September 2021 CUJ by Confederated Umatilla Journal

Confederated Umatilla Journal

The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon September 2021

Section

Volume 29, Issue 9

A TRIBE IN MOURNING

CTUIR loses two tribal members to COVID-19 in August as cases spike By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

Biden picks Sams By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

CTUIR member Chuck Sams III has a knack for making history. Months ago, he received a historic appointment from Gov. Kate Brown to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, becoming only the second Native American to serve in that role. On Aug. 18, President Biden an-

nounced the nomination of Sams for an even bigger role: The Director of the National Park Service. He would be the first Native American to serve as the highest ranking poPresident Biden sition in that organization, if approved by the U.S. Senate. Sams would also be the first full-time director since the Obama administration. He declined to comment, but several Sams nomination on page 2A

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801

CTUIR member may become first Native American to run National Park Service

MISSION - By definition, “átway” is the Umatilla Tribal word used to respectfully name a deceased person. Two átways were added to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s daily report in August, including 39-yearold Michael Gavin -- the son of Tribal leader Shawna Gavin and brother of Tribal leader Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey. Yellowhawk’s Interim CEO Aaron Hines called the losses “devastating,” noting the community’s case rate in August has more than quadrupled last August’s count from 14 to 60. “It has been heartbreaking to hear persons deteriorate daily until our staff send them to the E.R. or they require hospitalization or they pass away,” Hines said. “It’s devastating. It’s frustrating. It’s irritating. It’s saddening. Our staff is doing their best to lead the effort to protect the community against COVID-19.” Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham said the Tribal government sent its thoughts and prayers to the families, and urged Tribal and community members to get vaccinated. “We still have four more months in 2021 and pray that more CTUIR members and community members will get vaccinated to help avoid any more possible loss due to COVID in 2021,” Brigham said. Shawna, the Tribe’s General Council Secretary, hoped her son would

glide through the sickness safely, despite being unvaccinated. “As my son’s condition worsened, I began asking our family and friends to pray for his recovery,” she said. “As we know, that was not to happen. I desperately wished he’d been vaccinated. It’s very possible that had he been vaccinated, his case would have been mild and he would still be here.” Jill-Marie said her brother had a general mistrust of the government, and noted the CTUIR is less than 50 percent vaccinated. “I think it just boiled down to: He likely didn’t have enough information,” she said. “As his sibling, in retrospect, I wished I’d had more conversations with him about it -though there wasn’t much you could do to deter what he had decided. He was unsure of the vaccine.” Prior to the two deaths, the Tribe had only lost one Tribal member over the course of the pandemic. With the Pendleton Round-Up around the corner in mid-September, Tribal officials released recommendations for CTUIR members to safely attend the event. They fully expect a rise in cases to be linked to the event, which plays host to thousands of visitors each year. Shawna was one of a number of Tribal leaders who spoke out against Tribal members attending the annual átway Michael on page 3A

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Sams nomination Continued from page 1A

notable officials backed the nomination, including Secretary Deb Haaland, who was a history maker, herself, as the first Native American to serve in such capacity. “The diverse experience that Chuck brings to the National Park Service will be an incredible asset as we work to conserve and protect our national parks to make them more accessible for everyone,” she said. “I look forward to working with him to welcome Americans from every corner of our country into our national park system. The outdoors are for everyone, Deb Haaland and we have an obligation to protect them for generations to come.” Gov. Brown recognized Sams as being among Oregon’s finest. “I can’t think of a better person for the important role of National Park Service Director,” she said. “I have worked closely with Chuck for many years, and have witnessed firsthand his unparalleled devotion and service to his Tribe, our state and our nation. Brown added, “During your administration, I envision students -- both young and old, Tribal and non-tribal alike -- visiting Yellowstone, Arches, Mesa Verde or

Oregon’s Crater Lake, and hearing the stories of our past and present, including the important stories of the tribal peoples who have inhabited these special places. Chuck is a consummate storyteller and has the skill set and passion to inspire the dedicated staff of the NPS to tell those stories, and to find new and innovative ways to make our parks accessible to all Americans, while conserving and preserving those lands.” Kate Brown Theresa Pierno, the President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association, said Sams would “play an essential role in protecting more than 400 of America’s most treasured places and overseeing the management of 20,000 National Park Service employees. This is no small task, but we believe Sams is prepared to step up and tackle the many challenges and opportunities Theresa Pierno facing our parks.” Pierno continued, “Throughout his career, Sams has formed powerful relationships across Tribal nations, all levels of government and the conservation community, navigating difficult issues

in an inclusive and caring way. As a descendant of the original guardians of our lands, Sams brings a unique and powerful perspective that can help our national parks continue to evolve in the places and stories they preserve and share.” Fawn Sharp, the President of the National Congress of American Indians, supported Sams’ nomination, as well. “Chuck Sams knows the importance of protecting our precious natural resources, wildlife, and habitats while balancing the challenges of welcoming millions of visitors per year to our pristine National Parks,” Sharp, a Quinault Tribal member, said. “As the Park SerFawn Sharp vice’s first Native American director, Chuck is well-positioned to balance recreational uses and stewardship with our Tribal Nations’ needs to maintain our traditional and ancestral ties to these lands.” The NCAI is urging the Senate to swiftly confirm Sams. “The department deserves his thoughtful brand of leadership and vision to continue earning the title of, ‘America’s Best Idea,’” NCAI said in a statement of support. Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham said the CTUIR is very proud of Sams. “Mr. Sams knows about Treaty Rights

and that in order for the land to take care of you, we, the people, need to take care of the land. He is a hard worker who will work hard to make a difference for our children and their children.” Sams is a U.S. Navy veteran who holds a Master’s in Legal Studies from Kat Brigham the University of Oklahoma. Prior to serving on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, he was the Tribe’s Interim Executive Director. His other roles included President/ Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Country Conservancy; Executive Director of the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation; National Director of the Tribal & Native Lands Program for the Trust for Public Land; Executive Director for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council; Executive Director for the Community Energy Project; and President/ Chief Executive Officer for the Earth Conservation Corps. The National Park Service was established in 1916 and oversees 63 parks, 423 historic sites and 12,300 employees. The parks and sites receive more than 318 million visitors per year.

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HEALTH

Vaccine mandated at four Tribal entities By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

MISSION - Tribal employees belonging to four CTUIR entities have until Sept. 30 to get fully vaccinated. Though the Tribe has held mass vaccination clinics and given a $50,000 grand prize for a fully vaccinated employee, an estimated 35 employees working at those entities are not vaccinated. The directive was released Aug. 31 by Interim Executive Director Teara Farrow Ferman, who made the decision with Yellowhawk Tribal Health Centers and the Board of Trustees. The four Tribal entities are Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, the CTUIR Education Department, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department and the CTUIR’s COVID-19 screeners. “I’m certain the subject line of this memorandum has many people feeling anxious just as this past year and a half has given all of us some anxiety and stress while having to endure a historic flooding event and world-wide public health pandemic,” Farrow Ferman said. “The challenges and stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic are still with us and don’t seem to be going away any time soon. I know this has seriously and dramatically impacted our employee morale, our ability to socialize with family and friends, to live a normal life, and many other things. It has impacted everyone.” The Board of Trustees sent out a public statement Sept. 1 regarding the matter. “To lead by example, all CTUIR Board of Trustee members and officers are ful-

ly vaccinated against COVID-19. This Order comes after careful consideration of our ability to carry out tribal government and health care services to the community, and the continued hardship on the CTUIR. “Currently hospitals in the state of Oregon and the surrounding counties are reaching capacity,” the BOT continued in the statement. “Newly infected people suffering from symptoms of COVID-19 that require respiratory therapy are being transported to other states for COVID-19 emergency care. We are facing shortages in medical care capacities, equipment and protections.” “The medical and health care fields are reporting service disruptions and delays that result from employees required to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposures,” the BOT statement continued. “These services are vital to the CTUIR community and we must preserve the CTUIR capacity to provide such services. In the meantime our children, elders and tribal families continue to become infected with COVID-19 and its Delta variant. “The spread of COVID-19 remains a hardship on our tribal way of life and to our tribal people and employees. Statistically, tribal people are at a disproportionate higher risk of serious illness and death when infected with COVID-19. This summer, our community suffered a substantial increase in COVID-19 infections and deaths,” the BOT statement continued. “As a community, we need to remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19 in order to be as safe as possible. Please continue to wear

your mask, wash your hands and social distance to the best of your ability. Stay safe and healthy.” The decision was based, in part, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the memo states and the CTUIR having many Tribal members and employees who are considered high risk. “The Board of Trustees has made the very hard decision requiring certain employees to become fully vaccinated,” the memo states. “The measures are aimed to ensure the safe continuation of critical and essential healthcare, education and emergency response services to the Tribal community.” The memo does not make clear what will happen to those who do not cooperate with the order. But it does state “the order does allow for reasonable accommodation of a medical disability or sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance that documents an employee should not be vaccinated.” “Such a request,” the memo states, “is not guaranteed to be granted and must follow our process that addresses employee claims and documentation.” If an accommodation request is made, it will be reviewed in accordance with applicable law, the memo states. The requests should be made to Human Resources Director Kathryn Burke. Employees in those four entities who did not receive their vaccine through the Tribe will need to provide an official vaccination record to Human Resources Benefits Coordinator Marlene Hale by

Sept. 30. The memo notes CTUIR employees remain eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations at Yellowhawk by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their phone number is 541-240-8733. Yellowhawk is approaching 1,700 vaccinated individuals as the Tribe braces for a surge in cases. It “will likely become worse after upcoming large local events,” the memo stated, possibly alluding to the Pendleton Round-Up in September. “Additionally, this surge is causing a supply demand on necessary medical supplies and resources which can effect adequate medical access and treatment of COVID-19 in our county and region.” Farrow Ferman thanked employees for their continued dedication and service to the Tribal membership and community of the CTUIR. “There were probably times that you felt or continue to feel unappreciated for the work you are doing,” she wrote. “I want you to know that your work is not and has not gone unnoticed. It is deeply appreciated and respected. Without you, our Tribal government operations and services wouldn’t be able to continue. “Staff quickly adapted to remote work and were highly productive,” she added. “It is amazing how well everyone adapted and how productive and successful we continue to be. We are all members of this team we call the CTUIR Tribal government and each of you contribute to the team.”

Atway Michael Continued from page 1A

event during a virtual meeting with Pendleton Round-Up officials. “I understand your desire to go forward, but I don’t support the event this year,” she said. “I appreciate your work that you did to try to mitigate the threat to our community, but I can tell you that I will encourage my entire family not to go near Pendleton Round-Up this year.” BOT member Armand Minthorn also spoke against it, saying it is very concerning there will not be a limit on the number of attendees. “I have a big concern that Round-Up is going forward,” he said. “Mainly because the after effects of the Round-Up -that’s when things will begin to happen. ... The steps that Round-Up is taking (to protect the community from COVID-19) are great, but I believe it’s not enough.” Teara Farrow Ferman encouraged Tribal members and employees to continue wearing a mask, social distance and remain safe for the coming weeks in an Aug. 31 memo in which the Tribe also announced mandatory vaccinations for four entities. At last update, on Aug. 30, Yellowhawk had five new cases, 15 active cases, and 476 total cases. The vaccination rate

is listed at 46 percent, one active case involves a person who is hospitalized, and there are three confirmed deaths. Hines said Yellowhawk staff have close connections with their patients. “They are our family, friends and co-workers,” he said. “When working in healthcare, you develop a close connection with the patients because you hear their stories, their health concerns, their worries and their successes. You build that trust with the patients as you become a part of their health journey. “Our contact tracers and nurses are in contact with cases and contact them daily,” Hines added. “They know our patients well -- they become like family members, in a sense. Our staff care for them.” Hines said Yellowhawk is fighting misinformation. “We’re fighting fake news that’s spread around social media,” he said. “It makes our job that much more tough. COVID-19 is real and we need everyone to do their part.” Atway Michael Gavin Gavin was named “hey-oo-makin,” which means grizzly bear roaring up. The name dates back more than 100 years to a signer of the Treaty of 1855,

The Gavin siblings, from left: Michael, Lee, Derek and Jill-Marie. Michael tragically passed away in August after contracting COVID-19. Courtesy Photo

the family said. The Longhouse religion, Washat, was one of the two worlds Gavin navigated regularly in life, including his devout belief in Christianity. In fact, he was days away from becoming a salaried pastor before his hospitalization for COVID-19. Family members say he was very

Confederated Umatilla Journal

proud of being a Cayuse man: exercising his treaty rights, participating in the Longhouse ceremonies and growing his hair long. His uncle Calvin Shilall, a respected traditionalist who once held the title of whipman within the Tribe, taught him many lessons along the way Gavin’s story on page 10A

September 2021

EDUCATION Tribal youth get cultural tour of the Snake River By the CUJ

Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Colville Tribes and Nez Perce Tribes floated the Snake River in August. “It was an unforgettable three days with pukuunen (Snake River),” Josiah Pinkham said, “visiting cultural sites, learning about the canyon and all its life and splendor, and forming new friendships.” CTUIR youth members present were Jacob Jones, Landen Shippentower, Cole Sazue, Sacas Wildbill and Mainaia Wolf. The school-age students visited cultural sites along the river, learned about the water, wildlife and geology. One youth member on the trip said they got to know part of themselves. Trip leaders included Tiyana Casey, Josiah Pinkham, Doug Marconi Jr. and Andrew Wildbill. “Qeci’yew’yew for their dedications of knowledge, heart, and time to ensure these kids experienced this part of their homeland in a way that would stay with them forever,” Pinkham said. She also thanked Winding Waters River Expeditions for their commitment and generosity amd Clark Shimeall for helping guide the youth.

Sacas Wildbill, Cole Sazue, Andrew Wildbill, Tiyana Casey, Landen Picard and Becca Pulcrano engage in a water fight while on a three-day tour of the Snake River and its cultural sites in August. Courtesy Photo/Clark Shimeall

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September 2021

THANK YOU Summer Youth thank Tribal programs The Summer Youth Program would like to thank Nixyaawii Governance Center programs: Afterschool, Ataw Miyanashma, Children and Family Services, Economic and Community Development, Environmental Energy Services Program, Food Services, Information Technology, Human Resources, Payroll, Planning and Public Works Wildhorse Resort & Casino the following departments: Aspen Lanes, Cineplex, Golf Course, Human Resources and Mission Market. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center: Community Health, Garden, Information Technology, Human Resources and Senior Center. We would like thank Lyndsi Lewis, Molly Kile and Sydelle Harrison for bringing the OSU campus tour to the Summer Youth on the rez along with the DNR programs who presented their posters to our youth workforce.

Thank you CTUIR Education Department The CTUIR Education and Training Committee would like to extend our appreciation and give recognition to the staff of the CTUIR Education Department for their dedication, professionalism and adaptability during the ongoing COVID 19 crisis. The Education Department staff were required to overcome significant obstacles and produce innovative solutions in order to safely and effectively carry out their primary mission of education of the CTUIR youth as seen in the following examples: Education Department staff as front line workers were required to perform their duties during the COVID 19 pandemic. Education staff contended with providing services and implementing new and changing safety protocols daily. This included mask usage, social distancing, screening, developing and implementing classroom emergency response in accordance with CDC guidelines. . Staff were required to provide and institute remote learning to keep both the youth and staff safe during tribal wide closures. The Education Department, at a great cost in time and resources, took the extraordinary step of ensuring that CTUIR youth had access to an iPad tablet and Chromebooks to facilitate remote learning. Staff contacted and performed follow up with all students to make sure they all had access to lessons and homework, allowing the students to continue their education from the safety of their own homes. Finally, Education Department staff organized drive through graduation parades and socially distanced graduation ceremonies to celebrate recent CTUIR graduates. These events were often the only recognition these graduates would

Confederated Umatilla Journal The monthly newspaper for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The CTUIR Summer Youth Program had hands-on learning experiences with several CTUIR program this year. Keyen Singer (top left), Greyson Sams (above) and Saint Schimmel (left) were among tribal members participating. Courtesy Photos / Brandie Weaskus

receive during the pandemic, and Education Department staff did their best to ensure that these events were special. We would like to thank each of you individually, but please be aware that we appreciate all that each of you do. In the future, we hopefully can put COVID behind us and return to normal, but until then, continue the good work that you do and realize we are always there to support you. From Education and Training Committee Members Scott Minthorn, Sally Kosey, Cheryl Shippentower, Robin Bitrick and Pamela Shippentower.

Bronson families send thanks The families of L. Videll Bronson, and Richard Bronson, would like to share their deepest appreciation and say thank you for the love and support that was shared during this very heartbreaking, and difficult time. Thank you to the singers: Armand Minthorn, Gum Crawford, Toby Patrick, Robert Wilson, Josh Spencer, Marvin Burke, Lindsey X. Watchman, Tommy Pierre Jr, Ian Sampson, Richard Sams, Fred Hill and Andrew Wildbill. We appreciate the time you gave to our family and for your songs. Your presence will always be remembered. A very special thank you to Michelle Thompson, Sandra Sampson and Linda Sampson, and their families, who were a tremendous help in getting things organized and details taken care of, and continuously shared their strength and love. To those who brought by food, drinks and donations your generosity and thoughtfulness is much appreciated by the family: Jonetta Everano, Snuffie Smith, Cort Herrera, J.J. Bell Bronson, Matt & Patty Farrow, Sandy Dave, Jory

Spencer, Cathy & Annette Sampson, Dionne & KC Picard, Andria Scott, Randall Melton, and the Burke Family. We also say thank you to friends and family who traveled long distances to be with us during the services. To those who shared prayers and stories at the funeral your words, teachings and kindness will not be forgotten: Erma Sams, Wilson Wewa, Robert Taylor, Vernon Smartlowit, and Dionne Bronson. To all the pallbearers, thank you for your strength and your hearts: T.J. Parrish, Bobby Parrish, Aaron Ashley, Ryan Ashley, Kyle McGuire, Vernon Smartlowit, J.J. Bell Bronson, Byron Sam, Jesse Bronson, Billy Bronson, Bryson Bronson, K.C. Picard, Quanah Picard, Logan Thorne. The abundance of prayers, songs, condolences, enduring wishes, memories, laughs, hugs, flowers, cards and strength that was shared will always be remembered. It is good friends and family, from near and far, which have kept our family’s hearts full and our spirits up and we thank you!

