Trayton Bale rushes Moses Moses at the Youth Summit at an attempt to take his hankerchief during one of the many games played at the two day event. For story and photos see page 3A.
Cayuse Chief Jessie Jones speaks at the CTUIR Elders C h r i s t m a s Luncheon in Dec. See page 4A for more photos and story.
A driver looks out the windshield of a car driving through plowed snow drifts on Cayuse Road on Dec. 19.
Photo by Deb Croswell
Photo by Jill-Marie Gavin
Confederated Umatilla Journal
2 Sections, 52 pages / Publish date Jan. 5 2017
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon January 2017
Secretary candidates differ on CUJ questions
Section
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Volume 25, Issue 1
Happy New Year
By the CUJ MISSION – Voters on the Umatilla Indian Reservation will have six candidates to choose from when they go to the polls Feb. 7 to choose a replacement for the position of Secretary for the Board of Trustees on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. One of them will fill the vacancy left when David Close was recalled in October of 2016. The position will be up for election with the rest of the Board of Trustees members in November of this year. Candidates include two who have previously served on the Board of Trustees, one currently serving in a write-in position, two that have tried but not been elected, and one who has never before thrown her hat in the ring. Jiselle Halfmoon currently is serving as secretary of the General Council after voters responded to her brief “write-in” campaign. N. Kathryn “Kat” Brigham, who served 10 years as Secretary, gave up the position last year to run unsuccessfully for BOT chairman. David Wolf, a 25-year employee in the CTUIR fisheries program, served on the BOT in the mid-1980’s. Leila Spencer and Lawanda Bronson
The color of Christmas brightened the Mission Longhouse Dec. 23 and 24 when young and old gathered for the annual pow-wow on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The children are Cashis Bevis, grass dancer on left; Abi Kordatzky, front with the Hello Kitty regalia; Elizabeth Bevis in purple jingle dress; and Alex Allen being held by sister Olivia Allen. The girl in the background is Elsie Wilson and on the right, with the red fancy dance outfit and the big smile, is Gracie Wilson.
Secretary candidates Page 16A
More Schimmels Mick Schimmel is the newest member of the Nixyaawii Golden Eagle boys’ basketball team, which has seen much improvement since he’s joined the squad. Schimmel is a freshman and already the team’s leading scorer. His sister, Milan, has joined the girls’ squad. For more about the team turn to Page 1B. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801
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CUJ News Ancient One coming home, eventually By the CUJ and the Associated Press
MISSION – Armand Minthorn and Aaron Ashley can’t understand what’s taking so long for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release the remains of the Ancient One, aka Kennewick Man, for reburial. Minthorn and Ashley, members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, represent one of five tribes from Oregon and Washington that will receive the remains of one of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America. President Barack Obama signed a bill Dec. 19 with a provision requiring the ancient bones be returned to tribes within 90 days. But the two CTUIR leaders are frustrated. The five tribes will meet in Richland, Washington, on Jan. 13, with Corps of Engineers Major General Scott Spellman to talk about repatriation of the Ancient One. “We want to know what’s the reason they’re holding things up. Is it out of spite? We could have had him buried before the new year,” said Ashley, chairman of the CTUIR Natural Resources Committee. According to the bill signed by Obama, the ancestral remains may not be returned until sometime in March. “We just can’t understand why,” said Minthorn, who has served nine years on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Advisory Board. He served as chairman for four years and still has three more years on a current four year term. “It’s a simple transfer. We’re being patient but we’ll continue to put pressure on our legislative people to put pressure on Corps headquarters.” Experts estimate the remains found in 1996 on federal land near the Columbia River are at least 8,400 years old. The discovery triggered a lengthy legal fight be-
CUJ photo/Wil Phinney
Snow days
Joe “The Boss” Ball shoves snowdrifts off Emigrant Road near Kash Kash Road in late December after the skies dumped about 10 inches of the white stuff across the region. The snow shut down schools and businesses, including the government of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Below, a car passes a grader pushing drifts along Cayuse Road.
CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
Continued from page 19A
Confederated Umatilla Journal
46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 Phone 541-429-7005
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
CUJ News
The newly elected CTUIR Youth Council and Members at Large for 2017 are, from left, Magi Moses, Moses Moses, Tahner Bates, Megan Van Pelt, Vincent Sheoships, Lark Moses, Kylie MountainChief, and No’alani Malumaleumu. Missing from the photo is Kaeleh Hall.
Youth Council elects new officers By Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ
MISSION – A new group of young Native Americans was elected Dec. 28 for the 2017 Youth Leadership Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The election took place on the second day of a Youth Summit at the Nixyaawii Governance Center. Officers elected included Vincent Sheoships chair, Megan Van Pelt vice chair, Lark Moses secretary, and Kylie MountainChief treasurer. Two dozen young people attended the second day of events with 13 drafted as candidates. In addition to the officers, elected as at-large members were Magi Moses and Moses Moses from Sunridge Middle School; Tahner Bates from Pilot Rock High School; No’alani Malumaleumu from Pendleton High School and Kaeleh Hall from Weston-McEwen High School in Athena. “We are incredibly proud of our newly elected CTUIR Youth Leadership Council members and look forward to all the great things we know they will accomplish,” said Julie Taylor, Director of the Department of Children and Family Services for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which hosted the summit. “We are also so deeply grateful for our outgoing youth council members and we wish them the best in all their endeavors.” Lennox Lewis, outgoing chair, said, “These recent years have been eye-opening and have given me belief that progress is still very much possible within our youth and community. I believe what our outgoing members have done is great and opened many doors,
‘It hasn’t been easy. There have been good days, bad days and ugly days, but that’s what life is all about … for us to be where we are, it took a lot of hard work.’
- Shoni Schimmel, who spoke with her sister Jude
but our incoming members are going to achieve much more.” Perhaps the highlight of the two-day summit was the remarks from icons Shoni and Jude Schimmel. Shoni plays for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association and is featured in a documentary film called “Off the Rez” that focuses on her life as a 16-year-old basketball player trying to make it in Portland, Oregon. Her sister Jude is the author of “Dream Catcher”, an autobiography that speaks about her life growing up on a reservation, and what it took to succeed in the “real world” outside of reservation life, according to her website judeschimmel.com. “We’re really glad to finally speak to people close to home,” Jude told the students and adults. “We really are just like you and hope that you can relate to us.” The two Schimmel sisters spoke about their life growing up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and having their parents move them to Portland in spite of their reluctance to go. Shoni explained how the night before
Listening and giggling to the Schimmel sisters talk about their life during the Dec. 2016 Youth Summit are, from left, Zech Cyr, Vincent Sheoships, Megan Vanpelt, Tahner Bates, Jude Schimmel, and Shoni Schimmel. Sitting behind the group listening to the lecture is Kyle McGuire, General Council Vice Chairman of the CTUIR.
January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
she and Jude were crying because they didn’t want to leave the reservation, but that now when they look back, they believe it was a good decision that helped prepare them for their future. Shoni told her story about how she started playing basketball at the age of four in the annual “Basketball Against Drugs and Alcohol” tournament and how at the age of seven she decided she wanted to play in the WNBA. She explained how she really didn’t enjoy school at first, but knew that she had to get certain grades to stay in the sport and that eventually she realized its importance to being accepted into college. “It should be important to you guys … learn as much as you can because people give you respect for that,” said Shoni. Jude talked about overcoming other peoples’ expectations and how one can accomplish anything as long as they’re focused and willing to put in the work. She explained how people would tell her she was too small to play professional basketball or not smart enough to skip a grade in high school, and how she used their negativity as fuel to accomplish her goals. “If I wasn’t playing for my parents, I sat on the bench … but even when I didn’t play I kept a positive attitude,” said Jude who is a candidate to play professional basketball in Spain. “People are not going to hand you anything … We’re Native American, we’re the minority. You have to fight for what you want.” “It hasn’t been easy,” said Shoni. “There have been good days, bad days and ugly days, but that’s what life is all about … for us to be where we are, it took a lot of hard work.” After the sisters spoke, they had students tell them what a goal is in their life and how they will go about achieving it. Many students mentioned that they wanted to go off to college and that they would focus on their schooling to make their dreams possible. Other students had dreams such as becoming a singer or a boxer and said they would continue to practice hard, be proactive and keep positive. “The Youth council changed my outlook on life, how I view others and my community,” said newly elected Vice Chair Megan Van Pelt. “This committee of youth contributes and leads the coming generation into a more responsible and outspoken society.”
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CUJ News
In the photo above are the 2017-2019 Nicht-Yow-Way Elders Advisory Committee that include, from left, Alan Crawford, Lorena Thompson, Adele Guyer, and Roberta Kipp. At left are the winners of the karaoke contest that include Sis Moses, who is holding the microphone, her daughter CeCe Moses, who is standing behind her, and friend Teresa Crane to the right.
225 CTUIR Elders enjoy Christmas Luncheon By Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ
MISSION – More than 225 elders from throughout the Northwest attended the Elders Christmas Luncheon in December at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The morning began with a continental breakfast and opening remarks from Alan Crawford, General Council Chairman for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The Nicht-Yow-Way Elders Advisory Committee gave its year-end report and each retiring member was given an opportunity to make comments as their terms came to an end. “Let’s not shut the door to each other, but let’s keep it open,” said Rita ‘Tweety’ Maldonado, who was expressing the importance of each community member connecting with one another. “Being here today is a way we can do that.” Cayuse Chief Jessie Jones welcomed everyone and thanked them for being there despite the “15 inches of snow” that some local areas received.
Community member Antone Minthorn spoke of the Bannock and Cayuse War. He said that part of the battle was fought on the hill near Shortmile Road by the railroad tracks and he asked if a historical sign could be posted in that area for people to remember the history. Some elders expressed that the year of 2016 was very difficult because of the loss of many relatives and friends. “What sticks in my mind for 2016 was my sister leaving us,” said Helen Morrison. Gale and Brenda Shippentower expressed their sadness for losing two loved ones. “It’s been a bad year,” said Gale, “I hope it gets better.” With 2016 almost behind them, Christmas was a subject that brought good memories. “I look forward to the family time, the Christmas meal, and all the little kids,” said Morrison. “Seeing all the people that came a long way to visit … enjoying the laughter, warmness, love, and kindness ...”
was what Gale Shippentower was anticipating. The luncheon was put on by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of the CTUIR. Background music was provided by Anson Crane who also had karaoke set up on the main stage. Many elders got up to sing songs such as the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Outside of the event were several vendors, including Jude Schimmel who was selling her book “Dream Catcher” and Ellen Taylor who was selling prints of her artwork as well as a Medicine Man Shirt in which the proceeds went to the “Julie Taylor Cancer Awareness Fund.” Julie is the Director of DCFS and is the sister to Ellen. Lunch was served and 50 door prizes were handed out throughout the day. Two new committee members were selected to serve, Lorena Thompson and Adele Guyer. The 2017-2019 Nicht-Yow-Way Elders Advisory Committee members are Alan Crawford, Roberta Kipp, Guyer, and Thompson.
In the left photo holding a present he won in the raffle at the Elders Christmas Luncheon is Gale Shippentower.
During lunch, Head Start students from the CTUIR After School Program walked around the room greeting all the elders. To the right, with a braid in her hair, is Shahala Hughes with Ela Morrison who are shaking hands with elder Gloria Williams .
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
CUJ News Spencer selected for ‘Discover’ training
Wolf crew ‘goes to buffalo’ in Montana It was a successful hunt in Gardner, Montana, for Aiden Wolf, Jeremy Wolf, Isaac Bearchum, Adrienne Wolf and David Wolf, and (not pictured: Bruce Bearchum and Jason Bearchum), who took a total of six bison as the year came to an end. A portion of the meat will be donated to the Fish & Wildlife Commission for ceremonial and subsistance use. Several other members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will also take part in the annual buffalo hunt in the coming months. The Wolf group was the first from the CTUIR to “go to buffalo.”
Sager starts new court manager post
Kelly Sager
MISSION - Kelly J. Sager, currently Attorney/ Director of the Office of Child Support Enforcement for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has accepted the newly created position of Judicial Assistant/ Court Director, according to Tribal Court Judge Bill Johnson. This new position is necessitated by the demands of the Court’s expanding responsibilities under the federal Violence Against Women Act and Tribal Law and Order Act, and the Court’s recent designation as an authorized participant with the National
Crime Information Center. Sager, an attorney with “distinguished courtroom and management experience, is a much valued addition to the Court”, said Judge Johnson. “She will enhance the Court’s ongoing mission to provide highly professional and efficient criminal and civil judicial services to Tribal members and the community-at-large and maintain and advance the high standard of administration of justice that the Court has established,” Johnson said in a statement. Sager assumed her new role on Jan. 3.
Three tribal officers graduate SALEM, Oregon – Two police officers who will serve in this area recently graduated from the Basic Police Academy in Salem. They are Officer Markus Williams for the Umatilla Tribal Police Department and Travis McMasters for the Pendleton Police Department. They have completed a 16-week course in dozens of training areas including survival skills, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, ethics, cultural diversity, problem solving, community policing, elder abuse and drug recognition. It is the 362nd class
January 2017
to graduate from the academy. The officers will return to their home departments for field training. Williams was one of three recruits recently hired by the Tribal Police. The other two, William Lyle and Samuel Williamson, attended the basic police academy just ahead of Williams. “We felt they were all three excellent hires,” said Tribal Police Chief Tim Addleman. Lyle and Williamson, Chief Addleman said, performed exceptionally at the basic police academy and Williams
followed suit. Police Chief Stuart Roberts hired McMasters in July, which enabled him to begin the mandatory field training. The chief said the rookie’s presence will help at the short-staffed department. “We’ve been limping along for a heck of a long time,” he said. “We’ve had as many as five or six vacancies at any one time. With having McMasters back and getting him through his field training, it will help alleviate some of those pressures.”
Confederated Umatilla Journal
MISSION - Briana Spencer, Helpdesk Support Representative in the Department of Information Technology, has been selected as the first tribal member participant for the Discover training program offered by the Pamáwaluukt Empower Program. Discover is a management/supervisor experience program designed to enhance the operational knowledge of management for current tribal member employees who are interested in advancing into management Briana Spencer positions, according to Kathryn Burke, Director of Human Resources for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. As the first participant in the management-experience program, Spencer will learn personnel policies, annual work plans, budgets, administrative processes, and challenges related to management. Spencer will work two weeks each month from January through June undergoing coaching, mentoring and job shadowing to help her understand the functions and challenges of each of the program she experiences. Spencer said she wants to cultivate the mission of the Empowerment Program to instill positive attributes, effective communication, encourage cooperation, foster commitment and self-esteem, and work to achieve common goals. “It is vital to measure the impact of a positive and supportive attitude to our community, Tribal programs and employees,” Spencer said in an email. The Discover program not only encourages tribal members to achieve higher personal goals, it helps the CTUIR accomplish future goals as a tribal entity. “By investing in our people through experimental management experience,” Burke said in an email, “we are also investing in the future for potential growth and success of future leadership. “This has been in the works for the last couple of years with the Empower Committee and I am very happy to say we were able to secure funding and start investing in our people, who are our most important resource in order for us to maintain not only our treaty rights and sovereignty through our governance, but to forecast ahead to the future so we can begin to develop success planning for key positions within our tribal government structure.” The Board of Trustees, the tribal governing body, approved a budget to support the Discover training program, which is modeled after a supervisor training program at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.
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CUJ Editorials Open letter to the President-Elect Trump
P
resident Trump, American Indians are anxious to learn how you plan to govern and lead the United States. We are equally eager to find out how you plan to honor our treaties and executive orders. Treaties between sovereigns are the “supreme law of the land,” according to the U.S. Constitution. Even so, you will quickly learn that the contracts between American Indian tribes and the U.S. have regularly been violated or broken. As a businessperson, who is well-accustomed to contract law, you will readily see the violations and ask, “How can we fulfill our obligations?” It has been widely reported in the national media how you have withheld payment from contractors who, as you have proclaimed, have done shoddy work or have not fulfilled their contractual obligations. Perhaps, you will be empathetic and see how we may need to start reclaiming our lands and rights because of the federal government’s inability to meet contractual obligations? The U.S. is obligated to ensure we have adequate funding for health care, treaty rights protection, social services, and economic development. We made a trade our lands for these services in perpetuity. We have learned that your Native American Coalition met with over 200 Tribal leaders and Tribal
lobbyists in Washington, D.C. this past December. It was refreshing to hear that your committee members came to the meeting with an open agenda and with lots of questions on how your incoming Administration can better work with Tribal nations. Of course, first on our list is our deep desire that your Administration respects the sovereignty of our Tribal nations. To that end, we look forward to stronger and better dialogue and consultation on national projects that run on and near our lands, especially those lands where we still hold rights under treaty. We are hopeful that your Administration will continue to hold annual Tribal Nations summits and that the White House Council on Native American Affairs will continue its work in improving our nation-to-nation relationships. Mr. Trump, we have always believed that America is Great. We are the first Peoples of this land. The land and waters provide sustenance and resources, which must be protected, preserved and enhanced not only for our People, but also for all the American people. Together we all make America. We look forward to forging a stronger relationship with your Administration and you directly. ~ CFS III
Of course, first on our list is our deep desire that your Administration respects the sovereignty of our Tribal nations. To that end, we look forward to stronger and better dialogue and consultation on national projects that run on and near our lands, especially those lands where we still hold rights under treaty.
CUJ: The good, the bad, the ugly We recognize there is a lot of positive news in our community, but there are also issues that are bad or ugly. We report on all these things to bring attention to matters that are important to our community.
