Sault Ste Marie Chippewa tribe leaders respond to a recent cyber attack that impacted government, casino, and service program computer systems. Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes stated a recent ransomware attack on the tribe’s computer system, on Sunday morning that affected computer and phone systems across the tribe including casinos, health centers, and various businesses. Lowes says the tribe had to temporarily close many departments, adding officials hope to resolve the issue within the week. All further communication will be available via the tribe’s Facebook page.
Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, the tribe’s leaders have been provided updates on the situation, and an investigation remains ongoing. The tribe says government services will stay open in a limited capacity until more services are available. The Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has provided a list of contact information for members in need of services, programs, or information. Find more information here.
Update on Tribal Services and Contact Information
Sault Tribe Administration – (906) 379-7216 or (906) 440-8108
Anishinaabek Community and Family Services
ACFS is fully operational at this time, including our Advocacy Resource Center, Family Services & Child Placement, Direct Services and USDA. Please contact the below numbers for Anishinaabek Community & Family Services:
(906) 440-6491 – ACFS Main
(906) 440-5780 – ACFS USDA
(906) 440-6492 – ACFS Lodge of Hope
(906) 440-6523 – ACFS – Kincheloe
(906) 440-6521 – ACFS – Manistique
Communications
Communications will continue to publish its monthly newspaper. To submit news, obituaries, accomplishments, etc., or request coverage, email baustin@saulttribe.net or sbrand@saulttribe.net. To sign up for the newspaper or update your address, email slucas@saulttribe.net. To purchase an ad, email jdale-burton@saulttribe.net.
Communications can be reached at (906) 440.6586.
Education
Education Services, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Center, and Youth Education & Activities are fully operational, please contact Sault Tribe Education at that the following:
(906) 440-6493 – Education Main / WIOA
(906) 440-5225 – Head Start / EHS / CCC – Sault
(906) 440-6512 – Head Start / EHS – St. Ignace
(906) 440-6584 – Education Higher Education
(906) 440-6570 – YEA Sault
(906) 440-6603 – YEA Hessel
(906) 341-3362 – Manistique
(906) 789-0972 – Escanaba
(906) 643-8500, ext. 173 – St. Ignace
(906) 440-1870 – Rudyard
(906) 387-1014 – Munising
Elder Services
Elder Services are fully operational at this time, including our meal programs, transportation to appointments, Home Health Tech visits, Outreach Worker visits, Medication deliveries (Sault Ste. Marie only) and all Elder Committee meetings. Members needing to submit for Elder Health Fund requests, should contact Elder Services. Elder Services can be reached at (906) 440-6537.
Enrollment
Enrollment is currently unable to print new membership cards. For questions, Enrollment can be reached at (906) 440-5839.
Enterprises
All Mid Jim locations will be temporarily closed. We will update this message once we there is reopen date available.
Mid Jim Sault – Closing at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2025
Mid Jim St. Ignace – Closing at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2025
Mid Jim Marquette – Closing at 11 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2025
Mid Jim Munising – Closing at 11 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2025
Please contact (906) 203-5111 for Mid Jim related questions.
Other Operations
DeMawating Development will continue normal operations. Please call (906) 498-9800 with questions.
Sawyer Village will continue normal operations. Please call (906) 346-3919 with questions.
Real Estate questions can be directed to DeMawating or Saywer Village.
Gitchi Home and Auto will be operating as usual.
White Pine Lodge Hotel will be operating as usual.
Health Services
Health Service information will be updated and released at a later time.
Housing Services
Sault Tribe Housing Authority is open. Please limit your calls to maintenance emergencies during this time. Additional questions can be referred to the below contacts:
(906) 440-6567 – Housing Resident Services
(906) 440-6562 – Housing Occupancy
(906) 440-6595 – Housing Home Ownership
(906) 440-6592 – Housing Collections/Compliance
(906) 440-6579 – Housing Accounts Receivable
(906) 440-6578 – Housing Warehouse
Human Resources
Contact Sault Tribe Human Resources at (906) 440-6583 for Human Resources or Employment related questions.
Kewadin Casinos
Beginning Monday, Feb. 10 at 7 a.m. all gaming operations were halted until further notice.
Language & Culture
Language & Culture is fully operational at this time, and can be reached at (906) 203-4746.
Sault Tribe Law Enforcement & Conservation
Sault Tribe Law Enforcement is unable to process new Inland Hunting and Fishing Licenses at this time. Please call 911 for emergencies or contact the below numbers for non-emergent services: (906) 440-6520 or (906) 440-6503.
Natural Resources
The Natural Resources Division remains open to the membership. Fisheries and Wildlife staff are working on harvest reporting and are available to answer questions. Environmental staff are working on air, water, and Brownfields planning, as well as ambient and indoor air assessments. Contact Natural Resources at (906) 440-6533 for questions.
Recreation
The Big Bear Arena is operating as normal for all scheduled events and activities with the following exceptions. At this time, only cash payments can be accepted, there is an ATM on-site for customers. The Concessions menu may be limited during operating hours. The facility’s website is also available at www.bigbeararena.com, email bookthebear@saulttribe.net or phone at (906) 440-6536.
Repatriation & Historical Preservation
Repatriation & Historical Preservation is fully operational, including the Ojibwe Learning Center & Library. Questions can be directed to (906) 440-6587.
Sault Tribe Legal Department & Tax Office
Please contact Sault Tribe Legal Department and Tax Office at the below numbers:
(906) 259-3595 – Legal Department / Tax Office or (906) 379-8192 – Tax Office. Tax Office Facebook: “Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Tax Office.”
Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court
Tribal Court is fully operational and can be reached at (906) 440-6539. All hearings will be connected via Zoom.
