Circle of Healing visits Vermilion Lake Indian Boarding School

INSIDE
Page 3
Page 9
Bois Forte
NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA - November 2015
Page 15
VOL. 38 NO. 10
www.boisforte.com
Circle of Healing visits
Vermilion Lake Indian
Boarding School
By Carolyn Eck and Noreen Hautala
Forte Band of Ojibwe, and
both had family members who
Like a ghost in the weeds, the crumbling foundation attended the Indian boarding
of the Vermillion Lake Indian Boarding School schools.
dairy barn is the only visible sign of a largely
forgotten part of Minnesota history. Members of Grover told the group that
the Circle of Healing, a Grand Rapids area group prior to the boarding school
of Native and non-Native residents, recently era, Ojibwe parents, relatives,
toured the site and the Bois Forte Heritage Center and elders taught children the
to deepen their understanding about government skills and wisdom they needed. Members of the Circle of Healing who attended the Lake Vermillion
and church-sponsored boarding schools for Native “Beginning in the 1860’s, the tour are: Alice Moren, Linda Grover, Lois Bendix, Joan Bibeau, Noreen
United States government took Hautala, Carolyn Eck, Cheri and Terri Stephens. Photo courtesy of Becky
American children.
LaPlant.
education out of the hands of
Bois Forte Heritage Center Visitor Manager, Native parents and adopted the
spiritual abuses were rampant,” she said, “and this
official
policy
of
‘kill
the
Indian,
save
the
man’”
Martha Anderson, and Dr. Linda LaGarde Grover,
treatment resulted in the intergenerational trauma
University of Minnesota associate professor of Grover said, “a directive to eradicate traditional of five generations of Indigenous Native People.”
Native American Studies, lead the tour. Both language, spirituality, and culture from Native
Anderson and Grover are members of the Bois children. Physical, emotional, sexual, mental, and
(cont. on page 7)
Campfire Troubador to record CD of stories
Run down the forest trail, cross the beaver pond.
On across the frozen lakes
and on to points beyond…
When I’m gone don’t bury me,
of dirt I’m not so fond
Have sled dogs take my ashes
out to the great beyond.
- Moonlight Run by Maurice Champagne
When Bois Forte Band member Maurice
Champagne returned from service in Vietnam,
the former Marine found a very personal way
to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder –
music.
“Guitar playing and music became coping skills,”
he said. “I could put my frustration and emotions My Own Heaven
down on paper.”
is a song about my
grandfather and me
Now Champagne is recording a CD of songs back then:
he has written over the years about many
of his experiences, including Vietnam, dog If I could design my
sledding, people in the northland, and family own heaven I’ll tell
members.
you just how it would
be
Maurice Champagne
Champagne grew up on Basswood Lake in the I’m out on the lake at
Ely area, and also in Minneapolis and Pine the cabin, on the porch, my grandfather and me.
Ridge, South Dakota. Some of his songs recall
He smelled of his pipe and old leather
these early memories.
His rough beard rubbing cheek
His arms wrapped tightly around me
“When things are getting fired up in my brain, I
No more joy could I seek.
go back to growing up on Basswood Lake. That
was such a safe haven where I felt secure.
(cont. on page 5)
BOIS FORTE NEWS • 5344 Lakeshore Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772 • Visit us! www.boisforte.com • NOVEMBER 2015
Page 2 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Tribal, National & State News
Tribes hold
Economic
Development
Summit
President proposes $5.3 million to help
Indian youth
Tribal leaders, business representatives,
artists and economists were among those
who gathered in Red Lake in September as
Minnesota’s three largest Indian tribes —
Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake —
participated in the Economic Development
Summit.
Overall, President Obama’s proposed 2016 budget calls for a $1.5 billion increase for federal programs
that serve tribes, bringing the total request to nearly $21 billion.
The
conference,
whose
theme
was
“Diversifying the Regional Tribal Economy,”
included professional development training for
native artists; information booths and displays
on education, small business development,
building construction, communications and
energy resources; and workshops on tribal
leadership, entrepreneurship and workforce
development. The summit is held every
two years to build long-term sustainable
partnerships and strengthen the local economy.
The federal government has announced $5.3 million in grants to help prepare Indian youth for college
and career success. The grants will be part of the Native Youth Community Projects program and involve
nearly 50 schools across the country. Tribes and other organizations will partner with the schools to
determine how best to use the grant funds.
Photo Credit
The October story on Tim Brown and
sons racing in the Indian Horse Relay
Inter-Tribal Championship race at
Canterbury Park, did not credit the
photographer for the
great action shots.
Thanks to Brady Willette of
The War Pony Project.
New resource guide Indigenous record set in Canada’s election
A useful new resource guide is available for
Native Americans that will provide helpful
information about culturally appropriate
services throughout the state of Minnesota.
The Minnesota American Indian Transition
and Resource Directory include helpful contact
information from each Chippewa Tribe,
along with County resources, Emergency,
Education, Housing and Legal Resources in
addition to much other valuable information.
This handy tool is available free of charge
and is available online (in PDF format) on the
Bois Forte website at http://www.boisforte.
com/pdf/MNAmericanIndianResourceGuide.
pdf.
The Resource Directory is a collaboration
of the Minnesota Department of Corrections
(DOC) along with the Minnesota Department
of Human Services (DHS) and a comprehensive
group of partners, including the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota
Brain Injury Alliance, and others.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Canada’s aboriginal community saw a record 10 indigenous members elected to Parliament in the
October election. A record-breaking 54 First Nations candidate ran for office. Indigenous people will
occupy three percent of the 338 seats in Canada’s House of Commons.
Please save the date for the
2016
State of the Band
January 28
Fortune Bay Resort Casino
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 3 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Cancer Awareness Month
Grandmother and granddaughter fight cancer together
Finding out someone in your family has cancer remembered. “They sent me to Virginia for biopsy.
is distressing. Finding out two people have it, I didn’t know what that was, so I looked it up and it
especially when one of them is still a teenager, is shook me when I realized it was to test for cancer.
shocking.
“I remember having a good day at school in
That is the situation that faced the family of Edith September of 2014,” she continued, “and then I
and Bridget Villebrun over the past two years. came home and my dad told me the doctor had
It began in May 2013 when Edith, the Band’s called and I had non-Hodgkins lymphoma.”
