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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

 

Top Ten Reasons to Attend Bay Mills Community College

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Category: Education

By Angeline Boulley

Ahniin! Thinking about college? Here are ten reasons to consider Bay Mills Community College.

1.   Close Location – The main campus is located in Brimley, only 20 miles from Sault Ste. Marie. Their new west campus building (at I-75 and M-28) is even closer. In addition, each semester at least two classes are offered in Sault Ste. Marie through an agreement between the Sault Tribe and BMCC. Please check for upcoming classes either through the Sault Tribe website, Sault Tribe Higher Education page on Facebook, or by calling 906‑635‑7784.

2.   Convenient Transportation – BMCC now offers low-cost bus transportation with three daily routes that include multiple stops in Sault Ste. Marie. Discounted multi-punch cards and reduced rates for elders. See website for costs and schedules.

3.   High Quality – BMCC is Michigan’s first fully accredited, tribally-controlled community college. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

4.   Affordable Cost – Tuition is $95 per credit hour, which is considerably less than the rate charged elsewhere. To compare with other local institutions, it is $397.50 per credit hour at Lake Superior State University and $336 per credit hour at Northern Michigan University.

5.   Native Student Focus – BMCC is a tribally-controlled community college. Native students comprise 54% of the total student enrollment (712/1307 for the 2012-13 school year). By the way, Sault Tribe members comprise 35% of the Native student body and 19% of the total student body.

6.   Supportive Student Services – The staff and faculty at BMCC do an outstanding job in helping students to have a successful college experience. There are numerous services, activities, and referrals available including peer tutoring, career development, traditional guidance, talking circles, faculty/student liaison, disability student services, student leadership development, and college transfer assistance.

7.   Friendly Registration Process - If you anticipate a complicated and intimidating process to enroll for college classes, please be assured that BMCC walks you through the process step-by-step in a friendly, helpful manner. It is a well-organized process that generally takes a half-day to complete and includes financial aid, placement testing, and class scheduling. Please call ahead to verify the dates and times available, and to double-check what types of information to bring with you. The phone number at BMCC is 906‑248‑3354.

8.   Variety of Degrees, Certificates, and Diplomas – BMCC offers fifteen (15) different Associates degrees in such areas as General Studies, Early Childhood Education Teacher Preparation, Computer Information Systems, Construction Technology, and Great Lakes Native American Studies. Please see website for complete listing and additional information. BMCC also offers ten (10) certificates and two Diploma programs. Whether you are looking to try a new career or strengthen the skills you already utilize, BMCC has course offerings to help you meet your personal and professional goals.

9.   Convenient Online Courses – In addition to classes offered on campus and at satellite locations in Sault Ste. Marie and Petoskey, BMCC has an extensive number of online classes. Online classes work well for students juggling the demands of work and family, who may have difficulty scheduling a traditional face-to-face college class. It is possible to complete an entire degree online, including the registration process.

10.   Board of Regents Scholarship – For enrolled members of federally-recognized Indian tribes, students may qualify for the Board of Regents scholarship which waives tuition costs for up to 60 credit hours. Please note: at least half of the credit hours must be completed on campus. Also: students are still responsible for fees and other non-tuition expenses such as books.

If you are ready to pursue a college degree, certificate, or diploma and you are interested in Bay Mills Community College, please visit their website at www.bmcc.edu or call 906‑248‑3354. The main campus is located at 12214 W. Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715.

This article was written by Angeline Boulley, Assistant Executive Director for Sault Tribe. She also serves on the Board of Regents for Bay Mills Community College.

© 2026 - Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Ken Bosma / CC BY