DeBahJiMon Return Service Requested PRSRTSTD U.S. Postage 115 6th Street NW PAID Cass Lake, MN 56633 Bemidji, MN Permit No. DeBahJiMon 68 A Publication of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Vol. XXII No. 1 July 2007 Leech Lake Child LLCW Program for this initiative is the de- Traditional Ojibwe Adoption velopment of a comprehensive child wel- Welfare Program fare service delivery system, to respond to To Make Historic child maltreatment reports and to provide an array of services aimed at meeting child Program Develop- welfare needs. The program development will be ment in two phases, with the first phase being By Kim Mammedaty, Associate building infrastructural capacity. This in- Tribal Attorney cludes technology, additional staff and Leech Lake Legal Division space acquisition, policy and procedure & Lisa Sherman, Community Rela- development, as well as program devel- tions Coordinator opment. The program will be based on Leech Lake Child Welfare Program Ojibwe values and teachings around child rearing practices, rather than replicate the “There is no resource that is more state or county systems that the Tribe has vital to the continued existence had to respond to for many generations. and integrity of Indian Tribes than The program will emphasize prevention, their children.” early intervention, and community en- This statement is found to Child Welfare Program - Cont. on page 4 be a fundamental feature in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Front row: Keith Howard, Jasmine Wade, Kim Howard; Middle Row: Brady ICWA, which was passed in 1978, New Breast Cancer Wade, Andrea Wade (mother), Brandi Wade, Collin Howard, Back Row: is a federal law that protects the Services at Cass Lake Thomas Headbird, Larry Wade, (father), Grandfather Bill Croaker, and Grand- physical, mental, emotional, and mother Faye Headbird. spiritual well-being of Indian chil- Hospital dren when there are issues of History was made in a traditional wants to establish within the band’s abuse, neglect, or adoption. The New services for breast cancer pa- adoption ceremony that took place in Child Welfare Program. Leech Lake Reservation has been tients are now available at the Cass Lake the afternoon of Monday, May 21, 2007 During the ceremony there putting this federal law into use by Hospital as a result of a grant from the to join the Andrea and Larry Wade were several steps to take in order to establishing an Indian child welfare Susan Komen Foundation. Funded by family with their beautiful 2-year-old permanently place the child with her service called the Leech Lake Child this grant, Ms. Nina Rudnick, LPN, serves daughter. The event was the first of its family. Good thoughts and prayers Welfare Program (LLCW), which as the Breast Health Coordinator-Patient kind to take place in the Leech Lake were sent over the proceedings works under the Human Services Navigator. She will be available to assist Reservation tribal courtroom at the using a pipe ceremony, which was Division of the Leech Lake Band of breast cancer patients with a variety of Facility Center in Cass Lake. Ojibwe conducted by Mike Smith. Honor Ojibwe (LLBO). needs such as transportation to medical traditions combined with the tribal songs were performed by the Bug- The LLCW Program is at appointments, finding support services, court to finalize and celebrate the O-Nay-Ge-Shig drummers Bruce the beginning of making history in and obtaining medical supplies. special bond between a child and her White, Andrew Jackson, and Darryl its development. In February 2007 In addition, Ms. Rudnick is available new family. This event is just the start Kingbird. Later in the ceremony, the LLBO entered into an agree- for community education on breast health. of local adoption proceedings that the Judge Fineday read the petition ment to participate in the Ameri- She will assist women in obtaining breast Leech Lake Human Services Division to conclude the proceedings, and can Indian Child Welfare Initiative exams and mammograms. Because first- within minutes it was on the record with the State of Minnesota, along degree relatives of those with breast can- NOTICE: to establish legality of the adoption. with the White Earth Band of Chip- cer are at an increased risk, she will focus Following the prayer and necessary pewa Indians. The state legislation on providing education to families of those The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe legal words, a feast was provided authorizing this initiative had been with a history of breast cancer. Tribal Offices will be closed on by the Palace catering staff, to the previously passed in 2005 along For additional information on these Wednesday, July 4, 2007 for Inde- enjoyment of the entire family and with appropriations for the par- services call Nina Rudnick at 218-335-3354 pendence Day. guests. ticipating tribes. The goal of the or email to [email protected]. 