healthy progress the theme of this year's state of the band

Bois Forte

BOIS FORTE NEWS • 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772 • Visit us! www.boisforte.com • FEBRUARY 2014

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Over 500 Bois Forte Band members and other guests gathered at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on January 23 for the annual State of the Band. The hotel was filled with energy early in the day as guests began to arrive and tribal government staff set up their information booths that are always a highlight of the annual gathering.

The event officially began at 1:00 when the registration desk and booths opened. Guests were treated to a wide array of information on programs, services and Band businesses. Some took the opportunity to sign-up as members of the new Northern Eagle Federal Credit Union. Other guests got their flu shot or blood pressure reading, obtained information on employment opportunities with the Bois Forte Development Corporation or attended one of two presentations on the Band’s finances.

Every division of tribal government set up an information booth that was staffed by employees willing to share information and offer fun take away items such as cell phone holders, calendars, tape measures and bags. In addition to the Tribal Government booths, other popular displays included the Police Department, Culture and Vermilion Powwow Committees, Boys & Girls Club, MCT Council on Aging, MNSure and MNDOT and the 1854 Treaty Office.

The Program and Speakers

The doors of the Woodland Ballroom and North Star Hall opened at 3:15 for the formal program and

dinner. Secretary Treasurer David Morrison served as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed the crowd. Then the Bois Forte Honor Guard presented the colors and a ceremony and invocation were led by Gene Goodsky, Kalvin Ottertail and Gilbert Smith.

District Representatives of the Tribal Council each spoke. Karlene Chosa summarized the highlights of what she has worked on this past year including improving old homes, updates on policies for employees, various initiatives related to culture and language such as the Powwow and Elder Committees and Language Camp. “Revitalizing and teaching our language and culture to everyone, especially the young, is vital.” She thanked the crowd for their support of the RTC and said the Council will continue to explore opportunities for more Urban Offices.

Nett Lake Representative Brandon Benner spoke about his priority of dedicating time, energy and resources to Bois Forte youth and how the RTC

believes in the youth and supports them. In addition to his love of coaching kids and teaching them basketball, Benner described efforts to collaborate with the 1854 Treaty Office staff to teach more outdoor activities to youth. “It’s very important for a new generation of youth to learn to fish, hunt, and trap so they can exercise their 1854 Treaty Rights.”

Representative Benner also spoke about improvements the RTC has made in working together. “I’m proud of how we handle ourselves on the Council. We rarely all agree, but the respect is there for one

another. We can get into a knockdown, drag out argument on a particular issue at a meeting and then afterwards go golf or coach baseball, or go dance at a Powwow together.”

Vermilion Representative Ray Toutloff said, “Gatherings like this are about getting together with family and friends and that’s important.” He encouraged everyone to gather again at the February Midwinter Powwow (see boisforte.com for details) and again in June at the two summer Powwows in Vermilion and Nett Lake.

After commending everyone for coming to the event on such a cold day, Representative Toutloff invited the crowd to think about previous generations and imagine what it must have been like to survive in bitterly cold temperatures in the wigwams of the 19th and early 20th centuries as well as some of the poorly built and insulated homes of the last fifty years.

(cont. on page 5)

Healthy Progress the theme of this year’s State of the Band

RTC members join the Drum Circle for the opening ceremonies at the State of the Band.

• Bois Forte News • February 2014

BOIS FORTE NEWS FEBRUARY 2014

State & National News

UMDA has received a $100,000 Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to research the history of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Tadd Johnson, professor, Department of American Indian Studies and the project manager said, “The overreaching goal is a piece that is objective and academic, but also accessible to the average reader, The Mille Lacs Band has a history that needs to be told, and we are honored to help tell it.”

The American Indian Studies department will use the funding to apply scholarly research to the rich history of the Mille Lacs Band, but the historian won’t be working independently. The Mille Lacs Band is forming a committee to work alongside the academic, ensuring accuracy and allowing band members to conduct interviews with first language Ojibwe speakers.

The Mille Lacs Band’s history impacted not just the state, says Johnson, but the entire nation, this band was active with some national movements including gaming, treaty rights, and the Tribal Self-Governance Act. All of which demonstrate the historic resiliency of this group of people.

Research for the project is expected to begin this summer.

Venida Chenault new President of Haskell Indian Nation UniversityBureau of Indian Education Director Dr. Charles M. Roessel announced in January the selection of Dr. Venida S. Chenault as president of Haskell Indian Nations University (Haskell) in Lawrence, Kan. Chenault, an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas, had been serving as vice president of academic affairs at Haskell since December 2004.

Several Bois Forte Band members have attended Haskell, which has a current enrollment of approximatley 1,000 students from tribes across the United States. It offers associate and baccalaureate programs accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and integrates American Indian and Alaska Native cultures into its curriculum.

UMD receives grant to document Mille Lacs Band’s history

U.S. Senators seek funding for Native language programsFour United States senators have introduced a bill to establish grants that would fund native language educational programs throughout Indian Country.

The four men – Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) – want to encourage schools and colleges to help students develop fluency in their native languages.

“We are racing against the clock to save and revitalize our sacred Native American languages,” Tester said in a prepared statement. “Preserving Native languages will strengthen Indian culture and increase student confidence – leading to greater academic achievement and a stronger economy.”

Tester, Johnson, Begich and Schatz are all members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Their bill, which is supported by the National Indian Education Association, would award grants to eligible programs serving students from pre-Kindergarten to graduate school that use Native American languages as the primary language of instruction.

New Wisconsin law enables offensive team names Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed a controversial bill in December it making it easier for schools with Native American mascots to keep them and harder for people who want to change the nicknames to challenge them.

Walker invoked the First Amendment as an explanation for supporting the bill.

“I am very concerned about the principle of free speech enshrined in our U.S. Constitution,” he said. “If the state bans speech that is offensive to some, where does it stop? A person or persons’ right to speak does not end just because what they say or how they say it is offensive. Instead of trying to legislate free speech, a better alternative is to educate people about how certain phrases and symbols that are used as nicknames and mascots are offensive to many of our fellow citizens.”

He added, however, that his support for the legislation doesn’t mean that he supports the team names. “If it were up to me personally, I would seek viable alternatives that were not offensive to Native Americans,” said Walker.

But Barbara Munson, a spokeswoman with the Wisconsin Indian Education Association, called Walker’s decision “egregious” and a “poke in the eye with a sharp stick to all of the tribes and all of our children.” Her organization’s Indian Mascot and Logo Task Force has compiled a list of schools in Wisconsin that still have race-based names or mascots.


FEBRUARY 2014 BOIS FORTE NEWS

By Reid Lebeau, The Jacobson Law Group

At noon on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the 2014 legislative session will convene. The upcoming session is the second year of the 2014/2015 biennium, or what is also known as a bonding session. Generally bonding sessions are short, but this year with the late start and a constitutional requirement to adjourn by midnight on May 19, the session will be limited to 12 weeks. The short session will provide unique challenges to those looking to pass legislation, while favoring those who need to play “defense” – or who are attempting to stall bills that have been introduced.

The short session was not by accident. In November, the Governor and all of the members of the House of Representatives are up for re-election. With the DFL in control of the three legislative bodies of government, they will have the majority of seats to protect, and therefore are looking to hit the campaign trail as early as possible.

