News Roundup, March 7-13

Published

Pine Tech partnership brings new classes to districts

Aanjibimaadizing is excited to offer Career and Professional Development Courses in partnership with Pine Technical & Community College and the State of Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity Grant. For detailed information on classes, dates, and locations, see https://millelacsband.com/news/aanjibimaadizing-pine-tech-partnership-brings-new-courses-to-districts. To register for classes or for more information, contact Karen at 320-362-4139 (call or text) or karen.pagnac@millelacsband.com (email).

Public comment period open for Title 3 revisions

Band Assembly will accept comments on revisions to Title 3 until 5 p.m. on April 2. A formal public hearing on the amendments will be held via Zoom April 7 at 11 a.m. The full notice, along with drafts of Title 3 and Rules for Band Assembly, and information on submitting comments can be viewed at link:https://millelacsband.com/news/notice-of-public-comment-and-hearing-on-proposed-amendments-to-title-3

DNR to host harvester meetings followed by raffle for participants

The Mille Lacs Band Department of Natural Resources will host harvester meetings March 15-18 followed by a raffle drawing for participants beginning at 11 a.m. on March 19 at the Treaty Rights Day virtual celebration. Harvester meetings will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the following dates:

March 15: Iskigamizigan
March 17: Spearing/Netting
March 18: Manoomin

When entering the Zoom meetings, please type your name and number in the chat to be added to the raffle drawings.
https://millelacsband.com/news/dnr-hosts-harvester-meetings-raffle-for-treaty-day

How to access Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services

The Substance Use Disorder Department (SUD) would like to remind people to call: (320) 532-7773 to schedule Rule 25 / Comprehensive Assessments and SUD Services. During this time requests for services have continued to increase, and please leave a message if your call is not answered immediately when calling. Miigwech for your patience, as we are in the process of hiring additional staff to cover the increased requests.

Elder food distribution is March 17 and 18

Food giveaway at District I warehouse March 16

Need a little help with the groceries this month? The Mille Lacs Band Food Shelf will be holding a food give-away at the FDPIP warehouse on Tuesday, March 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines apply. The warehouse is located at 16745 Shaw-Bosh-Kung Drive Onamia, MN 56359

Get ready for spring cleanup!

With the nice weather the last few days, you may have a touch of spring fever. There may be a return to winter soon, but why not take advantage of these moments of warmth and begin your spring clean-up!? The Mille Lacs Band Annual Spring Clean-up event will be here before we know it. Please see the flyer for full details.

GLIFWC Explores Mobile App Development

Tribal harvesters are urged to complete a brief survey to guide the functionality of a mobile app that would be geared towards tribal harvesters and is under development by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). The mobile app could have multiple functions and make it easier for tribal harvesters to learn potential harvesting locations, review codes/regulations, and maintain safety within the treaty Ceded Territory. Please consider taking this brief survey to help guide our mobile app development. Also, please forward to any tribal harvesters within your communities. Find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXRGQS6.

LEGISLATIVE WEEKLY UPDATES

Click here for the March 1-5 update.

Click here for the March 8-12 update.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S VIDEO UPDATES

Monday, March 8, 2021 — Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provided a COVID-19 update for Band members and announced the next COVID-19 vaccination clinic on March 16th from 8-1 at the District 1 clinic Door A (see above). She also gave an update from the special meeting of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe's Tribal Executive Committee last Thursday regarding enrollments and gave a shout out to Chase Sam, a 10th grader at Nay Ah Shing who is working with Rosetta Stone on artwork for the Ojibwe language program being developed in partnership with Aanjibimaadizing. https://youtu.be/PlsZKNXkIFM

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 — Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provided a COVID-19 update and stressed the importance of continuing to wear a mask even after individuals have been fully vaccinated. The state and CDC have issued new guidelines regarding vaccinated individuals; however, due to the variants of the virus, the recommendation is to continue all previous recommendations: wear a mask, wash hands often, stay 6-feet apart from others, and limit large gatherings. Chief Executive Benjamin gave a brief summary from the weekly cabinet meeting. She also discussed a new video game created by a young intern with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Eleanore Falck, Oneida Nation, created a video game called Growing up Ojibwe: The Game. She is a University of Wisconsin-Stout junior majoring in game design and development-art. The game explores aspect s of Ojibwe life and culture including treaty rights and sovereignty, maple sap gathering, spearfishing and wild rice harvesting. It is available to download or play online in Windows or for Android at the Google Play Store. https://youtu.be/tpwOoqXe2R4

Friday, March 12, 2021 — Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provided Band members with a COVID-19 update with help from a very special guest assistant. Dana Schwensen is 6 years old with big plans for his future, possibly having his own show someday. Chief Executive Benjamin also gave Band members brief updates regarding the NCAI COVID Task force and the Tribal Leaders meetings from yesterday. https://youtu.be/zjtTLJZ8_hk

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Rental assistance available through Aanjibimaadizing

Are you experiencing past due rent and utilities bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic? Emergency funding is now available through the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program administered by Aanjibimaadizing. Funds are available for rent and rental utilities only. Applications are being accepted beginning March 1, 2021, through December 13, 2021 at 5 p.m. Apply online at https://mlbo-laserfiche.millelacsband.com/Forms/CERA. Applications are also available at any Aanjibimaadizing office or from a Case Manager or Facilitator. Contact Tammy Moreland at (320) 292-1942 or email at tammy.moreland@millelacsband.com. Due to the number of calls this program could receive, you may need to leave a message. Calls will be returned within 48 hours. For more information, see https://millelacsband.com/news/covid-related-rental-assistance-funds-are-now-available.

