New housing ready for occupancy this spring, summer

INSIDE
PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
TWIN CITIES, MN
PERMIT NO. 4988
Page 8
Page 10
Page 13
CHANGE SERVICE
REQUESTED
Bois Forte
NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA - April 2012
VOL. 35 NO. 4
www.boisforte.com
New housing ready for occupancy this spring, summer
Vermilion’s New Moon Apartments and
Duplexes
The New Moon Supportive Housing for homeless
Band members is scheduled for July occupancy.
Carol Burr, Andy Datko and Lela Goodsky met
with the contractor in March to review remaining
to do’s and identify final corrections that are
needed for the duplexes. The apartment building is
scheduled for review in April. Human Services has
hired Theresa Drift as project manager and Muriel
Deegan as a case manager for the Supportive
Housing facilities and both will have offices in the
apartment building.
and the duplexes are all within walking
distance of the Vermilion Clinic, the Vermilion
Family Wellness Center and Fortune Bay via
the new walking trail.
As the weather gets warmer, contractors will
lay sod, landscape, and work on driveways
and roads. Barbecue grills and picnic tables
will also be installed.
Over in Nett Lake, the six new duplexes built
by Band members working for Band business
owner Mike Bass are complete. The first four
renters of the 12-unit facility will start moving Jeff Isham, Dave Farmer and Tim Socks work on
in April. Another four will move in May 1, and exterior of the New Moon apartments.
New Moon’s 20 units include eight apartments the final group will move in at the end of May.
and six freestanding duplexes. An onsite caretaker
will live in one of the units (see sidebar if you People on the Housing waiting list are being
are interested in the caretaker position), and notified of openings, so make sure your application
the other 19 are available for rent. If you are is up to date if you are interested in one of the new
interested in renting at New Moon, contact the duplexes. Contact Troy King at Housing at (218)
The New Moon housing project for
DW Jones Management company at this website 757-3261 ext. 233 or email tking@boisforte-nsn.
homeless Band members is seeking a
DWJonesManagement.com or call Deb Sherman gov.
at 218-326-5314 for an application.
caretaker or caretakers to live onsite
Thanks to a Great Team
at the Vermilion facility.
Each wing of New Moon’s V-shaped apartment
building contains four units. Building amenities Projects as large as new housing developments
Candidates should have experience
include supportive services offices, a laundromat, require the hard work and coordination of many
a multipurpose conference/family room, and a people. Thanks to Carol Burr, Andy Datko, Dave
and skills in home repair and be
smaller conference room. The apartment building Anderson, Mental Health staff and numerous
willing to mow lawns and remove
others like S.E.H, C.S.H, Broen Housing, all the
snow. A Bois Forte Band member
contractors and the Funding Agencies. Carol
Burr, Commissioner of Housing would also
couple is preferred. The caretaker(s)
like to thank the Bois Forte Housing staff Patsy
will receive free housing and
Adams, Ronald Day, Shane Drift, Lela Goodsky,
a small salary.
Charles Graue, Troy King, Lance Kingbird,
Warren Villebrun and David Villebrun Jr. for
taking care of day to day housing duties, while
If you are interested, call Deb
we worked on the New Construction Projects.
Caretaker Position Open
Sherman at 218-326-5314
or email her at
DebS@DWJonesManagement.com
for an application.
Curt Eide and Bob Bodman of B&E siding working on a
New Moon duplex in Vermilion.
BOIS FORTE NEWS P.O. Box 16 Nett Lake, MN 55772 • bfnews@boisforte-nsn.gov • Visit us! www.boisforte.com APRIL 2012
Page 2 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
State & National News
Census shows nearly half of American
Indians consider selves multiracial
According to the 2010 Census, 44% of the
American Indian and Alaska Native population in
the United States – 2.3 million people – reported
having ancestry from more than one race. This
multiracial group grew by 39% from 2000 to 2010,
and increased in 47 of the 50 states.
Of that 5.2 million, 2.9 million reported being
solely American Indian and Alaska Native, an
increase of 18%.
Overall, 5.2 million people identified themselves
as American Indian and Alaska Native, either alone
or in combination with one or more races such as
white, African American or Asian. This population
grew by 27% percent from 2000 to 2010, and now
makes up 1.7% of all people in the country.
Other findings about American Indians and Alaska
Natives include:
Landmark court
ruling on Tribal
Sovereignty
By contrast, the total U.S. population grew by
9.7% during the same time period.
• The 10 states with the largest American Indian
and Alaska Native populations were California,
Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New York, New
• Most (78%) do not live on reservations or trust Mexico, Washington, North Carolina, Florida and
lands. This was especially true in Oklahoma and Michigan.
western states.
Congratulations to the
Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Named
#1 Golf Course
in Minnesota
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Santee
Sioux Nation have won a lawsuit brought
by the state of Colorado alleging that two
Tribally-owned online businesses were
operating without a state license.
The Tribes successfully argued that the suit
threatened their sovereignty and their ability
to operate businesses for the purpose of
economic development.
The ruling also outlawed state-issued
subpoenas that would have required the two
tribal companies to provide documents and
other proprietary information, and threw out
contempt citations aimed at the tribal entities
and their officers.
The ruling is expected to have a major
impact on other Tribes and their economic
development entities that do business in
Indian Country and over the Internet
Congratulations to the
MIB girl’s basketball on
winning second place at
the State Tournament.
Photos next issue.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
by Golf Week Magazine
Tuesday, April 3
is
Primary Election Day for Bois Forte
Remember to vote between 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
at one of the following voting stations:
Nett Lake - Government and Community Services Center
Vermilion – Vermilion Community Center
Minneapolis – Urban Office 1308 East Franklin Ave.
APRIL 2012
Page 3 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
RTC News
These Tribal Members/Descendants have money on deposit at the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians or maintain
ownership in trust land. We would like to locate these Tribal Members/Descendants and get them to update their Individual
Indian Money (IIM) account with a current address and telephone number. If your name appears on the list: Please call the
Office of Special Trustees (218) 751-4338 to update your account.
