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Orr, MN 55771

VOL. 13, NO. 7 NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA, FEBRUARY 1999 EDITION

From Doris ...

President Clinton, Governor Ventura Address

Indian Education Many government leaders give an annual speech about what is

. happening in their governments, and what their citizens can expect in the year ahead. For example, the president delivers a State of the Union address at the start of a new Congress, while the governor gives a State of the State speech at the beginning of the legislative session.

T'll he giving a State of the Band address later this year, when our new fiscal year starts. For now, though, 1 want to comment on what President Clinton and Governor Ventura are saying about Indian education in their addresses.

President Clinton's message, which he delivered on January 19, was a positive one. The president called for a six-fold increase in college scholarships for talented ,young people who commit to teach in inner cities, rural areas, and Indian communities.

Governor Ventura recently delivered his State of the State address. and in late January revealed his budget for the next two years. Originally. we thought that he may announce

Inside Stories Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

on Page 5

Legislative Priorities on Page 7

Ellen Adams Profile on Page 18

Doris Isham, Chairwoman, Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council

cuts in funding for Indian high school and college students. However, Indian leaders met with the governor's staff on January 26 and learned that Indian education programs will be funded in the governor's budget.

One of the most important roles of government is to help provide basic necessities and essential services to its citizens on an equitable basis. The RTC is committed to securing: the greatest possible amount of edncational support for Bois Forte Band members. We dedicate as much of the Band's budget as we responsibly can to education. and we also se.ek funding from federal and state sources.

We are determined that the state and federal budgets provide us with progrnms and services \Ve arc entitled to. such as education. health care. and nutritional support. We will continue to work clost?ly with l)lfr lobbyists to make sure that thl' rights of Indian People are protected on the state and national levels. and we will continue to update you on our efforts through the Bois Forte News.

Constitutional Reform ..

Pushing Hard t~ Put Land in Trust for Our People

Editor's note: Last month, we told you that the six member bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe are considering revising the tribe's constitution. The bands are considering four major issues: land, membership, form of government, and elections.

Over the next few months, ive 'II bring you an in-depth look at each of these issues. This month, we begin with tribal land.

Of all the constitutional reform issues, land is probably the most important to the Bois Forte People, according to Mark Anderson. the Band's attorney.

, "Right now. there are :1hout :m.ooo acres in the Nett Lake Reservation - about one-third of the total reservation lands - that are held in trust by the federal government for the MCT." he said. ''That means the resources on this land may be shared by all six MCT bands - Bois Forte.

Leech Lake. White Earth. Mille Lacs. Grand Portage. and Fond du Lac - even though the land and resources were set aside for our People in an 1866 treaty:·

Anderson pointed out that the Bois Forte Band shares in the resources of MCT lands on the other fi\e bands· resen·ations. ··But there are rnPn:- rcsourct?s on our land. so the amount wc\'e been sharing 0\ er the past 60 vears ,has been disproportionately large:·

The l\tCT has deieg~itcd L·untwi of thesl' J0.000 acrt?s to the Bois Forte Band. so the land is locallv managed. ··so wll\ change? .. Anderson asked.

The answer is straightforward. he explainl'd. "What has been delegated could someday be taken away:· That is why the Bois Forte RTC is pressing for a change to the MCT Constitution that would put the land into trust for the Bois Forte

Mark Anderson, Band Attorney

Band. rather than the entire Chippewa Tribe.

If the land transfer can ·r be accomp-1 i shed ~hrough constitutional reform. Anderson said. then RTC Chairwoman Doris Isham '"' .mts lo find another way to make the transfer.

··Dons \Vants to press this issue." Anderson S:J.id. "St). \Vhether :)f nor rhe constitution is d1m1gcJ. tn-:: Jen:-. Fnnc Band 1kill do \Vhat is necessary lo see that title to the iand is transferred to us ...

If you·d like to suggest changes to the MCT Constitution, either about tribal land or other issues. you can write to Wick-o at the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council, 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772. or cali her at 800/221-8129.

Next month. we' 11 bring you information about proposed changes to tribal membership requirements.

i"

2 Bois Forte News Division Reports February 1999

Reservatio_n Planning ...

Wild Rice N.farketing Project Underway Since January 1998, I have been assisting with the Wild Rice Marketing Project. Activities include: coordinating, packaging and shipping; arranging shipping schedules; recording shipments; monitoring the packaging process; and developing more efficient receiving and shipping procedures.

This process ean get pretty hectic sometimes, especially when trying to meet a deadline from some anxious rice buyer. But Buz and I have made every deadline so far with no problems: We have recently purchased a new bag sealer which has simplified the process a great deal. It beats the heck out of the old dinosaur sealing machine that used to chew up about I 0 percent of the bags. Since we started bagging wild rice in January, we have a number of people assisting us on the project. including my former colleague (and still friend) Kim Knudson, her friend Cindy, and some new friends from Germany. I hope to hear some good

·news concerning this endeavor within the next few weeks.

Since last February. I have been assisting James Kockevar from time to time with the HOME Program. However: since his departure from the Housing Authority in September, I have once again resumed duties as HOME Program coordinator. Speaking of the HOME Program, I have some good news: The Bois Forte HOME Program has acquired funds to allow for construction of two new homes on the Bois Forte Indian Reservation (BFIR). For more information, giv~ me a call at 2181757-3261.

Since September 1997, I have been representing the Bois Forte Band on the Arrowhead Regional Transport-ation Advisory Council. I attended an ARTAC meeting on October 6, 1998. Some of the topics included: the state transportation improve-ment program, Trunk Highway 53 long-range improvement report; and highlights of the Trans-portation Equity Act for the 21st Century.

Regarding the Bois Forte Land Use Plan, the appropriate land use district designations and

William Whiteman. Comprehensin' Pla1111a

accompanying de\elopment guidelines for the plan have been developed and were presented for approval to. the Tribal Council in November 1998. Existing case law and court decisions related to <

zoning, taxation and assessment of

• Residential Districts should be areas best suited for present and future housing demand, based on aesthetics qnd soil suitability. The guidelines sh?uld indicate various measures that enhance the quality of living in these districts and ensure that unwanted activities do not locate in these areas.

• Gravesites and Cemetery Districts offer protection for areas that contain graves. Guidelines for these areas should forbid intrusive development.

• The purpose of Cultural and Historical Sites Districts is to ensure that culturally significant and/or historic sites are protected from any use or activity that would threaten the value or integrity of the site.

fees on non-Indian owners and users •· Community and Recreational of property on the BFIR has been Use Districts reserve land for researched and 'copies have been submitted to the tribal attorney for opinion. Research has also been

-current and future community and recreational uses.

conducted regarding examples of • Two types of Natural Resource zoning. taxation and fee structure' Protection Districts ~<;hall be on the other reservations. dis.tinguished: Uplands and

Wetlands. Only low-impact The following is a list of proposed developments should be allowed in land use <;iistricts with a short these areas synopsis of each:

• Commercial Districts indicate the areas best suited for any possible commercial activities. These districts particularly seek to reserve high traffic locations which many businesses need to prosper, and for which other uses are less advantageous.

• Public Works and Utilities Districts reserve adequate room where pub I ic faci Ii ties can be located unimpaired by other development. Included would be sewer, water and waste facilities.

• The purpose of Shorcland Management Districts is to establish special protections for shoreland and all open bodies of water on the reservation (exceeding two acres), excluding beaver ponds and other temporary impoundments. and to ensure a quality lakeside environment.

• Light Industrial Districts set aside areas best suited for present and future industrial uses. Included in these districts would be light manufacturing, construction and other similar low-impact industrial ventures.

Reservation Planner Sends _Update We've been working on some housing issues lately. A meeting was recently held with a housing development consultant regarding the use of tax credits to finance housing rehabilitation and construction.· Tax credit financing allows a company that is in the enviable position of having too much taxable income to purchase a limited partnership in low-income housing development. The company receives a tax break on this investment. There are only a given amount of tax credits available in any one year. The Tribal Council will pursue some of these tax credits through an application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

The application to be submitted this month wi H request sufficient financing to construct 10 new homes

Dave Danz, Reservation Planner

and rehabilitate 10 existing low-rent units managed by the Housing Authority. The program is geared to low-income families. Those new homes constructed would become lease-purchase housing for those families interested and selected to participate. The tax credit program .

itself is very competitive. Decisions on those agencies awarded tax credits will be made in May.

I have spent some time working with housing staff on an upcoming report required by HUD. New federal legislation passed by Congress a little over a year ago has changed Indian housing nationwide. Tribes now receive a block grant of funds rather than compete each year for housing funding under various programs. Tribal Councils are now the recipient of these funds; however, they may choose to let their existing Housing Authorities administer the program. At Bois Forte, the Housing Authority has been designated lo administer the housing programs.

Continued on Paf.:e 6

February 1999 Division Reports Bois Forte News 3

Nett Ltike School ....

Counseling Provided F~ur Day .. s Each Week Dan Lofgren provides counseling services at the Nett Lake School four days a week. His services are provided by a cooperative effort between the school district and the Range Mental Health Center through a Day Treatment program. The program is designed to meet the special needs of children and adolescents, promoting positive social, emotional and physical well-being.

The Day Treatment service is a psycho-social rehabilitation model that may be provided over an. extended period. It is a coordinated, structured and supportive program that addresses the multiple needs of children and adolescents.

The program is offered as part of the school day four days each week. The programming is provided during regular school hours to enable students to remain fully integrated in the community and school. Typically, students report during alternative class schedules to minimize academic disruption.

Program goals include: ( 1) reduce negative feelings and behaviors, ~ncrease positive behaviors, and reinforce appropriate relationships; (2) provide an opportunity for students to develop and improve leisure, socialization and independent-living skills; (3) and provide an alternative to other types

Anishinabe Be Mah Diz Zi Win ...

of counseling that traditionally have taken students out of their regular classroom. Services include diagnostic assessment; individ-ualized treatment plans, supervision; and consultation.

The program strives to create an environment for children and adolescents which provides treatment and offers students skills, hope and a sense of mastery over their lives and problems by working through them. The program's focus is to meet needs specific to· adolescent and childhood development.

Students are encouraged to take ownership for their own growth.

The program also strives to provide coordination of services, school personnel, social services, and other county representatives. Parental involvement is strongly encouraged and recognized as the key component to the· complete development and growth of a student.

An extension of the school-year Day Treatment Program is the summer program which provides the same services but with a more activity-oriented approach. It is designed to continue providing the particip~ts · with a structured and supportive program but it also allo'!VS for increased .self-expression and fun.

Traditional Cultural Activities at Nett Lake School Submitted by Gene Goodsky, Nett Luke Culture Program

Looking back to the beginning of this school year, September is always a good time for cultural activities. First of all, it's ricing time, and there's always a lot of work to be done around our camp, across from the school and below the old cemetery. We get it ready for when the Orr and Cook sixth graders come to spend the day with us.

During that day we divide all the students into three groups for three different activities. First is the parching at the camp. Second is a classroom heading project. And third is canoe handling and ricing techniques demonstrated by the Conservation Department at the Lake Shore. We have community members who help out with each activity. I want to thank all the participants and helpers.

For lunch. we have a cook out -hamburgers. hot dogs. and everything else tly1t goes with them. During the day. community

members and wor}<ers stop by. It's a busy day, but successful.

