Volume 22 - No. 3
March 2016 - FREE
This Issue
Elders Spotlight
P. 2
Timber Harvest Benefits
P. 3
St. Croix Tribal Aging Unit
Updates
P. 4
News From Your LCOOCC
Outreach Site
P. 5
St. Croix Chippewa Tribal
American Veterans Update
P. 6
New Construction underway
at the Youth Center
P. 7
Save the Mounds Rally
P. 8
March is National Nutrition
Month
P. 9
P. 10
Mitchell Crowe Jr. Joins Health
Clinic Team
P. 11
ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA OF WISCONSIN
777 U.S. HWY 8 & 63
TURTLE LAKE, WI 54889
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #203
EAU CLAIRE, WI
Job Postings
SURF AND SMASH BASH WILL BENEFIT
DUROCHE FAMILY AND TRIBAL SPECIAL
NEEDS CHILDREN
Looking for a worthwhile family event
for March 5? The Surf and Smash Bash
Benefit at St. Croix Casino Danbury is
just what you’re looking for. You’ll enjoy
a great show featuring Steel Domain
Wrestling and the Big Surf Band and
help children in need at the same time.
Showtime is 7 p.m. with doors opening at
5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5
for children.
In addition to the wrestling show and
the live music, the March 5 Surf and
Smash Bash agenda will include a silent
auction. “Some of our casino vendors
have already contributed amazing
silent auction items,” said St. Croix
Casinos Director of Marketing Jamie
Buck. “Zoe Communications in Shell
Lake has donated Mall of America fun
packages, and we’ve received courtside
Timberwolves tickets from Comcast in
the Twin Cities and Twins tickets from
Fox 9 in the metro area.” Ms. Buck added
that handmade arts and crafts and other
art from Native American artists from all
over the United States and Canada will
be available for sale and auction. “We’re
tremendously excited about the response
we’ve received for this fund-raiser,” Ms.
Buck said.
All proceeds from the Surf and Smash
Bash will benefit the Emmett DuRoche
family of Sandstone, Minn. and the St.
Croix Chippewa tribal children’s special
needs fund.
Emmett DuRoche’s traditional name
is Manidoo Gwiiwizens (Spirit Boy),
meaning he helps others. Here’s why
Emmett’s family needs our help.
Emmett was born July 9, 2014 with
Holoprosencephaly (HoPE), HoPE is
a midline defect that typically happens
during the first few weeks of fetus
formation. The baby’s brain doesn’t
split correctly or have the normal brain
cleavage. Because of his HoPE, Emmett
has epilepsy, a cleft lip and palate,
panhypopituitaryism
(endocrine issues like
thyroid, pituitary, body
temperature regulation
issues and glandular
problems) and frontal
lobe development
issues leading to low
muscle tone and delays
in development of fine
and gross motor skills.
Emmett has a poor
swallow reflex and must
be fed through a G-tube.
Only 1% of babies with
HoPE live to six months
of age. Emmett turned 19
months on February 9.
Emmett takes thyroid
medicine, cortisone and
human growth hormone
injection for endocrine
issues as well as seizure
medications. Emmett was
recently certified by his Epileptologist to
have a certifiable condition, epilepsy, to
be on The State of Minnesota’s Medical
Cannabis Program and Emmett now has
access to CBD Oil as an anticonvulsant
medicine for his epilepsy. The CBD Oil
is proving highly effective but is cost
prohibitive at $600 per month.
The March 5 fundraiser is the latest
in a long line of fund-raising events
the St. Croix Casinos have held for
children with special needs. The casinos
held a month long fundraiser in 2012
and a supplemental holiday fundraiser
in December 2015 for Alannah Gillis
of Webster, a fundraiser for Brennen
Bearheart and his parents Henry and
Courtney in October and November
2013 and since then has hosted numerous
smaller fundraisers for children and
families in need.
“The St. Croix Casinos have a longestablished history of helping children
with special needs,” said casinos CEO
Leva “Dino” Oustigoff, “We invite
everyone to come out on March 5 to help
Emmett and his family with medical
expenses and to ensure that we can
continue to provide assistance to specialneeds children whenever we’re asked to.”
For more information on the Surf and
Smash Bash or to donate silent auction
items, contact Jamie Buck at 1-800-8468946, ext. 3052. For more information on
Emmett DuRoche and his family, browse
Emmett’s Go Fund Me page at https://
www.gofundme.com/emmett_n_ella.
Check out the Surf and Smash event
poster on page 12.
2  March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016
Elders Spotlight
By Phyllis Lowe
SHARON
WILLIAMS
DORA AMMANN
Hi, my name is Dora Ammann (nee
Mosay). I live in Balsam Lake, Wis.
My parents were Archie and Estella
Mosay, nee Wakemeup.
My children are Brooke Mosay and
Anthony Dan.
I attended Balsam Lake Grade School
and Unity High School.
My favorite food is any kind of fish.
We did fun activities when we were
young like skating, skiing, swimming,
softball and going to races. We walked to
Luck Theater for movies.
My first job, right out of high school,
was working for Pearson Candy
Company in St. Paul, Minn.
My favorite TV shows are “Wheel of
Fortune” and “General Hospital.”
The most important lesson learned in
life is to educate our children so they
have survival skills when we are dead
and gone.
Today the world is run by computers.
My proudest achievement is my
children growing up to be respectful.
My words of wisdom for today’s
young people are to educate yourself,
spiritually and academically. Learn
something new every day.
My hobbies are helping my
grandchildren and anyone else who
asks and learning our traditions. I love
playing with my grandchildren and going
to the casinos. Still hoping to win.
Hi, I am Sharon Williams. I’m from
the Round Lake Community.
My parents were Raymond and
Virginia Mosay.
I have three children, Jamie Buck,
Jeremy Mosay and Jennifer Williams.
I attended St. Croix Falls Grade
School.
My favorite food is a hamburger and
fries.
In my younger days, some of my
favorite activities were making mud pies,
picking agates and playing with Barbie
dolls and paper dolls.
My first job was as a librarian in
Dresser, Wis., through the WestCAP
Agency.
My favorite TV show is “Walking
Dead” on AMC.
The most important lesson I have
learned in life is prejudice never goes
away.
The world has changed tremendously;
there is way more technology.
My proudest achievement is seeing my
children succeed to where they are now.
The wisdom I want to pass down to
young people today is do what makes
you happy and you will never work a day
in your life.
Hobbies I enjoy are doing jigsaw
puzzles and quilting.
If the legends fall silent, who will teach the children
our ways? -Chief Dan George
MARYANN
MORRISON
Hi, I am Maryann Morrison. I’m from the
Sand Lake Community.