Commissioner of Administration, went in for
a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with colon
cancer.
“There was no other cancer in the family at
that time,” Edith said. “My daughter Miranda
was with me. She wanted to cry, and I told her,
‘It’s going to be OK.’”
my aunt Miranda started a page called Bridget’s
Hope. People would send me encouraging words
and that meant a lot to me. My aunt also began
fundraising to help defray travel costs. She and
my uncle John sold t-shirts and wrist bands that
said ‘Fight like Bridget – Bridget’s Hope’. And
my dad, he was with me every step of the way.”
Today Bridget attends Mesabi Range Community
College, where she is studying to become a
social worker. “Currently I go see my doctor
once a month. They do blood work and are
trying to get my iron up because I’m often
anemic. But I’ve gotten much of my energy
back and am drawing more with pencil and
charcoal.”
Edith had surgery, followed by a series of PET
scans, which provide a three-dimensional view
of the area being examined. “Immediately
after the treatment, I was asked to go every
three months for a year or two,” she said.
“Now I need to go every six months.”
Edith’s treatment was helped by her positive
attitude. “I’m an optimist,” she said. “I don’t
think the worst. I felt bad about the diagnosis,
but I was so sure that everything would be
OK. That’s my nature.”
Bridget and Edith Villebrun have combined medical care, family
support and positive attitudes to beat cancer.
That optimism was never more important than
when Edith’s granddaughter, Bridget, was
diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a
cancer of the blood – last summer.
Bridget’s treatment included removing a large cyst
from her abdomen, followed by chemotherapy,
which she said made her tired. During the long
stays in the hospital, she would get lonesome for
home, and she missed a lot of school. “But early on,
I realized sitting there crying won’t do anything,”
she said, “so I decided to keep busy and smile, and
focus on my art.”
“I noticed something our clinic providers thought
might be scar tissue from a childhood injury,
but I couldn’t remember getting hit,” Bridget Fortunately, she had a lot of support. “On Facebook,
Bridget said the entire experience has
changed her. “Now every time I’m at a cash
register [in a store] and see a request to help
someone battling a challenge, I donate to the
charity. When I needed help with medical
bills people were so generous.” She has also
been involved in fundraiser for Children’s
Hospital at St Mary’s and hopes to get
involved in more of the hospital’s events.
Both grandmother and granddaughter have
learned much that they can share with others.
“My advice is keep up on regular tests like
mammograms, colonoscopies,” said Edith. “I did
whatever the doctors told me and that was it.”
“It’s OK to be down and cry,” Bridget said. “People
are there for you; you are never alone. And remain
positive. You need to be positive to get better –
your attitude is part of your treatment.”
Band member Daanis Chosa, who works for the American
Indian Cancer Foundation, helped launch a national breast
cancer awareness campaign for indigenous women that
went viral in October and early November. The Indigenous
Pink Day is a national awareness campaign for American
Indians/Alaska Natives. Breast cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer death and the most common cancer
found in American Indian/Alaska Native women. But when
breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 98
percent, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The
goal of Indigenous Pink Day is to educate all indigenous
people on the importance of early detection and remind men
and women to keep up to date on their screenings.
NOVEMBER 2015
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 4 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
RTC News
Feds settle 25-year-old lawsuit with Tribes
The U.S. Justice and Interior Departments have
announced a proposed settlement with a nationwide
group of tribes and tribal entities related to claims
that the federal government contracted with tribes
to run programs but did not pay the full amounts
required by law. The settlement must still be
approved by the courts.
Under the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1976,
tribes and tribal agencies run Bureau of Indian
Affairs programs such as forest management,
fire suppression, road maintenance, law
enforcement, housing, education and more. The
federal government signed contracts to cover
administrative costs of these programs, but
Congress capped the funds available to pay the
costs, resulting in a funding gap that triggered a 2007 and 2012.
class action lawsuit in 1990.
In a statement released by the federal government,
Bois Forte’s percentage of the settlement is Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin
expected to be $1.74 million. The Reservation Washburn reiterated the Obama administration’s
Tribal Council has not determined yet how to use support for tribal self-determination.
the funds; however, many program budgets were
frozen due to lack of federal funding.
“Time and again, we have seen that when a tribal
government runs a federal program, the program is
“There will be no shortage of programs that could more successful and more responsive to the tribal
use the funds, since the RTC was forced to try and community,” he said. “[The] proposed settlement,
hold down program budgets due to inadequate together with President Obama’s request for full,
federal funding of programs,” said Band Chairman mandatory funding of tribal contract support
Kevin Leecy. The Band is also pursing a lawsuit costs in the future, removes one of the significant
against the Indian Health Service for lack of obstacles to tribal self-determination and selfcontract support for health programs between governance.”
“Time and again, we have seen that when a tribal government runs a
federal program, the program is more successful and more responsive
to the tribal community.”
d
Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Leecy provides overview
of IGRA at Global Gaming
Expo
Tribal
Chair
Kevin
Leecy, who also serves
as Vice Chair of the
National Indian Gaming
Association,
provided
the audience attending
the September Global
Gaming Expo in Las
Vegas with an overview
of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act (IGRA)
and what it has meant
for sovereign tribes.
Kevin Leecy prepares to present an overview
of Indian Game legislation to attendees at the
Global Gaming Expo.
Indian gaming is a $28.5 billion industry and makes up nearly half of
the U.S. gaming market. Leecy described some of the apprehension in
1988 when IGRA was introduced, but explained how the act ultimately
has afforded tribes the opportunity for self-sufficiency by generating
outside funding for economic development. He reminded attendees of
the purpose of Indian gaming and the benefits that have been realized
for tribal members served by the programs and community services
Indian gaming revenue supplements.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
d
Tired of turkey
in November?
The Nett Lake CStore has delicious
take-and-bake pizza and
crispy deli chicken to satisfy
your autumn appetite.
Stop in today to see all the delicious
options the CStore has to offer!