After that day, we spend a lot oftime outdoors. We learn about all the different species of trees and shrubs located around our camp; some are medicinal, and of course, we all know what poison ivy looks like. We also look for birds.

After it gets cold out in October and the leaves are falling, we start to spend more time inside the classroom. We work on language: different categories or work lists. such as animals (41 words). commands (25). action words (25). foods and household items (20 e[1ch). We talk about other cultural things. including legends. Powwows and spirituality. and heading projects. l talk to the students about our old ways. \Vhat I remember as a child. and teachings from parents. grandparents. uncles and aunts.

We had a lot of teachers in Ill\'

childhood days. l wish we could have a bigger staff for our cultural

I really stress that to our kids - work hard to get your education. hut don't lose or.forger our way <f IUt' that i-wts gil•en to us Anishinaht' hy our Cre(lfm:

Gt'11e Goodsky ft'acht's sixth graders about traditional wild ricing.

program. but that's impossible. in today's \Vorld. We have to learn a different kind of education - the education of reading. writing, arithmetic and computers in order to survive nowadays. I really stress

that to our kids - work hard to get your education, but don't lose or forget our way of life that was given to us Anishinabe by our Creator.

That's all - (Me-ih-eoh).

4 Bois Forte News Division Reports February 1999

Human Services ...

Honore Lehtinen Hired as Mental Health Worker

Honore Lehtinen, Human Services' newest mental health worker, joined the team last month. She brings a depth of experience and know ledge to the position.

"I want to bring the skills that I've already learned and will learn into thi~ job and do the best possible job I can," said Honore.

Only a couple weeks into her job, Honore is becoming familiar with the people on the Bois Forte Reservation and the resources available to them. "I've received a really positive impression of the Bois Forte Reservatipn, and the people I work with have been really helpful," she said.

Honore, who has lived in Cook since 1984, attended Mesabi Community College and the College of St. Scholastica, and last year earned her master's degree in social work from

- the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Pursuing higher education as a non-traditional student was not easy, Honore admitted, but nonetheless was very rewarding.

"Attending college as a non-• traditional student is a big commitment, but very doable," she said. "My children were my biggest cheerleaders."

Honore is a single mother of two children:. Danya, 20, and John, 15. "The biggest challenge for me as a single mother is to not be too hard on myself while provJding them with good standards," she said.

Honore Lehtinen

"All of life is an education, and the • more I learn, the more I appreciate

the Chippewa People."

In her spare t'ime, Honore likes to be outdoors or watch movies. She also enjoys photography and writing, and on two Saturdays each month she deejays a radio show on KAXE 91.7 FM.

As Bois Forte's new mental health worker, Honore hopes to "give back to the younger generation." Also, she is eager to learn. "There is a lot to be learned from all Peoples on the earth," she said. "This job is a process of learning. ·All of life is an education, and the more I learn, the more I appreciate the Chippewa People."

BOIS FORTE NEWS Box 16

Nett Lake, MN 55772 Phone: 218/757-3261

Editor: Axel J. Holmes, Sr.

Printed by Cook News-Herald Publishing Inc.

Open letter from Mary Snobl ...

Aging Elder Progralll I would like to thank the community for the opportunity to work with your Elders and Tribal Health Staff the week of January I 1-15. During this time we worked on trying to identify Medicare and Medicaid programs that Bois Forte Reservation Elders might be eligible for. Our goal is to create awareness for these programs and get all eligible Elders enrolled in programs that would save money for Elders and our Bois Forte Tribal Community.

All Elders who are 65 years old and are eligible for Social Security are eligible for Medicare Part A, which is the national health insurance program providing hospital, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and hospice coverage. Medicare Part B is the medical insurance which pays for doctors, outpatient hospital care, and other services not covered under Part A. You have the choice to take Part B, and the monthly premium is $45.50 per month, which is taken out of your Social Security check each month. If you do not sign up for Part B during the enrollment time when you turn 65 years old and wish to sign up for it at a later date, you will be assessed a I 0 percent pynalty fee for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but did not take it. If you are working and have insurance coverage under your employee program, you should notify Medicare that you do not need Part B now, but do want to enroll when you retire. This will save you from. paying any penalty for Part B.

The Medicaid Program, which is also called Medical Assistance, has programs available for Elders who

are income eligible and meet asset guidelines, that will help you pay for Medicare Part B and prescription drugs. See your Tribal Health staff to discuss these programs.

For Bois Forte Elders who live in Minneapolis and St. Paul, there are programs which can assist you with these and other needs. Indian Family Services (612/348-5788) is located in Minneapolis and assists Elders with transportation and supportive services. The Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) in Minneapolis has an American Indian Elder Dining Program (612/871-0372). They serve meals Monday through Friday (they request that you sign up in advance for meals), and they also have a Senior Citizens Program (612/879-1746) that assists Elders with transportation and supportive services. MAIC also sponsors a Caregiver Respite and Support Program which is available to help Elders caring for spouses, family members or grandchildren. The Indian Health Board in Minneapolis hosts Elder Clinics and works with agencies that provide Diabetic Clinics and other preventive health education programs. I work with the above programs to organize a picnic, and we will host our Third Urban Elders Picnic this summer.

I invite you to call me at 800/882-6262 or in St. Paul at 651/297-5458 to discuss any of these programs.

Mary Snob) Minnesota Board on Aging Indian Elder Program 444 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-3843

Monthly Income Limit

Individual Couple Benefit - Pays Medicare's QMB $691 $925 Premiums, deductibles, and

coinsurance SLMB $825 $1,105 Part B premium QI-I $926 $1,241 Part B premium QI-2 $1,194 $1,603 Part of the Part B premium

If you think you may qualify, contact your state, county or local medical assistance office - not a federal <dfice. Slightly higher amounts are allowed in Alaska and Hawaii. Income Limits will chanKe sliKhtly in 1999.

February 1999 Division Reports Bois Forte News 5

Environmental Services ...

You've,Heard it Before: Reduc·e, Reuse, Recycle Yes, you're hearing this more and more each passing year. But, the truth is, reducing, reusing and recycling waste will help cut back the space needed for landfilling, which is rapidly being depleted. We a.;; the "original" steward-; of the land must reaffirm our commitment to that stewardship. We can do so by becoming more educated about reducing waste, reusing and recycling waste.

One area the Sol id Waste Management office has been striving to continue has been the office recycling program. This program was developed in 1996 with the help of the AmeriCorps Volunteer Program. Recycling bins were distributed throughout the offices for office paper, glass, pla~tic and aluminum cans. Along with the recycle bins, there have been pamphlets, flyers and informational sessions to educate and bring awareness to recycling. The staff has been v.ery receptive and at some~ points, have kept Environmental office. workers on their toes. Although the program started with great enthusiasm, there is a need to_ continue awareness and continue re-educating staff. All in all, we feel the program is a success, and the goal is to better our record.

Another program we have recently reorganized is the Elderly Garbage Program. This program was also implemented in 1996, again with the assistance of the volunteers of the AmeriCorps program. The part1c1pants go through an application process where they select one of three options:

Option 1: They receive two yellow bags for garbage and two blue recycling hags from the receptionist and dispose of their waste on their own.

Option 2: They choose to have their waste picked up hy an Attendant and AmeriCorps worker on a weekly basis. The attendant will leave two yellow and hlue hags at their residence as they pick up the waste to be disposed.

Option 3: They choose not to participate in the program at all so those who arc in need can do so.

Linda Tibbetts-Barto /WMP Specialist

All Elders from all sectors of the reservation have received these applications. One requirement for this program is to recycle. Many

, have begun to recycle, but there is room for improvement. Eaucation and awareness are another component to this program. We try to keep the Elders informed about recycling by handing out flyers and pamphlets \\'.h.en the bags are picked

up. We will also go into the home when asked to provide individual informational sessions with the Elders.

Some Ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:

Reduce • Buy in bulk or in economy-size packages • Buy concentrated liquids, mix them in reusable containers • Use double-sided photo-copying • Buy products with minimal packaging

Reuse!Ren'Cle • Tins cans, plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, boxboard, etc. • Bring reusable items to non-profit stores or other second-hand markets

Some items are: clothing and linens, books and pictures, games and tools, kitchen goods, and small household appliances in working condition

Be sure tl'iese items are clean and good for someone else to use without repair:

Did you know that just one ceramic coffee cup or small stone can cause an entire load of recycled glass to be rejected hy the mairnfacturer? Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees? Did you know that the average recycled beverage can is remelted and back on the supermarket shelf in six weeks? Please help save the environment for the future of our children -. reduce, reuse and recycle.

For further information, call us at 218/757-3261.

Depart01ent Representatives Travel '

to Washington·, D .. c. Two Environmental Services representatives, Darin Steen and Linda Tibbetts-Barto. traveled to Washington, D.C. Janufiry 1)-15 to attend a national RCRA conference. RCRA is the federal law regulating solid and hazardous wastes. The EPA-sponsored conference focused on strengthening and promoting partnerships between federal. state. tribal and industrial bodies in i~plementing the Resource Conservation and Recoverv Act .• (RCRA).

At the conference. Department Director Steen and Tihhetts-Barto. Integrated Waste Management Specialist. delivered a 20-n!inute presentation about the Bois Forte Band~s inno\'ati\'e \\'aste management system. ··About l wo years ago. we were one of eight hands across the U.S. chosen to participate in a pilot project for developing integrated waste management programs." explained Tibhetts-Ba110. .. In fact. we had the number one ranked proposal in the nation with a comprehensive work plan which

Darin Steen. Director <f E11riro11menta/ Serl'ices, at the Capitol.

included projects on recycling, composting~ source reduction. and planning and policy de\'elopment ...

The EPA in\'ited Steen and Tibhetts-Barto to speak at the conference so that federal, state and tribal representatives could learn about the waste management strategies being developed at the Bois Forte Reservation. The unique partnerships being developed between the Band. state and federal agencies, local governments, and

Bemidji State University are a model for other tribes across the nation to follow in implementing their own integrated waste management programs.

The presentation was well received by other conference attendees. "We had a very good response," said Tibbetts-Barto. "EPA represent-atives asked if we were interested in providing technical assistance to other

Continued on Page 6

6 Bois Forte News Division RejJorts February 1999

Alllbulance News January was cold and the ambulance personnel was a busy crew. During the month of January we had I 0 runs. Only one trip was canceled before WC made it to the hospital; the EMTs that were on this

. particular run removed a ring from the person's swollen finger.

Personnel News New employees recently hired by the RTC include: • Joni Whiteman, TERO/JTPA

1 Coordinator: • Honore Lehtinen, Mental Health Worker;· • . Ella Jean Dudley, Secretary/ Receptionist; • Ellen King, Assistant Executive Secretary; • Christine Deegan, Solid Waste

Three of the EMTs who took the 28-hou r refresher class in August took the practical exam on December 16 and the written exam on December 17 at the Hibbing Community College. Sev~n of the 10 still need to take both tests. The most recent test date was February I 0.

I Operator-V~rmilion;

~-----------~ • Russ Robinette, ENP Cook-

The first weekend of February, approximately half of the ambulanc.e personnel attended training sessions at the DECC in Duluth. These sessions presented new ideas and new, ways to treat patients that are being transported by ambulance to· medical facilities.

