COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus-19 Updates

Public Health

Quarantine, Isolation, & Social Distancing
State Executive Orders, Newsletters, & Facts
Testing
COVID-19 - Community Reports & Notices
Funeral Guidance
Quarantine, Isolation, & Social Distancing
State Executive Orders, Newsletters, & Facts

Maps & Tracking

Newsletters and Executive Orders

Testing

Resources

See the Quarantine, Isolation & Social Distancing tab for more information

  • Testing is not recommended for patients who do not have symptoms.
  • People who are feeling healthy do not need to get tested for COVID-19.
  • Patients without significant comorbidities, and who are not health care workers, should not be tested if they have mild illnesses for which they would not normally seek medical care. These patients should self-isolate at home until symptoms improve.

CRITERIA USED TO BE TESTED

  • Having symptoms AND recent travel abroad or to a place with known cases OR Having symptoms AND contact with a confirmed case.
  • Symptoms are fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
  • If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 AND develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call Bad River Public Health, 715-292-7368, Bad River Health & Wellness Center, 715-682-7133 or your medical provider for medical advice.

Read the Bad River Public Health flyer here (PDF)

 

CHILDREN SYMPTOMS

 

COVID-19 TEST DEMONSTRATION

Watch this video of Tribal Chairman, Mike Wiggins, Jr., receiving the COVID-19 swab at the Bad River Health and Wellness Center. Video link: https://youtu.be/fSNqa8qAtuk

COVID-19 - Community Reports & Notices

POSITIVE CASES & UPDATES IN THE COMMUNITY

 

SUSPECTED OR QUESTIONS OF COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

  • The BRHWC is currently not allowing walk in visits.
  • You MUST call ahead if you have questions or concerns.
  • Call the main line during business hours
    • Phone: 715-682-7133
    • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8a-4:30p

AFTER HOURS

  • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after clinic hours, please utilize the resources listed below:
  • In order to protect our community and prevent spread, it is important that individuals who believe they may have been infect-ed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) use the following process to direct your care.
  • If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
  • Essentia Health is providing free screenings to anyone ex-periencing symptoms by calling their toll-free phone number at 1-833-494-0836 or through an e-visit on their heath portal, MyHealth.
  • The e-visits provide 24/7 access to connect to an Essentia Health Care Team without requiring you to leave home. E-visits can be found at essentiahealth.org/services/e-visit
  • St.Luke’s Chequamegon Clinic is offering two, free E-Care visits per user.
    • You can also call their toll-free phone number at 1-218-249-4200 to complete a COVID-19 screening
    • E-Care is open 7:00am – 8:00pm and can be found at slhduluth.com/ecare, and the toll-free line is open 24/7
  • Memorial Medical Center (715) 685-5500

Public Health & Community Health Representative (CHR) Contact Info:

  • Public Health Nurse, Pam Feustel: 715-292-7368
  • Public Health Nurse Case Manager, Tina Gerovac-Lavasseur: (715)292-9666
  • CHR, Gena Jensen: (715)685-4417
  • CHR, Sue Houle: (715)685-4011

 

Funeral Guidance

The following are recommendations that should be considered to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health and safety of all during funeral services.

  • Tribal communities have large extended families & friends, we are respectfully asking to consider smaller funerals
  • People who feel sick or are at-risk should stay home, we can pray for our loved one or family from home.
  • Please consider recommended social distancing guidelines.
  • Wash your hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer.
  • Choose a seat that follows social distancing guidelines.
  • Please know that while the CDC has said there is no COVID-19 risk posed by the body of someone who has died, it recommends not touching, kissing, or having direct contact with the body of your loved one. If touching occurs, the person should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before touching anything or anyone else.
  • CDC recommends wearing cloth face masks at funerals.
  • Do not place cloth face covering on young children under age 2. Also, do not place a face mask on anyone who has trouble breathing or who is unconscious or unable to remove the mask

Read the guidance here (PDF)

 

