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SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

SE PTE MBE R 2024

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

NEWS DAILY @ CUJ ONLINE

VOLUME 32 • ISSUE 9

THE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION

CTUIR secures funding boost for wastewater system

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Chairman Gary I. Burke and Indian Health Service Deputy Director Benjamin Smith sign a ceremonial memorandum of agreement appropriating $38 million from the IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction Program for the Mission Community Wastewater System Upgrade. The signing was held Aug. 26 in front of the Nixyáawii Governance Center. CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

MISSION – Standing on the edge of dry, brown fields near the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute (TCI) on Aug. 26, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Public Works Director Justin Northern told about two dozen tribal leaders and federal officials gathered around him that much of area would likely soon be much wetter.

That’s because, Northern told those assembled on the edge of the fields and unused grassy areas, much of it was slated to be turned into a manmade wetlands area to protect “some our ancient groundwater that we’re currently pulling for irrigation” by doubling as retention ponds for millions of gallons of wastewater that had been recycled

by a tribal sanitation infrastructure project that had taken a major step forward earlier that day when the federal government pledged to pay for much of the $44.5 million upgraded system.

Indian Health Service (IHS) officials had met with Board of Trustees members a couple hours earlier to sign a memorandum of agreement during a public ceremony that committed $38 million in federal funding to the project.

The new wastewater treatment system, according to the tribe, will meet the CTUIR’s sanitation system needs as it grows and pursues economic development initiatives while drastically reducing how much groundwater the tribe uses for irrigation purposes.

“This historical project is going to help our tribal membership and WATER CONTINUED PAGE 10

Bridge replacement expected in 2025 THORN HOLLOW – More than four years after flooding damaged it beyond repair, work to replace the Thorn Hollow Bridge is expected to begin next year.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) transportation officials have learned that construction is expected to start in the spring of 2025. The speed the project has advanced since the historic Umatilla River flooding in 2020 mangled the original Thorn Hollow bridge has frustrated tribal leaders and residents in the area because the loss of that river crossing has meant lengthier commute and public safety response times.

The new bridge will span the Umatilla River at the site of the previous version, where Cayuse Road becomes Thorn Hollow Road about 13 miles east of the

Nixyáawii Governance Center.

Umatilla County owns the bridge, though the Oregon Department of Transportation will be managing the $5.7 million project.

The state is set to begin accepting bids from contractors interested in building the bridge on Dec. 12, said ODOT Project Manager Michelle Owens in an email.

“I realize you aren’t really seeing any progress, but yet it is happening,” she said.

The bridge’s destruction after the 2020 floods severed a critical link between communities for residents who live in the area and CTUIR public safety agencies. For example, CTUIR Transportation Planner Dani Schulte said it’s impacted families who must cross the river to care for elders, affected CTUIR fisheries activity and lengthened response times for the BRIDGE CONTINUED PAGE 11

CTUIR 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ

An architectural rendering reveals planned expansion updates to Wildhorse Resort & Casino. COURTESY GRAPHIC

BOT approves plans for WRC expansion

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ MISSION – A major Wildhorse Resort & Casino expansion that officials say is expected to boost revenue inched forward in August with the demolition of the old Courtyard Hotel beginning and tribal leaders giving the go-ahead to move forward with some aspects of the project, although key details like how much the tribe will pay for the project have yet to be finalized.

The Confederated Tribes of

the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees (BOT) voted 6-2 on Aug. 27 to adopt two resolutions authorizing Wildhorse to proceed with finalizing construction agreement documents with the project’s contactor and determined initial financing details, such as providing initial equity funding for the project.

Wildhorse leaders are calling for a towering 214-room hotel to replace the outdated Courtyard Hotel and a WILDHORSE CONTINUED PAGE 12

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CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

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Fossek takes over as public safety director

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has a new top public safety official.

Tribal member Robert Fossek, who has been the tribe’s emergency management coordinator since 2022, was recently named director of the Public Safety department and started work under the new title Aug. 1.

Fossek replaces Burnside, the department’s longtime director, who has retired. Fossek will continue to serve as the emergency management coordinator until a replacement is hired.

As Public Safety director, Fossek will oversee 26 employees, and up to 29 when fully staffed, across the Office of Child Support Enforcement, Family Violence Services, tribal prosecutor’s office and Umatilla Tribal Fire Department. He also oversees emergency management and hazard mitigation services and planning.

For many, Fossek isn’t a stranger to the CTUIR community or the public safety field.

In addition to working as the tribe’s emergency management coordinator, he also spent 27 years with the tribal police department.

In a recent interview with the

Robert Fossek

Confederated Umatilla Journal in his office, he said he has held nearly every position in the department, from fish and wildlife officer to detective to supervisor – pointing at images of the badges for each title he has set as a background on his computer home screen.

A U.S. Army veteran, Fossek also recently began serving on the Nixyáawii Community School Board and has held other leadership roles, such as on the tribe’s Fish and Wildlife Commission. He holds an associate’s degree from Blue Mountain Community College, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Oregon University.

Fossek said his public safety experience and decades working for the tribe, as well as familiarity with tribal government and administration, have prepared him for the new challenge.

“I would say I’m a good fit,” he said. “It helps when you have an

understanding of what’s going on around you so you can address the issues.”

As a manager, Fossek said he’s always prioritized – and will continue to emphasize – encouraging staff to pursue additional training options to bolster their skills as well as being happy to serve as a mentor or push employees to seek opportunities to advance their careers and potentially hold his job after he moves on, Fossek said.

He especially gets satisfaction with seeing tribal members succeed or rise to become managers and play a more active role in providing their department’s programs and services.

“If you live out here, you’re part of the community, so you have more invested in everything that goes on around here,” Fossek said.

His connection to the community as a CTUIR member gives him extra motivation to succeed and be accountable, Fossek said. He added that his door is always open and he is willing to listen to suggestions from community members about improvements his department can make and try to incorporate them if possible.

“I’ve always looked at is as I’m a member of this tribe, I’m a member of this community, so I have a vested interest in what happens, good and bad,” Fossek said. “I’m here working for the community, for the tribe.”

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TCI receives $10K library grant MISSION – The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute (TCI) has received a $10,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help buy materials to maintain its core historical collections.

Collections & Research Manager Malissa Minthorn Winks said TCI received a 2024-25 IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grant to purchase collection materials and archival supplies to sustain core collections that support documenting and preserving the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) history.

“It will buy out-of-print books, preservation sleeves for books, photographs and archival material, archival boxes for sound and film recordings, manuscripts and memorabilia,” she said.

“Preservation encompasses the activities that prolong the usable life of archival materials. Preservation activities are designed to minimize the physical and chemical deterioration and to prevent the loss of content.”

TCI’s core collections consist of materials documenting the history and culture of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people.

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

4

New Cayuse CEO optimistic about future

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ ABOUT THE CUJ

The Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) was created in 1975 as the official publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), which includes the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people. The CUJ is produced monthly by the CTUIR Communications Department.

Publisher: Kaeleen McGuire kaeleenmcguire@ctuir.org Editor: Lisa Hicks Snell lisasnell@ctuir.org Reporter: Chris Aadland christopheraadland@ctuir.org Advertising: M. Moses-Conner cuj@ctuir.org Contributors: Kathy Aney Dallas Dick | Red Elk Images Annie Fowler Lee Gavin Aaron Worden CONTACT US Confederated Umatilla Journal 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 Email: CUJ@ctuir.org Phone: 541-429-7005 SUBSCRIBE

The CUJ is free to pick up at tribal entities and area businesses.

However, a mailed subscription can be purchased for the price of shipping and handling by contacting the CTUIR Finance Department. Call 541-429-7150 or visit the Finance Department in person at Nixyáawii Governance Center, 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton.

One year: $15 • Two years: $28 The CUJ prints on the first Thursday of each month.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: • Limit to 300 words or less • Information found to be inaccurate/libelous will not be published.

• Letters containing profanity will not be published.

• One letter per issue will be published. Campaigning is not allowed.

• Author’s full name, address and phone number must be listed for verification purposes.

EMAIL ADVERTISING, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR & OTHER SUBMISSIONS TO: CUJ@ctuir.org DEADLINE: 20th of the month prior to publication For more information or daily news, visit the CUJ online at:

https://cuj.ctuir.org

MISSION – After a tumultuous year that led to a leadership shakeup, a new CEO at Cayuse Holdings says he is optimistic that the tribal business will generate the financial benefits for the tribe and its members that he envisioned as one of the tribal entity’s founders nearly 20 years ago.

Cayuse’s seven-member Board of Directors named Randall Willis as its new CEO the last week of August, Willis told the Confederated Umatilla Journal on Sept. 3. The leadership change was made after the Cayuse governing board ousted then-top executive Billy Nerenberg over the summer amid concerns about the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) tribal entity’s lackluster financial performance, among other concerns.

Willis, who had led Cayuse’s federal contracting business arm since 2018 and helped found the tribal entity, had been serving as interim CEO since Nerenberg’s departure. He said he plans to spend the year rebuilding relationships with tribal leaders who had soured on the Cayuse Holdings concept while ensuring the business stays on what he says is a promising financial trajectory.

“The dialogue a year from now, hopefully, will be a lot different than this year,” Willis said. “I think we’ve already done a good job of putting my predecessor behind us and moving on. But we still have a lot to accomplish.”

The leadership change comes after a challenging year for Cayuse – which provides a sprawling variety of services to tribal, commercial and primarily, the federal government – that included a $10 million bailout from the tribe and criticism from tribal leaders about how the business was managed.

The problems at Cayuse even led some CTUIR BOT members in recent months to question whether the tribe should provide additional financial support to the business given the minimal profits it has generated for the tribe. That concern added to the millions in debt the entity was struggling to pay off and the small number of CTUIR and community members Cayuse counts among its approximately 650 employees has made the investment questionable at best.

Willis met with the BOT for the first time during an Aug. 1 BOT work session, where he addressed some of the criticisms and questions about Cayuse’s business strategy some BOT members had raised.

During the meeting, he acknowledged that Cayuse needed to change how it operated, starting with being more transparent with tribal leaders and the community, and assured tribal leaders that the business had a solid plan to resolve its financial problems and make it a profit and job generator that the

Most of Cayuse Holding’s employees work remotely across the country and in countries like Palau and regions like east Africa, or from its other two offices in suburban Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. But the business only employs about 70 CTUIR tribal members or other Indigenous people and its office on the reservation is largely unused – both major complaints raised by tribal leaders in recent months. CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

CTUIR and its citizens would be proud of.

“We’ve made decisions over the last couple of years that hurt us financially and I appreciate the fact that the tribe has stepped in and helped us,” he said. “I don’t know where we went astray in the past years, but we’re going to behave differently with you and our board of directors.”

Willis is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and married to a CTUIR tribal member.

Reintroducing Cayuse

Concerns about Cayuse’s leadership and strategy surfaced after it requested a loan from the tribe to help it navigate financial challenges while it worked to secure a new line of credit from a bank, which Willis and tribal officials said was partially needed to ensure the business could continue to operate and meet its obligations while waiting for payments from the government for contract services to come through.

While discussing whether to extend the $10 million loan repayment length during a June BOT work session, tribal leaders and officials expressed several frustrations with Cayuse and its management: bad business decisions that led to losses, a lack of plan to pay off debt and poor information sharing with the tribe and community, among other complaints.

One BOT member during the June 27 meeting asked tribal officials if it was feasible to “get out of this business” while another said he was frustrated that Cayuse was “wanting to dig in my pockets” and was “ready to cut” the business off because its leaders seemed dismissive of the tribe’s concerns.

Ultimately, the BOT voted to extend the loan repayment period as Willis pledged to address the BOT’s concerns.

Other than that loan, Willis told the CUJ that Cayuse has not relied on any other financing from the

tribe.

But he said it’s important to him that he and Cayuse does a better job of sharing information about its successes – and challenges – with the tribe going forward in response to the recent criticism and general confusion among many community members about Cayuse’s vision and potential benefit the tribe.

For CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke, the August meeting accomplished Willis’ goal of reintroducing Cayuse, with Burke telling him that he previously hadn’t received such a thorough presentation about the business and its strategy.

Now, Burke said, he had a clearer picture of what “Cayuse is developing and where they’re going with all of their visions and what they want to accomplish,” adding, “I feel pretty good about this now.”

After meeting with Willis, other tribal leaders also said they were satisfied with how Cayuse had responded to their concerns.

“It’s a totally different feel,” said BOT Treasurer Raymond Huesties during the Aug. 1 meeting. “The murkiness isn’t there because we have clear and concise communication and that communication is always key in my point of view.”

Huesties is also a member of the Cayuse Board of Directors, as is CTUIR Interim Executive Director J.D. Tovey. Cayuse Board of Directors Chairman Rob Quaempts didn’t respond to an emailed interview request.

Willis pitched the Cayuse idea to tribal leaders in about 2005 to diversify the tribe’s economy and provide enrolled members employment opportunities when he worked for Accenture, an information technology services and consulting company.

The business started as Cayuse Technologies in 2006 with about two dozen mostly tribal member employees who provided CAYUSE CONTINUED PAGE 6

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

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NCFS making reservation-based food truck park a reality

By LISA SNELL The CUJ MISSION – Dreamers and hungry community members will soon have some new options to take the edge off their appetite thanks to Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS).

For the dreamers, there’s an opportunity to follow a passion. For the hungry, there’s going to be up to six more places to grab a meal on the reservation, all conveniently located right next to the NCFS office in the Coyote Business Park.

“Having food right next to me is self-serving, yes, but I’ll take it. None of us here are mad about that,” joked Jacob Wallis, NCFS Business Services manager.

Wallis was excited about his upcoming meeting with 15 community members who are interested in possibly setting up food trucks next door to his office.

“But yeah, I have about 15 signed up for tonight’s meeting, which is wild. We have about 13 in our pipeline that are interested, all in different stages of preparation, but most are still in the concept phase – especially since a lot of our entrepreneurs out here tend to be 9-to-5 full-time employees,” he said.

Wallis met with potential food truck operators Aug. 13 to answer questions, give guidance and offer a helping hand.

