Residents must be counted by Sept. 31. Read more on Page 1B.
Lightning Aug. 19 sparked fires all over the Umatilla National Forest, including the Rattlesnake Fire in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area near Dayton, Washington.Other fires were closer to home, burning within 20 miles of Mission. More on Page 16A.
Max Jean Maddern, a junior at Nixyaawii Community School, made remarks at the Black Lives Matter protest. It’s published as an Editorial Page guest column on Page 6A.
Testing at Moonshine cistern could reveal geothermal activity. More on page 18A.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
2 Sections, 40 pages Publish date Sept. 3, 2020
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon SEPTEMBER 2020
Section
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Volume 28, Issue 9
County COVID-19 response, recovery team established
Black Lives Matter Vanesiah Broncheau, who describes herself as Nez Perce and Black, was one of more than 200 people marching for Black Lives Matter Aug. 29 in Pendleton. The march, from Roy Raley Park to Main Street and back, was organized by CTUIR member Briana Spencer and two others. In addition, there was a 39-vehicle BLM car march organized by CTUIR members. Broncheau, is the daughter of Danielle
By the CUJ
PENDLETON – A COVID-19 Response and Recovery Team that includes representatives from the Confederated Tribes, Umatilla County government and its three largest cities, plus the county’s school districts, has been formed to help guide the health, economic and educational recovery from the pandemic. On Aug. 31, according to the Incident Command for the Confederated Tribes, there were 75 cases on the Umatilla
Indian Reservation with six considered active and two hospitalizations. A total of 68 cases on the Reservation were considered recovered from the virus. On that day, there were 2,674 cases in Umatilla County, and 26,054 cases in Oregon. Umatilla County, with a total of 37 COVID-19 deaths, was returned from Phase 2 to baseline in July, but met Oregon Health Authority thresholds and moved back to Phase 1 in late August. The goal of the Response and RecovCOVID-19 response team on page 16A
Lucky 7 trailer replacement slated to begin in October By the CUJ
Broncheau Strickland, a CTUIR member.
MISSION – Demolition and construction is set to begin in October to replace 26 aging single-wide trailers with 18 new energy-efficient modular homes at Lucky 7, the trailer court that soon will be referred to as a manufactured home park. Many of the residents have moved out of the trailer court, but some have
For more, turn to pages 12 and 13. CUJ photo/Phinney
decided to stay through the construction process. To accommodate those who are staying, construction will occur in phases through April of 2021. More than $1.5 million has been allocated by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) to improve the four-acre site, which is a stone’s throw east of Mission Market.
Lucky 7 redevelopment on page 14A
Quaking Aspens ready to rattle The bowling alley, arcade and food court at Wildhorse Resort & Casino are expected to open Sept. 24. This photo shows the eight boutique lanes adjacent to the 16 regular lanes. For more turn to page 5A. CUJ photo/Phinney
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CUJ News Burnside, Johnson hired to lead Safety, Communications
Math teacher Zack Guelke listens and talks with freshmen on their first day in his Algebra I class at Nixyaawii Community School on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
NCS begins classes on-line By the CUJ
MISSION – Math teacher Zach Guelke sat at this desk, headphones hanging from his ears, a smile on his face as he addressed his fifth-period ninth-grade Algebra I students. It was the first day of class for the new students at Nixyaawii Community School, but they were still at home – in front of a Chromebook communicating with their teacher via internet. Guelke introduced himself as his eyes flitted from box to box at the faces of students displayed on his computer monitor. Each face included a name so Guelke could keep track of his charges and address them individually if need be. And he did a couple of times, asking one boy if he was awake, welcoming another who walked in late. Early into the class, Guelke established his ground rules when he dismissed a girl for her disruptive behavSchool starts on page 15A
School starts with 87 students Nixyaawii Community School started Aug. 24 with 87 students, including 18 freshmen, 25 sophomores, 15 juniors and 29 seniors. There were a few first-day glitches. For example, school administrators learned that if a student logs in before the teacher that student has control over the microphone and the mute button. That was remedied soon enough. Principal Ryan Heinrich, reporting to the Nixyaawii School Board that afternoon, said teachers were surprised at how well classes came off. “The first day of distance learning went pretty good,” Henrich said. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, NCS had its first “protocol” sans students. In non-COVID times, students and faculty meet in the gymnasium to talk about issues and upcoming events. During the pandemic, protocol was a solemn ceremony for Fred Hill, who dressed in regalia, rang the bell and sang in front of the computer camera at his home. Hill’s message to the students: “The light has been placed in our hearts.”
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MISSION – Two members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have been hired as directors of Public Safety and Communications. Rob Burnside began his new job as Director of Public Safety on Sept. 1 and Matt Johnson will begin his new position as Director of Communications on Oct. 1. Burnside has been Chief of the Tribal Fire Department since 2002. He was assigned to be Interim Public Safety Director when Ray Denny retired from the post in March. A longtime employee for CTUIR, Burnside began his career at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center as a Safety Officer in 1991. He moved to the Fire Department in 1993 where he worked as the Hazardous MateriRob Burnside als Coordinator until 2000 when he was elected to the Board of Trustees as the Vice Chair where he served for two years. Johnson will succeed Chuck Sams as Communications Department Director. Sams was hired in July as the new CTUIR Deputy Executive Director. Johnson is an attorney in the CTUIR Office of Legal Counsel working on hazardous waste cleanup issues and natural resource restoration at the Hanford and Portland Harbor sites. From 2017 through 2019, he oversaw the Energy and Environmental Sciences Program, which addresses air quality, sustainable energy development, Hanford cleanup and natural resource restoration issues, and includes the first nationally accredited analytical lab Matt Johnson in Indian Country. He has worked as a Tribal lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and as a Policy Analyst in the Indian Health Services Office of Tribal Self-Governance in Rockville, Maryland. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in American History from Willamette University and received his law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School. “The Tribe is very fortunate to have the experience and education of two very well qualified Tribal members to join the Management Team,” said Sams, Deputy Executive Director. “We look forward to their continued service to the Tribes and the community as a whole.”
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September 2020
~ A year without Round-Up ~ green, plus green-toned beads on four necklaces. “I’m going to miss everything,” said Williams, who started her Round-Up life on a baby board carried by PENDLETON – For only the second time in its her grandmother nearly 90 years ago. history, the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon She remembered helping Mary Hines as a Happy won’t take place here during the second full week of Canyon chaperone and dealing with those girls. September. “There were problems here and there, but it all And when you say Round-Up and Happy Canworked out,” she laughed, recalling “only one misfit.” yon you leave out a lot. Those two all-encompassing She met Mort Bishop of Pendleton Woolen Mills names just don’t realize the immensity of the week. and made a lasting friendship. He invited her to parThe Indians add so much color and sound to the ties all over Umatilla County. Round-Up and Happy Canyon that neither event She’s been a mainstay in a judge’s chair in front of would be the same withthe young girls who parade onto the grass stage at out them. Roy Raley Park on Thursday morning of Round-Up Besides the Indian VilThe Indians will and said she’s honored to be there. lage, which is an expericome together “I’ll judge as long as people ask me,” said Wilence in its own right, liams, who has been honored as Pendleton’s First there are two parades, again and laugh Citizen and is in the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy two beauty pageants, Happy Canyon Princesses Mary Rivera and Clarise Huesties will as they’ve done Canyon Hall of Fame for “who I was, whoever I am.” horse races, competitive get to represent next year after COVID-19 halted their 2020 reign. She said she doesn’t like to talk about herself and ceremonial dancing for more than a Contributed photo because “people get upset with me, tell me I’m a and drumming, vendors century. Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Her biggest influshowoff,” but she’s a good showoff. in Roy Raley Park, a ences are her auntie Althea Wolf and grandmother Williams, who has a great-great grandson who just sobriety dance at night, ‘And if they Alvina Burke Huesties, both past Happy Canyon turned 1, said she will miss seeing all the tots running and more. Some would told us today princesses. around at Round-Up. add the tee-pee tavern to Although COVID-19 was a spoiler, Huesties said “In a way I’m happy and sad because they won’t the list. we want to go get to do things, but they’ll be safe,” she said. For family and friends, she’s looking forward to next year. tomorrow we’d “I’m so excited,” she said. “It’s exciting to think I Williams’ days don’t change much these days, with the Round-Up and the get to do this again, especially since I was not able to or without COVID-19. Indian Village have been be ready, we’d do anything this year. I am really excited to see what I “I sit and watch the trees. I watch the leaves fall a gathering place for all be there.’ and watch the birds fly around. Winter comes in and generations, literally, and get to do next year.” During the pandemic, Huesties has then I watch the those reunions are what - Lona Pond had time to ponder. leaves come back. people are going to miss She said she’s learned to “get along It’s beautiful,” she most. Few would argue with myself, learned how to enjoy my said. “When you acthat generations have own company, how to adjust in solidartually watch things been created in the Indian Village. ity. It’s difficult, but I made it this far.” blossom it’s fascinatCOVID-19 has kept everyone under wraps, mostly ing.” at home, all masked up, social distancing even Mary Rivera, the daughter of Williams said she outdoors. Kids aren’t going to school and people are Shawn and Nora Rivera, is an enrolled was looking forward working from their computers at home so sliding Little Shell of the Chippewa Indians. A to seeing her “prethrough another month like September won’t seem Pendleton High School graduate, she is cious” grandchildren that different than the rest of the summer. currently attending Central Washington again. She was going But the CUJ asked a handful of readers, includUniversity with on-line courses. She to take a ride and ing Happy Canyon Princesses Mary Rivera and wants to be a dietician. honk as they drive Clarise Huesties, what they are going to miss about Rivera, inspired by her by her great-great Round-Up this year aunt, Drew Rivera, said grandson’s house anyway. Tessie Williams has judged the Junior American Indian to celebrate his first Round-Up has always been We received a lot CUJ photo/Phinney birthday. a “big holiday for my family. Beauty Pageant for years. of typical answers, It’s where everyone gets How old is Tessie? but the questions together.” “I’m 88. I’ll be 89 in December. Isn’t that wonderprompted some Rivera said she was looking forward to ful?” folks to harken back more opportunities to learn public speakto early days. Here ing before COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Debra Croswell, a former Round-Up and Happy are a few of their But she knows there’s next year. Canyon Princess, will miss the big event, but not as responses. “It feels great. Even though I was much as she’ll miss her father. For Rivera and bummed out to miss this year I am super “What I’ll miss most about 2020 Round-Up time is Huesties, the Happy grateful to continue next year,” Rivera my Dad,” she said. “He passed away shortly after last Canyon year was a said. “And I’m grateful to have Clarise year’s Round-Up and this will be our first Round-Up bust. The pandemic continue with me too. I’m ready to start.” and Happy Canyon without him.” hit before the rodeo This summer, Rivera has kept busy takJerry Weathers was a devoted Round-Up volunteer season began so ing care of her grandmother and working for 50 years, driving steers and calves out of the west their year of fun at her auntie’s day care – Little Einstein end chute for ropers. never started. BeDay Care, and she moved home when col“He took pride in being a backstage crew memcause of the COVID lege went on-line. ber at Happy Canyon, helping for decades to load circumstances, the Jerry Weathers died last year right after Round-Up. Now “I just have to be careful. I live the travois onto our horses as we entered the stage young women will He is what his daughter, Debra Croswell, right, a with my grandmother. I just got to wear and jogging to the other side to take them off as we get the chance to former Round-Up and Happy Canyon Princess, will exited,” Croswell said. serve again as 2021 miss most this year. That’s Debra’s cousin Fawn my mask and social distance,” she said. Contributed photo Williams-Cook at left. princesses. Tessie Williams, always a fixture in the Irma Totus has been going to Round-Up since she Indian Village, at the ceremonial dancing on Saturday was a baby. She hadn’t missed a Round-Up or Happy Clarice Huesties, the daughter of Mylie Nash morning and at the Junior American Indian Beauty Canyon until a couple of years ago when she injured Huesties and Brian Huesties, is a Weston-McEwen Pageant, where she has been a judge for at least a her arm. High School graduate currently attending Ashworth couple of decades, found it easy to reminisce while She’s a lead singer for Amakay (Yakama spelled College classes on-line. She wants to be a school sitting in her backyard under an umbrella Aug. 27. backwards), a mostly all-women drum group, that psychologist, but she has enjoyed her summer as an She had on a black felt top hat with an Oregon apprentice in the Language Program of the ConfederDucks beaded band and was wearing a long-sleeve ated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. fleece sweatshirt in her favorite “healing” color of Huesties and her family have long been active in A year without Round-Up on page 5B By the CUJ
September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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July Grounds visions become clearer after community survey people inhabited it over the years. Some of the discussion highlights with the stakeholder group includes The July Grounds Visioning Project a desire to evoke the history of the is progressing well despite social dis- Tribes, keeping the space multitancing requirements. We had a visual generation so that tribal members of survey posted on the CTUIR website all ages feel welcome. and we received more than 100 reMore meetings are planned in the future to start spondents. Many of discussing some the survey responses of the activities were expected, such Discussions that people might as providing space included a desire to like to see in the for Gathering and July Ground and evoke the history of for the Veterans. to start working The community the Tribes, keeping with the design would also like to the space multiteam on some visee spaces provided sual options that generation so that for sports and for reflect the desires play areas. It seems tribal members of all of the community. the community defiThe stakeholders’ ages feel welcome. nitely sees the future work will be synof July Grounds as thesized into some a space for all comconceptual designs munity members. for review and comment by the comIn last month’s CUJ, I invited in- munity. There will be an opportunity terested individuals to participate in in October and November to not only a stakeholder group to provide guid- provide feedback, but to also propose ance to the design team on the July your own designs. Grounds Visioning project. We had a Please check the CTUIR website few volunteers and a number of many often for news and information. Any recommended community members. news will be titled “July Grounds During the team’s first meeting we Community Vision.” learned a wealth of information about If you have questions contact the the history of the space and how Planning Office at 1-541-276-3099. By J.D. Tovey, Director of CTUIR Planning Department
Cayuse Tech now part of Cayuse Holdings family MISSION – Cayuse Technologies is now a subsidiary of Cayuse Holdings, the limited liability company owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Under the new structure and operating agreement, it is no longer necessary to have a separate Board of Directors for Cayuse Technologies, so that group has been dissolved. The Cayuse Holdings, LLC, Board of Directors is chaired by Chuck Sams, who also serves as CTUIR Deputy Executive Director. Other CTUIR members on the Board include Cisco Minthorn, secretary; Sandra Sampson, treasurer; and Leo Stewart, member. Sampson serves on the CTUIR Board of Trustees as Treasurer and Stewart is a former vice chair on the BOT. Cisco is Senior Director of Government Relations and Senior Counsel, Global Public Policy, in Intel Corporation’s Law and Policy Group, in
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Small Business Administration approved the change of ownership for Cayuse Technologies on June 30, which was necessary to transfer the company’s Top Secret Facility Clearance Level from the U.S. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. According to its website, Cayuse Technologies, LLC, is an SBA HUBZone certified technology solutions provider with $13.2 million in annual revenue and 280 employees. As of Aug. 27, the website was posting 17 job openings – 11 in Pendleton with others in Washington, D.C., and in Quantico, Virginia, plus one opening for a Senior HVAC Technician in Dubai in the Arab Emirates. The 11 jobs at the Pendleton Cayuse Technologies location had a total of six applicants. The Dubai job had 17 applicants.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
Wildhorse preps to open Family FunPlex For the CUJ
MISSION – The year-long construction at Wildhorse Resort & Casino that adds a bowling center, food court and arcade is nearing completion. The Family FunPlex is expected to open to the public on Sept. 24. In light of pandemic restrictions, the grand opening will be less than the usual splashy ceremony for which Wildhorse is known, but it The new arcade features more than 30 games, including two likely still gives the region favorites, the Nerf race, which features wind in your face, and the something to celebrate Space Invaders. in September after social Tribal history. “Nixyáawii” was what the distancing caused the cancelation of the Pendleton Round-Up. Cayuse called the area where the Tribe’s At the heart of the Wildhorse expan- winter encampment was located. Essension is Quaking Aspens Lanes, a 24-lane, tially a large town, the encampment was state-of-the-art bowling center that pro- the site of celebrations, games, and horse vides activity for families, friends, novice racing. The word refers to the groves of and serious bowlers. Ultimately, it is Quaking Aspen trees that surrounded expected that competitive bowlers will bubbling springs. The bowling center contains 16 lanes see leagues assembling and tournaments on one side and 8 boutique lanes on the scheduled. Owned by the Confederated Tribes of other. The larger area is targeted for open the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and league play while the boutique lanes the bowling center’s name is inspired by can be reserved for private parties and
September 2020
The bowling ball strikes the new bright-white pins on lane 15 at Quaking Aspens Lanes, which is expected to open Sept. 24 at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.
events. Adjacent to the boutique lanes are two party rooms available to rent for family and business events or simply a friends’ night out. The two rooms can be can be opened up to a single, larger space for bigger groups when needed. Event planners can opt for party packages or full catering service. Service and convenience are a big part
Confederated Umatilla Journal
of the experience at Quaking Aspens Lanes. Bowlers can choose from an allinclusive food court menu and place their order with a lane server who will deliver their snacks, meals and beverages. A full bar located in the bowling center provides beverages and seating. Meals and snacks can be ordered at the bar or carried from the food court, allowing Bowling on page 17A
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CUJ Op-Ed/Columns CTUIR teen: ‘We are here to be that change’ All lives don’t matter until Black lives matter, until Native lives matter, until Hispanic lives matter, until Asian lives matter, until Muslim lives matter, until people of color are not murdered and discriminated for their culture, their skin color, and who they are.
