September 23, 2026.
Our tribe is a distinct community of people connected by shared ancestry, culture, history, traditions, language, territory. But that does not mean you give up your rights because you choose not to remain on or near our reservation. Many of our members never lived in the U.P. and have never been to the U.P. but that does not mean they don't have things to offer and that they don't truly appreciate being born into our Tribe.
The proposed Sault Tribe Constitution would make significant changes to the structure and operation of tribal government. Before voting, Tribal Members should carefully consider whether the document adequately protects individual rights, transparency, and government accountability.
What’s Missing? Equal Rights for Tribal Members.
A Tribal Member’s place of residence should not, by itself, determine our rights.
The majority of Sault Tribe Members live outside the Upper Peninsula. The Constitution should allow all qualified Members the right to seek elected office regardless of where they live.
Members should have equal opportunities to apply for tribal programs and benefits.
When a Sovereign Government desires to serve all members, they have the power to do so. Unfortunately, our tribe, at this time chooses to discriminate against members that do not live on our near the reservation. Their behavior is an example of following the European Colonist desire to keep First Nations Citizens confined to Reservations or remove their rights.
Access to Tribal Records.
Transparency is essential to representative government.
Article III, Section One of the existing Bylaws 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.” This right is worth protecting and an example of respect given to Members in the current Constitution.
The proposed Constitution would replace that provision with language directing the Tribal Council to establish, through resolution, rules governing disclosure of information and proprietary business information within six months of ratification. Are you going to allow our few rights to be removed?
Major Changes and Separate Ballot Questions.
The proposed Constitution addresses numerous subjects, including the structure of government, recall, referendums, while removing our rights to have access to information, and other matters affecting Tribal Members.
It attempts to hijack another tribe's rights by adding their band without even consulting the other tribe.
These are distinct policy and governance questions. Presenting major changes separately could allow Members to express their views on each issue rather than accepting or rejecting an entire package.
Claims about what the Bureau of Indian Affairs permits or requires regarding separate votes should be supported by the applicable federal requirements and documentation. Especially when just last week the Quileute Tribe actually did vote on two constitution changes separately posting the results on Facebook. Why do they have more rights then we are being offered?
Why the claim the Constitution is just about a three-branch government when in fact it is not?
Protecting Future Generations.
The central question is not simply whether the Tribe should have a new governmental structure. It is whether the proposed document provides the protections and accountability Tribal Members expect from their Constitution.
How can you trust anyone that repeatably lies to you?
Yes we may sound like a broken record with our repeated editorials about why you should VOTE NO but its because we really do care about all Members Rights. It is not about wanting anything or needing anything from the tribe...It is about doing the RIGHT THING.
Take back your power. The Tribal Board and the Chairman need to be reminded that they work for us and we won't be manipulated into giving up our rights.
Please register to vote so you can VOTE NO if you care about your family and the rights of the entire tribe.
