Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council
Encyclopedia
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
(or Ojibwe) located in central Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The tribal government offices are located on the Isabella Indian Reservation
Isabella Indian Reservation
The Isabella Indian Reservation is the land base of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, located in Isabella County in the central part of the U.S. state of Michigan. There are also some small parcels of off-reservation trust land in Standish Township, Arenac County, near Saginaw Bay, southeast of...
, near the city of Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Mount Pleasant is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Isabella County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 25,946. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 26,675....
. The tribe owns and operates Soaring Eagle Casino
Soaring Eagle Casino
The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is a casino, hotel and entertainment venue owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, located just outside of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It is considered to be the largest casino in the Midwest...
in Mount Pleasant and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
Saganing Eagles Landing Casino is a casino located just outside the city of Standish, Michigan, United States. Opened on December 31, 2007, the casino is owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, who also owns the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.The casino features over 800...
in Standish
Standish, Michigan
Standish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
. They also hold land on the Saganing reservation near Standish, with a community center in addition to the recently completed Eagle's Landing casino on the Saganing reservation. As of February 2007, tribal membership was approximately 3,296.
Besides its gaming enterprises, the tribe owns other businesses and community operations. Including the Sagamok Shell Station, the Ziibiwing Cultural Society (a tribal museum), a substance abuse facility, a community clinic and health facilities. The tribe has recently opened a new Elders' Center. Educational programs include the Saginaw Chippewa Academy (an elementary school), as well as a presence in the local public schools through Native American advocates and tutors. Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College is an accredited two-year college which operates with funding from the tribe. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe also hosts a pow-wow
Pow-wow
A pow-wow is a gathering of North America's Native people. The word derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader". A modern pow-wow is a specific type of event where both Native American and non-Native American people meet to dance, sing, socialize, and honor American...
every year during the first full weekend of August. This competition powwow takes place at the powwow grounds that are situated on "the Hill" (the only hill on the otherwise flat Isabella Reservation). The Hill is also home to the tribal campgrounds and the Chippewa Indian Methodist Church.