Newsroom

The Kewadin Casino Gaming Authority will meet Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at the Sault Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again.

On the agenda is: Dec. 2, 2025, Meeting Minutes, R-FY26 Kewadin Budget Document, and R-FY26 Kewadin Capital Expenditures.

Agenda

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for Jan. 27, 2026, is the following: 10 a.m. Budgets (CLOSED); 10:10 a.m. Kewadin Gaming Authority Workshop (CLOSED) Inc. Capex and Marketing Budgets; 11:30 a.m. (or upon completion of KGA WS) Kewadin Gaming Authority Meeting; 1 p.m. Health FY26 Budget Reviews and CEO Executive Report (CLOSED); and 3:30 p.m. Proposed Constitution Amendment Discussion.

The workshop is being held at the Sault Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room. Tribal members may attend the workshop except for closed sessions or items, or attend by Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

Agenda

See the attached Conservation Committee Meeting 2026 Calendar. Conservation Committee meetings are held once a month on a Monday. All meetings of the Conservation Committee are scheduled to coincide with the CORA Board meeting listed. For further information, please call Lona Stewart (ext. 26338) or Samuel Derusha (ext. 26337) at the Administration Office: 800‑793‑0660 or 906‑635‑6050.

2026 Calendar

JKL Fiduciary Committee meetings are held once per month on a Tuesday. They are open to Sault Tribe members, in-person or via Zoom. Notice of meeting agendas will be posted on Sault Tribe’s website along with the Zoom link each month. For further information, please contact Lona Stewart (ext. 26338) or Samuel Derusha (ext. 26337), via email, or at the Administration Office: 800‑793‑0660 or 906‑635‑6050.

2026 Calendar

Starting Feb. 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will implement a new program called "TSA ConfirmID." This program allows passengers who do not present acceptable identification to verify their identity at checkpoints for a $45 fee.

Important Information for Tribal Citizens: The TSA wants to ensure all travelers are aware that photo identification cards issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Indian tribe, including enhanced tribal cards, are acceptable forms of identification. Passengers presenting these forms of tribal ID are exempt from the $45 fee and will proceed to security screening as usual.

Acceptable Forms of Identification include:
– U.S. passport or passport card
– U.S. Department of Defense ID
– DHS trusted traveler card
– Photo ID issued by federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe
– Enhanced tribal cards
– REAL ID/enhanced driver's license

Additionally, travelers with disabilities or medical conditions can request assistance by contacting the TSA Cares helpline (855‑787‑2227) at least 72 hours prior to their flight.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is entering the design phase of its Community Wayfinding Project and we’re inviting tribal members to share artwork, symbols, and imagery for consideration.

Submit ideas to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
JPG, PNG, or PDF only

Submissions will serve as inspiration and may help inform the visual direction of the project’s branding and signage.

Miigwech for your voice and vision!

Flyer

Kewadin Casino St. Ignace is kicking off their 37th Anniversary with Joe Nichols LIVE, presented by Big Country 102.9, in the Event Center on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Award-winning Grammy nominee Joe Nichols is kicking off Kewadin Casino St. Ignace's anniversary with all his classic hits and crowd favorites along with incredible new music from 2024's Honky Tonks and Country Songs and more!

Pre-sale will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 21, at 10 p.m. On sale Friday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. at tickets.kewadin.com or at the Box Office.

Sign up for pre-sale here: https://kewadin.com/entertainment/pre-sale-sign-up/.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting Jan. 20, 2026, beginning 5 p.m. at Sault Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761.

“Membership Participation” will be held at 5 p.m. in person or by virtual attendance. The link is available at the Sault Tribe website saulttribe.com under membership assistance for the meeting link and Membership Form that must be completed. The deadline to submit a form is 1 p.m. on meeting day. The link is https://zoom.us/j/83640619761. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again unless they have a matter for the board.

To attend the scheduled workshop, except for closed session or items, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again.

On the agenda under Resolutions is:
Nature Conservancy Establish FY 2026 Budget
Authorize 2025 Year-End Budget Reconciliation
Amend 2012-103 Extension of Tobacco Cessation
Accept 2026 MILEAP Out-of-School Time Grant
Award Generator Maint. to Wolverine Power
MSHDA LIH Tax Credit Application
Land Lease to Sault Tribe Housing Authority
Waiver of Immunity - BS&A Software
Waiver of Immunity – Central Savings Bank
USDA – Request to Transition to Standard USDA Forms and Contracts
DHS and ICE Enforcement on Tribal Lands
Approving JKL High School Expansion Plan
Approving Review of Long-Term 2% Agreements
Use of Tribal Vehicles by BoD and Employees
Use of Camera Policy for Remote Attendance
Add Mackinac Band to Draft Amended Constitution

Under New Business, the board will consider Committee Resignation, and Board Concerns.

Resolutions

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Notice of Election
January 14, 2026

Attached is the Sault Tribe Notice of Election for the tribe’s 2026 Election.

2026 Notice of Election

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The following statement was issued by Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes in response to recent aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.

“The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians strongly condemns recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities that have created fear, confusion, and anxiety within Indigenous communities and among minority communities more broadly. Enforcement actions that rely on intimidation and racial profiling undermine public trust and place innocent people at risk.

“Let me be clear: the Sault Tribe opposes any ICE activity that creates fear and anxiety in both tribal communities and larger communities as a whole. No one should feel unsafe in their neighborhood, workplace, or homeland because of how they look, the language they speak, or the country they were born in.

“Recent incidents involving the unlawful detention of tribal citizens from federally recognized tribal nations are deeply troubling and unacceptable. Tribal citizens are members of sovereign governments. These actions disregard tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between tribal nations and the United States.

“In light of these events, I encourage all Sault Tribe citizens to remain safe and be proactive by knowing their rights and taking the following precautions:

“First, tribal citizens concerned about potential encounters with ICE are encouraged to carry their tribal identification card or a copy of their degree of Indian blood, along with a state-issued ID at all times. Tribal identification affirms tribal citizenship and political status and establishes your identity as a member of a federally recognized tribal nation and as a United States citizen.

“Second, if you are harassed, stopped or detained by ICE, remain calm. You have the right to remain silent and the right to ask to speak with an attorney. Do not sign anything ICE gives you. As a tribal citizen, you cannot be deported. ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge, and you are within your rights to ask them to identify themselves as ICE agents with proper documentation.

“Third, if you are detained, or if a family member is detained, I strongly encourage you to state, ‘I am a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized tribal nation. Under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, all Native American people born within the territorial limits of the United States are recognized as U.S. citizens by birthright. I am both a tribal citizen and a U.S. citizen. Therefore, ICE has no lawful authority to detain me.’

“In addition, I encourage you to contact the National Immigration Detention Hotline at 866-376-FREE (3733) (for family/friends) or use 9233# from an ICE phone and also call our tribal Legal Department at (906) 635-6050. Timely legal assistance is critical, and no tribal citizen should navigate these situations alone. The Sault Tribe remains readily available to work with officials to provide enrollment documentation and otherwise work towards the release of any tribal citizen who is illegally detained by ICE.

“The Sault Tribe stands in solidarity with other tribal nations and with minority communities who have been impacted and targeted by enforcement actions that rely on fear rather than fairness. We will continue to assert our inherent tribal sovereignty, protect our citizens, and speak out against actions that violate the human rights and dignity of Indigenous people and minorities who are unjustly targeted.”