Indian Eyes LLC brought 25 bicycles to foster children on the Umatilla Indian Reservation for the second year in a row. See more on Page 11B.
Pendleton Early Learning Center students show off their singing skills at the 2018 Winter Program Dec. 14. See Page 22B for more.
Year in Review Pages 22-23A
Confederated Umatilla Journal
2 Sections, 48 pages / Publish date Jan. 3, 2019
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon January 2019
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Volume 27, Issue 1
Cayuse Holdings forms new companies ‘Cayuse Market Solutions’ will do work for Zale’s, Wynn Hotels By Wil Phinney of the CUJ
MISSION – The third leg of the economic stool is in place for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Cayuse Holdings LLC, the umbrella for multiple Cayuse companies, will generate revenue to go with current gaming income from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, and the tribal government grants and contracts, to complete CTUIR’s current economic vision. Holding companies do not provide any contract work, but they supervise executive staff of all the companies under its authority. This “family of companies” performs similar work, but is split into different companies to go after different markets. In the case of Cayuse Holdings LLC, Cayuse Holdings on page 21A
Nixyaawii hoop leagues begins
Deven Barkley, a senior at Nixyaawii Community School, drives the lane against players from Yakama Native Tribal School in a basketball game Dec. 21 at Pendleton High School. Barkley, who is averaging 10.5 points per game, scored 22 points against Yakama. Nixyaawii boys had a record of 9-1 as the Old Oregon League was to start in January. Yakama boys include Bryce Strom, Bryan Strom and Andy Pascua. CUJ photo/Phinney
Dr. Quaempts resigns at Yellowhawk By the CUJ
MISSION – Dr. Matt “Rex” Quaempts is leaving Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center 40 months after Dr. Rex Quaempts he was recruited in the fall of 2014.
Quaempts had returned to his roots – the Umatilla Indian Reservation – where he was born and raised to take over as a staff physician in October of 2014. His resignation letter to Yellowhawk
staff says he will see his last patients on Feb. 6. Quaempts announced his departure with “mixed emoDr. Quaempts leaving on page 18A
Christmas Celebration packs longhouse Girls dance into the Mission Longhouse during grand entry at the Christmas Celebration Dec. 22. The 2019 Happy Canyon Princesses and Pendleton Round-Up Court were introduced at the event. See more pages 14-15A. CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
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CUJ News Oregon’s new Tribal History curriculum discussed By the CUJ
Hayden Plume, Salleen Wildbill, and Ezmae Hoisington took part in the Christmas program for Head Start students in December. The activity took place at the Community Center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Faces of Christmas Children didn’t want to wait for the bouncy castle to fill with air in the Community Center during the Head Start Christmas program.
CUJ photos/Phinney
PENDLETON – An open forum to discuss Senate Bill: Tribal History/Shared History drew about 20 people, including several members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, to the Pendleton School District Office Dec. 13. Shadiin Garcia from the Grande Ronde Tribe facilitated the meeting, which updated the implementation process of Senate Bill 13, which was signed into law in July of 2017. Among the CTUIR representatives were educators Fred Hill, Lloyd Commander, Brent Spencer and Modesta Minthorn. Antone Minthorn, who teaches in the CTUIR Language Program, also attended. Senate Bill 13: Tribal History/Shared History directs the state’s Department of Education (ODE) to work with Oregon Tribes to develop curriculum relating to the Native American experience in Oregon and to provide professional development related to the new curriculum. The legislation provides $200,000 to each of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon to create individual place-based curriculum. The OED will also receive $200,000 to create “Essential Understanding” guidelines for the Oregon Indian curriculum. Garcia called the Essential Understanding the “northern star of graduation standards” that will teach high school graduates “what they should know about Oregon tribes.” The curriculum, Garcia said, will “change the way kids graduate from Tribal History/Shared History on page 21A
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January 2019
CUJ News Elders enjoy annual luncheon MISSION - More than 250 elders from local tribes attended the annual Elders Christmas Banquet at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The annual luncheon, hosted by the Dept. of Children and Family Services, included breakfast, a meal and entertainment by CTUIR employees.
Culture Night youth took a break from school to sing for the elders Dec. 20. Sisters Feather, left, and Awna’ee, right, Najera sing in Umatilla language.
CTUIR Tribal Elder Marie Dick joins in on Tai Chi exercises during the Elders Christmas Banquet at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino Dec. 20.
Cayuse Chief Jesse Jones, Walla Walla Chief Donald Sampson, and Umatilla Chief and BOT Chair Gary Burke were honored at the annual Elders’ Christmas Luncheon.
Lloyd Barkley, left, Curtis Bearchum, center, and Fred Hill, right, compete in a dance contest. Hill took first place in the contest. CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin
Shippentower named to Oregon Health Policy Board MISSION – Rosenda Shippentower was unanimously approved in a Senate Confirmation Hearing Dec. 12 to serve on the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB), which has oversight over the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Shippentower, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will represent Eastern Oregon. Although she serves as a member-at-large on the CTUIR Board of Trustees, she will not be representing tribal government in Rosenda an official capacity. Shippentower Shippentower earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a law degree at the University of Oregon. She applied for the vacant position on the Oregon Health Policy Board after learn-
January 2019
ing there was no representation from Eastern Oregon. In her letter seeking appointment to the OHPB, Shippentower said she looks forward to “expanding collaboration between the State of Oregon and the nine federally recognized tribes.” The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Health Policy Board in 2009 to work with the Oregon Health Authority to design and implement a comprehensive health reform plan for the state. In 2010, OHA put forth the first Action Plan for Health. The plan used strategies and a timeline to address urgent health care issues in the state. The 2010 Action Plan aimed at addressing issues of cost, quality and access to health care through innovation. The launch of Oregon’s coordinated care organizations (CCOs) is a reflection of that aim, according to the Executive Summary of the OHA’s Action Plan for Health. Shippentower, in her letter, said the nine tribes “can
Confederated Umatilla Journal
provide better demographic data of CCO enrollment, standardization of health equity infrastructure to reduce health disparities, get at the root causes of poor health outcomes, and build out improvements to care coordination, especially in better behavioral health-care integration.” In 2017, the Oregon Health Policy Board updated its comprehensive health reform plan with a “new roadmap” that moves beyond the implementation phase and toward an “upstream” approach that advances health system transformation. The OHPB’s “Action Plan for Health: 2017-2019 Refresh” is a major reboot of its 7-year-old plan. It creates a framework that focuses on root causes of poor health outcomes, social determinants of health, health equity and use of evidence-based approaches while continuing to build out improvements to care coordination, data collection and measurement, and payment methodologies.
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Pamawaluukt pair completes supervisor training By the CUJ
MISSION - Two more employees have completed the 12-month supervisor training through Pamawaluukt Empower Program, which focuses on employment prospects – particularly career goals – for members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Angela Hummingbird and Alex Nilo were recognized Dec. 27 by the CTUIR Board of Trustees. Hummingbird, who works as a Caseworker I in the Office of Child Support Enforcement, received a certificate and embroidered laptop bag at the BOT meeting. Nilo, who works as an Intake Investigator for Child Protective Services in the Department of Children and Family Services, was unable to attend the brief presentation with BOT Chair Gary Burke. Hummingbird and Nilo, participating in the Pamawaluukt training module called “Discover,” spent one week each month during the year learning about CTUIR departments, ranging from the Office of Human Resources to the BOT member Range, Ag and Forestry Rosenda Program. During her stint, HumShippentower mingbird told the BOT admitted she rode in a wheat comshe was bine, spent time on a Kayak Transit bus and accompa‘skeptical’ of nied a Tribal Police officer the program on his patrols. when it was For both women, the biggest impact came durintroduced. ing their weeks with the ‘I see now that Department of Natural Resources learning about you’re really its First Foods mission. taking hold of “The majority of people it. You never think the Tribe is just about stop learning.’ gaming and lining their pockets,” Hummingbird told the Board, noting that she learned about parts of CTUIR government she hadn’t been aware of. DNR’s Fisheries Program, however, showed her how Tribal dollars are being invested in the environment, and particularly in the restoration of salmon in the Umatilla River. Julie Taylor, Director of the Department of Children and Family Services, spoke on behalf of Nilo, noting her dedication to the program in spite of her work load. Nilo spent time with Information Technologies (IT), Tribal Police and the Tribal Court. But like Hummingbird, Nilo was most impressed with DNR. Following Nilo’s report to the DCFS Retreat, Taylor said the Department wants to change its mission to better coordinate the First Foods vision. “We want to add First Foods and incorporate them with clients so they will know it’s okay to go fishing, hunting and gathering. It’s not just about computers.
Pamawaluukt Empower Program
Board of Trustees Chair Gary Burke presents a certificate and an embroidered laptop bag to Angela Hummingbird.
It’s okay to learn about traditions and culture as well,” Taylor said. Nilo, who is in “mid-management” after six years at DCFS, spent her time focusing on budget, policy and supervisory skills, Taylor said. BOT member Woodrow Star said Pamawaluukt is a first step in addressing a constant General Council issue. “The issue is tribal members coming home from college and not getting hired,” Star said. “We still hear that at General Council and in committees and commissions. Why tribal members aren’t selected over non-Indians and other Indians is always constant.” Star said he respects non-Indian employees, but would like to see tribal members in key positions within the CTUIR. (It should be noted that 12 of the 16 CTUIR department heads are CTUIR members.) Board members took turns congratulating Hummingbird. “I can see in you the confidence you get from it (Pamawaluukt),” said Aaron Ashley. BOT Secretary Kat Brigham said she, too, could feel Hummingbird’s confidence. “We are the ones responsible to protect, restore and enhance,” Brigham said. “Some say a job is a job and it’s a paycheck, but it’s so much more.” Brigham said she is glad First Foods is being included throughout the CTUIR government. BOT member Rosenda Shippentower admitted she was “skeptical” of the program when it was introduced. “I see now that you’re really taking hold of it,” Shippentower said. “You never stop learning.” Shippentower joked that if she were to start all over she would be a registered nurse because there appears to be so many opportunities. “You have all of this going for you,” she told Hummingbird. “You’re young, do it now. Don’t wait like me to say if I could do it all over again.” Shippentower, noted that her 30-year-old granddaughter, Fabian, just received her bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern Oregon University. She told Hummingbird: “Keep moving ahead.” BOT Chair Burke told Hummingbird that “quality comes out in a person to start and finish” a program like Pamawaluukt. He praised both women for “sticking with it.”
Pamawaluukt was named by the CTUIR Elders Language Program. It means “each person raising themselves up.” It is modeled after Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s PRIDE (Proudly Reaching in the Direction of Excellence) Program and structured to CTUIR’s governance and administration. Angela Hummingbird and Alex Nilo, participating in the Pamawaluukt training module called “Discover,” spent one week each month during the year in the following tribal departments: Office of Human Resources Department of Finance Office of Public Safety Office of Information Technology Fisheries and Wildlife programs for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Range, Ag and Forestry Program (DNR) Cultural Resources Protection Program (DNR) Department of Housing Tribal Court Department of Economic and Community Development (Indian Lake and farming) Energy & Environmental Sciences Program (DNR) The Discover trainees also attend two Fred Pryor training seminars (Making the Transition from Staff to Supervisor” and “Leadership Team-Building & Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors”) under the Pamawaluukt Empower Program. The purpose of the Pamawaluukt Empower Program is to improve CTUIR members’ prospects for employment with the Tribes. Pamawaluukt focuses solely on CTUIR members, from the time they apply for employment through retirement, with an emphasis on providing opportunities to increase their employment capacity and job satisfaction to achieve career and/or personal goals, according to John Barkley, the program’s staffing and recruitment specialist. In addition to helping tribal members prepare for and find jobs, the program aims to help college graduates gain experience needed to land jobs if they want to return to the reservation. John Barkley, the Pamawaluukt Staffing and Recruitment Specialist, thanked all the participating department directors, program managers and staff who have “shown considerable support for this program by offering their time, offering input and feedback on how we can make improvements to this successful endeavor.” He also thanked the CTUIR Board of Trustees for its support and investment in the Pamawaluukt and the Discover training module.
Human Resources Director Kathryn Burke, who previously worked with the Wildhorse PRIDE (Proudly Reaching in the Direction of Excellence) program, which Pamawaluukt was patterned after, said she was impressed with the participants. “I’m extremely happy with the quality, their desire and their initiative,” Burke said. The program, she said, is “bigger than I expected it to be honestly” and added that it has been rewarding to see the outcomes for the three CTUIR women who have participated so far. The program launched in December of 2016 following adoption by the BOT in August of the same year. Briana Spencer was the first CTUIR member and employee to go through the program. She recently applied for and landed the job of Public Transit Operations Supervisor at Kayak Transit. (See other story below.)
First Pamawaluukt trainee lands transit manager job By the CUJ
MISSION – Briana Spencer turned a training opportunity into a big career move when she snagged a new job as Kayak Public Transit Operations Supervisor. Spencer, enrolled CTUIR, was the first participant in the Pamawaluukt Discover Program, a training program facilitated by the Tribes’ Human Resources department, in 2017. The program aims to give Tribal Members supervisory training and hands-on opportunities to learn the ins and outs of different departments within the administration. Her time in the program was broken up into twoweek sessions over the course of six months, Spencer learned all of the operations of six different tribal
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departments and discussed supervisory styles with various program managers, supervisors and directors. She also interviewed employees about their preferred management styles. Having the opportunity to move up within the Tribes without higher education is an indication to Spencer that the Tribes are moving in the right direction toward selfgovernance with more Tribal Members in positions of power. Leaving the Office of Information and Technology, where she served in two different positions over the last five years, was bittersweet, but Spencer said she was thankful to all of her coworkers who supported her career aspirations. Having only a high school diploma made her goals take a bit longer, but having more than eight years of
Confederated Umatilla Journal
tribal work experience and the supervisory training made them attainable, something that is not always easy for Tribal Members and women of color, according to Spencer. “It says something that all of the participants have been women and to my knowledge no men have applied. I think that’s because as women it’s harder for us to move up and we need every opportunity we can to add to our resumes,” Spencer said. She also said she is extremely grateful that the Tribes have been supportive of alternate routes for the upward mobility of Tribal Members. As each Tribal Member is able to progress in their career, the Tribes move closer to the overall goal of organizational excellence, selfgovernance and sovereignty.
January 2019
CUJ News JD Partnership expects $4 million restoration grant By the CUJ
SALEM - An expected $4 million grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board will be used in a John Day Partnership “ridge top to ridge top” approach to restoration for native fish habitat in the John Day River basin. The 8,100 square mile John Day River basin is one of the most important undammed river systems in the West and hosts two of the last remaining intact wild anadromous fish populations in the Columbia River System. Monitoring indicates high stream temperatures and low instream flow are the primary factors limiting rearing habitat and freshwater productivity of John Day River summer steelhead populations. Much of the funding for the John Day Partnership will go to the upper John Day within the aboriginal use area of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), according to Mike Lambert, the Tribes’ Fish Habitat Program Supervisor. “The project (John Day Basin Native Fish Habitat Initiative) aligns well with the CTUIR First Foods and River Vision policy and the Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources management approach to watershed/floodplain restoration,” Lambert said in an email. A total of 29 organizations have signed onto a Memorandum of Understanding. The CTUIR has been involved in the Partnership since its inception in 2014 and officially signed onto the MOU in September of 2016. The BOT resolution states that the CTUIR and the John Day Partnership “share a mutual interest in clean water and healthy watersheds sufficient to provide for the ecological, economic, and cultural well-being of local communities that will mutually benefit citizens of the CTUIR.” According to the MOU, the function of the Partnership is to “build and implement a basin-wide strategic plan that can bring in additional funding to support more quality watershed restoration projects.” Core partners include three tribal governments – the CTUIR, Confederated
John Day Partnership Atlas OWEB FIP Subwatershed Priorities in the John Day Basin
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Headwaters North Fork John Day River
Butte/ 30 mile
Bridge Middle Fork John Day River/Camp 0 WA
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Tribes of the Warm Spring Reservation of Oregon and Burns Paiute Tribe - which all have treaty rights for fishing, hunting, and gathering, plus five soil and water conservation districts, four watershed councils, eight federal agencies, four state agencies, three conservation groups, one forest collaboratives, and one land trust. ‘ The four major ecological goals of the Partnership are: 1) Summer base flows met per the strategic action plan in high priority watersheds by 2030; 2) Water quality standards met per the John Day River Basin TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load, which is the calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody) in high priority watersheds by 2030; 3) Passive and active habitat restora-
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Aboriginal Title Lands John Day Basin Priority Focus Areas Rivers and Streams tion implemented that addresses primary limiting factors and restores ridge-toridge ecosystem functions and processes in high priority watersheds by 2035; 4) Long-term trend of increasing fish populations per local, state, federal, and tribal plans by 2040. The Partnership project includes three priority Atlas subwatershed focus areas within the basin: Butte and Thirtymile Creeks in the Lower Mainstem John Day and the North Fork and Middle Fork John Day Headwaters (map above). The designated priority areas are major spawning and rearing areas for spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other native fish, and critical production areas for salmon recovery.The Lower Mainstem John Day is a highest priority population area for Middle Co-
‘The project (John Day Basin Native Fish Habitat Initiative) aligns well with the CTUIR First Foods and River Vision policy and the Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources management approach to watershed/floodplain restoration.’ Mike Lambert, CTUIR Fish Habitat Program Supervisor
lumbia Steelhead Recovery. Butte and Thirtymile Creeks are major steelhead spawning areas. The John Day Partnership expects to receive the grant following selection of projects by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board when it meets Jan. 15-16 in Cannon Beach. “The John Day Partnership’s broad and highly effective partner base and ridge top to ridge top ecosystem approach to restoring watershed function and process is what sets us apart,” Lambert said. The grant is part of OWEB’s Future Investment Partnership program. The John Day Partnership hopes to receive $12 million over the next six years. The John Day project in October was ranked number one among 10 proposed initiatives by an OWEB subcommittee that recommended the full Board consider funding applications for the first four projects. OWEB action in January will entail sePartnership on page 19A
Yellowhawk ‘locums’ provider officially retiring MISSION – Dr. Mark Clippinger, who has worked more than 30 years for Indian Health Service (IHS), has retired – again – this time officially from his “locums” work at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Clippinger, who has a family practice in Pendleton, has provided extra or substitute care at Yellowhawk for the last three years. He began his IHS work in 1986 at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. After 12 years at Pine Ridge, he was employed as the emergency room physician at Toppenish Community Hospital where he provided service to the
January 2019
local community, including the Yakama Reservation. From 2010-2015 he provided family medicine for the Yakama IHS, then moved to Pendleton. In 2015 he was recruited to provide locums, which means extra or substitute, service at Yellowhawk. Dr. Matt “Rex” Quaempts, who has announced he is leaving Yellowhawk in February, worked with Clippinger for more than 20 years. Clippinger and Quaempts provided in-patient medical care at the Toppenish Community Hospital. Quaempts, in a prepared statement,
described Clippinger as an “excellent clinician who treated our patients with respect.” “He would assist us with admitting patients during the middle of the nights and if necessary always help us with transfers or gladly evaluate patients that we sent to the ER,” Quaempts said of his time in Yakama with Clippinger. In 2010, Clippinger went to work for Yakama IHS and became a primary care provider for the Native American community. “He is one of the hardest working physicians I know,” Quaempts said, “and continues to be an excellent model.”
