Local News

The Colville Tribes Extends Its Partial Government Shutdown and Shuts Down All Non-Essential Businesses on the Colville Reservation

Mar 30, 2020

The partial shutdown of Tribal government currently in effect was extended today until midnight on April 30, 2020 by Resolution of the Colville Business Council. Also, all non-essential businesses on the Colville Reservation are ordered to cease operations until midnight on April 30, 2020.

Employees of the Tribal government shall continue in their current partial shutdown status, except as amended by future Resolution of the Colville Business Council or by supervisors within an individual program of Tribal government. Supervisors shall contact tribal employees to give specific guidance as to any questions about their status.

To classify businesses on the Colville Reservation as essential or nonessential, the Tribes generally concurs with and adopts the definitions provided in the appendix to the Governor of Washington’s Proclamation of March 23, 2020. The Tribes may amend or re-classify some businesses, however, on a case-by-case basis to reflect the unique needs of the Colville Reservation.

A prior Resolution to prohibit camping within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation has been amended to allow camping by enrolled tribal members. The prohibition on camping remains in force for all other individuals, and the Tribes’ earlier prohibition of public gatherings of a size greater than ten individuals also remains in effect for everyone across the Reservation.

Rodney Cawston, Chairman of the Colville Tribes, said, “The actions taken by the Tribes to date appear to be working to slow the spread of COVID-19 on the Reservation. But the virus is still active and still extremely dangerous, so now is no time to change direction. We will stick with what works for as long as necessary to protect the lives and health of our people.”