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 5 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Nett Lake
Celebrating 116 years of
community service
The Nett Lake Community gathered to show their appreciation for
four EMT ambulance volunteers who have collectively put in more
than 116 years of service. Doris Isham, Julie Whiteman, Dave and
Teresa Morrison were honored at a luncheon and drum ceremony in
Nett Lake on October 15.
When Angelo Kingbird signed up for football, he didn’t
know Miss Minnesota would visit the team practice.
Rachel Latuff, crowned Miss Minnesota in June, 2015, has
worked as visual arts teacher at North Woods since 2014.
Rachel visited the grades 5 & 6 football team at one of
their October practices. To read more about the new
team, see the story on page 11.
District I Representative Brandon Benner, Doris Isham, Teresa Morrison, Julie
Whiteman, Dave Morrison and Tribal Chair Kevin Leecy at the retirement
appreciation lunch for the four dedicated ambulance volunteers.
Julie, Dave and Doris were part of the original team of six volunteers
who began providing service to the community in 1984 along with
Adeline Landgren, Grace Isham and Geraldine Polasky. That first
team partnered with the Orr Ambulance crew and was known as Orr
Ambulance Two. However, in a little over a year, the Nett Lake team
secured the required equipment, supplies and insurance needed to
obtain full licensure by the state and earned recognition as the Nett
Lake Ambulance crew.
Doris explained that although the four were retiring for various health
reasons, the adrenaline still gets pumping when they hear the siren
and see the emergency lights of the ambulance out on a run.
“We made some good friends on the ambulance service and became a
close knit group,” Doris said. “Everyone on the team enjoyed helping
people and would probably have continued if our health allowed. It
was a pleasure and privilege to help others in the community.”
Volunteers for the ambulance team are always welcome and needed.
Contact the Mike Connor at 218-757-3261 if you would like more
information on how to become involved.
(Maurice Champange cont. from page 1)
Champagne also pays tribute to his family tradition of dogsledding, which
was passed on to him from his mother Margaret Chosa and grandfather
Henry Chosa, in songs like Moonlight Run.
“I fear we are losing our outdoor skills and connection to the woods,” he said.
“I’ve spent most of my life outdoors working in construction, on ranches and
farms, in oil fields. But now I think people are afraid to be out in the woods
alone. We are uncomfortable with the natural.”
One of Champagne’s more poignant songs is about his great-grandmother,
Elizabeth Vivier “Saagijiwagaabowiik,” who at age 15 was kidnapped and
sold as a slave.
“She escaped three year later, when she was 18. She walked all the way back
from Hudson Bay. She had to hide to keep from being caught and taken
back, and her two children didn’t make it. I wrote a song to honor her and the
strength of Anishinaabe women.”
“I’m trying to tell a story,” Champagne said. “All my songs are true stories –
I don’t write fiction. Everything is true, based on life and real experiences.”
That includes difficult subjects like a rescue mission and plane crash in
Vietnam. Champagne said his song Up In Smoke became part of his healing
from that tragedy.
Champagne is recording his CD with the help of KBFT radio General
Manager George Strong, musician Keith Secola, and others. “I’m trying to
get as many Anishinaabe people involved as possible,” he said.
NOVEMBER 2015
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 6 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Vermilion
Vermilion Clinic now fully staffed
Thanks to some new hires and schedule Many thanks to the entire Vermilion clinic staff:
adjustments, the Vermilion Health clinic is
now fully staffed. Two providers will be on
• Physician Dr. Charles Helleloid
• Physician’s assistants Ray Hawk and
duty Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to
Sigrid Casey
4:30 p.m. The providers’ breaks have been
staggered so that patients can now visit the
• LPN Elina Trancheff
clinic and pick up prescriptions over the lunch
• Nurse practitioners Jennifer Kober and
Crystal Lobe
hour.
• Nursing assistant Lucille Stepec
• Dentists Dr. Stephen Roberts and
The 11,000-square-foot clinic, which opened
Dr. Andrew Jones
last year, has a larger number of examining and
treatment rooms than the previous building,
• Hygienist Kelli Fena
as well as a pharmacy, dedicated space for
• Dental assistants Sue Carlson and Tricia Jones
diabetes education, expanded lab services, and
• X-ray and lab technician Paula Lind
• Clinic manager Sue Larson
telemedicine capabilities.
• Receptionists Cheryl Debelak and
Barb Brodeen
Band seeks Federal
grants to extend
walking trails
In September, the Bois Forte Planning and
Community
Development
Department
held community meetings in Nett Lake and
Vermilion to seek Band members’ input on what
improvements they would like to see if the Band
receives a new Indian Community Development
Block Grant (ICDBC). About 45 people attended
the meetings to discuss what type of project
would most benefit the communities given the
guidelines of the ICDBC grant.
Meet Nurse Practitioner Crystal Lobe
Crystal Lobe recently joined the Vermilion Clinic staff as a family nurse practitioner, and she said,
“I am excited to be here providing care to this community!”
Lobe’s scope of practice encompasses health promotion, disease prevention, and diagnosis and
management of health care problems.
“That includes common and complex issues beginning in childhood and continuing throughout
the aging process.”
Lobe has been practicing in rural health care for the past five years. She earned RN, BSN and
master’s degrees in nursing and is certified as a family nurse practitioner through the American
Nurses Credentialing Center. She is also certified to conduct exams for the Minnesota Department
of Transportation.
“I believe in building a long lasting and trusting relationship with patients,” she said. “I seek to
acquire a comprehensive evaluation of every patient by taking time to listen and understand
their particular needs.”
Pete “Chief” Boney, Sidra Starkovich, Pam Hughes,
Representative Ray Toutloff, Sid Adams and Roxanne
Weatherton share a laugh with Executive Director
Corey Strong after the September Vermilion
community meeting to discuss seeking ICDBG dollars
to extend the walking trail in their community.
In the past, the Band has used this type of grant
money to rebuild the powwow grounds, build ball
fields and community centers, rehab housing and
help with funding for the original construction of
the Heritage Center and Cultural Museum.
Attendees at both meetings agreed that they
would like to have the current walking trails
extended. Right now, the Vermilion trail serves
two-thirds of the community. With grant funds,
the Band could extend the trail the remaining
one-third of the way, between Tibbets Trail and
Duffy Point. There was discussion about how
to handle the portion of the trail that would go
through wetlands – a boardwalk could fit in
more naturally with the wetland, require less
environmental impact review leading to smoother
approval, while an asphalt path would probably
be easier to maintain, particularly in the winter.