Family of Randy Alexander expresses gratitude On behalf of the family of Randy Alexander I would like to express by gratitude for all of the kindness and love shown to his family in dealing with his passing. Thank you for all of the cards, calls, texts, flowers, hugs, food and time spent together reminiscing. We met when we were 17 years old and he was already a brother, uncle, cousin and friend to so many. If Randy touched your life in any way please remember his teachings and his love for each of you. His way dictated that he not be mourned but remembered with laughter and smiles at all of the good times shared. Hilda Alexander

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STAFF Interim Publisher: Jiselle Halfmoon Editor: Cary Rosenbaum Reporter: Miranda Vega Rector

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September 2021

ChairmanConfederated Confederated Chairman Tribesofofthe theUmatilla Umatilla Tribes IndianReservation, Reservation, Indian CandidateGary GaryI. I.Burke Burke Candidate Gary Burke, Tuk-Lu-Key, is enrolled Gary I. I. Burke, Tuk-Lu-Key, is enrolled Umatilla and resides Umatilla Umatilla and resides onon thethe Umatilla Indian Reservation Springhollow. Indian Reservation at at Springhollow. HeHe has thirteen grandchildren, and two has thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Gary is the sonson of of great-grandchildren. Gary is the the late Chief Wish-Lau-Tu-Latin, the late Chief Wish-Lau-Tu-Latin, Raymond T Burke and Velma Patrick Raymond T Burke and Velma Patrick Burke. HeHe descends from grandparents Burke. descends from grandparents Isaac Patrick and Ada J. J. Patrick, Richard Isaac Patrick and Ada Patrick, Richard T.T. Burke, Sr.Sr. and Ester Pond Johnson. Burke, and Ester Pond Johnson. Gary served asas thethe Chairman forfor four Gary served Chairman four terms previously. HeHe was a carpenter forfor terms previously. was a carpenter eighteen years and returned to to college eighteen years and returned college and graduated in in 1995. Gary is ais a and graduated 1995. Gary graduate of of Pilot Rock High School where graduate Pilot Rock High School where hehe also played basketball and football. HeHe also played basketball and football. also took part in in boxing, traditional war also took part boxing, traditional war dancing and horsemanship which he he dancing and horsemanship which learned from hishis father. HeHe is a learned from father. isstrong a strong leader who encourages younger leader who encourages younger generations to to utilize their Treaty and generations utilize their Treaty and Traditional Rights in in light of of thethe Traditional Rights light changing times that brings new changing times that brings new responsibilities. HeHe has great respect forfor responsibilities. has great respect the oldold ways that have been handed down the ways that have been handed down and believes that they need to be and believes that they need to be protected and preserved forfor thethe next protected and preserved next generations. He is a father, husband and generations. He is a father, husband and grandfather. grandfather.

Priorities include: Priorities include: East Boundary Treaty of the Umatilla East Boundary Treaty of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Indian Reservation Umatilla Water Rights Basin Umatilla Water Rights Basin Jurisdiction over Non-Indians Jurisdiction over Non-Indians Treaty Rights Protection Treaty Rights Protection Phase I ofI Wildhorse moving to Phase II II Phase of Wildhorse moving to Phase andand III III Board of Trustees in Board Chambers Board of Trustees in Board Chambers present andand working for for thethe people present working people

Gary I Burke for Chairman September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

BUSINESS

MORE FUN MORE OFTEN!

Melinda Broncheau organizing bead supplies at her store in Mission, Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies. The CTUIR member has had a passion for business for as long as she can remember. Courtesy Photo

Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies soars despite COVID-19 lockdowns by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ

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September 2021

MISSION – When Melinda Broncheau invested everything she had into opening Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, a global pandemic was not included in her business plan but still she prevailed. Broncheau, a Tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has had a passion for business since she can remember. It started when her Grandmother Ruby McFarland ran a bead and craft store out of her home on Shortmile Road in Mission. Broncheau was raised in that house by her mother, Lois Broncheau, and she raised her own children there as well. Both her matriarchs taught her how to bead and weave, and as she got older she expanded her craft creating Native regalia, hats, baby boards, and other traditional attire and accessories. In Dec. 2019 she decided to move out of her apartment in Pendleton and temporarily move into a cousin’s home while she found Tribal housing and got her store running. The plan was for the store to open in Feb. 2020. Then COVID hit the reservation. “Once we found out that it was here around January or February … we found out that there were two positives at the casino, I was like ‘Oh great, everything is shutting down,” said Broncheau. “But I had pretty much put everything I had into opening and inventory.” Ruby’s Crafts and Supplies didn’t get to open until June 2020 and since then, the business has had to close its doors four times due to COVID-19 restrictions and exposure. Because of this, Broncheau is currently working full time for the CTUIR as a COVID-19 Screener to supplement her income

Confederated Umatilla Journal

and has still not been able to find local housing due to a long waitlist. She has been on the list since Dec. 2019 and currently rents a room from family. After she works her 8 hour shift with the Tribe, Broncheau then goes to her store to open for business. “I’ll be tired for a bit but hopefully that changes, so it will all be worth it,” said Broncheau. “It’s more positive than anything.” Even with all the unpredictability, her business is succeeding and her inventory has tripled in size. She said that slowly more and more people are hearing about her store and she gets several local customers as well as visitors from Yakima, and some from Lapwai and Warm Springs. Broncheau’s goal with Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies is to offer products that are not easily found in the Pendleton area. The inventory consists of beads and supplies, brass, tin, shell items, and brain-tanned buckskin. She also has other Native artists and merchants products’ on consignment such as jewelry, beadwork and clothing. Another goal of hers, once COVID restrictions lower, is to have her consignment partners teach community classes at the store so that others can learn about weaving and beadwork as well. Broncheau said she is really grateful for the community and for her children – Jeremy and Jessica Azure, Eric Broncheau, and Nai Saecho - and family members who have helped her keep her business running this past year. She also said that the Tribal Business Service Center has been a big help to her and she recommends anyone looking to start a business to get in contact with them. For store hours and inventory, visit www.rubysindiancrafts.com or like her facebook page Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies.

BUSINESS

Pictured is an assortment of products sold by Waterlilly Botanicals LLC, an online retail business run by Adrienne Berry and located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Adrienne Berry opens Waterlilly Botanicals LLC during Pandemic shutdown by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ

MISSION - When everything shut down in 2020, including day cares and schools, parents like Adrienne Berry and Christopher Sampson, parents of five, were put in a difficult situation – who watches the kids? With not many options available, Berry chose to resign from her five year career as the Community Gardener of Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center to care for her children and juggle the duties of motherhood, hybrid school, summer camps and outdoor activities. In a time where there were many unknowns and social distancing was in full effect, Berry needed a way to supplement their income. With the help of her longtime best friend Colleen Sanders, she

took her years of gardening experience, passion for herbs and started Waterlilly Botanicals LLC. Sampson had also been a big support to her and encouraged her to follow her dreams. By using a private garden, foraging herbs and plants based on the seasons, and also ordering high quality products in bulk, Waterlilly Botanicals LLC offers natural and safe skin care products, herbal preparations, holistic consultations, and workshops. Berry, who is Navajo, lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and runs the majority of the business online through www.WaterlillyBotanicals.com, as well as through Facebook and Instagram. Sanders is more of a silent partner, who initially funded the business and contributes to creating and packaging the products which they both do in Dayton,

Wash. in a certified kitchen every month. “Through caring for young children to teenagers I have managed to get our business off the ground,” said Berry. “The kids are now supportive and love to help out where they can.” Currently, Waterlilly Botanicals LLC offers anywhere from 10-14 different products, depending on the season, which includes moisturizers, body butters, lip balm, salve, ointments, tea blends, and elderberry syrup kits. They have products available in store at “A Piece of Pendleton” and “Temple Massage Therapy” and can also be found at the Pendleton Farmers Market through October. “Sales had been going down so we decided to do our first farmers market and it was a success,” said Berry. “So we will continue doing that until October. Everything we make goes back into the business to help it grow bigger. Next year we are hoping to have our herbal farm so we don’t have to outsource as much.” The herbal farm Berry is referring to is 2,352 square feet of land located outside of Gibbon, Ore. She is currently applying for a $5,000 grant in hopes to outfit the land with posts, fencing and compost. Waterlilly Botanicals is also in the running for an award through Pow Wow Pitch, an organization that provide platforms, programs and resources to support Indigenous entrepreneurs to start and grow thriving and sustainable businesses that make a

difference, according to their website. Pow Wow Pitch has an award for People’s Choice Voting where the community can show their support for Waterlilly Botanicals LLC by voting for them at https:// forms.gle/WcGmYaPUFhvZnUCk9. Here she could win $500 and go straight to the finals competition where they would have the opportunity to win $25,0000. “We are wanting to upscale our business and be more efficient at offering herbs to people,” said Berry. “The Pow Pitch will help with upscaling and the Mountain Rose Herbs grant will help us reach our goals faster.”

Celebrating our Employees

Congratulations to our August Employees of the Month:

Derek Johnston

IT Network Administrator Support Team

Kelly Richardson

Project Mgmt. Office Analyst Government Team

Join our team! We have dozens of jobs open each month, including: Computer User Support Specialist, Customer Service Agent, Desktop Technician on or near Indian Reservations across the US, Executive Assistant, and Help Desk Agent. www.cayuseholdings.com Equal Opportunity Employer Adrienne Berry, right, smiles with friend and business partner Colleen Sanders.

Courtesy Photo

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

Gavin’s story Continued from page 3A

-- lessons he planned to pass down to his own nephews and nieces. “He was the best uncle in the universe,” Jill-Marie said. “He was always invested. He couldn’t wait for the day until his nephews and nieces were old enough to go hunting. That was going to be his pride and joy.” Michael’s brother Lee recalled him being a protector. “The sharpest memory that comes to mind is a time I was being pulled down some rapids and I was scared I was going to be swept away and he came out and pulled me back in,” he said. “Michael played multiple roles in our family. He was also the older brother who walked down the hallway punching the air, saying ‘If you get hit, it’s not my fault.’” Jill-Marie said Michael took the role of being the able-bodied man of the house very seriously, as their father was paralyzed in the late 1980s. “He started working at age 14 and always contributed and was always very supportive and protective and provided as much comfort or luxury as he could throughout the years,” she said. As a teen, Michael got involved in a gang in Portland, along with his brothers. That membership extended into his move to Pendleton before he felt conflicted and left. “Seeing him leave (the gang) and hearing the reasoning he had for going

was hard,” Lee said. “But watching him dedicate himself to the reason he left (Christianity) and seeing him flourish made me proud of him. It gave me understanding as to why he felt it pertinent to leave this life behind him.” Over the course of his life, Michael drifted between Portland, Los Angeles and Tennessee before finding his calling at home among his people. No matter where he went, or what lifestyle he maintained, Michael always found his way back to Christianity, Jill-Marie said. The shock of his death is wearing off, she added. His passing came a year after his uncle Chet Tias passed away from COVID as the first CTUIR member death. Their family has been hit hard and hope their stories can help prevent future losses. “Whether they’re old or young, every person that passes away possibly could have been prevented,” Jill-Marie said. “Any moment we continue on and are not sharing information to at least cause people to rethink their stance (on vaccinations) could be another family that is in mourning.” Michael’s mother Shawna, in the weeks after losing her son, reacted to the loss. “From the start of this global pandemic I’ve watched from my safe and well protected home as the world fell around us,” she said. “Often, hearing of thousands dying per day in urban areas made me feel a pang of guilt and sorrow for the many families, hoping and praying that it would not come near our doorstep. I was thankful to the CTUIR Incident Command

Team for their hard work in holding the virus at bay from our tribe and community. At first, when my son confirmed he had tested positive for COVID, then my brother and I the same, although knowing he was unvaccinated I hoped he would glide through safely as we were. My brother’s symptoms were mild, mine somewhat stronger but nothing dramatic. As my son’s condition worsened I began asking our family friends to pray for his recovery. As we know, that was not to happen. I desperately wished he’d been vaccinated. It’s very possible that had he been vaccinated his case would have been mild and he would still be here. When we were first asked after his passing, I said that I didn’t want to take a hard line that vaccination is the end all of this virus. Today I continue to believe that to vaccinate or not is a very personal choice and I will not presume to advise one way or another. What I will say is, please consider the option of vaccination if you haven’t. Weigh the balance of your life and the lives of all you love. This virus is far from over. The only way to get rid of it is to arm ourselves with all that science and our Creator has made available to us. Please, just give my words some thought.” Lee said his brother Michael’s legacy will be that he was a man who did anything and everything to take care of his family. Jill-Marie said the family is just now beginning to understand how big of a task that truly was.

Happy Birthday Miss Ayla Blake! The Big 3

EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING EOCIL is a global disability resource and advocacy center that provides an array of services for people living with any type of disability. EOCIL is providing services in Harney, Malheur, Baker, Union, Grant, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow, Wheeler Gilliam, Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties.

Services Available:

• Disability Research & Analysis • Informational and Referral • Independent Living Skills Training

(Budgeting and financial management, cooking, application assistance, etc.)

• Disability Peer Counseling • Individual Advocacy • Life Transitions

(School to employment, home to home, corrections to community, etc.)

• LGBTQIA and Two -Spirit Resources

• Support Groups • Youth Mentoring • Crisis Management and Disaster Planning • Emergency Financial and Food Assistance • Accessibility Assistance • HIV Community Services • Harm Reduction Programs

(Syringe exchange, Access to PrEP, free condoms, free home HIV-testing kits)

• And many other services provided

EOCIL has four locations:

1021 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, Ore. 541-889-3119 Voice 711 Relay Toll free 1-844-489-3119 Email: eocil@eocil.org

322 SW 3rd St., Pendleton, Ore. 541-276-1037 711 Relay Toll free 1-877-711-1037 Email: eocil@eocil.org

Institute for Disability Studies and Policy (IDSP) 51 West Washington Street Burns, OR 97720 541-370-2810, Ext. 401 Email: eocil@eocil.org

The Dalles, Ore. 400 East Scenic Drive, Bldg 2, 3rd Floor, Suite 2 541-370-2810 Toll free 1-844-370-2810 Email: eocil@eocil.org

Visit www.eocil.org or contact an EOCIL office to explore how EOCIL may assist you.

COVID-19 VACCINE COORDINATION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Let EOCIL do the heavy lifting and coordination! CONTACT EOCIL is providing: • Vaccine Scheduling • Accessible Transportation • Free Food Box • Free Prevention Kits • Emergency Financial Assistance for individuals directly impacted

September 2021

Kassandra Toombs (541) 889-3119, Ext. 109

Michelle Villarreal (541) 889-3119, Ext. 110

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Nixyáawii Neighborhood still in the works for 2022 Press Release

Nixyáawii – the 13-acre neighborhood located south of Nixyaawii Education Center and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, was originally, planned for development over the summer of 2021; however, delays from pandemic response and very volatile development market has moved the project to spring of 2022, with lot sales windows occurring in early spring 2022. Nixyáawii will allow CTUIR Tribal Members to build homes and live on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The neighborhood will offer residents the flexibility to build and own a home that suits their own needs, while also providing a walkable atmosphere with a neighborhood park, and easy access to work, school, health, and to transit. The design is meant to be flexible and allows for future extensions as the community grows. The individual lots will included stub outs for water, sewer, gas, electricity and fiber. “Housing has been a Priority for the Tribal Community and the Board of Trustees for many years, if not generations,” said J.D. Tovey III, Planning Director for CTUIR. “The Reservation is the home of the

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Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Indians, but for a long time it was difficult for tribal members to actually live on the reservation – because of fractionation, high land prices, or construction barriers such as wells and septic tanks. This neighborhood aims to help alleviate as many of those barriers as possible.” “The path to homeownership can be complex, but also very rewarding,” said Pam Ranslam, Homeownership Program Manager for Nixyaawii Community Financial Services. “Getting organized is key to making a smooth process.” Interested parties should be prepared to go through all the steps of a mortgage loan process including reviewing credit history, pre-qualification and pre-approval of a loan. For updates and information as it is released, please check out the website www.nixyaawii.com and sign up for the newsletter to take a survey about financial services that you may need as part of this process. A virtual, and in person, open house is scheduled for September 8, 2021, which you can register for through the website.

Tribal member appointed Interim Director of Umatilla Tribal Court Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Martina Gordon, Criminal Justice Records Specialist, as Interim Umatilla Tribal Court Director effective immediately. Gordon has been employed with Umatilla Tribal Court since 2017 and is an enrolled member of CTUIR. She previously served as the Food Programs Coordinator and Manager for CAPECO for six years. She currently serves as Vice-Chair for the Martina Gordon Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s Health Commission and Secretary for the Oregon Legal Aid Services Board and Oregon Law Center Board. She is endeavoring to achieve her Bachelors of Applied Science Degree with a major in Business through online classes with Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University. Umatilla Tribal Court will be searching for a new director. “We appreciate the excellent leadership Kelly Sager provided and we wish her well in her new endeavors,” Johnson said.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Allman named Pro Tem Judge for Tribal Court Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Louisa M. Allman, Juvenile Delinquency Specialist, as Pro Tem Judge for the Umatilla Tribal Court. Allman has been employed by the Umatilla Tribal Court since 2018 and is an enrolled member of the CTUIR. She previously served as Paralegal/Victim’s Assistant for the City of Pendleton City Attorney for 19 years, and was employed by the Pulaski County Civil Attorney in Little Rock, Arkansas before returnLouisa Allman ing to Pendleton. In 2001, she was a Crisis Response worker at the World Trade Center. She currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Wildhorse Foundation, and a member of the Citizen’s Review Board for the State of Oregon. She is the daughter of the late Marguerite J. Allman, who served, as Education Director, and also served as Vice Chair for the Board of Trustees. Her father was Alonzo J. Allman a member of the Nez Perce tribe. She has an 11-year-old son, Weylin Walton.