My mother was Angeline Oiyotte
Johnson. My children are Vernon,
Vanessa, Christine, Lisa and Leslie.
I attended Siren Grade School.
My favorite food is bread.
Fun activities in my younger days were
bowling and reading.
My first job was helping my parents by
picking beans and blueberries.
My favorite TV shows are sports,
football and basketball.
A major world change is electricity
availability. We did not have electricity or
running water when we were growing up.
An important lesson I learned in life is
to enjoy daily life, being able to see and
able to walk. And always be thankful.
My proudest accomplishment in life
Editor’s Note: Each month we will feature four tribal elders in the Elders Spotlight. If
you are interested in participating in the Elder Spotlights, you may contact
Phyllis Lowe at 1-800-846-8946, ext. 3166.
STEVE FOWLER
was raising my kids, grandkids and
great-grandkids.
A kind word is like a spring day! Kindness makes
you the most beautiful person in the world, no
matter what you look like.
Boozhoo. My name is Manoomin
Bineshii (Steve Fowler).
I am 58 years old, but my heart
feels 20. I’m from the Round Lake
Community.
Many years of contact sports and
manual labor jobs have worn my body
some.
In my youth I traveled to the logging
camp in Hayward. I sang with my uncle
John Bearheart Sr. I also danced, but
feeling the beat of the drum made me
feel happy. Sitting at the drum, you feel a
sense of excitement and energy.
I remember the knowledge of hunting,
fishing and trapping was with my uncle,
Sam Bearheart Sr. Yes, the Good Ol’
Days.
We moved to Minneapolis. There I
found a whole different world. I had to
adapt fast. No woods, no lakes, I felt lost.
What I had to learn there was “street
smart,” something you need to know to
survive.
Today, I sit home doing crafts and
being around my grandchildren.
I worked for the St. Croix tribe for
many years. I earn some income when
someone buys crafts from me.
But as I tell many, “Being Native you
learn to survive.” We are still here today.
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  3
TIMBER HARVEST BENEFITS
By Michael Fitzgibbon, Forester, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
Harvesting timber has these
benefits:
• Increase growth, timber value, seed
production and vigor of healthier
and better-formed trees that are not
harvested, by opening growth space in
the canopy for light and growth space
in the rooting zone for water and
nutrients.
• Provide growth space and a
warm seed bed to stimulate seed
germination or sprouting of young and
new trees.
• Increase growth of trees and other
vegetation on the ground that provides
food and cover for wildlife.
• Improve forest health by removing
stressed, sick or damaged trees that
attract and breed insect pests or
infectious microorganisms.
• Logging operations churn soil in some
places, providing a mineral soil seed
bed needed for some plants and trees
to germinate.
• If harvested in winter, provide food
for deer and other browsers from
downed branches and treetops.
• Provide downed woody debris (logs,
branches and stumps) that are habitat
for some animals and plants and that
become organic material and nutrients
for the soil.
• Protect and provide snags and dead
trees for wildlife cavities, dens and
perches.
• Where thinning, selection or gap
harvesting is done, a more open forest
canopy is beneficial to some animals,
such as some hawks and owls.
• Allow humans an opportunity to
select for the types of trees that
are in the forest to provide better
wildlife food, berry production, sugar
production, watershed protection and
so on.
• Help reduce fire hazard in conifer
forests and blowdown hazard in most
other forests.
• Produce wood for heating, energy and
manufacturing, as an alternative to
underground (eg., fossil fuel) sources.
Over the long term, this reduces the
amount of atmospheric carbon that
causes climate change.
• Provide harvesting and mill wages
and profits that benefit local
economies.
• Provide products that are useful to
everyone, such as lumber, paper,
firewood, maple sugar, decorative
products, medicines and nuts.
• Provide woods roads that increase
access to forest resources.
Submitted by
Jeremy Bloomquist
Land and Water Resources Manager
St. Croix Environmental and Natural
Resources Department
24663 Angeline Ave
Webster, WI 54893
SPRING AHEAD
Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m.
Sunday, March 13. Be sure to set your clock ahead
one hour before retiring for the night on Saturday – or
you’ll be one hour late for everything the next day.
CITIZENS 65 AND OLDER CAN
NOW GET NON-EXPIRING IDS.
NEW ONLINE SERVICE
STREAMLINES PROCESS
Wisconsin now allows its residents
who are U.S. citizens age 65 and over to
obtain an ID card that never needs to be
renewed. The new non-expiring ID card
carries the same appearance and security
features as traditional eight-year cards,
with the words “Non-expiring” appearing
in place of the typical expiration date.
“This new feature is a great option
for any senior adults who no longer
wish to drive or who already hold a
Wisconsin ID card. Once they obtain the
non-expiring card, they’ll never need to
return to a DMV service center,” said
Corey Kleist, Qualifications and Issuance
section chief.
The ID card is free if used for voting
purposes and, once issued, the card
never needs to be renewed. While there
is no such thing as a “Voter ID,” many
Wisconsin residents present their DMVissued driver license or ID card as their
form of identification.
Senior drivers who wish to obtain this
non-expiring ID card must surrender
their license and driving privileges. An
individual cannot hold both an ID and
a driver license. Note, surrendering of a
driver license will make the individual
ineligible to operate a motor vehicle in
any state.
In support of this new feature,
Wisconsin DMV will now permit
individuals who are eligible for this card
to exchange their existing ID card or
surrender their driver license for the nonexpiring ID card without visiting a DMV
The Vision
St. Croix Chippewa’s Monthly Newspaper
SEND US YOUR
EMAIL ADDRESS
Want to receive email communications
from The Vision? Just send your email
address to [email protected]
and we’ll add you to our email contact list.
VISION STAFF
Judy Warmanen Editor
Sue Cook Copy Editor
Katie Lechnir Staff Writer
Tom Tahmahkera Staff Reporter
Phyllis Lowe Staff Contributor
Stacy Falstad Layout/Design
Phone: (800) 846-8946, ext. 3050
Fax: (715) 986-4572
E-mail: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
The Vision | Attention: Judy W.
777 U.S. Highway 8 & 63 | Turtle Lake, WI 54889
Service Center. To take advantage of
this option, visit wisconsindmv.gov, then
go to Online ID Card Application. For
individuals using this new online service,
the most current photo on file will be
used on the ID and the final product will
be mailed.
Customers whose driver’s license/ID
has been expired for more than two years,
who have never held a Wisconsin driver’s
license/ID or who wish to have a new
photo taken, must visit a DMV service
center to obtain this new ID product.
Individuals holding a REAL IDcompliant driver’s license or ID must
surrender that feature from their card.