(cont. on page 8)
BOIS FORTE NEWS
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 7 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Urban Office
Urban Office Calendar
November 7
Everyone is invited to the FREE
“Gathering for our children and returning
adoptees” Powwow at the American
Indian Center, 1530 East Franklin Avenue
in Minneapolis. Grand entries will be at 1
p.m. and 7 p.m.
November 11
Metro Monthly Meeting with
Randy Long of IT and DNR Commissioner
Tara Geshick. 5 p.m.
November 14
Family Day. Cultural activities and dinner.
3 p.m.
November 18
Honor our Veterans Dinner at the
American Indian Center, 1530 East
Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.
(Vermilion Boarding School cont. from page 1)
The Vermilion School was built in 1899 for Bois
Forte children and drew youths from other tribes
across Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and
parts of Canada, Anderson said. Once at the
boarding school, children had to give up their
language, dress, and customs. Their hair was cut
short, and they were made to wear uniforms or
dominant culture clothing. Children were severely
punished if caught speaking “Indian”.
Grover told the members of the Circle of Healing
that the Vermilion Lake School and many like
it across the United States have had a profound
impact on Native Americans. The boarding
schools severely disrupted Indian families, she
said, leading to many of the current crises among
families and individuals. Efforts to assimilate
served to terminate a way of life that had been
vital, successful, and healthy for Indigenous
Native People for many generations.
“The trauma of the boarding school era plays out in
many damaging ways in present day Native lives,”
Grover said, “and it is intensified by the roots of
the trauma often not being known or understood.
Today many people, including Native American
children, do not know the boarding schools story.”
Diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, pneumonia
and influenza were a significant problem at the
boarding school. Although an exact number is not
known, many children died there. Grover explained
that although the purpose of the school was academic
and vocational, very little of the children’s time was
spent on learning to read, write, or on other studies. Due to shame, and an effort to “put their past behind
The children spent most of their time maintaining them”, many boarding school survivors have not
the school, cleaning, cooking, tending the fields, spoken about their experiences. These experiences
left them not knowing how to parent in nurturing
and working in the dairy.
ways and many are shamed into silence because
The Vermilion School went through a period of of unspeakable abuses, Grover said. Survivors
growth, housing as many as 120 pupils in 1910. often pass on abusive ways, or spiral into addictive
However, administrative difficulties, neglect behaviors in an attempt to numb their deep pain.
of the school by the federal government, and
opportunities for Indian children to attend public “Today it’s hard to imagine the experience of
schools eventually led to Vermilion becoming a taking young children from their families each fall,
or for years without contact, nurturing and love,”
day school and its closing in 1954.
NOVEMBER 2015
Grover said. “It’s hard to imagine how it would
feel as a parent to learn that instead of education,
your children endured physical, sexual, emotional,
and psychological abuses. The effect has rippled
through communities and has become part of the
uncomfortable truth surrounding the legacy of the
Indian boarding schools.”
When asked by a member of the Grand Rapids visitor
group why people should care about the history
of the boarding schools, Grover said, “Building
awareness and understanding among all people
about the assimilation and termination policies of
the United States government is important. People
need to understand that we have been victimized but
that we are not victims. I am proud of the courage
my relatives had who survived the boarding schools.
I am proud of their ‘Indianess’”.
Members of the Circle of Healing who attended
the Lake Vermillion tour are: Alice Moren, Joan
Bibeau, Noreen Hautala, Carolyn Eck, Cheri and
Terri Stephens, Lois Bendix and Becky LaPlant.
To learn more about the Indian boarding schools,
read From Assimilation to Termination: The
Vermillion Lake Indian School, by Dr. Linda
LaGarde Grover. For information about the Circle
of Healing, contact Becky LaPlant at blaplant@
blandinfoundation.org or 218-327-8764.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 8 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Elders
Circles of Healing
The August 17 visit by the Blandin Circles of Healing
group to Vermilion was meaningful to me in a number
of ways. The good people of the Circle of Healing
got up very early on that beautiful summer morning
and traveled from Grand Rapids to the Bois Forte
Heritage Center and Cultural Museum with kindness
in their hearts and a wish to respectfully learn about
the Vermilion Lake boarding school and to visit the
site. As I drove up from Duluth to meet them, I thought
about how important it is that the dignity and spirit of
Dr. Linda Grover
the lives of the children who went to those schools, and
their families, be honored; it is so important that our
survival as a people, and our gratitude to our grandparents, shine through
the many difficult aspects of the story.
Happy November Birthdays, Elders!
Wilbert Strong Sr.
11-4
Sharyn Strong
11-15
Dale Boshey
11-6
Marybelle Isham
11-16
Dorothy Strong
11-7
Marlene Farmer
11-17
Cheryl Deblak
11-8
Ernest Barto Jr. 11-19
Muriel Deegan
11-11
Fern Isham
11-19
Sheila Delaney
11-11
Leslie Emery
11-24
Flora Skinaway
11-13
Robert Berlien
11-30
Our three cars pulled up in the parking lot at about the same time. With the
Circle of Healing group was a longtime niijikwe of mine, Joan. We worked
together in Indian education in the early 1980s and have been friends ever
since. Joan introduced me to everyone, and then we went inside the Heritage
Museum. It was wonderful to see Martha Anderson’s lovely welcoming
smile, and a pleasure to share the duty of conducting a tour of the Heritage
Museum (we pooled our knowledge and I think did all right!).
We had lunch at Fortune Bay (everyone loved the Italian buffet), and then
we drove to the site. My goodness, I was so proud of the beautiful Bois Forte
buildings! Joanie and I remembered bringing children from the Hibbing
Indian Education program up to a Vermilion Powwow many years ago; it
was a sweet memory that we held onto as we walked to the lakeshore.
Every Native family I know has a connection to a boarding school relative;
Joanie and I, aware of those memories, felt a little tear-y but we maintained,
feeling the strength of our family and band histories, as well as our
friendship. I hope that we were able to communicate to the good people of
the Circle our appreciation of all that the boarding school children endured,
those who survived and those who did not. It is because of them that we
are here today.
