Confederated Umatilla Journal 06-2018

Cloe McMichael and Kylie Mountainchief concentrate, trying to come up with the translation for “casino” in a match at the Knowledge Language Bowl.

More on Page 25B.

Education Facility groundbreaking at 9 a.m.

June 15

Adults joined nine young singers who were celebrated at a Nixyaawii Drum Initiation May 25 at the Mission Longhouse.

Stories on Page 3A

Story and photos on Page 10A.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

2 Sections, 56 pages / Publish date June 7, 2018

The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon

Section

June 2018

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Volume 26, Issue 6

First Foods ‘excursions’ will focus on federal land access, use By the CUJ

MISSION – A new “excursion” project to start in June will teach tribal members about First Foods gathering sites - including how to access them - on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, within ceded territory, and on aboriginal use areas.

The project also will teach participants how to gather and process First Foods, about the diversity and availability of First Foods, as well as treaty rights associated with First Foods, according to Wenix Red Elk, outreach coordinator in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

This is an extension of DNR’s ongoing outreach, which has targeted the general public, schools, universities, etc., through a range of activities. Many of those educational events, such as Return to the River that took place last month in Walla Walla, will continue.

But others, like Salmon Walk that was phased out after some 19 years on the Reservation, are being replaced by this “First Foods Access” project in which DNR will coordinate “community excursions” or

CUJ photo/Phinney

Little grads ready for next step Restless Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start graduates, diplomas in hand, appeared ready to take their next step in life at the end of their commencement exercises at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 12. Some of the youngsters will be enrolling in kindergarten and some are "returning stars" who have another year of Head Start in store. Sitting on stage, from left, are Head Start graduates Azalia Minthorn, Artis Lindsey, Samarah Eagleheart and Persephone Sampson. See more on page 11B.

First Food excursions on page 14A

Nixyaawii Community School celebrates Prom Wilbur Oatman and Mollee Allen share a laugh during a break between songs at Nixyaawii's first solo prom held at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

See more page 9B CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Pendleton, OR Permit #100

CUJ News HC Princesses wow in Weston

Conner named to Oregon Community Foundation PORTLAND – Bobbie Conner has been elected to a four-year term on the board of directors for The Oregon Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization that last year provided some $3 million in grants and scholarships to its nine county Eastern Oregon region.

Conner, a member of the Confederated Bobbie Conner Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is director at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. Conner succeeds Tim Mabry and Steve Corey as the representative for Eastern Oregon, which includes Umatilla, Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Union and Wallowa counties.

Also elected was Romy Mortenson of Bend and Peter Nickerson of Portland.

According to its website, OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create hundreds of charitable funds that support community causes, such as childhood poverty.

The Foundation awarded more than $118 million in grants and scholarships in Oregon in 2017.

Conner also serves as chair of the OCF Eastern Oregon Leadership Council, which includes tribal member J.D. Tovey III. Conner is a graduate of Pendleton High School, the University of Oregon and Willamette University. She is also the vice chair of the Board of Trustees for Eastern Oregon University, and has coauthored multiple books and other published works, including the CTUIR history book, “As Days Go By.”

New member named to Cayuse Technologies Board

From left, Happy Canyon Princesses Tayler Craig and Sequoia Conner hold their parade ribbon at the Umatilla County Pioneer Picnic Parade in Weston, OR June 2.

CUJ photos/Gavin

Happy Canyon Princess Sequoi Conner waves at the crowd during the Umatilla County Pioneer Picnic Parade in Weston June 2.

Happy Canyon Princess Sequoia Conner took time to snap a selfie with Greyson Hines after the Umatilla County Pioneer Picnic Parade in Weston, OR June 2.

Craig and Conner will travel next to ride in the Grand Floral Parade in June 9 to close out the Rose Festival.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 Phone 541-429-7005

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Fax 541-429-7005 Email cuj@ctuir.org www.ctuir.org

MISSION – Shlomo Bibas, an executive with 25 years of IT management, business transformation and operations experience across multiple industries, both in Canada and internationally, has been appointed to the Cayuse Technologies Board of Directors.

Cayuse Technologies, which provides software development, customer contact and business process outsourcing services, is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The CTUIR Board of Trustees ratified Bibas’ appointment May 21 to a seat “reserved for a person with extensive commercial experience who is or has been a senior manager with one of Cayuse Technologies’ clients,” according to Billy Nerenberg, the company CEO. Bibas not only has business experience, he also has worked with the Canadian First Nations for years, Nerenberg said.

Bibas joins CTUIR enrolled members Koko Hufford, the Cayuse Technologies Board chair, and Doris Wheeler, Trea-

surer of the Board of Trustees. A third Native member of the Cayuse Technologies Board is Mari Tester, who is enrolled Fort Peck Tribes.

Monte Hong is the fifth member of the Cayuse Technologies Board of Directors.

Hong, who has 29 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, most recently served as Chief Transformation Officer for Zain KSA in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to that work, Hong spent 27 years with Accenture, which is the company that helped start Cayuse Technologies for the Confederated Tribes.

Bibas joined the Cayuse Technologies team as the CTUIR Board of Trustees announced their 2018-19 Priorities. As part of the Economic and Community Development priority, the BOT specifically involves Cayuse Technologies and the recently secured Small Business Administration 8(a) program. A CTUIR executive staff working group has been created to work with Cayuse Technologies to explore potential benefits of the 8(a) program.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ News

This is an architect’s rendering of the new Education Facility to be built on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Construction is to begin in July with completion expected in time for the start of school in 2019.

Education Facility, ‘finally’ Groundbreaking ceremony set for June 15

By Wil Phinney of the CUJ

MISSION – A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 9 a.m. Friday, June 15, for the new 60,000 square foot Education Facility that will serve as a community learning campus for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

It’s been a long time coming.

Way back in 1975, a planning document titled, “A Report to the People of the Umatilla Indian Reservation,” listed first in a capital improvements plan – before a longhouse, before a daycare center, before a recreation center, before tribal office expansion, and before a public safety building – was a learning center.

It was proposed as a 15,824 square foot building with basic facilities that included classrooms, library, audio-visual equipment, vocational training area, and an auditorium. It carried a price tag of $802,000. There was talk of working with Pendleton School District 16R to locate an elementary school on the Reservation.

‘I think we’re just very excited to finally be at this point, ready to move on... We’re tapping our toes.’

Modesta Minthorn, Director of the CTUIR Department of Education

The issue 43 years ago, as it has been since then, was money.

According to the 1975 plan, “… it is one of the most costly of the facilities and the one which has the most unstable source of support, namely, federal education funding. These factors indicate a cautious approach to its implementation since it is a high cost item for both a construction and maintenance standpoint.”

Over the years, an educational facility has remained a

goal of tribal government, but it wasn’t until three years ago that the effort received the nudge it needed when Aaron Hines, then-Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, earmarked $1 million for the project.

A year later in April 2016, with then-Treasurer Rosenda Shippentower leading the effort, the BOT approved the use of $5 million from a federal court settlement (Ramah Navajo Chapter lawsuit) to continue with plans for the design and construction of a new education facility.

Hines, as treasurer, was authorized under the fiscal management policy to allocate the money that helped the project move forward.

“While the idea of a new education facility was not my idea, I was able to convince my colleagues on the Board at the time to set aside funds for the project,” Hines said in an email.

Hines pushed funding for the school at a time when tribal government was moving into the new Nixyaawii Groundbreaking on page 16A

Construction to be competed by fall of ‘19 MISSION – The community is invited to a June 15 ceremony of drums and songs, light refreshments and acknowledgements when the first dirt is moved to mark the start of construction for an Education Facility on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the new location west of the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Clinic near the Nixyaawii Governance Center campus.

After years of economic development, organizational improvement, and “community determination,” the Education Facility construction will begin this summer with an expected completion date of September 2019 in

June 2018

time for the start of the school year, according to J.D. Tovey, Director of the Planning Office for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The building will house Nixyaawii Community School (NCS, the charter high school) and the Education Department, which includes Administration, Early Childhood Education (Head Start and Day Care), Language Program, and Adult Education.

The building will include a classroom for each of the tribal languages, a commons area, a large industrial kitchen, separate secure entries for the Education Department and NCS, a courtyard for outdoor learning,

Confederated Umatilla Journal

a play area for Early Childhood Education, and a new gym that will seat about 450 spectators and is large enough to have two side-by-side practice courts.

Features that are not as readily observable include the energy efficiency. The building will be on the “Path to Net Zero Program” with Energy Trust of Oregon, meaning that the building will be outfitted to improve its energy efficiency and energy generation as technology improves over time.

The most recent endeavor for a new Education Facility started just over two years ago with the 2016 Board Construction on page 16A

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Natives graduate from Pendleton, Athena-Weston

Chelsea Quaempts and Lily Moses walk out hand-in-hand after receiving their diplomas at Weston-McEwen High School's graduation ceremonies in Athena June 2.

CUJ photo/Dallas Dick

Denae Smith, daughter of Ron and Annie Smith, reaches out to shake the hand of Pendleton High School Principal Dan Greenough's hand during commencement exercises Saturday, June 2, at the Round-Up Grounds.

Photo by Kathy Aney/East Oregonian

Mollee Alllen, daughter of Kim Minthorn and Jody Allen, heads back to her seat after receiving her Pendleton High School diploma.

Reese Shippentower, son of Gene and Cheryl Shippentower, shakes hands with School Board member Lynn Lieuallen, at Pendleton High School's graduation ceremonies in the Round-Up Grounds.

Photo by Kathy Aney/East Oregonian

Contributed photo

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

Katelynn Red Bird holds her diploma high in the air after commencement in the gym at Weston-McEwen High School in Athena. Three native girls graduated from the school June 2.

CUJ photo/Dallas Dick

June 2018

Ashley Callingbull, Mrs. Universe 2015, model, actress, activist and international motivational speaker gave the keynote address at the Nixyaawii Community School graduation ceremony June 1. She also had a community speaking engagement in Mission the following day.

CUJ photos/Wil Phinney

Nixyaawii Community School graduates are framed by an eagle staff carried by Fermore Craig at the commencement exercises at Wildhorse Resort & Casino June 1. Lined up, from left, are Randall Melton, Chair of the NCS School Board, NCS Principal Ryan Heinrich, and graduates Tyler Close, Noah Enright, Clayton Hack, Dancingstar Leighton, Ella Mae Looney, Kaytlynn McLean, Wilbur Oatman, Helena Peters, Milan Schimmel, Mary Stewart, and Kaitlynn Melton.

NCS grads urged to ‘chase your happiness’ By the CUJ

MISSION – Eleven Nixyaawii Community School students, some who have been together since kindergarten, graduated June 1 in commencement exercises in front of a room full of family and friends at Wildhorse Casino.

Keynote speaker Ashley Callingbull, the 2015 Mrs. Universe who has a degree in astrophysics and is pursuing a master’s degree this fall in physics, told the graduates that education is power and that with the right mindset they can accomplish anything.

“Every graduate doesn’t know what they want to pursue,” she said. “To find success, chase your happiness.”

Callingbull told students not to limit themselves.

“You can break barriers and stereotypes,” she said.

“Face your obstacles … the only opinion that matters is your own.”

She also told students to never forget who they are

Salutatorian Kaitlynn Melton looks up at her father, Randall Melton, Chair of the Nixyaawii Community School Board, who helped hand out diplomas to graduates of the charter school at commencement exercises June 1.

June 2018

and where they come from.

“Carry your identity with you … resiliency runs in our blood,” Callingbull said.

Salutatorian Kaitlynn Melton, an Alaska Native, said she grew up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation with the Umatilla language in the Umatilla Longhouse to be a Umatilla woman.

Her Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start friends are now lifelong friends, she said.

“It was not my idea to attend Nixyaawii,” Melton said, noting she wanted to follow friends to Athena.

But NCS was “my best path to success.”

Nixyaawii’s senior class president who will attend Whitman College and intends to become a lawyer told her classmates, “Don’t let graduation be your proudest day.”

Valedictorian Milan Schimmel addressed her classmates, many of them teammates in different sports over the years. She said they will now be “split on 11 different paths.”

She challenged her fellow graduates to face any fears and accept failure as part of life’s lessons.

Schimmel, who said she attended nine high schools in three years, noted her fear of public speaking and told a story about a car crash when she was 12 that left her afraid of traveling in automobiles for a time.

“Emotions can limit you,” Schimmel said. “Don’t let fear become failure.”

Schimmel suggested letting go of fear, but accept there will be failures along the way.

“What do you dream of, fear? Would you allow fear to stop you from pursuing your dreams?” Schimmel asked. “Turn fear into freedom. Believe in yourself, in your dreams, in your potential. It’s all waiting for you, on the other side of fear.”

Callingbull, a model, actress, activist and international motivational speaker, was brought to Eastern Oregon by “Enough Iz Enough,” a grassroots community volunteer group that mobilized in March of 2016 in response to a deadly shooting on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Enough Iz Enough has been active in facilitating anti-bullying campaigns in local high schools as well as

Confederated Umatilla Journal

regular community walks to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Callingbull is a Cree First Nations woman from Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta. She was the first First Nations woman to become Miss Canada in 2010 and has represented her nation in pageants in China, Barbedos and Europe.

She has spoken at Harvard University. TED Talks and WE Day. She is a Canadian activist for First Nations Rights and environmental causes, and is a spokesperson and model for the Nike N7 organization.

Callingbull has received the Role Model Award at the Dreamcatcher Gala and has received the Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada. She also received a role model award from the United Nations in October 2015 for Global Dignity Day. Callingbull appears in the Gemini award-winning TV series Blackstone. She also is featured in CBC’s eighth Fire series and the Catch the Dream series.

In attendance at the graduation ceremony were members and officers of the General Council and Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Also attending the event were members of the NCS and PendValedictorian Milan Schimmel challenged leton School Disher fellow graduates to conquer trict 16R School their fears during her address at the Boards. commencement exercises for Nixyaawii Community School June 1 at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

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CUJ Editorials Paint your mountain Blue-lily and yellow mule’s ear, right, and Indian Paint Brush, below, sharply contrast with the still-lush green on the east side of Mount Emily. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at the Pendleton airport averaged much warmer than normal during the month of May. The average temperature was 63.6 degrees, which was 5.9 degrees above normal.

Precipitation was more than a half inch less than normal, but it apparently rained in the mountains where the wildflowers and grasses were keeping spring alive into June.

CUJ photo/Phinney

Congratulations to the Class of 2018: Go and Explore!

T

here are times we have heard our youth say, “Education is not a part of our culture.”

In fact, education is central to our culture.

The true strength of our People has always been in their education and experience. The abilities of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla People to be excellent warriors, strong in trade and commerce, and stewards of the lands all stem from their willingness to learn, gather knowledge and apply it to develop the experiences necessary to be successful. As we celebrate this graduation season, acknowledging the accomplishments of those finishing high school and college, we need to continue to encourage our Tribal members to explore the world.

Since time immemorial our People have travelled great distances to hunt, gather, and fish. We travelled thousands of miles in all directions, leaving our homelands for three to five years at a time. Going to buffalo could be a one-to-three-year excursion. We have learned a great deal from our exploration. We learned and adopted new cultural practices, such as clothing designs from the Plains Indians. Our explorations created new opportunities for us and brought

CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Chief Joseph once said, 'Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself…' new social, cultural, economic, spiritual and political practices that we carry on to this day.

Chief Joseph once said, “Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to fol-

46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 541-429-7005 FAX 541-429-7005 e-mail: cuj@ctuir.org www.ctuir.org

Publisher:

Charles F. Sams III CUJ staff: Wil Phinney, Editor Jill-Marie Gavin, Reporter/Photographer Dallas Dick, Freelance Photographer

Confederated Umatilla Journal

low the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself…”

This freedom of choice brings great opportunities to a person. We encourage our graduates to go forth and learn more. Look at apprenticeships, journeyman schooling, two-year, four-year, masters and doctorate degrees. We have a great need for trade and professionally trained Tribal members to help us in our growth. We continue to build our future and determine our own destiny as a sovereign People.

To achieve our objectives and goals we need a diverse workforce. Each of our People has a gift, a strength, a calling that needs encouragement and support. We can all take pride in watching our high school graduates collect their diplomas. Now we need to see them go forth and gather more information and education whether it be formal or through practical means.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018. We are proud of you and look forward to seeing your continued growth. Become lifelong learners, we need you so we can continue to build a brighter future. ~ CFS III

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June 2018

CUJ Op-Ed/Columns Bullish on summer Bullsnakes like this one photographed in May are among the slithering reptiles showing themselves in the sunshine this spring. Owing to its coloration, dorsal pattern, and semikeeled scalation, the bullsnake superficially resembles the western diamondback rattler. Bullsnakes are very powerful constrictors who eat small mammals, such as mice, voles, rats, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, and rabbits, as well as ground nesting birds, birds’ eggs and lizards. Be on the lookout for the real rattlesnakes.

CUJ photo/Phinney

New loan product helps families keep allotments

By Dave Tovey

As many of you know, I’ve been working with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) for the past year to develop substantial resources to provide individual allotment owners with tools to do their own asset and estate planning, as well as acquire additional ownership on allotments they own.

We have been working with Tribal Administration and the Credit Program to create a new loan product exclusively for Tribal member allottees to purchase additional interests on their allotment.

ILTF and its affiliate, the Indian Land Capital Company (ILCC), worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure approval of $10 million for this purpose. It is our hope that most Dave Tovey or all of this allocation can be used here at Umatilla to consolidate ownership and control for individuals and families.

Given that the Umatilla Tribes were included in the “second wave” of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (LBBP), with offers expected to have been released in the first week of June, this loan program was developed as a viable alternative to keep ownership in the hands of heirs of the original allottee. Most of us probably have examples within our own families of situations in the first wave where we learned that other owners sold to LBBP with interests going to the Tribal government. It would have been nice to have known in advance, and had

June 2018

Most of us probably have examples within our own families where we learned that other owners sold to the Tribal government. It would have been nice to have known in advance, and had the opportunity to purchase those interests to keep it in the family. the opportunity to purchase those interests to keep it in the family.

The work associated with consolidating land interests might seem daunting, but this program is designed to ease that burden and help families through the process as easily as possible. The program is offering loans at 4 percent interest for up to 30 years. You must be acquiring at least 51 percent of the interests (including your current ownership). The land has to have been in agricultural production for the past three years and remain in production through the term of the loan. This can include lands in grazing or CRP, and timbered lands that are often grazed.

This is an exciting opportunity for individual landowners, and it is very gratifying to me to be working on this program. When we began the Tribal Land Program in the early 90’s (then called the “New Nation Project”), there was ambition that higher levels of data management could go a long way toward addressing the complications of land fractionation.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

With the resources provided by the Cobell Settlement, and the resulting attention given to these issues, we are moving the ball forward considerably. There is a lot more to do, of course.

That said, we stand ready to assist in securing information or coordinating decisions among the Land and Credit Programs, BIA, OST, and any other entities involved. We would also be very interested in knowing more about the challenges you may be facing to explore if there might be a solution or alternative approach available. In addition, we will be pressing for helpful adjustments to some of these requirements and looking into other loan or acquisition resources that might better fit your circumstances. It is our belief that any consolidation of your family’s land holdings is a positive thing and to your benefit, as well as a way to alleviate the high costs incurred by the Federal government to administer them.

