March 2024

KBIC NEWS

ONAABANI GIIZI - CRUSTY MOON

KBIC Hosts Feeding America Mobile Food Pantries

In an effort to combat food insecurity within the community, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has been hosting Feeding America mobile food pantries, with two successful events already held in January and February of 2024.

These mobile food pantries have been a lifeline for many families in need, providing essential food items to approximately 350 households. With the support of dedicated volunteers and community members, KBIC has been able to make a significant impact in addressing hunger within its boundaries.

The upcoming mobile food

IN THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

CEO'S CORNER

ANISHINAABE

DENTAL OUTREACH

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

pantries will continue to be hosted at the Big Bucks Bingo Hall in Baraga, with a total of eight events planned for the year 2024. These initiatives aim to alleviate the burden of food insecurity and ensure that families have access to nutritious meals.

Brigitte LaPointe Dunham, KBIC CEO, expressed her thoughts on the mobile food pantries, stating, "We are committed to serving our community and addressing the critical issue of food insecurity. The Feeding America mobile food pantries have been instrumental in providing much-needed support to families facing hardship. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Feeding America and other partners to make a positive difference in the lives of our community members."

The KBIC remains dedicated to supporting its residents and promoting well-being throughout the community. Through initiatives like the mobile food pantries, they continue to demonstrate their commitment to fostering a healthy and thriving environment for all

2024 TRIBAL COUNCIL

Doreen Blaker, President

Rodney Loonsfoot, Vice President

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

Hope Laramore

Sam Loonsfoot

Toni J Minton

Office of the President

Boozhoo Anin Gakina,

For the month of February, the Tribal Council had four Special Meetings. The Tribal Council took action on the following items listed below.

02/03/2024 Special Meeting held in Marquette

Approved the 2023

senior tax preparation reimbursement for KBIC members 55 years of age and older in the amount of up to $100.00. (Baraga & Marquette counties)

02/07/2024 Special Meeting

Approved the agreement between the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and InterTribal Council of Michigan, Inc. for funding supplementation of the KBIC Head Start program.

Approved a donation for the L’Anse High School bowling team in the amount of $1,200 00 to assist with lodging expenses while competing in this year’s state bowling regionals in Traverse City, Michigan.

02/14/2024 Special Meeting

Approved the Tier III Agreement with World of Wood for services pertaining to remodeling the L’Anse behavioral health building as presented.

02/21/2023 Special Meeting

Approved Option 1- replacement of currency counters at both the Marquette and Baraga Ojibwa Casino locations

Approved the Everi cabinet swap out as presented.

Approved a donation in the amount of $200.00 for a full-page ad with KBIC seniors in the L’Anse Area Schools yearbook.

Approved donations in the amount of $250.00 for each of the L’Anse Area School, Baraga Area School and Marquette High School lock-ins.

Approved the bids from Patterson Dental for cabinetry and dental equipment upgrades.

President Blaker administered the oath of office to Hope Laramore, newly appointed councilwoman, during the Tribal Council meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

The month of March has many notable awareness observances and contributions, one I want to highlight is Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month is special to me because it honors all of our unsung women heroes and leaders and their contributions. The achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who have built a lot of our own community should never go unnoticed and applauded for years to come. So, chi-Miigwech to all of the women - future, past, and present - who have and are making positive impacts for KBIC! Without you all, I, for sure, would not be here doing what I love day in and day out.

I included a photo of two women leaders that have influenced my life, my Grandmother, Myrtle Tolonen and Mother, Carole LaPointe.