September 2021

NCFS hosts grand opening By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

MISSION - Nixyaawii Community Financial Services held its grand opening in August, allowing for tours, souvenirs, food and a DJ. The event -- which was postponed from July due to the record heat -- was also a reuniting moment for the seven-person staff. “We certainly heard so many positive compliments,” Tovey said. “I cannot explain how wonderful it was to welcome our community here. But, for me, it was really the very first time I had all our seven staff physically in the same place after a year and a half of working separately and remotely.” Business Development Service Manager Raven Manta said she was “extremely excited” that the opening moment had come. “Feels like yesterday I was doing surveys at Mission Market, that was in 2016,” Manta said. “ I really wanted to be a part of the uplifting change that was to come. It has always been about uplifting our people and giving the support and tools to take charge of their financial health. Watching this project grow from writing the ideas to an actual physical location with other workers is amazing.” Tovey said having a store front feel, which Coyote Business Park allows, is huge for NCFS. “As all our programs—Business Development, Homeownership, and Credit Programs—are long-standing and very successful programs with many successes, it’s still a process to advise our customers and clients that we’re here now,” Tovey said. “All these programs have maintained high standards for confidentiality and being now an independent, wholly owned entity of the Tribes, having the arm’s length separation is appealing.” Manta followed, “My hope is that my community members will feel fully comfortable talking more about finances. We are providing tools and resources that will help people improve their quality of life.” Tovey shared NCFS has new loan products under final development, such as small business, Food Sovereignty and land leases. “My other primary focus is to get well

settled with new spaces, processes, and policies, and CDFI industry software,” he said. “Certainly, we’re always on the hunt for additional capital for these and other loan products. We’re very interested to hear from our community what they would like to see here.” The Credit Union’s drive-through window has been open since July 1st, Tovey said. “We were fortunate to have the same building contractor that did the Yellowhawk drive through Pharmacy window and he got the same configuration for our set-up,” Tovey said. “Our staff are reporting that more and more of our customers are discovering it with elderly customers and some that are being extra careful due to the COVID situation. The window also has a drop slot if anyone is coming by to drop of an application or payment anytime of the day, should offices be closed.” As COVID-19 cases increase in the area, Tovey said he almost considered canceling the grand opening. “In many ways, we were fortunate that we started our floor plan during the pandemic and were able to include features toward maximal protection for staff and customers, including the separated reception area, the drive through window, all staff in their own offices, and viral filters on the air handling system,” Tovey said. “It’s probably no big secret that I almost canceled the grand opening events given the spiking numbers and all the happier it seemed to work out well with crowd social distancing space, limited office tours, and separating the ribbon-cutting from the general public food event.” Tovey highlighted upcoming workshops available to the community in a hybrid-learning format. “Going forward, our Business Services will provide workshops in hybrid format,” he said. “Please look in CUJ or go to nixyaawii-cdfi.org to look at the class schedule. It would be next to impossible to close the location and try to work remotely. As a transactional business, it just requires being here to process paper. Should it be required—not knowing the future—we certainly have the options of exclusive drive through, Zoom group and individual meetings, and mail transactions.”

Security Lead Officer Dusty Minthorn, a member of the CTUIR, stands in front of a security vehicle to ensure safety and provide assistance as needed during the event.

September 2021

Nixyaawii Community Financial Services staff stand in front of a blanket in the lobby of their new home after h Wallis, and Becky Cain. In front, from left, is Raven Manta Doris Wheeler, and Pamela Ranslam.

Suzanne Barnett (also known as Miss Purple), a member of the CTUIR, receives her food provided by Wildhorse Resort & Casino during the grand opening of the NCFS.

A variety of souvenirs were provided and distributed to guests that attended.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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DJ Anson Crane and son provided music as numerous members of the community ate their food while celebrating the opening of the Nixyaawii Community Financial Services.

holding a grand opening on Aug. 11. NCFS staff in back, from left, include Dave Tovey, Raven Cody, Rachael CUJ Photos / Tyler Stewart

Nixyáawaii Community Financial Services - Business Services

UPCOMING CLASSES Budgeting 101: Life’s Balancing Act September 30 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm Zoom and in person options available

Learn the basics of creating and maintaining a household or personal budget - why it’s important to create a budget, how to do it, and, most importantly, how to stick to it.

ONE Small Business Start-up

Wildhorse Resort & Casino Executive Chef Jeff Sommer and his assistant provided hamburgers and hotdogs for community members during the grand opening event.

8-week workshop beginning October 2021 Nixyáawii Business Services in partnership with ONAC present the ONE curriculum, Business Basics Through a Native Lens. In addition to our team of instructors, you will be guided by several Native American entrepreneurs who will speak about their successes and struggles. Participants will draft a mission statement and executive summary, analyze the competition, brainstorm strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, determine optimal marketing strategies, develop a financial plan, strategize to raise capital, draft a business plan, and more! For information on all classes, contact Raven Manta at RavenManta@nixyaawii-cdfi.com or call 541.902.3504.

www.nixyaawii-cdfi.org 541.304.2387

Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) is a developing Native Community Development Financial Institution loan fund that provides loans, home ownership assistance, business development services, youth and adult financial education to members of the Umatilla Confederated Tribes, Reservation residents, and Tribal employees.

Bill Tovey, left, stands as brother Dave Tovey, the Executive Director of NCFS, unmasks to speak at the outdoor event. Several Tribal and community members attended the event.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

4.5 x 8

September 2021

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL

Darryl Joe Mckay received his school backpack from the CTUIR Education Department during a backpack and school supply handout on Aug. 25 in Mission. The event helped supply Tribal member students from kindergarten to 12th grade from Aug. 24-25. CUJ Photo / Dallas Dick

FAMILY PACKAGE MON-THU Includes:

✦ 90 Minutes Bowling ✦ Shoe Rental ✦ One Large Pizza (up to 3 toppings)

✦ One Pitcher of Soda

50 55

$ $

Before 6pm

After 6pm

FALL BOWLING LEAGUES Starting September 20

RESERVE YOUR LANE

ONLINE TODAY! wildhorseresort.com

For more information and to sign up visit wildhorseresort.com

BOWLING • ARCADE • FOOD COURT CINEPLEX • AND MORE! 800.654.9453 • PENDLETON, OR • I-84, EXIT 216 • wildhorseresort.com • Owned and operated by CTUIR Management reserves all rights to alter, suspend or withdraw promotions/offers at any time.

September 2021

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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TALL TULES

Tribal members gathered tules in August at Wanaket. From left, Ellie Scott, Lisa Ganuelas, Mike McCloud, Melinda Broncheau, Lloyd Barkley and Kathy Barkley. Lloyd shared his knowledge on the collection process with his fellow members. The group plans to make mats at a later date once the tules have dried. Courtesy photo

Support Staff, Culinary Worker

Mindy LeGore

Mindy goes above and beyond her job duties and never complains. On top of her normal workload she also finds time to help other struggling departments. She has been a great help even without asking.

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Supervisor, Hotel Guest Service Lead

Erika Minthorn

Over 4th of July weekend, VIP Hosts had special gifts for our guests. Hosts worked with Erika to have the gifts placed in hotel rooms prior to guest arrival. Erika went above and beyond, working for extended periods of time. She is always willing to roll her sleeves up and help any way she can!

Front Line, Club Wild PC Hostess

Ellen Taylor

Ellen brings a positive nature to the team, by maintaining a positive outlook, a good sense of humor and always having an encouraging word. Ellen demonstrates what it means to be a great co-worker by using the Golden Rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

DID YOU KNOW? Indian “celebrations” were continued and, I believe, encouraged by the founders of the Pendleton Round-Up, which was the big event of the year with the Indians coming from Yakama, Colville, and Nez Perce reservations to take part in the fun. “Happy Canyon” was held in a building on Main Street in downtown Pendleton with the pageant held first and a dance in the hall afterwards. The music was provided by good bands, who did not always neccessarily play western music. The Indian participants have always worn their own Indian-made outfits in the pageant. The national and religious holidays provided a reason for Indians to get together and have a celebration. The word “pow wow” came into vogue around the 1960’s when the celebrations became larger with more money to use for contests so that today there is no “pow wow” unless there is plenty of money for prizes.

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Court says feds must improve healthcare for Rosebud SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The federal government must provide competent, physician-led health care to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The Argus Leader reported the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision upholding a 2020 South Dakota District Court decision. The tribe sued in 2016 in the wake of problems at the Indian Health Service hospital on its reservation. The emergency room had to close and patients were diverted to hosptials 50 miles away in Winner, South Dakota, or Valentine, Nebraska. The hospital's operating hours also were cut and other services, including surgeries, were diverted. The tribe argued an 1868 treaty requires the U.S. government to provide a physician as well as a residence for him or her. ``We do not aim to assign any greater responsibility to the government than the circumstances of this case, and the treaty at issue here, require,'' Judge Ralph Erickson of North Dakota wrote for the majority in Wednesday's opinion. ``In this specific case, the government must do better.'' Judge Jonathan Kobes wrote in dissent that the treaty was intended to provide a doctor who would teach the tribe how to provide their own medical care. ``I conclude that no one _ neither the government nor the Sioux _ understood the treaty to require a signle physician to take care of every tribe member's health needs for centuries to come,'' he wrote.

Crime novels series to be set on Navajo Nation SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Production of a six-episode television series based on crime novels by the late author Tony Hillerman is underway in New Mexico, the state Film office announced Tuesday. A psychological thriller set in the Four Corners region of the US Southwest, ``Dark Winds`` is a production of AMC Networks and Dark Winds Productions LLC and centers on two Navajo Nation police officers trying to solve a double murder in the Four Corners region. Hillerman's acclaimed books featuring officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee were characterized by vivid descriptions of Navajo rituals and of the vast reservation. The series will be shot on the Navajo reservation and in Santa Fe and other locations from late August through November and is expected to premiere in 2022, the Film Office said. ``We are ecstatic that AMC is being so intentional about telling this story in an authentic way by creative talent whose work speaks for itself, with a Native American director from New Mexico, as well as Native American writers, actors, and locations,'' Film Office Amber Dodson said. The pilot's director is Chris Eyre and the series stars Zahn McClarnon, Noah Emmerich and Kiowa Gordon, the office said. Hillerman died in 2008.

September Birthdays: 1st: Troy Gillpatrick 2nd: Reese Shippentower 3rd: Preston Bronson 5th: Audrey Shippentower, John Dick, Willie McKay, Vicki Rodriguez & Ayla Ferea 6th: Misty Brigham 8th: Alina George & Cleo Dick 9th: Manuel Soares 10th: Nathan Dick & Angelica Ancheta 11th: KariAnn Edmiston & Nijone Lockhart 12th: Robert Van Pelt 14th: Tom Brigham 16th: Chris Brigham, Dan Morris & Tyler Rodriguez 17th: Charlie Morrison, Ela Morrison & Charlie Quaempts

18th: Ralph Jones 19th: Rodrick Edmiston 20th: Jose Hernandez 22nd: Leo Crawford III 27th: Neva Kash Kash 28th: MaryT Renner-Wittkopf & Richard Orna

Anniversaries:

3rd: Michael & Deb Van Pelt 4th: Andrea Rodriguez & Jose Hernandez 7th: Amber & Troy Gillpatrick 24th: Chris & Tina Marsh

Edition: Wɨšáynakt̓al (Imatalamłaamí Sɨ́nwit), pik̓unmaˀayq̓áal (weyiiletpuutímt)

Imatalamłaamí Sɨ́nwit

weyiiletpuutímt

English

Tɨlílpa

tiléelpe

Pendleton

Míimi iwačá waníči

waqíipa hiwéeke

It was already named

hiwen̓ikíše tiléelpe.

and it is still named

Tɨlílpa, ku áx̣ʷay iwaníša Tɨlílpa.

wen̓íkt tiléelpe, kaa qóˀc

(Named for little cliffs nearby)

“Tɨlílpa/Tiléelpe”, “Tɨlílpa/Tiléelpe”.

Wɨšáynačt

wišeynéekt

Pendleton Round-up

Súnknikt

hicúulkeliiksix

Parade

C̓x̣uuylí iníit

coqoycoqóynm

Tepee village

Áw wakmuykłáma

wáaqoˀ hipapáaynoˀ

Now the cowboys

Wɨšáynakt̓al

pik̓unmaˀayq̓áal

táwyanaykt

pawíyanawita.

téw̓yenikeeš

weceyew̓éet.

(From wɨšáynač “to move

(From píik̓un “river”, when

inside”, when the people would

Chinook Salmon go downriver

move indoors for the winter)

and Steelheads come upriver)

will be arriving.

September

National Cheese Pizza Day Sept. 5 17A

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CTUIR members, staff win 18 NAJA awards Best Elder Coverage (3rd place), and Best Sports Photo (3rd place). Rosenbaum and former editor Wil Phinney combined for two awards, including Best Environmental Coverage (1st place) and Best Editorial (2nd place). Non-Tribal members were limited to two award categories in 2021, instead of the former number of eight. The CUJ was named third place in General Excellence as one of the top Tribal newspapers in Indian country for its circulation level (5,000-10,000). NAJA award judges included journalists from Indian Country Today, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Arizona Republic, the Journalism Education Association, The Tulsa World. The Association serves more than 900 members, including media professionals working in tribal, freelance, independent and mainstream news outlets, as well as academia and students covering Indigenous communities and representing tribal nations from across North America.

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

MISSION - Tac Maywii Nixyaawii! (Good Morning Nixyaawii!) was named the second-ranking news cast or podcast in Indian country by the Native American Journalists Association. KCUW’s show, which features BOT members Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey and Boots Pond earned runner up in General Excellence as part of the 2021 NAJA Awards. “There was many laughs to be made working on the project with KCUW,” Pond said. “It was very fun to work on this radio program to use another avenue to get information to the public. When something is fun, it really drives ambition to continue, which I hope will happen.” Gavin-Harvey started the show in 2020, with her first guest being Pond. She said it was a continuation a show she started as a Communications Tech with KCUW, prior to being voted onto the Tribe’s Board of Trustees. “I had decided to go back to having a show that would focus a little more on Tribal government and have other elected officials on board,” Gavin-Harvey said. “My first guest was Boots Pond and because we had such good on-air chemistry it stuck. Boots agreed to be my co-host and the rest was history. “I am thankful KCUW, Communications, Jiselle Halfmoon and Lily Sheoships have been so supportive,” she added. “We have had some great guests on and have agreed since day one to suspend once campaign season officially begins. Boots and I look forward to going back on air after elections no matter how it shakes out for either of us.” The O’odham Action News Podcast, based on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, received first place in General Excellence. CUJ staff wins 17 awards; CTUIR members lock in seven. Confederated Umatilla Journal staff garnered 17 awards from the Native

September 2021

Tac Maywii Nixyaawii!, a radio show hosted by CTUIR members Boots Pond and Jill-Marie GavinHarvey received the second place award for General Excellence by the Native American Journalists Association in 2021. Courtesy Photo

American Journalists Association in 2021. Among the 17, nearly half were won by CTUIR members. Intern Megan Van Pelt won five awards in the collegiate competition, including Best Sports Photo (1st

Megan Van Pelt

and 2nd place), Best News Photo (2nd and 3rd place), Best Feature Photo (3rd place). Freelance Photographer Dallas Dick took home two awards, including Best Feature Photo (2nd place) and Best News Photo (3rd place). Editor Cary Rosenbaum won awards with the CUJ and his former publication, the Colville Tribal Tribune. He earned Best Feature Photo (1st place), Best Column (2nd place), Best Health Coverage (2nd place),

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Dallas Dick, a CTUIR member, received two Native American Journalists Association Awards for photography. Courtesy Photo

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Oklahoma man at center of tribal sovereignty case sentenced MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - A member of the Seminole Nation in Oklahoma whose case led to a landmark decision on criminal jurisdiction in tribal lands has been sentenced to life in federal prison for sexual abuse of a child. Federal prosecutors in Muskogee announced late Wednesday that Jimcy McGirt, 72, was sentenced to life in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country. McGirt was originally convicted in a state court and sentenced to 500 years in prison in 1997 for the assaults that occurred on Muscogee (Creek) Nation land. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that the tribe's reservation had never been disestablished and either federal courts or tribal nations have jurisdiction over crimes committed by or against Native Americans on tribal land, not the state. He was subsequently charged in federal court in Muskogee, where a federal jury convicted him in November of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old child. The victim, now in her late 20s, testified in his case. ``The sentences imposed today are the culmination of many hours of investigation, case preparation, legal research and case presentation by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Courtney Jordan,'' acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson said in a statement. McGirt's attorney, Richard O'Carroll, said McGirt planned to appeal his conviction.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

Happy Canyon Princess Clair Huesties, left, and Mary Rivera, smile at the camera in front of the Twin Sisters Rock at Wallula Gap.

Courtesy Photos/Happy Canyon

Happy Canyon HISTORY

Huesties, Rivera the first Princess duo to reign for two years by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ

t’s not usual for Happy Canyon Princesses to reign for two years, but Mary Rivera and Clarise (Clair) Huesties are not your typical Princesses. Rivera and Huesties were announced the 2020 Happy Canyon Princesses in Dec. 2019. They were both very excited, especially Rivera being that it was her third time competing and interviewing for the court position. Both girls grew up participating in the Happy Canyon Night Show and wanted to be on the court for as long as they could remember, but nothing prepared them for the 2020 Pandemic and the shutdown of the 104th annual Pendleton Round UP. “It’s been a challenge for the last couple of years,” said Happy Canyon Court Director Ben Maney. “We got two great girls that came on at the end of 2019, start of 2020, and were really motivated – and families were very motivated – so to get the news that we weren’t going to do anything in 2020 was disheartening.” In the history of Happy Canyon no other court has ever reigned for two years, according to Maney. At the time of their reign, Rivera was 20 years old Clair Huesties and Huesties was 22 years old. The age stipulation to serve as a princess is 18 to 23 years old. Currently Huesties is 24 making their reign even more unique. “Our girls are a little bit older but we have a little bit of flexibility because of what happened last year,” said Maney. “We gave them the option. We said we

September 2021

want you back for 2021, we owe you a year of a court.” After taking some time to think about it, particularly because to reign as a Happy Canyon Princess essentially means to put everything else on hold, Rivera and Huesties decided they were in.