Expected Session Outcomes

Even though the upcoming session will be short, Governor Dayton and DFL leadership have set their priorities on accomplishing a $850 million state wide bonding bill, increasing the minimum

wage, making changes to MNSure (Minnesota’s healthcare website portal) and tweaking all or some of the controversial business-to-business (B2B) taxes implemented last session. All of these issues will be controversial.

Another major issue that will need to be addressed is the current budget surplus. In its latest budget projection, released at the beginning of December, the State of Minnesota is anticipating a $1.08 billion budget surplus at the end of the bonding session on June 30, 2015. This surplus will allow the State of Minnesota to finish repaying the $2 billion loan it borrowed from school districts during the Great Recession. Under current law, the state must repay the final $246 million before making any other commitments with this surplus. The state will also repay a $15 million loan from the airports fund with the surplus. After these two loans are paid off, approximately $825 million is available for the Legislature to either cut taxes or to spend.

At a recent press conference, the governor hinted that he is interested in using the surplus to reduce taxes, as well as spending some of the money on capital projects. He said, however, that he would not propose any specific ideas until after the next budget forecast is released, in early March.

Legislative leaders expressed many of the same sentiments as the governor, saying that they would wait to see what the next forecast said before making any firm commitments on what should be done with any budget surplus. The budget forecast also showed that the state has the capacity to issue up to $1.2 billion in additional debt. This will be important when legislators discuss and determine the size of the bonding bill in the upcoming session.

Gaming Update

In the interim the Minnesota Lottery has been very active in their efforts to unilaterally expand gambling. We anticipate that the Lottery will continue its efforts, even in spite of the legislative pressure we have brought to bear in recent months. We will be significantly engaged in monitoring the Lottery’s activity, and responding as needed and appropriate to defend against gambling expansion.

We are looking forward to the start of the 2014 session. As always, we will update you regularly throughout the session on the general status of the legislature and the issues that are important to you. Please feel free to contact us at: 651-644-4710, [email protected], or [email protected].

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Bois Forte 2014 pre-legislative session update

Help us locate these Tribal Members and descendentsThese Tribal Members/Descendants maintain ownership in trust land or have money on deposit at the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. We would like to locate these Tribal Members/Descendants and get them to update their Individual Indian Money (IIM) account with a current address and telephone number. If your name appears on the list: Please call the Office of Special Trustees (218) 751-4338 to update your account.



Governor’s Office seeks Tribal representatives for State BoardsGovernor Mark Dayton’s office is looking for tribal representatives for several statewide boards and councils including:

• Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention • State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind • American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation • Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service

If you or someone you know is interested in serving our state’s Indian people by ensuring a tribal perspective on one of these boards or councils, please contact Allison Jones in Governor Dayton’s office at 651-201-3422.

Help us locate these Bois Forte Band membersUnknown whereabouts as of January 23, 2014:

If you know any of the individuals listed above, please have them call the Enrollment Office at 218-757-3261, ext. 162.

If you know that someone on this list is deceased, please send documentation of death (memorial card, obituary, death certificate, etc.) to the Bois Forte Enrollment Office, 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772.

RTC News

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you contact Crime Stoppers again.

Crime Stoppers always has cash rewards of up to $2000.00 to pay you for information that helps solve

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800-222-8477

APONTE, VIVIANBONESS, VIRGINIACONE, KODA LEEDALE, EUGENE ALLENFOREMAN, LORIGLASS, CARLOS ALONZOHACKEY JR, JOHN PHILLIPHARDING, ALTONHILL, RACHELLOAIZA, ADRIAN PAULMANVILLE, PAULINE

MCGINLEY, MATTHEW ERICMILROY, CATHERINE DOROTHYMORRISON, CAROL JEANNEVITT, DIANE VAUGHNRAYMOND JR., DENNIS EDWARDRODRIGUEZ, JULIUS VICENTETHOMPSON, DOROTHY GESHICKTOLRUD, THOMAS JOHNTURNER, CHELLECODY LEIGHVIVIER, ALEX

ANNUAL REPORTWatch your mailbox in early March for your copy of the 2013 annual report with detailed information on Band employment, revenues, assets and expenditures.

The report contains the audited numbers for both the tribal government and the Band businesses. This year’s report features the artwork of Nett Lake School students creating their image of Healthy Progress.

NIGA seeks Executive Assistant

The National Indian Gaming Association’s Washington D.C. Office is searching for a dependable, resourceful, and motivated individual, and preferably an enrolled Tribal Citizen to work as Executive Assistant. The job has typically required a college degree, but it is not a requirement. Discipline, organization, and

experience as an office administrator is just as valuable as a college degree for the position.

The job pays a competitive D.C. salary rate with ample opportunity for bonuses and the chance to move ahead to higher paying positions within NIGA. More information is available on the NIGA website, www.indiangaming.org or by calling the NIGA D.C. Office 202-546-7711.



(State of the Band cont. from page 1)

Toutloff said, “Our ancestors were tough, but they suffered and Tribal leaders saw this suffering and are committed to making a better life for our people.”

He continued, “I’m proud to be part of the current leaders working on making a better life for our people. We are picking up the pace. We’ve added 110-120 living units in the last 10 years and we will continue to rehab more homes this spring…lots are available for those who want to return and build a home in Vermilion.”

Representative Toutloff concluded by emphasizing the progress the RTC is making in their commitment to improvements in public safety. “We all want to feel safe and live in safe communities,” he said as he summarized a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Bois Forte is developing with St. Louis County Law Enforcement that will provide mutual police presence - only upon request. The MOA paperwork is still in process and a more detailed story on the agreement will appear in the March Bois Forte News.

The next feature of the SOTB program was a video entitled “Healthy Progress” that features over twenty Band members describing how they measure or view both progress and health on and off the reservation. Some audio problems in the ballroom interrupted portions of the video, but overall it was well received and the crowd enjoyed seeing so many people they know appearing in the video.

Keynote address

Next in the program was the keynote address from Band Chairman Kevin Leecy, who began by asking for a moment of silence for those who have passed during the previous year. He then spoke about grief and the hope that eventually it

can be balanced by the joy of loving memories.Leecy carried that idea of balance into his remarks as he turned to the theme of this year’s State of the Band, healthy progress.

Physical health

The highlight of efforts to improve and maintain Band members’ physical health was the start of construction on the new Vermilion clinic. When it opens later this year, the new clinic will allow the Band to increase its number of providers, expand

service hours, and increase patients’ access to care.Leecy also cited EMT training, programs at the Band’s two fitness centers, and the purchase of sophisticated medical equipment including a retinal scanner as positive steps. And he said that when warm weather comes, Band members will be able to get outside and enjoy it at the new baseball fields in Nett Lake and Vermilion.

The Band also found ways to make its health care dollars go further in 2013 without cutting services, in large part by helping eligible Band members apply for outside insurance coverage if they qualify for it. He urged Band members to investigate the state’s new health care program called MNSure.

“If you already have health insurance, your savings could be substantial,” he said. “And if you don’t have insurance, this is your opportunity to protect your health and the health of your family.”

Spiritual health

Moving on to discuss the Band’s spiritual health, Leecy noted that the construction of the ball fields was accompanied by improvements at the Band’s two Powwow grounds, where traditional ceremonies are held, including new arbors and better drainage for the Nett Lake grounds. Ceremonies were also a key element of the summer’s youth language immersion camp, the first held on property near Ely that the Band acquired last year.