If you, your family or any Tribal group would like to learn more about the loan program, I would be pleased to meet with you. I am currently working on a daily basis at the Governance Center in Conference Room 104B-Hawtmi.

Please contact me or Marlene Hale of the Credit Program for further information or assistance. Marlene can be reached by email at MarleneHale@ctuir.org or call her direct line at 541-429-7152. I can be reached by email at jdtoveyjr@outlook.com, or call 541-9696633.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to working with you.

Dave Tovey is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He is the former Executive Director for the Tribes.

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CUJ Almanac Jobs

Public notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Land Protection Planning Commission of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will hold the following public hearing.

Conditional Use File #CU-18-003 – Applicant; CTUIR Department of Natural Resources; Range, Agriculture and Forestry Program (RAF), 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton OR 97801. RAF seeks Land Protection Planning Commission approval to conduct a timber harvest. Subject properties (23) are identified as CTUIR-owned fee Tax Lots 500 and 600 on Umatilla County Tax Map 1N3506; Tax Lots 700 and 800 on Tax Map 1N3508; Tax Lots 2600, 3000, 3001, 3100, 3300, 3400 and 3700 on Tax Map 1N35; CTUIR trust lots T2084, T2085, T2086, T2136 and T2149; Allotted Trust lots 521, 570, 841, 845, 889, 890 and 839 all located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The general location is ½ mile southeast of the Deadman’s Pass east-bound rest area of Interstate 84. All subject lots are zoned G-1 (Big Game Grazing Forest) having a combined total of 1,325 acres. Total acreage proposed to be harvested equals 784. Timber Harvest is listed as a conditional use (Land Development Code §3.290) within the G-1 Zone subject to approval criteria in CTUIR Land Development Code Sections 6.015 and 4.025.

The hearing will be held Tuesday, June 12, 2018 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Nixya’awii Governance Center Wanaq’it Conference Room on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, 46411 Tímine Way, Pendleton, OR. The public is entitled and encouraged to attend the hearing and to submit oral or written testimony regarding the request. To obtain further information contact the Tribal Planning Office at, 46411 Timíne, Pendleton, OR 97801 or call (541)429-7518.

Travis Olsen, Secretary Land Protection NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) is seeking to promulgate a TERO minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Per the CTUIR TERO Code Section 2.03(B)(1), a Minimum Wage is the lowest wage that the TERO employers can pay any employees on TERO covered activities on TERO jurisdiction lands.

The Minimum Wage shall not be less than the federal minimum wage.

The proposed Minimum Wage for TERO Employers to pay their TERO workforce who are performing work within TERO Jurisdiction Lands on Covered Activities, (that are not already governed by an established wage rate), is $20 per hour.

NOTE: Because this change may have an impact on entities doing business on TERO jurisdiction lands, they are strongly encouraged to provide comments and impact analysis on the proposed rate of $20 per hour. Additionally, they are encouraged to analyze other rates, including, but not necessarily limited to: $15 per hour and $17 per hour. All impact analysis for $15, $17, and $20 per-hour rates, or other entity-suggested rates, should please demonstrate methodology and include citations as appropriate. What might entities recommend as a new minimum wage for TERO Covered Activities if other than the proposed rate of $20 per hour?

Per the CTUIR TERO Code, Section 2.03(D), the draft Minimum shall be published in the CUJ with notice of the comment opportunity and comment deadline date and distributed to all Tribal governmental departments, enterprises and to persons or entities that may be impacted by such a proposal for review and comment. The record shall be kept open for at least thirty days to permit comments to be submitted. To allow for public comment and more intensive impact analysis, we provide for a 45-day comment period for this proposal. Factors that may be considered are outlined in Section 2.03(C) of the TERO Code.

Those who wish to submit comments in regards to the proposed minimum wage shall submit them in writing to the TERO Office at 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton, OR 97801 or via email at terostaff@ ctuir.org. Comments should be received by 4pm on JULY 25th, 2018. Those who wish to make comments, are encouraged to provide detailed analysis or supporting documentation to support their recommendation.

Aaron Hines, TERO Program Manager

Job Announcement

CRITFC is recruiting for a Police Officer with the Hood River Enforcement department. This position is directly responsible for carrying out all enforcement and protective patrols by foot, vehicle, and boat on the main stem Columbia River (OR/WA shores) and its environs and patrol at the In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access sites (TFAS). Patrols are dictated by CRITFC/CRITFE policy, Tribal policy, contractual obligations of the Law Enforcement Department. Possess good communication skills, both verbal/written, Basic computer skills, Physical conditions: outside working conditions, must be physically fit and able to lift and pull fishing gear in all-weather climates. Required to register and qualify for and carry firearms, capsicum, and an asp baton. Attend Basic Academy for 16 weeks. Some overtime and weekends. All prospective employees will be subjected to a CRITFC motor vehicle check and a background check for the position.

Career Opportunitites 1. Executive Director 2. Public Transit Driver (2 positions) 3. Public Transit Bus Driver (2 Positions) 4.On-Call Public Transit Bus Driver (3 positions) 5. On-Call Public Transit Bus Driver (2 positions) 6. Sahaptain Language Archival Specialist 7. Archaeologist (2 positions) 8. Loan Clerk 1 9. Police Officer (2 positions) 10. Re-Education / Intervention Facilitator 11. Entry-Level Wildland Firefighter (up to 5 positions) 12. Advanced Wildland Firefighter (up to 4 positions) 13. Fisheries Habitat Biologist I/ll-Walla Walla Basin Fish Habitat Enhancement Project (2 positions) 14. Facilities Maintenance Technician 1 15. HUD/NON HUD maintenance repairer 16. Lead Botanical Operations Technician 17.Tribal Transportation Planner 18. Assistant Planner 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

CUJ news deadline June 26

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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June 2018

Weather CTUIR Weather Report May 2018 Weather information summarize data taken at the Pendleton Weather Station Lat 45 40 N and Lon -118 51 W from May 1-31. Temperature is reported in degrees Fahrenheit and time in Pacific Standard Time.

The average daily temperature was 77.5 degrees with a high of 90 degrees on May 15 and a low of 40 degrees on May 2.

Total precipitation to date in May was 0.65” with greatest 24hr average of 0.28” on May 8.

Seven days out of the month had precipitation level greater than .01 inches with 2 days greater than 0.10 inches.

The average wind speed was 8.4 mph with a sustained max speed of 51 mph from the south west on May 8. A peak speed of 62 mph occurred from the west on May 8.

The dominant wind direction was from the northwest.

There was one thunder storm and seven rain days out of 31.

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 Executive Director :

CUJ ad deadline June 19

Interim Director Eric Quaempts

General Council Meeting

Pendleton Pioneer Chapel received three prestigious awards in 2009

 The Oregon Funeral Directors Association Award of Funeral Service Excellence  The Best Of Eastern Oregon Award as voted by the readers of the East Oregonian

Nixyaawii Governance Center, June 28 2 p.m.

Draft agenda: Celebration Committee 2nd Qtr Financial Treasurer TNT Water Rights Wildhorse Expansion

 Pendleton Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business of the Year

Our experienced family provides caring, compassionate care including:

Burial Services ~ Military Services Cremation ~ Monuments

June 2018

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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The next generation of

NIXYAAWII DRUMMERS

Drummers initiated May 25 were the young men seated in the front row, from left, freshman Jace Ashley, Kaiwin Clements from Warm Springs, junior Deven Barkley, junior Lucus Arellanes, NCS alumnus Ian Sampson, NCS graduate Wilbur Oatman, and sophomore Isaiah Pacheco. Not pictured: Kelsey Burns, Pendleton High School alumnus. Adults who joined on the drum include, from left, Fred Hill, Tobias Van Pelt, Damien Totus, Mata Calvin from Warm Springs, Malvin Jamison, Logan Quaempts, Richard Sam, Sky Yallup, and Caleb Minthorn.

M

ISSION – Eleven young drummers, the “next generation,” were initiated May 25 in a Nixyaawii Drum Initiation, the first in recent memory, at the Mission Longhouse on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Fred Hill, the drum instructor and tribal history teacher at Nixyaawii Community School (NCS), was behind the initiation ceremony, which he acknowledged “some have never seen” before.

He said the six NCS students and three other young men were “stepping up in a serious way, tribally and locally.” He said that “as they go along they will learn from us words of advice and encouragement.”

Elder Lonnie Selam, not pictured, from Yakama spoke in Indian to the young drummers and a gathering of perhaps another 60 people before Hill introduced the drummers and singers.

The NCS students included Lucus Arellanes, Deven Barkley, Wilbur Oatman, Isaiah Pacheco, Ira Toledo, not

pictured, and Jace Ashley. Ashley, in his first year of drumming, was not on the original list, but was asked to join the group in the Longhouse. When he did, Hill said he would be “stood up” as well.

The other three were Ian Sampson, an NCS alumni, who is the senior statesman of the group, and Kelsey Burns, a Pendleton High School graduate, who also has experience on the drum. Also joining the group was Kaiwin Clements, the hoop dancer from Warm Springs.

He is the son of Merle Kirk and the grandson of Mildred Quaempts and Hill.

Hill listed the makers of the big drum, which was donated by atway Carl Sampson, Chief of the Walla Wallas and grandfather of Ian Sampson.

Hill and several other adult men joined the young men to “bring out” a song Hill’s brother “Tush” started years ago.

Thomas Morning Owl made remarks and Roberta Kipp, on behalf of the American Legion, handed out

small American flags.

Also making remarks were Richard Sam and Kellen Joseph.

A giveaway was followed by a meal.

Ian Sampson and Deven Barkley sing at the Drum Initiation. Six Nixyaawii Community School students and three others were initiated.

Wilbur Oatman led the singers for the first time during a Nixyaawii Drum Initiation May 25 at the Longhouse on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Children and adults participated in a circle dance while newly initiated drummers sang in the center of the Longhouse. A giveaway and meal followed the initiation.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ News

Cayuse Technologies, a company owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and its Small Business Administration 8(a) designation, are part of the Board of Trustees priorities for 2018-19. The 8(a) designation could mean millions of dollars in federal contracts for the Confederated Tribes.

BOT sets 2018-19 priorities

By Wil Phinney of the CUJ

MISSION – Housing tops the list of six priorities established May 7 by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The other five priorities, in the order they are listed on the formal resolution, include Health, Education, Economic and Community Development, Communications, and Organizational Excellence.

“Along with the real progress we are making with facilities upgrades, including the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Facility, the upcoming Education Facility, Wildhorse Resort Expansion, and housing,” BOT Chairman Gary Burke said in a news release, “these priorities and the resources we will allocate towards them will have positive and high community impact.”

The BOT began identifying priorities at its March 1 and 2 retreat in Portland, which took place more than three months after the November general election because the Board wanted to wait until voters chose a vice-chair in the special run-off election in February. Incumbent Jeremy Wolf was the easy winner in that special election.

Previous Boards have returned from their retreats with their priorities in hand.

This BOT took two months to formally adopt its priorities with 18 months left in their two-year terms.

The Board narrowed the list down to six priorities during comprehensive reviews and exhaustive work sessions in March and April with Interim Executive Director Eric Quaempts.

June 2018

The BOT determined the need to focus on affordable middle income housing, mental and behavioral health, assessing tribal language technical solutions, improving staff training, developing strategies for economic growth, and developing capacity for stronger communications with the Tribal membership and local community.

“Our professional workforce did a good job of refining work that will move the BOT’s priorities forward and provide the BOT a good basis for communicating progress to the community,” Eric Quaempts, Interim Executive Director, said in the news release. “The BOT sets a vision and plan to best meet our community’s needs.”

In its resolution, the BOT acknowledged that there are “numerous issues, needs, programs and activities within the Tribal government and community that require their attention, but in order to make significant progress in certain areas over their term of office, they developed a short list of priorities and will work on these first and foremost.”

The Board determined, according to the resolution, that the priorities should be distinguished from other ongoing work. Toward that goal, the Board, staff, committees and commissions will adjust their time to pay more attention to the topics and place more emphasis on the priorities when communicating with each other, with the General Council, and with the Tribal community. Also, the priorities are to receive preference

Some BOT members want Editorial Board for potential ‘oversight’ of CUJ

By Wil Phinney of the CUJ

MISSION – The Board of Trustees started the process of identifying priorities at their March 1 and 2 retreat in Portland and pared the list down to six during subsequent reviews and work sessions in March and April with Interim Executive Director Eric Quaempts.

The Board met in its final work session Friday, May 4. Quaempts made final tweaks to the document, but it still required two votes on May 7 before the priorities could be adopted.

During work sessions, particularly the one on April 12, there was extensive discussion on all topics, but when it came to a vote in May it was economic development and communications that dominated the debate.

Cayuse Technologies drew attention and comment from BOT Chair Gary Burke, who questioned its existence as a CTUIR business.

But the votes to adopt the BOT priorities resolution hung up twice on debate over the need and timing of a CUJ Editorial Board.

The crux of the CUJ issue is outlined in two points: Communications staff is to develop for BOT consideration “processes for establishment of a CUJ Editorial Board” by June 30 of this year, and staff is to develop for BOT consideration “options for a Freedom of Press Code” by Dec. 31 of this year.

There were BOT members – Kat Brigham and Sally Kosey – who said an Editorial Board was not needed. Others – Jeremy Wolf, Rosenda Shippentower and Chair Burke – voiced their opinion that an Editorial Board is needed. In a work session, Aaron Ashley suggested perhaps rather an Editorial Board, the Board of Trustees could receive some press training.

BOT members did not indicate what they think the duties of an Editorial Board would be.

BOT sets priorities on page 22A

Confederated Umatilla Journal

CUJ, Cayuse Technologies on page 22A

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June 2018

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June 2018

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541-966-9830 yellowhawk.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

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DNR Outreach focusing on Tribal Member rights Excursion workshops will include fish and big game processing

Thomas Morning Owl and Mildred Quaempts dig for roots. A new Department of Natural Resources “excursion” project will teach Tribal Members about access and use of federal lands.

MISSION – In addition to gathering, the First Foods Access Project includes a fish and big game processing component with workshops planned to teach how to butcher, filet, smoke and/or can fish, lamprey, deer and elk.

The gathering trips are planned to inform, harvest, gather and process fish/wild game, roots, berries and other resources.

Participants will get guided tours throughout the Tribes’ ceded areas and will learn about restorative practices, history of foods and significant gathering areas.

Workshops are planned for processing fish, big game and other First Foods species. The workshops could last one to four days depending on the First Food. For example, a workshop could include Department of Natural Resources efforts related to a specific restoration project. Participants would hear from professionals to become more informed about the work being conducted in the ceded areas.

The group will learn about harvesting, gathering and the process for fish and lamprey, which is a traditional salmon bake.

A second workshop would address methods for processing deer and elk with expert advice from elders and professionals.

According to the project objectives, the first of five gatherings will take place in September. A total of 40-50 tribal community members are expected to participate in the project.

First Foods excursions Continued from page 1A

outings to gathering areas in the region.

The project intends to use forums, food gathering, site tours and workshops using First Foods information developed by the Tribes – plus ecological knowledge and language - to promote traditional foods practices.

“We wanted to focus on tribal members and show them the progress we’ve made on First Foods and what we’re doing to restore First Foods,” Red Elk said.

“We want to get tribal members to areas that have been land-locked or where we have management agreements to get to lands where we haven’t had access in the past … We want to bring back more foods to the table.”

Current Interim Executive Director Eric Quaempts, said it is time to share First Foods – and women’s foods in particular – with the community.

Acknowledging the sensitivity of revealing sites and concerns for exploitation, Quaempts noted “data sharing agreements” with federal agencies that will protect lands of cultural significance to the Tribes.

More importantly, he said, tribal members should know they have the right to access ceded lands.

Tribal members need to understand those rights and be aware of certain restrictions, but the use of federal lands should increase as First Foods become

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self-sustaining over time, Quaempts said.

DNR, in collaboration with the Tribes’ Office of Information Technology (OIT) Geographical Information System (GIS), has mapped and modeled the distribution of First Foods on the reservation, on ceded lands and in aboriginal use areas. The Department’s Cultural Resource Protection Program has successfully negotiated access opportunities through or over private lands. This information will be shared with the tribal community at forums and used to develop the monthly gathering excursions on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties within CTUIR ceded land.

CTUIR plans to host First Foods forums at the beginning and at the end of the Access project. The forums, as planned, will be “story-driven” discussion from Tribal elders, leaders and staff. The forums will share goals and objectives with the community.

The first forum will be at the Nixyaawii Governance Center at 4:30 p.m. on June 26.

At the forums, tribal members will be told about gathering locations and hear from community members about current First Foods use and access experiences.

The forum will document what First Foods community members are using, what the barriers are to accessing foods, and how to overcome barriers. The second forum will gather end-of-the-project

information.

Day and overnight gathering trips are being planned based on participant interest demonstrated at the first forum, which has not yet been scheduled. Limited transportation will be provided to participants or they can follow the group in their personal vehicles.

DNR staff, food gatherers, and language speakers will serve as advisors to guide project development, according to a project document. Tribal language will be integrated into all activities to strengthen cultural connections around First Foods and place.

Red Elk said gathering First Foods is the best way to reconnect to tribal culture.

“When you’re not gathering or fishing, all the language place names are forgotten,” she said. “You bring back this one harvest opportunity and you bring back the harvest place and you bring back memories. You can talk about it in the classroom or office, but you don’t get the gist or the connection to the cultural activity unless you’re actually doing it, your hands in the ground, digging. Then you remember the word for the process.

You remember the stories …”

The First Foods Access Project is funded in part by Pacific Salmon Recovery Funds administered by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Bonneville Power Administration dollars, and in-kind contributions.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

‘You bring back this one harvest opportunity and you bring back the harvest place and you bring back memories. You can talk about it in the classroom or office, but you don’t get the gist or the connection to the cultural activity unless you’re actually doing it, your hands in the ground, digging. Then you remember the word for the process. You remember the stories …’

Wenix Red Elk, Outreach Coordinator in the CTUIRDepartment of Natural Resources

June 2018

Gary Burke, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, speaks during Flag Day ceremonies May 18. Others on the rock amphitheater included, front row from left, BOT Vice-Chair Jeremy Wolf, Treasurer Doris Wheeler, Secretary Kat Brigham, member Aaron Ashley, General Council Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl, BOT member Sally Kosey, and General Council Secretary Shawna Gavin; and back row, flag bearers Fermore Craig, Cindy Freston, and Mary Ann Rhoads. Keynote speaker Tessie Williams is out of view and seated behind the podium.

Chuck Sams, Toni Cordell and David Wolf take part in replacement of the flag of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on Flag Day May 18. Cordell is Commander of George St. Denis Post 140 American Legion and Sams is Post Chaplain. Wolf, too, is a veteran.

Caleb Minthorn, Logan Quaempts,Woodrow Star and Michael Ray Johnson drum in front of the Nixyaawii Governance Center during Flag Day ceremonies.

CUJ photos/Phinney

Focus on the Flag

Tessie Williams made keynote remarks at the Flag Day ceremony May 18 in the amphitheater in front of the Nixyaawii Governance Center.

June 2018

MISSION – Veterans posted the colors and voices rang out around the big drum as another Flag Day ceremony began for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) May 18.

The event took place in front of the Nixyaawii Government Center with several members of the CTUIR Board of Trustees and General Council (GC)taking part.

