2025 WI DCF Tribal Consultation
Home 2025 Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Tribal Consultation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 23, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Wisconsin Dells, WI – On April 16, 2025, Tribal Leaders from across the state met with officials from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). The 2025 Tribal Consultation was well attended with a packed agenda. Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) was well represented at the consultation by several key departments, including the LCO Tribal Governing Board Vice Chairman Tweed Shuman, LCO Daycare, Indian Child Welfare/Family Services, Child Support, Income Maintenance, and Oakwood Haven. Vice Chairman Shuman stated, “Our primary objective at this consultation was to advocate for the continued support and enhancement of our Head Start and Early Head Start programs.” The DCF Tribal Affairs team is committed to working collaboratively with Tribes to ensure programs and services meet their needs. Collaborations such as this foster healthy partnerships creating healthier communities for all. The purpose of this gathering is to update the 2024 Tribal Consultation Action Plan. Items under review included: Full Faith and Credit for Tribal Self-Regulated Certification and Licensing for Providers. Fingerprinting and Background Checks Kinship Care Rates 161 Agreements for Counties that surround Tribes. Various entities representing LCO at WI DCF Tribal Consultation Back To All News
LCO Wins Big – 2025 ADDY Awards
Home Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe Wins 13 American Advertising Awards FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 23, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Spokane, WA – The Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has been honored with 13 American Advertising Awards at the 2025 Inland Northwest ADDY Awards held in Spokane, WA. The aware-winning projects include campaigns for LCO Clans, Vaping Awareness, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and Proud to be Ojibwe – each designed to elevate awareness, celebrate cultural heritage, and address critical issues affecting Native communities. LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier says. “The LCO TGB believes it is essential to bring these issues to light, and Tran Creative has been instrumental in supporting our efforts while helping to raise awareness on a national level.” “This could be the most awards any Tribe has received nationwide for their advertising work. I thank the LCO TGB for their vision and guidance to lead each project that we created for LCO. I also appreciate Tribal directors, staff, and members who work alongside our team to carry out this great work to help LCO families,” said Ben Tran, Founder and Creative Director of Tran Creative. It’s a testament to the Tribe’s commitment to storytelling and to using visual design to uplift and inform. The American Advertising Awards, conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), is the industry’s largest and most representative competition. The Inland Northwest competition is the first of a three-tiered national process, with local winners advancing to the District XI level and potentially to the national stage. Entries are judged by a panel of industry experts, and Gold and Silver Awards are presented at the judges’ discretion. For more information about the American Advertising Awards, visit www.aaf.org. Tran Creative – click the image for a larger version Back To All News
2025 HTE Button Contest Deadline TODAY
Home 2025 HTE Button Contest Deadline TODAY By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov 2025 Honor the Earth Contest Deadline TODAY – April 23, 2025. Theme – “Honoring Our Woodland Ways” Submit designs to the Tribal Office or email jc.honortheearth@gmail.com. Please see flyer for more information. Back To All News
2025 Honor the Earth Royalty Pageant Registration
Home 2025 Honor the Earth Pageant Registration Open By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Lac Courte Oreilles Honor the Earth Royalty Pageant registration is open. Registration and orientation will take place at the LCO Tribal Administration Office, May 20,2025 @ 5pm. Registration must be submitted by May 20, 2025; No late entries will be accepted. To register or get more information, contact Bezhig Hunter at (715) 558-6529 or email at bezhig.hunter@lcoosk12.org See the flyer (on the right) to see more details. Pageant & coronation will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Back To All News
LCOOU President Tenders Resignation
Home LCOOU President Tenders Resignation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 17, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – April 17, 2025 – Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University President, Dr. Russell Swagger submitted his resignation effective Thursday, April 17, 2025. On Wednesday, Swagger informed the university’s board of regents about his decision and the board accepted his resignation. The Board of Regents intends to initiate a search for the next president of the university. In the interim, Karen Breit will serve as acting President. Dr. Swagger was appointed as the president of the Lac Courte Oreilles University in 2018, where he successfully transitioned the institution from a community college to a university. About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University’s mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is a non-profit Ojibwe tribal college. We are an open-door institution that is proud to serve American Indian students. LCOOU welcomes non-native students and celebrates a diverse student population at all of our locations. Learn more at https://www.lco.edu/ Back To All News
WDIO Journalist Speaks with LCO Members on Spearing Season Vandalism Incidents