2 DeBahJiMon • July 2007DeBahJiMon • July 2007 Leech Lake Lead is also harmful home checked for lead hazards in cover soil with high lead levels. These to adults. Adults can suffer from two ways, or both: a paint inspection actions (called “interim controls”) are Environmental difficulties during pregnancy and tells you the lead content of every not permanent solutions and will not other reproductive problems (in both painted surface in your home; a risk eliminate all risks of exposure. To Wants to Get The men and women). Other effects assessment tells you if there are any permanently remove lead hazards, Lead Out are high blood pressure, digestive sources of serious lead exposure you must hire a lead “abatement” problems, nerve disorders, memory (such as peeling paint and lead dust). contractor. Abatement (or permanent The DRM’s Environmental and concentration problems, and It also tells you what actions to take hazard elimination) methods include Department has a small amount of muscle and joint pain. Lead can affect to address these hazards. removing, sealing, or enclosing lead- funding available to begin inspecting the body in many ways. Have qualified professionals based paint with special materials. some homes that we suspect may do the work. Trained professionals Just painting over the hazard with have a lead problem. Right now we WHERE LEAD-BASED PAINT IS use a range of methods when regular paint is not enough. Always are conducting an inventory of homes FOUND checking your home, including visual hire a person with special training for that you are concerned about. In general, the older your inspection of paint condition and correcting lead problems, someone home, the more likely it has lead- location, lab tests of paint samples, who knows how to do this work safely THE DANGERS OF LEAD PAINT based paint. Many homes built before surface dust tests, and a portable and has the proper equipment to 1978 have lead based paint. In 1978, x-ray fluorescence machine. Home clean up thoroughly. Many houses built before the federal government banned lead- test kits for lead are available, but 1978 have paint that contains lead based paint from housing. Lead can should not be the only method used REMODELING A HOME WITH (called lead-based paint). Lead from be found in single-family homes and before doing renovations or to assure LEAD-BASED PAINT paint, chips, and dust can pose serious apartments, inside and outside the safety. health hazards, if not taken care of house, in soil around a home. (Soil If not conducted properly, properly. In 1996 federal law requires can pick up lead from exterior paint, WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT certain types of renovations can that individuals receive certain or other sources such as past use of YOUR FAMILY release lead from paint and dust information before renting, buying, or leaded gas in cars.) into the air. Take precautions before renovating pre-1978 housing. Sellers Lead is most likely to be a If you suspect that your house you begin remodeling or renovations have to disclose known information hazard in paint chips, which you can has lead hazard, you can take some that disturb painted surfaces (such on lead-based paint hazards before see, and lead dust, which you cannot immediate steps to reduce your as scraping off paint or tearing out selling a house. always see. Lead-based paint that family’s risk. Clean up paint chips walls). These include: is in good condition is usually not a immediately. Clean floors, window Have the area tested for LEAD GETS IN THE BODY IN hazard. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or frames, window sills, and other lead-based paint. MANY WAYS cracking lead-based paint is a hazard surfaces weekly. Use a mop or sponge Do not use a dry scraper, and needs immediate attention. with warm water and a general belt sander, propane torch, or heat One out of every eleven Lead-based paint may also be a purpose cleaner or a cleaner made gun to remove lead-based paint. children in the United States has hazard when found on surfaces that specifically for lead. Thoroughly rinse These actions create large amounts dangerous levels of lead in their children can chew or that gets a lot of sponges and mop heads after cleaning of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust can bloodstream. Even children who wear and tear, These areas include: dirty or dusty areas. Wash children’s remain in your home long after the appear healthy can have dangerous windows and window sills, doors hands often, especially before they work is done. levels of lead. People can get lead in and door frames, stairs, railings and eat and before nap time and bed time. Temporarily move your their body if they: put their hands or banisters, and porches and fences. Keep children from chewing window family (especially children and other objects covered with lead dust Lead dust can form when sills and other painted surfaces.