Page 6 Page 8 Bois Forte · prep, evening presentation and interviewed Bois Forte Elders Karen Drift and Marybelle Isham. (cont. on page 7) Sioux Chef treats Elders with local ingredients,

Bois Forte

BOIS FORTE NEWS • 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772 • Visit us! www.boisforte.com • JANUARY 2016

INSI

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NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA - January 2016 VOL. 39 NO. 1 www.boisforte.com

Page 6

On December 8, 80 people attended the Traditional Trimmings Dinner for Bois Forte Elders and their caregivers at the Tribal Government and Community Services Center in Nett Lake. The meal, billed as an “Alter-Native Traditional Community Meal,” was prepared by Sean Sherman, the Sioux Chef, his colleague Dana Thompson and sponsored by KBFT 89.9 FM community radio.

Sherman, a nationally-known celebrity in the cooking world, is an Oglala Lakota, who was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. His main culinary focus has been on the “pre-reservation” indigenous knowledge of wild and traditionally cultivated food history, flavor, and culinary technique. His recipes use an “ancient pantry” of ingredients found in the Ojibwe & Dakota forests and lakes region throughout Minnesota.

Dana Thompson’s family is tied to the Mdewakanton of Mendota and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of South Dakota. However, Dana knows Bois Forte as a neighbor since she was born in Hibbing.

The evening was a multifaceted event that was preceded by foraging some ingredients for recipes and table decorations, a long day of preparation in the kitchen of the Government and Community Services Center, a colorful presentation for the guests about natural foods and their importance to both health and spirit and of course the feast.

All of the steps were videotaped by a film crew from New York for Mic.com. The cameras followed Sherman and Thompson as they foraged for cedar,

balsam, fir and cattails that were used in both the food and beverage recipes and as décor on the banquet tables. The cameras then recorded the food prep, evening presentation and interviewed Bois Forte Elders Karen Drift and Marybelle Isham.

(cont. on page 7)

Sioux Chef treats Elders with local ingredients, fresh flavors

Page 8

Get Ready for the State of the BandMark your calendars: the 2016 State of the Band event will take place Thursday, January 28.

Because attendance at State of the Band has grown each year, this year’s event – titled “Vision – Past, Present, Future” – will be held in two locations simultaneously: Fortune Bay Resort Casino and the Vermilion Wellness Center. Both locations will host information booths, and the remarks by Tribal Government officials will be given live at Fortune Bay and broadcast at Vermilion. Shuttles will run between the two locations during the event, so Band members can visit both if they like.

From noon until 3 p.m., Band members will be able to receive flu shots, have diabetes checked, and get Tribal and 1854 IDs. There will also be information booths for various Tribal Government departments, North Eagle Federal Credit Union, Wisdom Steps, the Boys & Girls Club, KBFT and WELY radio stations, and more. Vermilion will host a family photo booth, and registration for gifts will take place at both locations.

Seating for the State of the Band Address will begin at 2 p.m. Special seating for guests with children will be reserved at the Vermilion Wellness Center.

The formal program will be begin at 3 p.m. and run through 5 p.m. Dinner will be served in both locations. At 6 p.m. Bingo will be open for all ages in the Woodlands Ballroom at Fortune Bay. Everyone is invited to attend the Bingo, regardless of whether you attended the earlier event at the Wellness Center or Fortune Bay.

Sioux Chef Sean Sherman plates his dessert of wild rice sorbet with a sunflower cookie and berry sauce.

Happy New Year!

Page 2 • Bois Forte News • January 2016

BOIS FORTE NEWS JANUARY 2016

Tribal, National & State NewsJudge sides with Wisconsin Tribes in hunting rights disputeWisconsin Tribes celebrated in October after a federal judge handed them another victory in a treaty rights case. Members of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band, Lac du Flambeau Band, Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Red Cliff Band asserted their right to deer hunt at night on ceded lands. The state, however, refused to allow the practice due to safety concerns.

But Judge Barb Crabb said those concerns were unjustified. Reversing course from a decades old decision, she noted that the tribes have adopted strong regulations in a state where night hunting is allowed in other forms.

“Plaintiffs’’ retained their hunting rights, including the right to hunt at night, when they ceded thousands of acres of northern Wisconsin to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century,” Crabb wrote in the 14-page decision.

Adidas assists schools in switching from offensive mascots Adidas Corporation announced they will offer its design resources and financial assistance to any high school that wants to make the change their mascot or logo that is offensive to Native Americans. The company said that 2,000 of the 27,000 high schools in America “use names that cause concern for many tribal communities.”

Cobell Education Scholarship Fund growingThe Department of the Interior announced in October that an additional $10 million has been transferred to the Cobell Education Scholarship Fund, bringing the total amount contributed so far to nearly $30 million. Funded in part by the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations and authorized by the Cobell Settlement, the Scholarship Fund is designed to be a permanent endowment which provides financial assistance through scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students wishing to pursue post-secondary and graduate education and training.

