In a Facebook post, Crow Tribal Executive Branch Chairman declares state of emergency

In a post dated, Feb. 16, from the Crow Tribe Facebook page, Tribal Executive Branch Chairman Frank White Clay declared a state of emergency within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation due to COVID-19. Find the full statement from White Clay below.

DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY WITHIN THE EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES OF THE CROW INDIAN RESERVATION RELATED TO THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS

A declaration of a State of Emergency resulting from the imminent threat of a disaster causing immediate peril to life and property that timely action can avert or minimize, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of Crow Tribal members and other residents. As the Crow Tribal Executive Branch Chairman, it is my duty to protect the Tribe and its members. The Tribe is facing increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Therefore, I declare the Crow Tribe to be in a State of Emergency due to the COVID -19 Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.

Crow Tribal Government Directive, it shall be the Policy of the Executive Branch to issue mandates and Orders to compel residents of the Crow Reservation to practice self-care, prevention and safeguard children and elders in our communities from COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS.

A “Stay Home Order” shall be in affect to help mitigate the transmission of the Coronavirus.  The Indian Health Service (IHS) is working closely with Tribal governments, local, state and Federal public health officials to respond to this public health threat with ongoing COVID -19 pandemic.  The Crow Tribe spans over two million acres and has limited inpatient facilities, limited housing options, and limited resources for food and water, which places the nearly 14,000 tribal members in a potential higher rate of spread of the virus and a higher rate of morality.  

To protect and keep citizens of the Crow Nation informed, regarding new strains of the Coronavirus appearing across the nation and any updates concerning the Coronavirus Novel-19.

It shall be policy to utilize PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to protect and prevent the spread of the often times deadly Coronavirus.  CDC also urges people to vaccinated when vaccine is available.

Continued Order/Mandate:

• Face mask/covering when outside of the confines of their homes.

• Continued social distancing

• Handwashing and/or utilizing hand sanitizer

• Executive Branch is urging families to “Stay Home”

• Executive Branch is requesting schools to continue online learning for children

• Mandatory and daily temperature logs upon entrance into any establishment in which a person is going to remain inside for longer than 30 minutes.

• Stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever or COVID -19 symptoms

Frank White Clay, Chairman

Crow Tribal Executive Branch

Dated: February 16, 2021