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Sault Tribe Secretarial Election ballots mailed out

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians’ secretarial election enters its final month, with ballots scheduled to be mailed to registered voters by Oct. 26 and election results expected Nov. 19.

Tribal citizens will vote “yes” or “no” on proposed constitutional amendments that would establish three separate, co-equal branches of tribal government: legislative, executive and judicial.

The federally administered election is overseen by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and a Secretarial Election Board. Voter registration closed Oct. 19, and only eligible tribal citizens who registered for this election will receive ballots.

Important upcoming election dates include:

• Oct. 23: Final registered voters List to be posted
• Oct. 26: Ballot packets mailed to registered voters
• Nov. 19: Deadline for ballots to be received 3 p.m. EST. Ballot counting begins at 4 p.m.
• Nov. 24: Deadline to submit written challenges to election results by 4:30 p.m. EST.

Registered voters may return completed ballots through the U.S. Postal Service or hand deliver them on Nov. 19 only, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST, at DreamMakers Theater at Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie.

Ballot packets will include instructions for completing and returning ballots. Ballots will be opened and counted beginning at 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at DreamMakers Theater, with results expected to be posted that evening.

If approved and certified by the Secretary of the Interior, the amended constitution would take effect.

To prepare for a potential transition, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors approved a Constitution Implementation Plan on Sept. 22. The plan establishes an 18-month timeline for updating tribal laws and codes while maintaining government operations, programs and services.

Tribal citizens can find additional information about the secretarial election, voting procedures, important deadlines and the proposed changes to tribal government on the secretarial election landing page.

Read the Proposed Amended Sault Tribe Constitution here.

Details: Category: Education; Published: 13 July 2011

This program is open to all residents of Chippewa County who have not completed high school and are at least 18 years of age.

The Sault Tribe has a collaborative agreement with Consolidated Community School Services so adult learners can attend free General Educational Development (GED) preparation classes. Costs for GED testing, study materials and classroom supplies are provided at no cost to Sault Tribe members. (However, there may be a small fee associated with re-testing. The fee may cost around $37.50 per subject.) Adult students are also provided educational consultation, resumé writing and referral assistance for higher education.

Did You Know?
The GED was developed in 1942 at the request of the U.S. Armed Forces Institute. The purpose was to give those who fought in World War II before completing high school a way to demonstrate their knowledge and get civilian jobs after the war. Over 15 million people have earned a GED since then.

The GED test is designed so that over one-third of all graduating high school seniors would not pass. Previously, the test involved recalling general facts. Now, the emphasis is on socially-relevant topics and problem-solving skills.

GED graduates are eligible to receive Pell grants and other types of financial aid. One in 20 college freshman earned a GED rather than a high school diploma.

Famous people who have earned a GED include Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, Bill Cosby, Michael J. Fox, Danica Patrick, Jerry Garcia, Chris Rock, Peter Jennings, and former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

For more information email Tanya Pages, Adult Education Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Or, contact Consolidated Community Schools main office for all program locations, dates and times at 906‑495‑7305.