ADAMS, ALEX
ADAMS, CHRISTOPHER L
ADAMS, DANIEL J
ADAMS, JOSEPH
ADAMS, NORMAN G
ADAMS, ROBERT M
ADAMS JOURDAIN, REGINA
AHNONOSHIEB,
AKARD, DIANE
ALLAN, SHARON M
ANDERSON, SHARON M
ANDERSON, TIMOTHY G
APONTE, VIVIAN L
ASTOLFI, SYLVIA
BARTO, ANGELA
BAXTER, DEBORAH J
BERLIEN, NOREEN A
BLACKJACK, MAGGIE
BOMBAY JR, KENNETH
BONEY, VERNON D
BOSHEY, EUGENE ALFRED
BOSHEY, MARY F
BOSHEY, SHARON
BOSHEY JR, ERNEST
BOSHKAYGEB, JIM
BOUDREAU, JOSHUA S
BRESSETTE, BABY GIRL
BRUYERS, ROSE A
BUNKER, CARLOS A
BURNSIDE, ROSE
BUTLER JR, JOHN
CADOTTE, CORA
CAJUNE, HELENE
CALDER, LUCILLE A
CARRIGAN, PAMELA
CHEGESHIGWABE,
CHOSA, ARLENE M
CHOSA, AURA
CHOSA, CLARA ANNE
CHOSA, HENRY F
CHOSA, JAMES E
CHOSA, JENNA E
CHOSA, LORETTA J
CHOSA, VINCENT JOSEPH
COLUMBUS, DUANE ARNOLD
CONNOR, DARRELL LEE
CONNOR, JAMES
CONNOR, LAWRENCE
CONNOR, MATTHEW G
CONNOR, PATRICK
CONNOR, RUTH MARIE
CONNOR GRAHAM, LOIS ARLENE
CONNOR JR, LAWRENCE ALVIN
COOK, KEITH
COOK, LANCE
CORDERO, HARRIET J
CURRAN, DEBRA L
CURRAN JR, JACK D
DALE, EUGENE A
APRIL 2012
DALGREN, JOHN
DAVIS, HAROLD F
DAY, MICHAEL
DAY-ALCOCER, JANET
DEEGAN JR, WARREN TYLER
DEFOE, TERRY A
DEVRIES, MEAGAN CALLICO
DRIFT, JOYCE CONNORS
DROUILLARD, MARION
DROUILLARD, MELISSA C
ELLIS, PATRICIA L
ERNSTON, JOHN R
EVANS, DOLORES
FAIRBANKS, BOBBI J
FAIRBANKS, THOMAS J
FISHER JR, SIMON W
FRANIK, PAMELA J
FRIDAY, CHARLIE
FRIDAY, JOE
GAHGEWEZAINCE,
GAHSHIPOWAYWEDUMOKE,
GALLANT, WILLIAM P
GAWBOY, BARTON J
GEORGE, MARGARET JOSEPHINE
GESHICK, AUDREY F
GESHICK, LAURA J
GESHICK, RAYMOND
GEZAINCE,
GLASS, CARLOS A
GOGGLEYE, KELLY B
GOGGLEYE, LORRAINE /S/
GOOD, KAREY
GOODSKY, BRADLEY D
HACKEY, BRENDA L
HAIN, JOHN
HANLON, THOMAS
HAVRON, DAVID
HAWK, JOHN
HAYNES, APRIL
HAZELRIGG, LORI D
HAZLETT, KRISTINA
HAZLETT, RICK
HILL, RACHEL M
HILL, RACHEL M
HODGSON, LEONARD A
HODGSON, NOREEN MAE
HODGSON, SHIRLEY L
HODGSON/HORVAT, ELIZABETH J
HURSH, COLLIN
HURSH, KENDELL S
HURSH, RAOHL
ISHAM, LAURA CONNORS
JACK, ANTHONY L
JACKSON, DELORES
JOHNSON, CANDICE M
JOHNSON, JAMES D
JOHNSON, PAMELA D
JOHNSON, VANESSA
JONES, ALVIN
JONES, DAVID
JONES, MRS JOHN
JOURDAIN, ANTOINE
JOURDAIN, EUGENE
JOURDAIN, LEONARD
JOURDAIN CHOSA, ANGELINE M
KAYZEBAHGESHIGOKE,
KINCH, MARGARET S
KING, BERNARD G
KING, DAYLE R
KING, HERBERT H
KING, JUDY K
KING, MARGARET A
KLOVSTAD, EUGENE ALLEN
KLOVSTAD, JEAN ROSE
KNOWLTON, DEBRA LEE
LARSON, MEREDITH G
LEARY, THOMAS O
LEGO, DIANE E
LEVERICH, SHEILA
LIGHT, WILLIAM
LIGHTFEATHER, KAREN
LIGHTFEATHER, TERESA A
LILYA, MIRANDA J
LONG, JEANETTE MARIE
LONG III, PHILLIP JOHN
LUND, LINDA L
MAHJEOSAHDUNG,
MANVILLE, PAULINE
MARSHALL, JULIUS
MAYER, KEVIN S
MAYSQUAHAHMEMAYGOKE,
MCCOY, RAYMOND CLARENCE
MCDANIEL ROY, SAPHRONIA LUCILLE
MCGINNIS, JACK
MCGINNIS, LIZZIE
MCGINNIS, NORMAN
MCKENNETT, LOUISE
MEZHAHKEGESHIG,
MICKELSON, CAMILLE C
MITCHELL, BRYAN
MORNINGSTAR, CONSTANCE A
MORRISON, DORA M
MURPHY PAPPAS, CHARLOTTE
MURRAY, AMANDA
NAMAYPOOK, CHARLIE
NANNYPOKE, JOE
NANNYPOKE, KATIE
NAYTAHWAHBETUNG,
NEVITT, DIANE VAUGHN
NODINAHCUMIGOKE,
NORCIA, ROXANNE L
NORDEEN, REBECCA
O LEARY, DANIEL D
OLSON, JORDAN S
OWAHGETST,
OZHAWAUSHKOBETUN,
PARKER, PAMELA J
PEACOCK, BEAU E
RAYMOND, RHONDA L
RETTKE, ROSE M
RHYMER, CHERYL D BROWN
ROCHA, TANYA M
ROTTENWOOD, CHARLES
ROY, ATEEKEA L
ROY, DUANE E
ROY, JOHN A
ROY JR, CLARENCE
SAHBAHDIS, ANNIE
SAHBAHDIS, ELIZABETH
SAM, CLIFFORD
SAMCIR, ANNIE
SAMM, JEREMY W
SAMPSON, CHARLENE
SANCHEZ, CHARLES
SANDERS, DIANE
SCHORZMAN, KRISTINA
SCHWOCHERT, ALVIN J
SEARS, SIMON
SHEEHY SR, WILLIAM M
SIKORSKI, LEO
SMITH, APRIL
STRONG, JASON G
STRONG, RAYMOND
STRONG, ROSALIND
SWAN, VICTOR J
TAITTONEN, ANN B
TAYLOR, BENNY W
THOMPSON, DOROTHY G
TOLRUD, THOMAS J
TOLRUD, THOMAS JOHN
VILLEBRUN, EDITH MORRISON
VILLEBRUN, VINESSA D
VIVIER, ALEX
WAKEMUP, ROGER L
WEBB, MADELENE
WEBSTER, MICHAEL
WEISS, IRENE M
WENDLING, DOROTHY
WEST, BRUCE E
WEST, SCOTT S
WEST, TERRY A
WESTBROOK, OSCAR T
WILLIAMS, FLORENCE
WILLIAMS, JOHN
WILLIAMS, THERESA M.
WILLY, FLORENCE
WILLY, HACKLEY
WILSON, JOHN
WILSON, VICTORIA
YUILL, LUCILLE L
ZHAWAHNAHNAHQUODEB,
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 4 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Nett Lake & Vermilion
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Finance Corporation First-Time
Homebuyer Education Class
Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Building
15542 State 371 NW, Cass Lake, Minnesota
First-time Homebuyer Education is a
requirement of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Finance Corporation for qualified buyers.
Please reserve your spot in this class with
Cindy Beaulieu at 218-335-8582 extension 150
or cbeaulieu@mnchippewatribe.org.
No Childcare is provided so please make other
arrangements.
Voters get chance
to meet, hear from
candidates at forum
Ten of the twelve candidates for the RTC appeared at a candidate
forum in Minneapolis on March 8. The forum was organized
by Band members living in the Twin Cities. Each candidate
received two minutes for opening and closing statements. The
remainder of the time was used to respond to written questions
submitted by the audience.
Two other candidate forums were planned as this issue went
to press. Ken Strong organized a forum in Tower on March
17 and the Bemidji State University American Indian Center
Student Council hosted a forum on March 28.
Remember to vote in the Primary Election on April 3. See page
2 for voting stations.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
APRIL 2012
Page 5 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Conditions ripe for fire activity
Low ground moisture from last fall, combined
with our mild winter have made conditions ripe for
dangerous fires this spring. Bois Forte’s Forestry
staff expects Northern Minnesota to have increased
wildland fire activity and know their resources
will be stretched thin. “The public will have to
be especially cautious with their activities that
may ignite unwanted fires,” cautions Reservation
Forester Dave Larson.
loads. The public is asked for
their continued cooperation in
preventing fires by using the
free burning permit system.
Burn permits are issued based
on local fire danger conditions.