During the event Board of Trustees Chair Gary Burke illustrated the connection between the flag and all of the elders who came before the tribe as it stands now.

“We survived during the wars at the old July battle grounds and now we are still in conflict, but these battles are of the mind and heart. Many battles are now being fought within the law and will be fought and won in this building under this flag," he said.

The presence of the CTUIR flag is a point of pride for many Tribal Members both young and old, according to all those who spoke during the ceremony.

General Council Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl said the flag has flow from war zones to local schools, showing

Confederated Umatilla Journal

support for soldiers in battle the same as children in the classroom.

Tribal elder Tessie Williams took the podium after Morning Owl and dedicated the flag to the George St. Denis Post 140 American Legion.

Williams said, “In our tribe we are proud of our servicemen. They have dedicated themselves and lives to protecting this country.”

Commander of George St. Denis Post 140 American Legion Toni Cordell stepped forward to accept the flag that flew over the NGC since the last Flag Day observance in May 2017.

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Groundbreaking Continued from page 3A

Government Center, Wildhorse Resort & Casino had completed its 2011 major expansion, and the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center was on track to start construction.

“The Board at the time understood that we needed to get serious about the new education facility,” Hines wrote.

“I worked with my fellow board members and staff and we took a hard look at the budget,” Hines recalled. “We made cuts to discretionary spending across the board and, ultimately, those cuts allowed us to set aside $1 million of tribal dollars for the new education facility.”

BOT Secretary Kat Brigham remembered that Hines “was able to get the past BOT to provide the funding needed to start the planning” to move the project along.

And now, Brigham said, “Our Education Department needs to get out of the old building and into a new one.”

Modesta Minthorn, Director of the CTUIR Education Department, can’t wait to get out of the building that will be razed once it is vacated.

“I think we’re just very excited to finally be at this point, ready to move on,”

Minthorn said. “We’re tapping our toes.”

Calling it a “collective push,” Minthorn wanted to give credit to previous Boards of Trustees for making an Education Facility a priority.

“Ever since we got NCS (Nixyaawii Community School), it’s always been a dream of getting a new school,” Minthorn said. “We’ve been pushing for a new facility for the best of my knowledge for at least 15 years. We went so far as to hire a consultant to talk to each program about specific duties, what we do, how many we serve, in 2005. But it didn’t go anywhere. For the first time we’ve actually moved beyond that.

“We’re excited. It’s going to be crazy.

I think we’re all waiting for it to happen … I’m going to keep my shovel,” Minthorn said.

Sally Kosey, the current BOT representative on the Nixyaawii Community School Board, said the Education Facility is going to be a “cradle to 19” dream come true.

And it’s going to provide an identity for the NCS Golden Eagles.

“I’m so excited for the kids. They’ll have their own place. They can take ownership and not be borrowing a building.

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They started in a modular and the gym and it never felt united,” Kosey said.

The Education Facility will provide “solid ground” that “makes sense” with Daycare, Head Start and other programs under one roof, Kosey said.

She praised the “people involved who knew what we wanted and how to get there.”

Kosey noted that the project was received positively at General Council May 21. She said “once people see the building I think the community is going to be even more excited.”

Ryan Heinrich, NCS principal in his fifth year at the charter high school, said he’s excited to see the discussions become a reality.

“Staff and students will be happy to see the progress when they come back over the summer break, to see that it’s actually become a reality,” said Heinrich, who watched the commencement of the school’s 14th graduating class May 29.

“Two years ago we were talking about remodeling Yellowhawk, then last year we started talking seriously about the new Education Facility, and this year it is really going to happen.”

Former BOT member Justin Quaempts, a strong advocate of education who also served on the NCS Board, said he sees the Education Facility as a “community campus.”

“Education is a life-long evolutionary process,” Quaempts said. “We’ve always known that through histories, teachings, stories and such. Now it’s coming full circle within our own reservation. True sovereignty to me is educating our own youth, having the opportunity to teach our kids without others from outside dictating so much.”

Quaempts said he thinks the Education Facility is a “safe learning environment for all ages to come and learn, to be part of the educational process no matter what age."

Construction Continued from page 3A

of Trustees (BOT) priorities. In those priorities the BOT directed staff to begin program development, craft a business plan within the Department of Education, and formally evaluate and select a site for the facility.

The design and development of the new building started about one year ago with the selection of the project manager in June of 2017 and selection of the architect in October 2017. Over the course of the last year the project team has worked with all the staff at Cay-Uma-Wa and NCS to design a facility that reflects “our culture, is energy efficient, economical, and built to last many generations, and most importantly, is geared to providing education and other services to our community.”

The building layout is intended to foster coordination between the Education Department and Nixyaawii Community School and to ultimately create a great learning space for tribal members of all ages.

The project team includes the directors of the Education Department, Department of Economic and Community Development, Tribal Planning Office, Finance Department, Public Works, Office of the Executive Director, and the BOT Treasurer. The project manager is Wenaha Group, and the architect is BBT Architects from Bend, Oregon.

The bids for general contractor are currently out, so the contractor will be selected in the coming weeks.

Entrepreneur of the year awards June 13 MISSION – The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are scheduled June 13 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino (WRC).

The awards will be held in the Cayuse Hall at WRC at 11:30 a.m. The event is hosted by the Wildhorse Business Development Services and is held in order to celebrate Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Native American Small Business day.

There will be a luncheon to honor the contributions of Native American small business owners. Tickets are available for purchase beginning May 17 at the Business Development Services office and cost $20.

For more information call 541-966-1920 or visit the business center at 46510 Wildhorse Blvd. Pendleton, OR 97801.

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June 2018

Sampson, Renew Oregon tout climate change plans By the CUJ

Don Sampson, Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, spoke at an EOC3 meeting in Pendleton May 15.

PENDLETON – Don Sampson, advocate of an Oregon Clean Energy Jobs bill, and Shilpa Joshi, Director for Renew Oregon, a clean-energy advocacy coalition, spoke May 15 at an Eastern Oregon Climate Change (EOC3) monthly meeting at Prodigal Son restaurant.

Sampson is the Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a consortium of 61 tribes in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and California.

He is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and has served as past Chair of the Board of Trustees and past Executive Director for the CTUIR. A fisheries biologist, Sampson has worked on Columbia River salmon restoration for more than 30 years. (He also was Executive Director for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.)

“Native Americans and rural communities in Oregon are affected by climate impacts on a daily basis,” Sampson told about 20 people gathered for the presentation.

Salmon runs arrive late, roots and berries arrive early and are available for shorter periods of time, Sampson said.

“These native foods have great cultural and ceremonial significance, and to lose them due to climate change means losing part of who we are,” he said.

Tribes are working on adaptation strategies,

Sampson said, pointing to the wind turbine at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute as an energy saver.

Sampson unsuccessfully pushed the Clean Energy Jobs bill in the Oregon Legislature this year.

It would reduce climate pollution by making large emitters pay for what they pollute and use the proceeds to invest in clean energy solutions, Sampson said. Investments would be prioritized to help Native American communities and other low income, rural and communities of color that are hardest hit by the impacts of climate change and air pollution, according to Sampson’s Shilpa Joshi information.

The CTUIR supported the Clean Energy Jobs bill during the 2018 legislative session.

Joshi told people how to get involved in Renew Oregon, which is a “coalition of businesses and workers, healthcare professionals and parents, farmers and ranchers, faith and community organizations, and individuals coming together to more away from dirty, polluting energy to a clean energy economy,” according to the organization’s website.

Renew Oregon is “working to create good-paying jobs for all Oregonians, protect air and water from pollution, and help families stay healthy.”

Joshi encouraged a visit to reneworegon.org to find out more.

NCS spots remain open for freshmen, transfer students

Training for Tribal Members TERO seeks NA candidates for potential construction jobs MISSION – The Confederated Tribes’ TERO Program is looking for qualified Native American candidates to fill a number of potential jobs as road/bridge and building construction season begins in Oregon.

TERO – Tribal Employment Rights Office – for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation encourages Native American construction workers to complete a TERO Skills Survey. The TERO Hiring Hall fills positions on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and off-reservation on some federal highway projects in Oregon.

The TERO Program is seeking qualified Native American candidates to fill positions such as laborers, flaggers, carpenters, concrete finishers, heavy equipment operators, ironworkers, and Class A CDL (commercial-driverlicensed) drivers.

A majority of the employment opportunities will require traveling within the state. Qualified candidates will need reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, the ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening (including marijuana), and must be willing to work long hours.

For more information contact the TERO Program at 541-429-7193 or by email at TEROStaff@ctuir.org. TERO is located in the Nixyáawii Governance Center, 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801.

Website: http://ctuir.org/tribal-services/ human-resources/tribal-employment-rightsoffice-tero

June 2018

Heavy Machinery certificate recipients from left Aaron Dodge, Iron Cody and Terry Parrish Jr. stand with Board of Trustees Chair Gary Burke after their graduation ceremony.

TERO training grads applauded for success MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) sent eight Tribal Members off to Baker City to be trained in heavy machinery operation.

They learned to drive backhoes, bulldozers, cranes and more in simulation labs with workers from the Baker Technician Institute in Baker.

Four of those eight completed their training and were asked to attend a graduation ceremony put on by the TERO program, Commission, Board of Trustee members and course instructors. The graduation was held at the Nixyaawii Governance Center in the General Council Chambers.

Aaron Dodge, Iron Cody, and Terry Parrish Jr. all got up to speak about their experience before being congratulated by the BOT Chair Gary Burke.

Burke reminisced about the beginning of his own training and how it shaped

TERO Program Manager Aaron Hines shakes graduate Aaron Dodge's hand after the ceremony.

him as an employee and helped him gain success as a young man.

Elliot Gottfriedson also graduated but was unable to make the ceremony.

The trio expressed their appreciation for community support.

At the end of the ceremony each participants received gifts from TERO Commission Members, the General Council Office and individuals in attendance.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

MISSION – Freshmen or transfer students who plan to attend Nixyaawii Community School (NCS) in the fall should pick up application packets and complete registrations soon.

Enrollment is being capped at 75 students for the 2018-19 school year, which will be the final year of classes in the current modular building near the July Grounds. When school starts in the fall of 2019, NCS will have much larger capacity for more students in the new Education Facility, which is being built west of the new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center.

A groundbreaking ceremony is June 15.

NCS application packets for the school year and a fee of $50 are due at the school office to complete registration.

Returning students need to register and pay the $50 registration fee by June 12 to ensure their returning spot.

The office will open again Aug. 6 and registrations can be taken at that time, Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fun Run June 9 MISSION -The Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center will have their Fun Run on June 9 at the Mission July Grounds.

The free registration for the event is at 7:30 a.m. and the 10k will begin at 8 a.m.

The 5k run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the one mile begins at 9 a.m. Awards will be given for first, second and third place as well as an award for best costume. Breakfast, raffle prizes, and entertainment will begin following the race. For more information contact Shoshoni Walker at 541-240-8436.

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Lamprey released in upper Grande Ronde Kanim Moses-Conner, Tony Montoya and Celeste Reves unload lamprey to be released into the Grande Ronde River May 23. Below, Montoya lets the “eels” swim from the net into the flowing waters of the river.

Adult Pacific lamprey were released May 23 into the upper Grande Ronde River near the Spool Kart Campground by staff in the Fisheries Program of the Department of Natural Resources for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Taking part in the translocation release were Celeste Reves, administrative assistant, and fisheries technicians Kanim Moses-Conner and Tony Montoya.

Reves, who usually works in an office, took advantage of the chance to get in the field to see how and where lamprey were being released. “I’ve released fish, done streambed surveys, most everything else, but never anything with lamprey. It was pretty cool to just be part of that,” she said. Reves said she grew up in a family that collected and ate lamprey. She remembered collecting lamprey “by the gunny sacks” with her parents and brothers in the concrete “tunnels” at Three-mile Dam on the lower Umatilla River.

The translocation project is part of ongoing restoration efforts to reintroduce Pacific lamprey to streams and rivers where they once flourished within the ceded lands of the CTUIR. Other streams where fish were released in the Grande Ronde include Lookingglass Creek, Indian Creek, Meadow Creek, Catherine Creek and Sheep Creek. Juvenile lamprey produced from previous releases have been found in Catherine Creek, Lookingglass Creek and the Upper Grande Ronde.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ News Wildhorse RV Park re-opens

MISSION - The newly updated RV Park at Wildhorse Resort & Casino has re-opened and guests should be pleased with new upgraded services, including improvements to the electrical and Wi-Fi internet capabilities.

Construction began Jan. 19 and for the last four months RVs have been parking for free in the casino parking lot. The park re-opened May 16 and was sold out the first weekend, May 18 and 19, according to Cal Tyer, Wildhorse Hotel manager.

Improvements to the electrical system at all 100 sites now allow guests to plug into both 30 and 50 amp service to support the demanding requirements of large, more complex motor coaches that have heavy power usage. On hot days when multiple air conditioning units in motor coaches were being used, the power grid sometimes failed, according to Tyer.

Travelers will also find more efficient wireless access with faster speed. At busy times, particularly during the Pendleton Round-Up, guests were having difficulty connecting to the internet.

Tyer said the RV Park now has 12 poles providing 20 mg Wi-Fi “hot spots,” compared to the 1 mg that had been serving the area.

Additionally, the office has a new roof and has been repainted inside and out.

That building houses restrooms, showers,

Employees gathered around the sign inviting RV’ers back to the park at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

Employees include, front row from left, Derek Guerrero, Jessica Munoz, Carol Mendoza, Jessi Peterson, Cal Tyer and Nolan Nez; second row from left, Carmalita Chalakee, Sara Surface, Karen Sonsy, Monica Rodriguez, Viola Red Bird and Roy Jones; and back row, Judy Pace, Maria Panduro, CUJ photo/Phinney Angela David and Yadira Roman-Soria.

and a laundry facility.

Outside in a fenced-in area are a pool and hot tub available for RV Park and hotel visitors.

The RV Park has 52 asphalt and 48 gravel sites and an unlimited number

of tent spots. There are up to 10 sites for tipis with five up right now.

With camping and road trip season here, Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s RV Park now offers improved services at the base of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon.

TERO proposes $20 minimum wage MISSION – A $20 per hour minimum wage is being proposed by the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

“The proposed minimum wage for TERO employers to pay their TERO workforce who are performing work within TERO jurisdiction lands on covered activities (that are not already governed by an established wage rate) is $20 per hour,” according to a public notice that appears on Page 8A of this newspaper.

Because of the potential impacts on businesses, including tribal businesses, the public notice “strongly encourages” analysis of the $20 proposal. It even encourages analyzing other rates, suggesting $15 per hour and $17 per hour.

“All impact analysis for $15, $17 and $20 per hour rates, or other entity-suggested rates, should include methodology and appropriate citations,” the public notice states, and then asks: “What might entities recommend as a new minimum wage for TERO covered activities if other than the proposed rate of $20 per hour?”

Persons who wish to submit comments have until July 25 to do so.

Meacham Creek earns ‘Riparian Challenge’ award ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Confederated Tribes, along with the U.S. Forest Service, and Tetra Tech Inc., jointly received the Western Division American Fisheries Society Riparian Challenge Award for the Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration and In-stream Enhancement Project Phases I and II at the Society’s annual meeting May 23.

The award was shared by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), the USFS Umatilla National Forest and Walla Walla Ranger District, and Tetra Tech Inc., the environmental engineering firm on the project.

The project was nominated by hydrologist Chris James, project manager for Tetra Tech.

Mike Lambert, CTUIR Fish Habitat Program Supervisor, accepted the award on behalf of the Tribes.

“This award is a culmination of great work by multiple agencies, funding partners, and numerous individuals who have invested in the work in Meacham Creek – a ‘River Vision’-focused sustainable floodplain restoration approach for enhancement of First Foods,” Lambert said.

Meacham Creek flows 37 miles from its headwaters near Meacham and Kamela, near Salmon Back Ridge, down to its confluence with the mainstem Umatilla River. The Meacham Creek watershed drains an area of 114,000 acres on the west slope of the Blue Mountains and, although intermittent in several reaches during the summer months, contributes

June 2018

Five representatives accepted the Western Division American Fisheries Society Riparian Challenge Award in Anchorage, Alaska, for the Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration and Instream Enhancement Projects.

Pictured, left to right, are Robert Donati, vice-president, Northwest Operations, Tetra Tech Inc. (Environmental engineering firm on Meacham Projects); Mike Rassbach, District Ranger, Walla Walla Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service (collaborative agency partner on Meacham Projects); Tracii Hickman, ESA consultant biologist, Umatilla National Forest; Michael Lambert, Fisheries Habitat Program Supervisor, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Meacham Project manager; Chris James, hydrologist, Restoration Manager, Tetra Tech Inc. Contributed photo

slightly more than half of the summer flow to the mainstem Umatilla River.

Key fish species that call Meacham Creek home include summer steelhead-rainbow trout, spring Chinook salmon, bull trout, and Pacific lamprey.

One hundred years of human activity, including the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad railway in the valley, flood protection diking, and the grazing of livestock, has altered and degraded the Meacham Creek valley and floodplain resulting in a greatly simplified channel, loss of riparian vegetation, high

stream temperatures, lack of summer flow, limited quantity of pools, lack of overall fish habitat complexity, and limited quantities and recruitment of large woody debris, all contributing to the loss of aquatic productivity.

Phases I and II of the Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration and In-stream Enhancement Project were implemented to restore the natural meander of the creek, improve floodplain connectivity and instream and riparian habitat for listed and non-listed species by restoring channel morphology, hydrologic processes, and

Confederated Umatilla Journal

riparian and in-stream processes. The changes were made by removing and/or modifying a half mile of levees and spur dikes to increase floodplain connectivity and allow development of wetland and riparian characteristics as well as offchannel habitat, adding large woody debris and engineered log jams to increase habitat complexity and side channel habitat, excavation of the floodplain to re-engage an existing side channel, and planting and seeding native species as well as removing invasive plant species from the project area.

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2018 High School Graduates Nixyaawii Community School

Kaytlynn McLean

Tyler Close

Noah Enright

Clayton Hack

Dancingstar Leighton

EllaMae Looney

Kaitlynn Melton

Wilbur Oatman

Helena Peters

Milan Schimmel

Mary Stewart

Katelynn Red Bird

Chelsea Quaempts

Weston-McEwen High School

Pilot Rock High School

Bennie Belgard-Siletz

Siobhan Holman

Damien Jackson

Lilli Moses

Graduates of other high schools:

Jada Burns Irrigon High School

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Yemowat Eagleheart Yakama Nation Tribal School

Rosevelie Sams Grant High School (Portland)

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Roman Sheoships Aloha High School (Beaverton)

Sophie Van Pelt Borah High School (Boise)

June 2018

Congratulations from CTUIR! Pendleton High School

Cyrus Spino-Harris

Marilyn Regalado

Helley Halligan

Lariah Alexander

Mollee Allen

Chenoah Begay

Tristen Fye

Destanee Jones

Nicole Male-Jones

Gage Jones-Ward

Carson DeAngelo-Moreno

Bailee Partlow

Katera Seimy

Sean Soaring Eagle

Reese Shippentower

Denae Smith

Mary Rivera

Joseph St. Pierre

Cora Theis

Trinity Treloar

Mazie Williams All photos submitted to CUJ by the school or a family member.

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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BOT sets 2018-19 priorities structure of well number 6 is to be completed by Dec. 31, 2018.

