JA N UA RY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Mo o n –
2016
GTB NEWS A publication of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians All Rights Reserved ©
Bronze Figurine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American woman who was given the name Tekakwitha, baptized as Catherine and informally known as Lily of the Mohawks, is a Roman Catholic saint was an Algonquin– Mohawk laywoman. Born in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, on the south side of the Mohawk River, she contracted smallpox in an epidemic; her family died and her face was scarred. She converted to Roman Catholicism at age nineteen, when she was renamed Kateri, baptized in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena. Refusing to marry, she left her village and moved for the remaining 5 years of her life to the Jesuit mission village of Kahnawake, south of Montreal in New France, now Canada. Tekakwitha took a devout vow of perpetual virginity. Upon her death at the age of 24, minutes later witnesses said her scars vanished and her face appeared radiant
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continued on p
PRIEST AND HERMIT The Rest of the Story pg. 8
Fluoridation in Our Drinking Water How Well Does the Pewhawbestown Water System Compare to the State of Michigan Guidelines? Page 3
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) will receive written proposals from qualified individuals, organizations, or consulting firms for professional services to conduct a comprehensive survey to all of the GTB membership who are head of household. Read All About It Page 7
Respectfully Acknowledge Our Loss. It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dora Willis. Dora had worked for her tribe in many leadership roles and she will be sorely missed. It can be said that Dora was one who heard the eternal pattern. It contains the music of all life forms and breaths in unison with the heartbeat of every living thing.
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 911 PER CAP HOT LINE 231-534-7372 JOB HOT LINE 1-888-2946 TRIBAL GOV 231-534-7000 TRIBAL POLICE 231-534-7777 FIRE DEPARTMENT 231-534-7666 TRIBAL COURT 231-534-7050
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Kateri Tekakwitha .... page 1 and beautiful. Known for her virtue of chastity and mortification of the flesh, as well as being shunned by her tribe for her religious conversion to Catholicism, she is the fourth Native American to be venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the first to be canonized. Under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, she was beatified in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter’s Basilica on 21 October 2012.[6][7] Various miracles and supernatural events are attributed to her the statue of Kateri. The owner of the business intercession. offers a wide variety of art for sale; paintings,
glass and ceramics. Artist Verna Bartnick herself OLD MISSION TAVERN, created this piece. She also created life size statues RESTAURANT AND GALLERY - in Traverse City; Perry Hannah, corner of 6th the bronze figurine of Kateri stands street and Union, and the bicycle bronze statue approximately 16 inches tall. The installed at the Traverse City Open Space. restaurant is located 18 miles out on Old Mission Peninsula, the drive was pleasant and the food was very well prepared to our satisfaction. It was in their Gallery of Fine Art that I found
GOV SWITCHBOARD 231-534-7750 TOLL FREE 1-866-534-7750
THE LORD’S PRAYER Noosinon Ishpeming a yiiyun, (Our Father who lives on high) Mon noo duckshan tuhwanj gahda dishnah kod zowin (Hallowed be thy name.) Doo gah mah win tahbit qwish noon duhgah-nandahmin dish-ah-wa-buk ah mah keehn tah bish koo wihdeh ishpeming (Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) Meesh ah non sooningo geezh gut ga meej yon (Give us this day our daily bread)
Grand Traverse Band News Send submissions in by the 3rd Friday each month.
Editor: Dave Spinniken dave.spinniken@gtbindians.com 2605 N West Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682-9275 Phone: (231) 534-7366 Cell: (231) 342-7687 Media: George Antoine (231) 534-7008 george.antoine@gtbindians.com ©, Grand Traverse Band News, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the editor is prohibited. The Grand Traverse Band does not assume liability for unsolicited materials. Materials submitted for publication become the property of the Grand Traverse Band. The right to edit or refuse to print is maintained. Subscriptions are $24 per year. Please contact the editor for assistance.
g’ya ah bwehn mish non-un on bah tahhzh zhah wab zih neh non nen azhe ahbwehn min dwah eg-geh-weh majew dog ehjaa (and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us) k’gyow-ne-zhish kan ga mahgwet bendog zooning n’buhgum gush nahn dush oon jeh ah mah ehm jii ee wish (and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil) keehn mongah dah bandahn Ogemawin, gaksha ehw zowin gapsha gan dog zowin kahgehnik ahpeh na kahgehnik (for thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever) AMEN
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Fluoridation in Our Drinking Water The State of Michigan Health and Human Services Department announced recently the importance of fluoridation in our drinking water. “For 70 years, research on this topic has proven community water fluoridation to be safe and effective in improving the oral health of our communities. The MDHHS promotes community water fluoridation across the state.” The Peshawbestown GTB Water Treatment team is please to report to the community that our water exceeds the minimum amount of fluoridation for a community water system. The GTB Utilities department does not add fluoridation to the water so how can we be at such a good level of fluoride in the water. Mr. Joe Huhn stated “Peshawbestown actually has about 0.7-0.8 parts per million of fluoride naturally in the water, which is what the Federal EPA recommends for public systems.” We are fortunate to live in an area that has a natural amount of fluoride in the ground water.” “As water travels thru the different layers of soil it picks up “contaminants” or minerals including fluoride. The most common mineral is calcium which is primarily where our hard water comes from.
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Ordinance Posting
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Ordinance Post cont.
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“Accept, good father, the gratitude of one who is no longer.. “The Hermit.” ART’S “REST OF THE STORY ““Priest and Hermit:”” “Father Marcus” seems to refer to the actual Father (and later Bishop) Ignaz Mrak (1818-1901). At the time the story was first printed, Bishop Mrak was about to retire as missionary at Peshawbestown and return to Marquette to complete his time on earth. Father Mrak came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Cross Village, Michigan in 1845 to assist Father Francis Pierz. In 1850 Father Mrak was listed in the Michilimackinac County census living adjacent to my g-g-grandfather Jean Baptiste Trotochaud and his family - perhaps the priest was living with the Trotochaud’s. In 1851 Pierz moved on to Minnesota & Fr. Mrak took over as head missionary. What is now St. Kateri Parish in Peshawbestown began about 1845. In the 1860 US Census Fr. Mrak was living in Leelanau County. When the first bishop of upper Michigan, Frederic Baraga, died in 1868, Fr. Mrak was appointed to succeed him. Reluctantly he left his Indians to become the second Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette. During his time as Bishop, his health began to fail, and about 1879 Mrak resigned his position. For a time he lived with his successor until his health recovered. In the fall of 1881 Eagle Town was ravaged by a smallpox epidemic and many Indians died there. For some years after that there was no missionary at Eagle Town. About 1882 Mrak requested and was granted a transfer to Eagle Town in Leelanau County - which later was renamed Peshawbestown. The former head of the Diocese of Marquette once again was working, at his own request, as a simple missionary to the Indians. He spent some of his pension to run the mission school. He finally retired in 1899 and moved back to Marquette, where he died in 1901. I can’t vouch for the truth of this charming story, except that the timing matches that of Mrak’s actual career, and a writer living in the Grand Traverse area in 1898 could certainly have heard this story from Father Mrak himself. I don’t know who might have been “Washtenaw” or the “hermit”. Art D.