Under an initial attack fire
suppression agreement between
the Bois Forte Band and the
Larson identifies several contributing factors State of Minnesota, geographic
that together point to a busy spring fire season, sections were created for issuing
free burning permits. Please use
including:
the contact information below
to request a burning permit,
· A 10 inch rain deficit at the end of 2011
BEFORE you start a fire:
· Extremely low surface water in streams, ponds, Nett Lake Sector: Contact Bois
and ditches
Forte Forestry at 218-757-3177
· Little frost and limited snow accumulation this Indian Point Sector: Contact
winter, resulting in little snow-melt run-off to MN DNR Forestry in Orr MN
replenish surface water bodies
at 218-757-3274
For additional information, please contact Dave
As they have in past years, Bois Forte Forestry
Larson at 218-757-3177, x 1
and Fire Department plan to do a controlled burn Vermilion Sector: Contact MN DNR Forestry in
in the Nett Lake Village to reduce hazardous fuel Tower MN at 218-757-2580
APRIL 2012
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 6 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Elders
Native American Barbie goes to college
By Dr. Lynda Grover
For their outing to UMD
where they would be special
guests in the American Indian
Women class, the three
Native American Barbie
dolls had changed from
their usual at-home wear
(poufy prom gowns with
sparkly accessories and tiny
Dr. Lynda Grover
high heels) into their original
Mattel-designed versions of
American Indian dresses, the ones that they wore
when they were new.
Seated in a row on the table at the front of the
classroom they waited graciously, Ojibwe Barbie
in pink satin, Sioux Barbie in turquoise, the older
and original American Indian Barbie who brought
along her infant, Baby Blue Feather, in faux suede.
Next to them was a Land o Lakes butter package
and a tourist souvenir doll from the 1950s; my
laptop was hooked up and the Mazola Corn Oil
commercial (“We call it maize”) from the mid 70s
was ready to play on the movie screen. This day
the students would discuss some of the images and
realities of Native womanhood.
Some of the young women handled them in the
same way as do my granddaughters when they are
playing: careful of their clothes and hair, supporting
them as they stand, looking into their faces and
stepping easily into that plane of semi-imaginary
existence that is the world of doll- and- girlhood.
My granddaughter Natalie had stepped lightly and
seamlessly into that world as she helped search
in the toy box to find the dolls’ Native American
Barbie outfits. There are several Barbies at my
house, a diverse group; the Native American dolls
were gifts, two from my mother and one from a
former student. My granddaughters love to play
with them. Usually the dolls wear classic (from
little girls’ perspectives) Barbie clothes: those
poufy prom dresses with high heels. It took awhile
to find their Native American Barbie dresses in the
tangle; we never did find all of their moccasins
(you know how Barbie shoes are!) and so two of
them wore plastic cowboy boots to UMD. And
for one, whose hair had become unmanageable,
Natalie chose a fabulous hat. They looked good,
although Mattel’s version of Native clothing
isn’t really very authentic at all; in fact, the pink
cowboy boots and the fabulous hat might have
been the closest to what a real Native girl might
have wanted to wear with those outfits!
Happy April
Birthdays, Elders!
Sydney Adams
4-18
Caroline Boshey
4-16
Phyllis Boshey
4-7
Victoria (Drouillard) Herrington
4-7
Esther Connor
4-15
Helmi Gawboy 4-23
Kay Zika
4-11
Heid Erdrich’s poem (which can be found in her
book National Monuments) continues to inspire the
writing and minds of the students of the American
Indian Women class. And mine.
The Native American Barbies appreciated the
opportunity to be a part of the UMD student’s
educational experience and are now resting up and
getting a little beauty sleep in the toy box while
they wait for my granddaughters to open the lid and
I ran the commercial, read aloud Heid Erdrich’s
play. The first thing the little girls will do, I am sure,
wonderful poem Butter Maiden and Maize Girl After class the Butter Maiden box went into the
will be to assist them in slipping into something a
Survive Death Leap and introduced the Native recycle bin, the souvenir doll back onto the bookshelf
little more Barbie-ishly comfortable: poufy prom
American Barbies, who generously allowed students in my office. The Mazola Corn Oil commercial is
dresses, tiny high heels, and some bling.
floating in YouTube cyberspace, where I found it.
to pass them around the class and hold them.
Five steps to healthier feet
Your foot is a complex feat of engineering and
a critical element in how you stand, walk, and
balance. Of all your many body parts, your feet are
likely the most neglected. One in four people over
the age of 45 have foot pain, and approximately
one in six have ankle problems. These numbers
hint at the scope of the issue, but they leave out the
other many health ailments that stem from achy,
throbbing, and painful feet.
Besides the obvious issues of the toes, arch, and
plantar fascia, foot pain can become a much larger,
whole-body health issue. Two-thirds of those with
chronic foot pain have reported their foot issue has
created some sort of disability elsewhere in their
lives -- for example, decreasing balance while
walking or standing, increasing osteoarthritis
in the knees and hips, or preventing them from
BOIS FORTE NEWS
starting or maintaining a healthy walking program. 2. Spread the toes. Toe abduction, or a movement
of the toes away from each other, is a normal part of
The great thing about foot health is that it takes a healthy gait pattern. Years of carrying weight too
just a little effort to make great improvements. far forward on the feet, wearing too-small shoes
Here are five ways to drastically improve the state as a kid, and narrow toe boxes on certain styles of
of your feet starting now.
shoe have really limited the toe spreading motion.
Selecting footwear that provides ample room to
1. Exercise your feet. You know that all muscles splay your toes when walking is the healthiest
need regular exercise to stay healthy. Foot muscles choice; ideally your toes should spread just as the
are no different. Whether you are a gym rat or a fingers do.
couch potato, chances are you have never given
much thought to the muscles that make the foot If tight toes have become a habit, foot alignment
arch or the ones that move the toes. However, foot socks can work on spreading them for you. The
exercise is among the most basic health programs. perfect product for the pro-active individual, you
You don’t even have to get out of a chair to do can work on restoring muscle and fascial tissue
it initially. Slip off your shoes and socks and get lengths while you watch television at night.
to work lifting each toe individually. Try it -- it
sounds a lot easier than it really is!
(cont. on page 7)
APRIL 2012
Page 7 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Culture
Words of our historical Chiefs
By J. Kay Davis
kaydavis1936@hotmail.com
To help us appreciate who we
are, my article this month will
quote some of our historical
Chiefs. Since we had as many
as 16 bands of which each had
J. Kay Davis
a Chief. A band of Indians is
usually an inter-related group
of families. Each Chief met with the other Bois
Forte Chiefs, usually at Nett Lake from time to
time. They would travel from as far away as near
the Canadian Border in what is now known as
Voyageur National Park, Crane Lake, Ely-Winton
areas, and down near the Fond du Lac Reservation.
We really roamed the entire north-eastern half of
Minnesota. We were quoted by other Tribes and
Indian agents to be the most independent and selfsupporting Indians.
Prior to the 1889 Nelson Act that dissolved the
Tribal entity according to the Federal government
due to land allotments, and even though we were
scattered, we knew one another, and had cohesive
instructions from our particular chiefs by which
we lived. During the conference of Nelson Act
Commissioners, recorded are the words of our
chiefs.
answered that it was 12 miles square, he stated,
“We do not believe it for this reason: the government
at Washington promised us a tract of land 20 miles
square. We were told that the lawmakers had it
fixed in that way. We were disappointed, and that
is the way the white man generally does, - lies to
us…There were a great many promises made to
us at that time…there are a great many things that
have not been fulfilled.”
Gahbishkeway, an 80 year old chief whose eldest
son, Peter Whiteman became chief after his father
died (and was the ancestor to the present-day
Whiteman families, opened the afternoon session
requesting that the Master of Life be pleased with
his words, that he did not want to travel so far for
annuities.
“No white man would condescend to allow his
wife or children to go so far to what would be
due them. We do not have such a school as there
is here, for our children, for those whose minds
you wish to improve with knowledge. We wish
to have a school where the English language shall
be taught, as they improve. And we wish to have
a blacksmith at Nett Lake. We now have 50 miles
to travel to have anything done.”
The times were lean for us then, but we have come
When Farmer John (historic chief of the Farmer a ways in the 120 years hence. We are delighted
family) asked about the size of the reservation that words of our chiefs have been preserved, and
that we were promised in the 1866 Treaty, when next month, more of them, from years after 1889.