Also, the BOT wants an assessment of Workforce Development to identify opportunities for services improvements, including potential consolidation of programs. It also wants an assessment by the end of the year for CTUIR facilities and opportunities for reuse, and a review and update of the Capital Improvement Plan by the end of 2019.

Continued from page 11A

for funding, although no special budget appropriations are being made with enactment of the resolution. Further, departments are tasked with collaborating on priorities, and they are expected to adjust their work plans and budgets when feasible to reflect the importance of priority-influenced projects.

HOUSING The top goal for this priority is developing 99year lease options.

Plans call for developing and finalizing leases for Bowman Housing by Dec. 30, 2018, followed by educating and pre-qualifying tribal members

by Dec. 31 of 2019, with possible construction in 2020 by CTUIR or homeowners.

Also, plans call for drafting leases for homeowners in Whirlwind Drive by June 30 of this year and development of a residential leasing code provision by June of 2019.

The Housing work list includes development

by June 30, 2019, of renting, leasing, or purchasing options for houses on CTUIR fee title land acquisitions and development of a master plan for Lucky 7 by Dec. 31, 2019, with possible new construction to start by June 30, 2021.

Further, the priority calls for establishing a budget and schedule for development of a “Land Title Records Office” by July of 2019. According to the Priorities and Responsive Work document, a Land Title Records Office would enable CTUIR members “to do better research on past transactions of property and potential obstacles; leasing tools developed and implemented to provide opportunity for secure, predictable long-term residency.”

Finally, the Housing priority includes a “work product” of identifying and assessing CTUIR policies and procedures that may create impediments to housing development by July of 2019. This means an investigation and report on trust lands “exchange precedents” by CTUIR and other tribes acceptable to the Department of Interior.

HEALTH The first task for the Health priority is to determine the CTUIR member mortality causes by age group, using data from Enrollment and Yellowhawk, to be completed by June 30, 2018.

The BOT wants two other things by June 30 of this year.

First, the Board wants a summary report

Development of a master plan for Lucky 7 by Dec. 31, 2019, and possible new construction to start

by June 30, 2021, is in the Board of Trustees 2018-19 Housing Priorities.

on the top five health issues, including mental and behavioral health, facing CTUIR members.

(This report will include results from community surveys.)

And the Board wants a status report of Referred Patient Care funding, including carryover, and available uses.

By June 30, 2019, the Board wants an assessment of the Health Charter with recommended changes and an associated timeline for adoption. “Approved changes to Health Care Charter that would provide increased efficiency through elimination of any identified duplication of services and provide savings that can be used for additional services to community,” the priority document states.

EDUCATION A July construction start date on a new Education Facility is the main objective for this priority.

According to the Board document, the Education Facility, which will include Nixyaawii Community School, is to be completed in August 2019.

Second on the “work product” list is a needs assessment for Language Technical Solutions and Information-Tech Support, which is supposed to be done by Dec. 31 of this year. A strategic plan and implementation of the language solutions and tech support would begin by June 30, 2019.

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The top two economic development tasks relate to the new Small Business Administration 8a status recently achieved by Cayuse Technologies on behalf of the CTUIR. The designation could generate millions of dollars in federal contracts, according to Billy Nerenberg, CEO for Cayuse Technologies, a company owned by the CTUIR. First, the BOT priorities document seeks to “develop BOT and staff understanding” of the 8a potentials, relationships and responsibilities; and to “identify process and timeline for 8a achievement and assess impacts and relationship to CTUIR government.” Both of those are to be done by the end of this month.

Third on the economic development list is the establishment of a “Certified/Certifiable Community Development Financial Institution Fund” (CDFI) by Dec. 31, 2018. (According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, CDFIs share a common goal of expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses. CDFIs can be banks, credit unions, loan funds, microloan funds, or venture capital providers.)

On the community development front, infra-

COMMUNICATIONS The CUJ is the biggest concern of the Board of Trustees.

The top three “work products” for Communications staff include: Assessing the Society of Professional Journalists or similar standards and ethics for the CUJ to be published regularly in the newspaper and on the CUJ website; Develop for BOT consideration a process for establishment of a CUJ Editorial Board by June 30, 2018 and; Develop for BOT consideration options for a Freedom of Press Code by Dec. 31, 2018.

After that, the Board is asking for improvements to the CTUIR website stability, security and functionality, including streaming capability,

by September 2018 for use in the 2019 budget process.

The BOT also wants to improve maintenance of current, updated CTUIR documents and information on the website by the end of this month – June of 2018.

In the “outcomes” section, the Board hopes to see “increased understanding of existing journalistic standards and practices” and, under “community impacts,” the BOT wants to see that “CTUIR’s interests are successfully promoted through strategic public relations and proactively disseminated information.”

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE This priority, which will be implemented out of the Office of the Executive Director, is looking primarily for improvements in employee performance.

The Board is asking for an Organizational Performance Survey and Report by Dec. 31, 2018.

On the same schedule, it is calling upon itself to finalize the 2015 CTUIR Comprehensive Plan Review.

The Organizational Excellence “work products” also includes ongoing employee customer service training, development of employee performance standards, computer literacy training, and email efficiency training.

CUJ, Cayuse Technologies Continued from page 11A

Wolf and Shippentower both used the word “oversight” as a description in different work sessions. Shippentower suggested an Editorial Board could look at the paper before it was printed.

Later Wolf said the Communications staff should “assess” the “potential” for an Editorial Board.

Brigham worried that a decision from the BOT to establish an Editorial Board would give the appearance of censorship.

She said she visited with tribal members in the community and received a “mixed response” about the CUJ that included people concerned that Tribal government would try to “control” the paper.

At the May 4 work session, called

by Chair Burke, Kosey asked why an Editorial Board was needed. She said she looked up the definition of an Editorial Board and found that it was used on large papers for editorial page discussion.

“Why do we need one? Explain that to me,” Kosey said.

Burke replied: “Do you read it? Is it accurate?”

Kosey said she knows some members of the Board haven’t liked some of the things written in the CUJ.

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“You have to be mindful of what you say,” Kosey said. “… You go to each other and say ‘That’s not what I said.’ You say ‘I didn’t say that’ but then it’s proven that you did.”

Wolf said there’s room to assess all options. He said he knows people who don’t read the CUJ and don’t want to “participate with the paper.” He suggested the possibility of a “tribal section” that would include information that only tribal members would see.

Brigham and Woodrow Star tried twice to get the dates switched so that the Freedom of the Press code would be completed in June and the Editorial Board assessment in December, but that didn’t fly.

A vote that left those dates as they were passed 5-3 with Brigham, Kosey and Doris Wheeler voting no. Voting yes were Wolf, Shippentower, Ashley, Willie Sigo, and Star.

Wheeler voted no twice, but her decision was based on economic and community development, not on any CUJ issue, she said.

Wheeler said she voted no for two reasons: Her original economic priority language (as it pertained to the Cayuse Tech-

nologies SBA 8a designation) was changed and she was “not happy with the process.”

The Economic and Community Development priority drew the next most discussion during work sessions.

It was Cayuse Technologies and that 8a status that triggered Chair Burke’s ire in the May 4 work session.

The top two economic development “work products” deal with Cayuse Tech and the potentials, relationships and impacts that the SBA 8a status could have on the Confederated Tribes. The coveted designation could generate millions of dollars in federal contracts for Cayuse Technologies and the CTUIR, according to company CEO Billy Nerenberg.

Cayuse Technologies is owned by the CTUIR, but that didn’t stop Burke from questioning why staff was working on 8a issues.

“Why do we even have Cayuse Tech?”

Burke asked. “We’ve got things going on right here we need to work on. It wasn’t a priority at all … It’s their priority, not ours.”

Paul Rabb, CTUIR Finance Director, said it's his job to make sure all Tribal assets are protected.

He said tribal staff is excited at the opportunities the 8a designation could

Confederated Umatilla Journal

mean for the CTUIR. “It’s the next big economic venture,” Rabb said. “Within 10 years 8a could distribute lots of money to the Tribes … we need to evaluate and control it. This Tribe sets good controls through policies and procedures … we’ve done well with our opportunities.”

Rabb noted that many Alaska Native Corporations are $500 million ventures today.

“That’s where we could get if we set this up correctly,” he said.

Burke said that when two Indians brought an 8a idea to the Board they were “kicked out the door,” but “all of a sudden they (Cayuse) brought it and it’s important.”

Rabb reminded Burke that federal laws recently changed to allow tribes in the lower 48 states to do what Alaska corporations have been doing for years.

Interim ED Quaempts said the Cayuse Technologies 8a is on the priority list because of the potential to diversify the CTUIR economy.

Furthermore, noted Tribal attorney Naomi Stacy, “This came out of your retreat. These are your discussions.”

June 2018

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

News & Sports The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon

Section

B

June 2018

State golf leaders

Riley Lankford. right, was third for Nixyaawii Community School at the state tournament.

Megan George, left, finished fourth as an individual at the state Class 5A golf tournament in Corvallis.

George, Lankford and Burright finish seasons strong Three area high school golfers finished the season strong at state tournaments, either as individuals or helping their team to trophy awards.

George finished fourth as an individual and led the Pendleton squad to a fifth place finish. George, a junior, shot 79 the first day and 84 on day two to finish at 163 for the tournament.

Pendleton’s team finished with a score of 775. The other girls on the team include Rylee Harris, Makenzie McLeod, Sarah Powell and Gracie Broadfoot.

State golf on page 4B

Bucks win state softball 5A title Chelsea Farrow, a sophomore at Pendleton High School, was part of the Bucks’ state championship team that defeated Putnam 7-0 to win the Class 5A title in Corvallis June 2. Here Farrow rounds third in a playoff game in May. She played left field for most of the season for Pendleton, which was ranked number one all year. The team, which had a 28-2 record, has won three state titles since 2012.

CUJ photo/Phinney

CUJ photos/Phinney

Logan Burright, Reno Ferguson and Cason Mitchell stand with their fourth place trophy from the state golf championships Burright is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation..

Spring Celebration photos on Page 26B

Happy Birthday Tyrone

June 30th Officially past the quarter century mark!

Love the fam!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Savaya Caitlyn Minthorn. 7 years old June 25, 2018 From Grandpa, Grandma and the whole family!!

Happy 30th Birthday Michelle Spino™ - June 22nd Love the fam

Congratulations on completion of your MBA at Gonzaga University! (May 12th) Your dedication and hard work is really inspiring!

You continue to make us proud! We wish you the best!

Love,

Thel, Alanah Faye, Samarah, family near & far!

Thank you letters due by news deadline,June 26

2B

CUJ Sports Mammoth Cup draws 27 teams for annual Tamastslikt fundraiser MISSION - The 2018 Mammoth Cup Golf Tournament, the annual fundraiser event for Tamastslikt Cultural Museum, attracted 27 teams May 18 and with perfect weather despite predictions of rain.

Wildhorse Resort & Casino was the presenting sponsor of the tournament with Pepsi/Pendleton Bottling Co., CHI St. Anthony Hospital, Aristocrat, Scientific Games, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and AGS as major sponsors.

With a field of 108 players, the competition was stiff and more than one tie-breaker was required to determine winners.

This year’s low gross winner was the Wildhorse Resort & Casino team of Al Tovey, Dave Tovey, Thad Jackson and Gavin Devore.

Second place went to Wes Jones, Jim Warrick, Josh Barkley and David Zenidhek, followed in third by the foursome of Chris Long, Jim Greene, Robin Greene and Marshall Byerley.

Low net winner was the Wenaha Group team of Megan George, Haley Greb, Makenzie McLeod and Gracie Broadfoot.

Second place went to the Clover Island Inn team of Mark Blotz, Zack Blotz, Ryan Cooper and Michael Cooper, followed in third by the group of Brad Pieper, James Simpson, Tina Lone Bear and Tate Vallem.

Several side bets were offered including the Wrong-Handed Putting Contest sponsored by Steve and Susan Corey, which was won by Paul French in a putt-off between French, David Liberty, and Sierra James. Dillon George and Kevin Zenishek tied for Closest to the Pin. Dan Mooney won Men’s Longest Drive and Megan George won Women’s Longest Drive. Jonathon Morrison won the Longest Putt contest.

Dixon Golf and Aurelius Golf hosted on-course games where players won Dixon balls, drivers, and other prizes. Dixon Golf is an eco-friendly golf company, located in Tempe, Arizona, which manufactures eco-friendly golf balls and apparel.

“Aurelius Golf was born out of a desire to make a difference. Every Aurelius golf club benefits a worthy cause so owners know their purchase has built a community, changed a life, or made the world a better place. These partners align with Tamástslikt’s own goals to conserve energy and reach a net zero energy consumption level,” according to a Tamastslikt news release.

Lydig Construction of Spokane treated the players to free brats on hole number 5. Lydig, which has undertaken several construction projects for Wildhorse, will also be constructing a new clubhouse.

Participants enjoyed an Indian Taco Awards Banquet at the tournament’s conclusion. Food was prepared by Kinship Café. Other acknowledged sponsors included Wenaha Group, Clover Island Inn, Ainsworth, Everi, Crane Payment Innovations, NW Public Affairs, Hester & Zehren, and Byrnes Oil Co. as well as side bet sponsors David Liberty (Tamástslikt Trust Board member), East Oregonian, Esprit Graphic Communications, and Attitude Marketing.

First low gross – Wildhorse Resort & Casino team of DaveTovey, Al Tovey, Thad Jackson, and Gavin Devore.

Second low gross – Wes Jones, Jim Warrick, Josh Barkley, David Zenidhek First low net – Wenaha Group team of Megan George, Haley Greb, Makenzie McLeod, and Gracie Broadfoot

Second low net – Clover Island Inn team of Mark Blotz, Zack Blotz, Ryan Cooper, Michael Cooper;

Third low gross – Chris Long, Jim Greene, Robin Greene, Marshall Byerley.

Third low net – Brad Pieper, James Simpson, Tina Lone Bear, Tate Vallem.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ Sports & Community Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa July 20-22 WALLOWA – The Nez Perce Wallowa feature war bonnets.

Homeland announces its 28th annual Fred Hill said bringing the war bonTamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa, Or- net special to Wallowa is long overdue. egon, July 20-22.

Hill is a member of the Nez Perce WalTamkaliks is held on 320 acres along lowa Homeland Board and chairman the Wallowa River near a traditional of Tamkaliks Celebration Committee in summer village. At the center of the addition to his role as a Sahaptin linguist grounds is a dance arbor. Vendors set up and teacher of culture at Nixyaawii Combooths close by, offering food and hand- munity School, the charter school on the crafted goods durUmatilla Indian ing the three-day Reservation. celebration.

Bringing out an Traditional paddlers will be There is ample ancestral war bonroom for campnet is sharing a honored at Wallowa Lake ing. Showers and personal piece of Alongside this year’s Tamkaliks Celvault toilets are history, according ebration, traditional canoeing will be available as well to Thomas Mornhonored in the Wallowas. Paddlers from as potable water. ing Owl, who, in across the northwest will camp at TamHowever, there addition to Hill, kaliks the night of July 19. A ceremonial are no hook-up emcees at Tampaddle around Wallowa Lake commences sites. kaliks. at sunrise on Saturday, July 20.

Friday night, “The war bonCece Whitewolf, who is helping orgaJuly 20, the fesnets signify leadnize the event, said the ceremonial paddle tivities begin with ership roles in the follows ancient tradition. The Canoe Jourroll call and social family,” Morning ney is described as a way to honor Elders, dancing at 7 p.m.

Owl said. “This is inspire youth, document history, and build Saturday a time for people on cultural strengths and assets. begins with to bring their heir“As is the canoe protocol, each canoe the memorial looms out in the has to ask permission of the descendants horse parade at public.” of the old Joseph Band of the Nez Perce 9 a . m.

Sunday mornif they can come ashore,” Whitewolf said.

This year a ing the Washat A breakfast on the north shore of Wallowa Lake will follow Friday morning’s local outfitter is service begins at ceremonial paddle. Back at the Tamkaliks supplying addi9 a.m. in the new campground in the afternoon, canoe protional horses for Wallowa long tocol singing, dancing and drumming will those who want house. take place in the arbor. to participate in The Friendship this ceremonial Potluck held with representation of Wallowa County the returning of the Nez Perce to their residents is at noon. homeland. Call the office (541-886-3101) Roll call for final competition dancing to reserve the use of a horse. For those is at 2 p.m., wrapping up the weekend’s planning to bring their own horses events. to the event, corrals and grazing are Friday and Saturday mornings are available. available for namings and memorials.

Competition dancing begins at 1 p.m. Please call the office in Wallowa if you on Saturday. would like to schedule a family event or Roll call for a second session is at 7 to get more information. Call 541-886p.m. The evening’s dance session in- 3101 or visit www.wallowanezperce.org.

Tamkaliks Celebration is a drug and cludes a ceremony honoring veterans and this year’s special dance competition will alcohol-free event.

A Blooming good time Delena Harmon, Lona Pond, Natasha Herrera, Ron Pond and Boots Pond participated in the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane May 6. More than 38,000 people participated in the 12-kilometer (about 7.5 miles). Lona, Ron and Delena (Lona’s cousin) have participated at Bloomsday for 28 years; Boots, 22, was carried as a baby. Natasha was invited by Dr. Ron Pond as they celebrated their one-year friendship in May. Contributed photos

Little Lillian leaps

Fastest in the state June 2018

Aaron Luke, far right, finished 12th in the 100-meter dash at the Class 5A state track meet at Hayward Field in Eugene May 19. Luke, a sophomore, was one of 15 athletes from Pendleton High School who qualified for the meet.

Contributed photo

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Lillian Wickert participates in the standing long jump at a Pendleton track meet for the littlest athletes in May. Children who could barely walk up to six years old competed in a number of running and throwing events at the Pendleton High School track.

CUJ photo/Phinney

3B

CUJ Sports & Community State golf Continued from page 1A

Summit’s Olivia Loberg won the individual title with a one-under 143 over the 36-hole course at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis.

Bend won the team title with a score of 698, beating Summit by 12 strokes.

Lankford took third place as an individual in the 3A/2A/1A boys state championships at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks.

Lankford, who finished tied for fourth at state last year, shot one-under-par 71 on both days of the 36-hole tournament for a 142 total. Scott Kennon of Bandon shot 136 to win the championship with Kyle Humphreys of Regis in second place at 138.

Lankford found himself at 4-under-par on the second day of the tournament after shooting 33 on the front nine and then birdying the par-5 tenth hole. But four bogeys on the remaining holes brought Milan Schimmel, a senior at Nixyaawii Community School, chips toward the 13th green at Pendleton Country Club during the Special District 3 his score back to earth. championships May 8.

Logan Burright, the son of Franklin “Paul” French, was part of the Heppner Mustangs golf team that finished fourth in the 3A/2A/1A championships. Burright shot 88 on the second day to go with his first-day 91. Other members of the Heppner team included Kellen Grants, Reno Ferguson and Cason Mitchell.

PENDLETON – Riley Lankford, a Pilot 40 on the back for a three-over 75.

Rock High School senior playing for the Even though Lankford was medalist Nixyaawii Community School golf team, for the fourth time, he didn’t have the won his fourth straight Special District 3 tournament’s low score. championship May 7 and 8.

