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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: Education; Published: 12 February 2015

Beginning in the Spring 2015 semester, LSSU will offer a scholarship for those attending classes through the *LSSU Escanaba Regional Center* at Bay College.

“We are very pleased to see this type of generous scholarship support for our collaborative students at Bay College,” stated University President Tom Pleger. “LSSU is committed to providing access to high quality baccalaureate programs in the Escanaba area. We are also increasing our offerings to non-traditional adult students who want to come back to university to complete a four-year degree.”

The initial funding for the *LSSU Escanaba Regional Center Award* is provided through a small endowment fund established by the Mead Paper Company then headquartered in Escanaba, Michigan. Although the fund did not meet the minimum endowment level to award, the earnings grew through the years to now offer financial aid support to those attending classes at the LSSU regional center.

“I'm excited to have this scholarship opportunity for the regional center students. This is just one more example of how LSSU makes bachelor degrees more accessible to location-bound working adults,” remarked Heidi Baumgartner, director for the LSSU Escanaba Regional Center.”

To be eligible, a student must be an admitted LSSU student attending classes at the Escanaba Regional Center and enrolled in a minimum of six LSSU credits per semester with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Financial need may be a consideration.

For additional information regarding the LSSU Escanaba Regional Center contact Heidi Baumgartner at 906‑217‑4123 or visit www.lssu.edu/admissions/regional/escanaba.

If you wish to support the *LSSU Escanaba Regional Center Award* or want more information about this or any one of the more than 100 scholarships and awards available at LSSU, call the LSSU Foundation Office at 906‑635‑2665 or visit lssu.edu/foundation