The Scholarship Fund, administrated by the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC), will disburse approximately $2 million in funds in its first round of awards over the next several months. Scholarship recipients represent than 80 tribal nations who will be attending more than 175 different academic institutions. The Cobell Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight and supervision of the activities of the fund’s administering organization.

December 30, 2015Last day for sitting RTC member to give notice

of resignation to file for other RTC office.

January 11, 2016Last day for sitting RTC member to give notice

of resignation to file for vacated RTC seat.

January 19, 8:00 a.m. Opening of period for filing for office.

January 28Close of filing period

February 5Selection of Election Court of Appeals Judge

(For certification of candidate)

February 22Notice of Primary Election and Posting.

April 7: General Reservation Election Board publishes

Primary Results.

April 13: Results, if allowed. Or April 11 or 12 if earlier request. Deadline for Decision of Request for

Recount and Results of Recount, if allowed.

May 13Notice of General Election

May 13

TEC provides ballots for General Election.

June 14: General Election Polling Places open from 8:00 a.m.

until 8:00 p.m.

June 15General Reservation Election Board certifies

results of Election. Prior to 8:00 p.m.

June 16General Reservation Election Board publishes

Election results.

July 12Winning candidates assume office by

operation of law, unless sooner seated, or the election is subject of appeal to the Court of

Election Appeals.

ELECTION CALENDAR SUMMARY2015 – 2016 Regular Election


JANUARY 2016 BOIS FORTE NEWS

Minnesota Chippewa TribeBusiness Development Center

Attention Enrolled MCT Members: Do you have a great business idea, but need help funding the start up? Want to know what resources are available to you? Already have

a business and would like to expand? If you have any business questions, please contact us!

A few things we offer are:

• Micro Loans up to $5,000• Macro Loans up to $150,000• General Business Counseling• Financial Counseling• Business Plan Development• Minority Certification Assistance (Federal, State)

Please call to request a “Going into Business Packet” (GIBP), which enlists requirements, procedures and

more information.

For more information, please contact Heather Reuter, Business Development Specialist @ (218)335-8583x118 or

[email protected].

RTG Holiday hoursThe Tribal Government, Fitness Centers and Health Clinics

will be closed the following dates for New Years:

Thursday, December 31Closed at Noon

Friday, January 1Closed All Day

Be sure and get your prescription orders in no later than Tuesday, December 29.

LEGAL NOTICEMinnesota Chippewa Tribe

In the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Tribal Children’s CourtNett Lake, MN

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Department of Family Health Services, Petitioner, v. Jolene Marie Swan, Respondent, et. al. TO: The above named respondent, Jolene Marie Swan, parent of J. S., J.J.M., C.M.M. and R.F. M., minor children.

It is Ordered and Notice is Hereby Given that a hearing will be held on the 10th day of February 2016, at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, at the Bois Forte Tribal Children’s Court, Bois Forte Indian Reservation, 12907 Palmquist Road, Nett Lake, MN 55772, on a Request for Permanency Planning/Suspension of Parental Rights filed on December 3, 2015 bu the Bois Forte Family Health Services. The request filed by the Bois Forte Family Health Services may affect your Parental insofar as J.S., J.J.M., C.M.M., and R.F.M., minor children are concerned.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED BY THIS SUMMONS AND NOTICE THAT YOU ARE REQUESTED TO APPEAR AT THIS HEARING AT THE ABOVE DATE, TIME AND PLACE.

FAILURE TO ATTEND MAY RESULT IN THE PERMANENCY PLANNING/SUSPENSION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE ABOVE NAMED CHILDREN.

By The CourtMegan Treuer, Chief JudgeLucille Morrison, Clerk of CourtAttorney for Petitioner, Chris Allery12907 Palmquist RoadP.O. Box 25Nett Lake MN 55772Tel: 218-757-3462

Thank you from Band memberJudith Boney Jacka of Virginia wanted to publically thank the Health staff for the

wonderful education event they hosted in Virginia in December. The presentations, information booths and dinner were fun

and educational.

Judith encourages all Band members to check out the schedule for upcoming Health Fairs and be sure and attend.

RTC News

Division of Indian Work Food ShelfHorizons Unlimited, the Division of Indian Work food shelf, is the only culturally sensitive food shelf in the west metro serving the American Indian population. Horizons Unlimited distributed more than 145,000 pounds of food to almost 3,300 individuals last year and currently serves about 500 American Indian people each week. Located at 1001 E Lake Street, the food shelf is currently open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday. Call Maren Hardy at 612-279-6343 for more information and how to qualify.

How to support Horizons UnlimitedHorizons Unlimited is always in need of food and cash donations to keep the shelves stocked. Drop off nonperishable food items at 1001 E Lake Street during food shelf hours or make a financial gift online at diw-mn.org and designate Horizons Unlimited in the donation form. Checks made out to Horizons Unlimited can also be mailed to 1001 E Lake Street Mpls, MN 55407.