“It’s a lot to start a business and there’s all this background work to do when it comes to licensing and making sure you’re in compliance with the rules. There’s a lot of different things,” he said.

“We’re here to make sure they have the resources and the tools to set them up for the success that will be vital to this opportunity.”

Having the right guidance and tools is vital, but aspiring business owners also need money,

and NCFS Executive Director Dave Tovey acknowledged that many are financially limited when it comes to how much they can invest in starting a business.

“But we’ve got to be focused on growing our own,” he said. “We can help finance a new trailer or a used trailer. There’s kind of a safety in collateral, too. If they buy a food truck and decide they don’t like doing it or they fail and they’ve got a loan with us, that truck and that loan can be pretty marketable to another potential client who can step in and assume that loan and take it over.”

Wallis said the goal is to be as flexible as possible, because they understand that people want to try something new but may not have the opportunity or money to do so.

NCFS has plans in place to purchase one Class IV trailer with hope that it can function not only as a community commercial kitchen or workshop space, but also be used as a food trailer accelerator that can be leased out by community members who want to give it a go as a food truck/trailer operator or just use it to cater an event or process some food. It could be leased for a day or six months.

Wallis said that’s not a problem if it’s available.

“We’re looking at relationship and community impact. We’re not looking at your credit score.

You’re not just a number to us. We really want to make sure that engagement is real on both sides,” Wallis said. “We don’t want to ruin lives by making people stick their necks out. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll [hopefully] have others who can take on that role or that lease.”

A Class IV trailer is the Cadillac of trailers, equipped and permittable to serve a full menu, unlimited by preparation restrictions.

“We just want to make sure people are supported,” Tovey said. “We’ll have the food truck park right next door as well as hire a full-time park

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NCFS has plans in place to purchase one Class IV trailer with hope that it can function not only as a community commercial kitchen or workshop space, but also be used as a food trailer accelerator that can be leased out by community members.

CUJ | STOCK PHOTO

manager. There’s going to be a lot of handholding.”

While NCFS officials haven’t yet talked about lease rates in the park, Tovey said they are in good shape for the first year of operations with grant funding and they won’t be profit-motivated to begin with.

“We want to try to keep those rates low getting into the business. It’s always rough starting a small business, so we want to make sure leasing a spot is not an additional burden,” he said.

And for those that dream of having their own food truck business but aren’t quite ready yet?

“We’re flexible. That’s fine. That means we get another three to six months to build you up,” Wallis said.

In the meantime, watch for construction to begin this fall on the food truck park and keep an eye on www.nixyaawii-cdfi.org for more information and financial opportunities.

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CAYUSE

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024 he said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Revenue, tribal member employment growth

technology services such as software development.

In 2018, the BOT formed Cayuse Holdings to serve as a parent company to oversee the growing number of services and sectors the business worked in as it began to pursue more of the billions in federal government service contracts set aside for entities like tribal governments.

Today, Cayuse’s Government Services business accounts for nearly all of its revenue, providing services to government agencies ranging from Indian Health Service staffing to providing intelligence briefings and information to anti-terrorism and “force protection” entities. Many Cayuse contracts are with national security and defense agencies that require employees to have high-level security clearance.

At the same time, its other two business thrusts haven’t performed as expected or aren’t expected to pitch in massive profits.

The Commercial Services division, which provides a range of services like software development and staffing to non-governmental entities is “still at a point where we’re trying to get them to break even,” Willis said. Cayuse Native Solutions and its offerings like drone services while self-sustaining, doesn’t project to ever be a major revenue generator,

When Cayuse began focusing on securing federal government contract services, the business was hoping to profit from an increasingly lucrative revenue stream for tribes.

Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations and Alaska Native corporations that launched federal government contracting businesses brought in $202 billion in revenue between 1981 and 2021, steadily growing over those four decades, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Center for Indian Country Development (CIDC) found in 2024.

Tribal federal contracting revenue growth has outpaced gaming and natural resources – the two other major revenue sources for tribes – and has demonstrated that it could be an important economic diversifier, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic showed how devastating drastic drops in tribal casino revenue could affect tribes, according to the CIDC. In addition, tribes are often able to use programs that give them an advantage in winning federal contracts.

But so far Cayuse’s focus on its government contract business hasn’t resulted in massive payments to the tribe to pay for better services or to tribal members in the form of quarterly profit-sharing payments.

Quick growth and poor business decisions “chasing shiny objects” have led to “inadequate or lousy” profits, Willis said.

Still, he said Cayuse is on the verge of an impressive turnaround while also likely avoiding more than a handful of layoffs.

Willis said Cayuse would likely end the year with about $118 million in revenue after having finished with about $86 million in revenue the previous year and was well positioned to experience “significant growth” in the next two or three years and improve its profit margins.

The business is poised to secure several contracts in the coming months – worth about $50 million – including one that would likely lead to an increase in jobs for tribal citizens and other community members at its office on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Willis said.

Within five years, Willis told the CUJ that he believed Cayuse could generate between $500 million annually and up to $1 billion in the next decade – which would dwarf yearly revenue at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, the tribe’s current most important economic asset.

“The vision is coming to life,” he said during the August BOT work session.

Most of Cayuse’s employees work remotely across the country and in countries like Palau and regions like east Africa, or from its other two offices in suburban Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. But the business only employs about 70 CTUIR tribal

members or other Indigenous people and its office on the reservation is largely unused – both major complaints raised by tribal leaders in recent months.

But Willis said he will prioritize

Randall Willis, CEO

hiring locally, which was “kind of the promise 17, 18 years ago” and find ways to fill out Cayuse’s largely empty reservation building, adding that Cayuse was looking to add several “service lines” that could lead to good-paying jobs in the area for tribal members.

He also said its important for him that Cayuse can serve as an incubator for tribal members to grow as employees and eventually rise to become managers and executives.

“It’s all about getting our financial house in order, regaining trust and ideally growing some jobs on the reservation,” he said of his immediate goals. “I would be very happy with that.”

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SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Sams wins 2024 EcoTrust ILA PORTLAND – Corinne Sams, a Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees Member at Large, has been named a 2024 EcoTrust Indigenous Leadership Award (ILA) winner.

EcoTrust is a Portland-based nonprofit working with community members and organizations toward a vision of an equitable, prosperous and climate-smart future. It celebrates determination, wisdom and continuum of Indigenous leadership across the region.

“When I received the announcement... that I was selected as a recipient of a 2024 EcoTrust Indigenous Leadership Award I was very surprised, excited and extremely grateful for those who took the time to write nomination letters and letters of support on my behalf,” Sams said. “I work alongside and read about so many deserving Indigenous leaders and community members who are doing incredible work protecting sovereignty, culture, lands, first foods, water, economics and so much more across Alaska, California, Canada, Oregon and Washington. This acknowledgement is absolutely something that makes my heart big and I will forever be grateful for. As an elected leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation I have done my best to work diligently for the protection, restoration

and enhancement of our natural resources, lands, sovereignty, health, prosperity and all interest that impact our tribal and non-tribal people in this region. This work is not possible without the enormous amount of support from my family, fellow Board of Trustees members, General Council officers, staff, tribal membership and all our tribal, state and federal partners. ” On the CTUIR Board, Sams helps the tribe make decisions in areas such as restoring native fish, water conservation, treaty rights, technology, business, education, health and agriculture. She chairs the Fish & Wildlife Commission, sits on the Law & Order Commission and helps steer legislation to the Board for passage.

As the former chair and current treasurer of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fishing Commission (CRITFC) – which coordinates management policy and provides fisheries technical services for the CTUIR, Warm Spring Tribes, Yakama Nation and Nez Perce Tribe – Sams spearheaded the 2024 CRITFC Salmon Camp for sixth and seventh graders enrolled in the four tribes.

The four CRITFC tribes as well as the states of Washington and Oregon, accomplished a major goal in December 2023 when the Biden Administration signed the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA).

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CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

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Brigham wins BPA Excellence Award PORTLAND – Kathryn Brigham, a former Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees (BOT) chairwoman, recently received an Administrator’s Excellence Award from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Brigham was one of two winners of the Roy Hunter Sampsel Tribal Achievement Award. The other winner was Spokane Tribal Business Council Chairwoman Carol Evans. The award is for reinforcing relationships and enhancing collaboration between the BPA and tribal partners on issues of mutual interests.

“I wasn’t aware of the annual BPA Administrator’s Excellence Award until (BPA Tribal Liaison) Marcy (Foster) called to let me know that I won the award,” she said. “Once BPA sent me the comments from people who supported my getting the award I was very honored and amazed.”

Brigham added many tribal elders told her that her responsibility as a CTUIR elected leader was to protect the Treaty of 1855 for future generations. She served as the BOT secretary from 2005-15. She was elected secretary again in a special election in February 2017 and served until the term ended in November.

She was then re-elected as secretary for the 2017-19 term before serving as chairwoman from 2019-23.

According to BPA, Brigham earned

Kay’s

the award for being a “stalwart protector of the natural and cultural resources of the region” and has spent decades safeguarding her people’s treaty rights by environmental stewardship.

“Her dedication to preserving, protecting and restoring endangered salmon populations has been insurmountable in helping BPA mitigate the effects of the federal dams on fish and wildlife,” according to BPA. “The state-of-the-art Walla Walla Fish Hatchery, which took three decades to complete and will bring thousands more spring chinook salmon back to the Walla Walla River Basin, is just one result of her partnership with the agency.

With countless contributions to Northwest tribes, Kat’s lifetime of work has been nothing short of transformative.”

Brigham said that in 1976 then-BPA CEO Don Hodel invited the chairs of the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes (CTUIR, Yakama Nation, Nez Perce Tribe and Confederated Tribes of Warms Springs) to a meeting to discuss providing funding to the tribes. Brigham said Hodel believed the tribes should have a seat at the Columbia River salmon table, and because of this meeting the four tribes signed a memorandum of understanding in 1977 that created the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC).

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NCS changes cultural leave policy, bans cell phone use during classtime

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ MISSION – With a new school year at Nixyáawii Community School (NCS) comes new rules for students, including stricter requirements to miss class for cultural activities and a cell phone ban.

The changes come after NCS staff tired of wrestling with the consequences of students taking advantage of lenient policies and what school officials say is a poorer education those students receive as a result.

Nixyáawii students have been allowed to miss school to participate in cultural events or practices, said principal Ryan Heinrich. Missed days for those reasons had been counted as excused absences.

But the school has changed its cultural leave policy for the start of the academic year, limiting the number of days students could miss for those reasons and requiring documentation of their experience.

The school made the change after NCS staff and school board member concerns surfaced in May that some families and students had been abusing the cultural leave policy. Students were missing school for things that couldn’t reasonably be considered a traditional cultural activity but claiming cultural significance just to skip school and avoid having to complete missed

assignments.

Events like funerals, memorials and activities like gathering, hunting or fishing are acceptable cultural leave justifications, Heinrich said during a school board meeting discussion about the issue in May. “Shed hunting is not,” he added.

Although Henrich said most students appropriately use the school’s cultural leave rules, three or four families frequently abused the policy which forced the change.

Nixyáawii students will now only be permitted four cultural leave days per year. Any additional absences where a student says they were participating in a cultural activity will be considered unexcused absences, according to Heinrich.

When returning from their leave, students will also need to complete a form and provide basic details – such as what they did, who they were with and why it was important to them – about their experience and turn it in to a teacher within two days. The school implemented that change last year to try and cut down on the problem.

The school’s new policy also addresses assignments and work the student missed while participating in a cultural activity or event.

Falling behind in class and not completing assignments or other work missed while on cultural leave was one of the biggest concerns NCS leaders and the school board brought

up when discussing potential responses to misuse of the policy.

Previously, students were not necessarily required to complete every assignment they may have missed while out on cultural leave.

But under the new policy, students will be required to complete any assignments or assessments they missed.

School bans cellphones Schools nationwide, including in Oregon and Washington, have increasingly grappled with how to manage cellphones over concerns that unchecked use of mobile devices in the classroom or in school keeps students from learning or leads to bullying.

In Oregon, student cellphone policies are left up to individual school districts, though the Oregon Department of Education plans to release guidance around cellphone use in schools, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

At Nixyáawii, Heinrich said cellphones were previously allowed to be used during the school day and in classrooms, which resulted in students spending too much time on their phones and using social media instead of paying attention to their teachers. Educators have also raised concerns that unregulated cellphone use in schools contributed to bullying and fights.

That prompted the school to try a cellphone use ban pilot period during school for the second half of the year, Heinrich said.

Since students were less distracted and participated in class more after the ban was instituted, NCS decided to make the policy permanent starting with the new school year.

According to the policy, students will be required to turn their cellphones off and put them away during the school day. Students will be allowed to use them before school, during lunch and after school.

Consequences for students caught with their phones will range from the device being held in the school office for the remainder of the day or requiring a parent or guardian to come and pick it up. Students who are frequently caught violating the rule could face stiffer punishment, such as in-school suspension or meetings with school leaders.

If parents or guardians need to reach a student because of an emergency, Heinrich said they can call the office and have a staff member pass a message along to the student.

Other changes at NCS, which operates as a charter school on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, include an altered bell schedule and new tardy policy to cut down on the time students miss from class or are frequently late.

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10

WATER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

our enterprises, both of which are very important to us,” said CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke. “Water is very important to all of us. It sustains life. It is part of our religion and part of our First Foods.”

The IHS’s financial commitment now allows the project – one of the Board of Trustee’s top priorities – to move forward. The project is the largest funding allocation in the IHS Portland Area Sanitation Facilities Construction Program’s 65-year history.

Oregon U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden previously secured $3 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for project. The CTUIR will pay the remainder of the project’s costs.

According to the tribe, work is expected to begin in late 2025 and be completed about two years later.

CTUIR’s Public Works department will manage the new system.

At capacity The tribe’s sewer system dates to the 1970s and requires the tribe to pump some of its wastewater to Pendleton for treatment.

It also operates at capacity, and sometimes exceeds it, creating a potential for a sewage overflow only a couple hundred feet from the Umatilla River, said Lt. Michael Blasy, IHS’s Yakama Field Office

senior environmental engineer.

