Chairpersons of the Crow Tribe

(Redirected from Crow chairperson)

The chairman or chairwoman of the Crow Tribe is the head of the executive branch of the Crow Tribe of Montana. Every four years, the Crow Tribal General Council (all adult-aged registered voters) elects a chairman of the Executive Branch.

The current chairman is Frank Whiteclay. The chairman serves as chief executive officer, with enumerated powers in the 2001 Crow Constitution. The constitutional changes of 2001 created a three branch government. The chairman serves as the head of the executive branch, which includes the offices of vice-chairman, secretary, and vice-secretary and the tribal offices and departments of the Crow Tribal Administration. Notable chairmen were Clara Nomee, Edison Real Bird, and Robert Yellowtail.

See list of Crow Tribal Administrations.

Chairmen of the Crow Tribe; the Government of the Crow Tribe
In 2001, the Crow Tribal Council by voice vote passed a measure to establish a three branch government.
The chairman of the Crow Tribe
Name Term Notes
Ralph Saco 1920–1921
James Carpenter 1921–1927
William Bends 1927–1934
Hartford Bear Claw 1934–1938
Charles Yarlott 1938–1941
Henry Pretty On Top 1941–1946
Robert "Robbie" Yellowtail 1946–1954
William Wall 1954–1956
Edward "Posie" Whiteman 1956–1960
John Cummings 1960–1964
John Wilson 1964–1966
Edison Real Bird 1966–1972 Amended tribal constitution to tribal businesses(e.g. Sun Lodge Motel, Big Horn Carpet Mill, Crow Agency Teepee campground, etc.)
David Stewart 1972–1974
Patrick Stands Over Bull 1974–1977 Removed after a successful impeachment by the Crow Tribal Council
Forrest Horn 1977–1982
Donald Stewart 1982–1986
Richard Real Bird 1986–1990 Defeated in election against Secretary Clara Nomee
Clara Nomee 1990–2000 Longest-serving chairman of the Crow Tribe; The first woman chairman; third woman official
Clifford Birdinground 2000–2002 Resigned from office after federal indictments
Vincent Goes Ahead 2002 Acting Chairman
Carl Venne November 11, 2002-February 2009 Elected to fill remaining term after Chairman Birdinground's resignation; re-elected to a 4-year term in 2008; died in office in February 2009
Cedric Black Eagle 2009 – December 3, 2012 Elected in a special election as chairman of the Executive Branch to fill the remainder of Carl Venne's 4-year term.[1][2][3]
Darrin Old Coyote December 3, 2012 - 2016 Chairman [1]
Alvin Not Afraid Jr. 2016 – 2020
Frank White Clay 2020 – [4]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ a b Benoit, Zach (2012-11-04). "Crow Tribe votes out incumbent Black Eagle as chairman, chooses Old Coyote". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
  2. ^ "Crow Tribe Receives $74 Million in Water Settlement Funds". Indian Country Today Media Network. 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
  3. ^ "Dr. Janine Pease Wants to Revitalize Crow Language". Indian Country Today Media Network. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
  4. ^ "New chairman for Crow Tribe, Frank White Clay, is sworn in". Bighorn County News. Associated Press. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2021-07-17.