion Post #444

Approved Intertribal Timber Consortium donation of $500.

Approved Tribal Social Service Organizational Chart amendment for a Title IV-E Specialist.

Youth Committee appointments for three years: Hope Laramore, Sheila Royal, Jailyn Shelifoe.

Health Board appointment for three years: Tyler Larson

Reviewed and selected a new tribal logo to be revealed in June to membership.

Approved bid from American National Insurance Company for pension closeout.

First Reading of Ordinance 2023-01 Amendment to Title 10 1 Definitions and 10 2 Commercial & Subsistence Fishing.

05/17/2023 – Regular Meeting

Approved the proposed policy additions to include definitions and provisions for both school-year employees and year-round school-based employees

Ended the Language Instructor contract.

Released the Symetra Life Insurance Group and M3 life insurance policy information that may be purchased by KBIC members. (Additional coverage purchase by individuals)

Established the Associate Judge starting wage of Grade 15 - $33 80

Reinstated the hiring of Appeal Officers in the Employee Grievance Policy.

Appointed Attorney Karl L. Numinen as an Appeals Officer for a hearing at the hourly rate of $250.

05/24/2023 - Regular Meeting

First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 2023-02 –Adopting & Enacting a New Code for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Approved July 3-5, 2023 for the observance of the July 4th holiday for employees.

Second Reading of

Proposed Ordinance 2023-01 – Amendments to Title 10.1 Definitions and 10.2 Commercial and Subsistence Fishing.

Approved a donation of $500 to the Baraga County Lions Club

Approved a change order for the Marquette LED Sign Project for $64,694.

Reviewed, corrected and approved the Tribal Council Meeting Minutes for January 18, January 25, February 1, and February 8 of 2023.

Approved Resolution KB-027-2023 Appointment of KBIC Elder Delegates & Alternate to the Michigan Indian Elder Association Board.

Approved the bid of $64,100 by Matthew Desrochers for the South Beartown Forest Road Improvements

Approved the KBIC Education Department’s College Intern Program.

Approved Resolution KB-031-2023 401 Certification

Request for Baraga County Road Commission –Bayshore Riprap Project, Corps File #LRE-2023-0028138-N23.

Scheduled the 3rd Reading of Proposed Ordinance 2023-01 – Amendments to Title 10 1 Definitions & General Provisions and 10.2 Commercial & Sustenance Fishing for June 7, 2023.

Approved Phase 1 of the Marquette Casino Development for $2,768,652 for the RV Park.

Approved $3020 donation for the Bill Jondreau Memorial Cornhole Tournament t-shirts

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the Tribal Council, I would like to say Miigwetch to the following departments:

The KBIC Natural Resource Department who worked many long hours during the walleye spearing season, monitoring the lakes and doing creel work for tribal harvest accountability

KBIC Tribal Police & Conservation for ensuring the safety of our tribal fishers as they wentouttoexercisetheirtreatyrightsduringthewalleye-spearingseason

TheKBICSolidWastefortheplanningandimplementingasuccessfulSpringClean-upof thereservationandsurroundingareas

KBICPublicWorksforassistingandworkingontheSpringCleanup

The KBIC Housing Department for the use of the equipment and temporary employee hiresforSpringCleanup.

First and foremost, I am so pleased to announce the unveiling of a new logo that represents the rich heritage, culture, and unity of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. This process to reach today took a lot of careful consideration and collaboration In the end, we have developed a logo that truly captures the spirit and values of our community. The deep connection to the land and traditions as well as the natural beauty that surrounds us is reflected in this new look. From here on out, it will serve as a symbol of of our unity and resilience, while honoring the traditions and legacy of those before us I don’t know if you know this but the Tribe is in a state of transition so this new look aligns with that My hope is for the next generation of community leaders to come forward, 40 years from now, with the idea of an even more progressive look. If so, that means we are continuing onward and the impact of community is continuing to be felt amongst KBIC. With this new look comes change Look for changes with what you receive from us, how you receive it, new brand images on tribal vehicles, building signage, the tribal flag will eventually be updated, and more. This will all come together when the new website is revealed, with a member portal for access to all important forms, documents, and licenses, and access to all that is KBIC is seen It is a great time to be apart of KBIC!

Be on the lookout for other tokens of our new look in your mailbox very soon!