Letter to the editor
CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal
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T
he CUJ works very hard to cover all aspects of the news that happens here, in, and around our homelands. We work to keep Tribal members informed about their government and community at large. We recognize we may make errors from time to time and we will work to correct our mistakes. The staff adheres to general standards and a code of ethics as journalists. We seek truth and report it. Minimize harm to our sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public. Act independently to ensure we serve the public. Be accountable and transparent to build and maintain trust in our community. The CUJ staff must balance news content, advertisements, announcements, and public notices in a paper that ranges from forty-eight to fifty-six pages a month. Not every story, article, opinion-editorial, or letter to the editor is published due to space and verification of facts. At times, a story may be car-
ried over to the next month, though since we only publish monthly a story may turn stale or become too old to report on in a timely manner, thus it may not be published. We appreciate the story leads we receive from community members. We also appreciate your letters to the editor. The CUJ staff strives to deliver quality content and news. The CUJ staff work hard to fulfill our obligation to you by providing information that is factual and truthful. We recognize there is a lot of positive news in our community, but there are also issues that are bad or ugly. We report on all these things to bring attention to matters that are important to our community. A strongly educated and enlightened community makes us all stronger. Thank you for your readership and please, continue to provide us story leads and information. ~ CFS III
To the Editor: Linda Sampson’s piece on her visit to the Dakota Access Pipeline site in the December “CUJ” was about the most beautiful, descriptive and inspiring writing I have ever read in my 12 years as volunteer distributor for the paper in Union and Wallowa counties.
Linda’s article and Chuck Sams III’s two editorials make me proud to be associated in my small way with the newspaper and the CTUIR. Happy New Year. Mike Rosenbaum La Grande, OR
46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 541-429-7005 FAX 541-429-7005 e-mail: cuj@ctuir.org www.ctuir.org
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January 2017
White Christmas
A single house surrounded by naked trees stands alone along Mann Road near Cayuse just before Christmas Day when several inches of snow blanketed the Blue Mountains. At Mission, about 10 inches fell but was mostly melted by the holiday. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
CUJ Op-Ed/Columns Standing Rock prepared us for the Trump era By Mark Trahant
I
t’s easy for me to dismiss 2016 as a horrible year. There have been eight years of relative progress on issues I care about, from the climate to equality. The election reversed that. Big Oil is now in charge of the environment, a senator with a history of hate is now in charge of the Justice Department, and the new government seems to be of the billionaires, for the billionaires, and by the billionaires. Annus horribilis. The Latin phrase for horrible year rings hollow when you think about the events of this year and the Lakota phrase mni wiconi. Water is life. Make no mistake: Year 2016 is an inspirational and historic moment. Standing Rock is no longer just a geographic location but words that call each of us to do more. Standing Rock is a reminder that people standing together can do amazing things when facing injustice. Mni wiconi. Think about the ways we have been seduced by our own progress. In September, for example, President Barack Obama praised the Paris Agreement on climate change and called it “the single best chance that we have to deal with a problem that could end up transforming this planet in a way that makes it very difficult for us to deal with all the other challenges that we may face.” Lofty words. Yet the actual government actions to implement those words have been, at best, limited. Baby steps. Imagine a framework that starts with the promise
January 2017
of Paris and then builds decisions based on that. In that scenario there would have been no debate about the Dakota Access pipeline because we wouldn’t need it. But at least for the next four years, the government will be the adversary. The entire apparatus of state will look more like the Morton County Sheriff’s office than our ally. We will all face water cannons rather than comforting language. But we can be clear about the challenges ahead knowing that the government is absolutely wrong about the very nature of the problem. So what does our nation’s Standing Rock moment look like? In some ways it’s already unfolding. The BP Statistical Review, an energy industry outlook, reports that carbon emissions in 2015 already showed “the lowest growth in emissions in nearly a quarter of a century, other than in the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis.” Similar data show we are driving fewer miles and there is steady growth in renewable energy sources. And there’s this tell: The amount of capital that’s being invested in clean energy development, $328 billion, is the most ever. Federal processes will delay the Dakota Access pipeline beyond its promised January 2017 operational target date, and litigation with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe could delay the project for many more months. And every day, every week, and every month of delay makes the Dakota Access Pipeline less compelling from a financial point of view. Oil production in the Bakken region was down in
Confederated Umatilla Journal
2016 by some 13,000 barrels a day. The oil industry hopes that the new Trump administration will change that and flip the switch that brings back consumption. In fact, oil companies, as well as the state of North Dakota, cling to the idea that oil production will magically double to around 2 million barrels a day. And that idea is bolstered by upticks in oil prices, new well production, and more drilling. But the opposite is possible. We can continue to shrink our oil appetites. We can set Standing Rock as the framework for consumption. This is one way to challenge the oil uber alles mentality of the Trump administration. We walk. We adjust the temperature in our houses. We measure our own carbon consumption with the goal of reducing it by 20 percent or more. Standing Rock captured our imagination. And while it was only one battle, the tribe and its allies showed the world how to defeat powerful forces. Now the larger test is making further oil production irrelevant. Mni wiconi. And in 2017, that means we pick up the fight in new ways. Mark Trahant is an independent journalist and a journalism professor at the University of North Dakota. He’s a member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. His most recent project is TrahantReports.com. He is a contributing editor at YES! Follow him on Twitter at @TrahantReports. Trahant’s column appeared in YES! Magazine (yesmagazine.org).
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CUJ Almanac Career Opportunitites
Death Notice Loretta Joyce Braden
1. Fisheries Habitat Biologist I 2. Nutrition Services Provider 3. Surveillance Operator 4. Security/Senior Network Administrator 5. Archaeologist 6. Teacher 7. Equipment Operator I 8. Fuels Specialist 9. On-Call Public Transit Bus Driver & Dispatch 10. Public Transit Bus Driver 11. Animal Control Officer 12. Computer Support Tech.II/Helpdesk Lead 13. Water Resource Technician 14. TERO Assistant For more information visit: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Att: Office of Human Resources Online 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 http://ctuir.org
Feb. 26, 1932 - Dec. 20, 2016
Loretta Joyce Braden was born Feb. 26, 1937 and died Dec. 20, 2016. The funeral was held in Toppenish, Wash. on Dec. 26-27. The Rosary was held at the Colonial Funeral Home. Mass was held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church and burial was held at Elmwood Cemetary.
Ranita Sue Jones
Oct. 31, 1975 - Nov. 13, 2016 Ranita Sue Jones was born Oct. 31, 1975 and died Nov. 13, 2016. The Funeral was held in Mission on Nov. 1617. The dressing ceremony was held at the Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, the washat services and final seven were at the Longhouse. The burial was held at the Agency Cemetery. An online condolence book can be held at www.BurnsMortuary.com.
ATTENTION
The CTUIR Housing Department is conducting a survey to help improve communications and customer service. The survey will be available both in hardcopy at the Housing Department office and on-line at ctuir.org from January 6 -31. Please take the time to fill out the survey. Your feedback in greatly appreciated.
Jobs Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Human Resources Assistant Regular Full-Time, Compensation $40,673 - $54,726 annually DOQ. This position is located in Portland, OR. Closing date is February 17, 2017. The HR Assistant will work under the direction of the Human Resources Manager, the HR Assistant (Administrative) will provide day-to-day assistance to the HR Manager and to employees regarding recruitment and placement, classification, benefits coordination and new employee actions. Essential functions may include: Provide and prepare vacancy announcements. Analyze duties and responsibilities of position using a variety of methods and approaches; evaluates and clarifies job according to their common characteristic of work. Assists the HR Manager with developing job analysis and determining position’s workers compensation codes and classification. Provide assistance with benefits administration, compensation, performance evaluation and other HR activities and duties as assigned. Job requirements minimum of three years specialized experience working directly with basic principles and practices, HR Certification preferred, General knowledge of tribal and federal employment laws and regulations, Effective oral and written communication skills, and a proven high level of confidentiality. Fishery Technician II (3 positions) Fulltime, temporary (no benefits), Compensation $15.78 to $16.83 per hour DOQ. This position is located in Portland, OR. Closing date is February 3, 2017. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission assists four tribes in the comanagement of their treaty rights within the Columbia River Basin. The position offered is associated with the Commission’s Fish Science Department. The production research group is engaged in several research projects designed to investigate salmon and steelhead limiting factors which include predation. For the last decade sea lion presence and consumption of salmon near Bonneville dam has been increasing and our research program is designed to assist managers in reducing sea lion occurrence near the dam along with investigating sea lion abundance and predation rates. The duration of this position is limited to three and a half months. Essential job functions may include filed intensive project that is primarily conducted aboard a boat working in inclement weather (wind, cold, rain, sometimes snow) between February and May. Most of the work will be hazing sea lions with pyrotechnics, but some sea lion trapping and boat based enumeration surveys will be conducted.
Pendleton Pioneer Chapel received three prestigious awards in 2009
The Oregon Funeral Directors Association Award of Funeral Service Excellence The Best Of Eastern Oregon Award as voted by the readers of the East Oregonian 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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THE CITY OF PORTLAND, Oregon’s Bureau of Development Services is seeking an Inspection Supervisor to manage both the Facility Permit Program (FPP) and the Field Issuance Remodel Program (FIR). Salary - $6909.08 $9204.00 monthly plus great benefits! This position will direct the work of staff performing complex inspections in one or more of the following areas: electrical, building, mechanical, and/or plumbing code. They have a lead role in new program development, implementation, and an ongoing evaluation of nontraditional/innovative inspection programs. The work includes: • Providing management to high-level cus-
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Maintenance Worker CRITFC’s mission is to coordinate the efforts of the four Commission member tribes (Warm Springs, Umatilla, Yakama, and Nez Perce) to restore salmon to the Columbia River Basin, and to uphold the treaty rights of these sovereign nations. We are seeking a Maintenance worker for the Fishing Site Maintenance Department located in The Dalles, OR. This is a full time, regular, non-exempt position. The position provides the maintenance of the Tribal In-Lieu / Treaty Fishing Access Sites along the Columbia River by: performing work that involves a variety of trade practices such as painting, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, electrical and custodial work. Maintenance workers will use hand and power tools to accomplish this work. The essential job functions: 1. Preventative maintenance/corrective maintenance and minor building repairs to the various facilities. Maintain and repair site areas and other facilities within the jurisdiction of the In-Lieu/ Treaty Fishing Access Sites. 2. Maintenance of facilities to include removing, cleaning, and replacing parts of utility facilities. 3. Cleans restrooms and vault toilets to include: sweeping, mopping, cleaning and sanitation of fixtures. 4. Completes seasonal garden tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, and seeding. Cuts, trims and removes fallen trees and brush etc. 5. Monitor sites for safety hazards, report emergency situations or the abuse of safety and protection policies/rules governing the sites to the Maintenance Supervisor. 6. Other duties as assigned. Applicant must have ability to do the work of a maintenance worker with normal supervision. Applicant must be able to perform general maintenance operations using written or oral instructions. Must be able to communicate and interpret instructions, specifications, work orders, and blueprints. Must have the ability to safely operate vehicles, power equipment, and hand tools. Knowledge of preventative maintenance, tools, and equipment are requirements. Three years minimum maintenance or construction experience required. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Hiring preference will be given to qualified enrolled members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska natives, especially to members of the four CRITFC member tribes (Warm Springs, Yakama, Umatilla, and Nez Perce). Note: no incomplete application will be considered. If you are interested and qualified please send a cover letter, completed application (from our website), resume and three professional references, by Jan. 31, 2017, to: CRITFC, Attn: HR, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1200 Portland, OR 97232, or fax to (503) 235-4228, or email to HR@critfc.org. Visit www.critfc.org for more information.
tomer service teams ensuring service delivery expectations and inspection/permit issuance turnaround times, • Working collaboratively with other managers and work groups to provide development review services, • Applying innovative improvement processes to enhance customer service, work practices and ongoing quality assurance, and • Managing the financial condition of the section. Recruitment Opens: Monday, January 2, 20172016 full details and how to apply will be available at: www.portlandoregon.gov/ jobs. Recruitment Closes: Monday, January 23, 2014 at 4:30 pm PST. Contact hiring manager Mitch Nickolds at Mitch.Nickolds@ portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-1054 for questions about the position. The City of Portland is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
January 2017
Jobs Excellent Career Opportunity People with disabilities, women, minorities, members of the Military Veteran community, and members of the LGBTQIA and Two Spirit communities are encouraged to apply. If you want to work for a company that appreciates creativity, diversity, and community building then you will want to apply for a position with EOCIL. Currently EOCIL is recruiting for two 30+ hr. positions. Detailed job announcements and application are available at 322 SW 3rd Street Pendleton Oregon or visit www.eocil.org. Positions are open until filled. EOE
Corrections Roberta Kipp has never been a candidate for office for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. A story in the December CUJ erroneously reported that she had been a candidate in the past. An old version of a “Your Yellowhawk” ad ran in the December 2016 issue. The new one, which was left out, had a Christmas theme and provided the holidays in which Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center would be closed. Tony Barnett resigned from the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. He was not terminated as was reported in a CUJ story in the December issue. According to Ray Denny, Public Information Department Director, “Nothing in his work performance at the CTUIR would have risen to termination. He resigned in lieu of losing his Oregon DPSST (Department of Public Safety Standards and Training) certification. His personnel record will show a resignation.” Barnett can apply for a renewal of his DPSST certification at the end of 2017.
Public notice CTUIR Housing Tenants’ have the opportunity to make comments to the Housing Commission as they review and consider proposed amendments to the Admission Occupancy Policy. During this time tenants can submit suggestions on the following sections that are under review: • Animal Control policy • Eviction process • Ceiling rents and fair market rents for income based units • Recertification process • Drug elimination policy • Inspections process • Occupancy process Comments can be emailed to housing@ctuir. org, mailed to 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton, OR. 97801, or placed in the drop box in front at the Housing Office. Please keep an eye out for further announcements for Housing Tenant meetings to share any revisions to the Admission Occupancy Policy.
Weather Weather information summarize data taken at the Pendleton Weather Station from December 1 to December 31. The average daily temperature was 28.1 degrees with a high of 50 degrees on Dec. 3 and a low of -5 degrees on Dec. 16. Total precipitation to date in Dec. was 2.29” with greatest 24hr average 0.62” Dec. 14-15. Fifteen days out of the month had precipitation level greater than .01 inches with seven days greater than 0.10 inches and with two day greater than 0.50”. The average wind speed was 7.7 mph with a sustained max speed of 37 mph from the South West on Dec. 27. A peak speed of 45 mph occurred from the South West on Dec. 27. The dominant wind direction was from the West. There were six clear, 18 partly cloudy and seven cloudy day(s) in the month of December.
Community Watch Senior Center at 5 p.m. Upcoming meeting: January 26
Community Forum Jan. 31 at Senior Center 5:30 p.m. Potluck, 6p.m. Meeting Agenda: TBA
January 2017
CTUIR Board of Trustees
General Council
Chair Gary Burke
Chair Alan Crawford
Vice Chair Jeremy Wolf
Vice Chair Kyle McGuire
Treasurer Rosenda Shippentower
Secretary Jiselle Halfmoon
Secretary Special Election Feb. 7
Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl
General Council contact Info At-large BOT Members: Office: 541-429-7378 Armand Minthorn Email: GeneralCouncil@ctuir.org Justin Quaempts Meeting updates and information on: www.ctuir.org/government/general-council Aaron Ashley Woodrow Star CTUIR Executive Team :
Director: David Tovey
Deputy Director: Debra Croswell
General Council Meeting Nixyaawii Governance Center, 2 p.m. - Jan. 12 Draft agenda: 1. Wildhorse Resort & Casino - Gary George, WRC CEO 2. BOT Chair Report - Gary Burke, CTUIR BOT Chair 3. Senior’s Advisory Group - Senior Advisory Officers
CTUIR Express Phone Directory
Tribal Court 541-276-2046
Human Resources 541-429-7180
Department of Children and Family Services 541-429-7300
Science & Engineering/Air Quality Burnline 541-429-7080
Enrollment Office 541-429-7035
Senior Center 541-276-0296
Finance Office 541-429-7150
TERF 541-276-4040
Finance – Credit Program 541-429-7155
Confederated Umatilla Journal 541-429-7399
Confederated Umatilla Journal
9A
A look back at 2016 JANUARY
Gates Millennium Scholarships, which will pay for all college expenses up to and including a graduate degree. Farrow, graduating from Nixyaawii ALCOHOL CAN NOW BE CONSUMED on the gaming floor at WildCommunity School, and Simpson, a graduate from Pendleton High School, horse Resort & Casino following official approval by the Board of Trustees. plan to attend Stanford and Oregon Institute of Technology, respectively. Wildhorse has offered adult beverages in many of their restaurants since With the Gates, both girls plan to study pre-med. May of 2006. MARY STEWART AND HUNTER MELTON have been named to the THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL elected Lennox Lewis chair, Class 1A Oregon Basketball Coaches Association all-state basketball teams. Zech Cyr vice-chair, Cece Hoffman treasurer, and Alyssa Farrow secretary. In addition to Melton and Stewart, three other Nixyaawii players received At-large members elected were Lark and Moses Moses, Kaitlynn Melton, all-star honors. Fredy Campos was named to the second-team and Ira Tahner Bates, Sequoia Ashley to the third team on the boys’ side. For the girls, Sunshine Fuentes Conner and Vincent received honorable mention. Sheoships. Elected to Junior Youth Council were Lindsey Littlesky chair, Juju Matamoros FIVE TRIBAL BANDS CLAIMING Kennewick Man as a relative, including vice-chair, Kayla Tonasthe CTUIR, are working together to rebury him after the U.S. Army Corps of ket treasurer, Lillian Star Engineers validated the skeleton is Native American. The finding clears the secretary, and at-large way for the next steps, in which potential claimants of the remains must now members Chauncey document their cultural connection to the Ancient One, as tribes refer to the Sams and Allyson Madskeleton. Kennewick Man is one of the oldest and most complete skeletons dern. Appointed publicist discovered in North America, dating back nearly 9,000 years. was Beto Zamudio. AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE DAVE CLOSE, secretary for the BOT, was A P O P U L AT I O N put on hold April 4 when the BOT failed to ratify a poll that made allegations JoMarie Tessman explaining architecture of of gross negligence of duty. the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. STUDY underway that is looking at the last 25 A REVISED EDUCATION MEMORANDUM of understanding, updating years could lead to questions about changing the amount of Indian blood one originally adopted 17 years ago in 1999, was signed in a ceremony at that should be required for enrollment eligibility to maintain or increase the the Nixyaawii Governance Center. The revised MOU incorporates a comnumber of CTUIR members. prehensive approach to addressing issues like absenteeism by “utilizing MODESTA MINTHORN was hired as the new director of the Educaand uplifting the unique cultural traditions of the Tribes and providing an tion Department. She moves up from her position as Language Program academic support for native students in the district.” coordinator. A SOLAR CARPORT designed to help Tamastslikt Cultural Institute YELLOWHAWK’S NEW CLINIC, described as a “system of care,” will move closer to “net zero” energy use was dedicated at the interpretive be a 60,000 square foot facility to be built center. Pacific Power Blue west of the Nixyaawii Governance Center. Sky contributed 75 percent It is touted as a place for multi-generational of the funding, Energy Trust hearing with an emphasis on “culturally apcovered 14 percent and the propriate methods of change.” The villageCTUIR pitched in the remaining schemed facility is being designed with a 11 percent. tule-mat lodge in mind, with a large 16-foot CHIEF BILL BURKE was wide circular hallway that offers access to inducted into the Round-Up many new offerings such as optometry, and Happy Canyon Hall of audiology care plus a community conferFame. Burke, a member of ence area, as well as a much-requested the Walla Walla and Cayuse physical therapy area. tribes, has been a Happy NIXYAAWII COMMUNITY SCHOOL Canyon participant since birth, boys’ basketball team was ranked second with his mother carrying him in the state with an 18-1 record two weeks through the show as an infant. before the Old Oregon League district Later, he performed numerous Officers gather outside a home of the Willow Drive Housing Projects other roles. tournament was to start. NIXYAAWII COMMUNITY SCHOOL where a shooting took place. DAVID CLOSE, SECREGIRLS’ basketball team was ranked ninth TARY OF THE BOT filed a in the state after winning 17 games in a row. In their last game, a two-point lawsuit in Tribal Court to determine whether or not he should have access loss, Mary Stewart had 29 points, four more than her average of 25 points, to employee personnel records. Close wants the personnel records of to go with 11 rebounds, and nine assists a game. Executive Director Dave Tovey and Deputy Executive Director Debra Cro-
APRIL
FEBRUARY
HUCKLEBERRY STREET RENTALS became available after seven years of planning. The eight new rentals consisted of one-bedroom elder units and three-bedroom family units. NIXYAAAWII HOOP ALL-STARS included Hunter Melton and Mary Stewart, Players of the Year in the Old Oregon League. Joining them on the first team was Fredy Campos and Sunshine Fuentes. FIRST-TEAM COLUMBIA BASIN CONFERENCE included four native players. Chelsea Quaempts, a sophomore from Weston-McEwen, was named Player of the Year. Others on the CBC first-team all-star list included Jada Burns from Irrigon, Ammarae Broncheau from Weston McEwen, and Madison Dave from Pilot Rock. KAYAK PUBLIC TRANSIT, in its 14th year, continues to offer routes to Mission, La Grande, Pilot Rock, Pendleton, Hermiston and Walla Walla. Over the last two years, the bus and van system provided approximately 200,000 rides. With its own contracted drivers, the program now employs 16. NIXYAAWII BOYS win the Old Oregon League title doubling Triad 56-28 to advance to the state championships in Baker City. NIXYAAWII GIRLS won a play-in game 72-34 over Siletz Valley to advance to the state tournament in Baker City in March. FRANCES GOMEZ CHALAKEE’S submission was voted artists’ choice at the fifth-annual ArtWORKz show and competition at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. His piece, up against 130 others submitted by young artists from throughout the region and from as far away as Hardin, Montana, was titled “At Peace with Herself.”
