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 is chief executive officer, with enumerated powers in the 2001 Crow Constitution. The constitutional changes of 2001 created a three branch government. The chairman is 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 TribeIn 2001, the Crow Tribal Council by voice vote passed a measure to establish a three branch government.The chairman of the Crow TribeNameTermNotesRalph Saco1920–1921James Carpenter1921–1927William Bends1927–1934Hartford Bear Claw1934–1938Charles Yarlott1938–1941Henry Pretty On Top1941–1946Robert "Robbie" Yellowtail1946–1954William Wall1954–1956Edward "Posie" Whiteman1956–1960John Cummings1960–1964John Wilson1964–1966Edison Real Bird1966–1972Amended tribal constitution to allow tribal businesses (e.g. Sun Lodge Motel, Big Horn Carpet Mill, Crow Agency Teepee campground, etc.)David Stewart1972–1974Patrick Stands Over Bull1974–1977Removed after a successful impeachment by the Crow Tribal CouncilForrest Horn1977–1982Donald Stewart1982–1986Richard Real Bird1986–1990Defeated in election against Secretary Clara NomeeClara Nomee1990–2000Longest-serving chairman of the Crow Tribe; The first woman chairman; third woman officialClifford Birdinground2000–2002Resigned from office after federal indictmentsVincent Goes Ahead2002Acting ChairmanCarl VenneNovember 11, 2002 – February 2009Elected to fill remaining term after Chairman Birdinground's resignation; re-elected to a 4-year term in 2008; died in office in February 2009Cedric Black Eagle2009 – December 3, 2012Elected in a special election as chairman of the Executive Branch to fill the remainder of Carl Venne's 4-year termDarrin Old CoyoteDecember 3, 2012 – 2016ChairmanpAlvin Not Afraid Jr.2016–2020Frank White Clay2020–present
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