By Max Jean Maddern
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s someone who is POC the Black Lives Matter movement has pushed me to come out of my shell and voice my opinion. My parents have always encouraged me to speak my truth and say what is on mind, but the education that I was taught in school was to be polite and keep your voice unheard if you want to live peacefully. When I was younger I was very timid and silent, big crowds made me nervous and I was desperate to find who I was. In school I was taught about two weeks of Black history; I didn’t understand the depth of how bad racism was, slavery was looked over, we talked about Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman for half a class period, and MLK was just a day off of school. I remember the 2016 election. Me and the Native and Black students always sat in the back of the classroom. The Hispanics kids that were in front of us were speaking on their concerns about the election. As an eighth grader the 2016 election was just the taste of politics that I got in middle school. I remember a girl saying “Trump would be a bad president” and everyone agreed until one of the white girls in front of the class turned her head and said “You’re just saying that because he’s going to send you illegals back to Mexico.” I remember silence and then class moving on. I would say that was the first time I’ve seen racism, but it wasn’t until my freshmen year when I realized I’ve faced it my whole life. I was told by one side of my race that I can pass off as a white girl and I should be happy I don’t have to face the racism that came with our skin color. I never knew what the term racism meant nor did I wanna know. I think that’s why I was so unprepared in life, not noticing it earlier, like when I was 10 and I was at a pow wow, a white man comes up to me and tells me “You need to stop dressing like a dirty animal and act like an American before I rip that feather off of your dirty savage head” or the boy in my seventh grade science class that I asked for help told me that “You don’t need to worry, your lazy Indian ass can live off of government money” or the time I told my friend I was going to the school on the reservation and she told me “That’s where all the drug addicts and criminals go, do you want to go to college or not?” I was confused, and honestly I still am. I was constantly told that children shouldn’t form political views nor have an opinion on things that are happening in this world until I’m older, but I’m here to tell you that is wrong. Children are the face of the future you cannot silence their voices, we will be carrying this country on our shoulders, you cannot silence the future, generations above mine have been forced to sit politely and let things happen. We will not let the evil of this country be the thing that destroys us. You say Make America Great Again, but when was it great. Was it great for the slaves that were stolen from their country and sprinkled around America? Or the Native Americans that were murdered and raped for their land? Or Hispanic people that were also forced off their land. You say it’s great now, but for who? Was it great
CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal
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- Max Jean Maddern for George Floyd, Breana Taylor, Stephon Clark, Tamir Rice. Or the thousands of Native women who are stolen and murdered, or maybe the thousands of kids that are stolen from their families and put into cages like dogs. How about Asian Americans who are beat and mocked every day. No, America is great for the rich and powerful. You say one nation under God. Yes, we are one nation unless you’re poor, colored, disabled. You say that you feel threatened for saying you “Back the Blue,” yet you sit with your guns while we say “hands up, don’t shoot.” You feel uncomfortable wearing a Blue Lives Matter shirt? I’m sorry that you think you feel a taste of what you think is “discrimination.” Blue lives don’t exist, it’s a blue shirt. People of color can’t take off our skin, we cannot drop our culture and erase our history. That is not even talked about in history books. Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s not a problem that you have to face personally. The justice system has been corrupted; this country was built off racism, slavery, and genocide. What we want is for the cops to go through more training, we want them to get the counselling they need; they need to go to school longer than a beautician. We are the change America needs. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why do you see criminal based off of skin color. When cops are supposed to treat people like humans they make exceptions for those who look different. One nation under God, but the civil war never ended. People are not being treated like objects or chained to a master, but we are the slaves of the American dream. Society will choose are fate, but when the people we need most, those who are supposed to help us end up killing those who look like us because they said it looked like he had a gun, it feels as if the war is still going. It sucks when people of color are looked over and the only time you learn their names is when they are dead. A white teen-ager my age shot three people and killed two, but is brought in peacefully. Why don’t we compare him to the unarmed black man that is shot seven times? Blake Jacob a father. My history teacher, Mr. Brandsen, has helped the students at our school to think on their own. He
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teaches us to voice our own opinion, we don’t use textbooks, we don’t get misguided, we think for ourselves. He was the first teacher to tell me it’s okay to be scared of what this country is, but it’s what you can do to change it that truly matters. I’m a senior in high school and turning 18 in April. My life as a child is going to be turning into adulthood soon. I educated myself about politics and things that are wrong in this country and I’m here to tell you that the youth is what it takes to change what is wrong. You say that Gen Z is out of control and we need to be taught a lesson, but you’re scared of what we can do and the change that we can bring. My generation will not be continuing police brutality and systemic racism, we will not be forced to sit down and listen to what our parents have to say and what the country wants us to do. We will not let what has been happening for generations upon generations. How many people does it take to make you want change, how many protests, how much blood and sweat, how many tears does it take for you to realize that we are here to be that change. How many unjustified murders, how many lives does it take for you to realize that we’re not the bad guys? All lives don’t matter until Black lives matter, until Native lives matter, until Hispanic lives matter, until Asian lives matter, until Muslim lives matter, until people of color are not murdered and discriminated for their culture, their skin color, and who they are. Yes I am a teenager. You can take it or leave it, whatever I say. Look at me as a person of color and somebody who is gay and afraid of this country. This is not a threat, this is not a warning, this is me, somebody who’s faced fear and loneliness for years. Listen, sit down and listen. This is my message to our country: I stand with Black Lives Matter. My name is Max Jean Maddern, I’m 17-year-old high school student that is enrolled at Nixyaawii Community School, I’m a non-binary bisexual that uses they/them pronouns, and I’m a proud Native American. Max Jean Maddern made these remarks during the Black Lives Matter protest Aug. 29 at Roy Raley Park in Pendleton. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Janet Maddern.
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September 2020
CUJ Op-Ed/Columns Revisiting the CTUIR with a ‘Round-Up Mentality’ Guest column by Tom Hampson
S
heltering in place these past few months has meant shuffling through paper and shoveling out a lot of stuff. It took a lot of reminiscing, too. In one musty folder I found clippings from the CUJ and East Oregonian about a flap up I had created with “An open letter to Local elected officials and state representatives” published in August 1977 in the CUJ. I accused local elected leaders of being guided by a ‘Round-Up Mentality’ in their resistance to the Tribes’ proposed Land Consolidation and Inheritance bills. These bills were intended to give the Tribes powers to better manage their lands and the land inheritance process. The Tribes, under the leadership of Sam Kash Kash and Leslie Minthorn, had been trying to pass these bills for years. In the hearing, held by Senator Hatfield, the Umatilla County Commissioners, and other elected leaders spoke well of “our Indian friends,” but against the bills. Many spoke of the closeness of school and social ties with Indians Tom Hampson and used the Round-Up as an example of the close relationships between the Indians and non-Indians. In my critique, I defined a “Round-Up Mentality” as one which “…accepts the Indian person as a tourist attraction and a buyer of goods, but not as a businessman or colleague in the governance and development of this county.” This was around the same time that the Round-Up Association expanded the holding pens for the rodeo stock in response to complaints from the Humane Society and took the space out of the Indian Village, crowding the tents and the people. So the resistance to the CTUIR efforts to exert their sovereignty over Indian lands smacked of hypocrisy and worse. I had just quit my job at the Tribe and figured, “What the hell,” and took my shot. A little history is in order. I joined the staff of the CTUIR in the fall of 1973 as the Planning Director. I was the seventh tribal staff person and the first non-Indian. I joined Barbara Guerrero, Sis Moses, Brenda Shippentower, Mary Hines and Frank Ball. Actually, that’s not quite accurate. Woody Patawa, Elizabeth Jones and Tessie Williams were CHR’s, but they worked under the Health Board. Mike Farrow, Sue Sams, Amelia Enick, Andy Dumont and Antone Minthorn, Richard Emigh joined us in the Tribal Development Office. This office, along with the many that followed in pretty short order, laid the foundation for the modern CTUIR govern-
ment and economy. The Great Society gravy train was running full steam and we jumped on top of it and shoveled as much off as we could as it passed through the reservation. Within a year or so there were 100 tribal employees and growing. After four years I decided to seek my fortune on a farm in Pilot Rock and a sheet metal shop in Pendleton (no fortune in either, as it turns out!).
cooperative efforts. The CTUIR is not only the major economic force in the county, but one of the finest examples of a Tribe that uses collaboration with non-Indian neighbors and governments to serve the interests of the Tribes and the region. It’s an amazing story.
H
ere’s an ironic footnote to the Round-Up Mentality story. Since those days I have been honored to work with Tribal governments across the ack to this letter, which created quite a little country. I have always wondered why some tribes dust up. succeeded and others faltered. It has been hard to In the article from the East Oregonian, County figure. Commissioner Robertson said, “We could incorporate One idea came to me as I collaborated with Marv the Indian people into our full society as working, Ross and Thomas Morning Owl and dozens of other useful members on a full partnership basis if you Native and non-Native people to produce the musical bureaucrats and (Bureau of Indian Affairs) people theater production Ghosts of Celilo. We had to get a would stay out of it and leave us all alone.” Ooh, hell of a lot of very different people together to put on burn. that show. He went on to say I was a BIA Looking back at my dust up over They would be too guy who had his nose in the “huge the Round-Up, I realized, “You public trough” and that he assumed diplomatic to say know, those old guys had a point.” I was “…designated as a hatchet Now this is just a theory, but I those things, but I man for the vast sprawl of public have come to believe that it was the employees on the reservation.” That was proud to be their longstanding tradition of the two made me root around the living communities working together to room snorting “To my point, mofo, angry white double. put on that Round-Up that was a you obviously don’t realize that major factor in the two communithere is a Tribal Government.” ties working together on such tough projects as the The Commish went on to say, ”Had the comments Umatilla Basin Project and so many others. been written by Sam Kash Kash, Eliza Bill, Mary The Round-Up is still filled with contradictions and Lawyer or countless other Indian people I would ironies, as are all Indian/non-Indian relationships. have really been concerned… the many differences… There is still a Round-Up Mentality in some form. But that have developed were not created by the Indian that act of collectively putting on a show builds relapeople… but rather by agitation from the bureautionships and enough trust to get the show on the road. crats…” It stirred me to read this and remember those peopeaking of history, don’t forget, in 1910 the ple, who mentored and bossed me around for years. city fathers tricked a couple of newcomers - the The comments I made were mine and mine only, but Bishop brothers (Pendleton Woolen Mills) - to go see they were indeed the views I had heard expressed by if they could get the Indians to come to this big show those same folks and many others. They would be too they were planning. They did, but they didn’t know diplomatic to say those things, but I was proud to be the answer until they saw a “great cloud of dust ristheir angry white double. I was especially happy to ing in the east.” get a little bit of the Commissioner’s goat. You’ve been coming ever since and making it difBusiness partnerships and recognition of the ferent than any other show of its kind. Tribes’ potential was slow to take hold until the midThe CTUIR has also shown how it’s done in the 80’s. (Maybe with the help of the Tovey invasion? arenas of business and natural resource development. Another bunch of trouble makers.) I am proud to be a small part of that production so I went on to serve on the Pendleton Chamber of many years ago. Commerce Board and every time I got the chance I would encourage leaders to look east for economic Tom Hampson is the former Executive Director of ONABEN—A development opportunities. I usually got crickets. Native American Business Network. He is currently a writer and There were some in the non-Indian community occasional consultant on Indian Tribal projects. He has served as who were willing to take the chance. For example, writer and consultant to the CTUIR and other regional Native organizations, including Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Crow’s Shadow I suggested to Tony Flagg of the Pendleton Flour Institute of the Arts, the Wallowa Land Homeland Project, and Mills to look east to locate a grain elevator and trainthe CTUIR Board of Trustees. His most important job is husband loading facility. He did. That led to one of the first and grandfather. of many Tribal/private sector joint ventures and
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CUJ Letter to the Editor Time for Cayuse Holdings to pay its share to Tribal budget To the editor, The CTUIR is currently in the process of planning for the 2021 tribal budget. Cayuse Holdings has now been in business for almost 15 years. However, throughout its history CH has never contributed to the annual tribal operating budget. The Board of Trustees has delegated policy authority and responsibility for CH to the CH Board of Direc-
September 2020
tors. It is obvious and clear that the BOD has failed to meet its responsibilities of representing the interests of the owners of CH: The tribal membership. It is past due time that the BOD finally start doing something to “justify” the $15,000.00 honorariums they each get for being on the BOD. Like I wrote earlier, the CUJ writes a feel good article every few months on CH, the most recent a lengthy story about big plans for a program that has not even started yet. Also, the article states this program may ultimately benefit a total of one CTUIR tribal member, maybe.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
All of our tribally owned businesses and enterprises should, and do, financially support our numerous tribal departments, services, and programs, such as scholarships, elders, youth, social services, and so on. There is absolutely no justification for Cayuse Holdings to get a permanent free pass. However, Mission Market has been designated as a community service operation; thus, they are not expected to make a profit. Now is the time for the BOT to make the CH BOD accountable by contributing their fair share to our 2021 tribal operating budget. Bob Shippentower
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CUJ Almanac breakfast food distribution 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
(drive in like last time...from Mission Highway turn right at the old Yellowhawk entrance)
Pancake mix - syrup - bacon - hash browns - sausage - milk - oatmeal
Narcotics Anonymous of Northeast Oregon 541-805-2229 Visit our website at
neo-na.org
Arnold F. Lavadour Jr.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Land Protection Planning Commission of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will hold the following public hearing: Subdivision File #SUB-20-001 – Applicant, CTUIR Department of Economic and Community Development seeks approval to subdivide property owned by the CTUIR in trust (Arrowhead Travel Plaza). The subject property is identified as trust parcels T2129, T2130, T2131 and T2132 (Umatilla County Tax Lots 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 501, 600 and 700 on Umatilla County Tax Map 2N3322BB and Tax lots 900, 1100 and 1000 on Map 2N33D) within the external boundaries of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Subject properties are located on the northeast corner of Interstate 84 Exit 216 east of State Highway 331zoned C-D (Commercial Development) and Ag-1 (Exclusive Farm Use). Application proposes to create the Coyote Business Park East Subdivision subject to Land Development Code §3.200 and Subdivision Manual.
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Public notice
Arnold F. Lavadour Jr. 83, of Pendleton died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 at his home. He was born Dec. 13, 1936 in Thornhollow, Oregon. A private family funeral mass was held Aug. 26 at St. Andrews Mission. Public graveside services followed the mass at St. Andrews Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton was in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton.
