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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

Details: Category: Tribal Enrollment; Published: 14 December 2023

Q1. What if I do not have a relative that is already enrolled?

A1. You do not need to have any family members enrolled already to apply for membership. You simply must be a direct lineal descendant of one of the base rolls we use to determine membership in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe.

Q2. Should I send my application and my adult children’s applications in together?
Or
Should I send my application and my parent’s applications in together?

A2. If you are able to do that, yes, it is helpful; however, it is not necessary or mandatory.

Q3. Do I need to send “certified” copies of the documents (birth, death, marriage, baptismal)?

A3. No. Photocopied documents are acceptable. If the Tribal Registrar needs to see the original, she will request it from you.

Q4. What if I cannot find all the documents needed to prove that I have an ancestor on the roll?

A4. While the burden of proof falls on the applicant, we can assist you in finding some of the older documents you might need. You need to supply our office with as much information as possible and we will see what we can do. This takes more time, so your patience is appreciated.

Q5. Once I obtain my membership will my non-Native spouse receive any benefits?

A5. Possibly. Non-Native spouses can be seen at any of the Sault Tribe Health Clinics in our 7-county service area for some procedures; however, there is a co-pay for them to utilize our clinics. Depending on where you live, there could be a tribal health center operated by another tribe that will allow the non-Native spouse to receive services. We do not know which ones do or don’t so you will need to contact them directly.

Q6. Can I use my already enrolled aunt, uncle or cousin’s file documents for my membership application?

A6. Yes, with written permission you can use the information in a relative’s file to help process your application. You can either download and use the “Release of Information” form found on our webpage, or you can simply have them write a letter giving us permission to use their file. They must include the following information when writing a letter: their full name, their date of birth and last four digits of their social security number and the full name of the person they are releasing their file to. They must sign and date it.

Q7. Do I need to take a DNA or blood test to apply for membership?

A7. No. Unless you need to prove paternity or maternity you do not need to have a blood test or DNA test done.

Q8. How long will it take to process my application for membership?

A8. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. For the first few months of open enrollment we expect the waiting period to be much longer than normal. If you turn in your application and have not heard from our office within a month you can call us and check on the status of your application. We may receive thousands of applications during the first several months of open enrollment. If so, the waiting period could be up to 6 months. Please be patient during this time.

Q9. How do I get a picture on my tribal membership card?

A9. Pictures are not mandatory. The fastest and easiest way to have a picture added to your tribal ID is to come into our office. We will take the picture there and it will be ready for you in minutes. If that is not an option for you, we also allow you to send in a photo of yourself either by mail or email. You must also provide us with a copy of your driver’s license or state ID so we can be sure it is you. If you submit a picture, it must be a clear photo of you without any background pictures. You cannot wear a hat or sunglasses. If you normally wear glasses, then submit a picture with them on. Do not send group photos.

(If your card is not expired and you want a picture, you must turn in your current card, or you will be charged the $20 replacement fee. A “swap out” is free.)

Q10. What are the names of the base rolls that the Sault Tribe uses and where can I find them?

A10. The base rolls used by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe are:
• The Durant Roll of 1907-1910
• The 1870 Census and Annuity Payment Record for the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
• The Garden River Annuity Paylist for years 1846 through 1925
• Records concerning land allotments, including patents to the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Indians, or payments of grants or awards
• Any judgment award roll prepared in connection with the distribution of the judgment fund awarded for lands ceded by the Treaty of 1836.

Most of our rolls are listed online. Some are online but can only be viewed on a website that requires a paid membership. You can also purchase a copy of the Durant Roll and 1870 Annuity (in one book) through Heritage Books, Inc. If you live in the area, the rolls should be obtainable at your local library. We do not issue copies of our rolls yet. We hope to scan and have the rolls available on our webpage in the near future.

Other tips from the Enrollment Office:

• Keep your mailing address current with our office! All tribal mailings are originated from the Enrollment database, including election ballots and elder checks. You can change your address via phone, fax, mail or email.

• You can register to vote for Tribal Elections by contacting our office at 800‑251‑6597. We will mail you a voter registration card. If you live within the 7-county service area, you are automatically registered to vote in the unit in which you reside in.

• Minor children under the age of 18 will receive a membership card valid until their 18th birthday. After they turn 18 their cards will expire every 4 years. At the age of 55 you will receive a lifetime card.

• At this time, please do not expect all places to accept your tribal membership card as proof of ID. It is up to the individual business/person whether or not they will accept it. Please keep this in mind when traveling outside the United States or via airplane. Check ahead of time before you assume it will be accepted.

• If you have any questions regarding Enrollment please contact our office directly. Any/all staff can assist you. If we don’t have the answer, we will get it.

• If you are planning to visit ANY of the tribal offices without an appointment please call ahead of time to make sure that office will be open. There are times when offices close to the public for employee training or weather conditions, etc. It’s best to save time and money by calling ahead.