June 21, 2026.
This is an editorial post to support the NO Vote to the new constitution changes because we deserve better.
Why Vote NO for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Secretarial Election Constitutional Amendment Election?
To us it is very telling and manipulative that we don't have the right to vote on each proposed change separately. It is being "Sold" as a addition of a Three Branch Government all the while slipping in many other changes that removes our rights while not adding measures that could provide equal rights to all members.
- If you vote yes then the results will be that Article III of the Bylaws takes away Tribal Members Rights to access to all records.
Bylaw Article III Section One. Currently States "All books, records, and financial accounts of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, including the tribal roll, shall be open to inspection by tribal members upon reasonable request to the board of directors".
Section 1. Changes “ The Tribal Council shall pass, through resolution, laws consistent with this article to govern the reasonable disclosure of information and appropriate sunset laws with regard to the disclosure of proprietary business information within six (6) months of the ratification of this amended constitution”
Missing but could have been added from the new constitution:
- Should there be Tribal Board Member Term Limits?
- Should we allow all qualified Tribal Members rights to be elected to the Tribal Council or elected Chairperson regardless of their address?
- Should we grant Equal Rights to all Tribal Members allowing them to apply and be qualified to receive all services offered by the tribe no matter what their address?
- Should we have Blood Quantum Protections in place to guarantee that blood quantum is never allowed to be used against our families to restrict enrollment?
If that is not enough to get you to vote no..ask yourself .......
- While we were asked to email comments and concerns to constitution@saulttribe.net why aren't the Tribal Member Comments shared with all Tribal Members prior to sending the document to the BIA and asking for your vote for approval?
- Why did they have to add the Mackinac Band? They have been enrolling Mackinac Band Members and counting them for grant funding for years. Are they attempting to stop another tribe from being Federally Recognized or just protecting themselves from huge federal penalties for enrolling members that technically should not have been enrolled?
Please VOTE NO for the sake of the next seven generations.
Once we give up our rights it is highly unlikely that we will get them back..
Chi Miigwech