Tribal Operations

State of Emergency Declaration & Code of Conduct
Self-Isolation Post Travel
Tribal Operations & Essential Services
Enrollment & Vehicle Registration
Non-Tribal Access & Road Closure
Shelter at Home Orders
Screening, Temperatures & Face Coverings
State of Emergency Declaration & Code of Conduct

CHAPTER 146 - DISORDERLY CONDUCT CODE  

  • An amendment relating to: Public Health Quarantine Order dated August 6, 2020 enforcement; and
  • An amendment relating to: applying the Public Health Release dated July 20, 2020 regarding face coverings and masks to public or business space and outdoors where unable to maintain physical distance and enforcement.
  • Read the Code & Amendments here (PDF)
Self-Isolation Post Travel
Tribal Operations & Essential Services

Please contact Public Health for questions about masks:

  • Michele Doster: (715) 682-7133 

Admin Contact Information

  • Rayonah Hill-Whitebird, Receptionist: x1500
  • Barb Smart, Executive Secretary: x1504 
  • Samantha Kappeler, Tribal Operations Asst: x1505

To call extensions directly use this phone number and then you will be prompted to dial the extension: (715) 685-7840 

Enrollment & Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration

  • New Vehicle Registration Hours
  • Vehicle registration has resumed to normal hours
  • See the Vehicle Registration tab under Tribal Member services for details
  •  

  • Vehicle Registration Contact Information

    • Rayonah Hill-Whitebird, Receptionist: 1500
    • Samantha Kappeler, Tribal Ops Assistant: 1505
    • Denise Gilles, Benefits Specialist: 1242

Tribal Enrollment

  • Tribal Enrollment: by appointment 
  • The Bad River Enrollment Department will accept new applications from anyone that is eligible.
  • Contact the enrollment office to schedule appointment or for questions:
    • 715-682-7111 ext. 1525

To call extensions directly use this phone number and then you will be prompted to dial the extension: (715) 685-7840 

Non-Tribal Access & Road Closure

In order to maintain public health, safety, and limit exposure to COVID-19 the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has issued the following order:

Non-tribal access to Bad River Tribally owned FCL (Forest Crop Law) or open MFL (Managed Forest Law) lands within the boundaries of the Bad River Reservation is hereby revoked.

Trespassers to BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA FCL or open MFL lands will be subject to citations for trespass.

And;

Access to all Bad River Reservation roads off of US Hwy 2 State Hwy 169, State Hwy 13 and County A (Road detail below) are closed and will be operating under restricted access until further notice.

Access is restricted except to the following:

  • All Community residents;
  • Bad River Members;
  • Tribal Government essential employees;
  • Delivery of necessary goods and services, US Post Office, and Food and basic necessities, and other preapproved personnel

Closed roads: Birch, Pine Flat, Falls, Elm Hoist, Potato River, Jolma, Jusala, Albert Mattson, West Fire Lane, Stones, First Landing, Second Landing, Goslin, Kagerville, Kakagon, Lake, Madigan, Beauregard, Ackley, Government, Graveyard Creek

Miigwech (Thank you),

Mike Wiggins Jr.

Tribal Chairman

Read the notice here (PDF)

 

Shelter at Home Orders
Screening, Temperatures & Face Coverings

EMPLOYEE SCREENING

On June 16, 2020 the Bad River Tribal Council approved the COVID-19 Temperature and Screening Policy and Procedure which includes:

  • Daily Screening of all Employees
  • Return to Work Following Screening

Read the COVID-19 Temperature and Screening Policy and Procedure here (PDF)

FACE COVERINGS

  • March 16, 2022 COVID 19 Guidelines- mask mandate lifted
  • November 16, 2021 COVID 19 Guidelines- mask mandate at all tribal buildings and enterprises- see attached PDF
  • Everyone age 5 and older wear a face covering or mask when in any and all Bad River buildings and transportation vehicles

Clinic & AODA Services

Dental
Pharmacy
Medical Benefits & PRC
Medical Clinic & Visiting BRHWC
Transportation & Optical
AODA & Behavioral Health
Dental

Dental

  • Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch.
  • Phone: 715-685-7887
  • Emergency Clinic from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM daily. Please call clinic for appointments. These appointments fill quickly so call early!