MARCH
ABOUT $5 MILLION FROM A FEDERAL COURT settlement will be used to continue plans for the design and construction of a new tribal education facility following adoption of a resolution by the BOT. The Cay-Uma-Wa facility, built in the early 1970s, is one of the oldest buildings in the community and a new facility has been discussed for many years. Kids race through the lawn during the ELEVEN NATIVE ATHLETES were named all-stars annual BIA Easter Egg Hunt. in the East Oregonian All-EO basketball 2015-16. Nixyaawii players recognized were Hunter Melton, Mary Stewart, Ira Ashley, Fredy Campos, Hunter McKay, Sunshine Fuentes; from Weston-McEwen Chelsea Quaempts and Shaw Broncheau; from Irrigon Jada Burns; from Pilot Rock Madison Dave; and from Pendleton Daniel Adams. ALL-STATE 2A GIRLS TEAMS included Chelsea Quaempts, Jada Burns, Ammarae Broncheau and Madison Dave. BEST FRIENDS Alyssa Farrow and Olivia Simpson have won coveted
10A
swell. Tovey and Kathy Burke, the Human Resources Department Director, are named as defendants in the case. Burke is listed because she is the director of the Human Resources Department, which is the repository for all personnel records of CTUIR employees. A GROUP OF INDIGENOUS LEADERS, including Dr. David Close, met with Pope Francis in Rome in an effort to persuade the Vatican to revoke a pair of papal bulls – the “blue prints” that have over centuries been used to dominate and dehumanize, thus denying the rights of Native Americans. MARY GREEN TOLD 16 NIXYAAWII Community School graduates “how to be happy,” at commencement exercises held at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Focusing on the “American dream,” Green, a popular language arts teacher, said “If there’s one thing I’ve learned here it’s how to be happy … There is a deep well of happy among you.” Two student speakers were Valedictorian Alyssa Farrow and salutatorian Teata Oatman. THE NEW YORK LIBERTY acquired All-Star point guard Shoni Schimmel from the Atlanta Dream in exchange for its 2017 second round draft pick. Schimmel, a 2014 WNBA First Round pick (No. 8 overall), two-time WNBA All-Star, and the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 All-Star Game, is a 3-point shooting threat and strong distributer of the basketball. In two WNBA seasons she has career averages of 8.0 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 1.5 3-pointers per game.
MAY
TRIBAL COURT JUDGE WILLIAM JOHNSON is expected to rule during the second full week of July on the merits of a suit brought by BOT Secretary Dave Close, who filed suit in June to gain access to personnel files of Executive Director Dave Tovey and Deputy Executive Director Debra Croswell. Close said he needs to see the records to help the BOT supervise the Tribes’ two top administrators. Tovey and Human Resources Director Kathryn Burke are named in the suit, Burke because her office is the repository for personnel records of all CTUIR employees. Burke has refused Acosia Red Elk competes to provide the files based on a direc- in the “Dancing with Your tive from the BOT that determined the Pendleton Stars” charity event. files are not public and that Close, as a single member of the nine-person Board, does not have authority to access those files without consensus of the full Board. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A PETITION that charges David Close, BOT Secretary of the Board of Trustees, with gross negligence of duty, and set a recall election date of Oct. 4. No date has been set for
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Close to respond to the charges made against him in a petition circulated by Terrie Brigham and signed by 225 tribal members – more than 10 percent of the tribal electorate. Close said in a June 30 memo to the BOT that he intends to ask the Election Commission to conduct an independent investigation that will, among other things, consider the fact that five BOT members signed the recall petition. (On July 6, the Election Commission sent Close a letter saying that, based on the CTUIR Election Code, no investigation would be forthcoming.) RANDALL MELTON, OWNER AND OPERATOR of Mission Music Productions, was recognized at the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Luncheon in the Rivers Event Center at Wildhorse Resort & Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The awards are an annual event organized by the Confederated Tribes’ Business Development Services. Melton, a part-time disc jockey who works full-time as a photo archivist at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, received a crystal plaque trophy and $5,000 cash. Another DJ, Anson Red Crane, and photographer Dallas Dick, received second and third place awards, respectively, and each received $500 cash. JOAN BURNSIDE, WHO DIED JUNE 9 AT THE AGE OF 89, was one of two first-language Nez Perce Jerrid Weaskus getting ready to speakers left on the Umatilla Indian release lamprey at the Looking Reservation. (Andy Dumont is the Glass Creek. other.) With Burnside’s passing the Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) lost a piece of its identity. “It’s so sad to have lost her,” said Thomas Morning Owl, a certified language teacher in the CTUIR Language Program. “We’ve lost the last vestige of a unique world that will never be replaced … as a woman, mother, teacher, homemaker and elder.”
JUNE
LEADERS OF SEVERAL PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIBES, including CTUIR Chairman Gary Burke, gathered near the site of the June 3 fiery oil train wreck in near Mosier to condemn the shipping of fossil fuels through the Columbia River Gorge, a scenic homeland and sacred fishing ground for tribes throughout the region. In a prepared statement, Burke pointed out that 20-30 trains travel daily across about 25 miles of land on the Umatilla Reservation. The line travels through miles of canyons and rough terrain by Meacham Creek and the Umatilla River, both containing ESA-listed salmonids. Last year, eight cars from a UP train derailed just east of the reservation boundary along the Umatilla and Union county line. Burke held up a CUJ showing wreckage photos, mindful that derailments can occur anywhere up and down the tracks. NIKE N7 DONATED nearly $10,000 worth of lacrosse equipment to the Yellowhawk Youth Wellness Program. Now the players will have new gloves that fit, goggles for eye protection, cleats, shoulder and arm pads, socks, new lacrosse sticks and more. In addition, N7 has donated jerseys to the program in the last two years. MORE THAN TWO DOZEN CELEBRITIES, including six members of the Portland Trail Blazers’ 1977 NBA Championship team, were soaked in a downpour, but played through the rain at Wildhorse Resort Golf Course. Former Trail Blazers who were part of the championship team 39 years ago included Bobby Gross, Lionel Hollins, Wally Walker, Corky Calhoun, Lloyd Neal and Dave Twardzik. One of the members of that team was Maurice Lucas, known as “The Enforcer.” Lucas orchestrated events Lennox Lewis Picard holds diploma as at Wildhorse, starting with he graduates from High School in May. Trail Blazer reunions. Lucas died in 2010; his sons now represent him at the Maurice Lucas Foundation. CEDRIC AND TANIA WILDBILL have opened a new business on the Umatilla Indian Reservation called “Wellness Wave” - a yoga, health, and fitness studio. With a recent study titled “Umatilla Morrow County Public Health Assessment” showing that 81 percent of American Indian and Alaskan Native adults in Umatilla, Morrow, and Union County are either overweight or obese, the Wildbill’s new business may be something the reservation needs. EARLIER THIS YEAR, TWO RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS were presented to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. The first was awarded to Clint Kittrell, a Child and Family Therapist in the Family Strengths Program, who was recognized for his exemplary customer service when he was working with children and families in the community. The second recognition of excellence was awarded to the Atawisamatas Home Visiting Program. This was an award to a team comprised of Karen Cook, Director of Community Wellness; Rita Campbell, Prenatal RN; Drew Swearingen, MCH (Maternal and Child Health) CHR (Community Health Representative) ; Drew Rivera, MCH CHR; and Bobi Tallman, MCH Community Health Nurse. The Home Visiting Program was recognized for its work enhancing parenting skills of new parents as well as other community-based education opportunities.
JULY
PRIZES RANGING FROM A CANDY BAR to movie tickets will be used as incentives to keep Native students in school this year. “Every Day Counts!” will recognize students who achieve high attendance rates through an incentive-based program.The program will be available in three school districts – Pendleton, Pilot Rock, and Athena-Weston – in elementary, middle and high school levels. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) was approved for a wage increase of 7 percent for
January 2017
A look back at 2016 OCTOBER
law enforcement officers and 14 percent for dispatchers, in addition to NATIVE AMERICANS FROM RESERVATIONS their annual raises. Seven police officers and four dispatchers have left in hundreds of miles away, including the CTUIR, have MORE THAN 50 COMMUNITY the last three years. joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s growing MEMBERS of all ages participated in REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE UMATILLA, Nez Perce, Yakama, protest against a $3.8 billion four-state oil pipeline the 34th annual Yellowhawk Fun Run. Colville, and Wanapum Tribes gathered along the Columbia River near the that they say could disturb sacred sites and impact With a time of 37:56 was Dan Winters, discovery point where the Ancient One, also known as the Kennewick Man, drinking water for 8,000 tribal members and millions General Manager for Pepsi and a Nixywas found 20 years ago. “As we recognize the Ancient One’s discovery, we further downstream. About 30 people have been aawii Chamber Board of Director, won also mourn for him,” said Armand Minthorn, BOT member. “He is our ancesarrested in recent weeks and the company has the 10K race ahead of Lorasa Joseph tor, and yet he lies in a museum rather than at rest with his people. It’s been temporarily stopped construction. A federal judge and Aaron Worden. twenty years, and he is will rule before Sept. 9 on whether construction can VOTING MEMBERS OF THE CTUstill being denied his be halted on the Dakota Access pipeline, which will IR on Oct. 4 recalled David Close, right to a proper burial.” pass through Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota and South the embattled Secretary of the BOT. FOR THE SECDakota. Members of the Confederated Tribes of the They voted 312 yes to 257 no to recall OND YEAR IN A ROW Umatilla Indian Reservation held a supply drive in Close, who was elected last November Nixyaawii Community the month of August in support of the protest. One and took office in December of 2016. School has been bursupply drive was held by Lyndsi Lewis and another In an email and phone conversation, glarized. The scounby Alyssa Breazeale, who grew up in Standing Rock. Close said, “Given I was up against the drels entered the adSupplies that were donated to the drive included largest families enrolled here, and a ministrative assistant’s Walmart gift cards, water, jackets, and tents. government public relations campaign, office and accessed AN UNCONVENTIONAL INAUGURUAL POW- Happy Canyon Princesses Appollonia Saenz and also against me, the disparity between student records and WOW was held at Two Rivers Correctional Facility Elena Van Pelt wave at crowd during a parade. yes and no were few. Thank you to all of looked for money in a at Umailla. A total of 63 inmates, 27 volunteers from my supporters who voted ‘no’ and stood file cabinet. In Principal Red Lodge Transition Services, more than 50 guests up for our tribes’ integrity and accountRyan Heinrich’s office, and seven ordersly roaming the grounds participated in what was called a ability. I will continue to work for my people.” David Close meets Pope Francis in Vatican where last year the “historic” event at the prison. CROW’S SHADOW HAS WITHDRAWN ITS APPLICATION for a door was broken from City in May. conditional use permit to purchase and build on property at the east end its hinges, candy was of Kirkpatrick Road on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The decision came eaten and change was after a public hearing in front of the Natural Resources Commission. A tribal FIVE JUVENILES ARE SUSPECTS IN THE BREAK-IN and vandalism taken. Empty pop cans were left in a third room where supplies are kept. member testified that construction of the proposed 15.000 square foot facility at Cay-Uma-Wa Education Center in the early morning hours of Saturday, CONTINUING A 16-YEAR TRADITION, a pair of horse riders completed could infringe upon his ability to hunt. Sept. 24. The youngest was a girl 13. James Brian “JB” Halfmoon, 19, who a 75-mile overland trek from the North Fork Umatilla River across steep trails CAW PAWA LAAKNI – THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, the living atlas lives on Aspen Way in Mission, was arrested as an adult for car theft in a and two more rivers to their final destination at the Tamkaliks Celebration in for the CTUIR, is one of six tribal programs across the United States to related incident. The charge is a misdemeanor under tribal law. Wallowa. The trip started with four riders, but an injury to one of the horses receive awards from Honoring Nations, a program of The Harvard Project A COFFEE BAR WILL BE BREWING UP LATTES, mocha’s and other led to the necessity of sending two of the horses home. A third rider gave on American Indian Economic Development. specialty drinks at the Nixyaawii Governance Center (NGC) by the end of up his horse so that a greenhorn could complete the ride. That left Logan Selected from a pool of applicants representing more than 655 tribal October. The bar will be located in the nook on the Quaempts, a CTUIR member, nations, the CTUIR atlas was second floor of the building and will and his cousin, Jordan Smith, one of three programs that be operated by Mission Market, the a descendant, to finish the ride received “High Honors.” Three grocery store owned by the CTUIR. together from Looking Glass others received “Honors” desCLOSE TO 400 TRIBAL ELCreek to Wallowa. ignations. DERS from throughout Washington, AARON LUKE AND CLAIRE It is the fifth time a CTUIR Oregon, and Idaho attended the WILDBILL earned first place program has received HonorElders’ Day Luncheon at Wildawards at the 2016 TrackTown ing Nations recognition. (The horse Resort & Casino.Tribes that Youth League Championships at others have been Umatilla Bawere represented at the luncheon Hayward Field at the University of sin Salmon Recovery Project included the Confederated Tribes Oregon. Competing in the 13-14 in 2002, Cultural Resources of the Umatilla Indian Reservation boys division, Luke placed first Protection Program in 2003, (CTUIR), Warm Springs, Nez Perce, in the 400-meter dash in a time Homeownership: Finance, Yakama, Navajo, Paiute Shoshone, of 57 seconds and was fourth Credit and Consumer ProtecGrande Ronde, Sioux, Swinomish, in the 100-meter dash in 12.46 Four teams compete during the Indian Horse Races tion Program in 2006, and seconds. Wildbill competed in the Veterans march into the Longhouse during a Fourth Tulalip, Papago, Oneida, Klamath, CTUIR Public Transit in 2010.) Colville, Cherokee, and Muckle- at the Pendleton Round-Up. 8-10 year old girls division and of July event. IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS shoot. Special recognition was given finished first in the long jump at SINCE CAYUSE TECHNOLOGIES opened its doors on the Umatilla Indian to Delphine Wood for being an “outstanding, caring, and loving” person 12-feet, 3 inches (3.73 meters), seventh in javelin at 14.21 meters, eighth Reservation and on Oct. 18 more than 100 people gathered to celebrate its and William Burke was recognized for being inducted into the Hall of Fame in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:19.4, and eighth in the 100-meter anniversary and accomplishments. during the 2016 Happy Canyon Centennial. dash in 15.83 seconds. Cayuse Technologies is an outsourcing and technologies company IN SEPTEMBER FIVE YOUTH were recognized during an awards owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ceremony for placing in the graffiti abatement artwork competition that was (CTUIR) and it currently employs 232 people. Of those 232, almost 13 held by Tribal Police Officer Dave Williams and community member James percent are enrolled Native Americans. N E A R LY T H R E E Marsh. Tanaya Totus and Zoe Bevis took first place, splitting the $155 award, MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED Oct. 13 in “Community Health QUARTERS OF A $20 with a piece that they worked on together. Jayden Minthorn took second Improvement” sessions to address the top five health priorities identified in MILLION settlement will place pocketing $93, and the third place prize of $62 was split between surveys taken and at presentations given by Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center be divided and distribAlayna Bevis and Latis Nowland. over the last year. The uted among approximately HORSES WILL BE USED AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL to help the top five health priorities 3,047 tribal members folUmatilla Indian Reservation community identify and implement the best are obesity, diabetes, lowing a decision by the ways to reduce suicide and decrease the “adverse childhood events” that drug use, alcohol use, BOT. That pencils out to put youth at risk for mental health issues and substance abuse later in and mental health. about $4,400 for all tribal life. Horse programs have been tried several times on the Umatilla Indian GARY GEORGE, members, including chilReservation, but none of them have moved past the idea stage because CEO AT WILDHORSE dren. of, primarily, a lack of money and commitment. But a new $1 million federal Resort & Casino, has THE CONFEDERgrant could change that. been selected to fill the ATED UMATILLA JOURTHE BOT PROVIDED FUNDING FOR UPGRADES on three tribal facilivacancy left by Bob NAL has received several ties. In addition to fixes at the Longhouse Kitchen, upgrades at the Nix-Ya-Wii Roselle on the Pendawards from the Native Warriors Memorial, and improvements in the Elders Room and construcleton School District American Journalists Astion of a sound-proof booth at the Language Program also are in the que. 16R Board of Directors. sociation (NAJA). The CUJ MURDER DEFENDANT JULIAN DARRYL JAMES SIMPSON, an enGeorge is an enrolled was second in the best rolled CTUIR member, is seeking to delay his upcoming trial. Simpson, 23, member of the CTUIR. layout and design. The folfaces murder and other charges for the March shooting death of Antonio Two of his children have Boys play in a lacrosse game in Mission lowing staff members also “Tony” Jimenez, 27, outside a home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. been through the Pend- Vanilla Ice welcomes audience on stage at his during the First Foods Festival. received awards: Publisher Simpson pleaded not guilty to all counts. Simpson remains at the Federal leton system and a third performance at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Chuck Sams - third place Correctional Institution in Sheridan, about 30 miles east of Salem. is attending PHS. best column; Dallas Dick – first place feature photo; Miranda Vega RecPILOT ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATED its Homecoming Court “PAST AND CURRENT HOUSING POLICIES” are being reviewed tor – third place best environmental story. Editor Wil Phinney, competing during the team’s game against Ukiah. This year’s Senior Queen is Tehya following concerns expressed at General Council and BOT meetings by in an associate’s category for non-Indians, won first place awards for best Ostrom, a member of the CTUIR. members of the CTUIR. At its Oct. 17 meeting, the BOT called for a report feature photo, best news photo and best feature story. He also took third ERIC QUAEMPTS AND MODESTA MINTHORN have been confirmed within 45 days from staff at the Housing Department, including Director for best sports photo. Marcus Luke, the Housing Commission, and the Office of Executive Director. by the Oregon Senate to the Oregon Water Resources Commission and the NEARLY 300 PEOPLE, including about 60 former and present prinThe General Council – in a motion made by Molly Jim – voted 34-18-10 to Oregon State Board of Education, respectively. Both work for the CTUIR, cesses, attended a Happy Canyon royalty reception Aug. 27 at Wildhorse terminate Housing Director Luke and Resident Coordinator Kenny Mitchell. but were appointed by Gov. Kate Brown as Oregon citizens – not as Native Resort & Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This is the 100th Her motion, Crawford said, citied violation of personal issues and misuse anniversary of Happy Canyon, the four-night pageant that coincides with American representatives. of tenants as unacthe Pendleton Round-Up.