(Healthy feet cont. from page 6)
friction. They’re also time-friendly. Don’t have
time both to find matching socks and to bend down
to tie your shoes? Flip-flops may have become
your regular foot attire. One big drawback to the
bikini of footwear, though, is the fact that it stays
on your foot only with major muscle clenching
and bony alteration. Research on gait patterns and
poorly attached shoes demonstrates increased risk
for hammer toes, plantar fasciitis and knee pain
with flip-flops. Therefore, keep your favorite flops
around for water and beach activities, and invest in
the newer Roman-style sandals that offer the same
open-air feel but with better binding.
3. Get rid of the heel. Podiatric journals have
recently become riddled with articles illustrating
that for every positive degree of heel (for a point
of reference, the one inch found on a man’s dress
shoe creates an average angle of twelve degrees),
there is a resulting angle of deformation in the
lumbar spine, pelvis, knees and/or ankle. There
is no footwear characteristic that jars one out of
whole-body alignment faster than the positive heel.
If a dress shoe creates twelve positive degrees, just
think about what a stiletto can do to deform the
rest of the body. Pause and choose well to avoid
selecting footwear that undoes all your hard work 5. Barefoot time is a necessity! Optimal foot
and increases mechanical stress on a cellular level. health is ultimately reached through full, shoeless
interaction between nature and foot. Foot health
4. Be attached to your shoes. It is surprising can become compromised, however, when you
how quickly the flip-flop has moved beyond the walk on unyielding, humanmade surfaces that may
favorite pool accessory to the ultimate fashion or may not be speckled with broken glass and other
staple. Flip-flops are usually enjoyed for their dangerous items. Small doses of going barefoot
lack of restriction – lots of fresh air and minimal (wearing socks is okay, too) can be done in your
APRIL 2012
Upcoming
Powwows
April 13
American Indian Family Center Powwow/Fair
Feast and fair at 5:00 p.m. Grand Entry at
6:00 p.m. For further info, please call 651-7933803. Sponsored by MOFAS. Harding High School,
1540 E 6th St., St. Paul, MN.
April 28
Powwow 4 Hope
New event will honor cancer survivors, raise
awareness of cancer risks, and increase resources
to ease the burdens of cancer. The Powwow is
a celebratory way to help fight one of the most
debilitating diseases Minnesota American Indian
families encounter. For Powwow participants,
there will be a feast, but there will not be cash
supports for the day. Individuals and groups are
being recruited to form teams to fundraise before
and during the event.
If you would like more information about forming
a team contact Julia 612-584-0428 or email
powwow@AICAF.org. All teams will have the
opportunity to have a booth at the event to raise
money by selling food, crafts, and/or activities.
For info see: www.AICAF.org. Held at Midtown
YWCA in Mpls from 10 am – 10 pm. Hosted by the
American Indian Cancer Foundation.
home; just make sure the area is free of debris
before you do. Have you seen those new glovelike shoes? They are new minimalistic footwear
brands designed to help restore full function of the
feet.
Before you go baring it all, however, keep in mind
the supporting structures of the feet have been,
for the most part, inert for the bulk of your life.
Loading fresh arches on long walks after removing
a lifetime of support can stress and strain tissues.
It is important to think about building strength in
the musculature of the feet just as we would with
any other part of our body that has gone unused.
Start with smaller doses of barefoot walking, and
make sure you do lots of foot stretching in between
walking sessions.
Katy Bowman, MS, is the author of “Every
Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief: The New
Science of Healthy Feet”.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 8 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Youth & Education
Meredith Two Crow elected Queen of Winter Frolic
Meredith (Meme), Two Crow, daughter of Carrie
Strong was elected Winter Frolic Queen at
Northeast Range School (NER) in Babbitt. Meme
new to the NER School this year after Tower high
school closed last year said, “It was an exciting
experience. I was really surprised, since I was new
at the school. At first I didn’t think it was a big
deal, but then everyone was congratulating me and
I started enjoying the honor.”
Last year when Tower and Orr schools closed,
many of the Native students choose to stay in
ISD 2142 and enrolled at NER. Most seem to be
happy in their new school. Along with the surprise
of being voted Winter Frolic Queen, Meredith
is enjoying her time at NER. “It has been really
good, the new people and the nicer equipment and
facilities in the school is making it a fun year,” said
Meme.
Long time Indian Education Coordinator, Barb
Paquette, considers it a very big deal as well. “An
American Indian Student has never been elected to
anything like this in the area. It is an exciting first
for NER school.”
Next year Meme plans on attending a Community
College to take her general classes and then
transferring to a larger school to continue her
education toward a four-year college degree.
Reigning as Queen of Winter Frolic will be a great
high school memory.
Meredith along with 2 other candidates, Natasha
Degan and Sabrina Kelly were nominated as
candidates for the honor, voting then took place
throughout the entire school, with Meme getting
the most votes and obtaining the honor as Winter
Frolic Queen.
Jacob Jankowski and Meredith Two Crow,
King & Queen of the NER Winter Frolic.
Early Childhood team introduces new language program
This spring, Bois Forte’s Early Childhood staff will
roll out a new Ojibwe language program called
Gikinoo’ Amaagoo (She/He Learns). The program
kit contains story books; lesson plans; a dice game
and decks of cards for teaching vocabulary; posters
with names for body parts; flash cards of animals,
colors, numbers and seasons; work sheets; an
Ojibwe dictionary; a guide book; an activity book;
parent awareness components; and a CD with
children’s songs like Farmer in the Dell.
Department of Human Services in conjunction with
Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Child Care
(MnTRECC). Bois Forte staff will be introduced
to Gikinoo’ Amaagoo this month and begin rolling
it out in May. Other tribes in the state will also
receive the program kit, and it will be used in the
Twin Cities.
Christine Bloom, Bois Forte’s Early Childhood
Program Director, and Vondalee Carr of
Bois Forte’s Head Start Program are part of
The new program, which is designed for children the MnTRECC Planning Team that includes
from birth to 5 years old, is funded by the Minnesota representatives from all 11 Minnesota Tribes.
The MnTRECC team meets quarterly and works
on a number of programs designed to help Native
Families strengthen their parenting skills and
provide more opportunities for the children to excel
in learning in both cultural and academic ways.
Vondalee Carr is eager to roll-out the new language
Games, flash cards and posters are some of the new
language learning tools.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Vondalee and Christine were eager to receive the
curriculum kit and delighted to find many useful
learning tools included with it. Ojibwe language
revitalization has the best chance of success if
children start at an early age to learn vocabulary
and practice speaking. MnTRECC will continue
evaluating how the program is working on each
reservation and seek ways to improve it.
curriculum kit.
According to Sandra Williams, MnTRECC’s
Program Manager, “Vondalee and Christine are
very active members. They attend meetings, offer
input, and consistently provide what we are asking
for. The Planning Committee is a WORKING
committee, and Vondalee and Christine come ready
to contribute information for and about Bois Forte.”
APRIL 2012
Page 9 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Reading Corps coming to Nett Lake School and Head Start
Next school year, students at Nett Lake School and budgets, and is based on the number of children
children in Bois Forte’s Head Start programs will have who need help. Nett Lake School will have a parta new service to tap: the Minnesota Reading Corps.
time tutor, and two full-time tutors will serve Head
Start. (If you are interested in being hired as a
The Reading Corps is an AmeriCorps program that tutor, see sidebar.)
provides trained literacy tutors for children age
three to grade three. It serves children in more than Corps members work with preschool-aged
500 sites around the state, with the goal of helping children, like those in Head Start, to create
every Minnesota child become a successful reader literacy-rich environments that focus on emerging
literacy skills. Data is regularly collected in order
by the end of 3rd grade.
to tailor literacy interventions for individual
“The test scores for students at Nett Lake School children, children in small groups, and for whole
have been improving, and our newly renovated classrooms.
and expanded facility provides a great learning
environment,” said Rae Villebrun, Superintendent. At the elementary school level, Corps members
“Adding reading tutors to the mix will be a wonderful serve as one-on-one tutors and provide researchbased interventions to students who are just below
way to get kids excited and boost their progress.”
proficiency in reading. Each student is tutored for
Funding for the tutors comes from the Reading 20 minutes a day to build phonics and fluency skills.
Corps, not from the Head Start or Nett Lake School
Want to be a Reading Corps tutor?
