Quick Access

Secretarial Election set to be held on or before Sept. 26

Sault Tribe members, mark your calendars. The Secretarial Election on proposed constitutional amendments establishing a three-branch government is set to be held on or before Sept. 26, 2026.

Once the Secretarial Election Board is formed, it will establish the official election date and election timeline. The Sault Tribe is accepting volunteers to serve on the board through July 3. The Board of Directors will randomly select one tribal citizen from each voting unit and two at-large tribal citizens during its July 7 meeting.
Tribal citizens interested in serving on the Secretarial Election Board are encouraged to submit their interest by emailing legal@saulttribe.net.

In May, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors unanimously voted to submit proposed constitutional amendments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), beginning the Secretarial Election process. The election is administered by the BIA and is required under federal law and Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution.

When ballots are mailed later this summer or early fall, eligible tribal citizens will vote "yes" or "no" on whether to adopt the proposed constitutional amendments establishing three separate and equal branches of government.

To ensure ballots and election information are received, tribal citizens are encouraged to verify that their mailing address is up to date with Tribal Enrollment.

 

Constitutional Amendment Update

Resolution 2026-145 requests a secretarial election on proposed constitutional amendments and places the decision to update the tribe’s Constitution in the hands of Sault Tribe membership. The resolution will be sent to the BIA by June 19 and then the BIA will begin the federal election process. Linked below are the Resolution 2026-145 and the Attached Amended Constitution drafts. Please watch the tribe’s website and Facebook in the coming months for updates on this.

3 Branch Separation Amendments Attachment for Reso 2026-145

2026-145 Authorizing Amended Constitution Submission for a Secretarial Election

Due to the 2026 election, 2026 dates are tentative and will be finalized after the 2026 Notice of Election is released in January.

Please make your submissions for articles, announcements, advertising, etc. by 5 p.m. on deadline day. Tribal members are encouraged to submit births, obituaries, weddings, new businesses, graduation and other accomplishments, etc. There is no charge. Advertising can be purchased by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 To submit, email: Sherrie Lucas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jennifer Dale-Burton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 To make an appointment for photos or an interview, email: Brenda Austin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Scott Brand at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 Tribal members can sign up for the digital edition or print edition by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Elders 60-plus receive the newspaper automatically.

Feel free to email any of the above, or call 906‑632‑6398, with any questions.

2026 WAN Production Schedule

© 2026 - Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Ken Bosma / CC BY