There are several medical emergencies that should haVe beeh taken to the hospital by ambulance, but were deemed non-emergencies by persons other than Emergen~y Medical Services. I can ·only express the concern that I have for those who do not use the services ·

Marcella Connm; Ambulance Director

of the EMS. Persons transporting patients in private passenger vehicles are taking theresponsibility for that patient's well-being.· EMS volunteers are n·ained for these kinds of situations and would not be offended when called out at any time of the day or night.

Some of the emergencies that need to be taken by ambulance are chest pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, hemcWrffaglng, serious cuts and slash wounds, burns, imminent birth deliveries, bone fractures,· falls, head trauma, and other serious injuries. If you are in doubt, call an EMT-we are here to help you.

.~ Reser.vation Planning ~Contin'uedfrom Page 2 ·

Two. .• other l!UD Comm_unity for the resort and reservation as a Devel(')pmeM- Block grants that the whole. So; I will be working with Band has .. been ·awarded have · Andy on a number of projects, commitments of fu~·ding also fro~ including the Vermilion Health and theJegular housing block grant. . Social Center, water and sewer These are-the Vermilion Health and utility extensions, and other Social Center., and the most upcoming projects. It's good to . , ~

r.ecently funded program·w.e have work with Andy again. is called "HOME.'s 2000: the Bois Rorte Reservation Housing Re~abilitation Program" (catchy, eh ?S. Because of thes~ projects, I will-Contiq,ue to work with Housing b-utRa.rity sta.ff on· their imJ3lementations. Construction on both of these projects will begin this spring.

My former colleague, Andy Datko, is back at Fortune Bay. Andy has been hired directly by Fortune Bay to conduct development activities

My 1

daughter Maria told me she saw a copy of the Bois Forte News at UMD's American Indian Learning Resource Center where she's doing some work study. Well; Maria, what do you think of thi_s month's spellbinding edition of the Planning News? It could be titled "More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Tax Credit Financing," or perhaps "Federal HUD Block Grants: Clear as Mud."

Yermllion; • Fred Isham III, AmeirCorps; . • VondaLee Barto 1 Americ" Corps;

Interviews were conducted on February 5 for the following jobs: Housing Director; JTPA Head Start Teacher_ Aide; CHR (temporary); CHR; Program Accountant; Family Base/Indian Child Welfare; and

Patti Wilkie,Personnel Director

part-time Accounting Aide. lnteiviews were also held for four new positions: Public Health Nurse; two Health Care Assistants; and a Rostered Health Representative (temporary).

Look for more information on these and other new hires in upcoming editions of the Bois Forte News.

Early Chi,dhood Prograllls Head Start \vould 1.ikc tohighlight the Center Committees and Policy Council. Nett Lake Center's officers are Dawn Benner, Teresa Strong, and Rae Wilkie-Hayes. Vermilion Center's officers are Crystal Strong, Jody Summit, and Gina Vaughn. Together with Chris Salmela from the Home-Based program, our alternate Charlie Riihilouma, and our RTC Represerytative GordonAdams, Jr., the Center Committee officers form the Bois Forte Head Start Policy Council. All are new members who are undergoing orientation . to learn the many Head Start regulations and duties.

We're thankful parents will volunteer the extra time fo help improve the program for all families.

This year there will be many challenges. We need to work together to develop the systems that

suppon program scrvic~s, .an~ ,tbc Policy Council and j~ihal c·ouficif will work together to design an "impasse policy" as required by the · new regulations.

Other News

• Nett Lake Center had an open house for parents. It was very successful with most parents in attendance. Children's papers were displayed, · screenings were explained, and our curricula were available for parents' perusal.

• Teachers will be scheduling home visits, and we are still asking parents to help us get all the screenings and follow-ups completed .

• We have a new employee, Denise Floen-Cook, at the Vermilion Center.

Washington ... Continued from Page 5 bands who are working on similar programs, and yve even received inquiries from bands in Ala~ka."

Anyone interested in learning more about the Bo·is Forte

Integrated Waste Management Program can contact Tibbetts- . Barto or Steen at the Reservation Tribal Council offices in Nett Lake at 2181757-3261 or 800/221-8129.

February 1999 Division Reports Bois Forte News 7

RTC. Identifies Legislative Priorities

Attorney Steve Thorne meets with RTC members and division directors.

During this legislative session, as in years past, several issues at the state Capitol could affect the lives of Bois Forte Band members. That is why the Reservation Tribal Council is using new ideas in its lobbying. efforts in 1999.

This year, the RTC has amended its contract with the Jacobson Buffalo Schoessler and Magnuson law firm to include lobbying services. Attorney Steve Thorne will be the contact person who will advocate the Band's interests at the Capitol and coordinate with other lobbyists who specialize in certain issues or have close contacts within the legislature. Thorne also will prepare the necessary documents and legislative language for various issues.

. living, long-range planning, and advocacy services for our tribal Elders.

• Nett Lake Village Cemetery: Band leaders have obtained the support of Koochiching County for the conveyance of about nine acres of county tax-forfeited land adjacent to the Nett Lake Cemetery to the Band. State legislation is required to authorize the transfer.

• Highway 65: The Band is seeking funds to pave this distance of road in the southern part of the Nett Lake Reservation, which is the only unpaved stretch of state highway in Minnesota. Bridges are badly needed. too. To finance this project, $23 million is needed. This will be a multi-year effort.

Last month, RTC members and • Nett Lake ·Policl!: The RTC division directors met with Thorne to identify key legislative issues, including the following:

• Education: The RTCs goal is

wants its law enforcers licensed as state officers. which would complement their status as BIA officers.

tu continue the Nett Lake School • Social Serrices: Band leaders . appropriation for maintenance and insurance, which stands at $165,000. The school, which was built with state funding. needs assistance in operating its media center and physi'cal plant. Also. the Head Start program needs support.

• /;'Ider Network: This state proposal would allocate as much as $200,000 to improve independent

arc looking for additional state money to support the Barn.rs Social Services·s Indian Child Welfare program.

• Gaming: As always. our gaming rights and interests will he guarded closely ... . The RTC' will keep you posted on these issues in future editions-of the /Jois Forte Nt1l\'s.

School Board Me1nbers Attend Meetings

The Nett Lake School District is a member of the Minnesota School Boards Association. Three board members and Superintendent Richard Hughes recently attended the annual Leadership Conferenc_e in Minneapolis which was highlighted with an address by Governor Jesse Ventura. Representatives from Nett Lake also attended a February 3 meeting held by the Minnesota Deparqnent of Education, Office of Indian Education, with members of the Ventura Administration. The Governor's budget was discussed as well as his educational philosophy, especially as it pertains to India~ Education. The state administration has expressed an interest in establishing a dialogue with Indian Education Cominittees to exchange information and review programs.

The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) was founded in 1920 and is the eighth oldest board organization in the United States. The purpose of th~

Association is to assist elected school board members in meeting their fundamental governance roles of vision. structure. accountability and advocacy in order to achieve their goals of excellence. equity and representative government in public education.

MSBA has a separate government relations division that specifically works with legislative committees, individual legislators and their staff, numerous state agencies, and representatives of the executive branch. The charge to the division is to present the statewide views of Minnesota's public school board members.

MSBA's legislative positions are adopted through what is recognized as one of the most grassroots approaches of any of the interests represented at the State Capitol. School board members from throughout the state are elected by their peers at MSBA's Fall Area Meeting held in September. These representatives come together in a delegate assembly to discuss and vote on various legislative resolutions submitted by' school boards and individual school board members.

During an average year, over I 00 legislative resolutions are submitted to the delegate assembly for consideration. Those resolutions that receive a majority vote, as well as positions adopted during previous years. become the basis for MSBA staff lobbying efforts on behalf of all public school board members in the state.

Peli~an Bay

(formerly Paul's !GA of Orr) •Expanded Grocery Store with:

-.J Complete Fresh Meat Dept. -.J Large Fresh Produce Se.;tion

•Bakery and Deli Pelican Bay IGA is three times larger than the old Paul's IGA. You will find a well-stocked, fresh produce deparment, an extensive array of fresh meats for your selection, as well as row upon row of groceries and household items of your choice. A full-service in-store bakery and deli round out your shopping trip to Pelican Bay IGA where you can relax and enjoy some of our deli specialties while seated in a booth in the cheery coffee shop right in the store!

8 Bois Forte News News February 1999

Fleeing an Officer is a Felony

Snowmobilers who know the laws, abide by them, and sled safely will have fun rather than problems, according to the Department of Natural Resources. DNR conservation officers, deputy sheriffs, police officers, and other peace officers are responsible for enforcing Minnesota's snowmobile laws.

"Stop for officers when asked to halt," advised DNR Enforcement Chief Leo Haseman. "Fleeing an enforcement officer is a felony and the snowmobile used may be forfeited. Arguing that 'I didn't know who he was' or 'I didn't see her signal to stop' is not defensible."

A special task force is working along Minnesota's trails, ensuring that snowm~bilers are riding safely. The DNR Snowmobile Task Force, comprised of experienced conservation officers, is concentrating each weekend on careless operation, alcohol-related violations and excessive speed. The task force also uses DNR aircraft to ensure a safe snowmobile season.

Recent DNR Enforcement Weekly Reports (www.state.dnr.mn.us/ enforcement/co_report/) show a number of incidents where snowmobilers decided to flee officers following a violation.

"One snowmobiler fled to avoid a misdemeanor violation with a $50 fine, putting himself, the officers, and the public in danger," said Conseryation Officer Julie Olson, who is the DNR Snowmobile Task Force coordinator. "He turned the misdemeanor violation into a felony violation with the forfeiture of a new snowmobile."

Fleeing resulting in death is punishable by up to l 0 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $20,000. If fleeing results in great bodily injury, the sentence is up to seven years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $I 4;ooo. Substantial bodily harm can result in maximum imprisonment of five years and/or a fine of $10,000. Fleeing an officer is punishable by a sentence of up to three years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

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Know Your Rights Here <J.re some of the questions or call the attorney general's office. commonly asked by tenants and the Never simply withhold rent because answers provided by the Attorney of unmade repairs - you may be General's Consumer Protection evicted. office:

When I buy a house, I can legally How long does a landlord have to ge: out of my apartment lease, right? return a tenant's security deposit?

In Minnesota, landlords must return a security deposit with three percent interest within 21 days after the tenant vacates the rental property. A landlord can keep the security deposit for damage done to the property and for unpaid rent. If the landlord is not returning the full deposit, or any of the deposit, the landlord must still notify the tenant within 21 days.

Can a landlord enter my apartment at any time?

No. However, a landlord can enter a rental unit for "reasonable business purposes" after making an effort to give the tenant reasonable notice. If a landlord needs to make general repairs to maintain the unit, show the apartment to prospective tenants, or check to see if an unauthorized person is staying in the apartment, the landlord needs to give the tenant reasonable notice before entering the apartment. The landlord and the tenant need to agree upon what "reasonable notice" means, unless it is addressed in a written lease.

How can I get my landlord to make necessary repairs?

No. One of the most common misperceptions is if you buy a house, or even get a new job in · another state, your lease ends. You are still responsible for the rent, but you can sublet the apartment to another person if your lease allows it. Many leases say the tenant can sublet only if the landlord agrees to it. The original tenant can be responsible if the new tenant does not pay the rent or damages the property.