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Death notice
Weather information summarize data taken at the Pendleton Weather Station from Aug. 1-31. Temperature is reported in degrees Fahrenheit and time in Pacific Standard Time. The average daily temperature was 88.7 degrees with a high of 103 degrees on Aug. 17 and a low of 45 degrees on Aug. 30. Total precipitation in August was less than a tenth of an inch. The average wind speed was 8.4 mph with a sustained max speed of 36 mph and a peak speed of 45 mph from the west on Aug. 29. There were four thunder storms and one day in which some rain fell. Air Quality Index values increased with wildfire smoke.
Pendleton Pioneer Chapel received three prestigious awards in 2009
w The Oregon Funeral Directors Association Award of Funeral Service Excellence w The Best Of Eastern Oregon Award as voted by the readers of the East Oregonian w Pendleton Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business of the Year
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Due to the current health emergency (COVID-19) this hearing will be held via Zoom. If you would like to participate in the hearing or provide testimony, please join us either online at https://us02web. zoom.us/j/81068078775 or by phone at 1-253215-8782 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting code will be 810-6807-8775. Materials relating to this subdivision request are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https:// ctuir.org/information-technology/notice-publichearing-subdivision-sub-20-001. Written comments must be received in the Tribal Planning Office by 4:00 pm September 3, 2020 via hard copy or by email to pattyperry@ ctuir.org. The public is entitled and encouraged to participate in the hearing and to submit testimony regarding the request. To obtain further information or if you have questions regarding the hearing process or the proposed subdivision, please contact the Tribal Planning Office at 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801 or call 541-429-7518. Lindsey Watchman, Secretary Land Protection Planning Commission
Our experienced family provides caring, compassionate care including:
Burial Services ~ Military Services Cremation ~ Monuments
From: CTUIR FWC Date: August 21, 2020 Re: CTUIR Fishing Regulations
In an effort to update the current mail out list for distribution of the CTUIR Fishing Regulations, etc. the FWC would like to receive fishers’ preference of communication as well as comments (text, dialin, social media, etc.). Currently, the FWC provides regulations by mail, email, www.ctuir.org, and CTUIR FB page. Please contact Chelsey Dick with your preference at 541-429-7249 or chelseydick@ ctuir.org.
If you haven’t filled out your Census form, expect innumerators to come knocking in September.
CTUIR gives support to MMIW cold case task force MISSION – The Confederated Tribes have given their support to Operation Lady Justice, the Presidential Taskforce on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, but not without written testimony outlining several concerns. Chair Kat Brigham, writing on behalf of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), said the CTUIR is appreciative of the Taskforce’s focus on developing cold case teams throughout the country to address cases of missing murdered American Indians. Enough Iz Enough, a grass roots organization created and run by Native American women and family members impacted by the tragedy of murdered and missing women, has provided a list of 22 names they consider cold cases on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The CTUIR has advocated for the creation of a federal cold case taskforce since requesting it in October of 2014 at
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To: CTUIR Fishermen
Confederated Umatilla Journal
a consultation meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota. “In addition to government-to-government consultations between tribal nations and federal government agencies, we believe the Taskforce should actively reach out to, and consult with, tribal service providers, community members, and affected survivor families and friends,” Brigham wrote. The Taskforce would combine the forces of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “For such efforts to have lasting, sustained, and effective impacts, adequate and sustained resources must be devoted to the issue,” Brigham wrote. “In cannot be a short term policy focus that gets attention and resources for a brief period of time, only to be ignored and neglected as new issues and priorities arise.” In addition to funding for the Taskforce, Brigham is suggesting more money for tribal law enforcement, victim services, MMIW team coordinators and MMIW tribal community projects led by tribal nations and tribal citizens.
September 2020
Notice to Purchase
CTUIR Board of Trustees
General Council
Chair Kathryn Brigham
Chair Lindsey X. Watchman
Vice Chair Jeremy Wolf
Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson
Treasurer Sandra Sampson Secretary Sally Kosey
Secretary Shawna Gavin Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl
At-large BOT Members: Jill-Marie Gavin General Council contact Info Office: 541-429-7378 Armand Minthorn Email: GeneralCouncil@ctuir.org Boots Pond Meeting updates and information on: www.ctuir.org/government/general-council Corinne Sams Executive Director : Ted Wright Deputy Executive Director: Charles F. Sams III
General Council Meeting
Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. E-mail shawnagavin@ctuir.org with information to verify enrollment and receive meeting invitation. Call-in will begin at 1:45 p.m. Aug. 20.
CTUIR Express Phone Directory
Jobs JOIN OUR TEAM in beautiful Enterprise, Oregon! Wallowa Land Trust is hiring for a Communications and Outreach Coordinator to lead our efforts to connect with diverse audiences throughout NE Oregon and beyond. Full position description and application details at www.wallowalandtrust.org
CTUIR Career Opportunities Employment list as of Aug. 26, 2020 Public Transit Bus Driver (part time) Revised Archaeologist I/II (2 positions) Revised Communications Officer – Dispatcher (2 positions) Deputy Prosecutor Police Officer (3 positions) Tribal Attorney Economic Development Manager (Re-Advertised) Forest Technician I (Fuels) Teacher Assistant/Data Entry Web Programmer (Temporary Employee)
September 2020
Firefighter/EMT and Paramedic (1 position) Loan Clerk Water Resources Technician II/III Lamprey Technician II-Pacific Lamprey Research & Restoration Open to Existing Employees & CTUIR members General Education Diploma (GED) Instructor/ Coach and Summer Youth Coordinator For more information visit: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Att: Office of Human Resources Online 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 http://ctuir.org
Tribal Court 541-276-2046
Human Resources 541-429-7180
Department of Children and Family Services 541-429-7300
Science & Engineering/Air Quality Burnline 541-429-7080
Enrollment Office 541-429-7035
Senior Center 541-276-0296
Finance Office 541-429-7150
TERF 541-276-4040
Finance – Credit Program 541-429-7155
Confederated Umatilla Journal 541-429-7399
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
46314 Timine Way
September 2020
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
541-966-9830
Confederated Umatilla Journal
www.yellowhawk.org
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Marchers from across the region joined Black Lives Matter in Pendleton for a peaceful march against police brutality and systemic racism. Numbering more than 200, the group gathered at Roy Raley Park for speeches before marching to Main Street and back on Saturday, Aug. 29. Here they have just crossed the Main Street bridge and are walking south on Main Street. CUJ photo/Phinney
BLACK LIVES MATTER protesters march on Pendleton By the CUJ
More than 200 people of all races, colors and genders gathered and marched peacefully against police brutality and systemic racism at a Black Lives Matter protest in Pendleton Aug. 29. One of three chief organizers was Briana Spencer, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and a descenTwo Native marchers hold dent of the Cayuse, Nez Perce, Oklahoma their fists high during the Seminole, Cascade, and BLM march. of Chief Spencer of the CUJ photo/Megan Van Pelt Klickitat tribe, who also has blood of the Afro-Puerto Rican, Irish, and French. The trio, which included Nolan Bylenga, a candidate
for the Oregon Legislature, and activist John Landreth, were heaped with praise. Bylenga read prepared remarks from Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts, and from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. Nixyaawii Community School junior Max Jean Maddern gave a passionate speech from a teen-ager’s perspective that appears on Page 6 of this paper. On the other side of Court Avenue perhaps 100 counter protesters lined the street. They waved American, Confederate, TRUMP 2020, and Blue Lives Matter flags. Many walked back and forth in the street, carrying rifles or holstered handguns. Horns were honking and thumbs were up for the counter protesters. But it was peaceful in Roy Raley Park. After returning from their march to Main Street and back, the Black Lives Matter throng laid down on the park grass for eight-and-a-half minutes marking the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man, white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest. During the final two minutes, all caught on video, Floyd was
Black Lives Matter protest participants gathered at Roy Raley Park to hear remarks from speakers while counterprotesters stood across Court Street. CUJ photo/Phinney
motionless but officers took no action to treat him. Floyd’s death in Minneapolis sparked the most recent wave of protests across the nation and world, including nightly protests in Portland that have turned violent since Floyd’s death more than three months ago. On a Facebook post the day after the march, Bylenga wrote: “At this point, we shouldn’t continue arguing with people. The opposition is at a loss for what to say and looking for people to hate. We aren’t hateful people. Continued on next page
Black Lives Matter protesters link arms as they march down Main Street in Pendleton Aug. 29. Vanesiah Broncheau, a 22-year-old Nez Perce/ Black woman wearing the Black Lives Matter shirt, held a WE DEMAND EQUALITY sign. To Broncheau’s left was Auburn Logan (flowered mask), a Grand Ronde Indian and organizer of “The Black Joy Tour.” She and seven others have visited more than 30 Oregon towns during Black Lives Matter protests. Logan said she was impressed with the organization of the peaceful protest in Pendleton. She said the Grand Rondes have shown solidarity with Black Lives Matter because “we understand the identity that was taken away” through reservation termination. Grande Ronde’s federal recognition was restored in 1983. CUJ photo/Megan Van Pelt
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
Black Lives Matter protesters, well organized with proper permits, marched peacefully through the streets of Pendleton Aug. 29. Marchers departed Roy Raley Park and walked east along Bailey Street toward Main Street to avoid confrontation with counter protesters lined up on the south side of Court Avenue. Some of the counter protesters followed the BLM marchers; any would-be skirmishes were controlled by city, county and state police. Umatilla Tribal Police were also called into action at the east of town in case they were needed. CUJ photo/Phinney
Continued from page 12A
Everything we preached was about ending hate. We even started our event with a prayer from a local pastor. It was those across the street claiming to ‘back the blue’ that needed tape to keep them from crossing the road.” And Spencer wrote this: “I am beside myself with so many emotions. We marched through our streets and showed our community Danielle Broncheau Strickland uses a megaphone to deliver her Black Lives Matter message during the BLM Car March, which was billed as a COVID-safe way to protest.” Nearly 40 vehicles participated in the car march, which took place at the same time in residential neighborhoods.
that their fears were misguided. That we are not the thugs, destroyers, or murderers that we have been portrayed to be and that our cause is just because we just want everyone to have equality. We tactfully made history today. I am beyond proud of every person who showed up today in person, at the car march, and at home.” In a joint statement, Spencer, Nylenga and Landreth e-mailed this: We appreciate the hard work of the police
today to help us keep the focus not on the security and the details which they aced, but on the strong words and moving ideas we heard today from local BIPOC leaders and speakers. Today was about more than safety, today was about breaking the chains of oppression and racism in our communities and letting everyone know we are marching towards the free world we want, the world we were promised!
CUJ photo/Megan Van Pelt
Counter protesters, many carrying rifles and holstered handguns, waved Bible scripture signs, American, Confederate, TRUMP, and Blue Lives Matter flags on the south side of Court Avenue across from Roy Raley Park where some 200 Black Lives Matter protesters gathered for speeches before marching to downtown Pendleton. The BLM event officially ended about 6 p.m. but protesters remained on both sides of Court Avenue until after 10 p.m. Aug. 29. CUJ photo/Phinney
September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Lucky 7 redevelopment Continued from page 1A
The redeveloped site will include eight three-bedroom homes and 10 twobedroom homes, according to J.D. Tovey, CTUIR Planning Director. The new units will be constructed to the newest energyefficiency standard, reducing utility costs for residents. The new development will include a central park with barbecue pits, benches and tables, plus a playground for children. It will have paved streets and offstreet parking for residents and guests, and homes will be on larger lots offering more green space and privacy between units. The housing design, including entry ramps and wide doors, mean that Lucky 7 units can accommodate any tenant, from elders, to families, to people with disabilities, Tovey said. The new modulars will be managed by the CTUIR Housing Department, but they are not HUD homes with rents based on federal low-income standards. Rather, the new Lucky 7 rents will be based on market rate, which is the usual price charged in a free market, as in supply and demand. Rental rates, which have been constant since the mid-1990’s, will increase from the current $550 per month to $650 for a two-bedroom home and $750 for a threebedroom house. Tovey said renters are expected to more than make up the difference in electricity savings. “Even though the rent is going to be higher, the electrical use is going to be much lower. We hope to save a ton of
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Rental rates, which have been constant since the mid-1990’s, will increase from the current $550 per month to $650 for a two-bedroom home and $750 for a three-bedroom house. Renters are expected to more than make up the difference in electricity savings. money in electric bills,” said Tovey, noting at least one current home had a winter power bill of $800 last year. Even so, the BOT in its Aug. 24 resolution agreed to conduct a work session to review potential options for subsidizing increased rents from pre-construction rates to post-construction rates over time for current Lucky 7 residents. BOT member Jill-Marie Gavin said the jump from $550 to $750 “might be a bit jarring” for some families. She suggested gradually raising the rent to the higher market rate by $50 per month over a few months so “it’s not a shock to the budget.” The 2018 BOT identified the need to focus on Lucky 7 for redevelopment because of the steady decline in quality housing on the reservation, according to Tovey. The project was originally projected for early summer 2020, but was slightly delayed because of February flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many residents moved out of Lucky 7 using a $1,650 moving stipend provided
by the CTUIR to store possessions, pay for short-term rent, or help with costs for the family and/or friends with whom they are staying, according to Kimberly Hughes at the CTUIR Housing Department. Coordination with residents was key to success of the project, Tovey said. The majority of the existing homes are rental units owned by the CTUIR, but six are owned by individuals who rent spaces for their trailers. The BOT allocated up to $50,000 to buyout trailer owners with individual offers based on the assessed value as determined by the Umatilla County Tax Department. The CTUIR’s offer for an individual trailer was not to exceed $6,000, according to Housing Department documents. Only one of the homes owned by individuals has been assessed with a value of more than $5,000. By the time the CTUIR pays the owners and then pays to have the trailers demolished the total cost to get rid of each unit will be about $10,000, Tovey said.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Most of the individually owned trailers are at least 25 years old. Not only are they not saleable, they do not meet code requirements to be moved into other mobile home parks. Meanwhile, trailer owners, or representatives of trailer owners, have apparently submitted a petition to General Council Chair Lindsey X. Watchman expressing concerns about the redevelopment. The CUJ has not seen the petition. Hughes, during a work session Aug. 13, told the BOT that there has been open communication with Lucky 7 tenants. She said some people were “having a hard time finding a place” to move, but most were “ecstatic” about the opportunity to return to a new home. Hughes said “only one person” was “pushing misinformation” about being “evicted into the street.” Further, Hughes noted, most of the people who had signed the petition were not residents of Lucky 7. At that Aug. 13 work session, GC Chair Watchman said he would consider the petition and determine if it should be discussed at a General Council meeting. In addition to CTUIR dollars, funding for the project is coming from a Meyer Memorial Trust Grant, Energy Trust of Oregon funds, and an Oregon Emergency Board grant to assist with those negatively impacted by the 2020 Umatilla River floods. In addition to the cost of the modular units – about $100,000 each, the project expenses include infrastructure, landscaping, signs, CTUIR permit fees, TERO fees and cultural survey fees.
September 2020
School starts Continued from page 2A
ior. He welcomed her back later in the class. Guelke told the students where he went to college, his music tastes, and that he recently earned his license to fly drones. And he told them how he grades, including 30 percent for homework and 40 percent for tests. He discussed absences and tardies. He told students what to do if their internet connection or power goes down. Students can still be marked present if they watch the class video within 24 hours and let Guelke know what’s going on. “It you sleep in, then no.” Homework must be turned in on
Sunday night and, just in the classroom, “show all your work or no credit.” Then he asked a boy if he was doing alright. He noticed the boy had his phone in his hand. “I would take those cells at the door,” Guelke said. Guelke told the students that things were going to be okay, even in a socially distanced classroom. “If you ever run into issues talk with me,” he said. “If you don’t talk to me I can’t help you out. It’s weird for everybody and we’ll need more communication. Welcome back -----. You’re not going to interrupt this time?” Then he was back to business, reminding students how important it is to take legible notes.