Home WDIO Journalist Speaks with LCO Members on Spearing Season Vandalism Incidents FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 17, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov WDIO Journalist William Lein visited Lac Courte Oreilles on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Lein interviewed LCO TGB Member Michelle Beaudin and LCO Tribal Member Bryce Crone during his visit to learn more about the recent acts of vandalism that occurred during this year’s spearing season. Click here for the full story. Back To All News
LCO Tribal Police Department Welcomes Four New Officers
Home The LCO Tribal Police Department Welcomes Four New Officers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 11, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – The Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribal Police Department is proud to announce the hiring of four (4) new officers who will join the department following successful completion of police academy. The new recruits – Austin Egge, Kyle Ray-Tannehill, Jacob Tritz, and Dyllan Williams – represent the next generation of dedicated law enforcement officers committed to serving the LCO Community. Officers Egge, Ray-Tannehill, and Tritz are scheduled to begin the 18-week Police Academy this summer, while Officer Williams will begin his training in 2026. Upon graduation, they will officially assume their duties within the LCO Police Department. Chief of Police Susie Taylor emphasized the importance of this expansion stating, “The addition of these officers is critical to our department’s self-sufficiency as we become less reliant on outside agencies. It ensures quicker response times, improved public safety, and stronger community engagement through proactive policing.” The LCO Tribal Police Department remains committed to building a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all residents. The recruitment and training of new officers are a continued step toward strengthening public safety and fostering trust within the community. For more information contact the LCO Tribal Police Department at 715-634-8350. Back To All News
ICW, Oakwood Haven Lead Denim Day Awareness Event
Home LCO Indian Child Welfare and Oakwood Haven Host Denim Day Art Event to Raise Awareness for Sexual Assault and Child Abuse. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April , 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – In recognition of April as Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month, Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Child Welfare and Oakwood Haven joined forces to host a community event on April 9, 2025. The event aimed to foster awareness and show support for survivors through a creative and meaningful art project tied to Denim Day. Community members were invited to decorate denim jeans in a collaborative art initiative, highlighting messages of solidarity, hope, and resistance to victim-blaming. Denim Day, a campaign by Peace Over Violence, began in 1999 and is the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history. The movement originated in response to a 1992 Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she mist have helped the person who raped her remove them, thereby implying consent. In protest, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans, sparking a worldwide movement against sexual violence and harmful misconceptions. Click to see a larger image. Denim Day 2025 will take place on Wednesday, April 30. On this day, people are encouraged to wear denim to send a visible message of protest against the destructive myths and attitudes surrounding sexual assault. To learn more about Denim Day visit: https://denimday.org/why-denim/ For more information about local efforts, contact: LCO Indian Child Welfare at (715) 634-8934 or Oakwood Haven at (715) 598-8385. Back To All News
Statement from the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board
Home Statement from the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: April 11, 2025By Jennifer Cadotte, Public Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – The Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (LCO TGB) is deeply concerned by recent acts of vandalism targeting tribal members lawfully exercising their treaty rights. We condemn these acts of racism and property damage in the strongest terms. Such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We will pursue all legal avenues and advocate for the maximum penalties for those responsible. We call on all community members to reject violence. Instead, record and report any incidents to the proper authorities. Justice must be pursued through lawful and peaceful means. Education is key to fostering understanding and lasting respect. As LCO Fisheries Biologist Paul Christel explains, the tribe contributes significantly to the health of local fisheries: “We’ve produced up to 43,000 walleye in one year at our facility. From 2021 to 2024, the LCO Hatchery stocked over 104,000 walleye and 105,000 fingerlings into Big LCO – some years this is five times more than what was harvested. Our efforts directly benefit all anglers through sustained and enhanced fish populations. Lac Courte Oreilles has been a positive force for conservation efforts in the whole area for many years and that work will continue. Without tribal involvement, anglers would be bringing in fewer walleye to their boats and onto the ice than they do with the tribe as a conservation partner” Together, let us move forward with respect, understanding, and unity. Images of LCO Hatchery Back To All News
Debit Cards and Online Banking Now Available For LCOFU Members
Home Debit Cards & Online Banking Now Available For Members By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov Debit Cards and Online Banking are now available for LCO Federal Credit Union account holders. For more information contact the LCO Federal Credit Union at (715) 634-7772 Back To All News