September 4, 2026.
The proposed Sault Tribe Constitution should not be presented to Tribal Members as an all-or-nothing decision.
We can support meaningful constitutional reform, including a government with three separate and co-equal branches, stronger checks and balances, and greater accountability, while also believing that other major constitutional changes deserve their own vote.
The question is simple:
Why should Tribal Members have to vote YES or NO on an entire Constitution when it contains numerous separate and significant changes?
These Issues Should Be Voted on Separately
1. Three-Branch Government
Should the Tribe establish separate legislative, executive and judicial branches with clearly defined powers and checks and balances?
2. Equal Rights for Every Tribal Member
The Constitution should clearly guarantee equal political and citizenship rights to every Tribal Member.
Where a member lives should not, by itself, determine whether that member has greater or lesser rights as a Tribal citizen.
3. The Right to Run for Tribal Office
Any qualified Tribal Member should have a meaningful opportunity to seek election to the Tribal Council or other elected tribal office regardless of where that member lives, provided all other qualifications are met.
4. Equal Opportunity for Tribal Programs and Benefits
The Constitution should establish that qualified Tribal Members have an equal opportunity to apply for tribal programs and benefits, subject to the legitimate eligibility requirements of each program.
5. Protection of Existing Member Rights
Changes to existing rights—including access to tribal records and government information—should be clearly identified and separately approved by the membership.
6. Accountability and Enforcement
The Constitution should provide meaningful ways for Tribal Members to challenge violations of their constitutional and Bylaw rights and hold government officials accountable.
7. Recall, Referendum and Election Provisions
Changes affecting the membership's ability to elect, recall or challenge elected officials should be presented separately so members understand exactly what they are approving.
8. Constitutional Amendment Process
Members should retain a meaningful voice in how future constitutional changes are proposed and approved.
9. Addition of the Mackinac Band
If the proposed Constitution changes citizenship or membership provisions involving the Mackinac Band, that should be a clearly identified and separately considered question—not hidden within an all-or-nothing constitutional vote.
What Would Equal Rights Look Like?
A stronger Constitution would say, in clear language:
Every enrolled Sault Tribe Member has equal political and citizenship rights.
That would mean:
- Your address alone does not determine your political rights.
- Qualified members have an equal opportunity to seek elected office.
- Members have an equal opportunity to apply for tribal programs and benefits, subject to legitimate program requirements.
- Existing member rights cannot simply disappear through unrelated constitutional changes.
- Members have meaningful access to information about their government.
- Government officials are accountable when they violate constitutional or Bylaw requirements.
- Future constitutional changes require meaningful participation by Tribal Members.
This Is Not About Opposing Reform
The issue is not whether the Sault Tribe should have a modern Constitution.
It is whether Tribal Members should be given a real choice.
A member could support three-branch government and still oppose another constitutional provision.
A member could support stronger courts but oppose a change to member rights.
A member could support greater accountability but want different election provisions.
Those choices should belong to the membership.
The Sault Tribe Guardian's position is that major constitutional changes should be presented as separate questions so Tribal Members can vote YES to the changes they support and NO to the changes they do not.
A Constitution is supposed to protect the rights of the people it governs.
Give Tribal Members the right to make each important decision for themselves.
Equal Rights. Individual Votes. Meaningful Choice.
