by Melissa Newland The air was humming with excitement and pride as administration, faculty, staff, family, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate the 2025 graduates of the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) on Friday. The Honors and Commencement Ceremony was held May 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Niiwin Akeea Center gym in Baraga and began with the processional by Summer Cloud, whose drumbeat brought the audience members to their collective feet. It also brought forth the posting of the Colors by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Honor Guard followed by the 17 graduates wearing signature red caps and gowns, taking their place amongst the largest graduating class yet from KBOCC. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

by John Raffel There’s nothing more fun than for young, eager Baraga County hunters to have success during the ongoing turkey hunting season. Isaac Berger bagged a tom opening morning (April 19) with an 8 1/2-inch beard and one inch spurs. Aybri Sorenson bagged her first tom ever the day after, just before noon, with a 9 1/4-inch beard and 7/8 inch spurs. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Families and community members gathered for a delightful performing arts show put on by the Northern Michigan University (NMU) Wildcat Performing Arts Academy (WPAA) at the Skanee Town Hall last week. The academy brought 15 talented students to perform songs, dances, and short acting skits for the audience on Monday, April 14, 2025. Most of the NMU students were pursuing degrees in dance or performing arts or were double majoring with another specialty. The WPAA School Education Expedition began that morning at 9 a.m. when the WPAA team arrived to unload the bus, set up the space, and rehearsed. The house opened at 10 a.m., allowing the audience to arrive, and the show started promptly thereafter. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Excitement filled the air last week in the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) Great Start Readiness Program’s (GSRP) classroom as the Little Eagles (Migiziinsag) students welcomed Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s (KBOCC) Land Grant team on Thursday. Cindy Wiltse, Land Grant Coordinator; Kit Laux, Land Director; and Grant Suzie Kahkonen, Land Grant Assistant, were present from KBOCC and were met with joy and enthusiasm from both the students and teachers for the day’s activity. The fun and educational exercise was designed to connect the children with traditional Ojibwa food practices and involved making yogurt parfaits. The team provided students with an assortment of fresh fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, allowing each child to learn the basics of fruit preparation by washing, cutting, and assembling their own parfaits. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland In the heart of L’Anse, Reid Funeral Service and Chapel has been a beacon of solace and support for countless families over the past 25 years.  Established in 2000 by the late John L. “Jack” Reid and his wife, Betty Harrington Reid, the funeral home has grown into a trusted institution within the greater Baraga County area. Jack Reid’s journey began in Pontiac, MI. He acquired degrees in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University and (later in life) in Health Care Administration from the University of Michigan which helped enhance his skills and knowledge as a caregiver and funeral director. Jack’s working career also included a national sales trainer position with an international pharmaceutical firm and a supervisory role at General Motors.  When moving to the Upper Peninsula, he continued serving his community by providing temporary coverage for many funeral homes. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Students from Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s (KBOCC) Environmental Science program recently embarked on an enriching adventure, learning the art of maple tapping. Guided by KBOCC Admissions Coordinator Kristy Laramore at her picturesque property in Skanee, the students delved into the intricate process of collecting sap, gaining valuable hands-on experience and deepening their appreciation for sustainable practices on Friday, March 21. The day was filled with fresh air, the sounds of nature, and the sweet reward of harvesting sap from the trees. Students attending included Angela Kelly, Jill Witz, Ryland Edwards, Jon Dowd, Dustin Shelifoe, Madison Kelly, and Rebecca Meroni along with  Environmental Science Instructor Andrew Kozich, PhD. The group was able to get 53 trees tapped by the end of the day, with Laramore noting that all trees instantly started to flow. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Fun was had and awards were brought home after students, faculty, and staff from the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) traveled to Rapid City, SD, to partic ipate in the 2025 AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium) Student  Conference. The AIHEC was established in 1972 to represent the interests of the newly developed tribal colleges, which are controlled and operated by American Indian nations. THE AIHEC Student Conference is an annual event, originating in 1980, and has grown significantly, now welcoming over 1,000 participants each spring to engage in academic, cul tural, and artistic exercises. Those traveling to the event included KBOCC staff/faculty Kristy Laramore Admissions Coordinator/Advisor, Andrew Kozich PhD/Environmental Science Department Chair, Bob Rabin PhD/Environmental Science Adjunct Instructor, Cielle Waters-Umfleet Student Success Coordinator, and Jon Dowd Cultural Advisor/Anishinaabe Studies. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland The Meadowbrook Arena buzzed with excitement this past weekend as the L’Anse–Baraga Figure Skating Club (LBFSC) showcased its annual ice show, ‘A Night at the Tony’s.’ The event captivat ed a large audience, who were treated to a dazzling display of talent,  perseverance, and dedication, leaving them both mesmerized and inspired. The  performances high lighted the skaters’ commitment and passion backed by the tireless efforts of instructors, volunteers, and professional staff. The show was a resounding  success, with every participant playing a vital role in bringing the event to fruition. Performance times included Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Club President Sarah Solberg reported that approximately 450-500 people attended to watch the stunning talent on ice. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Republican Karl Bohnak, the newly elected Representative for Michigan’s 109th House of Representatives district and a familiar face for Upper Peninsula residents, hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Silver River Bakery in L’Anse. Known for his previous career as the local UP weatherman, Bohnak was met with a warm reception by the local community on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 1-2 p.m. amidst the smell of delicious bakery and fresh pasties. The  cozy atmosphere of the bakery provided an intimate setting for the public to voice their concerns and ask questions. Among the attendees was Cathy Stanaway, who  passionately addressed the shortage of schoolteachers and dentists in the area. She attributed these shortages to the high costs of education and the difficulty of accessing schooling in rural areas. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.