REAL ID compliant cards will continue
to follow the eight-year renewal cycle
which requires a visit to the DMV to
renew and update the individual’s photo.
For more information on regular
and non-expiring ID cards, please visit
wisconsindmv.gov/ID.
As a reminder, when accessing
transportation-related forms, only
websites with .gov extension are from
official state websites. Others with .org
and .com are not official and may have
extra charges for forms or list information
that is outdated or incorrect.
The Vision is a production of and for the
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. Its
purpose is to provide information and current
events to the tribal members. It is produced at
St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake under the direction
of the St. Croix Tribal Council. All comments,
letters and questions are welcome. The
St. Croix Chippewa reserves the right to edit or
refuse to print items submitted for publication.
TRIBAL COUNCIL
Lewis Taylor | Tribal Chairman
Crystal Peterson | Vice Chairwoman
Stuart Bearheart | Secretary/Treasurer
Carmen Bugg | Representative
Elmer “Jay” Emery | Representative
4  March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016
WORRIED ABOUT THE
“WHAT IFS?”
ST. CROIX TRIBAL AGING
UNIT UPDATES
Are you one of those people who is
kept awake at night worrying about
the “what ifs”? Are you caregiving
for a loved one and worry about all of
the things that could go wrong or the
unforeseen obstacles that may come your
way? There is a cure for these “what ifs,”
and it’s easy and most often painless.
What is the secret cure you ask? Well,
it begins with you.
There is a famous quote by Benjamin
Franklin: “People don’t plan to fail,
they just fail to plan.” The secret cure
is planning. Of course, you can’t plan
for every unforeseen event, but you can
plan for those events that could be a
possibility.
Start today and think about your
“what ifs.” Sit down, take out a piece of
paper, and write them down. Write them
in list order. Prioritize them. Then, for
each item, think about a solution to that
item. Maybe it’s hiring some in-home
assistance. Maybe it’s asking family or
a neighbor for help. Don’t be closedminded about possible solutions. Maybe
you can’t think of solutions and need
some assistance with that. Contact the
St. Croix Tribal Aging Unit Office at
800-236-2195 ext. 5116 for information
on different resources or programs that
may be able to assist you. The Aging and
Disability Resource Center of Northwest
Wisconsin is also an excellent resource
available to elders and caregivers in the
community and can be reached at
877-485-2372.
Many of the “what ifs” come in the
form of emergencies. Maybe it’s an
emergency for the caregiver, or maybe
with the care receiver. One solution for
some caregivers is to hire in-home care
assistance. A little-known fact about
in-home care providers is that you don’t
have to use them 24/7. You can use their
services as little or as much as you need.
The first step is to develop a relationship
with an in-home care agency. For
example, you could use their services
for one hour a month. (What caregiver
We’ve jumped right into 2016, and
we’re chefin’ it up in our kitchens! The
Elder Nutrition Program continues to
serve family-style, nutritious meals to
tribal elders and non-tribal elders daily at
our Elder Nutrition Centers in Danbury
and Sand Lake. In 2016, we served
more than 13,600 meals to elders in our
communities. This is over 1,700 more
meals than we served in 2015! So far
this year in January we served a total of
1,062 meals. We are reaching more of our
elders and striving to keep them healthy
and happy.
We also wanted to spread the word
about our meal program and answer
some questions that have been asked
recently. One question is, “What is
the Elder Nutrition Program and who
can participate?” The St. Croix Tribal
Aging Unit is able to provide flavorful,
nutritious meals to elders within our
community through two grants. Title III
is our state grant which allows us to serve
tribal members and non-tribal members
who are 60 years and older and who are
within our service. We also receive Title
VI funding from the federal government,
which allows us to provide meals to tribal
elders ages 55+.
Recently, I was sitting down with a
tribal elder. He seemed concerned and
explained to me, “I don’t understand
why some elders are charged for their
meals, but others are not. This doesn’t
make sense to me.” I’m happy that this
topic came up because I’m sure other
elders have the same question. The St.
Croix Tribe follows the age guidelines
set forth by our federal and state grantors.
Both grantors require the St. Croix Elder
Nutrition Program to allow each elder
to contribute to the cost of their meal in
accordance with the Older Americans
Act of 1965. The goal of this policy
is to ensure that elders have every
opportunity to contribute
meaningfully to their
communities. Meals are
free to all elders who are
60 years of age or older,
and they are very welcome
to donate if they wish.
Meals are also provided on
a donation basis to tribal
members ages 55 to 59.
The suggested donation is
$2.50; however, we will
not deny any eligible elder
a meal if they are unable to
donate.
wouldn’t like one hour of respite? I’m
sure you could find something to do for
that hour!) Then, when that emergency
arises and you need help immediately,
you have that agency ready and able to
come and assist. You know them, and
they know you. Check one of your
“what ifs” off your list, or maybe even
two or three of them.
The next step in your cure is to share
your plan with your family and support
system so they are aware. That way,
when the emergency happens, they know
their part of the plan.
Again, not every single emergency or
obstacle can be anticipated or avoided,
but planning will take away most of your
“what ifs.” Once you, your family and
your support system are aware of your
newly found cure, you will sleep better at
night knowing you have a plan in place.
Submitted by Melissa Fowler
St. Croix Tribal Aging Unit Director
Julie Seeman
Family Caregiver Support Specialist
Rock County Council on Aging
APRIL 2016
VISION ISSUE DEADLINE
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2016
Non-tribal members under 60 years and
tribal members under 55 are considered
guests and must pay the full cost of the
meal ($5). This is a grant requirement.
If you’ve signed up for the program in
the past and are not sure if you are still
enrolled, visit us or give us a call and
we’ll get you set up. We love seeing new
faces! If you are not a regular diner, we
ask for a one-day notice/reservation so
that we can ensure we prepare the right
amount of meals each day. You can do
this by calling our Nutrition Center staff
before 1 p.m. the day before and letting
them know you would like to dine. We
do understand that life isn’t always
organized, so we strive to accommodate
all elders. If you’ve never signed up,
joining is simple! Elders can sign up for
these services by calling or visiting one
of our nutrition centers. Elders can also
enroll by calling the St. Croix Tribal
Aging Unit office at (800) 236-2195,
ext. 5116. As always, if you have any
questions, comments, suggestions, want
to see something new on the menu or just
want to chat, please feel free to give me a
call.
Miigwech.
Danbury Nutrition Center
Nancy and Darla
7530 Riversmeet Road | Danbury, WI 54830
(715) 656-3227
Serving Monday-Friday
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Sand Lake Nutrition Center
Julie and Windy
4460 Highway 70 | Webster, WI 54893
(715) 349-2849
Serving Monday-Friday
Noon to 12:30
**Nutrition Centers are always closed the
first Friday and the third Monday for
St. Croix Casino Tribal Elder Luncheons.