Financial health

The financial health of the Band’s various businesses was a major focus of Leecy’s remarks. Noting that, with few exceptions, casinos in Las Vegas and across Indian Country struggled during 2013, Leecy told the audience that Fortune Bay Resort Casino had its third best year ever despite a drop in gaming revenue. Nongaming revenue, however, increased during 2013.

“It’s important to remember that progress does not go in a straight line,” Leecy said, noting that last year’s business was hurt by the late ice out that ruined the fishing opener, and by construction on Highway 169 that hampered guests’ ability to get to Fortune Bay. “There will always be some downs as well as ups. The key is to figure out what’s not working, fix it, and regain momentum.”

As the most recent sign of the Band’s financial health, Leecy pointed to the Band’s new Northern Eagle Federal Credit Union, which celebrated its grand opening earlier this month.

(cont. on page 7)

District II Representative Ray Toutloff.

Chairman Leecy delivers the keynote speech.

Construction on the new Vermilion Clinic is moving forward despite a harsh winter.

Victor Walters took the opportunity to sign up as a new member of the Credit Union.



State of the Band

Education Commissioner Billie Mason and Eileen Barney share a laugh at the education

information booth.

Charlotte Jordan of the Northern Eagle Federal Credit Union assists Axel Holmes in signing up as a member.

Nett Lake students’ artwork was used by Fortune Bay staff to create lovely centerpieces

for the tables.

The Fire Department hats were a hit with kids of all ages.

George Mihelich, Barry “Tyke” Porter and Mike Michlich of the Honor Guard prepare to present the Colors.

The Woodlands Ballroom was filled and an additional 180 guests gathered in the North Star Hall.

Bill Emery checks out the Bois Forte tee-shirt all guests

received.

Orion Dagen, Jasmine and Shawn Gawboy look as though they’re locked up as they have

some fun on a hotel cart.One of the many information booths on display

during the State of the Band.



(State of the Band cont. from page 5)

Band members could sign up for an account at the credit union’s booth, and those who did were wearing their colorful member t-shirt.

Leecy also told the audience about improvements at Fortune Bay and the remodeling of the Y-Store, and he reminded Band members to look for the annual report in early March for detailed information on Band finances.

The year ahead

The big announcement during the State of the Band was that Fortune Bay Resort Casino will open a Tim Hortons Bakery and Cafe on January 31, in the old Whispering Winds gift shop space. The largest fast casual restaurant chain in Canada, Tim Hortons has wooed customers for nearly 50 years with its legendary coffee and doughnuts; some Canadians even joke about “Timmy’s withdrawal” if they go just a few days without. The Band hopes to open a Tim Hortons drive-thru at the remodeled Y-Store, too.

Leecy ended his remarks by focusing on the art featured at State of the Band, which was created by Nett Lake School children in collaboration with In Progress, an arts group dedicated to new voices (see page 8 for youth art).

“Looking around at all the wonderful artwork our kids have created, I see both the reason for, and the result of, our commitment to healthy progress.”

Dinner and Entertainment

At the conclusion of the speeches, the staff of Fortune Bay quickly moved through the ballroom and North Star Hall serving the 450 adults and 50 children in attendance. The kids enjoyed chicken nuggets, and apple sauce, the adults feasted on tender beef filets and walleye with vegetables, salad, rolls and cheesecake with blueberries for dessert.

After dinner, two guests treated the crowd to an unexpected hand drum performance. Opie Day Bedeau of the award winning drum group Midnight Express and Hollow Day of the drum group Iron Boy, came on stage and played and sang for the crowd. Opie and Hollow had traveled to the SOTB with their sister Connie and mother Charlene Day Castro. Charlene is recovering from open-heart surgery and the family felt gathering with extended family and friends at the SOTB was good medicine for everyone.

All the guests picked up their SOTB gift shirts and those who elected to stay into the evening were invited to a short comedy performance by Leech

Laker Robert Fairbanks and a longer musical performance by the local band Vitamin Brown. The lead guitar player for the band is Kevin Koskie, a tribal government employee who serves as the Emergency Preparedness Director for Bois Forte.

Many of those who attended completed surveys expressing what they thought of the event. If you have comments on this year’s event or suggestions on how it should be organized next year, contact Vanessa Little at 218-757-3261 or [email protected].

Hollow Day of Iron Boy and Opie Day Bedeau of Midnight Express played hand drums and sang for the crowd.

Jenna Villebrun and son, Hayden listen to the speeches.

Sidra Starkovitch of Planning and Community Development and Peg Connor of the Veterans Log Book Project share information

with Cheryl Jensen, Axel Holmes Jr., and Bill Whiteman. Gloria Drift visits booths with “firefighter” Caroline Boshey.

Several Band members applied for the Tribal IDs.



Youth

A highlight of the 2014 State of the Band was special artwork created by students at the Nett Lake School with the help of In Progress, a non-profit arts group dedicated to new voices.

The theme of this year’s State of the Band – healthy living – was carried over into the art produced by students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Images were projected on the big screen in the Fortune Bay Resort Casino ballroom during the event, and poster-sized reproductions hung on the walls.

In addition, all the work of each grade was collected in a lighted glass vessel. These colorful art pieces were used as centerpieces for the tables where Band members gathered to hear the State of the Band speakers and enjoy dinner.

This wasn’t the first In Progress-Bois Forte collaboration. In 2012, two young Bois Forte filmmakers had their work featured in a film festival in Finland, while other young people supplied material for a video to accompany the exhibit Why Treaties Matter: Self Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations.

Kris Sorenson, an In Progress teaching artist, has worked with Bois Forte teens on digital photography, videos and writing, but this year, thanks to a grant, she was able to involve younger children in Nett Lake. The In Progress team is currently looking for ways to expand their program to Vermilion youth through the Boy & Girls Club.

Joining Sorenson this year as a teaching artist was Bois Forte Band member Joshua Strong, who began working with In Progress when he was seven years old. “Josh has been a tremendous

participant, initially learning to create his own work and now continuing to teach others,” Sorenson said. To read what Strong has to say about In Progress and making art, see column to right.

Nett Lake School students’ work showcased at State of the Band

Local teaching artist enhances programBoozhoo Bois Forte Band Members!

My name is Joshua (Josh) Strong, I reside in Nett Lake and I’m excited to share with you a project I am participating in at the Nett Lake School. I’m currently assisting my longtime friend Kris Sorensen, in teaching the fundamentals of photo and video work to the students in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Nett Lake School.

My relationship with Kris goes back nearly a decade as she has been coming up to Nett Lake over the years to conduct a photo/video summer workshop as a part of In Progress, a non-profit organization that specializes in assisting youth with digital storytelling via photography and video.

The mission of In Progress is to diversify cultural dialogue and pave the way for new voices in the field of digital artmaking. In Progress provides opportunities for young people to develop their skills as storytellers, artists, and leaders through the use of photography, video, music and other forms of digital media.

Kris has become well known within the Bois Forte, Leech Lake, and Red Lake Communities as well as a large number of families in the Hmong population in the Twin Cities. Through In Progress, Kris is bringing a tradition back to the youth by teaching and encouraging them to document and explore their cultural heritage to the beat of their own drums.

