The Conservation Committee will be holding a community input session for ceremonial bear permitting process. The input session will be held at Kewadin Casino in the Whitefish Point Room on Tuesday, March 9 at 6 p.m. Interested Tribal members are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Tara Benoit at (906) 635-6050 or tbenoit@saulttribe.net.

The Conservation Committee will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, March 15 at 4 p.m.  Interested Tribal members are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Tara Benoit at (906) 635-6050 or tbenoit@saulttribe.net.

Testing dates for 2010 US Census employment are still available through the month of February in Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac and Alger counties. Please see attached schedule.

Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled session. Bring a valid driver’s license and your Social Security card, or a valid U.S. passport (for the I-9 process).

Veterans — bring a copy of your DD-214.

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan strongly encourages interested Sault Tribe members to apply for 2010 U.S. Census jobs. Find more information at www.2010.census.gov/2010census and click on “job seekers” at the top of the page. For residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, call toll free at (866) 861-2010.

Especially seeking field staff: Enumerators, $8.50 per hour; crew leaders, $12.75 per hour; crew leader assistants, $11.75 per hour; and field operations supervisors, $14.25 per hour.

Also seeking office staff: Office clerk, $8.50 per hour; recruiting assistant, $12.75 per hour; and office operations supervisor, $11.25 to $17 per hour.

To obtain a copy of the Feb. 2010 US Census testing schedule click on the link below and then click on SAVE when prompted.

 Feb. 2010 US Census testing schedule

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - A regular meeting of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Kewadin Casinos and Convention Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting will be preceded by “Matters Raised by the Membership” from 5 to 6 p.m.

Resolutions to be considered are: 2010 IMLS Native American Library Grant, Amending Ch. 20: Subsistence Fishing, Modification to Commercial Fishing License Policy, Amending Ch. 82 Appeals, FY 2011 Budget Doc 001, ACFS Home Improvement Budget Modification, ACFS LIHEAP Budget Modification, Elder Health Fund/Eldercare Services Budget Modification and Adopting Ch. 15: Tribal Freedom of Information.

Under new business, the board will consider license plates, committee appointments and a Conservation Committee request.

For more information, call Joanne or Tara at (906) 635-6050 or (800) 793-0660, ext. 26337 or 26338.

The Down Payment Assistance Program is designed to assist Sault Tribe members in becoming owners of structurally sound homes. The funds are Housing and Urban Development dollars restricted to low-income members. Eligible applicants could receive up to $9,500 to be applied towards down payment and closing costs. Each participating applicant will need to contribute $500 of their own money to receive the maximum grant of $9,500 or 20 percent of the home’s purchase price. This program is open to members residing in the tribe’s service area, which covers Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft, Delta and Marquette counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The application period ends March 19, 2010.

The program is open to members whose total incomes are at or below 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size. Participants must obtain mortgages with local lenders. The Housing Authority will assist applicants in demonstrating that they have stable incomes and the ability and willingness to meet financial obligations.

Program funds are available to lower the cost of buying a home. Funds will be in the form of a note applied as a lien against the property. No monthly payments apply; the amount depreciates 20 percent each year and is forgiven after five years.

Trained staff will assist eligible applicants in successfully working through the process of making applications to banks or other lenders for mortgage loans, assist with inspection concerns and aid in the real estate process.

Borrowers are required to participate in the Homebuyer Education sessions designed to help homebuyers in understanding and fulfilling the responsibilities of homeownership.

If you have any questions, please call homeownership specialists Dana Patrick or Ryan Madigan at (906) 495-1450 or toll free at (800) 794-4072.