How can a landlord evict a tenant?

In a month-to-month lease, a landlord simply needs to inform the tenant in writing at least one month and one day before the final rental period. In order to evict a tenant with a lease, a landlord must first bring an "unlawful detainer" action against the tenant. This legal proceeding to evict a tenant is conducted in district court. To bring such an action, the landlord must have a legitimate reason, such as unpaid rent, destruction of property, or violation of the lease. If you think your landlord is evicting you for unlawful reasons, you should call a lawyer or the attorney general's office for more information.

If you have any questions or topics Minnesota law requires landlords to you would like addressed in future keep rental units in reasonable columns, please write us at: Indian repair, If a tenant is having trouble Legal Assistance Program, 107 W. getting a landlord to make repairs, First St., Duluth, MN 55802. the tenant should consult a lawyer

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February 1999 Tribal Council Bois Forte News 9

Reservation Tribal Council Minutes Minutes of a special meeting of the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council held on December 10, 1998, conference room, Nett Lake, Minnesota.

Meeting called to order at 9: 10 a. m. ·

Members present: Doris Isham; David C. Morrison, Sr.; Gordon Adams, Jr., Ray Villebrun, Sr.; Phyllis Boshey

Member absent: None.

Others: Donna Hoffer; Vicki Holmes; Wendy Morrison; Al Morrisseau; Henry Beauduy; Gary Adams; Judy Anderson; Dave Danz; Dale Leecy; Mike Connor; Patti Wilkie; Bill Whiteman; Darin Steen; Jackie Villebrun; Captain Richard Wilkie; Joel Smith; Axel Holmes.

Phyllis Boshey, David Morrison, Doris Isham, Ray Villebrun, ·S1:, and Gordon Adams, Jr.

complete 400 hours as a social work intern for Bois Forte. Vote_ is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

The other agenda items Henry Beauduy had on the agenda will be·

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; presented at the Jam~ary 7, 1998 seconded by Phyllis Boshey; to meeting. Judy Anderson requests to approve the _agenda with the take all the Head Start staff, some additions of:. renewal of health of the parents and some of.the insurance policy; motor vehicle AmeriCorps workers to the National licensing ordinance; and the Head Start Conference which will sturgeon court_ case. Vote is 4-0-0. be held in April in Minneapolis and Motion carried. ., close Head Start/DayCare while

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Gordon Adams, Jr.; to approve the minutes of special meetings held on November 23, 1998, Nett Lake, Minnesota and November 25, 1998, Nett Lake, Minnesota. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.: seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; to adopt resolution #78-99. grant submission for the American Indian Mental Health Contract for Psychological Services. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Gordon Adams. Jr.: seconded by Ray Villebrun. Sr.: to adopt resolutron #79-99. funding request to the Administration for Children and Families Section of the Department of Health and Human Services for the ,Family Vil~leni.:e

Prevention Program. Vote is -1--0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Gordon Adams. Jr.: seconded by Phyllis Boshey: to approve the contract for the social work intern. Cindy Lustig will

they are gone. The cost would be around $16,000. Jud'y said half could be paid from this year's grant and half from next year's grant. Judy Anderson is to bring back more information on the conference to the January 7 meeting so the· Council will have more information to base a decision on.

Judy Anderson asks if Bois Forte would be interested in applying for the Peacemaking Mode I Program. This is a progr.:am that \vould attempt to make clear the peace-making trad~tions. practices and need in Indian communities by compiling inform<\tion from participants of focus groups from whii.:h curriculum would be developed. Judy Anderson is to get more information

~ . on this and present at a di,·ision dirci.:tor·s meeting to get their input on whether it's something \\C should do.

Judy Anderson requests to clOSL' Daycare on the half day of December 31st so staff can clean the carpets and saniti1.e the furniture and toys. This request is approved and Judy is to kt the parents know this

well ahead of time. In the future. . .

Judy can bring requests like this to the Executive Director.

Judy Anderson informs the Council that parents were given notice to bring ·their accounts current by January l or they would become ineligible to use the Daycare center. Most families are current except for 1 or 2. There are also families no longer using Daycare sen ices with outstanding balances. Judv asks for

~ -direction on this: should she strictly enforce the policy? Judy is informed that these are policies. and they need to be adhered to: it would not be fair to families who haw maintained current accounts if policies \\'ere not follo\\·ed. There is a waiting list for Daycare sen·ices from families in our community.

renamed to Tibbetts Trail. Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Phyllis Boshey: to keep the road names and addresses as they currently are. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Dave Danz gives an update on the status of the Bois Forte HOME program. lt was funded through two grants. The first grant funded four home loans and balance in the first grant is S72. 782 attributed to lack of activity by Craig Gilbert (letters were sent to Craig but no response on whether he is gcting to build, it's been a couple years since he recei Yed the loan). The second grant funded three home loans and the balance in the second grant will be S-W.000 after Mike Connor spends the rest of his loan. There is a balance of SI .+.500 from loan

Mo,·ed by Gordon Adams. Jr.: repayments in the HOME program. seconded by Phyllis Boshey: to .-\t an earlier meeting it was asked approw the Gree1rn·ood To\rnsh ip if the S 1-1-.500 could be used for request for a letter of support for loans to indiYiduals requesting help their trail project. They are with septic/mound systems. Dave proposing to build a biking/hiking/ is asking for direction on whether roller blade trail along the old ·to giw Craig another chance to use portion of County Road 77 from his loan or cancel his loan and Moccasin Point to the Greenwood reassign the loan to someone else: Town Hall. This trail would not ·get clarification on whether the L'ross an\' trihat lands but \\'OU Id be S 1-1-.500 could be used for loans for dose enough to Vermilion RcscrYation so hand members could use it. Vote is ..J.-0-0. Motion carried.

A letter is rcL·ci Ycd from Greenwood Township asking whether Skog.mans Rliad ~vill rt'main open and maintained or if emergency Ychicles should use Tibbetts Trail to access the properties on Skogmans Road. They are also asking if S kogmans Road addresses wi 11. be

septic/mound systems: and whether to use the balance in the second fund for another loan (of which optior use the $14.500 and $19,0Uu NAHASDA funding. or option #2: use S33.500 NAHASDA funding, to make ,a complete home loan package).

Continued on Next Page

10 Bois Forte News Tribal Council February 1999

RTC Minutes ... Continued from Previous Page Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; that because repeated letters were sent to Craig with no response, to cancel Craig Gilbert's loan and reassign d~ loan to someone else. Carried 4-0-0. Dave Danz is to go with option #2 to make another home loan package. Dave Danz also asks to keep the administration of the program with Bili Whiteman and as each grant is closed out, to turn the loan servicing of the program to the Housing Authority. This is approved. Dave Danz and Bill Whiteman are to draft guidelines for the septic/wells program for Council consideration. Dave Danz informs the Council the Senior Assisted Living Center should be finished no later than the end of December. The punchlist walkthrough will be at l 0:00 a.m. on Tuesday if any Council members plan to attend. Dave requests a date in January be set for receiving tenants. He is told either January 4, l I, or the I 8th is okay for receiving tenants.

Moved by David Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; to adopt resolution #80-99, gra,nt application to St. Louis County for funds to support. the operation and maintenance of the recycling program. Vote is 4-0-'0. Motion carried.

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; to approve the donation requests as follows: l) $300.00 to the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, 2) $500.00 to the Bois Forte Human Services Volunteer Committee -needy families, 3) $1,650.00 to the Bois Forte Elders in Minnesota living outside of Orr, Nett Lake, Vermilion, each a $15.00 grocery gift certificate. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Gordon Adams, Jr.; to approve the Blue Cross Blue Shield contract for, health insurance, effective January 1, 1999, pending legal counsel's review and approval. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Patti Wilkie is to check into the dental plan to see if it is a fair and practical plan because complaints

are being received that there are doctors not working with the Delta Dental coverage.

Jackie Villebrun informs the Counci I that Dan Zika has requested to extend the option on his business lease because he is getting a loan from the MCT and they won't be doing anything until May. Also, Dan is taking Robert Zika's name off the lease. Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Phyllis Boshey; to extend the option to Dan Zika's lease until the end of May 1999 with the stipulation that this is the last and final extension. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by Phyllis Boshey; to approve the request from Jackie Villebrun who is requesting $500.00 earnest money deposit to be sent to Mr. Jack Lueken along with the purchase agreement (purchase of his pl'Operty). Yott; is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; to table the request from Joan Gustafson for a waiver of lakeshore setbacks. She has a trailer house and would need to go closer to the lake because the lot is so small. This is tabled until the septic/water policies are in place. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Jackie Villebrun informs the Council she put October 1 as tbe lease effective date for John Dudley, but he moved in September 28. Is it okay to leave the effective date of the lease as October l? Council concurs.

Moved by Phyllis Boshey; seconded by Gordon Adams, Jr.; to adopt resolution #81-99, new lease, Peter Pete. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried. Joel Smith, BIA Minnesota Agency Superintendent, ~nforms the Council of upcoming changes to occur in the BIA law enforcement program. The line authority will be moved from the Minnesota Agency (superintendent) and the Minneapolis Are.a Office (area director) to the Office of Law Enforcement Services out of Albuquerque. The Aberdeen Area Office will then be the first line

authority in the supervisory role. This is a result of a presidential order and these changes will be Bureau-wide, not just this area. Joel said there were two options ~ to keep as is with leaving the law enforcement program with the Office of Law Enforcement Services to manage, er to have the tribe take over the program. The Council informs Joel Smith these options will be taken under consideration and the Council will be making a decision. this

·winter.

Moved by David Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Phyllis Boshey; to approve the 1999 Fire Protection Contract with Greenwood Township. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried. ·

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr., seconded by Phyllis Boshey; to approve out of state travel for Yvonne King and Angela Wright to attend a court hearing in Douglas County in Wisconsin on December 2. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried. Axel Holmes has a concern about machinery and parking on his lawn. Donna Hoffer will talk to Joe Holstein about this.

Phyllis Boshey requests to get the brown Chevy truck at Vermilion fixed. The individual who would be fixing the truck is going to Texas and will buy the parts down there. He will need a check to purchase the parts. The Council tells Phyllis to direct mail a check to the place where he buys the parts.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Gordon Adams, Jr.; to discuss the appointment of representative to the meetings at the Minnesota Department of Human Services regarding health care to recipients of welfare. Vote is 4.:.0-0 to appoint Jeneal Goggleye, Health Director; Gary Adams, Human Services Director; and I council member (whoever is available) as representatives. Meeting is recessed at 1 I :57 until 1 :00 p.m. Meeting reconvenes at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting is recessed at I :00 p.m.

Moved by David Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Gordon Adams, Jr.; to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried 4-0-0.

Minutes of a special meeting of the Lafayette Connor is interested in /Jois Forte Reservation Tribal purchasing the house on Highway Council held December 14, 1998, 65. He wants to know who will be DNR conference room, Nett Lake, paying for the repairs. Donna Minnesota. Hoffer is to make sure the insurance is covering the damage. Members present: Doris Isham;

David C. Morrison, Sr.; Gordon Floyd Morrison wanted to know if· Adams, Jr.; Ray Villebrun, Sr.; payroll deductions could be Phyllis Boshey accepted for the bids on the cars. The Council said no because the Conservation Departm~nt needs the money right away for the purchase of the new trucks.

