Commissioner extends mask order
Commission of Health and Human Services has extended the Mille Lacs Band's mask requirement for public buildings until February 28, 2021. The order applies to anyone over two years old who can medically tolerate a face covering, and it also requires that government personnel wear gloves when entering Band member residences to provide public services. Government personnel and employees of Band-owned businesses are required to wear masks or cloth face coverings whenever they are in face-to-face contact with the public.For more information and to read the order in its entirety, see https://millelacsband.com/news/commissioner-extends-mask-order-until-february-28.
COVID-19 housing grant deadline is December 7
The deadline is December 7 to apply for the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, which provides housing assistance payments to help prevent eviction, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. The program is available in all districts and the urban area.For more information, see https://millelacsband.com/news/covid-19-housing-grant-deadline-is-december-7.
Please note: The December issue Ojibwe Inaajimowin incorrectly listed the deadline as December 30. The deadline was changed by the state after the issue went to press.
State of the Band to be held online
Mille Lacs Band statutes require that on the second Tuesday of each January the Band Assembly will call a special joint assembly for the purposes of a State of the Band address. This year, pursuant to an executive order signed by Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, the State of the Band will be a virtual event. We want to make it as easy as possible for Band members to attend this year’s virtual State of the Band. Please fill out the form below, and we will send you reminders about State of the Band as well as information about how to attend online. Please note that we will also add you to the Mille Lacs Band email list to receive periodic emails with important news about your Mille Lacs Band government. To sign up for updates and information, please see https://millelacsband.com/services/sotb-2021.
Family services, schools partner for distance learning workshop
The Mille Lacs Band's Family Services Department partnered with Nay Ah Shing and Onamia Public Schools last week to hold a technology/academic session at the old District I community center. Approximately 10 students along with their parent or guardian attended. With COVID safety precautions in place, the group was looking to connect with those who were having trouble with online or blended learning. This event was open to guardians, parents and students alike. This is the first of many collaborations that the combined group is looking to do to help students, families, and the MLBO members. The next sessions are scheduled for Monday, December 7 and Monday, January 4. See below for details.
Band member recognized as Native Minnesota "ChangeMaker"
Band member Adrienne Benjamin was featured on Minnesota Public Radio last week in its special series honoring Native Americans during Native American Heritage Month. For the entire series, see https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/10/30/changemakers-indigenous-minnesotans-making-history. For Adrienne's story, go to https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/11/24/changemakers-adrienne-benjamin-a-master-jingle-dress-maker-artist-and-activist.
Band Assembly Weekly Update: Week of November 23-27, 2020
Tuesday, November 24, 2020: Legislative held a work session for the Band Assembly members, Legal Counsel, Staff Attorney, and Legislative Staff. Work Session Agenda: Band Assembly meeting minutes and Revisor of Statutes bill review comments and edits from Ziontz Chestnut. Reviewed April, May, June, July and August Band Assembly records with questions, comments, and changes to records that required it. Reviewed Revisor of Statutes bill. Review comments and edits from Mr. Marc Slonim and rejected or accepted the edits. Further discussion on placement of the bill. Discussion of publication items to include while thinking of expired materials, separate publications, fluidity, and accessibility.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020: Noon Closing No Band Assembly
Thursday, November 26, 2020: Miigwech Day
Friday, November 27, 2020: Miigwech Day
Band Assembly Weekly Update: Week of November 16-20, 2020
On Wednesday, November 18, 2020: Band Assembly occurred through conference call and Zoom.
Band Assembly approved two bills:
— Band Assembly Bill 19-02-06-21: A Bill of Supplemental Appropriation for Disbursement of Long-Term Savings Investment Income Funds for an Adult Band Member Economic Support Payment for the Month of December 2020 in the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2021.
— Band Assembly Bill 19-02-07-21: A Bill of Supplemental Appropriation for December 2020 Tribal Per Capita Distributions for Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2021.
Band Assembly tabled the nomination of Sylvia Wise for the District III Associate Justice position pursuant to 5 MLBS § 5 (b). Wise was nominated November 9 by Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin. Band Assembly has thirty (30) days to either confirm or reject the nomination.
