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Wage increases will ensure tribal jobs are competitive with the job market, help with recruitment and retention

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Tribe Board of Directors announced today that it has unanimously approved the results of compensation studies for Tribal Government, Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and Kewadin Casino employees that will result in improved wages for all employees. This milestone reflects the Tribe’s commitment to recognizing the hard work, dedication and positive impact of its workforce.

“Tribe employees are our community, our family, and it’s important that we take care of each other,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes. “We are proud that the board’s unanimous decision will result in a base salary increase for hundreds of Sault Tribe employees to ensure that we are offering competitive wages based on the market rate for every position.”

Recommendations that will be implemented from the compensation studies include:
    • Pay Adjustments: All non-tipped employees will receive either an increase to the minimum of their updated compensation range or a 3% pay adjustment, whichever is greater.
    • Retroactive Pay: Employees will also receive retroactive pay for the period of October 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. These payments are expected to be distributed in January 2025.

One key wage adjustment will be increasing the minimum wage for tribal employees to $14.50 for government employees and to $15 per hour for EDC and Kewadin employees, which leaders expressed as vital to competing in today’s job market.

“From elder services to cultural program and natural resources and everything in between, our employees are integral to the work we do to serve and support the community,” said Sault Tribe Executive Director Christine McPherson. “Implementing the recommendations from the compensation studies demonstrates that we value our team and their contributions to our collective success.”

“This is positive step for the Tribe to be able to bring all team member wages to compete with what other employers in the market are offering. We really appreciate the guidance and work of our leadership who ensured that this initiative was successful,” said Dan Doyle, executive director of the Sault Tribe Economic Development Corporation

Kewadin Casino CEO Allen Kerridge said the board’s action to improve the tribe’s investment in talent attraction and retention will be a boost for the casino operations.

“The wage increases will change the game for our Tribe to provide a competitive wage in our market and ensures that we can recruit additional staff necessary to continue growing our businesses. Thank you to Sault Tribe leadership for making this happen,” said Kerridge.

All pay adjustments will take effect in January 2025. Tribal employees will be contacted by Human Resources to inform them of their specific pay adjustment.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Kewadin Casinos Gaming Authority will hold a meeting beginning 6 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Sault Kewadin Casino, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761, the same link used for Sault Tribe Board of Directors meetings. The link is available at the Sault Tribe website saulttribe.com under membership assistance for the meeting link. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again.

On the agenda under Business is:
i. 12.03.24 Minutes
ii. R-FY 2025 Kewadin Casinos Budget Document
iii. R-FY 2025 Kewadin Casinos Capital Expenditures
iv. R-Affirming Board of Directors Approval of 2024 Kewadin Compensation Study and Recommendations

Gaming Authority Meeting Agenda

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 Dec. 17 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.

On the agenda under Resolutions is: MOA Consolidated Community Schools, 2024 Hatchery Fish Health Inspections, Amend Interagency Agreement Natural Resources Facility, Approve Interagency Agreement Homeless Shelter, Authorize Contract – Door Project JKL Bahweting School, Trust Land Lease – Roush, Authorization to Purchase 2049 Ashmun and 2008 Tweed, LATCF Appropriation – Solar Development, Sault Lume Lease Revenue Transfer, Sault Tribe Government Compensation Study, Sault Tribe EDC Compensation Study, Kewadin Casinos Compensation Study, Approve Interagency Agreement – Compensation Study, Amend Res. 2024-158 for EDC Portion, Amend Res. 2024-158 for Casino Portion, and Establish Key Employee Review.

Under New Business is Board Concerns.

December 17 Meeting Agenda

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors meeting calendar for 2025:

Jan. 7 – Sault Ste. Marie
Jan. 21 – Sault Ste. Marie
Feb. 4 – Sault Ste. Marie
Feb. 18 – Sault Ste. Marie
March 4 – Sault Ste. Marie
March 18 – Sault Ste. Marie
April 1 – Sault Ste. Marie
April 15 – Manistique
May 6 – Sault Ste. Marie
May 20 – Sault Ste. Marie
June 3 – St. Ignace
June 17 – Sault Ste. Marie
July 1 – Sault Ste. Marie
July 15 – Detroit Area – TBD
Aug. 5 – Sault Ste. Marie
Aug. 19 – Sault Ste. Marie
Sept. 2 – Sault Ste. Marie
Sept. 16 – Munising
Oct. 14** – Sault Ste. Marie
Oct. 21 – Sault Ste. Marie
Nov. 4 – Sault Ste. Marie
Nov. 18 – Hessel
Dec. 2 – Sault Ste. Marie

Per the Constitution and Bylaws, Article 1 – Meetings of the Board of Directors, Section 1: …..provided that at least one meeting per year shall be held in each of the five election units established pursuant to Article V, Section 1 of the tribal constitution.

General meetings of the Board of Directors are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.