COVID-19: We are providing all dental care during this time. We have taken universal precautions for infection control and we have individual rooms with negative air pressure to remove any pathogens. We protect ourselves with face shields and N95 masks for procedures where spray and splatter are expected. If you have any questions about our infection control guidelines, please contact our clinic or refer to the CDC for details.

Pharmacy

PHARMACY

Mashkikii-Adaawewigamig

PHARMACY TEAM

  • Lisa Kingfisher, PharmD, RPh, Lead Pharmacist
  • William Larson, RPh, Pharmacist
  • Elaine Zompolas, RPh, MBA, Pharmacist
  • LCDR Chris Frazer, PharmD, BCACP, Clinical Pharmacist 
  • Cara Wagner, Pharmacy Billing Technician
  • Travis Goggleye, Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician
  • Danielle Fizell, Pharmacy Technician

PHARMACY SERVICES

  • Bad River Health and Wellness Center Pharmacy provides prescription dispensing services to federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native enrollees and descendants in accordance with the tribal resolution Direct Care Pharmacy Services. The pharmacy can fill prescriptions from Ashland or Iron County prescribers and outside the area specialists if the eligible patient was referred to the specialty clinic from a Bad River medical provider. Other services provided by the pharmacy team are private medication consultation, medication therapy management (MTM), medication reconciliation, smoking cessation counseling and support, anticoagulation clinic for Bad River clinic patients who are on a blood thinner medication, and Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray and injection education and dispensing under local prescriber standing order.

 

Medical Benefits & PRC

MEDICAL BENEFITS

  • Karri Bigboy
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Phone: (715) 292-3667

PURCHASED REFERRED CARE (PRC)

  • Please call 715-682-7133 ext. 4805 to leave a message and PRC staff will return your call to address any questions you may have about purchase orders or medical bills.
  • Guidelines will remain the same.
  • If you do not have insurance and you need a purchase order, you still need to contact Medical Benefits FIRST to see if you are eligible for alternative insurance.

  • Please continue to follow PRC (Purchased Referred Care) requirements.  (see attached brochure)

     

Medical Clinic & Visiting BRHWC

Questions or Suspected COVID Symptoms

  • Please call ahead if you have questions or concerns.
  • The Clinic WILL be open for other services. If you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or are feeling ill, please call the clinic
  • Call the main line during business hours
    • Phone: 715-682-7133
    • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
After Hours
  • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after clinic hours, please utilize the resources listed below:
  • In order to protect our community and prevent spread, it is important that individuals who believe they may have been infect-ed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) use the following process to direct your care.
  • If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
  • Essentia Health is providing free screenings to anyone ex-periencing symptoms by calling their toll-free phone number at 1-833-494-0836 or through an e-visit on their heath portal, MyHealth.
  • The e-visits provide 24/7 access to connect to an Essentia Health Care Team without requiring you to leave home. E-visits can be found at essentiahealth.org/services/e-visit
  • St.Luke’s Chequamegon Clinic is offering two, free E-Care visits per user.
    • You can also call their toll-free phone number at 1-218-249-4200 to complete a COVID-19 screening
    • E-Care is open 7:00am – 8:00pm and can be found at slhduluth.com/ecare, and the toll-free line is open 24/7
  • Memorial Medical Center (715) 685-5500

Public Health & Community Health Representative (CHR) Contact Info:

  • Public Health Manager, Michele Doster (715)292-7368
  • Public Health Nurse, Lisa Gilles
  • CHR, Gena Jensen: (715)685-4417
  • CHR, Sue Houle: (715)685-4011
  • Please call ahead if you have questions or concerns. If you are experiencing symptoms, you must call your provider. If you have other questions about COVID-19, call the Bad River Public Health Dept (contact information located above)
  • The East Entrance of the building is locked (this is the entrance by the drive-thru). This will help minimize the spread and/or exposure to the virus.
  • All patients and visitors are asked to use hand sanitizer.
  • If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, put on a mask.
  • BRHWC main phone: (715) 682-7133
Transportation & Optical

