About Red Cliff (Miskwaabikaang)
The names of the Anishinaabe are many; Ojibwe, Chipewyan, Ojibwa, Chippewa, but united by a shared history of clans, language and culture, all identify the thousands of politically autonomous bands and tribes which make the Ojibwe Nation the largest tribe in North America. Most significant among these shared political and cultural backgrounds are the spiritual practices and values of the Grand Medicine Society and their teachings, which still continue today.
Situated along the shores of the legendary waters of Lake Superior, the Red Cliff Reservation is located on the Bayfield Peninsula, at the extreme northern most point of Wisconsin, which extends several miles out into Lake Superior and includes the Apostle Islands. These lands and waters are renowned for their pristine environment, rugged waters, wilderness areas and unique scenic beauty.
And here, the “People of the Big Water” or ‘gi-chi-b-waa-tig’ remain today, at the hub or center of a historical, spiritual and cultural crossroads highly significant for the past 1,500 years but which extends back more than 4,000 years.
Within Chequamegon Bay lies the spiritual center of Anishinaabe nations. The Anishinaabe were told by a prophet that a sacred shell would guide them on a generations long journey to seven places and, ultimately, to the ‘Food that Grows on the Water’. That food today is known as Maa-no-min or wild rice. The seventh and final stop was at the island called ‘Moo-ning-wana-kawn-ing’, which means ‘the place of the yellow-breasted woodpecker’. Centuries later this island was renamed “Madeline Island” in honor of an anishinaabe woman ‘Ikwesewe”, wife of a French fur trader who established the first fort and settlement there in 1693.
Among the smallest of the Indian reservations in Wisconsin today, Red Cliff was the primary village of the Great Buffalo, head chief of the Anishinaabe. The ‘Great Buffalo’ is a historical tribal figure known specifically for his role as peacemaker in the formation of the Treaty of 1854.
Prior to 1854 and despite several earlier treaties, the US Government attempted to eliminate or remove all tribes to locations west of the Mississippi River with the passage of the Indian Removal Act, signed by President Jackson.
Following the tragedy at Sandy Lake and the deaths of hundreds of tribal people, the chiefs Buffalo and Oshogo, and other clan chiefs of the Grand Council, challenged the past treaties and agreements, and accused the US Government of carrying out a great deception towards the Ojibwe in earlier treaties signed.
At age 93, Great Buffalo and several band chiefs were delegated to begin the several month’s long journey to Washington DC to meet with President Millard Fillmore. When they finally met, along with the words of the Grand Councils, they carried a Pa-wa-gon or great pipe which was smoked with the President. Following the meeting, the chiefs returned home with that pipe, now known as the “Buffalo Peace Pipe” which became a symbol of our nation’s agreement and today is preserved and protected by the Red Cliff Tribe.
President Fillmore rescinded the Indian Removal orders and agreed that the Ojibwe would never be required to leave their homelands. The Treaty of 1854 would forever change the Anishinaabe as well as other tribes and with the establishment of homeland reservations, marked the end of federal efforts to remove tribes onto lands west of the Mississippi River.
The ‘gi-chi-b-waa-tig’ continues to follow these traditions and agreements, preserving our traditional knowledge, wisdom and sovereignty, and maintaining our cultural integrity for the benefit of future generations.
The largest employer in Bayfield County, the Red Cliff Tribe is a significant partner for the economic prosperity of the region in sustainable economic and community development. The Tribe operates a full range of governmental, cultural and recreational opportunities, providing services and facilities for health clinics and senior centers, tribal fisheries and aquaculture research, police, fire, conservation and EMS. A lakeside resort hotel, conference center, casino and marina facility provides a gateway to the islands and waters of the island archipelago.
The Red Cliff Mission Statement is “To promote, plan and provide for the health, welfare, education, environmental protection, cultural preservation and economic wellbeing of tribal members and to protect Treaty Rights now and in the future.”
Situated along the shores of the legendary waters of Lake Superior, the Red Cliff Reservation is located on the Bayfield Peninsula, at the extreme northern most point of Wisconsin, which extends several miles out into Lake Superior and includes the Apostle Islands. These lands and waters are renowned for their pristine environment, rugged waters, wilderness areas and unique scenic beauty.
And here, the “People of the Big Water” or ‘gi-chi-b-waa-tig’ remain today, at the hub or center of a historical, spiritual and cultural crossroads highly significant for the past 1,500 years but which extends back more than 4,000 years.