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; to adopt resolution #82-99, · amending resolution #77-99, supporting ISO #707's funding application for the Post-Secondary Preparation Program and the American Indian Language and Culture Program. Vote is 4-0-0. Motion carried.

Action will be taken on Monday on the request to use the $14,500 HOME repayment money for septic/mound systems.

Members absent: None

Others present: Donna Hoffer; Eileen Barney; Dave Danielson; Gordon Warrick; Mark Anderson, via telephone; Patti Wilkie

Chairperson Isham calls the meeting to order at I 0:45 a.m. ·

Chairperson Isham dispenses with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting.

Moved by Gordon Adams, Jr.; seconded by David C. Morrison, Sr.;

Continued on Next Page

February 1999 Tribal Council Bois Forte News 11

RTCMinutes Continued from Previous Page Share Your

Pride to approve Ordinance #68-99, Bois Members Absent: Gordon Adams, Jr. Forte License Plates. Carried 4-0-0.

Others: Donna Hoffer; Vicki Gordon Adams, Jr. leaves the Holmes;BillWhiteman;DaveDanz meeting at I I :45 a.m.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; Moved by David C. Morrison, Sr.; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; that to approve the Home Improvement the Personnel Policy Manual that Loan Program under the Bois Forte was submitted with the most recent HOME Loan Program. The criteria and complete HUD application/ is just for wells and septics. The

. proposal will be the Policy that will loan would be up to a 5-year loan be recognized up until November 9, with a maximum of $7 ,000.00 at 4% I 998, when the RTC adopted interest. Vote is 3-0-0. Motion Resolution #69-99. Carried 3-0-0. · carried.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; Bill Whiteman is to call Donovan seconded by David C. Morrison, Sr.; Strong and Don King to confirm the to adopt Resolution #83-99, right to loan requests, work on the loan fish on waters adjacent to the Lak~ agreements, then have the Vermilion and Nett Lake individuals get two contractor Reservation. Carried 3-0-0. quotes.

MovedbyPhyllisBoshey;seconded Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; to adopt seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; Resolution #84-99, extend attorney contract for one year from its expiration date (September 30, 1998) and with the addendum for lobbying services. Carried 3-0-0. ,~

Moved by David C. Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; that Bois Forte Housing staff be relieved of the recruitment process for the Senior Assisted Living Center and the management of the HOME, HIP, CDBG rehabilitation. Carried 3-0-0.

Moved by Ray Villebrun, Sr.; seconded by Phyllis Boshey; that the $14,500 revenue from HOME loan · payments by used for loan purposes for septic systems. Carried 3-0-0.

Moved by David C. Morrison, Sr.; seconded by Phyllis Hoshey; to adjourn meeting at I :20 p.m. Carried 3-0-0.

Minutes (d'a special meeting <d. the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council held 011 Decemher 23, 1998, DNR co11/erc11ce room. Nett Lake, Minnesota.

Meeting called to order at 10:10 a.m. Members Present: Doris Isham: David C. Morrison, Sr.: Ray Yillebrun, Sr.: Phyllis Boshcy

to approve the donation request for the AmericCorps Unity Party for five (5) $21.00 bingo packets and gift certificates from MSC Foods. Vote is 3-0-0. Motion carried.

Mark Anderson will be. here on December 29 to give a presentation of the Ethics Code to all staff. After that presentation there will be a meeting with the Council, Mark Anderson, and Gordon Warrick, to discuss the law enforcement program and the budget.

Vicki Holmes is directed to send Phyllis Boshey a postcard notifying her of all the RTC meetings.

Moved by Phyllis Boshey; seconded by David Morrison, Sr.; to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 a.m. Carried 3-0-o.·

Last year, the Bois Forte Band began publishing a semi-annual · newspaper dedicated to the .. · progress our People are making. Bois Forte Pride is filled with information about projects we have accomplished, and plans we have for the future.

The next issue of Bois Forte Pride will come out this spring, and we want to make sure it is filled with stories and photos about progress on and off the reservation. If there is a person or a project you are proud of, please let us know. Call Wick-o at 800/221-8129, or write to her at the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council, 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772. Mii gwetch!

During March & April, Wild Edge members can receive qualifying combination cards by any hand paid jackpot, regular .or special bingo wins,

pulltab wins over $100, pit announced hands. Test day: Sunday, April 25th from 10am-9pm.

Drawings for all unclaimed cash & prizes will be held at 9pm. Combination cards issued up to 9am April 25th.

Combination cards are non-transferable!

On Beautiful Lake Vermilion ... Near Tower, Minnesota Casino: 753-6400 Resort: 753-2611

12 Bois Forte Nev. s Legislature February 1999

President Clinton Discusses Education The following is a speech delivered by President Bill Clinton at the Presidential Hall in the Old Executive Office Building last month.

Let me thank all of you for coming today and welcome you here. This is the 21st year of a partnership in education that involves Hillary and me and Secretary Riley. We all started working together in 1979, and we've been at it a good while now. Few things that I have ever .been a part of have given - sort of thrilled me - more than just listening to Arthur Moore talk. And I'm sure all of you felt the same way.

I thank the members of Congress who are here, and all the other distinguishe4 guests. I would like to recognize just three: First, we have here the president of the Navajo Nation, Kelsey Begaye; and Samuel Penney, the chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. And Arthur Moore's daughter, Andrea, is here, and she must have been awful proud of her father today, and I know he is proud of her. So we welcome all of them.

After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in October of 1957, Presi9ent Eisenhower asked the Congress to rise to the challenge of the times and proposed a new federal program to help public school teachers improve their math and science instruction. He understood that teaching is an importaiit part of our national security. And I think, therefore, th.at President Eisenhower - and General Eisenhower-would have been very pleased to see Arthur Moore as a soldier-turned-teacher.

Two days ago, in the State of the Union address, I asked Congress to rise to the demands of this time, to pass an Education Accountability Act that would offer more investment, demand more accountability, and not as some have implied, have tl1e federal government try to run more of our day-to-day activities in our public schools, but simply have the federal government respond to what the teachers of this country and the principals and the educators have been telling us, and invest in what works.

President Clinton We now have an opportunity to do that. With the strength of our economy and with the size of our surplus, we have an opportunity. We also have an obligation.

Research confirms what most of us know from our own experience -what most determines whether students learn is not family background or even dollars spent per pupil, but the talent, the ability, and the dedication of their teachers.

Every adult in this room, I know, can recall the names of teachers who deeply affected our own lives and helped us to get where we are today. I was thinking this morning about my high school band teacher. And you say, you wouldn't think that the band teacher would have a lot to do with a person becoming president, but he instilled not only in me a love ·of music, but also a reminder that I could never manifest that love unless I worked like crazy, that I had to learn to work in a team. I couldn't play too loud just because I liked to play. And because we ran the statewide music festival every year, he taught me how to organize and how to manage people and time, all kinds of things that teachers teach children that stay with them for a lifetime.

There are an awful lot of teachers like that in America. But we have to face the fact that because our classrooms are bursting with 53 million children, beca~se, frankly, we still don't pay our teachers as

much as we should in most places. A quarter - listen to this - a quarter of all secondary school teachers don't have college majors or even minors in the subjects they are teaching. And the deficit is greatest where the need is greatest.

Schools with the highest minority enrollment, for example, have less than a 50-50 chance - now, think about this - less than a 50-50 chance of having a math or science teacher with a license or degree in the field.

I don't know if you remember what I said in the State of the Union the other night about what the international test scores show, but basically our fourth graders rank near the top of all industrialized countries in performance in math and science. Our eighth graders drop to the middle; our twelfth graders are near the bottom. No one can doubt, surely, that one reason is the absence of a pool of teachers who have been trained in the subjects they are teaching.

Now, we have a real opportunity to get more good teachers in general, more good education practice, and more properly specifically trained teachers, in particular, this year, because every five years, the federal government revisits the terms on which it invests $15 billion in our nation's schools. 1999 is the fifth year - we have to do it again. It gives us a golden opportunity and a solemn responsibility to change the way we invest the money to invest in what works and to stop investing in what doesn't.

So I intend to send Congress a plan that will, among other things, require states receiving federal funds to end social promotion, but will also provide them the funds for summer school, after-school, and other support for children who need it. If you look at what I just said about the progression of the test, it is not the students who are failing -it is the system that is failing the· st_u4ents .. And we need. to rt'.spond acco'rdi ngl y.

Second, to adopt and enforce strict discipline codes, something teachers in the teachers' organizations have asked us to support more vigorously.

Third, to give parents report cards on their children's school. Fourth, to tum around the worst-performing schools or close them, and we will provide funds to help states do that. And finally, to be accountable for the quality of their teachers, with new teachers passing performance exams, all teachers knowing the subjects they're teaching, and we will ptovide support for that.

We also should build or modernize 5,000 schools, continue our work to hook every classroom and library up to the Internet. But I want to focus for a moment on the teaching. How can we get more Arthur Moores out there? And I'd like to mention just four things that will be in the balanced budget I will submit to Congress early next month.

First, I will call on Congress to invest $1.4 billion to hire new, better-trained teachers to reduce class size in the early grades. This is the next big installment on our goal to hire 100,000 new teachers, and it's a 17 percent increase over the very large down payment we made last year.

Second, I will ask Congress to invest $35 million to provide 7,000college scholarships for our brightest young people who commit to teaching where they can do the most good -in the poorest inner-city and rural schools. This is over five times the investment Congress made last year, and I think it is a wonderful idea. We came up with this idea because it's modeled, basically, on the National Medical Service Corps. Some of you who may have once lived in rural America. When I was governor, sometimes the only way we could get doctors to go into rural areas is that they had taken funds to go to medical school - and they realized - in return for which they -would need to go out into rural are~s and practice medicine, and they got to pay off a certain amount of their loan every year.

It's also the way the national defense loans worked. I actually had one of them in-law school. If you taught school for a certain number of years,

Continued on Page 13

February 1999 Legislature Bois Forte News 13

Clinton ... Continued from Page 12 • a certain percentage of your loan

would be forgiven. And I can't think of a better way to give some of the most gifted young people in this country a chance to do something they might like to do anyway, in ways that would, in effect, work out to supplement the salary they would otherwise be earning.

Third, I will ask Congress to invest $10 million to train 1,000 Native Americans to teach on Indian reservations and in other p_ublic schools with large Native American populations.

Fourth, I will call on Congress to invest $18 million to recruit and train retired members of the military to become teachers. Since 1994 -you heard Arthur say this is his fifth year of teaching - our Troops-to-Teachers Program has helped 3,000 active duty soldiers who were planning to leave the military and find rewarding second careers in teaching. That experience has shown that people like Mr. Moore make great teachers and great role models. ·

I again want to thank a1l the members of Congress - Secretary Riley mentioned them; one of them, Chet Edwards, is here - for the work that they have done in this regard. Congresswoman Mink and I were recently together in Korea visiting our troops. And I met a Senior Master Sergeant who was about to retire after 29 years in the military; he was 49 years old. He could still run a six-minute mile. And he was going home to Kentucky to teach children. He said, "I think I can do those kids some good."