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Clippinger retired from IHS in 2015, but it wasn’t long before he was back treating Native American patients at Yellowhawk. Yellowhawk was using locums companies, which were providing “erratic care,” Quaempts said. So Quaempts and Angie Dearing, Director of Operations at Yellowhawk, recruited Clippinger. “The staff have enjoyed his presence, willing to teach, willing to assist and see additional patients,” Quaempts said. “In addition, he assists with peer reviews and chart reviews giving providers excellent advice. His accountability will be missed as he will be officially retiring.”
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CUJ Editorials
December sunset
This sunset in mid December was taken from the Mission Longhouse parking lot. Winter has arrived, but the days are getting longer. CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
For our community, a New Year’s resolution of unity
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nother year has arrived. Whether you count the clock according to Indian New Year or January 1, a new year has begun. All around people are taking advantage of the symbolic opportunity for change. Some vow to lose weight, stop smoking or exercise more. Personal goals are important and a good way to start the year, but can an entire tribe share a resolution? Not the kind of resolution passed in the boardroom, but rather one that can be a common goal of all the People. It may be hard to come to an agreement on what common goal to choose, the Board of Trustees is well-versed in deciding their priorities, but how can an entire group of people decide on one common goal? The best place to start is by identifying universal needs that have become apparent to all aspects of Tribal life. Mental and physical wellness of our People, culture and language revitalization, and alcohol and drug prevention are all large areas of concern here on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, but what if we decided our goal was something as simple as treating each other better? The division between families and Tribal Members grows larger each day. It is understandable to disagree sometimes; there is no way everyone can agree all the time, however, the trend of divisive behavior and attitudes among our own people has grown and reflects the current political climate of America. In such an insulated community shouldn’t we be able to coexist in a manner that allows for growth and opportunity for all of our members? Recently a Tribal Member attended a Board of Trustees meeting and said she has heard of bickering amongst
CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal
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board members and called upon the governing body to avoid pettiness. Fighting in the boardroom is going to be a reality when nine members must come together to make countless decisions for the entire tribe but her point remains valid. Disagreeing is one thing, pettiness is another. It’s not just at the top that these disagreements breed resentment, although it may be one of the most noticeable arenas of contention. There is no way to succeed as a Tribe in a world where all we have is each other - if hate and malice are allowed to go unchecked. The U.S. Government has partially shut down because disagreements have become insurmountable. We are fortunate enough to be able to continue our operations as a sovereign government despite national gridlock. In order to avoid these foibles as a Tribe we must decide as a People that differences of opinion are not going to destroy our self-determination and commitment to unity. Personal responsibility comes into play here. If a disagreement arises each person can decide whether they will agree to disagree or hold ill will for their fellow Tribal Member. There is a way to differ without maligning one another; the best way to get there is by practicing empathy and trying to understand the perspective of others. Those in positions of power (BOT members, administrative directors and Tribal leaders) must take time to hear the plights of every-day tribal citizens without immediately becoming defensive. No one is perfect and dedicating the year to becoming open to the idea that others may have valid criticism to offer is the best way to illustrate strength as a leader and
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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Chuck Sams CUJ staff: Wil Phinney, Editor Jill-Marie Gavin, Reporter/Photographer Dallas Dick, Freelance Photographer
Confederated Umatilla Journal
will build trust and respect between leadership and the General Council. This applies to elected officials as well as directors and supervisors across the board, including non-Indians who have chosen to work for our People and tribes. On the other end, it would serve us well to remember that no matter how much we may disagree with the vote or decision of those in power we cannot forget that they too are people and often Tribal Members. Self-righteous indignation can sometimes cloud the mind of those who have not experienced the difficulty and pressures of leadership. Living under a microscope and constantly being the target of personal attacks cannot be easy, but living under the strain of oppression and not feeling heard can cause further trauma to marginalized individuals. The only way to bridge the gap between the dividing lines of opinions and political views is to practice understanding and self-constraint when reacting to the decisions of others. Constructive criticism is an integral part to helping an entire community move forward in a healthy direction, but don’t forget that everyone has their own struggles and proceeding with respect and compassion for each other is the only true way to succeed together. No Tribal Member should be expected to love, or even like, all CTUIR members but hopefully we can all challenge each other to remain respectful in hopes of leaving a healthier nation and brighter future for all the generations to come. ~J-MG
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January 2019
CUJ Op-Ed/Columns Candidate questions ‘sole authority’ for BOT By Shana Radford
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ast month, the CUJ reported on the election code amendment that would grant ‘sole authority’ of member qualifications to the Board of Trustees. When topics of elections, maps, and the defining of boundaries arise, we can assume it is, for better or worse a legislative power grab in order to solidify power. We know how our representative democracy is supposed to work — every two years, we vote to determine which elected officials will represent us in tribal government. Since the beginning of the United States, politicians have intentionally manipulated the boundaries of election districts to repress their political opponents’ power and keep themselves in office - this is a strategy called gerrymandering. It’s an unbalanced and discriminatory practice intended to establish political gain for a particular group and can also be used to safeguard incumbents.
I question why some tribal leaders throw around terms like, ‘sovereignty’ and ‘treaty rights’, but then endorse policies that weaken our sovereignty and limit our rights both individually and as a nation.
Gerrymandering contradicts the foundations of a representative democracy, whereas voters should choose their elected officials and not the other way around. Rather than embracing voters’ diversity or evolving preferences, elections under gerrymandered systems ‘systematically’ lock in candidates with similar ideals, agendas and political views - discouraging electoral competition. And elected leaders who go out of their way to disenfranchise our rights’ as citizens are not looking out for us, they are looking out for themselves. It goes without saying that any violation of citizens’ constitutional rights questions our legitimacy and ability to operate as the tribal nation. I question why some tribal leaders throw around terms like,
‘sovereignty’ and ‘treaty rights’, but then endorse policies that weaken our sovereignty and limit our rights - both individually and as a nation. More importantly, the ability to interpret definitions regarding clarification of boundaries or residency should easily be addressed through tribal court - an expressly granted power within our Constitution. In other words, it should not be the role of the BOT to interpret the Constitution and why aren’t our policymakers requesting a proper judicial opinion and review by the courts prior to making questionable decisions. As campaign season is upon us, don’t be fooled - the preoccupation of this is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and is a fear-based pursuit of power focused on influencing the November election, again. When people in power start talking about redefining maps, ignoring logic and reason, we can be certain that there is a group of people a little too obsessed with power. It is said that a true test of a person’s character is what they do when they have power. Sadly, the current lopsided political maneuvering is only generating further division while undermining voters’ faith in government and our political process, again. Tribal citizens of all political affiliations or views have the Constitutional right to their political beliefs, to express those political views, and to participate in our political process. When there are folks who are intentionally manipulating electoral outcomes to protect against changes in voter preferences, they undermine the very institution they are sworn to protect, including the few powers we have as the General Council.
attempting to justify, manipulate and overstep their tribal authority for something that is completely unnecessary, politically driven and ultimately unconstitutional. Perhaps instead of questioning maps and defined boundaries for our reservation, the real focus should be on how we define the boundaries that all of a sudden gave the Board of Trustees the power to choose their voters, instead of giving voters the power to choose their leaders. The map, our Constitution, is the law and social contract meant to limit the power of tribal government and give it to the people. However, the power of the people seems to be becoming more about the ‘rubber stamping’ of decisions already made rather than a fully participatory process of free, prior and informed consent. Thus, the increasingly expanding powers of the BOT, the lack of separation of powers, and the lack of a proper protocol and process for General Council is weakening our ability to come together to meaningfully influence change, address and engage in the design of our tribal nation for our future generations.
When there are folks who are intentionally manipulating electoral outcomes to protect against changes in voter preferences, they undermine the very institution they are sworn to protect, including the few powers we have as the General Council.
It seems the residency issue is intended to remove current and limit future citizens’ ability for representation, our inherent right to choose who represents us; and to limit our power to effect change on issues that are important to us. Such as having a live video stream of General Council, marijuana being placed on the ballot, life insurance for all tribal members, and implementation of General Council procedures with Robert’s rules of order. Further, as a developing tribal nation of self-governance, we should be looking at ways to strengthen tribal sovereignty, not weaken it. Exactly why is it some of our elected leaders are
Where is the leadership that empowers us to band together? Where are the thoughtful, compassionate leaders with a vision that will listen, even when we may disagree? We need leadership with better communication and conflict management skills. Processes in place that will not further exacerbate conflicts and unresolved disputes. More policies that strengthen and promote tribal self-determination, equity, inclusion and diversity - not behavior that advocates exclusion and more dividing, or political self-interest, tyranny and corruption. Leadership should not be about the next election, but about the next generation. For further dialogue and conversation. Tribal citizens are invited to come to the Nixyaawii Forward meeting at the Senior Center this Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 5 p.m. Dinner will be provide. Shana Radford is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She ran unsuccessfully for the position of BOT vice-chair, losing in a run-off.
CUJ Letter to the Editor Pleased to see Sampson story
To the editor, How pleased I was to open my December edition of the CUJ and see the cover story of Donald Sampson replacing his late father Peo Peo Mox Mox, aka Carl Sampson, as Chief. That was a wonderful story. I think the last time I saw Donald he might have been about 8 when I was in Pendleton visiting my parents. I have special memories of Cathy and her late brother,
January 2019
Curtis, when they were very young The photo of Linda shows a close resemblance to her mother, my dear friend Arleta that I have known since we were in elementary school. How very proud Carl and Arleta must be of their children that have all done so well in life and contributed so much to the community. And so glad to see a photo of Arleta too! Sincerely, Patricia Hansen Ahern Oakley, California
Confederated Umatilla Journal
The CUJ welcomes letters and guest columns. Letters should try to stay less than 400 words. Op-ed columns can be longer, but should attempt to be consise. Submit letters and columns to cuj@ctuir.org
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CUJ Almanac Obituaries MABEL SHEOSHIPS MAY 10, 1925 – OCTOBER 27, 2018 “Nothing is hard. Everything is easy.” “Qoc Imeeqicnu.” (“Someday you will see yourself.”) Mabel Rose was born to Rosa Davis Thompson and Joseph Thompson in Thornhollow, OR. Her first tongue was Numiiputimt and second tongue was Ichishkiin. She attended District 44, the public school that used to exist on the reservation. She attended St. Andrew’s Mission when it was a boarding school. She and some siblings were sent away to the Fort Lapwai TB sanatorium. She and her sisters owned horses, and she joined the beauty contest every year of her Mabel Sheoships youth. She went on to graduate from Chemawa High School. She attended business school. She married Thomas Sheoships and bore 10 children. In the 1950s, they were the first CTUIR family sent on relocation to Los Angeles, an experiment that lasted one year for them. They joined the first Mutual Help housing project at Mission. She was active in the Kateri Club at St. Andrews Mission for many years. She and her husband attended the Tekakwitha conferences in New Mexico, Montana, and Spokane. She loved to smile, laugh, and socialize with family and friends. In her later years, she lived up in Sheoships Lane in Thornhollow, Oregon. She attended Sunday Mass at St. Andrew’s Mission. She took part in the scholars-elders symposium at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute that resulted in the tribal place names atlas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughters Juliana and Janice Sheoships; brothers Cecil, Benjamin and Patrick Thompson; sisters Christine Alexander, Belva Olson, Geneva Haskie, and Shirley Speedis. She is survived by sisters Augustine Bill and Faydeena Luke; children Susan, Maria, Nicola and Mollie Sheoships; Cemmy Sigo (Wm. III); Pam Mildenberger (Brian),
Alcuin Sheoships and Mathew Sheoships; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass was held October 30, 2018, at St. Andrew’s Mission, followed by burial at the Agency Cemetery, Pendleton, Oregon; and a dinner and giveaway at the Nixyaawii longhouse. Hattie Mae Emmilee Craig Dec. 3, 2018 – Dec. 12, 2018 Tribal member Hattie Mae Emmilee Craig passed away at Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. She was born Dec. 3, 2018, at Willamette Valley Hospital in McMinnville, Ore., the daughter of Grand Ronde Tribal member Stephanie (Wood) Craig and Umatilla Tribal member Fermore Joseph “Joe” Craig Jr. She is survived by her parents; twin brother, William Cooper Joseph Craig; sister, Tayler Craig of Tutuilla Flats, Ore.; grandparents, Terri and Monte Wood of Dayton, Ore., and Fermore J. Craig Sr. of Thornhollow, Ore., on the Umatilla Indian Reservation; uncles, David Wood of McMinnville, Kenney Billy of Mission, Ore., and Robert Craig of Adams, Ore.; aunts, Tina Brown of Tutuilla Flats, Debbie Penney and Sandy Craig of Adams, Mary Kenoras of La Grande, Ore., and Beverly Murr and Tara McKay of Mission, Ore.; as well as numerous great-aunties and great-uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her uncles, Christopher Lee Wood of Dayton and Joseph Billy of Mission, and grandmother, Priscilla M. Craig of Adams. Services were held on Thursday, Dec. 13, with a dressing of the body and Washut services held from 7 p.m. to midnight at her grandfather’s residence in Thornhollow on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. A sunrise burial was held on Friday, Dec. 14, at the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation Agency Cemetery. Both Hattie and William were born at 26 weeks and one day. William will be at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital for the next three months until he is healthy enough to come home. Hattie passed away from complications. The family is working on setting up a donation fund at a local bank and a GoFundMe account to help pay for expenses while William is still recovering.
Weather CTUIR Weather Report - December 2018 Weather information summarize data taken at the Pendleton Weather Station from December 1-31. Temperature is reported in degrees Fahrenheit and time in Pacific Standard Time. The average daily temperature was 37.5 degrees with a high of 61 degrees on Dec. 20 and a low of 20 degrees on Dec. 9. With a departure from normal of 4.2 degrees Total precipitation to date in December was 1.66” with greatest 24hr average 0.47” Dec. 23. 15 days out of the month had precipitation level
greater than .01 inches with 5 days greater than 0.10 inches. The average wind speed was 8.5 mph with a sustained max speed of 41 mph from the West on Dec. 30. A peak speed of 52 mph occurred from the West on Dec. 30. The dominant wind direction was from the West. There were 15 rain days out of 31, 1 Haze events/ days, 17 Fog/Mist events in the month of December. Air Quality Index values remained good thru December with intermittent inversion interference bringing the air quality to MODERATE temporarily.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
Tribes, EOU collaborative grant will promote after-school activities LA GRANDE – Eastern Oregon University’s Physical Activity and Health Department will utilize Collins Foundation funding to promote fitness and increase STEM knowledge for up to 35 middle school student who are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The collaborative grant, between EOU at the CTUIR’s Youth Services and Recreation Programs, is called “Get Outside – After School Activity Program” (GOASAP). In addition to physical activity, young Tribal students will focus afterschool learning on STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The primary goal of the grant is for student exploration into the STEM fields and an introduction to various outdoor physical activities in conjunction with the STEM fields, according to an EOU
Jobs Career Opportunitites
1. Public Transit Bus Driver 2. Archaeologist (2 positions) 3. Re-Education / Intervention Facilitator 4. Victim & Witness Assistant 5. Equipment Operator I 6. Program Manager, First Food Policy Program 7. Police Officer 8. Child / Youth Advocate (Family Violence Services Program) 9. Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) Caseworker 10. Community Services Coordinator 11. Wildlife Technician I 12. Technician I - Hatchery (Facility Watch Operator) 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
January 2019
news release. The students will be participating in a target group on Tuesdays and Thursdays (food will be provided) from Jan. 15 through May 18. According to the EOU news release, the majority of students served are to be Native American from 70 percent underserved populations. EOU will provide assistance from various departments, programs and student clubs for several onsite sessions. Additionally, according to Lloyd Commander, manager of the Youth Services and Recreation Programs, the effort will include partnerships with several CTUIR entities, including: Cayuse Technologies to introduce internet technology, programming, program testing and computer marketing. Recruiters will explain how math and science can lead to employment opportunities. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center to provide diabetes education, which fits with the health component of the grant that promotes “Healthy Eating, Being Active, Monitoring, Taking Medications, Problem Solving, Healthy Coping and Reducing Risks.” Nixyaawii Community School where science teachers Zack Gaulke and Jewel Kennedy will introduce students to soil science. CTUIR Department of Natural Resources with Education Specialist Wenix Red Elk providing First Foods education endeavors. CTUIR Range Management and fire science. Jeffrey Casey will provide presentations/workshops focused on wildland firefighting, conservation, and range management. For more information, contact Commander at LloydCommander@ctuir.org or 541-429-7887, or Kelly Rick-McNeil, PhD, EOU Associate Professor, Physical Activity and Health, at 541-962-3413.