Kay Webb’s Huckleberry Jam is ready! Call 541-276-6331
September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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BOT outlines CARES Act spending - so far By the CUJ
MISSION – Nearly $4 million in federal CARES Act funding, the money appropriated by Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic, has been allocated by the Board of Trustees in direct assistance to members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $8 billion for direct distribution to Tribal governments across the United States for COVID-19 related costs. Sandra Sampson, BOT Treasurer, was to give a report at a General Council meeting Sept. 3 (the day the CUJ was published) outlining COVID-19 Tribal member assistance, which so far totaled $3,818,950. Earlier this year, the BOT voted to provide General Welfare Assistance checks totaling $943,200 to Tribal members for the months of March, April and May. In July, the BOT used Tribal funds to provide another direct payment of $750 for all CTUIR members at a total cost of $2,363,250, according to Sampson. By resolution, the BOT appropriated
$300,000 in April to Tribal members who list of items funded by CARES Act had become unemployed because of CO- dollars that are not direct assistance VID-19 to assist with rent, utilities and to Tribal members. The money comes general living expenses. from a portion of the Tribes’ CARES Act Further, housing rental relief for funds – about $10 million – that was esHUD tenants extablished as a continperiencing loss of gency fund to pay for Sandra Sampson, BOT employment for the future projects and months of March, Treasurer, was to give a assistance required April, May, and report at General Council to address the Public June was approved Health Emergency Sept. 3 outlining COVID-19 declared in March. at $175,000. T h e B O T b y Tribal member assistance, In July, the BOT resolution decided which so far totaled approved CARES to eliminate Credit Act funding for a Program Fees for $3,818,950. Pandemic PreparedTribal Members on ness Building and a loans originated Broadband Project. from April 24-June 26. That cost was The preparedness building, among other $12,500. things, would house technical equipment Supplies for food distributions in for a reservation-wide Wi-Fi system March, April, and May totaled $25,000. (broadband); personal protection equip“We are covering costs that are in- ment, and food storage. curred to provide consistent services Also in July, the BOT approved spendto Tribal members in the face of all the ing about $637,000 on Chromebooks COVID-related restrictions that dictate for Tribal member students to facilitate how we operate and whether we can distance learning. Because of ordering meet with Tribal members and staff in issues, the 638 Chromebooks won’t be person,” Sampson said in a memo. available until late October. However, evOn Aug. 24, the BOT added another ery student from Nixyaawii Community
School already has use of a Chromebook. With their Aug. 24 resolution, the BOT appropriated CARES Act contingency funds for the following purposes:
- To fund a wills assistant and associated equipment to facilitate virtual meetings with Tribal members for estate planning; - Vehicle leasing and mileage expenses to facilitate Tribal field operations during the PHE where only one person is permitted per Tribal vehicle; - To pay for Office of Legal Counsel salary, fringe, and outside legal costs to address COVID-19 and CARES Act issues during the PHE; - To fund hazard pay for Tribal employees whose duties involve direct involvement with persons who are potentially contagious with the COVID-19 virus; - Leave and benefits for employees of Arrowhead Travel Plaza, Mission Market and Hamley’s that are not able to work from home as a response to the COVID-19 virus; - Cayuse Technologies contract for emergency website services, development of dashboards, and information technology services to enable the Confederated Tr9ibes to provide public health information on the COVID-19 virus; - Hatch Tablets for Head Start children to facilitate on-line learning during the PHE; - Additional costs for shipping to Tribal member students the Chromebooks that were approved in July, and; - To fund a computer reimbursement program for Tribal-member college students through the Higher Education Program.
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Team Continued from page 1A
ery Team is to identify and align local health metrics with state standards and create a unified campaign to return the county to a complete recovery. Toward that goal, the task force contracted with the communications firm of PacWest. The Confederated Tribes immediately pitched in $20,000 to the cause. The first action was a media blitz with a contract of $58,000 to the East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald to saturate Hermiston, Stanfield and Umatilla with COVID-19 information, mask distribution, newspaper advertising, and digital advertising. The COVID-19 information was distributed in packets containing one face mask to some 15,000 Umatilla County homes with 1,500 set aside for farm workers. A half dozen members of the CTUIR Youth Council helped stuff between 3,500 and 4,000 bags with literature and masks at the EO offices in preparation for delivery. About three dozen other individuals, including Tribal member Pat Walters and her husband, Ric, volunteered time to prepare the mailers over three days. The taskforce grew out of a meeting called by CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham Aug. 4 that brought together Oregon Sen. Bill Hansell, Umatilla County Commissioners, city officials from Hermiston and Milton-Freewater, plus health officials and doctors. The meeting was held with social distancing on two rooms at Wildhorse Resort & Casino and on-line via Zoom. According to a news task force news release, by bringing together the resources of the entities across Umatilla County, the Response and Recovery Team will work to improve the long-term health of residents, support businesses through the reopening process, and restore school districts to full operation. Schools in Umatilla County are opening with on-line classes. “The COVID-19 crisis that the entire country has been dealing with since March has taken a toll on our community health, economic output, and educational systems,” said George Murdock, Umatilla County Commissioner. “This team will put the full weight of our resources county-wide into a singular recovery effort.” Umatilla County Commissioners have been criticized by Gov. Kate Brown for not acting quick enough and for not taking COVID-19 serious enough. “I think everyone involved with COVID-19 would suggest hindsight is 20-20,” Murdock said in an e-mail answering questions from the CUJ. “We started putting things in place and making commitments before
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Bryson Spino, a junior at Nixyaawii Community School, said he was happy to get out of the house and do something different. “I haven’t seen kids my age in five months,” he said. “I’ve been doing a whole lot of nothing.” Students from Pendleton High School, including Youth Council Chair Lindsey Littlesky-Pasena, also took part. CUJ photos/Phinney
Alayna Bevis, a sophomore at Nixyaawii Community School, was one of six volunteers from the Youth Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation stuffing information and COVID-19 masks at the East Oregonian offices in early August. Bevis was working a morning and an afternoon shift with the Youth Council, which expected to fill around 4,000 packets.
OHA provided resources, particularly in terms of hiring contact tracers. We probably were there six weeks before what they were doing materialized. For a long time, COVID was present, but in a limited way before the huge spikes, particularly on the west side. I honestly believe that if the state had passed down the resources we were entitled to and provided us with more local autonomy we would be ahead.” As far as the Governor’s comments are concerned, Murdock said they are misguided. “We have taken actions and made statements that we
Confederated Umatilla Journal
would follow the guidelines we were provided,” Murdock said in that e-mail to the CUJ. “I am only speaking for myself as I can’t speak for my colleagues. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind about where we stood.” Umatilla County already has spent more than $3 million on COVID-19 recovery effort, according to Murdock. The County has more than doubled its staff with the Health Department in charge of tracing and investigations, as well as outreach and education. On the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center is doing the testing and contact tracing for people who contract the virus. The Umatilla County COVID-19 Response and Recovery Team will work with the Oregon Health Authority to determine a common set of metrics that will guide the reopening response, according to the taskforce news release from PacWest. Regular updates will be shared through a website, an e-mail newsletter, and the individual channels of the team members. “We’ve learned a lot about this virus, how it spreads, and how we can protect our communities,” said Brigham. “Our goal now is to use our collective knowledge and resources to empower residents to stay healthy as we work toward a full recovery.”
September 2020
Bowling
Continued from page 5A
guests to dine while watching the competition in the lanes. The food court at Wildhorse will feature two independent vendors and two Wildhorse operations. Three restaurants will offer full menus and one will specialize in ice cream and sweet treats. A 3,000 square foot dining area will seat up to 80 people in a warm, comfortable setting. The new vendors bringing even more options to Wildhorse are Moe Pho and Brigham Fish & Chips. Owners of both restaurants have roots in Pendleton. Wildhorse will be the second location for Moe Pho, the first being in downtown Pendleton. Owned by Whitney Minthorn and Moe Soeum, their focus is on popular cuisine from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Many ingredients are sourced from Thailand and the eatery provides gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian choices. In business since February 2018, Moe Pho Noodles & Cafe prepares their food fresh to order with high quality ingredients and authentic recipes. Also opening a second location is Brigham Fish Market. The Brigham family is well known for harvesting and selling fresh, wild-caught fish along the Columbia River. With a thriving business, Kim Brigham-Campbell opened a full-service restaurant in Cascade Locks, selling both fresh fish and prepared meals, including fish and chips, po’boy sandwiches and chowders. The new Wildhorse location will be called Brigham Fish ‘N Chips and features a selection of favorites from the Market’s menu. Minthorn and Brigham-Campbell are both CTUIR members. Between the food court and bowling center, visitors will find the new 2,500-square foot Wildhorse arcade. Young gamers will be able to choose from more than 30 high-tech games and experiences in a single room, a sound-and-light extravaganza you won’t often find in towns the size of Pendleton. Arcade guests can obtain a free “fun card” and load it with any amount desired to use as currency at arcade machines. The card keeps track of points racked up by players. Players can take their card to the redemption center and trade their points for prizes. Updates and information about Wildhorse Family FunPlex can be found at www.wildhorseresort.com/family-funplex/.
Public notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Land Protection Planning Commission of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will hold the following public hearing: Variance File #V-20-001 – Applicant, CTUIR Department of Economic and Community Development, seeks a variance from the required setback distance of 20 feet within the Lucky 7 manufactured home park as part of its redevelopment (recently approved under CU-20-003). The subject property is owned by CTUIR in fee, and is identified as Tax Lot 1802 on Umatilla County Tax Map 2N3310BC within the external boundaries of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The subject property is located on the northeast corner intersection of Mission Road with State Highway 331and zoned R-1, Rural Residential. Variances to the provisions of the CTUIR Land Development Code (LDC) are subject to the approval criteria contained in Chapter 8 (§8.015) and public hearing processes of Chapter 13. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Due to the current health emergency (COVID-19) this hearing will be held via Zoom. If you would like to participate in the hearing or provide testimony, please join us online https://us02web. zoom.us/j/88338577805 or by phone at 1-602-753-0140 at 9:00 a.m. The Meeting ID is 883 3857 7805. Materials relating to this conditional use request are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https:// ctuir.org/information-technology/notice-variance-publichearing-v-20-001. Written comments must be received in the Tribal Planning Office by 4:00 pm September 18, 2020 via hard copy or by email to pattyperry@ctuir.org.
September 2020
Lightning strikes in mid-August started numerous fires across the Umatilla National Forest, which identified the largest blaze as the Hager Ridge Fire about 20 miles east of Mission outside the east boundary of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. At the time it was reported about 1 p.m. on Aug. 19, the fire was approximately 20 acres burning in rugged terrain with grass, timber and dead-and- down trees. Athena photographer Robert McLean caught this image of the Aug. 19 thunderstorms looking southeast toward Kanine Ridge.
Lightning sparks Meacham Complex
PENDLETON – Most of the forest fires started by lightning from Aug. 19 thunderstorms were out or contained by Aug. 30. Management of the Meacham Complex South, as the group of fires came to be called, was turned back from the U.S. Forest Service Northern Rockies Team 3 out of Missoula, Montana, to local agencies, including the Umatilla National Forest, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The national team assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire near Pomeroy, Washington, on Aug. 24. As of Aug. 31, the Rattlesnake Fire was estimated to be approximately 486 acres in size and was burning in a 15-year-old fire scar, which left a mosaic of vegetation, according to a daily update from U.S. Forest Service Incident Command. The fire is entirely within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness burring in grass, brush and timber with dead-and-down trees. When lightning struck, the Meacham Complex of fires
included the Hager Ridge Fire, about 20 miles east of Mission, and two fires in Meacham Creek. The Rattlesnake Fire 13 miles southeast of Dayton was the largest fire burning in the Pomeroy Ranger District. The most significant fire in the Heppner Ranger District was the Putnam Spring Fire, about 3.5 miles east of Tamarack Lookout. By Aug. 25, the largest fires in the Meacham Complex, other than Rattlesnake, now included the Horse Fire and 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires about 25 miles east/southeast of Pendleton. All were burring in rugged terrain in a variety of fuels. At that time, the Horse Fire was about 169 acres and one structure was threatened. According to Incident Command, the fires posed potential threats to significant cultural and natural resources, and fire managers were working with the CTUIR Cultural Resources Protection Program to protect those resources. - Compiled from U.S. Forest Service Daily Updates
Fire managers gathered for a public meeting Sunday, Aug. 23, in the pool-patio area on the east side of Wildhorse Resort & Casino to discuss the fire status. In addition to those attending the social-distanced meeting, several tuned in via Facebook. By that time firefighers were making substantial progress on most of the wildfires in the Meacham Complex. At the time, the larger and more active fires were the Horse Fire, the Hager Ridge Fire, the 896 Fire and the Rattlesnake Fire burning in rugged terrain in a variety of fuels. The Horse fire, estimated at about 170 acres, was burning on Horeseshoe Ridge, 15 miles from Cayuse. Multiple agencies coordinated on Meacham Complex fire suppressions, including U.S. Forest Service, Oreogn Department of Forestry, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources. Photo by Jiselle Halfmoon/KCUW
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CUJ News
Members of a US Geological Survey (USGS) crew from Moffett Field, near San Francisco, check the readings from the transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys at the Moonshine cistern site. Looking on are Aaron Luke, Kate Ely and Patrick Mills.
Scientists searching for hot liquid at Moonshine Geothermal resource has potential to heat homes, provide reservation power By Wil Phinney of the CUJ
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fluffy white algae flutters in otherwise clear water that bubbles up from a crevice in the bottom of the mostly dry Moonshine cistern, an unassuming concrete circle in the middle of a south sloping stubble field about four miles east of the Cayuse Road turnoff. But that odor of sulfur may indicate even more. About 40 yards to the west of the cistern, a lonely clump of green bursts in this dry, dusty field, surmising more moisture, and in the slashes between the foothills to the south gray thickets suggest more springs that promise more water below the surface. But the US Geological Survey (USGS) folks here from Moffett Field, near San Francisco, in July weren’t looking for cold, clean, clear spring water – the kind fish swim in. They were looking for evidence of geothermal activity and the potential for hot fluids at depth. Now in its second phase, the Umatilla Indian Reservation Geothermal Resources Assessment project being conducted by the Confederated Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources Energy & Environmental Sciences Program (EESP) seeks to answer questions relating to resource development feasibility. Although an end product is probably years down the
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Aaron Luke, Kate Ely and Patrick Mills stand next to the Moonshine cistern where the pungent odor of sulphur is obvious. Mills, a scientist in the CTUIR Eenergy and Environmental Sciences Program (EESP), is hopeful further tests will reveal geothermal activity and the potential for hot fluids that could generate enough electricity to power the Umatilla Indian Reservation community. Luke interned at EESP and is enrolled at Oregon Institute of Technology. Ely is a hydrologist in the CTUIR Department of Natural Resources.
road and would cost millions of dollars, the geothermal resources of the UIR could potentially generate enough electricity to power the reservation community, including all its businesses. “Let’s say we find sufficient resource potential and a power plant is constructed,” said Patrick Mills, Oregon’s 2019 Young Engineer of the Year and a scientist with the EESP who’s managing the project. “It could generate enough baseload electricity to meet the demands of the entire reservation, the CTUIR community, and enable the Tribes to achieve greater energy sovereignty. If coupled with other locally available renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass, the Tribes would be well on their way to becoming energy independent and a global leader in sustainability.” Mills said the “versatility” of geothermal is “tremendous” since it can be used directly for heating and also for generating electricity at many scales and “it’s one of the cleanest greenest energy technologies there is.” But, it will take some time to get there.
