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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] |
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Crow Tribe Receives $74 Million in Water Settlement Funds". Indian Country Today Media Network. 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
- ^ "Dr. Janine Pease Wants to Revitalize Crow Language". Indian Country Today Media Network. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
- ^ "New chairman for Crow Tribe, Frank White Clay, is sworn in". Bighorn County News. Associated Press. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2021-07-17.