For the month of May, I:

Held a Quarterly Department Head meeting

Attended NMU Board of Trustees meeting and commencement

Met with the Associate Commission, Aysha Schomburg, and staff from the Administration for Children and Families

Met with 12 Bravo administrators for Tribal Social Services case management

Attended the 2nd Annual U P CEO Summit in Marquette

Met with ACF staff and submitted first AFCARS2020 file for TSS

Met with NMU about 2024 KBIC Spring Contest

PowWow

Participated in a Retirement Plan Committee meeting

Met with Amplifund staff to discuss on-site training for KBIC

Met with Marketing Department consultants and Marketing Communications Coordinator to finalize brand messaging

Met with Amazon Business representative

Participated in a Policy Review Workgroup meeting

Met with Representative Jenn Hill and staff

Participated in on-site visit from Bureau of Justice

Administration staff for Police Department infrastructure renovation grant planning

Participated in a meet and greet with full-time dental recruit candidate

Attended Lake Superior Community Development Board of Directors meeting

Held Social Service Specialist interview

Held two Indigenous Insight updates

Attended three Tribal Council meetings

Held weekly and monthly department head update meetings

Our Policy review workgroup continues to meet and have plans to address council in a special meeting in the next month to approve changes all the way up to Section 12 0 of our Personnel Policy Handbook All changes will be reported on and updated with staff.

As a reminder, Government offices are closed June 19th and then for the 4th of July holiday – July 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

There is so much to look forward to throughout the summer months Take time to enjoy each moment with your family and friends and soak up every second of sun. We all know we live for the U.P. summers and there is no better place to be during this time than on the shores of Lake Superior!

Stay healthy, Brigitte

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Tribal Elements: Surrounding the eagle, the vital role of water is emphasized as well as the sun overlooking beautiful Lake Superior with rays of light casting upon it. Seven sun rays are intentionally used to signify the seven generations and seven grandfather teachings that are characteristics of the Ojibwe culture and traditions.

Unity and Resilience: The logo's design highlights the interconnectedness of the elements, weaving together to form a harmonious whole. This signifies the strength, unity, and resilience of the community, serving as a reminder of its collective commitment to supporting and uplifting one another. The date of December 17, 1936 is included to represent the date the Constitution and Bylaws of the KBIC was approved and enacted by the U.S. Department of the Interior

The logo will be prominently featured across various communication platforms, signage, and official document. It will serve as a visual representation of KBIC's values and aspirations, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among its members. Tribal leadership is excited about the change and want to thank all staff and members of council who had a hand in this project of collaboration. The past KBIC logo had been in place since 1985.

KBIC Tribal Council Appoints New Associate Judge

Tashina Emery, the KBIC Tribal Court's new Associate Judge, was sworn in on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the regularly scheduled Tribal Council meeting. Tribal Council Vice President Toni Minton had the honor of performing the swearing-in ceremony.

Clearing of the sky cloud woman Misanaquadikwe, in Ojibwa, is her spirit name the one who can clear a cloudy day. She is the daughter of Jeanne Emery. She taught during the day as the Liberal Studies Department Chair at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College and will continue as an Adjunct Professor while transitioning into her new role as the

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Court Associate Judge. Her mother and her position teaching empowered her urgency to assist her people She has always tried to find where her people need her most, and her goal is to serve our community in any capacity. When our community lost such a prominent figure, she knew it was time to step up and asked The Tribal Council for the honor to fill such shoes, filling for the Associate Judge. She is honored to get the chance to support our people impartially and unbiasedly toward healing through our Tribal jurisdictional branch

She obtained her Bachelor’s of Art & Design from the University of Michigan in 2015. Then receiving her Master's in Art & Public Policy from New York University while living in New York City for two years, always returning home to work for her people. Upon teaching at the KBOCC, she earned her second Master's in Creative Writing, attending the Tribal College Institute of American Indian Arts, which she graduated a year ago in May of 2022.

Mikinaak nindoodem. Her clan is of the Turtle, the knowledge keepers, the intellectuals and the lawmakers. They are responsible for mediation, justice, and law-making The turtle clan brings consensus and resolution to conflicts They assist with decisions if there are disagreements between clans. Much like the Earth, the turtle clan represents roots, growth, and stability. The clans represent our people’s system of strength and order.

Tashina is doing it all while being a first-time mother, worrying and caring for her little brown baby and all future brown babies. Her greatest accomplishments is her son. I see in every day, the good in him, he is what people need, his spirit name, Zhaawinoo-gahbow-inini, Man Who Stands in the South. As she defines with clarity daily, her goal is to address sustainable changes in her community and hopefully Indian Country