BACKGROUNDS

Princess Huesties is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) born in Pendleton. Her parents are atway Mylie Huesties and Brian Huesties – of the CTUIR. Her Maternal Grandparents are Douglas and Phyllis Nash – D. Nash being of Nez Perce descent - and her Paternal Grandparents are Alvina Huesties and atway Rex Huesties. The Princess has three sibling: Garrett Huesties, atway Brett Huesties, and atway Warren Huesties. Princess Rivera is a member of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe born in Portland. Her parents are Nora and Shawn Rivera. Her Maternal Grandparents are atway Patrick and Rodella Phelan and her Paternal Grandparents are atway Joseph Rivera – of the Blackfeet tribe - and Della Azure – from the Little Shell tribe. The Princesses brother is Ian Rivera. Below is a series of questions and answers compiled by the Confederated Umatilla Journal during a group interview. Q: What were you most looking forward to the week of Round Up? Clair: “I’m just looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to Round Up in general since we didn’t get to do it last year. But prior to that I was most excited for the Little Kids’ Beauty Pageant. When I was little that’s when I paid the most attention to the Princesses, so I am really looking forward to that event.” Mary: “As Clair said, mine too has always the Junior Indian Beauty Pageant because that’s where I always saw the princesses and I was always like ‘I want to be them one day’. They were so inspiring, beautiful and

Confederated Umatilla Journal

regal. I was super excited for that and still am.” Clair: “There’s also the show (The Happy Canyon Show). I’m excited for the show. It was always another place where I saw the Princesses and I was like ‘WOW!” Q: Tell me about you and your family’s experience this year, horse included. Clair: “This year we’ve gone to a few parades. The Mary Rivera first one was stressful, I was stressing out. We’ve done a couple arena walkthroughs, and that was fun. It’s mostly been fun, at least I think it’s fun. Our horse a little anxiety so she gets stressed out before events which also happens to me, and then we’re both just anxious.” Mary: “So far it’s been pretty good. After every event I think, ‘Wow, that went way better than expected.’ I feel so much better and ready to do the next thing. But there’s always those nerves before we do anything. My horse does pretty well and as long as our horses have each other they do pretty well. But when they’re away, they’re like “Where’s my friend? We need to be together.” Q: Tell me about your horse. Clair: “The Horses’ name is Sonya. She is a Quarter horse and she is 21-ish years old. She likes everything, and eats everything, I don’t think she has a special talent, but don’t tell her that. She belongs to my uncle, Jeremy and Althea Wolf.” Mary: “My horse is 23-ish, his name is Beau … I don’t Continued on page 21A

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there’s not a lot of native kids in Athena.” know his breed. I feel like Mary: “I feel like overall, he likes everything except the interactions with the litlast time I tried to give him tle kids. It’s still my favorite some peppermints and he part but I feel like we don’t spit it right out. I was like, get as much of that as we ‘noted, he doesn’t like pepusually we would. It’s so permints.’ His owners are much fun having a little kid Vicky and Randy Leonard run up to you, talking to you and they do wagon wheel and they’re so excited. But event stuff during Round we can’t be as close to them Up. I don’t know if he now, we can’t interact like has any special talents, that. That’s the part that’s he is just a good boy, he so sad because I was that is calm.” kid, and I wanted to go and Q: Being a Happy Cantalk to the princesses and yon Princess, what advice they can’t.” would you give future Q: What has been your princesses? biggest hurdle during the Clair: “Be yourself. pandemic? That’s what people like Clair: “Having to be to see when you’re out away from everyone during representing, is you being the pandemic was the bigyourself but being your gest challenge. It still is best self.” because we still can’t see Mary: “I think, take it all Clair Huesties, left, and Mary Rivera pose on the Happy Canyon Night Show Stage. Both ladies said they laugh a lot and overall certain people. Over the in. You will learn so much enjoy life, and wanted to show more of a “silly” side that doesn’t normally get showcased. Photo by CUJ pandemic we couldn’t go from it and you’re going to see my grandpa, and we acgrow like you don’t even Mary: “Ooohh, I want to talk to animals! That would tually lost him a few months realize. Like I have grown so much from having this experience and I wish that I be really exciting then I can hear what Sonya and Beau ago, so… I wasn’t able to go visit him and we had to talk to him through a window. Then not being able to could go back to take it all in even more. It’s truly an are saying when they’re annoyed with us.” Q: What is your biggest fear and why? see friends and family that’s far away … it’s been hard.” amazing experience.” Clair: “I think my biggest fear and I’m getting deep Mary: “Definitely not being able to see family. It Q: What is your favorite part about participating in here is losing my family, all of them. I’m going to cry sucks because you get so used to driving where ever the Happy Canyon Night Show? if I think about it. I mean, we were close before, but and seeing your cousins then all of a sudden it stops. Clair: “Being around my family and friends, surbecoming a princess made us closer because we spend I just finally got to meet my 1 year old cousin for the rounded by a bunch of good people is really fun.” first time last weekend. It was so special. My grandma Mary: “I feel like it’s the same: Being around friends a lot more time together. So ya, losing them.” Mary: “Maybe failure … We’re getting deep here hadn’t been able to meet her, and everyone was crying. and family and just getting that experience every year. Everyone comes together and it’s definitely like a too! Not being able to succeed or being good enough at She was born during the pandemic and this was the certain things. I want to do it and not let anyone down.” first time we got to hold her and spend time together, holiday.” Q: How did you prepare for your role as a Happy so it was pretty special.” Q: If you were on a deserted island, who would you Canyon Princess? pick to accompany you? Clair: “There was lots Clair: “Bear Grylls, he’s like a survivor show guy. Sorry, I’m not taking anyone I can’t use, I’m gonna and lots of riding. There still is lots of riding, lots of survive.” Mary: “I feel like I’d take my dad, he’s a pretty out- horse riding. I mean, that was mainly what I did. doorsy guy and could help me out.” Clair: “You’re so thoughtful,” said Clair to Mary. “I And then practicing pubmean my uncles know too but I’m not going to bring lic speaking. But it really wasn’t in public, I was just them out there,” she joked. “But then you get your family support and you get talking in the mirror.” Mary: “Definitely horse someone who knows how to survive.” riding is like the biggest Q: What has been your proudest achievement this one. They always say you year? better know how to ride Clair: “I think surviving the pandemic, right? I think a horse or else you’re not for all of us. Coming out not crazy.” going to be on court. So I Mary: “That was a good one.” Clair: “That was a good one. You can copy me that’s started riding pretty young because I wanted to do fine, she laughed.” Mary: “Ya I think being in this circumstance and this. And public speaking continuing to do what we’re doing in the best way – and I’m still working on possible. Having to work around and being able to be it – but I definitely had to ambassadors and continuing to try our best to get out practice that.” Q: Before the pandemic there in the safest way possible.” Clair: “… uhhhh… you just took mine and made started, what were you most looking forward to it better” Q: What goals would you like to achieve in the next as a Princess? Clair: “I was looking five years? forward to Round Up and Clair: “I’d like to complete schooling. I’m enrolling this fall at BMCC in Business Leadership and Services. the Show, obviously, and In five years I am hoping to be done with that and the little kids’ pageant. But I was also looking formoving on to the next thing.” Mary: “I’m hoping to graduate from Central Wash- ward to the school visits ington University with a degree in Food Science and that the princesses usually Nutrition and get an internship to become a dietitian do. Again, when I was and complete my masters. I’m starting my senior year, little they would come visit my school, and not so I should be, hopefully, on track.” Q: If you woke up tomorrow and gained any one a lot of people visited my school –its Athena so … ability or quality, what would you want it to be? Clair: “Abilities like, super powers? Because I’d like But, they would come visit our school and I would be to fly. Then I wouldn’t have to pay for gas.” so excited and represented Mary: “Hmmm …” and thought of. I mean, Clair: “You can talk to animals …” Continued from page 20A

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

As BOT Chair for 2019-2021 some of the changes made were: • Worked hard toward listening to each other • Worked to get information to the Board before making a decision • Worked toward developing a Board decision vs. an individual BOT position or direction to staff • As needed, made a Board presentation from reviewed and approved talking points by the BOT Please vote to re-elect N. Kathryn “Kat” Brigham as your Board of Trustee Chair!

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Sulcasmaamí Tiičám These Resources can be Found on the VA.gov website. Resources available right now Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http:// www.veteranscrisisline.net/ For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care. Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you. VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services. MakeTheConnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues. RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement? Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Request a Peer Mentor VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET) VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET) Together We Served -Find your battle buddies through unit pages George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Sports & More

Section

The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon

September 2021

CTUIR LEGENDS: JUSTIN QUAEMPTS,

ATHLETE & ARTIST

Justin Quaempts was highly sought after by colleges out of high school and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 29th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. Courtesy photo

Hard throwing Justin Quaempts reached incredible heights in his baseball career By Brandon Hansen for the CUJ

ustin Quaempts has travelled more than most, played baseball at a higher level than many and battled through injuries during his athletic career that would have dismayed anyone else. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s tribal member pitched at the highest collegiate level possible, was offered several professional contracts and was one of the most sought after baseball recruits and prospects in the country. “For me, anytime I get a chance to reflect on my athletic journey, I tell student-athletes to take care of their body and to find the balance necessary in life, family, school and sports,” Quaempts said. Quaempts said he played baseball for nearly as far back as he can remember. “Playing catch with my dad and being around the game with him is literally the first thing I can remember,” he said. “He taught me everything about the game.” With the local community big on soft-

ball and baseball in the 1980s and 1990s, Quaempts would spend days on end honing his athletic skills growing up. He is considered one of the most dominant Little League players in Pendleton Little League history. He also placed third in Oregon’s State Hersey Track and Field games softball throw as a 9-year old, and then won the next two state softball throw championships, including a regional win. As a 10-year-old he was the No. 1 national seed going into the National meet. He would go on to play high school ball for Pendleton High School as a sophomore, where he played JV under Rick Shimmel, who came from Stanford and Portland State. After his sophomore year, he made the varsity summer travel team Hodgen Distributing designed for older players. It was on this team when Quaempts began to really develop into a fantastic pitching prospect. “That is where things took off for me physically,” Quaempts said. “I started to grow, mature and throw the ball real hard. It became pretty evident that the arm was something to talk about.” Star athlete on page 2B

Justin Quaempts has been working on his art for two years and already has his own collection which will be on display at the Pendleton Art Center on Oct. 7. Courtesy photo

Quaempts’ next chapter: Finding a creative avenue while recovering from surgery By the CUJ

CTUIR member Justin Quaempts went from star athlete, to Tribal leader to now being an acclaimed independent freehand spray-paint artist. Just two years into being an artist, he’s got his own collection, which will be on display at the Pendleton Art Center on Oct. 7. “My recent discovery of my artistic skills has opened up a new way for me to not only express myself creatively, but more importantly it provided a therapeutic avenue for me to truly heal after my much- needed back surgeries,” said Quaempts. “I’m taking a healthy risk. You don’t really consider yourself an artist but other people tell you ‘Hey, you’re a pretty good artist’, and it’s humbling.”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Quaempts was a potential budding pro athlete prior to injuries suffered during his athletic career . His father, CTUIR member Billy Quaempts, gave him art lessons in his downtime after his surgeries. “It was the worst experience I ever gone through in my life,” said Quaempts. “I was immobilized for a month after the second surgery, and ultimately my dad gave me a few basic art lessons to pass the time while I slowly recovered from my surgeries.” “I seemingly could spray-paint for hours on end and not focus on the pain of my recovery,” he added. “I desperately needed that for my spirit.” In the future, Quaempts sees his work being printed on T-shirts. Quaempts’ Art on page 3B

September 2021

Star athlete Continued from page 1B

After a somewhat delayed start to his junior baseball season due to two knee surgeries because of football and basketball injuries, in his first official varsity start - he threw a two-hit shoutout vs Lewiston. From there, he quickly moved into the No. 1 spot of PHS’s pitching rotation and his performance began to turn heads. “I made all-conference as a pitcher, we made the playoffs and had a good run end too early,” Quaempts said. While an injury cut the postseason short for Quaempts at the end of his junior season, he went on dominant that summer for Hodgen Distributing. That fall of his senior year, he made the Baseball Factory BATS Pre-season All-American team as a pitcher and third baseman. This allowed him to go to their national showcase in Baltimore, Maryland. After the showcase, colleges began to offer him scholarships immediately. He also began to see interest from major Pac-10 colleges like UW, Oregon State and WSU. With big expectations going into his senior season, a hot start turned into dual all-conference honors as a pitcher and hitter, and Quaempts had one of the better overall single seasons in PHS’s history for combined pitching and hitting stats: A .397 batting average, 4 home runs, 32 RBIs, 88 1/3 innings pitched and 91 strikeouts. The team relied on his pitching too much throughout the season though and overwork ultimately caused dead arm leading to three weeks missed pitching. The D1 and All-American trajectory changed and Quaempts ending up going to Linn-Benton Community College on a full-ride. Not deterred, he would then tear through the NWAC setting records as a freshman, making all-conference and leading the NWAC in ERA for starting pitchers with a 1.04 mark and striking out 61 batters. As Quaempts continued to get better, throw even harder and developed even better breaking pitches, pro scouts were all over him. “They were intrigued at this hard-throwing kid nobody had ever really seen before,” Quaempts said. “I had never been exposed to high level scouts consistently until then.” After his freshman year, the Texas Rangers drafted Quaempts in the 29th round of the MLB draft and offered him money to sign, which he turned down. He also made the NWAC All-Star game while both Oregon State and NC State offered full rides. He was also invited to pitch in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners that summer. This league typically features the best college prospects in the nation. During the winter of his sophomore season, he was invited to the Perfect Game World Showcase in Florida and got impressive marks by the Perfect Game scouts who felt his talent warranted a rating of a 10, which is a first-to-second round MLB Draft grade. The scouts said with his warrior-like approach anything was possible for Quaempts. Still, he wanted to finish things up with a big sophomore year of college as the scholarship offers kept piling up and Baseball America ranked him the 15th best JUCO prospect in America going into the season. Once again, his season started out electric but like before he got used too much as the feature pitcher by the team and that began to tire him out with a Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday pitching schedule. Because of this wear and tear, teams offered less money than expected but still offered to draft him. Both the Rangers and Seattle Mariners offered contracts. Still dreaming of D1 and a big payday - the national power Oklahoma State baseball team - came calling with a full-ride to sign there for his junior year. “Growing up in the 1980s, you got used to Oklahoma State playing in Omaha every year - they made it seven years in a row - and I saw this program on my recruiting trip with excitement from their fanbase and a chin up and chest out attitude,” Quaempts said. “It was pretty obvious it was a high-level program and dream school situation for me to attend and to try and win a national championship.” While other schools - Clemson, Florida, UCLA, Virginia Tech and Texas, to name a few, pursued him, he

September 2021

Justin Quaempts is pictured here with his daughter Avery at an Oregon Ducks softball camp. As Justin’s journey can seem as if was a tough one physically, it will all be worth it, he feels, if Avery’s athletic journey is easier on her physically because of his athletic experiences.

Justin Quaempts ended up having a storied baseball career, pitching for Hodgen Distributing (upper right), NCAA powerhouse Oklahoma State (above on the right) and New Mexico State. He had many interested colleges recruiting him.

ultimately went with Oklahoma State because of future World Series winning coach John Ferrell, who was the pitching coach. However the coach that recruited him left two weeks before he showed up to campus for a major league job and Quaempts had to adjust to living in Oklahoma by himself on a large college campus. “When you go to a campus of 25,000, you’re not used to that but I got acclimated and I fell into my groove after Christmas and was ready to go be that big time arm, All-American and early round draft pick at OSU like the coaches and scouts wanted,” Quaempts said. Quaempts on page 3B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Continued from page 2B

However three days before the team’s first road trip, Quaempts blew out his arm during a scrimmage that required Tommy John surgery. While he was able to secure a redshirt year that season, Quaempts rushed back to pitch in less than 10 months. “I was always trying to push through these injuries because I did not want to get the injury prone label from scouts,” Quaempts said. “You never know when you’ll get an opportunity like this as an Indian again, so you become resilient and keep your mouth shut about injuries.” He ended up hurting his back in a weightlifting accident three months after Tommy John so he had to also recover from that for his redshirt junior season at Oklahoma State. When he finally did get on the mound, he had to deal with the aftereffects of dead arm and tendinitis from such a quick recovery. “It was a big up or big down thing for me at Oklahoma State,” Quaempts said. “It’s tough because you’re trying to catch lightning in a bottle every outing. I could tell pitching that season on the first pitch warming up - if it really exploded out of my hand, then it was going to be a lights out night. If it didn’t explode out of my hand, it was not going to be a good night.” Still staying positive through the whole process, Quaempts pitched 11 innings and struck out 12. His first D1 strikeout was future AL MVP Dustin Pedroia. During his redshirt senior season, Quaempts transferred midyear to New Mexico State which offered him another full-ride scholarship with the thoughts of being a front line starter. “It was a great experience at New Mexico State, those guys were incredibly receptive to me coming in mid-season,” Quaempts said. “We were talented at both places. Oklahoma State had the pressure of national title aspirations every season. But at New Mexico State, we probably make a run at Omaha if I am healthy. My only regret is not being healthy enough to be better for my teammates at both places. They deserved that.” After another injury with an oblique tear at NMSU mid-season, Quaempts didn’t live up to the expectations of a full-ride D1 scholarship again. Quaempts finished his collegiate career with 28 strikeouts in 24 innings, one D1 win and one save. He then moved into Independent pro ball. He made one start for the Richmond Roosters before his arm gave out for good. After being released he had another elbow surgery in Pendleton two weeks later. “It’s completely different now, kids - especially pitchers - are taken way better care of in every sense of the word,” Quaempts said. “Back when I played, you just threw. Some would say you got a strong arm for throwing so much, but then it can turn into throwing too much.” After his playing career, he went to Lewis and Clark College Graduate School and was a pitching coach for the program. During that time he saw many of his college teammates and people he played against make the major leagues, and he admitted while he was happy for them, it was tough to watch. He knew he should of been there too. Still Quaempts never forgot the community he came from because it taught him about resilience. His father Billy Quaempts is a well-known athlete in the Northwest, and his mother Stephanie Quaempts, who was an athlete as well, instilled a respect for the community and culture. He also has an athletic sister named Janelle. His late great grandma, Lucy Minthorn, gave him his Indian name of Wiyaninthla which means traveler/wanderer, which he lived up to. “I didn’t ride a plane until I was a senior in high school,” Quaempts said. “It is one of those situations where you dream about leaving and seeing all these places and while they’re amazing, it makes you realize how beautiful your homeland truly is.” Quaempts is now an artist and business owner in Mission. He served on the CTUIR BOT until he had to resign because of the back injury that finally required surgeries. Full-circle, he has a talented daughter named Avery coming through the softball ranks. “I’ve noticed in my life things come in threes or multiples of threes,” Quaempts said. “I was born on 6-3-81, graduated in ‘99, I wore the No. 33 my entire career and in my first pro start I went three and a third innings. Both me and Avery’s enrollment number’s reflect this as well. “Avery also wears the No. 33. She is the third athlete coming up the ranks in my family and she is so naturally talented and gifted, she will be the best and most successful one out of me, my dad and her by the end of her career.” Quaempts is excited to see where his daughter is headed athletically, but is also very focused on her education and likes to tell prospective athletes to focus on education as well. “A four-year degree is very important,” Quaempts said. “It’s something they can never take away from you. I am who I am because of my educational experiences.” Quaempts warrior approach has never dissipated and it took him to many places outside of the area. He was able to reach the level of NCAA Division 1 baseball, a level of the game many dream about. After all that, he still chose to come home to contribute back to the community in various ways because thats what his elders told him to do. his daughter is now rising through the ranks of her own athletic career and journey in the same special community.

