Early Release Weekly Newsletter
Behold our Heritage, Share our Future
The Harvest Feast
If you would like to listen to a Thanksgiving story, one that more appropriately depicts “the First Thanksgiving”, consider “Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story Read Aloud” which can be found here.
Please share with your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
On Friday, November 11th, over 1500 Native American Veterans gathered for a dedication ceremony of the National Museum of the American Indian’s National Native Americans Veterans Memorial. St. Croix Tribal Members Robert Holmes, Jeff Taylor, and Michael Thomas traveled to Washington D.C. for the dedication. Native Americans have participated in every major U.S. military encounter. The memorial to honor their service was delayed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.
Thank you, Veterans, for your service!
Tribal Government Job Openings
Sand Lake Community Worker(LTE)
Full job descriptions are available by clicking on the job titles. Please contact Tiffany Iorns, [email protected] or ext. 5196, for additional information.
HHS Job Openings
BH Grants Manager/Case Manager
Full job descriptions are available by clicking on the job titles. Please contact Shaurette Reynolds, [email protected] or ext. 5133, for additional information.
Please spread the word to your friends and family members about our open positions!
Promotion of New Paid Media Campaign for American Indian Quit Line 2022
For Immediate Release 11/10/2022
Contact Bonnie Kaphing, RN 715-349-8554 ext. 5193
New Campaign Highlights Culturally Tailored Cessation Service for Native Americans
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich culture and history of Native Americans. They are resilient, continuing to practice and elevate their vibrant, diverse cultures, making considerable contributions to American society despite centuries of oppression.
Traditional tobacco is an essential part of multiple Native American cultural practices. The commercial tobacco industry produces addictive, harmful products whereas traditional tobacco is sacred and used to promote physical, spiritual, emotional, and community well-being.
Native American communities experience increased disparities due to systemic industry targeting such as:
· Native Americans have the highest commercial tobacco use rate of any racial/ethnic group in Wisconsin. The 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data shows that roughly one third of Native American adults report regularly smoking cigarettes.
· Relentless marketing in Native American communities and misappropriation of Native American imagery are tools the tobacco industry uses to get Native American youth addicted.
In 2021 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) launched the new Wisconsin American Indian Quit Line, a culturally tailored cessation service. A DHS media campaign to support this service will launch in mid-November around Tribal reservations and lands featuring billboards, radio, social media, and print resources.
“These campaigns work,” says Melissa Doud, the Wisconsin Native American Tobacco Network Program Director. “I was talking with a nurse who had a patient who wanted to quit smoking. She went to give him the number for the American Indian Quit Line and he said, ‘I can get it from the billboard’. People are noticing.”
The New Year is right around the corner, now is the time to set a quit date. Callers to 1-888-7AI-QUIT (724-7848) receive free culturally tailored help and can receive free quit smoking medications like patches, gum, and lozenges. To learn more about Tribal efforts to prevent commercial tobacco visit www.KeepItSacred.org and www.glitc.org.
Welcome New Staff – Education
Denise Mosay is the new JOM/Native American Liaison at the Unity School District. She works with children kindergarten through 12th grade. In her role, she provides services to Native American students, such as a quiet workspace and academic help.
Denise is a special needs foster home. Her and her husband are in the process of adopting two nephews. She has taken extensive classes and trainings on special needs; emotional, physical, and behavioral. She loves kids and considers herself a go getter.
“I want to help kids academically, as well as build bonds with them so they know I am a support for them, and they can trust me.”
Amanda Dietrich is Webster School District’s new Title VI Coordinator/Native American Liaison. Her office is in the Middle/High School. She helps kids with their academics to ensure they do not fall behind.
Amanda was born in Hawaii but moved back to Wisconsin at age three. She graduated from the Grantsburg School District. She has five children between the ages of seven and seventeen. When asked what she does outside of work, Amanda responded that she “enjoys her kids”. As St. Croix descendants, she appreciates learning about her children’s culture.
The St. Croix Tribal PD received a $2,000.00 donation from the Webb Lake Men’s Club of Burnett County.
“We would like to thank Steve Austin and the Club for this donation, which we will be using to support operations within the police department. The Webb Lake Men’s Club is a huge supporter of public safety in Burnett County and through generous fundraising efforts, they continue to support our mission,” said Police Chief Frank Taylor.
Thank you, Webb Lake Men’s Club!
BUTLER STUDENTS OBSERVE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
November is National Native American Heritage Month, and Butler students are reflecting on the history and culture of Indigenous people. Native American Heritage Month was designated by President George Bush in 1990. Sophomore finance major Camron Tomaszewski is a descendant of the St. Croix Chippewa Tribe. He said it is essential to reflect on Native American heritage and history because it is so often forgotten.
“Everybody lives on land that Native Americans were forced to cede to the United States,” Tomaszewski said. “We live on stolen land, all of us. We build our schools on stolen land… it’s very overlooked, and I don’t think we educate enough on it.”
Click here to read the entire article from The Butler Collegian.
If you would like an item featured in the weekly newsletter, please email Maggie Olson at [email protected].
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