'We rely on those revenues to provide vital services to tribal membership,' Fast Horse said, adding that, unlike state and local governments, the tribes do not have a tax base to fall back on.ĬOVID-19 is still actively spreading on the reservation.

Fast Horse said that loss of gaming revenue has been 'very detrimental' to both tribes. The Wind River Hotel and Casino and Shoshone Rose Casino have been closed since late March. If had enough resources and capital, we probably wouldn't be making some of these decisions.' 'The pandemic has put financial burden and strain on the whole nation. We're facing very difficult circumstances on both sides,' Fast Horse said. Stephen Fast Horse of the Northern Arapaho Business Council said the decision to ease restrictions wasn't made lightly. It also approved a new mandate requiring Wind River residents to wear masks in public places on the reservation. The Wind River Inter Tribal Council, made up of members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Business Councils, voted Tuesday to approve these revisions to the public health order. Tribal offices and businesses, including casinos, hotels and restaurants, will also be permitted to re-open. After four months under a strict stay-at-home order, residents of the Wind River Reservation will now be able to gather in small groups, enter tribal buildings, and return to work at non-essential jobs on the reservation.

Wind river casino and hotel