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  5
NEWS FROM YOUR LCOOCC
OUTREACH SITE
By Kate Lechnir
Students attending Lac Courte Oreilles
Ojibwa Community College (LCOOCC)
at the St. Croix Outreach Site are now
well into their studies for the Spring 2016
semester.
Although it is bad luck to say at this
early date in the semester how many
graduates from St. Croix Outreach Site
we will have this spring, it is safe to say
that we will have the largest graduating
class we have had in many years.
Students will be graduating with degrees
in Native American Studies, Business
Administration in Accounting and Small
Business Management, Nursing, Medical
Office, Liberal Arts and Early Childhood
Education. A special Ojibwe Language
Certificate will be awarded to more than
six students, including two high school
students who have been enrolled in our
language program while attending high
school.
Extracurricular activities abound this
semester at the St. Croix Outreach Site.
The two student clubs, the Film and
Drama Club, and the American Indians
in Science and Engineering (AICES)
meet every Monday and Wednesday
over ITV during the noon hour. The
clubs bring together students from the
main campus, Red Cliff, Bad River and
Lac du Flambeau. The Film and Drama
Club members are watching movies
like “Dirty Dancing” and working to
complete their science fiction production
of “Makade Baagoneyaag,” the Black
Hole. AICES just completed a student
recruitment drive, and are talking about
some exciting new national AICES
competitions such as the building of a
rocket!
Students are eagerly applying for
the honor to compete in the American
Indian Higher Education Competition
(AIHEC) that will be held March 13-16
in Minneapolis. The college is one of
the host colleges for the competition
this year. Students will compete in the
Knowledge Bowl, the Science Bowl,
the Business Bowl, archery, plant
identification and the film competition.
Thanks to the generous support of
LCOOCC Work-Based Learning,
Extension, Student Services, and the St.
Croix Education Department, we will be
entering two 15-minute film productions
in the highly competitive AIHEC film
competition this year.
In addition, two students from the
St. Croix Outreach Site have applied
Can You Handle
The Tooth?
MOUTH
GUARDS
to be AIHEC Student of the Year. This
is the highest honor bestowed at the
competition. To qualify, students must
have the highest academic records and
also be strong supporters and volunteers
within their reservation communities.
A new program supported by the
college will enable incoming freshman
in high school and sophomores to join
juniors and seniors in LCOOCC Ojibwe
languages classes over ITV. Students will
be able to fulfill both their high school
and college language requirements prior
to graduating from high school.
Our Elders Computers for Lunch
Bunch will begin on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. This is a free class for elders
from the community and is designed to
teach social media connections, research
engines and basic computer skills.
Every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. we
have beading and regalia making with
Karen Washington. The class, supplies
and expert instruction are provided free
of charge. Beginning Feb. 12 and for the
following three Fridays, the college is
hosting a free moccasin making class on
Fridays beginning at 10 a.m.
All of these programs take place in
the heart of your LCOOCC St. Croix
Outreach Site at the St. Croix Youth
Center. The winter months are a great
time to explore all of the educational
offerings that the St. Croix Outreach Site
has to offer. We can’t wait to see you!
A mouth guard is a soft plastic device
used in sports to prevent oral injuries to
the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw.
The use of a mouth guard prevents more
than 200,000 oral injuries to the mouth
each year. The types of injuries that can
occur without the use of a mouth guard
are:
• Chipped or broken teeth.
• Fractured crowns or bridgework.
• Lip and cheek injuries.
• Root damage to the teeth.
• Fractured jaws.
• Concussions.
Mouth guards are mandatory in
collision sports such as football, hockey
St Croix Tribal Dental Clinic
u
and boxing, where the risk of injury is
likely. Children and adults involved in
contact sports like basketball, baseball,
softball, wrestling, soccer and volleyball
may consider wearing a mouth guard to
prevent injuries to the mouth.
(reference: colgateprofessional.com/
patient-education/articles)
All athletes, children and adults
alike, should consider a mouth guard an
essential piece of equipment. For more
information about the right mouth guard
for you, please call the St. Croix Tribal
Dental Clinic at 715-349-8554. We will
schedule a 30-minute appointment for an
impression and consultation.
715-349-8554 Ext. 5159
u
Allie Teske, RDH
6  March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016
‘GET A DAMN JOB’: CHIEF OFFERS BLUNT REMEDY FOR WHAT
AILS FIRST NATIONS
aboriginal men who, because of how they
Jonathon Naylor/Flin Flon Reminder - February 13, 2016
Clarence Louie says things anyone
other than a respected indigenous leader
couldn’t get away with. His advice to
young men on his home reserve? “Get
a damn job, be a man. It should be
embarrassing for you to raise your kids
on welfare.”
Looking to succeed in the workplace?
“Be punctual. Be on time. Indian time
doesn’t cut it.”
Deciding what to read? “Too many
times I go into Indian people’s houses,
even on my own rez, I see tabloids.
Tabloids? That’s what you read? You’re
never going to be a leader reading
tabloids.”
Louie’s straight talk captivated a Flin
Flon audience Wednesday afternoon
as some 340 people, including many
aboriginal youth, crammed the RH
Channing Auditorium to hear him speak.
A gentle-looking man with greying
bangs and an animal-skin vest, he
deluged the crowd with morsels of advice
that have transformed the Osoyoos
Indian Band, where he is chief, into a
beacon of hope for economically ravaged
First Nations.
While many other chiefs are
preoccupied with old treaty claims and
calls for additional government support,
Louie’s prime focus is clear-cut: put
people to work.
“I firmly believe every person needs
to be in a good-paying job,” he told the
auditorium audience. “I don’t like seeing
native people unemployed. I don’t like
seeing my people on welfare. I don’t
agree with welfare. Our people never
had welfare before, on the reserves.
One old chief once told me, ‘The worst
thing Indian Affairs ever brought to
our communities was welfare.’ Our old
timers never survived on welfare before.
Every First Nation society that I’ve
studied, we all come from a working
culture. Our people worked for a living.
They got up early and went to work,
whether it was on traplines or whether it
was in the fur trade.
“I’m not looking for handouts. I’m
looking for self-sufficiency for my
people.”
Money is not the motivation for Louie.
Rather, it’s how money can improve
people’s lives.
“Money is not a bad word. I don’t
have a love of money,” he said, speaking
through a microphone while standing
on the auditorium floor. “This is the
equation that I learned many years ago:
money equals opportunity. That’s why I
love making money – so that my people
have opportunity.”
