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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: 11 October 2017

The Higher Education official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Sault-Tribe-Education/61561640915437/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where do I get a tuition waiver form?
Answer: Sault Tribe Enrollment Department website has this information. Here is the link:

Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Application 2025

Request for Tuition Waiver Form

To be eligible for the MITW
1. You must qualify for admission at one of Michigan’s public colleges or universities.
2. You must be one-quarter or more Native American blood quantum as certified by your Tribal Enrollment Department.
3. You must be an enrolled citizen of a U.S. federally recognized tribe as certified by your Tribal Enrollment Department.
4. You must be a legal resident of the state of Michigan for no less than 12 consecutive months. You must provide the following documentation with your MITW application: a photocopy of your Michigan driver’s license or state-issued Michigan ID card AND a photocopy of your tribal I.D.

What do I need to do to get started with the Tuition Waiver?

STUDENT: To apply for the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver (MITW), you must:
1. Complete the Student Section of the MITW Application. Be sure to attach copies of the required items {with asterisks (*) and noted in RED}.
2. Submit the MITW application and all required documents to your Tribal Enrollment Department, requesting certification as indicated in “To be completed by tribe.”
3. Must pay $15 to Sault Tribe Enrolment Department for tuition waiver.
4. To ensure that your entire application, including the tribally-certified section and accompanying documents are submitted to Sault Tribe Enrollment Department for verification. Sault Tribe Enrollment will submit the documents to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) after they complete their section of the application. All signatures on the forms must be original; electronic signatures are not accepted.
5. Michigan Indian Tuition waiver will respond back to you with a letter of approval.
Where do I turn in the tuition waiver form?
Answer: Email Sault Tribe Enrollment Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax 906‑632‑1648.

How do I transfer my tuition waiver from one college to another?
Answer: Contact Stephanie Dillon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will help you change to another college or university in Michigan.

Do I have to request a tuition waiver every year?
Answer: No, as long as you haven’t changed your college or university from your first requested.

Can I use the tuition waiver for a Master’s or doctoral degree?
Answer: Yes, only for public colleges or universities in Michigan.

Is there a limit on how long I can use the tuition waiver?
Answer: No, it can be used as long as you want to attend public college or university in Michigan.

Where do I get a Blood Degree Form (Blood Quantum Form)?
Answer: Sault Tribe Enrollment Department website on the information tab you can find the link “Request for Blood Degree Form”
1. Complete the Blood Degree Form
2. Email to Sault Tribe Enrollment Department to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. Must pay $25 to Sault Tribe Enrollment Department for blood degree application.
4. Sault Tribe Enrollment will complete and send you a letter by mail.

Where do I turn in the Blood Degree Form?
Answer: Email Sault Tribe Enrollment Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax to 906‑632‑1648.

How do I renew my tribal card?
Answer: At the Sault Tribe Enrollment Department its best to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a renewal or new copy.

What are the fees for the following?
Answer:
Card Renewal for Expired Card: $10
Replacement of Unexpired Card: $20
Tuition Waiver Certification: $15
Blood Quantum Certification: $25
Forms of payment
Money orders (made out to Sault Tribe Enrollment Department)
Credit/Debit card (Discover, Master Card, VISA)
Sorry, no personal checks.