Confederated Umatilla Journal
Publish date MARCH 17, 2020SW
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon
MARCH 2020
COVID-19 REPORT
CTUIR Incident Command Team taking aggressive measures as world wrestles with COVID-19
Continued on page 11
A MESSAGE FROM CHAIRWOMAN BRIGHAM
I
Dionne Bronson waits her turn in line with a basket full of groceries purchased for elders of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Food baskets were delivered to about 50 elder homes on March 14 as the CTUIR responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801
MISSION – Leaders of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are taking aggressive steps to ensure the safety of all residents living on the Reservation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CTUIR efforts will include services for Indians as well as non-Indians who live on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. On Monday, March 16, the A message from Incident CTUIR Board of Trustees Commander (BOT) apChuck Sams proved the appears on use of $1 milPage 2 lion for the Incident Command Team (ICT) in response to the Public Health Emergency it declared March 2. Also on March 16, the BOT, following the direction of the ICT, decided to close the Nixyaawii Governance Center and all tribal government operations during Spring Break, March 23-27, with the exception of personnel performing essential services and the ICT. Further, the BOT sent home employees over the age of 60, and those who are part of the population considered to be vulnerable to COVID-19. Three members of
Together we can do this ’m writing this from my home because I’m older than 60 and I’m following the COVID-19 protocol set by the Tribes’ Incident Command Team. I don’t like it. I’d rather be at work. But at the same time, I know that this is the right thing to do. And I hope our Tribal community understands that we all have to come together now and follow the proper steps so that we can Kat Brigham get through this pandemic. It is a worldwide crisis, but it affects our small piece of the world on our Umatilla Indian Reservation the same way. We are just as susceptible to this coronavirus as the people in Italy. For sure we are as susceptible as our neighbors across the river from us in Washington State. Now is the time for all of us to follow the guidelines set by our Tribes’ Incident Command Team. They are the ones determining what to do based on expert information. At the same time, our own Incident Command Team is making our own decisions for us, the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people. We will get through this by keeping our faith and staying healthy. We will get through this together.
99 things to do while you’re cooped up in the house. Page 6A.
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