COVID-19 in Indian Country
Indianz.Com Video: Coronavirus in Indian Country #COVID19

NAFOA’s 38th Annual Conference is Now Virtual NAFOA’s Board of Directors and staff have made the difficult decision, after careful consideration and evaluation of the evolving concerns around COVID-19, to cancel the in-person 38th Annual Conference scheduled to take place in Nashville, TN, on April 6-7, 2020.  NAFOA will hold a virtual version of the conference on […]


The Kickapoo Tribe has declared a COVID-19 state of emergency and has closed its Golden Eagle Casino in Kansas. Media Advisory from March 17, 2020, attached. Kickapoo Tribe: https://www.ktik-nsn.gov Golden Eagle Casino: https://www.goldeneaglecasino.com

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2020 Spirit Mountain Casino Closes for Two Weeks in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak in Oregon GRAND RONDE, ORE- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will close Spirit Mountain Casino by 11:59pm on March 18, 2020 and will remain closed through April 1, 2020 as a pre-emptive approach to battling COVID-19 in Oregon. The Tribe hopes the […]

The Indian Health Service held a conference call with members of the media on the afternoon of March 17, 2020. Following are the remarks as prepared for delivery by Michael Toedt, who serves as the chief medical officer for the IHS. Remarks for RADM Michael Toedt IHS Media Call — COVlD-19 March 17, 2020 I […]

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs had scheduled an oversight hearing on March 25, 2020. It’s now being postponed to sometime in “late April,” according to a spokesperson for the Republican majority on the legislative panel. The oversight hearing was scheduled to address President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget request for Indian Country programs. […]

Note: The Quapaw Nation has closed both of its Indian gaming facilities. Both news alerts are posted below. NEWS ALERT March 17, 2020 Quapaw Nation’s Two Oklahoma Casinos to Close During Key COVID-19 Period QUAPAW, Okla. (March 17, 2020) — Downstream Casino Resort, and Quapaw Casino will cease all operations beginning at midnight tonight and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 17, 2020 Kewadin Casinos temporarily closes in continued response to COVID-19 SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — In a continued effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19), Kewadin Casinos will be temporarily closing all five Kewadin Casinos, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Kewadin Casinos has been closely monitoring the situation and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2020 Member of the Navajo Nation tests positive for COVID-19 coronavirus WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed by the Navajo Department of Health that a 46-year-old member of the Navajo Nation with recent travel history tested positive for the COVID-19 […]

On a conference call with members of the media on the afternoon of March 17, 2020, Michael Toedt, the chief medical officer for the Indian Health Service, confirmed three “presumptive positive” cases of COVID-19 within IHS. According to Toedt, the three cases are in the following areas of IHS: * Portland Area * Great Plains Area (Charles […]

An update from Chairman Matthew L. Morgan of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association: https://www.facebook.com/OKIndianGaming/videos/524022975166583/

  March 17, 2020 To all friends of  Urban Shaman Gallery Following the government recommendations to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the health of visitors and our employees, Urban Shaman will be closed till further notice due to the situation of COVID-19 virus. Our physical office will be closed until mid […]

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians continues to operate its gaming facilities in southern California, with some restrictions, according to Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe. Here is the text of Chairman Grubbe’s March 16, 2020, letter: Dear Guests: The health and safety of our guests and team members is of utmost importance to us here […]

Annual Convention Update Because our event is scheduled for May, NAIHC and AMERIND have not yet cancelled or postponed our Annual Convention. We are monitoring all recommendations and restrictions on large gatherings. We understand that many tribes have instituted travel bans and that public health officials are recommending gathering in the next few weeks be cancelled, […]

IHS COVID-19 Call for All Tribes and Urban Indian Organization Leaders — March 19 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time Please join the Indian Health Service for a follow-up call with Tribes and urban Indian organization leaders to provide an update on COVID-19. Tribal leaders will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions to […]

Note: Call is not open to the media. White House Indian Country COVID-19 Conference Call — March 18 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time Tribal leaders are encouraged to participate in the White House Indian Country COVID-19 Response Team’s conference call to discuss the leadership and coordination in driving readiness to prepare for and respond to […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Virtual Listening Session — TODAY, March 17 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time Join colleagues for a virtual listening session with federal partners on the Coronavirus’ impacts on Indian Country and how its being addressed at the national level. CDC Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Jay C. Butler, MD, will provide an update from […]

2020 WIEA Conference “Indigenous STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math” Postponed Conference to be held at future date and time to be determined The Wisconsin Indian Education Association is closely monitoring the unfolding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation and aware of numerous emergency travel and work restrictions enacted by employers, as well as tribal, state and […]

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2020 Nez-Lizer commit to identifying internal funds to address COVID-19 coronavirus after Council votes down emergency funding WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are stepping up to identify funds within the Executive Branch to protect the […]