- Details
- By Lenzy Krehbiel Burton
WEWOKA, Okla. — Two east-central Oklahoma tribes are taking additional steps to address the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
Citing the continued rise in local COVID-19 cases, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma announced Tuesday morning it was temporarily closing its tribal complex for the rest of the week and will reopen next Monday.
The closure does not extend to the tribe’s three casinos.
According to data published by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Seminole County has 30 active COVID-19 cases as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, including nine in Wewoka alone. However, those figures may not be accurate, as state officials acknowledged that case counts for Sunday and Monday were low due to technical glitches.
Meanwhile, west of the Seminole Nation, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation implemented a mask mandate on Monday. The number of cases within Pottawatomie County has doubled since June. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, more than two-thirds of the county’s cases are in Shawnee, the tribe’s headquarters
The face covering order applies to both employees and guests at all of the tribe’s buildings, including its business entities. Masks must cover both the nose and mouth.
In addition to its two casinos, the tribe operates a bank, a chain of discount grocery stores, a pizza restaurant, a frybread restaurant, a golf course, a bowling alley, two convenience stores, a baseball and softball field complex, an indoor shooting range and an outdoor clay shooting facility.
Children 10 and under will not be required to wear a mask. People who are unable to remove the face covering without assistance are also exempt. Guests may remove masks while they are eating or drinking but must still social distance. Guests are also allowed to remove their masks if they are outside and able to social distance from other guests, and visitors who arrive at a Citizen Potawatomi business or government facility will be asked to mask up or will be turned away.
“This policy is similar to what other major retailers and employers have implemented,” Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett said. “It’s a simple step to take to protect each other and keep our communities healthy.”
In early July, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma made it a requirement to wear masks on tribal property until further notice. The decision came days after the tribe made masks mandatory for visitors at all Choctaw casino properties.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
President Nygren Fails to Present the State of the Navajo Nation Address
Tribal Court to Decide Fate of Three Candidates in Coushatta Election Dispute
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.