Confederated Umatilla Journal
The first stages have required and will require even more patience and diligence, so while Mills is excited and optimistic, he understands that many things have to take place before the blinking lights, bells and whistles at Wildhorse Casino are powered by hot fluids pumped from thousands of feet beneath the ground’s surface. Phase 1 began in 2017 and was a broad reservationwide survey, the results of which were used to guide the more spatially focused work taking place during this phase. Several candidate land parcels held in Trust for the CTUIR have now been selected to host temperature gradient boreholes to be installed during the final part of Phase 2. Moonshine cistern was deemed one of the more promising sites, followed by a site further east toward Bar-M Ranch up Buckaroo Creek, and a third site just west of Moonshine cistern with access between Fowler Lane and Wilson Road about one mile south of Cayuse Road. Continued on next page
September 2020
Geothermal exploration Now that EESP is in the second phase – Phase 2A to be exact – temperature gradient borehole permitting activities are also taking place to prepare for Phase 2B. The primary purpose of these temporary test holes is to directly measure the change in ground temperature with depth, an important step for determining overall feasibility of development. They would be relatively tiny, needle pricks (3.5 inches in diameter) compared to the actual geothermal production and injection wells used in conventional closedloop geothermal power systems. There is still much investigative work to do – and funds to raise, although Mills said there is more than $2 billion dollars available through the US Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) and other grant and incentive programs. Still, Mills reiterated, the CTUIR is a long way off from actually drilling for hot water that would generate heat or power, unless efforts are expedited. At the Moonshine cistern, there’s little doubt of geothermal influence because you can see and smell the water. This is due, likely, to the cisterns close proximity to the Wilahatya Fault Zone which is believed to act as a conduit for groundwater infiltration relatively deep into the Earth’s crust. The temperature and geochemical signature of the water is altered there before returning to the surface.
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e know there is geothermal activity if we go down far enough,” Mills said. “Some scientists believe the center of the Earth is actually hotter than the surface of the sun so there’s an abundance of thermal energy. The questions then are, how far down do we need to go to reach a usable amount of that energy, and how much will it cost to extract the heat? That’s what this project is ultimately about … determining the feasibility of harnessing the geothermal energy to produce electricity or heat for any number of applications that benefit the tribal community, while considering relevant economic factors.” Among other things, potential uses for geothermal resources on the Umatilla Indian Reservations could include heat pumps for houses or buildings, district heating or electricity generation with a power plant and other necessary geothermal systems. At this point in the process, project scientists are “characterizing the resources” by collecting as much data as possible using highly technical instrumentation and techniques. “We want to collect lots of high quality data because there are many variables and confidence issues arise if you can’t adequately constrain your models,” Mills said. “Unless you’re drilling down into the ground and taking direct measurements, you are limited to above-ground techniques which indirectly measure properties of subsurface features. An unfortunate consequence of this is some level of uncertainty, so, the more data you have, the more confidence you’ll generally have with overall estimates. When you’ve reduced risk enough and are confident with your model estimates, the chances of winning additional grants are substantially higher and that’s what we
September 2020
What is geothermal energy? -Geothermal energy is heat generated and stored in the Earth -The amount of geothermal energy and temperature generally increases with depth below the ground surface
Why pursue geothermal development? -Clean and sustainable source of renewable energy -Provides baseload power (the resources is always on, not dependent on sunlight or wind) -Greater energy density than solar or wind renewable energy sources (more energy generation per unit area) -Can be used for heating (direct use) and/or generating electricity -Will help CTUIR become energy independent and achieve indefinite energy security.
Examples of Geothermal Being Used -Peppermill Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, is heated 100 percent using geothermal -Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls) is heated 100 percent and is partially powered using electricity generated from a combined source of heat and a geothermal power plant. Aaron Luke, a 2020 graduate of Pendleton High School, worked as an intern this summer at DNR Energy and Environmental Sciences Program, is enrolled to study engineering this fall at Oregon Institute of Technology. -Warner Creek Correctional Facility in Lakeview, Ore., is heating 100 percent using geothermal. -Three more Northwest geothermal plants are located in Vale and Paisley, Oregon, southern Idaho and Fallow, Nevada. -The largest complex in this region is the Geysers Geothermal Complex in northwest California where combined net generating capacity is 900 megawatts, enough to electrify 900,000 homes.
are counting on for funding the Phase 2B temperature gradient boreholes. The cost could be upwards of $2 million and conveying to the funding agency that we’ve done our due diligence will be key.” That’s why the step-by-step process is essential. By breaking the overall project into smaller more manageable phases, not only is funding more readily available but adequate risk reduction can be demonstrated at each step. During Phase I, scientists conducted gravity and aeromagnetic geophysical surveys for fault analysis; a magnetotelcluric survey (an electromagnetic geophysical method) for identifying regions
of electrical resistivity and conductivity within the Earth’s subsurface; and multicomponent geothermometry for estimating temperature at depth which required groundwater sampling and analysis. These datasets along with existing datasets retrieved for project use (14 total) were then input into an analytical hierarchy process that produced ArcGIS layers indicating the most favorable locations for temperature gradient boreholes. “It would be irresponsible and not practical to complete Phase 1 and then immediately jump into funding for drilling,” Mills said. “You have to take a closer look. Phase 1 was a really broad
‘That’s what this project is ultimately about … determining the feasibility of harnessing the geothermal energy to produce electricity or heat for any number of applications that benefit the tribal community, while considering relevant economic factors.’ Confederated Umatilla Journal
reservation-wide study for finding the areas we want to hone in on. What we’re doing in Phase 2A is spatially focused to make sure we are confident with the sites selected for temperature gradient boreholes to be installed during Phase 2B.” In Phase 2A, gravity, ground-based magnetic, magnetotelluric, and transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys were conducted by the USGS team to confirm drilling site favorability and to better resolve geologic unit boundaries beneath each candidate land parcel. In scientific speak, “hydrogeological effects on heat flux to the ground surface will also be assessed in addition to refining the multicomponent geothermometry model developed during Phase 1, this time using the software platform iGeoT developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.” Magnetotellurics is a passive electromagnetic geophysical method that measures the Earth’s electrical response to natural time-varying magnetic fields. The key word is passive, in that the instrument is simply listening and not creating a signal that is put into the ground, according to a paper authored by project team member J. Peacock from USGS. The seven-person USGS team used TEM - similar to magnetotellurics except that it includes an active source and the data collection process is much faster. The transmitter is a loop of electrical wire stretched across the ground in huge rectangles and the receiver is a smaller loop of wire placed at the center of the transmitter. According to Zonge International, a company that provides geophysics field services, the change in current and the resulting electromagnetic field, establish an image current within the earth equal in magnitude, but opposite in polarity, to that of the transmitter. This image current then interacts with conductive materials in the Earth below creating secondary magnetic fields that are measured at the receiver site. The TEM method can explore to a depth of more than 1,000 meters, depending on transmitter loop size, available power from the transmitter, and ambient noise levels. TEM measurements are sensitive. Pickups were stopped on the dusty road near the transmitter while a test was being conducted to prevent disturbances caused by vibration and metallic objects, the latter having the potential to influence the magnetic field. Preliminary TEM survey results indicate a conductive layer approximately 80 meters (260 feet) below the surface, likely an aquifer residing in the fractured zone between different layers of the Columbia River Basalts. Near the Moonshine Cistern, the conductive layer gets closer to the surface suggesting a connection with the hydrothermal waters observed in the cistern. By the end of Phase 2A, a total of about $877,000 will have been spent on the geothermal project, with most of it ($661,000) being funded by the BIA. Energy Trust of Oregon has also pitched in $200,000. The CTUIR has contributed about $16,000 (not including indirect costs for administration and other tasks relating to the grant) to cover line item expenses not covered by the most recent BIA grant.
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
News & Sports The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon
Section
B
September 2020
Census count will halt at the end of September If you haven’t completed the once-a-decade task then expect a knock on your door other field data collection operators, and 64.4 percent of housing units responding on-line, MISSION – There is less than a month left to by phone or by mail. Lubrin said Tribal members Shelly Mintbe counted in the 2020 Census and people on the Umatilla Indian Reservation who haven’t horn and Eugena Stacona will be visiting residents who have not yet filled out their forms should responded by e-mail, phone or expect a knock on their door by paper form. before Sept. 30. “In the next 30 days people Filling out the Census form will be knocking on your door,” makes sense because if means Lubrin said. “Even if you’re not dollars for the Umatilla Indian sure, it’s better to be safe than Reservation, according to Elfsorry.” rina Lubrin, who heads of the Census workers will be set Census task force for the Conup at the Sept. 12 food distribufederated Tribes of the Umatilla tion (10 a.m. behind the Mission Indian Reservation. Longhouse) to answer questions The Census determines the and give out some “census amount of federal funding to swag,” including facemasks, be awarded to Tribes and other featuring salmon, designed by government entities over the Asa Wright, a Klamath artist next 10 years, Lubrin said. As of Sept. 1, it wasn’t look- Elfrina Lubrin models the Census who developed the Tribal WE ing good for the CTUIR. masks that will given away at the COUNT OREGON Census 2020 artwork. “We have not met our per- Sept. 12 food distribution. CTUIR member Shana Radford centage from 2010,” Lubrin said. is the U.S. Census Bureau’s Tribal “That means we’d be getting less over the next 10 years than we’ve been get- and Congressional Partnership Lead for Oregon ting in the last 10 years. It’s important because and Idaho. In an e-mail to the CUJ, Radford said, “It’s that’s the amount of money you receive for 10 not too late. Time’s running out, but there’s still years no matter how big we grow.” The Census will end field data collection time to get’er done! If a census worker comes by Sept. 30 with self-response options also to your door, please be kind and cooperative. closing on that date. According to the U.S. You can go on-line, call or respond to the census Census Bureau, 76.5 percent of housing units worker when they come to your door. A big have been accounted for across America with thanks to all who have completed their census 12.1 percent counted by census takers and and contributed to our tribal community.” By the CUJ
Babette Cowapoo named new Celebration Committee chair MISSION – Babette Cowapoo has been re-appointed Chair of the Celebration Committee, a position she previously held for six years. Cowapoo succeeds Jesse Bevis, who served in that role for one year. Cowapoo was re-appointed to a one-year term by the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on Aug. 31. Hers was the Babette Cowapoo only application. The Celebration Committee, which receives $10,000 a year from the CTUIR, puts on two
September 2020
pow-wow events each year – the Christmas Celebration and the Root Feast. However, members of the Committee also assist with the Fourth of July Horse Parade, veterans’ and children’s events and other activities during the year. In her application, Cowapoo said she was brought up with the traditional teachings of extended family members. “I want to see our traditions continue,” Cowapoo wrote on her application. “I grew up with these Longhouse traditions, knowing what needs to be done and wanting to see our people celebrate our traditional ways and dances, and gatherings. It’s a time to bring our families together. It provides growth to our community to be as one.”
Tom and Troy Rodriguez recorded holes-in-one within five days of each other.
Tom, Troy Rodriguez score holes in one Father, son record aces within a week of one another searched around in the weeds. Troy finally walked across MISSION – In a matter of five the green and found Tom’s ball days in mid-August, Tom and in the hole. In spite of the ace, or double Troy Rodriguez shared one of golf’s rare moments when father eagle, or albatross as he prefers and son witnessed the other’s to call it, Tom ended up shooting 82-90 on the weekend, out of the hole in one. money. Tom, 71, scored During the the fourth ace of his Thursday Night life on the sixth hole League, Troy at Circling Raven slammed a sevennear Coeur d’Alene iron 170 yards to playing with his son the hole – almost in the Spilya Open into the hole. The Indian Tournament ball landed about Aug. 15. four inches to the Five days later right of the cup and on Aug. 20 during spun left into the Thursday Night hole. It may have League at Wildtaken one hop horse Resort Golf forward and then Course, Troy, 45, recorded his first Troy Rodriguez’s shot hit a spun left and back hole-in-one on the few inches from hole number into the hole. Either way it fourth hole and his 4 before hopping in the cup. Wildhorse Golf Course Facebook found its way to father, Tom, was the bottom. there to see it. Troy started the round off The shots couldn’t have been poorly with a rash of sixes. He much different. Tom used a driver on the followed the ace, which he called short, uphill 235-yard par 4 at an eagle one, with a birdie on hole number five, but still had to Circling Raven. “I didn’t know where it went,” settle for a 42 and, like his Dad, was out of the money, with the said Tom. The others didn’t know where exception of any hole-in-one their shots went either and compensation. By the CUJ
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start recruiting 3-4 year olds now MISSION – Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start is recruiting preschool-age children for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing requirements, Cay-Uma-Wa will be offering on-line classes Monday through Friday. Once children are enrolled, parents will go over class times. Fridays will be available for teachers to conference with parents. Meals and snacks are going to be provided on class days, but food distribution “bugs are still being worked out,” said Lloyd Commander, Cay-Uma-Wa Director. Parents may be asked to drive up to pick up meals for their child or children. Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start is a free preschool for children ages 3 or 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2020. Cay-Uma-Wa serves Native American children who reside on or around the Umatilla Indian Reservation. (Cay-Uma-Wa does not provide transportation or childcare.) Recruitment priority is given to children based on family income, developmental ability, single-parent households, and children in foster care, families who
are homeless and tribal affiliation. Children must meet some requirements to enter Head Start. However, being potty trained isn’t one of them. Immunizations must be current within the first 90 days of enrollment. When children are back in the building, meals and snacks are provided daily. Tribal staff, community and family members assist the program with implementing cultural stories, songs and activities throughout the year. Cay-Uma-Wa employs a comprehensive approach that provides early educational services through a curriculum that supports all aspects of development with a focus on ensuring local lifeway values and beliefs are incorporated, according to information from the Education Department for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Head Start applications are available on-line or can be sent by mail. Parents can contact Micki Fabian at 541-429-7843 or mickifabian@ctuir.org, or Tierny Lehneis at 541-429-7834 or tiernylehneis@ctuir.org.
EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR
INDEPENDENT LIVING A Global Disability Resource and Advocacy Center EOCIL is a proud supporter of the CTUIR community and other communities and programs that promote and value inclusion, equality and opportunities for people with disabilities. EOCIL is a global disability resource and advocacy center that provides an array of services for people with disabilities. EOCIL is operated by people with disabilities.
Services Available:
- Informational and Referral - Independent Living Skills Training (budgeting and financial management, cooking, application assistance, etc.) - Peer Counseling - Individual Advocacy - Life Transitions (school to employment, home to home, corrections to community, etc.) - LGBTQ and two spirit resources
- Support Groups - Youth Mentoring Project - Representative Payee Project - Emergency Financial Assistance - Accessibility Assistance - HIV/AIDS Independent Living Project - And many other services
Locations: EOCIL has three locations: 322 SW 3rd St., Pendleton, Ore. webpage: www.eocil.org Email: eocil@eocil.org 541-276-1037 711 Relay Toll free: 1-877-711-1037 1021 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, Ore. 541-889-3119 Voice 711 Relay Toll free 1-844-489-3119
The Dalles Office 400 East Scenic Drive Building 2, Third Floor, Suite 2 The Dalles, Oregon 541-370-2810 Toll free: 1-844-370-2810 Providing services in Harney, Malheur, Baker, Union, Grant, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow, Wheeler and Gilliam, Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties.
EOCIL is a supporter of:
aocil.org • endhivoregon.org • adrcoforegon.org
It’s easy to register to vote. Go to www.oregonvotes.gov 2B
Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
CUJ News Sams appointed to new Racial Justice Council By Antonio Sierra of the East Oregonian
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown didn’t shut Eastern Oregon out of the Racial Justice Council, appointing Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Deputy Director Chuck Sams to a new body created to tackle racism in Oregon. According to a July 31 press release, the council will “examine and begin to dismantle” policies that have created racial disparities in incarceration, the criminal justice system, health care, housing, the economy and education. “For far too long, Oregon’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color and Tribal members haven’t had a seat at the table,” Brown said in a statement. “The urgency could not be greater to center the voices of those who are most impacted by historical and institutional racism in Oregon and create a better system — together — that fully supports us all. Our budgets, policy agenda, and priorities
should reflect, support, and honor the communities who have been most deeply impacted by systemic racism.” Sams said he joined the council at Brown’s request, explaining that his relationship with Brown extends back to her time as a lawmaker representing Portland in the Oregon Legislature. Sams used to work in Portland for nonprofits like the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Community Energy Project, and Chuck Sams when Brown wanted to work on issues related to racial or environmental justice, the pair collaborated. Decades later, Sams said he wants to help the council in its mission to “dismantle racism.”