In addition to bearing witness to this, I myself have experienced this very liberating and rewarding experience. The work that has been coming from the youth from Bois Forte is, impressive to say the least. The topics covered show wisdom beyond the years of an adolescent or teenager. There have been pieces created about racial profiling, enrollment issues, identifying two-spirited heritage (sexual orientation), and the leaps and bounds encountered by encompassing both the Anishinaabe way with modern society.

Work created by band members and descendants has jumped continents, as they have been viewed across North America into South America and Europe. Bois Forte has built a reputation for producing impeccable stories that are both unique yet relatable to behold. To be a part of this, is truly incredible for me and it’s my intention that our people take great pride and ownership in what’s being communicated digitally.

kindergarten

Kindergarteners Wilbur Lien and Mya Goggleye work on their art with help from Josh Strong.



2nd grade

ist grade

Healthy ProgressIllustrated by the student artists of Nett Lake School



Youth

4th grade

3rd grade



4th grade

4th grade



Youth

6th grade

5th grade



The month of February is going to be a busy one for the students and staff of Nett Lake. It is “I Love to Read Month!” so to celebrate, we will be having a family literacy event where a family member will come to the school to listen to a story with their child and then read a book with their student. All students who have a family member attending will earn a $5 gift certificate for the

Scholastic Book Fair that will be at the school from February 10 -14. This is one of my favorite events because I get to read one of my favorite books to the students and their families, the students get to read one of their favorite books to their family member and then the students get to choose a new book from the book fair. The family literacy event will be held on Thursday, February 13.

The students will also be participating in a reading activity, Reach for the Stars, that encourages them to read 320 minutes throughout the month and collect pledges for the reading they do. The pledges they collect will go toward purchasing books for themselves and their classroom. Reach

for the Stars has been brought to us by Emily Koch, who is an Usborne Book representative. Emily will be giving a prize to the top reader in each class.

Other activities for February include Pennies For Patients, Random Acts of Kindness and “We are Love.” Last year, the students raised about $850 for Pennies For Patients. Pennies For Patients is an organization that helps children with leukemia and lymphoma. The student council will be doing random acts of kindness for the students and staff throughout the month. They will also be selling “We are Love” buttons for Free the Children. This is an opportunity for them to volunteer globally. Buttons sell for $2 and come with a card that explains the impact of helping others. Money raised will support a developing country to build education for kids. Our student council had the opportunity to attend We Day in Minneapolis in October because of the activities they volunteered for last year.

The students are busy colleting Golden Tickets for being respectful, responsible and ready to fly. We held our annual PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) Kick off in January and now the students are working to earn a school-wide trip to Oveson’s Resort so the students can play

in the swimming pool. In order to earn this trip, the students must show the expected behavior of a Nett Lake Eagle (Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Fly) and receive a Golden Ticket. When the students earn 800 Golden Tickets, the trip will be theirs to take. We are confident this will happen because we have the best students at Nett Lake!

It was the start of 3rd quarter on January 20 and the students had the day off while the teachers participated in a region-wide professional development day. There is a new state law requiring that school districts have a teacher evaluation plan in place by July 1, 2014. The law requires the teacher evaluation plan have certain criteria to evaluate the teachers. The heart of this professional development day revolved around an important component of the law, which is peer review. Peer review is when the teachers go into each other’s classrooms to observe and look for specific tasks and behaviors. These tasks and behaviors are then graded according to a rubric (grading chart). The teachers of Nett Lake are looking forward to the process and know that it will help them to improve their teaching skills. They know that improved teaching skills leads to improved learning for the students. The teachers are committed to doing whatever it takes to provide the best education for the students of Nett Lake.

Update from the Superintendent

Superintendent and Principal Rae Villebrun

KBFT broadcasting live from North Woods basketball gamesKBFT 89.9 FM, Bois Forte’s community radio station, has begun broadcasting live play-by-play and color commentary for boys’ and girls’ basketball games played at North Woods School in Cook.

On-air personality Marty Con-nor and District I Representa-tive Brandon Benner have been getting great feedback on their coverage of the Grizzlies home games. Some fans text the two men during games. Others stream the games live, including fans who live out-side KBFT’s broadcast signal reach – as far away as Ohio and Arizona.

Benner and Connor hope to expand their coverage to include the Grizzles away games, and eventually even North Woods football, volleyball, softball and baseball. They’d love for volunteers to join them, so if you are interested in sports broadcasting, contact Connor at 218-757-0045 or [email protected].

Brandon Benner and Marty Connor are the voice of the North Woods Grizzlies on KBFT radio. Their broadcasts can be heard locally on 89.9 FM or streamed over www.KBFT.org.

Virginia High School Anishinaabe Club students sponsored a holiday toy drive for Bois Forte children on the Vermilion Reservation. Pictured left to right are Rachael Branstrom,

Dakotah Grey Owl and Garrison Prekker.



Elders

Flu season is still with us

New figures released by the Minnesota Department of Health show the flu continues to be widespread. Doctors across the state are reporting that many people who have gotten the flu

this year were laid up for at least a week. While the effectiveness of this year’s flu shot won’t be known for months, many doctors say most of those getting sick have not had the vaccine.

One exception is in sick children who got one flu vaccine shot but did not get their booster shot. In general, children under eight need two doses of the vaccine a month apart. Health care professionals are united when it comes to this advice.

The surge in cases is also being seen across the country. One piece of encouraging news so far is that there have been no cases of flu-related deaths in young children in Minnesota. Even though the flu is widespread, Minnesotans are in much better shape than last year, which was a record year in Minnesota for the flu. At this time last year, there were three times as many flu hospitalizations.

I often come across some thoughtful little gift from one of my grandchildren. Like other grandmothers, I keep these priceless drawings, cards and crafts around the house, in lots of different places: in the dish cupboard, back of the soup bowls is a cartoon strip drawn by an eight-year old boy; in my ring holder is

tucked a necklace that a granddaughter chose for me from a gift certificate that her mother had given her. On chilly evenings when my feet could use a little extra warmth, I get out the fleece socks with the sock monkey logo on the cuff, a Christmas gift from several years ago (to keep them nice I don’t wear them often, and so the monkey socks still look like new).

One little gift that I especially love is a Tootsie Roll, slightly bent in the middle, that I have brought to work and keep on my desk. Two or three Halloweens ago, my granddaughter Mary left it for me on the kitchen counter, without a word, which is her style (I found out it was from Mary when I asked her mother).

Every day when I look at that Tootsie Roll, which is now about as hard as a rock, I feel very happy and honored to receive such a special gift, given by a little girl who would

probably have liked to eat it, herself. I could have given the Tootsie Roll right back to Mary, but instead I kept it, and thanked her the next time I saw her. My reason for this is that it is important that children learn to practice the traditional values and ways of becoming thankful, generous and humble Anishinaabeg; in giving to her grandmother something that was her own, and that she would have liked to have for herself, Mary became part of Ojibwe traditions and values that have been passed from generation to generation for many years. And in her quiet way of giving me that gift, she demonstrated that she is a good and modest Ojibwe girl who doesn’t call attention to herself, or expect payback.