There are a lot of people like this. You go out into - if you visit with the people in the military, that make the military their career, you just can't fail to he impressed with the accumulated weight of experience. They've dealt with every kind of human problem you can imagine. They understand~ increasingly - and !must say, in the last several years. more and more - the importance of balancing discipline and creativity. letting people think for themselves, hut also reminding them that they have to play on the team and with

certain rules. And they understand how to manage people and resources - and lttnited resources -to do a job of limitless importance. They tend to have math and science backgrounds. And they have shown a remarkable willingness to teach in inner-city and rural schools that have difficulty recruiting teachers.

So these 25 million veterans - and there will be more as time goes on~ obviously, more and more every year - are an incredible pool of potential talent. The Secretary of Education always tells me that we're going to have to hire two million more teachers in the next few years, beca~se of the growth of the student population and the retirement of the existing teacher corps.

So I think we should do more, and this is a big down payment on it. And I must say, members of Congress, if you think that we ought to spend even more money on it, I'll support you. I think we should make it easier for people who have kept our nation strong to provide for a strong American future in the 21st century.

Now let me just mention one other program that is very important to me, and that's the Master Teacher program. The National,Board for Professional Teacher Certification has received almost unanimous support from teachers and other educators throughout our country. We are trying to get 100.000 certified master teachers. enough so that we'll have at least one in every school building in America. and when we do that, we know they will have a dramatic impact on improving the quality of the existing teacher corps. So 1 hope we will have support for that.

And if we do these things. in addition to the other proposals. 1 think that we will he doing our part to ensure that we ·11 ha\'C the kind of sd10ols our children need. and our country needs. in the 21st century. Because it all starts \\'ith a teacher like Mr. Moore.

Thank you very mudi.

President Seeks 1,000 New Indian Teachers

In his State of the Union address, President Clinton called on states and school districts to ensure that new teachers meet stat(( certification requirements, pass performance exams, and have a major or minor in the subject they teach. On January 21, President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announced several initiatives to help schools meet these objectives and to attract talented, well-prepared teachers into our classrooms.

These initiatives include: (I) a second installment on the president's class size reduction initiative, which increases funding by $200 million and enables local schools to hire an additional 8,000 teachers; (2) 535 million in funding - up from 57.5 million this year - to provide scholarships to 7,000 outstanding students who commit to teaching in high-poverty pµblic schools: (3)' an $18 million initiative to extend the Troops-to-Teachers program to train and place more than 3.000 retired military personnel as new teachers in public schools, especially in high-need subject areas like math and science and in high-poverty schools: and (4) a new 510 million initiatiYe to begin recruiting and training 1.000 Nati \'e American teachers who commit to teach in schools ,,·ith high concentrations of NatiYe American students.

Reducing Class Size

President Clinton asked for 51.-+ billion in his FY 2000 budget - a S200 mill ion increase over FY 1999 funding - for his initiatiYe to hire 100.000 teachers to reduce class size in grades 1-.3 to a national awrage of 18. This increase will enable local schools to recruit. hire and train an additional 8.000 teachers. ,,·hile continuing to pay for the .30.000 teachers hirt>d with FY 1999 funds.

To ensure that this initiative supports high-quality teaching. school districts may spend up to 15 pen;ent of these funds for teacher training and other related activities. Studies slww that smaller classes enable teachers to give personal attention to students. which leads to their

getting a stronger foundation in the basic skills. The studies also show that minority and disadvantaged students show the greatest achievement gains as a result of reducing class size in the early grades.

Luring Outstanding Teachers

Poor and minority students often have the least access to well-prepared teachers. For example, students in schools with the highest minority enrollments have less than a 50 percent chance of having a math or science teacher with a license and degree in the field.

To address this challenge, the president proposed $35 million:- up from 57.5 million this year - to provide scholarships to 7 ,000 outstanding students who commit to teaching in high-poverty public schools. These scholarships were first proposed by President 'Clil'l.lt5ri last year and enacted by Congress as part of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Troops-to-Teachers

The successful Troops-to-Teachers program. which has helped 3,000 retiring military personnel become teachers in public schools since 1994. is scheduled to expire later this year. To preserve and build on this suscessful program. President Clinton will propose S 18 million to provide scholarships and other support for training and placing in public schools more than 3.ooo retiring military personnel and other mid-career professionals. The initiative would focus on recruiting and training new teachers for high-poverty schools and for high-need subject areas like math, science. foreign languages. or special education.

New Native American Teachers

. Only two-thirds of Native American students successfully complete high school - far fewer than other students. To address this challenge, the president is proposing $ l 0 million to begin training and recruiting 1,000 new teachers for areas with high concentrations of American Indian and Alaska Native students.

14 Bois Forte News Fun Page February 1999

February 1999 Starwatch The full moon takes a month off in February, but not to worry - Venus and Jupiter stage the year's most spectacular meeting of planets, and we get a good chance to see the ephemeral delights known as the zodiacal light and the Gegenschein.

Venus and Jupiter are already bright in the southwest after suns~t. Venus is much lower, but climbs higher as the days go by. On the I st, the planets appear 22 degrees apart, but the gap narrows by one degree per day. On the 23rd, Venus will sweep just north of Jupiter. The planets will come within about a quarter degree, or half a full moon of each other. After that, they'll continue to separate; by the 28th, Venus will have moved five degrees above Jupiter.

Mercury joins its brighter cousins in the second half of the month. On the 23rd, look for Mercury close to the horizon, to the lower right of the Venus-Jupiter pair. On subsequent nights, the "messenger of the gods'' gets higher but remains fairly close to the horizon below Jupiter and Venus.

Saturn, also an evening planet, comes out high in the southwest above Jupiter and Venus. In the last week of February, if Mercury is high enough, you may see all four planets - Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn - extending in line from the horizon. On the I 7th, I 8th and I 9th, a waxing crescent moon will glide through the lineup of planets. Next month, Saturn will pair up with Venus, and the crescent moon will make another round of visits.

Mars rises before midnight behind the bright star Spica in Virgo. The red planet comes up earlier and waxes brighter for the next couple of months as Earth closes in on it. Mars will appear directly opposite the sun in late April and will be closest to Earth May I.

On the 10th, Pluto reclaims its position as tht; outermost planet, a distinction it lost in 1979, when it crossed over the orbit of Neptune. At this poir:it, both Pluto and Neptune are almost exactly 2.8 biflion miles from the sun. Now that it is again the most "way out" planet,

Pluto will hold the title for the next 230 years - assuming no even more distant planets are found. Discovered in 1930 by Clyde

·Tombaugh, Pluto is 800 times fainter than the faintest objects visible to the naked eye. It can be found above the red star Antares in Scorpius, a summer constellation.

The bright winter constellations are still high in the evening sky. Sirius, the brightest of all, forms a solid base for the grouping in the south. To the east, Leo prances forward as a harbinger of spring. The moon will be new on the 16th. Therefore, the middle of the month will offer the darkest skies and the best chance to see the zodiacal light and the Gegenschein. The zodiacal light appears as a faint glow along the sun's path an hour or two after sunset. The second week of the month will also be good for finding the zodiacal light, because the moon won't be up until very late that week. The Gegenschein, or counterglow, can be seen around midnight, high in the sky along the sun's path. The third week in February will be better for seeing the Gegenschein because the moon will set before midnight that week. Both the zodiacal light and the Gegenschein are reflections of sunlight from dust left by meteors in the plane of the solar system.

The 2nd of February, or Groundhog Day, has astronomical roots. It's a cross-quarter day, falling halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. The ancient Celts called it Imbolc, or lamb's milk, _because it marks the beginning of lambing season. It was also called Brigantia, for the Celtic goddess of light, in honor of the sun being halfway on its northward journey to the equinox. It wasn't considered a good omen if the day itself was bright and sunny; that presaged snow and frost for the next six weeks. Clouds, however, foretold of warm rains to soften the fields in time for planting. That belief survives in our modern Groundhog Day ritual. The day was called Candlemas in England to denote the lighting of church candles for the feast of the presentation of the Christ child in the temple in Jerusalem.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses These are actual excuse notes from parents (including spelling):

... • My son is under a doctor's care aiid should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.

• Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.

• Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33.

• Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating.

• Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

• John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of.his face.

• Carlos was absent yesterday beqiuse he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.

• Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.

• Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side.

. • Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.

• Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.

• Irving was absent yesterday

because he missed his bust.

• Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault.

• Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.

• Sally won't be in school a week from Friday .. We have to attend her funeral.

• My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the Marines.

• Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.

• Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.

• Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover.

• Ple.ase excuse Burma, she has been_sick and under the doctor.

• M·aryann was absent December 11-16 because she had a fever, sore throat, headache, and upset stomach . Her sister was also sick, fever and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn :t the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night.

$ Indian Legal Assistance Program 107 West First Street 218-727-2881 Duluth. Minnesota 55802 FAX 218-720-6438

TOLL FREE 1-888-:1149-3:110!1

PROVIDING REPRESENTATION TO BOIS FORTE RESIDENTS IN: ' CRIMINAL CASES (ADULT OR JUVENILE):

In Tribal, State and Federal Court

CIVIL CASES (ST. LOUIS AND CARLTON COUNTY): Dependency/Neglec:t (CHIPS) Dissolution of Marriage Paternity Child Support Public Assistance Tenninations Social Security Disability Unemployment Consumer Problems Wills

DULUTH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY- FRIDAY 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

BOIS FORTE OFFICE HOURS: THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH NETT LAKE: OLD HEADSTART BUILDING 10:00- 11:30a.m. VERMILLION: SOCIAL CENTER 1:30- 2:30 p.m.

LOW INCOME ELIGIBILITY BASED ON USDA FOOD STAMP GUIDELINES

February 1999 Fun Page

A01ateur Archeologist Receives Rejection fro01 S01ithsonian ~

If you closel_v read the RTC minutes in last month's edition of the Bois Forte News, _\'Ou may have noticed that the tribal council is trying to raise funds to assist in the development c~f a heritage center and cultural museum. We think this is a great idea. But the RTC, when developing the center, would he well advised not to solicit help from amateur archeologist Scott Williams of Newport, Rhode Island.

It seems that Williams digs items out of his hack yard (which he claims is an archeological hotspot), labels them with scientific names, and sends them to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C. Unfortunately for Williams, these items are rejected by the museum.

Below is an actual response from one of the Smithsonian's curators. _Read it and you'll see why they're jic->t~fied in rejecting Willi~lms' submissions. -

Smithsonian Institute 207 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20078

Dear Mr. Williams:

Thank you for your latest submission to the Institute, labeled "93211-D, layer seven, next to the clothesline post ... Hominid skull." We have given this specimen a careful and detailed examination, and regret to inform you that we disagree with your theory that it represents conclusive proof of the presence of Early Man in Charleston County two million years ago.

Rather, it appears that what you have found is the head of a Barbie doll, of the variety that one of our staff, who has small children, believes to be "Malibu Barbie." It is evident that you have given a great deal of thought to the analysis of this specimen, and you may he quite certain that those of us who are familiar with your prior work in the field were loathe to come to

· contradiction with your findings.