Are you interested in helping children age three
to grade three boost their literacy and reading
skills? Bois Forte wants to hire Reading Corps
tutors now for next school year. Minnesota
Reading Corp members must be at least 18 years
old and have a high school diploma.
As a tutor, you’ll work help struggling students
become more successful readers. In addition to
extensive training, tutors receive a modest living
stipend, money for their own education and
professional development opportunities.
For more information, visit www.
minnesotareadingcorps.org or contact Rae
Villebrun at rvillebrun@isd707.org or Christine
Bloom at cbloom@boisforte-nsn.gov.
Ojibwemowin writing systems
One of the goals underlying the Double Vowel
orthography is promoting standardization of
Double Vowel Orthography and Other Writing Ojibwe writing so that language learners are able
to read and write in a consistent way.
Systems
given. It is always best to consult a native speaker
for the best pronunciation. Correct pronunciation
is important, as mispronouncing a word can
completely change its meaning.
Each writer employing “Folk Spelling” would
write out the word how the speaker himself would
form the words. There are those from Ponemah,
Red Lake alone that might spell frog as Muckuckii,
Muckakee, Makaki, Makakii, Omakakii and more;
although none are wrong, it is felt by educators
that a consistent way of spelling would be helpful
in teaching the language.
Credit for this pronunciation guide goes to John
Nichols and Earl Nyholm (A Concise Dictionary
of Minnesota Ojibwe) and Rick Gresczyk (Ojibwe
Word List. Eagle Works, Minneapolis, MN.)
Reduced from an article compiled by Michael Meuers
For thousands of years, the Anishinaabeg passed
on their knowledge and culture orally through
Anishinaabemowin. Recently in the language’s
history, people have begun to write it. You may see
it written phonetically using the English alphabet
or in the special characters of syllabics, which
is used primarily in Canada. The newest writing
system is the Double Vowel system.
Before moving forward in Ojibwe, it is important
to practice pronunciation and understand the most
common spelling system. The double vowel system was
created by Charles Fiero (working with fluent speakers
in Minnesota) in the late 1950s. It is currently used in
over 200 Anishinaabe communities. Although this is a
The Double Vowel system is based on the idea that system of writing that the Anishinaabeg use on both sides
the letter combinations represent Ojibwe sounds, not of the international boundary, they also recognized the
English. Each letter or letter combination in the Double value and importance of syllabics and folk-phonetics/
Vowel system has only one pronunciation, unlike spellings as part of their linguistic heritage.
English were the word “read” can be pronounced two
Ojibwe Alphabet and Pronunciation Chart
different ways with two different meanings.
Using the Double Vowel Orthography
The system takes its name from its treatment of
vowels. There are short vowels and long vowels. The Letters used are taken from the English alphabet,
short vowels are formed using one letter, and the long but represent Ojibwe sounds, not English sounds.
vowels are formed by two letters, or a doubling of the In the examples that follow, Ojibwe sounds and
English approximations of the Ojibwe sounds are
letter, and thus the name “double vowel.”
The Double Vowel system is gaining popularity
among language teachers and including the seven
Ojibwe Tribes of Minnesota because of its ease of
use. And many materials including books and text
books are being produced using this method.
APRIL 2012
Rick teaches at the Bois Forte Urban Office
Language Table every Monday night and all
are welcome.
Vowels - Ojibwe Sound/
English Equivalent
a asemaa (tobacco) about
aa omaa (here) father
e esiban (raccoon) way
i gimiwan (it’s raining) pin
ii niiwin (four) seen
o opin (potato) obey, book
oo oodenaang (in/to town)
boat, boot
Consonants - Ojibwe
Sound/ English Equivalent
b bakwezhigan (bread) big
ch chi-oginiig (tomatoes)
chin
d doodooshaboo (milk) dog
g gaag (porcupine) go
h hay’ (oops) hi
j maajaan (go) jello
k mikinaak (turtle) kite
m mamoon (take it) milk
n bine (partridge) name
p baapiwag (they laugh) pig
s es (clam) sun
sh nishkaadizi (s/he’s angry)
bush
t anit (fish spear) time
w waawaan (egg) woman
y babagiwayan (shirt) yell
z mooz (moose) zebra
zh niizh (two) measure
‘ ma’iingan (wolf) oh - oh
(glottal stop)
Notes: 1. The English letters and sounds of f, l, q, r, u, v and x are not part of
the Ojibwe alphabet. 2. The Ojibwe alphabet contains the additional doubleletter symbols of aa, ch, ii, oo, sh and zh . 3.The glottal stop (represented by
an apostrophe) is a sound made a release of air from your throat, similar to
when someone punches you in the stomach.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 10 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Tribal Gov’t News & Reports
Planning and Community Development progress report
occupancy will begin in July. This project will
be managed by a property management company,
Greetings to all. I am pleased to provide this progress D.W. Jones, and supportive services will be
report on the activities of the Planning & Community provided to the tenants by the Bois Forte Human
Development Department. The past several months Services Department. Those supportive services
have been quite busy, with some projects nearing could include things like chemical dependency
completion and starting to wind down, and others counseling, job preparedness training, and other
social services. For more information about getting
just starting to gear up. Here is a brief synopsis.
on the tenant list for this project, please call Deb
Sherman at D.W. Jones at 218-326-5314.
By Andy Datko
Planning and Community Development staff, Nikki
Pieratos, William Whiteman, Sidra Starkovich,
Dave Anderson, Andy Datko, Kevin Koski and
Jennie Rowland.
Housing Projects. The Nett Lake duplex project is
nearly completed. Housing began taking possession of
the completed units in March, and will begin moving
families into these units in May. There is still some
site work and landscaping that needs to be completed
this spring and summer, but the units are complete
and ready for occupancy. For more information about
getting on the waiting list for these units, please call
Carol Burr or Troy King in Housing, at 218-757-3261.
The New Moon supportive housing project at
Vermilion is also nearing completion. This project
consists of 12 units of duplex housing and an eight
unit apartment building that are intended to serve
people who are currently homeless. Housing
will take possession of these units in April, and
Justice grant. The projects includes a new garage,
complete remodeling of the interior, and upgrades
to the septic system. The interior work will be
completed by May, with final completion in July.
Grants. Our grants department is currently working
with several other departments on the submittal of a
“Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation” grant
application to the Department of Justice. That
application will be seeking funding for increased
services at the Tribal Court, establishment of a
Vermilion Infrastructure. Water and sewer services family wellness court with enhanced services for
have been extended to over 100 new residential victims of crime, child abuse victim services, and
lots at Vermilion. The streets will be completed some additional law enforcement equipment.
this summer. Lots should begin to be available for
lease to Band members by the end of the summer. Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning
Ordinance. A revised Comprehensive Land Use
Transit Program. The transit program has acquired Plan and Zoning Ordinance has been adopted
a van and will begin offering weekly “grocery” runs by the Reservation Tribal Council. This will
for residents at Nett Lake and Vermilion in April. be administered through the Natural Resources
The program is also going to be contracting with Division. The plan and zoning ordinance are
Arrowhead Transit to begin offering scheduled bus posted on the Bois Forte website.
services beginning in May. For more information
please call Jennie Rowland at 218-757-3261, ext 200. Vermilion Clinic Planning. A planning team has
been active for the past several months studying
Emergency Preparedness Planning. Kevin Koski, the possibility of a new medical and dental clinic
formerly of the Bois Forte Environmental Services at Vermilion. Representatives from the RTC,
Department, has recently joined the Planning Bois Forte Health & Human Services, Planning
Department as the Emergency Preparedness Manager. & Community Development, Accounting, and
Kevin is working on updating the Reservation Indian Health Services, have been meeting with
emergency preparedness plans. For more information, the project architects (Architectural Resources,
Kevin can be reached at 218-757-3261, ext 194.
Inc.) about space needs and facility layout. We
have a preliminary financing plan figured out, and
Law Enforcement Center Renovation. A major this project could be ready for construction by this
remodel and upgrade to the Nett Lake Law fall. For more information about this, or any other
Enforcement Center has been underway since project listed here, please feel free to contact me at
last fall. This is funded through a Department of 218-757-3261, ext 168. Thank you.