IHS field visits to see the CTUIR’s sanitation system and witness how close it was to overflowing made it easy for him and others to convince high-ranking decision makers that the CTUIR project should get federal funding, he said.

“Not only was this a public health issue, this is now an environmental issue,” Blasy said. “This is a problem.”

When completed, a wastewater recycling facility along Mission Road will treat up to 1.5 million gallons of water a day without chemicals by using a combination of ultraviolet light and a sludge of microorganisms that consume contaminants in polluted water. The system should be able to store about 92 million gallons of the reclaimed water.

The new system will quintuple how much tribal wastewater is recycled and available for reuse, Northern previously told the Confederated Umatilla Journal.

Once recycled, the water will be pumped to a 60-acre manmade wetlands area near TCI and Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s golf course.

The treated water won’t be safe for drinking but will be suitable for watering lawns and vegetable or fruit gardens. It will also be used to irrigate the golf course, which accounts for about a quarter of the CTUIR’s groundwater usage, Northern previously told the CUJ. The area would also serve as

Lt. Michael Blasy, senior environmental engineer for the Indian Health Service’s Yakama Field Office, right, listens as Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Public Works Director Justin Northern talks about a planned 60-acre manmade wetlands area located near Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.

CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

habitat for birds, pollinators, waterfowl and native plants.

Walking trails and educational kiosks with information about the importance of First Foods and natural resources to the CTUIR would also potentially be added for community members and Wildhorse visitors.

By 2042, the tribe estimates that the new wastewater treatment system could prevent 444,000 gallons a day of the regional aquifer’s potable water from being used on crops or the golf course.

“That is equivalent to the annual permitted water production capacity of two to three additional community wells,” Northern said.

Tribal officials have said the new system would have the capacity to accommodate a growing tribal community and that preserving groundwater for other initiatives,

like housing projects, would help spur tribal economic development.

According to a CTUIR press release, the IHS visit to the Umatilla India Reservation was the first event of many agency officials had planned for World Water Week to highlight tribal projects funded with help from the federal government and recognize the need for improved water and sanitation infrastructure in tribal communities.

“I think what’s most important about this is that this really demonstrates to Indian Country how we’re being proactive in addressing the needs of over 41,000 American Indian [and] Alaska Natives that either need access to water or safe environmental situations at their homes or in their communities,” said IHS Deputy Director Benjamin Smith during the proposed wetlands site visit.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

BRIDGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tribal fire department chief, who lives near the bridge.

“The bridge plays such an important role for community members upriver,” she said.

More recently, tribal leaders intent on seeing the bridge replaced, pressed Gov. Tina Kotek to speed up the process during her April tour of the reservation that included a stop at the site of the washed-out bridge.

Schulte, who said she said she is frequently asked about the status of the bridge replacement, was hopeful that “a noticeable hustle” following Kotek’s visit would prompt the state to begin work this year, fall weather permitting.

“I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see the start date in 2025,” she said. “We will continue to press hard on ODOT to get the bridge construction completed as soon as possible.”

Funding availability for the project

hasn’t held up the project. Instead, bureaucratic hurdles and a limited construction season window due to Umatilla River salmon protections have kept work from starting.

ODOT officials say they are finalizing – or have completed – required pre-construction steps like obtaining permanent or temporary construction access easements needed for the project and completing cultural and environmental resource reviews.

The state is also ready to apply for a development permit from the CTUIR once all the needed easements are finalized, Owens said in her email.

A construction schedule will be provided by the contractor chosen to complete the project, she added.

“We understand the importance of the bridge to Umatilla County, the CTUIR and neighbors,” said ODOT spokesperson Vicki Moles in a May email. “We look forward to working with Umatilla County to replace the Thorn Hollow Bridge in 2025 and reconnecting the local community.”

11

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WILDHORSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

1,500-seat convention center. A new restaurant and new location for the Wild Roast Coffee Shop is also among planned additions.

But concerns, like inflation and increasing project cost projections, and the potential of at least one competing casino opening nearby that would dent Wildhorse revenue, has left some BOT members uneasy, leading two Trustees to vote against the Aug. 27 resolutions related to the project.

Still, although tribal leaders say they haven’t determined the final scope, project costs and financing details, the BOT committed to Wildhorse’s expansion plans, approving a construction budget to include a new 214-room hotel tower, event/convention center and restaurant, according to one of the two resolutions.

The expansion would increase the number of its hotel rooms by more than 100 and help meet a constant demand for additional hotel rooms for customers and visitors to the area, casino officials have said. In addition, the convention center would allow Wildhorse to host larger and more frequent events.

Wildhorse CEO Gary George said the type of space they are proposing would make it possible to host a wider variety of events, from mixed martial arts and boxing events to conferences and trade shows.

Casino officials are confident the project will be a worthy investment.

“WRC has completed feasibility studies and based on historical revenue projections, we feel the project will increase CTUIR revenues,” George said.

The expansion has been one of the BOT’s top priorities in recent years.

A hotel and event center were meant to be part of Wildhorse’s

Wildhorse Resort & Casino CEO Gary George announces the beginning of the end for the Courtyard hotel structure during a ceremony Aug. 19.

CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024 most recent major expansion – the family entertainment center, which included the movie theater and bowling alley, that was approved in 2019. But that part of the project stalled when construction costs surged.

Tentative plans Wildhorse has shared with the BOT call for the tribe to cover most of the expansion’s costs with a loan, though details and cost projections have yet to be finalized.

At a July BOT work session, Wildhorse estimated that the project would cost $186.4 million. That total includes the $8.6 million Courtyard Hotel demolition tribal leaders approved the same month.

The project’s financing package is also expected to roll over nearly $15 million of debt remaining from the most recent expansion into the new loan.

Over the next one to two months, George said one of the contractors the tribe hired to manage the project will be accepting bids to finalize a “Guaranteed Maximum Price” that will then be shared with the BOT so tribal leaders can determine the final scope and costs of the project.

End of an era Current proposed plans call for the new hotel to rise from where the Courtyard Hotel sat.

Since it opened in 1996, the Courtyard Hotel has played a key role in the steady expansion of Wildhorse into a “destination-type resort” with its revenue helping to finance the golf course, RV park and hotel tower, George said during an Aug. 19 ceremony to kick off the demolition phase.

But regardless, the old hotel needed to be taken down.

The hotel lacked modern amenities and had received many negative reviews from guests as it aged, in addition to being fire hazard due to being a wooden construction, George has said.

Tearing it down and – possibly – replacing it with a new modern hotel made more sense than an expensive overhaul, said George.

Crews began dismantling the Courtyard on Aug. 20.

“It served us well,” George said at the August ceremony. “We’re happy for what the Courtyard has done, but we’re happy to also see it being replaced.”

George also wants the BOT to OK proposals to construct an innovative, though expensive, conference center that would allow Wildhorse to host a wider range of events with bigger crowds – and switch between room configuration for different types of events in minutes. A new banquet kitchen would allow Wildhorse to easily feed the large gatherings it envisions for the event space.

Thanks to a hydraulic system and segmented floor that can be raised and lowered, the event center could be set up to accommodate a trade convention or wedding spread out with tables over a flat floor and then quickly be changed to host a concert

Since it opened in 1996, the Courtyard Hotel has played a key role in the steady expansion of Wildhorse into a “destination-type resort” with its revenue helping to finance the golf course, RV park and hotel tower, CEO Gary George said during an Aug. 19 ceremony to kick off the demolition phase. Crews began demolition work Aug. 20. CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

with stage and stadium-style seating.

“I think it’s going to impress quite a few people throughout the entire region because it would be unique and will be one-of-a-kind in the Northwest,” he said.

Other additions to Wildhorse that have been discussed, like an outdoor entertainment facility that could host events like concerts, powwows and rodeos, aren’t being considered for this project – although tribal and casino leaders have said they’d like to include those features in future projects.

Return on investment At-Large BOT members Lisa Ganuelas and Corinne Sams said inflation and increasingly high estimated project costs, questions about the revenue projections and worries about impacts to tribal programs and services to tribal members led them to vote against the Aug. 27 resolutions.

While she recognized the importance of Wildhorse to the CTUIR economy and appreciated the work of staff and administration making it a destination, Sams said she hadn’t been provided enough information to endorse the BOT’s latest actions.

Additionally, she said she was concerned that the expansion would affect the tribe’s sustainability goals because of increased water needs the expanded casino would need to draw from limited groundwater supplies.

“Our people still have unmet needs in our community that, in my opinion, should be prioritized.

I want to be mindful of what amount of debt we are committing future generations to,” Sams said.

“I recognize we must grow in order to attract more business and profit.

However, it is my job to ensure I am provided with detailed information and data to support an investment of this magnitude.”

In projections shared with tribal leaders in July, Wildhorse has predicted revenue increasing from about $146.1 million in 2024 to nearly $200 million by 2032. Over the same period, the CTUIR share of Wildhorse’s revenue would go

from about $40.7 million in 2024 to $52 million, according to the July estimates.

But Sams and Ganuelas said they were also concerned that a proposed casino the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has proposed to build in the Tri-Cities – where Wildhorse draws a significant number of its customers – would cut into Wildhorse profits.

“In my opinion we have so many uncertainties facing us at the moment,” Sams said. “I did not feel the data presented laid out a clear return of investment projections or give a detailed proposal of what cuts or modifications would be accompanied by a loan of this size.”

CTUIR officials have previously warned that the Colville Tribes’ offreservation casino in Pasco would result in Wildhorse losing out on millions in revenue annually to the new competitor.

Some CTUIR leaders, however, have also said the expansion would keep Wildhorse competitive and prevent it from losing too many guests and gamblers to a new TriCities rival.

“We gotta make sure our place is nice to continue to keep bringing people here,” BOT Treasurer Raymond Huesties said in July while discussing whether to move forward with the Courtyard Hotel demolition.

In April, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced that it had started the review process for the Colville Tribes’ proposal.

To proceed with the project, the tribe needs the federal government to take that land – which is a nearly three-hour drive from the Colville tribal headquarters in Nespelem – into trust and permit gaming on it.

The CTUIR and The Yakama Nation are working to derail the proposal, arguing that a Colville tribal casino within the ceded homelands of the Yakama Nation and the treaty-protected traditional use areas of both tribes would violate treaty rights and the BIA’s trust responsibility. They’ve also said Colville Tribes have wrongly claimed that the area is part of its homelands.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

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LETTERS Loan program important to tribal members Thank you to the 110 General Council members that attended the Special General Council Meeting on Thursday, August 1st to address the concerns of the consumer loan program with Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS). I feel the meeting went well. I’m grateful for the space and time available for Tribal Members to have a long-needed conversation.

To prepare for the meeting, I conducted a short survey asking General Council Members their satisfaction with NCFS that was distributed via Facebook. I apologize that the survey was not available longer and on paper. I did not have much time from when the date and time was announced to when the Office of the General Council needed my presentation. I would have done more outreach and attended the Elder’s Meeting for inperson surveys if I had more time.

With the data I did collect, I think it gave a good feel for what concerns are/were present about the Loan Program. The NCFS Executive Director, Dave Tovey, and a few of the Board of Directors, Kelly George and Roberta Conner, were present

and answered questions from my presentation. There were some other questions and comments presented during the meeting as well.

I have been informed some General Council Members were disappointed that there was not a motion made. I originally intended on making a motion, but with the conversation that took place and from the article in the August CUJ, it appeared that Mr. Tovey and his staff were making efforts to improve communication and customer service with tribal members.

Even without a motion made, it was made apparent that the loan program is an important service to our tribal members. Tribal members should be treated with respect when accessing any services, especially those that are needed in times of emergency. Finances are a difficult topic to discuss and should be handled in a trauma informed way.

I encourage our tribal members to continue to organize when we feel our voices are not heard. Read the Treaty and Constitution. Request documents. Ask questions. Join Committees and Commissions.

Attend BOT and General Council Meetings. Always know and exercise your rights as a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Thank you all for allowing and trusting me to be a part of this process.

Himéeqiš qe?ciyé?wyew, Denise Wickert, X-1675

Moving forward, I hope the Board of Trustees continues to followup with NCFS and hold them accountable on their policies and procedures, transparency, and how they work with our tribal members.

It’s important that this service is accessible and adequate for our tribal members.

• Letters containing profanity will not be published.

Letters are published on a space available basis, in order of receipt.

• Limit to 300 words or less • Information found to be inaccurate/ libelous will not be published.

• One letter per issue will be published. Campaigning is not allowed.

• Author’s full name, address and phone number must be listed for verification purposes.

Email letters to CUJ@ctuir.org

Scan to find and follow our NEW Facebook page @TheCUJ1855 Congratulations to our

Employee of the Month

August Employees of the Month!

WRC AUGUST

Employees of the Month Supervisor: Vicente Romero, Banquets Lead “Although Vicente proves to be an asset to Wildhorse on a regular basis, he has demonstrated his worth especially well in the past couple months. During a golf tournament lunch, I watched him spring into action to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking guest, potentially saving a life while on duty. Recently, he put in 100 hours during the week of the Epson tournament, ensuring the success of the food and beverage end of the event. This includes staying very late despite an early morning shift to help save the food in the coolers when the power went out. These are just the latest examples I can give that display his dedication to his position.”

- Nominated by Andrea Graham-Decker, Marketing

Frontline: Maryjo O’Neill, CEC

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“I believe MaryJo O’Neill is very deserving of frontline employee of the month, because MaryJo goes out of her way to help anyone and everyone with what they need. Whether it be a guest needing help locating information about the casino or a coworker needing assistance with their tasks. If MaryJo sees her coworker having a rough day, she will look for ways to help them to make their day a little better. MaryJo looks for ways to make birthday’s OR special events extra special for her coworkers. While working with the children in the CEC, MaryJo gets down to their level and engages the children. If we have children who are having rough behaviors MaryJo is quick to step in and help get them settled. MaryJo knows all the tricks to help with behavior issues. I have watched MaryJo over the time she has been in the CEC, help children with things that are not part of our daily job duties. For example, we have a child who’s parent asks that he does his homework while here. Mary Jo will sit down with this child and help him complete his work, not by doing it for him, but by helping him to learn and understand the task at hand. MaryJo has been a wonderful asset to the CEC. We really enjoy having her.”