That philosophy has served Louie
and Osoyoos well. The reserve operates
more businesses per capita than any other
in Canada. The ventures include three
resorts, a golf course, a convenience store
and a ready-mix concrete supplier, among
others.
In the process, Osoyoos has achieved
near-mythic status as a symbol of
possibility in a country where the word
reserve conjures up images of rickety
homes and social dysfunction.
Not only are 80 per cent of Osoyoos
members employed, Louie said, but the
reserve has hired native people from
more than 30 other reserves spanning
several provinces and territories, as well
as non-natives.
“We have more jobs than we do band
members, and I’m not going to stop
there,” said Louie, who became chief of
Osoyoos in 1985, when he was 24.
Louie contrasted jobless rates on many
reserves with those experienced across
Canada during the Great Depression.
Whereas Canada’s unemployment rate
hit about 30 per cent at the height of the
Depression, one reserve in the Flin Flon
region – Louie did not say which one – is
said to have a rate of 90 per cent.
“The Great Depression didn’t
disappear,” he said. “For the non-natives
it did. But for many First Nations in this
country, they’re still living under a Great
Depression, which is wrong.”
Though Osoyoos has enjoyed strong
economic success, Louie noted that
between 10 and 20 per cent of his people
still cannot seem to get their life on track.
They’re mostly young males.
For them, he has some
characteristically blunt words of wisdom.
“Our boys have to learn to be men
again. Our boys have to learn to put on
man pants. Put your man pants on!”
Louie said, one of several times he drew
laughter from the audience.
Louie’s hour-plus address struck
a chord with Tyrone Holmes, 24, an
aboriginal man originally from BC who
now calls Flin Flon home.
“It was amazing,” Holmes said, adding
that some of the advice Louie shared
echoed what his own grandmother told
him.
Holmes said he has known other young
were raised, have not experienced the
drive to enter the workforce.
“They just know that, you know, ‘I
have my little cousins, I have everyone
I have to take care of and that’s all I
gotta do is take care of them and look
after number one and that’s it,’” he said.
“But when you get people that have
experienced the drive to do better and to
get out there and get a job, then there’s
more to it.”
Looking for a job himself, Holmes
handed his résumé to Louie in hopes
to being hired on Osoyoos – about 45
minutes from his home reserve of Head
of the Lake.
Such initiative impresses Louie, who
links high unemployment on reserves
with poor health.
“A job is a big part of leading a healthy
life,” said Louie, the keynote speaker
at the Flin Flon Aborigin-al Friendship
Centre’s Northern Connections Job Fair.
As confident as Louie is in his beliefs,
he is self-aware enough to know that
he is, if not controversial, at least not
universally adored
“As a leader, sometimes you have to
stand alone,” he said. “Even my mom
doesn’t agree with me all the time. But
that’s okay.”
Clarence Louie, the no-nonsense chief of
BC’s Osoyoos Indian Band, speaks on the
power of employment to improve the lives
of First Nations communities and people.
He addressed about 340 people at the RH
Channing Auditorium on Wednesday.
- PHOTO BY Jonathon Naylor
See more at: http://www.thereminder.
ca/news/local-news/get-a-damn-jobchief-offers-blunt-remedy-for-whatails-first-nations-1.2171595#sthash.
e1MAfXkt.1Nx1211t.dpuf
Printed courtesy of the Flin Flon
Reminder.
ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA TRIBAL
AMERICAN VETERANS
UPDATE
First Lieutenant Bruce Taylor
The St. Croix Chippewa Tribal
American Veterans (AMVETS) Post
was officially recognized by the State of
Wisconsin and the federal government
on Jan. 7, 2016. Our purpose is well
established: we are prepared to help all
American veterans to obtain their benefits
and to assist them with their personal
needs.
American veterans are sometimes
reluctant to seek information and benefits
they are entitled to for one reason or
another. As a new AMVETS post, we
are extending a personal invitation to
all American veterans to come to us for
any assistance and/or information they
may need, including medical and dental
assistance or help with medications or
special physical problems.
Perhaps you have felt that your needs
were too small to be bothered with. As
AMVETS, we are always ready to help
one another. No problem is too large or
too small.
If you are a veteran and not an
AMVETS member, call for a application
to join. For an appointment or
information on the St. Croix Chippewa
Tribal American Veterans Post, call
Commander Jeff Taylor at
1-800-846-8946, ext. 3254.
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  7
NEW TO YOU COMPUTER
RAFFLE
Entering their raffle tickets all week for the chance to win a “New to You” computer,
students at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College (LCOOCC)
St. Croix Outreach Site couldn’t wait for the final drawing. Karen Washington,
St. Croix Education and Youth director, was on hand to pick the winning raffle ticket.
And the winner is . . . . . Shannel Reynolds!
Congratulations!
Another lucky “New to You” computer
raffle winner from LCOOCC main campus
was Joseph Potter!
TREATY SYMPOSIUM AT
LCOOCC MAIN CAMPUS
DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL
OUTREACH SITES
By Kate Lechnir
James Schlender Jr. began the recent
Treaty Symposium at Lac Courte
Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
(LCOOCC) by asking, “Who can tell us
what the first treaty was?” The answer
was surprising and inspiring. Schlender
went on to explain that the first, and
only, treaty Native Americans have is
with the Creator. For more than an hour,
Schlender developed the history of treaty
making in the United States. Beginning
as simple and trusting agreements,
treaties became an insidious series of lies
and deceptions that caused loss of land,
loss of rights and loss of lives.
It was a brilliantly delivered speech
given by a man who has studied this
subject from the time he was a young
man in college. The symposium was cosponsored by the Great Lakes Indian Fish
NEW CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY AT THE
YOUTH CENTER
By Kate Lechnir
Easy as 1, 2, 3. . . the New
Student Lounge in the St. Croix
Youth Center.
The New St. Croix Tribal
Education Library Update: plastering
has been completed and new
electrical installed. Next steps:
priming, painting and building
bookshelves! Watch as your new
St. Croix Education Tribal Library
unfolds before your eyes!
and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC).
Close to 100 people were in attendance to
hear Schlender.
Following his historical perspective
on treaties, the history of GLIFWC was
also presented. Schlender’s father, James
Schlender Sr., played a pivotal role in the
establishment of GLIFWC. Following
lunch there was a taskforce panel
and new updates from GLIFWC Law
Enforcement.
The day ended with a discussion of
exercising treaty rights in the ceded
territory, which included regulations,
processes and updates. Surrounding
the treaty symposium attendees in
the LCOOCC James Pipe Moustache
Auditorium were fascinating displays of
copies of many of the original treaties
provided by the LCOOCC library and
by GLIFWC. It was a memorable and
enlightening day at LCOOCC!