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST
A look back on 2016 on page 18A
Women competing in the short fringe special at a pow wow held at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.
January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Marjorie Waheneka from Mission shows Native American inspired ornaments to the participants of the Ornament making class at Tamastslikt Cultural Institutue.
Participants ‘find inner balance’ with voc-rehab classes at TCI CTUIR Options to Purchase
MISSION – Designed to supply a cultural aspect to the community, an ornament-making class took place at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute (TCI) the morning before the Dec. 14 winter storm hit Eastern Oregon. The ‘Finding Your Inner Balance’ workshops are held by TCI in partnership with the Vocational Rehabilitation Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Janine Winn from Vocational Rehabilitation said the purpose of the classes is to bring a traditional element to those participating in the quarterly activity. The instructor, Mary Ann Rhoads from the Human Resources Department of the CTUIR, showed attendants how to make Christmas Angel ornaments with yarn and plastic coaster canvasses. Other ornaments that were made were wing dresses and ribbon shirts. Marjorie Waheneka, an employee of TCI, also brought some of her own ornaments to show the class. Those
Andrea Mann, in blue, and Marjorie Waheneka pay close attention to Mary Ann Rhoads as she shows them how to make an angel ornament.
ornaments included a cradle board that her mother made and another that she made, as well as a medicine bag that she purchased. For upcoming classes, be on the lookout for flyers, facebook notices, or ads in the CUJ.
Registration continues for caregivers workshop MISSION - There is still time to reserve your spot in the upcoming Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop, a nationally recognized program for family caregivers. Led by trained co-facilitators from the Area Agency on Aging at CAPECO, the series of six weekly 1½ hour sessions begins Thursday, Jan. 12 and continues through Feb. 16. Each session meets from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Nixyaawii Governance Center, L102A, Cayuse and Umatilla Rooms. This series of six weekly 90-minute workshops is for anyone who is providing physical or emotional support for a loved one dealing with an ongoing health condition or decline due to aging. The person receiving assistance could be a parent, spouse, friend, adult child,
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
or other family member. He or she might live locally or across the country, in their own home, your home, or a nursing/ assisted living facility. Although each situation is unique, the impacts on caregiver health are similar, with caregiver burn out, anxiety and depression being the most common results. All participants receive The Caregiver Helpbook, a book developed specifically for the class. Grant funding allows the class to be offered at no charge. For more information or to pre-register, contact Anita at 541-278-5664. If you cannot attend this workshop or need a workshop in a different Umatilla or Morrow County community, contact CAPECO Health Promotion Coordinator Helena Wolfe at 541-561-5443 or hwolfe@ capeco-works.org to be added to a waiting list for future classes.
January 2017
By Keith Ridler of the Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho - A little-known federal program that avoids publicizing its accomplishments to protect from looters the thousands of Native American sites it’s tasked with managing has been caught up in a big net. The Federal Columbia River System Cultural Resources Program tracks some 4,000 historical sites that also include homesteads and missions in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Now it’s contributing information as authorities prepare a court-ordered environmental impact statement concerning struggling salmon and the operation of 14 federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. A federal judge urged officials to consider breaching four of those dams on the Snake River. “Because of the scale of the EIS, there’s no practical way for us, even if we wanted to, to provide a map of each and every site that we consider,” said Sean Hess, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Pacific Northwest Region archaeologist. “There are some important sites out there that we don’t talk about a lot because of concerns about what would happen because of vandalism.” Fish survival, hydropower, irrigation and navigation get the most attention and will be components in the environmental review due out in 2021. But at more than a dozen public meetings in the four states to collect feedback, the cultural resources program has equal billing. Comments are being accepted through Jan. 17. The review process is being conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, an umbrella law that covers the well-known Endangered Species Act. Thirteen species of salmon and steelhead on the Columbia and Snake rivers have been listed as federally protected species over the past 25 years. But NEPA also requires equal weight be given to other laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act, which is where the cultural resources program comes in. Among the 4,000 sites are fishing and hunting processing areas, ancestral village areas and tribal corridors. “People were very mobile, prehistorically,” said Kristen Martine, Cultural Recourse Program manager for the Bonneville Power Administration. Some of the most notable sites with human activity date back thousands of years and are underwater behind dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Celilo Falls, a dipnet fishery for thousands of years, is behind The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River. Marmes Rockshelter was occupied 10,000 years ago but now is underwater behind Lower Monumental Dam on the
Snake River. “If we’re breaching dams, it would definitely change how we manage resources,” said Gail Celmer, an archaeologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon ordered the environmental review in May after finding that a massive habitat restoration effort to offset the damage that dams in the Columbia River Basin pose to Northwest salmon runs was failing. Salmon and steelhead runs are a fraction of what they were before modern settlement. Of the salmon and steelhead that now return to spawn each year, experts say, about 70 to 90 percent originate in hatcheries. Those opposed to breaching the Snake River dams to restore salmon runs say the dams are an important part of the regional economy, providing irrigation, hydropower and shipping benefits. Meanwhile, several tribes said they are better able to take part in the review process than they once were. “Tribes have not had much opportunity to participate in these things because they didn’t have professional staff or trained people,” said Guy Moura of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington state, noting the tribe employed four people in its cultural resources program in 1992 but now has 38. “With growth in size, there also came the evolution of what was being done.” The tribe at one time had a large fishery at Kettle Falls, on the upper part of the Columbia River, but it was inundated in the 1940s behind Grand Coulee Dam. Dams farther downstream on the Columbia prevent salmon from reaching the area. Also among the 4,000 historical sites is Bonneville Dam, one of 14 dams involved in the environmental impact statement. Bonneville Dam is the lowest dam in the system at about 145 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River. It started operating in the 1930s and became a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Kids+Art=Fun to be held Feb. 4 at Tamastlikt MISSION – Pepsi Primetime @ the Museum will be presenting Kids+Art =Fun on Feb. 4 at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. The day will commence at 1 p.m., ending at 4 p.m. It will be open house style where families can drop by at any time. Youth from ages 5-12 are invited to attend where they will have the opportunity to create artwork inspired from Van Gogh and Monet. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For further information, contact the museum at 541-429-7700.
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Have something to say? Write a Letter to the Editor and email CUJ@ctuir.org January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Kayak begins ‘Hart’ bus routes in Hermiston
Indian Lake floats into Pilot Rock Indian Lake participated in Pilot Rock’s annual Winterphest Light Parade on Dec. 3. Float decorators were Leigh Pinkham-Johnston, Cara Gillpatrick, and Joile Wendt. Ron and Troy Gillpatrick helped with setup and float riders included Pinkham-Johnston, Cara and Gracie Gillpatrick, Wendt, and Davin and Dahlia Willt. This was the first year that Indian Lake had a float in the parade.
MISSION - Hermiston HART is the name of the new bus that is now transporting residents around Hermiston. Kayak Public Transit, operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is expanding local in-city service in partnership with the City of Hermiston. The expanded service will provide rides throughout the city from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as connections to the Hermiston Hopper route, which connects Irrigon, Umatilla, McNary, Hermiston, and Stanfield to Pendleton and other destinations in the region. Schedule information can be found on the CTUIR website (www.ctuir.org) or on Kayak’s Facebook page. Brochures can be picked up at Hermiston City Hall, Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, or on the buses. Questions can also be answered on the dispatch and customer service line at 541-429-7519 on weekdays from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kayak Public Transit is a public transit agency providing transportation options to 15 communities in four counties in Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington. It is operated by the CTUIR, and is funded through the State of Oregon Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration grant dollars, as well as local
The expanded service will provide rides throughout the city from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as connections to the Hermiston Hopper route, which connects Irrigon, Umatilla, McNary, Hermiston, and Stanfield to Pendleton and other destinations in the region. match provided by the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Umatilla County Special Transportation Funds and now the City of Hermiston. Kayak began as “CTUIR Public Transit” in 2001 and was rebranded to Kayak Public Transit in 2014. Ka’ya’ak is a native word meaning “to remove obstacles;” this is the core of Kayak Public Transit’s mission to provide transportation options for people to get to work, to medical appointments, to go shopping, and to stay connected to their friends, family and community. This saves riders money, which boosts the economy by encouraging buying local. Kayak has seen their ridership grow from a dozen riders in 2001 to about 100,000 in 2016 and expect even more growth in the coming years.
EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR
INDEPENDENT LIVING A Global Disability Resource and Advocacy Center EOCIL is a proud supporter of the CTUIR community and other communities and programs that promote and value inclusion, equality and opportunities for people with disabilities and elders. EOCIL is a disability resource and advocacy enter that provides an array of services for people with disabilities or seniors. These services are designed to empower clients to improve the quality of their lives and promote full access to society. EOCIL is operated by people with disabilities and seniors who themselves have been successful in establishing independent lives. These individuals have both the training and the personal experience to know exactly what is needed to live independently.
Services Available:
- Informational and Referral - Independent Living Skills Training (budgeting and financial management, cooking, application assistance, etc.) - Peer Counseling - Individual Advocacy - Life Transitions (school to employment, home to home, corrections to community, etc.)
- Support Groups - Youth Mentoring Project - Representative Payee Project - Emergency Financial Assistance - Accessibility Assistance - HIV/AIDS Independent Living Project - And many other services
EOCIL has three locations: 322 SW 3rd St., Suite 6, Pendleton, Ore. webpage: www.eocil.org Email: eocil@eocil.org 541-276-1037 711 Relay Toll free: 1-877-711-1037 1021 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, Ore. 541-889-3119 Voice 711 Relay Toll free 1-866-248-8369
The Dalles Office 400 East Scenic Drive Building 2, Third Floor, Suite 2 The Dalles, Oregon 541-370-2810 Toll free: 1-866-248-8369
Providing services in Harney, Malheur, Baker, Union, Grant, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow, Wheeler and Gilliam, Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties.
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January 2017
Yellowhawk offering chronic disease selfmanagement program Wisdom Warriors improves healthful behaviors, reduces days in hospitals MISSION - Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center (Yellowhawk) is offering a sixweek chronic disease self-management program, which has shown improved healthful behaviors, health status and reduced days in the hospital for those who have taken part. The Wisdom Warriors Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program, developed at Stanford University, covers topics such as the mind-body connection/distraction, dealing with difficult emotions, preventing falls and improving balance, better breathing, healthy eating, making healthy food choices, medication usage, making informed treatment decisions, positive thinking, communication skills, problem-solving, decision making, creating action plans as well as other topics. The program is designed to help improve health behaviors like exercise, cognitive symptom management, coping, and communications with physicians; improve health status such as self-reported fatigue, disability, social/ role activities, and health distress; and decreasing time spent in a hospital bed. The goal to provide an ongoing, incentive-driven program that provides participants the education, support and tools to make healthy choices resulting in lifestyles that promote self-care, good choices and longevity. Participants are rewarded with the program’s wellness pouch, beads, charms and, more importantly, more active control of their own health and well-being, said Dionne Bronson, Community Health Representative. Bronson and Lindsey Watchman, Health Educator at Yellowhawk, attended training in August along with other community wellness professionals using a grant from Administration of Community Living. Yellowhawk was one of only five tribes in the nation to receive the grant. Yellowhawk’s first session began in October with eight of 10 participants successfully completing the Wisdom Warriors Program, which will be offered at least twice a year on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. There are more than 500 Wisdom Warriors in Washington where the program was initiated. Yellowhawk is collaborating with Northwest Regional Council to spread these tools throughout the nine Tribes in Oregon, as well as be inclusive of all community members who have the desire to learn and share the tools. For more information, contact Dionne Bronson at 541-429-4922, or email at dionnebronson@yellowhawk.org.
January 2017
DID YOU KNOW? All of the tribes had or still have Indian legends. Grandmothers taught the children during winter evenings with stories of animals, fish, and birds. My mother used to say the stories were about “when the animals were people”. Human characteristics taught were humility, generosity instead of greed, and other good manners. Instead of “shooting first and asking questions later”, strangers were greeted kindly until they proved to be unworthy of respect. The stories were told with sound effects and action so the children learned to be good mimics. Gathered from”as days go by”
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Secretary candidates Continued from page 1A
Stella Wolf, one of the little dancers at the Christmas Pow-Wow, gets off the floor at the Longhouse. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
Christmas Celebration Results from Dec. 23, 2016 at Mission Longhouse 55 and older Golden Age women-1, Katie Black Wolf-Bevis. 2, Julia Allman. 3, Sally Kosey. 55 and older Golden Age men-1, Terry Hemsaw Sr. 2, John Bevis. 3, Lloyd Barkley. 0-6 tiny tots category-1, Elizabeth Bevis. 2, Irvin Steward. 3, Olivia Allen. 4, Alex Allen. 5, Quincy Sams. 6, Brooklyn Jones. 12 and under jingle and shawl special-1, Julianah Matamoros. 2, Alana Bevis. 3, Sophie Wilson. 12 and under grass and fancy special-1, Dylan Abrahamson. 2, Cashus Bevis. 3, Garian Morning Owl. 7-12 junior girls traditional-1, Gerra Shock. 2, Alexis Herrera. 3, Olivia Allen. 7-12 junior boys traditional-1, Bryson Bronson. 2, Sunhawk Thomas. 3, Alyric Red Crane. 13 and older jingle and shawl special-1, Lexi Herrera. 2, Denae Smith. 3, Mackenzie Kiona. 13 and older grass and fancy special-1, Wilbur Oatman. 13-17 teen girls traditional-1, Heaven Wallsey. 2, Linna Herrera. 3, Laura Mark. 13-17 teen boys traditional-1, Trenton Calica. 2, Alyric Red Crane. 3, David George. Adult jingle and shawl-1, Mary Harris. 2, Teata Oatman. 3, Lillian Watchman. Adults grass and fancy-1, Rolin Morning Owl. 2, Manny Totus. 3, Neal Morning Owl. Adult women’s traditional-1, Dolly Hemsaw. 2, Ida Shock. 3, Katria Wallsee. Adult men’s traditional-1, Quindon Calica. 2, Louis Van Pelt. 3, Logan Quaempts.