Creator’s Breath, an art piece created by Justin Quaempts, is his most prized piece he has created. Justin said it shows exactly what his elders taught him, the Creator is everywhere, and that everything throughout the universe is truly connected on a cosmic level. Courtesy photo

Quaempts’ Art Continued from page 1B

Fashion is an area he’s already delved into, as can be seen by his more than 2,000 followers on Depop.com (username @justkillinitq), a social shopping platform that offers handmade items and second-hand pieces.

In between his sports and his art career, Quaempts was elected a Member at Large for the BOT for the CTUIR in 2013. He was serving in the last year of his second two year term before unexpectedly resigning. Shortly after his resignation, he underwent two surgeries five months apart.

After really diving into art two years ago, Justin Quaempts now is showing his on collection which will be on display Courtesy photo at the Pendleton Art Center on Oct. 7.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

CUJ SPORTS

JaLay Harris-Burns, Muriel Jones-Hoisington, Lindsey Littlesky and Iliana Moran were the undefeated champions at Salem’s Hoopla 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in August. Courtesy photo

CTUIR athletes go undefeated By the CUJ

JaLay Harris-Burns and Muriel Jones-Hoisington, cousins along with teammate Lindsey Littlesky (Pendleton, Bucks High School) & Iliana Moran (Hanford, Falcons High School) made waves in Salem the weekend of Aug. 7-8, going undefeated in the annual Hoopla

3-on-3 basketball tournament. Burns and Hoisington are both stand out players for their high school teams. They started their careers out playing together by the age of four in 3-on-3s, mostly without a fourth player. JaLay’s mom, CTUIR member Julia Burns, would register the girls in hopes of picking up a fourth player only to have tournament weekends come and each time she’d have to utilize time outs wisely giving the girls breaks as they played without finding that fourth player to help for a substitute. Each summer as the girls enjoyment for basketball grew more, they looked forward to those summer weekend get-aways. Summers would continue to come with each year still being difficult as Julia coached them in finding a committed fourth player for their 3-on-3 adventures. Family friend, Tribal member Elsie McKay, was always their solid third player that never backed down from the challenge, saying yes to every invite to each tournament allowing the girls to compete. By the age of eight, teams started to recognize the girls’ missing fourth player. During a Prosser, Wash. 3-on-3 tournament, competition started to get physically aggressive towards them, resulting in a head injury. Girls had to drop out giving up their opportunity moving forward into the championship game. JaLay’s immediate family lived off the reservation so basketball was how her mother brought the girls together Continued on page 5B

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

CUJ SPORTS

Getting air in the gym

The Nixyaawii Community School volleyball team competed against Riverside High School on Aug. 27. At left, Grace Moses sets up Sistine Moses for a spike. Above, Sistine connects on the spike. At right, Isabelle Sigo makes a play. Spectators are allowed to view matches as long as masks are worn. CUJ Photos / Dallas Dick

SPOTLIGHT: William Wapass, mini relay racer

By the CUJ

“Horses make me feel happy,” William Wapass says. “I have fun and feel cool when I ride them. I ride for my ‘mosums’ (grandpa’s) and I’m never gonna stop riding.” Wapass, an enrolled Thunderchild First Nation member, is a 7-yearold mini relay racer with CTUIR ties. He is the eldest son of Alicia Picard and Bretner Wapass. Maternal grandparents are the late Andre Picard Sr. of Lapwai, Idaho and Leanna Lewis of Pendleton.Maternal great grandmother is the late Etta Conner of Pendleton.Paternal grandparents are the late Billy Wapass Sr. of Thunderchild, Saskatchewan and Theresa Wapass of Saddle Lake, Alberta. Wapass rides and holds for “Little Billy’s Boys,” a mini relay team from Thunderchild, Saskatchewan. “I have been riding horses since I was two years old,” he said. “ I could saddle my pony by myself when I was four years old. This is my first year doing mini relay. My dad and I do it together; everything I know I learned from him. My dad holds for ‘Billy’s Boys’ Indian relay team. I was taught to feed and water my own horses and to take good care of them. I hope to ride for ‘Billy’s Boys’ when I’m bigger.” Wapass’ relatives from across the region joined to encourage him with a shoutout in the Tribal newspaper. “Hopefully they will have events for children his age in U.S. in the near future,” they said. “That way we can see William ride at lightening speed.” Wapass is fundraising to support his passion for racing, selling T-shirts via his mother, Alicia Picard Wapassm at Paypal.me/aliciapicardwapass. “In the comments section, please request size, Small through 3XL. $25.00 Canadian dollars each plus $10 shipping to U.S. All proceeds go to helping with travel and feed. “Hiyhiy”, (Thank you), “Qayciyawyaw”! CTUIR descendant William Wapass is a mini relay racer in Saskatchewan. Continued from page 4B

for bonding time between cousins. Spending weekends away together it gave a girls trip vibe, as they learned to develop their skills. Iliana Moran, also stand out player for her school, isn’t Native American but she’s no stranger to the UIR. Julia started adding her to BAAD team roster by the age of 9 where Iliana quickly adjusted enjoying the run and gun, Native style of basketball play. Today, still miles apart with busy schedules, the girls continue to find a way each summer on their own putting team together reuniting with each other over basketball.

PLAYER PROFILES JaLay Harris-Burns, a senior at 6A Westview High School in Portland, transferred from 3A Irrigon, where she notably had a career high 34 points, 7 steals, 2 assists and 5 rebounds against Dayton-Waitsburg High School. She was named to the Eastern Oregon 3A All League First Team and All-East Oregonian Girls Basketball Second Team Honors after averaging 14.7 points and three steals per game in season playing for the Lady Knights. Transferring her junior year, transitioning into 6A Westview High, she was new to big city life and a larger school, making adjustments during mid-season -- earning herself a starting position once again as point guard in her high school basketball career. Muriel Jones-Hoisington, a senior at 5A Pendleton

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Courtesy Photo

High School, led the Bucks with an average of 10 points a game last season. She also had 51 steals, 42 assists and 35 rebounds. Hoisington made career high 17 points in Intermountain Conference play on June 15 and earned Intermountain Conference All-League First Team and All-EO Girls Basketball First Team Honors. Lindsey Pasena-Littlesky, a senior, is also a standout athlete for 5A Pendleton High School. She was recently named IMC Goalie of the Year for Soccer. On June 23, in the Intermountain Conference District Championship, she scored a career-high 20 points. Iliana Moran, a senior for Hanford High School, was selected to play on Tri-Cities SWX All Star Classic Team and has been voted for the WaFd Bank Washington High School Athlete of the week.

September 2021

CTUIR 2021-2022 Tribal Treaty Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits For Big Game, Fur Bearers and Upland Game Birds Yáamaš (MULE DEER)

Excluding Starkey Experimental forest, Mill Creek Watershed limited entry hunts Bag Limit: Bucks and Does

Season: August 1 – December 31, 2021

Čatwilí (WHITE-TAILED DEER)

Season: Year round

Bag Limit: Bucks and Does

Season: August 1 - August 31, 2021 Season: September 1-30, 2021 Season: Oct. 1,- Nov. 30, 2021 Season: December 1 – December 31, 2021

Wawúkya

(ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK)

Wáwataw

(PRONGHORN ANTELOPE)

Excluding Starkey Experimental forest, Mill Creek Watershed limited entry hunts Bag Limit: Any Elk Bag Limit: Closed to Branch Antlered Bull Rifle Hunting. Only spike bulls and antlerless elk can be hunted with rifle. Archery hunting of any elk permitted. Bag Limit: Any Elk Bag Limit: Closed to Branch Antlered Bull Hunting. Antlerless or Spike Bulls Only

Season: August 1 – December 31, 2021 Season: August 1 – December 31, 2021

Bucks and Does

Šašík Wáaw

Elkhorn

Season: August 1-November 30, 2021

Wenaha

Season: September 1-November 30, 2021

(ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT)

Bag Limit: One Billy NOTE: Pre-hunt orientation required. Contact Wildlife Program to schedule orientation session. Kill report required within 72 hours of harvest.

Tnúun Potamus Lookout Mountain Burnt River Wenaha Montana

(MOOSE)

Bag Limit: One Bull Moose per year Closed to cow and calf hunting. Kill report required within 72 hours of harvest. Closed in the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington in support of establishment of viable populations

(BIGHORN SHEEP)

Season: August 1 - December 31, 2021 Closed due to disease outbreak Closed due to disease outbreak Tag alternates between states and tribe. Available to CTUIR again in 2023 Season: December 1, 2021– February 28, 2022

Bag Limit: One Ram with special tag only. See synopsis for application and tag drawing details.

Qoq̓áalx̣ (BISON)

Bag Limit: Any bison Special tags and pre-hunt orientation required. See synopsis for details

K’oy’am’á

(COUGAR)

Season: Open Year Round

Bag Limit: No spotted kittens or females with spotted kittens. Kill report required within 72 hours of harvest.

Season: Open Year Round

Bag Limit: No sows with cubs less than one year old. Kill report required within 72 hours of harvest.

Waswásno/Tuy’é

Yáka’

(BLACK BEAR)

UPLAND GAME BIRDS

(MOUNTAIN GROUSE) QUAIL, PHEASANT, TURKEY, PARTIDGE & CHUKAR

Season: August 1 – December 31, 2021

Either Sex,

Season: Open Year Round

WATERFOWL and MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

Migratory game bird seasons set nation-wide based on Federal Framework, see individual state regulations for specific seasons and bag limits for area where you are hunting. NOTE: Unless otherwise stated in the regulations table, no limit to the number of animals that may be harvested. Wasting wildlife is illegal. Prudent conservation of the resources is the responsibility of each

hunter. Failure to adhere to kill reporting deadlines and/or data collection requirements of any Tribal regulated hunt permit will result in the applicant being ineligible to apply for any CTUIR regulated hunt permit for the following 4 years.

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

TRIBAL NEWS Tribal government modifying Public Use Restrictions on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and reopening off-reservation properties with limitations Press Release

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is reducing Public Use Restrictions on the Umatilla Indian Reservation for this fire season due to the cooler weather and slight but significant decrease in the threat of fire on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. In addition, the CTUIR is reopening Rainwater Wildlife Area and other off-reservation properties with some land use restrictions continuing to be in place. Changes to the Public Use Restrictions for the Umatilla Indian Reservation starting August 25, 2021 will now allow: • Open fire at the Indian Lake campgrounds in designated fire pits only • Non-industrial cutting, grinding, and welding with fire extinguisher, hand tools and water (water extinguisher, water source with pump (well) between the hours of daylight and 2pm • Non-industrial mowing with fire extinguisher,

hand tools and water between the hours of daylight and 2 p.m. • Non-industrial wood cutting with fire extinguisher, hand tools and water between the hours of daylight and 2 p.m. with 1 hour fire watch • All other restrictions previously implemented and not listed above are still in place for the 2021 Fire Season on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. With the onset of hunting season tribal hunters are inquiring about access to the Rainwater Wildlife Area behind the main gate. CTUIR is reopening Rainwater and other off-reservation properties, but some land use restrictions remain in place. Prohibited activities for tribally-owned off-reservation properties include: • All open fires, including campfires, cooking pits, and warming fires • Use of fireworks • Use of exploding target and tracer ammunition • Use of motor vehicles on dry grass areas • Non-industrial cutting, grinding, and welding in

dry grass areas • Non-industrial/agricultural mowing of dried, cured grass with brush hog type equipment • Non-industrial chainsaw use in forested and dry grass lands • Ceremonial burns, including sweathouses, are allowed, but please contact Tribal Dispatch (541-2780550) for a verbal permit based on weather conditions and fire resource availability. Please use extreme caution when shooting full metal jacket ammunition because of the potential for sparks on solid surfaces. Umatilla Tribal Police will continue to monitor for potential violations of these restrictions and violators will first be given warnings and provided information about the serious risk of wildfires during this fire season. Repeat violators could be cited to Tribal Court for potential fines. If an individual is responsible for causing a catastrophic fire, criminal sanctions could be pursued under Tribal or Federal law.

Live and work in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge • Serve small communities • Lots of outdoor recreation opportunities A unique law enforcement agency • Community supported • Innovative organizational structure

JOIN

TEAM COLUMBIA COLUMBIA RIVER INTER-TRIBAL POLICE

Help protect natural resources and the tribal people who depend on them • Fisheries conservation enforcement • Policing of tribal fishing villages • Public safety along the Columbia River

MAKE THE TEAM

APPLY NOW

Tamastslikt Cultural Institute Director Bobbie Conner gave a history of the CTUIR boundaries as Smith watched and

September 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

10B

Fresh from the garden...

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER with Parmesan and Thyme Ingredients: 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 pounds or 4 cups florets) 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 to 2 Tablespoons minced fresh thyme 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (approximately the juice of 1/2 lemon)

1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets - make sure pieces are approximately the same size. 3. Arrange cauliflower in single layer on a large, non-stick, rimmed baking sheet. 4. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, thyme, lemon juice and garlic. Drizzle mixture over cauliflower florets and toss to coat all sides. (Using your hands works best to coat all pieces!) 5. Sprinkle cauliflower with salt and pepper. 6. Roast cauliflower for 15 minutes. Stir or flip pieces over and roast for another 10 minutes. 7. Sprinkle cauliflower with Parmesan and roast until cheese is melted and cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork , about 3 more minutes. 8. Serve immediately. Makes approximately 6 servings.

The Tlawxmamiyáy garden is growing! Watch for freshly harvested produce at the garden table inside Yellowhawk. You are also welcome to volunteer at the garden. For more information about the community garden or garden events please contact DeArcie Abraham dearcieabraham@yellowhawk.org 541.240.8432 For nutrition questions or more recipe ideas, feel free to contact Dusty Dressler, RDN dustydressler@yellowhawk.org 541.240.8524

National Diabetes Prevention Program

Healthy Eating

An evidence-based program that will help you make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Registration is now open Classes will begin: Monday, September 27th 4:30-5:30 PM

Sober Transitional House – Peer Recovery Mentors Mental Health Counselor I Community Health Representative Health Promotion Specialist Travel Coordinator/Finance Clerk Third Party Biller Youth Mentor Life Skills Coach Prevention Education Coordinator Business Office Manager COVID Registered Nurse (RN) Physical Therapy Manager Physician Family Medicine Temporary Worker (open log)

Physical Activity

16 weekly classes, followed by monthly meetings Free to all Yellowhawk patients 18 years of age and older and their support system For more information and to register contact: Chelsey Minthorn | chelseyminthorn@yellowhawk.org | 541.240.8443 Dusty Dressler | dustydressler@yellowhawk.org | 541.240.8524

A Healthier You!

d listened to a Powerpoint presentation.

11B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

Shop at Arrowhead September 1–30 and enter to win a

Hear Me, My Chiefs Pendleton Woolen Mills Blanket!

CTUIR officials gave a Kayak Trolley-guided and informational tour to Lucas Smith (second from left) in August. S trolley tour included, from left, Interim Executive Director Teara Farrow Ferman, General Council Chairman Linds Cor Sams (second from right) and BOT Chair Kat Brigham (right). It was part of a two-hour long meeting with S Park, Nixyaawii Governance Center, Lucky 7 Housing, and Birch Creek Golf Course. There was also a discus Wallowa Dam project and appropriations, Thornhollow Bridge updates, and an update regarding an infrastruct

Drawing Friday, October 1

Winner announced on Arrowhead’s Facebook page

SAVE 5¢ WITH ARROWHEAD’S REWARDS ON THE REZ PROGRAM! Sign up inside Arrowhead Travel Plaza! Check our daily gas prices at arrowheadtravelplaza.com

800.654.9453 • PENDLETON, OR • I - 84, Exit 216

NEXT TO WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO Must be 18 or older to enter drawing. Management reserves the right to alter, suspend or withdraw oﬀer/promotion at any time. Owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

September 2021

CAT10355-15

Confederated Umatilla Journal

12B

Merkley assistant gets tour of CTUIR

Restoration Ecologist Steven Link covers topics including the re-introduction of Sockeye Salmon, River Restoration, and Federal Funding needed for future CTUIR projects.