Transit trial run set to begin in April
The Bois Forte Public Transit program is planning very affordable to all riders.
a ‘pilot’ or ‘trial’ scheduled bus route from Virginia
to Vermilion to determine the level of interest and You can discover more details about start dates,
ridership, beginning mid to late April.
upcoming specials, ticket purchase and route
schedules can be accessed through links on the
This will provide a Monday to Friday service www.boisforte.com, www.fortunebay.com, and
that will have 4 pickup stops in Virginia (two www.arrowheadtransit.com
stops and two park-n-rides), arriving at Fortune
Bay by approximately 7:45 – 7:50 am, as well Once the route has begun, people interested in
accommodate for pre-arranged pick-up or drop- using the transit service who would like to arrange
off at the Vermilion Social Center and Elders’ a pick-up should call the dispatch at 218-757- Jennie Rowland and the Transit Program van. Weekly
housing. The reverse route will be leaving Fortune 0280. The toll-free number is 1-800-757-1540. grocery runs for residents of Nett Lake and Vermilion
Bay by approximately 4:15 pm and will have the Keep your eyes open for informational signs and will begin in April.
same drop off locations ending in Virginia. While flyers with more details as they will be posted.
there will be a nominal fee, the service will remain This service that is available to EVERYONE!
BOIS FORTE NEWS
APRIL 2012
Page 11 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Credit Union Update Bois Forte preparing for emergencies
It’s Nikki and I promised last
month that I wouldn’t leave
you hanging without sharing
some more information
about how our credit union
has developed these past few
months...
Last month, I discussed some
of the ways the Credit Union
Surveys have played a big influence in what the
credit union will offer and how it will operate.
In this edition, I am going to talk about the exact
financial products and services we plan to offer, as
well as some new occurrences in this season of our
development.
Nikki Pieratos
Brochures distributed at the State of the Band
explained that our future credit union is working on
offering most of the banking features that survey
respondents were interested in from locations at
Nett Lake and Fortune Bay:
• Savings accounts
• Checking accounts
• Reloadable debit cards
• Personal loans (unsecured & secured)
• Auto loans
• Credit Repair loans
• Certificates of deposit
• Money orders
• Online banking (available to members across
the state and country)
As you read this article, we have submitted
our application to the National Credit Union
Administration to request a charter to operate
as a federally regulated and insured financial
institution! This represents a huge milestone for
us and a culmination of a year-and-a-half’s worth
of research and planning. Now, we will fine tune
our systems and concentrate on more training so
we are ready to open the doors once our charter is
granted.
I have also been working with local, state, and
national partners to create a financial literacy and
coaching program to help our future credit union
members reclaim independence and build assets.
Our credit union is building its capacity to help you
with major life planning and decisions to improve
your quality of life. Please stay tuned for new
updates and thank you for your continued interest!
APRIL 2012
Those of you who know me
might know I’ve taken a
new position with the Band,
I am now the Emergency
Preparedness
Director
in the Bois Forte Planning
Department. I had worked
for Environmental for the
past seven years, helping
Kevin Koskie
you with your home’s indoor
air quality issues such as mold, moisture, carbon
monoxide, etc. I am now basically expanding my
work of protecting the health and welfare of all
Bois Forte Band members, a position I am grateful
for and honored to fulfill.
kits, other preparedness tips, and their READY
campaign: Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic
Emergency Supply Kit:
• Water - one gallon of water per person per day, and enough to last at least three days for drinking and
sanitation
• Food - at least a three day supply of non-perishable
food, plus a can opener
• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
I will be organizing a Tribal Emergency Response
Committee, or TERC, made up of staff from the
various Departments who would be involved in
an emergency. We will go about reviewing and
revising the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Plan
annually, and will be designing regular exercises
to test the plan and look for gaps in our responses
to disasters and emergencies.
From floods, wildfires and tornados, to hazardous
materials spills and terrorist threats, the Tribe
has various contingency plans in place and has
a skilled set of workers to respond to most any
threat to our lives and property. In the event of
a larger scare that requires more manpower or
supplies than we have here, it will be my job to
bring in other organizations such as FEMA or the
American Red Cross, for example.
So speaking of tornados, even though we are not
located in what’s commonly called “Tornado
Alley”, did you know that of all of the states in the
U.S., Minnesota had the most tornados touching
down in the past year? The large tornado that hit
North Minneapolis last year was a prime example
of what communities can be up against at times in
this part of the country.
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust masks, to help filter contaminated air
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
for personal sanitation
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Copies of important family documents: insurance
policies, identification, etc. in a waterproof,
portable container
• Cash
• Sleeping bags or blankets for each person, plus
some extra warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Many
of the injuries following tornados occur when
people have to walk through debris with no shoes
• Matches in a waterproof container
We are also facing what is shaping up to be a very
dry spring, which means it should be an extraactive wildfire season. And even though we are
enjoying a glorious and unseasonably mild winter
here, there is always the looming threat of a superblizzard or catastrophic ice storm. So what can
you and your family do to be prepared? We should
all hold emergency drills in our homes and have
an emergency supply kit handy, with enough
supplies in order to survive for at least three days
if an emergency occurs. You can also go to the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website
at www.ready.gov to learn more about emergency
• Paper and pencil.
• Also, think of whatever else would be essential to
your family, and would help you make it through
three days in an emergency situation
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 12 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Tribal Gov’t News & Reports
What’s new at Bois Forte Victim Services
• January was Stalking Awareness Month. We asked
participants to take a brief quiz and in exchange
entered them in a drawing for a Pendleton Blanket. The
Winner, Muriel Deegan, was presented her blanket by
Panda Whiteman, Victim Services Advocate.
We had a total of
70
participants
collectively from
Nett Lake and
Vermilion sites.
red carnations and a card for each to share with
their someone special, symbolizing the importance
of giving and receiving and teaching healthy habits
in relationships.
We had a total of 173 participants: 54 Male/119
Female. Here is what our community said a
“Healthy Relationship” is: Respect, Trust,
Communication, Honesty, Dignity, Commitment,
Equality, Listening, Forgiveness, Harmony.
These are the responses we received from the
We were pleased to community:
find that a majority
of our community - “A healthy relationship is where both people can Muriel Deegan was the winner of was both aware of
help each other grow as people and change for the quiz about Stalking Awareness and knowledgeable
the better. In a healthy relationship both people month. She received a Pendleton
about
stalking.
should be happy together.”
blanket from Panda Whiteman,
How did you - “In a healthy relationship I can be myself and Victim Services Supervisor
score?
be honest with my partner. I don’t have to act like someone I’m not.”
Total % of Participants:
Quiz Scores:
- “Unconditional, uncontrolled, completely 44% 100%
balanced when it comes to decision making and 27%
90%
planning with each other.”
16%
80%
- “A partnership where you treat each other with 7%
70%
respect and have a equal partnership and no 3%
60%
violence towards each other.”
1%
50%
- “Means open, honest communication. Being 1%
20%
able to trust, depend on the other. Caring for each other, knowing when to let go & when to Thank you to all who participated!
support.”
- “Respectful of each other. Feeling safe and • February was “Healthy Relationships” and
secure. Being able to be truthful to each other “Teen Dating Violence Awareness” Month. Bois
and feeling appreciated.”
Forte Victim Services gave a Teen Dating Violence
Awareness presentation to the Northwood’s Juniors • In March Bois Forte Victim Services teamed
and Seniors and asked the kids and the Bois Forte up with Native Hearts Fitness and Vermilion
and Vermilion communities “What does a healthy Wellness Center to help bring balance back into
relationship mean to you?” In return we provided our community by encouraging you to get moving.
April Events
April is Child Abuse and Sexual Assault
Awareness Month.
