Virus spikes take North Dakota tribes 'back to square one'

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The Spirit Lake Nation in northeastern North Dakota took measures in the spring to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, including the financially painful decision to close the casino where many tribal members work. COVID-19 numbers stayed relatively low.

Then residents became complacent and attended gatherings over the July Fourth weekend, translating into a spike in cases, tribal officials said. The reservation’s primary county, Benson County, has had the most confirmed new cases per capita in the state in the last two weeks, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

Similar increases are being reported among other tribes in North Dakota, state Indian Affairs Commissioner Scott Davis said.

“People are just getting relaxed, thinking things are fine. And here we are, back to square one with the tribes,” Davis said. "It’s really concerning."

It has left Spirit Lake Chairman Douglas Yankton and other tribal leaders mulling difficult decisions. Do they shut down the casino again? Do they impose a stay-at-home order for all residents? Either could devastate the tribal economy and force individuals into dire living conditions or onto the streets.

Yankton said the two-month closure of the casino earlier this year would have been a disaster if not for federal unemployment assistance. With Congress stuck in limbo over a new stimulus package, many tribal members are going to work despite the virus risks.

“It’s really challenging to determine what to do," Yankton said. "Some businesses, we just really can’t afford to shut down. People are going to feel that when it comes time to pay bills and the tribe as a whole will feel the impacts."

Yankton and leaders from other tribes have been taking other steps to slow the spread of the virus. Spirit...