Smith is a Legislative Assistant to Sen. Jeff Merkley. CTUIR officials on the sey Watchman (mid-right), BOT members Boots Pond (third from right) and Smith that included stops at Wildhorse Resort &Casino, Coyote Business ssion of issues of shared interest, including Forest Service land transfers, ture bill from Smith. CUJ Photos / Tyler Stewart

A Kayak Trolley tour commences outside of Nixyaawii Governance Center in Mission.

13B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

TRIBAL NEWS General Election details released By the CUJ

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 9, according to officials. In-person voting will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nixyáawii Governance Center, 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR, 97801. Voting room is #102 A/B, Cayuse/Umatilla. The Tribal Election Commission reviewed nomination petitions at 4 p.m. on Aug. 31. The Commission said Candidates will be official after an 8-day window for withdrawals occur. A list of candidates and proposed amendments is available on Page B22-23 in this edition of the CUJ. The absentee ballot voting request deadline will be Oct. 26. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed by Oct. 20. “If you are unable to vote in person, your Absentee Ballot Request Form must be received by no later than the deadline,” officials said. The form will be available at https://ctuir.org/ our-government/committees-commissions/election-commission. The form can also be given by mail, email or in-person by members of the Election Commission, which include Roberta Wilson, Michelle Thompson, Roberta Kipp, Jess Lavadour, Bob Shippentower, Margaret Sheoships, Tami Rochelle and Pam Shippentower. Signatures are required on absentee ballots, which are then verified by the Election Commission. A Notice of Proposed Constitutional Amendment has also been released. Candidates were able to request election packets as of Aug. 16. CTUIR members can access details about the election online at https://ctuir.org/news/notice-of-general-election. The CTUIR’s Election Commission has asked that all questions regarding the upcoming election be sent to them.

September 2021

BOT mandates masks

Press Release

MISSION – The Board of Trustees is following the recommendation of Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center as the public health authority for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and has approved a resolution to mandate mask use in all public indoor settings throughout the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The indoor mask order will go into effect at 12:01am on Friday, August 13, 2021. The recommendation from Yellowhawk aligns with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority. Under the resolution approved by the Board of Trustees, everyone is required to wear a mask in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. “The highly contagious Delta variant is spreading quickly among our community members within the boundaries of Kat Brigham the Umatilla Indian Reservation, as it is throughout Umatilla County and much of the State of Oregon,” noted Kat Brigham, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are currently seeing the highest positive testing numbers that we’ve had since the pandemic started in early 2020. We want our community to be able to go to events and functions, but we highly recommend that you protect yourself and your community by continuing to wear a mask and socially distance as COVID-19 is spreading in our community,” Chair Brigham added.

As additional safety precautions, CTUIR leadership asks everyone to limit gatherings to those within your immediate household. However, if you do gather with people other than those in your household, please do so outside and maintain physical or social distancing. If you are with people from a different household and distancing is not possible, we highly recommend that you wear a mask even while outdoors. Lastly, if you are sick even with very mild symptoms, please stay home. Under CDC guidelines, if you have been vaccinated and you have come into contact with an individual who is known to have tested positive, you do not

The highly contagious Delta variant is spreading quickly among our community members within the boundaries of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Chair Kat Brigham

have to quarantine. However, you should continue to monitor yourself for symptoms and get tested if you start to develop symptoms or feel sick. Finally, if you have not yet been vaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated to protect yourself, your family and loved ones, and the community at large. All of the vaccines available are safe and highly effective in protecting against severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Land Buy Back Program returns Press Release

MISSION – The Land Buy Back Program has returned to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and is now offering eligible landowners a third opportunity to participate in the land ownership consolidation program. The Program will be based upon the availability of funds remaining and offers were mailed to landowners in late July 2021. Because of the success of the Program in 2015, and in 2018, more than 16,836 acres of land were purchased. However, much work remains to be done to consolidate CTUIR ownership and control of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which is ranked as the 28th most fractionated Indian reservation in the country. The Land Buy Back Program provides landowners the opportunity to sell ownership at Fair Market Value. Willing seller shall review their packets completely, make informed decision on which allotments they wish to sale or retain, complete packet by having a notary witnessed your signature, return packet in the pre-paid mailing envelop by September 24, 2021. Please allow up to 60 days for process and payment to be made. The LBBP acceptance of returned offers are contingent on availability of Funds. Once complete, the ownership then goes back to CTUIR and helps to clarify tribal jurisdiction and management associated with highly fractionated land interests. The CTUIR Tribal Land Program staff

Confederated Umatilla Journal

remain committed to land buy back efforts and are prepared for this third, and perhaps final, round of the program. The Cobell Settlement, which the program is based on, required that all Land Buy Back Program funds had to be spent in ten years, which concludes in November 2022. Participation in the Umatilla LBBP land consolidation is voluntary. Allotment landowners interested in the Program and those who would like to inquire about their ownership status are strongly encouraged to make sure their contact information is up to date by calling the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 1-888-678-6836 or by emailing to tbccmail@btfa.gov. For additional information from the CTUIR, contact Kelly L. George, Land Acquisition Coordinator 541429-7483, kellygeorge@ctuir.org or Koko Hufford, Land Manager, 541-429-7476, kokohufford@ctuir.org.

14B

3rd Pfizer Vaccine doses now available!

Immunocompromised means: Actively in cancer treatment. Organ transplant & receiving medicine to suppress immune system. Stem cell transplant within 2 years. Moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency. Advanced or untreated HIV infection. Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids. Currently on medicine that may suppress your immune response. Schedule your 3rd dose today by calling Yellowhawk, please leave your full name, working phone number and we will call you back.

Call now 541.240.8733

Preserving horse tradition and culture through healing and support.

K’usiinmí Tawtnúkt

Is open to patients that receive services through the Behavioral Health department of Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Individuals and families can work with their Mental Health, or Chemical Dependency counselor, to incorporate K’usiinmí Tawtnúkt to their treatment plan. For those that do not receive services with Behavioral Health, patients can complete and submit a Behavioral Health referral form to the department.

46314 Timíne Way | Pendleton, OR 97801 | 541-966-9830 Monday - Friday | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday | 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

OBITUARIES Obituaries ters Verna Patrick and Lawanda Bronson of Pendleton, Oregon, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Videll was preceded in her death by her brothers Richard Burke Jr., Edgar Saluskin, Antone Tappo, Charles Tappo and sister Ernestine Watters; her sons Wendell Bronson, Bryson Bronson, Ronald Bronson, Vern Bronson and Richard Bronson, her daughter, Violet (Burke) McGuire, son-in-law Brian McGuire, and her husband Virgil Bronson. Videll’s Washat services were held Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at her family ranch in Cayuse, Oregon. The Final Seven were held at the ranch in Cayuse on Thursday, July 29, 2021, followed by burial at Agency cemetery.

Randy Peter Alexander Jan. 12. 1953 - July 28, 2021 Randy Peter Alexander was born January 12, 1953 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pendleton to Lillian Anita (Farrow) and Uriah Alexander. He passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2021 at 68 years of age. He was the youngest of 5 children. Randy attended Pendleton schools until 1970. That year he met his future wife Hilda Halfmoon and they were married November 1, 1973. They had two daughters Sunni Dawn and Brandee Marie. Sunni passed away but left him two grandchildren, LaRiah Marie and Nicolas Pearce. Brandee died in infancy. Randy and Hilda have been raising the grandkids for the past 10 years. They both were his pride and joy. Randy worked for USFS retiring with 20 years service. He fought fires and later worked on fish habitat even receiving a commendation from US Department of Agriculture for his work onThomas Creek. After forest service he worked for a time with Bureau of Indian Affairs and then moved from there to Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation as a wildlife technician. Randy was a talented artist, leather crafter, photographer and archer. He played slow pitch for several years also. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Randy loved to spend time at the casino and made many new short term friends each time he went. He also made friends at Davita dialysis center with both other patients and staff. He was the medicine man for several years in the Happy Canyon Show. Randy had a dry witty sense of humor and if he tormented you, he loved you. If he gave you the silent treatment, not so much. He was known as Hawk by lifelong friends and Uncle Beer by his nieces and nephews. He was PaPa or Pops to his grandkids. He is survived by his wife and grandkids at home. Brother Stan Alexander, sisters Marie (Butch) Dick and Barbara Guerrero, numerous nieces and nephews and Alexander, Farrow and Hall cousins. And great grand pups Pete, Jake, Nicky and Angel. He is preceded in death by his parents, both daughters and brother Les Alexander. Final viewing was August 2nd at 10a.m. at Burns Mortuary. Immediately followed by burial at Agency Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at www.burnsmortuary.com

Death Notices Unadell "Mikki" Showaway 87, of Pendleton, died Saturday, August 7, 2021 at a local care facility. She was born November 1, 1933 in Fallon, Nevada. Funeral services were held August 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton. Followed by burial at Agency Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton was in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at http://www. burnsmortuary.com

September 2021

Loretta Videll Bronson Aug. 10, 1931 - July 27, 2021 Loretta Videll Bronson - Twásaklay, 89, of Cayuse, Oregon died July 27, 2021. Videll was born in Cayuse Oregon on August 10th, 1931, to Elizabeth “Lizzie” Woods and Richard Burke Sr. When she was a young girl, about 5-years-old, her father gave her a retired racehorse and she learned to ride. Horses and racing were an integral part of her life as she became an accomplished rider, owner, and champion for horsemanship. Videll married her husband Virgil of 63 years in 1955 after they met at a wild horse round up. They raised their five boys: Ronald, Richard, Wendell, Vern, Bryson, and daughter Lawanda at their ranch in Cayuse, Oregon. They raised their children to love horses, just the way they did, and the family participated in horse races across the Western United States. Videll loved traveling to California and racing at counties fairs like Pomona and Ferndale. In 1993, Videll’s favorite horse, Good Courage, won the Harvest Handicap taking home the $30,000 purse. For more than 50 years, the family participated in the Pendleton Round-Up, winning the chief’s race, squaw race, Indian relay, and baton relay. Videll’s legacy lives on through her early leadership in the successes of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, Videll played a key role in founding the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) and establishing Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center where she was one of Yellowhawk’s first Community Health Representatives conducting home health visits to Tribal members. She also led efforts to secure funding for vocational and higher education programs for tribal members and in her role as an alcohol & drug counselor, Videll started the BAAD – Basketball Against Alcohol and Drugs - Basketball Tournament attracting youth basketball teams from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond for over 30 years. Videll always opened her home, especially to her horse track and basketball families. She was known for her good cooking, and when family or friends came to visit, she would always whip them up a homemade meal. Later in life, Videll was an avid bingo player, and she was always ready to play. She enjoyed visiting her bingo partners, and often traveled around the northwest with her daughter Verna to play in big games. She loved to garden and growing tomatoes and zucchini were her favorite. Videll was a lover of reading and always had a stack of books to share. You could find Videll in the stands at the gym attending basketball games, or other sports to show her love and support. She especially enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren in big games at the gym or watching them laugh and play a small game of baseball in her backyard. Videll will always be known for her bright smile and her contagious laugh. She was a strong woman, who stuck up for what she believed in. She loved her family and her friends and her people. Videll, is survived by her daugh-

Walter D. Broncheau, Sr April 2, 1941 - July 31, 2021

Richard David Bronson April 8, 1958 — July 26, 2021 Richard Bronson weighed 11 lbs., 15 oz., when he was born April 8, 1958, to Virgil Bronson and L. Videll (Burke) Bronson of Pendleton, Oregon. He was raised at Cayuse on the family’s horse ranch. Richard won his first horse race at the age of 9 in Boise, Idaho. He won many races following until he couldn’t make the required weight anymore at age 12. In 1981 he married Karlene J. Brehm; they later divorced. Together they had three children, Jesse, Kylie and Billy. He shared his love for horses with them, as well as sports and the outdoors. In 1987, Richard and his family moved to Thorne Bay, Alaska. He worked at the sorting yard stacking logs ready for export. He later worked in southern Alaska running a loader. In 1992 they moved back to Cayuse and he worked for CTUIR in maintenance. Richard worked as a logger and heavy equipment operator, and built grain bins. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, racing horses, team roping and chasing wild horses. He was a horseman. One of his favorite horses he bought from the killer pen. She was a beautiful paint horse, and would only allow Richard to ride her. He named her Laurie Darlin. Survivors include ex-wife Karlene Hatley; children Byron Sam of Omak, and Jesse, Kylie and Billy Bronson of Pendleton; grandchildren Tyler, Blake, Cohen, Winn, Jessa, Laykin, Baylor, Taitym and Maclyn; sisters Verna Patrick and Lawanda Bronson; as well as nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his father Virgil Bronson, mother L. Videll (Burke) Bronson, sister Violet Burke McGuire, and brothers Ronald Bronson, Wendell Bronson, Vern Bronson and Bryson (Bub) Bronson.

Obituaries & Death Notices can be sent to CUJ@Ctuir.org

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Walter D. Broncheau, Sr. 80 yrs old was surrounded by love when he passed on the evening of July 31, 2021 at his home in Kamiah, Idaho. Walter was born on April 2nd 1941 in Orofino, Idaho to Milton James Broncheau, Sr. & Elizabeth Moody-Broncheau and was one of nineteen children. Walt joined the military at the young age of 17 where he found himself traveling across the U.S. using his gift of creating and playing music. Walt would play whatever instrument was needed in the band. While in California Walt landed a gig with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin & John Fogerty to name a few. Shortly after Walt spent some time in Walla Walla, Washington where he met and married Cheryle JC Welch on August 5, 1975. They later relocated to Pendleton, Oregon where Walt worked for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Walt was the manager of the Drug and Alcohol Program at their 1st Halfway Home at the end of short mile road. Walt later worked as a Land Field Operator and various BIA Forestry jobs for the Umatilla Tribe. Walt and Cheryle raised their children and created a new foundation for all his children to eventually unite. Walt’s final resting place will be in his homelands of Ahsahka, Idaho. Preceding Walt in death are his parents, siblings Eugene L. Broncheau, William A. Broncheau, Milton J. Broncheau, Jr., Donald M. Broncheau, Sr., James B. Broncheau, Richard R. Broncheau, Kenneth Broncheau, Verle Broncheau, Janice Broncheau-Sundayman, Eula J. Broncheau-Plummer, Eleanor E. Broncheau-Marks, Bessie C. Broncheau, Virginia Broncheau, and one set of twins. Walt was also preceded by three sons Walter D. Broncheau, Jr., Dale Sijohn and Jason Broncheau, and his Great Granddaughter Nyasia Thompkins. Walter is survived his wife Cheryle Broncheau of Pendleton, Oregon, his two sisters Dorothy Broncheau-Hudson of Peck, Idaho and Susan Broncheau of Orofino, Idaho, son’s William Broncheau (Loretha) of New Town North Dakota, Roy Broncheau of Red Lake, Minnesota, Tim Allen of Plummer Idaho, daughters Danielle Broncheau of Pendleton, Oregon, Brenda Wardy of Miami, Oklahoma, Tamara Allen-Tomaskin of Plummer, Idaho and Stacy Broncheau of Warm Springs, Oregon. A Memorial service was held on August 4th at 6 pm at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino, Idaho and Funeral service was held August 5th at Northfork Presbyterian Church in Ahsahka, Idaho at 10 a.m. The Family would like to thank the, Northfork Presbyterian Church, 1st Church of Kamiah, 2nd Church of Kamiah, Stites Church, Meadow Creek Church, Spaulding Church, Tutuilla Presbyterian Church Pendleton, Oregon, Marilyn Bowen, the Holt Family, Jeff Guillory, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, Steve & Alexis Coomer Family, Wheeler Family, Red Lake Nation, Lightning Creek Drum, Mary Jane Miles, Combined Choir, Debbie Simler, Land Services, Nimiipuu Health and all who knew and loved Walt he will be dearly missed.

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OBITUARIES/CLASFIEDS Obituaries with the youth in our area was one of his life’s biggest impacts. His funeral service will begin at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel with a dressing at 2 p.m. on August 11th followed by an open Denominational service at the Mission Longhouse led by his Pastor Tim Van Cleave. Michael’s last Seven will be at the Mission Longhouse at 6 a.m. on August 12th followed by a 7 a.m. burial at Homly Cemetery in Cayuse, OR. On Saturday, August 14th at 11:00 a.m. there will be a Celebration of Life service at Bethel Church, 1109 Airport Road, Pendleton. Michael will be missed by his immense group of family, friends and his very special dog Josie.

