Brimley, Mich. — Bay Mills Community College is honored to recognize a $10,000 investment from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to enhance cultural activities that support Anishnaabeg identity, community connection, and student success across the region.
This investment reflects more than financial support. It represents a collaborative effort between two tribal institutions committed to creating opportunities to gather, learn, and celebrate Anishnaabeg culture while strengthening educational pathways for Native students.
“When two Sovereign Nations are located in such close proximity to one another, there will undoubtedly be a level of competition as well as areas of contention,” said Robert McRorie, Unit 1 Director, with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “However, there are also endless opportunities for positive, productive, and mutually beneficial collaborative efforts, especially when it comes to culture and Indigenous education. We are proud and honored to support Bay Mills Community College in this capacity.”
BMCC’s identity as a tribal college is foundational. Cultural activities are not supplemental. They are essential to student success. Research highlights that culture-based support directly influences Indigenous students’ academic persistence and sense of belonging, which are strong predictors of retention and completion. A new study by the National Native Scholarship Providers, which includes the American Indian College Fund, found that institutional support (defined as students’ sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity affirmed by their institution) increases Indigenous students’ sense of belonging by up to 65 percent, making it the most powerful predictor of belonging among the factors measured.
Tribal support, campus climate, and peer networks were also significant contributors to a stronger sense of belonging. The impact of this partnership is reflected in long-term outcomes. Since 2000, BMCC has served more than 2,000 Sault Tribe members. Nearly 500 of those students have earned at least one credential. Since Fall 2020 alone, 654 Sault Tribe members have enrolled, with 184 earning credentials in just five years. These outcomes demonstrate both sustained trust and a measurable return on investment in education.
Currently, 232 Sault Tribe members are enrolled at BMCC, representing nearly one quarter of the student body. This continued demand highlights the importance of maintaining culturally grounded support systems while expanding access to education.
“Sault Tribe’s investment reinforces something we see every day,” said Candice LeBlanc, former Director of Institutional Advancement at Bay Mills Community College. “When students are supported as whole people and feel connected to their culture, they are more confident, more engaged, and more likely to succeed. This partnership helps ensure our students do not have to choose between education and identity.”
Funding will support cultural activities that strengthen belonging while complementing BMCC’s commitment to access through free tuition opportunities for federally recognized tribal members and first-generation descendants, along with flexible online and hybrid programming. These options are especially important for working professionals balancing careers, families, and community responsibilities while seeking to advance their education.
For tribal leaders, this partnership demonstrates how targeted investment strengthens cultural continuity, supports workforce development, and expands educational opportunity for Sault Tribe citizens. For current and future students, it signals that BMCC is a place where Native identity is honored, supported, and central to the educational experience.
Bay Mills Community College extends sincere gratitude to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for their continued partnership and shared commitment to education, culture, and community well-being.