Transportation

  • The non-emergency medical transportation program will be working remotely. 
  • If you need non-emergency transportation to medical appointments only and are eligible under the transportation policies then please contact the scheduler first:
  • Contact Information:
    • Scheduler, 
    • Driver, Wesley Andrews: (715) 292-5604
    • Driver, Anita Lemieux: 

Optical

  • Optical is open by appointment ONLY
AODA & Behavioral Health
  • During the COVID-19 Crisis, it is just as important to care for your mental health as it is your physical health. If you or someone you know is struggling, REACH OUT.
  • Here are just a few of the resources available. We will continue to share free resources with you during this difficult time.

Recovery Resources

  • There will be an Open Recovery Meeting Every day at 4pm during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone - https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/130162509
  • You can also dial in using your phone
  • Phone: 1 (646) 749-3122
  • Access Code: 130-162-509

Bad River AODA

  • Medication Assisted Treatment (Suboxone or Vivitrol) or formal counseling support, contact Barb Merrill at 715.730.0733. 

  • For formal counseling support, contact Russell Denomie at 715.685.4811

  • For Peer Support, contact Brian Nordin at 715.681.0999

  • For Cultural support, contact Penny Charette at 715.685.8712

  • For counseling support or questions about Bad River AODA services, contact John Spoiwnik at 715.682.7133 Ext. 4308

  • Please call the Bad River Health and Wellness Center at 715-682-7133 if you have questions or would like more information

Mental Health Resources

  • 7 cups: www.7cups.com; free online text chat for emotional support and counseling
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990
    Or text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
    Or text CONNECT to 741741
  • MoodGYM: moodgym.com.au
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

 

  • View the Public Health recovery and mental health resource list here (PDF)

 

Food, WIC, & Warming Shelter

Food Distribution
Elders
WIC
Warming Shelter
Food Shelf
Youth
Food Distribution
  • Bad River Food Distribution will be closed to the general public
  • Clients will still be served HOWEVER, please call orders in and arrangements will be made for pick ups or deliveries: (715) 682-7892
  • See flyer here (PDF)
  • Click on the YOUTH Tab to the right to view information on meals for youth 18 years or younger
  • Milk, cheese and other items are occasionally available at Three Eagles! Please check with Three Eagles or call 715-682-8844 with questions.
Elders
  • The Elderly/Aging Nutrition Program will provide a PICK UP ONLY carry out bag of lunch @ 11:30a at the Elderly Center. 
  • Deliveries will not be interrupted for Homebound elders currently receiving deliveries.
  • If you do NOT wish to receive your meals, please call: 715-682-7150 or 715-682-7127
  • More information on Transportation for shopping and possible supplies for Elders will be forthcoming in the next few days.
  • View the SFS Elder Notice here (PDF)
  • Stay tuned for more details.
WIC
  • The BRHWC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will be certifying new participants, recertifying current participants and issuing benefits by phone.
  • Please watch your mail for information from your WIC program.
  • To find out if you are eligible for WIC, please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/income-guidelines.htm
  • See flyer here (PDF)
  • Please contact a Community Health Representative (CHR) with questions:
    • Sue Houle: 715-685-4011
    • Gena Jensen: 715-685-4417

 

Warming Shelter
  • The warming shelter for the winter on 2021-2022 will open Monday, November 29,2021
  • The dates and times of the shelter will be 7 days a week, check in is at 10:00 pm, doors close at 11:00pm with check out at 7:00am.
  • Last Day of Warming Shelter is April 1, 2022
  • Please see PDF of notice
Food Shelf

BAD RIVER FOOD SHELF HOURS

Anyone needing Food Shelf need to call ahead  715-682-7127.  If you there is no answer leave a message with a return phone number.

