KINCHELOE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians recently acquired Shunk Rental Properties, located in Kincheloe, Mich., adding 87 rental properties to Sault Tribe’s property management company, DeMawating Development.

DeMawating Development paid the $1.9 million purchase price for the rentals, which will in turn generate new revenue.

“I want to thank our economic development director and express my appreciation for the Board of Directors’ vote to continue down the path to diversify our economic development,” Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment said. 

Payment added, “These rentals will complement our existing DeMawating rentals and increase our overall profitability in the long term.”

DeMawating is organized as an economic enterprise under the Sault Tribe’s EDC and has a long history of providing market driven affordable rental housing options to the local and surrounding communities. 

“The acquisition of the Shunk properties was approved by the Sault Tribe Board of Directors and facilitates the expansion and growth of the Tribes economic endeavors,” Economic Development Director Joel Schultz said. 

DeMawating Development and Shunk Properties have worked side by side in this acquisition to assure the acquired properties and tenants will integrate into DeMawating seamlessly. DeMawating Development looks forward to providing the existing Shunk tenants with the same level of customer service they are accustomed to from the Shunks. 

“We would to thank Mr. Spence Shunk and the Shunk Family for the opportunity to acquire the properties and for their work toward making the transition of ownership as smooth as possible,” Sault Tribe Real Estate Manager Brenda Jeffreys said. 

For information on available units and housing option, please contact DeMawating Development, 42 Wood Lake, Kincheloe, 906‑495‑2800.

Photo: Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment shakes hands with Spencer Shunk upon the purchase of Shunk Rental Properties (L-R) with Sault Tribe Unit II Director Keith Massaway looking on.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —A regular meeting of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will be held at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The meeting will be preceded by “Matters Raised by the Membership” from 4 to 5 p.m.

Resolutions on the agenda are EPA Water Quality, DeMawating Development, five Tribal Liquor License Casino resolutions, two Tribal Liquor License Midjim resolutions, three Trust Land Status resolutions, 2019 BIA GLRI Lake Whitefish Recruitment Bottleneck, 2019 BIA GLRI Lake Whitefish Experimental Rearing, 2019 BIA Hatchery Maintenance and Rehab, 2019 BIA Endangered Species Bizhiw (Canada Lynx), 2019 BIA Invasive Species Program, 2019 GLRI Invasive Species Management, 2019 GLRI Adaptive Fire Management Plan, 2019 BIA Circle of Flight-Manoomin Restoration, Tamarack Business Center, Srinergy Solar Project-Kewadin Sault, Srinergy Solar Project-Chi Mukwa, Srinergy Solar Project-Kewadin Shores, Appointment of Appellate Judge Feleppa, Appointment of Reserve Appellate Judge Finch, Appointment of Reserve Elder Appellate Judge Causley and Supporting Uniting Three Fires Against Violence.

Under New Business, the board will consider Trust Land Escanaba, Committee Request and Board Concerns.

January 22 Meeting Resolutions

Federal workers, tribal members, anyone affected by the federal government shutdown: the ALGER COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY is here for you and ready to help. Please pass this message along to your neighbors and friends.

We are located in Munising next to the Forest Service building and across the street from the Neenah Paper Company on H-58. If you need assistance, we are open Tuesday and Thursday, 12 to 4:30 p.m. or call Kim at 906‑387‑4795, Ruth Ann 906‑387‑3814.

Feeding America of West Michigan brings fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and baked goods to distribute to people in need on Jan. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the JKL Bahweting School, 1301 Marquette Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie.

Please bring boxes and bags to receive food.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. No early distribution. Please note that parking lots are not available until 4:15 p.m.

Please contact Kristen Corbiere at 906‑635‑5055, extension 122 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is a worldwide health observance week that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse.
 
All week long Jan. 22‑Jan. 28—Light the Town Red
During Drug & Alcohol Facts week, the Chippewa County Communities that Care (CTC) is encouraging businesses and residences to put a red light bulb in an outdoor fixture to help shine a light on substance misuse. 

Tuesday Talk – Jan. 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at Bayliss Public Library
Dr. Kevin Piggott
• Are you concerned about the opioid epidemic?
• Would you like to know more about the CDC's guidelines for pain management?
• How will Michigan's new prescribing guidelines affect patient care?
Join Chippewa County Communities that Care and Dr. Piggott for a discussion about the opioid crisis and what is being done nationally, state-wide and locally to address it.

Friday, Jan. 25—Wear Red for Substance Use Awareness
Celebrate the end of National Drug & Alcohol Fact week by wearing red to show support for substance abuse awareness.

Dress in red and show that Chippewa County is ready to take on substance abuse and create healthy community for our youth!

For more information on any Drug & Alcohol Facts week events, or for more information on Communities that Care, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 906‑635‑3636.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week Flyer

Keith Smith, traditional healer, availability for February.

Sault Ste. Marie - February 4, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and 27. Call Lori Gambardella at 906‑632‑0236 or Laura Collins-Downwind at 906-632‐5268 for program information.
 
Munising - Feb. 13 Call 906‑387‑4721 or 800‑236‑4705.

Hessel - Feb. 20. Call 906‑484‑2727.