Standing Rock Sioux Tribe signs agreement with Red Cross

Thursday, March 28, 2013  

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is signing an agreement with the American Red Cross today.

The memorandum of understanding will address how the entities will work together to address future disasters on the reservation. It's the first agreement of its kind.

Congress has amended the Stafford Act to recognize tribal sovereignty. Tribes can now request disaster declarations directly from the federal government without going through states.

The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation straddles North Dakota and South Dakota.

Get the Story:
Dakotas tribe, Red Cross collaborate (AP 3/28)

Federal Register Notice:
Solicitation for Comments Regarding Current Procedures To Request Emergency and Major Disaster Declarations (March 8, 2013)

FEMA to consult tribes about new disaster declaration process (3/11)