Menominee tribe establishes 10 p.m. curfew for two months

Chairwoman says ordinance is a safety measure
By: 
Lee Pulaski
City Editor

Updated: 2:20 p.m., 4/7

KESHENA — A curfew is in effect for the Menominee Indian Reservation for 60 days as the tribe hopes to further restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

The Menominee Tribal Legislature unanimously approved the measure at a meeting on April 6 and set it to go into effect immediately. The curfew begins at 10 p.m. and is in place through 6 a.m.

Exceptions to the curfew are those seeking emergency medical care, law enforcement, government functions, traveling to and from work, traveling through the reservation to other destinations, and individuals who are fishing, spearing or turkey hunting.

Anyone found to be violating the law could be fined up to $500 and could be put in jail for up to six months.

Tribal chairwoman Joan Delabreau said the measure is meant to be another “tool” to prevent further spread of the virus and was not prompted by any incidents where tribal members were gathering in a way that went against Gov. Tony Evers’ Safer at Home mandate. Menominee County already had at least one confirmed case at the time the tribe’s ordinance was approved.

“The intent was to put in place what we could to stem the virus. Anything you can do to put something out there and save a member helps,” Delabreau said. “We already have the social distancing and wash your hands (policies). This is just one more tool that will help in asking our members to stay home.”

Delabreau noted that the outdoorsmen exceptions were included as an acknowledgement that this time of year is prime for night fishing and turkey hunting on the reservation.

“Should they get stopped, if they’re doing that, they wouldn’t be subject to a fine,” Delabreau said.

She noted that there wasn’t a lot of night traffic on the roads to begin with, but the ordinance will help further ensure safety.

“If you have no reason to be out, you shouldn’t be out,” Delabreau said.

Since the pandemic was announced and safety measures were put in place by the state, there have been fewer emergency medical calls for the tribe, Delabreau said, but she anticipates that could change if there is a surge in coronavirus cases.

Delabreau does not anticipate that tribal police will actively patrol to see if tribal residents are complying with the law. She noted that there are a lot of residents that work night shifts and would be traveling to and from work.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a focus — we see a car; we’re not going to stop you,” Delabreau said. “If they see people walking, though, or if they see 10 or more people congregating in some area, they can just remind them (of the curfew). We don’t want it to be a big hammer or punishment.”

The 60-day period is the constitutional maximum required in all emergency ordinances, according to Delabreau. For the tribe to go longer would require revisiting the legislation and taking further steps, she said.

She added the tribe already had a curfew law in place for ages 17 and under, but the legislature felt it was necessary to have it in place for all ages for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

Delabreau said that, if the tribe’s state of emergency, which was put into effect on March 13, is lifted before the 60-day period ends, the curfew would likely come to an end at that time, as well.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com