Lac Courte Oreilles

Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe

Category: announcements

2025 LCO Tribal Governing Board Election Dates

Home 2025Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board Election Dates By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov The 2025 Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (TGB) Elections are approaching. Key dates to note: Caucus: April 5, 2025, 9:00 am, Sevenwinds Casino Primary Election: May 10th, 2025, 9:00 am – 6:00PM, Tribal Administration Building & New Post Community Center General Election: June 21, 2025, 9:00 am – 6:00PM, Tribal Administration Building & New Post Community Center A copy of the Lac Courte Oreilles Election Ordinance can be found at: Title ELE | Lac Courte Oreilles Law Library * Please be advised that revisions approved by the TGB on 3/24/25 may not yet be reflected in the online versions. Updates will be shared once available. Back To All News

Tribal Governing Board Meeting – 3/24/2025

Home LCO TGB Meeting 3/24/2025 By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn-gov On Monday, March 24, 2025, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board held its regularly scheduled meeting. The following items were discussed: Meet and Greet with Hunter Township Board of Supervisors candidates. (Discussion on the need to distribute GET Out the Vote information for the upcoming Tribal and State Elections. ) Barb Zarnecki and Kyle Cummings discussed their candidacies for the open Hunter Township Supervisor positions. Four candidates are vying for two seats. Tim Davison and Jon LeBlanc, also running for these positions, were unavailable to attend. Security Upgrades for the court and tribal administration building, funded by a grant from US DOJ. Jordan St. Germaine, Director of Planning/Grants, and Chelsea Warder, Tribal Court Administrator, presented security upgrade plans for the court and tribal administration building, funded by a US DOJ grant for security improvements. The TGB provided feedback and requested additional information. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. The TGB approved the fiscal year 2026 indirect cost rate proposal, presented by Chief Financial Officer Ernest Vargas, which will be submitted to the US Department of the Interior for final approval. Public Safety Communication additions to the WOJB radio tower, proposed for the New Post area of the reservation. LCO Chief of Police Susie Taylor reported that Sawyer County will fund equipment, labor, and a $30/month subscription for a public safety radio antenna on the new WOJB radio tower. This will iomprove communications in areas like New Post, where current reception is l imited. Taylor is also researching costs for adding emergency sirens. Approval of edits to the Election Ordinance submitted by the Election Committee. The TGB approved proposed edits to the Election Ordinance submitted by the Election Committee. Elder Advisory Update presented by Mona Ingerson. Mona Ingerson provided updates on her work with the LCO Elders Association, including WOJB airing their daily specials free of charge, GLITC’s request for help identifying community needs, and the upcoming Constitution Reform Group meeting on 3/29/25 at Sevenwinds Casino. Back To All News

2025 Egg Hunt!

Home Save the Date! LCO Federal Credit Union – 2025 Egg Hunt! Clues can be found Mondays and Wednesdays on your LCOFCU and LCO Country Store receipts Weekly prize is a $100 gift card for the LCO Country Store April 4 – 1st egg can be found in the country store April 11 – 2nd egg can be found at the Kinnamon School Museum April 18 – 3rd egg can be found at the LCOFCU Back To All News

LCO Constitution Reform Group Invites the Community to Read New Proposed

Home The Constitution Reform Group Invites Tribal Members for New Proposed Constitution Read By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialist The Constitution Reform Group would like to invite tribal members to join them to read the new draft of a revised constitution being proposed. These proposed changes are made on behalf of the Constitutional Reform Group comprised of Lac Courte Oreilles tribal members.   WHERE: Sevenwinds Casino WHEN: Saturday, March 29th, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm Hard copies of the new proposed constitution can be found at Koobies Coffee and the Kinnamon School Museum or scan the QR code below. Lunch will be provided.  Back To All News

