The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors approved a Constitution Implementation Plan on Sept. 22 to prepare Tribal government for a potential transition to three separate branches of government.
The plan will guide the transition if Tribal citizens vote in favor of the proposed constitutional amendments in the upcoming secretarial election. It establishes an 18-month timeline for updating Tribal codes while also addressing provisions that would take effect immediately.
Approval of the implementation plan does not change the current or proposed amended Sault Tribe Constitution. This plan adds guidance so Tribal government and services transition smoothly in the event the amended constitution takes effect.
If the amended Constitution takes effect, the plan provides that:
• Current leadership remains in place during the transition. Current governmental, legislative and authority executives would remain in office until the applicable appointment and confirmation laws are adopted and the incumbent is reconfirmed or a successor is appointed and confirmed.
• Tribal departments and programs will continue operating. Existing budgets and appropriations remain in place unless they are lawfully changed, replaced or reallocated.
• Kewadin Casinos Gaming Authority and Enterprise Authority continue operating under existing law. Both would remain under Tribal Council (the legislative body that would replace the Board) until Chapters 93 and 94 are amended through the new constitutional legislative process.
• Current laws, policies, contracts, grants, employment relationships, litigation positions, financial controls and signature authority remain in effect unless they conflict with the amended Constitution or are superseded by valid implementing action.
• Tribal attorneys will assist with implementation. In-house counsel assigned to the legislative or executive branches would assist with drafting the code revisions required under the implementation timeline.
The plan also establishes accountability during the transition. Tribal departments, legal entities and executives must identify recommended changes to policies, procedures and processes within 30 days of the resolution’s approval, no later than Oct. 22. The resolution also gives Tribal Court jurisdiction to enforce its requirements and implementation timeline.