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have run for office before but have never been elected. And Roberta Kipp is running for the first time. The CUJ asked the candidates five questions and all but Bronson responded. Many of the answers were similar, like the one that asked about the main functions of the BOT secretary, but the responses to the others differed. The only one that cited more than Constitutional requirements for secretary was Spencer, who suggested a skill set that includes cross training with the administrative pool, centralized filing, working knowledge of several computer programs and staying abreast of other electronic trends, among other things. Some of the best lines, as chosen by the CUJ, are as follows: Halfmoon: “I am a fresh perspective … on the frontlines standing against injustices and willing to get my hands dirty.” Spencer: “We are all only human and mistakes will be made, but this is how we evolve as a people by settling disputes that we learn from.” Kipp: “I also try to be flexible and listen to all sides of an issue without Jiselle Halfmoon jumping to conclusions.” Below we’ll list the questions and paraphrase answers from the candidates. What makes you qualified to be BOT secretary? Halfmoon cites her decade of experience with the KCUW Radio and her “genuine interest” in the operations of tribal government. She said she has a “solid understanding” of the priorities already in place and the continuity that needs to take place until the regular election in November. Brigham said she works hard as an individual and as part of a team. She said she has a strong work ethic and completes the job in a timely manner. She said she is accountable and works hard to protect the 1855 Treaty and sovereignty. Additionally, she conducts herself in a friendly and professional manner in working with others. Wolf noted his past background as a BOT member, as a company clerk with the 82nd Airborne, nine years as a clerk typist and data assistant with the BIA and a tribal member. He has served as chair for the CTUIR Natural Resources Committee and the Farm Committee, and currently is a member of the Land Acquisition Committee and adjutant for the George St. Denis American Legion Post 140. He is an elder, father, grandfather, David Wolf traditional hunter and fisherman, who shares traditional knowledge through teaching dip-net making classes. Spencer points to her background in administration and said that as “one serving in the trenches” she and others “are the legs of the structure that keep our Tribes evolving into the future.” She has served in the Office of Legal Counsel, Housing, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Natural Resources, Education/Recreation, and on committees/commissions. “I stand in the belief that every voice counts especially those who speak for fair and impartial treatment/judgment and equitable achievements that serve the needs of the majority.” Kipp has served several terms as secretary for the Law and Order Committee and has been secretary for the Elders Advisory Group for the past two terms. She recently was re-elected to that post. “I’m a pretty good communicator, writer and speller; read and comprehend well; plus I enjoy working with others.” What sets you apart from the other candidates for this seat? Lawanda Bronson Halfmoon said she will be accessible and visible in the community … As General Council secretary, I have advocated for effective communications, inclusiveness, consistency, increased participation, information accessibility and empowering our people with the resources they need … I serve with honesty, dedication, an open heart, thoughtfulness, composure and a deep desire to serve selflessly.”
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Brigham said she is familiar with the responsibilities of working with the BOT, tribal staff, and has a “very positive working relationship with them and others.” Wolf said his work with other tribes, particularly as past president of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, has allowed him to establish contacts and working relationships with other tribal staff and leaders. Spencer said she believes in “prayers and the empowerment of Our People. I believe in Standing Together with our Tribal Government to ensure that every voice matters and I believe that fear is a choice and that is why I invest as much of my Roberta Kipp time as I can in fostering community involvement.” Kipp said she “strives to be organized, considerate, respectful and reasonable with both of my feet firmly planted on the ground.” She regularly attends General Council meetings and, in fact, recently received a certificate for perfect attendance at GC meetings in 2016. She has been a member of the Enrollment Commission since its inception and volunteered to be on the GC Constitutional Review Committee. Halfmoon said she “leaned toward yes” but had a number of questions. She said an ethics committee “should not be employed, elected, or appointed within the tribe for it to be unbiased and uninfluenced when investigating claims of misconduct. She asked about developing standards, which would provide oversight, self-regulation for the BOT, penalties, constitutional amendments, etc. Brigham said the Constitution and By-Laws, the BOT Procedures Kathryn Brigham Code and the Election Code already address and cover the ethics of the BOT. Wolf said an ethics code would instill more trust and transparency to the membership. Spencer said an ethics code is needed to be the “unbiased mediator, to listen and make sound judgment … As the Trustees and caretakers of our people and homeland the BOT should set precedence by adopting a Code of Ethics so that it can never be questioned that their positions allow them to be above our policies, codes and laws.” Kipp would first consider the pros and cons. She said the Tribes would need to appoint a temporary group or “task force” to assist the BOT with timelines for completion. She said there are known instances where serious conflicts of interests have “reared their ugly heads” in the past and the membership deserves leaders who are good role models. How the BOT could communicate better with the CTUIR membership? Halfmoon said minutes, resolutions, transcripts should be available on a tribal member-only portal. Blogs by our elected leadership on the tribal website would be a more direct way to reach members with specific issues. Additionally, she suggested tribal radio, a regular state of the tribes address, video-stream meetings, quarterly mail outs, improved correspondence by setting deadlines on Leila Spencer response time to complaints, inquiries and questions. Host non-formal town halls and start internship and fellowship specifically for BOT communication. Brigham would advocate quarterly reports, which could include meetings, travel and short summaries of how the tribes benefit. Wolf said perhaps the CTUIR website or the tribal radio station could be better used. Spencer said “people caucuses” wherein the community is involved with retreats like conventions. The issues would have no boundaries with every idea, suggestion, question or point of view having value. Satellite conventions need to be incorporated so that off-reservation tribal members could be involved as well.
January 2017
Mary Stewart, left, works on a new Chromebook during class at the Nixyaawii Community School. The laptops were purchased as part of the grant money awarded by the Wildhorse Foundation.
Below, Teacher Zack Brandsen is referring to a Nez Perce worksheet printed off by Language Teacher, Kristen Parr. The paper is being projected onto a smart board from one of the new document cameras.
Where is the Foundation money going? by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ
MISSION – It wasn’t only because staff’s desktop computers were eight years old or that there wasn’t enough Chromebooks for each classroom, although both of those are a necessity at the Nixyaawii Community School (NCS). But they also needed a cart to store the lap tops, were out three bulbs for their projectors, and didn’t have a wireless printer in the computer lab. The staff also desired document cameras to help save on expenses that accrue when making too many paper copies. That is why during the 2015 school year, staff got together and decided to start saving money to put toward technology upgrades. However, to save $20,000 is not an easy task so they decided to also apply for a Wildhorse Foundation Grant when the time was right. “I thought we could apply for $20,000 and possibly get denied or save up and apply for $10,000 and be more likely to get it,” said Ryan Heinrich, principal at NCS. The last time NCS received a Wildhorse Foundation Grant was in 2012 when the school was able to acquire their first set of Chromebooks. Since then some of the computers have broken and the school has increased in students. This resulted in fewer Chromebooks than students in each classroom. In addition, teacher’s desktop
computers had not been updated in eight years. Many mornings staff struggled with the computers lagging or freezing. They needed something more efficient and reliable. Then there was the problem with the projectors. They were becoming outdated and within one year’s time three projector bulbs died. That may not seem like a big deal but with a quick search on the Internet, one could see that depending on the projector those bulbs could cost a hundreds of dollars. “With technology, if it’s more than four years old, it’s outdated,” said Heinrich. That’s when the staff agreed that instead of making upgrades during the 2015 school year, they would hold off and put those funds together with the 2016 budget, accumulating a total of $9,500. At that point they decided to apply for the Wildhorse Foundation Grant requesting $10,000. The application was due Oct. 1. Heinrich said that the grant process was not too exhausting and that it was roughly a two week process. “Everybody contributed,” said Heinrich. He had staff who helped with the clerical and budgeting aspect, staff who proof read and made corrections, and staff who made bullet points that were included into the grant application. Then to their surprise Dan Winter, general manager
of the Pendleton Bottling Company, donated an additional $5,000 to the school in October. Winter was able to donate after Pendleton Bottling finished in the top three for Pepsi’s North American Bottler of the Year Award. As a finalist he was able to select a non-profit recipient and he chose Nixyaawii. “The Tribe in general has been very supportive of Pepsi,” said Winter. “We know there’s always a need at the Nixyaawii School and that those funds would be put to good use.” On Nov. 1 the Wildhorse Foundation Board granted NCS the funds. In total, the school had $24,500 to put toward technology upgrades and that’s exactly what they did. With the money they purchased four document cameras, Chromebooks so that each classroom could have their own set, six projectors, a wireless printer for the computer room, eight new desktops for each teacher, and one cart to hold the Chromebooks. “We bought stuff that we knew we would use every day,” said Heinrich.
This is a series of articles that shows how money from the Wildhorse Foundation is spent. The Wildhorse Foundation is a community benefit fund established by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to support organizations in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. For eligibility requirements, visit www. thewildhorsefoundation.com.
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theshop1.biz@gmail.com Ron Dirkes Owner
A look back at 2016 Continued from page 11A
suit in September against the seven members of the CTUIR Election Commission members. The case was dismissed with prejudice, which means the suit cannot be filed again, by Associate Tribal Judge David D. Gallaher on Nov. 28.The case filed by Close, who was recalled by the General Council in October, was dismissed because he did not comply with the court’s scheduling order. CHANGING THE BEHAVIOR OF DOMESTIC violence offenders who grew up considering family aggression as part of everyday life isn’t easy, but a $662,618 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will help continue that effort for another three years. The money will be used here for two purposes: to employ a special victims criminal investigator and a batterer intervention facilitator. WITH THREE OF THEIR STARTERS BACK, including Mary Stewart, last year’s first team all-state guard, the Nixyaawii Community School girls’ basketball team should be considered a contender at Baker City again in February. COUSINS VIRGINIA CONNER AND GABRIELLA LEWIS have been selected as the 2017 Happy Canyon Princesses. Conner is the daughter of Kristen Conner and Kevin Blueback. She is 19 years old is an enrolled member of the CTUIR with plans to attend Blue Mountain Community College LONGTIME TRIBAL LEADin the winter. Lewis, an enrolled Nez ER ALPHONSE HALFMOON, Perce, is the 18-year-old daughter of 94, died Nov.10, 2016 at home, Kathy and Joe Lewis. She is a full time where he was born, on the college student attending Walla Walla Umatilla Indian Reservation. Community College. He was elected to the CTUIR SIX INDIVIDUALS HAVE TURNED Board in 1968 and became IN NOMINATION PETITIONS as canChairman in 1969. He served didates seeking the vacated position of one term on the BOT and BOT Secretary. The position, vacated then went to work for the U.S. when David Close was recalled by Fish and Wildlife Service. He Leo Stewart and Katrina Burnside General Council vote Oct. 4, will be worked at several jobs until he lip-synch at the the Elder ’s filled in a special election Feb. 7, 2017. and his wife, Florence, returned Candidates include N. Kathryn Brigham, to Mission, where he was Luncheon held in September. Leila Spencer, David Wolf Jr., Roberta Kipp, Lawanda elected to the governing body of the CTUIR in 1992 until Bronson, and Jiselle Halfmoon. retiring in 1999. In 1996 he served a term as Chairman AFTER FIVE YEARS OF PLANNING AND LEGAL of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and BATTLES, a proposed coal dock at the Port of Morrow was inducted into the CRITFC Hall of Fame in 2006. in Boardman has been dumped. The Coyote Island THE ANCIENT ONE, AKA KENNEWICK MAN, Terminal, part of the controversial Morrow Pacific Projcould be reburied by the end of the month if Congress ect, would have shipped 8 million passes the Water Resources Detons of coal per year down the velopment Act (WRDA), but there Columbia River for export to Asia. is some concern over the timing of It was initially pitched by Ambre the bill’s prospects.Both the House Energy North America — now and Senate versions of the WRDA Lighthouse Resources — in 2011, bills direct the U.S. Army Corps of promising to add 2,000 new jobs Engineers to return the Ancient One for the area. to the Confederated Tribes of the THE WESTON-MCEWEN Umatilla Indian Reservation and four TIGERSCOT VOLLEYBALL other claimant tribes. However, there TEAM, which included Chelare differences in the language of the sea Quaempts, won the Class WRDA legislation itself that must be 2A state championship with a resolved between the two versions straight set victory over Imbler of the bill. (WRDA is a package of Nov. 5.Weston-McEwen went laws regularly enacted by Congress into the state tournament ranked to deal with various aspects of water number five but whipped number resources, including environmental, 4 Bonanza and number 1 Culver structural, navigational, flood protecbefore slapping third-ranked Imtion, hydrology, etc.) WATCHING THE BOYS FROM Chelsea Quaempts digs the ball in a bler in three straight. Quaempts put up impressive championship NIXYAAWII Community School prac- win with Weston-McEwen. stats, including one fourth of the tice basketball it’s clear fans won’t be team’s defensive digs (13 of 52) and 19 serve receives. watching the same caliber squad as last year’s team that took third at the Class 1A state tournament in Baker City. That doesn’t mean they won’t play just as hard though, said Coach Shane Rivera. BOARD MEMBERS OF THE CTUIR express frustraA STATUE OF CHIEF CLARENCE BURKE, appartion with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ process of the ently sculpted from a photo when he was much younger repatriation of the Kennewick Man. than the iconic heavy-cheeked regalia-clad symbol FOUR NEW OFFICERS ARE ELECTED TO LEAD the he embodied in his later years, was unveiled on Main 2017 CTUIR Youth Leadership Council: Vincent Sheoships Street Nov. 19. chair, Megan Van Pelt vice chair, Lark Moses secretary, and A LAWSUIT FILED BY DAVE CLOSE against the Kylie MountainChief treasurer. Election Commission has been dismissed in Tribal MORE THAN 225 ELDERS attended the Elders ChristCourt. Close, the former secretary for the BOT, filed mas Luncheon in December. ceptable. General Council Chairman Alan Crawford said the vote came after tribal member and former BOT member Bob Shippentower pointed out that the General Council does not have the authority to hire or fire anybody. The General Council has the authority only to elect and/or recall General Council and BOT officers, and/or demand reports of General Council or the BOT. ROSENDA SHIPPENTOWER IS FEATURED in a full-page cover photo for the lead story about Cayuse Technologies in the October edition of Tribal Business Journal. Shippentower is a member of the Cayuse Technologies board of directors and the treasurer of the BOT for the CTUIR. The story focuses on the creation, business model, jobs, and future growth of the company, which is owned by the CTUIR. A THREE-YEAR $800,000 GRANT from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide funding for a program designed to address changes to health care delivery and establish leadership and professional development strategies that promote a succession plan at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
David Close appeals
MISSION – David Close, former secretary for the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has filed an appeal in Tribal Court for a “rehearing” even though a hearing never took place. Close was recalled in October by General Council voters. Through his attorneys, Close has filed the appeal in which Tribal Court Judge William Johnson granted a motion for
Toddlers enjoy being read to before bedtime 18A
summary judgment and a denial of temporary injunction against the Election Commission. Close’s appeal is also connected to Judge David Gallaher’s dismissal of a suit filed in September against the seven members of the Election Commission. Because Close missed deadlines, t he case was dismissed with prejudice, which means the suit cannot be filed again.
Camp Crier on KCUW 104.3 f.m. Monday-Friday, last three weeks of the month 8-9 a.m.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Ancient One coming home Continued from page 2A
tween tribes and scientists over whether the bones should be buried immediately or studied. In 2015, new genetic evidence determined the remains were related to modern Native Americans. It’s been 20 years since the five tribes – the Umatilla’s, Yakamas, Colvilles, Nez Perce and Wanapums - began the fight to repatriate the remains of the Ancient One.
January 2017
“If anything,” Minthorn said, “after 20 years with all five tribes being very patient and very tolerant, we’ve learned a lot of lessons. For us, the five tribes have an accomplishment of a lifetime and this reburial will be huge. “Actually knowing we will be reburying Kennewick Man is an inspiration to urge us on to continue to repatriate countless ancestral remains still out there and there are a lot still out there,” Minthorn said.
The bill signed by Obama transfers the skeleton from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington state archaeology department, which will get it to the tribes. “We will work closely with that state organization to transfer the remains in an expedited fashion,” said Amy J. Gaskill, chief of public affairs for the Army Corps in Portland, Oregon. It was too soon to say exactly where the bones will go, as several Northwest
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Indian tribes have been involved in the fight. “We don’t know where the bones are going yet,” Gaskill said. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray first introduced the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, and she was joined by senators from Oregon and Idaho. A provision in the bill called for returning Kennewick Man to the tribes of the Columbia River Plateau.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Sports & News The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon
Section
B
January 2017
Nixyaawii girls undefeated, boys surprisingly 4-4 as conference play begins Schimmel siblings join squads By the CUJ
MISSION – Pretty good news if you’re a Nixyaawii hoops fan. The girls are where you’d expect them to be. Undefeated with a 54-51 win over the pre-season coaches’ number one Country Christian squad. The boys are the surprise with a 4-4 mark. The girls were good before, but they’re better with junior Milan Schimmel. The boys would still be struggling without the addition of freshman Mick Schimmel. Let’s look at the girls first. As press time, the Golden Eagles were 8-0 with one conference win, 50-29, over Cove. The only other Class 1A Old Oregon League game - Coach Jeremy Maddern against Wallowa was cancelled because of snow. The big win came against Country Christian on the road. “It was psychological a win for us,” said Coach Jeremy Maddern. Nixyaawii was up by as many as 11, but “ran out of gas” in the final frame. Still, Maddern said, the team never lost the lead. Mary Stewart continues to do what she does. She’s following up last year’s all-star performances with more of the same with an average of 22 points and 10 steals a game. She’s scored more than 30 points in four games this season. All-star post Sunshine Fuentes has been hobbled by knee injuries and Maddern has kept her off the floor for most of the pre-season. In her place he’s moved Kaitlynn Melton, the swift forward who can knife her way past defenders to the hoop. She’s leading the team in rebounds is averaging about 13 points a game. Then there’s Schimmel, who has only been playing for the last four games. She’s been averaging about 11 points a game with a high of 30 in the win over Cove. “She’s solid with varsity game experience,” Maddern said. “She’s another key weapon and I like her as much for her leadership as her play on the floor. She has good
‘It was a psychological win for us.’
