By Noah Johnson njohnson@dailypress.net GLADSTONE —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians unveiled a new facility Wednesday, focused on improving and maintaining health. Tribal members held the ribbon cutting for its new fitness center in Gladstone. “The Sault Tribe was awarded a rather large award from the ARPA bill, and Sault Tribe leadership decided to use some of the funding right build community centers and fitness centers. This is obviously one of those So, it’s an investment from ARPA funds to our community,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes. Attendees at the open house listened to opening remarks and participated in a smudging using sage before heading next door to for a tour of the center. Lowes addressed the audience saying, the community has faced many health challenges over the years, such as diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. He said the new center will help individuals tackle their well-being head on by providing a place that provides tools needed to combat preventable diseases. A fitness plan is essential for the community, as Lowes explained that Native Americans are disproportionately affected by health issues. “Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by a lot of healthcare ailments and this would be a way of we can combat them head on,” Lowes said. He added he hopes the center will also benefit the community by bringing more people together. “This fitness center is more than just a place where people can learn. This will foster wellness and strength for the members of this community,” Lowes said. Guests then got to tour the new center, testing equipment and being serenaded by three individuals playing hand drums and singing. The one-year-plus project is equipped with treadmills, weight lifting machinery, exercise balls, dumbbells and more. The center is scheduled to officially open for tribal members on Monday, Feb. 10 and will operate 24 hours a day. Lowes said it will initially serve as a center for tribal members, but down the line in a few months, the center hopes to welcome the general public. He added that he and others believe exercise to be the most vital to a person’s general health. “We consider exercise to be one of the most effective forms of medicine. Not only for physical health, it will have an element of spiritual and mental health help as well,” he explained. Following the tour, guests were treated to light refreshments and given a complimentary water bottle. “This (the center) will serve as a representation of the Sault Tribe’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of its members,” Lowes said. Updates about the center and when it will open to the general public can be found on the Tribe’s Facebook page at the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Fitness Center - Gladstone. The center is located at 2002 Minneapolis Avenue, in Gladstone.

By Noah Johnson

njohnson@dailypress.net

GLADSTONE –The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians unveiled a new facility Wednesday, focused on improving and maintaining health.

Tribal members held the ribbon cutting for its new fitness center in Gladstone.

“The Sault Tribe was awarded a rather large award from the ARPA bill, and Sault Tribe leadership decided to use some of the funding right build community centers and fitness centers. This is obviously one of those So, it’s an investment from ARPA funds to our community,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes.

Attendees at the open house listened to opening remarks and participated in a smudging using sage before heading next door to for a tour of the center.

Lowes addressed the audience saying, the community has faced many health challenges over the years, such as diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. He said the new center will help individuals tackle their well-being head on by providing a place that provides tools needed to combat preventable diseases.

A fitness plan is essential for the community, as Lowes explained that Native Americans are disproportionately affected by health issues.

“Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by a lot of healthcare ailments and this would be a way of we can combat them head on,” Lowes said.

He added he hopes the center will also benefit the community by bringing more people together.

“This fitness center is more than just a place where people can learn. This will foster wellness and strength for the members of this community,” Lowes said.

Guests then got to tour the new center, testing equipment and being serenaded by three individuals playing hand drums and singing.

The one-year-plus project is equipped with treadmills, weight lifting machinery, exercise balls, dumbbells and more. The center is scheduled to officially open for tribal members on Monday, Feb. 10 and will operate 24 hours a day.

Lowes said it will initially serve as a center for tribal members, but down the line in a few months, the center hopes to welcome the general public.

He added that he and others believe exercise to be the most vital to a person’s general health.

“We consider exercise to be one of the most effective forms of medicine. Not only for physical health, it will have an element of spiritual and mental health help as well,” he explained.

Following the tour, guests were treated to light refreshments and given a complimentary water bottle.

“This (the center) will serve as a representation of the Sault Tribe’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of its members,” Lowes said.

Updates about the center and when it will open to the general public can be found on the Tribe’s Facebook page at the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Fitness Center – Gladstone.

The center is located at 2002 Minneapolis Avenue, in Gladstone.