Tovey co-chair to Housing Production Advisory Council

Salem, OR – Governor Tina Kotek has appointed J.D. Tovey, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) built annually in Oregon. The HPAC will develop an action plan to meet those new construction targets.

“We are very pleased to see the Governor put J.D. in a position where he can use his experience to make a difference for the whole state,” said Chair Kat Brigham. “We look forward to seeing what the council can accomplish together.”

J.D. Tovey

Planning Director, as the Co-Chair of the Housing Production Advisory Council (HPAC). The decision came after the January Executive Order she signed to establish a production goal of 36,000 new homes

Tovey has served as the Planning Director since 2014. During that time, he played a crucial role in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the CTUIR rollout of the vaccine distribution. He has served in several positions in both the non-profit and forprofit sectors regionally and nationally over the past 25 years. Mr. Tovey holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Washington. He is finishing a Ph.D. in Urban Design & Planning at the University of Washington with a research focus on rural development.

The HPAC will hold a first meeting on Friday, March 10, and is will provide a framework for their action plan by April 1, 2023.

“We are on a fast track to get this work going,” said Tovey. “The council is made up of some the most diverse and respected experts in the field of housing, and it’s an honor to work with them to carry out the ambitious and achievable goals set forth by the Governor.”

With the goal of 36,000 additional housing units annually at all levels of affordability across the state, the plan will need to keep pace with projected population growth. This represents an 80 percent increase over current construction trends and would set Oregon on a path to build 360,000 additional homes over the next decade.

Obituaries

REGINALD R. JOHNSON

March 19, 1948 - March 22, 2023

Reginald R. Johnson, 75 died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at his home. He was born on March 19, 1948 in Pendleton, Oregon. Dressing Ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Burns Mortuary at 3:00 p.m. with Rosary to follow at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Catholic Church with burial to follow at St. Andrews Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of funeral arrangements. A proud Vietnam Veteran and Avid Bookworm, Reginald R Johnson passed away at age 75 in his hometown Pendleton, Oregon. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his immense courage to face life challenges with a smile on his face whenever he saw his family members who came to visit. Despite the pain, Reggie remained a hero and stayed strong until the end and was surrounded by his loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to their fullest and keeping their love for each other going for generations.

Reggie was born on March 19th 1948 to Amy Minthorn-Johnson and Joseph Johnson in Pendleton OR, “The Real West” town. He graduated from Pendleton High School, and he was then drafted to the Vietnam War serving in the 101st Airborne Division. After his service, he returned to Pendleton OR for a short time pursuing his college education at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande Oregon. He then was transferred to Marylhurst University in Portland Oregon. Later on, he met his wife Margaret Johnson and settled down in Portland as a permanent resident.

Reggie’s pride was vast attaining knowledge in a variety of different areas book wise and culturally. He shared his passion for learning with many different people and children for years at NAYA (Native American Youth Association), by teaching them dancing, singing, and beadworking.

Reggie enjoyed the simple pleasures life had to offer (Burgers and fries included). He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to travel to different states to participate at Pow-wows to sing and dance in different styles. Whenever he was home, he was often found sitting at his desk wearing his Washington Redskin T-shirt and reading glasses working on projects that involved drum making, beadworking and even crafting head-roaches that he would wear with pride. His social personality and love for knowledge was very contagious to anyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Johnson and siblings Janet Johnson-Singh and Stanley Johnson. Reggie is predeceased by his parents, Amy Minthorn-Johnson, Joseph Johnson and his siblings Mark Johnson, Gwendolyn Johnson-Klatush, and Joseph C (Little Joe) Johnson.

Marion A. Kipp, 73 died on Monday, March 20, 2023 at his home. He was born on March 27, 1949 in Pendleton, Oregon. Dressing Ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Agency Longhouse at 2:00 p.m. Services start at 6:00 p.m. at the Longhouse with Washat Service at 7:00 p.m. Final Seven at 7:00 a.m. at the Longhouse on Friday, March 24, 2023 with burial at Tutuilla Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of funeral arrangements. Please visit our online guestbook and share a memory at www.burnsmortuary.com

DR. RON J. POND

Dec. 6, 1929 - March 23, 2023

Dr. Ron J. Pond died on the evening of March 23, 2023. His first Indian Name was Qwai it suum and his adult name was It qwai twiin He was named after the late Chief Willie Wocatsie. His birth was delivered by an Indian mid-wife in the upper McKay creek area, on December 6, 1929. He was a Pendleton Buckaroo graduate. He played the saxophone and graduated from Haskell Indian Junior College of Lawrence, KS. His endeavors included Teaching Certificate from Eastern Oregon State College in LaGrande, OR. He took his education further to Oregon State University of Corvallis, Or, where he excelled in Anthropology and Native Studies with a focus on preservation of the Eagle when it was going into extinction. He hoped to continue his studies and earned the Dawly Award and was called to Washington State University, in Pullman, WA. Through the years he earned two Life Time Achievement A wards from Eastern Oregon University and Washington State University. In 1988, he spearheaded a Memorandum of Understanding between 9 Indian tribes and 15 colleges and University here in the Northwest. He believed in Indian Culture and in the pursuit of excellence in Higher Education. His graduated from WSU with a PHD in Interdisciplinary Studies; Anthropology, Archeology and Music.