This past Christmas, each of my seven grandchildren received from me a little bag of fancy gummy candies that look like individually wrapped fast food. The kids got a kick out of this treat, and that evening after they all went home I found on the top of my dresser one of the candies still in its cellophane wrapping, this one shaped like a hamburger with layers of cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. I haven’t opened it yet; it is still on the dresser where it was left, where I see it every morning and every evening and wonder at the mystery: Which of those mino abinoojiiyag left it for me?

A slightly bent Tootsie Roll

Dr. Linda Grover

Happy FebruaryBirthdays, Elders!Robert Boshey 2-1Cheryl Jensen 2-3Virgil Sohm 2-4Eugene Goodsky 2-5Isabelle Strong 2-5Karen Drift 2-6Mary Porter 2-6 Leech Lake Lucille Morrison 2-11Jim Anderson 2-14Norma Johnson 2-14Gloria Love 2-14Janet Thompson 2-15Denis Drouillard 2-20Daniel Connor 2-21William King 2-22Stanley Day 2-28



Blanket making fun for all ages!

Winter blanket making classes were offered in Vermilion on January 13 and Nett Lake January 14 by Bois Forte Family Health Services program under the sponsorship of Age to Age Northland Foundation.

The two-hour classes drew over fifty participants of all ages. The nights were cold, but the event was warmly received as Elders assisted the little ones with cutting and tying and shared stories.

Elders’ Upcoming Meeting Date

March 10, 2014 in Vermilion

All Elders are welcome. Meetings are held at the Community Center and start following lunch at

approximately 11:30 a.m.

Kay Davis becomes the first account holder at Band’s new credit unionEditor’s note: On opening day for the Bois Forte Band’s new Northern Eagle Federal Credit Union, Nett Lake Elder J. Kay Davis was first in line to open an account. The Bois Forte News sat down with Davis at the Senior Living Center (or, as it’s affectionately called, the “Wrinkle Ranch”) to talk about the credit union.

Q: When did you join the credit union?A: I walked over the first day – twice! The first time I went too early. I wanted to be there when they opened and be first in line. I was so proud to be in there opening an account.

Q: What kind of account did you open?A: I opened a savings account so I can have direct deposit for my Social Security.

A: Why did you want to open your account?Q: The convenience is great. I won’t have to go into town when I need to cash a check or money orders. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. It’s a burden for people to have to travel to Cook or Orr to cash a check or start a savings account. We have needed something like this here so badly.

A: What appealed to you about the credit union?Q: I particularly like the goal of having our money stay in the area. That’s a good plan. If we are really tribal members proud of our tribe, we should do everything we can to make it better. Opening accounts with the credit union is good for our local economy.

A: What do you think about the education offered by the credit union?Q: The financial literacy component is important. We are remote, so many of our people aren’t sophisticated in managing finances. We lack the ability to see finances the way the outside world sees them. Our village takes care of one another; we trust people in the village will help take care of each other. That’s a wonderful value in our culture, but it can also lead to a lack of good habits or planning for the future. In this day and age, we need to be more sophisticated financially. The credit union offering financial education is extremely important to help us all become more knowledgeable on how to build our own financial security as well as a stronger economy for our community.

A: Do you know anyone else who’s joined?Q: I’m going to encourage my children and grandchildren who are off reservation to open an account to support the tribe.

A: Anything else you’d like to add?Q: When I contacted the Social Security Office to create my direct deposit, they questioned the accuracy of my account number. I assured them the #1 was correct as I was the first account holder in our new credit union!

As part of her support of the new credit union, Kay Davis made sure she was the first in line to open a new account.

1: Eight-year-old Riley Leecy cuts material for her leopard patterned blanket. 2: Tina Stanley teaches her granddaughter Makenzie Little how to tie her blanket. 3: Participants spread out their material on the floor of the Migizi Room in Nett Lake. 4: Lorraine Villebrun and Mary Porter joined the blanket makers.

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Culture



Heritage Museum receives another Park Service grant The award-winning Bois Forte Heritage Museum will receive approximately $50,000 in grant money this year from the National Park Service. The annual grant, which the museum regularly receives, is intended to help tribes with historic preservation on their lands.

“These grants allow tribes to focus on what they are most concerned with protecting - native language, oral history, plant and animal species important in traditions, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis in a prepared statement.

“Locating cultural resources and historic properties is important for the Band to facilitate responsible economic development, land use planning, and natural resource management,” said Bois Forte Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) Bill Latady. “Survey and documentation ensures that cultural resources and historic properties on reservation lands are protected against potential adverse affects caused by earth disturbing activities, such as timber and fire management, and private and commercial development.”

Less than 1% of the Bois Forte Reservation has been surveyed for cultural resources.

Latady was recently named to replace Rose Berens as Bois Forte’s THPO. Rose plans to semi-retire by cutting back her hours at the museum. The next issue of the Bois Forte News will include more information on Rose and the 2014 plans for the Heritage Center.

How well do you know Bois Forte?1. What are seven navigable streams on the reservation?

2. What are some of the major types of trees on the reservation?

3. Timber cover makes up what percent of the trust lands within the reservation?

4. Wetlands make up what percent of the trust lands within the reservation?

5. How many miles of road are on the reservation?(For answers, turn to page 19)



Tribal Gov’t News & Reports

Enrollment Office update

Tadd Johnson joins Tribal CourtBois Forte Band member Tadd Johnson has joined the Bois Forte Tribal Court as a justice, bringing with him years of legal experience and a strong record of working on behalf of Indian Country.

From 1990-95, Johnson served as counsel and staff director to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources in the Office of Indian Affairs and the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs. He was also appointed by President Bill Clinton to chair the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Since returning to Minnesota, Johnson has been instrumental in launching the University of Minnesota Duluth’s masters degree program in tribal administration and governance. He currently heads UMD’s American Indian Studies Department.

Johnson has also served as a tribal attorney, a tribal administrator, and a faculty member of the National Judicial College, the nation’s leading organization for the education of judges. He is the co-producer and co-host of public television’s Native Report.

A 1985 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, Johnson is licensed to practice law in Minnesota, federal and tribal courts.

Tadd Johnson and Kevin Leecy at a 2013 Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Meeting.

Quarterly housing updateThe Bois Forte Housing Division is both a tribally and federally funded housing entity that manages rental homes and Elders’ apartments on the Bois Forte Reservation. Our main office is located at the Government Building in Nett Lake. Please call 218-757-3261 with any inquiries, or visit our website operated through www.boisforte.com.

In order to better connect with community members, Bois Forte Housing is operating this column to provide updates and service information on a quarterly basis. We are also in the process of making more information readily available on our website. A listing of our staff members and contact information is found on our page on the main Bois Forte website, under the Housing tab. The URL address is: http://www.boisforte.com/divisions/housing.htm. There, prospective tenants can find and print out our official Housing Application with an instructional cover page that details how to fill it out and what verifications Housing requires before an applicant can be placed on the Wait List. Current tenants

now have easier access to program specific information, such as our maintenance service request procedure and snow plowing protocols.

In each column, so long as space allows, we’ll make you more acquainted with our staff. For this edition, Housing is proud to highlight our newest members to the Maintenance Team. Brian Moyer is a Maintenance Technician working on the Vermilion Reservation. He maintains major household appliances for our rental homes and repairs an array of structural damage as it occurs in our units. Pete “Chief” Boney , hired on as a Technician, assists in similar projects providing a much needed helping hand-always with a smile and a joke to tell.