Email news to cuj@ctuir or Call 541-429-7394
CTUIR Board of Trustees
General Council
Chair Gary Burke
Chair Willie Sigo, IV
Vice Chair Jeremy Wolf
Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson
Treasurer Doris Wheeler
Secretary Shawna Gavin
Secretary Kathryn Brigham
Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl
At-large BOT Members: Aaron Ashley General Council contact Info Sally Kosey Office: 541-429-7378 Rosenda Shippentower Email: GeneralCouncil@ctuir.org Meeting updates and information on: Woodrow Star
www.ctuir.org/government/general-council
CTUIR Office of the Executive Director : Ted Wright
General Council Meeting Nixyaawii Governance Center, Jan. 31, 2 p.m. Draft agenda:
Enrollment Department Annual Report Science & Technology Committee Tamastslikt Trust Board Annual (invited)
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
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Indian Country News Senate hears stories of missing and murdered Data gaps, understaffing and lax investigations deepen crisis By Anna V. Smith, High Country News
The last time someone saw Ashley Loring-Heavy Runner, she was running away from a man’s vehicle on US Highway 89 along the Rocky Mountain Front on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. The 20-year-old was reported missing in June 2017, and since then, the only development in her investigation was the discovery of a black sweater and a pair of boots, now languishing in a Bureau of Indian Affairs evidence room. That’s what LoringHeavy Runner’s sister, Kimberly LoringSavanna’s Act: Introduced Heavy Runner, told by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Dsenators Dec. 5 during N.D, in 2017, the act requires testimony for the Subthe Department of Justice to include a victim’s tribal affiliation committee on Indian, in federal databases, consult Insular and Alaska with tribes on cases regarding Native Affairs. missing and murdered Indig“I believe law enenous people and standardize forcement did not protocols for those cases. The take Ashley’s case bill received unanimous Senate approval after being introduced, seriously, as well as but was blocked by the outgoother girls who have ing chairman of the House gone missing and Judiciary Committee. murdered on Indian Violence Against Women Country,” LoringAct: Currently up for reauthorization, VAWA gives critical supHeavy Runner said, port to resources and protection later adding, “They for Indigenous women who face failed Ashley.” sexual violence, assault and The oversight hearrape. It restored tribal jurisdicing on missing and tion over non-Natives who murdered Indigenous commit domestic violence, but importantly, it does not protect women featured a litwomen who are enrolled memany of statistics from bers of 228 tribes in Alaska befederal investigators, cause they are not included in as well as personal the legal term “Indian Country.” stories from LoringTribal Law and Order Act: Heavy Runner and Passed in 2010, the act gives more sentencing power to two other Indigenous tribal courts, requires that the women, highlighting U.S. Attorney General submit the dire need of more a report to Congress annually funding and legislathat includes FBI investigations tive attention to a criin Indian Country, and bolsters sis of unknown protribal police training and funding. portions — unknown The SURVIVE Act: Introbecause of a dearth duced in 2018 by Sen. John in data and record Hoeven, R-N.D., it’s a five-year keeping on the part bill that would set aside $150 of federal, state and million annually to help with law tribal governments. enforcement and investigations into missing and murdered “The purpose of Indigenous women and girls. this hearing is not to Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert talk about if we have in Indian Country Act: Passed a problem. It’s to talk into law this year, the act makes about what you’re gotribal nations eligible for AMBER alert grants and integrates ing to do about it,” tribal and state AMBER alert outgoing Sen. Heidi systems. Heitkamp, D-N.D., told a row of federal officials from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigations and National Institute of Justice. “When these crimes go uninvestigated, when they go unsolved for long, long periods of time, or ignored for long, long periods of time, that’s your failure. It’s not the community’s failure, it’s your failure.” Violence against women in Indian Country is a pressing and long-standing problem; Native women
What has Congress done so far?
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Toppenish meeting Jan. 14 to address missing Native women YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - A second Yakima County meeting on missing Native women in Washington has been announced for Jan. 14. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the event will take place at Legends Casino in Toppenish, led by Craig Bill, director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, and Washington State Patrol Capt. Monica Alexander. It will involve presentations and an open forum. Bill and Alexander have held several similar meetings around the state. The first one in Yakima County took place Oct. 29 at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima. Organizers estimated nearly 300 people attended. The meetings are a result of Washington House Bill 2951, which requires the State Patrol to work with the Office of Indian Affairs and tribal leaders to determine how to increase reporting and investigation of missing Native American women.
The legislation also requires the state to collect data, for the first time, on the numbers of missing Native women. No one knows exactly how many Native girls and women have gone missing on or near the 1.3-million-acre Yakama reservation. In 2009, the FBI concluded a two-year probe into the deaths of 16 women on the reservation from 1980 to 1993. An FBI spokesman said there may be as many as 32 unsolved cases on the reservation involving disappearances and deaths. Alexander is compiling information and must report to the Legislature by June 1. The legislation says it must include data and analysis on the number of missing Native American women in the state, identification of barriers in providing state resources to address the issue, and recommendations to improve safety and reporting.
are murdered at a rate 10 times the national average, murdered women and girls to illustrate the shortcombut tribes cannot prosecute murderers. Eighty-four ings of law enforcement, from 11-year-old Ashlynne percent of Native American and Alaskan Native women Mike kidnapped and killed in Shiprock, New Mexico, to have experienced some form of violence, 56 percent 63-year-old Marena Holiday, murdered by a neighbor in of which is sexual violence. Ninety-seven percent of Comb Ridge, Utah. The Nation is severely understaffed crimes against Indigenous people are committed by and underfunded to adequately respond to crimes, Crotnon-Natives, yet tribes can’t prosecute non-Natives for ty testified, which has meant Navajo courts have been unable to enact the Violence Against Women Act provicrimes like sexual assault or rape. As a legislative body that passes laws and appropri- sions that would allow them to prosecute non-Native ates money for tribal nations and federal programs offenders of domestic violence against Indigenous women. An estimated $10 that serve Native million a year would communities, be needed to handle Congress has a the increased caseload. powerful role in And they have received addressing the little help from federal problem. So far or state agencies. there have been “It’s a criminal jusonly a handful of tice system that someacts and resolutimes just does not tions passed to provide justice for the address the probmissing and the murlem of violence dered in Indian Counagainst Indigetry. That’s what we’ve nous women (see been seeing time and sidebar). time again,” Crotty Much of the told senators. “We do December hearnot have jurisdiction ing revealed a lack of federal Native women are murdered at a rate 10 times the national average, but tribes to deal with this matcannot prosecute murderers. Eighty-four percent of Native American and Alaskan prioritization for Native women have experienced some form of violence, 56 percent of which is ter. We do not have the funding to do it. We cases involving sexual violence. Photo from bing.com are bound by federal missing and murlaw that has taken this dered Indigenous women, as well as a lack of funding and resources to authority away from us.” At the end of the three-hour hearing, Tester said he enforce existing statutes. When Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., asked why so many cases were stymied and what needs was unsatisfied with responses from federal officials to change, none of the officials from the BIA, FBI or the on what needs to change to address the problem of National Institute of Justice responded beyond sug- murdered and missing Indigenous women in Indian gesting better coordination between state, tribal and Country. “I’m not sure we got any answers today,” said Tester, federal agencies. Both Tester and Heitkamp later noted that only the BIA’s Director of Office of Justice Services, who requested the hearing along with Sen. Steve Daines, Charles Addington, stayed to hear testimony from R-Mont. “But Mr. Chairman, I don’t think this should be our last hearing on this, I’ll tell you that.” Loring-Heavy Runner and two other Native women. “It makes us all question the real commitment to this issue, and that’s tragic,” Heitkamp said. Anna V. Smith is an assistant editor for High Country From the Navajo Nation, Council Delegate Amber News. Email her at annasmith@hcn.org or submit a letter Kanazbah Crotty shared stories of seven missing or to the editor.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center is excited to announce a new website is coming soon. The revamped Yellowhawk.org will make it easier for patients to learn about their medical home teams, access the calendar of events, and check for current job openings. The new website will also feature a virtual tour of the new clinic. The website will be compatible with all smart phones. Yellowhawk hopes the new website will be a tool to increase community engagement, patient feedback and increase patient utilization of services. To honor 50 years of the Community Health Representatives (CHR) Program, the Indian Health Service recognized Clifford Stanger in December as part of its national social media campaign. CHRs from across Indian Country were highlighted for their unique role in assisting and connecting to the communities they serve and their role in health care. I n a d d i t i o n , C l i ff o r d Stanger has been hired as the Senior Services Program Manager at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. This new position was created to encompass the management and program development of all senior services, including caregiving. Clifford will start his new position on January 2, 2019.
January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Celebrating Christmas A crowd estimated at more than 200 gathered for the Christmas Celebration put on the Celebration Committee for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. On Saturday night, Dec. 22, the Happy Canyon princesses and the Pendleton Round-Up Court participated in activities. Also on hand were directors from both the Happy Canyon and Round-Up Boards. The activities began Friday night with non-competitive dancing. After lunch on Saturday, an evening of competition took place.
Katrina Blackwolf won the 13 and older jingle and shawl dance contest. Blackwolf dances in during the Dec. 22 grand entry.
The Grand Entry included the ags of the United States and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Logan Quaempts dances in during the grand entry Saturday night at the Mission Longhouse.
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More than 200 people attended the Christmas Celebration, which took place Dec. 21 and 22. Here everyone participates in a round dance.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
Happy Canyon Princesses Kaia John and Makayla Fossek and the Pendleton Round-Up Court attended. Also on hand were directors from the RoundUp and Happy Canyon boards. Queen Sydney Jones is at right.
Mollee Allen holds baby Mona Moffet. The baby’s mother is Ashley Moffet, an enrolled member of the Nez Perce tribe.
Saturday contest dancing results
Babette Cowapoo, former chair of the Celebration Committee, presented gifts to the Happy Canyon princesses and the Round-Up Court. Here she is with twin sisters Raelin and Robie Davis.Cowapoo was honored for her service to the Celebration Committee during the pow wow, which was her last event before resigning. A jingle dress dancer struts her stuff on Saturday night,
Dancers didn’t compete on Friday night but they all received gifts. Saturday night’s results follow. 55+ Golden Age Women – 1, Trena Sherwood. 2, Bev Allen. 3, Marie Dick. 4, Katie Blackwolf-Bevis. 55+ Golden Age Men – 1, Terry Hemsaw. 2, Curtis Bearchum. 3, John Bevis. 12 and under jingle and shawl – 1, Keaira Onepennee. 2, Dazha J o s e p h . 3 , Ta m i a Burns. 12 and under grass and fancy – 1, Brianah Matamoros. 2, River Edwards. 3, Garian McDonald. 7-12 Junior girls traditional – 1, Jordan Hemsaw. 2, Tamisa Sherwood. 3, Jayden Holliday. Shelly Minthorn was stoic 7-12 Junior boys in the Women’s Traditional traditional – 1, Shel- dancing. don Joseph. 2, Elijah Bower. 3, Arthur Miller. 13 and older jingle and shawl – 1, Katrina Blackwolf. 2, Miriam Walsey. 3, Julianah Matamoros. 13 and older grass and fancy – 1, Kal Should Blade. 2, Wilbur Oatman. 3, Ron Kicking Woman. 13-17 teen girls traditional – 1, Heaven Walsey. 2, Gerra Shock. 3, Tawnee Hunt. 13-17 teen boys traditional – 1, Bryson Bronson Redcrane. Adults Women’s Traditional – 1, Ida Adams. 2, Katrina Miller. 3, Annie Smith. Adults Men’s Traditional – 1, Levi Blackwolf. 2, Dillon Begay. 3, Jeremy Takla.
Men prepare for the grand entry Saturday night at the Christmas Celebration.
January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Celebration Committee member takes BOT to task BOT approves $200 request, but still gets earful for ‘lack of community support’ and spending habits By Wil Phinney of the CUJ
MISSION – The Celebration Committee got the extra money they asked for, but that didn’t stop a member of that Committee from taking the Board of Trustees to task for what she characterized as a lack of community support. The Celebration Committee receives $10,000 from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation government budget, but asked for and received
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another $200 to pay for food for the Dec. 21 Christmas pow-wow. Celebration Committee volunteer Marjorie Waheneka was prepared with written comments whether the CTUIR policy-making approved the Celebration Committee’s request or not. While not advocating approval and noting the BOT already donates turkeys for the dinner, BOT Treasurer Doris Wheeler read the request letter from the Celebration Committee. BOT Secretary Kat Brigham immediately made a motion to authorize $200 to the Cash-and-Carry store for the purchase of food. The motion triggered more discussion. Wheeler said the Board needs a policy to address requests such as the one be-
ing made by the Celebration Committee, which, she said, is “running out of money because it went beyond its scope” by spending its budget on Wednesday’s Culture Nights. “We need to make clear we don’t just keep funding,” Wheeler said. “I’m not against the money at this time, I just want to make the point.” Rosenda Shippentower, BOT member and former treasurer, suggested that in 2020 when a new budget is created language should be included that establishes policy for such requests so “it isn’t lost somewhere” for any subsequent Boards. Brigham’s motion was seconded by Woodrow Star and received yes votes from BOT member Sally Kosey and General Council Chair Willie Sigo. BOT members Aaron Ashley and Shippentower voted no. Then came Waheneka who immediately questioned BOT spending on other non-community events, including $3,500 for a Warm Springs banquet and $5,000 for the Chief’s Race at a national Indian relay horse race in Walla Walla. She mentioned a gala in Portland where the Tribes paid to sponsor a full table for thousands of dollars, but only a couple of delegates attended. She also mentioned the Board providing funds for the Schimmel family to travel to sporting events for their highprofile basketball-playing daughters. So when she heard the Celebration Committee might have trouble getting the $200 it “rubbed me the wrong way,” Waheneka said. She read the BOT members a “code of ethics” and guidelines that had been printed in a Warm Springs publication. She reminded BOT members that Celebration Committee members were volunteers that do not receive stipends like members of other CTUIR committees. Acknowledging some BOT members that help, she told other BOT members that if they “actually participated in functions they would see where the money goes.” Waheneka also told the Board members that the community is talking about their behavior. “I’ve listened from the community about how the BOT is in conflict among those present and that’s understandable but you can’t be petty. I was told to
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Waheneka told the Board her words should be a ‘wake-up call’ to ‘examine your own consciences.’ She said, ‘The people put you where you are. Some aren’t happy with the Board. I am one of them.’ choose my fights, but don’t put anybody down because they are uneducated. Some have been to the school of hard knocks.” Waheneka told the Board her words should be a “wake-up call” to “examine your own consciences.” She said, “The people put you where you are. Some aren’t happy with the Board. I am one of them.” Celebration Committee Chair Babette Cowapoo, who announced she will resign at the end of the year, said the Celebration Committee was once told it had a budget of $20,000, but it was somehow reduced to $10,000. She said the Celebration Committee felt it was the right thing to do to help with the Wednesday Culture Nights, which have been drawing as many as 60 children and parents to the Longhouse each week. She said a recent skating party was funded by parents with BOT members Star and Kosey each pitching in $100 from their own pockets. Cowapoo said the Celebration Committee has asked the General Council and Board for money because they do more than the Christmas Celebration during the year. She said requests to the General Council were not brought by GC Chair Sigo to the BOT, but Sigo disputed that charge. “When you brought it to the GC I did bring it to this Board and nothing happened, no money was found,” Sigo said. Shippentower noted that she was treasurer at the time. She said the Celebration Committee doesn’t know the fiscal management policy and therefore does not understand how funding works. “You don’t get to go to General Council and get more money. That’s not the correct way to get money from the Tribes,” said Shippentower, who noted the General Council has three constitutional powers and “budget isn’t one of those.” If the General Council accepted funding requests from every commission, the BOT would “be in the budget process half the year,” Shippentower said. To Waheneka, Shippentower said that even though she is educated she also has attended the school of hard knocks. She said, too, that “volunteers don’t look for credit” and she’s tired of hearing people whine about not getting enough money. Further, she said, “If people are dissatisfied with this Board, they won’t vote for it.” Shippentower announced she won’t run this fall. She said she doesn’t want to drive to Portland in nasty weather.
January 2019
New hydro pact to keep fish issues out of court By the CUJ
PORTLAND – A new agreement between federal agencies, two states and the Nez Perce Tribe will provide more water for migrating fish, allow for improved power generation, and halt litigation at least through 2017. The new pact, signed by BPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureua of Reclamation, the states of Oregon and Washington, and the Nez Perce Tribe, is intended to last through 2021 when a court-mandated environmental review of river operations is expected to be completed. “What we’re getting is peace on the river for a period of three years,” said Brent Hall, an attorney for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which were one of three Columbia River Treaty Tribes that in 2008 signed a 10-year Accord, and this year a four-year Accord extension, with Bonneville Power Administration. ‘What we’re T h e C T U I R , getting is the Warm peace on Springs the river for Tribes, the Yakama Naa period of tion and the three years.’ Columbia River InterBrent Hall, attorney for the Tribal Fish Confederated Tribes Commission were instrumental in developing the flex-spill agreement concept, testing it with experts, and getting the parties in the room talking together, and keeping them there, Hall said. “We had representatives in each negotiating session … We agree wholeheartedly that this agreement was made, and with its contents,” Hall said. The Nez Perce and the state of Oregon did not sign the 2008 Accord nor the extension, but after months of negotiations, a three-year agreement allows for increased spill over dams, instead of water through electric generators, during hours when prices are low. The spills, although controversial because competing science questions the benefits for migrating fish, is intended to increase the survival rates for salmon by washing smolts down the river to the ocean. “Better fish survival equals more fish in the river,” said Hall. “More fish in the river equals more fish to catch, and more fish that will spawn.”
In fact, the Seattle Times reported, the states of Oregon and Washington must change water-quality standards to implement the agreement – a step Northwest RiverPartners, a consortium of ports, utilities and businesses, urged that, for the good of salmon, should not be rushed. “Spill can be a usedful tool to aid salmon in migrating downstream; however, too much spill can cause gas bubble trauma in fish, which can harm or even kill them,” Jim Litchfield of NWRP said in a statement. “That is why NWRP has called on the Washington Department of Ecology to conduct a rigorous science review before granting any waiver to the existing water quality standards. The Department established these standards explicitly to protect salmon and other aquatic species.” The agreement has been attacked in a A new agreement between federal, state and the Nez Perce Tribe callls for more spill at dams like statement released by two Washington Grand Coulee Dam on the Snake River. Photo from pinterest.com members of the delegation, Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, and Rep. Cathy Of course, Hall said, Tribal fishers courtroom to the river, and to learn more McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane. They won’t see those fish until the lifecycle is about how best to promote safe passage called the plan “worse than useless,” and complete – in two or three years, depend- for fish in a way that contributes to their said it would cost ratepayers an extra $38 ing on the species. long-term recovery.” million in 2019. The agreement, because of the “ceaseThe agreement will help BPA take Citing information they said was refire in litigation” for the next three years advantage of power markets that may leased to their offices by the BPA, their until the Columbia River System Opera- fluctuate greatly through the course of joint statement said NOAA scientists had tions Enviornmental Impact Statement the day. not identified any benefit of the increased (NEPA study) is completed in 2022, also Power markets may dip, the Seattle spill to salmon. benefits the CTUIR “in terms of less Times reported, as re“We have acresources devoted to the courtroom,” newable energy, such knowledged that Hall said. as California solarThe Nez Perce and there is competing At the same time, this agreement power farms, pour science about the the state of Oregon does not do away with the court case – power into the grid, benefit of spill and as National Wildlife Federation v National and rise when those did not sign the the agreement stipuMarine Fisheries Service before U.S. sources fade during 2008 Accord nor lates, there will be District Court Judge Michael H. Simon dark early-morning careful monitoring the extension, but over the FCRS Biological Opinion. (The and evening hours. and evaluation as we Nez Perce Tribe has supported the NWS “The idea,” Hall after months of move forward,” said position whereas the CTUIR currently said, “is to spill less Mainzer, the BPA negotiations, a threesupports the NMFS position.) water at times of high administrator. year agreement Shannon F. Wheeler, chair of the Nez energy demand and What happens Perce Tribal Executive Committee, said sell that energy, and allows for increased over the course of in a statement published in the Seattle then spill at times the new agreement spill over dams, Times that in setting aside the litigation, during the rest of the remains to be seen, instead of water the tribe will focus on ensuring a full day and at night.” said Hall. analysis of lower Snake River dam breakThe agreements through electric “We’ll have to see ing during the agreement’s term: “The follow years of court what the biological generators, during Tribe has long sup[ported breaching the battles, some litigaopinion looks like. four Lower Snake River dams.” tion dating back to hours when prices The energy markets The Seattle Times also reported on the early 1990s, over are changing so fast, are low. comments from Elliot Mainzer, director the benefit of spill to climate change is of the BPA, and Michael Tehan, assistant salmon, with differhaving an impact, regional administrator for the interior ent models projecting ocean conditions are Columbia Basin for the National Oce- different impacts on poor. It’s impossible to predict what will anic and Atmospheric Administration fish of water sent over the dams rather happen in three years. We could be in a (NOAA). than through powerhouses. completely different place,” he said. Mainzer called the agreement a “winThe signing of the agreement does not win” and Tehan said the agreement is an end controversy over spilling water to The Associated Press contributed to this important opportunity “to move from the help salmon. story.
