January - St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin

Volume 22 - No. 1
January 2016 - FREE
This Issue
Cover Story Continued
P. 2
After Federal Raids, U.S. Tribes
Cautioned About Marijuana
P. 3
New Leaders of the St. Croix Chippewa
Nation Program Focuses on High
School Students
P. 4
Meeting Focuses on Educationsl
and Cultural Opportunities for Tribal
Students
P. 5
32nd annual St. Croix Trails Youth on
the Red Road Conference
P. 6
News From Your LCOOCC Outreach
Site
P. 8
The Health Insurance Marketplace P. 9
P. 10
Elder Spotlights
P. 11
ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA OF WISCONSIN
777 U.S. HWY 8 & 63
TURTLE LAKE, WI 54889
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #203
EAU CLAIRE, WI
Job Postings
ST. CROIX HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
STUDENTS TAKE TO THE RED ROAD OF
HIGHER EDUCATION ONCE AGAIN
By Kate Lechnir
On Thursday, Nov. 12, a group of
10 St. Croix high school and college
students went on the “Red Road to
Higher Education” to tour the campuses
of University of Wisconsin (UW)-Eau
Claire and the University of Wisconsin
(UW)-Madison .
“We went to tour these schools because
they are somewhat close to home and
the students had a keen interest in seeing
and comparing both schools,” remarked
Karen Washington, St. Croix education
director. The first stop on the trip was the
University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire.
“What impressed me about Eau Claire
was that the students were friendly. We
could tell they were a closely knit group
of students,” noted Washington. “It’s
like a big-town college in a small-town
community.”
The students began at the Multicultural
Office. Important academic discussions
concerning major and minor courses
of study, Native American Studies
and Arts and Sciences programs were
presented to the students. Next, Odawa
White, the UW-Eau Claire retention
coordinator, took the group for a campus
tour. Following the tour, the group met
with the Intertribal Student Council.
These students are responsible for the
university’s Pow-Wow and many other
cultural events on campus. They are
also charged with supporting the Native
American students who attend college
there.
“I liked the University of Wisconsin
Eau Claire,” said Washington. “It didn’t
seem overwhelming. It seems like
the Native American students really
supported each other. The college is a
nice size and it is a university close to
home. ”
Thursday night, the students stayed
at the Mt. Olympus Water Park in the
Aaron Bird Bear begins the University of Wisconsin-Madison tour with a visit to the Effigy Mounds
on campus.
Wisconsin Dells.
The next day, Friday, the group
traveled to Madison to tour the top
university in Wisconsin, UW- Madison.
The group met with Aaron BirdBear,
who began the tour with a visit to the
Effigy Mounds on the campus. “He went
into great detail about the history of the
Native American people who occupy
the land there,” noted Washington.
“The university is full of rich history
like this.” The students walked up
Bascom Hill, where they were greeted
for a pizza lunch with a campus panel
from the American Indian Campus
Community and a community liaison
from the Division of Diversity, Equity
and Educational Achievement. They
also met with students from the Center
Continued on page 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Students at the Multicultural Center of the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
2  January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016
COVER STORY CONTINUED . . . . . . . . .
of Academic Excellence, who talked
about campus life at UW-Madison.
The Center for Academic Excellence
students spoke about the degree programs
that more students are pursuing, such
as Life Sciences, Human Services and
Environmental Studies. They spoke about
the importance of these degree programs
to be able to go back home, degrees and
knowledge in hand, to help their tribes.
The director of the program, DeVon
Wilson, also addressed the group.
Representatives from the Pre-College
Enrichment Opportunity Program for
Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) spoke
to the students about their pre-college
programs that are specifically designed to
work with students, families and teachers
to prepare for college.
Washington added, “Our old friend
Patty Loew made a guest appearance!
The students were so happy to see
Patty again.” Patty Loew is a famous
author and teaches in the Life Sciences
department.
“Our last part of the campus tour was
to the National Primate Research Center
on campus. There are only seven of these
centers located in the United States,”
reported Washington. The scientists
at the UW-Madison study animals for
three reasons – to learn about the basic
biology of living things, to understand
why people and animals get diseases and
disabilities and to develop treatments and
to promote health and safety. The Primate
Center accounts for less than one percent
of the animal research at UW-Madison.
The majority of research is performed
on rodents. Their focus is stem cell
research.
“This is a huge campus and it was
fascinating to hear of the depth and
breadth of their program offerings. It is
an amazing institution of
higher learning,” continued
Washington. “The students
were inspired and intrigued
by the diversity that exists
on the UW-Madison
campus. There are so many
different nationalities here.
It is always fascinating to see a student
when something just clicks - they came
to realize there is a whole world that they
can learn about and explore by going to
college. And in bringing our St. Croix
students to Madison, we hope to have
them aspire in their studies to qualify to
attend UW-Madison. This is the purpose
of the Youth on the Red Road to Higher
Education program.”
“We have toured four colleges
and universities in 2015,” recounted
Washington. “Last spring, you may
remember, we toured Haskell Indian
Nations University and the University of
Kansas. We would like to extend a big
thank you to our tribal council and our
St. Croix Casinos for affording us the
opportunity to visit college campuses
with our youth. Our future plans
include trips to many other colleges and
universities, so stay tuned!”
Always time for a silly selfie or candid photo on the Red Road to Higher Education.
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  3
AFTER FEDERAL RAIDS, U.S.
TRIBES CAUTIONED ABOUT
MARIJUANA
By Douglas A. Berman, Nov. 20
Tribes across the U.S. are finding
marijuana is a risky business nearly a
year after a Department of Justice (DOJ)
policy indicated they could grow and sell
pot under the same guidelines as states.
Federal raids on tribal cannabis
operations in California followed by
the Flandreau Santee Sioux’s move
this month to burn its crop amid fears it
could be next have raised questions over
whether there’s more to complying with
DOJ standards than a department memo
suggested last December.