Nett Lake now has an Elder’s Term Maintenance Worker who is doing a wonderful job helping Nett Lake Elders’ with Winter tasks such as snow removal, hauling and splitting wood, and minor household repairs.

Below is information regarding some of the processes of the Enrollment Office. If you have any questions about something that I may have missed, please contact Angie King, Enrollment Coordinator, by phone at 218-757-3261, 218-248-0581, 800-221-8129 or by mail at Bois Forte Tribal Government, 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772.

Trust Funds

Trust Fund Release forms need to be dropped off or mailed to the Enrollment Office 30 days before your 18th birthday to ensure timely release of the funds. If you are planning on picking up your Trust Fund check, you will need to contact the American Bank in Orr Minnesota (218-757-0121) to arrange that otherwise the check will be mailed to the address provided on the Trust Fund Release Form. Checks are not issued at the Government Center and it does take time to obtain the required signature for the release of the funds. If the Trust Fund Release form is received the day of your birthday, funds more than likely will not be released that day. Trust Fund Release Forms are available at the Government Center or at the Bois Forte website www.boisforte.com under the enrollment tab.

Address Change

Address changes need to be mailed through the US Mail or dropped off in person. Address changes can be submitted on the form available at the Government Center or on the Bois Forte website or on a plain lined piece of paper. The change needs to have your full name, date of birth, current address, your signature and the date you signed the address change. A Band member cannot change the address for another Band member. If there are minor Band Members living in the household, please include their name(s) and birth date(s). Each adult Band member needs to request their own address change.

Enrollment Applications

Enrollment applications are acted on quarterly at regular RTC meetings and TEC meetings (January, April, July and October). It may take up to 4 months, depending on when the application was submitted/received, to hear anything on the approval/denial of the application. The letter of approval/denial will come from the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, not Bois Forte. Please remember to submit the ORIGINAL Birth Certificate along with the ORIGINAL Enrollment Application.

(cont. on page 19)

Bus route naming contest winnerMelissa Jenkins used her Native language in submitting the winning entry in the Name the New Service Route Contest for Big Woods Transit system.

The Elder’s Committee chose the winning entry and they liked it so much that all Big Woods Transit routes will be named along the same theme. We will be using the Ojibwe names of north woods animals with a symbol that represents the animal. Melissa’s winning entries for the two commuter routes were:

Migizi & Makwa

We will also be using the Ojibwe word and symbol that best represents the purpose of the route, for example we will be using “Nibi” for the Sunday route to get spring water for drinking.

Melissa’s prize was earrings and a blanket that was purchased from the Bois Forte Heritage Center.



Resources available to help you quitMany Bois Forters have made a resolution to quit using tobacco. 2013 saw a dramatic increase in the state’s cigarette tax and many people are looking to kick their tobacco habit. While quitting for good can be difficult, having a support system in place is proven to greatly increase a smoker’s likelihood of success.

Bois Forte has many resources to help Band members who want to quit abusing tobacco in 2014. For more information, contact Smoking Cessation Education Coordinator Marjorie Villebrun or Tobacco Education and Policy Development Coordinator Linda Tibbetts-Barto at the Health Office 218-757-3295.

Don’t live near Bois Forte? The QUITPLAN provides free quit-tobacco counseling services to all Minnesotans, as well as access to lozenges, gum and patches for those trying to quit. To learn more, visit the website www.quitplan.com or call 1-888-354-PLAN (7526).

Big Woods Transit staff Darren Landgren and Jennie Rowland present Melissa Jenkins with a blanket and earrings for her winning entry in the contest to name the new bus routes.

(Enrollment update cont. from page 18)

The birth certificate will be returned via certified mail. If the certified mail is returned to the enrollment office due to being “Unclaimed”, the enrollment office will not mail the birth certificate again. The birth certificate can be retrieved from the enrollment office Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 p.m.

Per Capita

1854 Treaty Payments are made every August. Make sure your address is up to date no later than August 1 of every year. If you are unsure of what address you have on file, you may call the Enrollment Coordinator to verify your address or send in an address change.

Tribal ID

Tribal ID’s are issued Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call the Enrollment Coordinator before coming for an ID. This is to prevent Band members from coming to Nett Lake without the proper information needed to obtain an ID and to prevent Band members from coming when the equipment may be out for repairs or off site. When the equipment is out for repairs, the Enrollment Coordinator will try to post this on the Bois Forte website.

**Once a Band member turns 18 years of age, they are an adult. Parents of Band member(s) cannot call and request information for or about the Band member. The Band Member will need to contact the Enrollment Coordinator for the information they need.

The Enrollment Office does not accept anything by fax, email or phone call.

All requests must be in writing and must come through the U.S. mail or dropped off at the Government Center.

How well do you know Bois Forte?

Answers

1. What are seven navigable streams on the reservation?

Little Fork River; Big Fork River; Nett Lake River; Lost River; Wood Duck Creek; Popple

Creek; and Portage Creek.

2. What are some of the major types of trees on the reservation?

Pine, Aspen, Cedar, Birch, Ash, and Black Spruce.

3. Timber cover makes up what percent of the trust lands within the reservation?

Approximately 39%.

4. Wetlands make up what percent of the trust lands within the reservation?

Approximately 15%.

5. How many miles of road are on the reservation?

117 miles.



Bois Forte Development Corp.Tim Hortons cafe and bake shop opens at Fortune Bay

Call it an early Valentine’s Day present: the Bois Forte Band is bringing some of the sweetest treats to northern Minnesota when it opens a Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake

Shop in Fortune Bay Resort Casino on January 31.

“Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is a dynamic U.S. brand in the bakery cafe restaurant segment,” said Band Chair Kevin Leecy. “We are excited to partner with them and bring their quality products to Fortune Bay guests.”

With more than 800 restaurants across the United States, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is known and loved for its always fresh coffee and variety

of baked goods, including its bite-sized donuts called Timbits, which are available in a number of varieties and seasonal flavors.

“Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is committed to serving the freshest cup of coffee,” said Deb Pinski, manager of the Band’s Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop. “Tim Hortons coffee is made with 100 percent Arabic beans from the world’s most renowned coffee regions. It is always brewing and is always served 20 minutes fresh.”

Located just past the all-new Tamarack Buffet, Fortune Bay’s Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

There will be a seating area for 20, and guests will be able to watch the baking process unfold

before their eyes as they enjoy donuts, bagels, croissants and muffins. Early risers will appreciate the convenience of grabbing a quick cup of coffee and a fresh baked item before heading out to start their day.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is a bakery cafe chain that appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based beverages, specialty teas and fresh baked goods.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake ShopFortune Bay Resort Casino

Open seven days a week6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bois Forte Band member Jacquie Branstrom, who has worked in Fortune Bay’s Whispering Winds Gift Shop since 2001, was promoted to Interim Manager in November 2013.

With more than a decade of gift shop experience, Branstrom – a Nett Lake native – was perfectly poised to assume responsibility for the updated shop, which recently moved across the hall from its original location to make room for the Tim Hortons restaurant that opened January 31.

“It’s important to incorporate management’s goals and sales representatives’ requests as we pick merchandise and present the products,” Branstrom said. “For 2014, I’d like to include more native

cultural crafts for sale, such as dream catchers.”