He was a member of the big drum, both the Umatilla Studs and Pah-loots-pu.

He married his high school sweetheart, Anna Jane Wilkinson, the whip woman of this confederated tribes. His sons were Amos, Punky, Ross and Mitch and one daughter, Lona Pond. He was preceded in death by a daughter and a son, his wife, Punky and Mitchell. His parents were Inez Wocatsie and Walter Gene Pond. He descends from the late; Tom Pond, Chief Amos Pond, Chief Poker Jim, Chief Willie Wocatsie, Chief Raymond Burke and now Chief Gary Burke who is the current Chief of the Confederated tribes. His grandchildren are; Monica Paradise, Chrystal Pond-Kirkie, Boots Pond and his wife Alexa and Wacody Pond. His grandson James Teller Pond preceded him in death.

He was an only son and could not enlist into the armed services, thereafter he went on to become the first Indian Smokejumper of McCall, ID. His first smoke jump was in the Seven Devils of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

He was proud to be a participant in the Pendleton Round-up and Happy Canyon and camped yearly in the Indian Village, for 82 yrs. In the !960’s and 70’s, both him, his wife and the late John Williams were instrumental in bringing forth the Tribal Police Department, the Indian Health Service and the Indian Market Place to promote Indian Awareness during the Height of the Civil Rights Movement. He became only the second Tribal Policeman among the tribes following the late uncle Isaac Patrick, who was a Sheriff.

He was an exceptional Fisherman and Hunter, Root gatherer and sought out Indian medicinal herbs. He fought numerous battles in court for Fishing and Hunting Rights. His most notable case was the Sohappy case of Washington, a stand for Indian Treaty Rights. He believed that if you sell the Fish, Deer, Roots and Berries, it is and no longer will be, Sacred.

Roxanne T. Woodruff July 14, 1948 – January 5, 2023, Memorial Mass held February 18, 2023 at the Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon. Graveside Service to be held in July, 2023 – date to be determined at Sacred Heart/St. Louis Parrish in Gervais, Oregon.

Thank You

BMCC Powwow

Kʷałanáwašamataš: We would like to thank everyone who supported and attended the BMCC Powwow. Special thanks to Fred Hill Táwtalikš for being MC; including CTUIR Education Department, CTUIR DCFS, BMCC Arts and Culture Committee, BMCC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Special thanks to BMCC President--Mark Browning, BMCC IT Technician --Mark Saunders, BMCC Athletic Director--Brad Baker, and our judges: Brandie Weaskus, Annie Kirk, Buffy Hines, Cece Stanger, Lawanda Bronson, Lori Templin, Josephine Penney, Boots Pond, Ron Smith, Sky Smith, Wind Eagleheart, and Charles Wood III. Special thanks to our flag bearers Jim Roberts and Elijah Jamison-Bauer. Thank you to our powwow volunteers Kim Minthorn, Mollee Minthorn, Dallas Dick, Randy Dick, Terry Dick, and Daniel Dick, Tony Greene, Diamond Greene, and Sandra Craig. Thank you to all our dancers and drummers. We especially would like to thank all tiny tot dancers, youth dancers, and youth singers: ƛáax̣ʷ miyánašma pawá átaw “Every Child Matters.”

Thank you to all door prize donors: CTUIR DCFS, CTUIR Voc. Rehab, CTUIR HR, CTUIR General Council, BMCC athletics, Kym Browning, Ki Russell, Shaindel Beers, The Saddle, Round Up Athletic Club, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Ruby’s Indian Crafts and Supplies, Waterlily Botanicals, Ellen Taylor, DG Gifts, Cayuse Holdings, Moe Pho, Mission Inflatables, Roosters, Hines Meat, Bluehawk Beads, Dionne Bronson/Aunties/Uncles, Charles Wood III, Great Pacific, and many others. Thank you to the powwow vendors for setting up. Thank you!

Sincerely, BMCC Native Club

Thank you for supporting Diego Romo

Thank you to all who were able to donate for the fundraiser we had on 1/16/23 for our nephew’s travel to Spain this spring for his soccer abilities. He appreciates the support. His name is Diego Romo, he is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. He has recently been accepted into a ROTC program in Florida. We are just so proud! Again, thank you.

Adolph Laso, Wenona Scott