LEAP into the fight against hunger and support Horizons Unlimited at a fundraising event on leap year day—February 29, 2016. Hosted at Hell’s Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis, the event will feature appetizers, musical entertainment from Native performers, a cash bar and a silent auction. For more information, to purchase tickets or become a sponsor of this event, visit diw-mn.org/leap.

Volunteer opportunities are available at Horizons Unlimited. If you are interested in being a food shelf volunteer, please contact Maren Hardy at 612-279-6343 or [email protected].



Metro NewsIndian Education Family Language Table Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m.Anishinabe Academy3100 E. 28th St. Mpls.Experience the teachings of our ancestors. Anishinaabe scholar and Jams Vukelicj and Dakota teacher and linguist Neil McKay and explore the teachings of the Dakota and Ojibwe people. All welcome.

Walking GroupMondays 10-11:30 a.m.Minneapolis American Indian Center1530 E. Franklin Ave. Mpls.Contact April Smith 612.879.1770

Women’s Anger ManagementTuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m.Division of Indian Work1001 E. Lake St. Mpls.Call Fredora Justin-Alcindor 612.279.6319Educational and culturally specific anger management and domestic violence classes for women. Groups are free of charge and daycare is provided. Groups meet for 15 sessions. Intake required prior to participation.

Parents of TraditionTuesdays Noon – 2 p.m.Little Earth of United Tribes2495 18th Ave SLERA Youth Center Mpls.To register call Jean Coleman 612.290.9936Guiding Elder: Ida Downwind. For parents with small children ages birth to five years-old. Parent and child learning activities and reconnect to the good path of parenting through Ojibwe and Dakota languages.

Women of Traditional BirthingTuesdays 5-7:30 p.m.Division of Indian Work1001 E. Lake Street Mpls.For more information call Ruth Mestas at 612.279.6312 or email at [email protected] and activities include: breastfeeding, labor and delivery, infant mortality, baby blankets, birthing plans, prenatal yoga, dream catchers, tobacco ties. Upon completion, participants receive a Target gift card. Dinner, daycare and transportation will be provided.

Father ProjectTuesdays 5-7 p.m.Division of Indian Work1001 E. Lake St. Mpls.Call Joe Regguinti to complete an intake for the

program at 612.279.6342.Comprehensive parenting support for fathers. Services included are child support services, employment training, case management, GED tutoring and legal services (family law).

Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group Wednesdays 1-3 p.m.Division of Indian Work1001 E. Lake St Mpls. For more information call 612.279.6319Educational and supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence. Free of charge and daycare is provided. Intake required prior to participation. Groups meet for 12 weeks.

Men’s Anger Management Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m.Thursday 1-3 p.m.Division of Indian Work1001 E. Lake St Mpls. For more information call Fredora Justin-Alcindor at 612.279.6319Educational and culturally specific anger management and domestic violence classes for men. Groups meet for 18 sessions or 37 hours. Intake required prior to participation.

Enhancing Wellbeing with Chronic Health Conditions 11:30-12:30 p.m.American Community Clinic1213 East Franklin Ave Mpls.For information call 612.872.8086 or visit www.nacc-healthcare.org

Women’s Grief and Loss SupportThursdays 11 a.m. – noonNative American Community Clinic1213 East Franklin Ave. Mpls.For information, call 612.872.8086 or visit www.nacc-healthcare.org.

Stress Management GroupFridays 11 a.m. – noonNative American Community Clinic1213 E. Franklin Ave. Mpls.For information or to register at 612.872.8086 option 1.Are you worried, stressed or tense a lot? Then maybe this group is for you. It’s normal to feel tense, stressed, and worried when the moment puts you under pressure. Just so you know, 2 out of every 5 of us worries at least once every day. It’s not okay when those feelings of worry, stress, and being tense keep us from doing what we want in life. This group can help you learn how to reduce

how much tension and stress you feel and help you better control your worrying thoughts. Open to everyone.

Ojibwe Language Table 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month5:30 – 7:30 p.m.Powwow Grounds1414 E Franklin Ave. Mpls.For information call 612.545.5598Everyone is welcome. Potluck dinner, feel free to bring a dish to share, drinks can be purchased at the coffee shop.

Twin Cities Area Calendar of Events



EldersWhen I was a teenage oshkinikwe here in Onigamiising, I often babysat on New Year’s Eve, at a neighbor’s house just down the road. These neighbors were a young couple with several really sweet little ones. They were good children, easy to watch and obedient about going to bed at the time their mother had set.

On one of those nights the oldest girl asked me if I was going to make any New Year’s resolutions. I didn’t know yet, I answered; was she? She hadn’t decided, she said; she was still thinking about it. When I looked into the bedroom an hour or so later she and the other children, after their usual 20 minutes or so of giggles, were fast asleep. The next time I saw her I had forgotten all about New Year’s resolutions; I bet she had, too.

