PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BEMIDJI, MN J PERMIT NO. 68 January 2009 Vol. XXIII No. 7 Free INSIDE Chairman’s Report for November-December Persell Takes 2008 Office Page 3 It has been a busy quarter and there is much to report as we end the old year Prevent Septic and enter a new one. There are a lot of Page 12 good things happening and there is lot Freezing to report and discuss. The Secretary Treasurer is putting together a brief financial report for the newspaper with a full presentation of the Band’s financials at the Quarterly Meeting, January 9th, in Top Headlines Page 14 Ball Club, MN. Full reviews of everything 2008 will be part of the upcoming Band Assembly that has been promised. We need to talk with our band membership Leech Lake’s own John Persell (one of 22 newly elected state representatives) poses on the proposals for the Nelson Act Quarterly Report with Chairman LaRose and District III Rep. Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird on the House Settlement, discuss blood quantum and chamber floor before roll call on January 6th, 2009. Photo by Chris Haugene constitution reform, the high voltage to the People of the Powerline and Enbridge Pipeline that want to come across the reservation, as Leech Lake Reservation From Secretary Treasurer Michael J. Bongo well as development issues and overall I would like to first of all start by taking this opportunity to extend my belated best wishes to all of our Band members for needs. a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I can say it is a real positive change By now the vast majority of our Band members should have received their tax rebate checks. The tax rebate checks from many of the recent administrations were initially mailed out on December 18, 2008. If by chance you have not yet received your check it is because our Tribal to have a Tribal Council that truly works Enrollment office and Accounting office do not have either your correct mailing address or social security number. To correct well together. We have been working this problem, please call the Accounting office at (218)-335-8200 and provide them with the accurate information and I assure together to plan for the future while we you that your tax rebate will be processed and mailed out immediately. However in doing so I ask that you be patient, polite try to deal with ongoing issues that need and courteous and mindful of the fact that in processing and mailing out 7,075 checks there are going to be some minor to be addressed. We have set the goal problems and mistakes especially given the fact that this is the first time that this has ever been done. Hopefully we can learn of again becoming the reservation that from any mistakes or problems this year which will help us streamline the process for next year. leads and set the direction that the other reservations look toward as an example This year the Leech Lake Tribal Council was able to appropriate $1.5 million for the tax rebate to the Band membership. of progressive tribal government. We The tax rebate serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when you have a Tribal Council that works together, sets all look forward to sharing the exciting priorities and works to ensures that the assets and resources of the Reservation are properly managed. I would like to also direction and work being done. A real point out that this was achieved without the loss of jobs or reduction of services to the Band membership. positive change has come to Leech Lake. If we as a tribal Council can continue to work together, plan and prioritize and financially manage the assets and resources of the Band I am hopeful that the tax rebate to our Band membership should continue to grow modestly each year provided We recently held a meeting on as I stated that we as a Tribal Council continue to work together to establish the proper goals, objectives and priorities of the November 12, 2008 for all government Reservation. Sec/Treas Report Cont. Page 10 Chairman’s Report Cont. Page 5 DeBahJiMon • 115 6th St NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 • [email protected] • Visit www.llojibwe.com • January 2009 2 DeBahJiMon • January 2009 opportunity to help “rehearse” our For more information on safe winter More snowfall makes Mock Disaster Drill responses to possible future events. And driving, go to http://www.winterweather. as with any good drill, CLIHS found out state.mn.us/. for hazardous driving held at Cass Lake things that we do well and areas that For statewide travel information and need to be addressed. The medical and conditions road conditions, call 5-1-1 or log on to Indian Health Service nursing staff on hand were able to triage, www.511mn.org. The Minnesota Department of Unit stabilize, and identify the necessary Transportation advises motorists By CAPT Amy Buckanaga, RN resources needed