The uncertainty — blamed partly
on thin DOJ guidelines, the fact that
marijuana remains an illegal drug under
federal laws and a complex tangle of
state, federal and tribal law enforcement
oversight on reservations — has led
attorneys to urge tribal leaders to weigh
the risks involved before moving forward
with legalizing and growing pot.
“Everybody who is smart is pausing
to look at the feasibility and risks of
growing hemp and marijuana,” said
Lance Gumbs, a former chairman of
the Shinnecock Tribe in New York and
regional vice president of the National
Congress of American Indians. “But are
we giving up on it? Absolutely not.”
At a conference on tribal economic
development held in Santa Fe, tribal
leaders and attorneys said that the
raids have shown there may be more
red tape for tribes to negotiate when it
comes to legalizing cannabis than states
have faced. That’s especially the case
for tribes that are within states where
marijuana is not legal.
“Industrial hemp, medical marijuana
and maybe recreational marijuana present
a lot of opportunity. But for now, the
best advice is to proceed with caution,”
said Michael Reif, an attorney for the
Menominee tribe in Wisconsin, where
tribal leaders filed a federal lawsuit after
federal agents recently seized thousands
of hemp plants grown for research.
“We’re seeing the ramifications of things
being unclear in a way states didn’t.”
The Flandreau Santee Sioux in South
Dakota — a state where marijuana
isn’t legal — was the first to approve
recreational pot under tribal law with a
vote in June, and was one of the most
aggressive about entering the industry,
with plans to open the nation’s first
marijuana resort on its reservation north
of Sioux Falls.
But after weeks of discussions with
authorities who signaled a raid was
possible, the tribe announced last week
it had burned all of its marijuana plants.
Anthony Reider, the tribe’s president,
told The Associated Press (AP) the
main holdup centered on whether
the tribe could sell marijuana to nonIndians, along with issues over where
the seed used for planting originated. He
suggested that by burning the crops, the
tribe could have a clean slate to relaunch
a grow operation in consultation with
authorities.
In California, the Alturas and Pit River
Indian Rancherias launched tribally run
marijuana operations that were raided by
federal authorities, with agents seizing
12,000 marijuana plants in July. The
regional U.S. attorney’s office said in a
statement that the two neighboring tribes
planned to distribute the pot off tribal
lands and the large-scale operations may
have been financed by a foreign thirdparty foreign. It’s not clear if the two
tribes have plans for a new marijuana
venture, and calls from the AP were not
immediately returned.
The California and South Dakota tribes
are three of just six so far this year that
have legalized medical or recreational
marijuana on their reservations. The
Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington
state is another, and just opened a store
last week for retail sales of the drug. But
most expect the tribe to face fewer legal
challenges because Washington allows
for recreational marijuana use and the
tribe entered into a compact with the state
that sets guidelines for taxing pot sales.
“The tribes are not going to be immune
to what the local attitudes toward
marijuana are going to be,” Trueblood
said. “If there’s one 30,000-feet take
away from this year, it’s that you’re not
going to be successful if you don’t work
with you local governments or U.S.
attorneys.”
The Vision
St. Croix Chippewa’s Monthly Newspaper
VISION STAFF
Judy Warmanen Editor
Sue Cook Copy Editor
Katie Lechnir Staff Writer
Tom Tahmahkera Staff Reporter
Phyllis Lowe Staff Contributor
Stacy Falstad Layout/Design
Phone: (800) 846-8946, ext. 3050
Fax: (715) 986-4572
E-mail: thevision@stcroixcasino.com
Mailing Address:
The Vision | Attention: Judy W.
777 U.S. Highway 8 & 63 | Turtle Lake, WI 54889
The Vision is a production of and for the
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. Its
purpose is to provide information and current
events to the tribal members. It is produced at
St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake under the direction
of the St. Croix Tribal Council. All comments,
letters and questions are welcome. The
St. Croix Chippewa reserves the right to edit or
refuse to print items submitted for publication.
TRIBAL COUNCIL
Lewis Taylor | Tribal Chairman
Crystal Peterson | Vice Chairwoman
Stuart Bearheart | Secretary/Treasurer
Carmen Bugg | Representative
Elmer “Jay” Emery | Representative
Editor’s Note: The Vision staff is closely monitoring movements and changes regarding the ruling allowing tribes to
be involved in growing medical marijuana. We are also monitoring marijuana legalization policies in other states.
While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, 23 states have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, and
four states and the District of Columbia have laws that permit recreational use. A U.S. Department of Justice memo
issued in December states that Native Americans are free to grow and sell marijuana as long as they adhere to the
same federal guidelines that govern state-legal operations.
4  January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016
WELCOME TO
PHYLLIS
LOWE
THE DANGERS OF
HYPOTHERMIA
Editor’s Note: We’re pleased to announce
that Phyllis Lowe has joined The Vision
team. She will be gathering news from
tribal communities and writing feature
articles for the paper. Welcome, Phyllis. It’s
an honor to have you as part of our team.
I’m excited about being a part of The
Vision newspaper. We have a great team
here. I will contribute all the news I can.
It’s quite the honor to be back to work
again.
Leadership is a quality I love and
possess. I spent the last four years on
the Tribal Council. This job entailed
numerous duties. I loved the work, loved
the people and loved the team.
I’m a tribally enrolled elder and
an aunt, sister and grandmother. I
have a daughter and two sons and 12
grandchildren.
I attended the University of Minnesota
Duluth, attaining my Masters of
Education in 2012. I was an adjunct
instructor for LCO Community College
for several semesters.
I also attended Mount Senario College
in 1961, earning my Bachelor of Science
degree. I’m so proud of my education and
came back to use it working for the
St. Croix tribe.
My hobbies are music, bingo, slots,
eating out and attending Ojibwe language
classes.
A new venture starts in my life as
I begin work as a contributor for The
Vision. I will submit articles on local
community news and events. The Vision
team is also proposing monthly feature
articles on our tribal elders.
