COVID-19 in Indian Country
News Release: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Cancels April WSOP Event Due to recommendations by health officials regarding Covid19 concerns, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort announces the cancellation of its April Circuit Events. “Given the rapidly evolving situation, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel the April WSOP Circuit Event” said Brooks Robinson, […]

LCO Ojibwe College Letter to Students on March 11 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff: Due to the heightened world-wide awareness and still-uncertain methods of transmission of the COVID-19 version of coronavirus we are implementing best practice measures to prevent illness at the College while maintaining operations.  We want you to know that the safety of […]

COVID-19 Statement from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians   Greetings Tribal Members,                                The Tribal Governing Board is aware that people are worried about the spread of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, and we want to reassure you that we are well prepared to care for our tribal members if the […]

Tune in on Monday, March 16, 2020, as Native America Calling airs a show entitled “Preparing for Covid-19.” Information about the coronavirus is changing fast. State by state, tribe by tribe, elected leaders and policymakers are responding to new details about Covid-19 on an hourly basis. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you are no […]

The 24TH NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL Office of the Speaker FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2020 Uranium public hearings postponed WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Naabik’íyáti Committee of the 24th NavajoNation Council announced Thursday that the Mar. 13 and Mar. 14 UraniumPublic Hearings planned for Chinle and Tuba City are postponed until further notice. “The postponements […]

Here’s the Bureau of Indian Affairs Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak page: https://www.bia.gov/covid-19 The page includes a link to a “Dear Tribal Leader Letter” dated March 6, 2020. The link, however, is broken as of date of this post on late March 15, 2020.

Source: FINAL BIE COVID Parent_School Leader Letter_3.4.2020_508 March 4, 2020 United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Parents and School Leaders, The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is actively involved in supporting the U.S. response to COVID-19, or Novel Coronavirus, and continues to collaborate with Federal agencies, […]

Official Press Release from Santa Fe Indian School Date: 3/12/2020  SFIS School Closure due to Health and Safety Precautions SANTA FE, N.M. – Today the SFIS Board of Trustees supported the Superintendent’s recommendation in an unanimous vote (7-0) to close school starting today, March 12, 2020 through the end of the scheduled spring break on April […]

A statement from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, owned and operated by the Pueblo tribes in Albuquerque, New Mexico: To Our Valued Guests: The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is committed to providing our guests with a safe and enjoyable visit. For this reason, we are taking extra precautions to ensure our Campus is disinfected and […]

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska enacted a 30-day travel ban for all employees and elected officials starting this past Wednesday, March 11. The tribe also discouraged visitors from traveling to the tribe’s northeast Nebraska reservation until the tribe lifts its travel ban. The tribe also launched a COVID-19 hotline for people experiencing symptoms that may […]

News Release: Muscogee (Creek) Nation Declares COVID-19 State of Emergency – March 13, 2020 https://www.mcn-nsn.gov/executive-order-20-01-declaring-a-state-of-emergency/ OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — Effective today, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill has declared a state of emergency for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to minimize the potential spread of the Coronavirus Disease, also known as COVID-19.  “We are treating […]

Flandreau Public School (Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in Flandreau, South Dakota) will be closed March 16-20.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska declared a state of emergency on Friday. Tribal Chairman Larry Wright Jr. expressed concern about the great distance between the tribe’s service delivery areas in 15 counties and in 3 states. “Our staff is working with all three state health organizations and all counties that our service delivery areas are […]

“Let’s Talk Native…” #409, 3/14/20; COVID 1492! The Coronavirus is named after its crown-shaped appearance. This plague is named after its cause; the Crowns of Europe! #np https://t.co/IYtEF79tsm — John Kane (@letstalknative) March 15, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2020 Nez-Lizer announce temporary reduction in non-essential government services, closure of schools, and public parks to prevent spread of COVID-19 WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Friday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced more proactive measures to prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the Navajo […]

The UmonHon Nation Public School (Omaha Tribe in Macy, Nebraska) extended its winter break for three extra days from March 16-18.

The Rosebud Casino (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) near Valentine, Nebraska has temporarily canceled bingo until further notice.

The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota approved a “Declaration of Disaster” on Friday after a resident from Charles Mix County who visited its local IHS hospital tested positive for COVID-19. The tribe also closed its schools from March 16-20.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe closed all schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation for two weeks starting Monday, March 16. The tribe also declared a state of emergency and banned all travel for employees and elected officials, expressing concern about the lack of COVID-19 test kits and the potential impact of the virus on the tribe, […]

The annual Denver March Powwow, planned for March 20-22, has been postponed. Updates on a future time will be posted on the event’s Facebook page and website. “Our Board of Directors and staff were Warriors to the end but like all good leaders they put the people first and made a heartbreaking decision. Our prayers […]