The Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions serving with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council's (GLITC) Americorps Senior Program were honored at an event on June 16th at the Menominee Casino.

Volunteers from Tribes across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan attended the event. Elders were presented with a plaque, and Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary designee of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, recognized the accomplishments of each volunteer.

Velma Landru, Jeannie Van Zile-Leider and Warren Van Zile were not at the event. Tina Van Zile recently joined the program, and will be honored at the 2023 event.

Music was provided by the Youth Drum group and Thunder Country, both from Menominee. The Menominee Veterans posted the flags, and the opening prayer was done by David Grignon, Menominee Tribal Spiritual Leader.

"The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council's Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs invest in our Tribe’s most valuable resources - our Tribal Elders and Tribal youth. Our Elders hold the knowledge of seven generations past and assist in sharing the information for seven generations forward. This supports GLITC's mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Native people. Our annual Volunteer Recognition event honors those Tribal Elders that commit their time to improving the lives of other Elders and Tribal youth in their communities," said Bryan Bainbridge, CEO of GLITC.

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council has a grant with the Americorps Seniors Program. Through this grant, GLITC recruits Tribal Elders to volunteer as either Senior Companion (SCP) volunteers or Foster Grandparent (FGP) volunteers.

Senior Companion volunteers focus on decreasing social isolation and increasing Elder independence by being companions to other Tribal Elders in their communities. Volunteers may visit with Elders, transport them to medical visits or grocery shopping, prepare light meals, or do light housekeeping acting as the Elder’s companion.

Foster Grandparents volunteer at schools, after school programs or Tribal centered youth programs to provide cultural mentoring to youth with a focus on building a strong Tribal infrastructure that preserves oral tradition and culture.

Volunteers are paid a stipend of $3.15 per hour, which is tax free and not viewed as income so it is not reportable for taxes or to any program they may be receiving benefits from such Food Share, housing, etc. Volunteers are reimbursed their mileage at the federal rate of $.58 per mile for any travel expenses.

GLITC provides an extensive orientation and holds monthly in-services. A Volunteer Recognition event is held annually at different Tribal locations each year. The 2023 event will be held at Legendary Waters in Red Cliff.

For more information, contact the GLITC programs staff at (800) 472-7207.

Last Thursday, the Education Committee hosted the annual Awards Banquet to honor students who completed Kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, High School and College. Academic and sports achievements were also honored.

This year, Wayne LaBine, the new Education Coordinator, welcomed everyone. A meal was served, sponsored by the Mole Lake Casino, and families gathered to celebrate their youth's accomplishments.

Chairman Van Zile spoke to the graduates and their families. He spoke of the need for good role models and shared that his grandmothers were his role models. While neither attended themselves, they made him go to school.

"I think they were saying 'we love you grandson. Go to school today and learn all you can then bring it home for the people. Then we all benefit by that.' Keeping the cultural and traditional ways alive, and keeping what was given to us by the Great Spirit, is our responsibility," Chairman Van Zile said.

Wayne introduced Bronson Koenig, a Member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, graduate of UW-Madison, and player with the Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball Team from 2013-2017, who spoke to the audience about his experiences.

Bronson graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor's degree. "No one can take my degree. I visit reservations and see so much talent. I do what I do to be a mentor. It's important to have someone who supports you. Don't be afraid to ask for help and ask questions. Utilize your resources," Bronson shared.

Kindergarten: Autumn Ciezki and Cameron Richmond. Not present were Kevin Honkala and Kooper Quade

5th Grade: Ellie Garrow and William Quade. Not present were Kyan Cottrell, Emmitt Deer, Bentley Kane, Anna Koplien, Remmington Maki, River Maki, Deagan Munday, Char Polar, Sylvester Poler and Victor Weber.

8th Grade: Kellie Jones, Maya Quade and and Kialei Van Zile. Not present were Jacob Christensen, Brexden Kane, Aria Peterson and Chloe Van Zile.

High School: Gabrielle Ackley, Vincent Amundson, Abigail Kane, A Shen Ni McGeshick, Maria Najera, Andrew Panick, Troy Soldier, Nolan Thorbahn and Keegan Van Zile. Not present were Macee Chapman and Hannah Kane.

College: Lynzee McGeshick, Raymond, McGeshick and Sykira Teague. Not present at the event were Colby Gallion and Zatrina McGeshick.

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council is pleased to announce Halifax, Nova Scotia will have the honor of hosting the North American Indigenous Games from July 15-23, 2023.

NAIG 2023 will bring together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756 Indigenous Nations celebrating, sharing and reconnecting through sport and culture with the help of 3,000 volunteers.

Tryouts for the 2023 team are being held. For more information, please email Wayne LaBine or call (715) 622-0422.

For more information, contact Kimberlee A. Soldier, Interim Director, Human Resources, at 715-478-7663.

For information on Sokaogon Finance, Inc. (SFI) positions, please email Gloria Toyebo.

View the application here.

For more information, please visit the Casino's website or contact Thomas E. Van Zile, Human Resource Manager of the Mole Lake Casino Lodge & Conference Center, at 715-478-7549.

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