Please feel free to call me at ext. 3166
if you have news or events you would
like included in The Vision.
KARMA
Think good thoughts. Say nice things. Do
good for others. Everything comes back.
NEW LEADERS OF THE
ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA NATION
PROGRAM FOCUSES ON HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS
By Phyllis Lowe
Announcing a groundbreaking new
program for our tribal high school
students launching in January 2016!
The “New Leaders of the St. Croix
Chippewa Nation” program will promote
comprehensive educational direction with
focus on academic specifics that will
encourage leadership skills.
Students at seven area high schools
will be involved in the program under the
direction of the St. Croix Chippewa Tribal
Education Department and the Home
School Coordinators at the participating
schools.
While the program is for all high school
students, special emphasis will be placed
on 11th- and 12th-grade students. Geared
toward assisting students with career
choices to enhance their education, the
program will examine challenges the
students will face and teach problemsolving skills to enable the students to
move forward with their educations and
career planning.
Two significant components of the
program will make it one-of-a-kind. First,
the students themselves will help to plan
and carry out the program in order to
tailor it to their specific needs. Second,
the program staff will involve our tribal
elders, asking them to share their wisdom
and knowledge and information about our
tribal culture and traditions.
The program will give new leaders of
the St. Croix Chippewa Nation what they
need most to succeed: the hands-on skills
required to pursue further education and/
or a career and a firm grounding in their
traditions and culture.
The cold weather is upon us in
Wisconsin! While some people enjoy
the snow and cold and others can’t wait
for summer to return, no one can deny
that winter can produce some dangers,
especially for older people. Not only are
there slippery sidewalks to contend with,
but also the possibility of hypothermia.
Hypothermia is a drop in body
temperature that is caused by staying in
a cool place for too long. This may bring
to mind images of someone who is lost
outside in a blizzard, but hypothermia can
strike a person in their own home where
the heat is turned down too low. A body
temperature below 96 degrees can cause
an irregular heartbeat leading to heart
problems and even death, if not treated
promptly. Hypothermia is especially
dangerous because it happens gradually
and affects your thinking. You may not
even realize you need help.
As caregivers, it important to be
aware of the symptoms and risks of
hypothermia as people with advanced age
are especially vulnerable. When checking
in on your relatives, friends or neighbors,
be especially aware of these symptoms of
hypothermia:
• Confusion or sleepiness.
• Slowed, slurred speech or shallow
breathing.
• Weak pulse or low blood pressure.
• Cold, pale skin.
• A lot of shivering or stiffness in the
arms or legs.
• Chilly rooms or other signs that they
have been in a cold place.
• Poor control over body movements or
slow reactions.
If you think someone may have
hypothermia, take his/her temperature
and if it doesn’t rise above 96 degrees,
call 9-1-1. Then keep the person warm
and dry by moving them to a warmer
place, wrapping the person in blankets
or coats or using your own body warmth
by lying close to them. Do not rub their
arms or legs as this can result in skin
tears. Once you’re at the emergency
room, the doctor will verify the diagnosis
and then warm the person’s body from
the inside out. It is very important that a
person with hypothermia is treated by a
physician.
Sometimes people are tempted to turn
their thermostats down too low as a way
of saving money on their energy bill, but
this can result in a dangerous situation.
It is essential for people keep their home
warm, especially on those days and
weeks where the temperatures stay near
zero. To be safe, your thermostat should
be set for at least 68 degrees. Even
temperatures between 60 and 65 can lead
to illness.
There are some things you can do to
keep yourself warm and cut down on
heating costs. First, you can get ideas on
reducing your heating bill by calling your
power or gas company for information
on weatherizing your home. Ideas such
as closing vents and doors to rooms you
are not using can cut your energy usage.
Also wearing several layers of loose
clothing will keep you warmer while
tight clothing can keep your blood from
flowing freely. And finally, eating enough
food to keep up your body weight can
also keep you warmer. If paying for heat
is a problem due to a limited income, you
may qualify for help through the Energy
Assistance Program. May you have a
happy and safe winter!
Jane Mahoney
Older Americans Act Consultant
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources
2016 Vision Information Deadlines
Issue
Information Deadline
Issue
Information Deadline
February
Monday, January 4
August
Tuesday, July 5
March
Monday, February 1
September
Monday, August 1
April
Monday, March 1
October
Thursday, September 1
May
Monday, April 4
November
Monday, October 3
June
Monday, May 2
December
Tuesday, November 1
July
Wednesday, June 1
January 2017 Monday, December 19
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  5
MEETING FOCUSES ON
EDUCATIONAL AND
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS
By Tom Tahmahkera
A Nov. 19 meeting at Webster
High School recapped a trip by Tribal
Education Director Karen Washington to
University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison
and focused on upcoming educational
and cultural opportunities for St. Croix
tribal students. Georgette DiCosimo, the
tribal coordinator for the Webster School
District, hosted the meeting.
Washington gave a brief presentation
on her trip to the UW-Madison. She met
several state school officials and was
given a tour of the university. Also, the
American Indian Student Academic
Services available at the university were
explained in great detail. Several Native
American students from Wisconsin attend
classes there.
Mark Soulier, director of TRAILS,
presented information on the Youth
Conference and Pow-Wow coming up
Dec., 11 and 12.
Marge Eagleman, tribal Ojibwe
language teacher, told of the progress with
her students. The importance of tribal
cultural and language was addressed.
Can You Handle
The Tooth?
St. Croix Tribal Dental Clinic
Tom Tahmahkera explained the details
of the proposed New Leaders of the
St. Croix Chippewa Nation program.
The program will need recommendations
and approval from the eight St. Croix
Chippewa home school coordinators.
If approved by Washington and the
coordinators, the program will be
implemented in January 2016.
Also attending the meeting were Tara
Voss, home school coordinator at Siren
Schools, and Katrina Decorah, home
school coordinator at Webster.
Seated, Georgia Cobenais, Marjorie
Eagleman, Karen Washington, Tara Voss,
Katrina Decorah and Georgette DiCosimo.