I have New Year’s memories from when I was that little girl’s age: relatives coming over on New Year’s Day, and playing outside with cousins while adults had coffee, cooked and visited indoors, occasionally looking out the window to check on us. We waved, waiting for suppertime, when we came into the house with snow crusted on our mittens, jackets and snowpants. It must have been quite an operation to get all those soggy clothes hung on doorknobs, chair backs and heat vents, and quite an operation to get all those hungry and excited children fed! My sisters, girl cousins and I brought our plates over to a corner where we sat on the floor to eat and chat, and of course laugh --- I believe we made some crazy resolutions (like, “I’m going to turn into a horse!”) -- New Year’s Day visits sure were fun!

Now that I am older person I am beginning to understand some of the reasons for the soft focus of retrospection and gratitude in our Elders’ eyes that I saw as a child. On New Year’s Day this mindimooye, niin, looks at the past year with love, remembrances and thankfulness, and then forward towards the wonder and mystery of the year ahead with hope of good things to come for everyone.

New Year Rememberances and Wishes

Dr. Linda Grover

Happy January Birthdays, Elders!

Because nicknames are so popular in

Indian Country – and especially at Bois

Forte – we have come up with a list of some Band members

and their nicknames.

The only thing is, you have to match up the people with their nicknames.

(Answers are on page number 7.)

We’d love to keep the game going, so send in the nicknames of people you know and

love, including those who have passed.

The

NickName

Game

JipRIP

B- OneDuck

ChodaBubbaMausiePatsy

Buster Whiz

Kathleen AdamsClarence Roy Jr.Milo Villebrun Henry GoodskyMelvin King Sr.

Darlene GoggleyeJane Villebrun

Gloria DriftLaura Isham

Lyma Caribou

I sit, looking out the window, sipping on my coffee. What little snow we had…melted in the unseasonable warmth. I spent a few months cleaning, setting out broken items in the yard. Why? Well, I fully expected there to be at least a foot of snow covering those items. I hoped to have the pile ready for Community Clean-up days in the spring.

Instead, everyone and the neighbor’s cousin, who walks by, or drives to and fro, can see exactly what is there. Course, some of those items are going to be used for my gardening projects starting in April or thereabouts. One of the last items I set outside, ok, ok, my sons set outside, was an old fold up

bedspring. Ya know the kind that was used in the old days for when company came, they’d have something to sleep on? Cept of course, if one was a child, then, blankets sufficed for a mattress on the floor.

At any rate, that item was on the way down the porch steps when my oldest son pipes up with “You’re throwing this away?” At my puzzled look, “Thought you’d want it for your tomatoes. You know, a trellis.” I smiled, “Oh! Yeah, this would be great for those zucchinis.” Whereupon, we promptly diverted the item and now it sits, waiting for us to set it over near the garden. Didn’t think they noticed how much stuff I was gonna use in the garden.

Yeah, I can see those zucchinis attaching themselves to all those spring and coils, having a great old time. Sure is nice thinking bout that, seeing’s how I had a heck of a time keeping the vines from growing all over the yard once they got their hooks into the grass.

Millie Holmes

A Minute with Millie

Shirley Benner 1-2Joseph Gonier 1-3Roger O’Leary 1-3Char Lewis 1-7Pat Runningbear (Sioux) 1-7Cheryl Slayton 1-7Rosemary Berens 1-20Lucille Stepec 1-22Jerome Whiteman 1-24Roxanne Tolzman 1-28Marcella Connor 1-29

Q: How Was the Quiz Bowl?A: Great!On December 10, Bois Forte’s Chemical Dependency Program hosted a quiz bowl at Fortune Bay Resort Casino that drew 21 teams, making it the largest event of its kind that anyone can remember.

The event was moderated by brothers Dan and Dennis Jones. Dan teaches at Fond du Lac Tribal Community College, and Dan recently retired from the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.

“Quiz bowls keep our history and culture alive, because the youth study to prepare for the competitions,” said Dan Jones. “For some kids, this is the main place where they hear about the importance of their cultural identity.”

Preparation includes pouring over Ojibwemowin Series 1 textbook by Tom and Judith Vollom, a language program that stresses cultural and traditional beliefs.

Many thanks to Harvey Thompson and Karen Drift for coaching the two Nett Lake quiz bowl teams, and to Don Chosa for coaching the North Woods School team and assisting the Nett Lake teams, and to Dan Jones, Dennis Jones and Pam Hughes for event coordination.

Thanks also go to the Fortune Bay team, especially Connor Barrett and Emily Lehti, for making sure the event was fun as well as educational. The kids loved the full taco bar for lunch, their official Quiz Bowl t-shirt and door prizes.



