The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors unanimously passed a landmark resolution in Marquette this evening, moving closer to establishing three co-equal branches of government and a formal separation of powers within the tribe’s government.

The resolution 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. There was one amendment to the resolution lowering the required votes the legislative branch needs to override the executive branch’s veto from a three-fourths majority to a two-thirds majority.

The resolution was brought forward after months of tribal input on amending the Constitution. In Fall 2025, the Sault Tribe Election Commission mailed a constitutional survey to tribal members. Results showed a majority of respondents supported amending the current Sault Tribe Constitution to establish a more defined system of checks and balances through co-equal legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution, along with Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations sections 81.7 and 81.19, establishes the process and timelines for amendments making foundational changes to the way the tribe is governed. 

Once the board submits its newly passed resolution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the agency must perform a technical review within 30 days and call the secretarial election within 90 days. During the review process, the BIA will work with the Sault Tribe to ensure the proper framework is in place for the proposed constitutional amendments.

The BIA will create a Secretarial Election Board that will administer the election process. Once the election is completed, the Secretary of the Interior will determine whether to approve the constitutional changes. 

Because the secretarial election is administered by the BIA rather than the Sault Tribe, eligible tribal members must specifically register for the election in order to receive a ballot. The BIA will provide additional information to membership regarding registration procedures and election timelines.

Ballots are expected to be mailed later this summer to eligible Sault Tribe members who register for the secretarial election. Members are encouraged to ensure their mailing addresses are current with Sault Tribe Enrollment in order to receive election materials and correspondence from the BIA in relation to the election.

Further information on the secretarial election process will be available soon on saulttribe.com. 

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors unanimously passed a landmark resolution in Marquette this evening, moving closer to establishing three co-equal branches of government and a formal separation of powers within the tribe’s government.

The resolution 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. There was one amendment to the resolution lowering the required votes the legislative branch needs to override the executive branch’s veto from a three-fourths majority to a two-thirds majority.

The resolution was brought forward after months of tribal input on amending the Constitution. In Fall 2025, the Sault Tribe Election Commission mailed a constitutional survey to tribal members. Results showed a majority of respondents supported amending the current Sault Tribe Constitution to establish a more defined system of checks and balances through co-equal legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution, along with Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations sections 81.7 and 81.19, establishes the process and timelines for amendments making foundational changes to the way the tribe is governed. 

Once the board submits its newly passed resolution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the agency must perform a technical review within 30 days and call the secretarial election within 90 days. During the review process, the BIA will work with the Sault Tribe to ensure the proper framework is in place for the proposed constitutional amendments.

The BIA will create a Secretarial Election Board that will administer the election process. Once the election is completed, the Secretary of the Interior will determine whether to approve the constitutional changes. 

Because the secretarial election is administered by the BIA rather than the Sault Tribe, eligible tribal members must specifically register for the election in order to receive a ballot. The BIA will provide additional information to membership regarding registration procedures and election timelines.

Ballots are expected to be mailed later this summer to eligible Sault Tribe members who register for the secretarial election. Members are encouraged to ensure their mailing addresses are current with Sault Tribe Enrollment in order to receive election materials and correspondence from the BIA in relation to the election.

Further information on the secretarial election process will be available soon on saulttribe.com. 

Calling all Sault Tribe families who have or are expecting a baby! Come and learn how to use and care for your very own cradleboard. Each family will take home their own tikinaagan!

May 23, 2026
Marquette Community Center
204 Cherry Creek Rd.
Marquette MI 49855

Registration Required—call Stacie to register, 906‑379‑8061.

Presented by Little Agate and Sault Tribe. For more information, see flyer.

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Following recent changes to Tribal Court, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians assures members that the tribe’s judicial system will continue to operate lawfully and fairly.

During this transitional period, Tribal Court is temporarily staffed by experienced court and legal trained professionals. In addition, three independent and respected Anishinaabe judges are managing and overseeing the court cases. Each judge brings a significant experience working in tribal communities and tribal courts to the bench.

To best assist the tribal community, the Sault Tribe suggests all members follow the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians on Facebook and saulttribe.com for updates to hours of operation for Tribal Court.

While the Tribal Court continues efforts to strengthen judicial operations, the Sault Tribe reminds community members that all confidential information is being handled with the utmost care. Court Administrator/Magistrate Traci Swan is providing assistance during this time to ensure Tribal Court duties are fulfilled prior to her resignation later this month.

Multiple qualified Native American candidates have expressed interest in vital court roles such as Chief Tribal Judge and Court Administrator/Magistrate. These positions will remain open until filled. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit saulttribe.exacthire.com to view openings.

As changes occur within the Tribal Court, the Sault Tribe encourages members to seek information from official tribal communication channels to avoid confusion and conflicting information caused by politically charged rhetoric and misinformation. Maintaining the integrity of the court is of paramount importance to the Sault Tribe. Up-to-date information can be found on the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Facebook page and on saulttribe.com.

Tribal Court
Friday, May 8: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday, May 11: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13: Closed for American Indian Day
Thursday, May 14: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15: Office hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*Please note that no one will be available for the hours of 11:30-12:30 daily. Hours are subject to change.

Sault Tribe Language & Culture presents "The Seven Generations & Seven Grandfather Teachings" with Special Guest Speaker James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw.

This talk will present the traditional teachings of the Anishinaabeg as a means of developing interconnectedness and interdependence. The seven grandfather teachings, the sacred law of the Anishinaabeg, show us how to lead Mino-bimaadiziwin, “the good life,” a life of without contradiction or conflict, a life of peace and balance.

Thursday, June 11, 6-8 p.m.
Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building
11 Ice Circle Drive
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided!
Questions? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (906) 635-6510.

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The Sault Tribe Enrollment Department is introducing a new, streamlined process to claim your Elder Dividend check. From Aug. 1, through Oct. 1, 2026, an online application portal will be available. Elders will able to login and complete the process quickly and securely. Elder checks will be mailed in Jan. 2027.

This new system is designed to reduce processing time, lower administrative costs, and make the application process more efficient. It will also help eliminate issues such as lost or delayed forms.

As the rollout approaches, updates and additional details will be shared in the tribal newspaper and online at www.saulttribe.com.

For those who are unable to access the online portal, a paper application will continue to be mailed to the address we have on file.

If your address changes after submitting your application, whether online or by mail, you must contact the Enrollment Office to ensure your information is updated.