Secretary-Treasurer announces career opportunity in financial industry

As the Band moves forward into an era in which it manages its own investments, the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer is pleased to announce that the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation is hiring two junior investment analysts and is holding one position open for an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. If hired, the employee will work for the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, not the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The hiring window for the junior investment analyst positions will be open on the career section of the Foundation’s website (https://www.spmcf.org/) from March 11 to 25. Interested Band members are encouraged to apply via the Foundation’s online hiring process. Although the web link will not be available until on or around March 11, the link will be published on the Legislative Branch Facebook page at that time. For more information, see https://millelacsband.com/news/secretary-treasurer-announces-career-opportunity-in-financial-industry.

Memorial tributes shared through website, newsletter

Beginning March 1, Band member families are invited to share memorial tributes to loved ones who have passed away for publication on the website and in the Ojibwe Inaajimowin. Mekweniminjig — Those Who Area Remembered — will be published in the newsletter beginning in April and can be found on the website at https://millelacsband.com/news/mekweniminjig. If you lost a loved one this year and would like to share the information with the Mille Lacs Band community, send the obituary/tribute along with a photo if desired to news@millelacsband.com to be included on the website and in the next issue of Ojibwe Inaajimowin.

LOOKING FOR WORK?

Among the new job postings this week: Aanjibimaadizing Intake Specialist, Aanjibimaadizing Case Manager, HHS/Four Winds Chemical Health Counselor, HHS/Four Winds Admissions/Financial Clerk, HHS/CSS Food Shelf Lead Warehouse Technician, HHS/Family Services Lead Social Worker, District III Ge-niigaanizijig Youth Mentor, Dental Assistant. For more, see https://millelacsband.com/jobs.

You can request information about jobs by emailing hr@millelacsband.com or calling 320-532-7460. To apply for a job, please submit an application, cover letter, and resume to the HR email by the closing date.

For openings at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley properties or Eddy’s Resort, visit: grandcasinomn.com/careers. For openings with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, visit https://mlcv.com/career-opportunities. For openings at Grindstone Laundry or Crossroads Convenience Store, email enelson@grcasinos.com or call 320-384-4722. Applications are also available at the main receptionist desk of the Corporate Commission building at 700 Grand Avenue, adjacent to the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events and Convention Center.

INAAJIMOWIN ONLINE

The March issue of Ojibwe Inaajimowin has been sent out and can also be downloaded at https://millelacsband.com/content/8-news/inaajimowin-archive/2103-inaajimowin.pdf. You can also find stories from the current and previous newsletters at https://millelacsband.com/news, including:

Dean Reynolds — Moving up through the ranks
Curt Kalk Jr. — The right fit for HHS
Band Member Voices — Ziigwan Energy

NEWS FROM INDIAN COUNTRY

You can find links to stories from around Indian Country at https://millelacsband.com/news. Among this week's headlines:

$31 million to change the course of the pandemic
Final vote on Deb Haaland's confirmation to take place Monday
Judge OKs EPA request to review whether PolyMet may affect Fond du Lac

UPCOMING EVENTS

Elder Food Distribution March 17 and 18

See flyer above

Treaty Rights Day meetings March 15-18 followed by raffle March 19

See story above and flyers below.

Ge-Niigaanizijig language classes with Memengwaakwe

Ceremonial Dance Dates

Recovery group meetings
Most recovery meetings are held via Zoom conference during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Monday night Migizi meeting ID is 856 8473 0121, and the password is 56359. The Wednesday night Red Brick meeting ID is 895 631 97923, and the password is 56359. The Thursday Wellbriety meeting ID is 966 0395 9591, and the passcode is 944772. The nightly Zooming Towards Recovery code is 601-532-2869, and the password is zoom800. ”The Rez” NA meeting meets in person (with social distancing and masks required) on Fridays at 6 p.m. at the old Ne-Ia-Shing Clinic, 43500 Migizi Drive. ** Meetings for Urban Band members in recovery are held on Zoom Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 6:30.

SUD Department offers grief support
A Community Grief Support Group meets Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 950 0668 4301. Passcode: Support! Contact Allison at 320-630-9243 or sudinfo@hhs.millelacsband-nsn.gov.

Free streaming of movies by Native women
Vision Maker Media is marking its 45th anniversary with a yearlong celebration of free commUNITY events, including thematic online film screenings, online virtual programs, and more. The Cherokee Nation Film Office is a sponsor of the 45th anniversary events. In recognition of Women's History Month in March, Vision Maker Media presents “commUNITY: Herald Native Women,” a showcase of six films offered for free 24/7 streaming all month at https://visionmakermedia.org/. For more information, see https://millelacsband.com/news/celebrate-womens-history-month-with-online-films-and-panel-discussion-featuring-indigenous-women-leaders.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

The Government Affairs Department, which is in charge of communications with Band members, is compiling a list of email addresses so we can send news summaries and breaking news updates to Band members. To sign up, go to https://millelacsband.com/services/mailing-list.