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Reminder: the Secretarial Election is a federal election

While the Sault Tribe’s upcoming secretarial election affects the way the tribe is governed, it is important that tribal citizens note this is a federally administered election conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

These special elections are led by a secretarial election board with a BIA-appointed chairman. Sault Tribe citizens are asked to direct questions regarding the election to Secretarial Election Chairman Nicholas VanAlstine. Mr. VanAlstine may be reached at 906‑632‑6809.

With tabulation night and the deadline to submit ballots set for Nov. 19, the Sault Tribe encourages all registered voters to return their ballots ASAP to ensure their vote counts. For more information on the secretarial election, including the proposed amended constitution as well as the current Sault Tribe constitution, please visit https://saulttribe.com/government/secretarial-election.

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: ARC; Published: 05 July 2011

About ARC

The Advocacy Resource Center (ARC) is a direct service program that provides voluntary assistance and support to victims / survivors and their children regardless of law enforcement involvement or length of time since the assault, abuse and / or crime.

ADVOCACY SERVICES:

The ARC provides services to not only victims / survivors and their children, but also to family members or friends needing information about how to support a victim / survivor in their life. ARC Core Victim Services include the following:

Core Advocacy:

Crisis intervention and brief counseling
Emotional support
Safety plan development and follow up
Case management support and assistance
Information and referral to available community resources which may include financial assistance, food assistance, rent / housing assistance, utility assistance, clothing assistance, behavioral health services, medical services, traditional medicine services, substance abuse services, and child care assistance. Victims are referred to both tribal and community programs depending upon individual program eligibility requirements and victim consent to the referral.
Transportation assistance to attend medical / counseling appointments, locating housing / employment, and / or attend court hearings
Provide education about dynamics of domestic violence, family violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on the victim, the family and the community.

Emergency Legal Advocacy:

Explain and assist with completing and filing a request for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) in Tribal and State Courts [Domestic and Non-Domestic]
PPO court hearing accompaniment

Criminal Justice Advocacy:

Explain crime victim rights under Federal, State and Tribal laws
Explain and assist with establishing notification when offender is released from jail
Liaison between the victim / survivor and Law Enforcement and / or Prosecutor
Explain and assist with completing and submitting crime victim impact statements
Information about Tribal, State and Federal Court criminal processes
Provide notification of upcoming hearing dates and times
Explain and assist with Court hearing safety plans
Provide transportation assistance to Tribal, State, and Federal Court hearings and / or meetings with law enforcement and / or prosecutors
Tribal, State and Federal Court hearing accompaniment
Explain and assist with completing and submitting a crime victim statement for sentencing and / or post sentencing hearings

Crime Victim Compensation Assistance:

Provide information about available compensation programs and eligibility criteria
Provide assistance with completion of compensation applications, submission, and follow up monitoring of application

Additionally, the ARC maintains a 24 hour emergency pager for use by both victims and law enforcement seeking support when the ARC business office is closed.

PREVENTION / OUTREACH / EDUCATION SERVICES:

The ARC provides prevention and outreach services through collaborative community awareness outreach events, educational presentations, and through individual and group education services.

EMERGENCY SHELTER:

The ARC’s “Aakdehewin Gaamig – Lodge of Bravery (LOB)” is a 16-bed temporary emergency shelter for all victims of domestic and dating violence and their children. The LOB is staffed 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to ensure immediate entry for those seeking safety from violence.

SEXUAL ASSAULT / ABUSE OUTPATIENT THERAPY SERVICES (TSASP):

The ARC funds a Clinical Social Worker located in the Behavioral Health program that provides outpatient therapy to Sault Tribe victims of sexual abuse / sexual assault.