- Nominated by Donna Raph, CEC

Support: Andrea Decker, Group Sales Coordinator “I nominate Andrea for her outstanding work. Over the last few years, She has done a great job and is always willing to help out with the banquets while she worked for group sales. She has been an invaluable member of the team and has consistently demonstrated her strong work ethic and willingness to help out in any way possible. Andrea is always the first to volunteer for any task, whether it’s setting up tables or helping with decorations. She’s a dependable team player, and steps in when I’m not available to lead the team. She has a positive attitude and will go above and beyond what is asked. She impacts WRC in more ways than one. Overall, I believe that Andrea is an ideal candidate for this recognition. Her hard work, dedication, and positive attitude is worth being acknowledged.”

- Nominated by Vicente Romero, Banquets Lead

14

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

15

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Board of Trustees Gary I. Burke Chairman

Aaron Ashley Vice Chairman

Corinne Sams Member at Large

Raymond Huesties Treasurer

Lisa Ganuelas Member at Large

Roberta J. Wilson Secretary

Toby Patrick Member at Large

Alan Crawford

General Council Chairman

Steven Hart Member at Large

Nixyáawii Governance Center CTUIR Board of Trustees Minutes 46411 Timíne Way Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-3165 bot@ctuir.org l ctuir.org JUNE 17, 2024 hereby approves the attached 1C for purposes of renovating

the Board of Trustees approves Joint Management Agreement building 131 to provide the and authorizes the submission Ascertainment of Quorum. between Umatilla Basinis Water Development the formed Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation comprisedWorkforce of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Wallaof Tribes, under the Treaty BOT Present: BOT Umatilla County, space, to protect, 3rd Year Continuation of 1855 at the Walla Present Walla Valley,Commission, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted Department a constitutional an formoffice of government preserve and enhance Grant the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.

Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chair; and the Confederated Tribes of computer lab, and training space; Application #90CI010130 for Raymond Huesties, Treasurer; the Umatilla Indian Reservation, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Year 3 of Federal Assistance Roberta Wilson, Secretary; Lisa and authorizes its Chairman that the Board of Trustees directs Continuation Refunding Grant Ganuelas, Member; Corinne to execute it on behalf of the the Office of Executive Director Application (Exhibit 1) and 2024Sams, Member; Steve Hart, BOT Confederated Tribes; AND BE to review other sources of 2025 Budget (Exhibit 2); AND BE Member and, Alan Crawford IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the funding to be used in place of the IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the General Council Chairman. Board of Trustees authorizes American Rescue Plan Act Funds Board of Trustees authorizes the Gary Burke, BOT Chairman on its Executive Director to such as the Tribal Vocational Executive Director to prepare, personal leave. Toby Patrick, take such further action and Rehabilitation Program funds, submit, negotiate and execute BOT Member on personal leave. execute other documents, if Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional the Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start Quorum present. any, that are necessary to carry carry-over funding, and other Grant #90CI010130 and with the out the purposes of the Joint such grant sources as available; Cay-Uma-Wa Policy Council and Agenda Review.

MOTION: Management Agreement and this AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, provide periodic reports through Raymond Huesties moves to Resolution; MOTION: Raymond that the Board of Trustees our established process to the approve agenda with changes. Huesties moves to adopt authorizes its Chair and the Tribal Education Committee, Corinne Sams seconds. Resolution 24-042. Corinne Sams Executive Director to execute Board of Trustees regarding Discussion. Question. Motion seconds. Discussion. Question. the documents and to take such accomplishments and obstacles carries 6-0-0.

Motion carries 6-0-0. further action as may be required in such implementation; to carry out the purposes of this MOTION: Corinne Sams moves Old Business: None.

Resolution 24-043: Topic: Resolution and to complete the to adopt Resolution 24-045 with Workforce Development building 131 scope of work; correction to delete "Interim" Polled Motion: 24-005 Subject: Building 131 Office Renovations. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves from Education Director title.

Joint Letter Yakama Nation RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees to adopt Resolution 24-043. Raymond Huesties seconds. on Tribal Gaming Projects. hereby approves the Workforce Toby Patrick seconds. Discussion. Discussion. Question. Motion MOTION: Corinne Sams moves Development Building 131 Question. Motion carries 6-0-0. carries 6-0-0 to ratify 24-005 with corrections renovations scope of work to Poll Sheet. Lisa Ganuelas and budget attached to this Resolution 24-044: Topic: ODOT Other Board Action Items: seconds. Discussion. Question. Resolution as Exhibit 1C; AND TERO MOU. RESOLVED, that the None.

Motion carries 6-0-0.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Chairman of the Board of Trustees the Board of Trustees hereby is approved to sign the ODOT BOT Travel or External Meeting Other Board Action Items: authorizes its Executive Director TERO MOU (attached as exhibit Reports. Deferred.

None. to execute necessary contracts 1); MOTION: Raymond Huesties to complete work consistent moves to adopt Resolution 24- BOT Leave and Travel or Outside New Business: Proposed with the scope of work and do 044. Roberta Wilson seconds. Meeting Requests.

Resolutions: Next resolution not exceed the budget set forth Discussion. Question. Motion number is Resolution 24-042: in Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FURTHER carries 5-0-0. [Toby Patrick not Lisa Ganuelas, 6/7 polled Topic: Joint Management RESOLVED, that the Board of present for vote] personal leave.

Agreement- West Birch Creek Trustees hereby appropriates Roberta Wilson, 6/6 and 6/7 for a Road Passage Project. RESOLVED, American Rescue Plan Act Funds Resolution 24-045: Topic: Head total of 4 hours. Roberta Wilson, that the Board of Trustees in the amount set forth in Exhibit Start Grant RESOLVED, that polled personal leave 6/15

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

16

CTUIR Board of Trustees Minutes Continued and 6/17. MOTION: Raymond Huesties moves to approve leave requests. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 6-0-0.

JULY 22, 2024 Ascertainment of Quorum.

BOT Present: Gary Burke, BOT Chairman; Aaron Ashley, ViceChair; Raymond Huesties, Treasurer; Roberta Wilson, Secretary; Toby Patrick, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Steve Hart, BOT Member and, Alan Crawford General Council Chairman. Lisa Ganuelas, Member on personal leave. Quorum present.

Agenda Review.

MOTION: Raymond Huesties moves to approve agenda. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 7-0-0.

Old Business: Polled Motions: No.24-006 Subject: Congressional Oversight re: Extra Territorial Tribal Casino Development Proposals.

MOTION: Corinne Sams moves

to ratify Polled Motion 24-006.

Raymond Huesties seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

No. 24-007 Subject: BOT Donation of $3,000 to Tamkalikts Committee.

MOTION: Toby Patrick moves to ratify Polled Motion 24007. Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Polled Resolution: i.

No. 24-060 Topic: Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Wells Fargo Loan Agreement.

RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Letter Agreement Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Wells Fargo Loan Agreement attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1 C and authorizes the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman, in the Chairman's absence) of the Board of Trustees (each, an Authorized Official) to execute, as necessary, the Letter Agreement Amendment in substantially such form;

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

46411 Timíne Way | Pendleton, OR 97801

General Council

www.ctuir.org email: generalcouncil@ctuir.org Phone & Fax: 541-429-7378

General Council Draft Agenda September 19, 2024 @ 2:00 PM Hybrid: In-person & Virtual via Zoom

1.

Call to Order 2.

Invocation 3.

Ascertainment of Quorum

a. General Council Officers

b. Board of Trustees

c. General Council Members 4.

Approval of Agenda

5.

Approval of Executive Summary - August 15, 2024

6.

Old Business a. New Housing Update - Bill Tovey, DECD Director

7.

New Business a. Department of Children & Family Services Julie Taylor, DCFS Director b. Celebration Committee Annual Report Kellen Joseph, Celebration Committee Chair

8.

9.

Announcements/Notes Adjournment

Only enrolled CTUIR Tribal Members permitted to attend. Email Shawna Gavin, ShawnaGavin@ctuir.org, for zoom meeting ID & passcode.

provided, that the Chairman (or the Vice-Chairman, in the Chairman's absence) of the Board of Trustees may approve on behalf of the Confederated Tribes any further changes to the attached Letter Agreement Amendment recommended by tax counsel or legal counsel to the Confederated Tribes, and the signature of any such official on the Letter Agreement Amendment shall conclusively evidence the approval of the Confederated Tribes of such changes; and provided further, that the signatures of such officials may be manual or facsimile; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes each of the Authorized Officials, on behalf of the Confederated Tribes, to execute, deliver and/or file (or cause to be delivered and/or filed) any government forms, affidavits, certificates, letters, documents, agreements and instruments and to take or direct such other actions that such Authorized Official determines to be necessary or desirable to

give effect to this Resolution and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes and directs its tax counsel to the Confederated Tribes to prepare the legal opinion necessary for the execution of the Letter Agreement Amendment; MOTION: Aaron Ashley moves to ratify Polled Resolution 24060. Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 24-061: Topic: Amendment to the Master Zoning Map for 45478 NE Hwy 11. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby amends the Master Zoning Map to change lot 2N33000001901 from Farm Pasture (Ag-2) to Industrial Development (I-D); AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this Amendment to the Master Zoning Map shall take effect immediately. MOTION: Raymond Huesties moves to adopt Resolution 24-061.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Minutes Continued Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion.

Question.

Motion carries 7-0-0.

Other Board Action Items: None.

BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports: Corinne Sams and Steven Hart, 7/9-10 to Tacoma, WA to attend Social Hour with WA Legislators. MOTION: Toby Patrick moves to approve travel reports.

Raymond Huesties seconds.

Discussion.

Question.

Motion carries 7-0-0.

BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests.

Corinne Sams, personal leave on 7/16 and 7/19.

Lisa Ganuelas, polled travel 7/17-18 to Bend to meet with Legislator’s at fundraiser.

MOTION: Raymond Huesties moves to ratify and approve leave requests.

Toby Patrick seconds.

Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

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SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Community SEP TEM BER 2 0 24 | VOLUME 32 • ISSUE 9

Tule camp ensures knowledge is passed on

By CHRIS AADLAND The CUJ MISSION – As they worked to harvest Tule under a hot sun in the aboriginal homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) over the Labor Day weekend, the approximately 30 tribal members gathered shared their ideas for how they’d use the mats they would make the next day.

One tribal member said she was planning to use the mat as a memorial for a loved one.

Another said his would be used in his naming and first kill ceremonies, while some said they’d be used to serve or dry food.

For an elder tribal member who had just moved home to the reservation, assembling his mat helped satisfy a craving for knowledge about his culture.

Regardless of the reason for each mat’s creation, each shared a common purpose: ensuring traditional knowledge is passed on to future generations and connecting to their culture.

“It’s bringing me back to my roots,” TULE CONTINUED PAGE 6

Tribal members Richard Star and Brosnan Spencer work to tie up a pile of tule plants they harvested in the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area near La Grande during a Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Family Engagement Program excursion Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

Schimmel setting the pace for Golden Eagles

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ

Nixyáawii’s Sun Schimmel and Noah Snow run during cross-country practice on Aug. 23.

KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

MISSION — Weyekin Wildbill is building the Nixyaawii Community School cross-country with a little deception, but he will do whatever it takes to get the kids out on the road.

“A majority of the cross-country team does play basketball,” Wildbill said. “That’s where I have the persuasion to get them out. They want to be in shape for basketball.”

Leading the way for the Golden Eagles is sophomore Sun Schimmel, who had an outstanding track season as a freshman, and is parlaying that success into cross-country.

“After having a successful track season, that built a lot of confidence for him,” Wildbill said. “He has had a pretty good summer of training.

He has put in a lot of miles. He has a couple of goals in mind. He is going to be one of the leaders on the team even though he is a sophomore.”

Joining Schimmel will be seniors Sacas Wildbill and Weptas Brockie, and sophomore Wyatt Withers.

“Sacas has run every year, and Weptas is working really hard this

season.” Wildbill said. “Wyatt shows a lot of promise. I think he could have a breakthrough season.”

The Golden Eagles also have a few new faces on the team, and Wildbill is hoping to see more runners once school starts.

“There are a lot of opportunities for the kids out here,” he said. “There are some that are young and don’t have a lot of experience. I think they will surprise themselves. They just need to focus on the right things. I have a lot of newcomers who haven’t run cross-country before. I think that is amazing.”

Wild Rose signs on as TCOC host drum

By WIL PHINNEY

The girls team is up to five runners, which Wildbill said is the most the program has had since he took over in 2021.

“I’m looking forward to expanding the girls team this year,” he said. “We have five girls, which I’m excited for.

They are all young too. I have 22 runners signed up (boys and girls).

That would be the biggest turnout

PENDLETON – Wild Rose, known for its twisting, turning, thundering fancy dance songs, will serve as host drum at the second annual Two Cultures, One Community Powwow in Pendleton set for Feb. 28 – March 2, 2025.

The first TCOC Powwow was a huge success with 10 contest drums and more than 600 dancers from across the United States and Canada converging on the Pendleton Convention Center for three days of competitive drumming, singing and dancing.

A family-based drum from the Yakama Reservation, Wild Rose earned judges’ top drum honors at Pendleton. It succeeds Northern Cree, the powwow’s inaugural host drum, which is expected to return to compete next year.

Caseymac Wallahee is an

NCS GIRLS CONTINUED PAGE 8

WILD ROSE CONTINUED PAGE 8

Nixyáawii girls program starting to take flight

2 Sports

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

Football: Bucks will rely on Primus, McQuinn to set the tone

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ PENDLETON — Pendleton/ Nixyáawii football coach Erik Davis loses players to graduation each year, but when you have 17 players pick up their diplomas and march on to college, it leaves a pretty big hole in your game plan.

“We have a lot of talent, but not a lot of experience on the varsity football field,” Davis said. “We are asking some young kids to step up.

We have confidence in them.”

The Bucks will have experience in the backfield with quarterback Colson Primus and running back Tugg McQuinn.

Primus, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, saw a fair amount of playing time last season and was named to the Special District 5 (SD5) second team. He will be pushed by sophomore Cole Sazue (6-2, 170).