Within Chequamegon Bay lies the spiritual center of Anishinaabe nations. The Anishinaabe were told by a prophet that a sacred shell would guide them on a generations long journey to seven places and, ultimately, to the ‘Food that Grows on the Water’. That food today is known as Maa-no-min or wild rice. The seventh and final stop was at the island called ‘Moo-ning-wana-kawn-ing’, which means ‘the place of the yellow-breasted woodpecker’. Centuries later this island was renamed “Madeline Island” in honor of an anishinaabe woman ‘Ikwesewe”, wife of a French fur trader who established the first fort and settlement there in 1693.
Among the smallest of the Indian reservations in Wisconsin today, Red Cliff was the primary village of the Great Buffalo, head chief of the Anishinaabe. The ‘Great Buffalo’ is a historical tribal figure known specifically for his role as peacemaker in the formation of the Treaty of 1854.
Prior to 1854 and despite several earlier treaties, the US Government attempted to eliminate or remove all tribes to locations west of the Mississippi River with the passage of the Indian Removal Act, signed by President Jackson.
Following the tragedy at Sandy Lake and the deaths of hundreds of tribal people, the chiefs Buffalo and Oshogo, and other clan chiefs of the Grand Council, challenged the past treaties and agreements, and accused the US Government of carrying out a great deception towards the Ojibwe in earlier treaties signed.
At age 93, Great Buffalo and several band chiefs were delegated to begin the several month’s long journey to Washington DC to meet with President Millard Fillmore. When they finally met, along with the words of the Grand Councils, they carried a Pa-wa-gon or great pipe which was smoked with the President. Following the meeting, the chiefs returned home with that pipe, now known as the “Buffalo Peace Pipe” which became a symbol of our nation’s agreement and today is preserved and protected by the Red Cliff Tribe.
President Fillmore rescinded the Indian Removal orders and agreed that the Ojibwe would never be required to leave their homelands. The Treaty of 1854 would forever change the Anishinaabe as well as other tribes and with the establishment of homeland reservations, marked the end of federal efforts to remove tribes onto lands west of the Mississippi River.
The ‘gi-chi-b-waa-tig’ continues to follow these traditions and agreements, preserving our traditional knowledge, wisdom and sovereignty, and maintaining our cultural integrity for the benefit of future generations.
The largest employer in Bayfield County, the Red Cliff Tribe is a significant partner for the economic prosperity of the region in sustainable economic and community development. The Tribe operates a full range of governmental, cultural and recreational opportunities, providing services and facilities for health clinics and senior centers, tribal fisheries and aquaculture research, police, fire, conservation and EMS. A lakeside resort hotel, conference center, casino and marina facility provides a gateway to the islands and waters of the island archipelago.
The Red Cliff Mission Statement is “To promote, plan and provide for the health, welfare, education, environmental protection, cultural preservation and economic wellbeing of tribal members and to protect Treaty Rights now and in the future.”
Why does Red Cliff have a Child Support Agency?
Currently 60 tribes, throughout the country, successfully operate child support programs, providing services consistent with tribal values and cultures. Like their state counterparts, tribal child support programs locate custodial and noncustodial parents, establish legal fatherhood (paternity), establish child support orders, and enforce orders.
Red Cliff Child Support Services Agency became an official Child Support Agency on July 1, 2014, after approval of our comprehensive plan from the Federal Department of Health and Human Service / Administration for Children and Families / Office of Child Support Enforcement. The program is governed by the Red Cliff Tribe and by the Federal Office of Child Support (OCSE). Collaborative partnerships with the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support (BCS) also made this agency possible. There are overarching federal uniform laws that regulate intergovernmental (jurisdiction) case processing.
Red Cliff Child Support Services Agency became an official Child Support Agency on July 1, 2014, after approval of our comprehensive plan from the Federal Department of Health and Human Service / Administration for Children and Families / Office of Child Support Enforcement. The program is governed by the Red Cliff Tribe and by the Federal Office of Child Support (OCSE). Collaborative partnerships with the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support (BCS) also made this agency possible. There are overarching federal uniform laws that regulate intergovernmental (jurisdiction) case processing.
- Tribal Child Support programs are allowed to develop and enforce child support laws that reflect tradition and values
- Tribal programs are culturally sensitive
- Easily accessible for Tribal members
- Tribal court jurisdiction allows more authority and flexibility in how cases are managed
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Physical location of RCCSSA:
Makwa House 37270 Community Road • Red Cliff |
RCCSSA mailing address:
Red Cliff Child Support Services Agency 88455 Pike Road, Bayfield, WI 54814 |
Tele: (715)779-3769
Fax: (715)779-3771 www.redcliffchildsupport.com |
Website by Bizy Does It
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© 2022 Red Cliff Child Support Services Agency