A major data security incident has disrupted the operations of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, affecting multiple tribal businesses, including government offices, health clinics, and Kewadin Casinos. The breach, which was announced on Sunday, has led to an immediate investigation with third-party experts working to determine the cause and restore affected systems.

In response to the security breach, all gaming operations at Kewadin Casinos have been suspended indefinitely, beginning Monday, February 10, at 7 a.m. The affected casino locations include:

A statement from Kewadin Casinos, cited by UpNorthLive, emphasized that teams were working “around-the-clock” to address the situation and restore normal operations. The casino acknowledged the inconvenience for patrons and assured the public that updates would be provided as soon as more information becomes available.

Tribal Services and Fuel Stations Experience Disruptions

The cybersecurity breach has also affected essential tribal services, though government offices and health clinics remained open with limited functionality for tribal members. Services continued to operate under restricted conditions, with staff focusing on essential operations while security experts assess the situation.

Additionally, several fuel stations operated by the tribe have been impacted. The following locations will be unable to provide fuel due to the incident:

  • Sault MidJim
  • St. Ignace MidJim
  • Marquette MidJim
  • White Pine Lodge in Munising

While gas services are unavailable, these locations still managed to accommodate in-store purchases, but only on a cash basis and with adjusted hours. On Monday, February 10, the Sault MidJim managed to operate from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., while the St. Ignace MidJim was open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has assured the public that it is actively investigating the breach with assistance from cybersecurity professionals. The full extent of the incident has not yet been determined, and it remains unclear when casino operations and affected services will return to normal. Officials have urged tribal members, employees, and customers to stay updated through official channels as new information becomes available.

The Kewadin Casinos facility in Sault Ste. Marie, managed and owned by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has recently gone through a multi-million dollar expansion project which completely refurbished the hotel, adding extra rooms and upgrading individual rooms. Kewadin Casinos represents one of the biggest casino chains in the area and currently owns casinos in five sites across the state of Michigan.