Newsroom

Tribal members are invited to attend the 2024 Board of Directors Installation on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m., Sault Ste. Marie Grand Ballroom, Kewadin Casino—Oath of Office, Presentation of Gifts, Reception. Election of officers to follow reception.

For further information, please contact Lona or Ashlee, (800) 793-0660 or (906) 635-6050.

The Sault Tribe Election Commission is advising tribal members that Unit 1 candidate Joanne Pavlat-Carr has requested a vote recount per the authority provided in Tribal Code Chapter 10, 10.122 (1)(a), which states: Any candidate may request a recount of the tabulation of Votes in any primary or general election provided: (a) the margin between the requesting candidate’s vote total and vote total for an unofficial winner was within two percent (2%) of the total votes for the office being sought or fifty (50) votes, whichever is greater.

Candidate Pavlat-Carr’s request falls within these parameters and the requested recount will occur on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. during the Special Election Commission meeting already called and noticed.

Unofficial results of the Sault Tribe General Election just concluded are:
Chairman: Austin Lowes
Unit 1: Michael McKerchie, Kimberle Gravelle, Aaron Payment
Unit 2: Lana Causley
Unit 3: Bridgett Sorenson
Unit 4: Larry Barbeau

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 July 2 at the 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 Sault Tribe website 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.

On the agenda under Resolutions is: Govt - Sault Tribe Thrive FY24 Budget Mod, Natural Resources Water Resources Program FY24/25 Budgets, ACFS Suppl. FVPSA Mitigation Grant FY24 Budget Mod, Amending Enterprise Budget Policy, Amending Governmental Budget Policy, FY 2025 Schedule B Document 002, Partial Waiver of Convictions for Mr. Wade Thibert, Natural Resources Division Stewardship of Sugar Island Parcels, Natural Resources Division Name, Authorization to Enter into Contract for Bathroom Remodel at JKL School, Authorization to Enter into Contract for Storage Building at JKL School, Timekeeping Replacement Project #23-133, Transportation – Award Contract Bacco St. Ignace Casino, Approval of Agreement with Luna Locum LLC, FY24 Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages, FY24 Community Development Block Grant Program Application for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages, ARPA Funded Home Replacement Program Amendment #2, OHTE Award Contract McGahey Phase II, Adopt 2023 Compensation Study/Recommendations (Housing), Adopt Classification/Compensation Study for Health, Open Bank Account with Sovereign Bank to Manage SSBCI, Rescind Res. 2023-43 USDHUD FY22 IHBG-C $1.5 Million Leveraged Match, Approving Tribal Code Chapter 104: Nuisance Code, Rescinding Resolution 2024-179 and Approving Viejas Project, STI Charter Board Appointment Approval, STI Charter Board Appointment Approval, Transfer of White Pine Lodge from EDC to Kewadin, Directing Committees to Update Bylaws to Promote Inclusiveness of all Members and Amending Resolution 2024-82 Tribal Hub Recommendations.

Under New Business, the board will consider Key Employees, Conservation Committee Requests and Board Concerns.

July 2 Meeting Resolutions

The Sault Tribe Election Commission has called a special meeting for Monday, July 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the Whitefish Point Room at Kewadin Casinos in Sault Ste. Marie for the purpose of considering any contests submitted by the contest deadline. Attached is the agenda.

The commission members also agreed to change their July 17 meeting to July 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Whitefish Point Room at Kewadin Casinos in the Sault.

Meetings of the Sault Tribe Election Commission are open to tribal members, in person or via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84867001733, for view-only attendees.

Election Commission Meeting Agenda

A benefit and silent auction are being held July 27 for Dwight Frazier, who has multiple myeloma.

This is to help with treatments and travel expenses.

July 27, 2024, 3-7 p.m., at Naubinway pavilion.
—Luncheon will be served with donations.
—50/50 tickets
—Silent auction

Auction contacts: Karen Frazier, 906‑477‑6294, or Brenda Frazier, 906‑360‑0767

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for June 25, 2024, is the following:

Closed Morning Session: Budgets (modifications, proposed policy update, Schedule B budgets), Executive Reports (Casino and EDC). Afternoon Session: Executive Reports – Casino/EDC (CLOSED), MERS STYF (CLOSED), 2 p.m. Partial Waiver, 2:15 p.m. STI Charter Review, 3:15 DRAFT Code of Ethics Review.

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.

Agenda

On June 19, 2024, the Election Commission did an audit of the late returned ballots and the ballots returned to the tribe as undeliverable. This audit was to determine whether there were any white, non-conforming or fraudulent ballots. There were approximately 300 late return ballots as well as a number of undeliverable ballots. These ballots were audited during an open session of the Election Commission with the support of law enforcement using protocols to preserve any evidence. The audit resulted in one white ballot that was from a correctional facility that appeared to be a photocopy with no watermark. Law Enforcement took possession of the white ballot for processing and will provide the Election Commission with a report detailing any findings. Based on the audit results today and based on the findings of the Election Commission on Primary Election tabulation night, to date, a total of seven white ballots were discovered to have been returned to the tribe. All seven appear to be photocopies of the ballots and are considered spoiled ballots by law. Based on the evidence uncovered, there does not appear to be a widespread issue of white, non-conforming, or fraudulent ballots that were returned during the Primary 2024 Election. You can reach the Election Commission at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you,
Election Commission

The following Sault Tribe Committees have vacant seats. 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 - Nine vacancies - five males (4-year term), four females (4-year term)
Child Welfare Committee - Two vacancies (4-year term); One vacancy - term expires November 2026; One vacancy - term expires January 2027
Health Advisory Board - Two vacancies (4-year term); One vacancy - term expires April 2027
Housing Commission/Utility Authority - Two vacancies - One for Unit 3 and One for Unit 1 (4-year term)
Special Needs/Enrollment Committee - (2-year term)
Unit I - One vacancy
Unit II - Two vacancies
Unit III - Two vacancies
Unit IV – One vacancy
Elder Advisory Committee
Unit I - Sault - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit II - Newberry - One regular vacancy, one alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit II - Naubinway - One regular vacancy (4-year term)
Unit III - St. Ignace - One regular vacancy, two alternate vacancies (4-year term)
Unit V - Marquette - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Elder Subcommittees
Unit I - Sault - One alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit IV - Escanaba - Two regular vacancies, one alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Unit V - Munising - Two alternate vacancies (4-year term)
Unit V - Marquette - One regular vacancy, one alternate vacancy (4-year term)
Food Sovereignty Committee - Two vacancies - one expiring February 2025, one expiring February 2027
Wequayoc Cemetery Committee - Two vacancies. Only Sault Tribe members who have a family member buried in this cemetery are eligible for membership on this committee (4-year term)

The Sault Tribe Election Commission is holding its next regularly scheduled meeting on June 19, 2024. All meetings are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held in the Whitefish Point Room at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie. Meetings of the Sault Tribe Election Commission are open to tribal members, in person or via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84867001733, for view-only attendees.

Election Commission Meeting Agenda