Submitted by Sue Aasen
The Circle for Indigenous Peoples Rights, Inc. (the Circle) wishes to extend our sympathies to the family of Edward Benton-Benai for the loss of a dearly loved elder. Eddie was a founding Board of Directors member when the Circle was first established in 2001.
The Circle is continuing to sponsor a free Circle Community Clothing Room at the Trading Post. The hours are Thursday and Saturday from 10:00-4:00 pm. Included in all the items on the tables are winter clothing such as sweaters, jackets, socks and boots. Also offered are household furnishings and kitchen supplies. There are some limited pieces of furniture. Everything is free. Safety precautions continue to be in effect. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at the first table. The Circle is reminding everyone to practice social distancing of the 6 feet space.
The first free clothing drive started in February 2020 with items being available in the Village of New Post. In addition to the clothing and furnishings, we offered soup, sandwiches and desert. The event truly was a community gathering. People stopped in to visit each other and have a sandwich or desert . The Circle was asked to continue sponsoring this kind of project.
The purpose of the clothing drives is to assist families in our community when jobs and resources are scarce. The Circle membership and supporters realize that during this Covid-19 pandemic crisis, our budgets make it difficult to meet the needs of our families. This project is the most effective way to help each other.
We see many happy faces when families show up to browse and find an item that is useful for their household. Children just love to go shopping at the Trading Post where there is a children's corner complete with clothing and toys in special places to be found. It is nice to see people look for items that are needed by somebody else or for themselves.
The Circle for Indigenous Peoples Rights, Inc. is a community non-profit organization that has existed since 2001. In addition to Edward Benton-Benai, additional founding board members include Marilyn Tribble and Lucille Carley (both ladies have passed on).
The current Board of Directors are: Deb Bracklin-Butler, Dale Cooper, Nancy Cooper, Dave Baker, Kim LaRonge, Corrine Gurneau and Susan Aasen. The Circle is collaborating with other non-pro fit organizations in the Hayward area to maintain donations. Linda Graham, Sawyer County Humane Society Board Member, works tirelessly to keep communications open and support our efforts.
The Circle has been informed that the Trading Post has been sold and a new site for the Circle Community Clothing Room must be obtained. We will be at the Trading Post until December 25, 2020. We are searching for another site in the Lac Courte Oreilles tribal community.
Questions may be directed to Susan Aasen at (715) 699-3787.