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Ordinance Post cont.
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Ordinance Post cont.
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Miigwetch GTB Community Nancy (Anderson) Amy and family would like to thank everyone who came out to join us at the Benefit and to everyone that donated something for the silent auction. You’ll never know how appreciative we are and how much you have helped our family in our time of need. We are so blessed to be a members of such a loving and caring organization and may god bless you and all your families.. Also Thank you to the GTB Newsletter staff for helping us spread the word and displaying our flyer nicely in the newsletter Happy Holidays Sincerely Nancy and Family
COMMUNITY POLICING & NEIGHBOORHOOD WATCH January 2016 MEETINGS Dates for the CPNW meetings are on Mondays: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
January 4 - Peshawbestown / Housing Office January 11 – Charlevoix Office January 18 – Traverse City Office January 25 – Benzie Office
January 2016 Community Policing and Neighborhood Watch (CPNW) Meeting topics:
Emergency Preparedness presentations Winter Safety Tips We hope to see you there! Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police Department 2300 N. Stallman Road Peshawbestown, MI 49682 Office: (231) 534-7777 COPS Grants: 2013HEWX0013 (#4138) and 2013HHWX0010 (#4137) – 230.4030
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n –
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Membership Survey
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Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Description: 2016 Tribal Membership Survey
Areas of Concentration: Housing, Revenue Allocation Ordinance, and Health
For a full Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2016 Survey: Please contact OMB at 231-534-7235 or email becky.woods@gtbindians.com. Full RFP will be sent via email. December 16, 2015 Overview: The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) will receive written proposals from qualified individuals, organizations, or consulting firms for professional services to conduct a comprehensive survey to all of the GTB membership who are head of household. Project Information: The project involves the development of a survey, methodology of disbursement and return, comprehensive evaluation of results, consultation, and communication with the GTB staff and leadership for input, reporting updates, and results. The work will include technical analysis and compilation of data in multi-media reporting format. The importance of this survey will be emphasized to the membership on behalf of the GTB, through the provision of incentives to qualified survey participants. The monetary incentives will be awarded via a lottery style disbursement at the close of the survey timeline. The GTB is a federally recognized Tribe of the state of Michigan. Although the Tribal service area is six-counties that consist of: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee, there are head of household members throughout the Nation. There are approximately 4,170 members of which approximately 3,113 are over the age of 18 years old. As a sovereign Nation the GTB, has authority to develop programs, services, and functions that best meet the needs of the Tribe, to do so, it is important for the Tribe to gather input from the membership. The survey results will assist the GTB leadership in identifying priorities for developing direct services for the membership as they relate to housing, health and the Revenue Allocation Ordinance. Timelines: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Community Survey 2016 RFP Issued: December 23rd, 2015; RFP responses due to the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Deb Greensky @ 2605 Northwest Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, Michigan 49682. DUE DATE: January 15th, 2016 by 4:00 PM (EST); Special Instructions are in the full packet – you must request a full packet. Surveys disbursed to GTB membership heads of households: February 22nd, 2016; Close survey submissions from participants: March 21st, 2016; Incentive lottery winners announced: March 25th, 2016; Final Analysis of survey due to Project Team: April 29th, 2016; Final Report to Tribal Council, Project Team, and Key Staff: May 13th, 2016; Final billing and all survey materials submitted to Project Team: May 20th, 2016.
The State of Michigan had 31,000 people put their names in a 15 tag drawing. By agreement with the State of Michigan 5 Native tribes receive a small percentage of the harvest tags. GTB received 2 tags for the tribal membership. Jeremy Rice had harvested a cow years ago and he remembers how good the meat was to eat. He was excited for the opportunity to hunt for a bull this year. Phyllis Rice (Jeremy’s Mother) was one of two GTB tribal members to win a chance to harvest an Elk this year 2015. In honor of longstanding tribal traditions, Jeremy was asked by his mother to employ his skill and experience as a hunter to help ensure a successful harvest of elk meat for the Rice family and that it was done in a good way. On December 15, while on foot in search of an Elk he came up on 3 bulls near the Vanderbilt area. Good fortune was graced upon Jeremy that day, as temperatures being in the low 30’s were just right for a light dusting of tracking snow that morning. He had chosen the area for a hunt based on sighting rumors. The task just to locate an animal was no small feat as, despite its great size, an animal of this kind can easily cover many square miles especially when pursued by a diligent hunter. The shot was well placed and the large bull Elk dropped to the ground - a clean, professional kill. Congratulations Jeremy! He took the bull down with a single shot through the neck with his .280 rifle.
With the help of GTB Conservation Officers Bob Duty and Lakota Raphael, the three men had to drag the animal about 400 yards to a dirt road. Jeremy reports that due to the heavy weight they could go about 20 yards at a time and then they needed to rest. Warden and Chief Conservation Officer Captain Bill Bailey will be scoring the kill according to national standards and we’ll try to get the statistics to share.
