Proclamation Declaring a Public Health State of Emergency for the Osage Nation

Under the authority of Article VII, Section 1 of the Osage Nation Constitution, and in the interest of the Osage People and the general public, I, Geoffrey M. Standing Bear, Principal Chief, declare that a Public Health State of Emergency for the Osage Nation exists within the territory of the Osage Nation.

WHEREAS, the jurisdiction of the Osage Nation extends over all persons, subjects, property, and over all activities occurring within the territory of the Osage Nation and over all Osage citizens, subjects, property and activities outside such territory affecting the rights and laws of the Osage Nation; and

WHEREAS, a highly infectious Coronavirus Disease known as ("COVID-19") has spread and increased globally as indicated by the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention ("CDC"), the World Health Organization ("WHO"), and other public health organizations within the United States; and

WHEREAS, no confirmed COVID-19 cases have been verified within the territory of the Osage Nation and the WahZhaZhe Health Center is carefully monitoring the situation; and

WHEREAS, on March 2, 2020, Osage Nation employees were directed to restrict travel; on March 16, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-02 activating the Osage Nation Pandemic Prevention and Recovery Process Protocol; on March 16, 2020, procedures were implemented for employees to work from home; on March 17, 2020, Osage Nation schools were closed; on March 18, 2020, Osage Casinos were closed; throughout the government of the Osage Nation restrictions to public access were placed into protocols department by department and building by building; and

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, I was informed the WahZhaZhe Health Center is facing a critical shortage of COVID-19 test kits; that the confirmation of COVID-19 illness in a person or whether a person has been exposed and is contagious, cannot be determined without a COVID-19 test; and therefore, the number of persons who may become ill with the COVID-19 cannot be reasonably ascertained at this time; and

WHEREAS, the suspension of gaming and hotel operations of the Osage Nation has an immediate, irreparable, and potentially catastrophic effect on the financial condition, employment status, plans, health, education, food distribution, and welfare of the people within the territory of the Osage Nation; and

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, I participated in The White House Indian Country COVID-19 Conference Call and will continue to receive updates from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, and the National Indian Gaming Commission.

NOW THEREFORE, I, GEOFFREY M. STANDING BEAR, DO DECLARE, THAT A PUBLIC HEALTH STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE OSAGE NATION EXISTS WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE OSAGE NATION AND CONTINUES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

I FURTHER DECLARE, ALL OSAGE NATION PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS SHALL COORDINATE AND COLLABORATE WITH ALL FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO RESTORE AND SUSTAIN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, PROPERTY, LIVELIHOOD, AND THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE.

I FURTHER DECLARE, THE OFFICE BUILDINGS OF THE OSAGE NATION CLOSED TO PUBLIC ACCESS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, EXCEPT FOR THE WAHZHAZHE HEALTH CENTER WHERE ACCESS IS CONTROLLED BY THE WAHZHAZHE HEALTH CENTER PANDEMIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE PATIENT CLINIC FLOW PROTOCOL; CRITICAL BUSINESS FUNCTIONS WILL CONTINUE WITH MINIMAL PERSONNEL AND WILL USE TELEPHONE, EMAIL, AND INTERNET WHEN POSSIBLE; THE OSAGE NATION PANDEMIC PREVENTION AND RECOVERY PROCESS PROTOCOL IS STILL IN EFFECT WHERE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THIS PROCLAMATION; THE OSAGE NATION EXECUTIVE BRANCH PANDEMIC PREVENTION AND RECOVERY PROCESS PROTOCOLS ("COOP") ARE STILL IN EFFECT WHEN NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THIS PROCLAMATION (FOR EXAMPLE, THE COOP ABSENTEEISM PROCESS AND PROTOCOLS WILL BE ADJUSTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WITH APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF).

I FURTHER DECLARE, THE WAHZHAZHE HEALTH CENTER PANDEMIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE PATIENT CLINIC FLOW PROTOCOL IS IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AND MAY BE MODIFIED TO MEET DEMANDS AS DETERMINED BY THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND THE OSAGE NATION HEALTH AUTHORITY BOARD.

I FURTHER DECLARE, ALL DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS SHOULD SEEK FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA") AND ALL OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

SO ISSUED THIS 19TH DAY OF MARCH, 2020, IN PAWHUSKA, OSAGE NATION, OKLAHOMA.

Original Copy (PDF)