Standing, Steve Fowler and Mark Soulier.
Now that the holiday season
has arrived, there will be many
opportunities to indulge in some
festive treats. I thought it would only
be appropriate to be a killjoy and
remind everyone of the down side to
the goodies.
We all know how bad sugar is for
your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth
eat sugar. The bacteria will eat the
sugar and produce acid, which attacks
and breaks down the tooth enamel. It
takes your saliva around 30 minutes
to neutralize the acid environment.
Therefore, the more often you eat
sugar, the more times your teeth are
exposed to an acid attack. The more
acid attacks the teeth are exposed
to, the higher your rate of decay
(cavities).
I did some research and according
to RDH magazine, here is how sugar
affects the rest of your body:
• Sugar is addictive. It releases
opioids and dopamine much like
recreational drugs.
• Sugar causes anxiety and
irritability.
• Sugar causes inflammation.
Sugar causes a release of
inflammatory messengers
called cytokines. Studies
have shown a strong
correlation between high
levels of cytokines and
depression.
• Sugar lowers your
immune response and
robs the body of vital
nutrients. Foods that
are high in sugar are
notoriously low in vitamins and
minerals.
Now that we are all depressed, here
are some helpful hints:
• EAT SUGAR IN
MODERATION.
• Eat sugar with healthy fats and
fiber. Healthy fats (nuts) help
slow the absorption of sugar. This
will slow the release of insulin
and cytokines associated with
inflammation. Fats and fiber also
help you feel full, so grab a handful
of nuts with your chocolates next
time.
• Let’s not forget that alcohol is
sugar. Beer and wine and mixers
used for cocktails are especially
high in sugar.
I know this information is very
doom and gloom considering sugar
is in almost everything we eat, but
knowledge is power. If we’re aware
of the negative effects, we can make
healthy choices to avoid sugary
drinks or foods and focus on making
better food choices for our mind,
body and teeth.
St Croix Tribal Dental Clinic u 715-349-8554 Ext. 5159 u Allie Teske, RDH
6  January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016
32ND ANNUAL ST. CROIX TRAILS YOUTH ON THE RED ROAD
CONFERENCE
Walking the TRAILS of our Ancestors
By Kate Lechnir
More than 100 area youth gathered
at the 32nd Annual St. Croix Traditions
Respecting American Indian Life Styles
(TRAILS) Youth Conference on Dec. 11,
in the tribal gym of the St. Croix Sand
Lake Reservation Community. Students
from LCO, St. Croix, Rice Lake, and
other neighboring reservations spent
the day learning from incredibly gifted
keynote speakers, Dennis White, Brooke
Mosay Ammann and Tall Paul.
Dennis White
Dennis White is a member of the
faculty at Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO)
Ojibwas Community College. He is also
a Cultural Advisor. He was chosen as
an indigenous artist of the year by the
Smithsonian in 2009. After giving the
opening prayer, White talked about the
teachings that he had been given from his
father and his grandfather. “You have to
take care of your family. You have to take
care of those close to you. We have to
take care of each other,” explained White.
White said, “You need to reach to
express yourself. Find a good way
to express yourself, through reading,
writing, artwork and music. And never
stop learning how to do new things.
“Every day,” continued White, “I walk
outside to find something beautiful…
something I’ve never seen before….
even the droplets of water on a leaf in
the morning after a rain. The sunrise,
the moonrise, a new-found rock… find
beauty in life around you…appreciate the
beauty you find and share it! Everyone
has a unique beauty.”
Brooke Mosay Ammann
Brooke Mosay Ammann is the
Director of the Waadookodaading Ojibwe
Language Institute at LCO. She spoke
about what it was like to leave home
to go to college. “Leaving home made
me realize what a beautiful place we
live in. It made me appreciate all that
our elders have to offer us,” Ammann
told the youth. She gave the following
advice: “Do something you like to make
money. It will ruin your life if you work
at something you don’t like.”
Ammann conducted a great deal of
research to discover the best way to teach
our people the language. Ammann said,
“A language is considered endangered if
no one under the age of 55 is speaking
the language actively. In my research I
found that a language can only be
revitalized if it is spoken every
day in daily life. We started
Waadookodaading. It means, ‘A
place where people help each
other.’ Not too long ago, it was
against the law to speak our
Ojibwe language. A lot of people
were abused because of it. They
had to whisper to their children or
maybe just speak Ojibwe secretly
in the basements of their homes.
These people are my heroes.”
Ammann continued, “Well, we
don’t have to hide it anymore.
We can speak Ojibwe in school.
We are going to be off of the
endangered list because of the
revitalization work we are doing.
My sixth graders, they are my heroes
too. We can speak Ojibwe wherever and
whenever we want today.” Ammann
ended by saying, “I hope my children
will help their children to learn our
language.”
Ammann then introduced
Mike Sullivan, an instructor at
Waadookodaading. Sullivan stated,
“If you don’t carry over our language
into the future, we will no longer be
in existence. For me, Ojibwe was
always associated with our elders.
Now, we have over 70 kids at LCO
speaking our language.” Sullivan
then introduced eight sixth-graders
from Waadookodaading. The students
took turns speaking in Ojibwe to the
amazement of all.
Tall Paul
Right before lunch, Tall Paul, famous
local celeb, kicked things up and sang
his famous Ojibwe rap song, “Prayer in a
Song.” The audience was electrified!
But he toned it way down after lunch.
“I want to get real with you all. I’m no
different than you,” the famous hip hop
artist said. “At eight years old, I knew
what functional was from TV. I knew
I was going to be a good husband and
provider. It was important to see this in
my mind. But it didn’t turn out exactly
that way,” admitted Tall Paul.