Sams said he wants to help the state continue to recognize tribal sovereignty, but he also is interested in addressing other issues in the group. He said he isn’t supportive of activists’ calls to “defund the police” but he is interested in “right-funding the police.” He added that funding for mental health services has deteriorated since the 1980s as police have found themselves being called out to deal with more social and mental health issues. Sams has also spent time talking about systemic racism closer to home, having recently spoken with Umatilla County Commissioner Bill Elfering about the topic after the commissioner made comments in June that he didn’t think it existed in Umatilla County. Sams said Elfering was “open” to the ideas he was trying to discuss with him. “It probably gave me pause to think about how other people maybe react to the same things I do with a different set
of eyes,” Elfering said of the discussion with Sams. “That we don’t all approach the same situation exactly the same way. And it can be productive and helpful to keep that in mind.” Following discussions with other community members about systemic racism and reading materials submitted by a variety of local groups committed to racial justice and equity, Elfering voted along with the other county commissioners in adopting an order titled “Stance Against Racism, Discrimination and Social Injustices in Umatilla County” on Aug. 5. The resolution included a declaration that the commissioners believe that racism exists locally, respect peaceful protesting and recognize the importance of contributions by people of color. (This story appeared in the East Oregonian on Aug. 14.) East Oregonian reporter Alex Castle contributed to this report.
New group appointed to replace A&D Task Force By the CUJ
MISSION – A new Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative is being created to replace the Alcohol and Drug Task Force established nearly 15 years ago to address persistent abuse and addiction problems on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation at its Aug. 10 meeting approved a resolution establishing the new 10-member inter-departmental collaborative to replace the 23-member task force created in November of 2005. The change comes after numerous meetings at which staff from several Tribal departments have identified the “worsening of alcohol and drug use and its traumatic effect on each succeeding generation, and the need to expand the current scope” of the A&D Task Force to “identify challenges and incorporate solutions that emphasize a broadened view of health and well-being.” According to its scope of work, the new collaborative will create healthy a healthy community using approaches that address ongoing health disparities by promoting “greater collaboration across sectors, agencies, departments, and programs in an effort to improve communication between CTUIR services.” The core membership of the new collaborative, which is to meet at least once
a month, will include a BOT member, a member of the General Council, the Yellowhawk CEO, plus directors of the CTUIR departments of Children and Family Services, Education, Housing, Public Safety and tribal Court. It also will include the Environmental Health Officer from Tribal Planning, and an attorney from the Office of Legal Counsel as needed. One of the “aims” of the collaborative is to develop action plans with timelines. One of those goals is to provide housing options on the Umatilla Indian Reservation to support community members experiencing significant co-occurring disorders (defined as a combined diagnosis of substance use disorder and untreated mental illness).
Happy Anniversary CAP How have I put up with you for 35 years?
REGISTER TO VOTE IN OREGON BY OCT. 13 September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Nixyaawii Chamber plans small biz webinars MISSION – A series of social media and marketing campaign webinars for small businesses are being launched by the Nixyaawii Chamber of Commerce (NCC) starting in September. The first work shop in the series will be the Social Media and Marketing 101 webinar on Sept. 22. The courses have
been designed for rural small businesses and were launched primarily in response to the strain that Covid-19 has had on the local economy. The cancellation of the Pendleton Round-Up will have ripple effects for many businesses. Local business owners have cited Round-Up week as their busiest selling season of the year
and rely on the tourist attraction to bring in up to a third of their annual revenue. With the new obstacles created by the global pandemic, some of the most vulnerable groups in Eastern Oregon have been, and continue to be, hit the hardest financially. According to the Chamber’s Board of Directors Vice President, Jill-
CTUIR Language Words
Ímatalam Sɨn ́ wit
September Words C’áʔatpayn iwáta Špám – Pretty soon it will be Fall/autumn St’xswáakuł – Corn Ílaxyawi st’xswáakuł – Dried corn Šapátaani Wíwnu – Canned Huckleberries Łák Čúušnam Čúuta – Drink lots of Water Áw iʔát’iša Tamaaníčt – The Garden is ripening now.. Áwpa xníša Áyun pítxanupa– They’re now digging for Bear root, lovage in the mountains Áwpa wašúwaša skuuliłáma skúulityaw – The students are getting ready for school now. Čawna álaakta namí Aniłá – Let us not forget our Creator Níixpam naknúwita, Áyʔaw ƛáwx – You all take care, that is all. Words and definitions provided by the Language instructors at the Education Department for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. There are many ways to say things and pronounce words. For more information, please contact the Education Department by calling 541-429-1944.
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Just for fun make it your Dress-Up Parade food distribution... wear regalia or your cowboy boots and hat...
BREAKFAST FOOD DISTRIBUTION 10 A.M. - SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 MISSION LONGHOUSE
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Pancake mix syrup - bacon sausage - hash browns - milk - oatmeal...
Marie Gavin, the NCC has been considering ways they can both support their members and assist all local businesses in expanding their on-line presence. Social media and Facebook, specifically, have become some of the best ways for smaller companies to increase their monthly revenue and grow a new and consistent customer base. The course will be led by chamber Board of Directors member and KCUW Operations Manager Jiselle Halfmoon. Halfmoon has been the lead in social Jiselle Halfmoon media campaigns and outreach for the Tribes, the Nixyaawii Chamber of Commerce and several other groups. With more than a decade of media experience, Halfmoon has become well-known for her video production and ability to quickly produce unique and Jill-Marie Gavin appealing content for print, radio, video and web. She will be joined as a webinar instructor by Gavin, former public affairs technician for the Tribes. The pair will cover an introduction to business accounts on Facebook, how to create engaging content and several tools to encourage organic interaction from and amongst followers on-line. Business owners do not have to be chamber members to register for the webinar. There will be 15 spots for the first event in the series to ensure that one-on-one consultation can occur and all participants are able to get all of their questions answered. Participants are also not required to have a social media account to register. This will be the first in a series of workshops aimed at different levels of expertise. The introductory course will be followed by a webinar designed to assist businesses in basic graphic design, introductory smart phone photography and photo editing. Registration will be $20 for current NCC members and $50 for non-members. For more information or to register contact the chamber by emailing NixyaawiiChamber@live.com
Stay safe during the Labor Day. Don’t catch Covid, social distance and wash your hands! September 2020
A year without Round-Up performs in the arena during the matinee dance performance, at the Saturday morning ceremonial dancing sponsored by Pendleton Woolen Mills, and in the park for the competitive dancing. Her family a few years ago sponsored a well-received war bonnet special and she said they may do it again. She’s had parts in Happy Canyon since she was 8 years old when her aunt gave her a position as a berry picker on top. She gradually moved to help Mildred Quaempts sing the welcomedance song and has added the song where the children are sent out of the arena after a warrior is killed. Because of COVID-19 Totus and Amakay haven’t been able to sing at any events this summer. “It’s been crazy because nothing is going on,” she said. “You can’t go anywhere. I’ve got home and I’ve got work. We would be performing at Ellensburg and Joseph, but they’ve been cancelled.” Totus said she’ll miss seeing her family from
Totus said she’ll miss seeing her family from Yakama and Idaho who stay in the village. How many usually show up? “It’s hard to keep count. Us Indian people have a lot of family.”
Yakama and Idaho who stay in the village. How many usually show up? “It’s hard to keep count. Us Indian people have a lot of family.” Ron Pond and his daughter, Lona, plus Curtis Bearchum and his wife, Phyllis, met at The Saddle Aug. 29 for a chat about Round-Up. The conversation went back and forth. Bearchum said he’d normally be in preparation mode, rearranging his set-up for the Indian Village where he camps Sunday through Sunday. “It’s family time together,” he said. Ron said Round-Up is a place that brings friends together from all directions. The Ponds have family and friends from the Colville, Nez Perce, Yakama and Warm Springs reservations that they see annually in September. Friends from Warm Springs often leave their tee-pee poles at the Pond’s house. Ron remembered when he was a boy living up Thornhollow when a dozen or more kids would ride horses to town for Round-Up. It was an adventure, he said, feeding the horses, walking, riding and camping. Lona talked about a more contemporary Round-Up and her role as whip woman in the arena and in the Indian Village, at times helping the Round-Up chiefs maintain control. She noted that her brother, Amos Pond, moved away last year after 44 years as a CTUIR whip man. Lona recalled working with Lou Levy, Dr. Koch and John Williams to form good working relationships between the Indian and cowboy communities. She lamented the fact that the Indian part of Happy Canyon has been trimmed from about 45 minutes to about 17 minutes. “Every time there’s a new director the show
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH!
Ron Pond, left, walks in the Westward Ho! Parade with Rex Buck. Pond has been involved with Round-Up for more than 70 years. CUJ photo/Dallas Dick
changes,” she said. Ron was too young for the first Happy Canyon, but when he was about 8 or 9 years old he remembers the burning wagon that was pulled up the hill toward the Mormon Church. He remembered the loud music that would play before Happy Canyon to get the show started. He recalled the men would “hoot and holler up and down the streets to bring people to the show.” Next year, Lona said, there will be a COVID-19 honor dance. The Indians will come together again and laugh as they’ve done for more than a century. “And if they told us today we want to go tomorrow we’d be ready, we’d all be there,” she said.
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Lorri will always stop what she is doing to help any employee that comes in with payroll concerns and makes the employee feel at ease knowing it will get fixed. Lorri is always a hard workerbut during this “COVID” time she is working double-time to make sure we all get paid on time and the correct deductions are being deducted.
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September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Shippentower to fight Sept. 12 MISSION – Tribal Member Mixed Martial Arts athlete and long-time women’s advocate Kola Thompson is stepping back in ring Sept. 23. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Tribal Member will compete in the Purple Belt No-Gi 175 pound division in the upcoming match. Thompson has become well-known for her strong presence both in and outside the ring. She is a long time MMA fighter and used that experience to share self-defense techniques with women.
Thompson has been an advocate for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement for several years and more recently has tied that mission to providing training for self-defense. She has spent time as a personal trainer and a fitness instructor at Pendleton’s Round-Up Athletic Center. She will competing with Mariana Gil in the Sub on the Shore “Superfight” Sept. 12. The Submissions on the Shore Spring Valley event will be live-streamed and available on a limited ticket basis. More information at subsontheshore.com.
September Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays:
1st: Troy Gillpatrick 2nd: Reese Shippentower 3rd: Preston Bronson 5th: Audrey Shippentower, Johnny Dick, Willie McKay, Vicki Rodriguez and Ayla Ferea 6th: Misty Brigham 8th: Cleo Dick and Alina George 9th: Manuel Soares 10th: Nathan Dick and Angelica Ancheta 11th: KariAnn Edmiston and Nijone Lockhart 12th: Robert Van Pelt 14th: Tom Brigham 16th: Chris Brigham, Dan Morris and Tyler Rodriguez 17th: Charlie Morrison, Ela Morrison and Charlie Quaempts 18th: Ralph Jones 19th: Rodrick Edmiston 20th: Jose Hernandez 22nd: Leo Crawford III 27th: Neva Kash Kash 28th: Richard Orna and Mary Renner-Wittkopt - “BIG 50!!”
Anniversaries: 3rd: Michael & Deb Van Pelt 4th: Andrea Rodriguez and Jose Hernandez 7th: Amber & Troy Gillpatrick 24th: Chris & Tina Marsh 29th: Angelica & Chris Ancheta 6B
Confederated Umatilla Journal
September 2020
NCS grad learning ropes with Pendleton Fire Department By Megan Van Pelt for the CUJ
Deontae Johnson, a 19-year-old member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has been accepted into the Residence Intern program at the City of Pendleton Fire Department. This opportunity will allow Johnson to gain hands-on experience while attending Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) to obtain a Fire Science Technology (FST) Degree. “It’s the career I always wanted to have,” said Johnson, who graduated from Nixyaawii Community School in 2019. Previously working at the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department for the past five months, Johnson was encouraged by peers to apply for the Residence Intern program. Johnson worked as a Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), primarily responded to the scene, project work, and habitat conservation. “Couldn’t believe I was accepted,” said Johnson, “It’s a pretty big difference from where I started.”
Starting Sept. 3, Johnson is working at the Pendleton Fire Department while pursuing higher education at BMCC. Johnson said the internship together with the flexibility offered at BMCC gives him an educational opportunity. “The great thing about this internship is that I will have time to do my school work while getting first-hand experience as a firefighter,” he Deontae Johnson said. After two years, Johnson hopes to obtain his FST Degree and EMT Certification. He encourages high school students to do internships rather than the traditional route to college. “Strive to prove a point and do not stick yourself to a stereotype. You just have to have that drive,” Johnson said.
CTUIR eyeing property near boundary reference point By the CUJ
MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are in discussions with the landowner to purchase a 218-acre property located at the mouth of Five Points Creek in Union County. According to a resolution authorizing the negotiations of an option, purchase and sale agreement, the property “restores critical acreage to tribal ownership, including significant fish, wildlife, riparian and wetland habitats in the Grande Ronde watershed, and is of high cultural significance.” Further, the property is “potentially the location of Lee’s Encampment,” a location that is crucial to the description of the eastern boundary of the Umatilla Indian Reservation as described in Article I of the Treaty of 1855. According to the May 18 resolution, the Five Point Creek location is an important reference point in the CTUIR’s “Eastern UIR Boundary Research” effort to eventually restore the original Treaty Boundary of 1855. CTUIR staff have identified several funding sources that could be used to fund an option payment and the eventual purchase of the property, including the Ataw First Foods Mitigation Fund and Pacific Coastal Salmon Restoration funds. The framework for the option agree-
ment will give the CTUIR exclusive option to purchase the property until Dec. 31, 2020. If acquired, the property would be managed by the Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources. The acquisition of the property was supported in May by the CTUIR Land Acquisition Committee, the Cultural Resources Committee, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Want to get it over with before you hear that kock on your door?
Go to uscensus.gov
What’s the frequency Kenneth? September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Indian Country briefs
FREE for **Qualified CTUIR MEMBERS WILL-WRITING and ESTATE-PLANNING VIRTUAL SERVICES
Now making confidential virtual appointments Please contact: Martha Klein Izenson, Attorney Native American Program, Legal Aid Services of Oregon (NAPOLS)
Direct Line: 541-429-7401 Email: martha.kleinizenson@lasoregon.org
Did you know?
The BIA Umatilla Agency is no longer storing wills for CTUIR Members. The CTUIR Enrollment Office will provide confidential, secure storage for your will within your enrollment file. **Client eligibility shall be limited to individuals who are enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and whose income does not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
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Documents that can be prepared: Wills (distribute your property) Powers of Attorney (allows others to make decisions) Living Wills (detailed end-of-life decisions)
Learn About: Your lands and your options Why writing a will is important and what you can do with your will once it’s written
Navajo asks judge to extend Arizona mail-in voting deadline
concerns that the U.S. Postal Service will not be capable of delivering a reliable election with a record number of Americans casting their ballots by mail.
PHOENIX (AP) -Members of the Navajo Nation in Arizona have sued to ensure their ballots will be counted in the state even if delivered late. They filed a lawsuit in federal court Aug. 27 challenging the state’s current law, which says election officials cannot count by-mail ballots that are received after election night. The lawsuit says that mail service is much slower and far less accessible on reservations and that the existing deadline will disenfranchise voters. The group is asking a federal judge to require Arizona officials to certify ballots that are delivered up to 10 days after election day, as long as those ballots come from tribal members living on reservations and are postmarked on or before the day of the election, The Arizona Republic reported. ``Voting by mail systems rest upon the premise that all citizens have equal mail service, however, hundreds of thousands of rural Americans have non-standard mail service burdened with a range of service limits including irregular service or unreliable service, no residential delivery, excessive distances to post offices or other postal providers with limited hours of operation among other issues,’’ wrote Michael Novotny, the attorney representing the group. The lawsuit comes amid heightened
Oglala Sioux president suspended on improper contact charge
Confederated Umatilla Journal
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has been suspended and will face an impeachment hearing after he was accused of inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old boy. The tribal council voted in late August to suspend Julian Bear Runner, the president of the tribe located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, after receiving a complaint from the boy’s father, the Rapid City Journal reported. A tribal judge will oversee an impeachment hearing on Sept. 14. The father accused Bear Runner of grooming his son, who was 17 at the time, for inappropriate sexual touching in a motel room once he turned 18. According to the accusation, Bear Runner, who is in his 30s, contacted the boy on social media and once rubbed his thigh. The tribal president has also served a 30-day paid suspension enacted by the tribal council because they could not reach him after he enacted a 72-hour coronavirus lockdown. He also pleaded not guilty after he was arrested in May for driving while drunk and threatening a man.