- --"We gladly accept your generous donation of this fascinating specimen to the museum. While it is

undoubtedly not a Hominid fossil, it is, nonetheless, yet another riveting example of the great body of work you seem to accumulate here

so effortlessly. "

the specimen which might have tipped you off to its modern origin:

1. The material is molded plastic. Ancient hominid remains are typically fossilized bone.

2. The cranial capacity of the specimen is approximately 9 cubic centimeters, well below the threshold of ·even the earliest identified proto-homonids.

3. The dentition pattern evident on the skull is more consistent with the common domesticated dog than it is with the ravenous man-eating Pliocene clams you speculate roamed the wetlands during that time. This latte_r finding i's certainly

, one of the most intriguing hypotheses you have submitted in your history with this institution, but the evidence seems to weigh rather heavily against it.

Without going into too much detail, let us say that:

A. The specimen looks like the head of a Barbie doll that a dog has chewed on.

B. Clams don't have teeth.

It is with feelings tinged with melancholy that we must deny your request 'to have the specimen carbon-dated. This is partially due to the heavy load our !ah mi1st bear in its normal operation. and pai1ly due to carhon-dating's notorious inaccuracy in fossils of recent geologic record. To the hest of our knowledge. no Barbie dolls were produced prior to 1956 A.O .. and carbon-dating is likely to produce wildly inaccurate results.

-National Science Foundation. ~hylogeny Department with the concept of assigning your specimen the scientific name Australopithecus spiff-arino. Speaking personally, I, for one, fought tenaciously for the acceptance of your proposed

_taxonomy, but was ultimately voted down because the species name you selected was hyphenated, and didn't really sound like it might be Latin.

However, we gladly accept your generous donation of this fascinating specimen to the museum. While it i.s undoubtedly nor a Hominid -fuiSsil. it is. nonetheless, yet another riveting example of the great body of work you seem to accumulate here so effortlessly. You should know that our Director has reserved a special shelf in his own office·for the display of the specimens you have previously submitted to the Institution. and the entire staff speculates daily on what· you will happen upon next in your digs at the site you have discovered in your Newport back yard. -_ ·

We eagerly anticipate your trip to our nation ·s capital that you proposed in your last letter. and several of us are pressing the Director to pay for it. We are particularly interested in hearing you expand on your th·eories surrounding the trans-positating fillifitation of ferrous metal in a structural matrix that makes the excellent juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex femur you recently discovered take on the deceptive appearance of a rusty 9-mm Sears· Craftsman automotive crescent wrench.

Yours in Science.

However. we do feel that there arc Sadly. we must also deny your Harvey Rowe a number of physical attributes of request that we approach the Chief Curator-Antiquities

Bois Forte News

Announcements

Public Meeting ...

Meeting on Pelican Lake Northern and Bass Slot

Size

ORR CITY HALL

Tuesday, February 23 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Come and vote "yes" or "no" on the ruling .

Library Hours ...

15

Open Library Hours at the Orr School and

Community Library

-: .. x:l;!,eslf,_ay Bairr,s~-~·., ,. 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Adult Open Library on Wednesdays: 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday Hours: 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Shop Locally . it helps !.! !

• •

M.S.C. Foods Nett Lake

River St., Cook

The Comet Theater is closed for remodeling.

We apologize for any inconve-

nience and we look forward to

Seeing you at our reopening April 30th

16 Bois Forte News Happy Birthday February 1999

February Birthdays -·Sharon K. Adams, Leslie A.

Adams, Jacquelyn A. Lien, Sarah M. Lien, Jennifer L. Sick

Drift, Jay D. Geyer, Sarah YI. Haugen; GayleF~Littlewolf, Felicia D. Mason, Julian M. Strong

2 - Devin L. Drift, Betsy L. May,· 13 - Brent L. Ackerman. Clinton B. fJeau E. Peacock, Carol Samm, Landgren. William L. Larson. "Eugene A. Searles. ;'Edward E. ·Gerald L. LeGarde. Clinton L. Pete.

.~ - Warren L. Gcshick .. ,uan Love. Ro lane! S. Rolando. \Vii I iam S. Villebrun

4 Frank Boness. Jr.. Bruce E. Geshick. Brain L. Sick. Virgil D. Sohm, April M. Strong. Barbara Wyn ho ff

5 Aprii M. Boney. Miles R. Cameron, William J. Drift, Eugene Goodsky, Joseph W. Hoagland, Darcie L. Isham, Tracey R. Rabbitt-Wallace, Steven A. Roy,Jr., Isabelle P. Strong "

Kent E. Strong

14 - James F. Anderson. Valerie E. DeFrn.::. Glona A. Emery. Renee L. Gcshick. Erik A. Halvorson. Veronica Harder. Norma Johnson. Daniel F.King. Gerald A. Kornezos, Shawn T. Lerfalcl. Francis C. Little\volL Jr .. Ashley M. Munnell

15 Stephen J. Anderson, Raymond A. Boshey, Duane Chosa~ · Christopher W. Day. Ro.bert J. Holstein. JamesA. Monetti. Connie L. Mount. Stephe~ McKoy, Mark Anthony Solis, Jr., Lindsay Stupnik. Janet M. Thompson. Ruth C. Unger

6-Brian H. Curran, Samuel R. 16 - David L. Connor, Krista A.

Norton, Judith K. Stoen

23 - Ellen Adams, Michael L. Haynes; Marcus G. Hill, Sandra J. Kelsey, Sara J. Lightfeather, Crystal D. Pepworth, Deborah J. Samm

Carlos A. Bunker. Allan W. Chosa, Russell Columbus. Jr., Stephanie F: Gawboy, Alton Harding, Marian Shuster, Jeremiah . D. Van Vickie. Raymond E. Villehrun. Sr

25 -John P. Iverson

26 James Boney. Jr., Jennifer R.

M. Day, Dean F. Graham, Mary L. Kafut, Clayton L. Pemberton

28 - Judith M. Allen, Kristin M. Bellanger, Stanley J. Day, Jake S. Isham. Francis L. Lumbar, Jr., Myron S. Lyons, Joseph A. Mee, Paulette E. Salavec, Dennis S. Schuster

*Twins, evidently.

Most popular day in February to he born? A tie between the 14th and the 15th with 12 each.

· Least popular day'.> The 25th with I.

Connor, Francis W. Harding, Toby 211 birthdays this month. L. Knott, Amber N. Lien, Colleen Morris, Alexandria K Nystrom, No February 29 this year, so no Donald E. Smith. Pamela A. Turner, birthdays again for Kathleen D. John D. Witherspoon Pearson and Izola Shouts.

27 - Leonard Columbus, Jr., Trina Dreadfully sorry. Next year for sure.

Words of Wisdom Davenport, Karen M. Drift, Melissa Connor, Joseph E. Hedlund, Angela It does not interest me-what you R. Garcia, William L. Isham. M.House,EmilyR. Lehti,ScottW .. do for a living. I want to know

I Cheste:t• Rf~ i(Aof.r;' ~Abfa M. ''·Mottai, 'Carlta':S. <'.2i:tan: Clarence ·r Wliat. you acne for and if you dare

soul. I want to know if you c.:an be faithful and therefore be trustworthy. I want to k'now if you can see beauty even when it Konczak, Christine L. Strong, Brent Roy III ' to dream your heart's longing.

A. Villebrun ·

~

7 -TimothyG. Anders(t)n~Libby G. Boness, Nora J. Coon ts, Gordon J. Hill, GarretrJ>Liert, Rudy A Salli Ia, Franklin W. Sam, Brian J. Smith, Wesley Strong, Stacy M. Thompson

8 Michael L. Connor, Wayne L. Dale, Rebecca A. Day, Kiana T. Defoe, Thomas J. Fairbanks, Shullon B. Isham, Steve B. Pete, Jr., Dennis R. Samm

9 Debra J. Geyer-Smith, William A. Laitinen, James L. LeGarde, Michael. H. Norton, Jeanne M. Warttman

l 0 Vondalee R. Barto, Leanne R. Barto, Sheila R. Cameron, Robert C. Hedlund, Andrew M. Negley, Rose M. Rettke, Jo Ellen _Spears, Clara J. Whiteman ·

11 Quentin N. Cameron, Michael A. Connor, K,enneth Crowe, Darla M. Flett, Raymond A. Geshick, Dorothy J. LoRusso, Luc.ille L. Morrison, Pamela L. Parson

12 - Rebecca A. Adams, James L. Boshey, Francis X. Chosa, Margaret

17 - Dave J. Chavers, Beverly R. Miller, Valencia M. Roybal, Ronald S(lm

18 - Michael W. Day, Danielle. E. Defoe, Joshua G. Franzen, Barton J. Gawboy, Ronda F. .f-loagland, Tara L. Mooney, Harry D. Porter Ill, Harvey F. Rabbitt, Jr., Bradley J. Sam, Eric Strong, Vinessa D. Villebrun

19 - Bonnie S. Hamlin, Edward M. Isham. Lucille Lefto. Sandra K. McCalL Sandra M. Pitre, Bridgette M. Villebrun.

20- Denis G. Drouillard. Kristi K. Forema(1, Raymond G. Geshick, *Mae J. Lee, *Wayne W. Lee, Michael J. Lightfeather, ·Bernard O'Leary, Pamela J. Ricci, Timothy B. Wardas

21 Michael L. Barto, Daniel L. Connor, Paul ·A. Connor, Ernest D. Drift, Tanya M. Lyons, Johnny E. Mathison, Ryan E. Morrison, Nadine J. Strong

22 - Ramona F. Berry-Collins, Ronald Geshick, Jennie King, William E. King, Jacqueline A.

It does not interest me how old yoli are. I want to know if you

I

will risk looking like a fool for Jove, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It does not interest me what planet is squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear and further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own. without moving to hide it, fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic or to remember the limitations of heing human.

It does not interest me if the story you are telling me is true: I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own

is not pretty everyday, andjf.yo'tf can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can Jive with failure, yours or mine, and still st~nd on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver ' of the full moon, "YES."

It does not interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children. It does not interest me who you are, how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It does not interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself 1

and if you truly like the company you keep in the quiet moments."

- Ori ah Mountain Dreamer, Native North American Elder

February 1999 F o·rtune Bay

Fortune Bay Sponsors Fourth Annual Arctic Blast

Bois Forte News 17

Vikings and Ventura Attend North America's Largest Snowmobile Rally Hundreds of snowmobilers, along with members of the Minnesota Vikings and Governor Jesse Ventura, stormed northe·astern Minnesota on Saturday, February 13 to participate in the fourth annual Arctic Blast.

MINNESOTA

Arctic Blast, North America's largest snowmobile rally, is a charitable event that raises money for the Vikings Children's Fund. Fortune Bay Resort & Casino, Amoco, Arctic Cat, and the Minnesota Vikings sponsored this year's event.

T® "With the presence of the Vikings and Governor Ventura, this year's Arctic Blast was even more exciting than past rallies," said Rick Anderson, general manager of Fortune Bay Resort & Casino.

What Snowmobiling's AllAbout:M

Ventura's attendance was part of the Governor's Ride, an annual event that promotes snowmobile safety.

Pre-rally festivities began-on Friday, February 12 with a family tailgate party and ride to Cook, followed by an autograph session and parade in

Tower. Then the snowmobilers boogied the night away at the Arctic Blast Dance at Fortune Bay.