Stacy Fitzpatrick goes high for a rebound in an early game for the Nixyaawii Golden Eagles who had their record to 8-0 as the OId Oregon League was about to start conference games in January.
Thank you letters on Page 18B
Leonard Peltier statue coming down at college campus in Washington, D.C. Story on Page 13B.
Mick Schimmel, brother of Shoni and Jude, has joined the Nixyaawii Community School boys team and already is the leading scorer.
Tamastslikt schedule on Page 8B
Senior post Chandler Case, 6-7, takes the ball up against a Cove defender in the paint. Case had strong games, including a double-double against South Wasco players 6-5 and 6-4, as league play was about to begin in January.
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Senior Jessy Church flies high to the basket for a reverse lay-in while Shaydin Jones Hoisington trails the play against Cove in December.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Bounc’n Cancer tourney raises over $2,800 By Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ
ECHO – When he was 12 years old, Aaron Noisey’s mom was diagnosed with cancer. From the time his mother began her treatment to the time she passed away, Noisey and his siblings were never together as a family unit again. The reason was simply because of distance and finances; the family of five couldn’t afford the cost of travel and lodging for a 148-mile trip. As Noisey grew older and became the Athletic Director for the Nixyaawii Golden Eagles on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, he saw an opportunity for rival basketball teams to come together for a good cause. Never forgetting what he and his family went through, Noisey came up with the concept “Bounc’n Cancer”, a two-day basketball fundrais-
Jeanie Bloodsworth, left, with her niece Crystal Hodges is a two-time cancer survivor and was recognized at the Bounc’n Cancer event.
ing event. “I wanted to start this to help families travel to be together through treatments,” said Noisey who told his story between games at the 10-year Bounc’n Cancer event held in Echo Dec. 29-30. Playing in the games were varsity boys and girls teams of the Nixyaawii Golden
Eagles, the Echo Cougars, the South Wasco Redsides, and the Dufur Rangers. To raise money, the entry fee to the game was $5 a day. In addition, a basket raffle was held for 11 different items that were donated by sponsors, profit from the concessions stands also went to the cause, and volunteers sold raffle tickets for a 50/50 drawing. A total of $2,835.77 was raised from the 2016 event, with a grand total of over $48,000 since 2008. Receiving the money will be “Friends of Pamela Fay, Inc”, a foundation that keeps the proceeds within Umatilla and Morrow counties, according to Noisey. Services that they provide include giving gas cards to traveling patients and helping with head gear such as wigs and hats. For more details on services visit www. YourFriendPamelaFaye.org. In addition to the basketball games, there was a candle lighting event where
‘I wanted to start this to help families travel to be together through treatments.’
- Aaron Noisey, Athletic Director at Nixyaawii CommunitySchool
everyone took a moment of silence to remember those they have lost to cancer. Afterwards, they recognized all cancer survivors who were present. Sponsors of the event were Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Blue Mountain Community College Theatre Arts Department, Echo Boys Basketball program, Bi-Mart Corporation, Nixyaawii Community School, Nixyaawii Booster Club, Leigh Pinkham Johnston, and Sundown Grill & Bar-B-Q.
Federal judge won’t change blackjack ruling TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A federal judge is telling the state of Florida that he won’t back off his decision to let the Seminole Tribe of Florida keep blackjack at its casinos. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in December rejected a post-trial motion to alter his November ruling. The state must now decide whether to appeal the case or try to work out a new deal with the Seminoles. Judge Hinkle initially ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to put in card games that mimicked ones that were supposed to be exclusive to tribe-owned casinos for a five-year period. Hinkle ruled the tribe could keep blackjack for another 14 years. Hinkle said this week the state was trying to reargue something he has already ruled on.
Recycle & save the Earth for future generations January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
3B
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Mary Stewart, who earned all kinds of accolades last year as a sophomore, is on fire again this season with a 22 point average and game highs of 35 and 34 points. The Nixyaawii Community School point guard also is averaging about 10 steals a game.
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UNDERCURRENTS
an eclectic mix of music on KCUW 104.3 FM throughout the day and night
4B
character.” Schimmel gives the Golden Eagles a strong six-man rotation with a bench that can rest starters. As for scores, the girls have been averaging 55 points a game while holding teams to 26 a game. Now for the boys, who everyone thought would be playing for improvement this year. And don’t get it wrong, there’s lots to improve upon, even with the addition of freshman Schimmel. The squad is even with four wins over Country Christian, Cover, Ione and South Wasco County. The biggest margin has been 19 when Schimmel showed up and scored 28 points. Coach Shane Rivera said the team is “better than I thought we’d be” and believes the Golden Eagles will be “competitive in league.” Schimmel, Rivera said, comes to the court with strong fundamentals and with the basketball mind of a Schimmel
Confederated Umatilla Journal
(Shoni plays in the Women’s National Basketball Association and Jude played at the University of Louisville). At about 6-foot, Mick Schimmel can use his size and muscle to get to the hoop but he also can bang in the three. He scored 19 in the last game in 2016 against South Wasco. Also showing improvement at year’s end was Chandler Case, the 6-7 senior. “We’ve always been guard oriented and big men always get lost, but been preaching to get him the ball. The kids did a better job seeing where he was and it paid off once we got the ball inside,” Rivera said. Case was going up against boys 6-4 and 6-5 and he dominated with a doubledouble scoring a dozen points and 10 rebounds against South Wasco. “He was getting in the paint, reading the defender and was more active and that was a nice surprise,” Rivera said.
January 2017
Upward Bound, Whitman program deadlines near MISSION – Deadlines are approaching for two upcoming summer programs for high school youth. The application deadline for the University of Colorado’s Upward Bound Summer Program is Jan. 9. The free program is scheduled to be held June 10 to July 31 in Boulder, Colorado. To qualify, students must currently be attending ninth
through eleventh grade with parents who do not have a college education and/or are from a low-income family. The Whitman College Horizons Summer Program application deadline is Feb. 14. Native American students who are currently in tenth or eleventh grade with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply. The program will be
held July 8-14 at Whitman College in Walla Walla and there is a $450 attendance fee. For more information or help applying to either of the summer programs, contact Annie Smith, Native American Higher Education Coach and Liaison at 541429-7831 or email AnnieSmith@ ctuir.org.
Montana State makes Natives feel at home By David Rooks, Indian Country Today
Pointing out the plays Chelsea Quaempts, point guard for Weston-McEwen TigerScots in Class 2A Columbia Basin Conference, is distributing the ball for the 8-3 squad ready to play their first league game against Heppner Jan. 14.
January 2017
When a student is going away from home for the first time, it really helps to like school—and for that to happen, they have to feel comfortable. Judged by98 that standard, Native students at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman say their campus is a great place for them. “When I first came here, I fell in love with Bozeman. It’s beautiful, it’s friendly, the community is very welcoming to Native people,” says Francesca Pine, Northern Cheyenne/Crow, and a graduate student at MSU. Another Native student at MSU points out that, “Bozeman is so close to so many reservations that, for many of us, it’s not that far from home.” Native American Studies professor and Department head Walter C. Fleming, Kickapoo, said, “Our student-support folks take really good
Confederated Umatilla Journal
care of our kids the whole time they’re here. Our Native studies and academic program has been here since 1974 … Part of our success is we’ve had a long-term commitment to the growth of our students. We have about 40 programs on our campus for them.” As part of its drive to increase understanding among all students, MSU President Waded Cruzado points out that all MSU students are required to take a diversity core of classes that includes introductory courses in Native history and cultural life. With such a long and deep relationship to the young indigenous men and women coming from area tribes and beyond, it’s no surprise the annual MSU Pow Wow that takes place on campus during the school’s annual spring break is one of the See Montana State on page 6B
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Indian Country economic development group names new executive The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development has a new president and chief executive officer. Chris James comes to the organization from the Small Business Administration, where he handled outreach to Indian Country and tribal consultation. He also served as program manager at the Department of the Treasury, where he improved Indian Country’s access to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. “Chris James has the perfect combination of experience, knowledge, and personality to take the reins of an organization whose mission is to create economic opportunity for Indian Country,” Derrick Watchman, the chairman of the NCAIED board, said in a press release. “Mr. James has deep roots in Native American business and economic development, and he has risen to become one of the most effective and tireless advocates for our communities while working in the highest levels of the federal government.”
Montana State Continued from page 5B
Shaydin Jones Hoisington takes the ball to the hoop ahead of a defender in a game played in December. The Golden Eagle boys have a 4-4 record heading into the conference schedule
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Tristalynn Melton, a freshman, reaches out to catch the ball before it goes out of bounds in a game against Stanfield.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
largest in the country. In 2017, it will be held on April 14-15. The gathering draws participants nationwide and typically features more than 700 dancers and 15 to 20 drums. “Our philosophy is, we don’t care where our students are coming from when they get to MSU, we’re committed to their success when they’re here,” says Fleming. “We’ve built all our student support services around ensuring they succeed.”
January 2017
Roots & Boots Tour stops at Wildhorse MISSION – Tickets are on sale now for the Roots and Boots Tour, which will stop Friday, Feb. 10, at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The Roots & Boots Concert is comprised of three legendary country music stars - Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Terri Clark. The trio brings acoustic versions of their of Top 40 hits. And, since these three have known each other for decades, they’ll be pausing between songs to tell stories and share laughs with their fans. Louisiana born, Sammy Kershaw brings his pure country sound with songs like “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” “Queen of my Doublewide Trailer,” and “Vidalia.” His newest album, “Better Than I Used to Be” relates to real life stories, which his longtime fans will find are very comparable to his biggest hits from the 1990s. After being discovered in a Nashville Night Club in 1990, it took just a short time for Aaron Tippin to hit Number 1 on the Country Music Charts. With 25-years of success in the country music industry, Tippin will bring his biggest chart toppers to the stage. Songs like “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “There Ain’t
Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You,” and “Kiss This” will have you singing all night long. Rounding out the tour is Terri Clark, a dynamic, no-holds-bar live performer and one of the rare female country artists capable of throwing down some impressive guitar work. The winner of eight CMA Entertainer of the Year Awards and five Female Vocalists of the Year Awards, Clark has sold over five million albums, reaching as high as Triple Platinum status. Her major hits include “If I Were You,” “You’re Easy on the Eyes,” “Better Things to do,” “Poor Poor Pitful
Me,” and “Girls Lie Too.” The show begins at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7. Tickets are $49.99 for general, $69.99 for premium and $125 for the VIP package, which includes seating in the first two rows, a meet and greet pass and more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wildhorseresort.com or at the Wildhorse Gift Shop. Club Wild Members receive a discount on General and Premium seating. Online, enter your Club Wild number under “promo” to lower prices. All seating is assigned. Must be 21 years of age to attend. No host bar is available in Rivers Events Center.
Pier No. 104 Kathie Burke Stylist
104 SE Court 541-278-3469/ cell 541-240-1116
Tribal leaders announce emergency over invasive mussels KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Tribal leaders in Montana have declared a formal emergency over invasive mussel larvae in reservation waters and Flathead Lake. The Flathead Beacon reports that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes declared the emergency on Dec. 20. The resolution calls for the formation of an incident management team in response to larvae found in Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs, the Milk River near Malta and the Missouri River south of Townsend. The tribal team would work with the state and other groups fighting the invasive species. Invasive mussels rapidly multiply and can damage beaches, clog boat motors and dams, harm fish and wildlife and damage infrastructure. Traces of contamination are so far restricted to the Missouri River Basin, but mussels can be spread by clinging to the hulls of boats. Information from: Flathead Beacon, http://www.flatheadbeacon.com
CLOSED Tamastslikt Cultural Institutue will be closed Jan. 9-14 for inventory, cleaning, & repairing January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Meet first Native American to win electoral vote By Arden Dier, Newser Staff
OLYMPIA, Washington – When Washington state’s 12 electors cast their presidential votes in December, four of them defied their state’s popular vote and ditched Hillary Clinton. Three of those dissenting votes went to Colin Powell and the fourth went to Faith Spotted Eagle. If that name has you wondering who on earth Faith Spotted Eagle is, well, that was exactly the intent of the man who cast that vote, Robert Satiacum. In what he says was a last-second decision, the member of Washington’s
Environmental activist Faith Spotted Eagle got one in Washington state Puyallup Tribe opted to vote for Spotted Eagle of South Dakota’s Yankton Sioux Reservation to send a message about the environment. “Earth is on fire, and we are in need of first responders, and not more politicians,” Satiacum tells the Los Angeles Times. As a result, Spotted Eagle is believed to be the first Native American
to win an electoral vote for the land’s highest office. Spotted Eagle has made a name for herself as an environmental activist, most visibly in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline and more recently the Dakota Access pipeline, notes the Seattle Times. The protest of the latter is where she and Satiacum met. “I thought it was fake news,” says 68-year-old Spotted Eagle. “I told my daughter, ‘Is this real?’ She said, ‘I think it is.’”
But she tells ABC News she understands the vote is about the movement she belongs to, not herself. She adds that she expects things to get worse for environmentalists under the Trump administration. “The people coming in are pro-oil, so I think for the next four years we’re
Faith Spotted Eagle speaks in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline in Grand Island, Neb., in (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) 2013.
going to be in a battle, and I think all of America is going to be in a battle.” -newser.com
Federal government expands database access for Indian tribes By Martha Bellisle of the Associated Press
SEATTLE - The federal government is expanding a program that allows American Indian tribes to access national criminal databases and fix a system that allowed a man to buy a gun that was later used by his son to kill four classmates and himself at a Washington high school. The Tribal Access Program, launched last year, lets tribes enter and search for records in the National Crime Information Database, used when someone tries to buy a firearm. The Justice Department chose 10 tribes, including two from Washington state, to participate in the initial phase of the program and announced in late December that it has added 11 tribes to that list. The Tulalip Tribe didn’t have access to the database, so a domestic violence protection order against Raymond Fryberg was never entered and he was able to pass a background check and purchase a gun that was later used by his son, Jaylen, to kill four classmates and himself at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School in October 2014. The FBI oversees a justice information services system in all 50 states. The system includes the National Crime Information Center, used by law enforcement to get data on stolen property, wanted people and sex offenders, and the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System, used by Federal Firearms Licensees during gun purchases. Before the new program, the systems were available to federal, state and local law enforcement but not to all tribes. Tulalip Chairman Melvin Sheldon Jr. said TAP will empower tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide by giving them the tools they have sought for years to protect their communities. In addition to using the database during firearms purchases, it’s used for background checks when placing children with a foster parent. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said the ``landmark effort’’ strengthens both the sovereignty and safety of American and Alaska Native people. “Since its launch in 2015, this project has not only helped law enforcement locate suspects, rescue victims and extradite captured fugitives, but it’s also made it easier for civil courts to enter and enforce orders of protection for domestic violence victims,”’ Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said in a statement. During 2016, the tribes received a kiosk workstation that gave them access to national systems. The tribes used the program for variety of criminal agencies, including law enforcement, criminal courts and jails. It lets tribes enter arrests and convictions into national databases. Tribal civil agencies also used the program. Agencies that took advantage of the new access included those whose staff and volunteers have contact with or control over Indian children; public housing agencies; child support enforcement agencies; Head Start programs; civil agencies that investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children; civil courts that issue orders of protection, restraining orders or other keep away orders; and sex offender registration programs. The program helps tribes register sex offenders and have protection orders enforced off the reservations. Phase Two of TAP will grant access to Database access on page 10B
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Former official admits he kept tribal ancestors in garbage bags By the Associated Press
ingly, have reacted with scorn to the man who lied to them and to his superiors The court docket reads “closed” but about the remains that he removed in July the wounds remain open for 20 tribes 1990. He took them just days after introwhose ancestors were illegally removed duction of H.R.5237, the bill that from the Effigy Mounds National became NAGPRA Monument in Iowa later that year during and kept in garthe 101st Congress. bage bags by a “This was a racist top official. and bigoted act,” Thomas A. Patt Murphy, the Munson, the forNAGPRA repremer superintensentative for the dent of the monuIowa Tribe of ment, removed the Kansas and Neremains in order braska, wrote in to avoid complya victim impact ing with the Native statement. American Graves “Thomas Protection and ReMunson stole patriation Act. In an them and apology directed to then dumped the tribes affected, them into he admitted that he cardboard concealed his actions boxes,” Murfor more than 20 years phy said of while their relatives sat the remains An apology signed by Thomas A. Munson, the in his garage. that were “While I inappropri- former superintendent of the Effigy Mounds taken. National Monument who admitted he removed ately stored these human tribal remains from the federal facility. In total, remains in my garage, the rein garbage bags inside mains that Munson cardboard boxes without took represented about 41 people. He temperature, humidity, or other en- also took objects that had been buried vironmental controls, please understand with the tribal ancestors, items that are that I did nothing else to deliberately also protected by NAGPRA. harm them,” the 76-year-old Munson Officials at the National Park Service wrote in the signed statement. became suspicious about some missing After admitting to his crime, Munson remains after Munson retired in 1994, in late December was sentenced to 10 the AP reported. Yet they never officially consecutive weekends in jail, 12 months looked into the matter until 1998, the of supervised probation and home deten- AP said. tion for 12 months. He also was ordered The tribes weren’t formally told that to pay restitution of $108,905 to the fed- the remains were taken until 2011, when eral government. Munson brought one box back to the “It is a very sad day when a public monument. A year later, federal agent official betrays the public’s trust,” U.S. found a second box in Munson’s home. Attorney Kevin W. Techau said after “Those are my people,” Sandra the sentencing in federal court. “This Massey, the historic preservation officer was a serious crime and the betrayal for the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, was compounded by a violation of the said in court, the Associated Press remost sacred trust placed in Mr. Munson ported. “What kind of sick mind does as the Superintendent of Effigy Mounds this kind of thing?” National Monument.” The incident isn’t the only blemish Munson’s written apology was re- at the monument, which is home to quired by the plea agreement he signed hundreds of tribal burial mounds, some with federal authorities. He also has in unique animal and other shapes. made a videotaped statement but his Following Munson’s departure, staff defense team has not yet said whether it constructed walkways, damaged sacred will be released to the tribes or the public. sites and undertook other construction Tribal representatives, unsurpris- projects without consulting tribes or fol-
Washington high school to change Native American mascot KALAMA, Wash. (AP) - A Native American mascot at a high school in southwest Washington is getting a new look. The Daily News reports the Kalama High School mascot known as Charlie Chinook has buck teeth, a large nose, wears a loin cloth and holds a tomahawk. Kalama School Board president Ryan Cruser told the newspaper the issue has been on the back burner and needs to be addressed.