“I wasn’t aware that my mother was
a drug addict. For the next seven years,
my six- and eight-year-old siblings and
I were stripped from our family. We
were placed with people who didn’t
care about us. We were bounced back
Jen Johnson, professional drama therapist, conducts some ice breaker exercises with the youth.
and forth from foster homes and group
homes until I was 17. I went through
anger and depression.. . . My mom for
allowing it to happen and my dad for
not being there,” recounted Tall Paul. “I
started writing raps and hip hop at 14,”
he continued. “I had it in my mind that
if I started drinking and smoking I would
be cooler and get the girls. At 16 I made
a lot of mistakes, skipping school and
getting into dangerous situations. My
junior year, I started thinking back on
when I was eight…about the promise I
had made to myself to be a good husband
and provider and all of that,” added Tall
Paul. “I became more functional. I caught
up on my credits and met with advisors.
I graduated with a 1.96 GPA.”
Tall Paul continued with his life story.
“I was the first in my family to go to
college, but I went back to drinking and
partying. I got in some trouble and I got
put on probation. I met my son’s mom
at about this time. Our relationship was
based on the drinking and on the broken
homes we both came from. She got
pregnant with our son and turned straight.
I was still getting into trouble and was
thrown in jail,” said Tall Paul.
“In February 2009, I got sober and
started doing this now. I always wanted
to be a rapper and youth worker, and I’m
doing that now,” Tall Paul noted. “My
life is so much better. I wouldn’t have
this opportunity if I didn’t turn my life
around. Faith….Sobriety.. … Working
the steps of the program. . . .Full time
dad….”
Tall Paul concluded his presentation by
stating, “You can get through it. You can
conquer it. The Creator is in all of us.”
A Chi Miigwech to the three keynote
speakers from the 32nd Annual St. Croix
TRAILS Youth Conference. Because
of their candor, talent, wisdom and
faith, the more than 100 students in
attendance, and the more than 40 adults
who accompanied them, spent a day
“Walking the TRAILS of our Ancestors”
that will never be forgotten. A special
Chi Miigwech also to Mark Soulier, the
St. Croix TRAILS coordinator, Karen
Washington, St. Croix Education director,
the St. Croix Tribal Council and the St.
Croix Casinos for having the faith and
vision to support this event.
Dennis White welcomed the more than 100 students attending the conference.
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  7
Left Top:
Hip Hop Artist and Youth Motivational Speaker Tall Paul.
Left Middle:
Waadookodaading Director Brooke Mosay Ammann.
Left Bottom:
Danielle Carley from Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe
Community College (LCOOCC) speaks with students
about the opportunity to work while attending college.
In total, six colleges were present at the conference. In
addition to LCOOCC, Chippewa Valley Technical College,
Northland College, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Barron and
University of Minnesota Duluth spent the day speaking
with interested students.
Middle Top:
LCOOCC Instructor and Cultural Advisor Dennis
White, community member Kim Benjamin, and event
volunteer Kate Lechnir.
Middle Second:
Elders at the Conference included Ralph Pewaush, Tom
Saros and Delores Pewaush.
Middle Bottom:
It was like having a celebrity at the conference.
Everyone wanted to have their picture taken with Tall
Paul, including these young Somali students attending
the conference from Rice Lake.
Right Top:
Students listen intently as they “Walk the Trails of their
Ancestors” with the three keynote speakers as their
guides.
Right Bottom:
Sixth graders from the Waakookodaading School
rocked the worlds of all in attendance with their Ojibwe
language presentations.
8  January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016
NEWS FROM YOUR LCOOCC OUTREACH SITE
By Kate Lechnir, LCOOCC St. Croix Outreach Site Coordinator
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get a college education, there is still time to register for the Spring
Semester at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College (LCOOCC)! You can go on line to www.lco.edu
to see all of the course offerings for next semester. Then call Katie Lechinr or Janine McNulty, or just stop by
the youth center to get signed up for the classes you have always wanted to take. If college is a part of your new
year, let us help make that happen for you close to home.
Financial Literacy Workshop
Regalia Making Workshops
Last month, LCOOCC Work-Based
Learning sponsored a Financial Literacy
workshop at the Youth Center. The topic
was “Money Matters,” and the workshop
was conducted by Elizabeth Warren,
a financial advisor at LCO. Topics
included balancing a checkbook, filling
out tax payroll paperwork, strategies for
paying off debts and saving money, and
the underlying factors of understanding
loans. Each participant received a copy
of Warren’s book, All Your Worth. The
workshop was well-attended.
LCO Migizi Club Presentation
Karen Washington and Katrina Decorah take a quick break to pose for the camera.
Unity High School graduate and
current LCOOCC St. Croix Outreach
Site honor student Rayven Merrill
addressed the Unity High School Migizi
Club. Merrill spoke to the 18 middleschool and high-school students about
making the transition from high school
to college, and about the advantages of
attending a tribal college close to home
in order to save money and to receive a
culturally grounded education.
Karen Washington’s regalia making
classes are becoming a popular place
for community members to gather and
sew. Don’t wait until a week before the
pow-wow to begin your regalia! Stop by
the Youth Center every Friday evening
beginning at 3 p.m. and going until
6 p.m. All materials are provided free of
charge. Chi miigwech to the LCOOCC
Extension program and to Washington.
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  9
STATE HEALTH AGENCY
INCREASES ACCESS
TO HEALTH CARE IN
NORTHWEST WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin Department of Health
Services (DHS) is pleased to announce a
new graduate medical education program
to serve one of the most underserved
areas of the state.
“Data tells us that within the next
few years, there will be fewer and
fewer physicians serving Northwest
Wisconsin,” said DHS Secretary Kitty
Rhoades. “Research confirms that
recruiting medical students with existing
or prior ties to the state coupled with
residencies in these rural and underserved
areas significantly increased the odds
that the new physicians will return to the
same areas to practice.”
A new partnership of several critical
access hospitals, a health plan and
a university sponsor will support
establishment of a new family medicine
residency program in the St. Croix Valley
area. Among the partners are Amery
Hospital & Clinic, Hudson Hospital &
Clinic and Westfields Hospital & Clinic
in New Richmond. HealthPartners
Institute for Education and Research
and Methodist Hospital will serve as
academic partners.
