A ransomware attack on Sault Tribe operations shut down gaming at Kewadin Casinos on Monday morning. Gaming is halted until further notice.
Multiple other Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians administrative systems including phones and computer services have also been affected says Tribal Chairman Austin Lowes.
The full text of his release follows.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The following statement is attributed to Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes in response to yesterday’s ransomware attack impacting tribal computer systems.
“On Sunday morning, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians suffered a ransomware attack. This attack impacted multiple computer and phone systems across tribal administration, including the casinos, health centers and various businesses. In response, the tribe has had to temporarily close many departments and businesses.
“Our hope is that this issue gets resolved within a week, but we are prepared for it to last longer. Any updates will be communicated on the tribe’s various Facebook pages.
“We understand the disruption this is causing to many members’ and employees’ lives and are working diligently to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
“We also understand there are many questions. The Board of Directors is being updated as new information is available, but due to the ongoing investigation there is little more they can share at this time and we ask for your patience and understanding.
“The tribal government will remain open in a limited capacity to serve our members to the best of our ability despite this incident. Below is a list of services still available to the membership along with a temporary method of reaching those departments.”
Available tribal services:
Sault Tribe Administration – (906) 379-7216 or (906) 440-8108
ACFS
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 [email protected] or [email protected]. To sign up for the newspaper or update your address, email [email protected]. To purchase an ad, email [email protected].
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 [email protected] 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.
The above-listed numbers are expected to be fully operational on Feb. 11, 2025.