Indian Country briefs NM cannabis company expands to include hemp ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A New Mexico cannabis company says it’s expanding its business to include hemp. Ultra Health says in a Monday news release that it was awarded continual production licenses to grow hemp at its Bernalillo and Tularosa sites and will dedicate 872,000 square feet of its operation to hemp cultivation.
January 2019
President Donald Trump last week signed a bill that removes hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. The Farm Bill also legalized interstate commerce of hemp products, giving hemp farmers access to crop insurance, and empowering state and tribal governments to impose separate requirements on the production and sale of hemp products. Hemp supporters in New Mexico have said the product could prove lucrative for farmers because the crop can be
used to make a variety of products such as clothes.
Chinook fry to be released after power outage OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Up to 2.75 million fall chinook salmon fry are headed to the Minter Creek Hatchery in Pierce County in an effort to replace salmon lost during a Dec. 14 power outage at the facility. The Washington Department of Fish
Confederated Umatilla Journal
and Wildlife received approval Friday from NOAA Fisheries to use excess chinook from six other hatcheries for release from Minter Creek and Tumwater Falls next May and June. WDFW estimates 6.2 million chinook fry were lost when a windstorm knocked out power to the Minter Creek Hatchery. The facility’s backup generator also failed to start, cutting power to the pump that supplies water to incubators where the fry were held.
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Dr. Matt “Rex” Quaempts makes remarks at the grand opening of the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center in May of 2018. Quaempts is enrolled with the Yakama Nation but was born and raised on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
CUJ file photo
Dr. Quaempts resigns Continued from page 1A
tions” in his resignation letter. “It has been a great pleasure providing for the health care needs of the CTUIR over the years, and it is not easy for me to give it up,” Quaempts wrote. Why he is leaving and where he is going is not clear, since Quaempts was out of the country during the holidays and was unavailable for this story. Those answers did not come from the CTUIR Health Commission or from Yellowhawk CEO Lisa Guzman. Both the Commission, through Chair Shawna Gavin, and Guzman responded to CUJ questions with written statements. Both praised Quaempts and said he will be “greatly missed.” The Health Commission, in the email statement, said it was excited when Quaempts took the job. “He came to us with high recommendations and has made some very positive changes during his tenure with the clinic,” the Health Commission statement reads. “The Health Commission has appreciated his no-nonsense approach to patient care and has highly valued his skills. Dr. Quaempts has implemented many innovative processes which have improved the health care status of the CTUIR and community.” In her response, Guzman reiterated the Health Commission’s stance, saying Quaempts “has been instrumental in developing quality clinic programs that address chronic pain management, diabetes and cancer. The CTUIR community has benefited from these clinics and the quality care that Dr. Quaempts promoted.” Quaempts, according to Guzman’s statement, has led and advocated the promotion of integrated and wrap-around services – a goal of clinic staff when they moved to the new facility in May - for Yellowhawk patients. Guzman’s statement, which also focused on Yellowhawk’s commitment to providing quality health care, said health care providers have been identified to serve patient needs during the transition. Quaempts wrote that both physician assistants Kristin Bourret and Elizabeth Sieders will be available for patient care. “I will maintain clinical supervision of their services for a short time until a new physician is hired,” Quaempts said in his Dec. 19 letter to staff. Guzman said Yellowhawk will be re-
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
cruiting for a physician and family nurse practitioner. In addition, Yellowhawk is currently seeking a full-time Human Resources director, Guzman said. “Yellowhawk has made great strides in employee relations, transition and growth,” wrote Guzman, noting that the health center will be introducing optometric services in 2019. In its request for comments, the CUJ noted that “Yellowhawk has always been battling to improve its reputation and the recruitment of Dr. Quaempts in 2014 was seen as a potential turning point by the community.” The CUJ asked Guzman, “Are there currently any issues with the culture, environment or morale among employees at Yellowhawk? If so, what is being done to remedy the problem?” In her statement, Guzman referred to a 2017 employee satisfaction survey that is being re-introduced by the interim HR director to “ensure employee voices are being heard.” The new survey, she said, “is an important continuing process to ensure employee satisfaction.” Quaempts’ letter to staff also included information for patients with “chronic pain agreements.” He said patients that are currently receiving medications under such an agreement will be required to establish care with a new provider prior to May 1. He said a new chronic pain agreement must be obtained from a new provider, who is under no obligation to issue a new pain agreement and/ or ongoing medications. The Health Commission statement said Quaempts’ “wisdom and humor will be missed at the YTHC and the Health Commission wishes him well in his future endeavors.” In concluding his letter to staff, Quaempts said, “I have greatly valued our relationship, and thank you for your loyalty and friendship over the years.” Guzman ended her statement saying, “Yellowhawk and the CTUIR community have a lot to be proud of and while the New Year brings plenty of change, we continue to move forward with growth and improving patient care.” Quaempts worked for IHS in Yakima for 19 years before he came to Yellowhawk. In July of 2014 he received the “Physician of the Year” award from the Association of American Indian Physicians at their national health conference in Denver.
January 2019
Nix Chamber elects three new board members MISSION, OR – The Nixyaawii Chamber of Commerce membership selected four new board of director members to replace outgoing officers and members. The Board of Directors will have three new board members and one returning member who previously served for the Chamber. Jiselle Halfmoon who once served as Secretary of the board, was re-elected. Halfmoon is the Operations Manager of KCUW radio station. She will be joined by newcomers, Jill-Marie Gavin, Mary Liberty-Traughber and Lindsey Watchman. Gavin also works in the CTUIR Communications Department as the Tribes’ Public Affairs Technician as well as working as a reporter/photographer for the Confederated Umatilla Journal. Liberty-Traughber works as the Public Affairs Manager at Wildhorse Resort and Casino and Watchman is the Workforce Development Coordinator at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. The four new board of director members are to join current board members and officers at the Chamber’s first regular meeting in January of 2019. They will be working with current President Preston Eagleheart, Treasurer Aaron Hines and members Chad Miltenburger, Dale Jenner and Melissa Nathan.
Partnership Continued from page 5A
lection of the implementation initiatives. Awards will be made in July when funds are available in the new Oregon budget biennium. Gary James, CTUIR Fisheries Program manager, praised the time and effort of Lambert and John Zakrejsek for “getting CTUIR involvement and influence” into the John Day Partnership project. “This funding approval, a critical BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) cost share component, was no doubt heavily influenced by your role in pushing an improved River Vision type comprehensive direction,” James wrote in an email to Lambert and John Zakrejsek, the CTUIR Project Leader, North Fork NF John Day Habitat program. Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chair of the CTUIR Board of Trustees and chair of the Tribes’ Fish and Wildlife Commission, applauded the expected grant approval. “I am proud of our ancient First Foods goals and ecosystem resilience, and proud of our staff effectively carrying out those goals within the John Day Partnership and across our usual and accustomed lands,” Wolf said in an email to Lambert. The other top three proposed initiatives, which are expected to be funded, include Baker SG requesting $1.7 million, Warner requesting $2 million, and Rogue Forest requesting $1.5 million. The six other projects were referred to as Clackamas, Siuslaw, North Santiam, OCCEC, Rogue Coho, and Wallowa Forest. The total requested from the 10 projects was $23.5 million. The OWEB subcommittee recommended the four top projects, which total $9,214,565. That amount stays within the $6 million to $10 million funding range preference expressed by the Board in October, according to Eric Williams, OWEB Grant Program Manager in Salem.
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Two captured horses wait to be fed in mid December at the Fowler’s Lane facility owned by the Tribes.
CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin
Small herd caught and sold By the CUJ
MISSION - A small herd of 10 horses was captured and sold by staff of the Department of Natural Resources. It’s been a few years since the last feral horse roundup, BOT Member Woodrow Star, a well-known horseman who helped cull previous herds, observes the but a small group of horses group of 10 horses that were captured on the north side of the Umatilla River and later sold by way of didn’t require helicopters to silent auction. Star noted that the horses looked well fed and healthy despite being dirty from being loose. be captured. Gordy Schumacher, Range, Ag. & Forestry showed up to view the horses he was pleased to see their Program Manager for DNR, said his department was condition. Besides being muddy, he said, the lot looked alerted in August that horses were loose on the north side very healthy. The group of horses seemed well-fed and of the Umatilla River. lacked the obvious signs of inbreeding such as small hind The horses (seven mares, two colt studs and one year- quarters and large boxed heads. ling stud) were driven into confined pastures, according to The healthy condition of the horses lent to their quick Schumacher but were too difficult to capture using ATV’s sale. They were captured overnight, moved to Fowler’s without risk of injury to the horses so they were released. Lane horse facility, and sold by the end of the next busiThe last large feral horse roundup was done in October ness day. of 2014 and two horses were confirmed still at large on that Two buyers purchased the horses in the silent auction. side of the reservation. How two became 10 is a mystery One was an individual employee of the Tribes who purbut Schumacher’s guess is they were dumped by owners. chased two horses; the other was a company called Outwest When the weather started to chill the herd returned to Livestock LLC, which purchased eight horses. the pastures where food traps were laid and eventually all The capture and sale of the feral horses was done in ac10 horses were rounded up. When Woodrow Star, Board cordance with the Feral Horse Management Policy for the of Trustees Member at Large and well know horseman, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
February ad deadline January 22 Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Cayuse Holdings LLC Board appointed Chuck Sams new chair
MISSION – Cayuse Holdings LLC, the new umbrella authority for a family of companies that have been or could be acquired for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has established a new board of directors. The original 10-year-old Cayuse Technologies Board of Directors has been disbanded. Although most of the names are the same, the new Cayuse Holdings LLC Board will increase from five to eight members. Board members were appointed to fouryear terms; officers will be elected annually. Four people on the new board are members of the CTUIR, which is the owner of Cayuse Holdings LLC and the companies it acquires. Chuck Sams, Director of CTUIR Communications, is the new chair of the Holdings board. Other CTUIR members on the Board include Doris Wheeler, current Treasurer for the Tribes’ Board of Trustees; Pendleton photographer Pat Walters, who serves on the CTUIR Economic and Community Development Commission; and Koko Hufford, who is the representative appointed by the Tribes’ General Council. Sams has worked as Chief Executive Officer/ President for Indian Country Conservancy in Portland; Executive Director for Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation; National Director Tribal and Native Lands Program, Trust for Public Lands in Portland; Executive Director, Community Energy Project in Portland; and Executive Director, Vice President Program, NW Dis-
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trict, Earth Conservation Corps in Portland. He served 25 years of IT management, business transformation as an intelligence specialist in the U.S. Navy from 1988 and operations experience across multiple industries in Canada and internationally. Currently he is Senior to 1995. Vice President, Global Operations Hufford has worked for the CTUIR since 1998 and has served & Chief Information Officer, for since 2003 as Land Project ManagApotex. In that position he is ‘It is a diverse board of for managing 750 er, in the Department of Economic business-minded people responsible people globally, a $380 million and Community Development. who bring a depth and operating budget, and expendiShe also worked as CTUIR Emergency Management Coordinator tures of $1 billion. Bibas worked breadth of knowledge from 2006-2011 for Accenture, the and Tribal Services Director. Prior in operating and company that initially developed to her work for the CTUIR, Hufand managed Cayuse Technoloford had several administrative management of multiple gies. positions at Columbia Basin Coltypes of businesses, lege, including Director of Special Hong, former chief transformaboth large and small.’ Projects and Workforce Training tion officer for Zain KSA (Saudi Center Operations Manager. She Arabia), has nearly 30 years’ Chuck Sams, Chair, experience in the telecommunialso worked at Yakima Valley and Cayuse Holdings LLC Board of Directors cations industry, specializing in Walla Walla community colleges. large-scale business and IT transThe other four Board members formation programs for many include Billy Nerenberg, the Chief Operating Officer at Cayuse Technologies, and three world-class companies across North America, Europe, individuals with commercial experience – Mari Sams and Asia Pacific. He is the former managing director in Tester, Schlomo Bibas and Monte Hong. Accenture’s Communications, Media, and Technology Tester is a retired native executive with more than Operating Group. Bibas was elected vice-chair, Walters secretary, and 33 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Tester was the principle for M.E. Tester and As- Hong treasurer. Said Sams, “It is my honor and pleasure to serve as sociates, an international consulting firm for 20 years. Currently she is a member of community boards in chairman of the Cayuse Holdings LLC Board. It is a Walla Walla and Pendleton, including Crow’s Shadow diverse board of business-minded people who bring Institute of the Arts where she is a past chairman of a depth and breadth of knowledge in operating and management of multiple types of businesses, both large the board. Bibas, from Ontario, Canada, is an executive with and small.”
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
Cayuse Holdings forms businesses last year by NHV and will now be one of government and commercial markets. these Cayuse companies. “This business diversification within Holding companies also provide in-direct resources such as human resources, ac- the commercial and government technology markets is part of our strategy counting, marketing, etc. Companies under the Cayuse Hold- to expand our service offerings to grow ings LLC umbrella, including Cayuse jobs and to bring more money back to Technologies and the newly acquired the Tribe,” said Cayuse Holdings CEO Native Hawaiian Veterans (NHV) along Billy Nerenberg. With American with several newly Safety, Nerenberg sees formed Cayuse comgreat opportunity to panies, will have 430 ‘We will provide technical soemployees and annual lutions to fire departcontinue revenue of about $32 ments, police departmillion, according to to look for ments and emergency Cayuse Technologies services. American opportunities CEO Billy Nerenberg. Safety has a techCayuse Holdings, to acquire nique to clean certain LLC will provide about equipment such as the 10 percent of the CTUmore profitable “turn-outs” worn by IR’s revenue stream, businesses so firefighters. The turnaccording to a Holdouts are embedded ing Company Working those profits with wiring that often Group made up of staff can be allocated only lasts a year or from Cayuse Technoloso. American Safety, gies and CTUIR Manageto the Tribes’ Nerenberg said, has ment staff. The workdeveloped a method general fund ing group was assigned using new technology by the Tribes’ Board of to support to clean and repair the Trustees to study and turnouts so they will recommend a Cayuse activities.’ last longer. holding company strucThe first two AmerChuck Sams, Chair of the new ture. Cayuse Holdings Board ican Safety contracts Chuck Sams, who was have been approved recently voted chair of in Hawaii and now, the new Cayuse Holdings LLC Board of Directors, said it has Nerenberg said, sales will move to the been the CTUIR’s goal for the last 15 mainland to work with police and fire years to “diversify its economy by build- chiefs. NHV works 100 percent with governing and acquiring businesses both here at ment contracts, especially with the U.S. home and now abroad.” Department of Defense, Homeland Secu“Cayuse Technologies was the springrity, and the Department of State. board that helped us acquire SBA (Small Cayuse Technologies currently Business Administration) 8(a) certification that has borne out Cayuse Holdings has a federal clearance level for the LLC,” Sams explained. “We are now building and some employees. Soon, developing new businesses out of Cayuse Nerenberg said, the company will seek Technologies and acquiring new busi- “top secret” clearance for work with some clients. nesses such as NHV.” “That will allow us to go after new Preston Eagleheart, Chief of Staff at Cayuse Technologies, said establishment business,” Nerenberg said. “Very few of the holding company is a “great stride companies have both top secret clearance and a service center like we have here in to improve our local economy.” “This operational design is in place Mission. It should give us a very good to support, regulate and protect busi- competitive advantage.” Most of the new- and expected comness operations for maximum benefit to the tribes,” Eagleheart said in an email panies under Cayuse Holdings LLC will be government-contract focused, but response to the CUJ. The holding company, Eagleheart said, a couple of commercial companies are is a progressive step to diversify business expected. One of new venture, Cayuse Market growth. The Cayuse family of companies Solutions, is working with Apple, Twill include several companies under the Mobile, Price Waterhouse Cooper, and Cayuse Holdings umbrella to provide Zale’s Jewelers to provide services such new services. American Safety is a division acquired as installation and maintenance service Continued from page 1A
for retail store displays that have technologically advanced wiring and lights. “We have the contract to install and maintain that technology around the United States,” Nerenberg said. “There is high demand for these services, this company likely will triple in size next year.” Cayuse Market Solutions won’t be sending employees out to the jewelry store, Nerenberg explained. Rather, “We find local contractors. We could have a team here to drive or fly around to work with and train these contractors. There’s no reason we couldn’t have a team made up of trained Tribal members deployed across the country,” he said. “We’re developing a contractor network and building a trusted contractor list,” Nerenberg said. “We’ll contract with a team to do the work all over the country on behalf of Cayuse Market Solutions.” Cayuse Market Solutions also is working with Marriott and Wynn Hotels in Las Vegas to install and maintain “panic buttons” for every employee. The Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas is where a gunman opened fire at a summer concert killing 58 people and injuring over 500. The contract is with Price Waterhouse Cooper to provide not only the installation, but training for employees. The panic button, which will include a GPS locator for employees, will alert emergency teams when triggered by the employee. Neverenberg said it is hoped that all of the IT technical support for the systems will be provided by Cayuse TEchnologies on the Reservation. Debra Croswell, Vice President of Compliance at Cayuse Shared Services, noted that Cayuse Technologies has provided a variety of career opportunities since it started in 2006. “Our new holding company structure and its path into government contracting will help us expand our jobs list even more,” Croswell said in an email. Some of the work will take place on the Reservation, but employees will also be needed at locations around the United States. For example, only about 20 of the 150 NHV employees work in Hawaii with the rest embedded in military bases in the United States, Japan and Guam. “All of our employees, regardless of their work location, are contributing to the overall growth of the Cayuse family of companies and ultimately the growth of CTUIR’s economy,” Croswell said. Toward a goal of increasing employment opportunities, Cayuse Holdings LLC will host a series of open houses in 2019 to “help our community better understand our federal contracting efforts,
BOT waives sovereign immunity for new business contract The CTUIR Board of Trustees on Monday, Dec. 31, voted 4-2 to waive sovereign immunity limited to the enforcement of the purchase contract for the owners of Native Hawaian Veterans (NHV). The Tribes routinely waive sovereign immunity in certain business dealings, but the BOT debated the issue at their regular weekly meeting. Tribal attorney Naomi Stacy explained that the BOT has many times granted a waiver of sovereign immunity for different purposes, including in November when the Board approved New Market Tax Credits for financing at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center and the new Education Facility. “This is part of the reason Cayuse Holdings was created, to offer the Cayuse entities sovereign immunity, something that Cayuse Technologies didn’t have,” Cayuse Technologies CEO Billy Nerenberg told the Board. General Council Chair William Sigo IV and BOT member Rosenda Shippentower voted against the resolution, but for different reasons. Sigo argued that no potential amount of money is worth giving up sovereign immunity. Shippentower voted no after listing people and organizations she trusts, but didn’t include Cayuse Technologies or its CEO. Nerenberg told the Board that the NHV owners signed a sales agreement based on the waiver of sovereign immunity, which would move litigation jurisdiction from Tribal Court to State Court, because most businesses do not understand Tribal law. If there was no waiver granted, Nerenberg said, the sales contract between Cayuse Holdings LLC and Native Hawaian Veterans would have to be renegotiated. Taking away that option, Nerenberg said, would “tie one of my arms behind my back” when it comes to dealing with big businesses that aren’t used to working with Native American tribes. BOT Secretary Kat Brigham made the motion to approve the resolution, reminding her fellow members that Cayuse Holdings LLC, which the Board approved in October, was created to help diversify the CTUIR economy. “If we tie one hand behind them and tell them to go get [new businesses] then we’re not allowing them to develop to their full potential,” Brigham said. Along with Brigham, BOT Vice-Chair Jeremy Wolf and Board members Aaron Ashley and Woodrow Star supported the motion. (Treasurer Doris Wheeler, who is the Board’s representative on the Cayuse Holdings Board of Directors, and BOT member Sally Kosey, were absent for personal reasons.)
the jobs available and the skills needed,” Croswell said. Said Sams, “We will continue to look for opportunities to acquire more profitable businesses so those profits can be allocated to the Tribes’ general fund to support activities.”