January 2017
The original image was a version of an early 1900s caricature of a Native American best known as the former Arizona State University athletic logo. Charlie Funk, a Chinook tribal member and political cartoonist for The Chronicle in Centralia, will do the redesign. School administrators are also consulting the Chinook tribe, as well as involving a student leadership class in the mascot modification.
lowing federal historic preservation laws, according to documents obtained by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. After learning of the work, one tribal leader complained that staff turned their ancestral burial grounds into “places to walk your dog,” according to one document obtained by PEER. The tribes affiliated with the Effigy Mounds National Monument follow: Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandeau Santee Sioux Tribe, Ho-Chunk Nation, Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Omaha Nation, Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Prairie Island Indian Community, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska, Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Santee Sioux Nation, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Upper Sioux Indian Community, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. This story was reprinted on the Indianz.com website.
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Database access In the holiday spirit
Continued from page 8B
It was standing room only for the Washington Elementary Holiday Program Dec. 12. First and second graders took the stage in the morning followed by third, fourth and fifth graders in the afternoon. Music teacher Jill Scanlan led the performances. A large number of students enrolled with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation attend Washington School in Pendleton. CUJ photo/Jane Hill
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national crime information databases and technical support to the following tribes: _ Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington state. _ Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve, Alaska. _ Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah. _ Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico. _ Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation, California. _ Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota. _ Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona. _ Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South Dakota. _ Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana. _ Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Nevada. _ Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin.
January 2017
January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Thank you letters THE FIRST TRIBAL FIRST FOODS FORUM took place on the afternoon of December 13 at the Nixyaawii Governance Center’s General Council Chambers where roughly 20 Tribal Members attended. The youngest participant was in their teens and the oldest was an elder. From the small gathering there were sons, daughters, uncles, aunties, grandmas and grandpas from various walks of life. We were able to discuss a few specific issues such Noxious Weeds: what are they, how are they distributed, what their impacts are on our fish, deer, roots and berries and what are some solutions we can work on within our government and on our own? Other topics produced some great suggestions such as ways to improve communication between the government/management and Tribal Members, as well as between Tribal Members ourselves. There were certainly many good discus-
sions and suggestions but a couple that stood out were “...the first foods will bring us together...”, and to have more forums on a quarterly basis. The Fish & Wildlife Commission would like to thank all those Tribal Members who were able to participate at this first “round table” forum for our foods (past, present and future) and share in the buffalo chili that was provided by my wife Althea. Additionally, we would like to thank the CTUIR Tribally owned Two Rivers Fish Co. for donating professionally packaged fish for the event and distribution to elders. To all those Tribal Members who could not make this one, thankfully there will be more opportunities to share with one another. Respectfully, Jeremy R. Wolf, BOT Vice-Chair/Fish & Wildlife Chair THE NICHT-YOW-WAY ELDER’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE and Department of Children and Family Services would like to thank the community for all their help during this holiday season. We would like to thank each of them for their contributions for the Elders Luncheon: Theda Scott, Elders Coordinator; the outgoing advisory council members Rita Maldonado and Marlene Taylor. We would also like to thank the following individuals for their help during the event: Cayuse Singers drum group, Doris Scott, Andi Scott, Woodrow Star, Antone Minthorn, Fermore Craig, David Wolfe, Kristen Parr, Linda Sampson and the beautiful Afterschool and Head Start Children, Aaron Hines, Kelsey Burns, Lawanda Bronson and Anson Crane. We would also like to thank the following groups for their generous donations of goods: Board of Trustees, General Council, Deb Croswell, OED, Cayuse Technologies, Vocational Rehab, Human Resources, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Clinic, Finance, and CTUIR as a whole for their support. THANK YOU FROM THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM.Thank you to Marie Allman, Crystal Pleninger, and DCFS Staff for the Foster Care Christmas Dinner. Thank you to Cayuse Technologies and Wildhorse Resort & Casino employee’s for the presents for the Foster Care Children. Thank you to Janelle Quaempts-Gibson and her other co-workers who brought special gifts to foster families this holiday season. Janelle runs a small business selling a clothing line called LuLaRoe and with a fundraising portion of her proceeds they pledged to the CTUIR Department of Children and Family Services. Also, thank you for all the drummers, singers, and Santa Mun, Randall Minthorn and the Foster Care Parents for all your Love for the children. THE CTUIR YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL would like to thank the advisors Cor Sams, Jill-Marie Gavin, and Julie Taylor for their commitment to us and hard work along with support from the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center staff for assisting and donating incentives, and thank you Sierra James, Becky Greear, Joann Malumaleumu, Deb Shippentower, Robby Bill, Natasha Herrera and Karen Cook for your participation and continued support. Thank you Rick, Jude and Shoni Schimmel for participating in the Youth Summit and encouraging the youth to believe in themselves and to Dream Big. Thank you to all of our youth for coming out to this healthy activity during their Winter break and thank you to all the parents who continue to support this council. We look forward to 2017. Happy New Year!
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Statue of imprisoned activist Leonard Peltier coming down From Indianz.com A statue of imprisoned American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier is being removed from the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. The 9-foot-tall wooden statue is located outside of the AU Museum at the Katzen Arts Center. Its placement there in early December was announced by the school with the following disclaimer: “American University regards this statue as an exhibited piece of art and takes no position on the advocacy movement.” But administrators changed their minds just days after hearing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association, a non-profit organization of active and retired agents. The group sent a letter to university president Neil Kerwin on Dec. 29 to complain about the installation. ”The subject matter and placement of the piece improperly suggested that American University has assumed an advocacy position of clemency for Mr. Peltier, when no such institutional position has been taken,” a statement announcing the removal of the statue on Jan. 2 read. “Further, the nature and location of the piece called into question our ability to honor our responsibilities to ensure the security of the art and the safety of our community.” In a Dec. 22 post on Twitter about the statue, the AU Museum highlighted the
history of presidential pardons. Peltier’s of “tumultuous history,” Archambault supporters - a group that includes nearly noted in his letter. Just two years earlier, every major tribal organization, Repub- FBI agents laid siege at Wounded Knee lican and Democratic politicians and on the reservation and mistrust of law human rights groups enforcement ran strong. around the world - have Throughout numerous asked President Barack Peltier’s supporters legal appeals, Peltier has Obama to release the ac- - a group that steadfastly denied being retivist from prison, where sponsible for the deaths of includes nearly he is serving two life the two men. His stance has sentences for the mur- every major tribal derailed his chances for paders of two FBI agents organization, role so supporters believe in 1975. a pardon, commutation or Republican and “Mr. Peltier has been other executive action is in prison for 41 years,” Democratic the only way he can enjoy Chairman Dave Ar- politicians and freedom again. chambault of the Stand- human rights But those efforts have ing Rock Sioux Tribe consistently run into fierce groups around the wrote in a Dec. 22 letter opposition from the law ento the president. “He is world - have asked forcement community. The in ill health; requires ur- President Barack late Janet Reno, who was gent, specialized medi- Obama to release the first woman to serve cal treatment; and just as Attorney General of the lost his youngest son. the activist from United States, faced intense Continued incarceration prison, where he pressure at the end of the serves no purpose.” Bill Clinton administration is serving two life Peltier, who is a citito push for Peltier’s release. sentences for the zen of the Turtle MounReno, who passed away tain Band of Chippewa murders of two FBI on Nov. 7, refused to disIndians, was convicted agents in 1975. close her position on the in 1977 for the murders issue. Former president of FBI agents Jack R. ColClinton ultimately left ofer and Ronald A. Williams. The incident fice without taking action. took place on the Pine Ridge ReservaPeltier’s supporters essentially gave up tion in South Dakota in June 1975, a time once George W. Bush took office. Obama,
who has promoted his policy advances in Indian Country, has granted 70 pardons and more than 1,000 commutations, according to the Department of Justice. Artist Rigo 23, also known as Ricardo Gouveia, created the statue based on a recent self-portrait from Peltier. He took it on a cross-country journey from California and stopped on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation before coming to D.C. “Leonard Peltier has now spent four entire decades behind bars for a crime he has not committed even though, by most countries’ standards, he has now fulfilled both of the consecutive life-sentences to which he was wrongly sentenced,” Rigo, 23, wrote on the statue’s website.
PLEASE VOTE FOR
N. KATHRYN “KAT” BRIGHAM On Feb. 7, 2017 in the
Special BOT Secretary Election January 2017
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Cherokee Nation now recognizes same-sex marriage By Hayley Miller, The Huffington Post
The Cherokee Nation will now recognize same-sex marriage, according to an opinion issued in early December by the tribe’s attorney general. Todd Hembree, the tribe’s attorney general, wrote in his opinion: “The right to marry without the freedom to marry the person of one’s choice is no right at all. The history of perpetual partnerships and marriage among Cherokees supports the conclusion that Cherokee citizens have a fundamental right not only to choose a spouse but also, with mutual consent, to join together
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
and form a household irrespective of sexual orientation.” The decision followed a request made by the tribe’s tax commissioner for an official opinion on the issue in early December. “We were increasingly being contacted by departments in the Cherokee Nation on how to handle certain issues with same-sex marriage,” Chrissi Nimmo, assis‘The right tant attorney to marry general of the Cherokee Nawithout the tion, told The freedom to Huffington Post marry the Native American nations person of are governed one’s choice b y C o n g ress, is no right at not the federal courts. So the all.’ 2015 Supreme - Cherokee Attorney Court decision General Todd to recognize gay Hembree marriage in all 50 states did not legally affect the Cherokee Nation, but Nimmo said the bulk of the Cherokee decision was indeed informed by it. Hembree’s decision was also influenced by historical Cherokee Nation sexuality narratives. He wrote in the decision: “Our oral history teaches us also that the Cherokee and Euro-American worldviews differed dramatically regarding appropriate gender roles, marriage, sexuality, and spiritual beliefs. Indeed, while the majority of Cherokees subscribed to the traditional gender roles, evidence suggests a tradition of homosexuality or alternative sexuality among a minority of Cherokees.” “It think it’s a really interesting part of the decision,” Nimmo told HuffPost. “Through historical research, we were able to identify research sources that indicate there was some type of historical recognition of homosexuality.” Hembree’s opinion nullifies a law the tribe passed 12 years ago called the Cherokee Nation and Family Protection Act, which banned same-sex marriage among tribe members. Though same-sex marriage is still illegal in some Native American tribes, like the Navajo Nation, Nimmo believes most tribes don’t take a stance on it either way. “I think you will see a mixed reaction [to the Cherokee decision] like you do in the American public at large,” Nimmo told HuffPost. “Without a doubt, there will be tribal members and officials who support this and are proud of this, and there will be others ... who don’t like it.” The Cherokee Nation’s legal recognition of same-sex marriage will take effect immediately. Nimmo said Hembree’s decision is “binding and considered legally valid,” though it can be challenged by other Cherokee officials at any time. “I don’t really know who would challenge it,” Nimmo added.
January 2017
Mohawks remove St. Regis River dam By Mary Esch of the Associated Press
HOGANSBURG, N.Y. — A century after the first commercial dam was built on the St. Regis River, blocking the spawning runs of salmon and sturgeon, the stream once central to the traditional culture of New York’s Mohawk Tribe is flowing freely once again. The removal of the 11-foot-high Hogansburg Dam this fall is the latest in the tribe’s decades-long struggle to restore territory defiled by industrial pollution, beginning in the 1980s with PCBs and heavy metals from nearby General Motors, Alcoa and Reynolds Metal plants, a cleanup under federal oversight that’s nearly complete. The St. Regis River project is the first removal of an operating hydroelectric dam in New York state and the nation’s first decommissioning of a federally licensed dam by a Native American tribe, federal officials say. Paired with the recent success of North Dakota’s Standing Rock Sioux in rerouting a pipeline they feared could threaten their water supply, the dam’s removal underscores longstanding concern over the health of tribal lands. “We look at this not only as reclaiming the resources and our land, but also taking back this scar on our landscape that’s a constant reminder of those days of exploitation,” said Tony David, water resources manager for the St. Regis Mo-
January 2017
Tony David, water resources program manager for the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, poses in front of a decommissioned hydroelectric powerhouse in Hogansburg, N.Y. A century after the first commercial dam was built on the St. Regis River, blocking the spawning runs of salmon and sturgeon, the river once central to the traditional culture of the Mohawk Tribe along New York’s northern border is flowing freely again. (Mike Groll/Associated Press)
hawk Reservation, which the Mohawks call Akwesasne. The former industrial site will become a focal point in the Mohawks’ cultural restoration program, funded by a $19 million settlement in 2013 with GM, Alcoa and Reynolds for pollution of tribal fishing and hunting grounds along the St. Lawrence River. The program partners young apprentices with tribal elders to preserve the Mohawk language and pass
on traditional practices such as hunting, fishing, trapping, basket-making, horticulture and medicine. Standing on the rocky edge of a shallow, rushing river that was stilled by a 330-foot-long concrete dam until backhoes demolished it in September, David said a new park will be built to showcase Mohawk artwork where the powerhouse once hummed. On the opposite bank, a nature park will replace a treacherous
Confederated Umatilla Journal
tangle of industrial equipment, decrepit structures and trash. “We’re transforming it from a dangerous no-go zone to someplace that’s inviting and beautiful,” said Eric Sunday, an apprentice in the cultural restoration program. “It creates opportunities to get people together, showcase skills, get more knowledge about our traditional ways and just appreciate nature.” The dam, on former Mohawk land adjacent to the sprawling reservation, was in the early stages of federal relicensing five years ago when owner Brookfield Renewable Energy decided it wasn’t economically feasible to make necessary upgrades. Seizing an opportunity to recover some treasured territory, the Mohawks became a co-licensee and took the lead in the decommissioning, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Trout Unlimited. The dam removal re-established the river’s connection with the St. Lawrence River and opened nearly 275 miles of stream habitat to migratory fish, including American eel, lake sturgeon, Atlantic salmon and walleye. “The next town upstream was known by the Mohawks as ‘Place of the Salmon,’” David said. “Before salmon were extirpated from this river, people would be out in the shallows netting or spearing them to feed their families.”
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Two arrested for hanging #NoDAPL banner during Vikings-Bears NFL game By DAVE CAMPBELL, Associated Press Pro Football Writer
MINNEAPOLIS - Three people were in custody Jan. 2 after two Dakota Access pipeline protesters rappelled from the roof of the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to hang a banner during the Minnesota Vikings’ season finale against the Chicago Bears. The game was not interrupted by the protest, but eight rows of fans seated below the banner were cleared as a precaution. The Vikings beat the Bears, 38-10. The banner urged Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank to divest from the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline. Opponents contend the pipeline could affect drinking water and Native American artifacts. Texas-based developer Energy Transfer Partners says the pipeline will be safe. Minneapolis police spokesman Officer Corey Schmidt said a 32-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were arrested on misdemeanor burglary and trespass charges for the high-flying stunt. Police later arrested a 27-year-old woman whom they accuse of obstructing the legal process, but have released no details of her role in the incident. The protesters rappelled into place during the second quarter, and then
hung in a seated position about 100 feet above the seats that were evacuated for safety. The pair watched the rest of the game, occasionally shifting positions or waving at spectators. One wore a purple Brett Favre Vikings jersey. U.S. Bank Stadium operator SMG said in a statement that they apparently climbed over a guard rail to access the ridge truss. Police spoke with them from a catwalk in attempt to get them to stop, and by the fourth quarter about a half-dozen police and firefighters in rappelling gear were on the truss waiting to remove the pair. The protesters willingly climbed up their ropes when the game ended, as fans booed them from below. Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley said the team’s only concern was for the ``safety of our fans and guests.’’ Protesters say U.S. Bank has extended a large credit line to Energy Transfer Partners. U.S. Bank spokesman Dana Ripley declined comment. The pipeline would carry oil from western North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois. Protesters camped in North Dakota for months to try to stop completion of the project.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2017
Quarry owner unhappy with tweaks to burial site laws By TODD RICHMOND of the Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. - A quarry owner locked in a bitter dispute over excavating tribal burial mounds said Dec. 29 he isn’t happy with changes a legislative committee wants to make to Wisconsin’s burial site protections. Robert Shea, president of Wingra Stone and Redi-Mix, a Madison-based construction and concrete company, sat on the committee. But he said in a letter to Republican Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, the panel’s chairwoman, that the revisions should have allowed excavation to prove human remains are present. “(The bill amounts to) more land taken, more land restricted, and no ability for a landowner to ask for certain proof of human remains,” he wrote. Shea wants to extract minerals beneath Ho-Chunk Nation burial mounds located within a Wingra quarry in Dane County. The mounds are listed in the state historical society’s burial sites catalog, which means Shea must obtain a permit to dig. He and the Ho-Chunk have been fighting in court over a permit since 2014. Republican state Rep. Robert Brooks introduced a bill last year that would have allowed Wingra to excavate the
January 2017
mounds to determine whether human remains are present. Without any remains, the site would fall off the catalog, clearing the way for extraction. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos scrapped the measure in the face of intense Ho-Chunk opposition. The Joint Legislative Council formed a committee in April to address burial sites protection. The council, which is made up of legislative leaders, typically appoints study committees to deal with complex issues; the move blunts criticism and provides political cover on charged issues. The council tapped Shea, Wingra attorney Justin Oeth and Ho-Chunk tribal heritage preservation officer Bill Quackenbush to serve on the panel. The committee met five times before finally approving a bill on Dec. 8. The measure calls on the historical society director to determine whether evidence exists for cataloging a site, including archaeological or written records showing the presence of human remains or grave markers, historical documentation or oral histories of the site. It also expands the minimum no-development buffer zone around a site from 5 feet to 10 feet. The bill allows land owners to contest a cataloging decision at hearings. It also allows the historical society director to
remove a site from the catalog upon his own initiative or upon request if natural changes to the landscape occur, human remains have been removed or new evidence emerges that would have kept the site off the catalog. The Joint Legislative Council could decide whether to introduce the legislation as a formal bill next month. Shea wrote in his letter that he wanted a bill that would have required the historical society to prove human remains were present as a prerequisite for catalog inclusion. If no remains are present, landowners could deny the society the right to seize their land, he said. He added that landowners with cataloged sites should be compensated. “The state of Wisconsin should not give unelected bureaucrats the unilateral ability to seize land,” he said. Loudenbeck defended the measure. She said most committee members didn’t agree with excavating to determine the presence of human remains. Ho-Chunk spokesman Collin Price said the tribe is pleased with the bill and Shea’s proposal to excavate to determine if human remains are present amounts to desecration. “The very change Mr. Shea is proposing is what the law was intended
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to prevent,” Price said. “He’s in a very small minority. He stands to gain a lot financially with his proposals.”
