Alumni games raise funds for Nixyaawii basketball teams

Submitted by Mariah Watchman

Photos by Dallas Dick

This year the Nixyaawii Alumni Fundraiser Basketball games were held Monday February 20th, 2023 at the Nixyaawii Community High School. Two men’s games and one women’s game were played and comprised of players from near the beginning of Nixyaawii ball history.

Fundraising activities included a PopShot, a Half Court 50/50, a donation jar in place of admission fee at the front doors, and Little Caesars pizza & pop concessions. The Alumni games raised $901.74, which was donated to the current Nixyaawii Basketball Teams travel fund for state! The name drawn for the half-court shot was Sarah Picard, who designated Landan Picard to shoot her shot, and to the whole gyms delight, he made it! Instead of taking the funds earned, Sarah donated the money back to the teams.

Boots Pond donated two duffle bag awards to individuals with the “Most Points” and for 2023 that was Clinton Case with 29 points in his game, and Lark Moses who scored 22 points for the alumni ladies! We gave away 3 “Super Fan” awards to Arleta Sampson, Dean Fouquette, who both received custom t-shirts, and a basketball trophy signed by many of the players was given to Sally Kosey.

Organizers recognized there are so many individuals in the community who are Nixyaawii Super Fans and your support over all these years is beyond appreciated.

Many thanks go out to JJ Bell, Lindsey Watchman, and Nick Eastwood for volunteering to referee the ball games. Thank you to Anson Crane, Kelsey Burns and KCUW who live streamed the games, which can be found on YouTube under the KCUW subscription page. Thank you to the current boys & girls high school players who helped with activities throughout the games. Thank you to Boots Pond for the collaboration on another great ball event. Thanks to Jacintha Stanley and helpers for running concessions. Thank you to Dallas Dick for capturing images. Thank you to all the men and women alumni who played, had some laughs, and showed some hustle! Thank you to our community members who showed up to watch and support our past and present players and to all those who donated.

Until next year Alumni!

Applications for Native American Environmental Awareness

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) is accepting applications for the National Native American Environmental Awareness Summer Youth Practicum (SYP), designed to provide Native American students (incoming 10th – 12th grade) an opportunity to gain hands-on and in-lecture experience in the interdisciplinary components of natural resource management and Indigenous knowledge.

This free, week-long practicum will take place from July 15 - July 22, 2023 at Colorado State University Mountain Campus, Colorado.

Questions and requests for additional information can be directed to Ashley Mueller, Education Coordinator, at amueller@nafws. org or call 303-466-1725 ext. 4.

and Washington agency representatives along with Umatilla and Walla Walla river irrigators at the Slickfork Saloon in Pendleton March 10.

It was a list of who’s who when Eric Quaempts, director of the CTUIR Depatment of Natural Resources, talked about the people James worked with over the years. Among those that were involved with the fisheries program were Kat Brigham, Jay Minthorn, Kenneth Bill, Bob Williams, Percy Brigham, Rod Cowapoo, Elsie Farrow, and Frenchie Halfmoon.

James led an often-times uphill battle in the CTUIR’s efforts to restore salmon and their habitat back to the Umatilla.

“He always supported collaboration and built relationships that are necessary to address the long-term and complex issues that have led over time to the over-appropriations of rivers, diminishments of in-stream flows and fish, loss of habitat quality, and consequent losses of Treaty fishing, that require collaborative solutions.”

Salmon smolts were reintroduced to the Umatilla River in 1983 and the first return of adult salmon came in 1985, nearly 70 years after they had been extripated.

Three Chinook salmon reutrned to the Umtilla in 1986 and two years later the first coho returned.

James was also involved in the CTUIR’s progressive restoration of Pacific lamprey throughout the Columbia Basin, including the Umatilla, Walla Walla and Grande Ronde rivers. Lamprey were harvested by tribal fishers in the Umatilla River in 2018.

In 2021, the Tribes’ Walla Walla Hatchery was completed with the first release of chinook salmon in 2022.

During James tenure the Fisheries Program grew to some 70 employees, providing career development for many tribal members.

James, Quaempts said, “always supported opportunities for young professionals to grow in their responsibilities and work skills, and that changes lives too.”

Several others made remarks during James’ retirement celebration.

Said Quaempts, “The impact on generations of tribal members is significant, and Gary’s career arc spans a time when community members experienced an absence of salmon, those who saw recovery of fishing opportunity, and those who have always known fishing opportunities in their young lives.”

Halfmoon, Malcom Toastmaster Winners at Area Speech Contest

Press Release

Toastmasters International, Region 1, District 9, is happy to announce Mary Halfmoon as the Second Place Winner in the International Speech contest held March 18, 2023. Mary is a resident of Pendleton OR. She is retired, and a member of the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters Club, where she has held several offices. Her interests include basket weaving, making necklaces, writing, and family time. Her winning speech is entitled “A Tale of Two Wolves”

We are pleased to recognize Mary’s achievement as the result of hard work and perseverance. And this success is just a steppingstone, as it makes her eligible to compete in advanced contests

Title VI Youth Services Program

Important Dates:

APRIL

APRIL

This to be held later this spring. Please join us in wishing her well in her continued efforts.

Toastmasters International, Region 1, District 9, is happy to announce Karen Malcom as the Second Place Winner in the Speech Evaluation contest held March 18, 2023. Karen is a resident of Pendleton OR. She is a member of the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters Club and has held a number of offices for Toastmasters in the District. Her other interests include Steven King novels and Emperor Penguins.

We are pleased to recognize Karen’s achievement as the result of hard work and perseverance. And this success is just a steppingstone, as it makes her eligible to compete in advanced contests to be held later this spring.

Each winner receives $20,000 to fund their business.

To qualify: You must have at least $10,000 available to you to invest in your new business.

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 A will makes your intentions clear to your heirs.