Tribal History/Shared History Continued from page 2A
Oregon schools.” Students will learn, for instance, the meaning of “time immemorial” and sovereignty. Among many other things, students will be able to name all nine Oregon tribes and point to homelands on an Oregon map. Garcia said the new curriculum will allow schools to “shift to teaching the actual truth” about Oregon Indians. Teachers, she said, are welcoming the new lessons, but “are scared they will do
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the wrong thing.” Garcia said the ODE is hoping information from Tribes is available in January or February so the “Essential Understanding” standards can be developed by the time school starts in September. “We are hoping the curriculums will be as uniform as possible so teachers can be centered” on their professional development. Modesta Minthorn, Director of the
CTUIR Education Department, said CTUIR contracted in December with consultants to meet with elders and other community members as they create a curriculum to be used in Pendleton area schools. School districts (there are 197 in Oregon) that do not have a nearby Tribe will use nearby Tribes for their curriculum. Other towns like Roseburg, Garcia said, could use the Cow Creek Indians for their lessons.
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“It’s scary but we’re all in this together,” she said. Pendleton School District, Garcia noted, has a good relationship with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. “We’d like to watch you closely,” Garcia said. The forum was sponsored by the OED, the CTUIR, Education Northwest, and the Pendleton School District.
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CUJ 2018 in review
Women’s March partipants hit the streets of Pendleton in January 2018.
CTUIR tribal leaders and staff joined by students from the Ataw Miyanasma Learning Center Summer Jumpstart and Continued Learning Program and the day care to be the groundbreakers for the Education Facility June 15.
January –
April –
Women from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation took to the streets of Pendleton Jan. 20 for a Women’s March. The ceremony opened with a Washat song by young Tribal Member Latis Nowland. Speakers encouraged each other to fill more spots in leadership with women of color to create an even playing field. Board of Trustees Member Sally Kosey accused fellow BOT members of gross misconduct and bullying at a General Council meeting for asking her to resign amid questions about her residency. Kosey was accused of sitting on the board illegally because her home is not within the diminished boundary of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Governor Kate Brown met with the BOT on the Umatilla Indian Reservation during her tour of Eastern Oregon in April. Brown spoke with Tribal leaders at length about mental health and water rights in a work session April 27 in the BOT chambers. BOT members expressed concerns about the tribe and state’s inability to properly refer Tribal Members with mental illness. Brown said this is a concern for the entire state. Youth from Nixyaawii Community School, CayUma-Wa Head Start and other area schools all participated in the annual Children’s Root Feast in April. The After School Program, led by Linda Sampson, made sure that students from all the area elementary schools had the opportunity to participate in the cultural activity.
May –
The new YTHC facility held a soft opening May 1 where the community showed up to tour the 64,000 square foot building. The new facility has a foot print nearly twice the size of the old building. The architecture for the clinic was designed for better patient flow and integrated health services.
Young dancers enjoy the festivities during the Valentine’s Day Pow Wow in February.
February –
Jeremy Wolf defeated candidate Shana Radford in a run-off election for the Vice Chair position on the Board of Trustees. Wolf and Radford tied Nov. 14 in 2017. In the run-off, Wolf won with 375 votes to Radfords 277.
March –
Nixyaawii Community School held their first ever solo prom May 18 at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The prom was the result of hard work from a prom committee and teacher Seanne Perkins. The event was Great Gatsby themed and was made possible by donations of clothing and cash from the community. The BOT set their 2018-2019 priorities May 7. The first priority on the list was Housing followed by Health, Education, Economic and Community Development, Communications and Organizational Excellence. The priorities started being identified during the BOT retreat held in March of 2018. The retreat was
The Nixyaawii Golden Eagles girls’ varsity basketball team swept the season with only one loss in their final game March 3. They nearly won the state title, but were defeated in the championship game. The team lost 58-56 and ended their 56-game undefeated winning streak over the course of two years.
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June –
The CTUIR Education Department held a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the new Education Facility due to be open in time for the 2019-2020 school year. NCS School Board and BOT members joined Education staff and students June 15 for the first dig captured in the July CUJ. The BOT revisited the residency issue kicked off by questions surrounding BOT member Sally Kosey’s eligibility to serve on the Board. Ultimately they decided to have the Election Commission come back with options for code amendments surrounding residency language and voter intent. Local DJ and Tribal Member Anson Crane was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Development Services Center in a June 13 awards ceremony. Tribal Members Chelsey Parker, hair stylist, and William Elk, multimedia artist, were honored as runners up.
July –
Senator Jeff Merkley visited the Umatilla Indian Reservation during his tour of Eastern Oregon. Merkley made history as the first U.S. Senator or Congressman to attend the Wildhorse Pow Wow July 7. He also attended a town hall at the Pendleton Early Learning Center. The Wildhorse Pow Wow was held at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino Pow Wow grounds July 6-8. Culture Camp returned to the Umatilla Indian Reservation through the Education Department July 16-20. The camp, held at Emigrant Springs, was attended by 15 boys and girls from the reservation community. Students learned how to pick huckleberries, identify native plants and speak Umatilla and Nez Perce language.
August –
The Tribes purchased a Hawaiian Information and Technology firm based in Honolulu through Cayuse Technologies. Cayuse Technologues became the owner of Native Hawaiian Veterans LLC in the fall of 2018.
A partially skinned wolf carcass was found on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in early March on Kanine Ridge. The Umatilla Tribal Police and Oregon State Police investigated the killing. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s CEO Lisa Guzman started her position with the clinic March 26. Guzman, enrolled Nez Perce, started her position in the old building and brought a heavy background in social services.
delayed due to the Vice Chair run-off election.
The CTUIR Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) raised the minimum wage on tribal construction sites from $15 to $20 per hour. The BOT voted to raise the minimum wage after TERO produced several wage studies based on area construction site averages. Drummers from Nixyaawii Community School sing Tribal Flag Song during the soft opening of the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Facility in May 2018.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
NCS started their last year of school in their current Year in Review on page 23A
January 2019
facility with 75 students. At the beginning of the 2019 school year the charter high school will be housed in the new Education Facility on the Bowman Property west of the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. `
mission and Tribal Attorney Dan Hester in a work session Sept. 27 to go over options for amending the code to reflect the wishes of the Board. Ultimately the Board chose to revisit the issue once more in 2018 before making a final decision.
square feet, nearly three times the size of the current 3,000 square foot facility.
Kayak, the Tribes’ public transportation program, celebrated their millionth rider in an event at the transit hub west of the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center held the Light Up the Night event in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More than 50 community memebers and Yellowhawk employees showed up for the evening walk illuminated by glow sticks, floating lanterns and a lit walkway provided by the clinic.
A big crowd gathered for an Indian Relay race held in Walla Walla over the weekend of Sept. 23. The Championship of Champions Indian Relay Horse Races were held at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds. In the past Indian Relay races have primarily only been available during the Pendleton Round-Up. More than 20 teams competed.
The Tribe made a $2 million offer to buy Hamley’s in October. The offer was subsequently rejected by one of the owners who has been against selling. Ownership is tied up in litigation between the two owners Blair Woodfield and Parley Pearce. Woodfield is the one who has working with the Tribes. In a follow-up story, Pearce said he would not sell.
November –
The Board of Trustees finally came to a decision regarding Election Code amendments after more than six months of work sessions and deliberation. They approved voter intent guidelines and provided new language to address residency of Board members. 2019 Happy Canyon Princesses were chosen in November of 2018. Kaia John, enrolled CTUIR member, and Makayla Fossek, descendent, were the lucky ladies chosen.
Aaron Hines, left, and Donald Sampson, right, lead riders into the Pendleton Round-Up arena in September 2018.
September –
The BOT adopted a resolution that provides Yellowhawk with infrastructure to create a response system for suicide prevention and after care for loved ones after a September work session. The Yellowhawk Prevention Program presented the Board with a plan to comfort those who have been effected by the loss of a loved one to suicide. The plan includes first-responders being trained in area schools, Tribal administration, Yellowhawk and faith based leaders. A follow-up work session was carried on in September to further investigate possible solutions to issues regarding residency and voter intent in the Election Code. The Board met with the Election Com-
The Tribes hired a new Executive Director from Sitka, Alaska. Ted Wright, an enrolled Alaskan Native, was hired in November and began his new job at the beginning of December. Wright has a heavy background in administration, education and social services.
Linda Sampson, Thomas Morning Owl and Damien Totus stand near the earth oven dug in October to cook camas root. That’s a bundle of wild mint, in the red bag, that was used for sweetener.
October –
Wildhorse Resort & Casino started construction on the new Wildhorse golf course club house due to be completed in May of 2019. The new facility will be 8,400
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Donald Sampson was named as Walla Walla Chief during a memorial for his father, atway Carl Sampson Peo Peo Mox Mox, who preceded him as chief. The Sampson family held a chieftanship ceremony with a first foods feast and giveaway.
December –
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January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
23A
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
News & Sports
Section
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon
B
January 2019
Tumayis Minthorn was the recipient of one of the 25 bicycles donated by Indian Eyes, a Pasco company. More on Page 11B.
Trevon Allen, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians, takes the ball to the hoop for the Idaho Vandals in this photo from last year.
Nixyaawii Community School basketball post Magi Moses gives a defender a bump before taking the ball to the basket. More NCS basketball on Page 2,3,6 and 7B.
Trevon Allen playing for NCAA Division I Idaho Vandals By the CUJ
Mr. and Mrs. Claus, aka Randy and Carolyn Brandsen, visited with students from Nixyaawii Community School. They judged a grahamcracker house contest. A couple more photos on Page 21B.
MOSCOW, Idaho – As a junior at the University of Idaho, Trevon Allen has found himself the oldest guy on a young men’s basketball team that is struggling this year in the Big Sky Conference. And that’s not a situation to which Allen, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is accustomed. He’s used to winning with 20-win seasons as a freshman and sophomore. “We’ve had a rough start but we’re working to get better,” said Allen, a 6-foot 3-inch junior, who starts
January 2019
Trevon Allen on page 5B
Six playing women’s college hoops Five young women from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are among statistic leaders in the 34-team Northwest Athletic Conference (NAC). A sixth girl, Nixyaawii Community College graduate Milan Schimmel, is playing junior college ball in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Adelina Salinas, left, and Lisa Faye McIntosh were full of holiday animation at the Pendleton Early Learning Center Holiday program in December. For more photos turn to Page 22B.
at point guard, but has played shooting guard, and has even played a small-forward position to guard bigger opponents. Allen is the grandson of Rose Alexander, who lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the son of Sonya Samuels-Allen and Alan Allen, both former athletes in their own right. His mother was a standout high school basketball player and his father played football at UI. Some people think Allen chose UI because his
Mary Stewart, Clackamas Community College Stewart was averaging 10.8 points a game in the first nine games of the season as Clackamas Community College went 4-5. Her points per game average put her 31st among all players in offensive stats for the NAC. On defense, Stewart ranked 24th in rebounding with a 7.3 board per game aver-
Confederated Umatilla Journal
age. Stewart, who played on Nixyaawii Community School’s state champion and state runner-up team in 2016 and 2017, was hitting 54 percent of her three-pointers. She started in three games, but was averaging the second most minutes per game with 28. Stewart also was averaging 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals a game. Jada Burns, Chemeketa Community College Burns, who played at Irrigon High School, was 19th among all NAC players in offensive stats. She was averaging 8.5 points per games, but was shooting 50 percent from the field. Women’s college hoops on page 4B
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Nixyaawii boys 9-1 as Old Oregon League begins By Wil Phinney of the CUJ
MISSION – With a pair of lopsided wins to finish off the year with a 9-1 record, the Nixyaawii Community School boys’ basketball team took aim at the Old Oregon League with conference games beginning in early January. The first game of the New Year was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 4, at home against an always-tough Powder Valley Badgers squad. The season’s final league game will also be a home contest, this time ‘We Saturday, Feb. 9, against the Joanswered seph Eagles. In Decemthe bell ber, the Class this time ... 1A NCS team a pair of We got up, beat Class 2A teams in Stanfield and then we Pilot Rock. The team’s lone loss got down, was at Umatilla but we against a veteran Class 3A stuck with unit. But the best the game game of the year came Dec. plan. It’s 21 when Nixya sign of aawii defeated Nation maturity to Yakama Tribal School, 76-63, in a respond.’ game played at Pendleton High Nixyaawii Coach Shane Rivera School to accommodate fans from here and from the Valley. After a back-and-forth first half, NCS outscored Yakama 20-8 in the third stanza, only to have to hold off a Yakama rally midway through the fourth-quarter. Senior Deven Barkley scored eight points in the fourth stanza, including an end-toend dribble drive for a lay-in with 3:18 to go that gave NCS a 61-60 lead, which they never relinquished. “We answered the bell this time,” Coach Shane Rivera said, apparently referencing Nixyaawii’s loss at Umatilla when they scored just two baskets in the second half. “We got up, then we got down, but we stuck with the game plan. It’s a sign of maturity to respond.” The game was hyped early in the year and the fans didn’t disappoint, mostly filling both sides and the balcony at Warberg Court. Neither did the players let anybody down. For Nixyaawii, Mick Schimmel led the team with 23 points followed by Barkley with 22. Dazon Sigo added a dozen and Quanah Picard had 11. Sophomore point guard Tyasin Burns scored six, including four free throws in the fourth quarter, and Moses Moses added two points. For Yakama, three players including twins Bryce and Bryan Strom, were in double figures. Mylo Jones hit five
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Mick Schimmel, a junior at Nixyaawii, is averaging just over 20 points a game. Here, against Yakama Nation Tribal School, Schimmel scored 23, His highest output has been 26 and his lowest 10.