On the girls’ side, Wallowa’s Tori Suto The boys’ tournament, played at the shot 33-37 for a two-under 70 on the first par-72 Pendleton Country Club, com- day and followed it on day two with a 35bined Class 1A, 2A and 3A schools, which 42-77 for a two-day total of 147. During included Nixyaawii, Heppner, Echo, the two days she had six birdies.

BEND – Megan George led the PendWallowa, Burnt River, Vale, Imbler, NysFor the record, Lankford played from leton High School girls’ golf team to a sa, Grant Union, Enterprise, and Burns. the white tees on a course that measured fourth place finish at the Class 5A Special The boys from 6,068 yards; Suto played from the red tees District 2 tournament at Sunriver Resort Heppner, which in- that measured 5,014 yards. But you still May 6 and 7. cluded Logan Bur- have to chip and putt to shoot 70 and George shot 18-hole rounds of 84-80 right, won the tour- come within three strokes of the women’s for a 36-hole total of 164 and finished nament. Burright, a course record. fourth overall in the tournament. The member of the ConIn the girls’ competition, which includBuckaroos team shot a team score of 803 federated Tribes of ed teams from Milton-Freewater (Macand bettered fifth-place Hermiston by 22 the Umatilla Indian Hi), Ontario, La Grande and Baker, the strokes. Other Pendleton golfers included Reservation and girls from Heppner won by six strokes Rylee Harris (92-98-190), Makenzie the son of Frank- over Grant Union.

McLeod (102-108-210) and Sarah Powell lin “Paul” French, Suto beat her next closest competitor, (120-119-239). led the Mustangs Sasha Keown of Heppner, by 23 strokes, Bend won the district title with a team and finished fourth but the Mustangs still won the team title Logan Burright score of 733, followed by Crater at 742 overall. He shot 80 with golfers taking second, third, fourth, and Summit with 753. District medalist on day one with breaks of 39-40, and fol- sixth and seventh places. was defending 5A state co-champion lowed on the second day with a 91 after The two Nixyaawii girls had respectOlivia Loberg with a 150 total, followed a tough go on the front nine. able nine-hole rounds. Susie Patrick had

by Bend teammate Sophine Dalphonsi The Heppner boys won the team title a first-day round of 55-53 for a 108 that at 154. by 24 strokes over second place Burns. placed her 13th in the field of 36 golfers.

Nixyaawii finished 11 strokes out of Milan Schimmel had a tough front nine, fourth place, which would have qualified but scored well with a 54 on the back nine the Golden Eagles for the state tourna- on the first day. ment. Heppner’s four-golfer team score Schimmel played better on the second Send your sports news and was 713, followed by Grant Union at day, but Patrick didn’t. photos to 750, Burns 759, Echo and Imbler tied at Here’s how the Nixyaawii boys and 803, Enterprise at 810, Nixyaawii 814, girls teams, as well as the Heppner boys followed by Nyssa 1,022 and Vale 1,036. scored.

Deven Barkley watches his ball race toward the Nixyaawii boys – Lankford 77-75-152, Deven cup on the eighth green at Pendleton Country Lankford shot scores of 77 and 75 for Barkley 105-96-201 , Mick Schimmel 120-111a 152 total. He started his round with a Club. Barkley parred the hole.

231 , Wilbur Oatman 118-112-230 , Dazon Sigo double bogey and a first nine of 41, but re- 128-128-256 .

Burright 80-91-171, Reno Ferguson 85-88-173, covered with even par on his second nine.

Nixyaawii girls – Susie Patrick 108-126-234, Gavin Hanna 103 (day 1), Casey Fletcher 99 (day On day two, he recorded three birdies to Milan Schimmel 124-119-243.

2), Cason Mitchell 102-91-193.

Heppner – Kellen Grant 92-84-176, Logan shoot one-under 35 on the front nine, but

Lankford wins 4th district championship, Burright leads Heppner to team title

George leads Bucks to fourth at Special District tournament

cuj@ctuir.org

4B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

Nixyaawii Chamber Scramble raises scholarship funds MISSION – The first Nixyaawii Chamber Challenge Golf Scramble drew 13 teams and raised more funding for the Chamber’s scholarship program, which this year awarded $500 scholarships to Madelin Muilenburg, a graduate at Weston-McEwen High School, and Kaitlynn Melton, a graduate from Nixyaawii Community School.

Scores were low for the 18-hole tournament, which was played under sunny skies with a cool breeze on June 4 at Wildhorse Resort Golf Course. A barbecue followed the golf. The tourney was won by Elkhorn Media Group, which consisted of three Barkleys – John, Jeremy and Josh, plus Louie Quaempts. John Barkley, the senior member of the group, said his back was sore from carrying the rest of the squad.

This is the third year of the Nixyaawii Chamber Scholarship program. In the first two years, the Chamber awarded a single $500 scholarship to a senior applying from Pendleton, Helix, Pilot Rock, Athena-Weston, and Nixyaawii Community School.

This year the Chamber received 13 applications and awarded two scholarships.

“All of the students who submitted applications had impressive accomplishments and the decision was not an easy one,” Melissa Nathan, a member of the Scholarship Committee, said in an email.

The selection criteria included capability to succeed, scholarly and extracurricular achievements, strength of cover letter and application, hardship, and alignment with Chamber vision.

Muilenburg aspires to become an athletic trainer and physical therapist because sports have been a big part of her life. She has volunteered in numerous youth sports, camps and elementary school activities, such as science and reading nights, youth group, com-

The Elkhorn Media team of Josh Barkley, John Barkley, Jeremy Barkley and Louie Quaempts shot 15-under 57 to win the inaugural Nixyaawii Chamber Challenge Scramble June 4.

munity dinners, community clean-up and restoration of the local theater. She plans to study Exercise Science/Biology at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, with a minor in Nutrition. She served as Class Treasurer and ASB Treasurer, FFA President, Greenhand Officer, and National Honor Society member. She was volleyball co-captain, and track and field co-captain. She earned Honor Roll, Student of the Week, and Athlete of the Week at her high school; and President’s List at Blue Mountain Community College. She holds a GPA of 4.20 and ranks third in her class of 43.

Melton announced at her graduation that she wants to be an attorney, although she also has considered a career in the medical field. Over the summer she worked as a Community Health Nurse Assistant at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. She has received a full academic scholarship to Whitman College. Melton a member of the National Honor Society and Nixyaawii Youth Council. She participated in the Ford Family Foundation Leadership Improvement Program.

Melton was Student Council President and served on the New School Student

Advisory Board for the new Education Facility being planned to give voice to the needs and wants for future high school students. She was a member of Nixyaawii’s championship basketball team, and also played varsity golf and volleyball. She holds a GPA of 3.69.

Proceeds from the first annual Nixyáawii Chamber Golf Scramble will go toward scholarships for next year.

“Our goal is to expand our ability to reach more students and we are considering adding an entrepreneurial scholarship in addition to the college scholarships in 2019,” Nathan said. “There was good community support by both donors and golfers for the event.”

Title sponsors for the Chamber Scramble included Elkhorn Media, Pepsi Bottling Company, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, and St. Anthony Hospital (Catholic Health Initiatives).

The Nixyáawii Chamber of Commerce is organized to assist Native Americanowned and other businesses in the pursuit of self-sufficiency through business success. The Chamber helps members of the community grow their businesses so the local economy prospers and thrives.

It holds several events each year to offer networking and business-relevant educational opportunities such as the Ted Talks viewing at Wildhorse Cinema, the annual meeting, and lunches.

Since its inception in 2011 the Chamber membership has continued to climb.

The Chamber currently has 50 members, which includes both tribal and nontribal businesses. Businesses interested in membership can email the chamber at Nixyaawiichamber@live.com or visit the website https://www.nixyaawiichamber. com/ .

The Chamber is operated by a ninemember volunteer board of directors: President Preston Eagleheart, Cayuse Technologies; Vice-President Dan Winters, Pendleton Bottling Co.; Treasurer Aaron Hines, CTUIR TERO; Secretary Melissa Nathan, Cayuse Technologies; Past President Janelle Quaempts-Gibson, CTUIR Human Resources; member Randall Melton, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute; member Dale Jenner, Arrowhead Forestry; member Cindi LeGore, Blue Mountain Creations; and member Chad Miltenberger, Sign Men. Results from the first Nixyaawii Chamber Challenge 1-Elkhorn Media Group – John Barkley, Jeremy Barkley, Josh Barkley and Louie Quaempts, 57. 2 (tie, winner by scorecard tie-breaker) – Dave Tovey, Bill Tovey, Al Tovey and Gavin Devore, 61 and Wildhorse Resort & Casino – Gary George, Bruce Mecham, Vern McKay and Dillon George, 61. 4, Heemsah Team – Levi Heemsah, Virgil Bushman, Shawn Scabbyrobe and Myron Shock.

Closest to the pin – Ryan Leighty, Louie Quaempts, Russ Strandholm and Randy Bothum.

Longest putt – Vern “Mad Dog” McKay and Bruce Mecham.

Longest drive men – Jeremy Barkley.

Longest drive women – Jeanette Gile.

Little League continues Cooper Tallman, above, son of Bobi and Shelby Tallman, has hit four home runs for the Red Sox this season in Pendleton Little League baseball. Sky Smith, right, son of Annie and Ron Smith, pitches for the Dodgers in a Pendleton Little League game. Ron coaches the team.

CUJ photo/Phinney

Pendleton Parks & Rec announces Movies in the Park PENDLETON – Movies in the Park will start June 16 with “Wonder” at Community Park, 1000 S.W. 37th Street in the McKay area. Concessions open at 7 p.m. and pre-movie activities start at 7:30.

Movies start at dusk. In case of bad weather, movies will be shown at the

June 2018

Vert Auditorium. Weather-related decision will be announced by 6 p.m. on show day on Facebook or AlertSense.

Families are encouraged to research movies to determine the appropriateness of subject matter.

Also, attendees should be aware there is no smoking in the park.

Movies are sponsored by the Pendleton City Club, One Main Financial, Call 811 Before You Dig, Tum-A-Lum Lumber, Chi St. Anthony Hospital, Wheatland Insurance, Walmart, Producer UFO Pictures.

Here’s the lineup:

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 16 – Wonder June 23 – Paddington 2 June 30 – Despicable Me 3 July 7 – Leap July 21 – Coco July 28 – Nut Job 2 Aug. 4 – Peter Rabbit Aug. 11 – Breaking Legs

5B

The Shop

Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters Club President Karen Malcolm presents an Advanced Communicator Award to Jan Taylor.

We do tires, alignments, full automotive repairs, and more!

Contributed photo

Need an oil change?

We recommend Pendleton Quicky Lube 238 SW Court Ave Pendleton Phone:

Main 541-276-8949 Fax 541-276-0581 Email:

theshop1.biz@gmail.com Ron Dirkes Owner

Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters recognized as President’s Distinguished Club MISSION - The Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters have earned the honor of being a President’s Distinguished Club for the seventh consecutive year.

The President’s Distinguished Club is the highest recognition in Toastmasters. Achieving this recognition level is a testament to the Cay-Uma-Wa Club Officer leadership team, the valuable sponsorships from Wildhorse Resort & Casino and the CTUIR, and of the individual goal setting and determination of the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmaster club members themselves, according to a club news release.

The President’s Distinguished club recognition relies in part on the number of individual achievement awards

received within the club. As usual, the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters have been busy.

Mary Halfmoon, Karen Malcolm, Jessica Ellis, and Jan Taylor earned their Competent Communicator awards.

Leigh Pinkham-Johnston earned her Competent Leadership Award. Malcolm and Taylor also each added an Advanced Communicator award to the final tally for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The Toastmasters organization exists to help members develop public speaking and leadership skills. The Cay-UmaWa Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday at noon in the Birch Room at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Visitors are welcome.

Handmade by us, Home baked by you

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We gladly accept EBT.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! 6B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ Community News Artist lineup Six Nixyaawii Community School art students are introduced

by Karl Davis, Executive Director at Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, at an opening reception May 25, which opened their show and sale of multi-color linocuts and silk-screen prints. The students are, from left, Kylie Mountainchief, Cloe McMichael, Dancingstar Leighton, Ermia Butler, EllaMae Looney and Tyanna VanPelt.The dog’s name is Dusty Rose.

CUJ photo/Phinney

Summer Parks Adventure Camp PENDLETON - Pendleton Parks and Recreation will host a Summer Parks Adventures Camp for youth age seven to 12.

The cost of the Monday through Thursday camp is $22 per week. The camp will run for 6 weeks starting June 1 and will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guardians may register youth by the week and sign up for one week or all six. To participate youth must be registered by Thursday of the week before each session.

For more information, go to pendletonparksandrec.com

NCS Honor Society Spring Fest June 8 MISSION - Nixyaawii Community School's first National Honor Society will hold a Spring Fest June 8.

The community event will begin at 3 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. at the Mission July Grounds.

Activities to include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a potluck, clothing swap, bounce house for children, drumming, an eating contest, slide, races and prizes for the contests.

All activities to take place in the space between the Nixyaawii Community School and the Rec Center. For more information contact Chelsea Hallam at challam@pendletonsd.org.

Buckskin

Deer - Elk - Buffalo

Earth tones, Assorted colors & white

Pig suede, Goat crust, Leather scraps Custom bags, braiding, repairs and other leather work Also available: Large selection of silk scarves and other consigned crafts and artwork Fair prices - no cost shipping - We can order cowhide or horsehide

Linda Bevington

37 SW Dorion - Pendleton 970-390-0196 Facebook LLBevington June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

7B

Joseph exhibit looks at ‘Dams, Fish and Controversy’ JOSEPH - Salmon talk - and controversy - today is about “spills” on Columbia and Snake River dams to help push salmon smolt to the sea. Fifty and sixty years ago it was about getting salmon upriver to native spawning grounds.

The June exhibit at the Josephy Center, which opened June 2, builds on one that Tamástslikt Cultural Institute on the Umatilla Reservation did last year on Celilo and the dam at The Dalles.

It was “Progress vs. Protest” and told stories of the economic and energy gains - and the losses of fish and Indian culture on the Big River.

In planning this exhibit, Tamástslikt Director Bobbie Conner suggested that “Dams, Fish, Controversy” be localized with stories of the dam at Wallowa Lake and the High Mountain Sheep Dam - the one that did not get built - joining text and photos from Celilo.

The Josephy Center asked Joe Whittle to research the Wallowa Lake dams, and Jon Rombach to take on High Mountain Sheep. The result is an exhibit that gives background on the march of dams on the Columbia, an accounting of the flooding of the ancient fishing site at Celilo with the construction of The Dalles Dam, and

Contributed photos

Photo shows historic Wallowa Lake Dam.

tells important local stories about dams, fish, and tribal culture.

Early settlers scooped sockeye salmon out of Wallowa Lake by the thousands, and failed to realize the species’ special migration pattern from Ocean to river, lake, and headwaters - and back to the sea. But the understanding of all salmon by the scientists of the day -the late 1800s and early 1900s - was off the mark.

Thinking that native streams were not important - that Pacific salmon would randomly find a river to travel - scientists thought they could make up for the huge cannery harvests on the Columbia with hatcheries and moving eggs and smolts from one river to the next. Locally, dams and hatcheries at Minam and Troy, the experts thought, would easily replace the fish the settlers were harvesting on upper

rivers and in Wallowa Lake.

No one bothered to ask the Indians.

In this exhibit we include the Indian stories of dams and salmon.

And several special programs will allow for discussion of dams and fish.

The revitalized Associated Ditch Company will talk about the present and future of the Wallowa Lake Dam at a June 12 Brown Bag, and Nez Perce Fisheries biologists Brian Simmons and Lora Tennant will describe how Imnaha salmon and steelhead fare as they migrate through the hydro system on a June 19 Brown Bag. That Tuesday evening Nez Perce elder and Fisheries veteran Silas Whitman will talk about culture, salmon, and the Snake River dams, with special attention to the one that did not get built.

He’ll be able to point to a topographical map in the exhibit that shows how much of Hells Canyon and the Imnaha River corridor would have disappeared under Lake Imnaha.

Other programs are in the works, and Allen Pinkham Jr. will continue his dugout canoe carving in June.

Contact Rich Wandschneider at the Josephy Center for more information: 541-432-0505.

A Hands-on Building Maintenance and Home Repair Training will be held on June 18-21, 2018; 9am-4pm @ the Nixyaawii Governance Center For more information, please contact the TERO staff at 541-429-7193 or by email at terostaff@ctuir.org Class size is limited, please contact us and sign up

8B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

Milan Schimmel, left, and Ermia Butler, right, try the chocolate fountain at the Great-Gatsby-themed Nixyaawii Community School Prom May 18. This was the first prom NCS held that was not co-hosted by Pilot Rock High School.

Nixyaawii Community School Prom Queen EllaMae Looney, left, and Prom King Wilbur Oatman, right, enter the room at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 21.

NCS, that they were able to raise $2,000 and throw a Great-Gatsby-themed prom. The decorations, food and DJ were all secured by funds the group raised through bake sales, car washes and raffles.

The event took a moment to pick up steam, according to Perkins. She said, “For the first week we had only sold a couple tickets, by the end we had sold 50 tickets.”

36 students and their dates attended the prom, which featured a photo booth and chocolate fountain. Many of the students had anxiety about what to wear and that put some doubt in their minds about attending according to McMichael. When Perkins reached out to the community for donations 30 prom dressed and shoes were gathered for the event.

The committee of girls that helped put together the event applauded Perkins again and again, without her it wouldn’t have happened, they said.

Van Pelt said, “Ms. Perkins is why we were able to have our own prom. She helped us fund raise and decorate.”

McMichael echoed her comment, she said, “She gave up time with her family to help us get this done.”

The students were extremely grateful for Perkins’

guidance in creating the historical event for NCS. Mountainchief said, “She makes everything fun. There’s never a dull moment with Ms. Perkins.”

In the past NCS co-hosted prom with Pilot Rock High School which left many students skipping out on the festivity.

McMichael joined the first prom committee to be able to say she was part of the new tradition. Van Pelt said she was happy to see the prom happen because she feels it makes their school more independent considering how small it is and she wants to see it keep going for years to come.

“To go from ideas on a piece of paper to making our vision come true was my favorite part,” McMichael said. Seeing fellow students enjoy the fruits of their labor and spending time together as a school were also amongst the ladies’ favorite part of being of working on the prom committee.

Perkins said as an organizer of the event she was so pleased to watch the students enjoy themselves and she is extremely grateful to all the parents, community members and fellow staff members for volunteering time, money and donations.

By Jill-Marie Gavin of the CUJ

MISSION – For the first time in history the Nixyaawii Community School (NCS) prom committee, and a very dedicated teacher, were able to put together and throw a prom just for NCS students.

NCS Prom Committee, which includes Tyanna Van Pelt, Cloe McMichael, Susie Patrick and Kylie Mountainchief, worked for months to raise funds and gather decorations for their first solo prom. It was under the direction of Seanne Perkins, a substitute teacher at

Nixyaawii Community School Prom court Ermia Butler, left, and Dazon Sigo, right, make a grand entrance at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 21.

