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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: Sault Tribe Newspaper; Published: 12 November 2014

Automatic subscription for Tribal Elders 60+

From Jennifer Dale-Burton, Editor

Now in its 35th year, our tribal newspaper has been through many changes. In 1993, it went from a circulation of 800 to 13,000; now it's 20,000. It's been by paid subscription only, free to everyone, and in boxes for 25¢. It has even changed names.

Now is the time for our newspaper to make another big leap, due to ever rising postage and printing costs that have become cost-prohibitive. This average cost of printing and mailing has risen to $11,000 per month. To make matters more frustrating, we know there is waste but we don't know exactly where it is. To save thousands of dollars, prevent waste, and keep up with the times, we are changing to request-only.

Sault Tribe members who want print copies sent to their homes must request it by filling out a form for a free subscription. That way, we are only sending it to members who want it. The exception is tribal elders 60 and over will still automatically receive it in their homes. All others will access the paper online or get it via the new Mobile App, which will be available soon. Of course, Elders who prefer to use the App need only let us know.

This new distribution method becomes effective next month. There is no deadline for getting on the list. Each fall, all tribal members requesting a print copy will have to "renew" by sending in a request, along with their current address, to keep getting a print copy.

To continue receiving your print copy of Win Awenen Nisitotung, use the form on page 2 of the November newspaper, or download your form here:

Sault Tribe Member Free Newspaper Subscription Form

Miigwech.