February 2021 CUJ

President Biden, Vice-President Harris sworn in: BOT Chair Brigham, Oregon leaders react

Back in the classroom: Preparations begin to open Nixyaawii Community School as school board approves Feb. 22 start

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Confederated Umatilla Journal The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~ Pendleton, Oregon February 2021

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Volume 29, Issue 2

A Champion for Children

CTUIR history made in...

DCFS’ Julie Taylor receives national award

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

Mary Halfmoon

Roberta Wilson

Patricia Hall

Jiselle Halfmoon

Corinne Sams

First ever all-women committee reflects on past year

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – The year 2020 was historic for a number of reasons. But here on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the all-women Law and Order Committee was regarded as a first.

Five women – Chair Patricia Hall, Vice-Chair Corinne Sams, Secretary Mary Halfmoon, Jiselle Halfmoon and Roberta Wilson – comprised the group, which, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to work toward making improvements in the community.

If you know Indian women, we don’t sit back idly when we hear of injustice or inequity,” Sams said.

“We really stand up for what we believe in.”

“That many women are pretty no-nonsense and that quality is reflected in things getting done!”

Wilson said. “I am happy to say we have worked on issues that show that the peoples’ best interests have been at the forefront of committee actions.”

“We’re all about trying to make this a safer place

‘That many women are no-nonsense and that quality is reflected in getting things done!’

-Roberta Wilson, former L&O Committee Member

for all of our community,” Hall said. “We all get along great, I love that. Everyone kind of brings a little bit of their own personal experience to the committee, so that works very well. It’s been a real pleasure to work with all these women because they’re very intelligent women and they care very much about our Tribe and our community.”

“We all have a common cause: and that’s protect the community and to see that the laws are enforced,” Mary Halfmoon said. “But we all have our different Law & Order on page 3A

MISSION – Julie Taylor was surprised to find a certificate in her email inbox last month. She opened a digital certificate to find she had been named a “Champion for Children” by the Child Welfare League of America.

Taylor, the CTUIR’s Department of Children and Family Services Director, immediately gave credit to her staff of 15.

“For me, I don’t think it’s an individual award,” she said. “I have a good team. I have to have my staff. For me, my department received the Julie Taylor award. It was a team effort.”

DCFS Director The organization told Taylor it was “thrilled to acknowledge your exceptional commitment to supporting children and families who are vulnerable and advancing the field of child welfare.

Taylor, a CTUIR member, received congratulatory messages from near and far.

“NICWA is so pleased to join the Child Welfare League of America in recognizing Julie Taylor as a Champion for Children,” said Sarah Kastelic, Executive Director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). “We’ve been fortunate to work with Julie, first as a social work practicum student in our office and later partnering with her to learn from CTUIR’s experience Taylor awarded on page 11A

COVID-19: Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center continues vaccinations.

A small surge has occurred, however, to start February.

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

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

State leaders react to Biden-Harris inauguration BOT Chair Brigham says transparency, COVID-19 are areas of improvement

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

President Joseph R. Biden and VicePresident Kamala Harris were sworn in on Jan. 20.

Biden was named the 46th President of the Unites States’ and Harris became the first female, African-American and Asian-American to hold that role in the history of the country.

Oregon leaders, including BOT Chair Kat Brigham, shared their thoughts on the start of the new regime.

“The BOT is extremely hopeful about President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Brigham said. “Their leadership has brought many changes already. They are addressing COVID-19 as a pandemic that is not going to disappear. They have a plan and are providing transparency – in much the same way that we as a Tribal government have approached the issue.

“This a HUGE step for the administration,” Brigham added. “Plus they are talking about climate change, racism and division. President Biden said he wants to bring unity to the USA. CTUIR wants to see that come about as we work to protect natural resources and maintain our treaty rights. We are not only fighting for our Tribe’s future, we are fighting for the future of the Northwest.”

Gov. Kate Brown said the inauguration marked a new chapter for the country.

“It is an especially extraordinary moment for our nation to celebrate the historic swearing-in of our first female, Black and Asian Vice President — and the incredibly diverse Cabinet that President Biden has nominated,” she said. “Our government should be reflective of the people it represents, and now Americans across the country will see themselves in the people holding leadership positions.

“We have waited a long time to have a strong, competent and trustworthy partner we can work with at the federal level — and now more than ever, we need that federal leadership to help states beat COVID-19, once and for all,” Brown added. “As we still face what could be the darkest days of the pandemic, President Biden has laid out a strong vision and clear plan, based on science, for how the federal government will help

President Joseph R. Biden takes the oath of office as the 46th President of the United States on Jan. 20. His wife Jill Biden holds a family bible dating back to the 1890s. Below, Kamala Harris became the first female, African-American and Asian-American Vice President in U.S. history.

Associated Press

the American people, and governors across the country — starting with the announcement of a much-needed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. I look forward to working with the President, Vice President and Congress on getting this ground-breaking package across the finish line.