June 2018

The photo booth at the NCS Prom May 18 was a big hit for students and teacher. Here, from left, is Kylie Mountainchief, Cloe McMichael, teacher Seanne Perkins, Susie Patrick and Tyanna Van Pelt who all worked together to plan and decorate prom.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

9B

Community Wellness Yellowhawk Career Pathways

Members for the Yellowhawk Career Pathways Cohort are, from left, Laurie Alexander, Lindsey X. Watchman, Dionne Bronson, Tayler Craig, Tammy Moore, Robby Bill, Cree Enright, Kellen Joseph, Talia McLaughlin, Greg Penney, Shana Alexander, Mandee Adams, Joann Malumaleumu, Velma Dunfee, Debra Shippentower, Michael Ray Johnson, Wenona Scott and Sadie Mildenberger. Not pictured from the cohort are members LeAnn Alexander, Peggy Bronson, Drew Rivera and Johnson Jackson.

First cohort goes through new management training program By the CUJ

MISSION – On the heels of its first graduating cohort, a second session has started for two dozen more employees selected for training in Yellowhawk’s Career Pathways Workforce Development Program.

Similar in scope, but with a much different format than other workforce programs administered by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Career Pathways is designed to prepare tribal members who also are Yellowhawk employees for executive management positions in healthcare.

Twenty Yellowhawk employees working in myriad departments, ranging from dental to finance to switchboard to maternal child care, graduated March 27 from the first class, which began in July of 2017.

Lindsey Watchman, hired in January of 2017 to run the program through a three-year $800,000 federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans, Social and Economic Development Strategies (ANA-SEDS), worked nearly six months putting the program together before Tammy Moore was hired in June and the first group of Tribal Member staff was recruited in July.

The employee/students at their first two meetings in July and August participated in Meyers-Briggs personality typing and profiling. The MBTI is based on a psychological theory that indicates personality preferences in four dimensions: where you focus your attention (extraversion or introversion), the way you take in information (sensing or intuition), how you make decisions (thinking or feeling), and how you deal with the world (judging or perceiving).

Watchman said the personality profiling was designed to help participants learn about themselves to help them assess their current career position and the path on which they want to proceed.

Over the course of the next six months, the participants received training in grant management and grant writing from facilitators from the Seminole Nation Native Learning Center; Conscious Discipline for Supervisors facilitated by Chastain & Associates, LLC (Annette Chastain is a national conscious discipline certified

10B

Mandee Adams and Michael Ray Johnson greet each other with a “salmon handshake,” an awareness and bonding tool based on the concepts of Conscious Discipline. Talia McLaughlin and Greg Penney are in the background.

instructor who has co-created curriculum, training and webinars specifically for Native Americans); Microsoft software training through Jump-Start Computer Training; and Communication for Professionals through Jillene Joseph, Executive Director at Native Wellness Institute in Gresham, Oregon.

Some participants also were identified to participate as Life Coach clients with Tania Wildbill at Wellness Wave, the yoga studio on the Umatilla Indian Reserva-

tion. One participant, Joann Malumaleumu, became a certified Life Coach instructor.

The ANA-SEDS grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration supports a program to achieve three interrelated objectives: A workforce development program to address healthcare employment through training, education and retention, which is the Career Pathways portion; Quality improvement strategies based on the Malcolm Baldrige Operational Framework, which has three parts: the criteria for performance excellence, core values and concepts, and scoring guidelines. The framework helps organizations assess their improvement efforts, diagnose their overall performance management system, and identify their strengths and opportunities for improvement.

A management excellence program and leadership succession plan for Yellowhawk employees and members of the CTUIR. Watchman noted the big commitment made by Yellowhawk to allow 20 staff to participate for eight months Yellowhawk Career Pathways on page 12B

Kellen Joseph, Taylor Craig, Joann Malumaleumu and Kristi Lapp, participate in a two-day grant-writing training in November . Also pictured are Velma Dunfee, Talia McLaughlin, Deb Shippentower and Wenona Scott. After this class, a handful of Yellowhawk staff successfully wrote their first grant application to the Wildhorse Foundation.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

Mahkaya Sanchey holds her certificate proudly during graduation at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 21.

The Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start Graduation featured many guest speakers during the ceremony while students got a little restless awaiting their dinner and pow wow. From left is Desmond Nez holding his certificate, Mahkaya Sanchey seated behind, Greyson Hines playing on the floor and Lisa Faye McIntosh looking on. In the back is “Teacher Cass” keeping the children entertained.

All the Head Start students participated in a photo opp before the ceremony.

From left is Treson Farrow, Desmond Nez and Chance Squiemphen Jr.

Con‘GRAD’ulations Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start

Young Salleen BegayWildbill walks to the stage during her final moments as a CayUma-Wa Head Start student at the graduation ceremony held at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 12.

CUJ photos by Wil Phinney

Children were not sure where to look with all the cameras out snapping. Amadeo Tewee shows his certificate to his family during graduation at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 21.

June 2018

Students sat on stage for the speeches from community members and leaders at the Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start graduation ceremony May 12. From left on the back row is Mahkaya Sanchey, Greyson Hines, and Chance Squiemphen Jr. In the front, from left, is Lisa Faye McIntosh, Kathryn Morrison and Azalia Minthorn.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

11B

Yellowhawk Career Pathways Tayler Craig and Lindsey Watchman present the Yellowhawk WFD program at the annual ANA SEDS grantee meeting held in November in Arlington, Virginia. “We were encouraged to bring a tribal member whom had benefited from the program,” said Watchman, Workforce Development at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center.

Contributed Photo

Continued from page 10B

in the program.

The next cohort will be a little larger, perhaps up to as many as 25, Watchman said, that could include others besides CTUIR members.

Some of the trainings, such as the grant management and writing facilitated by presenters from the Seminole Nation in Florida, likely will be opened up to the tribal public. Watchman said as many as 100 people, perhaps those from neighboring tribes, may be able to attend those sessions.

“Deliverables” such as employment levels and pay increases will be tracked over a five-year period.

“There are no promises,” Watchman said.

“We’re only two people with a temporary grant,

but all these skill sets can be added to their resumes.”

Moore said the first cohort was a “learning experience” for everyone, including her and Watchman.

The CTUIR offers BOLSTER, a workforce training program; Pamaawalukt, which sends one or two people through management training in different tribal departments; and Pride or Wings of Flights, a management program at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

But Yellowhawk Career Pathways takes place inside the same building with patient care as the overriding goal, Watchman said.

“Also,” Moore said, “we want to let Yellowhawk employees know that they are being noticed, that they aren’t being forgotten once they get a job.

We’re making a big effort to let them know Lindsey and I are resources even after they graduate.”

Graduates were presented with a personally embroidered Pendleton notebook and a satchel-style laptop bag.

Graduates of the first cohort included Mandee Adams, Dental (CDA); Shana Alexander, Medical (RN); Laurie Alexander, Finance (PRC Clerk); Leanna Alexander, Community Health (CHN); Robby Bill, Youth Outreach; Tayler Craig, switchboard; Velma Dunfee, Accounts Payable; Cree Enright, PCC; Kellen Joseph, Information Technology; Joanna Malumaleumu, Behavioral Health; Talia McLoughlin, PRC Supervisor; Sadie Mildenberger, OS Outreach Worker; Greg Penney, Property & Inventory; Wenona Scott, Behavioral Health; Deb Shippentower, Circles of Hope Outreach; Michael Ray Johnson, Senior Center; Drew Rivera, Maternal Child Care; Johnson Jackson, Maintenance; and Dionne Bronson, Community Health (CHN).

Happy Birthday Kateri Sue Love, your Dad and the Spencer Family Happy Birthday

16

June 28th

From Grandpa and the whole family!

12B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin

A group of dancers and drummers travelled from Mission to give a demonstration of the culture activities of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Department of Natural Resources employees were out in full force to educate the community. Here Fish Biologist and Fresh Mussel Project Lead Elizabeth Glidewell, left, mans her booth.

Contributed Photo

CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin

Many booths were aimed at teaching festival-goers about the Walla Walla watershed basin, as well as the efforts of CTUIR in its ceded territory. Water Resources Program Manager David Haire, left, and Water Resources Technician Lloyd Barkley demonstrated a “Stream Table” and “Groundwater Contributed Photo Simulator” for visitors.

Return to river attracts swarms of people WALLA WALLA – Employees of the Department of Natural Resources migrated to Walla Walla to illustrate the Tribes’s dedication to the health of water and salmon within its ceded territory May 19.

The Return to the River Salmon Festival is held in partnership with the Walla Walla Community College, William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

During the festival several booths were set up to show the community of Walla Walla all of the advancements the groups have made to sustain the ecological functions of rivers in the area as well to protect and restore First Foods.

The festival highlights the partnership the Tribe has established between all of the groups who collaborate within the Walla Walla watershed basin. The community was invited to see hands-on examples of the work the groups do for restoration and salmon-related projects in the area.

Also during the event drummers and dancers were invited in to illustrate the culture of CTUIR. The topics covered during the event included the life cycle of salmon, lamprey and mussel restoration projects in Mill Creek and neighboring tributaries and lessons in the First Foods of CTUIR. More than 900 people came and went during the festival and enjoyed the different booths, food, dancing and children’s entertainment.

Toby Patrick, left, MC’ed the dancing portion of the event and was joined by a drum group which included Brian Goatsen, right.

CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin

Crowds gathered in Walla Walla May 19 for the Return to the River Salmon Festival, put on in part by CTUIR.

June 2018

CUJ photo/Jill-Marie Gavin

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Public Outreach specialist Wenix Red Elk, right, explains the Tribes’ first food. Sam Mckay is at left.

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Contributed Photo

CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin

First artist-in-residence to speak at Crow’s Shadow MISSION – Avantika Bawa, whose art incorporates drawing, painting, sculpture and installation, often with strong architectural elements, is the first of three 2018 Golden Spot Residency Award winners at Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts (CSIA) this year.

She will spend two weeks in the studio this month developing limited-edition prints, which will be hand pulled by Crow’s Shadow’s collaborative Master Printer Judith Baumann.

At the end of Bawa’s artist residency the public is invited to Crow’s Shadow for an artist talk and studio visit, which tika Bawa will occur from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22.

Bawa splits her time between her hometown of New Delhi, India, and her current home in Portland.

Bawa’s drawings are often characterized by minimalist forms and subtle interactions between the work and installation space, according to a Crow’s Shadow news release. Bawa has a BFA in painting from Maharaja Sayajirao

University of Baroda, India, and an MFA in Painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

She is one of the co-founders of Drain, a journal that explores contemporary art primarily through imagery, interviews, and creative writing.

Bawa is a fellowship recipient for the Oregon Arts Commission. In addition to her active art practice she is also a curator and an Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Washington State University at the Vancouver, Washington, campus.

This artist-in-residence award allows Oregon-based contemporary artists invited to the studio to work in a new medium; it is generously supported by The Ford Family Foundation.

Crow’s Shadow Press specializes in fine art lithography, a labor-intensive printmaking process where each color is created with a different lithography plate, and represents an additional run through a traditional manual press. Depending on the complexity of the image and the number of colors, an edition can take months to complete. Upon completion, the prints will be available for sale and one copy of each edition will enter CSIA’s permanent collection, which is frequently lent to various cultural and learning institutions around the region and nationally.

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Support Jessica McElrath, ATP Merchandiser Jessica is always on the go making sure the shelves look great and are stocked. Her eye for new merchandise is amazing.

She is always happy even when swamped. Her smile can brighten even the worst day!

Supervisor Marco Panduro, Custodial Supervisor Marco is very hard working! He is very understanding and cares about his crew. He will help you with anything you ask and come in on his day off if we are short staffed.

He is fun to work with and he does not make our job stressful. Marco is all around a good supervisor.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

Grade schoolers ‘Make A Splash’

Renee Hadley from the Walla Walla County Conservation District taught young students about soil gradation, aquifers, infiltration and erosion.

Contributed Photos

CTUIR Fisheries technicians helped at a fish dissection station.

The techs included Brock Startzel-Holt, Billy Bronson,Travis Sproed and Clinton Case.

June 2018

WALLA WALLA – Fifth and sixth graders from Oregon and Washington schools participated in a fun-filled hands-on learning experience focused on environmental education May 17 and 18 during the Make A Splash: Salmon Expedition event at the William A. Wright Water and Environmental Center at Walla Walla Community College.

The year-round Make A Splash: Salmon Expedition Series annually hosts around 800 students with activities beginning in March. The series targets schools within the ceded territory of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), according to Wenix Red Elk, outreach coordinator for the Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources.

The school districts include Athena-Weston and Milton-Freewater in Oregon, and College Place, Dayton, Dixie, and Walla Walla schools in Washington.

Students attend a day of hands-on outdoor classroom learning, Red Elk said.

“Students learn about the importance of conservation practices, environmental topics such as salmon lifecycles, water quality, habitat restoration and natural resources from local experts from multiple agencies,” Red Elk said. “The Tribes also incorporate the importance of tribal culture, language, connection to place and restoration philosophies.”

The Make A Splash series continues through the year with multiple small presentations planned in the Walla Walla, Umatilla, Columbia and Snake River watersheds within the CTUIR ceded territory. The smaller presentations focus on all ages, the general public, schools, colleges, universities, state and federal organizations and other businesses upon request.

“Participants learn about the importance of protect-

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Several organizations involved with Walla Walla River events A number of agencies and organizations partnered with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Department of Natural Resources on the Make A Splash and Return to the River events in Walla Walla May 18 and 19.

Programs within the CTUIR that participated were the DNR First Foods, Fisheries, Walla Walla Basin projects, Water Resources, and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Other partners included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Walla Walla), USDA Forest Service, Walla Walla Public Works Department, Sustainable Living Center, Walla Walla Community College – Water and Environmental Center, Blue Mountain Community College, Oregon State University, Walla Walla Children’s Museum, Blue Mountain Land Trust, ASB & Vivid Imaginations Face Painting, Tri State Steelheaders, Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council, Walla Walla County Conservation District, and Blue Moun-

ing, preserving and restoring our natural resources and projects that the Tribes are working on to conserve and restore our First Foods,” Red Elk said. “They also learn how they can help by making responsible choices and respecting the environment.”

Outreach is a key component of the Tribes’ work, said Red Elk, who gave 48 presentations at the end of April and first of May during watershed field days in Hermiston, Pendleton and Lexington.

Over the last nine years, she said, educational efforts have reached 17,581 adults through businesses, organizations, local and state governments, and another 27,047 students in kindergarten through high school.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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NCS teacher receives Crystal Apple award

Indian Lake Clean-Up Contributed Photo

Mary Galbreath, mother of Leigh Pinkham-Johnston, from Kamiah, Idaho, Bonda Powell, and Cleo Dick of Pendleton, help put up a gazebo at Indian Lake during Clean-Up Day May 12. At right, Cleo Dick cleans a fire pit.

Pinkham-Johnston, who works in the Department of Ecconomic and Community Development, was in charge of the Clean-Up Day activities.

Contributed Photo

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PENDLETON – Jewel Kennedy, a science and health teacher at Nixyaawii Community School (NCS), was one of 31 recipients of this year’s InterMountain Education Service District Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards.

The award recipients, chosen from schools in 11 districts plus the Education Service District (ESD), were recognized in a ceremony May 14 at the Red Lion Hotel Ballroom in Pendleton.

This is Kennedy’s third year at NCS, the charter high school on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has been employed t hroug h Pendlet on Jewel Kennedy School District 16R for the last four years.

According to the award-presentation bio, Kennedy “always makes sure the students come first, providing extra instruction for students who may not initially understand the material. Jewel constantly goes the extra mile to instill confidence in students so they can succeed in their high school careers.”

The other 2018 Crystal Apple Award winners follow: Pendleton School District - Maria Davis, Special Education teacher, Washington Elementary School; Aimee Gunter, paraprofessional, McKay Elementary School; Ken Jacobs, technical ed/industrial teacher,

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Sunridge Middle School; Kennedy at NCS. Pilot Rock School District - Marcy Jerome, second grade teacher, Pilot Rock Elementary School; Marion Schuening, educational assistant, Pilot Rock Jr/Sr High.

Athena-Weston School District - Amber Doremus, sixth grade teacher, Weston Middle School; Rachael Olson, fourth grade teacher, Weston Middle School.

Echo School District - Kristi Armstrong, transportation, Echo School District; Rick Thew, fifth grade teacher, Echo Elementary School.

Helix School District - Ken Campbell, bus driver, Helix School District; McKennon McDonald, Special Ed/Title1/PE Teacher, Helix School District.

Ione School District - Tom Gates, custodian, Ione Community School; Chelsea Matheny, third grade teacher, Ione Community School.

Milton-Freewater Unified School District - Kari Ferguson, lead secretary, Freewater Elementary School; Maria Gonzales, office specialist, District Office; Debra Martinez, English Learner Program teacher, Ferndale Elementary School; Carlos Ruvalcaba, fifth grade teacher, Freewater Elementary School.

Morrow County School District - Tracie Bunch, department secretary, Heppner Jr/Sr High; Sarah Christy, first grade teacher, Sam Boardman Elementary School; Betsy Shane, math teacher, Riverside Jr/Sr High; Amy Stinger, counselor, A.C. Houghton/ Irrigon Elementary School.

Stanfield School District - Frank Longhorn, facilities manager, Stanfield School District; Mike Sanders, agriculture/industrial arts teacher, Stanfield Secondary School.

Ukiah School District - Linda Kerr, secretary, Ukiah School.

Umatilla School District - Monica Anderson, operational assistant, Umatilla High School; Pam Bissonette, Alternative Education teacher, Umatilla High School.

InterMountain ESD - Deirdre Bradley, school psychologist; Donna Remmick, occupational therapist; Danielle Sackett, Autism consulting assistant.

June 2018

CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin

Desmon Nez, left, and Treason Farrow, right, play in the kitchen and the Children’s Museum during the Cay-Uma-Wa’s last field trip of the year May 15.

Playing to learn at Eastern Oregon Children’s Museum

Hayden Sampson-Plume slides down the pole in the play fire house while Artis Lindsey waits her turn from above.

Brent Welch, left, and Mato Treloar, right, play with the aerodynamics at the Children’s Museum during a field trip in May.

C-Bear Revivals Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

June 2018

Sainte Jean Baptiste Day June 23 WALLA WALLA – Sainte Jean Baptiste Day events June 23 will take place at the Frenchtown Historic Site north of Walla Walla.

The activities will include tours of the Prince’s Cabin and St. Rose Cemetery. The 10 a.m. bus tour will be led by historian Sam Pambrun, who lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

A potato-bar lunch will be served at noon.

The Whitman Gem and Mineralogical Society will have a display.

Also planned are French and Metis songs, plus displays of artifacts and “tails and tales” of the Fur Era. For more information contact Richard Monacelli, Frenchtown Historical Foundation President, at 509-607-2721 or email rm-mba@ charter.net.

Parks and rec lists open gym hours PENDLETON – The Open Gym schedule for the spring and summer season has been announced by Pendleton Parks and Recreation.

Here’s the daily schedule: Mondays - 10-11 a.m. – Tot Time at the Gym, ages 0-5; $1 per child.

Thursdays – 3-4:30 p.m. – Skills for Life, ages 10-17; free Fridays – 3:15-5 p.m. – After School 3-on-3 Basketball, ages 13-18; free Sundays – 12-1:30 p.m. – Special Needs Open Gym, all ages; free Sundays – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Adults Basketball, ages 16 and older; free Walking for Wellness and Early Morning Basketball are over for the season.

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 541-2768100 or visit pendletonparksandrec.com. The office is located at 865 Tutuilla Road next to Olney Cemetery and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parks and Recreation can also be found on Facebook.