“Colson is a really good manager of the game” Davis said. “He’s calm in the game and the way he plays — not too high and not too low. Cole is a special talent back there as well. He spent the summer traveling with the 7-on-7 team. He has great hands and is coachable. We are in good hands for the next couple of years.”

McQuinn, a 5-10, 165-pound junior, made a splash as a sophomore. He earned first-team honors as a running back last year while running for 496 yards on 76 carries and 10 touchdowns. He also earned honorable mention defensive back honors.

“Tugg is a special talent,” Davis said. “If he is on the field, we have a chance. With a year of experience, I expect great things out of Tugg.”

McQuinn was supposed to have help in the ball carrying department with Kael Kennedy, but a shoulder injury has sidelined the speedy senior.

“It stings a bit,” Davis said.

Senior Keegan Kline is back in the receiving corps, as well as in the secondary, with senior Mason Strong adding depth at both positions.

“Mason is one of the faster kids we have coached,” Davis said. “He came in this summer and was one of the top receivers at the Western Oregon camp and stood out on 7-on-7 in La Grande. He is a tremendous receiver.

He will fill in where Thaiden Cannin was. He is one to watch.”

Senior MJ Scott is another one to watch at free safety.

“He’s still learning the game, but he’s strong, fast and has talent,” Davis said. “We are going to put our coaching hats on and get him running in the right direction.”

Davis has had a few freshmen over the years make him take notice, and this year that player is receiver/ defensive back Aaden Hernandez (55, 125).

“He is small but fearless,” Davis said. “Nothing gets to him mentally.

He has done nothing but compete and flourish.”

The running backs and

Pendleton quarterback Colson Primus hands off to Tugg McQuinn while playing Scappoose on Aug. 30 at Pendleton High School. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Pendleton’s Landon Van Pelt blocks during football practice on Aug. 22. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

quarterbacks have the comfort of having center Deacon Pace back on the line. The 6-3, 290-pound senior was a first-team all-league center and defensive lineman last season.

“He is our rock up front,” Davis said of Pace. “He’s our center and down tackle. He went to a couple of football camps this summer. He’s a stud. He’s our best lineman on both sides of the ball. We have asked him to be a leader. He’s working with young kids and I’m excited for him.”

Also adding depth on the line are seniors Landon VanPelt and Miles Kennedy.

VanPelt is penciled on both sides of the ball, while Kennedy is getting reps on the defensive line and at inside linebacker, and as a tight end.

“Right now, he is playing some inside linebacker and will probably start at tight end too,” Davis said.

“Somewhat like we had with Karsten (Bracher) last year.”

VanPelt could be a difference maker up front. The 6-5, 380-pounder moves well for his size, according to Davis.

“He’s one of our better lineman up front,” Davis said. “He’s hard for a high school kid to handle. He’s a monster. He’s really strong and has great feet for a kid his size. He’s

starting to understand the game better. If we can keep him healthy, he will have a big year.”

The Bucks are coming off a season that saw them go 4-1 in SD5 play, and 7-3 overall. They lost to Mazama in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

The competition in SD5 will be tough again, with Baker returning junior Rasean Jones, who is a receiver and linebacker.

“You are going to have to know where he is all the time,” Davis said. He is pretty special. A once in a generational talent. They did graduate a ton of talent, but Rasean is one of the top football players in the state no matter the level.”

Crook County moves from the Tri-Valley Conference to SD5 this season and returns quarterback and two-time state wrestling champion Gavin Sandoval, who missed last season with a knee injury.

“The quarterback situation around the league is good, it will just depend on the supporting cast,” Davis said.

The Bucks will play just one game at the Round-Up Grounds on Nov. 1, against La Grande. All other home games will be at the high school.

To prepare for the SD5 season, Davis packed the preseason

Pendleton sophomore quarterback Cole Sazue unleashes a throw during football practice on Aug. 22.

Pendleton’s Marcellus Scott laughs as coach Patrick Udofia gives his helmet a congratulatory pat after a good play on the field against Scappoose on Aug. 30 at Pendleton High School.

KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

with tough teams, starting with Scappoose, which reached the 4A state semifinals last year, on Aug. 30.

“Scappoose is probably one of the top 4A teams in the state,” Davis said.

“It will be a good barometer to see where we stand.”

The Bucks will follow with a road game at 5A Caldera, home games with 5A Redmond and Idaho powerhouse Weiser, and will finish the preseason at Estacada.

“Weiser is tough,” Davis said.

“They are a dang good football team.

They are a smash mouth, 3 yards and a cloud of dust kind of team. Caldera just keeps getting better and better, Redmond has a new head coach in Kyle Lavender and they have some talent, and Estacada was the state champion in 2022.”

Starting with the Estacada game, the Bucks will play four consecutive games on the road, which is a first in the 13 years Davis has been at the helm.

COMING UP:

Sept. 6 Pendleton at Caldera 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 Redmond at Pendleton 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 Weiser at Pendleton 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Pendleton at Estacada 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Pendleton at Baker 7 p.m.

Sports 3

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Soccer: Defense to carry Pendleton until offense kicks in Bucks graduated their entire offense from last year

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ PENDLETON — Former Alabama football coach Bear Bryant once said, “Offense sells tickets.

Defense wins championships.”

Pendleton boys soccer coach Evan Brandhagen is going to have to depend on his team’s defense this season as the Bucks’ entire offense graduated, including Greater Oregon League player of the year Rene Ortega, who scored 16 of his team’s 30 goals last season.

“We graduated our offense and our goalie,” said Brandhagen, who took over the program after Kevin Johnson stepped down. “Three or four of them are playing college soccer, which is nice. We have most of our defense returning, which will be our strength. It’s nice to build off of that.”

Five of last year’s six defenders return, including seniors Griffen Coiner and Anson Dressler, and junior Colin Harrington, who all earned all-league honors.

Also returning are seniors Toese Taula and Matthew Stansberry.

“If we could never get scored on, it would make life easier,” Brandhagen said. “Anson scored a few goals 2024_SeptCUJ_ad_PRINT.pdf

9.75 x 7.625

last year, and Matthew and Colin are capable of going forward and scoring.”

Pendleton also is looking at juniors Jaren Yoshioka and Spencer Pace to add goals.

“Jaren was JV last year only because we had guys ahead of him,” Brandhagen said. “Spencer has improved a ton and will be lethal in front of the goal.”

There also has been a battle for the starting goalkeeper job after all-league goalie Manny Lopez graduated.

“We have three keepers — all new to the team this year,” Brandhagen said.

Senior Thomas Feller, who did not play last year, and freshman Jared Pace, have risen to the top.

“Jared was in PYSA,” Brandhagen said. “I’m excited for that program (Pendleton Youth Soccer Association). They have so many kids now.”

The youth program funnels kids into the high school program, which has right around 30 players this fall.

“I’m really excited about that,” Brandhagen said. “Last year, we had three freshmen and barely had a JV team. We’ve got nine freshmen and we had some others come out. We are waiting for an exchange student to come in, but we don’t know who we are getting.”

The Bucks won the GOL regular-

8/22/2024 10:18:06 AM

Pendleton’s Griffen Coiner battles for the ball with Antwahn Contreras, of Junction City, on Aug. 31 at Pendleton High School. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

season title last year with a 5-1 record and made the state playoffs, where they lost in the first round to The Dalles 2-1. They finished the season 9-4.

“Being a small league, if you drop a game you shouldn’t, it will hurt you,” Brandhagen said. “Other than Milton-Freewater (McLoughlin), we didn’t have a single game where we dropped the ball. We were always ready to play.”

It was the first league title in any league or level of play for the Bucks.

“I think we caught a lot of people by surprise,” Brandhagen said.

The Bucks allowed just 22 goals in 13 games last year, eight of which were scored by McLoughlin.

Pendleton gave up just nine goals in GOL play.

“Outside of the Milton-Freewater game, we had the least amount of goals scored on us in the entire league,” Brandhagen said. “I don’t think we’ll get scored on much again this year.”

Mac-Hi, the defending 3A state champion, is back on Pendleton’s schedule this season, as is Riverside, which made it to the 3A state quarterfinals last year.

“I feel like every year we have a challenging schedule,” Brandhagen said. “Milton-Freewater is no slouch, and Riverside is a solid team. That’s the area we live in — there are strong teams.”

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4 Sports

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

CUJ welcomes sports writer Annie Fowler MISSION – With the September issue of the Confederated Umatilla Journal, readers will notice a lot more sports coverage thanks to the work of sportswriter Annie Fowler.

Fowler grew up in Helix and graduated from Griswold High School in 1984.

She then attended Southern Oregon University where in 1988 she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications/ journalism.

“I worked for the Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, Oregon) for six years, the Argus Observer in Ontario (Oregon) for eight years, the Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington) for 18 1/2 years and the East Oregonian (Pendleton) for five years,” Fowler said. “I have spent more than 35 years in sports, covering everything from baseball to wrestling. I covered the Tri-City Americans hockey team for 16 years, a beat that took me on several Canadian adventures.”

Her work has also been published in other publications including the Seattle Times, The Spokesman-Review, Tacoma News Tribue, Yakima HeraldRepublic, Capital Press, The Olympian, Walla Walla UnionBulletin, Baker City Herald, and La Grande Observer.

Through her years of covering sports, she has also racked up numerous awards for her work in Oregon and Washington, including the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Media Person of the Year in May. She also swept the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association sports awards in July, earning first, second and third-place honors for her work at the East Oregonian.

“I enjoy covering small communities. There are so many outstanding athletes that otherwise would go unnoticed, and so many interesting stories to tell. I love the people in small communities. They are genuine and ardent supporters of their athletic teams,” Fowler said.

She has been married to her husband Scott for 35 years.

Together they have a son, Kyle, and their dog Thor.

Annie Fowler

Pendleton’s Halle Pederson (2) and Chais Surber (10) go after the ball while playing Junction City on Aug. 31 at Pendleton High School. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Girls Soccer: Graham will be key to success Rickman returns to Bucks’ sideline after 2-year absence

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ MISSION – When coach Kiana Rickman left the Pendleton girls soccer program after the 2021 season, Kelsey Graham was a freshman and the Bucks were playing in the 5A Intermountain Conference.

Rickman returns to the program this fall after spending the past two years in Wisconsin while her husband Nate finished his physical therapy degree.

The Bucks are in a different league and there are new faces, but there was a comfort in seeing Graham out on the pitch.

“Kelsey is a really good soccer player,” said Rickman, who will teach careers and world history at Pendleton High School. “She is a quiet leader, but the kids follow her.

She’s always doing the right thing.”

Graham, who goes to school at Weston-McEwen, scored 17 of the team’s 28 goals, with eight assists last season, and earned first-team Greater Oregon League honors.

The Bucks graduated eight players from last year’s team, but Graham, fellow seniors Halle Pederson and Sara Airoldi and junior Hazel Case return as team leaders.

“The people we do have will contribute in big ways,” Rickman said. “It’s kind of like when I took it over the first time and I had a really good freshman class. We still have Kelsey and Halle, Sara should contribute big minutes at midfield, and Hazel is a great defender. We are scrappy and have a good work ethic.”

Rickman also is looking for midfielder Noemi Alverez-Barroso and volleyball convert Chais Surber to contribute, along with a handful of freshmen.

In goal, Citlali Garcia returns after

backing up all-league goalie Miranda Medrano last season.

“She is super enthusiastic about it,” Rickman said. “She’s super coachable. It’s been fun to see. She is one of the most positive kids I have ever seen.”

Last year, the Bucks went 3-2-1 in league play, and lost in the first round of the 4A state playoffs to Scappoose to finish the season 6-7-2.

“The GOL is a good league,” Rickman said. “It’s nice not to have to travel so much, and it’s my first year at 4A. I’m excited. We are also playing some more local schools.”

Rickman will be assisted by Dillon George and Jessica Macias.

A 2015 Pendleton graduate, Rickman played soccer, basketball and tennis for the Bucks, leaving the program with 31 career goals and a record for hat tricks in a season with three. She played college soccer at Nebraska-Wesleyan University.

While in Wisconsin, Rickman coached skiing for one year, and junior varsity soccer for one year.

The Bucks dropped in the season opener to The Dalles Aug. 30, but roared back with a 4-0 victory over Junction City on Aug. 31.

“Overall, the team played much more composed this game than our first,” Bucks coach Kiana Rickman said. “The biggest thing we lacked coming into the season was experience, so as we are getting our feet under us we are starting to settle down.”

Senior captain Kelsey Graham scored all four goals for Pendleton (1-1), with assists by Jadyn Schmidt, Halle Pederson and Presley Greenwalt.

“We were able to connect across the front and create opportunities,” Rickman said. I’m really proud of the coachability of this team. They want to learn, and they want to get better.

It’s rare to have so many players with that mentality.”

Pendleton goalie Citlalli Garcia stops a kick on during practice on Aug. 22.

KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Junior keeper Citlali Garcia finished with 10 saves to post the shutout.

Graham now has five goals over two games to start the season.

“Kelsey is an incredible play maker, and an incredible shooter, but she is much more than that,” Rickman said. “She is also the one that is coming back on defense and then getting back into position. Her competitiveness, endurance and composure on the field leads the energy and momentum we need.”

Graham said adjustments by Rickman helped the Bucks be successful against the Tigers.

“I’m proud of the way we played today,” Graham said. “Coach Rickman made some adjustments after our first game and we executed much better. Our passing was better, along with communication, which gave us several more opportunities.”

Pederson, a team captain with Graham, said the Bucks are adjusting well to a new team and coach.

“Coach Rickman made some rearrangements on the field and it really benefited us,” she said. “We worked better as a team and were overall quicker.”

Sports 5

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Volleyball: Golden Eagles will be young and inexperienced

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ MISSION — Nixyáawii Community School has been a basketball mecca since it opened its doors in 2004.

Rayne Spencer is hoping to carve out a little piece of the fanbase for her volleyball team.

“Volleyball is still very new to our community,” Spencer said.

“We have a lot of basketball players out here. Most of the girls played summer basketball. It’s just a little bit different, but we are trying to get them to enjoy it. I have a lot of hope for this program. Hoping to bring in multi-sport athletes and develop them as players. When you play more than one sport, it challenges you to grow as an athlete. Learning to be a teammate, communicate and be a student athlete.”

