The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reaffirms its support for restoring a safe and productive learning environment for the pupils of Lake Superior Academy during the Montessori’s ongoing litigation with a neighboring Bitcoin mining operation.

Nearly 100 students at Lake Superior Academy (LSA), many of whom are tribal members, learn in a hands-on learning environment that draws on their connection to nature. The Dafter Township school features an Outdoor Classroom where students in grades PreK-5 learn, grow, and explore in a natural setting.

In early 2025, a Bitcoin mining operation owned by the Odessa Partners moved onto the corner of the South Mackinac Trail and M-28 adjacent to LSA. The cryptocurrency mining takes place outdoors in six large metal pods that house massive computers calculating complex equations around the clock to unlock Bitcoins. One byproduct of the operation’s high energy consumption is a loud persistent buzzing noise that has disrupted LSA’s education methods, limiting students’ outdoor learning opportunities due to safety concerns.

“Rural areas across Indian Country are facing new challenges as Bitcoin mining facilities expand their operations,” Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes said. “The ongoing situation with Lake Superior Academy has already negatively impacted our community’s youth by disrupting the way the school functions. As a tribe, we owe it to our children to show our support for Lake Superior Academy.”

Over the years, the Upper Peninsula has become a hotspot for Bitcoin mining due to scarcely populated areas, lower-than-average energy costs, and easy access to water, which is needed to cool the computers.

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors encourages tribal members to show support for LSA by contacting the school to see how they can help. The tribe stands proudly behind LSA and opposes the nearby Bitcoin mining operation. The tribe hopes that a safe and productive learning environment is restored for the Montessori. For information on how to support LSA, visit the school’s website at lakesuperioracademy.com or call the school at (906)259-1168.