Youth Education & Activities Program (YEA)

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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: Education; Published: 13 July 2011

Youth Education & Activities (YEA) consists of three components—academic, cultural and leadership—along with other services such as transportation. Priority is given to enrolled members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe attending classes full-time in grades Head Start through 12th grade. Some activities require that we open eligibility to the entire community. Most activities are free, especially to low-income families.

Academic:

In-school tutoring; homework lab; computer lab; college information night; assistance with SAT/ACT prep classes, campus visits and career days; family math and science; peer tutoring; assistance for school trips and career camps; school supplies for low income families; senior recognition banquets and gifts; and multi-media classes and projects (working with video/digital cameras and developing public service announcements).

Cultural:

Regalia classes; dance demonstration/instruction; trips to pow wows, spiritual gatherings, drum socials and sweat lodges; story telling; craft classes including basket making, beading, glove/moccasin construction; classroom presentations; access to Ojibwe language classes; teachings in language, traditional plants and medicines, four colors, four directions, seven grandfathers; Circle of Life summer program; opportunities to attend Culture Camp activities such as hand drum tying, winter survival, sugar bush, cradle board; elder teachings; community cultural presentations; and on-site cultural libraries and resources.

Leadership:

Tribal Youth Council; community service projects; Teen Court; and opportunities to plan and participate in conferences such as the TYC Youth Leadership Conference and UNITY.

Other:

Transportation for non-program activities that benefit tribal youth.

2026 Sault Tribe YEA/Sault Schools Summer Program

YEA Summer Program 2026 Sault Tribe Youth Education & Activities (YEA) Program, in partnership with Sault Area Public Schools, is excited to announce a new Summer 2026 Program for all students entering 2nd-5th grade. This program will focus on cultural literacy, outdoor exploration, and STEM activities. It will be held at the Soo Township Building on M-129, beginning on Monday, June 8. It will run for 6 weeks, operating Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Parent transport, with drop off beginning at 7:45 a.m. and pickup taking place by 12:15 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Limited spots available, so hurry and get in your pre-registration form! The deadline for submission is May 1. Please note, pre-registration is for selection only. If selected for the program, additional registration paperwork will be required. Additional information on flyer below.

Flyer

Summer Program Interest Form SSM

Escanaba YEA Homework Help

Escanaba YEA Homework Help Tuesdays, November-May, after school at 1226 Wigob St. until 5 p.m. For grades K-12. Snacks provided. Bussing options available from multiple area schools. Please contact us at 906‑203‑5888 to discuss transportation options.

Homework Help 2025 Flyer

Munising YEA Culture Club

Grades 3 and 4
Mondays beginning Sept. 15, after school at 5 p.m.
To sign up, call Cindy at 906‑379‑7772.

Culture Club 2025

YEA 2025 Permission Slip

Munising YEA Little Learners

Grades K-2
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 24, afterschool at 5 p.m.
Enjoy Cultural teachings and Outdoor Fun!
To sign up, call Cindy at 906‑379‑7772.

Little Learners Flyer 2025

Marquette Sault Tribe YEA

Grades 3-8
YEA Office
Marquette Tribal Community Center, 204 Cherry Creek Rd.
Our program offers a safe and nurturing environment where children can engage in cultural activities and learn valuable skills. From storytelling to traditional crafts, we provide a variety of fun activities that celebrate our heritage and empower young minds.
To register, call Cindy at 906‑379‑7772.

Marquette YEA Flyer