Reading to kids stays on Kosey’s schedule

CUJ photos/Jill-Marie Gavin

Since Sally Kosey was elected to the Board of Trustees as a member at large in November of 2017 she has not been able to make it down to the Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC) to read to kindergartners as much as she used to. She still tries to make it down once a month, which is not as often and as when she was retired. For the last couple years, Kosey said, she would go down to PELC and Washington Elementary School to read to students twice a week. Above and at right she is pictured reading to Ms. Campbell’s kindergarten class May 18.

DID YOU KNOW?

Happy 5th Birthday Little Ruby Sams Love, Dad & Mom

"Reports of explorers and fur traders aroused interests in the new frontiers promise of rich land and bounteous life." "In 1843 nearly 900 immigrants crossed the plains to the Pacific Northwest." "An estimated 1,200 settlers followed the Oregon Trail in 1844. The number swelled to 3,000 in 1845. The boundary line was approved by treaty in 1846 and from that time on immigrants knew they were settling in American territory." "The great tide of migration in 1847-an estimated 4,700 settlers coming into Oregon". (Meacham 1923) Gathered from www.CTUIR.org

Birthday coming up?

Birthday ads are $3.

Email them to cuj@ctuir.org

Happy Birthday Lisa Faye!

You’re 5 now big girl!

Love you Faye Faye - June 14th

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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EOU POW WOW CUJ photos by Dallas Dick Denae Smith competes in teen traditional. Denae is the daughter of Annie and Ron Smith.

Teata Oatman was one of many dancers from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation at the pow wow in La Grande.

Lewis Allen dances in the teen traditional contest.

Katrina Walsey from Satus, Washington, dances during women’s traditional Saturday night at the Eastern Oregon University Pow Wow May 19.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

Joshua Spencer dances men’s traditional.

June 2018

Roxie Amariah Minthorn June 30, 2018 Birthday and Indian Naming Happy Birthday Roxie June 30, 2017 One year old All invited to her Indian naming at the Longhouse June 30th at 9 a.m.

Weechumus “Rainbow”

Final EOU art exhibition showcases student work across disciplines Students from a variety of disciplines are displaying their work in the Nightingale Gallery’s final exhibition of the academic year at Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in La Grande. EOU’s All-Campus Juried Student Exhibition runs through June 15. An opening reception and awards presentation took place June 1.

Happy Birthday Izabelle April Allegra Gavin

HBD IZ-BIZZ June 14th

Happy Birthday Michael Ray!

June 17th See ya at the Office!

happy birthday to Sara - 31 and Rachel - 22 June 2018

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Birthdays: 2nd: Patsy Pullin 5th: Nicholas Jones 7th: Tia McLaughlin 12th: Iva Edmiston 13th: Enola Dick, Samuel Jones, Brittney Eickstaedt, and Tehya Gillpatrick 18th: Sean VanPelt 22nd: Jami Coley 23rd: Antonia Medina 26th: Tiona Morrison and Tana Flowerdew 28th: Ginella Thompson Anniversary: 3rd: Tia & Ryan McLaughlin

Thank you letters

Looking for a new you?

Call me Kimberly Weathers

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221 South Main St. Suite 2 Pendleton, OR 541-379-0010

Send your news to cuj@ctuir.org

rez rock friday 4-6 pm / sunday 12-2 p.m.

EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR

INDEPENDENT LIVING A Global Disability Resource and Advocacy Center EOCIL is a proud supporter of the CTUIR community and other communities and programs that promote and value inclusion, equality and opportunities for people with disabilities. EOCIL is a global disability resource and advocacy center that provides an array of services for people with disabilities.

EOCIL is operated by people with disabilities.

Services Available:

- Informational and Referral - Independent Living Skills Training (budgeting and financial management, cooking, application assistance, etc.)

- Peer Counseling - Individual Advocacy - Life Transitions (school to employment, home to home, corrections to community, etc.)

- LGBTQ and two spirit resources

- Support Groups - Youth Mentoring Project - Representative Payee Project - Emergency Financial Assistance - Accessibility Assistance - HIV/AIDS Independent Living Project - And many other services

IT HAS BEEN AWHILE AND THE WATERS have calmed some, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support given to my kids and grandkids in the time of their loss.

To all the people that made sure Atway Alameada made it to her resting place, we give thanks.

To the EMTs and all those involved at the accident scene, your efforts are appreciated, to the doctors who helped Zoe and Chloe and Alayna.

I was very humbled by the outpouring of support from so many people we never even knew donating: The high school basketball communities from afar as well as home - Go Eagles!!

The people who took it upon themselves to help with the taco sales, people who donated time and money locally as well. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and were very helpful.

My kids could not have managed without you.

Your time, your worry, your financial support, but most of all your prayers were sorely needed at that tragic time.

So on behalf of the entire Bevis Family we say THANK YOU and God bless each and every one of you.

John M. Bevis

3 Nez Perce fishers rescued CASCADE LOCKS – A Warm Springs fishing crew and Columbia River InterTribal Fisheries Enforcement (CRITFE) officers rescued three Nez Perce fishers after their boat capsized in the Columbia River near the Wyeth Treaty Fishing Access Site six miles east of Cascade Locks May 9.

Three Warm Springs fishermen who pulled two of the Nez Perce fishers from the water will be honored June 22 at the next meeting of the Columbia River InterTribal Fish Commission (CRITFC).

CRITFE officers responded to a distress call about 10:40 a.m. and encountered the Warm Springs crew providing assistance; they already had pulled one person from the river, according to a CRITFC news release. The officers located the partially submerged boat mid-channel downstream of Wyeth and rescued a survivor who was still clinging to it. Warm Springs fishermen rescued the third survivor floating nearby.

By 11:00 am, all three occupants were safely ashore and being treated for hypothermia by the Cascade Locks EMS team.

“The quick and efficient response of both the Warm Springs fishing crew and CRITFE saved three lives today,” Jaime Pinkham, Executive Director of CRITFC, said in the news release.

The boat capsized after waves from the high springtime Columbia Gorge winds swamped it as the fishers were returning to the Wyeth dock with their

Locations: EOCIL has three locations: 322 SW 3rd St., Pendleton, Ore. webpage: www.eocil.org Email: eocil@eocil.org 541-276-1037 711 Relay Toll free: 1-877-711-1037 1021 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, Ore. 541-889-3119 Voice 711 Relay Toll free 1-844-489-3119

The Dalles Office 400 East Scenic Drive Building 2, Third Floor, Suite 2 The Dalles, Oregon 541-370-2810 Toll free: 1-844-370-2810

aocil.org • endhivoregon.org • adrcoforegon.org Confederated Umatilla Journal

morning catch. The water was 55 degrees F, a temperature at which hypothermiacaused exhaustion or unconsciousness would occur in one to two hours.

The boat occupants were Nez Perce tribal members engaged in the spring ceremonial chinook fishery. All were wearing flotation devices and had followed recommended emergency procedures, including staying near the boat and keeping in close proximity to one another, which contributed to the positive outcome of the incident.

“For some of the CRITFE officers, this was not their first rescue operation,” said CRITFE Chief Mitch Hicks. “Our training and experience, along with CRITFE’s partnerships with the Oregon State Marine Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other local law enforcement agencies enabled us to respond rapidly and efficiently. Their quick response made a difference in the lives of not only the three survivors, but also their families and friends.”

The Portland-based Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is the technical support and coordinating agency for wfishery management policies of the Columbia River Basin’s four treaty tribes: the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Nez Perce Tribe.

Anthony Thompson June 13 Happy Birthday

Providing services in Harney, Malheur, Baker, Union, Grant, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow, Wheeler and Gilliam, Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties.

EOCIL is a supporter of:

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THE FAMILY OF MATTHEW BRANDON GONE, Omiyosiw Kihiw “Pretty Eagle”, would like to thank Steve Sohappy for his leadership and guidance of our son’s memorial. We also would like to express our thanks to Thomas Morning Owl for his knowledge and teachings shared. We are grateful for all the love everyone has shown for Matt. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We thank those that had donated food for the memorial.

We are sincerely grateful. We especially would like to thank each and every one of the cooks who prepared the meals. We would like to sincerely thank Linda Sampson. We also thank Michael Ray Johnson, Shawna Gavin, Fred Hill, Kim Minthorn, Jenalee Charles, Chris and Tina Marsh, and the Washat drummers.

We sincerely thank all who attended the memorial especially the “drum bros” and thanks for the warm welcome back into the singing circle.

Special thanks to Gabriel Jones and Mildred Quaempts. Nci’ Kwalani.

Sincerely, Julian “Wus” Gone Jr. and Deedee Raboin-Smith, Melva “Bibsy” and Frank Lopez, Julian “JD” Gone III, Theo “Thigs” Gone, Charlene Butler, Harley Gone.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Haidyn Thompson Happy Birthday Love, Mom and Dad June 2018

Cloe McMichael, left, and Kylie Mountainchief debate the correct word at the ninth annual Language Knowledge Bowl May 24.

Tyanna Van Pelt, left, and Kylie Mountainchief were part of the first-place team “Kyuukempe,” from Nixyaawii Community School.

Kylie Mountainchief, left, was the team captain of the winning team. Here she discusses an answer with teammate Mari Oatman.

Kelly Baur from Ridgefield, Washington, and Mariah Danman from Portland, confer while Lydell Suppah from Warm Springs looks on during competition at the Language Knowledge Bowl at Wildhorse Resort & Casino May 24. The two Portland State University students began learning the Warm Springs Sahaptin language in January in a PSU class taught by Jermayne Tuckta, a member of the Warm Springs tribe.

Language Knowledge Bowl

More than 40 teams competed at the 2018 Language Knowledge Bowl, translating Native languages and dialects.

The top four teams included two from Nixyaawii Community School - Kyuukmpe ( slang for cucumber) and Titooqan (People), followed by Putlan Skulilama (Portland school for Portland State University) and in fourth place, “Your Favorite Indians” from Yakama.

June 2018

CUJ photos/Wil Phinney

The 2018 Knowledge Bowl, hosted by the CTUIR Language Department, drew in nearly 300 participants on 44 teams at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The event recieved donations from CTUIR Cultural Coalition, Pepsi, Cayuse Technologies and Altrusa Literacy Group.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Young girls compete, dancing around drums that filled the center of the Longhouse on Saturday night, May 12, the final show at the Spring Pow Wow on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The pow wow had been postponed twice.

root feast celebration May 10-11, 2018 at Mission Longhouse Friday results (All dancers received a gift) 12-and-under jingle and shawl-Sequoia Edwards, Olivia Allen, Kateri Spencer, Abby Kordatzky, Kendall Spencer, Savana Minthorn.

12-and-under fancy and grass-Adam Brown, Lawrence Allen, Brianah Matamoros.

7-12 girls traditional-Tamisha Edwards, Leona Smith, Olivia Allen, Hannah Brown, Jareen Hines.

7-12 boys traditional-Bryson Bronson, Emery Kordatzky, Sheldon Joseph, Eli Brown, River Edwards.

13-and-older girls jingle and shawl-Molly Allen, Julianah Matamoros, Natasha Smith, Kenya Scabby Robe.

13-and-older boys fancy and grass-Wilbur Oatman, Kanim Sampson, Gary Smith.

13-17 girls traditional-Justine Chasing Horse, Julianah Matamoros.

18-54 Women’s traditional-Dorothy Cyr, Dee Dee Smith, Ashley Crossing Horse, Wapato 18-54 Men’s traditional-Logan Quaempts, Kellen Joseph, Tony Smith Saturday results

Sharlene Wilson and Katrina Walsey competed in women’s traditional dancing at the Root Feast Celebration May 11 at the Mission Longhouse on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

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55-and-older Golden Age women-1, Loulla Azule. 2, Roberta Kipp. 3, Ernie Morning Owl. 55-and-older Golden Age men-1, Sam Miller. 2, Melvin Jamison. 3, Clayton Johnson.

0-6 tiny tots girls-1, Abby Kordatzky. 2, Dazha Joseph. 3, Savahana Minthorn.

0-6 tiny tots boys-1, Quincy Sams. 2, Moses Wallsee. 3, Alex Allen.

12-and-under jingle and shawl-1, Stella Hines. 2, Sequoia Edwards, Warm Springs.

3, Olivia Allen, Lapwai.

12-and-under fancy and grass-Sunny Walsey. 2, Lawrence Johnson. 3, Sky Smith.

7-12 girls traditional-1, Jareen Hines. 2, Vivian Wallsee. 3, Tonisha Sherwood.

7-12 boys traditional-1, Ellias Nelson. 2, River Edwards. 3, Sheldon Joseph.

13-and-older jingle and shawl-1, Natasha Smith. 2, Katrina Blackwolf. 3, Kenya Scabby Robe.

13-and-older fancy and grass-1, Garrett Begay. 2, Gary Smith. 3, Wilbur Oatman.

13-17 girls traditional-1, Justine Chasing Horse. 2, Julianah Matamoros. 3, Danae Smith.

18-54 women’s traditional-1, Cece Wallsee-Begay. 2, Zelma Wallsee. 3, Dorothy Cyr. 18-54 men’s traditional-1, Louis Van Pelt.

2, Terence Cowapoo. 3, Logan Quaempts.

Drums-Indian Nation, Nation Boys, Chute #8, Wakpala, Red Hawk Canyon, Five Eagle, White Wolf, Drum Hoppers Anonymous.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Kindle Spencer, 11, a fifth grader at Washington Elementary in Pendleton, smiles during an opening round-dance that featured members of the Happy Canyon and Round-Up Boards of Directors.

At right is Eva Oatman.

June 2018

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Josephine Penney holds her 34-day-old daughter, Priscilla Faye Baumgartner, during inter-tribal dancing at the Spring Pow Wow, which took place May 11 and 12 at the Longhouse on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Travis Baumgartner is the baby’s father. Grandmothers are Debby Penney and Dana Quaempts.

Sunny Walsey, 9, from Toppenish, was one of the dancers who had fun Saturday, May 12, at the Spring Pow Wow on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Walsey won the 12-and-under fancy and grass competition.

CUJ photos by Wil Phinney

Clayton “Clutch” Johnson was awarded a blanket for being the top veteran dancer at the Root Feast Celebration. Among the other veteran dancers was Lonnie Wolf.

Emilee Delgado, 2, appears to be in total command as she jingle dances across the floor at the Longhouse on the Umatilla Indian Reservation May 12 at the Spring Pow Wow. Trina Sherwood, in blue dress, watches the action.

June 2018

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Clayton “Clutch” Johnson was judged first in the dancing among veterans Saturday night of the Spring Pow Wow.

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A tale of rural & urban crises

Joe Waukazoo and friends at the bus shelter where he and other Native American homeless people hang out.

Photo by Julian Brave NoiseCat

How one Indigenous family is navigating two very different housing problems

By Julian Brave NoiseCat, High Country News

O

n a July afternoon in 2017, Joe Waukazoo, a tall and athletic 62-year-old, jaywalked across 31st Avenue in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. He paused before the skeleton of the Ghost Ship, a warehouse-turned-artist collective, burned hollow in a blaze that took 36 lives on a December night in 2016. He stops here often to pay homage to the victims, mostly artists. “This is like a collision of two kinds of forces,” Waukazoo told me. “You got the gentrification, and you got the community.”

Joe Waukazoo pauses by a memorial at the Ghost Ship, a former artist’s collective and makeshift home for some, where 36 people died in a fire.

Photo by Julian Brave NoiseCat

No American place offers a clearer vantage point on that conflict than Oakland. The city is caught in a boxing match between the invisible hand of Silicon Valley capitalism and the defiant fist of Bay Area radicalism.

As Ivy League-educated Millennials brandishing computer science degrees move in, rents shoot up.

Investors looking to cash in on the latest California gold rush are developing properties throughout the city. Speculators want to brand West Oakland, former headquarters of the Black Panther Party, #WeOak. In East Oakland’s historically Latino Fruitvale neighborhood, the trajectory is the same. Every few blocks, a bar or restaurant has popped up to tap the wallets of the new techie settlers.

In this zero-sum game, where new residents and businesses move in and old ones are displaced, Waukazoo lost his home. “I was just priced out of the market. I didn’t have money for rent, and that’s the bottom line,” he told me, somewhat oversimplifying things. Now, he spends his days hanging out at a bus shelter, just across the street from the Ghost Ship.

His story echoes many across the city. As the workers, artists and hustlers who made Oakland its gritty self are priced out, homelessness has shot up. At the same time Joe lost his home, an estimated 5,629 people were sleeping in doorways and empty lots in Oakland’s Alameda County, up 39 percent from two years earlier.

Slow-food eateries and artisanal boutiques appeared in old neighborhoods, while tent camps sprouted under

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BART tracks and freeway overpasses.

Waukazoo is even less visible than his fellow street folk because he is Native American — Lakota and Odawa. He is an urban Indian — a demographic that has no place in the public imagination. Native people are generally relegated to history books or remote reservations, not row houses and apartment complexes.

They fight cowboys and pipelines, not landlords and rents. But according to the U.S. Census Bureau, seven out of 10 Native Americans — or 3.7 million people — reside in cities. More than 66,000 urban Indians live in the Bay Area alone.

I used to be one of them. As a traditional powwow dancer, I learned many of my original moves watching Waukazoo high-step through Thursday night drum and dance practice at Oakland’s Friendship House.

With nearly one in four Bay Area Indians living in poverty, Native people are the region’s most impoverished racial group, according to PolicyLink. As Silicon Valley transforms the Bay Area into a boundless Google campus, the urban Native population is shrinking, down by 19 percent from 2000 to 2010.

But Native Americans cannot escape the housing crisis by fleeing cities. On the reservations and in the border towns of Indian Country, the problem is equally acute. In the twilight of the Obama administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimated that these communities urgently

Confederated Umatilla Journal

needed 68,000 new units — 33,000 to eliminate overcrowding and 35,000 to replace deteriorated stock.

The Waukazoo family — Joe and Marlene, their eldest daughter Phyllis and eldest son Joseph Jr. — has been stretched to the breaking point by two housing crises. Joe and Phyllis live in rapidly gentrifying Oakland.

Marlene Waukazoo, née Sandoval, divorced Joe two decades ago. She lives with Joseph Jr. and her extended family in Torreon, New Mexico, where quality shelter, electricity and running water are hard to come by.

The housing crisis is one of the most-discussed global political, economic and social problems of our time.

Yet people like the Waukazoos rarely feature in any of its narratives. The politicians, pundits and professors focused on the urban housing crisis overlook or omit urban Indians. Meanwhile, housing problems on reservations are equally out of the frame. In an era of inequality, the Waukazoos — struggling for visibility, dignity and basic housing security — represent some of the most forgotten of our nation’s forgotten people.

From the earliest days of white settlement, fortunes have been made and dynasties built on land taken from Native Americans, this continent’s first victims of gentrification. Over the coming decade, 2.1 million people will settle in the Bay Area. By 2040, in a story as old as America, this space-constrained, affluent megalopolis of 9.3 million will displace our nation’s forgotten, including untold numbers of Native families like the Waukazoos.

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oe Waukazoo, like many Native people, considers Oakland home. He came to the Bay Area in 1964, when he was just a child, with his mother, Muriel, his sister, Sally, and his brother, Martin. Muriel, who died in 2005, was a legendary matriarch in Oakland’s Native community; everyone called her “Grandma Waukazoo” or just “Grandma.” Her family remains prominent here. Martin runs the Native American Health Center, kitty-corner from the Ghost Ship, and his wife, Helen, is CEO of the Association of American Indians of San Francisco.

