Aug 11, 2020
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe is proud to announce that our Emergency Management team is National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. NIMS is the first-ever standardized approach to incident management and response. This system was developed by the Department of Homeland Security and establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations. We greatly appreciate the Emergency Management team for taking the courses required for this certification, and we know this standardized system will be extremely helpful as we move forward in the fight against COVID.
Aug 3, 2020
Last week, after reverting back to Phase 1 of the AST Recovery Plan, we began mandatory COVID testing for staff. The Executive Committee as well as Directors and essential employees were tested initially. We are happy to report that all results from last week's testing were negative. We will begin a second wave of testing this week for remaining employees. We also had all buildings sanitized and deep cleaned on Friday. The EC plans to reevaluate our situation later this week. We will keep you updated on our plans for reopening.
July 31, 2020
Oklahoma continues to report record high COVID positives. The ASTcomplex will remain in Phase 1 of our Recovery Plan for at least one more week. The Complex is closed to visitors and non-essential staff. Our Executive Committee will reconvene toward the end of next week to review the situation with Emergency Management. We will then make the determination as to whether to move back into Phase 2 or prolong Phase 1. As we are coming into this weekend, many will be preparing to go back to school. As you are shopping for back to school essentials, please remember to follow CDC guidelines while in retail stores. If possible, we recommend placing your orders online and utilizing curbside pick-up. Have a safe weekend.
July 27, 2020 AST Revert back to Phase 1 and mandatory testing
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe reverted back to Phase 1 of our Recovery Plan Monday July 27. In order to ensure we are doing our part in protecting against community spread, our essential employees and Executive Committee members began taking mandatory COVID tests this morning. We greatly appreciate the willingness of our staff to protect co-workers and tribal members. A big thank you to our Health team for administering the tests. Also, please remember the complex remains closed to all visitors at this time. Tribal operations continue, but we ask that you handle your business via email or phone. Thank you for your patience.
July 24, 2020 AST Revert back to Phase 1
Due to an increase in community spread, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe has determined that it is in the best interest of our employees and tribal members to revert back to Phase 1 of the AST Recovery Plan. Effective, Monday, July 27, the Tribal Complex will be open to essential staff and the Executive Committee ONLY. You may continue to conduct business via phone, e-mail, and postal service. We will update you on our plans for reopening when more information is available.
July 16, 2020 - Announcements
UPDATE - Campus Mask Policy
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Executive Committee is mandating masks be worn at all times while on campus. This is effective immediately. This precautionary step is being taken to decrease the potential for community spread. If you do not have a mask, a mask will be provided. Tribal employees will receive additional guidance tomorrow (July 17) on this new policy. In the meantime, if you should have any questions, please contact Chad Larman, Emergency Management.
July 9, 2020 - Announcements
July 1, 2020 - Holiday Weekend Safety
June 12 2020 - Hello All,
June 3 2020 - Hello All,
May 28, 2020 - CARES Funding Update
May 28, 2020 - Cloth Mask Distribution
May 1, 2020- The Absentee Shawnee Tribe initially issued a declaration of emergency on March 18, 2020. Based on public health information and emergency management data, we have extended the declaration to May 24, 2020. AST officials are working on a four-phased approach to reopen the campus.
April 7, 2020 – As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to grow, the AST has determined additional preventative measures should be taken. Yesterday, I amended the original AST State of Emergency Proclamation to include additional restrictions as well as our own Stay-at-Home order.
April 1, 2020 – Today marks the 23rd day our Emergency Operations Center has been functional. I am extremely proud of all of our employees for their dedication and hard work.This is a stressful time, but our citizens and our staff have made our Tribe’s safety a priority.
March 30th –
March 28-29, 2020 - The AST continues to hold daily briefings on COVID-19. Our Office of Emergency Management and the AST Health System stay in close contact with state and federal agencies essential in fighting this public health crisis. Over the weekend, our internal teams met and discussed ways in which we can continue to mitigate exposure to our members and our staff.
The Title VI meal disbursements are an extremely important service we are offering to our eligible members and our Elders. I would like to let our membership know the staff preparing and distributing these food items has had infections control training. We want to do everything possible to stop the spread of this virus – particularly to our most vulnerable populations. In order to minimize exposure to our members and our staff, we are implementing a new schedule. It is as follows:
March 25, 2020 - The Absentee Shawnee Tribe continues to monitor the ongoing public health crisis. The AST Office of Emergency Management has begun the reimbursement process through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). This will allow our Tribe to recover monies spent on certain eligible emergency protective measures taken in response to COVID-19.
The AST Public Safety Department continues to work with the Norman Police Department on clarifying the shelter-in-place order. At this time, we do not believe it will impact travel for any of our essential staff. However, our Legal Department has drafted an "Essential Staff" document for distribution to our employees. Should travel restrictions be put into place, this document states the employee in possession of the letter is vitally important to our operations - particularly within our Health System - and should be allowed to travel to and from their worksite.
Currently, confirmed COVID cases within the AST jurisdiction are:
Cleveland - 27 confirmed / 1 death
Oklahoma - 55 confirmed / 2 deaths
Pottawatomie - 1 confirmed
With regard to our casino operations, the decision has been made to extend the temporary closure at both Thunderbird Casino Norman and Shawnee. Our hope is to reopen on Tuesday, April 14th. Management will continue to monitor the situation. Thunderbird Entertainment will continue to pay team members through the April 14th re-open date.
Lastly, I would like to share some positive news. Although these are trying times, our members and our staff are pulling together to take care of our Tribe and our Elders. We have packed and delivered over 700 meals to numerous eligible individuals. I am so very proud of our Tribe and our employees. Please continue to take care of yourselves - follow CDC guidelines and remain at home if you can.
Building 2
2025 S Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, OK 74801
John Raymond Johnson
Tribal Governor
P: 405.275.4030 x 6308
Governor@astribe.com
Alvina Barnes
Executive Assistant
P: 405.275.4030 x 6307
AlvinaB@astribe.com