to transfer patients to drive with extreme caution as to a higher level of care. This was aided new snowfall and cold temperatures On November 13, 2008, a mock by the pre-hospital care provided by compounded with wind is creating disaster drill was held at the Cass Lake the Leech Lake Ambulance staff. Areas reduced visibility and slippery roads. Indian Health Service Unit (CLIHS). that will continue to be addressed Disaster drills allow systems to prepare were related to availability of medical MnDOT snowplow operators have been for everyday emergencies and for the and nursing staff and communication. steady in their efforts to keep the roads unexpected. Planning for the drill This drill happened during a weekday, as clear as possible under the current began in September and involved the when there was additional staff in the conditions and motorists are being hospital staff was well as the Leech building. However, if this event had asked to take measures for their own Lake Ambulance staff, and Leech Lake actually occurred after regular work safety. 2529 15th ST NW Department of Public Safety (DPS). hours; staffing would have been severely MNDOT reminds motorists to Bemidji MN, 56601 All hospitals have plans in place compromised. Ways to access additional follow these safe driving practices: to deal with disasters, whether man- staff after hours will be reviewed and made or natural and CLIHS is no tested. Improving communication • Travel only if necessary in exception. Hospital disaster plans use between all involved parties will also be extreme conditions, carry a cell an “all-hazards” framework that can be addressed. phone with you and let others Free Tax tailored to meet the specific demands The Cass Lake Indian Health Service know your destination and of an incident. CLIHS conduct at least Unit would like to thank all those who expected arrival. Preparation two drills a year: one may focus on an participated in the drill, especially: the • Always use seat belts, and internal disaster (such as a complete Leech Lake Ambulance staff, Leech headlights must be turned on power failure); the second must focus Lake tribal security, Leech Lake DPS, when it is snowing or sleeting. Assistance on an external event (such as a mass the observers: LCDR Tim Duffy and • Adjust speed to road and casualty incident). The drill on this CDR Barbara Nyberg; and the victims: weather conditions - lower date was to test the preparedness of Mike Robinson, Cecil Reams, Sandy speeds minimize crashes. the facility and staff for a mass casualty Ryan, Patti Byers, and Alberta Kodaseet- • event. The scenario was a domestic Jones. We would also like to apologize Move over one lane from any Volunteer Income Tax stopped emergency vehicle. violence incident with multiple gunshot for any inconvenience that this drill • Keep a safe stopping distance Assistance (VITA) volunteers victims. To complicate the scenario, might have caused for the public, but between vehicles, and leave provide FREE Income Tax the emergency room (ER) staff would also want to acknowledge the action extra room between your vehicle Preparation Assistance to already be taking care of a patient with taken by the Cass Lake-Bena School chest pains. The Leech Lake Ambulance district and the RTC, who activated their and snowplows or other snow low-Income, elderly, disabled removal equipment. staff applied make-up to the victims to emergency plans when they received • Know your brakes and how they and limited English speaking make the scenario more realistic. unconfirmed reports of violence in the react on snow-covered roads. people. Call Monica to see if In many disaster incidents, the community. Their actions demonstrate • Clear snow and ice from vehicle you qualify. victims do not just arrive at the hospital their commitment to the welfare and windows, hood, headlights, by ambulance, victims may also show safety of those they serve. Emergency brake lights and directional up by private vehicle, law enforcement, preparedness is everybody’s business signals. or just walking in. The number of and needs to be addressed and reviewed • Do not use cruise-control. Appointments: victims arriving by ambulance is usually on a regular basis to ensure the highest reported to the facility by the ambulance quality of care will be available. Tuesday & Thursday Mn/DOT also wants to remind crew allowing the ER staff time to motorists of the “Move Over Law” 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM prepare in advance. This information District I - when approaching and passing an January 20 to April 14, is not always received when victims Community Dinner arrive by alternative means, which may authorized emergency vehicle parked or 2009 Saturday Jan 17th, 2009 stopped on a street or highway having find a facility surprised by the total two or more lanes in the same direction, number of victims.