For the month of February, I:

CEO’s Corner

Held a Quarterly Department Head Meeting

Attended a KBIC Monthly Grant Management Meeting with NTIA Broadband officials

Attended four KBIC/MDHHS update meetings with Tribal Social Services

Participated in a Tribal/State Partnership meeting

Participated in a Black Rock Crossing Housing Development update meeting

Attended an Assistance Based on Need Taskforce meeting

Attended a meeting with Revex Technologies and Lundin Mine staff

Attended an Early Childhood Education Program Taskforce meeting

Attended an introduction meeting with the Van Andel Education Institute

Attended a Drug Free Workplace Taskforce meeting

Held a Sober Living Home discussion follow-up meeting

Attended a Policy Review Workgroup meeting

Attended two meeting with OHM Advisors and KBIC Housing Department

Participated in the Feeding America event

Performed two 90-day probationary reviews with staff

Attended the KBIC Health Board meeting

Held individual department update meetings throughout the month

Attended four Tribal Council meetings

The 2nd Annual Keweenaw Bay Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Spring Contest Powwow will take place April 19 – 21 in Marquette at the Superior Dome on the campus of Northern Michigan University. This is exciting for us because last year, space for spectators and guests was the biggest issue. Space should not be an issue this year with how large and prominent the venue is. How exciting is it to bring our culture to one of the greatest landmarks in the U.P.? I am SO excited to witness all the amazing dancers and drums again this year Crossing my fingers for good weather, vibes, and overall safety to everyone coming to the area for the event. So, if you’re reading this, start spreading the word and tell your friends and family to check it out!

By the time this newsletter is out, it will be known that our long-time Police Chief, Duane Misegan, has announced his retirement. Under Duane’s leadership, our police force has not only maintained order but has fostered a sense of trust and respect within our community. Through countless challenges and successes, Duane has guided our department with compassion and courage. As he embarks on this new

CEO’s Corner

chapter of life, let us reflect on the impact he has made and celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. May his retirement be filled with joy, fulfillment, and well-deserved relaxation. On behalf of KBIC, I extend our deepest gratitude to Duane and his 31 years of dedicated service

I couldn’t close this month’s article without talking about March Madness – the best time of the year for college basketball. The women’s side is full of superstars and great teams this year, it’s anyone’s championship for the taking. My predictions are South Carolina for the Women’s bracket and I really think Duke will make a run and win it on the Men’s side

All my best,

Brigitte

COMMUNITY NOTICE: I want to provide a notice about our current operations with Tribal Social Services (TSS). TSS is currently understaffed to a point where outside help is needed. The Community has entered an agreement with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to help ensure that the reservation receives child and adult protective services MDHHS has provided emergency assistance to the Community in the past, so its aid is not new. We hope MDHHS's assistance will help the Community provide adequate child and adult protective services.

MDHHS has agreed to act as a representative of TSS to provide child and adult protective services to tribal members on the reservation MDHHS social workers may respond to emergency calls on the reservation, file removal petitions in Tribal Court, and work with Tribal Police to remove a neglected child from a home, if necessary. While MDHHS may be responding to calls, it is doing so on behalf of TSS and under the Tribe's jurisdiction. The Tribal Court maintains jurisdiction over all tribal members on the reservation. MDHHS must work through the Tribal Court if it wishes to remove a neglected child from the home.

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March is National Reading Month

National Reading Month is celebrated in March to honor Dr. Suess’ birthday. Let’s all celebrate and read every day this month! When we love books, good things happen. Reading strengthens our mental muscles, improves comprehension, increases imagination, and boosts memory. Reading makes us smarter! Who doesn’t want that?

Read aloud to your child every day even when they are babies. This is so important because infants are developing language skills the minute they are born. [Research%20shows%20thatages%200%205%20years%20old%20need%20to%20hear%20ab out 21,000%20words%20per%20day to%20develop%20strong%20language%20skills]R esearch shows that babies ages 0 -5 years old need to hear at least 6,000 words per day to develop strong language skills. The average person speaks around 16,000 words in a day. Make sure this includes talking, reading and singing to those darling kids.

Education Specialist at your tribe or Anishinaabe organization can help with many more reading activities, especially as the kids grow up.

