'Save The Indians'

The Soo Indians have begun their "Save the Indians" campaign.

The team's ten-year ownership by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will terminate at the conclusion of this season. The Tribe has agreed to allow the team to continue in Sault Ste. Marie if an ownership structure and funding can be put together outside of Tribal responsibility.

A season ticket campaign is underway. Indians head coach and GM Joe Shawhan said at least 1,000 season tickets will need to be sold in order for the team to continue past the current season.

"The team will fold if we cannot put things together," said Shawhan. "At this time the Tribe has no intention of paying the monthly dormant franchise fees which range in upwards of $1,000 per month. In addition, it is not the league's intention to let the dormant status be a tool used by franchises to sell. It is the intent of the dormant status to give teams a break who are going to re-join the league. "

Shawhan has been granted until early March to put the financing together.