School Board Meeting – 3/21/2025

Home LCO School Board Meeting 3/21/2025 By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialist On March 21, 2025, the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Ojibwe School Board convened with Superintendent Jessica Hutchison to review the projected budget and calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.  Concerns were raised regarding a recent Executive Order (EO) signed by President Trump to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (US DOE). The EO removes federal oversight, shifting the responsibility for coordinating public school operations and funding to states. The LCO School Board has advocated for the U.S. Department of the Interior (US DOI), which oversees Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, to manage BIE funding distribution. However, the implementation of the EO remains unclear, with no confirmation from federal or state officials on how it will be enacted.  Superintendent Hutchison informed the Board that the 2025-2026 budget is based on funding from the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years. While no cuts to funding have been confirmed, a contingency plan has been developed in case of reductions. Currently, the budget supports all teachers, staff, and services as planned.  The LCO School Board unanimously approved the 2025-2026 budget and academic calendar. LCO Ojibwe School Superintendent, Jessica Hutchison, LCO School Board Members: Bill Trepanier, Tweed Shuman, Michelle Beaudin, Don Carley, and Louis Taylor Back To All News

Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation

Home Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialist On March 18, 2025, members of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (LCO TGB) attended a presentation hosted by the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) in Madison, WI. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was also in attendance. WIHEDC’s mission is to promote Native economic development by advancing the financial sovereignty of Native individuals, families, Native-owned businesses, Tribal enterprises, and communities across Wisconsin. LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman emphasized the importance of networking at such events, stating, “Engaging with other tribal leaders and professionals helps us expand our resources, enabling us to create more economic opportunities for our community.” The LCO TGB also met with Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. During the meeting, LCO Chairman Louis Taylor raised concerns regarding the administration of federal education funding. Chairman Taylor expressed, “Tribes should receive these funds directly, allowing us to utilize them according to our needs, without state regulation.” Secretary Blemenfeld responded, stating, “We want to make sure basic needs are met, especially food sovereignty. The pressure will be to be more efficient.” LCO TGB Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier, LCO Chairman Louis Taylor, Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers & LCO Vice Chairman Tweed Shuman LCO TGB Member David Scott Bisonette, Secretary of the WI DOA Kathy Blumenfeld, LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman, WI DOA Intergovernmental Affairs Dawn Vick, LCO TGB Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier & LCO Chairman Louis Taylor Back To All News

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Board Meeting

Home Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Board Meeting By Jennifer CadottePublic Relations Specialist On March 19, 2025, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) held a Board of Directors meeting in Madison, WI, following the 2025 State of the Tribes Address. All eleven federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin were present and met with state officials to discuss concerns facing native communities and explore collaborative solutions. Wisconsin State Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul led the discussion thanking members of GLITC for their engagement in government-to-government communications and working together on a number of shared priorities. One of those shared priorities we are working on includes monitoring the changes being made to federal policies, how it’s impacting people and what we at the Department of Justice are doing to respond to those changes. Our office is working with AGs offices around the country to prepare a legal strategy in response to changes in the federal administration. One of the cases we are involved in is the president’s change in the way birth right citizenship works. We joined a multi-state suit the next day challenging that order. We have  obtained a preliminary injunction order from the court which blocks the order from going into effect.  Governor Tony Evers, State Representatives, and other State Department Secretaries were also in attendance.  Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribal Chief of Police Susie Taylor addressed the governor, emphasizing the urgent need for tribal police to access state retirement benefits to aid in recruitment and retention.  Taylor stated: “Investing in officers’ well-being is an investment in the safety and security of tribal communities. Tribal officers wear the same uniform, face the same dangers, and make the same sacrifices as state, local, and federal law enforcement officers. We put our lives on the line every day, yet we are unfairly denied the same retirement benefits simply because of jurisdiction. This disparity is not only unjust but also a failure to recognize the dedication and service to our tribal communities. By prioritizing fair retirement, injury, and death benefits, we honor the service and sacrifices of tribal law enforcement officers, ensuring stronger and safer communities for future generations.” Governor Evers expressed his appreciation for the work of Police Chief Taylor and other tribal law enforcement officers contribute to the safety and well-being of our communities. He committed to creating a policy to grant tribal law enforcement officers the ability to join state law enforcement retirement benefits by finding language that does not impede tribal sovereignty. GLITC Board pf Directors with WI Governor Tony Evers LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman, Chief of Police Susie Taylor, and St. Croix Secretary/Treasurer Bernice Taylor WI Governor Tony Evers and GLITC Board of Directors Back To All News

Footage From the State of the Tribe’s Address

Home FOOTAGE FROM THE STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS – 3/18/2025 PICTURES VIDEOS Videos will be uploaded soon! Please check back later. Videos will be uploaded soon! Please check back later. Back To All News