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Priest and Hermit
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AND NOW THE REST OF THE STORY “PRIEST AND HERMIT” Last month (December) the beginning of this story was reprinted from an old newspaper story first publish 1898. To recap, imagine you awoke after nearly freezing to death in a snow bank in the hills of Leelanau peninsula, pounded down flat by a harsh winter storm. You have been saved by your native attendant, “Washtenaw” . . . Both of you have been given shelter by the Hermit but of course you haven’t a clue where you are or who you are with maybe you don’t even care. The priest, having recovered consciousness, showed no curiosity as to his surrounding, but was constantly dropping into a doze and as often starting up out of it. Washtenaw produced their frozen luncheon, but he and dog were the only ones who cared to eat. The hermit, apparently able to see in the dark, handed the Indian a thick blanket, rolled himself up in another, and soon seemed to be asleep – at least he did not speak again until morning. The Indian at first kept faithful watch beside the priest, but before long he, too, succumbed to the fatigues of the day and fell into a sound sleep. Christmas morning dawned bright, peaceful and beautiful, as if no storm had raged the day before. The hermit was evidently up betimes, for when Washtenaw was awakened by Father Marcus’ calling for a drink, the snow had already been cleared away for the front of the cabin, and the gray light was struggling in through a small window set in the door of the hut. A fire was also burning in the stove, emitting occasional bursts of smoke: but that was a small matter since the grateful order of boiling coffee mingled with it. Presently the door opened and the hermit came in looking once more like a veritable Santa Claus, his shoulders and fur cap white with snow, and icicles fringing his long beard. He carried a bucket heaped with snow which he proceeded to melt in a large kettle on the stove. “The path to my spring is covered so deep that I have to resort to snow water,” he remarked, as if his guests were quite familiar with his ways and in the habit of “dropping in” on him frequently. After a breakfast consisting of coffee, fried pork and crackers, served in the most primitive fashion, Washtenaw started for Traverse on his snow shoes but the priest, realizing that he could make no headway through the drifts, was forced to accept the invitation of the hermit to stay till Washtenaw should return and report on the condition of the trail. During the greater part of the day the hermit was busy outside, whether hunting or trapping the priest could not determine, for, though he carried a gun he brought back no game. Father Marcus being thus left alone, noted with keen eyes sundry evidences of refined taste in the cabin, and wondered in his own mind that a man of evident culture and intelligence should voluntarily assume such an existence. After a dinner as frugal as the breakfast, priest and hermit sat together for a time in silence. The priest in fancy may have been listening to the joyous ringing of cathedral bells, repeating the glad news of a Savior’s birth; or he may have been thinking of those who so anxiously awaited his coming at the settlement; but who shall say what thoughts and memories surged through the brain of the man beside him? The priest was the first to speak: “Strange that we never discovered that any one lived here in passing by,” he said looking about him with interest. “Not so strange, since I have taken care to leave few traces by which people could find me,” answered the other. “It must be a lonely life,” said the priest, gently after a silence. “I have no love for my fellow-men that I should crave their company,” said the hermit bitterly, fiercely. “Yet there was One, betrayed by his friends, who suffered even unto death, and forgave,” said the priest, softly. “Friend I know not, neither do I ask, what your trouble may be – that it must be grievous I know, to drive one of your culture away from his fellow men to a wilderness like this, and an existence whose loneliness you know too well. But, let me entreat you, consider well what you are dooming yourself to, before it is too late to recover lost ground. Man, like the soil, speedily reverts to savagery, when he neglects the cultivation of the best that is in him.” “Yet you, too, have renounced the society of your equals to cast your lot among savages,” said the hermit, looking at him curiously. “Ah, my friend, pardon me, if I remind you of the difference
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between an exile because of hatred for one’s fellow beings, and one that is borne for the sake of doing good – of bringing light to some benighted soul, perchance of bringing into the fold of the Holy Church some who might otherwise be committed to deeds of violence and crime. But even so, it means loneliness and isolation to one used to intellectual pursuits.” The hermit arose to put more snow into the kettle, and the priest, noticing a blue army overcoat hanging from a peg in the wall, asked, “Were you also in the army?” “For three years,” answered the other. “It was a bitter struggle. God be praised that it is over at last. What anxiety your friends must have suffered on your account and with what joy they must have welcomed you home.” The hermit smiled strangely: “I never went back.” “Never went back to your home?” questioned the priest in astonishment. “Had you no friends, no loved ones waiting for you?” “Yes, all that a man holds dear – home and wife and friends – were mine when I went away.” “Do they know of the life you are living now?” “God Forbid.” “And you have let them believe you dead all this time? Ah, but that is cruel.” “You do not hesitate to condemn,” said the hermit harshly. “Yet why do I wonder? You do not know my provocation.” The priest appeared not to notice the hermit’s manner. “How could you be certain of anything if you never went back?” he asked. “Rumor is a frail thing to wreck one’s happiness on.” The hermit again looked at the priest curiously. “One would almost think you were acquainted with the circumstances,” he said. “The human heart is much the same wherever found,” returned the priest, “and we have many wounded ones to deal with. It would give me great joy this Christmas day, if I could be the means of inducing you to return to that life of usefulness among your fellow men for which you are evidently so much better fitted that for the sordid, narrow existence of a hermit. And, believe me in time happiness would follow.” “Christmas! Is this Christmas day? I have kept no track of dates,” said the hermit, dropping his head between his hands. The dog came and laid his head upon his master’s knee, looking up at him with sorrowful, wistful eyes: but he received no token of recognition. The priest with closed eyes once more fell into a reverie, and so they sat silently, while another night closed around them. The next day Washtenaw returned with a party of young men provided with sleds and buffalo robes, and Father Marcus was borne in triumph, by strong and willing hands, to the settlement. The hermit had gone away early in the day. “Should they come for you before I return,” he had said, “do not hesitate to leave the cabin alone – no one will molest it.” Father Marcus suspected that he did not intend to return till after his departure, and so it proved. When, some two or three weeks later, the priest passed that way on his return to Pashawba-town, the path to the hermit’s dwelling was again drifted level, and Father Marcus did not stop. Later, in the spring, coming by, he sought the cave, wondering how it had fared with the hermit; but the cabin was empty and bare, except for the old stove and a few rusty utensils and its former occupant was gone. Nearly a year passed by when one day Father Marcus received a letter from a distant eastern city. “I owe you a debt of gratitude,” it said, “which I can never hope to pay. At a critical time in my life you turned my thoughts in a right direction. The hatred and bitterness in my heart were fast bringing me down to the level of that which my better nature despises. But for you, I shudder to think how degraded I might have become. I had allowed my mind to be poisoned by false reports, and in my arrogant pride I asked for no proofs. It was God’s mercy that sent you to me before it was too late to repair some of the wrong that I had done. Your words cut into my consciousness like knives, and though they made me surer, it was unto life.” “But for the memory of my injustice and cruelty I should now be the happiest of men. I had no right to expect to be taken back to the heart I had so grossly wronged, but I found it loving and tender as ever, and ready to forgive.
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WOMEN
SUPPORTING WOMEN THURSDAYS: 5:30PM-6:30PM MEDICINE LODGE LIGHT SNACK PROVIDED CONTACT: SEQUETTA BRAND@231-866-6209 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION / ANIISHNABEK FAMILY SERVICES
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JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
Prepare Yourself
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2016
Car and Emergency Checklist
Food and Safety Checklist Have a week’s worth of food and safety supplies. If you live far from other people, have more supplies
Minimize travel, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your vehicle:
on hand. Make sure you have the following supplies: Drinking water Canned/no-cook food (bread, crackers, dried fruits)
•
Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
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Shovel
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Windshield scraper
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Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
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Flashlight with extra batteries
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Water
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Snack food
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Extra hats, coats, and mittens
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Blankets
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Chains or rope
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Tire chains
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Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency
Non-electric can opener Baby food and formula (if baby in the household) Prescription drugs and other medicine First-aid kit Rock-salt to melt ice on walkways Supply of cat litter or bag of sand to add traction on walkways Flashlight and extra batteries
tire repair
Battery-powered lamps or lanterns
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Road salt and sand
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Booster cables
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Emergency flares
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Bright colored flag or help signs
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First aid kit
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Tool kit
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Road maps
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Compass
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Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water
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Paper towels
Heating Checklist
(To prevent the risk of fire, avoid using candles.)
Cooking and Lighting Checklist
Turning on the stove for heat is not safe; have at least
Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns.
one of the following heat sources in case the power
Never use charcoal grills or portable gas camp stoves
goes out: o
indoors. The fumes are deadly.
Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter
Avoid using candles as these can lead to house fires.
coats o
Fireplace with plenty of dry firewood or a gas log fireplace
o
Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters
Check with your local fire department to make sure that kerosene heaters are legal in your area. Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near
If you do use candles, never leave lit candles alone.
Water Checklist
Keep a water supply. Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes break.
water.
Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip
Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
continuously.
Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture
Keep the indoor temperature warm.
and drapes.
