WHEREAS: The Seneca-Cayuga Nation is a federally recognized Indian Tribe organized under the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936 with a Constitution and By-Laws approved by the Secretary of Interior on April 26, 1937 and ratified by vote of the General Council of the Tribe on May 15, 1937, AND

WHEREAS: The Business Committee is empowered under Article VI of the Constitution and By-laws to transact business and otherwise speak or act on behalf of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation in all matters in which the Nation is empowered to act; AND

WHEREAS: The jurisdiction of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation extends over all persons, subjects, property, and overall activities within the territory of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation and over all Seneca-Cayuga Nation citizens, property and activities outside such territory, affecting the rights and laws of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation; AND

WHEREAS: A highly infectious coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 has spread and increased globally, threatening individuals, communities, states and the United States as the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”), the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and other public health organizations within the United States, have declared ; AND

WHEREAS: The President of the United States, governors of states in which citizens of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation reside, including Oklahoma, have declared states of emergency and either encouraged or restricted movement and gathering of persons in order to control COVID-19 and protect the personal health of persons and public health of the United States and various states;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Business Committee of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, pursuant to is constitutional authority to act for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation hereby declares that a public health state of emergency within and  for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation exists and this declaration  shall continue until further notice of the Business Committee, and declares that all citizens should follow the directives of the president of the United States and theCDC;

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED: It is further ordered that all Seneca-Cayuga Nation programs, offices, employees and officers shall coordinate and collaborate with all federal, tribal state, and county agencies and officers to restore and sustain community infrastructure, public health, property, livelihood  and the general welfare of our people;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: It is further ordered that the buildings and properties of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation are closed to public access, except buildings or  properties are used for healthcare or nutrition services; critical business functions will continue with minimally required personnel and will use telephone, communications when possible;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: It is further ordered that all departments, divisions, and programs of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation should seek federal assistance from all available state and federal agencies providing such assistance.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing Resolution was passed at a meeting of the Business Committee of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation conducted on the 21 day of March, 2020 with a vote of 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstaining.