Newsroom

Elder Services is still OPEN during renovations. Please use the Gaming/Enrollment entrance to access the building for lunch or any other business you may have. Thank you for your patience as the finishing touches are put on the exterior renovations of the Nokomis-Mishomis Building.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting beginning 5 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Sault Kewadin Casino, 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:

School Fiduciary Committee FY26 Budget Mod
BIA Forestry Funds FY25 Budget Mod
Black Tern and Mudpuppy Est. FY25 Budget
Coastal Wetland Monitoring Est. FY25 Budget
Invasive Species Surveillance Est. FY26 Budget
Manoomin Habitat Suitability Est. FY26 Budget
Manoomin Restoration Est. FY25 Budget
Authorize PFAs and NTN Water Quality Testing
Application to 2025 WNS Grants to States/Tribes
Apply to Combined CAA 103 and SIRG Grant
MIEA Elder Appointments
Mackinac Co. Winter Maint. Coop Agreements
Award Windemuller Surveillance Contract
Health Lease Agreement with R&G Enterprises
Grant Authority to Update Titles/Names in Policies
Rescind Calling Card Policy
Rescind Communication Policy
Rescind Pager Policy
Amend Remote Work Policy
Amend Child Protection Background Policy
NCAI 2025 Convention Delegates/2026 Dues
Land Lease Modification – Osborn
Land Lease – Lackey
BIA Right of Way Roads
BIA Right of Way Utilities
Authorize Entering Sackler Opioid Settlements
Out of State Board/Chair Travel

Under New Business, the board will consider:
Relinquishment
Committee Appointments
Tribal License Plates
Board Concerns

Agenda

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —There will be a JKL Fiduciary Committee Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Kewadin Casinos 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.

On the agenda under School Reports is: Sault Tribe Education, JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School high school update and funding request, and Malcolm High School.

Agenda

JKLFC 2025 Schedule

Feeding America West Michigan drive-thru mobile pantry, Thursday, Oct. 9, at Big Bear Arena, 2 Ice Circle Drive in Sault Ste. Marie. Distribution will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. or until all food has been given out.

Mobile Pantries are like farmers markets on wheels that provide groceries – including produce, protein, dairy, grains, and more – to anyone in need at no charge.

When coming to the distribution, turn onto Bahweting Drive (off of Shunk Road). Do not block driveways.

In order to pick up food for a household other than your own, you must have written permission with signature that includes: household name and address, how many people live in the household, how many are children, how many are senior citizens/elders and how many are veterans. Limit of two proxy pickups per vehicle for distribution.

To volunteer, email Elaine Clement at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Volunteers should start arriving at the Big Bear entrance at 2:30 p.m.

To find food resources near you visit https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/.

Mobile Pantry Flyer

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors, through Resolution 2025-164, has requested the tribe’s Legal Department to create a “Pro and Con” list of each type of separation of powers and a survey for board approval to send to the membership. The Election Commission will be sending out this memo and survey asking you, as a tribal member, to vote on the type of separation of powers you would want in a constitutional amendment. It will be handled through our election process and will be mailed mid-October to all Sault Tribe members 18 years and older.

The survey results will be counted by the Election Commission in mid-November and the Board of Directors will use the data gathered from the surveys to guide the next steps toward constitutional reform of the Sault Tribe Constitution.

A successful separation of powers requires that each branch of government be permitted to exercise its duties without undue interference from the other branches of government. It is important for the tribe and its citizens to thoroughly analyze the different ways to structure its government for the benefit of an efficient government and one that works for its citizens and not against it. The Legal Department Pros and Cons memo is attached below. This memo is not exhaustive and tribal members are encouraged to do their own research to make the most informed decisions.

The Sault Tribe Legal Department can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if any tribal members have any comments, questions, or concerns

Memo

The following Sault Tribe Committees have vacant seats or upcoming vacancies. Sault Tribe members interested in filling these vacancies should submit one letter of intent and three letters of recommendation (forms available online or contact Lona/Ashlee) from other members to Lona Stewart at 523 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or call 906‑635‑6050 with any questions.

Anishinaabe Cultural Committee - Two vacancies - males (One 4-year term, one term expires July 2028)
Child Welfare Committee - One vacancy (4-year term)
Elder Advisory Committee
Unit I - Sault - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit II - Newberry - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit III - St. Ignace - Two alternate vacancies (4-year term)
Unit V - Marquette - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Elder Subcommittees
Unit I - Sault - One alternate vacancy, term expires November 2027
Unit II - Hessel - Two regular vacancies, one term expires April 2027, one term expires August 2026, one alternate vacancy – term expires May 2027
Unit II - Naubinway - Two regular vacancies - one term expires October 2026 and one May 2027
Unit III - St. Ignace - One regular vacancy - term expires April 2027, one alternate vacancy - term expires March 2028
Unit IV - Escanaba - One regular vacancy (4-year term)
Unit IV - Manistique - Two regular vacancies – one term expires November 2026, one term expires January 2027
Unit V - Munising - Two alternate vacancies (4-year term)
Unit V - Marquette - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Food Sovereignty Committee - Four vacancies (4-year terms); one vacancy, term expiring February 2027
Health Board - Three vacancies (4-year terms)
Higher Education Committee - One regular vacancy, term expiring August 2026
Housing Commission - One vacancy Unit 2 Seat, term expiring November 2026
Sault Tribe Election Commission - Two current vacancies, 5 upcoming vacancies (terms expire January 2026). 4 appointments will be 5-year terms, 3 seats will be 3-year terms. When submitting your letter of intent and recommendations, please include the length of term you are seeking.

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors will not be meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. The next scheduled board of directors workshop and meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Sault Ste. Marie. The notice for that workshop and meeting will be posted on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for Sept. 30, 2025, is the following:
10 a.m. Blue Stone Tribal Tax Presentation / Discussion (CLOSED), 1 p.m. Native American Honor Flight Presentation, 2 p.m. Governmental Human Resources Policy Amendments/ Rescissions Reviews, 3 p.m. Strategic Planning 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 

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. (or conclusion of the KGA meeting) on Sept. 25 at the Sault Kewadin Casino, 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 Resolutions is: Accept 2024 Governmental Audit, Approval of Agreement – JKLFC/SSMAPS, Health – FY25 BEMAR Projects, Waiver of Immunity MDHHS, Accept State Opioid Response 4 Funds, Auth. Chairman to Negotiate/Execute CCER Agreements, Auth. Change Signers – Flagstar Bank, Auth. Change Signers – Sovereign Bank, Auth. Change Signers – Soo Coop CU, Auth. Change Signers – Peoples State Bank, Auth. Change Signers – Nicolet National Bank, Auth. Change Signers – Huntington Bank, Auth. Change Signers – Central Savings Bank, Auth. Change Signers – PNC Bank.

Agenda

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for Sept. 23, 2025, is the following: 10 a.m. MIEA Appointment, 10:30 a.m. Elder Sub-Committee, 11 a.m. Human Resources (CLOSED), 1 p.m. Health Executive Report (CLOSED), 3 p.m. Election Commission Clear Ballot Implementation Update.

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