If you need contact information please check the: Social & Family Services landing page

Youth

Youth Activities

  • Mashkiiziibii Youth Services - Youth Programs webpage/calendar
  • Gym Activities- Up to 6 youth can sign up for open gym- to sign up call Nate Ante (715) 292-9952

Mashkiiziibii Boys & Girls Club

  • Closed until further notice- Due to staff changes. We apologize for any inconveniences.

 

Department & Program Services

Social & Family Services
Housing Authority
Tribal Court
Natural Resources
Transit
Waste & Recycling
Water & Sewer
Social & Family Services
  • The Bad River Social & Family Services Dept's office (Community Center) is open to the public. However, we ask that you wear a mask when entering the building, as children and youth who are not vaccinated are in the building also.
  • Many of the workers have access to their voicemail so, they can check it regularly.  Below are their extension and if you have access to email you can email the worker. 
  • Also, utilize the Bad River Tribal Facebook page for changes and upcoming information remember to go to your Facebook page and type into the “search” @badrivergovt this will be the official site. 
  • We appreciate clients practicing social distancing therefore, do not go to the homes of the worker.

  • Elderly Nutrition Program will continue delivering meals to homebound and curbside pick up will be available for those participating in congregate meals.   Subject to change. Details also listed under the Food and Shelter tab on the Bad River News page

  • Food Distribution See the Food, WIC, & Warming Shelter section above for updates

  • Social & Family Services Main Office - 715-682-7127

  • Child Care Program - Lynn Wiggins ext 1401

  • Income Maintenance (Foodshare/Medical)

      • Jessenia Smart ext 1407  Cell – 715-208-0044

  • TANF/ESS Unit

      • Wendy Corbine ext 1405

      • Georgianne Smart ext 1408

  • Family Resource Management (FRM) – ext 1410 or 1416

  • Abinoojiyag Resource Center (ARC) 715-682-7135

      • Gina Secord ext 1434

      • Kim Ford – ext 1412

      • Melissa Burns ext 1438                                       

      • Crime Victims – ext 1480

  • Zhwanendig Program Services – (715) 682-7151 or ext 1402

      • Hiedi Beth Burns - Ext 1480
      • Maggie Morrison - Ext 1485
      • Samantha Hmielewski - Ext 1487
      • Jamie Corbine - Ext 1484
      • Brigette Mayotte - Ext 1488
      • Darla O'Claire - Ext 1482

Contact Information

 

Housing Authority

Information

  • The BRHA Maintenance Staff will temporarily be only responding to emergency work orders (715-292-8847)
  • The BRHA Housing Manager will temporarily suspend home visits.
  • There is a drop box for rent payments or paperwork located at the front doors
  • Please continue to update your composition if you have changes in your household, if you're laid off, or if you have changes in employment, please email Micki or Raeann!
        • Micki Corbine: OccupancySpecialist@badriver-nsn.gov 
        • Raeann Bender: ResidentSpecialist@badriver-nsn.gov

Garbage Stickers

    • Please call Housing 715-682-2271 and leave your name and mailing address

Contact Information

  • Emergencies - please call the On-Call Phone: 715-292-8847
  • Office Main Phone: 715-682-2271 

For more information please check out the Housing webpage

Tribal Court
  • The courthouse will begin working remotely and any change in status will be noticed on the Tribe’s website
  • Court users are encouraged to contact the Bad River Tribal Court by telephone to address their questions and/or concerns as opposed to coming to the courthouse in person
  • All non-essential court activities are hereby suspended. For remaining court functions, in an effort to minimize interpersonal contact, teleconference will be the preferred method of holding hearings.
  • To read about more of the changes and requirements, please read the detailed Tribal Court notice here (PDF)

Contact Information

  • Main Phone: (715) 682-7107

For more information please check the Legal Department page

Natural Resources

 

FULL LIST OF CONTACT INFORMATION:

  • You may contact the department by phone or email, contact information is listed on the NRD Page
  • This includes the main office in the Chief Blackbird Center (Admin), the THPO trailer, and the Hatchery.

