BMIC partners with U. S. Coast Guard to assist in dental care needs

March 17, 2025

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community will partner with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes to provide space for dental services to enlisted local Coast Guard members. 

 

In 2024, BMIC opened the Mitigoons Clinic in Sault Ste. Marie. Since that time, the tribe has been working to fully staff the facility, but has faced difficulties recruiting dentists to the area. This difficulty means two of the dental chairs in the clinic have sat vacant. As dental care faces a long waiting list in the U.P., the Coast Guard has faced issues acquiring dental care for their members as well.

 

“They will bring in their supplies, a dentist, hygienist and assistant to allow their service members to get dental care.  There is no one in a large geographic area they can send them to for dental services so we are helping to fulfill a need,” said BMIC Health Director Lucy DeWildt. “We will still be able to allow our staff to work in the same location, simultaneously.  There are four operatories inside Mitigoons, so we will use two and they will use the other two.” 

 

The two organizations held a signing ceremony earlier this month to recognize their partnership.

 

“Bay Mills has always been committed to serving our community, and that includes those who serve us. By partnering with the U.S. Coast Guard, we’re ensuring their members have access to essential dental care while making good use of our clinic space. This is a win-win for both our community and the Coast Guard, and we’re proud to help fill this critical need,” said Whitney Gravelle, BMIC president.

 

Sector Northern Great Lakes has 150 members in the area. The services through Bay Mills’ clinic would only be to the local service members with the target of the local 150 annual exams and cleanings. The Coast Guard anticipates using the dental space approximately five weeks per year. 

 

“Our clinic is working through an enormous waiting list of patients, due to both COVID and the retirement of local dentists. This agreement allows their members to get services in space we are not able to use at this time," added DeWildt.

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Wreck of the Western Reserve discovered

March 10, 2025

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After 132 years, the final resting place of the 300’ steel steamer Western Reserve has been discovered roughly 60 miles northwest of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior.

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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, using Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar aboard the non-profit’s research vessel, David  Boyd, made the initial discovery in late summer 2024. Subsequent ROV (remotely operated vehicle) deployments confirmed the identity of the shipwreck, revealing a ship broken in two, with the bow section resting on top of the stern in approximately 600’ of water. Director of Marine Operations, Darryl Ertel, recalls “Knowing how the 300-foot Western Reserve was caught in a storm this far from shore made a uneasy feeling in the back of my neck, a squall can come up unexpectedly…anywhere, and anytime.” Read More

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New Lock at the Soo Phase 2 complete

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, substantially completed Phase 2 (Upstream Approach Walls) contract on Sept. 17.

“Phase 2 work focused on rehabilitating the upstream approach walls to guide vessels into the New Lock and will allow the vessels to moor on the wall,” New Lock at the Soo Project Engineer Ryan Berkompas said. “The old approach walls in the northern channel were the same age as the Sabin and Davis Locks, over 100 years old.”

The Corps of Engineers awarded the $117 million contract in September 2020 to Kokosing-Alberici, of Westerville, Ohio.

Read the full story at: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/.../new-lock-at-the-soo.../

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​MDOC Celebrates Graduation of 181 New Corrections Officers from Recruit Training Academy Classes​

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BMIC to construct $17 million solar array with EPA grant

BAY MILLS — The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $17.3 million as part of Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to Bay Mills Indian Community. The funds will be utilized to create a solar array that will offset the community’s energy consumption, while promoting the renewable and sustainability goals of the State of Michigan.

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BMIC has made a concerted effort over the past 6 years to understand their energy infrastructure and identify renewable energy solutions that will support their long-term sustainability goals. In addition to renewable energy efforts, BMIC has also adopted a “Green Buildings and Grounds Checklist” and conducted a Green Community Assessment.

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“BMIC has dedicated significant effort to understanding our energy infrastructure and identifying renewable energy solutions that align with our long-term sustainability goals.” said Brianna Gunka, planning manager. “This project goes beyond a commercial solar initiative — it’s about creating energy independence for BMIC while honoring the Tribe’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the future for the next seven generations.”

The energy produced from the solar array will create enough Renewable Energy Credits to completely offset the energy consumption of BMIC, making the community 100% renewable in their energy profile. This project will also serve as a revenue stream for the tribe.

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Additionally, the solar array will support grid resilience in the Upper Peninsula by providing another long-term price stable generation project for electricity consumers. The tribe plans to commence solar array construction and distribution system work on Sept. 1, 2025, with completion before the end of 2026.

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“This project could not have happened without cooperation and assistance from many partners. Bay Mills Indian Community has worked closely with Cloverland Electric Cooperative to identify opportunities for renewable energy generation,” said Jennifer Satchell, environmental coordinator. “As EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants were rolling out, Michigan’s Department of Energy, Great Lakes and Environment provided technical assistance funding to several organizations who then collaborated with entities interested in submitting the grant applications. 5 Lakes Energy worked closely with us to write a compelling narrative and provided the required technical analysis needed for the application. Bay Mills Community College will also be a part of this project by creating a workforce development program to foster ongoing support and growth of the tribe’s renewable energy endeavors.”

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EPA received more than 100 applications from tribal nations, tribal consortia, and territories requesting a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding. EPA selected a total of 34 applicants to fund in a diverse range of projects. These selections mark a major milestone for the $5 billion CPRG program, a program designed to catalyze ambitious climate pollution reduction measures designed by state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and beyond.

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