January Birthdays:
2nd: Bowen Bronson 3rd: Basil Badroads, Art Brickwood, & Robert Kash Kash 4th: Leo Stewart & Julie Stewart 9th Natalie Welch 12th: Daniel Brigham 15th: Nicole Linhart 18th: Damon Billy 20th: Michelle Brigham & Aya Majors 23rd: Alger Brigham 27th: Daniel Jones 29th: Bonnie Harrison 30th: Julius Welch 31st: Taylor Queampts, Quentin VanPelt, & Brysen Lauritsen
Anniversaries:
7th: Jim & Faye Marsh 23rd: Robert & Kathryn Brigham
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CTUIR Board of Trustees Minutes DATE: October 31, 2016
BOT Present: Gary Burke, BOT Chairman; Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chairman; Rosenda Shippentower, Treasurer; Justin Quaempts, Acting Secretary, Aaron Ashley, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member; Woodrow Star, Member, and Alan Crawford, General Council Chairman. Quorum present. Old Business. 1) Standing Rock assistance. Aaron Ashley moves to approve the Office of Legal Counsel to participate in any meetings designed to mediate, resolve, or de-escalate the situation at Standing Rock when specifically requested to do so by a stakeholder. It is understood that such participation will be in support of the water protectors and any of their peaceful efforts to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline. Woodrow Star seconds, motion carries 7-0-0. (2) Coyote Island Terminal, LLC and Port of Morrow. Move to approve the Consent Agreement in the matter of Coyote Island Terminal, LLC and Port of Morrow. Motion carries 7-0-0. Resolution 16-070: None. Other Board Action: Commission/Committee Update by Justin Quaempts, Acting BOT Secretary. -Cultural Resources Committee, 1 vacancy with two applications from Jeff Van Pelt and Thomas Morning Owl. By secret ballot Jeff Van Pelt was appointed to Culture Resources Committee for 2 year term. -Gaming Commission, 1 vacancy for four year staggered term, two applications from Becky Burke and Patricia Hall. By secret ballot Becky Burke was reappointed to the Gaming Commission for four year staggered term. -Housing Commission, 1 vacancy for four year term, two applications from Louisa Allman and Cami ElShoura. By secret ballot Louisa Allman was appointed to four year term on Housing Commission. -Science & Technology Committee, 1 vacancy with one application from Kyle McGuire. Will hold off. -Wildhorse Foundation, on October 10th, letter of notification was received from Foundation administrator that as of November 30th, terms for Phil Houk, Deb
Croswell, and Kathleen Peterson will expire. Will continue to advertise for: 2 positions Farm Committee, 3 yr. term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ 1pm. 1 position Law & Order Committee, 2 yr. term, meet 1st & 3rd Tuesday @ 2pm. 2 positions Natural Resource Commission, 3 year term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ 9am. 1 position Science & Technology Committee, 2 yr. term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ 2pm. 1 position TERO Commission, 2 yr. term, meet 1st & 3rd Tuesday @ 1:30pm. 1 position Tiicham Conservation District, 2 yr. term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ 1pm. 1 position Umatilla Cultural Coalition (No Stipends), meet as needed. All applications will be due Monday, November 21 by 4pm. Due to holiday the BOT work session will be scheduled Wednesday, November 18 at 8:30 am to review applications and the BOT will make appointments on Monday, November 28. BOT Travel Reports. None. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. 1) Woodrow Star, Personal leave November 1-4. 2) Rosenda Shippentower, Personal leave November 1 & 3. 3) Deb Croswell, annual leave Nov. 9-10, Nov. 23 and Dec. 21-23. Alan Crawford moves to approve leave request, Rosenda Shippentower seconds, motion carries 7-0-0.
DATE: November 7, 2016
BOT Present: Gary Burke, BOT Chairman; Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chairman; Rosenda Shippentower, Treasurer; Justin Quaempts, Acting Secretary; Aaron Ashley, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member; Woodrow Star, Member, and Alan Crawford, General Council Chairman. Quorum present. Old Business. None. Resolution 16-067: Topic: 2017 Annual Budget and Work Plans. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Res-
ervation approves the revised Annual Work Plans as contained in – 2017 CTUIR Annual Work Plans; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation appropriates an allotment for 2017 not to exceed $269,057,013 and approves the 2017 operating budgets as identified in – 2017 CTUIR Budget provided expenditures do not exceed revenues; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Executive Director to negotiate and execute the 2017 Indirect Cost Proposal and has the authority to modify the identified budget amount as circumstances dictate; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Treasurer and the Tribal Finance Director to withdraw other Tribal funds identified in Exhibit 1C for the uses identified; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the withdrawal of revenues held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 upon notification to the Umatilla Agency Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees directs the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director to monitor the implementation of the directives, recommendations and instructions contained in – 2017 Tribal Appropriations Report and provide periodic reports to the Board of Trustees regarding the accomplishments and obstacles in such implementation; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the negotiation, execution, and modification of the 2017 budgets approved herein as provided for the in the CTUIR Fiscal Management Policies; AND that said Resolution has not been modified, amended, or repealed and is still in full force and effect. Dated this 7th day of November, 2016. Woodrow Star moves to adopt resolution and Armand Minthorn seconds, motion carries 6 for (Woodrow Star, Armand Minthorn, Justin Quaempts, Jeremy Wolf, Alan Crawford and Aaron Ashley) – 0 against – 1 abstaining (Rosenda Shippentower). Resolution 16-068: Topic: Investment Policies – Amend Custodial Trust Investment Policy Statement. RESOLVED, that the Investment Policy Statement for the Custodial Trust is hereby amended as set forth in Exhibit 1, effective as of the date of this resolution; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director are authorized to take all actions necessary to implement policy changes adopted by this resolution. AND, that said Resolution has not been modified, amended, or repealed and is still in full force and is still in full force and effect. DATED, this 7th day of November, 2016. Rosenda Shippentower move to adopt Resolution 16-068 with correction, Woodrow Star seconds, motion carries 5 for (Rosenda Shippentower, Woodrow Star, Justin Quaempts, Armand Minthorn and Aaron Ashley) – 2 against (Alan Crawford, and Jeremy Wolf) – 0 abstaining. Other Board Action: None. BOT Travel Reports. None to report. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. 1) Alan Crawford, Travel, 4 chairs meeting, Nov. 18 at Lapwai, ID 2) Gary Burke, Travel, 4 chairs meeting, Nov. 18 at Lapwai, ID. Travel, Dec. 6-8, Lincoln City, Tribal-State Summit. 3) Jeremy Wolf, Travel, Dec. 6-8, Lincoln City, Tribal-State Summit. 4) Armand Minthorn, Travel, Dec. 6-8, Lincoln City, Tribal-State Summit. 5) Rosenda Shippentower, Personal leave, Nov. 10th from 10:30 am to noon. Travel, Dec. 7 to Lincoln City for Tribal-State Summit. 6) Justin Quaempts, Travel, Tribal-State Summit. 7) Woodrow Star, Personal leave, Nov. 10. Woodrow Star moves to approve leave requests, Alan Crawford seconds, motion carries 7-0-0.
DATE: November 21, 2016
BOT Present: Gary Burke, BOT Chairman; Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chairman; Rosenda Shippentower, Treasurer; Justin Quaempts, Acting Secretary; Aaron Ashley, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member; Woodrow Star, Member, and Alan Crawford, General Council Chairman. Old Business. Commission/Committee Update by Justin Quaempts, BOT Acting Secretary. Justin informed the BOT at the last BOT meeting there were three motions that were overlooked and need to be acted upon. The motion would be to appoint Paula Post to the Law & Order Committee; reappoint Katherine Minthorn to Tiicham Conservation Board and notify Alvina Huesties of term expiration for Science and Technology Committee then advertise vacancy. Move to approve appointments and action for Law & Order Committee, Tiicham Conservation Board and Science & Technology Committee. Woodrow Star moves to approve appointments and action for Law & Order Committee, Tiichám Conservation Board and Science & Technology Committee, Armand Minthorn seconds, motion carries 6-00. Resolution 16-069: Topic: BIA Water Rights Attorneys’ Fee Application. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the Request of Umatilla Tribe for Use of Appropriated Funds for Attorneys’ Fees for Quantification of Tribal Water Rights to be submitted to the BIA to fund 2017 water rights activities by legal counsel to the Confederated Tribes; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby authorize its Chairman or designee to execute and submit the Request of Umatilla Tribe for Use of Appropriated Funds for Attorneys’ Fees for Quantification of Tribal Water Rights to the BIA; AND, that said Resolution has not been modified amended or repealed and is still in full force and effect. DATED, this 21st day of November, 2016. Armand Minthorn moves to adopt resolution 16-069, Woodrow Star seconds, motion carries 6-0-0. Other Board Action: 1) Letter regarding easement
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access. Letter to Umatilla BIA Superintendent regarding a request from Mr. White for an access easement across trust lands. Jeremy Wolf moves to approve letter, Justin Quaempts seconds, motion carries 4 for (Jeremy Wolf, Justin Quaempts, Aaron Ashley, and Woodrow Star) – 2 against (Armand Minthorn, and Rosenda Shippentower) – 0 abstaining. 2) Letter to Office on Violence Against Women. Letter to US Department of Justice at Washington, DC providing testimony for the 11th Annual Violence against Women Tribal Consultation in Palm Springs, CA. Move to approve letter with corrections. Woodrow Star moves to approve letter with corrections, Jeremy Wolf seconds, motion carries 6-0-0. 3) Letter of appointment to Inter-Tribal Agriculture (IAC). Letter appointed Katherine Minthorn as CTUIR representative to IAC. Woodrow Star moves to amend the letter to appoint Jeremy Wolf as CTUIR representative and Katherine Minthorn as alternate to Inter-Tribal Ag Council, no second, motion fails 1 for – (Woodrow Star) – 4 against (Aaron Ashley, Armand Minthorn, Justin Quaempts, and Rosenda Shippentower) – 1 abstaining (Jeremy Wolf). After motion failed BOT decided the Tribal Farm Committee and Tiicham Conservation Board will meet on Tuesday, November 22nd and bring final recommendation back on Monday, November 28th. BOT Travel Reports. 1) Woodrow Star, Nov. 15 & 15 to Portland to attend OTGA meeting. 2) Jeremy Wolf, Verbal report on CRITFC meetings at Portland. Justin Quaempts moves to approve reports, Rosenda Shippentower seconds, motion carries 6-0-0. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. 1) Jeremy Wolf, Nov. 29 and Dec. 2 at Gardiner, MT for Inter Agency Bison meeting. Rosenda Shippentower moves to approve leave requests, Justin Quaempts seconds, motion carries 6-0-0.
DATE: November 28, 2016
BOT Present: Gary Burke, BOT Chairman; Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chairman; Rosenda Shippentower, Treasurer; Justin Quaempts, Acting Secretary; Aaron Ashley, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member; Woodrow Star, Member, and Alan Crawford, General Council Chairman. Full Quorum. Old Business. Letter Appointing Inter-Tribal Agriculture Council (IAC) Delegate. Woodrow Star moves to approve letter appointing Katherine Minthorn as IAC Delegate and Jeremy Wolf as alternate, Justin Quaempts seconds, motion carries 7-0-0. Resolution 16-069: None. Other Board Action: Commission/Committee Update by Justin Quaempts, Action BOT Secretary. -Law& Order Committee, 1 vacancy, 2 applications from Kyle McGuire and Patricia Hall. By secret ballot Patricia Hall was selected to serve on Law & Order Committee for 2 year term. -Natural Resources Commission, 2 vacancies, 4 applications from Billy Bronson, Brian Startzel-Holt, Steve Sohappy and Kyle McGuire. By secret ballot Billy Bronson and Brian Startzel-Holt were selected to serve on NRC for 3 your term. -Three commission/committee that received one application. Michael R. Johnson for TERO Commission. Alvina Huesties for Science & Technology Committee (STC) and Deb Croswell for Wildhorse Foundation. Alger Brigham sent an email resigning from STC. Armand Minthorn moves to reappoint one applicant for Science & Technology Committee and Wildhorse Foundation. Appoint Michael R. Johnson who applied for TERO Commission, Woodrow Star seconds, motion carries 7-0-0. -Farm Committee, 1 vacancy – 1 application from Kyle McGuire. Jeremy Wolf moves to readvertise position for Farm Committee, Woodrow Star seconds, motion carries 6 for (Jeremy Wolf, Armand Minthorn, Justin Quaempts, Alan Crawford, Aaron Ashley, and Woodrow Star) – 1 against (Rosenda Shippentower) – 0 abstaining. Terms Expiring: Roberta Conner, Land Acquisition Committee, term expires on Dec. 8. Susan Sheoships, Health Commission, term expires on Dec. 2. Alan Crawford, Roberta Kipp, Rita Maldonado & Marlene Taylor terms expire on Dec. 31for the Elders Group. Action is to send letters notifying members of expiration of terms and advertise for the vacancies. Will continue to advertise for: 2 positions Farm Committee – 3 year term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @1pm. 1 position Law & Order Committee – 2 year term, meet 1st & 3rd Tuesday @ 2pm. 1 position Tiicham Conservation District – 2 year term, meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday @1pm. 1 position Umatilla Culture Coalition (No Stipends) – meet as needed. 1 position Wildhorse Foundation (no stipends). Meets quarterly. All applications will be due Monday, December 19th by 4:00pm. A BOT work session will be scheduled Thursday, December 22nd at 8:30 am to review applications. Due to upcoming holidays on Monday, Dec. 26th and Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 the BOT will make appointments on Monday, January 9, 2017. BOT Travel Reports. None BOT Leave and Travel Requests. 1) Rosenda Shippentower, Personal leave on Dec. 6 from 8-10 am. 2) Armand Minthorn, Verbal request to travel to Ft. Vancouver for tribal summit for Wed. and Thurs. Dec. 1. Rosenda Shippentower moves to approve leave requests, Armand Minthorn seconds, motion carries 7-0-0.
January 2017
Narragansetts end occupation of tribal government building By Matt O’Brien of the Associated Press
CHARLESTOWN, R.I. - A group of Narragansett Indians ended a weeklong occupation of a tribal government building with a promise to resolve their disagreements with supporters of the tribe’s longtime leader. The occupiers left the building and handed over its keys to a mediator at about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 27. The breakthrough came after days of mediation that included telephone calls and faceto-face meetings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. “We accomplished what we set out to do and it was time to go,” said one of the occupiers, Councilwoman Chastity Machado, who spent six nights sleeping inside the administration building. The occupying group was led by tribal council members who were elected in July and who impeached Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas in October. Among their concerns is that he spends too much time in Florida, where he has a home. Thomas and his supporters don’t recognize the results of the summertime election or the impeachment. Thomas had warned his supporters would take back the building by force if the occupiers didn’t leave. Neither side revealed the terms of the deal that ended the occupation.
January 2017
The occupying group was led by tribal council members who were elected in July and who impeached Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas in October. Among their concerns is that he spends too much time in Florida, where he has a home. “It’s been stressful,” said William Devereaux, who represents Thomas and the tribe. “His goal’s always been to do things to benefit the tribe as a whole. I think he recognizes there are issues that need to be discussed.” Charlestown Police Chief Jeffrey Allen sought help from an outside mediator when the standoff grew increasingly tense last week. The mediation talks included Allen, U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha and the U.S. Interior Department. Neronha now has the keys to the building. “Our only role in this was to make sure everybody left peacefully,” Allen said. Allen said the mediation grew more successful after he reached out over the weekend to the Providence-based Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence. Its executive director, P.J. Fox, traveled to Charlestown to join the
talks, which were held inside a town fire station. “If it wasn’t for him I think we’d still be in there,” Allen said. Machado said she was among more than 20 people inside the building near the end of the occupation. They used a generator for power after someone cut electricity to the building. She said many of the occupiers missed out on spending Christmas with their children, though some kids brought gifts to the building on Christmas Day and other supporters brought a feast of turkey, succotash and johnnycakes. The two sides are planning further talks to resolve their disputes. “We’re all a family and we hate that this was something that needed to be done, but now it’s time to settle issues and get back to being a family,” Machado said. “It’s going to be a long process but we can do it.” Along with sending mediators, the U.S. Interior Department said its inspector general has an open investigation involving the tribe, which is why one of its investigators entered the building during the dispute. A special agent “just happened to be there during last week’s events and helped mediate,” said spokeswoman Nancy DiPaolo, who declined to say what the investigation is about. The Interior Department oversees the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Happy 3rd Birthday
To our Princess Lelei! CONGRATULATIONS Harold “Law” Enick Associate Pastor
Mission Assembly of God Church 47328 Shortmile Road Pendleton, OR 97801 Contact: 541-371-1429
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January 2017