Newsroom

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting June 2, 2026, beginning 5 p.m. at Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace, Mich., 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:
Establish FY26 Budget Coronavirus Capital Project
Establish FY26 Budget NRD GLRI Ruffed Grouse
Establish FY26 Budget NRD GLRI Manoomin
Establish FY26 Budget Engage Ojibwe/Western Sciences
FY26 Budget Mod SAMSHA/3rd Party/Opioid
Health Authorization to Seek Funding
Health Approving A&E Contractor Selection
Health Sovereign Immunity Waiver IDS+A
NRD 2026 Back Bay Walleye Enhancement
Residential Land Lease Cancellation – Lackey
Residential Land Lease – Captain and Smith
Insurance Broker of Record
Amending Resolution 2024-137
Award Contract – Payne & Dolan
Authorization to Enter into USDA RUS Form 515

Under New Business is Committee Appointment/Resignation, Commercial License Transfer, Approving Funds for CORA Project, and Board Concerns.

Resolutions

The Housing Authority Commission will meet at 10 a.m., June 1, 2026, at the Housing Authority Office, 154 Parkside Drive, Kincheloe, Mich.

Please join Sault Tribe Language & Culture for a viewing with Sault Tribe citizens Adam & Zack Khalil featuring their documentary Aanikoobijigan (ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild).

Community Screening
July 2, 7 p.m. at Niigaanagiizhik Building, 11 Ice Circle Drive, Sault Ste. Marie

The Khalil brothers take us into the historical and present experiences of returning our ancestors and cultural items. The film features the Michigan Anishinaabek Cultural Preservation and Repatriation Alliance (MACPRA) and their stories of fighting for our ancestors. An informal community Q&A discussion will follow the screening. All are welcome to attend.

Dinner and refreshments will be provided.

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The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for May 26, 2026, is the following:

Agenda: 10 a.m. Budget (Closed), 10:15 a.m. Government HR/CEO/Legal (CLOSED), 11 a.m. Health CEO Executive Report (CLOSED), 1:15 p.m. Kewadin Gaming Authority Workshop (CLOSED), 2:15 p.m. Conservation Committee Docking Policy, 3:15 p.m. Legal Update (CLOSED).

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.

JKL Bahweting Anishinabe PSA is hosting the 30th anniversary Welcome Home Jiingtamok June 5 at 1301 Marquette in Sault Ste. Marie. Grand Entry is 1 p.m.

Emcee Cody: Jodoin
Head Veteran: Brett Blackwood
Arena Director: Josh Biron
Host Drum: Ogimaa Manisinoo
Head Female Dancer: Ch’giizhigong Shipman
Head Male Dancer: Brendan Shipman
Jr. Head Female Dancer: Poppy Solomon
Jr. Head Male Dancer: William Ruthruff

The powwow will take place on the track inside the fence. Bring your chair and water bottle.

Drums are welcome! Stipend available for drums with three or more singers. Contact Laura Bouschor at (906) 635-5055.

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The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors unanimously passed a landmark resolution in Marquette this evening, moving closer to establishing three co-equal branches of government and a formal separation of powers within the tribe’s government.

The resolution requests a secretarial election on proposed constitutional amendments and places the decision to update the tribe’s Constitution in the hands of Sault Tribe membership. There was one amendment to the resolution lowering the required votes the legislative branch needs to override the executive branch’s veto from a three-fourths majority to a two-thirds majority.

The resolution was brought forward after months of tribal input on amending the Constitution. In Fall 2025, the Sault Tribe Election Commission mailed a constitutional survey to tribal members. Results showed a majority of respondents supported amending the current Sault Tribe Constitution to establish a more defined system of checks and balances through co-equal legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution, along with Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations sections 81.7 and 81.19, establishes the process and timelines for amendments making foundational changes to the way the tribe is governed. 

Once the board submits its newly passed resolution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the agency must perform a technical review within 30 days and call the secretarial election within 90 days. During the review process, the BIA will work with the Sault Tribe to ensure the proper framework is in place for the proposed constitutional amendments.

The BIA will create a Secretarial Election Board that will administer the election process. Once the election is completed, the Secretary of the Interior will determine whether to approve the constitutional changes. 

Because the secretarial election is administered by the BIA rather than the Sault Tribe, eligible tribal members must specifically register for the election in order to receive a ballot. The BIA will provide additional information to membership regarding registration procedures and election timelines.