Michael Gavin “Heyoomakin” April 5, 1982 - Aug. 7, 2021 Michael Gavin “Heyoomakin” was a wonderful son, brother, friend and above all else uncle. He is survived by his father Gregory Michael Gavin and mother Shawna Shillal-Gavin. He was a proud Cayuse man and enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He is also survived by his siblings Derek Gavin, Lee Gavin, Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey and Michelle Tias. He has 13 nieces and nephews that will miss him dearly. He had a special relationship with each of his ten nieces and three nephews individually. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent all of his free time gathering meat and fish for his family and tribe. He was a devoted congregant and youth pastor at Bethel Church of Pendleton where he led worship. His church family grieves his loss as one of their own family members. Michael was strong in his Christian faith and a strong believer in Jesus Christ. He was incredibly close with his family and took special care of his parents and Uncle Michael Ray Johnson. Since childhood he was funny, caring and very responsible. He attended Bible College in Surrey BC, Canada where he majored in music. He worked many years for the tribe at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, CTUIR and Cayuse Holdings. His love of music will be sorely missed and the sound of his guitar will be a treasured memory for all who knew him. He loved movies, swimming and traveling. He spent many days with his siblings, sisters and brother-in-law going on trips anytime anyone would ask. He was close with his sister-in-law Malia Gavin, sister-in-law Jenna Gavin and brother-in-law Sir Christopher Harvey. He was also close with all his cousins. Bethel Church was his second home and he devoted his life to sharing his faith with those around him. He faithfully picked up youth in the area for church services and brought them to youth group and Sunday service. His connection

youth leader for his church Parkrose tabernacle. He was an amazing, loving, father, husband, son, nephew, brother, friend. He was a father figure to those who did not have a father in their lives. He was acknowledged and loved by those lives he touched and the first thing you would notice about him was his big bright beautiful smile. he is preceded in death by His Father terry selam, father keith miller, grandmother delsie selam, grandfather howard selam, grandfather jason umtuch, grandfather ross george, uncle lindsay selam, and brother william "billy" gardipee. he is survived by his wife brooke selam of pendleton OR, mother verona miller of wapato wa, children sydell wilson-selam, dimitri wison, joshua selam, zelma selam, christopher selam jr of pendleton OR. cesilee meninick, alvina meninick, quinny meninick, terry meninick of toppenish wa. keon wilson of lapwai id. and nephew tahkeome andrews of wapato wa, and niece cynthia umtuch of toppenish wa. his brother dimitri minthorn,and in laws scott minthorn and vivan sohappy of Pendleton OR, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jobs Christopher Reuben Selam Sr, August 1, 1983 - Aug. 19, 2021 Christopher Reuben Selam Sr. was called home to the Lord on August 19, 2021. He was born on August 1, 1983 to Terry A Selam and Verona J Miller. He enjoyed playing softball. He played for the Lil Devils and The Shockers team. He enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees. He came to know the Lord in 2011 and his faith grew strong and he loved the Lord and loved sharing the gospel with everyone. He always wanted his family to come to know the Lord. He loved all 10 of his children, his family and everyone he came in contact with. His career was an assistant manager at kfc and every customer that came to know him had nothing but great things to say about him. He was well known in his community. . He attended Living Word Chistian Center in Pendleton OR. he loved his Pastor Sharon Miller and the whole congregation. He touched many lives for he was caring and loving. He enjoyed music very much, he enjoyed family trips to wallowa lake,he was a coach for his daughter and sons basketball teams, in the beginning of his walk with the Lord he was a

Pendleton Pioneer Chapel received three prestigious awards in 2009

The Oregon Funeral Directors Association Award of Funeral Service Excellence w The Best Of Eastern Oregon Award as voted by the readers of the East Oregonian w Pendleton Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business of the Year

Our experienced family provides caring, compassionate care including:

Burial Services ~ Military Services Cremation ~ Monuments

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Jobs Dams and adjacent lands by vehicle and boat. CRITPD has commissions from all four CRITFC member tribes (Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, some Washington counties, and are Oregon-certified officers. The department enforces treaty fishing regulations and criminal laws, responds to search and rescue emergencies, and provides archeological resource protection. CRITPD also provides full police services on tribal lands along the Columbia River. CRITPD-Dispatcher Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police dispatchers are based in Hood River, Oregon and are the communication link for all incoming communications to the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department (CRITPD). Dispatchers are directly responsible for the operation of all office radio communications and telephone equipment, they monitor patrol officer activities, and answer incoming emergency calls for service, business, and assistance calls. The position works rotating shifts to support the round the clock police service provided by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department. All positions are permanent full-time unless otherwise noted. The complete job description, minimum skills, application requirements, deadlines, and pay information are available on the CRITFC website www.critfc.org Careers. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

COLUMBIA RIVER INTER-TRIBAL FISH COMMISSION IS HIRING THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Finance Department Payroll Staff Accountant The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking a detail oriented individual to process our multi-state payroll. This position requires proven experience in accurately calculating fringe benefit and payroll deductions. Experience with ADP Workforce Now or Paychex required. The Payroll Staff Accountant reports directly to the Controller and will be expected to analyze general ledger accounts, participate as a team member during internal and external audits, and complete additional departmental responsibilities as assigned. This position requires a high degree of accuracy and the ability to meet deadlines. Confidentiality of information is required. The incumbent will be expected to exercise independent judgement and initiative in the performance of duties and assignments. With the ability to demonstrate experience in working with all levels of accounting and have a commitment to work cooperatively with other staff. Closes September 17, 2021. Fishing Site Maintenance Department Seasonal Workers (2) This position provides complete maintenance of the 31 Tribal In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites located along 150 miles of the Columbia River. The FSMD crews perform work involves a variety of trade practices to maintain, repair, and improve existing public facilities. Skills include painting, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, electrical, custodial, and maintaining high sanitation standards in all facilities. Maintenance workers use hand and power tools to accomplish the work. Closes September 30, 2021 Enforcement Department CRITPD-Police Officer The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department (CRITPD) is based in Hood River Oregon. The CRITFC Police Department provides 24hour policing focused on the 150 mile stretch of the Columbia River from Bonneville to McNary

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Join the Cayuse Holdings team! We have dozens of jobs open each month. Work on the Reservation, remotely from your home, across the US or overseas. Equal Opportunity Employer. See the complete list of job openings at www. cayuseholdings.com. Our current opportunities include: Computer User Support Specialist, Customer Service Agent, Desktop Technician on or near Indian Reservations across the US, Executive Assistant, and Help Desk Agent.

CTUIR Jobs Available https://www.ctuir.org/career-opportunities/# • Executive Director, • Public Transit Bus Driver, • Archaeologist, • Tribal Set-Aside Project Coordinator, • Police Officer, • Male Re-education/ Intervention Facilitator, • Surveillance Operator, • Laborer, • Firefighter/EMT and Paramedic, • Patrol/Administrative Sergeant, • Communications Officer, • OIT Secretary II, • CUJ Managing Editor, • Fisheries Habitat Technician I, • Sexual Assault Advocate, • Accounts Payable Clerk, • Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Therapist, • Manager I – Assistant Hatchery Manager, • Teacher Family/Advocate, • GED Instructor/Coach and Summer Youth Coordinator, • Technician III Hatchery, • Coordinating Assistant-Partner Violence Survivor Project, • Financial Services Manager, Grant Clerk

September 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES/WEATHER/BOT MINUTES BOT Minutes

Public Notices Public Hearing Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Land Protection Planning Commission (LPPC) of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will hold the following public hearing: Comprehensive Plan Amendment #CP21-001 – Applicant, CTUIR – Tribal Planning Office, 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801. The application proposes to amend text of the CTUIR 2010 Comprehensive Plan to update 2020 benchmarks identified in Chapter 5, Plan Elements and Chapter 6, Tribal Government. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan are legislative in nature, requiring a recommendation from the Land Protection Planning Commission to the CTUIR Board of Trustees, which are the final decision makers. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan may be adopted if found to satisfy the decision criteria listed in Chapter 7 of the CTUIR Comprehensive Plan. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this hearing will be held via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to participate in the hearing or provide testimony, please call 321-754-9526 at 9:00 a.m. The conference ID is 222 711 214#. Materials relating to this proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment and additional information for joining the meeting are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https://ctuir.org/events/lppc-meeting-public-hearing-cp-21-001/. The public is entitled and encouraged to participate in the hearing and to submit testimony regarding the request. Please submit comments to the Tribal Planning Office by 4:00 pm September 27, 2021 either as a hard copy or by e-mailing them to loraelliott@ctuir.org. To obtain a copy of the draft updated 2010 Comprehensive Plan or staff report, or if you have questions regarding the hearing process or the proposed conditional use, please contact the Tribal Planning Office at 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801 or call (541) 276-3099.

Weather August 2021 Weather information summarize data taken at the Pendleton Weather Station Lat 45 40 N and Lon -118 51 W from August 1 to August 26. Temperature is reported in degrees Fahrenheit and time in Pacific Standard Time. The average daily temperature was 89.3 degrees with a high of 105 degrees on August 3 and a low of 42 degrees on August 24. With a departure from normal of +2.2 degrees towards a new High August monthly average. Total precipitation to date in August was 0.01 One day out of the month had precipitation level greater than .01 inches with 0 days greater than 0.10 inches and with 0 day greater than 0.50”. There was a departure of -0.22" from average for the month of August. The average wind speed was 9.4 mph with a sustained max speed of 36.0 mph from the West on August 17. A peak speed of 45 mph occurred from the West on August 17.The dominant wind direction was from the West. There were 1 Thunder storms, 1 days out of 30 in which trace amounts of rain fell, 12 Haze/ Smoke days, 0 Fog/Mist. Air Quality Index values increased during the month of August with active wildfires spread across the West Coast regions. The indexes reached near hazardous levels for Smoke and Ozone.

Looking to fill a position? Submit job descriptions to CUJ@ctuir. org. $5.50 per column inch

September 2021

DATE: August 9, 2021 BOT Present: BOT Present: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Jill-Marie Gavin, Member on personal leave. Old Business: a. Polled Action: i. No. 21020 Topic: BOT COVID-19 Leave. Under the BOT Procedure Code any BOT Member using COVID-19 shall be paid leave. BOT using COVID-19 shall document that leave and provide a copy to the BOT Secretary, which must be approved by the BOT at a regular BOT meeting of the BOT. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to ratify Polled Action 21-020 Topic: BOT COVID-19 Leave. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion: Jeremy Wolf stated this was not an emergency and should have been handled through BOT WS. Question. Motion carries 5 for - (Armand Minthorn, Sally Kosey, Sandra Sampson, Lindsey Watchman and Corrine Sams) – 2 against (Jeremy Wolf and Boots Pond) - 0 abstaining. New Business: a. Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 21-071: i. Resolution 21-071: Topic: Tribal Broadband Project – NTIA Grant Application RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees reviewed Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, and certifies the following: The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Confederated Tribes) are listed on the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, 86 Fed. Reg. 7554 (Jan. 29, 2021); The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Confederated Tribes by the authority of Article VI, Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Confederated Tribes, adopted on November 4, 1949 and approved on December 7, 1949, as amended; The Board of Trustees certifies and designates all Tribal land within the Umatilla Indian Reservation as the Proposed Service Area as illustrated in Exhibit 1; The Broad of Trustees certifies its local presence and residential households, including Tribal member households within the Umatilla Indian Reservation as illustrated in Exhibit 2; The Board of Trustees certifies that there is a need for access to broadband and broadband services to the underserved and unserved areas within the Proposed Service Area, which will need to include the design, engineering, and construction of new broadband and wireless communication facilities and systems to address the inadequacies in the broadband and communication needs; The Board of Trustees authorizes and consents to the deployment of broadband infrastructure and the providing of broadband services within the Proposed Service Area for qualifying Tribal lands that are currently underserved or unserved areas though funding pursuant to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program grant programs, the Broadband Infrastructure, and the Broadband Use and Adoption administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Board of Trustees hereby delegates and authorizes the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tribal Broadband Working Group under the supervision and direction of the Office of the Executive Director to develop and submit a grant application through the Confederated Tribes’ designated EBiz Point of Contact / Authorized Organization Representative by the due date of September 1, 2021, to request funding pursuant to National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NTIA-TBC-TBCPO-2021-2006948) to address the underserved and unserved

areas within the Proposed Service Area of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Interim Executive Director or designee to take such further action and to execute all necessary documents to carry out the purpose of this Resolution and to ensure that the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program grant application is completed and submitted in a timely fashion; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, The Board of Trustees directs the Interim Executive Director to report periodically to the Board of Trustees on the status of the Tribal Broadband Project and the actions of the Tribal Broadband Working Group; MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-071. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports: Deferred. BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests. Sally Kosey three requests: 1. 8/11 personal leave from 10 AM to noon. 2. 9/3 personal leave all day. 3. 9/15 and 9/16 personal leave all day on both days. Corrine Sams four requests: 1. 8/6 polled personal leave from 1 to 4 PM. 2. 8/13 Virtual Meeting re: US V Oregon CRITFC meeting from 9 AM to 4 PM. 3. 8/25 Virtual Meeting re: CRITFC LEC meeting from 10 AM to 4 PM. 4. 8/12 personal leave all day. Gary George, 16 hours leave on August 5 and 6. Kat Brigham, polled leave on 8/4 for personal leave from 2 to 4 PM. Lindsey Watchman, personal leave on August 12 and 13.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to approve and ratify the leave requests. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

DATE: August 16, 2021 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary delayed having computer problems; Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair on personal leave. Jill-Marie Gavin on administrative leave, quorum present. Old Business: a. Polled Resolution: i. No. 21-072: Topic: Mandatory Mask U se in All Public Indoor Setting on the UIR. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify Polled Resolution 21-072 Mandatory Mask Use in All Public Indoor Setting on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0. [Sally Kosey not present for vote] New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 21-073: None. BOT Travel Reports: Kat Brigham, two reports: 1. Webex on 7/28 re: Accords meeting. 2. Zoom on 7/28 re: 30x30 Initiative. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. Kat Brigham, 3 leave requests: 1. polled personal leave on August 13 all day. 2. Virtual meeting on 9/8 with Willamette Falls Locks Commission from 1 to 4 PM. 3. Zoom meeting on 8/17 re: BOT Minutes continued on page 19B

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BOT MINUTES BOT Minutes Continued from page 18B Gov. Brown to give COVID-19 update to 9 OR Tribes from 1 to 2 PM. Boots Pond, polled personal leave on 8/11 for 2 hours from 10 AM to noon. Corinne Sams, personal leave for two days 8/26 and 8/27. Corrine said she submitted two more leave requests. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to approve and ratify the leave requests. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0. DATE: August 23 2021 BOT PRESENT: BOT Present: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Full Quorum present. Old Business: NONE New Business: i. Resolution 21-073 Topic: CTUIR Higher Education Scholarship Policy, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the amended Higher Education Scholarship Fund Policy and be implemented for the 2021/22 school year and beyond, attached hereto as Exhibit 1, which increases funding for students, defines extenuating circumstances, and limits use for vocational programs to those that qualify for federal financial aid. Motion Sally Kosey moves to approve, Corinne Sams Seconds, Motion carries 8-0-0 BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports: Kat Brigham, 08-17-21, Meeting with Governor Brown to present COVID model information for 9 Oregon Tribes. 08-18-21- Meeting with Amanda Ward Chemawa Superintendent. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to approve travel report. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests: Jeremy Wolf 8-17-21 Virtual Meeting with (CTNAC) Center for Tribal Nations Advisory Committee Kat Brigham, 08-31-21 - Zoom meeting with Senator Wyden Town Hall re: Democracy Act Motion: Jill Marie Gavin moves to approve ratify the leave request. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Date: August 30th, 2021 BOT PRESENT: BOT Present: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary: Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Jeremy Wolf, Full Quorum present. Old Business: NONE New Business i. Resolution 21-074 Topic: Umatilla Depot Land Transfer Programmatic Agreement, RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Amendment #1 to the Programmatic Agreement Among the Department of the Army, Oregon State Historic Preservation Officer, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Columbia Development Authority, and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Regarding the Transfer of a Portion of the Former Umatilla Chemical Depot, Oregon (Exhibit 1); AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Memorandum of Understanding Between the United States Department of the Army and the Columbia Development Authority and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Columbia Development Authority and the Counties of Umatilla and Morrow, Oregon (Exhibit 2); AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED,

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that the Chair of the Board of Trustees is authorized to sign the Programmatic Amendment and MOU on behalf of the Confederated Tribes. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-074 with correction. Jill Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. ii. Resolution 21-075 Topic: Tribal Election Code Amendments RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the amendments to the Tribal Election Code set forth in Exhibit 1 which includes the following: a) The addition of Board Member-Elect and Reservation Residency Requirement as defined terms in Section 1.05; b) The new Section 3.17 to authorize the Election Commission to verify Reservation residency; c) The existing Section 3.17 shall be renumbered to Section 3.18; d) o amend Section 5.04(B) to permit an appeal to the Umatilla Tribal Court of an Election Commission determination that a Board Member-Elect does not satisfy the Reservation Residency Requirement; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees directs that these amendments to the Tribal Election Code shall be effective immediately and shall apply to the Tribal General Election in November 2021; MOTION: Jill Marie Gavin, moves to adopt Resolution 21-075 with amendments revise the resolution. Jeremey Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. iii. Resolution 21-076 Topic: BOT Order on Mandatory Vaccination of Yellowhawk, Fire Department, Education Department and COVID Screener Employees RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves and authorizes its Chair to execute the Board of Trustees Order entitled Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, Education Department, COVID-19 Screeners and Umatilla Tribal Fire Department Employees attached as Exhibit 1; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Board of Trustees directs that the Office of the Executive Director review this mandate with YTHC on a weekly basis to monitor the effectiveness of this mandate and to report to the Board of Trustees any further policy level recommendations needed to stop the spread of COVID-19. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-076 with correction. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. iv. Resolution 21-077 Topic: Mount Emily Recreation Area Programmatic Agreement RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Programmatic Agreement among Union County, Oregon; the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office; and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Regarding the Management of Archaeological Sites within the Mount Emily Recreation Area (Exhibit 1); AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED ,that the Chair of the Board of Trustees is authorized to sign the PA on behalf of the Confederated Tribes. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-077 with correction. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0 v. Resolution 21-078 Topic: NCAI Membership Renewal RESOLVED, that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which is the official governing body of the above named Tribes, hereby authorizes N. Kathryn Brigham who is the official principal tribal official, to take the necessary action to place the Tribes in Membership with NCAI; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that tribal funds in the amount of $1,300, based on the Tribal Membership dues schedule of the NCAI By-Laws, Article III-Members, Section C 2 are authorized to be paid for such Tribal Membership in NCAI; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that based on the Tribal citizenry of 3,149 persons, the Tribe shall have 130 votes, in accordance with Article II – Members, section B 1d; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that pursuant to Article III - Mem-

