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Unofficial Secretarial Election Notice

The secretarial election process to determine if the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians adopts an amended constitution creating a three separate co-equal branch government is under way. Here are a set of dates to keep an eye on starting next week with election packet mailings and going through tabulation night on Nov. 19.

Beginning Sept. 23, secretarial election notice packets will be sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing addresses of Sault Tribe citizens who are 18 years of age or older on or before Nov. 19, 2026. These packets include copies of the proposed amended constitution, the Constiution, and voter registration forms. Voter registration forms must be returned to the Secretarial Election Board no later than 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 19.

The only way to participate in this secretarial election is by returning your registration form on time by U.S. Mail. If you are eligible to vote and do not receive your packet, you should contact the Secretarial Election Board chairman or a board member.

Following the deadline to receive voter registration forms on Oct. 19, the initial Registered Voters List will be posted at the Sault Tribe Governmental Office and at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Michigan Agency in Sault Ste. Marie. The lists are expected to be posted by 4:30 p.m. EDT or shortly thereafter on Oct. 19.

Sault Tribe citizens may challenge the inclusion, exclusion or omission of a name on the Registered Voters List. These written challenges must be submitted to the Secretarial Election Board Chairman no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on Oct. 22 and must include the name of the affected individual or individuals, the reason why the name in question should be added or removed from the Registered Voters List, and supporting documentation. If an individual failed to submit their registration form on time, that person is precluded from challenging their own omission from the list. The Final Registered Voters List will be posted on or about 4:30 p.m. EDT on Oct. 23 at the Sault Tribe Governmental Office and the BIA, Michigan Agency.

Shortly after the Registered Voters List is finalized, a Mailout Ballot Packet will be sent by U.S. Mail to each registered voter on Oct. 26. These packets will include instructions on how to submit your ballot. They must be returned by U.S. Mail by Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. EDT or for one day only they may be hand delivered to the DreamMakers Theater at Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Remember, you will be voting “yes” or “no” on if the Constitution will be amended to create three separate and equal branches of government. This will be the only question on the ballot.

Ballots will be opened and countered beginning at 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the DreamMakers Theater. Following the counting, election results will be posted on or about Nov. 19 at the Sault Tribe Governmental Office and BIA, Michigan Agency.
Registered voters may challenge the results of the election with a written challenge that includes substantiating evidence. These challenges must be received by the Chairman of the Secretarial Election Board by Nov. 24 at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Challenges received after this deadline will not be considered.

If Sault Tribe citizens vote “yes” to adopt an amended constitution, the results of the secretarial election go to the U.S. Department of the Interior for certification. If certified, the amended constitution takes effect establishing a three-branch government for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Tribal Council would then have up to 18 months to update Tribal laws as required by the newly amended constitution.

The Sault Tribe Governmental Office is located at 523 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The BIA, Michigan Agency building is located at 2845 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The BIA’s Nicholas VanAlstine chairs the Secretarial Election Board. The Secretarial Election Board is composed of the following Sault Tribe citizens: Carolyn Dale, Jackie Minton, Colleen Utter, T.J. Derwin, Taylor Spade, Clarence Hudak, and Emily Smith.

For more on the secretarial election and to view the proposed amended constitution visit here.

Proposed 3-Branch Amended Sault Tribe Constitution

 

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Category: News

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Escanaba Tribal Center in Escanaba, Mich., in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761.

“Membership Participation” will be held at 4 p.m. in person or by virtual attendance. The link is available at the Sault Tribe website saulttribe.com under Membership Assistance for the meeting link and Membership Form that must be completed. The deadline to submit a form is 1 p.m. on meeting day. The link is https://zoom.us/j/83640619761. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again unless they have a matter for the board.

