Jennifer McLeod

Chippewa County Health Department (CCHD) will vaccinate individuals aged 50 and older and any individuals in Priority 1B, Group C, beginning Monday, March 8, 20...21. Priority 1B, Group C includes: Critical transportation and logistics; Grocery store workers; Public transit; Food and agriculture. Restaurant employees are not included in this category at this time unless they are over the age of 50. For those eligible, please visit chippewahd.com to schedule an appointment through the online system. Individuals with limited internet access may call 906-635-3572, option 1 to schedule. You may need to leave a message with your name, date of birth and phone number for a return call. Please note appointments are first come, first served. No walk-ins. CCHD asks the community to continue following what has shown to work for preventing the spread of illness wearing face masks, social distancing, frequent hand cleaning, and following isolation and quarantine guidelines.

WMH and Sugar Island EMS are bringing a COVID-19 vaccination clinic to Sugar Island on Friday, February 26. Vaccinations will be given by appointment only, please call 906-253-1003 to schedule.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

This is one hell-of-a happy day! My siblings and my children will all have their COVID-19 vaccinations, thanks to our Tribe!This is one hell-of-a happy day! My siblings and my children will all have their COVID-19 vaccinations, thanks to our Tribe!

FINISHED!! My first commissioned piece! This was a lot of fun!

To give an idea of how long My Ancestors have lived on Miniss Michikaen (The Island of the Great Turtle / Turtle Island), I offer a date stamp, within the langu...age itself. Wolverine - Gwiingwa'aage (gween-gwah-ih-aw-gay) In the Cultural Teachings, there is a story of a Sky Spirit named Chiingwan / Cheengwun (Meteor), that was showing off, to catch the attention of another Sky Spirit, named Kee-noan-dah-way Ahnahng (Heavenly Climbing Star / Haley's Comet). The Ahnishinabek (Indigenous Peoples) were frightened, as Cheengwun was acting recklessly, and they knew that he was coming too close. The Leaders of the Ahnishinahbek instructed the People to seek shelter in the swamp, and cover themselves in moss. Just as they suspected, Cheengwun lost control and crashed into the Earth, devastating an enormous area. It is said, that the moss is what protected them, and saved their lives; which was one of the reasons it was used to line the Tikinagan (Cradleboard). The site of the impact from where Cheengwun hit, was abandoned, but they watched the area very carefully. Over time, and after many many years, the impression started to fill with water. One day, an ill-tempered animal appeared, which had never been seen before. They called him Gwiingwa'aage (WOLVERINE) The language translated literally says: - Gwiingwa (Gween-gwah) = A shooting Star - aage (aw-gay) = Point of origin / originates from Interpretation: One Who Comes from the Shooting Star In 1991, the Hubble telescope provided proof of the authenticity of the story, and marks a link in time as to how long the Peoples of the Ahnishinahbek have inhabited these areas. See more