The Waukazoos were part of the first generation of Native people relocated to the Bay Area under the federal Urban Indian Relocation Program. The program, established in 1952, encouraged Native Americans to leave reservations for cities and assimilate into the

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laboring classes. Many who were part of this socially engineered diaspora settled in Oakland, where, in 1955, they established the Intertribal Friendship House (IFH), one of the first urban Indian community centers in the country. IFH, which lies a couple miles northwest of the Ghost Ship, has served as the political, social and cultural heart of Oakland’s Native community ever since.

IFH played a central role in organizing and supporting the dramatic Native occupation of Alcatraz from 1969 to 1971, which brought national attention to broken treaties and the cause of Indigenous rights. The occupation of Alcatraz was the Indigenous rights movement’s equivalent of the Montgomery bus boycott, and IFH was the communal fortress where the real planning and community building of the movement went down.

Joe Waukazoo was raised in this world. His mother helped organize the 1971 occupation of Mount Rushmore and played a supporting role in the 1973 standoff at Wounded Knee. Joe tagged along to protests and became a traditional dancer on the local powwow circuit.

But his real passion was another, perhaps even more hallowed Native tradition: basketball.

Long-legged and nimble, Waukazoo was a killer on the court who could outmaneuver and out-shoot almost anyone. In the game’s 84-by-50-foot rectangles, he found the opportunity to escape the broader, restrictive geometry of a society that stifles so many young Native men. After graduating from Oakland’s Dewey High School, Waukazoo played at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1973.

Waukazoo’s hoop dreams ended there, but he held onto his athletic physique and handsome features. Even on the afternoon I met up with him, days after his last shower, whiskered and missing more than a few teeth, his good looks shone through the hardships etched into his aging body. More than a few women have taken interest over the years.

“You know I have an associate’s degree, but I don’t have no big career job. So I’m kind of a — I hate to say it, but I’m kind of, well, a showy husband,” Joe told me, laughing. “Even my mom used to call me a gigolo and all of that.”

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arlene Sandoval first noticed Waukazoo dominating a pick-up basketball game in an Albuquerque gymnasium in 1979. She, in turn, caught and held his attention. The two stayed together for the better part of two decades. In 1980, they had Phyllis. After a short stint in the Bay Area with their newborn daughter, the young couple moved back to Torreon on the Navajo Nation, where they had five more children: Joseph Jr., Sally, Wakinyan, Sage and Tate.

Eventually, Waukazoo grew restless. Without explanation, in 1997, he left Marlene and the family in Torreon. Maybe he fell out of love; maybe he was homesick for his other home, Oakland. Maybe something happened between all those protests, powwows and moves that he doesn’t want to talk about. Maybe he was chasing after the same dreams he once chased on the basketball court —freedom, opportunity, escape.

Waukazoo returned to the Bay Area and has remained here ever since. In Oakland, he met a woman named Jennifer Kehoe, with whom he lived for years.

The two of them — Joe wearing basketball shorts, Jennifer sporting comically tall platform shoes — were often among the crowd at IFH on Thursday nights.

Cancer ended Kehoe’s life in 2011, and Waukazoo fell into depression. “We were 24/7,” he says. Now a widower, he lived with his daughter Phyllis at the Seven Directions Apartment complex, but he had no income and struggled to find work. Phyllis, meanwhile, was navigating a breakup with the father of her specialneeds baby son, Luciano. Home life was tumultuous.

Waukazoo had been a far-from-perfect dad, and there was conflict on multiple fronts.

He couldn’t cover his share of the rent — just $250.

He didn’t want to be a burden. His daughter needed her

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and Lil’wat — proud strongholds that defy Native invisibility. Waukazoo and Georgina Yazzie, who is Navajo, started in about clans.

“There’s four of them,” Yazzie explained. “Two from your mother and two from your dad.”

“Right, right.” Waukazoo said. “You have to know how to introduce yourself in a certain way.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Yazzie responded. “You don’t Phyllis Waukazoo feeds baby Luciano at their home in Fruitvale, want to get lost in that part because you have to know California, where her dad, Joseph, also used to live. Now that he’s your clan for when you go back home. It’s very sacred moved out, she no longer qualifies for the Section 8 housing unit.

— you have to know.”

Photo by Julian Brave NoiseCat Later, I drove Waukazoo down to IFH for the dinner that is served every Thursday before drum and dance space, and he needed his as he grieved for his longtime practice. “It’s changed since I came here for the third partner. Despite deep roots and a prominent family, he time in 1997,” he said, as we ate fry bread and buffalo became homeless in October 2016. stew. “We still had, at that time, an Indian basketball Most days now, he hangs out on the west side of league and all that. … That shows you the number of 30th Avenue, a few blocks from Phyllis and just one Indians around then, but there’s nothing like that now.” block from the Ghost Ship. There’s a bus shelter on the He continued, “A lot of people go back to the reservacorner next to a Wendy’s. It’s one of two spots where tion. That’s always been a thing.” But Waukazoo felt at Oakland’s homeless Native folks hang out. home here in what some call the “urban rez.” He had Among this community, a fluctuating cast of a few no plans to go anywhere. dozen characters, Waukazoo inherited his mother’s mantle and tries to look out for his people. “We are our blocks away, Phyllis Waukazoo, 37, buzzed all friends,” he told me. “We all have different needs, me into the faux-adobe Seven Directions apartand we all help.” This is essential. It can get wild in ment complex just down the street from her East Oakland, especially late at night. “You have to father’s bus shelter hangout. The complex is home to constantly be alert or at your wits,” he said, pointing 36 low-income families. Built with funding from the across the street to the site of a recent robbery, and to- city of Oakland and private sources by the East Bay ward the intersection, where a recent beating occurred. Asian Local Development Corporation in collaboration Prostitutes work the corners in Fruitvale. Norteños, with the Native American Health Center in 2008, it is a prominent Northern California gang, claim the the first combined housing, health clinic and cultural neighborhood as their territory. Waukazoo has tried center in the nation designed to serve urban Indians. to stay out of trouble. Fortunately, crime rates have The building, which features a courtyard ceremonial dropped here in recent years — a possible side effect space, stained concrete medicine wheel and two totem of gentrification. poles, is home to just three Native families. The rest The day I met up with Waukazoo, he took me to of its residents are other low-income people of color. his bus-shelter hangout, where we found a few other I took the elevator up. Phyllis, her daughter, Kayden, homeless Native folks: Georgina Yazzie, Yolanda El- her baby son, Luciano, and I sat in her combined livlenwood and Fern Martin. Martin used to sleep at the ing room and kitchen and caught up over tacos from Ghost Ship once in a while. a truck down the street.

I took their photo while they joked that they were go“It’s nice, the lady across the way is like an auntie,” ing to be on the cover of Esquire and People magazine. Phyllis, her long black hair tied into a neat bun, said.

They asked if I knew some of their nephews around “I go over sometimes and talk to her. Or if I need her Oakland. I knew a few — childhood friends whose to watch my son for five minutes, she’ll watch him.” names conjured up memories from years past. They Phyllis and Joe won a lottery to live here when the asked if I was available for any of their nieces. I laughed. building first went up. If their number hadn’t been We talked about where each of us “come from” — a called, Phyllis would have moved back to Torreon. phrase that, in the Native world, means, “My people are “We almost didn’t make it in,” she recalled. “At the X nation and come from Y community or reservation.”

I thought about my own nations, the Secwepemc and Continued on page 30B St’at’imc, and my own communities, the Tsq’escenemc

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Fannie Mae Sandoval and her sister, Grace Pedro, return to one of the two hand-built homes on their family homestead, on the Navajo Nation near Torreon, New Mexico. Sandoval, who speaks only Navajo, has lived and herded sheep here all her life, and has watched her family and community members move from the reservation to the city and back again.

Photo by Donovan Shortey

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Joseph Waukazoo Jr. moved to the Torreon homestead two years ago to escape the Bay Area’s meth scene.

very last minute they told us we didn’t qualify, so we kind of had to make a little fuss and then they fixed it up.” That was just the first time Phyllis would have to argue her case to avoid losing her Section 8 home.

Established by the Housing Act of 1937, Section 8 is administered through vouchers that provide rental assistance to low-income tenants. Qualifying residents spend 30 percent of their income on rent and receive a federally subsidized voucher to cover the rest. The voucher is capped at the “fair market rent,” calculated annually for each metro area by HUD. In the decades since the 1970s, cities turned away from public housing projects, making Section 8 essential for keeping poor residents off the streets. Today, more than 2.2 million low-income families rely on the program.

Phyllis has “project-specific” Section 8. Unlike the more common housing choice vouchers, which can be used on the open market, her vouchers are attached to the Seven Directions project. Her rent was set at $685, based on her income when she moved in.

Phyllis had steady employment for a decade, but she recently lost her job. Section 8 is designed to cope with that kind of financial shift, but the sluggish bureaucracy did not adjust her rent, which should be $420, based on her current income.

Then she gave birth to Luciano, who has Down syndrome. The extra economic and emotional expense added to the strain on the household, and shortly thereafter, Luciano’s parents split up. By the time Joe Waukazoo moved out, things were falling apart.

“Right now, I get TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) for Kayden, I get unemployment and then I also get SSI (Supplementary Security Income) for him (Luciano),” Phyllis explained. “So, that’s about $1,400. And then about half of that goes to rent,” she added, calculating her income. The scant remainder — supplemented by food stamps — has to cover everything else they need, from groceries to the phone bill to clothes and school supplies.

Waukazoo’s departure left his daughter in violation of a strict Section 8 rule regarding the number of occupants in her unit. Management told her that if she didn’t find a family member to move into his room, she would be forced to move out. There is a long waitlist of families eager to take her spot.

Suddenly, the bureaucracy built into Section 8 — a program designed to shelter the most vulnerable — turned into yet another attack on a household facing heart-twisting hardship. It’s easy to imagine the weight of forces stacked against you collapsing your last pockets of hope, scantily collected, carefully counted and delicately preserved.

“Lately, my son has been helping me deal with ev-

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Photo by Donovan Shortey

erything — he’s just like a little clearer of stuff because he’s so happy and smiley … and Kayden too, she is a lot better teenager than I was, which I’m so thankful for.”

Kayden is a straight-A student who played varsity basketball last season, as a freshman. She dreams about playing college ball like her grandfather and maybe becoming a doctor for special-needs children like Luciano.

“But other than that, I don’t know how I deal with it,” Phyllis sighed. “I go to Zumba when I can.”

At least once a year, she tries to escape to Torreon — a home filled with relatives far away from the hardknock life in Oakland. “If I had a choice, when I grow old, that’s where I want to be,” she said. “I know how to survive out there.”

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dusty white lamb gamboled through the front door of the Sandoval homestead in Torreon, New Mexico, across the dirt floor of the kitchen and into the expectant arms of its adoptive mother, Fannie Mae Sandoval. Sandoval, a hardy elder whose white hair is tied back with a headscarf, bottlefed the castaway, abandoned by its mother. Without this lamb, the Sandovals’ dwindling herd would have diminished chances for survival. A chicken followed, also in hot pursuit of food, but Fannie shooed it away.

The Sandoval homestead consists of two hand-built homes, 18 sheep, three chickens, two dogs, an unknown number of cats, and a small crop of squash and corn. It sits at the bottom of a canyon beside a shallow arroyo in the Torreon Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Fannie, 72, who speaks only Navajo, has lived and herded sheep here all her life.

Fannie is the last of her generation. As fluent Navajo speakers pass on, she grows lonely. But she loves her animals and never wants to leave. I asked her why. Her

Fannie Mae Sandoval tends sheep on the family homestead near Torreon, New Mexico, where she’s lived her whole life.

Photo by Donovan Shortey

Confederated Umatilla Journal

answer, translated by her daughter, Marlene Waukazoo, is elegant and simple: “I was born here.” Watching her family and community emigrate from reservation to city and back again, Fannie took solace in her family home — a place that has been unequivocally theirs for generations.

Her grandnephew, Joseph Waukazoo Jr., 30, moved back two years ago to escape the Bay Area’s meth scene. He helps his great aunt tend the sheep, which they herd into a small pen separating their two houses. I had imagined sheepherding to be humble and spiritual work, but Joseph assured me that it can be quite entertaining. That morning, he lost track of the sheep and tramped all over the high desert behind the homestead in search of his wayward flock (and familial inheritance), only to find them waiting for him back home under a shade tree. “Sheep are awesome,” he told me, chuckling.

Joseph lives next door to Fannie in a gray brick home built by his father when the family lived together in Torreon. His sister, Sage, scrawled the family name on the back of the house when she was a kid. As we walked the Sandoval plot and talked, Joseph paused in front of the faded white lettering: Waukazoo.

“Going back and forth makes you appreciate all the small things like water, you know … having access to groceries,” Joseph told me. “In Oakland, you can walk right down to the food bank — you have food right then and there, you know — but out here you have to go to Cuba, Crownpoint, or to the store miles away. That’s one thing about being out here — if you don’t have no ride, you’re stuck.”

Marlene, who lives just down the road from the homestead in teachers’ housing, pays $700 in rent, remarkably high for this area. She stays nearby to look out for her aging aunt and recovering son. She’s their support and their ride. “That’s how I grew up,” she told me. “We never say I love you or anything, we never hug or anything, but there was a sense of being loved there.”

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orreon is part of the “checkerboard” area of the Navajo Nation. Land on this eastern edge of the reservation was subdivided and allotted to individual Navajos under the Dawes Act of 1887, leaving it a patchwork of allotment lands held by individual tribal members, trust lands held by the federal government on behalf of the Navajo, fee lands owned by Navajo and non-Navajo as well as commons held under various tribal, federal and state jurisdictions.

This particular allotment, a perfect place for sheep, has been home to Sandovals for generations.

The homestead has no electricity. Just two years ago, Indian Health Services retrofitted homes in the area with running water. “We got all kinds of problems,” Marlene Waukazoo told me. “But not as bad as some people in some areas who don’t got no electricity and no running water.”

Indian housing is administered through HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing. Federally recognized tribes are largely dependent on Indian Housing Block Grant funding to house their citizens. The grants have remained nominally constant at around $650 million per year since they were established through the 1996 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act. In real terms, inflation cut that funding by a full third over the intervening two decades. At the same time, the Indigenous population became one of the fastest-growing in the United States. Remarkably, many tribal governments managed to build just as

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Fannie Mae Sandoval, right, and her sister, Grace Pedro, enter the hand-built adobe home on land where their family has lived for generations, on the Navajo Reservation near Torreon, New Mexico.

Photo by Donovan Shortey

much housing with reduced block grants as they did with full funding. Many observers take hope from this, even as the Trump administration slashes $150 million from Indian Housing Block Grant funding — more than 20 percent of HUD’s Native housing budget.

The Navajo Nation, however, is not one of these success stories. The tribe urgently needs to build or repair as many as 50,000 homes to shelter its 175,000 onreservation members. According to a multi-part investigation by the Arizona Republic, Navajo households continue to suffer from poor quality or inadequate housing, while the Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) does little. The Housing Authority has received $1.66 billion in federal funding since 1998, but built just 1,110 units. None at all were built between 2008 and 2011.

The Republic’s series prompted Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to launch his own investigation into alleged NHA mismanagement.

(The housing authority’s CEO, Aneva Yazzie, resigned pursuant to the investigations and did not respond to requests for an interview. Meanwhile, the NHA board released a statement disputing some of the investigations’ most egregious findings, while acknowledging blunders and committing to transparency and accountability in the future.)

Despite all these problems, those residents who make it off the waitlist are grateful for the agency, which provides homes unavailable anywhere else.

I sat in on an NHA resident meeting in Torreon.

People brought home-cooked food to eat potluck-style while they talked about normal community things — fixing broken utilities and making sure the neighborhood was a healthy place to raise kids. After the meeting, an NHA employee showed me the rent roll for a 20-unit subdivision. The highest rent paid was just $125; the majority stayed for free.

than half of the households on the Navajo Nation, are substandard. No matter how many sheep they herd, how hard they work, or how remarkably (and ironically) well they embody the Western ideal of the rugged American individual, Navajo families simply cannot build themselves out of the housing crisis. Yet that is precisely what they have been left to do.

People like the Waukazoos give a human face to the housing crisis, reminding us that it is not just about housing, but about the concept of home. The Waukazoos may seem unlucky, but their story is not an uncommon one for Indigenous people in the United States and across the Anglo-colonized world — in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. To be poor and Indigenous in a city or on a reservation is to live with the constant threat of displacement. It is not so much a choice about where to live as it is a trade-off between modes of survival. To move toward justice and equity, policymakers and the people who put them in power cannot think just about econometric values. We have to consider human values, too.

“There’s a lot of families that don’t have nowhere to stay,” Phyllis Waukazoo told me in her living room.

“I’ve met so many people out here that’s going through the same struggle.”

he story of Indigenous displacement and survival is America’s origin story. Centuries ago, Indigenous people fought to protect their territories from invading settlers. Today, long after the cowboys, wagon trains and railroads have vanished, the daily fight to defend Indigenous dignity and hold on to what is ours continues. For Indigenous people, the crisis of the home is intergenerational. This is what scholars, policymakers and even activists too often misunderstand about the housing crisis: Today’s problems do not represent momentary inequities. They are structural constants, deeply rooted in the system.

They cut into Indigenous families over generations, not just economic and political cycles.

How else to explain the origin of this country than as continent-sized gentrification, entailing the deliberate displacement of Indigenous homes? How else to view the socially engineered postwar diaspora of Native families to cities like Oakland? How else to tell the story of the Waukazoo family and so many others around the world today?

Stretched to the breaking point by urban and reservation housing crises, Native families face limited and tough choices. Why? Some blame economics, others government. I myself wonder if there is something radically challenging — even fundamentally unsettling — about respecting the Indigenous home in a nation premised on its theft.

After one of our interviews, Joe Waukazoo sent me a note titled “My Gentrification Process.” In it, he wrote: “What I showed you yesterday is the remaining bottom rung of the economic ladder who nevertheless are still human beings despite their own personal problems. I help them because it helps me, and so that is how the love goes around.”

Julian Brave NoiseCat is the 2017 recipient of The HCN/PLAYA Diverse Western Voices Award. He was formerly an Urban Fellow in the NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development. A proud member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen and a descendant of the Lil’Wat Nation of Mount Currie, he writes from Washington, D.C. Reporting for this story was supported by the HCN/PLAYA Diverse Western Voices Award.

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utside the Navajo Housing Authority, Navajo people have little choice but to buy mobile homes or build their own shelters. But both require land. Navajo citizens who want to live on tribal trust land must apply for a home-site lease from the Navajo Land Department. The waitlist runs for years.

As allottees, the Waukazoos and Sandovals were one step ahead, since they already had a plot.

Still, building and maintaining quality homes with limited resources is a challenge. Communities need planners, contractors and skilled laborers. They need a government with the capacity to aggregate capital for infrastructure like utilities and roads. These resources — the kind of resources most Americans take for granted — are few and far between on the reservation. The Waukazoo and Sandoval dwellings, like more

June 2018

Joe Waukazoo in Oakland, California, outside the Intertribal Friendship House. The house was established in 1955 as one of the country’s first urban Indian community centers.

Photo by Julian Brave NoiseCat

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