Now a few months into her new role, Branstrom said she has a deeper appreciation for the work of her predecessor Polly Alexander. “I knew she dealt with a lot, but I never realized just how much she had to do.”

For example, simply pricing cigarettes can become an unexpected challenge. “Tobacco prices are constantly changing – there were three price changes in December alone,” Branstrom said. “We have to calculate the price with taxes built in, then calculate a buy-down so we can keep prices the same for our customers. And in December a new state tax went into effect, which added another twist.”

Branstrom said she is excited about reviewing product catalogues and ordering new merchandise. “I want to see what other gift shops offer and listen to what customers would like.”

She is also taking on new challenges, such as managing people. “Currently I have six employees. Sometimes I can delegate and let the employee lead. Other times I need to step in,” said Branstrom, who is also considering accounting classes to strengthen her budgeting skills.

“[General Manager] Norm Adams is

encouraging, and management has confidence with me. They’ve sent me to a few classes, and they are willing to get me the training I’ve asked for. I love learning new things and trying new things.”

Working hard for Bois Forte’s businesses clearly run in Branstrom’s family. Her sister Kristina works as a Fortune Bay cage cashier and vault clerk, while her brother Andrew works at the Y-Store. Branstrom’s mom Vera spent many years at Fortune Bay, working her way up to Human Resources Manager before leaving, and her dad James worked at the marina.

The Whispering Winds Gift Shop is in a new location next to the Arcade and across the hall from the Tim Hortons coffee shop. Jacquie invites everyone to come in and see the new selections of merchandise.

Jacquie Branstrom named Fortune Bay gift shop interim manager

Jacquie hard at work in her office ordering products.



Community News & UpdatesWarner B. Wirta

Warner B. Wirta, age 80 of Superior, passed away Thurs-day, December 19, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

He was born September 30, 1933 in Embarrass, MN to Samuel and Clara (Linklater)

Wirta. Warner graduated from Embarrass High School in 1952 and was a proud member of the “Flying Finns” track team. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Emporia State College

in Emporia, Kansas where he met and married Martha Hutchins on July 30, 1960. He taught Phy. Ed and Civics at the Orr High School for 13 years; and then worked as a social worker for the Veteran Administration, retiring in 1996. Warner had served in the U.S. Army; and was a member of Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; and received his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Warner was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Eugene Wirta. He is survived by his wife, Martha; three children, Anna (Scott) Wirta-Kosobuski, Les (Zina Micklewright) Wirta, and William (Vicky) Wirta; one sister, Helen Woods; 9 grandchildren, Savannah Kinsman, Levi Wirta,

Lucas Kosobuski, Jonah Kosobuski, Logan Wirta, Beth Vandecar, Shawn Wirta, Cory Wirta, and Vanessa Wirta; three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Payton, and Bella; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. The visitation will resume on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 4831 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN. Interment service will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet, with Military Honors presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard.

Warner B. Wirta

Tribute to Warner, reprinted from Mpls. Star Tribune

As a high schooler in little Embarrass, Minn., Warner Wirta appeared in newspapers because of his speed. He ran a mean mile with the Flying Finns, a state champion track and cross-country team that often beat bigger schools.

Later, Wirta regularly appeared in the newspaper for another reason — his letters to the editor. These passionate defenses of the environment and critiques of the federal government, printed in the Duluth News Tribune, spoke to his work as an activist and a teacher.

“He was active in the political, social and economic issues in the Duluth area,” said Will Munger, owner of the Willard Munger Inn and son of the late state lawmaker after which it’s named. “Very much someone who always stood up for the little guy.”

Wirta died of cardiac arrest Dec. 19 in Duluth, where he had lived for 35 years before moving recently to Superior, Wis. He was 80.

Wirta was born in Embarrass in 1933. His father, Samuel, was Finnish, and his mother, Clara, was Ojibwe. His coach scouted the schoolyard for talent and, because there was no track, had his recruits train on gravel roads.

“We knew deer tracks and cow tracks, but most of us had never seen a running track,” Wirta said in a 2008 interview.

Wirta, known to some locals as the “Flying

Finndian,” won the state cross-country championship in 1951 and the mile in 1952.

He often talked about “the way people looked at him when they saw him as an Indian, compared with the way people looked at him when he was a Finlander,” said Marvin Lamppa, a track teammate and historian.

Running helped him nab a scholarship to Kansas State Teachers College — where he met his wife, Martha.

After college, he returned to northern Minnesota to teach civics and physical education in Orr for 13 years. Troubled by the small share of American Indian students graduating from high school, he worked to raise that graduation rate, bringing in speakers and devising programs, Martha Wirta said.

“Then, they didn’t expect the kids to finish high school,” she said. “Now, we have enough students in college that it’s not extraordinary.”

Upon earning his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Wirta took a job with the Veterans Administration and developed a mental health outreach program for fellow Indian veterans. In the early 2000s, he was crucial in establishing the Duluth American Indian Commission, a group that advises city leaders.

Wirta would often stop by the Willard Munger Inn to discuss issues, including his opposition to ATV riding at Spirit Mountain, to him a sacred site. “He would call, write letters, come to visit you,” Munger said. “He was not afraid to give his opinion.”

But Wirta was rarely loud. He was “quiet and kind,” Munger said. He “listened more than he spoke,” Lamppa said. He was “a quiet, thoughtful, and powerful voice for the environment and justice issues,” Duluth Mayor Don Ness said in a Facebook post.

Before his health declined, Wirta submitted letters to the News Tribune once a month for years. They tended toward environmental issues but also touched on mining and war.

“Warner was a regular,” said Chuck Frederick, editorial page editor. “He was a great voice for the Northland’s Native community, a real watchdog of government … how its actions impacted his neighbors and all of us everyday folks.”

A member of the Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Wirta is survived by his wife; children Anna Wirta-Kosobuski, Les Wirta and William Wirta; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Services are at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Duluth.

Warner Wirta and his daughter, Anna Wirta Kosobuski.



Community News & UpdatesBorn: October 2, 1978, Littlefork, Minnesota

Died: December 17, 2013, Port Orchard,

Washington

Funeral Services: Nett Lake Baptist

Church, Nett Lake, Minnesota. Monday, December 30, 2013

Officiating: Pastor Kevin Land

Pallbearers: Travis Morrison, Kent Morrison, Mark Littlewolf, Don Littlewolf, Kyle Littlewolf,

Josh Littlewolf, Francis Littlewolf

Final Resting Place: Nett Lake Cemetery, Nett Lake, Minnesota

A Native American Prayer

I give you this one thought to keepI am with you still – I do not sleepI am a thousand winds that blowI am the diamond glints on snow

I am sunlight ripened grainI am the gentle autumn rain

When you awake in the morning hushI am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flightI am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not think of me as goneI am with you still – in each new dawn.

Hello Everybody,

We didn’t want to miss any person who helped make Adam’s funeral a good send off. Both Alvin and I, and all of his sisters want to thank everyone. We greatly appreciate all who attended and anyone who wanted to attend but could not due to cold weather. Words cannot express how thankful we are.

Che Migwitch,

Alvin and Tina Sadewasser, Kim and James Brown, Barbie Sadewasser, and Rick and Taneika

Adam J. Sadewasser

Wendell J. Leecy Wendell J. Leecy “Misho-Giizhig-Inni, 60, of Onamia, formerly of Hibbing, passed away at home on January 31, 2014.

