Number of new COVID cases increases sharply 

The following is a statement from Sault Tribe Health Director Leo Chugunov: 

Due to recent significant increase in a number of new COVID-19 cases, I highly recommend the use of masks indoors in public settings on all tribal lands located in Chippewa and Mackinac counties as these two counties are now categorized as a high-risk areas for transmission of COVID-19.  

For your convenience self-collect “drop off” COVID-19 Ag testing is offered at Sault Tribe Health Center, Hessel Tribal Health Center, St. Ignace Tribal Health Center, Manistique Tribal Health Center, Munising Tribal Health Center and Newberry Tribal Health Center.  

I also would like to use this opportunity to notify you that if you test positive for COVID-19, different treatment options may be suitable for you. For example, the anti-viral (COVID-19) treatment Paxlovid is available at Sault Tribe Health Center, St. Ignace Tribal Health Center, Manistique Tribal Health Center and Munising Tribal Health Center. This medication may help you recover from COVID-19 faster or prevent you from becoming seriously ill. Paxlovid is prescribed after a patient has tested positive for COVID-19, when it is appropriate for the patient and within five days of symptoms’ onset. In addition to COVID-19 Ag test, blood work maybe required in order for your provider to make an informed decision about the prescription or to select proper dose of Paxlovid. 

Monoclonal antibody treatment (mAB) could be an option as well. It is approved for emergency use in non-hospitalized adults and pediatric patients who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms or the need for hospitalization. Monoclonal antibody treatment may be given as an infusion or a series of injections. You must have a referral from your Provider to receive this treatment. It is available in the Emergency Rooms of local hospitals. 

Second Booster

REMINDER: COVID (Pfizer) Drive-Thru vaccination events today, Monday, May 16, at Sugar Island Community Center (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and Kinross Rec Center (2-4 p.m.)

Open to Tribal members, spouses and Sault Tribe employees. No appointment needed. Questions call 906‑632‑5259.

The Sault Tribe Enrollment Department is now open full time Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The department would like to thank everyone for their patience during the closure.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting beginning 5 p.m. on May 17 at the Sault Kewadin Casino, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96906911516.

Members who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again unless they have a matter for the board.

“Matters Raised by the Membership” will be held at 4 p.m. in person or by virtual attendance. The link is available Sault Tribe website under membership assistance for the meeting link and Membership Form that must be completed. The deadline to submit a form is 3 p.m. on meeting day. The link is https://zoom.us/j/96906911516.

Resolutions on the agenda: Partial Waiver, GLRI Aquatic Invasive Species, Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, Contract Award – CRRSAA Funds Manistique HC, ARPA Fund – Unit 1 Homeless Shelter, ARPA Fund – Unit 2 Housing, ARPA Fund – Unit 2 Cultural and Recreation Project, Recruitment/Retention of Health Provider Position, and Expenditures of Tribal Funds.

Under New Business, the board will consider Committee Actions, Special Advisory Election and Board Concerns.

May 17 Meeting Resolutions

At its May 10 meeting, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors unanimously declared the referendum petition regarding Res. 2022-90 invalid.

The Sault Election Committee reviewed the referendum petition forms and noted probable non-compliance with Section 12.106(2)of the Referendum Ordinance. This ordinance states: “…The petition shall bear the name and address of each signatory in legible form. The name and address of the person circulating the petition shall also be included.”

This is the same legal requirement for nomination petitions, in which each petition must state “the name of the person circulating the petition on all nomination petitions.” As an example, petitions with signatures from different states all signed on the same day could not have been witnessed by the petition’s circulator, making those signatures invalid.

As a result of these findings, the Election Committee recommends to the board the petitions be considered invalid.

Please see the attached opinion for further details.

Referendum Opinion Letter

The Circle of Life Program will run Tuesday, June 21, through Thursday, July 28, 2022, except for the week of July 4. the program is for Grades 3-8 and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (hours may adjust for traveling time)

Come enjoy learning more about the Native American Heritage as you experience a lot of fun summer activities!

To register please contact Terri at 906‑253‑1321 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Lisa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Circle of Life 2022 Flyer