SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —A special meeting of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will be held at the Sault Kewadin Casino starting at 10 a.m. on July 14.

There will be a presentation on 2020 Negotiations.

Resolutions on the agenda are Budget Mods: Federal Cares Act – Enterprise and Casinos, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Grant, and Sault Walk-In Clinic; Lease Agreement Sault Tribe Inc.; Sault Tribe Online Gaming Management Board Appt.; and Waiver of Immunity/ Right to Exclude 3 Mile Property.

Under New Business, the board will consider Education Director and Board Concerns.

Resolutions July 14, 2020

The Celebration of Life ceremony for Joseph “Joe” Menard scheduled for July 11 at Niigaanagiizhik has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic until further notice. The family would like to express a warm heartfelt “Chi Miigwech” to all who have helped, expressed condolences, sent cards/gifts/flowers or have just been there for them.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors approved a direct services program July 6 to help tribal members. It will be funded with $3.5 million in Covid-19 CARES Act monies.

Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment said, on behalf of the Board of Directors, “We have worked hard with other tribes and national organizations to secure $8 billion in the CARES Act to benefit tribes impacted by COVID19. Our Administration and Board are working hard to fashion tribal benefits in accordance with federal statues and guidelines. Unfortunately, tribes are held to a higher standard than state governments, so determining a spending plan is complex. We are clear, however, that federal guideline DO NOT permit a per capita type distribution."

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians COVID-19 Direct Tribal Member Assistance Program will provide emergency financial assistance to Sault Tribe members through the tribe’s Anishnaabek Community and Family Services. The program will provide $3.5 million of financial assistance to help Sault Tribe members meet necessary expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19.

In accordance with US Department of Treasury guidance, financial assistance disbursed to tribal members is only to be used for expenses such as medical, housing, personal property, food, transportation, funeral and similar direct member needs incurred as a direct result of COVID-19. Every adult enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe age 18 and over residing in the seven-county service area who has encountered COVID-19 financial hardships is eligible to submit the Direct Member Assistance Program Application. Only one grant will be awarded to each tribal member family household. Applicants may be required to submit documentation to evidence a COVID-19 related financial hardship.

"Our collective goal to provide relief from the pandemic in accordance with our tribal strategic plan," Payment said. "While our allocation was significant, our service area population for which the funds were based is large. Our priority is to meet the needs of our neediest and most impacted first."

Tribal members interested in applying can do so now by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling:
The ACFS toll free number, 800‑726‑0093;
Viola Neadow, Manistique ACFS, 906‑341‑6993;
Heidi Nesberg, Munising ACFS, 906‑387‑3906;
Angie Gillmore, St. Ignace ACFS, 906‑643‑8689;
Megan Miller, Sault Ste. Marie ACFS, 906‑632‑5250;
Maggie Gaus, Sault Ste. Marie ACFS, 906‑632‑5250

Aaniin/Hello, from all of us at the Sault Tribe Language and Culture Department. We know right now many things are still uncertain, and we still need to take precautions to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. We encourage each of you to continue to learn and live our Anishinaabe Biimaadiziiwin (Traditional Way of Life).

It is time for our annual Ogiimaa Manidokewin (Chief's Feast) here in Bahweting. This is the time that we celebrate and honor our leaders who came before us. We also pray for and honor our current leadership and acknowledge and pray for our future leaders during this ceremony.

Due to safety concerns, we will not be gathering for the Ogiimaa Manidokewin but the Language and Culture Department will light a Misho Shkode (Grandfather Fire) on behalf of all of our communities and make special offerings for our ancestors, those who lead our people presently, and those who will lead in the future. So that you may all still participate from your own homes, we encourage each of you to put out your own offerings of semaa/tobacco and food near a tree or other plant life anytime during the summer month of July. Some food suggestions you can use for offerings are berries, smoked fish, wild rice, wild game and vegetables.

Chi Miigwech (Thank you),

From the Sault Tribe Language and Culture Department

Ogiimaa Manidokewin Flyer

Until further notice, the Enrollment office will be closed to the public for walk-ins as of Tuesday, July 7.  We will have staff in the office answering the phones and processing all requests as usual, just no walk-ins. We are working our regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Any questions please call the Enrollment office at 906‑632‑8552.

Sault Tribe Board of Directors installation of officers (swearing in) and officer elections will occur at 6 p.m. tonight, July 7, at the Grand Ball Room in the Sault Kewadin Casino.

The event will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/SaultBOD.

In order to observe social distancing at a time while Chippewa County COVID-19 cases have increased from two to 12 in just over a week, this event will be open only to immediately family members of those who were just elected.

Family members must wear a mask when entering the building. Please enter at the main entrance on the Shunk Road (East) side of the building where your temperature will be checked. If you have an elevated temperature, you will not be permitted to enter the building.

We apologize for any inconvenience for those who otherwise wished to attend but the lives of our citizens are too important to put at risk. We appreciate your understanding.