To attend the scheduled workshop, except for closed session or items, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

On the agenda under Resolutions is:
Elections FY26 Budget Mod
John Hopkins Spirit Est. FY27 Budget
Rural Health Tribal Initiative Est. FY27 Budget
PRC and 3rd Party Revenue FY26 Budget
Marquette Admin/Nursing/3rd Party Revenue FY26
Budget Modifications
Sault Medical Nursing/Pharmacy/3rd Party FY26
Budget Modifications
St. Ignace Admin/Nursing/3rd Party Revenue FY26
Budget Modifications
Sault Housekeeping Maintenance/3rd Party Revenue
FY26 Budget Modifications
Sault Medical Nursing Est. FY27 Budget
Govt. HR FY26 Budget Modification
Language and Culture IMLS Est. FY27 Budget
Health Tribal Opioid Settlement Fund FY27
Health PHEP 2027 Acceptance
Health Stand Strong Youth Initiative
Health Data Modernization Subaward
Rescinding Suggestion Policy
Rescinding Pay Advance Policy
Amending Appeal Policy
Amending Resolution 2024-410
Residential Land Lease Phillip Paul Nertoli
Amending Chapter 70: Miranda Rights
Amending Chapter 70: Arrest
Affirming Taxation Authority over STI
Amending Resolution 2025-13
Supporting State of Michigan Legislation
Suspension of Patient Discharge - MAT Services
Prioritization of Local Provider Recruit/Retain
Under New Business, the board will consider Committee Requests, Relinquishment, and Board Concerns.

Meeting Packet

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Category: Health News

Sault Tribe Health Division and MSU Extension Present West End Apple Cider Workshops. Make and take fresh apple cider!

Marquette
Oct. 29, 2026, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Tribal Community Center
204 Cherry Creek Rd.

Munising
Oct. 27, 3:30-5 p.m.
Wetmore YEA Building
6379 Atik Ameg Dr

To RSVP call/text Erin at 906‑203‑6343 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All community members welcome!

Brought to you by Sault Tribe Community Health Education and Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country grant. Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer 

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Category: Health News

Sault Tribe Health Division and MSU Extension present Mishiimin Applesauce Workshops. Learn how to preserve your apple harvest.

Manistique
Nov. 18, 2026
3-6 p.m.
Manistique Tribal Community Center
5698w Hwy US2

Escanaba
Nov. 10, 2026
3-6 p.m.
Escanaba Tribal Community Center
3721 Jingob St

To register call/text Erin at 906‑203‑6343 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Brought to you by Sault Tribe Community Health Education and Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country grant. Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer

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Category: News

The Sault Tribe Election Commission is holding its next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. This meeting is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. for Zoom only. The meetings of the Sault Tribe Election Commission are open to tribal members, via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83451696095 as view-only attendees.

Agenda

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Category: Elder Services

Elder Land Claim registration ended Oct. 1, 2026 at 12 a.m. Thank you for your interest. If you didn't submit your form via the portal, a form will be mailed to you.

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Category: News

Kratom and Emerging Drug Trends, features a virtual presentation from Tall Cop Says Stop with Jermaine Galloway, nationally recognized drug-trends educator Oct. 13, 7 p.m., at the LSSU Library.

Free and open to everyone. Refreshments provided. No prior knowledge is needed. Come curious. Adults only.

What to expect:
7 p.m. Tall Cop Says Stop
A one-hour virtual presentation exploring current drug trends, products, terminology, and what adults should know.
Followed by:
Local Community Panel and Q&A
Connect what you’ve learned to what we’re seeing locally and bring questions.

Hosted by Chippewa County FAN Chapter with generous support by Bay Mills Health Center and Sault Tribe Community Health.

Flyer

  1. Expungement Clinic Oct. 23
  2. Kewadin Casino Gaming Authority meets Oct. 14
  3. Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry Oct. 8
  4. Sault Tribe committee vacancies
  5. Secretary of State Mobile Office Oct. 6
  6. Oct. 5 workshop postponed
© 2026 - Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Ken Bosma / CC BY