bers, Section B 1(b) of the NCAI Constitution and By-Laws, the Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation designates the following persons as Delegate and Alternate Delegates, and instructs them to become Individual Members in Good Standing in National Congress of American Indians in order to fulfill their responsibilities as Official Delegates to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Session, Mid-Year Session and Executive Council Sessions. OFFICIAL TRIBAL ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton, Oregon 97801, (541) 276-3165 and Facsimile (541) 276-3095. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-078. Sally Kosey, Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. vi. Resolution 21-079, Topic: ATNI tribal Membership RESOLVED, that pursuant to Article VII, Section 1 of the ATNI Constitution, the Tribe designates the following persons as Delegates and Alternate Delegates, and instructs them to become individual Members in Good Standing in ATNI in order to fulfill their responsibilities as Official Delegates to the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Winter Conference, Mid-Year Conference and Annual Conventions: N. Kathryn Brigham, Chair as its official delegate and the following Board of Trustees members as alternate delegates: 1) Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chairman 2) Sandra Sampson, Treasurer 3) Sally Kosey, Secretary4) Armand Minthorn, Member 5) Boots Pond, Member 6) Corinne Sams, Member 7) Jill-Marie Gavin, Member and 8) Lindsey X. Watchman General Council Chairman Ex-Officio. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-079. Jill Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Other Board Action Items: Commission/ Committee Update by Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary. ACTION: By motion move to appoint Jonni Spencer by acclimation to the Cultural Resource Committee for a 2 year term ending August 2, 2023. Motion by Jill Marie Gavin to appoint Jonni Spencer Cultural Resource Committee, second by Boots Pond. Discussion. Question Motion carries 8-0-0 ACTION: by motion move to re-appoint Bonnie Burke by acclimation to the Enrollment Commission for a 4 year term ending September 6, 2025. Motion by Corinne Sams to appoint Bonnie Burke to Enrollment Commission, second by Boots Pond Discussion. Question Motion carries 8-0-0 ACTION: by motion move to re-appoint Tiyapo Farrow by acclimation to the Land Acquisition Committee for a 2 year term ending September 6, 2023. Motion by Sally Kosey to appoint Tiyapo Farrow to Land Acquisition, second by Corrine Sams. Discussion. Question Motion carries 8-0-0 Terms Expiring: None. Will advertise for: 1 position for CTUIR Culture Coalition, 2 year term, meets as needed 1 alternate position for Land Protection Planning Commission, 3 year term, meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 9 1 position for Health Commission, 3 year term, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 3:30PM 1 position for Tiicham Conservation District, 2 year term, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 1-4:00PM All applications will be due Tuesday, September 21, 2021 by 4:00 PM. A BOT work session is scheduled for Friday, September 24, 2021 at 8:30 AM to review application on Monday September 27, 2021 BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests: Jeremy Wolf, 08/19/21 request to attend Center for Tribal Nation Advisor Committee Base Camp virtual conferencing application. MOTION: Boots Pond moves to approve report. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Motion carries 8-0-0. BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests: Jeremy Wolf, Polled leave 08-25-21 Columbia River Treaty conference call with Jill Smail and 15 Tribes 12PM to 1AM, Jeremy Wolf, Personal leave 08-24-21, Jeremy Wolf 08-27-21, Jeremy Wolf, CRIFIC Meeting 08-25-21, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Boots Pond 9-3-21 - 3 hour 1:00 to 4:00 PM Jill Marie Gavin Polled Leave 08-26-21 1:00 to 4:00PM Lindsey Polled leave Personal 08-27-21, 2:00 PM to 4:00PM Sandy Sampson Polled Leave, 2 days September 2rd and 3rd MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to ratify and approve travel requests. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Dear CUJ readers, as of Sept. 4, 2021 my six month tenure as a part-time temporary employee of the CTUIR will end. After taking a three year hiatus to care for my children full time, I was extremely excited to return to the CUJ in April. I have learned so much working with the new Editor, Cary Rosenbalm as well as working remotely. My hope is to continue as a freelancer and possibly obtain a position with the Communications Dept. sometime in the future. Goodbye for now, Miranda Vega Rector

Julian David Gone IV July 6, 2021 at 7:04a.m. 8lbs, 2oz, 19” Parents Denise Wickert & Julian “JD” Gone III

Happy Birthday Ronnie! Love: RaeAnn, Joe Bear, & Mari September 2021

OP/ED From Pendleton to Line 3 in Climate Solidarity Guest Column by Colleen Sanders and Jessi Pedersen

These last several months have been a marathon of challenges for everyone; as the Covid-19 pandemic still continues, record-setting “heat bubbles” have scorched the Pacific Northwest, even as the skies have been choked with smoke from local and regional wildfires burning through a historic drought. It would be foolish for us to not recognize that the specter of climate emergency is indeed a problem for our lifetimes, and not just a hypothetical problem for future generations. Under these same smoky skies, to stand in climate solidarity with Indigenous Water Protectors, we traveled to a community on the front lines of resisting fossil fuel extraction in Northern Minnesota, home to the Dakota, Chippewa, Ojibwe, and Anishinaabe people and the world famous Manoomin, the Wild Rice. As members of the Pendleton Community Action Coalition, a Pendleton-based grassroots mutual aid volunteer organization formed in May of 2020 by Briana Spencer, we wanted to support community actions to resist fossil fuel projects and stand as treaty partners with Indigenous people, who have consistently been on the front lines of these fights. So in July, we made the long trek to northern Minnesota to be part of the Red Lake Treaty Camp in the fight against Enbridge Line 3. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released the first installment of their 6th National Climate Assessment on August 9th 2021, and it paints a bleak “Code Red” scenario for humanity’s chances of surviving a now-likely 2 degree celsius (36 F) heating of the planet if we don’t immediately stop the widespread use of fossil fuels, and work to reverse existing emissions. To avoid this bleak future, we must actively shift away from investing in fossil fuel projects, infrastructure, and economies that rely on oil, gas, coal, bitumen, and other forms of carbon-intensive energy, as quickly as humanly possible. Which is why it is baffling that action around Enbridge’s Line 3 “replacement”/expansion has received the blessing of the Biden Administration, even as the Keystone XL pipeline was correctly halted. Indigenous people have been sounding the alarm about the need for action on halting the climate emergency, and the urgency and scale of the problem that needs to be solved. Globally, Indigenous people have been impacted not only by the nebulous challenges of climate change, but also by the very tangible dangers of fossil fuel extraction and transport, as environmental racism re-directs pipeline routes through tribal treaty lands and reservations, placing these communities at higher rates of chronic exposure to these chemicals when spills and “frac-outs” invariably happen. Tribal peoples’ reciprocity with the land and water also connects these hunters, fishers, and gatherers more closely to changes that are happening, especially with traditional foods, who's the health and abundance are frequently negatively affected by the construction and operation of crude oil and natural gas transportation and processing. And fossil fuel economies are also integrally connected to the harm that perpetuates the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S) epidemic, as affluent fossil fuel employees descend on (often) BIPOC communities adjacent to extraction and pipeline work sites, and increase incidences of sexual and addiction-associated violence in these neighboring communities. But those with power and agency at state and national levels are still refusing to listen to Indigenous leaders, even when they put their literal bodies on the line as Land and Water Protectors on the frontlines of resisting oil and gas projects. Even with global and Indigenous leaders begging governments and corporations for action on the climate emergency, new opportunities to extract and burn fossil fuels are being approved and pushed through, despite the desperate circumstances. Enbridge Energy Corporation, based in Calgary, Alberta, is currently constructing a “replacement” pipeline running southeast from Canada's bitumen sands region in Alberta,

September 2021

Protest art was found around the Red Lake Treaty Camp calling on protecting water and honoring various treaties from the region.

to Lake Superior's western tip near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, to be transported to foreign buyers in a project that opponents are calling a pipeline expansion rather than a replacement (MPR, July 16 2021). Fossil fuels produced out

Confederated Umatilla Journal

of Alberta’s Peace River, Athabasca, and Cold Lake regions consist of bitumen products, a type of low grade crude oil that is very thick and viscous, similar to the consistency of Continued on page 21A

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asphalt, which is where opponents of these extraction projects have drawn the description of “tar sands” (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, 2021). To transport this bitumen as a liquid, lighter petroleum products like naphtha are added to create a substance called “dilbit” that runs through pipelines like Line 3. Refining “dilbit” (“diluted bitumen”) is also an incredibly heat and carbon intensive process, and bitumen’s extraction, processing, and transport adds up to greenhouse gas emissions totaling 116 kilograms (256 pounds) of carbon dioxide per barrel, roughly 14% more carbon intensive than other oil products (Scientific American, Jan 23 2013). If all of the fossil fuels that can be extracted from Alberta are burned, it would result in 0.4 degrees C (32 degrees F) increase in global temperatures alone-almost 25% of the heating we are trying to avoid-- from a single source (SA, 2013). Enbridge claims the existing Line 3 pipeline, which was built in the 1960s, needs to be replaced due to 50+ years of transporting fossil fuels from Alberta through Minnesota. In its current state, the pipeline isn’t able to transport as much bitumen as it did when it was first constructed, and is currently limited to carrying only cleaner crude oil products, though a new pipeline would be able to carry dilbit as well. The Enbridge Corporation is also the company involved with one of the largest inland oil

spills in US history, when in July 2010, over one million gallons of dilbit Enbridge’s Line 6B was carrying spilled into the Kalamazoo River (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). The Line 3 pipeline crosses over 200 waterways, including the Mississippi River, one of the largest watersheds in the United States. When it was first constructed, Line 3 could carry 760,000 barrels of oil a day, but as the infrastructure has aged, it can only handle roughly half that amount (Enbridge, 2021). A new Line 3 would boost capacity back to its original level, and generate carbon emissions of 193 million tons of carbon dioxide per year — as much as a dozen of the country's largest coal-fired power plants. An independent environmental review for the project found the societal costs of climate emergency from Line 3 could reach $287 billion over the next 30 years (Minnesota Public Radio, March 13 2018). Proponents of the pipeline claim that the demand for oil will not decrease in the near future, and that other methods like rail and truck transport would create more safety and emissions issues than a pipeline. Opponents of the pipeline assert that without Line 3, Enbridge wouldn’t be able to feasibly move oil from remote production areas to overseas markets, where it will be refined and burned. Indigenous leaders and environmentalists point out that continuing to operate the existing Line 3 isn’t a long-term solution for energy production, and therefore stopping the new Line 3 could keep

oil in the ground and prevent additional greenhouse gas emissions (MPR, March 13 2018). Construction of the line is complete in Canada, North Dakota and Wisconsin and, as of mid-June, is 60 percent complete in Minnesota, where 337 miles of new pipe is being laid. Tribes that are opposed to Line 3 evoke a series of treaties signed between the US government and the Ojibwe people, including the Treaty of 1837, which explicitly grants the Ojibwe people the right to hunt, fish and gather in their ceded lands (Guardian, Feb 19 2020). Demonstrations against Line 3 argue that the pipeline expansion violates these treaties, and since the escalation of protests at the beginning of June, over 700 people have been arrested, police intervention on par with what occurred during the height of the Standing Rock/DAPL resistance in 2016 (Indian Country Today, Aug 6 2021). In accordance with state stipulations on the project permit, Enbridge is required to pay the costs of the police officers providing security during the construction of the pipeline, which was approved on the condition that taxpayers would not have to foot the bill for policing the expected protests (Guardian, Aug 10 2021). Currently the oil giant has racked up a tab of $2 million dollars, which has been used to reimburse costs associated with “maintaining the peace” around the pipeline, including for officer wages, lodging, and boom trucks (Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,

2020). But the police militarization that has resulted from this “privatization” of public safety officers has created circumstances ripe for police brutalization of protesters, and conditions that promote sex trafficking and assault. In June, two out the six men arrested in a Minnesota human trafficking sting were subcontractors on Line 3, and two additional pipeline workers were arrested in another sex trafficking sting earlier this year (MPR, July 16 2021). In addition, HB 1374 “Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act” of 2021, would create a federal law that potentially weaponizes state forces against demonstrators, and institutionalizes a money conduit for states to accept and solicit private funding (including from mega-donors and private corporations) around “critical infrastructure,” which conveniently includes pipelines. Indigenous rights advocates and environmental groups worry that this bill will be used to make it legal to use lethal deterrents on Water Protectors as they stand in opposition to fossil fuel energy projects. In this fight, Indigenous leaders are trying a new legal strategy to resist Line 3’s construction in court: state responsibilities to recognizing and uphold the legal rights of personhood of Manoomin, with Wild Rice. In 2018, the White Earth Nation adopted tribal law recognizing the rights of Wild Rice to exist and flourish. "The legal Continued on page 22B

WISHRAM HEIGHTS HOUSING YAKAMA NATION HOUSING AUTHORITY IS ACCEPTING PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS FOR ITS NEW 46-HOME DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE COLUMBIA RIVER CTUIR MEMBERS AND VETERANS MAY APPLY PREFERENCE FOR THOSE LIVING AT IN-LIEU OR TREATY FISHING ACCESS SITES PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY NCHI WANA HOUSING VERIFICATION OF INCOME REQUIRED To apply, please contact: Nchi Wana Housing Ph: (541) 436-3810 facebook.com/nchiwana.org 21B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

September 2021

CTUIR 2021 General Election Information Below is the list of candidates running in the Nov. 9, 2021CTUIR Board of Trustees General Election BOT Chair Gary I. Burke Justin Quaempts Elwood H. Patawa *N. Kathryn (Kat) Brigham BOT Vice Chair Jill-Marie Gavin Aaron Ashley BOT Secretary William Sigo IV *Sally Kosey David Wolf Jr. BOT Treasurer *Sandra Sampson Eugena Stacona

argument is that Manoomin, in our culture and world, is a living entity, like everything else,” said Frank Bibeau, a tribal attorney representing the White Earth Nation. “It has rights just like us to exist and flourish and multiply. And it's not being watched out for (MPR, July 16 2021).” Now Manoomin is acting as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for allowing the permit amendments making Line 3 possible, in the second ever “rights of nature” case filed in the US. In June, Minnesota granted Enbridge an amended permit to temporarily pump up to 5 billion gallons of shallow groundwater — about 10 times more than was originally requested. Tribal leaders argue that amending the permit without tribal consultation violates the Treaty of 1837, with the increased pumping putting Wild Rice at risk, and interfering with tribal members’ rights to use treaty lands to hunt, fish and gather Wild Rice. Manoomin’s lawsuit asks the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s decision on Line 3 to affirm permit approvals by MN DNR that allowed construction to continue (Indian Country Today, Aug 6 2021). State and federal judges have refused to halt construction while the cases proceed (MPR, July 16 2021). Freshwater mussels are also a historically abundant traditional food, and Minnesota waterways boast almost 50 species of freshwater mussel, include the first freshwater mussel to be federally endangered, the Higgins eye pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii), and are critical for the filtration of water and the health of the Wild Rice. 25 of the state’s 48 different mussel species are Endangered, threatened by invasive species like the Zebra mussel, as well as from climate change that warms water temperatures and affects oxygen availability (Minnesota DNR, 2021). Sitting on the banks of the Red Lake River, Miskwaagamiiwizaaga’igan-ziibi, it could have been easy to forget the reason we were there; the river’s waters were calm and inviting, as dragonflies flitted over the sparkling water, and the wind rustled the tall grass. It could have been easy, if it weren’t for the constant screech of metal from the pipeline construction--a sound that will haunt us for a very long

September 2021

BOT Member at Large Lawanda Bronson Babette Cowapoo *Boots Pond Toby Patrick Rosenda Shippentower Michelle Moses Lisa Ganuelas *Corinne Sams GC Chair *Lindsey X. Watchman Andrea Hall Alan Crawford GC Vice Chair *Michael R. Johnson GC Secretary *Shawna Gavin GC Interpreter Thomas E. Morning Owl

time-- day and night, and the stink of exhaust that wafted through the air of the resistance camp stationed right beside the double-fenced Line 3 horizontal drilling site, where they were drilling under the river to push the pipeline through. We will remember the laughter of the Enbridge workers as they mocked our attempts to protect the beautiful water, the beings who lived in the river system, and those now and in the future who will depend on clean drinking water. We will remember the uniforms of state police officers paid to brutalize Freshwater mussels are numerous in Minnesota rivers, but many are dying as a result of warming Water Protectors, to keep a waters from climate change. These mussels were collected along one stretch of river to demonstrate corporation mining tar and the scale of the die off. Divesting from fossil fuel financiers is another way to crippumping dilbit. To ensure that our summer skies will burn with smoke forever into ple the Black Snake, with Chase Bank and Liberty Mutual the future. But most of all, we will carry the freshwater Insurance being two of the largest investors in Enbridge mussels with us. The reach of river where we were camped in the US. In Oregon, public pension funds are being was covered by dead mussels, popped open and gleaming used to fund pipeline work through these same banking white underneath the water, laying everywhere as far as and investment entities, and we can push to follow in the we could see, some that had died so recently that the meat footsteps of our Washington and California neighbors, and insist that our public pension funds are not being included was still floating in the water downstream. Line 3 drilling is largely concluded, but there will be in fossil fuel portfolios. The resistance to Line 3 raises the fundamental question some time before there is dilbit flowing through the pipeline, so there is still time to act. Visit StopLine3.Org for of what kind of future we want to build: are we going to information on how to get involved; there are so many invest billions of dollars into replacing aging fossil fuel inways to be part of this fight! Donating to bail support funds frastructure and doom ourselves and future generations to helps keep Water Protectors able to conduct direct actions burn, or will we instead choose to change that future, and against pipeline construction, and talking with friends and invest in frontline communities and renewable energy to family about the need to move away from fossil fuel energy try and mitigate for the “Code Red” future we are hurtling sources helps raise consciousness about Line 3 resistance. towards? The choice lies with us.

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CTUIR Tribal members spotted at Hermiston Parade

FIRST SADDLE SOLD!

Riding in the Hermiston Parade that took place on Aug. 7 was Pendleton Round-Up Board of Directors member Rob Burnside, above, Randy Minthorn, left, carrying the Flag for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and, Happy Canyon Princesses Mary Rivera and Clair Huesties.

Photos courtesy of Julie Taylor

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Woodrow Starr (middle-left) and his son Richard Starr (middle-right), who operate the CTUIR’s Hamley & Co. saddle shop, pose with a buyer of the first saddle created with the business under CTUIR ownership. Another saddle created by Hamley will be given out to the winner of the Xtreme Bulls Tour champion during Pendleton Round-Up. Courtesy Photo

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September 2021

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September 2021

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