Allow more heated air near pipes. Open kitchen
Have the following safety equipment: o
Chemical fire extinguisher
o
Smoke alarm in working order (Check prior to
cabinet doors under the kitchen sink. If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from
winter storm season and change batteries, if
an electric hair dryer.
needed.) o
Carbon monoxide detector (Check prior to winter
If you cannot thaw your pipes, or if the pipes
storm season and change batteries, if needed.)
have broken open, use bottled water or get
Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the
water from a neighbor’s home.
garage, or near the air intake of your home because of
Fill the bathtub or have bottled water on hand.
the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
In an emergency, if no other water is available,
Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet.
snow can be melted for water. Bringing water to
Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could
a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs
ignite.
but won’t get rid of chemicals sometimes found
Use individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords to plug in other appliances.
in snow.
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n –
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Protect the Community
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CONSUMER COMPLAINT INFORMATION DO NOT wire funds (e.g. Western Union), Or buy/rent “sight unseen” To Avoiding Scams Deal locally, Face-to-Face Following this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts. Do not extend payment to anyone you have not met in person. Beware offers involving shipping - deal with locals you can meet in person. Never wire funds (e.g. Western Union) - anyone who asks you to is a scammer. Don’t accept cashier/certified checks or money orders banks cash fakes, then hold you responsible. Transactions are between users only, no third party provides a “guarantee”. Never give out financial info (bank account, social security, paypal account, etc). Do not rent or purchase sight-unseen—that amazing “deal” may not exist. Refuse background/credit checks until you have met landlord/employer in person. Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts? United States Internet Fraud Complaint Center FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC FTC complaint form and hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) Consumer Sentinel/Military (for armed service members and families) SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting (Ohio only) Ohio Attorney General Consumer Complaints Michigan: Office of the Attorney General New Complaints May Be Filed On-Line https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx On-Line Filing Instructions All complaints and inquiries should be submitted using our On-line Consumer Complaint/Inquiry form. When you submit the form you will immediately be informed of your Web File Number. Make a record of this number. To file a written complaint by mail or fax go to: Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Form Be sure to include the address and telephone number of the business you are complaining about, as well as your home address and telephone number. Accurate fax numbers and e-mail addresses will expedite the processing of your complaint. Complaint details: Describe your problem, what attempts you have made to correct it, and how you would like to have the problem resolved.
It is very important that you include copies of documents that relate to your complaint. Examples: warranties, bills, guarantees, contracts, invoices, checks (both sides), etc. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. Please make certain your documents have some identifying information (Web File Number, Attorney General file number, or your name and date) so that we are able to match your information with your complaint. All documents should be on 8-1/2” x 11” single-sided paper. You may send documents that relate to your complaint as follows:
Consumer Protection Division P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909-7713 Linda Stewart| Law Enforcement Administrative Assistant
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Congratulations Loi Chambers recognized for her 20 years of service
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
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State officials emphasize need for vaccination following recent chickenpox outbreaks LANSING, Mich. – Following recent reports of varicella outbreaks around the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is advising parents to make sure their children are up to date on vaccinations against the disease, also known as chickenpox. Outbreaks have been reported in recent weeks in Grand Traverse, Calhoun, Muskegon, and Wayne counties, and have involved mainly unvaccinated children in school settings. Several of the cases that have been reported were hospitalized. “Since the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine 20 years ago, the immunization has greatly reduced the incidence of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths related to the disease. Michigan has seen a 97 percent decline in chickenpox in that time,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with MDHHS. “The best thing you can do to protect your loved ones and community against chickenpox is to make sure your family is immunized.” Optimal protection in a community occurs when everyone who can be vaccinated, is vaccinated. Immunization against varicella and several other vaccine-preventable diseases is required for school entry in Michigan. However, parents have the option to waive the requirement through their local health department.
Also known as varicella, chickenpox is caused by a virus in the herpes virus family and is characterized by an itchy, blistery rash. The rash may be preceded or accompanied by fever, tiredness, headache, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox is highly contagious, with the virus spreading easily through coughing, sneezing, and other contact with respiratory secretions. Like other herpesfamily viruses, this virus has the capability to remain in the body indefinitely as a latent infection and reactivate later in life. When the chickenpox virus reactivates it causes a painful condition called shingles, also known as zoster. Chickenpox can be variable, ranging from mild with few “pox” lesions to very severe illness requiring hospitalization. Complications such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, and meningitis are more likely in adolescent and adult age groups. Before the licensure and routine use of the vaccine, there were an estimated 4 million cases annually, with about 11,000 hospitalizations and an average of about 100 chickenpox-related deaths each year in the United States. Studies have shown the recommended 2-dose series given in childhood is somewhere between 89 percent and 98 percent effective in preventing any mild-to-moderate chickenpox disease and 100 percent effective in preventing severe chickenpox. ###
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Medicine Lodge Staff to serve your needs this Year 2016. Happy New Year to all, Don’t Forget, Your Health and the Medicine Lodge Staff have a date, if not please don’t hesitate to call for an appointment, a confirmation, a consultation, or simply if you want answers to your questions. You are at the center of our focus, questions about your health are best answered by our professional staff so please don’t hesitate to call, we are here to service you.