“I am delighted to see these small rural
hospitals and their academic partners
step up to address the dearth of primary
care physicians serving rural areas,”
said Rhoades. “This is an exciting effort
that we encourage other stakeholders to
replicate.”
Development of the new rural
program is supported by a grant from
DHS. It is one of 10 efforts currently
underway across the state to increase
the number of physicians practicing in
rural and underserved areas. The DHS
grants, authorized by Act 20, target five
specialties: family medicine, general
internal medicine, general surgery,
pediatrics and psychiatry.
THE HEALTH INSURANCE
MARKETPLACE
By Kayla Anderson, St. Croix Tribal Health Clinic, Patient Benefits
If you are uninsured, the 2016 open
enrollment is winding down! To ensure
you have health insurance for 2016, be
sure to visit the Marketplace today! The
last day to enroll for coverage for 2016
is Jan. 31, 2016. After Jan. 31, 2016,
in order to get health insurance through
the Marketplace you must qualify for a
special enrollment period. Those can be
found online at www.healthcare.gov.
Anyone is able to check out their
health coverage costs on the Health
Insurance Marketplace by creating an
account at www.healthcare.gov. There is
no obligation to pick a plan through the
Marketplace; it’s just another resource
to check prices for health insurance for
you and your families. Some people
who fall within a certain household
income range, without access to health
insurance through a job, a spouse’s job,
or Medicaid, may also be eligible for
Premium Tax Credits that can bring down
your insurance premiums each month.
Cost-sharing, which could possibly lower
your yearly out-of-pocket costs for health
care, is also available to some applicants.
This is also the time for anyone who
has 2015 coverage through a Marketplace
account to review your application and
make any changes to be sure it is up to
date. If you had Marketplace coverage
for 2015, and accepted Premium Tax
Credits, be sure to reconcile those
credits when you do your taxes. You
should receive Form 1095-A Health
Insurance Marketplace Statement from
the Marketplace by mail or email before
filing your taxes.
If you did not have health coverage for
2015, you may be subject to a tax penalty
when filing your income taxes. Be sure
to review Form 8965 Health Coverage
Exemptions to see if you can claim an
exemption from the requirement to have
health coverage for anyone on your tax
return. One of the many exemptions
is being a member of a federally
recognized tribe or being eligible for
services through an Indian Health Service
provider. So remember, don’t pay a
penalty before looking through all of
the exemptions, many of which you can
claim when you do your taxes.
At the St. Croix Tribal Health Clinic
our Patient Benefits office is able to
help answer any questions you may
have and to help you go over options,
whether you qualify for Badgercare+,
Medicaid, Medicare, the Health Insurance
Marketplace or individual insurance
companies. Call or stop by the St. Croix
Tribal Health Clinic today to set up an
appointment or ask any questions. If
transportation is an issue, ask us about
setting up an appointment closer to
your home or at the Round Lake Clinic.
Appointments and walk-ins are available
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and
Fridays by appointment only.
For resources, please visit www.
healthcare.gov, www.irs.gov, or www.
access.wi.gov
10  January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016
Job
Postings
ST. CROIX CASINO
TURTLE LAKE
BEVERAGE
One part-time and one full-time bartender.
Starting wage $6.82/hr. Work days and shifts will
vary. Bartending experience preferred. Bar and
restaurant till experience preferred, but will train.
Must be reliable. Contact Rob in Beverage.
Six full-time beverage cocktails. Starting wage
$6.15/hr. + tips. One needed for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
shift, one for noon to 6 p.m. and two for the 6 p.m.
to 2 a.m. shift. Work days will vary but will include
weekends. Must have excellent guest service skills.
Contact Rob or Tony in Beverage.
1 full-time Beverage supervisor. Starting wage
$10.65 or DOE. Work days and shifts will vary.
Experience in bartending and restaurant experience,
should have 2 years supervisory experience.
Contact Rob Lowe.
DINING ROOM
One part-time dining room host/hostess.
Starting wage $9.05/hr. 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift.
Work days will vary but includes weekends. Must
have excellent guest service skills.
Contact Andrea in the Dining Room.
EVS
Four full-time EVS services staff. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Work days will vary.
Must be able to be on feet for long periods of time,
be guest friendly, do lifting and be able to work
with chemicals. Contact Rhonda Juntunen or
Leonora Baker.
FINANCE
One full-time soft count team. Starting wage
$9.26/hr. 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift Sat through Weds.
Responsible for accurate count of all cash, chips
and coins. Contact Toni Ostenson.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Two full-time concessions staff. Starting wage
$10.75/hr. plus shift differential. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
shift. Work days will vary. Must be able to work in
fast-paced environment. Must have excellent guest
service skills and be able to lift 50 lbs.
Contact Carmen Leoso.
One full-time dishwasher. Starting wage
$10.00/hr. Work days and shifts will vary but will
include weekends. Must be able to work in a
fast-paced environment. Contact Carmen Leoso.
Two full-time pantry staff. Starting wage
$10.75/hr. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Work days will
vary. Must be able to stand for long periods of time
and work in a fast-paced environment. Must be able
to lift, bend and twist 25 lbs.
Contact Carmen Leoso.
One full-time kitchen support staff.
Starting wage $10/hr. Work days will vary, shift
3 p.m.-11 p.m. Garbage clean-up, cleaning and
organizing coolers and shelves, helping where
needed. Contact Carmen Leoso.
St. Croix Chippewa Enterprises offers competitive pay, paid vacation and a company health care program.
St. Croix Chippewa Enterprises is owned and operated by the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin. St. Croix
Chippewa Enterprises operates drug free workplaces. A pre-employment drug screening is required of all
applicants. T.B. testing is mandatory for all new food service hires.
For all positions requiring a driver’s license, applicants must have a perfect driving record. Verification will be
requested. Math tests are required for any money handling positions.
