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Earlier in the pandemic, health officials were worried Indigenous populations would be hesitant to get a COVID vaccine. Now, they’re among the most vaccinated populations in the country. That s according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Michigan, community nurses say there was already a lot of trust in tribal health centers that administer the shots.
Lack of transportation remains a barrier for some tribal members to get appointments.
Nurses are scheduling more rural clinics, and recently acquired mobile medical units that will help vaccinate the homebound.
Whitney Gravelle is the Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chairperson. She says community members wanted to get vaccinated to protect children and elders.
BAY MILLS TOWNSHIP, MI A Catholic church dedicated to the first Native American saint has been destroyed by fire in Bay Mills Township.
The fire at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church was reported Wednesday around 1:25 a.m. Firefighters with Bay Mills, Superior and Dafter townships battled the flames but the building is considered a total loss.
The present church opened in 1967 after the original church was also destroyed by a fire. Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chair Whitney Gravelle says Saint Kateri “watches over us in times of adversity and hardship.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal.
Newland steps down from Bay Mills Executive Council
The Sault News
BAY MILLS Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chairperson Bryan Newland has announced his resignation from his position at 1 p.m. on Friday.
The announcement was made Sunday morning. Newland was initially elected as chief judge of the Bay Mills Tribal Court. In 2017, he was elected as tribal chairperson.
“Having your trust to serve our people is one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Newland. “I’ve given everything I had … My tenure of service has reached its end. On Friday, I submitted a letter of resignation to the tribal council and I will step down as Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chairman on Friday.”