He was born in Chisholm on July 31, 1953, grew up in Hibbing, and graduated from Hibbing High School. Wendell moved to Minneapolis, and graduated from Minneapolis Vocational and Technical College. He later settled in Onamia and worked in the DNR for the Mill Lacs Band of Ojibwa. Wendell was an active outdoorsman, liked Powwows and appreciated the native traditional ways. He was very artistic and was asked to make a traditional native drum, which is on display at the Hibbing Community College. He will be remembered by family

and friends for his easy going nature, big smile, and the caring love he had for his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Bernice (Geshick) Leecy. Wendell is survived by his wife, Bridgett Mitchell; 3 sons: Cade Leecy of Hibbing and Erick and Justin Leecy of Onamia; 2 brothers, Kevin (Julie) Leecy of Tower and Jeff (Carla) Leecy of Cass Lake; 6 sisters, Cheryl (Paul) Slayton of Tower, Charlene (Jessie) Lewis of Tower, Gail Leecy of Minneapolis, Donna Hirth of Milwaukee, WI, Debbie Leecy of Virginia and Kimberly Leecy of Hayward, WI; along with numerous nieces and nephews. SERVICES: Traditional services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, (February 7th) at the Vermilion Reservation Center-Tower, where the Wake will begin after 5:00 p.m. Thursday. The Spiritual Advisor will be Lee Staples. The casket bearers will be: Jessie Lewis, Charles Grolla, Phil Grolla, Leland Leecy, Paul Slayton and Robert Jordain Jr.

The honorary bearer will be Ronald Geshick. Interment will be in the Vermilion Cemetery. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home, Cook.

Wendell J. Leecy

Kelly Ray Vainio, Native Name: Naawigiizis, 53, formerly of Bear River, died Friday, December 27, 2013 at his home in Alango, Minnesota.

He was born January 9, 1960 in Chisholm, Minnesota. He grew up in Bear River and attended school in Cook. Kelly completed the welding course at Eveleth Vo-tech. He worked as a welder for Hancock Fabrication for a time and was a welder in California for several years. He enjoyed the outdoors including hunting and fishing. He was known for his many stories and great sense of humor. His most memorable times were those spent with family and friends.

He is survived by his two children: Jesse Vainio of Virginia; Julie (Kevin ) Flack of Cook; 2 Grandchildren: Hailee Heurkins of Cook and Braedon Flack of Cook; brothers and sisters: Arne (Ivy) Vainio, MD of Duluth; Brandon (Debbie) Vainio of Esko, Mn.; Sherri Monroe of Duluth; Carla (Pete) Gargano of Side Lake; Scott Thompson of Duluth, and his significant other, Mary Suomala of Cook.

He was preceded in death by his mother Mabel Durant Thompson, his father Arne Vainio Sr. and his sister “Shelly” Durant.

SERVICES: Traditional services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, (December 31, 2013) at the East Lake Community Center, near McGregor. The wake will begin on Monday December 30th at 6:00 p.m. at the center. The spiritual advisor will be Larry “Amik” Smallwood. Burial will be at the East Lake Burial Grounds. Arrangements are with the Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Kelly R. Vainio

Kelly R. Vainio



Happy 3rd Birthday to Mommy’s Lil’ Princess, Amaris Grayce

Trisco!!Amaris is the daughter of

Lauren Purley and grandaughter of Elaine Tibbetts

Happy 9th Birthday,

Alexander Pete!

Love, Mom, Anissa

& Nevaeh

Band member Michelle O’Leary, daughter of Bernard & Lorraine O’Leary, earned her Master of Social Work degree from the

University of Minnesota - Duluth in May 2013.

Congratulations, Michelle!

Hockey and Henry Boucha at 2nd Annual Native Nations Night at Sanford CenterBemidji State University and the Sanford Center present Native Nations Night on February 28, 2014, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji when the BSU Men’s Hockey team faceoff with the University of Alabama Huntsville in a 7:30 p.m. matchup. Billed as “a night to honor the Native Peoples and heritage of the Bemidji region,” the event will feature discount tickets for all tribal members at $12 for adults and $5 for age 17 and younger.

In addition to the hockey game, there will be a special guest appearance by American Indian hockey star Henry Boucha, a former Olympic champion and professional hockey player. Boucha was a silver medalist with the US team in 1972, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and finished his career with the Minnesota North Stars after a career ending injury. He has been inducted in the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Boucha is enrolled at NW Angle #37 at Windigo Island on Lake of the Woods, which is part of Treaty #3. He is Bear Clan, a Pipe Carrier and tries to practice his culture and traditions.

Boucha is a motivational speaker as well, and has spoken at several high schools and colleges. His topics of motivation include drug and alcohol abuse, goal setting, obesity, and suicide. He hopes to make a difference with American Indian youth referencing his own story. Those interested in more information or the purchase of tickets should contact Tony at 218-441-4018.

A Few Cool Cold Facts About Winter1. The all-time world record for the largest snowfall in a single day

was set in the United States on December 4, 1913, when Georgetown, Colorado received a staggering 63 inches of snow – more than five feet.

2. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, on January 28, 1887, a 15” wide, 8” thick snowflake

ever observed fell in Fort Keogh, Montana

3. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the world was -128 degrees Celsius, in Vostok Station

in Antarctica in 1983.



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

February 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 March issue:February 14

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. Per capita checks, community meeting notices and the RTC quarterly letters 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 Newspaper.

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:

___________________________________

Election schedule update

Election judges being sought The Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council is seeking individuals interested in serving as members of the General Election Board, the District I Electrion Board (Nett Lake), the District II Election Board (Vermilion), and the Urban Office Election Board for the upcoming Tribal Election with the Primary to be held on April 1, 2014 and the General Election to be held on June 10, 2014.

The rate of pay will be:

If you are interested, contact Vicki Villebrun at the Tribal Office at (218) 757-3261, ext. 272 or Vanessa Little at ext. 273 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) by February 21, 2014.

Candidate Forum in MinneapolisBand members living in the Twin Cities have organized two Candidate Forums at the Urban Office. The dates are Monday, March 10 at 5 p.m. and Tuesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. All are invited and encouraged to bring a dish to share in the Potluck dinner.

These forums are being organized by Urban Band members to provide voters an opportunity to listen to and question candidates for the Reservation Tribal Council. All candidates will be asked to abide by the rules set forth by the forum. They will each have equal time to respond to questions proposed by the audience and randomly drawn. We will begin with questions at 5:30 p.m. with a 15-minute break at 6:30 p.m. Questions will resume at 6:45 p.m., concluding at 7:45 p.m. The two forums are not organized or sponsored by the RTC, the Urban Office staff, or the candidates themselves.

February 14: Deadline for Notice of Certifications to TEC

February 15: Deadline for candidates to submit their message to voters for publication in the

March issue of the Bois Forte News

April 1: Primary

April 3: Election Board publishes Primary results

June 10: General Election

Chair of Election Board - $18/hourOther General Election Board Members - $14/hour

District I Election Board Members - $12/hour

District II Election Board Members - $12/hourUrban Office Election Board Members - $12/hour

healthy progress the theme of this year's state of the band

Documents