On Saturday morning, the riders began a ride that swept through Babbitt, Ely, Tower, Cook, Vermilion, Hoyt Lakes. and Embarrass. Riders who stopped in at least three towns earned a special

Vikings gift and were eligible to win grand prizes at' the 'evening party held at Fortune Bay.

Each rider paid 520-530 to participate in the rally. A large portion of the money raised in the event will directlv benefit children in the seven communities mentioned above.

_F~rtune Bay Resort & Casino Proud of Progress

By Kevin Leecy, Public Relations Director

As part of my new job, I keep the non-Indian community il~f'ormed about Fortune Bay's progress a11d explain how our s11ccess benefits the entire rel?ion '.\' ec0110111y. I wa11t to keep Band memhers iliformed. too. Here are excerpts .finm the latest pres.\: release I se11t to local newspapers.

Fortune Bay Resort & Casino continues to be a viable economic partner to the Iron Range. Four hundred and twenty positions arc fi lied hy residents from the surrounding communities. with an annual payroll exceeding $5.5 million.

Kel'i11 Leecy. P11hlic Relati01is /)ircclor

Fortune Bay also made a substantial cconomil: impact by spending $7 .S million in local goods and scn·iccs, and over onc-h~tlf million. dollars were pumped into marketing efforts

to attract \'isitors from metropolitan and outstate areas.

Emphasis has recently been placed on expanding the needs of the famih· and \'acationers. Boat rentals have heen added to meet the demand for fishing excursions and sight-seeing ad\'entures. Hiking trails are pcrimetered around the property for guests to enjoy the serene natural cm·iwnment. In the casino. a new state-of-the-an players dub is being installed to better ser\'e our guests.

As Ra11cl 111c111bcrs. Wt' ca11 all be proud cf Fort1111e Bay's acco11111/is'1111e11ts. I hope yo11 'lljoi11 me i11 s1m•mli11g rite good 11ews!

Fortune Bay Offers Ojibwe

La,nguage Classes

What: Free Ojibwe language classes at Fortune Bay Resort & Casino

When: Tuesdays from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: Fortune Bay Executi ,.e Board Room

Who: E,·eryone is invited to attend.

Classes are taught by Bois Forte Band Spiritual Advisor Gene Goodsky

Why: Have fun and learn more about our culture.

You don't have to attend class every week - come whenever you can! For more information, cal I Fottune Bay Resort & Casino Public Relations Director Kevin Leecy at 800/992:-7529.

18 Bois Forte News People February 1999

Teacher, Cultural Protector, Mother Figure, and Role Model: Bois Forte Band

Member Ellen Adams Keeps Busy

Band member Ellen Adams

R >is Forte Band member Ellen Jean 1\ lams refuses to slow down. She's a Jedicated teacher at the Bug-o-n: y-ge-shig School in Cass Lake. S )e's a protector of the traditional (. iippewa culture and language. She's a mother figure to many. And < e's a role model for young ,\ merican Indian women.

"'I'm a very busy person," Ellen said. ··But teaching and taking care of our young people is a very important duty that I'm proud to do."

Rooted in Tradition

basket-making, sewing, beadwork and other traditions.

"My parents and grandparents ·taught us our culture and language," she recalled. "Ojibwe was my first language, not English - my family mostly spoke Ojibwe at home."

But when Ellen began school, she quickly had to master the English language because all instruction was conducted in this foreign tongue. Her introduction to this new language began at home, too.

"My father knew English because Ellen was raised in Orr with her he went to a boarding school," said brother, Gene Goodsky: who serves Ellen. "My mother didn't speak as the Band's spiritual advisor. Engli~ha<;wellbecausesheonlywent

Throughout her youth, Ellen learned to school until the second grade, so the Chippewa way oflife, including my dad wa<; my English teacher."

Even now, after her parents have passed away, Ellen remains grateful to them for the lessons they taught· her. "Keeping the Chippewa culture and language that my parents taught me is very important," she said. "We need to pass these traditions on to this new generation."

A Tireless Teacher

Ellen has worked at the all-Indian Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School on the Cass Lake Reservation for nearly 20 years. She is well prepare.ct for the job, having earned a ma<>ter's degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University.

so the school is a very important place to pass on these sacred traditions."

Ellen also serves on the school's Goals 2000 committee, which constantly strives to improve the quality ?f education offered at the school, and she helps wherever else she is needed.

A Positive Role Model

Ellen truly is a nurturing spirit. She has four daughters of her own, adopted another, and served as a temporary mother in the Beltrame County Foster program. Seemingly tireless, she now cares for two of her grandchildren, ages 11 and 12.

Students of all ages have passed through Ellen's classrooms. Her first class at the Bug-o-n ay-ge-sh ig School included a mixture of 12 students in grades four through six. She has also taught the Oj ibwe language and culture to grades seven through 12.

"Keeping the Chippewa culture and language that my parents taught

More seriously, Ellen sets a good example for young American Indian women. "American Indian girls have a lot of issues to deal with," she said. "But I tell them. 'You can be something if you really want to, and you can change yourself if you

me ts very important. We

need to pass these traditions on to

this new generation. "

For the past several years, Ellen has taught kindergarten, a program that she helped design. Her commitment to educating the youngsters is noticed and well appreciated by the community. "Sometimes I think I would like to teach other levels, but parents always say, 'No! We want you to teach our small children. You're too much of a grandmother and mother to our kids,'" she said with a warm laugh.

Other education professionals, too, have noticed her skills in the classroom. "Ellen is an exceptional teacher," said Carol_ Jenkins, a school board member at the Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School. "Her unique style of teaching has had many parents request to have her as their child's teacher."

Beyond the classroom, Ellen continues her commitment to education by serving on the school's management (earn - most notably leading the team's cultural committee. "We need to teach the kids our traditions because our culture and language are dying," she said. "Most of the children's parents never learned the Ojibwe language,

really want to."'

Many people have noticed Ellen's positive influence. "Ellen is a very good role model for all Native American people," Jenkins said.

Keeping Ties "'.ith the Band

Although Ellen lives and teaches in Cass Lake, she keeps in touch with her Bois Forte Band roots. She regularly attends and participates in powwows and other cultural programs on the Bois Forte Reservation.

Ellen also attended the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council's first-ever off-reservation meeting in Cass Lake last November. 'The occasion was the RTC's second in a series of outreach meetings to keep in touch with Band members who live outside of the reservation.

"The meeting was really good and a lot of people showed up," Ellen said. "We were glad to meet the RTC members personally and have them answer our questions. We hope to have many more meetings like this."

February 1999

, Kittson Roseau I

Marshall

Pennington

Red Lake

Lake of the

Woods

Beltrami 5 •

People 6ois Forte News 19

Koochiching

5

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Polk Clearwa r Lake

Norman I

Clay

1

I

Mahnomen

Becker 1

Otter Tail

I

Hubbard

2 Cass

4

Wadena

Itasca 6

Aitkin 2 Crow

Wing

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St. Louis 42

Carlton 3

Pine 3

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\ 6 \,- Sherburne 2 C~s

2

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~-_}_ .. -:=1 Kandiyohi : Meeker \ Wnght ) """'. Wa_:~•gto * Numbers indicate housekolds with Bois Forte Band members.

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f-- -- -~ Sibley !--·----,·-{_ Lincoln Lyon 1 J 1 ·---{-~

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Fillmore I

Houston

Where do Bois Forte. Band Me01ber·s Live When They Live Beyond the Reservation?

The 2,637 members enrolled in the Bois Forte Band seem to be a mohilc bunch. About one-third remains on , the reservation, but the rest live in 38 states, including Minnesota. and

- arc spread across48 or Minnesota's 87 counties. or the Band's total enrollees, 1,909 urc over 18 years old, and 728 arc minors.

In Minnesota. most non-reservation Band members live in the Twin Cities metro area. The highest number of households with Band me<mbcrs - 46 - lives in Hennepin County. compared to the 42 in St. Louis County. With 19 enrollees. Ramsey County has the· third highest number or households with .Band

members. Itasca County and Steams County are tied for fourth place with six. households Band members.

Numerous Band members live m states along the Pacific coast. With 42 households with Band members. California is the most popular state outside of Minnesota for enrollees.

Washington is home tc 34 households with Band members, and 19 live in Oregon.

Other mid western states have attracted Band members. too. Wisconsin is home to 32 enrolled households, and 13 others live in Iliinois:

)

20 Bois Forte News Traditions February 1999

Cultural Column . . . ·

Chippewa Trapping Skill Led to Growth, Expansion We are a group of people with a unique past and a distinctive culture. It is important that we take the time to learn about our history and traditions so that we remember and understand who we are as Bois Forte People.

This month, we will examine the impact our ancestors' trapping skills have on our People today. In the midst of another winter and more snow, we are reminded of what led to the high demand for fur, and of our People's involvement in the fur industry.

When Europeans first began arriving in America, the market for fur was extremely high. Europeans still living in Europe needed a warmer fabric than wool because of the damp and cold climate, so the early Europeans in America shipped furs in large numbers back to their native lands to meet the demand.

Because the furs of animals are thickest, fullest and most beautiful in the winter, the Europeans sought the furs of animals from the cold and snowy North. The Europeans, however, were not experienced hunters, nor did they know how to maneuver in deep snow. So, they turned to our People for help.

Our ancestors were not only experienced trappers, they were able

. to move easily in snowy conditions. Most Europeans relied on horses for transportation, but the deep snow made horse travel nearly impossible.

· Our ancestors used snowshoes to distribute their weight evenly across the snow. They knew the land, understood the animals, and quickly became known among the Europeans for their trapping ability.

:·he first fur trading relationship our :rnce ~tors es tab Ii shed with the Luropeans was with the French in Canada in the 1600s. Our ancestors .Jeveloped 3. prosperous fur trading relationship and soon expanded i heir population and territory.

~ ometime in .. the 18th century, our Rand moved south into what is now Minnesota and set up villages at Nett Lake and Lake Vermilion. Our ancestors traded exclusively with the French until the mid-18th

century, when France lost two wars to Britain. The French were no longer in control of the fur trade, but our People continued to prosper by trading with other American

.compames.

By the 1780s, the fur trading industry was booming. Large fur trading companies were established, and many American traders moved to Lake Vermilion to trade with our ancestors. We eventually traded almost exclusively with the Hudson's Bay Company whose price of furs was higher than the other large fur companies.

During this time, our village at Lake Vermilion grew. In just over 20

years, our population tripled from 90 people in 1824 to 290 in 1847.

By 1865, the fur trade industry was overshadowed by the excitement of the gold rush. But, the impact the industry h.ad on our Pe0ple was permanent.

At left," a Chippewa hi,mter in 1908 tracks his prey. In Minnesota's harsh winters, our People were excellent hunters and trappers. Like the unidentified man in the photo, Chippewa hunters and trappers used snowshoes that allowed them to maneuver easily in the deep winter snow. (Photo taken by Roland W Reed, from the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.)

Below, this I 870· lithograph dipicts a Chippewa hunter showing a European man how to hunt•in the winter. When Europeans first arrived in this area, they turned to our ancestors for help.' (Lithograph reproduction from the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.)

We have not forgotten our People's trapping skill.Sor involvement in the fur trading industry. In the Bois Forte Museum and Interpretive Center that is being planned, an original fur trading post and othei· historical items will remind us of our skilled ancestors.