The Golden Eagles are a young team this season with sophomore Annalise Watchman, and juniors Neveah Moore and Shaundein Salt returning from last season.

Sophomore Devon Hall-Spencer was injured last year, but is back on the court this fall.

Junior Liana Stewart played last season, but chose to run crosscountry this year.

“We are kind of starting fresh right now,” Spencer said. “We have a lot of really young talent coming

up. It’s nice to see their faces again.

We are continuing to build their fundamentals and hopefully we will see some good volleyball games this year.”

The Golden Eagles are a little short on numbers this season and won’t be able to field a junior varsity team.

“We have smaller numbers this year, but we are going to make the best of what we have and continue to grow our program,” Spencer said. “It takes a few years to grow a program.

We are working on the buy-in of the girls and working hard.”

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center has been working with the school, holding an open gym for co-ed play on Sundays to try and grow the sport in the community.

“Hopefully we can develop some love for the game,” Spencer said. “Jay Stanley was a big part of that. Jay is going to continue the open gyms through October on Sundays so people can come out and play and have fun.”

The Golden Eagles, who play in the Old Oregon League, finished 0-10 in league play last year, and 2-13 overall. They lost three key seniors to graduation.

“We played some pretty solid teams last year and that is very eye opening, but also motivating,” Spencer said.

“We have to be patient with our progress. Those girls didn’t get to that point with one day’s work, but

Nixyaawii’s Brianah Matamoros and Aiyana Thompson-Redelk attempt to block a hit by Maya Payne, of Heppner, on Aug. 29 during the Umatilla/Morrow Volleyball Jamboree at Pendleton High School. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

months and years. The girls are using that in practice. We can get there.”

Nixyáawii opened its season Aug. 29 at the Umatilla/Morrow County Jamboree at Pendleton High School, an event that hosted teams from Pendleton, Irrigon, Pilot Rock, Umatilla, Heppner, Riverside, Stanfield and Ione/Arlington.

Nixyáawii went 0-4 on the day with losses to Heppner, Riverside, Umatilla and Irrigon.

“Definitely a good start to the season as we figure out rotations and the girls’ strengths,” Spencer said.

“A lot of positives taken… and good insight on where we can build from here.”

Nixyaawii’s Neveah Moore sets the ball during a volleyball practice on Aug. 23. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Football: TigerScots ready for another title run

By ANNIE FOWLER The CUJ ATHENA — Weston-McEwen finished second at state in the 2A state football playoffs the past two years. New coach Morgan Dunlap is looking for the same, or more.

“Kenzie (Hansell) was awesome,” said Dunlap, who worked with Hansell for eight seasons. “He was great with the kids. He built such a good foundation for us to take over.”

The TigerScots lost 16 seniors from last year’s team, but Dunlap said they will be OK. “We lost a lot of kids, but our core group is back,” he said. “We had a bunch of seniors on that team last year, but probably three-quarters of our starters were not seniors. We lost Mazon (Langford) and Caleb Springer — those were two of the big pieces we lost. I think we will be able to replace them with the kids we have coming back. We put a lot of emphasis on the weight program this summer.

They have been getting stronger.”

Dunlap also retooled the coaching staff. He brought in former Pendleton and Eastern Oregon University quarterback Kai Quinn, and former EOU defensive end Sage DeLong. Both were NAIA All-Americans for the Mountaineers.

“We got super lucky to get those guys on board,” Dunlap said. “Coach (Casey) Perkins and I put together a pretty awesome coaching staff. They haven’t been away from football very long, and they are high energy. My goal was to bring in guys who can do Xs and Os. I feel like we should be super successful.”

Quinn will work with three-year starting quarterback Ethan Berry, who was a first-team Blue Mountain Conference selection, and a second-

Weston-McEwen quarterback Easton Berry hands off to Maddox King during football practice on Aug. 26.

KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

team all-state pick. He threw for 1,885 yards and 25 touchdowns, while running for 388 yards and seven scores.

“I think it will be special to see his improvement with Kai working on his fundamentals,” Dunlap said of Berry. “We are very excited to have him back.”

Berry lost receivers Springer, Seth Muilenberg and Sean Roggiero, but has junior speedster Wyatt Parsons, and sophomores Colby Perkins and Camp Kinnaman ready to step in.

“They will be a big part of what we are doing,” Dunlap said.

Also returning is running back Maddox King, a second-team BMC selection last year. He finished the season with 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns on 190 carries. He also caught 11 passes for 167 yards and four touchdowns.

Berry and King will be in good hands as most of

the offensive line returns. The TigerScots will miss Alejandro Ceja, but Mason Mayte, Dylan Monaco (all-conference center) and Cason Pettyjohn are back, and Ethan Reeder will be at tight end.

Reeder, a first-team BMC defensive lineman, will resume his duties at defensive end, as will Jason Dunlap. Senior Gunnar McBean also will see time on the offensive and defensive lines.

Reeder, who had 55 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles last year, also earned first-team allstate honors on defense.

Berry also was a first-team BMC and all-state selection at defensive back.

The TigerScots finished 5-0 in BMC play last year, and 11-1 overall after losing to Lowell 74-42 in the 2A title game.

The BMC is tough once again, with Stanfield returning key players, and Heppner, which has not had a losing season in 34 years under coach Greg Grant.

“Irrigon brings back some talent, but they have a new coach,” Dunlap said. “Heppner has a couple of good linemen coming back, and their quarterback is athletic. You know Greg will have a tough team.

It’s Heppner football. Beating them last year was nice for the kids on this team. It showed that you can beat Heppner if you play your game. We are down there this year. You know it will be a battle.”

Weston-McEwen opens its season Sept. 6 at College Place. The TigerScots then will host state powerhouses Oakland and Gold Beach before opening BMC play with Stanfield on Sept. 27.

“College Place will be an 11-man game for us,” Dunlap said. “They are quite a bit bigger than we are. It will be a good early test. Then it’s Oakland and Gold Beach. It’s a great preseason to get us going.”

6 Community

TULE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

said tribal member Christina Jones, who brought one of her daughters and a nephew along on the weekend outing, as she trimmed seed heads from freshly harvested Tule plants.

The tribal members – children, parents, elders – were spending their weekend harvesting Tule plants in a marshy area managed by the federal government and Oregon near La Grande before selecting dried stalks of the plants gathered two weeks before to fashion their own mats at a nearby conference center through a CTUIR program aimed at strengthening family and cultural connections.

The tribe’s relatively new Family Engagement Program organized the weekend as part of its efforts to improve child well-being through traditional activities and educational programing – like parenting workshops and family violence prevention classes – that often incorporates cultural practices, of which Tule harvesting is.

The holiday weekend’s Tule gathering and mat making camp was the second the program, which was established in 2022 and is part of the CTUIR Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) department, has hosted, said program manager Dionne Bronson.

Through the excursion – and other events, like an upcoming cedar root harvesting trip and

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024 basket weaving workshop weekend – the family engagement program hopes to improve tribal youth and family well-being by strengthening participant connections to their heritage and by meeting a need for more culturally-appropriate services while also helping retain knowledge of traditional cultural practices, she said.

“The intention is to preserve and retain the identity of our tribal families,” Bronson said. “We know that culture is prevention and that we have seen our people heal best with culture.”

While Tule mats continue to be used today and are in demand, not enough tribal members have the knowledge and skills to meet the need, said Brosnan Spencer, who served as one of the camp’s leaders alongside fellow instructor Bobby Fossek.

“These mats are used in literally every ceremony,” Spencer said.

“There’s a huge need and there’s just a few people offering that to the community.”

The gathering, she added, would hopefully be part of a rejuvenation of the practice and lead to more tribal members picking up the skill.

Together, Spencer and Fossek have been working to restore native species like Tule to the landscape while also educating tribal members about their uses. The two tribal members have helped lead previous Family Engagement Program excursions centered on First Foods and the traditional uses of plants and

other natural resources.

Dearcie Abraham is one those tribal members who has taken an interest in Tule creations after making mats to dry and serve food on during last year’s trip, she said.

This year, she was joined by two of her four children – Espi and Messiah Abraham – and planned to make sleeping mats for camping.

“We went camping seven times this year,” Abraham said. “As we progress, you know, maybe I’ll learn how to make a teepee so that we’re able to camp in it.”

In addition to learning about the traditional uses of Tule, attendees – which included four generations of one family – were told how to harvest the tall plants and shown how to turn dried stalks into mats, from selecting the right Tules for a certain project to connecting each plant with cordage and framing the ends of the mat with willow or other branches.

Jones, who has become a frequent participant in the program’s offerings, said she was glad the program hosted the gathering because she missed the previous Tule event and wanted to make a mat for her partner’s memorial.

“I’m excited to learn because I missed out last year and it’s just nice to get to do all these kinds of things,” she said, adding that participating in cultural activities has helped her grieve the death of her partner while helping her maintain her sobriety.

“It just feels good to be out here.”

Another one of the camp’s

Naomi Wildbill and her daughter carry bundles of tule that they, and others who were attending the tule camp weekend, had cut in a marshy area near La Grande on Aug. 31.

CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

attendees, Richard Star, said he originally wasn’t thrilled about spending the weekend at Tule camp, but had changed his mind during the course of the weekend – even if it was at time uncomfortably hot outside while gathering the plants.

“Now that I’m out here, I’m enjoying it. The only part I don’t like about it, is none of my siblings are with me,” Star, a junior at Nixyáawii Community School, said.

For him, the weekend resulted in Tule mats made by him for his first kill and naming ceremonies. It also gave him more of an appreciation of his Indigenous heritage.

“Being Native is way more cool than I thought it was when I was a kid,” Star said.

Health 7

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Health officials urge vaccination as measles outbreak continues

Measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR vaccines, are available through heath care providers and public health departments. THE CUJ | STOCK PHOTO

By TIFFANY ECKERT KLCC News SALEM – With the start of a new school year, Oregon is contending with its largest measles outbreak since 2019. Health officials are urging parents to get their youngsters vaccinated now.

Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Paul Cieslak is medical director of communicable disease and immunizations. He said measles may be the most transmissible disease we know of.

“If someone with measles coughs into the air and you walk into the room an hour later, you could contract measles if you are susceptible, simply by breathing the air that that person coughed into.

It’s that contagious,” Cieslak said at a recent press briefing.

With most schools back in session, measles transmission continues in unvaccinated pockets of the state. This has Cieslak and others concerned over the health safety of classrooms. Oregon law requires unvaccinated children exposed to the virus be excluded from school for 7 to 21 days or longer.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (or MMR) vaccines are available through health care providers and public health departments.

Twenty-five years ago, about 1% of kindergarteners claimed exemption from school vaccination requirements, according to OHA.

Since then, the number has steadily risen. Now, the vaccination exemption rate is 8.8%.

Of the 25 confirmed cases of measles in the current outbreak, 19 of them are school-aged. So far, transmission of the virus has been limited to Clackamas, Marion and Multnomah counties. OHA reports all the cases are unvaccinated individuals, two people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths.

“People are contagious with measles for up to four days before they show the characteristic rash of measles,” Cieslak said. “Someone could not even know they have measles yet and be transmitting it for four days.”

The symptoms for measles are high fever,104 degrees or higher, dry cough, swollen eyelids and red eyes, runny nose followed by a reddishbrown skin rash. Complications associated with the disease may include ear infection, brain swelling and pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death due to measles.

The MMR vaccine is highly effective with two doses providing 97% immunity against measles, Cieslak said. “If enough people are vaccinated, transmission of the virus could be stopped through community immunity,” he said.

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8 Community

WILD ROSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

original member of Wild Rose, starting the group with his brother, Buck, in 1997.

Caseymac’s oldest son, Marcus, began beating the drum with his father and uncle at the age of 8. Now age 27, Marcus and his brothers, Ethan 25, and Bryson, 17, form the nucleus of the newest version of Wild Rose.

“We started over with a group of younger singers,” said Caseymac, who at the time of this interview was on his way to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Celebration in Minnesota, where Wild Rose was an invited drum.

“All the boys ranged from about 15 to 20 and it was fun for me; I got to teach all these young singers, mold them, bring them along. Now when I see Wild Rose the average age is about 25.”

In addition to the five Wallahees, the group includes Ted and Wes Walsey, and Rooster Jackson, all from Yakama; Elijah Bevis and Kelsey Burns from the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Jonathan Nomee from Coer de Alene, Idaho; and two are Warm Springs - Frankie Michel from Portland and Kaiwin Clements from Pendleton.

Three women – Audrey and Violet Whitegrass, Blackfeet and Winnebago from Missoula, Montana, and Wallahee’s niece,

NCS GIRLS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

we have had. I’m looking for the upper class boys to set an example.

There are a lot of sophomores.”

Sophomores Emma Star-Nez and Rosaella Salt are coming off a successful freshman season.

“They had a great year last year,”Wildbill said. “It’s going to be a breath of fresh air to have more girls out. I think that’s what

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024 Emma EagleSpeaker, Puyallup, are the female back-up singers for Wild Rose.

“We’re mostly known for our fancy dance style songs,” said Caseymac, describing Wild Rose’s style as “energetic and lively, up tempo with a higher pitch.”

In an interview with a TV station years ago, Caseymac described it like this: “That first downbeat, gets kind of, sends a chill, you know, through your body. You feel the vibration.

You feel the power of the drum. We like them loud because they help us sing louder. It makes us feel good.”

Wild Rose has been busy all year, starting its season with a powwow in Hollywood, Florida, before competing the following week at the inaugural TCOC event.

“It’s been every weekend after that … Florida; Cherokee, North Carolina, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana; Washington; Oregon; Idaho; New Mexico; and Alberta,” Caseymac said.

Wild Rose has often been an invited or host drum, but the past year has focused on competition.

The group finishes consistently in the top five at powwows. It was first at Pendleton and finished second in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Fred Hill Sr., a co-chair of the TCOC Committee, has known the Wallahee family for years. In fact, he is related through his father’s mother, Princess Wallahee, and her father, Jim Wallahee.