(Walking trail cont. from page 6)
In Nett Lake, the walking trail would be constructed to connect the current
sidewalk ending at the cemetery to the new ball field.
To receive the grant, the community must match 25% of the funds. The RTC
has already approved a match to the grant with some additional monies coming
from the Public Works and Roads department budget. Community members
suggested ways volunteers could be recruited to help maintain the paths, saving
on that cost.
Federal community development grants are awarded to communities that
demonstrate they will benefit from the money. The Bois Forte Band has a
strong record of winning these grants, but competition is increasing as the
amount of federal funding shrinks and the number of tribes applying increases.
The grant application was due at the end of October, and the Band hopes to
hear within three months if it is successful.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 9 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Mii Gwech Manomin Powwow
We were fortunate to have two
photographers attend the Mii
Gwech Manomin powwow.
Last month we ran pictures
of Paul Pluskwik of Virginia.
This month, enjoy the talented
work of photographer Jeff
Henningsgaard, who is wellknown for his work covering
the Lake Vermilion Powwow.
NOVEMBER 2015
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 10 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Youth & Education
Alcohol: Gateway to other drugs
Alcohol may seem harmless, but it can be a
gateway to trouble. Teenagers who drink are more
likely to experiment with other addictive drugs
including marijuana, cocaine and heroin. That’s
way alcohol is considered a gateway drug.
What does taking a drink have to do with other
drugs? Alcohol impairs judgement. When your
judgement is impaired, you risk making poor
decisions, like experimenting with other dangerous
and addictive substances. In addition, you may not
bother to find out much about the drug you are
trying, or the damage it can do to your body.
Many people who experiment with alcohol move
on to using other drugs that are illegal. Because
these drugs are illegal for anyone at any age, there
are no controls on their ingredients. Drugs bought
on the street are high risk – not only because they
are dangerous, but because many have been “cut,”
or mixed with other deadly substances. The drug
may have been cut with angel dust, rat poison,
or worse. And don’t expect the dealer to tell you
about that!
The research proves it. Young people who use
gateway drugs are more likely to experiement or
regularly use illegal drugs when they get older.
The Center on Addiciton and Substance Abuse
at Columbia University (CASA) found that
adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old who used
tobacco, alcohol and marijuana are up to 266 times
more likely to use cocaine than those who don’t
use these gateway drugs. Teens who drink are 50
times more likely to use cocaine than non-drinkers.
Get Real about this problem! If you think you
or someone you know may have a problem
with alcohol use, there is help – all it takes is a
willingness to reach out and admit you need it. It
may be difficult at first, and you may feel ashamed,
but the rewards of quitting drinking are numerous
– both physically and emotionally. The resources
that follow are a great place to begin.
• Bois Forte Chemical Dependency Director can
be reached at 218-753-2347 or
[email protected].
• Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-Step Program,
call 212-870-3400.
• A therapist who specializes in addictions and substance abuse.
And for more information:
• Alateen, a 12-Step Program for teenagers who are not themselves alcoholics, but whose lives
are affected by someone else’s drinking,
call 800-344-2666.
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving at
800-GET-MADD.
• Students Against Drunk Driving at
501-481-3568.
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), Helpline: 800-622-2255
or 800-475-4673.
Information provided by The Bureau for AtRisk Youth. For more information contact them
at 800-99-YOUTH or visit their website at
www.at-risk.com.
Boys & Girls Club November Holiday Hours
The Nett Lake and Vermilion Boys
& Girls Club will be CLOSED on
Thursday, November 26.
The Clubs will be OPEN on
Native American Heritage Day,
Friday, November 27 from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Left) Tessa Porter (6th grade Tower), Keenin
Sargent (grade 7 North Woods), Rayanne Adams
(grade 7 Virginia), Devin Porter (grade 8 North
Woods) at the Vermilion Club.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Update from the
Superintendent
Enjoying the wondrous
colors and crisp air of
fall, and the school
year is off to a great
start! We have a new
reading curriculum in
place. We’ve raised
our
MCA
scores
dramatically this past
year and our goal is to
raise them even higher
Superintendent and
Principal Steve Thomas this year. We started
a new football team,
which is nearly done with their season, and we
will then move immediately into basketball. Big
thanks to Coach Brandon Benner. We’ve begun
our After School Academic Support program, as
well. Things are humming along.
I want to bring you up-to-date on our next big
task. We have begun the work on our Strategic
Plan and hope to have it done shortly after the
holidays. To do it well it involves all stakeholders
and a process of meetings. We’re getting some
support from the Minnesota School Boards
Association during this process.
The goal of the Strategic Plan is to have the
school and the community think about what
we would like Nett Lake School to “look
like” in the next five to ten years and move in
that direction. To find out what that direction
should be, we’ve had a community “listening
session” on September 28th where we asked
the community to give their thoughts about that
direction. We received excellent feedback from
those in attendance and I want to thank you that
were able to be here.
The Strategic Planning Committee will meet
at least three more times over the next several
weeks to establish such things as our Belief
Statement – what are all the things we believe
the Nett Lake School should try to accomplish,
as well as a new Mission Statement and a Vision
Statement, all of which will guide our school
board and me over the next several years to
make Nett Lake School the best it can be. In one
of my next columns I will provide you those
statements. I will also be providing the Strategic
Planning Committee my State of the School
District Report, which will enumerate all that
is happening in the school, including financial
information.
(cont. on page 11)
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 11 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Bois Forte sponsors new area youth football team
This fall, a new 5th and 6th grade boys
football team comprised of 18 youth from
surrounding communities got a chance to
play organized football.
“We are learning new plays, the proper
way to tackle, and how to tuck in the ball,”
said Kohen Briggs.
“I like tackling people!” added Angelo
Kingbird.
The program is sponsored by the
Reservation Tribal Council, which is
funding the team and supplying equipment,
uniforms, and transportation to and from
games.
“We are excited about this opportunity
to give back to the community – and
to just have some fun!” said District I
Representative Brandon Benner, who
coaches the team along with Travis
Morrison and Adrian “Nuke” Jones.