Below, Moses Moses soars through the air against the Umatilla Vikings. Umatilla gave NCS its only loss, 38-25. Nixyaawii led 21-15 at halftime but Umatilla held the Golden Eagles to four points in the second half. NCS is averaging 72 points a game with a high of 90 and a low of 25. On the defensive end, Nixyaawii is holding opponents to an average of 46. Yakama scored 63 for the high, with the lowest, 32 points, coming against Echo in the last game of 2018.
three-pointers and his 19 led the team with Bryan and Bryce getting 18 and 13, respectively. Three others, Justice Hart, Terrell Yallup, Ambrocio Pascal, and Kyel Shoulderblack shared 13 points. After the game, Schimmel, who has played with and against some of the Yakama boys, said the third-quarter rally was the “tempo and how we play our game.” He said the team executed the
right plays and came together on defense. “This kind of competition helps us. They like to run and we need to stay in shape for state. This kind of game prepares us for it,” Schimmel said. Barkley said he was motivated to beat Yakama after the 38-25 loss to Umatilla and a ho-hum 85-49 win against CondonWheeler Dec. 15. “We wanted to show how we can
Confederated Umatilla Journal
play our game,” Barkley said. “Umatilla was a better defense and Umatilla really stepped up to the plate.” But against Yakama Barkley took more seriously his job as a role-model. “As a senior I made the buckets when we needed,” he said. Sigo, the only other senior on the team, said the Yakama contest “boosted our Continued next page
January 2019
Nixyaawii’s Quanah Picard (5) and Yakama’s Bryce Strom watch the basketball bounce away in their game in Pendleton Dec. 21. Picard, who missed a couple of games due to illness, has a high night of 18 against Stanfield in the first game. In six games, he is averaging a dozen points an outing. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
At right, Tyasin Burns turns the corner against a Yakama defender in the Golden Eagles 76-63 win. In the critical fourth quarter Nixyaawii went 11 for 18 from the line. Burns had four of his six points at the line in the final quarter. CUJ photos/Phinney
confidence.” In the third quarter, NCS continued its “It showed what we can do and it feels run to take a 49-43 lead on a Sigo threelike a good team win,” Sigo said. pointer from the top of the circle. Barkley Yakama was 4-3 in hit two technical-foul (on seven games after the the bench) free throws to loss. It came on the heels give NCS a 54-44 lead. The of an 89-point game at Golden Eagles worked the Wahluke High School in last 14 seconds of the quarter Mattawa, Washington, before Sigo’s teardrop hit the the night before, and net at the buzzer for a 58-46 was the team’s sixth road lead heading into the final game. stanza. Yakama Coach John That’s when Yakama Scabbyrobe said the team mounted its final flurry, was obviously tired at outscoring Nixyaawii 14-0 to the end. take a 60-58 lead with about “We battled back, three-and-a-half minutes but we couldn’t get to to play. Barkley grabbed a the free throw line. Last defensive rebound and went night we pressed the end to end for the lay-in for whole game and we a 61-60 edge. wanted to play fast and About 10 seconds later press here,” Scabbyrobe Schimmel grabbed an offensaid. sive rebound and put it up. Barkley and SchimIt wouldn’t go but Barkley mel hit back-to-back was there for the put back. three-pointers to open He clenched his fists and the Nixyaawii scorgrowled with the 63-60 lead ing, but Yakama stayed at the 2:59 mark. about five points ahead NCS didn’t trail again, throughout the first going on a 13-3 run to end Deven Barkley growls after quarter. A three by Bryce putting a rebound back in the the game. Strom gave Yakama its basket. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick biggest lead, 28-19, but Nixyaawii 90, Echo 36 NCS mounted a 15-5 run. Sigo hit a (Dec. 28) 12-footer and Schimmel canned a three ECHO – It was a runaway against Echo to give NCS a 34-33 lead with 1:18. The with NCS taking a 21-5 first period lead half ended in a 38-38 tie. behind Mick Schimmel’s 10 points. He
January 2019
finished with a team high 22 points, all but four coming in the first half. It was 39-9 at halftime so Coach Rivera was able to empty the bench. Quanah Picard had 16, Tyasin Burns added 15, Deven Barkley had 10 and Moses Moses scored 9. After that Dazon Sigo had 6, Reuben Bronson 5, Luis Ortega 3, D’Andre Rodriguez and T Pacheco with two each. For Echo, D. Craig scored 15 and C. White added 10. B. MacPherson scored 6, C. Scott 3 and J. Medrano 2. Nixyaawii 79, Ione 32 (Dec. 29) NCS doubled Ione in the first period, 18-5, and led by 17 at halftime. The Golden Eagles put up 28 points in the fourth quarter. Five boys scored in double figures. Schimmel led the team with 20, followed by Burns with 18, Moses Moses with 12, Picard 11 and Barkley 10. After that, Bronson scored 5, Magi Moses 2 and Sigo 1. For Ione, no one scored more than 7 points. That was N. Ramirez. Then H. Padberg and T. Rollins scored 6 apiece, G. Walls had 4, and three others – Jr. Rogue, J. Heiderman and J. Verdzco had three each. Nixyaawii 85, Condon-Wheeler 49 (Dec. 15) NCS ran out to a 25-13 first quarter lead and piled it on from there, outscoring Condon-Wheeler 24-9 in the final quarter. Moses Moses scored 23 to lead all
Confederated Umatilla Journal
scorers. He scored 11 points in the first quarter that included two three-pointers. Schimmel scored 21, including nine in the third period. Tyasin Burns scored 15, Barkley had 12, Sigo 8, Reuben Bronson 4, and D’Andre Rodriguez 2. Condon-Wheeler was led by H. Winslow with 19 and C. Johnson with 12. Umatilla 38, Nixyaawii 25 (Dec. 8) NCS led 21-15 at halftime, but was held to a single bucket in each of the last two frames. Schimmel scored 2 in the third and Magi Moses hit a two-pointer in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Umatilla scored 23. Schimmel led NCS with 10, followed by Magi Moses with 8, Moses Moses with 5, and Sigo with two. Umatilla was led with 15 by S. Garcia, who hit a pair of threes in the fourth. Three others had five points apiece and four others had 2 points each. Nixyaawii 75, Pilot Rock 56 (Dec. 11) NCS outscored Class 2A Pilot Rock 27-9 in the second quarter and never looked back, even though the Rockets scored more points, 37-33, in the second half. Moses Moses scored 23, including a dozen in that critical second period. Schimmel had 20, Barkley scored 16, and Burns added 12. Bronson canned a three and Sigo added one free throw for a point. Pilot Rock was led by C. Haskell with 20.
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Nixyaawii signs Nike sports gear contract MISSION – Next year when the Nixyaawii Community School (NCS) Golden Eagles take the court at their new gym, the players likely will be wearing new Nike uniforms. Nike reached a five-year agreement in December with NCS to purchase the company’s products at a discounted price NCS is one of the last schools in the region to join “Team Nike,” according to Principal Ryan Heinrich. In addition to discounted items, NCS will receive a $5,000 retail product rebate each year of the contract. “This will help with future athletic
budgeting,” Heinrich said. According to the agreement, the school will require players and staff to wear or use exclusively Nike products during games and other official program activities, including photo sessions. (Any product purchased by an individual student is exempt from the agreement.) The items covered in the contract range from footwear to gloves, plus polo shirts, golf shirts, sweat suits and even undergarments. It also covers headbands, bags and socks. “Kids are always excited for new uniforms,” Heinrich said.
Birthdays: 2nd: Bowen Bronson 3rd: Robert Kash Kash, Basil Badroads and Art Brickwood 4th: Leo Stewart and Julie Stewart 9th: Natalie Welch 12th: Daniel Brigham 15th: Nicole Linhart 18th: Damon Billy 20th: Michelle Brigham and Aya Majors 23rd: Alger Brigham 27th: Daniel Jones 29th: Bonnie Harrison 30th: Julius Welch 31st: Taylor Quaempts, Quentin Van Pelt and Brycen Lauritsen Anniversaries: 7th: Jim & Faye Marsh 23rd: Robert & Kathryn Brigham
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Going up ... and out Bryan Strom, a junior guard for the Yakama Nation Tribal School basketball team, takes the ball toward the bucket as Nixyaawii’s Mick Schimmel defends. The Nixyaawii boys were 9-1 at the end of 2018 and preparing for the Old Oregon League schedule. NCS girls and boys play Powder Valley on Friday, Jan. 4, to open conference play. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
Women’s college hoops On defense, Burns was averaging 2.4 rebounds and 1 assist per game. Burns best game was when she scored 15 points in a 63-61 loss to Highline. She was 6 for 11 from the field and 2 for 4 from three point range. She also had 4 rebounds and a steal in that game. Burns was averaging 20 minutes of playing time per game. Desiree Maddern, Umpqua Community College Maddern, a 2016 graduate at Nixyaawii Community School, was playing about 6.5 minutes per game on an Umpqua team with a record of 11-2.
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4B
Happy birthday Shay, Love Mom, Oske, Pete, Frances, Ekillian, Nathan, Nevaeh and Oklahoma family.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
She had played in six games with 3 rebounds and was perfect from the free throw line. Ammarae Broncheau, Blue Mountain Community College Broncheau, a sophomore, played high school ball at Weston-McEwen in Athena. After 9 games, Broncheau was averaging the second most minutes per game with 31.9. She was averaging 3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Taryn Dominguez is a student at Portland Community College. Dominguez, a sophomore, had played in all 10 games and was averaging 31 minutes and 7.6 points per game. A Fox Valley graduate, Dominguez was averaging 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal a game. Milan Schimmel, Hutchinson Junior College Schimmel, who played in the state championship games for Nixyaawii Community School in 2017 and 2018, is playing at “Hutch” in Hutchinson, Kansas. The squad was 13-0 with an 82-pointper-game average. Schimmel was averaging 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
January 2019
Trevon Allen Continued from page 1B
father, who also is 6-3, is an alumnus, but that’s not the reason. “It’s because it was close to home,” he said. “It was an easy choice for me with a lot more benefits by being so close. A lot of people thought it was because of my dad, but it wasn’t like he forced me. He told me to create my own story.” His parents have been his inspiration, but Allen also draws on his Lapwai and Clarkston, Wash., hoop roots as motivation. He was an all-star guard at Clarkston High School. “It’s huge for me,” Allen said in a phone interview. “Coming from Lapwai, coming from an Indian reservation, it’s not that we have a knock on us already, but people don’t see you as being successful,” Allen said. “I want to do things people before me have done,” Allen continued. “I want my younger brother (Tru Allen) and my cousins to know that if they put their mind to it they can get down whatever it may be.” Allen hasn’t lived on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, but he is familiar with basketball here. “I grew up playing in the BAAD (Basketball Against Alcohol and Drugs) tournament,” he said, noting that his brother still plays in the annual Spring Vacation competition played at the Community Center gymnasium. Like other players, Allen has always set a goal of playing college ball and then, perhaps, the NBA. “It was always my biggest dream to make money in the pros or overseas,” he said. “My goal after high school was not just college basketball, but Division I basketball.” If he doesn’t move on to higher levels of play after college, Allen has a back-up plan. He’s working toward a major in exercise science and would like to be involved in athletic training as well as promoting health and wellness efforts. “Hopefully if I can’t play after college I would like to stick around the game as a trainer in the area,” Allen said. Allen was recruited by Eastern Washington University and a couple of bigger schools. The University of Washington and University of Montana showed some interest. But he likes playing in the Big Sky Conference where each year the league title is “winnable by any team.” He was ill at the end of December and missed a game, but planned to play in UI’s games later in the first week of January. His highlight reel includes a career-best 25-point game in his freshman year against Weber State, a game UI won in overtime. It was senior night and Allen, a three-ball shooter, showed everybody up.
Pendleton Buckaroos
Buckaroo Kason Broncheau is one of three Native American boys playing for Pendleton HIgh School this year, The others are Dakota Sams, pictured below, and Chauncey Sams. The PHS girls’ team includes Uliyana Guerrero and Muriel Hoisington. CUJ photos/Phinney
Gymnastics offered for children PENDLETON – Four levels of gymnastics are offered over five weeks, from Jan. 7 through March 5, through the Pendleton Parks and Recreation. The program takes place in the gymnastics studio in the Vert Little Theater. The coed activity for children 15 months to 7 years old cost is $63 to $71 depending on level. Levels offered are Partners in Play, Partners in Tumbling, Tiny Tumblers, and Tumblers. The first two levels are interactive parent-child levels, while the other two are independent. The programs offer health and social benefits, including coordination and balance, flexibility, strength, a sense of accomplishment, increased concentration and motor skills, goal setting, and general health. For more information about skills taught at each level, go to the website pendletonparksandrec.com. For further information about any Pendleton Parks and Rec program, call 541-276-8100 or visit the website shown above. The office is at 865 Tutuilla Road next to Olney Cemetery. Online registration is at pendletonparksandrec.com. For the most up-to-date information “like us” on Facebook.
January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
5B
NCS girls start league play with 7-4 record Young team finding its way with 7 wins in 11 games By Wil Phinney of the CUJ
MISSION – Now it gets tougher. The Nixyaawii Community School (NCS) girls’ basketball team started the New Year with a 7-2 mark, but the competition – besides Ione and Umatilla – hasn’t been particularly strong. Coach Jeremy Maddern agreed that Umatilla was the toughest, but he said “they’ve all been tough.” On Friday, Jan. 4, the girls were scheduled to host Powder Valley, which is ranked number 5 in the state. The Old Oregon League also includes Joseph, which is currently ranked number 2. The conference changed a bit this year. In addition to NCS, Powder Valley and Joseph, the other teams include Elgin, Wallowa, Cove, Imbler and Pine Eagle. The NCS is a young squad with just two seniors – starting post Ermia Butler, who started for the Golden Eagles last year when they went undefeated until the Class A championship game in Baker City, and Alyssa Tonasket, who is giving coach Jeremy Maddern some minutes off the bench. Maddern said his bench is actually deeper this year. “The girls are still learning and improving,” Maddern said. “I see improvement game to game.” After coaching a team that lost one game in two years, having a squad that won’t be making it back to the title game is an “adjustment for them and for me.” Maddern is counting on Butler big time. “Ermia the only starter from last year,” the coach said. “Now she’s not a role player anymore. There’s more expectation for her to score and rebound.” Others on the team, who didn’t get so much time on the floor last year, “need to develop.” “They’re all in different roles this year and they have to learn the pressure of being a starter,” Mad-
Ermia Butler, one of two seniors on the NCS girls’ team, was a role player last year as a junior playing with four seniors. This year she is expected to rebound and score. Butler was injured and didn’t play the first seven games. In the last four she is averaging 9 points a game.
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dern said. “They’ve got to get game experience… I’ve seen a ton of improvement, but they have to learn how to play this game. It’s such a different role when they were coming off the bench last year when we had 20- and 30-point leads.” In the team’s loss to Ione, the Golden Eagles had a five-point lead with 2 minutes to go, but dropping the contest 33-32. “Silly turnovers, silly fouls” gave the game away. “That’s going happen until they get that experience,” he said. “It’s just time and games.” Shuffling through the early season, Maddern took stock of his squad. “Our guards are improving. We won with good guard play and we lost when they played bad. We go as our guards go.” The team has been taking too many tough shots. Against Yakama, NCS shot 30 three-pointers but made just three. “Maybe five of those shots were uncontested, not in your face,” Maddern said. Even with a standout performance from Lark Moses, when she hit 10 of 11 three-pointers (plus a two with her foot on the line) and led all scorers with 33, the team is shooting only 12 percent with long attempts. “We need a plan B. How do we score when we’re not hitting threes?” Plan B is moving the ball more and trying to get it inside to Butler – or Kylie Mountainchief and Allysen Maddern, who also are rotating in the center. “We want an emphasis on taking the ball inside to Ermia. When the guards are penetrating they get more assists,” Maddern said. “And when you move the ball inside, the threes are uncontested.” Looking at his starters, Maddern sees plenty of young potential. McKenzie Kiona, a sophomore point guard, has Continued on Page 7B
Tyanna Van Pelt, a junior guard for Nixyaawii, goes up against a pair of Yakama defenders in Nixyaawill’s 45-32 loss. The Yakama girls are C. Head, 21, and J. Liulanara. Liulanara scored 9 points in the game. CUJ photo/Phinney
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
been running the show from the outside. She has speed that’s taking her to the rack when there’s an opening. Kiona scored 17 against Echo and didn’t attempt a three. Moses, who proved it at Pilot Rock, often gets the ball back from inside to shoot the threes. “She’s our best shooter and when it opens up she can hit ‘em,” Maddern said. Trystalyn Melton has a good two-point shot, but she shoots the long ball too. “Trustalyn can definitely fill it up, but she needs to take better shots,” the coach said. At this point it’s a matter of time. “We’re all making young mistakes,” Maddern said. “We can simulate situations in practice, but until you get that kind of pressure it’s tough. I’m seeing improvement every game.” Riverside 43, Nixyaawii 17 (Dec. 6) The Class 3A team from Boardman was just a better squad. The Pirates outscored Nixyaawii 10-0 in the first quarter and had a lead of 17-3 at halftime. Ermia Butler was out with an injury for the first several games. Lily Star led the team with 4 points. Other scorers included Alyssa Tonasket, Adilia Hart, Allysen Maddern, Susie Patrick, Tristalyn Melton and Ashlynn Looney. Riverside was led by Brendy Auzlos with 11. B. Flores and F. Rosen had 10 each. Nixyaawii 53, Mac-Hi 40 (Dec. 8 at Umatilla tournament) Ten girls scored for Nixyaawii in a game where the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 13-4 first quarter lead that they kept throughout the contest. Lark Moses had 9, with three others scoring 7 – Tyanna VanPelt, McKenzie Kiona and Kylie Mountainchief. Alyssa Tonasket had 6, Lily Star 5, plus Adilia Hart, Allysen Maddern and Ashlyn Looney each scored 2 points. Ally Harky scored 10 for Mac-Hi. Umatilla 41, Nixyaawii 33 (Dec. 9 at Umatilla tournament) The Golden Eagles fell behind by 9 in the first quarter and lost by 8. They pulled within 4 points after three stanzas, but were outscored by Page, who scored all 9 of Umatilla’s final quarter points. Seven girls scored with Lark Moses leading the way with 15. Other scorers were Kiona, Maddern, VanPelt, Looney, Melton and Mountainchief. Umatilla’s Taylor scored 17, including 8 points in that first quarter. Nixyaawii 64, Pilot Rock 43 (Dec. 15) Lark Moses went off in Pilot Rock, hitting 10 of
McKenzie Kiona, a sophomore guard, drives past J. Liulanara (34) and S. Eagleheart (10) in Nixyaawii’s game against Yakama Nation Tribal School played Dec. 21 at Pendleton High School’s Warberg Court. Kiona led the team with 10 points. Kiona is averaging almost 10 points a game. Her high game was in the last one of the year against Echo when she scored 17. She’s had two games of 14 and three with 10. Two Eagleheart girls, Sydrah and Sanaeh, play for the Yakama squad. They are the daughters of Ryan Eagleheart.
11 three-pointers plus a 2 with her foot on the line. She scored 20 points in the first half as Nixyaawii led 30-17 at the break. Melton and Kiona had 7 points each, Mountainchief had 6 and VanPelt had 4. Three others scored 2 apiece. K. Evans scored 14, B. Balztina scored 9 and L. Brewer had 8 for the Rockets. Nixyaawii 39, Condon-Wheeler 8 (Dec. 15) This one was over quickly. NCS outscored Condon-Wheeler 11-4 in the first quarter and then it was off to the races. Kiona scored 10, Butler (her first game back) had 9, and Mountainchief 6. Other scorers were Kaeleh Hall, Moses, VanPelt and Melton.
Yakama was paced by Sa. Eagleheart with 17. She had a sister, S. Eagleheart, who scored 3. Ione 33, Nixyaawii 31 (Dec. 28) This one was back and forth. Nixyaawii led by 2 points after the first quarter, trailed by 2 at halftime, then went into the fourth quarter trailing 25-21. NCS came back and was leading by 5 with about 2 minutes to play, but like Maddern said above: Silly turnovers and silly fouls. Kiona had 10 and Butler had 9. Melton and VanPelt had 5 points each and Looney
Nixyaawii 48, Echo 42 (Dec. 29) The NCS girls led by 8 after the first quarter and by 11 at the half. Ione outscored Nixyaawii 15-9 in the third quarter, but lost the fourth by a point. Kiona had 17, Butler 11, Moses 9, VanPelt 6, Melton 4, and Maddern 1. Echo was led by F. McCarty with 19, T. Skillman had 12 and R. McCarty scored 10.
Yakama 45, Nixyaawii 32 (Dec. 21) The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 12-8 first quarter lead, but were outscored the rest of the way, included 25-14 in the second half. Kiona led the team with 10 and Moses hit three threes for 9. Butler had 6, Melton 5 and VanPelt 2.