Hill likes the upbeat sound of fancy dance songs by Wild Rose, but

Wild Rose performs during the inaugural Two Cultures, One Community Powwow at the Pendleton Convention Center. WIL PHINNEY | COURTESY

he says that group can sing original songs just as well.

“They are all out contemporary style, but when the time comes to sing regional, or local, ceremonial and honor songs, they have that too,” Hill said.

Hill knows the Wallahee family’s powwow life is influenced by Yakama traditions and customs, but he also noted that the Wallahees have a cowboy background as well.

“Casey is a rodeo announcer and Wild Rose has been invited to drum at pro bull riding events where there are men’s and women’s fancy dance

contests,” Hill said.

Caseymac said he was impressed by the first TCOC event in Pendleton.

“For the first year we were really impressed with the turnout. It was a good celebration. We enjoyed ourselves, had a lot of fun.”

He said the next one should be even better and Wild Rose is excited to be coming back as the host drum.

“We spend the winter months at local celebrations, but February is usually the kickoff to our season, so we’ll be looking forward to Pendleton.”

we need. Emma cracked into the top five times in Nixyaawii history last year. She has a lot of untapped potential.”

Liana Stewart, who played volleyball last year, has laced up her running shoes for the Golden Eagles.

“She is built like a runner,” Wildbill said. “She’s just a good athlete.”

The Golden Eagles will open their season Sept. 14, at the Runners Soul Fest in Hermiston.

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-Save the DatesOct. 11: Elder’s Meeting at 9 a.m., Laxsimwit Conference Room Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Dec. 19: CTUIR Elders Christmas Dinner • Wildhorse Casino

Round -Up 9

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

CUJ Q&A: Meet the Happy Canyon Princesses 2024 Happy Canyon Princesses Lauren Gould and Layla Sohappy are both descendants of Chief Joseph, who led the Nimiipuu people north to Canada in 1877 to escape American soldiers. He was a staunch advocate for Native Americans to remain on their homelands. Gould and Sohappy are cousins, the greatgreat granddaughters of Annette Blackeagle Pinkham who married Chief Clarence Burke in 1970 and resided in Cayuse until her death in 1988.

What is your favorite part about participating in the Happy Canyon show?

Lauren: My favorite part about being in the show is when we run upstairs and the lights go dark, but also just being around my cousins having fun.

Layla: My favorite part about being in the night show is the fun.

Everyone involved makes it all that much better. Especially seeing those you have become close with because of the show. I have made many friends over the years and connections that last a lifetime.

Tell us about yourself: Lauren: My Indian name is Tamawiitanmy (Earth Blanketed Woman), I am 19 years old and an enrolled member of the Nez Perce from Lenore, Idaho. My parents are Aaron and Jackie Gould. I have lived my entire life on my family’s ancestral land and ranch near the Clearwater River. I’m part of the Wallowa and Whitebird bands and also descend from the Umatilla, Okanogan, and Arrow Lakes people.

What has been your proudest achievement this year?

Lauren: The achievement I am most proud of this year is my appreciation party speech. It is the best speech I’ve ever written. It is heartwarming, I hold it close to my heart.

Layla: My proudest achievement this year has been the opportunity to represent my family with my close cousin. I am so grateful we got this opportunity to experience it together with everyone around us.

Layla: My name is Tsanat, meaning Land of the Swan. My English name is Layla Kodi Sohappy. I am 19 years old and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. I also come from the Nez Perce, Warm Springs and Yakama peoples. I am from Pendleton and have lived on the reservation for most of my life.

My parents are Jacy Sohappy and Tyler Niemeier.

What has the experience of being a Happy Canyon Princess been like for you, your family and your horse this year?

Lauren: My year has a Happy Canyon Princess has been a wonderful experience. My family has created so many bonds that will last a lifetime. It has been amazing to have so much support this year from so many different communities.

Layla: My year as Happy Canyon Princess, beside my cousin Lauren, has been exciting and busy to say the least. My family and I have grown together in so many ways that I am forever grateful for. It has been a ride for not only me but my family, friends, surrounding peoples, and of course, my horse, Tough Guy. Speaking of your horse, tell us about him/her: Lauren: My horse’s name is Little Eagle, he is a strawberry Appaloosa.

He comes from the Nez Perce Horse Program in Lapwai, Idaho. Jake Whiteplume and his wranglers take care of and manage all the horses in the program. Little Eagle is very nice and has a goofy personality, I love it.

Layla: Tough Guy comes from the Nez Perce Horse Program in Lapwai, Idaho. He is a big strawberry Appaloosa with an even bigger personality. He has been

What goals would you like to achieve in the next five years?

Lauren: In the next five years my goals are to get a degree, have a good job and finish my beaded dress.

Layla: In the next 5 years I want to be on my own with a job that I really enjoy. I hope to stay involved with tribal communities to lend my help, support and knowledge.

Cousins Lauren Gould (left) and Layla Sohappy (right) serve together as 2024 Happy Canyon princesses. HAPPY CANYON | COURTESY

trained to tackle so many things. He gets along with just about everyone, is good with small children and tries his best with other horses. He has made me so proud with the progress he makes at every event we have participated in, along with coprincess horse, Little Eagle.

What are you looking forward to most the week of Round-Up? Lauren: I’m looking forward to the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale and the high energy vibes throughout the Round-Up week. I’m so excited to be able to represent our culture with my cousin through the week of Round-Up. Layla: Round-Up came in the blink of an eye but I am so expected to get to experience it as a Happy Canyon Princess. I am also excited to try out our awesome outfits that we have gathered for Xtreme Bulls, the arena and more. This includes our regalia, chaps, jewelry, hats, etc.

What has being a Happy Canyon Princess and ambassador representing your family and people taught you?

Lauren: My family and the people have taught me to enjoy the

little things and be open to new experiences and places.

Layla: Getting to represent Happy Canyon and my family has taught me a lot. I have learned to maintain myself in difficult situations. Overall, I have learned that I have so much support and I am very fortunate because of it. I have widened my eyes and learned to show my appreciation so much more.

When people come to see the Happy Canyon show, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

Lauren: When people come to the Happy Canyon show, I hope they take with them an appreciation for the new ways our people learned to adapt to their life. But also throughout the show it shows how much love, teamwork and commitment our people and tribes had for each other.

Layla: When people come to the Happy Canyon Night Show, I hope their main takeaway is that our people have adapted in so many ways to live amongst others and newcomers. Also, that we can live as one when compared to parts of history.

How did you prepare for your role as Happy Canyon Princess?

Lauren: I prepared for my role as a Happy Canyon Princess by talking with my family about it. Layla and I decided together to run and both of us were chosen. I’m forever grateful that I got to share my reign with this beautiful, amazing woman I get to call my cousin and co-princess.

Layla: To prepare for Happy Canyon, I gathered advice from my family and others with experience.

Once Lauren and I talked about it, that’s when I knew we were ready to set other things aside, step out of our comfort zone and represent our family.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or otherwise acknowledge?

Lauren: I want to thank the communities, my family, the Happy Canyon and Round-Up directors, and everyone who has shown their support. ON WITH THE SHOW! Layla: I send my biggest hugs and thank you’s to my family and friends. Also, the family I have gained through this experience including the Round-Up court and directors, and of course the Happy Canyon directors who have given us the faith to represent.

ON WITH THE SHOW!

10 Round -Up

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

Princess, Princess, Queen:

Kayla Fossek first to wear all 3 crowns

Kayla Fossek, 2024 Pendleton Round-Up Queen

By LISA SNELL The CUJ PENDLETON – A self-professed “typical horse crazy girl,” Kayla Fossek was born and raised in Pendleton, and she always knew she wanted to be a princess. The kind of princess that rides horses.

But this year’s Pendleton Round-Up Queen didn’t grow up with horses. She didn’t even know how to ride a horse until she was 15.

Then she started working for long-time professional horsewoman and ranch owner Toni Minthorn.

“I started working for Toni when I was 16 on her horse ranch,” said Fossek, who has served as both a Happy Canyon and Round-Up Princess. “She does a ton with the [Round-Up] Court. She’s our coach, actually, so that gave me a ton of hands-on experience.”

Under Minthorn’s tutelage, Fossek worked behind the scenes with the Round-Up Court, exercising horses, tightening saddles and giving girls on the Court a leg up in the saddle when needed.

“Working for Toni truly was the pivotal moment of really expanding my riding experience,” she said. “Not only did I get the experience hands-on of riding a bunch of different types of horses, I had the opportunity to go and practice what the [Round-Up Court] girls actually do. And it was definitely hard, very hard, and very scary because I didn’t know what I was doing.”

She credits Minthorn for pushing her to be the best rider she could possibly be as quick as possible.

“I’m very grateful for that. We were riding for hours every single day. I couldn’t even put a number on it, but more than I drive my car,” Fossek said.

She was a high school senior when she tried out and was named one of the two 2019 Happy Canyon princesses after having spent the year before on the horse crew of her cousin Tayler Craig, one of the two 2018 princesses.

“It was pretty cool. I had the opportunity to kind of help her and see her through her year serving as princess,” Fossek said. “It was just really cool, because at that point, I knew ground up what I was gunning for.”

She didn’t exactly have a trifecta in mind at the time, but she was on her way to it. Like her mentor

Minthorn, Fossek followed up her stint as Happy Canyon princess with a spot on the Round-Up Court – becoming the fifth young woman to serve in both roles. She was named to the Court for 2020 but ended up with two years under her belt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since we do a lot of stuff in the community, a lot of that ended up getting cancelled. The whole of 2020 there was like, nothing. Pretty much that whole year was wiped off the table, especially once the rodeo was cancelled,” she said.

A new Court wasn’t named for 2021, so Fossek and the rest of the 2020 Court served throughout the year and finally got to jump the rail in Pendleton Round-Up’s famous grass arena that September.

“That grand entry is like the tip of the iceberg for all the girls. It’s the moment you prepare for - it seems like years and years - all summer, and you’ll always remember it,” she said of the rodeo’s opening tradition.

Each day, the Court races into the arena, jumping their horses over the low rail dividing the grass center from the outer oval dirt track. They shoot across the grass, jumping the rail on the other side to pause and wave to the crowd before racing pull speed around the track, waving and high-fiving spectators as they go.

Fossek took a break from the saddle in 2022 for work and school – she had plans to study biology and eventually become a veterinarian – but a debilitating pain in her abdomen sent her to the emergency room that summer. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. She had a golf ball-sized abscess in her small intestine that quickly grew into a softball and had to be removed.

She spent a few weeks in the hospital on a liquid diet to recover.

“I was kind of laid up for the rest of the summer.

Doctor appointments. Doctor appointments.

Doctor appointments. Endoscopy. Yeah. Spending so much time in the hospital, I had never really been exposed to the medical field at all, and then spending so much time in it, time in the hospital, being cared for, gave me a sense of peace and calm actually,” she said. “I used to have this idea, like, my dad was a police officer, so I wanted to be a police officer and I wanted to do all this badass stuff, and then, being laid up in the hospital for a week unable to do anything – like, I literally couldn’t even roll over on my own – it was humbling and it makes you reflect on your entire life and what do you actually want.”

The experience made Fossek realize what she really wanted was to be a nurse.

“I’ve had a lot of jobs where you work closely with the community and it’s one of my favorite things, being able to get to know people. So being in the hospital and being cared for kind of pushed me to want to be able to be that comfort for someone else. I just can’t think of anything more honorable than taking care of someone else,” she said.

And she feels a large part of her role as RoundUp Queen is taking care of her court. Having been a princess herself, she said she knows firsthand all the new things the girls are experiencing and her role as queen is to help them prepare and be confident going into every situation.

“I just want to make sure they are as ready as possible, and that they have a smooth and happy year, and not be scared of any of the things we are asked to do… The most fulfilling part of my role is watching my girls succeed and watching them blossom because a lot of them have never had this kind of limelight put on them, and they come out of it like grown, graceful, mature, professional women. I just love it,” Fossek said.

And when she hangs up the signature leather vest with the bucking horse on the back?

“I’m going to go back to BMCC (Blue Mountain Community College) this fall to finish up my nursing pre-reqs and [then] apply for their nursing program. I’m not sure exactly what kind of specialty I want to go in, but I’ve researched a lot on hospice care and I can’t think of anyone that I’d want to take more care of than someone who’s going through that. And the elderly. They’re my favorite to talk to. They always have the best stories,” she said.

Fossek is a descendant of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the 23-year-old daughter of Bob and Jennifer Fossek.

Princess Kayla Fossek waves to spectators as she jumps the rail during 2021 Pendleton Round-Up Grand Entry.

Happy Canyon Princess Kayla Fossek poses with her horse in Joseph, Oregon, in 2019.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Let ‘er Buck! 11

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Jackson Sundown: Bronc Buster of the World

By SHANNON STRAIN PENDLETON – Jackson Sundown, Waaya-Tonah-ToesitsKahn, was a Nez Perce/Salish bronc buster in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in the 1860s and grew up around horses. He is said to have been the nephew of Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph.

From boyhood, Sundown had a reputation as a horseman. As a young man, he made his living as a breeder and breaker of horses and he became known as a bronc-buster.

He then began competing in local competitions, quickly gaining a reputation as a skilled rider As his reputation grew, other riders would refuse to compete against him, so he staged exhibition rides for pay. For side money, he’d bet that he could put a silver dollar between each boot and stirrup and keep the coins in place throughout his ride.

In 1913, he rode a wild bull in the Border Show in Idaho. It is estimated anywhere from 8,000-10,000 people watched.

Sundown also became know for his signature style. Wearing orange Angora wool chaps, thickly fringed beaded gauntlets, a bandana and a flat-brimmed cowboy hat with a feathered band and ribboned chin strap – he couldn’t be mistaken for anyone else when he walked into an

arena.

After achieving local success, Sundown decided to compete on a larger stage and chose the Pendleton Round-Up. He was well into his 40s at this time and he had to compete against men half his age - but Sundown had something those youngsters didn’t have – experience. He knew what to do in an arena and he got the job done, besting a lot of those young cowboys. However, he didn’t win the day - in spite of riding his bronc to complete and utter submission.