Culture

(Clockwise from far left)

Karen Drift coached fifth and sixth graders Madison Spears, Daebwae Chosa, Bryce

Chosa and Anthony Drift.

Harvey Thompson was the Quiz Bowl coach for (standing) Ariana Swinson, Sean

Morrison, Francis Littlewolf, (seated) Cayeden Holmes, Kiana LaRoque.

Pam Hughes, of the Chemical Dependency Program who sponsored the Quiz Bowl,

along with the moderators Dan and Dennis Jones.

Don Chosa coached the team of (front l to r) Kara Drift, Don, Cecilia Martinez,

(standing l to r) Eli Isham, Charles Holmes and Tyler Drift.

(Center)

Tom Vollum, who was on hand to help with the Quiz Bowl, is the coauthor of the Ojibwemowin Series 1 textbook.

Written with his wife Judith Vollom, the unique language program that stresses cultural and traditional beliefs was the study guide students used to prepare for

the Quiz Bowl at Fortune Bay.



The Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery opensThe new Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery was formally dedicated on October 20 in Duluth, Minnesota. The Ojibwe Gallery features the work of internationally recognized 19th century painter Eastman Johnson. The gallery is a project of the St. Louis County Historical Society, custodians of the art depicting the Ojibwe people when Johnson visited the “Head of the Lakes” in 1856 and 1857.

According to Society Executive Director JoAnne Coombe, “The mandate for the gallery – conveying the voice and viewpoint of the Lake Superior Ojibwe – developed after years of collaborative discussion with a hardworking American Indian Advisory Committee comprised of tribal appointees from the Fond du Lac, Bois Forte and Grand Portage Bands and at large members of the American Indian community.” Appointees and artists from Bois Forte were Carl Gawboy and Joe Geshick.

The Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery project was made possible by the support of the residents of St. Louis County and funding provided through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, the JNM Gift Trust and the Depot Foundation.

The Ojibwe Gallery is on the top floor of the Duluth Depot in Duluth, Minnesota. For more info, call JoAnne Coombe at 218-733-7586 or email [email protected].

(Chef cont. from page 1)

The messages guests heard from the Sioux Chef were about our connection to our food and the importance of native communities understanding “food sovereignty” and just how healthy the natural foods are. Thompson described the elements of Sherman’s presentation as emphasizing, “Nutritional diversity and the importance from a spiritual perspective of what we eat and our foods connection to the land. We depend so much on food shipped to us, but the ingredients that are micro local and can be harvested from the very local ground we walk on are healthy in ways that feed our body and our spirits.”

The menu for Traditional Trimmings included:• Rosehip venison, smoked salt in a corn husk with sweet potato• Wild rice with blueberries• Maple roasted squash with toasted pumpkin seeds• Salad with roasted crab apples, toasted sunflower, and sun choke with cranberry dressing• Stewed hominy balsam fir cedar and sage• Baked corn bread with wojapi berry sauce• Wild rice sorbet with sunflower cookie and berry sauce• Hot maple and cedar tea

“I was impressed with how he used so many things from around the area, like cedar, pine, balsam, cranberries and rice,” said Dorthea Kletschka. “We use many of these ingredients in our family, but I enjoyed tasting some of the unique combinations and flavors like maple syrup on squash.”

“The sorbet made with ground up wild rice, cranberries, honey and ice impressed me,” said Don Chosa. “I didn’t think it would taste good, but it did. Many of the foods had a cedar flavor – it was very fresh and made my mouth feel cleansed.”

Jane Villebrun did not attend the dinner but enjoyed leftovers the following day. “I think it might take some people a while to acquire a taste for the natural flavors because we are so used to salt and preservatives in food, but I really liked it.”

The NickName

Game

Jip – Jane VillebrunRIP – Melvin King Sr.B- One – Gloria Drift

Duck – Darlene GoggleyeChoda – Laura Isham

Bubba – Clarence Roy Jr.Mausie – Lyma CaribouPatsy – Kathleen AdamsBuster – Milo VillebrunWhiz – Henry Goodsky

Answers to game from page 5.

Members of the Vermilion Powwow Club under the leadership of Jordan Gawboy practice at 4 p.m. every Wednesday at the Vermilion Wellness Center. The Club is working hard this month to prepare for the Youth Powwow at the Boys & Girls Club (B&GC) on January 16. Jordan is a teen leader with the B&GC. Pictured above are Keenin Sargent, Koby Adams, Elijah Chavez, Ablaza Chavez and Jordan Gawboy. To learn more about the Powwow

B&G Club or the Club, call Mary or Emily at 218-752-8934.

Martinez wins againCecilia Martinez has won another major award for her video talents. Cecilia just returned from Hollywood where she was awarded first place among Middle School entries at the MY HERO FILM FESTIVAL - Celebrating The Best in Humanity.

According to Kris Sorenson of In Progress, where Cecila first learned her video storytelling skills, “This international film festival recognizes the very best in video creations that support love, equity, and dreams of a better world.”