The reading program 2 X 2 + 20 = 24 is recommending that we brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes and that we read each day for 20 minutes. A chart to record each task is a great way for kids to track their progress. In a month, this would be 90-93 completed tasks Engaging charts can be downloaded each month for each reader at:

https://9033392.fs1.hubspotusercontentna1.net/hubfs/9033392/files/FLI6466%20v5%20Delta%20Dental%20Brushing% 20and%20Reading%20Chart.pdf

https://www.deltadentalmi.com/getmedia/60d5 e266-4e78-4c06-b312-91da2b9c8d47/DeltaDental-2x2-20-Brushing-and-ReadingPoster.aspx

For my three children, I used stars, and I promised a small reward for 80 stars We read from a physical book. Picking up a desired book and physically turning the pages gives a child agency.

Excellent dental health and learning are tied together. A healthy mouth is necessary for proper speech development. Dental disease is the main cause for health-related school absences

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss

Take your toddlers to the library on a regular basis and continue to do so even into the teen years. After choosing a few books, read every day. Jazz up reading time by including stuffed animals and pets. Recruit all family members to read to each other Here are some ideas to keep reading interesting:

After reading a book with your child, ask questions.

Be sure to have a bag ready with several books, to have available when driving or when waiting.

Choose a theme, such as “snow.”

Dress up like a book character.

Hold up the book cover and ask questions, such as about the colors and shapes.

Make faces to show the emotions of the characters.

Place books at the child’s level in your home.

Stop at a verb and act it out

As the children learn to read, encourage their progress and their independent reading. The

https://www.rif.org/nrm

https://nationaltoday.com/national-reading-month/ https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/wordgap-speak-more-words-to-

https://9033392.fs1.hubspotusercontentna1.net/hubfs/9033392/files/FLI6466%20v5%20Delta%20Dental%20Brushing%20 and%20Reading%20Chart pdf

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-andlanguage

https://nativenewsonline.net/health/wellbeing-ofnative-american-children-scores-among-lowest-innational-study?

utm source=Native+News+Online&utm campaign= b69417904b-

EMAIL CAMPAIGN 2021 11 24 COPY 01&utm med ium=email&utm term=0 dfd25403

Dr. Jessica A. Rickert, DDS, Anishinaabe Dental Outreach

Chief Duane Misegan Retires: Honoring a Legacy of Service with KBIC Tribal Police

Chief of Police, Duane Misegan, retired March 7, 2024 after working for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for over 37 years. He served as the Chief of Police since June, 2015. Duane began his career like many young men his age, by working for Tribal Construction He then went on to the Casino where he became a Pit Boss. His law enforcement career started as a Conservation

Warden for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). He attended and graduated from the Chippewa Valley Technical College Police Academy in 1993 Following his time at GLIFWC, he came to work for our Tribal Police Department in September, 1995. He was promoted to Corporal, Sergeant and finally to Chief.

During his career with KBIC, Chief Misegan attended many trainings and became an instructor for firearms, taser, munitions, boat safety and several other disciplines. He was instrumental in developing the K9 program. He was involved in Community Policing and even rode a bike through the Reservation a few summers.

Chief Misegan was involved in bringing several grants to the Police Department; most recently a School Resource Officer for the Baraga School and a

$1.3M grant renovation to the department. Duane is respected in the area law enforcement community and is very proud of his service to our Community as well as the staff that he works with.

A celebration of Duane’s retirement was held at the Ojibwa Motel Conference

Tribal Police

Room on March 7. There he was presented a plaque and a blanket in honor of his service by President Blaker. His Department also presented him with a handsome, engraved collectable knife.

Duane is looking forward to some much-deserved rest and relaxation and spending more time with his family; wife Jennifer, son Jake and daughter Deena.

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Contest Pow Wow

https://wwwkboccedu/employment/op enings/

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Elders

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KBIC Tribal Police Welcomes New Officers with Swearing-In Ceremonies

In a ceremony held at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Court on February 26, 2024, Randy Owens III took the oath of office as the newest Tribal Police Officer, administered

by Chief Judge Violet Friisvall Ayres. Officer Owens is set to assume the role of the School Resource Officer within the Baraga Schools.

In a ceremony held at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Court on March 11, 2024, Evan Smith took the oath of office as the newest Tribal Police Officer, administered by Chief Judge Violet Friisvall Ayres. Officer Smith received his badge from former Tribal Police Officer and best friend to Officer Smith, Mattie Shalifoe, Jr.