Sandra Bennett and Mikki Pino show their winning hands that brought them the highest honors of Euchre Tournament Play at our Annual Staff meeting. This beautiful photo was taken by Councilor Mark Wilson. Miigwetch
A birthday shout out to my son Niigaanii Twocrow he turned 14 on December 29,2015. Love You Mom
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Benodjenh Center Staff are dedicated to giving your children success in their lives and in your family circle. We are inviting the community to help provide our children with the most successful New Year this 2016. Together we are building a stronger community sharing our strengths we can move towards a secure future and healthy children. COME JOIN IN WITH US - BRING YOUR CHILDREN ASK ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND THEIR CHILDREN TOO. As we make our way into the holiday season we have had many fun activities and events going on at Benodjenh. Wednesday, December 16, 2015 we had a great turnout for our Arts and Crafts Family Dinner. Our cook, Rick Klumb prepared, as always, a fabulous dinner for our families. Dinner was followed by a variety of arts and crafts that even the parents were asking for directions how to do at home. As a way to thank our parents for all they do for their children, as well as for our staff, we made Sugar Scrubs for each parent to take home. They were very appreciative and one mom told me she was going to use it as soon as she got home! Thursday, December 17. 2015 Santa
visited the center. The children were excited to see him and each received a book from Santa. Staff alway enjoy watching the smiles on the children’s faces so a fun time was had by all. Families coming together to play, learn, enjoying time together is what community is all about. Several Tribal departments will be working together to bring you all a series of family engagement activities. Activities are being planned for the months of February and March. The final event will be a “Family Carnival” with many activities planned, such as games, digital storytelling, nutrition activities, technology, and maybe some do-it-yourself building ideas. More information will be in February’s Newsletter. Stay tuned…
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
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Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Visit our website Our website can be found at: http://nafws.org
DANCE The Bayside Travellers Dance Society will host a contra-dance on Saturday January 9th at Twin Lakes - Gilbert Lodge, 6800 N. Long Lake Rd, Traverse City. There will be live music by the band, Woodland Celtic. All dances will be called and taught by Dave Goodwin. Everyone is welcome, no partner or experience is needed. If you haven’t contra-danced before, plan to arrive at 7:00 for a lesson before the dancing begins. Youth must be accompanied by and supervised by an adult. 7:00-7:45 – Introduction to Contra-dance. Beginners, come for a free lesson. The dance will be a lot more fun if you know what you’re doing! 8:00-11:00 – Contra dance Adult - $11, Student w. ID - $7, Members - $9 For more information about Bayside Travellers, or contra-dancing go to: www.dancetc.com , email: tccaller@yahoo.com or call: 231-3132596
SANTA HELPERS
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n –
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Elders January Birthdays NameFirst Maria Leroy Rosemary Dale Diane Russell Elizabeth Bonita Jeanette Linda Rita Edward Glen Aileen
Tradition, s Science join to combat emerald ash borer By: ERIC FREEDMAN AND CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE - What can happen when scientific
research and traditional Native American cultural practices combine to combat an environmental threat? When the topic is the destructive emerald ash borer the results of collaboration may point the way to reducing the spread of the invasive insect that’s decimated hundreds of millions of ash in the Great Lakes region and beyond. The collaboration showed how the traditional practice of submerging black ash logs until they’re ready to use for basket-making can kill borer larvae and prevent adults from emerging. On a large scale, “this control method has limited application” but it’s significant for tribes with a black ash basketmaking heritage, said U.S. Forest Service research entomologist Therese Poland, the project leader and lead author of a new study. “This gives the tribes a tool to continue using black ash for basket-making” while scientists investigate potential “landscape-level” strategies to combat the borer, said Poland, who is based in East Lansing, Michigan. Forest Service and U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service scientists collaborated on the research with basket-makers from the Match-ebe-nash-she-wish (Gun Lake) Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan based in Allegan County. The emerald ash borer originated in Asia and was first discovered in North America in 2002 near Detroit. Since then, scientists have discovered no effective techniques to eliminate it or control it on a large scale although there is an effective treatment for individual trees. So far, it’s been detected in 25 states and parts of Canada, including Ontario and Quebec, and has wiped out hundreds of millions of trees — with tens of millions in Michigan alone, said Deborah McCullough, a forest entomologist at Michigan State University. “Nobody can count fast enough,” McCullough said of the death toll. She’s been working with traditional basketmakers researching the borer since it was first identified in the state but wasn’t part of the team that wrote the new study. And so far, the most effective method found to control the borer is injecting individual trees with insecticides, a technique that’s feasible for ash along city streets, in small parks and on residential property. However, large-scale biological controls for trees in the wild — wetlands, such as the habitat for most black ash
NameLast Harper Hall Johnson Peters Gingway Bailey Crockett Thompson Schwandt Madagame Trudeau Maleski Miller Wright
B-Day 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 2-Jan 2-Jan 3-Jan 3-Jan 3-Jan 3-Jan 4-Jan 4-Jan 4-Jan 4-Jan 4-Jan
— are yet to be discovered. But the new study emphasized how the borer also threatens to eliminate a resource essential to long-standing tribal traditions. American Indian and Canadian First Nations peoples have used black ash for centuries. “Today, black ash basket-making is central to a cultural renaissance among tribes in the region and to the household economies of skilled Native artisans.” The practice “links living members of families with each other, as well as their ancestors and their environment,” it said. The Michigan Traditional Arts Program has given Michigan Heritage Awards (http:// museum.msu.edu/s-program/mh_awards/ mha.html) to tribal basket-makers from Haslett, Harbor Springs, Hopkins, Allegan, Mt. Pleasant, Hubbard Lake, Sault Ste. Marie and Hartford for their efforts to continue folk traditions. There are four common ash species in the state, and McCullough said, “Black ash is the most vulnerable species the ash borer has encountered to date, and we don’t have many good options for them.” The study said, “Although efforts to collect black ash seed may help to preserve genetic material for future restoration, there is grave concern about the availability of large black ash trees for basket making in the near future with respect to passing on cultural traditions.” Native Americans often cut black ash in the winter and spring and submerge the logs for several weeks to a year to retain moisture and provide raw material for basket-making year-round. In their two-year study, researchers submerged borer-infested logs for varying amounts of time and at different times of year in Michigan’s Red Cedar River in Ingham County. After retrieving the logs, they then studied them to determine whether any borer larvae had survived. They discovered that keeping logs in a stream for at least 14 weeks during the spring and for at least 18 weeks during the winter kills all the larvae and prevent adults from emerging. And project leader Poland said submerging the logs for as long as a year and a half doesn’t damage their usefulness for making baskets. The study said the project illustrates the value of meshing scientific and traditional knowledge to seek solutions to environmental problems.. The study appeared in the journal Agricultural and Forest Entomology. This story was produced by Capital News Service
17 Gary Alvin Kathryn Leonard Dora James Ralph Gerald Arnold Michael Clarence Elsie Clara Philamene Gloria Tracy Carolyn John Beatrice Marian Francis Eleanor Dorothy Dale George Timothy Sharron William Victoria Kevin Brent Mary Theodore John Kenneth Valerie Lena Donna Shirley Douglas Rudolph Jeffrey Mary Cordell John Dennis Deniese Anna Lillian Ernestine Dorothy Marion Frances Joseph Bertha Ronald Pauline Jerry Wayne Diane Pauline Sandra Juanita Joseph Leslie Joseph Rex Susan Robert James Thomas John
Smith Genaux Wehner Yannott Eastman Sikes Miller Luskey Bennett Reed Alexander Dudley Braun King Johnson Gower Fochtman Kughman Bachman Rivas Weese Katchenago Heimark Jacko Brown Farling Schneider Church Johns Ance Williams Nickerson Tyler Bennett Reed Williams Smith Day Roberts Reed Bailey Menefee Nightengale Landreville McSauby Esquivel Fay Harwood Miller Dunaway Johnson Gedeon Clark Robertson Spafard Jeffrey Koon Chupp Bailey MacMahon Boivin Easterling Yohe Lewis Antoine Wayashe Reed Emerson Landerville Chambers LaVanway Porter
5-Jan 5-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan 8-Jan 9-Jan 9-Jan 10-Jan 10-Jan 10-Jan 10-Jan 10-Jan 11-Jan 11-Jan 13-Jan 13-Jan 14-Jan 14-Jan 15-Jan 15-Jan 15-Jan 15-Jan 16-Jan 16-Jan 16-Jan 16-Jan 17-Jan 17-Jan 17-Jan 18-Jan 18-Jan 19-Jan 19-Jan 20-Jan 20-Jan 21-Jan 21-Jan 22-Jan 22-Jan 23-Jan 23-Jan 23-Jan 23-Jan 23-Jan 24-Jan 24-Jan 24-Jan 24-Jan 25-Jan 25-Jan 25-Jan 26-Jan 26-Jan 27-Jan 27-Jan 27-Jan 27-Jan 28-Jan 28-Jan 29-Jan 29-Jan 29-Jan 29-Jan 30-Jan 30-Jan 31-Jan 31-Jan 31-Jan
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SANTA HELPERS
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
2016
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n –
12-16-15 Philomena King was first place winner in the ladies pool tournament, 2nd Benzie coordinator Gloria Ptak & 3rd Florine Yannot.