Benner said each player takes a turn at
leading drills and running plays during
practice. “Kids that are shy learn to take
charge and experience leading a group. We
want kind of leadership and teamwork.”
(All names are left to right) Back row: Annevay Spears, Angelo
Kingbird, Ethan Byram, Miss Minnesota Rachel Latuff, Mason Clines,
Kaden Ratai. Middle Row: Olin Nelson, Lane Kneen, Kohen Briggs,
Nate Palm, James Towner, Jake Panichi. Front row: Ben Kruse, Eli
Smith, Sean Morrison, Sam Fealy, Trevor Kehoe, Carter Holman.
The team will play a dozen games this year
in a tough league that includes area schools such
as Cherry, Northeast Range, Mount Iron, and Big
Fork. Practices started in mid-August, and Benner
said the team has already come a long way.
“The first few weeks were a little rough;
Benner stressed that having a good time is
also important, a message that has clearly
gotten through to the kids.
“The best part is being with friends,” said
Sean Morrison, while his teammate James
many of the kids had never played organized
sports before,” he explained. “But they are really Towner said, “The best part is everything!”
getting it now. They are doing it right, learning
to be competitive and aggressive, and developing Parents are just as excited as their sons. “This is
terrific – it’s a great program,” said John Nelson,
discipline.”
whose son Olan is on the team. “The kids are
having a blast and learning a lot.”
The kids agree – enthusiastically.
Fall and football, it doesn’t get much better for a boy in grade 5 or 6.
Brandon Benner works with the offense on discipline before the snap.
(Steve Thomas cont. from page 10)
Information on our academics, physical plant and grounds, transportation, etc.will also be included in the report. I will also discuss my thoughts about our
future as a district.
Nett Lake is a nicely thriving community with a great school in place and we want to make whatever improvements we can to make the school even better.
In preserving heritage, it is very important that our youngsters know their Ojibwe culture and learn the Anishinabe language. We’re helping to do that and
we will be doing even more over the next several months - I’ll keep you posted! We will have many of our students attending the 3rd Annual Wild Rice
Symposium, which will be occurring Thursday, November 12.
As always, feel free to stop in and visit! I’m always interested in talking about what we’re doing for the young people of Nett Lake.
NOVEMBER 2015
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 12 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Tribal Gov’t News & Reports
State Energy Assistance funds to arrive in late November
With the cold weather moving in, Band members Services may include:
who qualify are encouraged to complete an
• Payment of energy bills
application for energy assistance and submit it
to Michelle ‘Missy” Fisher in the Planning and
• Help with utility disconnections or necessary Community Development Office.
fuel deliveries.
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps
pay home heating costs and furnace repairs for
income-qualified households. EAP is federally
funded through the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. According to Missy, the state then
forwards funds to Bois Forte in late November.
Grants are:
• Available for renters or homeowners
• For households with income at or below 50 percent of the state median income
• Based on household size, income, fuel type
and energy usage
• Education on efficient and safe use of home heating energy.
• Advocacy with energy suppliers and human service providers on behalf of consumers.
• Repair or replacement of homeowners’ malfunctioning heating systems.
How to apply for assistance:
• View the EAP eligibility guidelines and download an application on the Bois Forte website, boisforte.com.
• Submit your application to Missy Fisher at
Bois Forte EAP, 5344 Lake Shore Drive,
Nett Lake, MN 55772
• Call Missy if you have questions at
218-757-3261 ext. 197 to request an application be mailed to you. If you live off the reservation, applications should be mailed to your local EAP provider. Find the address and phone number of your local EAP provider by going to the Minnesota Department of Commerce website page and look for “consumer energy assistance program”.
Household must apply for EAP by May 31.
Missy encourages those who qualify to apply as
soon as possible. Applications must be received
or postmarked by May 31, 2016 to be processed
for EAP benefits for the 2015-2016 program year.
Applications after May 31 may be eligible for the
Weatherization Assistance Program, local funds,
referrals, advocacy, etc. EAP applications denied
due to end of program year will be put on the
mailing list to automatically receive an application
for the next program year.
LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT
MINNESOTA CHIPPEW TRIBE
IN THE BOIS FORTE BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBAL
CHILDREN’S COURT
NETT LAKE, MN
The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Bois Forte Family Health Services,
Petitioner, V. LADONNA JEAN CHAVEZ, Respondent, et al.
TO: The Above Named Respondent, LaDonna Jean Chavez, Respondent,
Parent of A. K. C.; Minor Child.
It is hereby and notice given that an initial hearing will be held on the
24th Day of November, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. central standard time, or
as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, at the Bois Forte Tribal
Children’s Court, Bois Forte Indian Reservation, 12907 Palmquist
Road, Nett Lake, MN 55772, on a child in need of protective services
petition filed with this Court on August 27th, 2015 by the Bois Forte
Family Health Services.
You are hereby notified by this summons and notice that you are required
to appear at this hearing at the above date, time and place.
Margaret Treuer, Associate Judge
Lucille Morrison, Clerk of Court
Attorney for Petitioner, Chris Allery
P. O. Box 25
Nett Lake, MN 55772
Tel: 218-757-3462
BOIS FORTE NEWS
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 13 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Bois Forte Development Corp.
Fortune Bay Bingo Hall
remodeled for live music,
more games
The North Star Hall at Fortune
Bay Resort Casino isn’t just
for bingo anymore. Besides
adding 45 slot machines to
the area, Fortune Bay has also
transformed the space with
a lounge atmosphere and the
addition of an 18-foot stage
with a drape backdrop and
entertainment lighting.
The renovated North Star Hall Lounge at
Fortune Bay.
“It is important that we
continually improve our
resort casino to keep up
with our competition and
give guests the experiences
they want,” said Bois
Forte Chairman Kevin
Leecy. “This upgrade of
North Star Hall into an
entertainment and gaming
space is a good move for
our business.”
The new North Star
Rocky King and Charlie Riihilouma install carpeting
Lounge opened to the
in the expanded slot machine area.
public in early August,
and Fortune Bay’s Events
and Promotions Manager Rod Lundstrom said guests and performers alike
are enjoying the new space. “The lounge is a great place to enjoy live music,
as you are enjoying the ambience of a casino environment,” he said. “The
space is perfect to blend the bar with the casino floor.”