The beauty that surrounds me is breathtaking! Loving My Life on Sugar Island

(Long post warning!) The Deer of Sugar Island The woods of Sugar Island was shrinking, and becoming a terrifying place. Her people were struggling to survive. ...Finding food was difficult, there was never enough, making everyone weaker and less able to run from the two-legged and four legged predators. Both of her children, a boy and a girl, were killed by the coyotes who then fought with the wolves over who would feast first. There was nothing she could do but run, being too malnourished to stay and fight so her babies could flee. Even though she knew it was dangerous, she decided to leave her herd. Her sadness and hunger drove her to the river, where she hoped to find something still green to eat. She could always head south to the cedar swamps and catch up with her relatives later. The water was beginning to thicken, forming ice in the shallows. The crunching of her delicate hooves would be a dead giveaway to any nearby coyote or wolf pack, but she didn’t care. She was hungry. If needed, she would jump into the river. She continued gingerly tip toeing through the thin ice, the shards trying in vain to slice her thin legs. She was finding small amounts of plants to eat, but it would never be enough. From time to time, she would lift her head, sniffing the air for danger. A breeze was starting to pick up, and her nose told her many things: The smell of water, dried vegetation, a muskrat mound, and smoke from the two leggeds wood stoves. Suddenly, her head shot straight up, ears forward, nose held high. Was she imagining things? She thought she smelled carrots, and sugar beets! She took a few steps forward, and there it was again, and it was unmistakable... FOOD! The elder man, in his work-torn Levi jacket was in his front yard, playing with his dogs. None were aware of the Doe standing motionless out in the frozen shore grasses. The ball launcher gave a dull thud, as the man shot the tennis ball across the yard for the dogs to chase and retrieve. Each time, the doe would flinch, remembering that loud noise and death often accompanied the smell of carrots and sugar beets. She wanted to run, but her empty belly pleaded with her to be brave, and wait. Darkness came. The doe was on high alert and she quietly crept toward the front yard of the humans. There was green grass, and sunflower seeds to nibble on, and although she could still smell the carrots and beets, she dared venture no further. She ate her fill, and went off into the bush to sleep... it had been a long time since she slept with a full tummy. In the morning, the elder man came out to replenish the bird feeders with the oil rich sunflower seeds. He liked the sight of the birds, but not so much the chubby red squirrels that would make short order of this daily ration. A light snow had fallen, and around his feeder he saw them... deer tracks! His wife would be so excited! She had been waiting for the deer to come to the south end of the island so she could hunt! Excitedly, he rushed inside to tell his wife the good news. He was dumbfounded by her response. I’m not going to hunt this year, she said. He couldn’t believe his ears. She waited all year for this! Not hunt??? Her blind had been set up for MONTHS just waiting on the deer. They had bought bait blocks, sugar beets and carrots. They had even harvested 10 gallons of wild apples in anticipation of hunting season (that was a story all by itself)! Something was wrong if she wasn’t going hunting. You’re not hunting? Why? She looked sad as she explained that she hadn’t seen hardly any deer all summer, and not a single one during the fall. Our deer relatives are suffering, she said. We don’t need the meat. I can’t do it. They need our help... not our hurt. He understood. They had been married a long time, but he still smiled at the way she referred to plant and animals as our relatives. Being the practical man, he thought, what the heck am I gonna do with all those beets, carrots and apples? That evening, when the hungry doe snuck into the yard, she couldn’t believe her eyes. FOOD! Lots and lots of FOOD! She ate until she was ready to burst, and went off to the bush as the morning began to dawn. Night after night, she feasted. Except for the crazed barking of dogs, and little piles of tobacco, she peacefully ate and regained her strength. Winter was coming. She knew the deep snow would be here soon, and so she made her way south to the safety of the cedar swamp, and her herd. Her relatives couldn’t believe how strong she looked, and how much fat she had gained. They knew that she would make it through the winter, and give birth again in the spring... if she could just escape the coyotes and the wolves. Author’s note: predation seems to have been hard on our Islands deer population. I am honored to set down my gun to help ensure the survival of our four legged relatives. I am praying that this year, the weather will be kind to them. (I may take up hunting coyotes)

The chaos of my working for a living days is slowly being sorted out. Last night I emptied a drawer filled with a jumble of earrings and necklaces and other t...hings that just got tossed in as I scurried about. Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I felt like a Troll digging through her treasure, pairing up earrings, and untangling necklaces. So many wonderful memories as I fondly recalled who gave me what, or where I was when I bought this... Pow Wows, travels, gifts from friends and family near and far, all warmed my heart. It was a small chaotic mess of love that is now all unraveled and looking beautiful. It’s always amazing to me when I can see my blessings, right there in front of me. Whether it’s a pair of earring from a friend from Navajo Nation, or the precious little bracelet handmade by a grandchild, each has a special place both in my heart, and on the rack. Loving My Life on Sugar Island

Loving My Life on Sugar Island

Aaniin Anishnaabek! Some fuss is being made over the Sault Schools Blue Devils event at Big Bear. We could talk about the wisdom of having such an event, but of course SOME people would rather turn it political and bash Director Hoffman instead. For those of you interested in FACTS:... The event was contracted and paid for by Director Hoffman - just as any other individual can rent space in the facility. All people were screened they all wore masks - it was approved by legal and health. Big Bear has the strictest screening policy of any recreation center in the area! Director Hoffman does this every year for multiple events and Teams! He just doesn’t brag about it. Director Hoffman and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I have found that he always had the best intentions. So please don’t even go there with cronyism. Truth is truth, and I just think it’s disgusting how people are making up this garbage to disparage him for doing a good thing... HELPING KIDS!

My heart breaks for the families.