12-16-15. First place winner for the men for all site pool tournament was: Laverne Scott, 2nd Wally Hall & 3rd Rudy Bailey
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12-17-15 Top winner for elders all site euchre was: Bill Beaver, 2nd Anthony Sineway & tied for third were Bernice Sineway, Elsie Duddley & Joyce Jensen.
Happy “46” Anniversary, December 27, to my husband, Jim Ptak. Love Gloria
PLEASE JOIN US ELDER’S ADVISORY ORGANIZATION FUNDRAISER
Indian Taco
SALE THURSDAY, JAN 14TH 11 A.M. UNTIL 2 P.M. $5.00 EACH DELIVERIES CALL: PESHAWBESTOWN: 534-4889 3 MILE OFFICE: 492-3200 IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!!
12-7-15. December birthdays celebrated in Benzie were: Left to right.. Mary Guiney, Arnold Fluette. Tony & Bernice Sineway, Bill Beaver & Robbin Raphael.
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Elder Calendar
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
Suttons Bay Basketball Athletes Extraordinary, Talented, Powerful Individuals who together represent the new face of sports, equality in spirit, destined to achieve new heights in teamwork.
2016
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n –
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Elder Calendar
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Everyone had a wonderful time at our annual holiday bazaar last month. We had lots of great vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus were here, and the weather was beautiful!
We had our first wedding ceremony at Eyaawing last month! Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs!
Please remember to fill out the traditional skills surveys if you haven’t already! If you complete your survey and send it in or submit it online you will be entered to win one of two Pendleton blankets! If you have misplaced your paper copy, the survey can be accessed online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ GTBSURVEY Miigwetch! Beading students in Krystina’s classes are learning many skills and have been enjoying making their projects.
Find us on Facebook! Scan the code below or go to: www.facebook.com/ eyaawingmuseum
Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center & Odawa Gamik Open to the Public WEDNESDAY SATURDAY 10A.M. - 4 P.M.
Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year from Eyaawing Museum!
Chi Miigwetch to Freddy Raphael for teaching hand drum making classes at Eyaawing, 3 Mile Office, Benzie Office, and the Charlevoix Office. All the boys who participated had a wonderful time and went home with a hand drum and drumstick.
@EyaawingMuseum
Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center Contact Information
2304 N. West Bay Shore Drive Peshawbestown, MI 49682 Mailing Address: 2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682 Director: Cindy Winslow (231) 534-7764 Curator/Archivist: Kellie J. Barton (231) 534-7768 Cindy.winslow@gtbindians.com — Kellie.barton@gtbindians.com — http://www.gtbindians.org/eyaawing.asp
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It’s A Small World - After All
Shishmaref, Alaska, will soon disappear. A remote village in the Arctic, Shishmaref is on the frontline of climate change, and its residents are feeling the effects daily -- not only on their lives but their culture. 17-year-old Arctic Youth Ambassador Easu Sinnok shares the impacts he’s experienced in his lifetime and why we all need to work together to #ActOnClimate.
Payson Wolf in Cross Village in Emmet County. Payson Wolf was a member of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, Company K of the American Civil War. He had lived in both Northport and Cross Village after the war. He was captured during the war and survived Andersonville confederate prison. Photo Credit and donation goes to Jane Cardinal of Harbor Springs.
12/8/2015
My World Interrupted Esau Sinnok, Arctic Youth Ambassador Close your eyes and picture your best memory with your family and friends. If you’re like me, that memory is filled with the warmth and comfort of a familiar home. I hope that, unlike me, you are never asked to put a price on that home because of the effects of climate change. Welcome to Shishmaref, Alaska, population: 650. We’re a small Iñupiaq community where everyone knows each other. Shishmaref is a barrier island that has been eroding and flooding for the past 50 years -- even before disruption from climate change was widely recognized. Over the past 35 years, we’ve lost 2,500 to 3,000 feet of land to coastal erosion. To put this in perspective: I was born in 1997, and since then, Shishmaref has lost about 100 feet. In the past 15 years, we had to move 13 houses -- including my dear grandma Edna’s house -- from one end of the island to the other because of this loss of land. Within the next two decades, the whole island will erode away completely. During my lifetime, I’ve seen unusual weather patterns that villagers have never witnessed before. It rained during winter last year and ice formation is coming later in the year. My grandfather remembers when 30-35 years ago ice used to form fully in late September or the middle of October. It is December, and the ice barely formed enough for us to safely cross it. The lack of ice has affected our hunting, fishing and other traditions. We use handmade wooden boats to hunt and fish in the surrounding areas of Shishmaref as well as snowmachines to get around in the winter time. Every year it gets harder and harder to collect enough meat for the winter. Tomcod and whitefish are a large part of our winter diet, but since the ice forms later in the year, it’s more difficult for us to gather enough food. Our village is so remote that it is only accessible by airplane, and we only get fresh food products from other parts of Alaska every one to two months. If we can’t hunt and fish to feed ourselves in the winter, we will starve. In 2001, my people voted to relocate along the coast of mainland Alaska, but the estimated cost is $200-250 million. The reality of moving is very complicated. There is not enough funding for relocation efforts. And even though we made this decision, everyone wants to stay -- especially the older generations who have spent their whole lives in Shishmaref. But we realize we have no choice. It really hurts knowing that your only home is going to be gone, and you won’t hunt, fish and carry on traditions the way that your people have done for centuries. It is more than a loss of place, it is a loss of identity. Once you see how vulnerable my community is to sea-level rise and erosion, you won’t be able to deny that Arctic communities are already feeling the impacts of climate change.
Despite this reality, I appreciate every day that I get to wake up and see the scenery that’s still here and that I’m able to call this place home. For now. While it’s too late to save the island of Shishmaref, we still have a little bit of hope that we’ll be able to preserve our traditions and stay united as a culture.
That’s why I am determined to speak up for my community.
This year, I became an Arctic Youth Ambassador -- a program started by the Interior and State Departments in partnership with Alaska Geographic. It gives Alaskan youth the chance to share our perspectives on issues in our communities. As an ambassador, I not only attend the Arctic Council meetings, but I’m also invited to travel with the Arctic Council. This week, I am in Paris, France, for the United Nations climate talks. It’s only the second time in my life that I have left Alaska, and it’s been a powerful experience. This week, I met with Secretary Jewell and other indigenous people. This meeting gave me insight into how issues of the Arctic and climate change are being handled by our world leaders. My reason for attending the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris -- COP21 -- is to tell leaders that climate change is affecting the Arctic more than other places of the world, and if the ice in Greenland melts, these villages and islands will be under water. I hope that world leaders will hear my message and rise to the challenge because it is not just a political issue to me. It’s my future.