8  March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016
SAVE THE MOUNDS RALLY DRAWS HUNDREDS TO CAPITOL
Native American tribal members say
proposed bill underscores historic oppression
By Allison Geyer, January 12
As a member of Wisconsin’s
Menominee Nation, Leo Tebeau’s
grandfather was forced to attend “Indian
schools,” where teachers made Native
American children cut their hair and
beat them for speaking their ancestral
languages.
“My grandfather always said, ‘Don’t
hold a grudge — it hurts your soul,”
Tebeau recalls to a reporter. “Learn to live
in the white man’s world, but don’t forget
where you come from or who you are.’”
Tebeau, a Menominee, and his wife,
a Ho-Chunk, were among hundreds of
Native American tribal members and their
supporters who rallied at the state Capitol
on Jan. 12 to protest a bill that would
loosen the protections on sacred burial
mounds.
Wisconsin is home to a large number
of effigy mounds, which are often
shaped like animals, but many have been
destroyed over the years by agriculture,
development and natural erosion. The
effigy mounds found in Wisconsin are
among the only earthen forms constructed
by prehistoric American Indians.
Wisconsin law has only recently protected
these culturally significant features. These
shapes often take forms of clan symbols,
humans or simple forms. These mounds
were used for burial, ceremonial or
utilitarian purposes. The Ho-Chunk people
are believed to be descendants of the
Mound Builder people. The tribe views
the mounds as sacred sites that should not
be disturbed.
The bill from Sen. Chris Kapenga
(R-Delafield) and Rep. Robert
Brooks (R-Saukville) would require
the Wisconsin Historical Society
to establish the presence of human
remains before cataloging a burial
site on private land. Under the bill,
property owners would be allowed to
use “ground-penetrating radar, other
imaging technology or archaeological
excavation and examination.”
The bill has some powerful
supporters, including Wisconsin
Manufacturers and Commerce,
Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete
Association and Wingra Stone
Company, which owns a quarry near
McFarland where the presence of burial
mounds has prevented mining. Wingra
has engaged in legal battles with the state
and the Ho-Chunk Nation to remove
protection for the mounds, with the
company arguing that the site no longer
contains human remains.
Brooks said in a statement Monday
that the bill will bring “common
sense” reforms to the state’s burial site
preservation law, adding that he does
“not believe that the State Historical
Society has applied the law correctly and
has not had the ability to resolve private
landowner issues.” But tribal members
and supporters say excavating the mounds
to prove there are remains defeats the
purpose of protecting the historic sites.
“It’s sacred ground,” says Tebeau, who
traveled from Wisconsin Dells to take part
in the protest. “It would be like taking
down a church and building a parking lot.”
Nearly 90 percent of professionally
excavated Native American mounds
in the Upper Midwest are known to
contain human remains, according to the
Wisconsin Historical Society.
Citizens representing a number of
Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized
tribes, including the Menominee, the
Ho-Chunk and the Ojibwe, braved singledigit temperatures to demonstrate against
the bill. Some traveled by bus from the
northernmost parts of the state.
“We’ve learned that [the tribes] have
to unify to get anything done,” says
Brenda Neff, a Ho-Chunk member and
Madison resident. She says
the bill cuts to the heart of
the historical oppression of
indigenous people.
“Natives have been pushed off our
lands, forced not to speak our native
tongues,” she says. “All we’re saying
is, ‘We should be able to keep our
ancestors.’”
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
(R-Rochester) is a supporter of private
property rights, but he says it’s unlikely
that lawmakers will vote on the bill this
session, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
reports. Vos says the legislation “requires
a lot more study.”
See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/
news/save-the-mounds-rally-drawshundreds-to-capitol/#sthash.rsjI3sE3.dpuf
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  9
MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Encourages Everyone to ‘Savor the Flavor of Eating Right’
How, when, why and where we eat are
just as important as what we eat. Making
sure to enjoy the sights, sounds, memories
and interactions associated with eating
are essential to developing an overall
healthy eating plan. That is why, as part
of National Nutrition Month® 2016, the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges
everyone to “Savor the Flavor of Eating
Right.”
Each March, the Academy encourages
Americans to return to the basics of
healthful eating through National Nutrition
Month. This year’s theme encourages
everyone to take time to enjoy food
traditions and appreciate the pleasures,
great flavors and social experiences food
can add to our lives.
“This year’s ‘Savor the Flavor of Eating
Right’ National Nutrition Month theme is
a great reminder for everyone to develop
a mindful eating pattern that includes
nutritious and flavorful foods, while also
taking the time to enjoy everything that a
healthful and tasty meal brings with it,”
said registered dietitian nutritionist and
Academy President Dr. Evelyn F. Crayton.
The Academy strives to communicate
healthful eating messages that emphasize
balancing food and beverages within an
individual’s energy needs, rather than
focusing on any one specific food or meal.
To this end, it is the Academy’s position
that improving overall health requires a
lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle
behaviors, emphasizing maintainable and
enjoyable eating practices and regular
physical activity.
“Slowing down and taking time to
appreciate the positive emotions that
accompany mealtime are important steps
to developing a sustainable healthy eating
plan,” Crayton said. “The knowledge
and experience of registered dietitian
nutritionists is one of the best tools for
striking that balance between creating a
healthy lifestyle that includes the foods and
activities we enjoy with those we need.”
Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event,
“National Nutrition Week” became
a month-long observance in 1980 in
response to growing public interest in
nutrition.
To commemorate the dedication of
registered dietitian nutritionists as the
leading advocates for advancing the
nutritional status of Americans and people
around the world, the second Wednesday
of each March is celebrated as “Registered
Dietitian Nutritionist Day.” This year
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day will
be celebrated March 9.
As part of this public education
campaign, the Academy’s website,
eatright.org, includes a variety of helpful
articles, recipes, videos and educational
resources, all designed to spread the
message of good nutrition and an overall
healthy lifestyle for people of all ages,
genders and backgrounds. Consumers
are also encouraged to follow National
Nutrition Month on the Academy’s social
media channels including Facebook and
Twitter using the #NationalNutritionMonth
hashtag.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
is the world’s largest organization of food
and nutrition professionals. The Academy
is committed to improving the nation’s
health and advancing the profession of
dietetics through research, education and
advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics at eatright.org.
