RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDED SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER AND CLOSURE OF RESERVATION AND BUSINESSES IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota (the “Community”) is a
duly organized and federally-recognized Indian Tribe under 25 U.S.C. § 5123, and is
governed by the terms of a Constitution and By-Laws originally adopted by the Tribal
Members on May 16, 1936, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on April 23,
1936; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to said Constitution and Bylaws, the Community Council of the Lower Sioux
Indian Reservation (“Community Council”) is the governing body of the Lower Sioux
Indian Community; and
WHEREAS, the Community Council has the authority, as enumerated in ARTICLE V-POWERS,
including but not limited to: (a) To negotiate with the Federal, State, and local
Governments on behalf of the Community … ; (f) To manage all economic affairs … of
the Community … ; and
WHEREAS, the Community Council declared a State of Emergency by Resolution 20-63 on March
18, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States and Governor of Minnesota have also declared national
and state emergencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 20-63 authorizes the Community Council, “by and through emergency
processes, may take such measures (including but not limited to … exercising authority
to enact and suspend emergency laws, policies and procedures) as necessary to protect
the best interests of the Community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic”; and
WHEREAS, the Community Council continues to coordinate and maximize its efforts to appropriately
address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the Community; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens not only the health of the Community, but also
Community members’ welfare; and
WHEREAS, the health and welfare of the Community, as well as the Community’s economic security,
is severely threatened without a shelter in place Order and closure of the Community’s
reservation and businesses located within the Community; and
WHEREAS, the Community Council passed Resolution 20-69 approving a shelter in place order and
closure of reservation and businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Community Council finds it is in the best interests of the Community to amend the
Shelter in Place Order and Closure of Reservation and Businesses in Response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic, as attached to this Resolution, by adding paragraph 7 in Section 4,
Permitted Activities, and other minor edits:
7. All individuals deemed essential employees by the State of Minnesota are permitted to
travel by intrastate or interstate at any time to perform their essential job functions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Community Council hereby approves the Amended
Shelter in Place Order and Closure of Reservation and Businesses in Response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic (Order), as attached to this Resolution, and authorizes the
Community Council President to sign the Order.
