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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

 

Sault Tribe Powwows

Details
Category: Culture

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Annual Powwow Listing

Sault Tribe 2026 powwow schedule

Caring for Our Elders Powwow April 18
April 18—Caring for Our Elders Powwow sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians April 18, 1-7 p.m., Escanaba High School, Escanaba, Mich. Doors open: 10 a.m. Grand Entries: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feast: 4:30 p.m. For vendor information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Returning of the Thunders Powwow April 22
April 22—Sault Tribe Youth Education and Activities, invites you to Returning of the Thunders Rudyard area Schools Second Annual Traditional Jingtamook Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Rudyard Harris Kahl Gymnasium, 11185 W. 2nd St., Rudyard, Mich. All visitors must register at the high school office. For more information, please contact: Jackie Minton at 906‑440‑1870, Miriam Clark or Julie Perry at 906‑379‑7341.

JKL holds Welcome Home powwow June 5
JKL Bahweting Anishinabe PSA is hosting the 30th anniversary Welcome Home Jiingtamok June 5 at 1301 Marquette in Sault Ste. Marie. Grand Entry is 1 p.m. The powwow will take place on the track inside the fence. Bring your chair and water bottle. Drums are welcome! Stipend available for drums with three or more singers. Contact Laura Bouschor at 906‑635‑5055.

Manistique's 4th Annual Niiwin Noodin Powwow June 6
June 6—Niiwin Noodin Powwow, Saturday, June 6, Manistique Powwow Grounds, 5698W US Highway 2, Manistique, MI 49854. Next to the Kewadin Casino. Vendors Open, 10 a.m. Grand Entry, 1 and 6 p.m. Community Feast, 4-6 p.m. Bring a dish to pass if you can. Elders, drummers, dancers eat before the general public. Public Welcome. Vendors call 906‑379‑8486. General Powwow contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 906‑450‑4309.

Bringing Our Community Together Newberry Powwow June 13
June 13—Bringing Our Community Together Newberry Powwow Saturday, June 13, 2026, 4935 Zee Ba Tik Lane in Newberry, Mich. Vendor Set Up - 10 a.m. Grand Entry - 1 p.m. Feast (Indian tacos) - 4:30 p.m. Grand Entry - 6 p.m. Giveaway - 8 p.m. Traveling Song - 8:30 p.m. Drum Split for all other drums (must have 4 singers). Honorarium for all dancers in regalia. Spot Dances & Giveaway. Drug & Alcohol Free. No Pets. No Politics. Vendors Free (must be Tribal) contact Charlie Treleaven at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Powwow Information call 906‑635‑6510 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

44th Annual Bahweting Homecoming Powwow July 3‑5
July 3‑5—Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 44th Annual Bahweting Homecoming Powwow July 3‑5, 2026, at the tribe’s powwow grounds off of Shunk Road on Ice Circle in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Sunrise Ceremony and Spiritual Gathering, Thursday, July 2. Friday, July 3 Grand Entry 7 p.m., Saturday, July 4, Grand Entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 5, Grand Entry at 12 p.m. Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie Hotel information: call 906‑632‑0530 (room block 2984). Camping: Free rustic camping (first come, first served) bathroom and shower building on site. Food and Craft Vendor registration: Must be enrolled in a tribe or first nation. Register by June 15 by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have any questions, please call Sault Tribe Language and Culture Division at 906‑635‑6510. Free and open to the public. No drugs, alcohol or politics.

29th Annual Sugar Island Powwow July 17‑19
July 17‑19—The 29th Annual Sugar Island Powwow is July 17‑19, at the Sugar Island Powwow grounds, 3 Mile Road, Sugar Island, Mich. Follow the signs from the ferry. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Munising Powwow Aug. 8
Aug. 8—Munising Powwow, Kitchi-Miniss Jingtamok, Aug. 8, 2026, Bay Furnace, Christmas, Mich. Sunrise Ceremony 6:30 a.m. Grand Entry 12 and 6 p.m. Feast 4:30 p.m. – Bring a dish to pass. Powwow Coordinator – Amanda Storm, 906‑450‑1439 and Vendor Coordinator – Rachel Fostun, 906‑259‑3244.

32nd Annual Gathering of the Eagles Hessel Powwow Aug. 15‑16
Aug. 15‑16—The 32nd Annual Gathering of the Eagles Hessel 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. Grand Entry: Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at 12 p.m. Vendors contact Charlie Treleaven, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 906‑379‑8329.

Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow Aug. 28‑30
Aug. 28‑30—Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow and Indigenous Art Show is Aug. 28‑30 at the Little Bear East and Museum of Ojibwa Culture, Marquette St. and Ojibwa Trail, St. Ignace. The Rendezvous is open to the public. Admission by donation. Blessing of the Grounds Friday, Aug. 28, 12 p.m. Grand Entry Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30, 12 p.m. This traditional Native American powwow features traditional dancing, Native flute music, drumming and hoop dancing. Enjoy vendor demonstrations, authentic, handmade arts and crafts and traditional Native American food. This family event is alcohol-and drug-free. In addition to the powwow, there is also an Indigenous art show. For more information, contact Ron Daniels at 906‑430‑7735, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau at 906‑643‑6950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sault Tribe YEA Youth Powwow Sept. 12
Sept. 12—Sault Tribe YEA Youth Powwow Saturday, Sept. 12, Ziibing Pavilion at Pioneer Trail Park, 6822 US HWY 2, 41 and M35 in Gladstone, Mich. Registration at 11 a.m., Grand Entry at 12 p.m. and Feast at 4:30 p.m. Free Admission. Youth dancers, drumming, name blessing for pavilion, traditional food and culture activities. Vendors welcome. Contact Sarah at 906‑203‑5888 for more information.

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Photo by Ken Bosma / CC BY