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Win Awenen Nisitotung November 18, 2020 • Vol. 41 No. 11 Frozen Moon Mshka’odin Giizis Official newspaper of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians New tribal program offers free help to sexual assault victims BY BRENDA AUSTIN hope that not only will current The Sault Tribe Advocacy victims utilize our new program, Resource Center (ARC), under but those victims who have not the umbrella of Sault Tribe received services for their trau- Anishinabek Community and mas also.” Family Services, recently The new SVS program announced its new grant fund- offers a 24-hour crisis hotline/ ed program – Sexual Violence helpline, emergency response Services (SVS). services, supportive individual SVS Grant Coordination and group counseling, advocacy Assistant Manager Jena and supportive services, public McKerchie awareness and said the ARC systems change, Photo by Brenda Austin worked with and SANE/ Drive through flu shot clinics were held in October throughout the service area. Above, CHT Kelly Kopko (left) Sandra Pilgrim SAFESTAR medi- and CHN Tami Duncan, both from Hessel, administered shots Oct. 22 in the Sault’s Big Bear parking lot. Lewis, victim cal forensic exam- services liaison inations. Tribe lauds Line 5 easement decision with the Victim In addition SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. dated February 2015. Since then, ogitchidaakwe (warrior women) Service Division to McKerchie, — Today, Sault Tribe leadership the tribe has pursued this through have been persistent voices for of the Michigan Ashley Gravelle applauded the announcement by all legal channels, in hearing stopping the oil before a disaster Department has been hired as Michigan’s Governor Whitmer rooms and meeting rooms as strikes, especially those on our of Health and the cultural heal- that the state bottomlands ease- well as at information gatherings, tribal board of directors – both Human Services, ing educator, and ment for the Line 5 twin crude oil demonstrations and peaceful those currently seated and those and Uniting is making public pipelines has been revoked, effec- protests. Often led by women, who previously served. They’ve Three Fires Against Violence, awareness a priority, along with tive immediately. these protests have informed the led the way to shut down Line 5. Michigan’s tribal coalition providing traditional alternatives “The Sault Tribe is enormous- public about the importance of Therefore, it is particularly satis- against domestic violence and to healing from sexual assault ly relieved that this ongoing tribal lifeways and culture and the fying that the women leading the sexual assault, to develop and trauma. Cecilia Atkinson, the threat to the health of the waters tribe’s values of respect for water, State of Michigan have taken this implement the program. program’s new secretary, will be of Lake Michigan is ending,” land and other beings. responsibility seriously and taken McKerchie said, “The need the first person victims and sur- Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron “In our culture, women this action today.” for tribal specific sexual assault vivors will meet when accessing Payment said. “We have been bear the responsibility for pro- The Sault Tribe congratulates services that provide comprehen- the program. asking the State of Michigan to tecting the water, with men’s Governor Whitmer, Attorney sive and culturally appropriate Plans are awaiting approval take action on this matter for assistance,” Hessel area tribal General Nessel and the rest of the services to all victims of sexual to house the new program in a many years and today is a day to board Representative Catherine Michigan government for this his- assault became very apparent. 2,000-square-foot modular office celebrate.” Hollowell said. “Our tribal fish- toric and wise action, and looks Through community focus building on the Sault Tribe reser- Sault Tribe first called on “any ing grounds are under direct forward to the day, 180 days from groups it was determined that a vation by March 2021. government” to take the neces- threat of an imminent catastrophe now, when we no longer have sexual assault center was need- To access the program’s ser- sary action to stop the flow of from these aging pipes.” to worry about a breach in those ed.” vices or ask questions of staff, oil through Line 5 in a resolution Payment said, “Our tribal pipes. Services offered through call 632-1808 or (877) 639-7820. the program are free to both For the 24-hour staffed emergen- tribal and non-tribal victims cy hotline/helpline, call (906) Chippewa County COVID-19 update and survivors of sexual assault. 