Crow Tribal Administration

The Crow Tribal General Council, the governing body of the Crow Tribe, through the adoption of the 2001 Crow Tribal Constitution, established a three-branch government with a separation of powers. There is an Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch.

The Executive Branch is composed of four independently elected officials (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Vice-Secretary) and all agencies and departments. The four elected officials serve concurrent four year terms (term limit of two).

The Legislative Branch is composed of 18 legislators (called "senators" as a matter of courtesy), with three elected in staggered terms from each of the six districts of the Crow Indian Reservation. The Crow senators serve four year terms with no term limits.

The Judicial Branch is composed of courts established in the Crow Law and Order Code. Currently, there is a Crow Tribal Court (general jurisdiction), Crow Juvenile Court, and a Crow Court of Appeals. A Traditional Supreme Court has been established by law but is not yet implemented. The judges of the Crow Tribal Court are elected to unlimited, four-year terms.

Term of Office Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary Vice-Secretary
1920–1921 Ralph Saco
1921–1927 James Carpenter
1927–1934 William Bends
1934–1938 Hartford Bear Class
1938–1941 Charles Yarlott
1941–1946 Henry Pretty on Top
1946–1954 Robert Yellowtail
1954–1956 William Wall
1956–1958 Posie Whiteman
1958–1960 Posie Whiteman
1960–1962 John Cummings
1962–1964 John Cummings
1964–1966 John Wilson Douglas Adams Donald Deernose Daniel Old Elk
1966–1968 Edison Real Bird Edward Little Light Joseph Ten Bear Pauline Small
1968–1970 Edison Real Bird Edward Little Light Joseph Ten Bear Pauline Small
1970–1972 Edison Real Bird Edward Little Light Joseph Ten Bear Pauline Small
1972–1974 David Stewart
1974–1976 Patrick Stands Over Bull
1976–1977 Patrick Stands Over Bull
1977–1978 Forest Horn
1978–1980 Forest Horn
1980–1982 Forest Horn
1982–1984 Donald Stewart
1984–1986 Donald Stewart
1986–1988 Richard Real Bird
1988–1990 Richard Real Bird Clara Nomee
1990–1992 Clara Nomee Joseph Pickett Blaine Small
1992–1994 Clara Nomee Joseph Pickett Blaine Small
1994–1996 Clara Nomee Joseph Pickett Dennis Big Hair
1996–1998 Clara Nomee Joseph Pickett Dennis Big Hair
1998–2000 Clara Nomee Joseph Pickett Dennis Big Hair Cornelius Little Light
2000–2001 Clifford Birdinground[a] Vincent Goes Ahead Tilton Old Bull[b] Larney Little Owl
2001–2002 Clifford Birdinground[c] Vincent Goes Ahead Larney Little Owl[d] Hubert Two Leggins[e]
2002 Vincent Goes Ahead[f] Vincent Goes Ahead Larney Little Owl Hubert Two Leggins
2002–2004 Carl Venne[g] Vincent Goes Ahead Larney Little Owl Hubert Two Leggins
2004–2007 Carl Venne Cedric Black Eagle Andrew Old Elk[h] Darrin Old Coyote
2007 Carl Venne Cedric Black Eagle Office Vacant Darrin Old Coyote[i]
2007–2009 Carl Venne[j] Cedric Black Eagle Scott Russell[k] Darrin Old Coyote
2009 Cedric Black Eagle[l] Office Vacant Scott Russell Darrin Old Coyote
2009–2012 Cedric Black Eagle Calvin Jefferson Scott Russell Darrin Old Coyote
2012–2016 Darrin Old Coyote Dana Wilson Alvin Not Afraid Jr. Shawn Backbone
2016–2020 Alvin Not Afraid Jr. Carlson Goes Ahead Rudolph Old Crow Sr. Shawn Backbone
2020–[1] Frank White Clay Lawrence DeCrane Levi Black Eagle Channis D. Whiteman
  1. ^ New constitution extends term of office to 2004.
  2. ^ Secretary's Impeachment
  3. ^ Chairperson's Resignation
  4. ^ Vice-Secretary becomes Secretary
  5. ^ Completed remaining term of office
  6. ^ Acting Chairperson; Carl Venne elected.
  7. ^ Filled remaining term of office.
  8. ^ Died in 2007.
  9. ^ Acting Secretary
  10. ^ Died in 2009.
  11. ^ Filled remaining term of office
  12. ^ Filled remaining term of office; Elected in 2009
  1. ^ "New chairman for Crow Tribe, Frank White Clay, is sworn in". Bighorn County News. Associated Press. 2020-12-10. Archived from the original on 2021-07-17. Retrieved 2021-07-17.