Learn more about U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Arctic Youth Ambassor program at https://www.facebook.com/arcticyouthambassadors.
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2016
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon –
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GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS LIFE LONG LEARNING ELEMENTARY:
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY
Blair (4)
January
Central Grade 1) Cherry Knoll (2) Courtade (3) Eastern (3) Fife Lake (1)
Long Lake (1) Montessori Glenn Loomis (1)
Traverse City Area Public Schools:
Monday, January 11th
Monday, January 25th
January Birthdays!
Interlochen (1) Kingsley (4 Title VII)
Board of Education Meetings
Veronica Spears—Jan. 6th Jillian Avis—Jan. 10th
6pm @ Boardman Building
Kingsley Area Schools:
Monday, January 11th 7pm @ High School Library
New Campus (1)
Abigail Wabanimkee—Jan.20th
Old Mission (1)
Billy Wilson—Jan. 20th
College Campus Visits
Silver Lake (2)
Wab Bussey—Jan. 21st
Coming in Spring...
Traverse Heights (10) Westwoods (1) Willow Hill (3)
Evan Carew—Jan.23rd
1) Kendall College of Art & Design
Abbey Coger—Jan. 24th
MIDDLE SCHOOLS: TC East (14)
2) Michigan State University
Greenspire School (2)
Mnodibishkaa!!!
Kingsley (3 Title VII) St. Elizabeth (1)
Winter Sport Athletes
TC West (7)
HIGH SCHOOLS: TC Central (18) Kitchi Minogining (5)
Jada Koon, Varsity Girls’ Basketball: West Senior High McKayla Heintzelman, JV Girls’ Basketball: West Senior High
Kitchi Minogining (7)
Miigwaahns Barrientoz, Freshmen Boys’ Basketball: West Senior High
Interlochen School of Arts (1)
Zoie Shomin, 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball: East Middle School
TC High (9) TC West (13)
Tuesday, May 17th
STUDENT OF THE MONTH &
Skylah Lundwall, Dance Team: Central High School
Kingsley (5 Title VII)
St. Francis (2)
Tuesday, April 12th
Aivree Raphael, 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball: West Middle School Izzy Raphael, 6th Grade Girls’ Basketball: West Middle School
PERFECT ATTENDANCE Congratulations to MONTANA ANDERSON, a Junior a West Senior High School and Career Tech Center for being named Student of the Quarter AND being recognized as having perfect attendance at the Career Tech Center!
Timothy Stark | Youth Intervention Specialist | P: 231.534.7754 | F: 231.534.7773 | The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians |
Charlevoix Life Long Learning Newsletter
STRONGHEART CENTER IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Photo: Charlevoix Indian Education Title VII Honorees Karen Dickinson, Karen Rockafellow, Connie Marshall, Darlene Schmidt. Photo: Anthony Kewagshken Cultural Art Exhibit Miigwiitch Tyvin Whittaker Youth Intervention Specialist /Youth Empowerment TREK Coordinator
Starting in January 2016 “tribal member’s need to bring in Tribal Id and fill out membership application” we are updating our system to be able to scan with key tags as individuals come in. This is for everyone, Tribal & non-tribal.
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Old Traditions Had Meaning
Indian Camp Meeting Has Background in Culture of Sharing
Thanks to Vicki Wilson for transcribing this newspaper article dated August 14, 1972 – Art Dembinski A seven-day Indian camp meeting was conducted last week between Northport and Omena. Nobody knows for sure whether this is the 149th or 150th of these annual meetings, though it is certainly over 100. The rally was not sponsored by the Chippewas, the Ottawa or the Pottawattomies, once the most populous tribe in Leelanau County. Instead the Methodist Church of the Northport Indian Mission, between Northport and Leland sponsored the event. The old Indian burial ground connected with the Methodist Church was not discussed, nor was the Peshawbestown’s “Pow Wow” affiliated with the camp meeting. Instead the group discussed Christian ethics and the theology of John and Charles Wesley. Leelanau County’s Indians, their language, and their culture have been assimilated into America’s “melting pot.” Several participants in last week’s camp meeting help illustrate the evolution of this assimilation. Until he was 11 years old, Oscar Williams spoke nothing but Ottawa. Then he was taken to the “Indian Trade School” in Mount Pleasant for five years. “We had to speak English there, even though we didn’t know how to” said Williams, a semi-retired Traverse City painter. “We stayed in dormitories, got up early, lined up, saluted the flag, sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ went to school, then repeated the same ritual in the evening.” Williams, 71, a full-blooded Ottawa, said he has never resented his exposure to the English-speaking culture. “Though we never sang our Ottawa songs during that five years,” he said, “most of us kept our language and talked Indian at home. Some of our teachers were Indian and would break into the language when we didn’t understand some point they were trying to make.” “Williams said he took the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad home from Mount Pleasant to Northport only once during his five years at the school, when he father was seriously ill. He recalls there were many Indians in northern Leelanau County when he was a child. “There were at least 50 families here when I was a kid,” he said. “There were three denominations, Methodist, Congregational, and Catholic, and we all got along pretty good.”
JAN UARY / Manido o G iizis – S pir it Moon – The major events of the day centered around the church, rather than the tribe, though there were tribal leaders, he said. “Chief Wasakum, who was supposed to be 123 when he died, was an inspiration to all the young Indians in the church,” he recalled. “There used to be tents all the way around the church at camp meeting time and that was when we built the first tabernacle out there.” The original tabernacle, built without footings, soon collapsed and for many years there were only shacks around the campground to hold meetings in, Williams recalled. The new building, a covered open-air tabernacle is on Camp Haven road south of Northport. “The five acres our campground is on were given to the Indians by the McMacken family back in the 1800s,” he said, “under the stipulation that we hold camp meetings there every year for at least 100 years. We held those meetings and got the deed back in the 1920s I guess.” Where there were 50 families a half-century ago, there are now only five or 10, he said. “We only have five families in our church now. Some of the other Indians only go to church here or at the Catholic Church in Peshawbestown when somebody dies and there’s a funeral to go to. This place is packed full when somebody dies.” Williams is active in the 5,000 member Northern Ottawa Association, but is skeptical about the group’s power potential.
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area. “The taxes were not paid on much of this land for many years,” according to Leelanau County Treasurer George Fredrickson. “The land was given up for tax sale, sold to the state, and everntually reverted to the county.” A little more than half of Peshawbestown is county-owned, Fredrickson said, with the remainder belonging to the church, the Suttons bay school system, and private owners. “Since this is county land now, Indians are allowed to live on it with no questions asked,: he said. “It would be returned to the State Dept. of Natural Resources if it were not longer used in this way.” Some of the privately-owned property is owned by Indians, Fredrickson reported, and they are required to pay taxes on it like any other property owners. “There is no connection between Peshawbestown and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or any other federal agency,” said Helen Korsen, Leelanau County Register of Deeds. “Some people think it’s a federal reservation or settlement, but it never has been. The county owns this land specifically for the Indians’ use. The tribal council in Petoskey is in regular contact with the BIA, she added, but Leelanau County is only part of a unit represented by that tribal council. Leelanau County is par of unit two, along with Grand Traverse and Benzi counties.