Earlier this year, Cecilia won the Narrative Category of the Adobe Youth Voices Digital Storytelling Festival. In the Adobe competition, Cecilia was one of 3 first place winners from 1575 submissions.

Family, friends and In Progress staff all helped raise money for Cecilia and her mother, April LaFave, to travel to Hollywood in November to attend the My HERO Film Festival. Now in its twentieth year, the mission of The MY HERO Project is to use media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. By helping young people learn about heroes from all walks of life, young people better understand their own potential to affect positive change in the world.

If you haven’t yet seen Cecilia’s award winning video, Amazing, visit myhero.com or the KBFT radio website.



Youth & Education

Cecilia Martinez

Powwow Club

Independent LearnersThe following students are honored for the self-direction and effort they put forth

in learning new material in the classroom.

Back: Owen Land, Migizi, Chris Fairbanks, Aayanna Goodsky-Spears, Madison Spears. Front: Brynn Chosa, Jordanna Lambert, Nasir Wakemup-Dotts, Aki

Goodsky-Spears. Not shown: Colt Chosa.

October Students of the Month The following Nett Lake School students were honored in October

for the many ways they display positive attitude.Congratulations to the students for their hard work!

Steven Morrison, Katrina Jackson, Miigizii, Sean Morrison, Cayeden Holmes, Kaiden Chosa, colt Chosa, Wilbur lein, Emma lein, Ira Isham

and Barbara Littlewolf. Not pictured Kai Pieratos-Contreras.

+

Now that the Vermilion clinic is fully staffed, both it and the Nett Lake clinic are open Monday through Friday. That translates into a busy schedule for new Clinic Manager Sue Larson.

She and her husband, Bois Forte Band member Darrell Larson who is from the Tower – Babbitt area and grew up in northern Minnesota, had been coming north from the Twin Cities for years to visit family and enjoy the north woods. Eventually, Sue Larson said, “We like it so much, we decided to move up here.”

Larson brought with her 30 years of experience as a senior financial analyst for Seagate, a global data storage company, which she translated into a job as clinic manager for Scenic Rivers Health Services. She joined the Bois Forte clinics in early October.

“Everyone here is super nice and willing to help one another out,” she said. “We have a good group where everybody wants to work as a team toward the same goal: quality patient care.”

She said the clinics are steadily working to strengthen their services and their staff training, for example through training sessions offered by Indian Health Services and local health care groups. “We are also training more people to be certified as back-ups at each site, so services can continue even when the primary staffer isn’t available.” In addition, the clinics are reviewing their equipment and adding new technology, such as a new EKG machine and audio equipment for hearing exams.

“Our number one goal is that patients are happy with the care they receive,” Larson said. “We will soon be creating patient surveys to learn more about what we can do to improve.”

She is excited that both clinics now operate

five days a week. “When it comes to your medical provider, that’s very personal. It can take a while for patients to feel comfortable with someone. We are hiring great staff, and being open Monday through Friday means that community members have more opportunities to get to know and trust us.”



Tribal Gov’t News & ReportsBurial Fund ApplicationThe Bois Forte Burial Fund was established by the tribal government to help pay funeral expenses for Band members and provides assistance to families after the death of a loved one. The maximum amount available for funeral expenses is $6,000. The deceased must be an enrolled Bois Forte Band member, or a deceased child who was eligible for enrollment in the tribe but had not yet completed the enrollment process. Claims must be filed within 60 days of the date of death.

The Burial Fund will directly pay the funeral home that is selected up to a maximum of $6,000 for services that include, but are not limited to:• Transportation of the deceased from another city or state• Funeral arrangements• Filing of necessary authorizations and permits; recording of vital statistics; and the preparation and placement of obituary notices (this does not include newspaper printing costs)• Casket • Embalming and other care; dressing; casketing; and any restorative work or cosmetics• Funeral coach/van if requested • Funeral service/visitation• Visitation at the Bois Forte Reservation the evening prior to the funeral or tribal rites• Cremation and choice of urn

If the casket and services cost less than $6,000, the balance may be applied toward the purchase of a headstone or markers. Also, a maximum of $375 may be paid to a spiritual advisor, clergy member or assistant.

To apply for Burial Fund assistance, the family of the deceased must select a representative - a person named in the deceased’s will, living will, or health care directive, or the family member who has been appointed to make funeral arrangements. If there is no designated representative, then the order of priority for selecting a representative will be the deceased’s spouse, child (oldest to youngest), parent, sibling or other next of kin. The representative should contact the Bois Forte Tribal Enrollment Coordinator at one of the following phone numbers:

• 218-747-3261• 218-248-0581• 1-800-221-8129

For more details or to download an application, visit boisforte.com.

Clinics keep Manager Sue Larson busy

Here to Serve YouWe know it helps to put names to faces, so in the months ahead, the Bois Forte News will spotlight the clinic staff who are dedicated to your health care.

