The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan (Ojibwe: Ziibiwing Anishinaabek) is a federally recognized group of Chippewa (also called Ojibwe) people living in central Michigan, United States.
The tribe’s government offices are located on the Isabella Indian Reservation, close to Mount Pleasant city in Isabella County. They also own land on the Saganing Reservation near Standish. In February 2007, the tribe had about 3,296 members. The 2010 U.S. Census shows that 2,414 people in the Mount Pleasant, Michigan micropolitan area are Native American.
The tribe runs the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, which is a two-year community college open to everyone in the area.
Economy
The tribe owns and runs several places for games and fun, as well as other businesses, on its land in Mount Pleasant:
- Soaring Eagle Casino
- Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel
- Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park
- Waaboose Run Golf Course
- Retreat at Soaring Eagle
The tribe also operates Eagle Bay Marina and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino in Standish. These places help the tribe earn money, which is used to support education and welfare programs, such as a new center for older members of the tribe.
In addition to its gaming businesses, the tribe owns Sagamok Express Mobil Gas Stations in Mount Pleasant and Standish, the Cardinal Pharmacy and Migizi Economic Development Corp. at the Sowmick Plaza in Mount Pleasant. The tribe also sells items online through Amazon and Walmart.com using its Ziibiwing Commercial Services Warehouse in Mount Pleasant.
Government and operations
In 1966, the nation was one of four groups that started the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. This group was created to share resources for development and to improve communication with state and federal governments. The other groups included the Bay Mills Indian Community, Keneenaw Potawatomi Indian Community, and Hannahville Indian Community. These groups have continued working together since that time. In the early 21st century, the Council includes members from 11 of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan.
The tribe manages community buildings, such as a substance-abuse treatment center, a community clinic, and health facilities. In the early 21st century, the tribe opened a new Elders' Center.
The tribe operates the Saginaw Chippewa Academy, which is an elementary school. The tribe also has Native American advocates and tutors who help students in local public schools.
In 1993, the tribe elected Gail George as their first female Tribal Chief. She served until 1995.
In 1998, the tribe created Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College. Since 2007, it has been a two-year college that is officially approved. The Nation has an agreement with Central Michigan University that allows students to transfer credits to CMU to complete a four-year degree there.
The tribe hosts a pow-wow every year during the last full weekend in July. This event happens at the grounds on "the Hill" (the only raised area on the flat Isabella Reservation). The Hill is also where the tribal campgrounds and the Chippewa Indian Methodist Church are located.
On December 2, 2019, the tribe signed a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to jointly manage the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park in Sanilac County. This agreement is the first example of a state-tribal partnership to manage a Michigan state park.