Kale Salad with Fresh Strawberries
and Toasted Almonds Recipe
By Roberta Duyff, MS, RD, FAND
Today’s cooks have a renewed interest in kale — a hearty, healthful, curly-leafed
green — which may have been among the first cultivated brassicas. A common
ingredient in African stews, Portuguese caldo
verde (soup), Irish colcannon (kale with mashed
potatoes), Asian stir-fries and Southern greens,
kale is typically prepared in cooked dishes. As a
great source of beta carotene, vitamins C and K,
and calcium, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, raw
kale makes a nourishing, colorful and intenselyflavored salad ingredient, too!
INGREDIENTS:
• 9 cups bite-size pieces kale leaves*
• Juice of 1 medium orange, divided
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin
olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Freshly ground black pepper
•
•
•
•
1 cup sliced strawberries (or
blueberries, blackberries or
raspberries)
¼ cup dried currants or raisins
¼ cup slivered almonds or pine nuts,
toasted
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, if
desired
DIRECTIONS:
• Combine kale, half of the orange juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt in a large
bowl. Massage kale by scrunching small amounts with your hands, then releasing
and repeating. With massaging, kale will soften, somewhat deepen in color and
become more fragrant.
• Make the dressing by whisking remaining orange juice, orange zest, honey and
pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk ¼ cup olive oil into the juice mixture to
combine well. Set aside.
• Pour the dressing over kale. Add strawberries, currants and toasted almonds.
Toss gently. Let salad ingredients marinate for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. If
desired, top with goat cheese.
Cooking Note
*Remove and discard center ribs and stems from 1 large bunch kale leaves. Tear kale
leaves into bite-size pieces.
Nutritional Information
Serves 6. Calories: 220; Calories from fat: 130; Total fat: 15g; Saturated fat: 2g;
Trans fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium 120mg; Total carbohydrate: 21g;
Dietary fiber: 4g; Sugars: 12g; Protein 5g.
10  March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016
Job
Postings
ST. CROIX CASINO
TURTLE LAKE
BEVERAGE
One part-time and one full-time bartender. Starting
wage $6.82/hr. Work days and shifts will vary.
Bartending experience preferred. Bar and restaurant
till experience preferred, but will train. Must be
reliable. Contact Rob in Beverage.
Six full-time beverage cocktails. Starting wage
$6.15/hr. + tips. One needed for 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. shift,
one for noon - 6 p.m. and two for the 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
shift. Work days will vary but will include weekends.
Must have excellent guest service skills.
Contact Rob or Tony in Beverage.
One full-time beverage supervisor. Starting wage
$10.65 or DOE. Work days and shifts will vary.
Experience in bartending and restaurant experience,
should have 2 years supervisory experience.
Contact Rob Lowe.
DINING ROOM
One part-time dining room host/hostess. Starting
wage $9.05/hr. 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. shift. Work days will
vary but includes weekends. Must have excellent guest
service skills. Contact Andrea in the Dining Room.
Two full-time dining room wait staff. Starting wage
$5.15/hr plus tips. Work days will vary but includes
weekends. Shift will be 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Provide
friendly excellent guest service to those in the
restaurant. Contact Andrea.
EVS
Four full-time EVS services staff. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. shift. Work days will vary.
Must be able to be on feet for long periods of time,
be guest friendly, do lifting and be able to work with
chemicals. Contact Rhonda Juntunen or
Leonora Baker.
FINANCE
One full-time soft count team. Starting wage
$9.26/hr. 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. shift Saturday through
Wednesday. Responsible for accurate count of all cash,
chips and coins. Contact Toni Ostenson.
One part-time Cage Cashier. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. Work days will vary, but includes weekends.
Shift 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. Redeem cash out tickets and table
game chips, sell and redeem coin and make change for
guests and floor personnel, perform check cashing and
cash advance services. Excellent guest service skills
needed. Contact Toni Ostenson
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Two full-time concessions staff. Starting wage
$10.75/hr. plus shift differential. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift.
Work days will vary. Must be able to work in fastpaced environment. Must have excellent guest service
skills and be able to lift 50 lbs. Contact Carmen Leoso.
One full-time dishwasher. Starting wage
$10/hr. Work days and shifts will vary but will include
weekends. Must be able to work in a fast-paced
environment. Contact Carmen Leoso.
Two full-time pantry staff. Starting wage
$10.75/hr. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. shift. Work days will vary.
Must be able to stand for long periods of time and
work in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to lift,
bend and twist 25 lbs. Contact Carmen Leoso.
St. Croix Chippewa Enterprises offers competitive pay, paid vacation and a company health care program.
St. Croix Chippewa Enterprises is owned and operated by the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin. St. Croix
Chippewa Enterprises operates drug free workplaces. A pre-employment drug screening is required of all
applicants. T.B. testing is mandatory for all new food service hires.
For all positions requiring a driver’s license, applicants must have a perfect driving record. Verification will be
requested. Math tests are required for any money handling positions.
One full-time Kitchen support staff. Starting wage
$10/hr. Work days will vary, shift 3 p.m.-11 p.m.
Garbage clean-up, cleaning and organizing coolers and
shelves, helping where needed.
Contact Carmen Leoso.
HOTEL
Three full-time hotel maids. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Work days will vary. Must
be able to strip, stock and clean rooms in a timely
manner. Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
Contact Darla, Deb or Jamie at the hotel.
MAINTENANCE
Two full-time maintenance staff. Starting wage
$11.50/hr. Work days and shifts will vary. Selfmotivated worker, good clear drivers license in order
to be insured. Work with electrical, plumbing, general
construction and trouble shoot equipment.
Contact Tim Busch.
MARKETING
One TLC Hostess. Starting wage $7.25/hr.
7 a.m. - 3 p.m. shift. Work days will vary. Must have
excellent guest service skills, computer skills and be
reliable. Contact Charity Rogers.
MIS
One full-time database administrator. Starting
wage DOE. Work days will be Monday through
Friday. Shift 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Micro soft SQL
Administration required. Contact Scott Sirianni.
RETAIL
One full-time retail cashier. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. Work days will vary. Shift 12 p.m. - 8p.m.
Money handling experience preferred and excellent
guest service skills. Contact Barb LaBlanc.
SECURITY
Three full-time security guards. Starting wage
$9.05/hr. or DOE. Two for 3 p.m.-11 p.m. and one
for 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. Work days will vary. Prior military,
law enforcement or security experience preferred.
Contact Travis or Pat.
TABLE GAMES
Twenty full-time table games dealers. Starting wage
$7.15/hr. + tips. Work days and shifts will vary. Must
have excellent guest service skills.
Contact Jennifer Williams or Ryan Otto.
TRANSPORTATION
One on-call transport driver. Starting wage
$8.05/hr. Work days and shifts will vary. Must have
a valid drivers license and be insurable. Must have a
clean driving record. Contact Deb Herrera.