Ballots are expected to be mailed later this summer to eligible Sault Tribe members who register for the secretarial election. Members are encouraged to ensure their mailing addresses are current with Sault Tribe Enrollment in order to receive election materials and correspondence from the BIA in relation to the election.

Further information on the secretarial election process will be available soon on saulttribe.com.

Following recent changes to Tribal Court, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians assures members that the tribe’s judicial system will continue to operate lawfully and fairly.

During this transitional period, Tribal Court is temporarily staffed by experienced court and legal trained professionals. In addition, three independent and respected Anishinaabe judges are managing and overseeing the court cases. Each judge brings a significant experience working in tribal communities and tribal courts to the bench.

To best assist the tribal community, the Sault Tribe suggests all members follow the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians on Facebook and saulttribe.com for updates to hours of operation for Tribal Court.

While the Tribal Court continues efforts to strengthen judicial operations, the Sault Tribe reminds community members that all confidential information is being handled with the utmost care. Court Administrator/Magistrate Traci Swan is providing assistance during this time to ensure Tribal Court duties are fulfilled prior to her resignation later this month.

Multiple qualified Native American candidates have expressed interest in vital court roles such as Chief Tribal Judge and Court Administrator/Magistrate. These positions will remain open until filled. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit saulttribe.exacthire.com to view openings.

As changes occur within the Tribal Court, the Sault Tribe encourages members to seek information from official tribal communication channels to avoid confusion and conflicting information caused by politically charged rhetoric and misinformation. Maintaining the integrity of the court is of paramount importance to the Sault Tribe. Up-to-date information can be found on the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Facebook page and on saulttribe.com.

Tribal Court
Friday, May 8: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday, May 11: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13: Closed for American Indian Day
Thursday, May 14: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*Please note that no one will be available for the hours of 11:30-12:30 daily. Hours are subject to change.

Sault Tribe Language & Culture presents "The Seven Generations & Seven Grandfather Teachings" with Special Guest Speaker James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw.

This talk will present the traditional teachings of the Anishinaabeg as a means of developing interconnectedness and interdependence. The seven grandfather teachings, the sacred law of the Anishinaabeg, show us how to lead Mino-bimaadiziwin, “the good life,” a life of without contradiction or conflict, a life of peace and balance.

Thursday, June 11, 6-8 p.m.
Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building
11 Ice Circle Drive
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided!
Questions? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 906‑635‑6510.

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Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie is bringing you a night of Rock with Switchfoot and Anberlin presented by Rock 101 on Friday, Oct. 9.

Hitting the DreamMakers Theater for the first time, Switchfoot is bringing nearly three decades of timeless music, including "Meant to Live" and "Dare You To Move," along with music from their first record in five years, Forever Now, due June 26. Opening the night is Anberlin, an Alt Rock band that is also playing the DreamMakers Theater for the first time!

Tickets are on sale now at tickets.kewadin.com or at the Box Office.

Switchfoot and Anberlin Hotel Packages are Available. Call the Sault Ste. Marie Hotel or Box Office at 1-800-KEWADIN before buying tickets.
-One-night stay in a newly renovated room at Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie Hotel
-Two tickets to Switchfoot and Anberlin
-$20 Kewadin Credits per person
$369.20
*Once booked, a non-refundable deposit of $182 USD is due at the time of booking for tickets. Package is based on double occupancy, night of the show, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Value of the tickets is $91 USD per ticket.

Switchfoot VIP Packages
-One premium reserved ticket
-Pre-Show Acoustic Performance with Switchfoot
-Q&A Session with Switchfoot
-Group photograph with Switchfoot
-Set List autographed by Switchfoot
-Specially designed Switchfoot merchandise bundle
-Commemorative VIP laminate & lanyard
-Early entry (where applicable)
-Limited availability
$191 

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting May 19, 2026, beginning 5 p.m. at the Marquette Tribal Community Center in Marquette, Mich., 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:
FY 2027 Budget Document 001
NRD Air Program Development
Intern Program and Third-Party Revenue
Higher Education and Third-Party
Revenue Health Sault Optical and Third-Party Revenue
Tribal Court FY 2026 Budget Modification
Approving MOU Bark River – Harris School
Approving MOU Rudyard Area Schools
Approving MOU Les Cheneaux Community Schools
Rescinding Resolution 2023-102
Long-Term 2% to Newton Township
USDA RUS Form 515 Construction Contract
Federal Clearance Requirements for STI
Accept Resignation of Appellate Judge
Amended Constitution Submission for a Secretarial Election
Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining
Carbon Capture and Subsurface Land Use

Under New Business is Board Concerns.

Resolutions