Allyson Maddern, a sophomore post, and Sydrah Eagleheart jockey for a rebound after a missed free throw. Allyson is the daughter of NCS Coach Jeremy Maddern and Janet Maddern.
January 2019
pitched in a bucket. Ione was led by M. Christen with 14 and J. Medina with 10.
Lark Moses, a junior guard, drives to the basket in the game against Yakama Nation Tribal School. Moses had nine points in the game. She scored a season-high 33 shooting nine for 10 on 3-pointers earlier in the year. Moses is averaging about 10.5 points per game.
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CUJ Briefs
Pier No. 104 Kathie Burke Stylist
104 SE Court 541-278-3469/ cell 541-240-1116
Skills for Life activity offered
PENDLETON – A Skills for Life program is offered to all middle and high school aged students on Tuesday afternoons (except holidays) at Helen McCune gym at the Pendleton Rec Center on Emigrant Avenue. The free program is a partnership with Lost & Found Youth Outreach. Gym activities are available beginning at 3 p.m., but at 4 p.m. the pace changes into a lifeskills group. Topics include success at school, cultivating a positive self-image,
helping others, and more. The program meets year-round. To register or for more information contact Suzanne Moore at 541-276-3987.
Tot Time every Monday at McCune Gym
PENDLETON – Tot Time at the Gym takes place every Monday (except holidays) for children who are not yet in school. The cost is $2 “per kiddo.” The activities include fun music and lots of play stuff. “We provide the environment and
you provide the creativity,” says the information from the Pendleton Parks and Recreation flyer. The gym floor is set up with ageappropriate activities including tunnels, bouncy house and a trampoline. Socksonly on gymnastics mats.
Walking for Wellness every morning
PENDLETON – A safe way to excersize no matter the time of year is available weekday mornings from 8:30-9:30 at Helen McCune Gym at the Pendleton Rec Center. The activitie is free for all ages. The gym is open Monday through Friday, except for holidays, and continues through the winter and spring.
Cycle Oregon grants $5,000 to Pendleton Parks and Rec PENDLETON – An afterschool program will be developed by the Pendleton Parks and Recreation with a $5,000 grant from Cycle Oregon. Cycle Oregon received grant requests totaling nearly $580,000, but awarded only a few grants, according to a Parks and Rec news release. The afterschool program, a new initiative of Pendleton Parks and Recreation, is a partnership with Pendleton School District and InterMountain Education District. The program will take place at elementary schools and will consist of physical activity, a nutritious snack, and rotating art and music, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. The Cycle Oregon funding will help purchase supplies for the activities. The program will cost $8 per child with partial and full scholarships available. Up to 100 children are expected to be served in the first year, according to the news release. The Pendleton Parks and Recreation program came about in response to a community survey administered by Campbell and DeLong Resources Inc. earlier this year. The community-wide survey showed that the largest unmet recreation-need is afterschool care.
Lelei L. Taula - Happy 5th birthday! (January 29th) ~Love The Wolf Pack~
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Tribes, EOU will promote STEM learning, healthy activities LA GRANDE – Eastern Oregon University’s Physical Activity and Health Department will utilize Collins Foundation funding to promote fitness and increase STEM knowledge for up to 35 middle school student who are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The collaborative grant, between EOU at the CTUIR’s Youth Services and Rec-
reation Programs, is called “Get Outside – After School Activity Program” (GOASAP). In addition to physical activity, young Tribal students will focus afterschool learning on STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Students will be gleaned from middle schools on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Lloyd Commander, manager of the CTUIR Recreation Program.
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A meeting to explain the program is Recruiters will explain how math and being planned for parents Jan. 10, Com- science can lead to employment oppormander said. tunities. The primary goal of the grant is for stuYellowhawk Tribal Health Center to dent exploration into provide diabetes eduthe STEM fields and an cation, which fits with introduction to various the health component The primary goal outdoor physical acof the grant that protivities in conjunction motes “Healthy Eating, of the grant is for with the STEM fields, Being Active, Monitorstudent exploration ing, Taking Medicaaccording to an EOU news release. tions, Problem Solving, into the STEM The students will Healthy Coping and fields and an be participating in a Reducing Risks.” target group on TuesNixyaawii Comintroduction to days and Thursdays munity School where various outdoor (food will be proscience teachers Zack vided) from Jan. 15 Gaulke and Jewel Kenphysical activities through May 18. Acnedy will introduce in conjunction with cording to the EOU students to soil scinews release, the ence. the STEM fields. majority of students CTUIR Department served are to be Naof Natural Resources tive American from 70 with Education Specialpercent underserved populations. ist Wenix Red Elk providing First Foods EOU will provide assistance from vari- education endeavors. ous departments, programs and student CTUIR Range Management and clubs for several onsite sessions. fire science. Jeffrey Casey will provide Additionally, according to Lloyd Com- presentations/workshops focused on mander, manager of the Youth Services wildland firefighting, conservation, and and Recreation Programs, the effort will range management. include partnerships with several CTUIR For more information, contact Comentities, including: mander at LloydCommander@ctuir.org or Cayuse Technologies to introduce 541-429-7887, or Kelly Rick-McNeil, PhD, internet technology, programming, pro- EOU Associate Professor, Physical Activgram testing and computer marketing. ity and Health, at 541-962-3413.
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January Special Support Gerald O’Donnell, Vault Cashier Gerald has been an awesome team player since joining WRC almost 3 years ago! He has an excellent work ethic in assisting WRC employees and Cage/ Vault staff from the moment he arrives at the WRC to when he clocks out. Front Line
Jill Myrick, Hotel GSA Jill is always welcoming a larger work load, volunteering to fill in and work over when necessary and a great co-worker. She has a helping hand for staff and great customer service with the guests. Jill is long overdue for recognition for her job well done.
Supervisor Joseph Schenck, MIS AV Joe became our supervisor at AV a little over a year ago. Joe has been learning his new role and tweaking it to perfection alongside his crew. He is very knowledgeable in the AV field and very easy to get along with. He makes it easy to understand things that you may not have ever dealt with or a laugh to share if you are having a bad day.
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January 2019
Gabriel Bohnee, Government & Tribal Affairs Specialist at Indian Eyes LLC, along with Haley Kannard and Sam Spino, unload 25 bicycles donated by the woman- and native-owned company from Pasco.
Indian Eyes brings Bikes for Tykes MISSION – For the third year in a row, Indian Eyes LLC, a woman- and native-owned company from Pasco, Washington, donated 25 little bicycles for foster children on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Staff from the Confederated Tribes’ Department of Children and Family Services helped unload the colorful bikes, many with handle-bar streamers and training wheels, from a trailer hauled here behind a truck driven by Gabriel Bohnee, Government & Tribal Affairs Specialist at Indian Eyes LLC. The bicycles were rolled into the rotunda and placed around the Christmas tree at the Nixyaawii Governance Center. Along with the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Bohnee was delivering the bicycles to the Colville and Nez Perce Reservations, and to tribal families in the Tri-Cities, Washington, area. Indian Eyes is able to contribute the bicycles each year because it continues, after 10 years, to be a sponsor of the annual Bikes for Tykes event in Tri-Cities. This year the event, with Local Pipe Fitters Union 598 as the main sponsor, led volunteers putting together hundreds of bicycles in an assembly line process at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Julie Taylor, DCFS Director, said 19 bikes were matched with children based on their age and size following a Christmas dinner for nearly 100 people on Dec. 17. The remaining six bicycles were given to the Christmas pow wow for prizes. Older foster children, who range up to 18 years old, received other gifts. Indian Eyes LLC is a state contractor that provides security, professional staffing resources, equipment logistics, records management, construction management, construction and remedial services, independent engineering and compliance. The corporate office is in Pasco. Other locations are in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Longmont, Colorado; and Aiken, South Carolina. The business employs about 50 people around the country.
January 2019
Weylin Walton, left, rides his new bike in the rotunda of the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
Cecilia Morning Owl and Awna’ee Najera were happy with a new bicycle and other prizes.
Lined up in front of the Christmas tree with some of the bicycles donated by Indian Eyes are, from left Haley Kennard, Sam Spino, Gabe Bohnee (Indian Eyes), Travis Eastwood, Julie Taylor, Marla Mayfield, Angelica Lopez, and Denise Wickert
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Save the Date!
Car Seat Checks Raffles and Light snacks provided
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Yellowhawk Parking Lot
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
46314 Timine Way, Pendleton Or 541-966-9830
yellowhawk.org
Our Mission: Our Tribal Community achieves optimal health through a culture of wellness. Our Vision: Empower our Tribal Community with opportunities to learn and experience healthy lifestyles.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
What other ways can we support you and your family in being healthy? What types of healthy activities are you interested in?
Let us know by taking
YELLOWHAWK’S COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEY Please visit surveymonkey.com/yellowhawk or scan the QR code at the bottom of the page.
Paper surveys available at Community Wellness front desk.
January 2019
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Parade participants gathered at the Mission Longhouse to decorate their cars Dec. 19.
Grace Moses leads her fellow float-mates in a song during their loop through Walla Walla Court.
Lights, laughter on parade
Naomi Wildbill keeps daughters,Tamamnu, left, and Jolynn Salt, right, warm on their float in the parade Dec. 19.
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MISSION - A group of more than 100 people showed up to ride floats and decorate their cars with Christmas lights for the annual Christmas Light Parade Dec. 19. The event, orchestrated by the Celebration Committee, featured a string of cars traveling through all three of the Umatilla Housing projects and Whirlwind Drive. Youth sang carols as they waved to familar faces peeking out their front doors to see the festive lights. CUJ photos by Jill-Marie Gavin
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Jennifer Karson Engum records the parade with her phone Dec. 19.
January 2019
Yellowhawk graduates Cohort #2 21 Clinic employees go through year-long workforce training By the CUJ
MISSION – A second batch of employees have graduated from the Career Pathways workforce development program at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. More than 20 employees – Cohort #2 - started the program in May; it ended in December with a graduation ceremony. (Cohort #1 graduated in March of 2018.) During the eight-month program individuals focused on a number of topics, ranging from grant writing and software basics to understanding personality traits and life coaching. Lindsey X. Watchman, M.Ed, is in charge of workforce development at Yellowhawk. “Completing the Career Pathways workforce development program does not guarantee the hiring of the next interested position, but will help during an interview and if selected the peer networks developed as a cohort member will afford future collaborations that benefit our tribal members,” Watchman said in an email to the CUJ. Natasha Herrera, a Community Health Representative, and Sara Haskett, Behavioral Health Office Manager, were two of the 21 Cohort #2 members. Herrera said the grant writing workshop, in particular, was exciting. “It provided an opportunity to dream about the future,” Herrera said in an email. “I walked away feeling that one’s current position is not set in stone.” Herrera also said she enjoyed the personality testing, which “offered great insight to how one thinks and compliments certain roles in a working environment.” Haskett was appreciative of the opportunity to learn. “I was glad to be in the Cohort #2 group,” Haskett said in an email. “I learned about grant writing, conscious discipline and many other skills that will help me in my job at Yellowhawk.” She thanked Watchman, the project manager, and Tammy Moore, the project assistant. The three-year Workforce Development grant ends in September of 2019, Watchman said. He said Yellowhawk staff have suggested ideas on how to appropriate the final-year funding and have assisted in designing a five-year workforce development plan, Watchman said. Cohort #2 members included Victoria Baker, Leona Enright, Cassie Hall, Sara Haskett, Natasha Herrera, Rachel Hoptowit, Sierra James, Sonia Lloyd, Michelle Moses, RaeAnn Oatman, Kathleen Peterson, Carrie Sampson, Ian Sampson, Sandra Sampson, Marissa Baumgartner, J’Shon Thompson, Jacqueline Thompson, Robin Turk, Glavis Wagner, Janyce Quaempts and Alexia Spino.
January 2019
Members of Cohort #2 include, back row from left, Sierra James, Tammy Moore, Glavis Wagner, Lindsey Watchman, Sara Haskett, Robin Turk, Sandy Sampson, Sonia Lloyd, Rosetta Minthorn, Ian Sampson and Natasha Herrera. Front row kneeling, Jackie Thompson, RaeAnn Oatman, Leona Enright, Cassie Hall and J’Shon Thompson.
Each graduate received a Pendleton laptop bag embroidered with their names. They also earned certificates of trainings, and an overall certificate of
completion. Lastly, each received one of only 50 specially designed long-sleeve T-shirts, which were designed by Jay Stanley.
The workforce development grant was funded by the Administration for Native Americans Social & Economic Development Strategies.
DID YOU KNOW? Due to the cool clean water from many different sources the environment of the Columbia Plateau region produced abundant and diverse natural resources. The numbers of salmon, lamprey, steelhead, sturgeon and other fish were infinite. The fisheries were the staple of all life on the Columbia Plateau. Eagles, Bears, Coyotes, Cougars and Indians were amongst those who relied on the Salmon. Elk, deer, antelope, and many other smaller mammals were abundant. The rivers and streams abounded with beaver and otters, seals and sea lions were known to venture up the Columbia River to the great fisheries at Celilo. Several kinds of grouse, quail, and multitudes of geese and ducks as well as hawks, owls, badger, rabbits, and other wildlife shared the diverse wetland, steppe, desert, and upland .
Gathered from www.ctuir.org
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Chief Judge Johnson gives opening comments before he reads the youth councils their oaths of office during December General Council at the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
CUJ photos by Jill-Marie Gavin CTUIR Youth Leadership Council Member Latis Nowland opens the swearing-in ceremony with a song.
Youth Leadership Council takes oath of office By the CUJ
MISSION - The newly elected Youth Leadership Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) was sworn in at the Nixyaawii Governance Center during General Council Dec. 20. Before the swearing in senior council member Latis Nowland opened with a song. The group was sworn in by Chief Judge Johnson who presides over the CTUIR Tribal Court. Johnson commended youth on their initiative and dedication to public service. In addition to new Chair Lark Moses, youth elected to the Senior Youth Council include Lindsey Little Sky as Vice Chair, Julianah Matamoros as Treasurer and Elsie McKay as Secretary. Members at Large are Latis Nowland, Eva Oatman, Magi Moses, Moses Moses, Alyric RedCrane, Sky Smith, Keyen Singer, Aurelia Heay and Alex Williams. Luis Ortega was appointed as Cultural Ambassador and Tianna Arthur was appointed as the Publicist. Junior Youth Council Chair Sistine Moses will be assisted by Bear Moses, who was elected Vice Chair,
The councils decided on their priorities during Isabelle Sigo as Treasurer and Malaya Stanger as Secretary. Members at Large are Jae Dean Looney, a Dec. 16 Community Asset Mapping training Ella Stewart, Waptas Brockie, Chris Minthorn, facilitated by the National Indian Child Welfare Tommy Moore, Sunhawk Thomas, Siddalee Baker, Association. Alaina Bevis, Tucker Sams and Grace Moses. Bryson RedCrane Bronson was appointed as the Cultural Ambassador and Georgie Hoisington was appointed as the Publicist for the Junior Youth Council. Chair Lark Moses shared her gratitude for Youth Council advisors Julie Taylor, Department of Children and Family Services Director, and Cor Sams, who also works at DCFS. Each officer and member of the councils introduced themselves, many in Umatilla or Nez Perce languages, and thanked the community for their support. The Council also shared their 2019 priorities which include alcohol and drug-use prevention, culture and Judge Johnson reads an oath of office while Youth Council members raise their hands. From left, the youth include Lindsey Little Sky, Elsie McKay, Lark Moses, language revitalization and suicide Magi Moses, Luis Ortega and Moses Moses. prevention.
Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters finish 2018 strong MISSION – Five new members have joined and received “Ice Breaker” awards as the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters finish the 2018 year. New members are Brittany Cline, Debbie Sutor, Judit Barroso, Diedre Bill and Zachary Patrick. In year end recognition, 2017-2018 immediate past President Karen Malcolm earned her Advanced Communicator Silver Award. She serves as Toastmasters Division E director. Leigh Pinkham-Johnston received her Advanced Leader Silver Award. She completed a “high performance leader” project in which she helped coordinate and plan the Salvation Army annual “Kettle Kick Off.” Pinkham-Johnston currently serves as the club’s Sergeantat-arms and is the administrative assistant for District 9. Following Cay-Uma-Wa’s Speech Contest Dec. 5, two club members – Roy Jones and Mary Halfmoon – will advance to represent the club at the Area E2 Speech competition, which is
scheduled at 9 a.m. on Jan. 12 in the Birch Room at Wildhorse Hotel. Winners at the area level will advance to the Division E contest. Gary Hildebrand continues his service as the Club’s vice-president of Education. Outside Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters, Hildebrand belongs to the Pendleton Toastmasters Club and three prison clubs. The two clubs at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton are Articulate Ambassadors and Creating Entrepreneurs in Oregon. At Two Rivers at Umatilla, the club is called the High Desert Toastmasters. For more information about how to join a Toastmaster club or volunteer at one of the prison clubs visit toastmasters. org/find-a-club. Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters meets Wednesdays at noon in the Birch Room at Wildhorse Hotel. Hotel guests are always welcome. Find out more at cayumawatoastmastersclub.toastmastersclub.org.