CONTACT INFO OVERVIEW

  • Register ATV, Boat, or Snowmobile: (715) 682-7123 or DNRrecept@badriver-nsn.gov
  • Access Permit: (715) 682-7123 or DNRrecept@badriver-nsn.gov
  • Access Permits for Enbridge or Enbridge Contractor: NRDDirector@badriver-nsn.gov
  • Burn Permit: Brad Bigboy (715) 292-7822
  • Project Review Submissions or Questions: environmental@badriver-nsn.gov
  • Maps or Webmap Applications: gspec@badriver-nsn.gov
  • Lake Trout Tags: (715) 682-7152 or fishtech@badriver-nsn.gov 
  • POWTS Application Submission or Questions: (715) 685-8727 or POWTS@badriver-nsn.gov 
  • Equipment Inspections: (715) 979-1636 (leave a voice message)
  • Off-Reservation Registration: Contact the MNRD Administrative Assistant (715) 682-7123 / DNRrecept@badriver-nsn.gov or the Conservation Warden, Brad Bigboy (715) 292-7822
  • Current Reservation Beach Status: (715) 685-7870

DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFO (please leave a voicemail)

  • Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00a-4:30p
  • Main Phone: (715) 682-7123

WARDENS

  • Brad Bigboy- (715) 292-7822
  • Tim Oja - (715) 979-1777
  • Pierce Maday - (715) 292-2234
Transit

Effective Monday, August 16, 2021

Effective Saturday, May 1, 2021:

Contact Information:

  • Hours: Monday - Friday 7a-10p (weekends TBD)
  • Phone: 715-292-1108 or 715-292-1109

All services and times are subject to change and are being evaluated throughout the day. Please check back or call to confirm services are available.

For any other information please see the: Transit Department Page

 

Waste & Recycling

Statement about Safety

Recycling 

  • The Bad River Recycling & Solid Waste Dept.  volumes are still larger than normal and take longer to collect, but if left curbside by 8AM during each scheduled curbside pick-up route. It will get picked up that day or the next day.

Trash Pick Up

  • Will be picking up scheduled curbside solid waste Thursday/Friday to everyone

Hours of Operation

  • Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturdays 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

For contact information please check the Public Works Webpage

Water & Sewer
  • DO NOT flush rags, “flushable wipes” (not flushable wipes) disinfectant wipes, tampons or other feminine hygiene products, paper towels, baby wipes, grease or anything other than toilet paper.
  • Flushing Rags, Paper Towels, Baby Wipes, and Grease down your toilets and sinks can cause significant damage to wastewater processes and the infrastructure of the sewer system and lift stations which can cause possible sewage backups and emergency work.
  • Also flushing rags, paper towels, baby wipes, Kleenex, disinfectant wipes, flushable wipes, or grease can clog your personal plumbing and personal lateral sewer pipes costing homeowner money and distress.
  • If any questions related to community water/sewer please feel free to call Philip Livingston, BR Water/Sewer Manager @ 715-292-5339.

For contact information please check the Public Works Webpage

Enterprises & Post Office

Casino & Lodge
Moccasin Trail Complex (MTC)
Cashing Checks
Post Office
Superior Connections
Manomin Restaurant
Casino & Lodge
Moccasin Trail Complex (MTC)

New Hours

 
Please contact the MTC manager with questions: 

David Joe Bates

Interim MTC General Manager

Phone   715-685-2786

Fax        715-685-2790

MTC@badriver.com

Cashing Checks

March 13, 2021 Re-Opening of the Casino

 

Post Office
  • Hours currently remain the same:

Monday - Friday: 12:30p-4:30p
Saturday: 11:00a-1:00p

Superior Connections
  • Superior Connections internet service will continue to all Superior Connections customers
  • If you need to drop off paperwork, please use the after-business hours drop box located near the door entrance to the Superior Connections office located in the Moccasin Trail Complex Center

Contact Information

  • Main Phone: (715) 292-4876.
  • Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM & Friday: 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Manomin Restaurant