On Thursday, November 19, Legislative held a work session for the Band Assembly members, Legal Counsel, Staff Attorney, Legislative Staff and Legal & Policy Counsel. On the agenda were Band Assembly meeting minutes from February and March and the Revisor of Statutes bill.
Click here for the entire update.
Chief Executive's Video Updates
Monday, November 23, 2020 — Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provided Band members with a COVID-19 update and included an important message from Mille Lacs Band Public Health. There is also an important message from the Cabinet meeting this afternoon regarding Mille Lacs Casinos and businesses. The operations at the casinos will continue with the safety measures in place including the thermal scan of all guests and employees entering the buildings at the casinos. However, along with the state guidelines, the restaurants will be take out only. The Chief Executive also provided a brief update on moving forward with the Urban community center and housing project that will be very exciting.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 — Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provided a COVID update for Band members and shared a reminder regarding the deadline to apply for the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAPS) grant is December 30. NOTE: The deadline for applying for these grants has been changed by the state to December 7. The program provides housing assistance payments to help prevent eviction, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. The program is available in all districts and the urban area. Aanjibimaadizing can help you with the required Common Housing Application, which requires personal identification, household certification, release of information, and income documentation. If you have questions about the program, call Tammy Moreland at 320-292-1942 or email tammy.moreland@millelacsband.com.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 — Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin provides a COVID update for Band members as well as some other items of interest. The State has moved the deadline of the CHAPS program to December 7th. So Aanjibimadizing is encouraging those who need assistance to contact them right away. Please call Tammy Moreland at 320-292-1942 or email at tammy.moreland@millelacsband.com. An MPR series this month recognizes Native American Heritage Month. The series celebrates and honors the culture and heritage of Native Americans through time and is called "ChangeMakers: Indigenous Minnesotans making history." It is a compilation of stories celebrating Indigenous peoples of Minnesota who are making change. The list includes many Ojibwe and Dakota people including but not limited to LeAnn Littlewolf, Brenda Child, Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and Mille Lacs Band member Adrienne Benjamin. If you have some time, please take a moment to review the article. Here is a link to the story. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/10...
INAAJIMOWIN ONLINE
The December issue of the Band's monthly newsletter, Ojibwe Inaajimowin, is now available online at https://millelacsband.com/content/8-news/inaajimowin-archive/2012-inaajimowin.pdf.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Need help with distance learning?
The Mille Lacs Band's Family Services Department is joining forces with Nay Ah Shing and Onamia Public Schools to hold technology/academic sessions at the old District I community center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 7 and January 4. Students, parents, and guardians are encouraged to attend. See below for the flyer.
Recovery Group Meetings
Two recovery groups are meeting old District I Community Center: An NA meeting on Fridays at 6 p.m. and an All Recovery group on Sundays at 6 p.m. Contact Randell S. with questions at 650-273-2214. (See flyers below.)
Many recovery meetings are also 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 nightly Zooming Towards Recovery code is 601-532-2869, and the password is zoom800.
Reminder: Fall and winter events are canceled
The Tribal Emergency Response Committee (TERC) on October 27 announced the cancellation of in-person fall and winter events, including the Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures Fall Feast, District holiday parties, and the State of the Band Address. A notice signed by six Commissioners who are members of the TERC said the approaching flu season and lack of abatement of the COVID-19 crisis made the decision necessary.
Mark you calendar
Midwinter Break: December 24 and 25. Government offices closed.
January 1: New Year's Day, government offices closed.
January 12: State of the Band. This event will be held online. Stay tuned to this site and Facebook for details.
January 18, Civil Rights Day, government offices closed.
DRUG TIP HOTLINE
The Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police Department’s anonymous drug tip line is 320-630-2458. Feel free to leave voicemails and/or text messages. If you would like a call back, be sure to leave your name and phone number. In case of emergency, dial 911.
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 weekly news summaries and breaking news updates to Band members.
To sign up, go to https://millelacsband.com/services/mailing-list.