HOTEL
Three full-time hotel maids. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work days will vary. Must
be able to strip, stock and clean rooms in a timely
manner. Must be able to stand for long periods of
time. Contact Darla, Deb or Jamie at the hotel.
To apply, fill out an application at Human
Resources at the casino annex, Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or
online at http://turtlelake.stcroixcasino.
com/job-application/. For more
information, call 1-800-846-8946, ext. 3210.
Two full-time hotel security guards.
Starting wage $9.05/hr or DOE. Work days will
vary, Shifts are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and
11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Prior military, law enforcement
and first responder, CPR certification a plus.
Contact Travis Lowe or Pat McCready.
ST. CROIX CASINO
DANBURY
One full-time front desk clerk. Starting wage
$8.05/hr. Work days will be Tues.-Sat. Shift
2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Keyboarding skills, good money
handling skills, and excellent guest services skills.
Contact Roberta or Rox.
MAINTENANCE
Two full-time maintenance staff. Starting wage
$11.50/hr. Work days and shifts will vary.
Self-motivated worker, good clear drivers license in
order to be insured. Work with electrical, plumbing,
general construction and trouble shoot equipment.
Contact Tim Busch.
MARKETING
One TLC Hostess. Starting wage $7.25/hr.
7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Work days will vary. Must
have excellent guest service skills, computer skills
and be reliable. Contact Charity Rogers.
SECURITY
Three full-time security guards. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. or DOE. Two for 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and
one for 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Work days will vary. Prior
military, law enforcement or security experience
preferred. Contact Travis or Pat.
SLOTS
Three slot tech trainees. Starting wage $9.05/hr.
or DOE. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and
8 p.m. to 4 a.m. shifts. Excellent guest service
skills. Technical skills preferred but not required.
Will train. Must be able to lift 50+ lbs.
Contact Jolene or Stuart in Slots.
TABLE GAMES
CAGE
One full-time Cage/Vault/Sweeps manager.
Contact Human Resources at ext. 2616 or 2617 or
Rick Bear at ext. 2500.
DELI
Three full-time deli positions. Work days
will vary. Must be able to work in fast-paced
environment. Must have excellent guest service
skills and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Contact Linda Jorgensen ext 2583.
DINING ROOM
Two full-time host/hostess position. One part-time
busser. Must have great guest service. Must be
able to be on feet for long periods of time. Must
have good math skills. Must be able to work nights,
weekends and holidays. Contact Kelly Benjamin at
ext. 2581.
KITCHEN
Two full-time prep cooks, two full-time line
cooks. Two part-time prep cooks, two parttime line cooks. Must be dependable. Must have
experience and knowledge of cooking. Must be
motivated to work in a fast-paced environment
and be able to multitask in the kitchen area. Must
be able to work nights, weekends and holidays.
Contact Linda Jorgenson at ext. 2583 or Human
Resources at ext. 2616 or 2617.
PLAYERS CLUB
One full-time host/hostess position. Must be able
to work nights, weekends and holidays. Must have
excellent guest service skills, computer skills and be
reliable. Contact Val Lindahl ext. 2644 or 2645.
Twenty full-time table games dealers. Starting
wage $7.15/hr. + tips. Work days and shifts will
vary. Must have excellent guest service skills.
Class will be starting Sept. 14 and runs from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact Jennifer Williams or Ryan Otto.
SECURITY
TRANSPORTATION
One on-call transport driver. Starting wage
$8.05/hr. Work days and shifts will vary. Must have
a valid drivers license and be insurable. Must have a
clean driving record. Contact Deb Herrera.
Two part-time table games dealers. Work days
and shifts will vary. Must be dependable, work
nights, weekends and holidays. Must have excellent
guest service skills.
Contact Miki Messer at ext. 2665.
VALET
WARDROBE
Two full-time valet staff. Starting wage
$7.25/hr. + tips. 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to
7 a.m. shift. Work days will vary. Must be 21 years
of age and have clear driving record. Must be able
to pass insurance guidelines. Contact Connie Bird
or Dale Stepan.
One part-time security guard. Must have
excellent guest services. Must be dependable,
work nights, weekends and holidays.
Contact James Wakefield ext. 2700
TABLE GAMES
One full-time position. Must be able to work
flexible shifts; nights, days, weekends and holidays.
Must be on time, work alone with little direction
and work with others. Should have basic sewing,
repair and fitting skills or be willing to be trained in
these areas. Must be able to tolerate detergents and
cleaning chemicals.
Contact Adam Songetay ext. 2502/3320.
To apply, fill out an application at Human
Resources, Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or apply online at
http://danbury.stcroixcasino.com/
job-application/. For more information,
call 1-800-238-8946.
ST. CROIX CASINO
HERTEL EXPRESS
Two full-time deli staff. Starting wage $9.05/hr. Work
days and shifts will vary. Must be able to work in a
fast-paced environment. Excellent guest service skills
needed. Contact Delane Emery.
One full-time Express Club clerk. Starting wage
$8.05/hr. 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Must have excellent
guest service skills, be prompt and willing to be a
supportive team member. Must be reliable, dependable
and dedicated. Contact Natasha Baker.
One full-time Express Club supervisor. Starting
wage $10.65/hr. Work days and shifts will vary. Need
a reliable, dedicated employee who has management
and leadership skills. Previous experience is preferred.
Must be a team player and be able to handle a very
flexible schedule. Contact Shaurette.
One full-time phone receptionist. Starting wage
$10/hr. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Must be prompt and polite and have proper phone
etiquette. Must be able to use radios, copier and fax
machines. Contact Nancy Huff.
Four full-time security guards. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. Or DOE. Work days will vary, shifts will
vary. Prior miltary, law enforcement or security
experience preferred, first aid, CPR training needed.
Contact Travis or Pat.
Two full-time slot techs. Starting wage $9.26/hr.
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to midnight ThursdayMonday. Must have excellent guest service skills
and be able to lift 50 lbs. Technical skills preferred.