March 13, 2021-Re-opening Hours

Website: http://badriver.com/

Phone: 715-682-7121 (x 1296)

Tribal Employees

Human Resources
Medical Insurance
Unemployment FAQs
Human Resources
  • Return to Work Memo effective May 10, 2021 see attached PDF
  • All contact is strongly encouraged to be made via phone or email

HR Contact Information

  • Ashley Stone: Extension - 1522
  • Prisscilla Dax: Extension - 1520
  • Denise Gilles: Extension - 1242
  • Jody Bigboy-Lowmaster: Extension - 1511

 

Medical Insurance
  • FEP enrolled employees, please read this BCBS FEP Announcement (PDF) regarding the temporary changes they're making during this time
  • BCBS is also WAIVING all copays for Telehealth/Teledoc visits through June 14, 2020 -  to limit visits to clinics! Please read more here (PDF)
  • BCHS Anthem has eliminated  employees' cost shares if they receive treatment for COVID-19 from doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals from April 1 through May 31, 2020.
  • BCBS Telehealth Enrollment instructions are here (PDF)
  • If you have questions, please contact the Benefits Specialist, Denise Gilles, (x1242 or BenefitSpec@badriver-nsn.gov)
Unemployment FAQs
  • Will workers qualify for unemployment benefits if the coronavirus (COVID-19) causes an employer to shut down operations?  Wisconsin unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. If an employer must shut down operations and no work is available, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they meet the monetary criteria and the weekly eligibility criteria.
  • If an employer lays off employees due to the loss of production caused by the coronavirus, will the employees be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?  Wisconsin unemployment benefits are available to any individual who is unemployed through no fault of his/her own. If an employer must lay off employees due to the loss of production caused by the coronavirus, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they meet the monetary criteria and the weekly eligibility criteria.
  • If an employee receives unemployment benefits as a result of a coronavirus-related business shutdown, will the employer’s unemployment taxes increase?  Unemployment benefits are proportionately charged to each employer based on weeks worked and wages earned in each individual’s base period. Contributory employers could see an increase in their tax rate, which would result in higher taxes. Reimbursable employers would be charged dollar for dollar for benefits paid, which could result in higher than expected unemployment costs.
  • If an employee imposes a self-quarantine because of the coronavirus, will they be eligible for unemployment benefits?  In most cases, no. Unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are totally or partially unemployed due to no fault of their own. In this example, the individual—not the employer—is choosing not to work and, therefore, would be ineligible. However, the facts of each circumstance are important. If the employer allowed this individual to telework, they would not qualify for benefits because they would not be unemployed. If the employer required the individual to stay home but did not offer telework, the individual might be eligible for benefits if they met the monetary and weekly eligibility criteria.
  • If an employee is in mandatory quarantine because of suspicion of having the coronavirus, will they be eligible for unemployment benefits?  If the employer has instructed the individual to return to work after the quarantine is over and the employee intends to return to the work after the quarantine ends, that may be a temporary layoff for which the employee may be eligible for benefits. However, if it is unclear if the employee will return to that employer after the quarantine, the employee might meet the initial eligibility criteria but not the ongoing federal eligibility criteria, which require them to be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking suitable work.
  • If an employee is ill because of the coronavirus and unable to work, will they be eligible for unemployment benefits?  No. The federal requirements mandate that claimants be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking suitable work. If someone is so ill that they are unable to work, they would not meet these criteria.
  • Is the coronavirus considered a disaster, and can I receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance? If the president of the United States declares the coronavirus a national disaster, if individuals experience a loss of work in Wisconsin as a result, and if the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment benefits, they may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
  • If you have questions, please contact the HR Manager, Ron Teliszczak (x1522 or HRmanager@badriver-nsn.gov)

Public Service Announcement Vidoes

How to put and take off a N95 mask
How to wear a KN95 mask
PSA: First PSA
PSA: Immune System & Echinacea
PSA: Youth
PSA: Hoildays
COVID-19 Test Demonstration
PSA: Youth & Thanksgiving
PSA: Elder Vaccination