September 2020
Vets may accrue co-pay expenses even during CARES suspended billing SALEM - The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs wants to remind Oregon veterans who are enrolled in the VA Health Care System that they may still be accruing copays and other regular expenses even though they are not receiving bills. The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs suspended billing to veterans as of April 1, in accordance with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, veterans should be aware that any copays or other expenses they normally pay are continuing to accrue. No interest or late fees are being charged. When billing resumes, which is anticipated in January 2021, the full amount will come due unless the veteran has opted to pay in advance. By calling the VA toll-free at 1-888-8274817, veterans may receive information about any current balance due and pay their VA medical bills. When billing resumes, veterans will have the option of requesting financial hardship assistance to establish a repayment plan if needed. The VA will not withhold treatment or medication from any veteran because of inability to pay their bills, but it can impose late fees or take other action that may affect your other veterans’ benefits or your credit score once billing resumes. For personalized services in your area, find the closest Veteran Services Office on ODVA’s online directory at https:// www.oregon.gov/odva/services/pages/county-services.aspx.
Visiting artist’s drawings ‘at once comedic and grotesque’ Filipino artist Ralph Pugay worked in the Crow’s Shadow printmaking studio with Judith Baumann and Maggi Middleton in August. Early on, Pugay made a variety of drawings and worked through colors and images to develop for his prints. Karl Davis, Executive Director at Crow’s Shadow, described Pugay’s style this way: “His narrative drawings feature figures often outlined in black and holding contorted poses that are at once comedic and grotesque. His playful painting style is candy-colored and points to the absurdist within the mundane.” Pugay has an MFA in Contemporary Art Practice, and a BA in Studio Art, both from Portland State University. He graduated from the summer residency intensive at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (Madison, Maine). He currently teaches Art at Portland State University, where he gained tenure in 2020. Says Pugay: “Growing up in the Philippines, I consumed a lot of comics, television, video games, and Catholic dogma. These experiences influence the way I create narrative paintings as I evoke the fantastical and the absurd.” Contributed photo
Chiefs asking fans not to wear NA head dresses, costumes Amid a national outcry over racism in America, the Kansas City Chiefs are asking fans not to dress in Native American costumes, among other policy changes, at future football games. The defending Super Bowl champions shared the news via social media on Aug. 21 and said the team made the decision after engaging in a six-year dialogue with “local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences.” The Chiefs are now discouraging fans from “wearing ceremonial headdresses and American Indian-themed face paint in our stadium” and enacting the following policies:
•Effective immedately, fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium. •Face paint is still allowed, but not if it “references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions.” •Fans will be asked to remove any American Indian-themed face paint prior to passing security screening outside the stadium. •The team is reviewing the future of its trademark “Arrowhead Chop.” •The team is also exploring ways to make sure the stadium’s Drum Deck “better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures.” •The team also is considering creating a program that would educate people about Native American culture.
September 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Brent Spencer
Katherine Palmer
Brandie Weaskus
Janet Maddern
Kim Allen-Minthorn
Wynema Thurman
Stephanie Jones
Leighton Pennington
Rachel Guardipee
Title VI coordinators ready for school year By the CUJ
MISSION – On-line classes are starting for Native students in area schools who will be served this year by a nine-person Youth Services Program that includes half a dozen Indian Education Coordinators, better known as Title VI counselors. Funded by a federal Title VI grant, the Youth Services Program is designed to meet “specific academic and cultural needs” of American Indian/Alaska Native students enrolled in the AthenaWeston, Pilot Rock and Pendleton school districts, plus Nixyaawii Community School (NCS), the charter high school on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. In addition to the six education coor-
Yellowhawk Community Drive-thru flu clinics Sept. 24 Oct. 17 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
dinators, the Youth Services Program – part of the Education Department for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – includes two Education Specialists and a Youth Services & Higher Education Manager. Brent Spencer has the title of Education Specialist/Wrap Around Service Coordinator. A CTUIR member, Spencer has a master’s degree in Education from the University of Oregon. The Education Specialist position was created in response to the need for students and families to get connected to essential Tribal services with a goal of improving family dynamics that affect attendance and school performance, according to information provided by the Education Department. “The Education Specialist position provides an opportunity for a person to reach out to families and guide them to services, accompany if needed, in order to ensure proper services are rendered,” the statement reads. In his role, Spencer provides intervention and guidance to specific Tribal programs; collaboration with students and families to facilitate contact with services; attend Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings to provide student/family advocacy; assist with transportation to medical/counseling appointments;
and collaborate with Title VI staff to provide intervention to support student attendance. Spencer can be contacted 541-429-7916 or brentspencer@ctuir.org Katherine Palmer is another Education Specialist with a focus on Special Education. She works with the families of children on Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP’s) and IFP’s. Her goal is “to work with students and families along with educators and community specialists in ways that demonstrate respect for their individual roles as they work together toward the same goal, the socialemotional well-being and academic success of students eligible for Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).” According to the Education Department, Palmer can meet with families, including students, to discuss goals in preparation for IFSP and IEP meetings; attend meetings to help with clarification, involvement and rights; communicate after meetings, answer questions or help contact professionals for information; be available to meet to answer questions or address concerns. Palmer can be reached at 541-429-7888 or katherinepalmer@ctuir.org Key objectives of the Title VI education coordinators is to provide academic support in reading and math, and to monitor
Worried about your safety and the safety of your children at home? Tired and weary of walking-on-eggshells? Considering a protection order for your safety?
Wynema Thurman, Osage/Chickasaw, is the Indian Education Coordinator at Pendleton Early Education Center (PELC) and for first and second graders at Washington Elementary School. Thurman has a freshman son. 541-969-1247 or wynemathurman@ctuir.org Rachel Guardipee, enrolled CTUIR, has been at Washington Elementary since 2016 where she works with students in grades three through five. Guardipee is the mother of four – Teata Ellenwood, Wilbur Oatman, Eva Oatman and Emilee Delgado. She also has a grandson. 541969-7864 or rachelguardipee@ctuir.org Leighton Pennington, enrolled with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, is the Indian Education Coordinator at Sherwood and McKay Elementary Schools. Pennington brings more than five years of experience in alcohol-and-drug-abuse prevention from the Warm Springs Reservation. 541-969-1359 or leightonpennington@ctuir.org Janet Maddern, a CTUIR member, has worked for some 15 years in the Tribes’ Education Department. She has been a coordinator in most of the schools the CTUIR serves and currently works with students at Sunridge Middle School. Maddern has coached basketball, volleyball and softball, and also is a runner. 541-969-7885 or janetmaddern@ctuir.org Kim Allen-Minthorn, a CTUIR member, splits her coordinator duties at Pendleton High School and Nixyaawii Community School. Allen-Minthorn has worked in several Education Department programs, including Recreation and Daycare. She has three daughters, one son and one granddaughter. 541-215-0425 or kimminthorn@ctuir.org
CTUIR Family Violence Services staff can help you weigh options and ideas for safety.
Stephanie Jones, who has worked for the last five years with the CTUIR Education Department, is the Indian Education Coordinator at Pilot Rock and AthenaWeston schools. Jones and her husband have two children and a granddaughter. 541-215-5461 or stephaniejones@ctuir.org
Free and confidential. Call our 24/7 cell at 541.240.4171 or our office at 541.429.7045. We are happy to meet you or you may find us at the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
CTUIR Family Violence Services ~ Public Safety Department 10B
attendance. Here are the Indian Education Coordinators who will be working at area schools this year:
Confederated Umatilla Journal
Brandie Weaskus, a CTUIR member, has a Master of Public Administration degree from The Evergreen State College. An employee of the CTUIR for 15 years, Weaskus has been serving as interim Youth Services Manager for the last year. She can be reached at 541-429-7825 or brandieweaskus@ctuir.org
September 2020
Only Native American on federal death row executed By Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek
The U.S. government executed the only Native American on federal death row on Wednesday, despite the objections of Navajo leaders. Lezmond Mitchell, a Navajo, was put to death at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, for the 2001 slayings of Alyce Slim, a 63-year-old Navajo woman, and her 9-year-old granddaughter Tiffany Lee. Mitchell, 38, was declared dead by the Vigo County Coroner at 6.29 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news release. The Associated Press reported this was around 15 minutes after he was given a lethal injection of pentobarbital. Asked if he had any last words before he was executed, Mitchell replied: “No, I’m good.” By executing Mitchell, his attorneys said, the federal government had “added another chapter to its long history of injustices against Native American people.” But Lee’s father Daniel Lee told the AP that he wanted Mitchell to die for the murders. Saying he believed in the
principle of “an eye for an eye,” he said Navajo leaders don’t speak for him. Mitchell, who was 20 at the time, and an accomplice abducted Slim and the girl as part of a carjacking in October 2001. The pair stabbed Slim 33 times and dumped her body in the backseat of her pickup. Tiffany Lee was forced to sit beside her dead grandmother as they drove to the mountains, where they ordered her to “lay down and die,” slitting her throat before crushing her head with rocks. The beheaded and dismembered corpses were found on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Mitchell later confessed. But despite the gruesome nature of the killings, Mitchell’s attorneys had argued that the tribe and members of the victims’ family didn’t want him put to death. Marlene Slim, Tiffany Lee’s mother, had wanted Mitchell to be given a life sentence when he was convicted. But lawyers recently wrote a letter on behalf of her and other relatives who said they wanted the death sentence carried out. According to the AP, it said Mitchell had shown “no respect... for Navajo cultural teachings that stress the sanctity of life.”
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and other tribal leaders, however, had urged President Donald Trump to commute Mitchell’s sentence. In a letter to the president, Nez wrote that a commutation would “begin to
restore harmony and balance to the affected families and to the inherent sovereignty of the Navajo Nation.” Mitchell’s attorneys said the federal government had exploited a legal loophole to seek the death penalty in the case.
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DID YOU KNOW?
breakfast food distribution 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
South side of Longhouse (drive in like last time...from Mission Highway turn right at the old Yellowhawk entrance)
History is often disregarded in today’s fast-moving, technological society, but for the remaining Indian Tribes living in the United States, history is a reality that still greatly affects the lives of the people on the reservations. The Treaty of 1855 and subsequent acts of Congress in the middle 1800’s have directly impacted Indian economics, politics, social structure, and the individual lives of the Indians themselves. The United States was a new nation during the late 18th century and early 19th century. Most of the world was being divided up amongst imperialistic European governments. By spouting right of religion, technology, and military might these nations were beginning to systematically claim land and lock up the new worlds natural resources for their needs, a practice that continued into the 20th century. From ctuir.org/about-us
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Confederated Umatilla Journal
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Umatilla County schools locked out of new OSAA rules By Jerry Ulmer, OSAAtoday
SALEM – High school sports programs have new possibilities for activities in the fall after the Oregon Health Authority issued updated guidance in mid-August. The OHA announced that schools – whether they offer learning by distance or on-site – can allow their sports programs to participate in non-contact or minimum contact activities upon their re-opening date. However, schools with distance learning can participate in activities that are allowed under state guidance, provided their county is in a re-opening phase. Currently, Umatilla County is the only county that is not in a re-opening phase. That means, for example, that Class 1A schools like Wallowa, Joseph, Dufur
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That means, for example, that Class 1A schools like Wallowa or Powder Valley could play a revised sixon-six, no-pads, flag football season or an outdoor volleyball schedule, but Nixyaawii Community School could not. or Powder Valley could play a revised six-on-six, no-pads, flag football season or an outdoor volleyball schedule, but orNixyaawii Community School could not. Until Umatilla County’s COVID-19 infection rate declines enough meet the next restriction threshold, Pendleton High School Buckaroos would have to watch other schools in the Class 4A Intermountain Conference play 7-on-7 football, provided it has no contact or protective equipment.
Earlier in August, the OSAA announced changes to its 2020-21 calendar, opting for truncated winter, fall and spring seasons – in that order – with the first contests in January. Previously, it was unknown if schools that provide only distance learning would be permitted to have sports/activities during the fall period from Aug. 31 to Dec. 27, dubbed Season 1 in the OSAA’s plan. OSAA’s new guidelines, during the
Confederated Umatilla Journal
period between the opening of schools and Dec. 27, waive out-of-season coaching limitations and create a potential opportunity for students to participate, at the discretion of local schools and districts. According to the OHA guidance, schools with on-site and hybrid learning can allow indoor and outdoor practices and contests in all activities except those prohibited by the state. The same applies for schools with only distance learning, except they are not permitted to have indoor competitions. Contact activities – football, basketball, wrestling, rugby, boys lacrosse and some forms of dance and cheer – are not permitted under state guidance. In response to the Oregon Health Authority release, the OSAA has updated its list of frequently asked questions for its member schools, who are sorting through their options for the start of the 2020-21 year. Until they open, schools must adhere to county phase requirements. Once they are open, OHA school guidance will take precedence over county guidance. In counties under Phase 1 of re-opening, school programs potentially would have more options than recreational programs, which would remain bound to county guidelines. In Phase 2, the differences in restrictions between school and recreational programs are negligible. The OSAA executive board has discussed implementing contest limits for Season 1, according to executive director Peter Weber. It’s up to schools to determine their approach to Season 1. State athletic directors have met virtually with OSAA staff to gain clarification on the guidance and discuss their options. For example, Baker athletic director Buell Gonzales said that his school will divide Season 1 into three sub-seasons: fall (Sept. 7-Oct. 9), spring (Oct. 12-Nov. 13) and winter (Nov. 16-Dec. 18). It’s the best plan, he said, considering how programs at the 4A school share athletes. Other schools may follow suit. “We would do something similar to that, if we get the OK,” Nelms said. “We would divide it up, so that our kids that are multi-sport athletes could do whatever with each group.” Baker will be reserved in its overall approach, mindful of potential virus spread, according to Gonzales. “I’m thinking that we’d probably just treat them like practices, as much as we can,” Gonzales said. “I’m leaning toward not playing competitions [until January].” Mazama will take a different tack, tapping into the recreational sports system in Klamath County, which is in Phase 2. Lease said Mazama’s football program will align with Pop Warner, which has adapted to a full flag model, and other sports are looking to connect with local associations. “We won’t do it representing the school. We’ll be a club model,” Lease said. “It’ll be a whole separate entity that our kids will be allowed to participate in.” In Pop Warner, Lease said, Mazama athletes will pay a registration fee that will cover liability and costs for officials. They will compete as the Viking Football Club in 7-on-7 contests against any other area high schools that choose to join the league. He is pitching the idea to nearby schools.