Please join Bois Forte Victim Services in the
following events/activities:
Teen Conference: Booth and Presentation
Elder Abuse Awareness Conference:
April 25 - 26
Victim Survivor Candlelight Vigil - Sexual Assault
Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace Staff Presentation - April 17
Women’s Support Groups:
Nett Lake Health & Human Services
2nd and 4th Wednesday of month
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Vermilion Head Start Building
1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Exercise is an important part of a balanced
life and helps you fight against heart disease,
hypertension, stress, post-traumatic stress, sleep
disruption, substance abuse, domestic violence
and depression. Your body has a natural pain
and fever reliever called endorphins. When you
exercise they are released throughout the body to
boost mood, improve health, reduce stress, help
you sleep, lower blood pressure, strengthen your
heart and feel good!
Winners of the “new you” baskets will be
announced in next month’s issue.
Estate Planning project
Heidi A. Drobnick
Bois Forte Tribal member
Heidi A. Drobnick is the
founder
and
managing
partner of the law firm
Swanson, Drobnick & Tousey
P.C. Heidi is the daughter
of Mary Lou Ernston and
granddaughter of Ann Benner
Ernston and she is related
to many Tribal members
among the Drift, Benner and
Whiteman families.
Heidi received her law degree, with honors, from
BOIS FORTE NEWS
the University of Minnesota Law School. Her
legal career has included a broad range of legal
issues with extensive experience in litigating
complicated issues involving Indian people and
Indian tribes in Tribal, state and federal courts.
In addition to her responsibilities with her law
practice, Heidi also serves as the assistant public
defender for the Band.
to all Band members. The purpose of the project
is to help reduce trust land fractionation and help
community members exercise control over their
property and land through proper estate planning.
The project partners will be offering educational
seminars about estate planning throughout the
community as well as offering monthly office
hours for the convenience of community members.
Heidi and her law partners with Swanson, Notices will be posted on the website and in the
Drobnick & Tousey have partnered with the Bois Forte News. For more information about the
Indian Land Tenure Foundation for the Minnesota project please call Swanson, Drobnick & Tousey
Indian Estate Planning Project. This project will at 651-739-9615.
provide free estate planning and will preparation
APRIL 2012
Page 13 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Bois Forte Development Corp.
The Wilderness recieves National
Notes from the “End
Environmental and Customer
of the Road”
Satisfaction
Awards
By Amy Paetznick
As a Bois Forte Band
member not living on the
reservation, I was very
happy to find a job with a
business owned by Bois
Forte here in Ely. WELY,
End of the Road Radio is
very much like a second
home to me, and I would
like to share with you
a little bit of what goes
here at my second home.
Amy Paetznick
One of the things you
can listen to on WELY at 94.5 FM and on our
web stream at www.wely.com is local sports
programming. We are very proud to carry this
great local programming throughout the year. It
has been our goal in the last couple of years to
expand our coverage to encompass more of the
high school teams in our listening area.
We broadcast the Orr Grizzlies and the Ely
Timberwolves as well as the NE Range
Nighthawks, Mesabi East and MIB. Not only
have we expanded our team coverage but we are
broadcasting a wider range of sports including
football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, Nordic
skiing, swimming, baseball and softball.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay Resort Casino
has received the KemperSports Green to a Tee
Environmental Initiative Award for 2011 and the
National Golf Foundation’s National Customer
Satisfaction Award for being one of the Top 3
overall courses in the nation for 2012.
The KemperSports Green to a Tee program
establishes four distinct levels of certification
with the goal of managing the facility in an
environmentally responsible a manner. The
certification is earned by fulfilling targeted
environmental initiatives pertinent to each level.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay Resort Casino has
showed a strong commitment to the environment
and has achieved Level II certification. The Green
to a Tee Award recognizes and appreciates The
Wilderness at Fortune Bay Resort Casino for its
commitment to being a leader in environmental
stewardship and by following best environmental
practices throughout the property.
National Customer Satisfaction Award for being
one of the Top 3 overall courses in the nation
with exceptional customer service and overall
customer satisfaction.
“This award illustrates what a wonderful job our
staff here at The Wilderness does and that we
hold a positive customer experience at the top
of our priority list,” says Tom Beaudry, General
Manager at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay. The
Customer Satisfaction Award is based on surveys
fielded through NGF’s Golfer Survey Program.
Facilities with the highest customer satisfaction
The National Golf Foundation is the industry’s index scores are recognized.
knowledge leader of the United States golf
economy. The NGF awarded The Wilderness
at Fortune Bay Resort Casino with the 2012
Each week we recognize two local athletes with
the WELY - Sir G’s Athlete of the Week award. We
are proud of our local athletes who excel not only
on the field and the court, but in the classroom
and community as well. A number of our local
businesses see the value in this as well and sponsor
this programming for 9 months each year. We
hope you enjoy the chance to listen to broadcasts
of your children, and, or grandchildren, play sports
with this program!
I look forward to sharing more of what we do for
our local community! Until next time…stay tuned
to 94.5 FM, End of the Road Radio.
APRIL 2012
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 14 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Community News & Announcements
A Message from the family of
Robert Strong, Jr.
To the Bois Forte Tribal Band members, family
and friends of Robert Strong, Jr.:
Wednesday, April 11
5:00 p.m.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed
and did numerous things to have such an
Honorable, Respectable and Traditional Ojibwe
funeral to send him on his way.
Dinner, meeting to follow
with DNR Commissioner
Corey Strong and
Chief of Police Peter Drift
An ancient Chippewa tradition is the Powwow.
Robert was the Host Drummer and Drum Keeper
and played at numerous Bois Forte Band Powwows
here and with our Canadian friends.
Another Chippewa tradition, the dreamcatcher
which Robert made hundreds of, they help catch
the bad dreams, while good dreams slip on by.
Twin Cities Metro
Office Meeting
Robert Strong, Jr. and his nephew, Robert Carlson
way to heaven and begin his new endeavors with
our creator. We are very grateful for all of the
Our God and creator doesn’t let us know how community support.
long we are on this earth, but we must all go when
called upon.
God bless you all! Meg-witch,
Again, a special Thank You to those who helped The family of Robert Strong, Jr.
organize, contribute, etc, to help Robert on his
AA Open Meetings
are held Thursday evenings
at the
Nett Lake Community Center
at 7:00 p.m.
What would happen if there weren’t any laws?
It was a busy weekend at
the Duluth Entertainment
Convention Center (DECC).
Besides high school hockey
games and UMD women’s
and men’s hockey games on
Friday and Saturday, Funfest
was going on along with “A
Prairie Home Companion”
live broadcast and a wedding
Judge Heather
reception. As my husband
Sweetland
and I walked down the
skywalk to attend one of the
events, I looked at all of the traffic and the number
of people moving in and out of the facility with
ease. My next thought was, “What would happen
if there were no laws?”
The thought occurred because I couldn’t imagine
multiple events happening if people did not
follow traffic laws, have tickets for the games or
performances, or even follow basic rules of civility.
How would people safely drive? How would
UMD or anyone else pay for the cost of renting a
facility? Would the facilities have safe entrances
and exits? Would safety be a first priority for
the site managers? Would people want to attend
BOIS FORTE NEWS
or regulations regarding the environment, traffic
safety devices, or repair of streets and roads.
Sidewalks wouldn’t be shoveled and open to the
In ninth grade, most students take a Civics class. public. Crimes would be committed and there
Freshmen learn there are three branches of would be no punishment or rehabilitation. Car
government: executive, legislative and judicial. accidents would happen, no doubt more frequently
Each branch has its own responsibilities. The without traffic laws, and a person hurt in the
legislative branch enacts laws and the judiciary accident would have no recourse to get damages,
interprets the law. Laws are necessary in any including the payment of medical bills, from the
society.
person causing the accident.
Some people choose not to follow the law on a As you drive your car, be thankful other drivers
regular basis. Criminal and traffic defendants with are following the law and, for example, not texting
multiple cases appear in front of judges all of the their friends while driving. Be grateful there are
time. Even if the person has had, for example, rules and regulations governing safety equipment
many disorderly conduct charges, the judge must for workers, traffic signals, building codes and
follow the law and not impose any more jail time protection of the environment. Know that different
than 90 days and/or a $1,000 fine. If a person government agencies, such as social services
pleads or is found guilty to a more serious charge, and schools, are following the law in protecting
such as criminal sexual conduct, a judge must children and vulnerable adults.
follow the law regarding the sentence. Whether
the judge personally agrees with the law or not is Admire law enforcement and fire department
personnel for protecting and providing services to
of no consequence. Judges must follow the law.
the public.