Accreditation Approval

Achieved: Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College's Associate Degree in Nursing Program Ready to Begin

The accreditation and approval process required to fully implement Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s new Associate Degree in Nursing program is complete.

In a significant stride toward enhancing healthcare education in the Baraga County community, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) has successfully completed the accreditation and approval process for its Associate Degree in Nursing program. As previously advertised, on September 7, 2023, the Michigan State Board of Nursing granted KBOCC initial program approval for their proposed Associate of Science degree in Nursing. Today, KBOCC received notice that the Higher Learning Commission fully approved the program for accreditation at the Institutional Actions Council Meeting on February 20–21, 2024. This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment for the institution, signaling its commitment to providing quality education and addressing the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the region. With this accreditation, KBOCC is set to launch the program in the upcoming Fall 2024 semester.

The journey to accreditation is a rigorous and multifaceted process that ensures educational programs meet stringent standards of quality and effectiveness. For KBOCC's Associate Degree in Nursing program, this process involved careful planning, thorough documentation, and collaboration with accrediting and State

bodies to achieve the necessary approvals. Since 2022, KBOCC has dedicated substantial effort to develop a comprehensive curriculum that aligns with industry standards and addresses the unique needs of the community. This groundwork laid the foundation for the accreditation process, which included a thorough self-study and documentation to demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards

A critical component of the process was the on-site evaluation conducted by reviewers appointed by the accrediting body, as well as the State of Michigan during their approval process. This evaluation assessed all areas of the program and campus locations, ensuring alignment with established standards and best practices.

Looking ahead, KBOCC remains committed to continuous improvement, and will seek to obtain program-specific accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This voluntary process entails meeting rigorous educational standards through peer review, further underscoring KBOCC's commitment to educational excellence and ensuring highquality programming.

Led by KBOCC Nursing Department Chair, Paula Roth, whose dedication and leadership has played a key role in this endeavor, the accreditation approval opens doors for aspiring nursing professionals, making their career dreams a reality. Roth expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Having this program at KBOCC will afford our local community members the opportunity to pursue a career in Nursing that may not have been feasible for them in the past."

Roth highlighted the program's potential to strengthen the local healthcare workforce, addressing area staffing needs and contributing to the economic vitality of Baraga County. Dean of Academic Affairs, Megan Haataja, echoed Roth's sentiments, emphasizing the program's significance in meeting educational and healthcare needs.

"Obtaining accreditation approval for our nursing program is a testament to our dedication here at KBOCC to provide high-quality education and meet the healthcare needs of our community," said Haataja. "This not only enhances opportunities for

Around the Community

aspiring nurses but also ensures our community is receiving exceptional care from well-trained professionals for future generations."

Haataja acknowledged the significant contributions of many KBOCC staff and faculty while emphasizing special recognition for Roth and her dedicated efforts. "Paula's determination and oversight were crucial in obtaining program accreditation and being able to offer this program so quickly. Her commitment from beginning to end was vital to its success I’m very proud of everyone that had a role in this process!"

As the program prepares to welcome its inaugural cohort of nursing students in the upcoming fall semester, the future looks promising for KBOCC, aspiring nurses and the Baraga County community as a whole

Additional information, including program requirements, can be found on our website at www.kbocc.edu/nursing.

For more information or to begin the enrollment process, please contact Paula Roth, Nursing Department Chair, at proth@kbocc.edu or 906-5248304.

L’Anse 6th grade boys’ basketball team took home first place at the Hancock tournament on March 4, 2024 KBIC Youth include, Caden Duerkop, Keegin, Yancey DeCota, Jordan Ekdahl, Xander Seppanen, and Rylan Fish

CCJHA Garrow Accounting's 14u Girls are state Runners-up. Head Coach Brian Rantanen and his daughter Nizhoni, proudly representing KBIC, contributed to the success of the multi-county co-op hockey team, securing the silver medal during the weekend of March 8th-10th in Grand Rapids, MI, 2024.

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