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Grant to fund CTUIR Language Program pandemic oral histories MISSION – A federal grant through the CARES Act will pay for an oral historian and an assistant oral historian in the Language Program to create videorecorded oral histories from Tribal elders about pandemics and natural disasters previously experienced on the lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The grant of $125,000 from a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) program is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act. The Language Program will use the money to retain some existing staff and to hire Merle Kirk as an oral historian and Cheyenne Bronson as an assistant oral historian. The oral historians will research topics that pertain to the theme of past pandemics and natural disasters and ask Tribal elders to share their own memories of such events, or to share what they have heard from their own elders. Due to concern for the health and wellbeing of elders during the current pandemic, the interviews will be conducted over Zoom, or as conditions permit. As part of the project, interviews will be conducted with two elders per month, for a total of 12 by the end of the funding period. Elders may give their interviews
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in English or a Tribal language, which would then be translated and subtitled by Language Program staff. Digital Brilliance, LLC, a media company who worked in 2019 with the Language Program to make a documentary about támayčt, or earthovens, will record and edit the videos. The Language Program was founded in 1996 with a vision to revitalize Tribal languages within the community and create an environment in which each language can survive and flourish. “Preserving cultures goes hand-in-hand with preserving language, and the Language Program sees this project as part of our documentation work,” said Katrina Miller, Language Program Manager and Project Director. Other existing Language Program staff who will be contributing to the project include Fred Hill, Umatilla Master Speaker; Lisa Minthorn, Sahaptian Language Technology Specialist; and Gretchen Kern, Tribal Linguist. Videos will be released online as they are completed and a compilation of all interviews is expected be available in early 2021. The funding is intended to support ongoing or new work between June and December 2020 at any cultural institution in the country that has been negatively impacted by the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus.
We’re pleased to present the ...
Achievers of the Month
Students from across the region returned to class in August and September, but they didn’t go back to school. Instead, they are at home taking courses on-line. It’s a challenge for both students and teachers but we know they are up for the task. Hopefully if won’t be long before everything is back to normal.
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CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes Date: August 3, 2020 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Quorum present. Old Business: 1. Management Team will complete BOT Priorities Exhibit with tasks and schedules following EMT meeting July 28th. 2. Reviewing Hazard Pay requests to ensure. 3. Organizing an application/checklist process for a distribution in the fall winter, if needed. 4. OLC will prepare options for improving Board Continuity as well as C/C conformity with Board terms - and present at an August work session.
5. The CTUIR COVID-l9 Pandemic webpage is live and now being populated. We will update information on the site Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 6. Work on Hwy 331 started, and we’ve experienced only minor problems. New Business: 1. Discussions around meeting with Portland Metro - next steps. 2. Cyber-attack last week prompted some changes – but all has been addressed. 3. IT Assessment firm has been selected. 4. Food/Supplies distribution set for August 13th at Noon Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 20-072: 5. Talked to Yakama Nation Chair about our protocols and processes. Other Board Action: Subject/action/motion Resolution 20-072: Topic: Wallowa Lake Dam MOA, Resolved, that the Board of Trust-
ees hereby approve the Wallowa Dam Project Memorandum of Agreement, Exhibit 1 hereto, and authorizes the Chair to sign this agreement. Motion by Jeremy Wolf moves to approve the cover letter to the Wallowa Dam Project Memorandum of Agreement. Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. The Wallowa Dam work group agreed to move forward on the MOA and send cover letter to address BOT concerns. Question. Motion carries 7 (Jeremy Wolf, Sandra Sampson, Corinne Sams, Jill-Marie Gavin, Boots Pond, Armand Minthorn, Lindsey Watchman) -1 (Sally Kosey) - 0. Motion - East Boundary Budget Modification Motion by Sally Kosey moves to approve Budget Modification Number 2 as presented on August 3, 2020, authorizing the expenditure of East Boundary appropriated funds to be used for a GIS Analyst/Cultural Ethnographer position including salary, fringe, and computing equipment in remaining FY 2020 and FY 2021. Jill-Marie
Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0 Motion - Yellowhawk Pharmacy Drive Thru Project, Motion by Sally Kosey moves to approve the budget of $1.5 Million for the Yellow Pharmacy Drive-up Project and give Lisa Guzman, Yellowhawk CEO, the authorization to sign and submit a Tribal Planning Development Permit on behalf of the Board of Trustees, land owner, for the construction of the Yellowhawk Pharmacy Drive Thru Window Project which will adjoin the existing Yellowhawk building. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Motion - CIC - Update by Sally Kosey reappoint Jiselle Halfmoon to LOC, Motion: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to reappoint Jiselle Halfmoon by acclamation to the Law and Order Committee for 2 year term ending July 31, 2022. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Chairman Celebration Committee advertise position - 1 year term. Motion carries 7-0-1 BOT Travel Reports (1) Kat Brigham 7-24-20 9 Tribes call with Governor Brown and Staff BOT Leave and Travel Requests. (1) Jeremy Wolf 8-4-20 Custer Gallatin Forest Plan Revision Final Plan Rollout Briefing via video conference.
DATE: August 10, 2020 BOT Present: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Quorum present Old Business. None New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 20-073: Resolution 20-073: Topic: NCAI Tribal Membership Renewal:. RESOLVED, that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ,which is the official governing body of the above named Tribes, hereby authorizes N. Kathryn Brigham who is the official principal tribal official, to take the necessary action to place the Tribes in Membership with NCAI; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, ,that tribal funds in the amount of $1,300, based on the Tribal Membership dues schedule of the NCAI By-Laws, Article III - Members, Section C 2 are authorized to be paid for such Tribal Membership in NCAI; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the Tribal citizenry of 3,121persons, the Tribe shall have 130 votes, in accordance with Article II - Members, Section B ld; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that pursuant to Article III - Members, Section B 1(b) of the NCAI Constitution and By-Laws, the Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation designates the following persons as Delegate and Alternate Delegates, and instructs them to become Individual Members in Good Standing in National Congress of American Indians in order to fulfill their responsibilities as Official Delegates to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Session, Mid-Year Session and Executive Council Sessions. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution 20-073, as revised. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-074: Topic: CTUIR Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby establishes the CTUIR Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative and rescinds Resolution 07-26 that created the Alcohol and Drug Task Force, whose members shall include the Chief Executive Officer of Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, the Directors of the Department of Children and Family Services, Education Department, ousing Department, Department of Public Safety, a Tribal Court representative, a Tribal Planning Office representative, a representative
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CTUIR BOT minutes from the General Council, a Board of Trustees member, and an Attorney of the Office of Legal Counsel when needed; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CTUIR Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative shall update the Alcohol and Drug Task Force Recommendations and Action Plan to reflect past progress and current and emerging priorities and present the updated Recommendations and Action Plan to the Board of Trustees; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the CTUIR Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative Shall abide by the Scope of Work attached as Exhibit l; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 20’074’ as revised. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-075: Topic: Yakima Delta Feasibility Study Cooperating Agency MOU RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees approves the Memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Department of the Army, corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, as Lead Agency and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in the Yakima River Delta Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study (MOU), attached hereto as Exhibit1; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED’ the Board of Trustees authorizes its Chair to sign all necessary documents to enter into and effectuate this MOU. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution 20’075, as revised .Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-076: Topic: Change of LLC Member for Cayuse Technologies, LLC: RESOLVED that the transfer of the Confederated Tribes’ membership interests in Cayuse Technologies, LLC (“Cayuse Technologies”), to Cayuse Holdings ,LLC (“Cayuse Holdings”), as authorized by BOT Resolution 19-051 is hereby immediately effective; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees recognizes that the amended Operating Agreement for Cayuse Technologies executed on September 20,2019,shall be replaced by the Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1,which, among other things, reflects the transfer of the Confederated Tribes’ membership interests in Cayuse Technologies to Cayuse Holdings; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Directors originally established to govern Cayuse Technologies has been dissolved under the new operating structure for the LLC, and governance of Cayuse Technologies shall be in accordance with the new Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1, as may be amended as needed; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Cayuse Holdings Board of Directors shall notify
the members of the Cayuse Technologies Board of Directors of the change of ownership and the dissolution of the Cayuse Technologies Board of Directors, and that management of the LLC has been changed as set forth in the new Operating Agreement for Cayuse Technologies attached as Exhibit I to this Resolution; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Cayuse is hereby authorized to take any such fun her action as may be necessary to effect and document the change in LLC Member, including without limitation amending the Cayuse Technologies Articles of Organization on file with the Nevada Secretary of State, consistent with NRS 86.221 and NRS 86.226, and notifying the Internal Revenue Service and other entities; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 20-076. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-077: Topic: MOU CTUIR, Umatilla County, Morrow County Kayak Expansion: RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves and authorizes BOT Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding attached as Exhibit I and; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 20-077. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-078: Topic: Spirit Mountain Grant Application RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the submission of the grant application Project Description Exhibit 1 in support of the Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (Ì\iCFS) to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s Tribal Grant program; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 20-078. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Other Board Action: None BOT Travel Reports. (2) Kat Brigham, August 7 ,2020 Oregon and Nine Tribes conference call Jeremy Wolf, August 4,2020 Custer Gallatin Forest Plan Revision Final Plan Rollout Briefing video conference BOT Leave and Travel Requests: (1) JillMarie Gavin - Personal Leave: August 13, 2020
Date: August 24, 2020 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Quorum present Absent: Armand Minthorn, Member
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September 2020
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CTUIR BOT minutes Old Business: Ratify Polled Motion – CTUIR Treaty Bison Hunting Rights BOT approval of polled motion to participate as amicus in lawsuit threatening CTUIR Treaty Bison Hunting Rights. To authorize the Office of Legal Counsel to prepare and file a joint amicus brief with the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Yakama Nation in Neighbors Against Bison Slaughter, et al. v. National Park Service, et al. in the Federal District Court for the District of Montana and subsequent appellate court participation. The CTUIR policy position in this matter is to protect tribal treaty hunting rights and to oppose any restrictions on treaty hunting during the pendency of the lawsuit. MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to ratify polled motion on CTUIR Treaty Hunting Rights. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. Ratify Polled Resolution – Umatilla County Support: Moves to Umatilla County Recovery Plan working together for a strong, healthy Umatilla County Recovery. Key priorities are: Protect Community Health, support Businesses & Entrepreneurs and Restoring Educational Institutions to their full potential. A budget for $86,875 has been prepared. (Plan & budget attached). Umatilla County has approved $60k and others have been asked to contribute. I am recommending that CTUIR contribute up to $20k to help educate Umatilla County about being healthy. The BOT poll is being done to help support the Umatilla County recovery plan because if the county is recovering CTUIR will be recovering too. This poll will authorizes the Finance Department to provide CTUIR CARES Act funds for the Umatilla County Recovery Plan. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to ratify polled motion on Umatilla County Support, as corrected. Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. Resolution 20-079: Topic: Lucky 7 Housing and Upgrade Project. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the construction of the Lucky 7 Housing and Upgrade Project that will consist of 18 housing units; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Project budget that is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby appropriates $755,074 from the Capital Reserve Fund, $578,844 from Housing Non-Program Income and $175,379 from funding already appropriated for Housing Development Services; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, t h e Board of Trustees requests that staff purchase and install playground equipment using left over contingency funds and/or outside grant funding; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Housing Development Team to purchase the Harbor Homes that were selected as the most qualified bid; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Board of
Happy Birthday to all Virgos in our family: Terence Cowapoo - 9/2 Zachary Patrick - 9/6 Marlene Taylor - 9/7 Rachel Matamoros - 9/14 Alberta Fuentes - 9/18 Larry Cowapoo - 9/22 With love, The Cowapoo Family 18B
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Trustees hereby directs that an appropriate procurement process be used to select the contract to construct the infrastructure and other construction activities at Lucky 7 and further authorizes its Chair to execute construction contracts that includes a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to permit the enforcement of the construction contracts by binding arbitration, provided that the cost do not exceed the Project Budget attached as Exhibit 1C to this Resolution. MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to adopt Resolution 20-079, adding a Whereas that the Board will explore rental assistance for the tenants of Lucky 7. Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion. Motion carries 4 (Jeremy Wolf, Sandra Sampson, Boots Pond, Lindsey Watchman) - 3 (Sally Kosey, Jill-Marie Gavin, Corinne Sams) -0. Resolution 20-080: Topic: CARES Act Contingency Fund Budget: RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the CARES Act Contingency Fund Budget attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C and appropriates funds from the CARES Act Contingency Fund for such purposes; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby finds that the provision of Hatch tablets, Chromebooks and laptops to Tribal member students to facilitate distance learning necessitated by the COVID-19 virus meet a critical need for the education of Tribal youth which is essential for the exercise and protection of Tribal sovereignty and culture, that the provision of such assistance should be exempt from federal taxation under the General Welfare Code and that the Office of Legal Counsel shall prepare the guidelines and Code amendments that may be required for such tax exemption. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 20-080. Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. Motion to Support MMWIC Efforts The Board authorizes the CTUIR’s support for local, regional, state, and national efforts to address the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. This includes consultations, legislative support, policy and practice reviews, and other related matters to reduce the incidence of MMIW and resolve cold cases. MOTION: JillMarie Gavin moves to Support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples efforts. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. BOT Travel report –None BOT Leave and Travel Request: BOT Leave and Travel Requests. Sandra Sampson – Personal Leave, September 2-3 Jeremy Wolf – CRITFC Monthly Meeting, Video Conference, August 27-28 Jill-Marie Gavin – MMIW Listening Session with DOJ, Video Conference, August 31 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to approve leave and travel requests. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.
If you want to make your vote count then first you need to register. The deadline is Oct. 13 Go to:
oregonvotes.gov September 2020
CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes Date: August 31st, 2020 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Armand Minthorn, Member; and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Quorum present Old Business: None New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 20-081: Topic: NCS/ CTUIR MOU. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederated Tribes and Nixyáawii Community School (attached as Exhibit 1); AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes its Chair, the Chair of the Education and Training Committee, and the Tribal Education Director to execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Confederated Tribes; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby expresses its support for the constructive working relationship between the Education and Training Committee and the Tribal Education Department with the Nixyáawii Community School as reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding and hereby directs both the Education and Training Committee and the Tribal Education Department to dedicate the time, personnel and resources to work with the Nixyáawii Community School representatives to develop and implement programs needed to achieve objectives set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding; MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution 20081. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-082: Topic: Pandemic Preparedness Building Budget: RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project budget attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C and appropriates funds from the CARES Act contingency fund to complete the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes its Chair to execute a construction contract that includes a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to permit the enforcement of the construction contract by binding arbitration, provided that the cost do not exceed the Project Budget attached as Exhibit 1C to this Resolution.; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby directs that the Executive Director and DECD staff to provide monthly updates on progress of the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project budget. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt
Resolution 20-082. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-083: Topic: Pandemic Preparedness Building Budget: RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees directs the Executive Director to report back on the status of the Tribal Broadband Project; MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 20-083. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Resolution 20-084: Topic: Authorizing Receipt of Bureau of Reclamation Funding Through PL 93-638 Contract: RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees reiterates its support for the proposal submitted to Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) on January 8, 2020, attached hereto as Exhibit 1; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees requests that BOR provide funds in the amount of $188,389 to the Confederated Tribes through a PL 93-638 contract to implement the project proposed in response to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and approved by BOR;AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Chair of the Confederated Tribes to enter into a Self-Determination Contract with Reclamation pursuant to PL 93-638, as amended, for the project outlined in the project proposal; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Confederated Tribes acknowledges that this proposal addresses only the funds available for Technical Assistance projects in FY 2020 and FY2021, and further acknowledges that no guarantee is made, or implied that these funds will be available beyond those fiscal years .MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 20-084, as revised. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. Other Board Action: Committee/Commissions Updates. The Economic Community Development Committee and the Celebration Community had one application each: Leo Stewart, Economic Community Development Committee and Babette Cowapoo, Celebration Committee. MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to reappoint Leo Stewart by acclimation to Economic Community Development Committee for 2 year term ending August 6, 2022. Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to appoint Babette Cowapoo as Chair of Celebration Committee for one year ending August 31, 2021. Boots Ponds seconds. Discussion. This position comes with requirements: fundraising for celebrations; must establish cash handling procedure to prevent misuse of funds, follow CTUIR Fiscal Management Policy with all funds going through the CTUIR Finance Department; Fiduciary responsibility and accountability; report to General Council and Board of Trustees at the
end of the term and budget with quarterly goals. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. BOT Leave and Travel Requests. (4) Jeremy Wolf with two travel requests: September 1, Columbia River Treaty Update, Conference Call September 1, Shoreline Re-Conveyance
Working Group, Video Conference Sandra Sampson, September 1, Walla Walla Partnership Meeting, Zoom meeting Jeremy Wolf, September 18, Birthday Leave. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to approve leave and travel requests. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.
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