MARQUETTE — Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Aaron Payment and its board of directors have endorsed the establishment of a COVID-19 task force as presented by the tribe’s executive team.

The task force will ensure Sault Tribe’s Coronavirus Relief Fund monies are spent in compliance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act and the tribe’s priorities dealing with the ongoing pandemic.

The Sault Tribe received $37.2 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. According to the CARES Act language, tribes may use the money for necessary expenses caused by the public health emergency from March 1 to Dec. 30. The Sault Tribe established a unified approach that prioritized paying team members and recouping any losses that have occurred.

Categories of allowable expenditures are:

≤ direct medical expenses;

≤ public health expenses;

≤ payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services and similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency;

≤ expenses of actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures;

≤ expenses associated with the provision of economic support in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency;

≤ emergency family assistance; and

≤ any other COVID-19-related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government that satisfy the fund’s eligibility criteria.

The federal relief funds are restricted to the above purposes and may be audited under federal regulation.

“Every penny will be budgeted and accounted for in compliance with federal regulations,” Payment said in a news release.

Tribal administration has also been successful in securing additional targeted relief funds that are restricted to addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

The tribe is working to build new models for its businesses and health care, as well as membership services and governmental operations, to ensure resilience in the face of future COVID-19 outbreaks and other emergencies. The COVID-19 task force will dedicate its time and energy to implementing these plans, establishing COVID-19 programs, ensuring compliance with the CARES Act and reporting to the membership.

DNR web conference set

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Western Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council will meet in a web conference from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The session will be held virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussions are scheduled on the DNR’s forest road inventory process and new license system, a Parks and Recreation Division call center video, review of supplemental deer feeding permit requirements and a Michigan Wildlife Council update.

The public may participate in the session by offering comments or questions in advance or by attending the virtual meeting. For details, contact Kristi Dahlstrom at dahlstromk@michigan.gov or by calling 906-226-1331 before 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The DNR’s eastern and western Upper Peninsula citizens’ advisory councils provide local input to advise the DNR on regional programs and policies, identify areas in which the department can be more effective and responsive, and offer insight and guidance from members’ experiences and constituencies.

Lakenenland events canceled

Tom Lakenen, operator of Lakenenland Sculpture Park in Chocolay Township, announced on Facebook that the South Shore Fishing Association’s fishing derby set for Father’s Day weekend has been canceled.

Also canceled is the Free The Music Fest planned for Aug. 7-8.

Counseling available

Confidential emotional support counseling is now available at no cost to Michiganders who call the state’s COVID-19 hotline. The service is part of a federally funded grant program implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration in partnership with the Michigan State Police.

Callers to the COVID-19 hotline will hear a recording that begins by saying “Press 8” if they would like to speak with a Michigan Stay Well counselor. The counselors, though not licensed professionals, have received specialized training from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Disaster Technical Assistance Center on how to provide emotional support to residents of federally declared disaster areas.

Michigan Stay Well counselors are available any time, day or night, by dialing the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136. Language translation is available for non-English speakers.  

State employee volunteers also continue to answer general COVID-19 questions on the hotline. The current hours for general questions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To access a variety of emotional support resources in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.