“We met in Petoskey again this year the second week of June. Our tribal council discusses what the government owes us, how we might get it, and what we’ll do if we don’t get it. The government has only promised $10 million, which would be $2,000 apiece, but I doubt we’ll ever get it. Since we were given citizenship and the right to vote in 1924, many probably think that’s enough.”
Most of the area’s Indians have abandoned their ties with old Indian culture, Williams said.
Williams is concerned about passing the Indian culture and language on to future generations.
He mentioned “evil magic” types of religion which thrived as recently as 25-30 years ago.
“Most of the young people don’t understand Indian,” he said, “and those that do usually make no effort to communicate in it. I’m afraid that after I’m gone, Ottawa will disappear around Northport. There is no one who will learn it in this area.” Williams still owns 15 of the 80 acres his grandparents had near Northport. “In 1855, the government gave each married Indian 80 acres and each single Indian 40,” he said. Most of this land was either squandered or mortgaged away, so there are very few of us who still have any of it. It was great fun for the Indian to borrow money, but when he couldn’t pay it back, he lost his land.” Peshawbestown, an Indian settlement north of Suttons Bay, is an example of what happened to some other Indian land in the
“There were Indian lodges, like the Masons and Oddfellows,” he called. “My grandmother belonged to one of these and the only requirements for membership that I remember were that you had to be real clean living.”
“There were some bad Indians who could use medicine to turn themselves into animals,” he said. Indians called it ‘bearwalk’ which meant ‘evil stuff.’ Two people claimed to see a fire-breathing dog near Omena and another saw his grandmother change from a bird into a human being. This kind of thing is best left forgotten.” There is an active movement in this county to revive other aspects of the old Indian religion and life styles. “This movement is not to be confused with newly-organized groups like Traverse City’s ‘Young Indians’ who are trying to help Indians find jobs and regain self-confidence.” Williams said. An Indian evangelist in Northport for last week’s camp meeting explained a few of the trends in Indian thought.
JA NUA RY / Ma n i d oo G iizis – S pirit Mo o n – “This ‘nishnawbe’ movement is typical of how the young Indian thinks today,” said Aylmer N. Plain, former chief of the Sarnia (Ont.) Chippewa Reserve. They say that the Great Spirit put us here to run free and find what was put here to eat. We are greatly indebted to the earth and must never do anything to harm it.”
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“This movement is not to be confused with newlyorganized groups like Traverse City’s ‘Young Indians’ who are trying to help Indians find jobs and regain self-confidence.” Williams said.
He said that the Indian nature rebels against the role Indians have been forced to play in American society, but that only the young ones are beginning to revolt actively. When you are compelled to subsist on welfare, to receive something for nothing, your inborn desire to be self-sufficient is either knocked out of you or stimulated,” he said. “The Indian has naturally felt that there is no need to pile up materials or property because the young have traditionally taken care of the old.”
Camp Meeting Notes 1972
Hunters always stopped first at the wigwams of the elderly, he said, because the herbs, wild rice, sturgeon and deer belonged to everyone just like the land and sunshine did. “Young Indians resent very much hearing how close their ancestors were to the land and to each other,” he said. “They feel they have been made ‘rubber stamps’ of the white society who don’t care about each other anymore.” This tradition sharing of everything is the background for Indian camp meetings, Plain said. “Hollow trees were marked from place to place for hunters and other travelers,” he said, “and in these trees there was a ‘cache’ of food and other supplies to be used as needed and replaced as possible by those traveling by. These trees became sites of worship, a coming-together ordained by God. Now we have outdoor camp meetings for the same reasons.” Most of Leelanau County’s young Indians leave for the big cities, according to Williams, but a few of them were on hand for last week’s camp meeting. Their affiliations with the old Indian culture seem to be limited to a slight understanding of the language and occasional participation in the Indian activities. “I can understand Indian, so I’ve named one of my cats ‘ka-demni-gut,’ which means colored or ‘little black man’,” said 18-year-old Justine Peters, daughter of an Ottawa woman and Pottawattomie man. “I rarely speak it with my mother or aunts and uncles, though I hope to learn some day.” Her brother Darrel, a recent Northport High School graduate, also understands Ottawa, but claims no particular tie to the Indian culture of the area. “I got a job as park ranger at Sleeping Bear this year,” he said, “and that has inspired me to go to college in forestry or park management. Many of us, though, don’t get the chance to be inspired like this and wind up being afraid to ask for that first job.” Peters anticipates he will being his training in the service, since he has a low lottery number this year. Then he will continue his education, possibly on the GI bill. The young Indians of Leelanau County are not talking about preserving their culture; the elders want it preserved but don’t know how to go about it. “The Italian-Americans and Polish-Americans have the same problem,” one Indian camper noted, “but there’s a better chance they can catch up on their culture later if they want to by reading a book or something.” Try to find a book on the Pottawattomie language sometime... Source: Pages 9 and 10, Monday, August 14, 1972, Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich. 49684 ###
Line 5 Pipeline
The Straits of Mackinac covered in ice is indeed a beautiful sight, one of our state’s greatest treasures glistening in the winter sun. As Featured on Public TV, videos show us the deep connection that historically exists between the island and mainland. When the ice bridge forms travel without a boat becomes a gift of winter. Christmas trees are carefully staged across the ice bridge to mark the snow covered trail to St. Ignace. The ice turns into a highway for the community to portage. The life of the bridge is often brief and sometimes perilous due to shifting ice sheets. Mr. Jim Lively, Executive Director of Groundworks in Traverse City, wrote that recently the sight has left him feeling anxious now that he knows about the two pipelines pumping oil deep underwater. A winter oil spill would make clean-up nearly impossible, yet every day, 23 million gallons of oil continue to pump through the Straits-even through the icy season. Groundwork continues to raise awareness about the risk from the Line 5 pipeline, and they’re putting together a special effort to build business support on this issue to convince elected officials to take action and shut it down. Groundworks is also working hard on a new report that explains why the limited benefits from Line 5 are not worth the risk.
Peter Olson Scholarship Fund This fund was set up to help any Native American Tribal member with the cost of college Please contact Sister Susan Gardner, Director of the Native American Apostolate for the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, for an application form 231-271-6651. Applications are due January 10. The Board of Directors will meet on Jan. 28 to distribute funds to those who meet the requirements.
Mr. Locke will be coming to the LLC Showroom on Friday, Jan 22 for the Natives Got Talent event. Attached is the Promo Event sheet and Mr. Locke’s website http://www.kevinlocke.com Please contact Val Pincumbe should any youth be interested in attending a workshop. You can contact Val at 534-8152 & cell 313-9485.
January 2016
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GTB NEWS
NMC Native American Student Organization
Pot Luck… Bring a dish to pass. Not sure what to bring? Give us a call...
For more information contact: Todd Parker Tparker@nmc.edu 1-231-995-3025 Native American Success Coach Northwestern Michigan College