Crow Tribal Administration facts for kids

The Crow Nation is a Native American tribe with its own government, just like a state or a country. In 2001, the Crow Tribal General Council, which is like the main group of leaders, decided to set up a government with three main parts. This helps make sure power is shared and balanced.

How the Crow Government Works

The Crow Nation's government has three important parts: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. This setup is similar to the United States government, where different groups have different jobs.

The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is in charge of carrying out the laws and managing the day-to-day work of the tribe. It's led by four elected officials:

• The Chairman
• The Vice-Chairman
• The Secretary
• The Vice-Secretary

These four leaders are chosen by the people and serve for four years. They can be elected for a maximum of two terms. This branch also includes all the different departments and agencies that help the tribe run smoothly.

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is responsible for making laws for the Crow Nation. It's made up of 18 lawmakers, who are often called "senators."

• These 18 senators are elected from the six different areas (districts) of the Crow Indian Reservation.
• They serve four-year terms.
• There's no limit to how many terms a senator can serve, meaning they can be re-elected many times if the people choose them.

The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is where justice is handled. It includes the courts that make sure laws are followed and disputes are settled fairly.

• Currently, there is a Crow Tribal Court, which handles most general cases.
• There's also a Crow Juvenile Court for cases involving young people.
• The Crow Court of Appeals reviews decisions made by the other courts.
• A Traditional Supreme Court has been planned, but it's not yet fully working.
• Judges for the Crow Tribal Court are elected for four-year terms and can serve for an unlimited number of terms.