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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: News; Published: 08 July 2026

Feeding America West Michigan drive-thru mobile pantry, Thursday, July 9, at Big Bear Arena, 2 Ice Circle Drive in Sault Ste. Marie. Distribution will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. or until all food has been given out.

Mobile Pantries are like farmers markets on wheels that provide groceries – including produce, protein, dairy, grains, and more – to anyone in need at no charge.

When coming to the distribution, turn onto Bahweting Drive (off of Shunk Road). Do not block driveways.

In order to pick up food for a household other than your own, you must have written permission with signature that includes: household name and address, how many people live in the household, how many are children, how many are senior citizens/elders and how many are veterans. Limit of two proxy pickups per vehicle for distribution.

Flyer

Details: Category: Enrollment News; Published: 08 July 2026

The Sault Tribe Enrollment Department is introducing a new, streamlined process for elders to claim their elder dividend check. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 1, 2026, an online application portal will be available. Elders will login and complete the process quickly and securely. Elder checks will be mailed in January 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. Call 906‑632‑8552 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Details: Category: News; Published: 06 July 2026

Tribal members are invited to attend the 2026 Board of Directors Installation Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the Sault Ste. Marie Kewadin Casino Grand Ballroom.

—Oath of Office
—Presentation of Gifts
—Reception
—Election of Officers to follow Reception

For further information, please contact Lona or Samuel, 800‑793‑0660 or 906‑635‑6050.

2026 Board of Directors Installation

Details: Category: News; Published: 02 July 2026

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting July 7, 2026, beginning 5 p.m. at Sault Kewadin Casino Whitefish Point Room, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761.

“Membership Participation” will be held at 5 p.m. in person or by virtual attendance. The link is available at the Sault Tribe website saulttribe.com under membership assistance for the meeting link and Membership Form that must be completed. The deadline to submit a form is 1 p.m. on meeting day. The link is https://zoom.us/j/83640619761. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again unless they have a matter for the board.

To attend the scheduled workshop, except for closed session or items, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84149623333. Those who have already registered to Zoom Board of Directors meetings need not register for workshops.

Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again.

On the agenda under Resolutions is:
USDA FY26 Budget Modification
Big Bear Admin FY26 Budget Modification
Enrollment FY26 Budget Modification
National Telecom/Information Establish FY27 Budget
Health PRC FY26 Budget Modification
Human Resources FY26 Budget Modification
JKL Fiduciary FY26 Budget Modification
Adam Walsh Establish FY26 Budget
GLRI Wolf Management Establish FY27 Budget
Nunn’s Creek FY26 Budget Modification
BIA FY26 Budget Modification
Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) 2026 Application
Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Application
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Application
Amend Res. 2007-96/Special Needs Scholarships
Award RFP 26-022 To Great Lakes Roofing
Authorize Family Violence Prevention Application
OVW FY26 Grants to Indian Tribal Governments
MIEA Tribal Elder Appointments
Elder Ramp Program Policy Update
Accept 2025 Housing Authority Audit
Housing Authorization to Apply for CoC Grant
Amending Chapter 90 Housing Authority
Rescinding Chapter 92 Utility Authority

Under New Business, the board will consider Committee Appointments/Resignations, Secretarial Election Board and Board Concerns.

Resolutions

Details: Category: News; Published: 01 July 2026

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on July 6, at the Sault Kewadin Casino Grand Island Room, in person or via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/83640619761. Those who have already registered for Zoom meetings need not register again.

On the agenda under Presentation is: Certification of 2026 General Election Results.

Under New Business is: Election of Officers.

Agenda