VALET
Two full-time valet staff. Starting wage $7.25/hr. +
tips. 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. shift. Work
days will vary. Must be 21 years of age and have
clear driving record. Must be able to pass insurance
guidelines. Contact Connie Bird or Dale Stepan.
To apply, fill out an application at Human
Resources at the casino annex, Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or
online at http://turtlelake.stcroixcasino.
com/job-application/. For more
information, call 1-800-846-8946, ext. 3210.
ST. CROIX CASINO
DANBURY
BEVERAGE
One full time lead supervisor. Work days and shifts
will vary. Must be dependable, work nights, weekends
and holidays. Must have excellent guest service skills.
Contact Rob Lowe at ext. 2535 or 3117.
DELI
One full-time deli positions. Work days will vary.
Must be able to work in fast-paced environment. Must
have excellent guest service skills and be able to lift up
to 50 lbs. Contact Linda Jorgensen at ext. 2583.
HOTEL
One full time laundry aide. Must know how to run
washers and dryers. Must be dependable, work nights
weekends and holidays. Contact Dennis Staples at
ext. 2600.
SLOTS
One full-time slot tech. Must have knowledge of
slot machines, must be dependable, be able to work
nights, weekends and holidays.
Contact Shayne Staege at ext. 2175.
TABLE GAMES
Two part-time table games dealers. Work days
and shifts will vary. Must be dependable, work
nights, weekends and holidays. Must have excellent
guest service skills. Contact Miki Messer at
ext. 2665.
To apply, fill out an application at
Human Resources, Monday through
Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or apply online at
http://danbury.stcroixcasino.com/
job-application/. For more information,
call 1-800-238-8946.
ST. CROIX CASINOS DONATE
$1,000 TO WALK/RUN
BENEFITING SIREN SPECIAL ED
Two dozen walkers and runners braved
the cold temperatures and blustery winds
on Saturday, February 13 to support a
good cause: The first annual .14K Walk/
Run, held at Kris’ Pheasant Inn in Siren
benefited the Siren Public Schools
Special Education department.
Each participant’s $20 registration
fee was part of the proceeds for Siren
Schools. A number of area businesses
also donated prizes for the participants.
The largest donation of the day - $1,000
in cash – came from St. Croix Casinos.
Natasha Root and Myia Schroeder
of St. Croix Casino Hertel Express
represented St. Croix Casinos at the
check presentation. Natasha presented the
$1,000 check to Siren Special Education
Chairman Jensen Anderson. Myia
was responsible for taking the check
presentation photo.
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  11
MITCHELL CROWE JR. JOINS
HEALTH CLINIC TEAM
Please join us in welcoming to our
Health Clinic Team Mitchell Crowe Jr.,
dual diagnosis clinician in Behavioral
Health. Crowe is a former high school
mathematics teacher and football coach
who most recently served as a therapist
at Hazelden Treatment Center and in
Clark County as a mobile crisis worker
who assisted and evaluated clients with
Mental Health/AODA issues during times
of crisis. Crowe began his own recovery
six years ago. “The more stable I became
in recovery I started to hear Hazelden’s
name come up more and more and
started seeing their names on the books
and literature that was coming from
other treatment centers. That was eyeopening,” he commented. “However,
I am looking forward to working in a
community organization and being a part
of a community again.”
Raised by a single mother on the
Bad River Indian Reservation near
Ashland, Wis., Crowe’s interests are
leaning toward consulting, research
and education regarding the identity
issues that young Native Americans face
while growing up in today’s society,
HILDRED NINA
THOMAS
SEPT. 9, 1930 – FEB. 4, 2016
and how that relates to substance abuse
and addiction. In his essay, he recounts
family members and friends who suffered
deaths from organ failure, “infections
that affected amputated limbs brought on
by chronic diabetes and alcoholism,” but
he sees the hope that recovery can bring.
“Yes, the reservations are struggling,” he
writes, “but there is a wealth of spiritual
knowledge and power that can be tapped
to bring people the gift of sobriety.”
Personal
Expressions
We want to wish
Jean Songetay a
happy 95th birthday
on March 21.
– Love from all her
family and friends
Obituaries
Thank You
On behalf of the Hildred
Thomas family, we would
like to thank the St. Croix
Tribal Council and all
the community for all the
support we have received
during our time of loss.
Miigwetch,
The Thomas Family
Hildred Nina Thomas, age 85, of
Danbury, Wisconsin, died on February
4, 2016.
Hildred was born on September
9, 1930 to Jack Bearheart and Nina
Benjamin in East Lake, Minn.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Olaf Thomas, sons
Allen Thomas and David Thomas,
sisters Dora and Beatrice, brothers
Richard and Kenneth.
Hildred is survived by her sons Olaf
W. Thomas Jr., Michael D. Thomas,
Joseph R. Thomas and Terry N.
Thomas; daughters Lola J. Morgan,
Floreen G. Graves, Christine M.
Costello, Angel S. Thomas; sisters
Emma Thomas, Laurie Pardun, Judy
Carlson, Roberta Benjamin and
Carleen Benjamin; brothers Clifford
Benjamin and Randy Benjamin; 45
grandchildren; 77 great-grandchildren;
and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on
Monday, February 8 at the Lake Lena
Community Center in Sandstone
Township, Minn.
ROYAL EDWARD
BEARHEART
BORN: JANUARY 29, 2016
DIED: JANUARY 29, 2016
Royal Edward Bearheart
(Miskwaanakwad “Red Cloud”),
the son of Johnathon Bearheart and
Kiana-Mae Reynolds, passed away
Jan. 29, 2016.
He is survived by his maternal
grandparents Roberta Bearheart
and George Reynolds; paternal
grandparents Dawn Emery and
Bradley Bearheart Jr.; along with
aunts, uncles and several other
relatives.
Funeral services for Royal were
held Monday, Feb. 1, at the St. Croix
Tribal Center, Hertel with Vince
Merrill officiating. Royal was laid to
rest by his great-grandmother Valerie
(Gummar) Emery at the Sand Lake
Cemetery in LaFollette Township.
Honorary casketbearers were
Nathaniel Reynolds, Jordan Decorah
and Theron-John Reynolds.
Arrangements were entrusted to
Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home,
Webster, Wis. Online condolences can
be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.
TRIBAL KIDS
CORNER
Do you have interesting news and/or photos featuring our tribal youth?
Email them to [email protected] for inclusion in our new
Tribal Kids Corner feature. If you have questions, call Judy Warmanen
at 1-800-846-8946, ext. 3050.
March (Onaabani-giizis - Hard Crust on the Snow Moon), 2016  12