SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on July 6, at the Sault Kewadin Casino Grand Island 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 under Presentation is: Certification of 2026 General Election Results.

Under New Business is: Election of Officers.

Agenda

Below are the **CERTIFIED** Results for the 2026 General Election. The Election Commission held the General Election count on June 25, 2026.

Unit 1:
Ashley Gravelle Robert McRorie

Unit 2:
Kimberly Lee

Unit 3:
Sue St. Onge

Unit 4:
Cole Goudreau

Unit 5:
Tyler LaPlaunt

Memo

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH - Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court has convicted Charles St. Andrew with four counts of child sexually abusive material or activity on May 27, 2026. The conviction follows a years-long interdepartmental investigation.

Tribal Code § 71.1811, Child Sexually Abusive Material or Activity, criminalizes a range of offenses involving child sexually abusive material, including its creation, distribution, possession, or intentional access.

St. Andrew, 39, was charged with 12 counts of child sexually abusive material or activity in violation of Tribal Code § 71.1811. St. Andrew pleaded no contest and was ultimately convicted of 4 of the 12 counts, with acknowledgement of 216 Child Sexually Abusive Images and 52 Child Sexually Abusive Videos.

Law Enforcement discovered the 216 Child Sexually Abusive Images and 52 Child Sexually Abusive Videos on St. Andrew’s computer that was seized during the execution of a search warrant. Among the images and videos, 57 child victims were identified, with the youngest being six weeks old.

St. Andrew is being sentenced to the maximum penalty under Tribal law which includes one year of incarceration, registration as a sex offender, and participation in a sexual offender/mental health examination while incarcerated.

This case was prosecuted by Sault Tribe Prosecutor Cassandra Ivonen with the assistance of Special Agent Todd Wilton of Homeland Security Investigations and Sault Tribe Law Enforcement.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians does not take lightly to the exploitation and perpetration of children on Tribal lands. Children are sacred and valued, and they are to be treated as such. Justice demands that those who prey on vulnerable infants, babies, and children are identified, prosecuted, and held fully accountable within the bounds of the law.

If you are a victim or know someone who is suffering, please reach out to Sault Tribe Advocacy Resource Center for help or to Sault Tribe Law Enforcement to report crimes that are committed against children. Sault Tribe Advocacy Resource Center can be reached by phone at 906‑632‑1808. Sault Tribe Law Enforcement can be reached by phone at 906‑635‑6065.

The Sault Tribe Enrollment Department is introducing a new, streamlined process for elders to claim their elder dividend check. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 1, 2026, an online application portal will be available. Elders will login and complete the process quickly and securely. Elder checks will be mailed in January 2027.

This new system is designed to reduce processing time, lower administrative costs, and make the application process more efficient. It will also help eliminate issues such as lost or delayed forms.

As the rollout approaches, updates and additional details will be shared in the tribal newspaper and online at www.saulttribe.com. 

For those who are unable to access the online portal, a paper application will continue to be mailed to the address we have on file.

If your address changes after submitting your application, whether online or by mail, you must contact the Enrollment Office to ensure your information is updated. Call 906 632 8552 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tribal members are invited to attend the 2026 Board of Directors Installation Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the Sault Ste. Marie Kewadin Casino Grand Ballroom.

—Oath of Office
—Presentation of Gifts
—Reception
—Election of Officers to follow Reception

For further information, please contact Lona or Samuel, 800‑793‑0660 or 906‑635‑6050.

2026 Board of Directors Installation

Due to ongoing technical difficulties, the ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’ email monitoring interested volunteers for the Secretarial Election Board may not have received emails sent from June 23 to today. If you have submitted a letter of intent to be on the Secretarial Election Board and have not received a confirmation email, please re-send your message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure your interest is received and logged properly. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent to be a part of the Secretarial Election Board is Friday, July 3.

The Sault Tribe is seeking one Tribal citizen from each of the five voting units and two at-large Tribal Citizen for the Secretarial Election Board. The board will oversee the upcoming election determining if membership will vote to adopt a three-branch government.

Selections will be made by drawing names from the list of interested Tribal citizens. The drawing is anticipated to take place by the July 7 Board of Directors meeting.

If you are interested in participating on the board, please submit your name, enrollment number, contact information, a letter of intent and the election unit in which you reside to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If selected, you will be expected to be able to attend in person meetings in Sault Ste. Marie.