The LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) adopted a resolution regarding the LCO Tribal Court and its November proceedings stating all filing deadlines are continued to November 30, 2020; and all hearings are continued and will be rescheduled to occur after November 30, and should any extensions be required to provide protection and services; ie., elder protective services, minor in need of care; such temporary extensions shall be entered and orders continued until rescheduled hearings can be held.
The purpose of adopting the resolution is due the recent outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide, statewide, and within the jurisdiction of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe which poses a serious threat to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the Tribe and the community at-large, according to the resolution.
In addition to the Tribal Court order, the TGB also closed the Tribal Administration facility to the public as part of the Tribe's management and protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the Tribe, its tribal members, its employees, and its tribal community. That order also is in effect through November 29 to allow for thorough cleaning and sanitization, and for employees to work from home to prevent the further spread of the virus.
The resolution goes on to state, “The health and safety of the Tribe' s employees and litigants will best be protected by preventing any unnecessary travel outside their homes for the purpose of printing and filing and for finding internet connection for web-based telephonic access to appear at hearing telephonically or via Zoom; and
“As part of the Tribe's management and protection of health, safety, and welfare of the Tribe, its tribal members, its tribal community, and employees, the Tribal Governing Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe to adopt this Resolution to protect the judicial process while preventing the spread of COVID-19.”