Boys & Girls Club of the
Northland Employment
Opportunities
Full and part-time Youth Development Staff jobs
available in Vermilion and Nett Lake
This position is responsible for leading programming for youth ages
6-18 and serving as role models to a diverse population. Individual
must be energetic, motivated and enjoy working with youth. High
School diploma required. Experience or training in coaching sports
teams, teaching, visual arts or performing arts is helpful.
Hourly wage, vacation and 401K Benefits. EEOC.
Apply online at: bgcnorth.org.
NOVEMBER 2015
Stock Up for Hunting at the Y Store
The recently remodeled Y Store is building up its inventory
of fall hunting apparel and accessories. Be sure to stop by
and check it out – even if you’re not a hunter,
the Y Store always has great buys on food and
other items you need every day.
Visit the Bois Forte Heritage
Museum this Holiday Season
The Bois Forte Heritage Museum is not only a great place to visit, it’s also
a wonderful place to shop for gifts. For this holiday season, you’ll find
many cultural items that make great gifts, including children’s clothing,
storybooks for young readers, and wild rice gift baskets. The museum and
gift shop, located on the grounds of Fortune Bay Resort Casino, and is
open Monday thru Saturday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 14 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Community News & Events
Melvin “Duane” King
Melvin “Duane” King, 88
of Proctor, MN passed away
on Friday October 9, 2015
surrounded by his family,
at St. Luke’s Hospital in
Duluth.
in Hibbing, Duluth and Janesville, WI until his
retirement. He then became an entrepreneur
with his company Northern Natural Industries,
developing Firelite Grills which he himself
marketed all over the US, with grills installed in
many Western State and Federal campgrounds.
Cashton King, arriving soon Maxwell Hatfield.
Duane was born to Ideal
Porter and Daniel King, of
Melvin “Duane”
Nett Lake in 1927. He was
King
a member of the Bois Forte
Band of Chippewa. He and
his siblings grew up learning how to harvest
wild rice along with hand parching and the
manufacturing processes on the reservation,
forming King Bros. Wild Rice Processing Plant,
with his father and siblings. He graduated from
Orr High School where he was very active in
sports, with basketball and baseball being his
favorites. He enlisted and proudly served in
the US Navy. He attended Haskell University,
Lawrence, KS. He met and married Donna
Smith and they had four children. He worked
for Montgomery Wards as a Service Manager
Duane loved to hunt, fish, rice as well as
spending time with his family. He was able to
travel to several states which he greatly enjoyed.
SERVICES: A celebration of life service
will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, October
15th, at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Rev.
Arthur Dale will be the officiant. There will
be a visiting time with the family from noon
until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Kari Genett, Amy
Rulifson, Lindsay King-Cooney, Alex King,
Sean Schoeben, Elizabeth Hatfield, Zack and
Josh Skurla. Military honors will be accorded
by the combined honor guards of Bois Forte,
Orr American Legion and the Cook Veterans
of Foreign Wars. A reception in Duane’s honor
will follow a the Cook VFW. Interment will be
in the Nett Lake Cemetery. To sign the online
guest book, or to leave a condolence to the
family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com.
Duane is survived by his children, Patti Svaleson,
Cloquet MN, Les (Terri) King, Albuquerque
NM, Gayle King, Chisholm MN, Kathy (Dave)
Skurla, Chisholm MN.; Brother, Bill King, Orr
MN, Niece, Kay (Allan) Zika of Orr; blessed
grandchildren, Kari Genett, Marshfield WI, Amy
(Brian) Rulifson, Aurora MN, Lindsay (Robb)
King-Cooney, Columbia Heights MN, Alex
(Alicia) King, Burnsville MN, Sean Schoeben,
Kehei HI, Elizabeth (Darren) Hatfield, Chisholm
MN, Zackary and Joshua Skurla, Chisholm MN;
Great Grandchildren, Sydney and Skylar Genett,
Dominic and Olivia Rulifson, Jameson and
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death
by 3 brothers-,Donald, Herbert and, Norman
King and 3 sisters-Carol King, Elaine King and
Doris O’Connell.
Ann King Whitecrow
Ann King Whitecrow, 65, Nett Lake passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at University Medical Center – Fairview in
Minneapolis.
She was born on June 30, 1950, in Nett Lake, to Melvin and Jennie (Roy) King. Ann loved to travel and spent much of her younger
years traveling all over the United States. She spent much of her free time reading books. In 1994 Ann moved to North Pole,
Alaska where she began her true passion of sewing, beadwork, and making birch bark baskets and canoes. She traveled all over
the state of Alaska doing craft shows and eventually became famous for her popped wild rice. Ann made many friends whom she
called family in Alaska. In 2008, she moved back home to Nett Lake, MN. She was a dedicated dispatcher for the Nett Lake Police
Department for many years.
Ann King
Whitecrow
Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Jennie (Roy) King; 4 brothers: Arnold, Norman “Skunko”, Francis “Tata”
and Nathaniel “Chan” King; 2 sisters: Baby Lorraine King and Arlene Morrison.
Ann is survived by 4 children: Troy (Angie) King and Michelle Fisher, both of Orr; Ronald “Blue” Fisher of Fairbanks, AK and Lucas (Colleen) ColeMattson of Washington; 8 Grandchildren, Mikka King, Gabriella King, Troie King, Brayden King, Kayla Fisher, Cameron Fisher, Korynn Fisher
and Morgan Vaughn; 2 Great granddaughters, Alice and Lilliana; 3 sisters, Lela Goodsky of Nett Lake, Lorraine Villebrun of Nett Lake and Jacque
Wilson of Minneapolis; 2 half-sisters, Barbara Wynhoff of Washington and Joyce Kay Davis of Nett Lake; along with numerous nieces, nephews,
great nieces, great nephews and many friends.
SERVICES: Traditional services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Government Tribal & Services Center in Nett Lake.