632-1808 or 639-7820. SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. munity members who test positive — Those who spent 15 or McKerchie said the program will You can also reach McKer- – As COVID-19 cases drastically for COVID-19 to complete an iso- more minutes over the course provide a safe haven for all vic- chie by emailing jmckerchie1@ increase in Chippewa County, the lation period of 10 days, regard- of 24 hours within 6 feet of the tims to access services. “It is our saulttribe.net. local hospital and health depart- less of if they are contacted by COVID-19-positive person. ment ask residents to take precau- health officials. Positive individu- Isolation and quarantine mean www.saulttribe.com tions to slow community spread als should remain in isolation until staying home from work (and of the novel virus. “As we experi- all of the following conditions are away from other household mem- ence a surge in our area, we want met: bers as much as possible), school, everyone to take the necessary — 10 days from onset of symp- social gatherings, extracurricular precautions. Wear a mask, social toms (or from positive test result) activities and any other public PAID 49735 distance and practice proper hand place except when seeking medi- — Fever-free for 24 hours, and Gaylord, MI PRSRT STD PRSRT U.S. Postage Permit No. 30 hygiene” said David Jahn, CEO of — Symptoms have improved cal care. Avoiding crowds, limiting War Memorial Hospital (WMH). COVID-19 positive individuals time with others not from the same On Oct. 10, 2020, the case are asked to contact their close household, wearing a mask in pub- count for Chippewa County was contacts to alert them of the expo- lic, and following good hygiene 95. As of Nov.10, 2020, the case sure. Due to the overwhelming practices may prevent local health count was 404. This is an average number of cases, there may be a facilities from becoming over- increase of 10 new cases per day. delay from CCHD staff in contact- whelmed. “With the significant increase in ing a positive individual’s close The State of Michigan has cases, it has become more diffi- contacts. a COVID-19 hotline, available cult to rapidly contact everyone If a person is identified as a Monday-Friday, 8-5, by calling who has tested positive or who close contact, they should quar- (888) 535-6136. If you believe is considered a close contact of a antine for 14 days post-exposure. your symptoms are life threaten- positive case,” said Karen Senkus, Close contacts are defined as: ing, call 911. Health Officer for Chippewa — Those who were with the For the latest information from County Health Department COVID-19-positive individual CCHD and WMH on the COVID- (CCHD). while contagious (while symp- 19 pandemic, visit our Facebook On Nov. 12, the first two tomatic or up to two days before pages at WarMemorialHospital or COVID-related deaths were symptoms began, or the individual ChippewaCountyHealth or visit reported for Chipewa County. received a positive test if asymp- www.warmemorialhosptial.org or Win Awenen Nisitotung 531 Ashmun St. MI 49783 Marie, Sault Ste. WMH and CCHD are urging com- tomatic) AND www.chippewahd.com. Page 2 Community November 18, 2020 • Win Awenen Nisitotung BMCC offers new bachelor’s degree program BAY MILLS, Mich. — Bay Early Childhood Education Mills Community College Department chair and faculty (BMCC) continues to shape its member. educational programs to meet BMCC is one of three tribally the needs of the job market and controlled colleges in the state of local students. With a shortage Michigan and the only communi- of teachers throughout the state ty college in Michigan’s eastern of Michigan, the opportunity to Upper Peninsula. As a 1994 land earn a bachelor’s degree in Early grant institution, BMCC works Childhood Education (ECE) is with land grant partners, such as now offered fully online through Michigan State University, to pro- BMCC. vide service and expertise to the Students can attend BMCC Bay Mills Indian Community and virtually to earn their Bachelor the surrounding region. BMCC is of Arts in early childhood educa- accredited by the Higher Learning tion. ECE is for students who are Commission and is a member Photo courtesy of BMIC interested in working with young of the American Indian Higher Members of the first graduating class of 2020 in the early childhood education bachelor’s program, Diane children, newborn to 8 years of Education Consortium. McLeod-Maleport, Faith Gaubault and Brooke Spencer. age, and their families. Students will acquire an understanding of developmental patterns in such areas as appropriate to learning, social and emotional develop- Tribal Citizens and Descendants ment, language and literacy, cognition, perceptual, motor and physical development. They will also acquire knowledge in parent Can Earn While They Learn! engagement and the necessary College isn’t for everyone — training programs can be expensive, lengthy and difficult to manage with a job, a skills required to administer an early childhood program. family, or with life in general — but vocational training can be! The Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training (NIT) program Preparing teachers, family service is designed to address these barriers for students enrolled in high demand STEM-related programs.