Diedre Bill, left, and Zachary Patrick, right, receive Ice Breaker awards from Club President Mary Halfmoon, center. Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters added five new members in November and December. In addition to Bill and Patrick, new members are Brittany Cline, Debbie Sutor and Judit Barroso. Contributed photo
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Thank you letters ON BEHALF OF THE MUNOZ FAMILY, we would like to thank Jim Pace for creating a headstone for our loved one who passed before us. We gave Jim some ideas on what we wanted and not only did he implement all of the ideas, but added some special images to the stone which touched our family’s heart. Jim also completed the stone on a very short notice which was a miracle to us. Thank you Jim Pace, The Munoz Family QECIYEEW’YEW OYKALONA, all who helped with the funeral of Mabel Sheoships Oct. 30, 2018 Thank you to Himyuume ka lawtiwaama, for help and support; David Wolf, Connie Sue and Buster Brigham for nacox ka qiilex; hunters Andrew Wildbill, Gabe Sheoships; speakers Armand Minthorn, William Sigo IV, Therese Farrow, Andrew Wildbill, Robert Taylor; singers and pallbearers; head cook Michelle Thompson, and other cooks, servers. Qeciyeew’yew Father Mike Fitzpatrick of St. Andrew’s Mission; Kwathlanii, singers Toby Patrick, Sam Spino, Josh Spencer, all those who gathered in the home; those who provided food: Alva Jo Sheoships, Cece Husted, Lily Sheoships, Mona Yeager, Harriet and Penny Bott. Qeciyeew’yew young relatives for strength and organizing skills: Sadie Mildenberger, Syreeta Azure, Alice Bevis, Roman Sheoships, Sean Soaring Eagle, Dora Sigo, Nevaeh Moore. Special thanks to Alaina Mildenberger, Teara Farrow, and Shawn Steinmetz of Cultural Resources for locating gravesite in the agency cemetery. Thanks to EMTs, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, Public Works, St. Anthony hospice program. Thanks to TERF for dumpster donation. The family has been touched by many kindnesses. THANK YOU TO THE MANY SPONSORS WHO HELPED TO MAKE KAYAK PUBLIC TRANSIT’S 1,000,000-RIDER EVENT A SUCCESS! Arrowhead Travel Plaza, Wildhorse Resort & Casino for gift cards and millionth rider stay and play package; Pendleton Bottling; Mission Subway and Pendleton Safeway for the refreshments and beverages; Pendleton and College Place Walmart for the donation of a mountain bike for our Facebook and grand prize winners/ And thank you to Athena Double Tree Restaurant, Athena Grocery, Athena Sugar Shack, College Place Andy’s Market, Dairy Queen, Dutch Bros, Hermiston Fiesta Foods, La Grande Dominos, La Grande Taco Time, Mission Market, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Meacham Oregon Trail Store & Deli, Weston’s Longbranch Café;
Weston’s Upper Crust Bistro, for generous gift certificates to our surrounding merchants; Thanks to Club 24, Creative Signs, DG Gifts, Desert Lanes, First Community Credit Union, Hermiston KIE Supply, Pendleton Country Club, Milton-Freewater Ace Hardware for merchandise and activities awarded. TO KAYAK PUBLIC TRANSIT, I would like to say thank you to everyone who put together the millionth-rider promotion. To have been selected as the millionth rider of Kayak transit was an enjoyable experience that I will always remember. Thank you also to my drivers, who get me safely to work and back home every day: Rusty, Mark and Leonard of the Walla Walla Whistler, Phil on the Mission Metro, and Roger on the La Grande Arrow. Thanks to Andrea Hall and Susan Johnson at the Planning Office, who organized the promotion and surprised me with the presentation on that sunny Friday at the transit hub. Thanks also to Claudette, whose smiling face greeted me and all the other riders during the promotion. I’m sure that there are many people behind the scenes that I have not met and to those of you I also wish to express my appreciation. Your combined hard work and generosity have produced a fun promotion and a successful Kayak organization. Thanks a million! I wish continued success to Kayak and you can be sure that I will always be your #1 (millionth) fan! “People rock, so Kayak rolls” Sincerely, Jim Youngman
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Xálish Xálish F. Taula - Happy Belated Birthday (December 4th) Just turned one years old.
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January 2019
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
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CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes DATE: November 26, 2018 BOT Present: Jeremy Wolf, Vice Chairman; Doris Wheeler, Treasurer; Kathryn Brigham, Secretary; Rosenda Shippentower, Member; Aaron Ashley, Member; Woodrow Star, Member; Sally Kosey, Member and William Sigo IV, General Council Chairman. Gary Burke, BOT Chairman on personal leave. Quorum present. Old Business. None. Resolution: Topic: Wheelhouse Real Estate Contract of Sale. Doris Wheeler, BOT Treasurer voiced concerns that upon review of the resolution it is not what was agreed upon during the BOT work session conducted on Wed. November 21. She noted discrepancies in the fourth Whereas and Resolve where it refers to gaming revenues and DECD. She said both references are incorrect and should not be in the resolution. MOTION: Rosenda Shippentower moves to defer until resolution is corrected and approved by Finance. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Resolution: Topic: Willis Real Estate Contract of Sale. Same concerns. MOTION: Woodrow Star moves to defer resolution until corrected and approved by Finance. Rosenda Shippentower seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Resolution 18-090: Topic: 2010 Comprehensive Plan Updates. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees reviewed the Land Protection Planning Commission Hearing Record during work sessions held on October 24, 2018, and November 21, 2018 and finds Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP18-001, attached as Exhibit 1
satisfies the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 7 Amendment Decision Criteria and that the public hearing process required by the Land Development Code Chapter 13 has been satisfied; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby adopts the proposed amendments to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan outlined in Exhibit 1, and directs all Tribal departments, programs and other entities to maintain relevant benchmarking data as prescribed in Chapter 6 of the Comprehensive Plan; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the “2010 Comprehensive Plan updated 2018” of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation shall be in effect immediately upon adoption. AND, that said Resolution has not been modified amended or repealed and is still in full force and effect. DATED this 26th day of November, 2018. MOTION: Rosenda Shippentower moves to adopt Resolution 18-090. Sally Kosey seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Other Board Action: Commission/Committee Update by Kat Brigham, BOT Secretary. CTUIR Culture Coalition vacancy. On October 29, 2018 CTUIR Culture Coalition notified BOT via letter that per their Bylaws, Article VIII Removal and Replacement of Members 8.1 A Coalition member may be removed for cause by a voting majority at a designated meeting as follows: due to three (3) consecutive absences and due to actions or activities that are detrimental to the Coalition. MOTION: Kat Brigham moves to remove Matilda Hoisington whose term ends on May 7, 2020 and advertise for one vacancy. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0.
CTUIR Notice of Option to Purchase **UPDATED NOTICE with VALUATION**
In the Matter of the Estate of: Probate No: P000095601IP Allotment:
1006
In the Matter of the Estate of: Probate No: P000089880IP Allotment:
UM 161
Dareith Louise Bruneel Identification No: 641U000249 Aggregate Share:
1/55
Total:
Margaret Peters Charley Identification No: 145U002024 Aggregate Share:
5/60
Total:
Tribe: ShoshonePaiute Fair Market Value:
$ 596.36 $ 596.36
Tribe: Warm Springs Fair Market Value:
$ 9,250.00 $ 9,250.00
Culture Resources Committee, one vacancy with one application from Michelle Shippentower. MOTION: Kat Brigham moves to appoint Michelle Shippentower to Culture Resources Committee for two year term. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Election Commission, two vacancies with one application from Roberta Kipp. William Sigo, General Council Chair said the General Council will meet this Thurs. November 29, 2018 and act upon application to fill position 1. Law & Order Committee, one vacancy with one application from Patty Hall. MOTION: Kat Brigham moves to reappoint Patty Hall to the Law & Order Committee for two year term. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Paula Wagner-Bellingham submitted a letter of resignation that was accepted by the Law & Order Committee on November 7, 2018. MOTION: Kat Brigham moves to accept resignation from Paula Wagner Bellingham and advertise for one vacancy on the Law & Order Committee. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. TERO Commission, one vacancy with one application from Michael Ray Johnson. MOTION: Kat Brigham moves to reappoint Michael R. Johnson to TERO Commission for a two year term. Rosenda Shippentower seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0. Terms Expiring: No terms expiring January 2019. Will continue to advertise for: 1 position Culture Resource Committee, two year term, meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday. 1 position Election Commission, 2nd & 4th Wed.
1 position Economic & Community Development Committee, to complete a two year term that ends on June 12, 2019, meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday. All applications will be due Monday, December 17 by 4PM. A BOT work session will be scheduled Thursday, December 27 at 8:30 AM to review applications and will take action on the application appointments on Monday, December 31. BOT Travel Reports. Deferred. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. 1) Aaron Ashely, travel Jan. 27-31, 2019 to Portland to attend ATNI Conference. 2) Doris Wheeler, travel Jan. 28-31, 2019 to Portland to attend ATNI Conference. 3) Kat Brigham, polled personal leave for Nov. 21 from 1-4 PM. Travel to Ellensburg on Nov. 29th to meet with Sen. Warwick re: W3MP. Travel to Portland Jan. 28-31, 2019 to attend ATNI Conference. 4) Rosenda Shippentower, polled personal leave for Nov. 21 from 1-4PM. Personal leave, Nov. 27 from 7:30 AM to noon. Travel, Dec. 12-13 to Salem to attend Senate Hearing. 5) Sally Kosey, personal leave, Nov. 21 from 1:30 – 4 PM. Personal leave, Nov. 30 from 11 AM to 4 PM. Travel, Dec. 10-12 to Portland to attend OIEA meeting. Travel, Dec. 16-18 to Portland to attend SB13 meeting. 6) William Sigo, travel, Jan. 27-31, 2019 to Portland to attend ATNI Conference. 7) Woodrow Star, local to Kennewick, WA Nov. 28 to attend Hanford Tribal Leaders meeting. Local to Richland, WA Dec. 5-6 to attend Hanford Advisory Board meeting. MOTION: Rosenda Shippentower moves to approve leave requests. Woodrow Star seconds. Motion carries 7-0-0.
a. The member of the Confederated Tribes owns an interest in the subject trust parcel on the date of death of the decedent;
b. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes files his/her notice of intent to purchase the interest in the subject trust parcel with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees within 30 days after publication of the purchase by the Confederated Tribes in the Tribal newspaper; and
c. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes’ right to purchase under this subsection shall be subject to the requirements that the fair market value of the interest in trust lands as determined by the Secretary [of the Interior] must be paid as set forth in section 1.05(C)(4) of this code, and shall be subject to the rights of the surviving spouse and Indian lineal descendant set forth in section 1.05(C)(2), (3) and (7).
d. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes deposits payment in the amount equal to the fair market value of the subject trust parcel, of interest therein, with the BIA Umatilla Agency Superintendent which payment shall be accompanied by the identification of the decedent, the probate case number and trust parcel in question. The eligible member must make the full payment for the subject trust parcel, or interest therein, within 60 days of filing its notice of intent to purchase. In such an event, the eligible member shall be authorized to acquire the interest in the subject parcel in the place of the Confederated Tribes.
This letter is to serve as the Official CTUIR Notice of Option to Purchase for the above referenced estate - that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (“CTUIR”) of Oregon will exercise its Option to Purchase under the authority of the CTUIR Inheritance Code* in any and all interest(s) of the above referenced trust or restricted Please contact the CTUIR Land Projects Program at (541) 429-7485 if you allotments at fair market value pursuant to Section 1.05(C)(4). have any questions, concerns, or to request a copy of the Inheritance Code. CTUIR Inheritance Code Section 1.05(E) – Tribal Member Right to Purchase * The CTUIR Inheritance Code was approved by the Board of Trustees Eligibility Requirements: Any member of the member of the of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Confederated Tribes owning an interest in a trust land parcel where per Resolution No. 08-028 (April 7, 2008) and approved by the Secretary the Confederated Tribes has filed a Notice of Purchase pursuant to of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs on May 16, 2008 (effective 180 Sections 1.05(D)(2), (3) and/or (5) of this code may purchase such after approval = November 12, 2008) in accordance with the Indian Land lands in the place of the Confederated Tribes if: Consolidation Act, [P.L. 97-459, 25 U.S.C. Ch. 24 §2201-2221]. 18B
Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
Gabe Warner Picard, above, was all dressed up for his dance performance at the Wa s h i n g t o n E l e m e n t a r y Christmas program, Dec. 13.
Around the world for the holidays John Diaz Jr. takes a look at Riley Jackson during a Washington Elementary School Christmas program. Some of the other children identified in the photo include Aaden Hernandez, Jeffrey Van Pelt, Annalise Watchman, Autry Robinson, Reese Schilling, Victoria Sweowat, Matthew Little and Addison Koski
CUJ photo/Phinney
Washington Elementary third, fourth and fifth graders sang songs that represented the season. Songs included one from Hawaiia, a Spanish song, a Jewish tune called “Dreidl Spin!,” “O Kwanzaa!,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” which is a Welsh carol. The drum group included Alanah Eagleheart and Harley Gone. Narrators included Denise Morning Owl and Sheldon Joseph.
Harley Gone was one of the drummers at Washington Elementary’s Christmas program. CUJ photo/Phinney
More singers include, front row from left, Ciicyle Thompson, Irvin Stewart in green, and Teegan Herrera. In the back, from left are Delbert Brunow, Collen Yallup and Tatum Ganuelas. CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
Children singing at Washington Elementary included, from left, Quincy Sams, Maleah Bell, Awna’ee Najera, Emarie Hutchins, and Paradise Rankin-Schuening. CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
Music teacher Andrea Dinkel leads first and second graders at Washington Elementary Dec. 13.
January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin
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PHS performs at Washington Elementary Aaron Luke, left, plays a saxophone solo at Washington Elementary School during a Christmas presentation from the band and choir of Pendleton High School, which visited all the Pendleton elementary schools in December. In the top photo, Wiley Red Crane, sings between two fellow PHS Choir singers. CUJ photos/Phinney
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019
Trayton Bale, a sophomore, was the winner of the Christmas sweater contest at Nixyaawii Community School. Ally Maddern, left, also a sophomore reacts to the cheering crowd. Teacher Seanne Perkins, right, organized the Christmas assembly at the Community Center Gym.
Nixyaawii Christmas
January 2019
Santa, aka Randy Bransen, judges the graham cracker houses being built by students from Nixyaawii Community School Dec. 20. CUJ photo/Phinney
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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You better watch out! Adelina Salinas, center, was full of character and animation at the Pendleton Early Learning Center Christmas program in December. She is flanked by Alydia White, left, and Lisa Faye McIntosh on the right. One of the songs the children performed was in the Umatilla language and was led by Tribal Language instructor Mildred Quaempts
CUJ photos/Phinney
CTUIR Christmas banquet recognizes years of service underway at the Education Center. “I go to conferences and want to get up and brag,” Burke told more than 300 people who packed the Cayuse Hall at Wildhorse. “How far we are ahead, how fast we’re growing. It’s very impressive compared to other tribes … We’re doing things others aren’t even thinking about yet.” Here’s a list of all the people who were honored at the banquet following a buffet brunch. In addition to the employee recognition, the CTUIR provided a wide variety of raffle gifts from gift cards at Arrowhead Travel Plaza to tickets behind the third baseline at Seattle Mariners games.
By the CUJ
MISSION – More than 75 employees were recognized for years of service, including Ruth Spencer, who started working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) when Richard Nixon was president in 1973. Honored for 45 years of service, Spencer now works as a Legal Administrative Probate Specialist in the Department of Economic and Community Development for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has worked through nine U.S. presidents and six BIA superintendents. She was an Individual Indian Money account teller for nearly 20 years before becoming a legal probate officer. That “tedious job” involves searching tribal and state records, among other documents, to find people who have died. Spencer has been described as a “crackerjack secretary” by Administrative Law Judge James L. Yellowtail in the U.S. Department of the Interior Probate Hearings Division. Gary Burke, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), made opening remarks in which he praised employees, including staff from Tribal government, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, and the BIA. “Every director, every manager has a
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Ruth Spencer was recognized for 45 years of service to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
vision,” Burke said. “Everyone is very important for what they do for this tribe … Maybe not perfect but they strive to be.” Burke described employees as “reliable, committed and self-disciplined.” He said he was proud of the progress the CTUIR has made over the last 20 years, and particularly pleased with the most recent work – the completion this year of Yellowhawk and the construction
5 years of service Catherine Barkley and Jonni Spencer, Human Resources; Derrick Brigham, Tribal Police; Kathy Blair, Payroll; Billy Bronson, Clinton Case, James Dave, Malvin Jamison III, Alexa Maine, and Dora Sigo, Fisheries; Timothy Cain, Heather DeMary, Tanner Michael, Garrell Moore, Ronald Snyder, and Paula Wagner Bellingham, Housing; Carman Chalakee, Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Larman Coiner, Public Works; Kyle Daley, Prosecutor; Travis Eastwood, Department of Children and Family Services; Richard Gardner, DNR-Range, Ag and Forestry; Doug Harral, Info Tech; Robert Johnson, Transit; Cami Lewis, Communications; Patrick Mills, DNR Scientist; Annie Smith, Education/Recreation; Michelle Spencer, Carina Vasquez, and Michael Winks, Gaming; and Dana Quaempts OED. 10 years of service Patricia Ball, Gaming; Richard Bobbitt,
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Police; Rebecca Cain and Julie Johnson, Accounting; Larry Cowapoo and Edwin Morning Owl, Education/Recreation; Ronald Fossek and Donna Nez, Fisheries; Rose Jackson, Day Care; Chris Marks, DNR-First Foods; Rachel Matamoros, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); Alaina Mildenberger and Prosper Picard, Public Works; Joe Pitt, Legal Counsel; Wenix Red Elk, DNR-Administration; Andrea Rodriguez, Human Resources; Richard Scheele, DNR-Wildlife; Theresa Ulrich, Info Technologies; Doris Wheeler, Finance/ Board of Trustees. 15 years of service Harry Beach, Tribal Court; Kathryn Burke, Administration; Carrie Crump and Michael Lambert, Fisheries; Donna Sisk, Accounting. 20 years of service Joe Ball, Public Works; Darnell Becenti, Information Technologies; Roberta Conner, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute; Christ Dearing and Tysen Minthorn, Fisheries; Catherine Dickson, DNR-Cultural Resources; Kevin Hudson and Koko Hufford, DECD; Sandra Kosey, Gaming; David Williams, Tribal Police. 25 years of service Louis Case, Allen Childs and Craig Contor, Fisheries; Julia Johnson, Accounting. 30 years of service Leslie LeCornu, DECD; Kris Powaukee, Public Works; David Quaempts, Tribal Court; Celeste Reves and Gene Shippentower, DNR-Fisheries; Carl Scheeler, DNR-Wildlife; Bill Tovey, DECD. 45 years of service Ruth Spencer, DECD.
January 2019
Lloyd Barkley served as Whipman during the annual Sobriety Pow Wow at the Mission Longhouse Dec. 28. Barkley, left, is joined by hand drummers from left, Kellen Joseph, Fred Hill, Deven Barkley and Wus Gone during the first round dance of the evening.
CUJ photos by Jill-Marie Gavin
Elder Tessie Willams watches dancers enjoying the Sobriety Pow Wow Dec. 20.
Community dances together to celebrate sobriety MISSION - More than 130 community members showed up to celebrate the new year and sobriety Dec. 28. The Sobriety Pow Wow is an annual event put on by the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Prevention Program and promotes sobriety and healthy choices. The total tally of combined “sober time� of all the event attendees was 386 years and 6 months.
Joe Thompson, center, brought his son Darryl Joe McKay, left, and daughter Maya Thompson-Saynor, right, to the annual Sobriety Pow Wow in Mission. Thompson will celebrate his third year of sobriety in March of 2019.
Keysha Ashley, left, and son Jace Ashley, right, dance in the first round dance of the evening.
Happy New Year January 2019
Confederated Umatilla Journal
The Sobriety Pow Wow kicked off the celebration with a round dance. Above from left are dancers Keyen Singer, Malaya Stanger and Mildred Quaempts.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
January 2019