This month, that face is Family Nurse Practitioner Crystal Lobe, who was profiled in our last issue.

Clinic HoursNett Lake & Vermilion Clinics

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m

Clinic Manager Sue Larson, second from right, with some of the Vermilion Clinic providers: LPN Alana Touchoff, Certified Medical Assistant Lucille Stepic, Dental Assistant Patricia Jones, Dentist Dr. Andrew Jones, Medical Receptionist Cheryl Debelak, Admin. Assistant Patient Referred Care Program Gloria Love, Sue and Certified Nursing Assistant Crystal Lobe. Vermilion staff not pictured are Ray Hawk, Sigrid Casey, Sue Carlson, Charles Helleloid, Barb Brodeen plus the mental health and chemical dependency team of Wendy Drift, Jennifer Elmberg, Virgil Sohm, Pam Hughes, Katie Laitenen, Honore Lehtinen, Jen Knobler, Steve Roberts, Michelle Long, Kelly Fena, Bessie Medicine, Jill Schuchard and Doris Isham.



Community News & Events

Dear Community Members:

As the world gets smaller and we become more of a global society, there have been many exciting opportunities to get to know people from other places and cultures. But it is important to remember that the laws and customs in other countries can be very different from our own, and that we need to be aware of the risks of relocating to a foreign land.

I have a friend whose child was in a relationship with someone from another culture. They moved to his country and had a child together. Unfortunately, the relationship turned abusive. The young mother wanted to leave the relationship to protect herself and her child, but she did not have the support or resources she would have had back home.

As Americans and Bois Forte Band members, we have the rights of dual citizens. That means we are protected by the laws and social structures of the United States and the Bois Forte Nation.

If you choose to live outside of the United States for a relationship, please remember the risks involved and take precautions:

• Connect with friends in this country who understand the culture where you are moving.• Utilize the American Embassy in any foreign country for a helpful resource, • Go to a lawyer who understands the laws of country where your loved ones are in trouble.• It is advisable to keep a set of tribal enrollment papers and valid ID of your loved ones that move out of the country. Tell your family member that is just in case something unforeseen happens to them or their children.• It is important to remember that laws and culture are not the same and something that would legally work for your family here, may, in the same cases, be misinterpreted and/or put your loved ones in danger.

There are many relationships that last a lifetime, and then there are ones that can turn our world upside down. This is not to discourage or put down anyone’s life choices, just a consideration for future challenges. The world is a wonderful place to explore. Just remember to be safe while you do.

Sincerely,

An Anonymous Elder

Elder shares thoughts on cross-cultural relationships

Greetings from your new Chief Judge Boozhoo, I am Megan Treuer and am writing to introduce myself. I am a life-long resident of the Leech Lake community. My mother is a tribal member and my father is an Austrian Jew and holocaust survivor.

After graduating from Bemidji High School, I attended the University of California Berkeley and received my B.A. in History in 2001. I completed my first year of law school at the University of California Hastings College of Law. I then graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 2005. After law school, I immediately returned home to Leech Lake and have devoted my legal career to fighting to protect the rights and well being of the Anishinabe people.

I began in 2005 as an attorney at Anishinabe Legal Services where I represented tribal members in Leech Lake and Red Lake. In 2007, I joined Regional Native Defense, a non-profit organization, where I represented tribal members facing criminal charges in state court. I became the Executive Director of Regional Native Defense in 2009. During my time there, I defended tribal members in approximately 1500-2000 criminal and juvenile cases.

In August 2013, I began serving as Associate Judge for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, where I continue to serve on the bench. When not on duty, I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors. I look forward to serving your community, mii gwech!

Ernestine “Tina” L. Barto Stanley (“Awan-igik”) 62, Tower, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2015, at Essentia Health-Virginia.

She was born on August 23, 1953 in Cloquet, Minnesota; to Ernest L. Barto, Sr. and Florence Whiteman Barto. As

a youth she grew up in Nett Lake, lived in the Twin Cities, and went to the boarding school in Flandreau, South Dakota. In 2008 she graduated from MN School of Business with an A.A.S degree in Managerial Accounting. She later moved back to Minneapolis, where she married Donald E. Stanley on December 31, 1983. In 1997 they moved to Texas, returned to the cities in 2000, and in 2008 moved to Tower.

