In 1966, the nation was among the four founders of the
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, established to pool resources for development and to improve relations with state and federal governments. Others are the
Bay Mills Indian Community,
Keneenaw Potawatomi Indian Community, and
Hannahville Indian Community. They have worked together since. In the early 21st century, the Council consists of members from 11 of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan. The tribe operates community facilities, including a substance-abuse treatment center, a community clinic, and health facilities. In the early 21st century, the tribe opened a new Elders' Center. The tribe operates the Saginaw Chippewa Academy (an elementary school). They also have Native American advocates and tutors who work with students in the local public schools. In 1993, the tribe elected their first female Tribal Chief,
Gail George, who served until 1995. In 1998 the tribe established Saginaw Chippewa
Tribal College. Since 2007 it has been an accredited two-year community college. The Nation has an agreement with
Central Michigan University that allows students to readily transfer credits to CMU to complete a 4-year degree there. The tribe hosts a
pow-wow every year during the last full weekend in July. This competition pow-wow takes place at the grounds on "the Hill" (the only rise on the otherwise flat Isabella Reservation). The Hill is also the site of the tribal campgrounds and the Chippewa Indian Methodist Church. On December 2, 2019, the tribe signed a
memorandum of understanding with the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources to co-manage the
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park in
Sanilac County. This agreement marks the first state-tribal co-management of a
Michigan state park. ==References==