Visitation will start after 5 PM on Thursday at the Center. The spiritual advisor will be Ken Boney. The casket bearers will be Eddie Villebrun, Conrad
King, Dallas King, Norman “Sonson” King Jr., Cameron Fisher and Leon Goodsky. The honorary bearers will be Warren Villebrun, Troy King,
Ronald “Blue” Fisher Jr., Lucas Cole-Mattson, Nathaniel “Nate” King, E. Curtis Goodsky, Kerin King, Dillon Goodsky, Melvin King, Terrance King,
Michael King and Theodore Wilson. Interment will be in the Nett Lake Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
To sign the online guestbook, or to send a condolence to the family, go to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com.
BOIS FORTE NEWS
NOVEMBER 2015
Page 15 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
November Bulletin Board
Amayah Littlewolf completes
basic training with honors
Private First Class Amayah Littlewolf of
Bemidji, MN completed basic training in the
United States Army 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry
Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on
August 20, 2015.
Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
• 1 Tblsp Olive Oil
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• ¾ cup celery, chopped
• ¾ cup carrots, chopped
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground pepper
• 1 cup wild rice
• 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey
• ½ cup reduced fat sour cream
• 2 Tblsp fresh chopped parsley, chopped
Preparation
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms,
celery, carrots and cook stirring until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add flour, salt and pepper and cook, stirring for 2 minutes more.
Add broth and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add
rice and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the rice is
tender. Stir in turkey or chicken, sour cream, and parsley and cook
until heated through.
Submitted by Rene Barto
Bois Forte Community Nutrition Ed/SNAP
5316 St. Mary’s Drive, Nett Lake, MN 55772
218-757-3504, 218-410-9016 (cell), [email protected]
Over $34,000 raised at
11th Annual Indian
Summer Classic
Private First Class Amayah
Littewolf
Private Littlewolf received several awards for
outstanding achievement on the Army physical
fitness test for maintaining a high level of
individual fitness and combat readiness at 90%.
She also qualified as an M-4 sharpshooter taking
first place in the female division. Littlewolf also
earned the honor of being the leader and carrying
the flag of her platoon, Ghost Dawgs.
Amayah graduated with honors from AIT training, Fort Leanardwood,
Missouri, with a certification in The Motor Transport Operator Course on
October 13th, 2015. There she served as an Assistant Class Leader and
contributing member of Delta Company, 1-48th Infantry Regiment, and was
noted for teambuilding skills and a sterling example for all and in keeping
with the finest military traditions and distinctive accomplishments.
Amayah received other awards including outstanding accomplishments
exceeding 95% of the course standards which included academic and physical
training tests along with company duty performance with the highest standards.
Upon graduation she was selected to sing the National Anthem.
Amayah plans to attend college at Bemidji State University and the University
of Minnesota Duluth and will continue serving in the Army National Guard.
Her long term goal is to attend Officer Candidate School.
Amayah is the daughter of Wenona and Don Kingbird, granddaughter of
James D. and Gayle Littlewolf, and great granddaughter of Gary and the late
Joanne Donald.
Even if they didn’t play golf, Bois Forte students attending college or vocational training are the big
winners as a result of over $34,829 raised for educational scholarships during the 11th Annual Indian
Summer Classic golf tournament at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on August 20.
This year’s tournament set an attendance record with over 175 total players for the day, thanks to
the generosity and support of tribal leaders from around the state and dozens of local and national
businesses that work with Bois Forte.
Tom Beaudry, General Manager for The Wilderness at Fortune Bay said, “We would like to extend a
special thank you to Fortune Bay Resort Casino, Konami Gaming, Aristocrat Technologies, Northern
State Bank of Aurora, and Key Bank as Title Sponsors of this year’s event.”
Other major sponsors included: Ainsworth Game Technologies, National Indian Gaming Association, The Wilderness General Manager Tom Beaudry presents
McGladery, Delta Dental, KemperSports, Red Circle, Jacobsen Law Group, Spectrum Healthcare, Bally Gaming, the Tribal Council with a check for $34,829 for education
scholarships raised in this year’s Indian Summer Classic
TPI, CCStpa, Twin Metals MN, American Bank, Pepsi Co. and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association.
golf tournament.
For information on the process for applying for educational assistance from Bois Forte, call
218-757-3124 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. For information regarding the 2015 Indian Summer Classic, please visit
www.golfthewilderness.com or call 1-800-992-4680.
NOVEMBER 2015
BOIS FORTE NEWS
Page 16 • Bois Forte News • November 2015
Bois Forte regularly sends out important
information in the mail. 1854 Treaty Info.,
community meeting notices and RTC
announcements are examples of items that are
regularly mailed. It is essential that we have
your correct mailing address so that you can
receive this information.
If you have moved recently, or are not receiving regular mailings, please fill out the
change of address form below and mail to:
Angie King
Bois Forte Enrollment Coordinator
5344 Lake Shore Dr
Nett Lake MN 55772.
Please note, you must check the box below
your signature if you want us to give your new
address to the Bois Forte News.
Name:
Address:
City/ State/ Zip:
Date of Birth:
Signature:___________________________
Date: __________
_____Yes, I would like this new address
shared with the Bois Forte News
Please send us your email address if you’d like
to begin receiving the Bois Forte News in your
email box:
The Bois Forte News
___________________________________
BOIS FORTE NEWS
The Bois Forte News (BFN) is published monthly by
the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. The BFN encourages
submission of articles, community announcements and
photos. There is a $10 charge for personal announcements.
Contributions are subject to editing for grammar, length
and malicious/libelous content. BFN will attempt to
include all material submitted by Band members and
guests. Multiple contributions from the same source may
be excluded or rotated to future issues to insure equal
access to all. Paid ads are accepted.
Visit www.boisforte.com for rates and insertion order.
The BFN is distributed for free to Band members and is
available to others for $10 per year.
Deadline for
December issue:
NOVEMBER 9
Submit material to:
Bois Forte News
1101 Sibley Memorial Hwy. #507
Lilydale, MN 55118
651-260-2420 phone; 651-452-1640 fax
[email protected]
Tribal Council
Kevin W. Leecy
Chairman
David C. Morrison, Sr.
Secretary/Treasurer
Karlene Chosa
District I Representative
Brandon Benner
District I Representative
Ray Toutloff
District II Representative
NOVEMBER 2015