The good news is that the vast majority of people,
businesses, corporations and governments follow Finally, feel fortunate you live in a country with
the law. If they didn’t, our society could not laws followed by lawyers, judges and, most
operate properly. There would be no laws, rules importantly, you.
events if they knew others weren’t following the
rules?
APRIL 2012
Page 15 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Helpful guidelines for dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease
By Dwayne J. Clark, author of My Mother, My Son. assuage any feelings of guilt that may surface
and provide much-needed emotional comfort and
Alzheimer’s is a disease that can strike anyone, assurance as you move forward.
anywhere. It hits the famous and not-so-famous;
the wealthy and the poor; and people of all races, 2. Find the best medical help
creeds, and political persuasions. The disease is not
only a challenge for the patient. It also challenges Many older people have had the same internist
the families and friends of those who are afflicted. or general practitioner for twenty or thirty years.
They’ve developed trust and familiarity with that
Because there’s currently no cure, it can be person and commonly resist turning their care over
tempting for loved ones to deny the dementia and to a stranger. While that’s natural, it’s also true
other symptoms and to attempt to maintain an that a specialist – a geriatrician, neurologist with
“ordinary” life for as long as possible. However, a specialty in memory loss, and other doctors with
getting past denial and facing the disease provides specialties in aging – can provide a much higher
huge benefits for everyone: better medical care, an level of care. They understand the many forms and
improved quality of life for the patient and family diagnoses of memory loss, including Alzheimer’s
members, better caretaking of the patient, better and Parkinson’s, the challenges of nutrition, and
support for loved ones, and increased awareness the range of treatments and protocols needed to
of how to create closeness and, ultimately, closure. deal with the loss of abilities such as speech and
Following are four guidelines for the journey of swallowing. Finding the right physician can extend
dealing with Alzheimer’s when it strikes someone both the quantity, and the quality, of the patient’s
life. It’s rarely too soon to make the transition to
you love:
the right specialist.
1. Inform yourself
3. Live in your loved one’s new reality instead
Seek a deep level of knowledge and understanding of fighting it
as early on as possible, and stay on top of the
research. This will help you (and other family When a person has Alzheimer’s, his or her brain
members) fully grasp the mental and physical misfires. Dementia patients experience things
implications for the Alzheimer’s patient, and differently, and it’s tempting to argue with them.
you will better understand the challenges and However, that serves no useful purpose. In fact,
opportunities ahead of you. You will have the tools all “reality therapy” does is agitate the person.
and knowledge you need to recognize what will So instead of insisting that your loved one face
be the new normal for the patient: the agitation, reality, enter your family member’s reality. Give
the paranoia, the phobias, and the memory loss. him or her time to reconnect with you, and avoid
Knowing what is normal at different stages and confrontation. This can help minimize the agitation
what to expect as the disease progresses will help that accompanies memory lapses.
4. Celebrate
Although during the late phases of the disease,
traditional ways of honoring a person can be
difficult or even impossible, there are other ways
to celebrate. You can have a family gathering and
reminisce, and assume that the patient is listening
and participating. You can also share the outdoors.
Too often, people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are
confined to the halls of their community or their
rooms. You can connect through music which
physiologically changes your body and attitude.
And, believe it or not, you can celebrate by eating
junk food – the more calories, the better! Enjoying
the food is far more important than its nutritional
value. Most of all, give the gift of touch which is
a primal need we all share. Touching can provide
comfort, care, understanding, and stimulation, so
celebrate the moment with a hug.
5. Finally, cut yourself some slack
Even the most giving, skilled, and loving family
caregiver can get overwhelmed rather quickly.
And not every family member is hard-wired to be
a caregiver. Lighten up on yourself, and keep your
expectations reasonable. Make sure you’re getting
enough sleep and taking care of your own needs.
You don’t have to feel guilty for recognizing that
you are human and have your own needs. The only
way you can help the Alzheimer’s patient is if you
take care of yourself first. You don’t have to be on
the go and accomplish something every moment
of the day. Sometimes, it’s okay to just sit.
A Minute with Millie
By Millie Holmes
April Fool’s Day is one day that I forget about until I hear “April Fool’s” and then my heart sinks. I tell myself every year that this year
I will not fall for those again. And every year, certain people in the village who are famous for their jokes, pranks and sense of humor
lay in wait for those of us who are “easy marks.” Their peals of laughter and knee slapping antics are great to see, providing of course,
one is not the recipient of such behavior. Of course, I, being the one with “Gullible” written in neon pink on my forehead, get to watch
others fall for the same prank I fell for first thing in the morning.
And, of course, sometime during the day, I let down my guard and fall for another one. That is when I tell myself
I will not forget again next year. And, naturally, I think I will be the one to pull off the most memorable prank
for the year, seeing as how 99.9% of the people who reside in the village won’t suspect a thing from me. Maybe
2013 will be the year. Hope springs eternal.
Millie Holmes
Hey. I wonder, if I could set an alarm on my inbox that will remind me to…. A whole year in which to plan….
APRIL 2012
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 16 • Bois Forte News • April 2012
Earth Day Numbers
· An estimated 2.2 million occupied housing units across the country
are heated by wood.
· 38,010 estimated number of occupied housing units across the
country heated by solar energy.
· 88% estimated percent of newly built single-family homes in the US
with air-conditioning.
· 25.3 minutes estimated average time for workers 16 years and older
across the country spent getting to work.
· 53,003 number of workers employed in forestry and logging across
the U.S. in 2009.
Online ordering now
available at the
Nett Lake C Store
No waiting. Fresh, hot food will be
available for pickup when you order
ahead using the link from the Bois
Forte website. Order ahead and avoid the ‘crunch at lunch’. To order online, visit boisforte.com and click on the Nett Lake store icon
on the left side of the homepage.
Tired of turkey and venison? Try our new delicious broasted chicken. We are regularly adding more lunch specials.
Enjoy a 10% discount on all orders
placed online!
Source – US Census Bureau
NEED A MORTGAGE?
STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Age to Age and Health Services
promote Child Abuse Awareness
Month
Let the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Finance Corporation help!
Low interest home and business loans are available to enrolled
members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Call (218) 335-8582 to find out more about our mortgage and
economic development programs, or to set up an appointment
with a loan officer today!
The Bois Forte News
Visit our website for additional information about
our loan
products, download an application or view homes for sale at
www.mnchippewatribe.org or www.mctfc.org.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
The Bois Forte News (BFN) is published monthly by the Bois
Forte Band of Chippewa. The BFN encourages submission
of articles, guest columns, community announcements and
photos. There is a $10 charge for personal announcements.
Contributions are subject to editing for grammar, length
and malicious/libelous content. BFN will attempt to include
all material submitted by Band members and guests.
Multiple contributions from the same source may be
excluded or rotated to future issues to insure equal access
to all. Paid ads are accepted. Visit www.boisforte.com for
rates and insertion order.
The BFN is distributed for free to Band members and is
available to others for $10 per year.
Bois Forte Family Health Services and AGE to Age will be
serving root beer floats at Nett Lake School on
Monday April 16, at 2:15 p.m.
The delicious treats will be available at the Vermilion
Boys and Girls Club on April 23, at 4:30 p.m.
Deadline for
May issue:
April 5
Submit material to:
Bois Forte News
1101 Sibley Memorial Hwy. #507
Lilydale, MN 55118
651-260-2420 phone; 651-452-1640 fax
Helenwilkie@c comcast.net
Tribal Council
Kevin W. Leecy
Chairman
David C. Morrison, Sr.
Secretary/Treasurer
Cathy Chavers
District I Representative
Brandon Benner
District I Representative
Ray Toutloff
District II Representative
APRIL 2012