We hope you are doing well and staying warm.

Tribal offices and the Clinic will be closed tomorrow and Friday in observance of the New Year.

Kimberlee Soldier reminds these folks to pick up your prize from the SCC Christmas Party that was held on December 16th:

Stop at the Casino for your envelope Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

After December 31st, the prizes will be available for pickup in the Tribal Accounting Office.

In partnership with the Sokaogon Chippewa Education Department, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will be at the Recreation and Youth Center today for a registration event from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.

There will be assistance for potential students regarding admissions, financial aid, registration, ordering books and more. Students will be able to go through the admissions process and register during the event.

To assist with the paperwork and registration it would be helpful to bring your Tribal ID or descendancy verification (if applicable), and a copy of your 2019 federal tax return.

New student orientation is Tuesday, January 11th from 9:00 to Noon (available on Zoom). Spring semester classes start on Monday, January 17, 2022.

There are many online options for courses, and most classes are available on the Zoom platform. The College also utilizes an interactive student learning management software called Canvas, which assists with student success and communication between students and instructors.

Check out the course schedule here.

Student services and programs include:

Interested in getting a jump start on admissions? Please visit this link.

If you have any questions regarding next steps or the admissions process, please email Jaci Sulley or call 715-634-4790, ext. 148.

Participate in the online survey by clicking here.

The SCC Education Department is seeking the Community’s thoughts on the possibility for training and education in designated fields where community members will receive certification upon completion.

We will be partnering with Astrea, who is also partnered with Microsoft, to acquire prospective remote employees. SCC Education Department will provide the materials and space needed for successful learning.

More about gener8tor: gener8tor, in partnership with Microsoft and Employ Milwaukee, will be hosting free skills-training programs for job seekers looking to build skills and confidence for in-demand jobs and earn the certificates of completion (in the form of LinkedIn Badges) needed in today’s digital economy. 80% of participants complete gener8tor’s program, and 70% get immediate job placement!

Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and return it to Cassandra Graikowski at the Recreation and Youth Center or to Maia Kegley at the Family Services building.

Alaqua Cox was hesitant at first to audition for a role starring in a new Marvel series on Disney+, according to her relative, Lindsay Besaw.

The studio was looking for a young Native American actress who is deaf to play opposition to former Avenger Hawkeye (Clint Barton), played by Jeremy Renner.

Cox, 24, is a citizen of the Menominee Nation and has a lot of friends in the deaf community who told her she fit the role perfectly, Besaw said. Without any acting experience, she took her shot and landed the role in the Hawkeye series currently streaming on Disney+. “Alaqua is an adventurer,” Besaw said. “She’s traveled the world for her young age.”

The studio also was looking for an actor to play the child version of Cox’s character for flashback scenes and the casting director asked Cox if she had any child relatives who look like her.

Besaw received a call from Cox’s mom asking if her daughter, Darnell, now 8, would be willing to audition. “I never thought she would have this opportunity,” Besaw said. “She’s very quiet and introverted. … I initially said ‘No, I can’t see her doing that.’”

She thought it would be too much stress for her young daughter. A few days went by and Cox’s mom called again, and this time Besaw said they’d “give it a whirl.”

Cox sent videos to Darnell showing her how to use sign language as her character would have to do. Darnell made it past the audition and was cast as young Maya, starring alongside another Indigenous actor, Zahn McClarnon, who plays Maya’s father on the show.

“It was definitely an adventure,” Besaw said. “It took her out of her little shell.”

Darnell’s filming was this past spring in Atlanta, and the first episode streamed on Nov. 24.

“There’s no way to describe it,” Besaw said. “There’s an overwhelming sense of pride.”

Back on the reservation, Besaw said Darnell is taking well to her newfound celebrity, as everyone wants to take photos with her. “She’s a little star in her community now,” Besaw said, describing how everyone is proud to see a little girl from Menominee make it big. “A lot of people get pretty emotional about it. People get choked up and teary-eyed.”

And she said not only is Cox an inspiration for Indigenous people, but also for those in the deaf community. Cox also has a leg deficiency and is an amputee with a prosthetic leg, which comes in handy during a fight scene on the show.

Read the full story here.

Since yesterday, Forest County Health Officials have confirmed 7 additional persons have been diagnosed with COVID-19, for a total of 1,734 confirmed positive cases in Forest County and 99 probable cases.

There are currently 16 active cases in isolation, 3 additional individuals hospitalized, and 1,680 who are out of isolation or recovered.

There have been 36 deaths and 4 probable COVID-19 related deaths in Forest County. Sadly, there is currently 1 death pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner.

Snapshot Since December 1st: There has been a total of 156 confirmed positive cases, 16 probable cases, and 7 deaths this month with 1 additional death pending confirmation.

If you are vaccinated and required to quarantine, you must show proof of vaccination in order to be eligible for quarantine pay. Unvaccinated employees are not eligible for quarantine pay.

The 2022 Cobell Summer Research Fellowship application is now open. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Apply here.

The academic year 2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate scholarship applications are now open. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2022. Apply here.

The 2021-2022 Vocational/Trade application is open while funds remain available. The final deadline to apply for Spring 2022 funding is May 30, 2022 or until available funds are exhausted. Apply here.

Summer 2022 applications will be available February 15 through May 3, 2022.

Mole Lake Casino Opportunities:

View the application here.

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

The weekly e-newsletter is sent every Thursday morning, excluding holidays.

If you have something you wish to share, please email your information by Tuesday afternoon.