Tina was employed as an accountant for the

Fortune Bay Development Corporation, a job she truly enjoyed. She was a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. She loved watching the Minnesota Twins, enjoyed beading and liked going to pow-wows. She loved being a grandma. Her family fondly recalls her kindness to animals. She was strong willed and determined, and will greatly be missed by the many who knew her. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Marie Barto at infancy. Tina is survived by her husband, Donald; 1 daughter, Vanessa (Andrew) Little of Rockville, MD; 1 step-son, Donald (Christina) Stanley Jr of Mesa, AZ; 6 brothers: “Beanie” (Penny) Barto of Linden Grove, Roger “Sid” (Joni) Whiteman of Orr, Rodney Barto of Cook, Ernest (Rene) Barto Jr. of Orr, Frank (Linda) Barto of Gheen and John (Karen) Barto of Orr; 5 sisters, Annette Howe, Donna (Bill) Hoffer, Angela (Scott) Wright, Cecile (Jerry) Schauer and Violet (Lars) Gabrielson, all of Orr; 2 Grandchildren, Austin Wind and Makenzie

Little; along with numerous other special relatives and friends.

SERVICES: Traditional Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday (Dec. 5th) at the Bois Forte Government & Services Center in Nett Lake. The Wake will begin after 5:00 PM Friday at the center. Ken Boney will be the spiritual leader and Gene Goodsky the spiritual advisor. The pallbearers will be Tony Brande, Roger Whiteman Jr., Johnathan & Jeffery Barto, Franklin Barto Jr., Nathaniel Tibbetts, David & Sonny Glass, Timothy & David Wardas Jr., Patrick Hoffer, Jimmy Barto, Jeremy Wright, Curtis and Lee Warren and Bruce McCarthy. The honorary casket bearers will be Beanie Barto, Sid Whiteman, Rodney Barto, Ernest Barto Jr., Frank Sr. and John Barto, Austin Wind, and Andrew Little. Interment will be in the Nett Lake Village Cemetery. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book, or to send a condolence to the family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com.



Ernestine “Tina” L. Barto Stanley

Ernestine “Tina” L. Barto Stanley

Nikki Peiratos selected for Native Nation Rebuilders Congratulations to Nikki Peiratos, Bois Forte Band Member and CEO of Northern Eagle Credit Union, on being selected to the Bush Foundation’s Native Nation Rebuilders Program. Rebuilders represent ten distinct nations and are committed to advancing change for their nations and people.

The new cohort including representatives from education, law enforcement, health care and economic development recently met for the first time in Prior Lake, MN. The 22 tribal citizens share a passion for learning about governance and other nation-building practices. Over the next two years they will share strategies and insights to make a brighter future for Native people across the region.

Nikki has already demonstrated strong leadership in her work to open the Northern Eagle Federal Credit Union which is providing financial products and services to the community and solid educational opportunities for Band Members to deepen their financial literacy. We look forward to seeing how she continues to serve through the skills she develops in the Native Nation Rebuilders Program. Congratulations Nikki!

Leecy receives award for promoting Native businessThe Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce (MAICC) presented Kevin Leecy with the Turtle Award at their annual banquet on December 4 at Mystic Lake in Shakopee.

The Turtle Award is given to an individual or organization who volunteers time, energy and services beyond their normal work responsibilities to support and promote the MAICC and American Indian business. James Boney represented Bois Forte Military Veterans and carried the Bois Forte flag during the opening ceremony of the event.

Grant to provide additional staff at New MoonNew Moon will soon have an Intake Worker and Case Manager added to their staff thanks to collaboration between five Ojibwe Bands. Bois Forte received $120,000 for the new hires from the Long Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund project.

The project is a collaboration of five Ojibwe tribes - Bois Forte, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Red Lake and White Earth – that work together to provide support services to Native Americans experiencing long-term homelessness.



The Bois Forte News (BFN) is published monthly by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. The BFN encourages submission of articles, 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.

Deadline for February issue:JANUARY 11

Submit material to:Bois Forte News

1101 Sibley Memorial Hwy. #507Lilydale, MN 55118

651-260-2420 phone; 651-452-1640 [email protected]

Tribal CouncilKevin W. Leecy

Chairman

David C. Morrison, Sr.Secretary/Treasurer

Karlene ChosaDistrict I Representative

Brandon BennerDistrict I Representative

Ray ToutloffDistrict II RepresentativeTh

e Bois

Forte

News

Bois Forte regularly sends out important information in the mail. 1854 Treaty Info., community meeting notices and RTC announcements are examples of items that are regularly mailed. It is essential that we have your correct mailing address so that you can receive this information.

If you have moved recently, or are not re-ceiving regular mailings, please fill out the change of address form below and mail to:

Angie KingBois Forte Enrollment Coordinator5344 Lake Shore DrNett Lake MN 55772

Please note, you must check the box below your signature if you want us to give your new address to the Bois Forte News.

Name: Address: City/ State/ Zip: Date of Birth: Signature:_____________________________________________

Date: __________ _____Yes, I would like this new address shared with the Bois Forte News Please send us your email address if you’d like to begin receiving the Bois Forte News in your email box:

_____________________________________________________

for on the spot interviewing!

Documents

Page 6 Page 8 Bois Forte · prep, evening presentation and interviewed Bois Forte Elders Karen Drift and Marybelle Isham. (cont. on page 7) Sioux Chef treats Elders with local ingredients,