This lit a fire in Sundown, and he found himself returning to Pendleton year after year competing for the coveted “Bronc Buster of the World” title.

He inched closer to his goal of winning in 1915 when he placed third. But it wasn’t good enough and he returned the next year to try again.

Sundown drew three broncs at the 1916 Pendleton Round-Up: Casey Jones, Wiggles and Angel. He had a qualifying ride on Casey Jones that allowed him a chance to ride Wiggles in the semifinals. Successfully riding both broncs, Sundown had to make one more successful, high-scoring ride to win. He drew Angel, a large bay that had only been ridden a few other times.

Sundown must have studied the bay, watching its every move.

2024 HAPPY CANYON DRESS REHEARSAL

**THURSDAY** SEPTEMBER 5th at 6:00 pm Complete Dress Rehearsal *Spotlight practice - all livestock parts highly encouraged *Participant passes will be distributed after you rehearse your part If you plan to participate in Happy Canyon, please attend the practices.

Each of you is deeply appreciated!Thank you and On with The Show!

Becky Waggoner, Happy Canyon Show Director

According to news accounts, he climbed atop the bronc, Angora chaps flapping up and down as Angel did her best to unseat him. Sundown held on with all he had, spurring the horse to make her buck even harder. Eventually, the bay came to a standstill. Sundown had ridden Angel to submission. The crowd went wild and he was awarded the bronc busting title - making him the first Indigenous American to win the title Bronc Buster of the World.

He was awarded a $350 trophy saddle (approximately $10,000 in today’s currency) and the All-Around Cowboy belt for his performance.

He asked that his wife’s name be carved into the saddle.

The Oregon Daily Journal quoted Sundown saying, “Many years I ride and many times I win money, sometimes a little, sometimes plenty much. But never did I get first place before.”

After winning the 1916 Pendleton Round-Up, Sundown announced his retirement but he didn’t slow down. He kept teaching his skills to the children who lived on the reservation.

Occasionally, he also posed for artists and photographers.

Seven years after winning his historic title, Jackson Sundown passed away in 1923. His legacy has not been forgotten and he has been immortalized in the logo of the

Jackson Sundown, 1916. OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | COURTESY

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and was inducted in the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1976.

12 Round -Up

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

Education13

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start welcomes new educator MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Cay-UmaWa Head Start Program is welcoming a new teacher this 2024-25 school year.

Head Start Program Educator Bianca Rodriguez, who will serve as a teacher, came to Cay-Uma-Wa from Milton-Freewater. She enjoys reading books, being outdoors and spending time with her family and dogs.

“We are very excited to have her fill this role. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Oregon University. Recently, she taught kindergarten Jump Start in Milton-Freewater and has three years as a paraprofessional,” CayUma-Wa officials said. “Bianca chose teaching as a career to make a positive difference in young children.

She will be a positive influence here at Cay-Uma-Wa, so if your child is enrolled make sure you stop by and meet her.”

And though Cay-Uma-Wa officials welcome one teacher, they say goodbye to one who taught during the Cay-Uma-Wa summer session in July.

Shawndine Jones, a certified teacher for the Pendleton School District, taught five children who recently graduated from Cay-UmaWa and are set to attend kindergarten at Pendleton Early Learning Center

in September.

“Mrs. Jones worked with staff to create a summer schedule for the incoming kindergarten students.

The Head Start program previously identified the students and sent letters encouraging them to attend the summer session,” Cay-Uma-Wa officials said. “To prepare for this, staff assisted Mrs. Jones with hanging focus materials on the walls, such as the numbers, alphabet, Umatilla Language vocabulary visuals, and classroom expectations.”

Officials said Jones used a circle time routine the first week of summer session to teach 3- and 4-year-olds with the second week focused 4and 5-year-olds for kindergarten readiness.

She also created a slideshow as a resource and guide to help structure the circle time routine, and CayUma-Wa teachers were able to observe the routine using the circle time slideshow.

Jones also introduced incoming kindergarten students to classroom/ school expectations and routines such as lining up, walking in a line and working in a small group and worked with them on letter recognition, number recognition and following step-by-step directions.

“We thank Ms. Shawndine Jones for teaching our summer session and wish her well at Pendleton Early Learning this next year,” Cay-Uma-

Wa officials said.

Cay-Uma-Wa is taking applications, and enrollment is open to all properly aged students.

Caregivers can download an application at ctuir.org under the Education tab or call Randy Lyles at 541-429-7843 for more information and an application.

Cay-Uma-Wa was set to begin its school year on Sept. 3. Parent Orientation is set for 5 p.m. on Sept.

5 in the Nixyáawii Education Center and will include information, free books and a barbecue meal.

For more information, call Lyles at 541-429-7843 or Lloyd Commander at 541-429-7836.

Bianca Rodriguez

Cay-Uma-Wa is saying goodbye to Shawndine Jones, a certified teacher for the Pendleton School District who worked with staff to create a summer schedule for incoming kindergarten students. CAY-UMA-WA | COURTESY PHOTO

Registration

OPEN

For children aged 3 to 5 years old.

Full Day program, 8am-3pm Monday-Thursday

We collaborate with the CTUIR Language Program, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Clinic, Inter-Mountin ESD, and several CTUIR Tribal Departments Scan the QR Code, or

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start Nixyaawii Education Center 46251 Naxs Winatas, Pendleton, OR 97801

(541) 429-7836

CayUmaWaHeadStart@ctuir.org

stop by the Nixyaawii Education Center for Student Application:

14 Education

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

NCS welcomes familiar face to new role

By LISA SNELL The CUJ MISSION – Up until now, the students at Nixyáawii Community School (NCS) have just called him “coach,” but Weyekin Wildbill is now parking his running shoes under a desk. At least for part of the day. The crosscountry coach has assumed the role his father, atway Robby Bill, once filled for the school – behavior support specialist.

“So yeah, this is kind of different from what I’ve done in the past,” Wildbill said, “but I had some community members encourage me to apply for this new role and I was already familiar with it because of my late father.”

A 2014 graduate of Pendleton High School and himself a runner, Wildbill has been at NCS coaching cross-country and track since 2021. He’s also been in the classroom as a special education assistant, student teacher and classroom teacher.

“Being here, I was fortunately able to observe and learn from what my dad did here. What he did, how he interacted with the kids and supported them or just gave them a space to be themselves,” Wildbill said.

He doesn’t expect his job behind the desk to be much different than his job on the field.

“It’s connecting with the students, finding their passions and their strengths and helping them use those as a positive outlet,” he said. “Something that somebody told me has always stuck with me, and it was, if you’ve got a gift, then you just follow it and let it take you places.

I think that’s what a lot of kids need, is the guidance to see their gifts because they’re comparing themselves to someone else.”

Before the school doors opened for the semester, Wildbill said he had a list of goals started. First and foremost is to connect with students and provide a safe environment in which they can to express themselves.

“A lot of it will be one-on-one check-ins on a daily basis.

Nixyáawii Community School’s new Behavior Support Specialist Weyekin Wildbill sits at his desk and prepares a list of professional goals for the 2024-25 school year at NCS on Aug. 21. LISA SNELL | THE CUJ

There’s 92 students in the school, but I hope that I get to see every single student at least one time this year. My goal is to help motivate them to get to school, advocate for them and just keep checking in with them on how they’re doing and what they need,” he said.

He also feels the need to be engaged with parents and communicating with them on a regular basis, saying that is a big goal – to bridge any gaps between parents, their kids and the school.

“This is a real tight-knit community and I feel that I have a lot of responsibility to advocate for these kids and get on the same track with the parents,” Wildbill said.

Education 15

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

CTUIR Public Safety offers first youth hunter’s education course

By TRAVIS SNELL CTUIR Communications MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) conducted its first hunter’s education course for tribal youth Aug. 15-18 to teach them about safety and ethics.

Richard Bobbitt, a CTUIR Public Safety hunter education instructor, said he and CTUIR wildlife biologist Rich Scheele taught 12 hours’ worth of classroom instruction for 13 youths and one adult Aug. 15-16 in the Public Safety Building at the Nixyáawii Governance Center.

“It’s hunter safety, so that’s the basics for teaching the classes.

Always pointing the muzzle in a safe direction is probably the big key for the whole class, and where you shoot,” Bobbitt said. “It covers how to identify a firearm, the different components of a firearm. And then it talks about the difference in bullets, difference in shotgun shells. And a lot of it talks about animal ethics.”

He said classroom instruction also included getting permission from landowners, property treatment, hunters presenting themselves to the public, tribal hunting regulations and treaty hunting rights.

Bobbitt said CTUIR members ages 10 and up were invited to enroll in the classroom instruction, but only participants ages 12 and up were allowed to attend the course’s

other two aspects – a field day and an overnight camp – per tribal statute.

For field day training, eight students visited the Pendleton Police shooting range from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 17. Bobbitt said he and other certified hunting instructors showed students how to determine good shots from bads ones, tracking wounded animals and other lessons.

“So on the range day, they have an opportunity to shoot .22s, and each participant will shoot five times,” Bobbitt said. “They have an action set, so they got five different firearms, and they will have to know the difference between each one and the proper way to handle them.”

From there, the students made their way to an overnight camp on the CTUIR’s Looking Glass property near Elgin. Bobbitt said CTUIR camp counselors harvested an elk and students learned how to field process it before returning to Pendleton on Aug. 18.

“When they complete the course, they will be certified, and they’ll get their hunter ID card,” he said.

Public Safety coordinated the classroom and field day aspects, while the Pandion Institute, which is a network of partners across the West who collaborate to create outdoor experiences grounded in Indigenous ways of being and knowing, coordinated the camp.

Also sponsoring the classroom

education and camp was the Oregon Land Justice Project, which works to better understand and address issues and needs in the state.

CTUIR member Shahala Hughes, 12, said she took the course so she could accompany her father with her firearm when he goes hunting.

“The course is important so you don’t get shot and so you know you what you’re doing.”

She said she wants to hunt pheasant

after getting her certification, and when older, elk.

Bobbitt said because safety is so important the CTUIR expects to host another course around the same time next year.

“It’s kind of perfect timing because kids aren’t in school yet, and it’s right before hunting season. I mean tribal hunting season has started, but most don’t start until it cools down more,” he said.

Aaron Thompson begins field dressing a deer while Bradley Brezeale-Minthorn watches during hunt camp field day training. ANDREW WILDBILL | COURTESY

16 Announcements

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

In Memoriam Laura Lee McConville

Richard Barry Craig

Laura Lee McConville, 72, of Portland Oregon, passed away August 27, 2024 in Portland. She was born July 12, 1952 in Pendleton, Oregon.

Laura Lee left her soulmate, life partner of 43 years, Ralph Radford and five children. Daughters, Shana, Paris and Geneva. Sons, Alx and Sterling. Grandchildren, Maddox and Artis. Sister, Judy Johnson, niece, Julie, nephew, Jon McConville, several cousins and friends.

She enjoyed homemaking, and eating breakfast at McDonalds every morning with Ralph. She enjoyed soul music, especially Wilson Pickett. Laura also enjoyed drawing and was quite an artist.

Laura is proceeded in passing by her father, Art McConville, Sr., mother, Emma Kashkash. Brothers, Art McConville and Herschel James McConville and sister, Marilou McConville. Services were held Aug 31.

Dressing was on Aug. 7 at Simnasho Longhouse in Warm Springs and followed by an all-denominations overnight service. A sunrise service and burial was performed Aug. 8 at Simnasho Cemetery.

July 12, 1952 – August 27, 2024

Lawrence Wayne “Azar” Spino June 10, 1952 – August 16, 2024

Lawrence Wayne “Azar” Spino, 72, of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away August 16, 2024 at St. Charles Madras Hospital, Madras, Oregon.

Dressing was Aug. 16 at Simnasho Longhouse with viewing and one set of 7 before leaving for Mission where there was a second viewing and another 7 followed by a meal. Open denomination and Washat followed later with a midnight meal.

He was interred at the Spino plot in the Old Agency Cemetery.

February 7, 1945 – August 4, 2024

Andrew Norman Dumont June 4, 1933 – August 29, 2024

Norman Andrew Dumont, 91, of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away August 29, 2024 in Hermiston, Oregon. He was born on June 4, 1933 in Cayuse, Oregon.

Dressing was held at Burns Mortuary on Tuesday, Sept. 3 followed by Washat service at Mission Longhouse. Final 7 and burial at Agency Cemetery was held at 7 a.m. September 4.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Announcements 17

IN LOVING MEMORY

Shane Alan Shippentower July 25, 1989 - August 19, 2023

STONE SETTING Agency Cemetery

Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Giveaway and dinner to follow at Mission Longhouse.

18 Announcements

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024

BIRTHDAYS 1st: Troy Gillpatrick 2nd: Reese Shippentower 3rd: Preston Bronson 5th: Audrey Shippentower, Johnny Milligan, Willie McKay, Vicki Rodriguez and Ayla Ferea 6th: Misty Brigham 8th: Alina George and Cleo Dick

14th: Kathleta Dave Rodriguez 16th: Dan Morris, Tyler Rodriguez, Christopher Brigham 17th: Charlie Morrision #13, Ela Morrison #13, Charlie Quaempts, Lanae Rogers, Tana Flowerdew and Remington Anderson 18th: Ralph Jones

9th: Manuel Soares

19th: Rodrick Edmiston

10th: Angelica Ancheta and Nathan “Duce” Dick

20th: Jose Hernandez

11th: KariAnn Edmiston, Nijone Lockhart

27th: Neva Kash Kash

12th: Robert Van Pelt and Dean Harrison

22nd: Leo Crawford, III 28th: Mary Wittkopt and Richard Orna

ANNIVERSARIES 3rd: Michael & Deb Van Pelt 4th: Andrea Rodriguez & Jose Hernandez 7th: Amber & Troy Gillpatrick 11th: Hanna & Rick Copsey 24th: Chris, Sr. & Tina Marsh 29th: Angelica & Chris Ancheta

SEPTEMBER 2024 | CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL

Announcements 19

HAPPY

Birthday

Larry Allen aka Papa Bear & Emyline Bean aka Emy/Squishy/Gremlin 9/17 & 9/24

20

CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2024