Contact Maurice Benjamin.
To apply, fill out an application at the store,
or apply online at hertel.stcroixcasino.com/
job-application/. For more information, call
1-715-349-5658.
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  11
The St. Croix Tribal Aging Unit Presents
ELDER SPOTLIGHT
1. Name: Ivan Cadotte
2. What community are you from?
I’m from the Danbury Community.
3. Parents: My parents were Hattie
(Cloud) Cadotte and Charles Cadotte
4. Children: Sandra Cadotte,
Claudia Cadotte, Michael Cadotte
and Robert Cadotte
5. Good friends: Ron Staples
6. Favorite foods: I don’t have a
favorite. I like everything.
7. Where did you go to grade school?
I went to school in Danbury. There
used to be a school in Danbury, but it
burned down years ago.
8. What did you do for fun in your
younger days? I fished. And hunted.
That’s all I ever did.
9. What was your first job? When I
was 17 years old I worked for the
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
It was a government program. This
was in the early 1940’s. There were
CCC Camps all over the United
States. They called us “CCC Boys.”
We would build roads and parks. I
worked in Pattison Park by Superior,
Wisconsin. I helped build that park.
That was my first job.
14. Tell me about your most proudest
or accomplished moment: I’m
proud of my work. After the war I
learned to drive as a truck driver.
I purchased my own equipment- a
truck and a trailer. I did that for 51
years. I’ve been to a lot of good
places.
15. If you could spend the day with
anyone of your choice, past or
present, who would it be and why?
My son, Robert. We get along very
good. When he was nine years old,
and when school was out, I would
take him with me truck driving. He’s
been all over the country with me.
And that’s what his occupation is
now. He’s a truck driver.
16. Any wise words that you would
like to share with today’s youth? I
would say, “Let people live the way
they want to live.”
Each month the St. Croix Tribal Aging
Unit will feature four tribal elders in
the “Elder Spotlights” in The Vision
newspaper. If you are interested in
participating in the Elder Spotlights, you
may contact the St. Croix Tribal Aging
Unit Office at (800)-236-2195, ext. 5116,
Phyllis Lowe at 1-800-846-8946, ext.
3166 or Tom Tahmahkera at
1-800-846-8946, ext. 3144. Miigwech.
10. What is one of your favorite
memories? I have a lot of good
memories from when I would drive
truck. I would travel all over the
United States. From Texas to Boston.
All 48 States.
13. How has the world changed since
you were younger? There’s a lot
of violence nowadays. It’s all over
the news. Just yesterday there was
a mass shooting on the news. It
happens even around here. There’s
so much violence. This didn’t happen
years ago.
(Southwinds Plaza)
Human Services/AmeriCorps Director: Hazel Hindsley
Ext. 5156 – hazelh@stcroixtribalcenter.com
Childcare Coordinator: Jackie Churchill
Ext. 5302 – jackiec@stcroixtribalcenter.com
Kinship/Foster Care Coordinator: Kathy Daniels
Ext. 5286 – kathyd@stcroixtribalcenter.com
ICW Caseworker: Elizabeth Lowe
715-349-2671 – elizabethl@stcroixtribalcenter.com
ICW Caseworker: Carrie Hunter
Ext. 5137 – carrieh@stcroixtribalcenter.com
CST Coordinator: Monica Pamaska
Ext. 5141 – monicap@stcroixtribalcenter.com
General Assistance Director: Gloria Benjamin
Ext. 5400 – gloriab@stcroixtribalcenter.com
Domestic Violence Coordinator/Advocate: Sarah Hindsley-Gokey
sarahh@stcroixtribalcenter.com
Trails Coordinator: Mark Soulier
Ext. 5310 – marks@stcroixtribalcenter.com (Youth Center)
Youth Prevention: Marie Dahlberg
Ext. 5253 – maried@stcroixtribalcenter.com (Youth Center)
TIPS FOR AN EMOTIONALLYHEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON
The stress of the season can affect your mental health
11. Favorite television show/ first
television show you remember
watching: I’m not sure what the first
show I watched, but I’ll tell you what
my favorite show is now: Wheel of
Fortune. I watch it every day.
12. What is the most important lesson
you’ve learned during your life?
Be kind. I’m a friend to everyone.
ST. CROIX TRIBAL HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DIRECTORY
My grandson
David D. Juarez is off to
China to teach English to
young children there for a
year. You don’t know how
proud I am. He’s so smart
and adventurous.
Kudos!
Love u “Bud,” to pieces.
– Shirley M. Juarez
Stress does not have to overcome
joy this holiday season. Here are five
tips from the Wisconsin Department
of Health Services (DHS) to help you
maintain emotional well-being in the
weeks ahead:
• Know your limits. Identify situations
that create stress. Prepare a plan to
problem-solve for the situations that
you can control and don’t focus on the
issues for which you have little or no
control.
• Simplify your commitments.
Organize your time around activities
you want to do, and you will enjoy the
most. Take time to relax and recover
from these activities. It is okay to say
no to invitations.
• Take care of your physical wellbeing. Exercise regularly and practice
moderation in eating and drinking. Get
plenty of rest.
• Embrace your sense of humor.
Activate and relieve your stress
response by laughing out loud.
• Volunteer your time and talents.
See the world from another angle by
helping someone in need, and put your
stressors in perspective.
Consider seeking professional help
if your mood, thoughts, feelings, and/
or actions continue to disrupt your daily
living. Emotional health concerns are
treatable and recovery is possible.
Through the Division of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services
and statewide partners, DHS manages a
variety of support services for individuals
struggling to maintain emotional wellbeing. For emotional support and
resources to help with any struggle before
it becomes a crisis, text HOPELINE to
741741 or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
January (Gichimanidoo-giizis - Great Spirit Moon), 2016  12
32nd Annual St. Croix Trails
Pow-Wow
Dec. 12, 2015
Photos by Phyllis Lowe