CUJ News Volunteers needed as wildfire season looms By the CUJ
Ela Morrison jumps up to receive her graduation certificate, kupin, and shawl.
Lil’ ones graduate from Cay-Uma-Wa
Above, Abigayle Ford and Quincy Sams smile after being chosen for Lil Miss CayUma-Wa and Lil Cay-Uma-Wa Warrior. Below, the Cay-Uma-Wa Headstart graduating class of 2017 sit together after receiving their awards.
July 2017
MISSION – Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start celebrated its 2017 graduation on June 15 at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The ceremony consisted of 26 graduates and 14 returning students. Each student received small graduation gifts. The boys received a vest and small hand drum while the girls received a kupin and shawl. The ceremony began with an opening prayer from Larry Begay, followed by guest speaker No’alani Malumaleumu. Her advice to the graduating class was “Always have fun and keep up the good work.” The class motto was, “Tell me, I forget, Show me, I remember, Involve me and I understand.” Following the graduation there was a dinner provided by Wildhorse Resort & Casino and a pow wow for the graduating class, family and friends. Quincy Sams won Lil Cay-Uma-Wa Warrior and Abigayle Ford won Lil Miss CayUma-Wa. CUJ photos/Sammantha McCloud
or patio fire pits. Burnside said folks should be remindMISSION – A rainy spring and the ed to keep a green strip around houses. early heat of summer forebode a crazy “A lot of homes are up around a wheat wildfire season but Tribal Fire Chief field,” he said. “They need a buffer.” Rob Burnside said his crew – with the He also advised cleaning gutters. help of others – is ready for any battles a “A lot of times an amber will drop lightning strike or a smoldering cigarette into gutters that haven’t been cleaned. might throw at them. It smolders and soon “We’ve had a good snow catches.” pack and plenty of rain and it’s Burnside said resi‘They move still green in the foothills, but dents should have fast. A little with more hot days it can go a water supply and from bad to worse in a hurry,” a shovel handy this gust of wind Burnside said. summer. and it’s off to The Tribal Fire Department The Fire Chief the races.’ has six full-time firefighters also said the obvibut because they work 48ous: Be careful with - Tribal Fire Chief hour shifts there are no more fireworks, which are Rob Burnside than two ever on duty at a notorious fire starters time, according to Ray Denny, in dry grass. the Public Safety Officer for Lastly, Burnside’s the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla pet peeve: People who “take that last Indian Reservation (CTUIR). drag and then throw out their cigarette.” Denny predicts a busy wildfire season Denny said the community should this summer. keep the safety of elders in their minds. “We’re going to need more volunteers “For elders who don’t have the ability this season, but it’s difficult to get them,” to mow their grass, mow it,” he said. Denny said. “We’ve had as many as 30 Starting this month (July), individuvolunteers. If we could get another 10 to als in the BOLSTER (Building Our Life go with the eight we have now... “ Skills Training and Employment ReadiJust like paid firefighters, volunteers ness, formerly day-labor) program will have to make a dedicated commitment, mow perimeter fire breaks around the which includes classroom work and homes of tribal members 65-years and physical training. Recently Tribal fire- older, according to Alaina Mildenberger fighters were expected to run three miles at CTUIR Public Works. Elders can get in 45 minutes with 45 pounds strapped on the list for assistance by calling 541to their backs. 429-7507. “That’s tough on an old fat man,” Burnside said wildfires burn rapidly Burnside said. and you can’t take too many safety meaThe Tribal Fire Department has a sures. mutual-aid agreement with Morrow and Even with a cell phone that gives Gilliam counties. Fire departments in firefighters immediate notification of a Pendleton, Pilot Rock, and East Umatilla fire and their location, it takes time for County have been called for assistance. volunteers to arrive, Burnside said. Even Hermiston and Heppner helped “From the time we’re called to the with a bus crash on Cabbage Hill a few time we get there, the fire has probably years ago. doubled in size and by the time we’ve If a fire gets further out of control, figured out how to fight it, it’s probably crews from the Oregon Department of doubled again. They move fast. A little Forestry and the federal Bureau of In- gust of wind and it’s off to the races.” dian Administration are available. BIA is often the first responder to wildland fires on the reservation. Last year, the Happy 2nd Birthday state forestry department called in air Pete ‘Kaytuu’ Stanger tankers to drop retardant to make sure a grass fire wouldn’t spread on land up Emigrant Hill. The Tribal Fire Department is equipped for wildland fires with two light brush fire trucks that each carry 300 gallons of water; a four-wheel drive truck that carries 400 gallons of water; and a heavy brush truck capable of hauling 1,000 gallons of water. Each carries 20 gallons of foam, which is used to suppress flames when water can’t. Anticipating a demanding fire season, outdoor burning was recently closed. That includes burn barrels and yard July 13 debris. The only exceptions are sweats or ceremonial fires, and small backyard
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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