All general meetings start at 5 p.m. All Sault meetings will be held at the Kewadin Casino and Convention Center, other locations to be announced. Meetings with ** are changed to accommodate the Chair/Board attendance at MAST, NCAI, United Tribes, various Washington, D.C. meetings, and/or holidays.
All special meetings will be announced.

For further information please call Lona Stewart (ext. 26338) or Ashlee Mielke (ext. 26337) at the Administration Office: 800‑793‑0660 or 906‑635‑6050.

Board of Directors 2025 Calendar

Please see the amended 2024 board meeting calendar. An additional Dec. 17, 2024, meeting was added.

Board Calendar 2024

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for Dec. 6, 2024, is the following:

10 a.m., Proposed Constitutional Reform

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

Constitution Amendment Documents

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting beginning 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 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.

On the agenda under Resolutions is: Sanitation – BE 23 M98 FY 25 Budget Mod, Mental Health Counseling Establish FY24 Budget, Sault Tribe Opioid Response Grant Establish FY25 Budget, Family Spirit Grant – Establish FY25 Budget, Perinatal Opioid Use Establish FY25 Budget, Road to Wellness Grant Establish FY25 Budget, Health – Human Resources Establish FY25 Budget, BIA 2025-2028 Tribal Transportation Program TIP, Mackinac County Cooperative Agreement, US DOT FHA National Scenic Byways Program, US DOT FHA Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds, Trust Land Lease Cancellation – Dill, Trust Land Lease – Pitawanakwat, Trust Land Lease – Bosley, Contract Approval Appendio Inc. DBA CIP Reporting, Approving Contract Khoury Johnson Leavitt, Approving Contract Michelle Castagne, Approving Contract Sonosky  Chambers et al, Tribal Liquor License – Midjim Sault, Tribal Liquor License – Midjim St. Ignace, Tribal Liquor License – Kewadin Casinos Sault, Tribal Liquor License – Kewadin Christmas, Tribal Liquor License – Kewadin Manistique, Tribal Liquor License – Kewadin Hessel, Tribal Liquor License – Kewadin Shores, Tribal Liquor License – White Pine Lodge Christmas, Tribal Liquor License – Tanglewood Marsh Golf Course, Tribal Liquor License – Bear on the Mountain Golf Course, Sault Tribe Compensation Study Project #24-028, Sault Tribe EDC/Enterprise Compensation Study, Kewadin Casinos Compensation Study, Interagency Agreement – Natural Resources Facility, Interagency Agreement – Unit 1 – Housing, Interagency Agreement – Unit 1 – ARPA Trailers/Construction, Interagency Agreement – Unit 1 – Elder Facility Enhancements, Interagency Agreement – Unit 1 – Cemetery Enhancements, Interagency Agreement –, Unit 2 Hessel Community Center, Interagency Agreement – Unit 5 Marquette Community Center, Amend Interagency Agreement – Utility Authority, Amend, Interagency Agreement – Unit 3 – Housing, Amend Interagency Agreement – Unit 5 – Housing, Amend Res. 2023-103, 2022-142, 2022-143, Amend Unspent ARPA Funds from Res. 2024-46, 2021-167, Unallocate Unspent/Reappropriate ARPA Funds Res. 2022-188, Amend/Reappropriate ARPA Funds from Res. 2023-250, Amend Resolution 2024-255, LATCF Fund Appropriation Sault Tribe EDC, Allocate LUME Lease Revenue / Rescind Res. 2018-97, Approving Amendment – Verizon Wireless Land Lease, Authorize Gitchi to Open Additional Bank Account CSB, Indian Energy Unanimous Consent Interconnection Rights Sale, Limited Delegation of Authority to the Chairperson, and Amending Resolution 2024-45, Establish Key Employee Review, Requesting Technical Review from BIA for Constitution Amendments

Under New Business the board will consider Disenrollments, 2024 Board Calendar Amendment, 2025 Board of Directors Calendar, Key Employee and Board Concerns.

Resolutions

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors will be scheduling a series of open workshops to begin the review process of the proposed constitutional amendments brought forward at the Oct. 1, 2024, meeting. The documents as presented that day are available on the tribe’s website for member review. The first workshop session for this purpose has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Whitefish Point Room at the Sault Casino. Members may attend in person or via Zoom; please use the regular board of directors workshop Zoom link available on the website. If you have not submitted a form to attend board workshops and meetings via Zoom, please be sure to complete and submit that form.

Constitutional Amendment Workshop Documents 

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Dec. 2, 2024, workshop is a CLOSED SESSION. The agenda is the following: 10 a.m., FY 25 Casino and EDC Proposed Budget Reviews; 1 p.m., EDC Updates, and Enterprise Authority Code DRAFT Review.

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3ft by 5ft flags are $75
18-inch by 24-inch Fringe Banner is $25
Stick flags are $5.99
Shipping starts at $9.95

Please call 906‑632‑0530, Ext. 55012 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make a purchase. Or stop into the giftshop Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. to make an in-store purchase.