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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

Notice: Opportunity to Serve on the Secretarial Election Board for the Constitutional Amendment Election

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is seeking Tribal citizens who are interested in serving on the Secretarial Election Board for the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election, which is expected to take place later this summer or in early fall.

The Secretarial Election Board will assist with duties related to the Secretarial Election process for the proposed constitutional amendments including setting deadlines for the election. The Tribe is seeking interested citizens from each of the five election units and representatives from the at large membership. The Board of Directors will select:

One tribal citizen from each unit, and two at-large tribal citizens.

Selection will be made by drawing names from the list of interested Tribal citizens. The drawing is anticipated to take place by the July 7 Board of Directors meeting.

Tribal citizens who are interested in being considered should submit their name, enrollment number, contact information, a letter of intent and the election unit in which they reside to legal@saulttribe.net . If selected you will be expected to be able to attend in person meetings in Sault Ste. Marie.

Interested citizens should submit their information no later than July 3, 2026.

For questions, please contact legal@saulttribe.net .

Miigwech to all Tribal citizens willing to participate in this important constitutional process.

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.