- The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Official Web Site

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Secretarial Election set to be held on or before Sept. 26

Sault Tribe members, mark your calendars. The Secretarial Election on proposed constitutional amendments establishing a three-branch government is set to be held on or before Sept. 26, 2026.

Once the Secretarial Election Board is formed, it will establish the official election date and election timeline. The Sault Tribe is accepting volunteers to serve on the board through July 3. The Board of Directors will randomly select one tribal citizen from each voting unit and two at-large tribal citizens during its July 7 meeting.
Tribal citizens interested in serving on the Secretarial Election Board are encouraged to submit their interest by emailing legal@saulttribe.net.

In May, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors unanimously voted to submit proposed constitutional amendments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), beginning the Secretarial Election process. The election is administered by the BIA and is required under federal law and Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution.

When ballots are mailed later this summer or early fall, eligible tribal citizens will vote "yes" or "no" on whether to adopt the proposed constitutional amendments establishing three separate and equal branches of government.

To ensure ballots and election information are received, tribal citizens are encouraged to verify that their mailing address is up to date with Tribal Enrollment.

Constitutional Amendment Update

Resolution 2026-145 requests a secretarial election on proposed constitutional amendments and places the decision to update the tribe’s Constitution in the hands of Sault Tribe membership. The resolution will be sent to the BIA by June 19 and then the BIA will begin the federal election process. Linked below are the Resolution 2026-145 and the Attached Amended Constitution drafts. Please watch the tribe’s website and Facebook in the coming months for updates on this.

3 Branch Separation Amendments Attachment for Reso 2026-145

2026-145 Authorizing Amended Constitution Submission for a Secretarial Election

Notice: Opportunity to Serve on the Secretarial Election Board for the Constitutional Amendment Election

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is seeking Tribal citizens who are interested in serving on the Secretarial Election Board for the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election, which is expected to take place later this summer or in early fall.

The Secretarial Election Board will assist with duties related to the Secretarial Election process for the proposed constitutional amendments including setting deadlines for the election. The Tribe is seeking interested citizens from each of the five election units and representatives from the at large membership. The Board of Directors will select:

One tribal citizen from each unit, and two at-large tribal citizens.

Selection will be made by drawing names from the list of interested Tribal citizens. The drawing is anticipated to take place by the July 7 Board of Directors meeting.

Tribal citizens who are interested in being considered should submit their name, enrollment number, contact information, a letter of intent and the election unit in which they reside to legal@saulttribe.net . If selected you will be expected to be able to attend in person meetings in Sault Ste. Marie.

Interested citizens should submit their information no later than July 3, 2026.

For questions, please contact legal@saulttribe.net .

Miigwech to all Tribal citizens willing to participate in this important constitutional process.

Details: Category: Cultural News; Published: 10 July 2026

Hessel 2026 Powwow Gathering of the Eagles Hessel Traditional Powwow Aug. 15‑16 at the Hessel powwow grounds, next to Kewadin Hessel Casino.

Aug. 14 Spiritual Gathering at the Powwow Grounds: Gathering Cedar at 12 p.m., Gathering/Circle at 3 p.m., Feast to follow.

Aug. 15‑16 Powwow: Grand Entry Saturday at 1 & 7 p.m., Sunday at 12 p.m.

Head staff:
Emcee: Josh Homminga
Head Veteran: Nick Van Alstine
Host Drum: Mukwa Giizhik
Co-host Drum: Ice Circle
Invited Drum: Frog Hill
Arena Director: Tyler Bouschor
Firekeeper: Jeff Causley
Spiritual Leaders: Les Ailing & Bud Biron
Head Female Dancer: Melissa Causley
Head Male Dancer: TBD
Head Female Youth Dancer: Bella Fisher
Head Male Youth Dancer: William Ruthruff

Vendor Contact: Charlie Treleaven, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 906‑379‑8329

Flyer

Details: Category: Housing News; Published: 10 July 2026

Apply for the Joni R. Talentino Scholarship. Investing in your future. Supporting your dreams. For students pursuing a career in the trades.

About Joni R Talentino: Joni spent over 35 years serving her community creating everlasting contribution to her life's work at Sault Tribe Housing Authority. Joni believed in pushing everyone to further their education, especially in the trades programs.

Application Deadline: Aug. 21, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

$1,000 award amount. Recipient select by random lottery wheel.

Required Documents:
Completed Application
Proof of enrollment
Tribal card
Driver’s License/State ID
Completed W-9

Who can apply?
Trade School Students

Eligibility:
Must be enrolled for Trade Program
Must be a Sault Tribe Member

Flyer

Application

Details: Category: News; Published: 09 July 2026

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors’ Workshop Agenda for July 14, 2026, is the following:

Agenda: 9 a.m. JKL Fiduciary Committee Meeting, 10:15 a.m. Budget (Closed), 10:30 a.m. Government Executive Reports: General Counsel, Govt. CEO and CFO, and CIO (CLOSED), 2 p.m. Health Discussion (CLOSED), 2:45 p.m. Health – Key Employee Proposed Change, 3:30 p.m. Public Relations Strategy.

The workshop is being held at the Sault Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room. Tribal members may attend the workshop except for closed sessions or items, or attend by Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

Agenda

Details: Category: News; Published: 09 July 2026

There will be a JKL Fiduciary Committee Meeting on July 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Kewadin Casinos Whitefish Point Room.

On the agenda under School Reports is JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School, Malcolm High School and Sault Tribe Education.

Tribal members may attend the workshop except for closed sessions or items, or attend by Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

Agenda

Details: Category: News; Published: 08 July 2026

The Sault Tribe Conservation Committee will meet Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room in Sault Ste. Marie beginning at 5 p.m. Sault Tribe members are welcome to attend in person or via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83098945787.

Agenda

Details: Category: Enrollment News; Published: 08 July 2026

The Sault Tribe Enrollment Department is introducing a new, streamlined process for elders to claim their elder dividend check. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 1, 2026, an online application portal will be available. Elders will login and complete the process quickly and securely. Elder checks will be mailed in January 2027.

This new system is designed to reduce processing time, lower administrative costs, and make the application process more efficient. It will also help eliminate issues such as lost or delayed forms.

As the rollout approaches, updates and additional details will be shared in the tribal newspaper and online at www.saulttribe.com.

For those who are unable to access the online portal, a paper application will continue to be mailed to the address we have on file.

If your address changes after submitting your application, whether online or by mail, you must contact the Enrollment Office to ensure your information is updated. Call 906‑632‑8552 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..