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 Jan. 18 at the Sault Kewadin Casino, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/96906911516.

“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: ARC - Shift Differential Policy; Budget Mod: Health - HRSA COVID Funding; Budget Mod: ACFS - Victim’s Assistance; Open Bank Acct. - ARC; Contract Approval COMP ONE; Trust Land Lease - Thibert/VanDyke and Authorizing Temporary Management Agreement Sault Tribe Inc.

Under New Business, the Board Concerns.

January 18 Meeting Resolutions

Sault Tribe's Marquette USDA distribution for January has been rescheduled for Jan. 28. The USDA office can be reached at 906‑635‑6076 or 888‑448‑8732.

Due to the amount of misinformation provided to a few local news outlets, members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors wish to publicly address the recent censure of Chairperson Payment.

On Jan. 4, 2022, at a duly called meeting of the board, the board took action on the (properly noticed) agenda item, Conduct of the Chairperson. The following action was approved by a 10-2 positive majority tribal board vote:
—The Sault Tribe Board of Directors finds that the Tribal Chairperson, Aaron Payment, has:
—Violated his duty to create an environment that fosters respect and dignity;
—Violated his duty to maintain an environment free of harassment and intimidation;
—Intimidated, harassed, and publicly attacked employees;
—Continually committed malicious public attacks upon tribal members;
—Violated the Medical Privacy and Procedures of Individual Tribal Members;
—Violated Resolution 2012-222 Privacy of Board Member Phone and Computer Records;
—Breached /Released confidential information, violating Tribal Code, Chapter 96;
—Campaigned prior to the Notice of Election pursuant to Tribal Code, Chapter 10; and
—Violated tribal Resolution 93-123 Code of Professional Conduct.

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors hereby:
—Censures Aaron Payment, Tribal Chairperson;
—Publicly notices the Tribal Board of Directors has NO CONFIDENCE in the Tribal Chairperson;
—Removes the Chairperson from any/all internal committees (with the exception of those established in Tribal Code) and external committees that are a result of the Tribes;
—Membership within their respective organizations. Notice of which shall be provided by the Tribes Executive Director;
—Expressly and equivocally makes it know that the conduct of the Chairperson is not protected by the Tribe or any of the Tribes Sovereignty. The Chairperson, Aaron Payment is personally liable for his respective actions;
—Authorizes the Executive Director, with the assistance of the Tribes Legal Counsel, to contract and retain an external Firm to investigate and address the Conduct of the Tribal Chairperson; and
—Authorizes the Executive Director to implement all necessary Budget modifications administratively regarding the Firm.

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors has a duty to protect the assets of the tribe, which includes our tribal, team, and community members. The Sault Tribe Board of Directors wants to relay to its members, team members and community partners that we remain committed to our communities and will address the membership with the full details upon their conclusion.

We believe it in the best interest of our tribe that we do not comment any further on ongoing and active investigations. The chairperson’s actions have led to this decision and, contrary to other statements, his actions alone resulted in Tuesday’s censure.

For more information about the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, please visit www.saulttribe.com. 

On Monday, Jan. 17, Traditional Medicine will hold a Full Moon Ceremony for women at the Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building beginning 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held inside the Niigaanagiizhik building due to cold temperatures.

Women should not be on their moon time. Please bring a skirt and a small cup, copper if possible, for the water ceremony. Social distancing will be maintained for COVID safety.

Any questions, please contact Lori Gambardella at 906‑632‑0236 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sault Tribe is requesting all residents (tribal and non-tribal) to complete this Broadband Survey, which will provide the tribe with the information required to compete for federal funds for the St. Ignace and Kinross area to add and improve broadband connection to households and businesses.

Please complete the survey while directly connected to your home network router, and, if possible, please perform during peak internet times (5 - 7 p.m.).

If you are outside the area defined your responses are also welcome as it will help with future funding.

Anyone completing this survey with a valid Sault Tribe address will automatically be entered into a random drawing for one of 10 $50 gift certificates.

Sault Tribe Broadband Reconnect Survey (alchemer.com)

We strongly encourage your responses and thank you for your participation!

Sault Tribe Traditional Medicine Program
2022 February Clinic Hours
Any questions, please call the Traditional Medicine Program, 906‑632‑0236.

Gerard Sagassige
Sault Ste. Marie Health Center
Feb. 1, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 and 28
906‑632‑0236 Lori Gambardella

Manistique Health Center
Feb. 2
906‑341‑8469 or 866‑401‑0043

St. Ignace Health Center
Feb. 8
906‑643‑48689 or 877‑256‑0135

Hessel Community Center
Feb. 15
906‑484‑2727

Munising Health Center
Feb. 22
906‑387‑4721 or 800‑236‑4705

 Traditional Medicine Program February clinics