Tribal leaders ready for shut down

LANDER (WNE) — As the federal government shutdown has halted or hampered federal programs, workers, and some funding streams, the Eastern Shoshone Business Council has assured tribal members that it doesn't anticipate any major changes to the tribe's programs and is closely monitoring the situation.

The federal government closed up shop Wednesday after members of Congress failed to pass a funding bill. While that means broad closures across a variety of agencies and programs, each federal department operates under its own procedures that dictate what happens when the federal coffers dry up, meaning some agencies continue operating certain essential services like Social Security disbursements.

Tribal governments depend on federal funds for a variety of programs and services; things like Head Start, health care and even the operation of Saint Stephen's Indian School rely on federally appropriated dollars.

But tribal leaders stressed the Eastern Shoshone Tribe has made recent efforts to remain financially stable, and key services, monthly per capita payments, and other programming will remain in place as the tribe carefully watches to see what will happen on Capitol Hill.

"The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is financially stable enough to manage the immediate effects of the shutdown, and we expect minimal interruptions to our operations," the business council wrote in a statement after D.C. came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday. "Since the start of the year, we have implemented targeted cost-cutting measures, including restrictions on travel, hiring freezes, and a thorough review of all purchases. Therefore, we feel prepared to continue business as usual."

Per capita payments are not expected to be affected, tribal leaders wrote.

 "We're working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to ensure those payments stay on track for distribution. Law enforcement will not be impacted either," the business council said of the BIA-run Wind River Police.

This story was published on Oct. 4, 2025.