MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  05/14/2020

LDF Tribal Council Issues Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Administration’s Safer at Home Order

LAC DU FLAMBEAU—MAY 14, 2020—The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Council today issued the following statement regarding the Wisconsin State Supreme Court decision reversing Governor Tony Evers Administration’s Safer at Home Order. 

"The Tribal Council is reviewing the State Supreme Court decision handed down this afternoon. For the time being—regardless of the State Supreme Court Order—Federal Law recognizes the Tribal Council's authority and its legal rights to keep in effect the Shelter-At-Home Declaration and curfew on the Reservation.” 

“This applies to everyone—both Tribal and non-Tribal people and businesses—within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation. The limited access to all Tribal lands will remain in place.”

“For months, we've been working to prevent COVID-19 from arriving on the Reservation, and we continue to do all we can going forward to keep everyone safe. That's why we respectfully ask all visitors to stay home until we determine the safest way to reopen the Reservation. The last thing we as a Tribe want is someone traveling hours to get here only to find out that access to Tribal lands is limited to permanent residents only.”

“Once Tribal Council and its legal counsel review the State Supreme Court ruling, we will announce our plan going forward. The Tribe has been working on and continues to work on a plan to safely reopen. Historically, Tribes have suffered significant illness and loss of human life for a variety of reasons when pandemics sweep across the land. Therefore, our No. 1 priority is to keep everyone as safe as possible who live, work and visit the Reservation. So, for now, please continue to observe the Shelter-At-Home Order and the curfew."  

Stay informed at LDFTribe.com where there’s a dedicated coronavirus page with community updates and resources.

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CURFEW TIME CHANGE

DECLARATION OF SHELTER AT HOME RESOLUTION /CURFEW ORDER Res NO. 103(20)

was amended today.  The revised curfew times of 12am (midnight) to 5am, effective immediately ,2:30pm, 05.15.2020.  

 All other Shelter at Home requirements remain in place.

 The other revision includes a tentative June 01, 2020 date to suspend this resolution/order; if no covid-19 cases or issues arise.

ALL OTHER ORDERS, DECLARATIONS, AND RESOLUTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE INCLUDING:

TRIBAL RESOLUTION NO 133(20): DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS TO TRIBAL LANDS ON THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU INDIAN RESERVATION

No access to tribal boat landings & areas if you are not a fulltime LDF resident and follow the Shelter at home Declaration requirements.

TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION #140(20), CANCELLATION OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

ALL TRIBAL COMMUNITY/PROGRAM EVENTS ARE CANCELLED PER TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION #140(20), IN EFFECT UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2020 AND/OR UNLESS AMENDED. THIS INCLUDES MEMORIAL EVENTS-PARADE, LAKESFEST, BEAR RIVER POWWOW, 4^TH OF JULY EVENTS AND ANY OTHER EVENT THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED.

FUTURE REOPENING PLANS FOR TRIBAL BUSINESSES, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS FOR A TENATIVE REOPEN/RETURN TO WORK DATE OF JUNE 1, 2020.

The Tribal ICS Team, Businesses, Programs and Facility Managers continue to work on plans for reopening in a safe/healthy manner to protect community members and employees with a target date of June 01, 2020.  KEEP IN MIND THIS MAY CHANGE WITH ANY COVID-POSITIVE CASES ON THE RESERVATION.

COVID TEST SITES

ONEIDA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2020 Contact: 715-369-6111

Free COVID-19 Testing in Oneida County with National Guard Assistance

Local health departments in Northern Wisconsin have requested assistance from the Wisconsin National Guard to scale up COVID-19 nasal swab testing.

In our area, Oneida, Iron, Forest, Lincoln, Price, and Vilas Counties are collaborating to host 2 community COVID-19 testing events in Oneida County. That National Guard will be providing drive through style COVID-19 swab testing.

Lakeland Union High School- May 20, 2020 11am-7pm, Minocqua Wisconsin

James Williams Middle School- May 21, 2020 11am-7pm, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Anyone 5 years and older with at least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, vomiting, or diarrhea can get tested. These events are only available to people that live or work in Wisconsin. Please note that anyone tested who has symptoms will be expected to self-isolate until test results come back.

The events will be located in the parking lot of the two locations listed above. People should be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence, and phone number when you arrive for testing. We request that you wear a mask or cloth face covering when you arrive. Testing at these events will be free. Please be aware that if testing kits run out before the end of the events, those not tested may be turned away. Due to the unknown amount of interest, prepare for potential wait time. It is requested that modes of transportation form a line while waiting for testing, and that those who want to be tested stay in or on their mode of transportation at all times.

The Wisconsin National Guard will be doing the testing. They will be in uniform and in full PPE (personal protective equipment), including gowns, mask, gloves, etc. during the events. We have two goals with the events: 1) provide our communities with mass testing, 2) give public health an increased insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in our communities. Following the events, we will continue to work closely with our local healthcare providers to continue building their capacity to meet patient demand for testing.

There are alternative testing sites in the state of Wisconsin throughout May. Any Wisconsin resident is welcome to attend any one of the testing events.