Sen. Jeff Merkley said the inauguration occurred during one of the darkest winters in American history and was a cause for celebration and resolve.

“Today, our nation begins the hard work of turning the page on a dark chapter marked by racism, division, and incivility, as we set out to write a new one of hope, freedom, and equality for all,” he said. ““It won’t be easy.

First and foremost, we must face and defeat a devastating pandemic that has already claimed 400,000 American lives and robbed millions of their livelihoods.

But we must also reckon with deeper and more long-lasting forces that have shaped everything about our lives and our politics, up to and including the current pandemic.”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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

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

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January 2021

Law & Order Continued from page 1A

opinions but we’ve been learning to listen and compromise as needed. The dynamics is you have all five strong women with strong opinions and you have to learn to work together for the betterment of the community and the tribe itself.”

Sams, who’s on the CTUIR Board of Trustees, said there was a powerful synergy and camaraderie among the group.

“I think we check our egos at the door, we value each others’ input,” she said. “We’re always striving to find a positive solution and advancement for each department we provide input to and eventually to the Board of Trustees.

One area the group believes it excelled is communication.

“I think I appreciate that there’s a lot more communication and sharing of information,” she said. “And I guess that comes from my experience. A long time ago I was Secretary for General Council and it was all men. I would say that would be the difference so far.”

“We still have a lot of issues to work through,” Mary Halfmoon said. “What I’ve seen is (with this group) there seems to be more open communication.”

The Law and Order Committee works with several departments, including the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department, the Public Safety Department,Family Violence Services, the Office of Child Support, the Prosecutor’s Office, Tribal Court, the Office of Legal Counsel, the Juvenile Coordinator, and the Department of Children and Family Services.

“It’s quite extensive,” Sams said of

the Tribal departments their committee oversees. “The benefit (of having a Law and Order Committee) is that, as tribal members, historically we haven’t always found equity in our law enforcement and sometimes our judicial system. And by having a due process and oversight of those by a committee that’s maintained of tribal members and one board member we can provide input and ensure that our community is safe and that the police officers are safe and that the community and tribal members feel that equity when it comes to the services we provide.”

Jiselle Halfmoon said the Law and Order Committee has a willingness to question things, in a good way. One big issue the Committee has worked on is the trust between law enforcement and the community.

“Right now, there’s not a whole lot of trust between law enforcement and the community and that’s one thing we’re trying to address -- working with both sides to find middle ground, if possible,” Mary Halfmoon said. “It’s a hard thing to represent: Be a representative of the community and at the same time uphold Law and Order within the reservation with the departments that report to us.

It’s a fine line.”

She added they are trying to catch the CTUIR up with the real world.

“The latest is body cameras and car cameras for the officers, so they have those recorded,” Halfmoon added. “When you think about in a real world, the non-Native law enforcement officers in the big cities, they wear their body-cameras. We’re still trying to catch up and slowly are.

“We have to fight for everything we need to be able to do the job to protect the community. And that’s one reason I’m on (the committee): I want to keep that fight going and protect our people and the people that live within the community and are intermarried or not.”

The challenge during their historic tenure was gathering for their monthly meeting. The pandemic did not allow them to gather in person, so they were initially done with phone calls. Soon, they hope to move to Microsoft Teams.

“It’s been a real adjustment: Not being able to meet in person,” Hall said. “It’s been challenging. We’ve been doing all of our meetings over a conference call and we’re in the process of trying to switch over to Teams so we can actually see each other.”

The responsibility of being a part of the Law and Order Committee is a great honor to those who serve.

“I’ve served on other committees with the Tribe and outside of the Tribe and I feel that the Tribe does so much for me,” Hall said. “And I feel thankful that this is a way that I can give back. And also, I love the Law and Order Committee that we’re all about trying to make this a safer better place for all of our community. I guess I just feel honored of being a part of the process of doing that.”

“I wanted to serve on any one of my committees to just kind of give back in a sense or be active in tribal government,” Jiselle Halfmoon said. “Law and Order was one of the few available ones when I signed up. Growing up as a kid, I grew up on the opposite end of the

spectrum as a troubled youth. So being on the other side of the coin these days is pretty cool.”

“I am really proud to be working with these women,” Mary Halfmoon said, “because one goal we all have is the betterment of the community. And that’s a pretty cool thing to be a part of.”

Sams said she thinks there has been a national and local shift toward the acceptance of women in positions of power.

“Women have had to prove themselves over a long period of time,” she said. “Not to take away from any of the previous Law and Order Commissions that were all men, but we bring a balance into a commission that was once dominated by men. And we’re natural caregivers and we have taken care of individuals in our committee that have been that listening ear.”

Wilson’s seat expired on Jan. 7. The vacant seat was filled by Lorena Thompson.

Wilson reflected on her time in the committee in a Jan. 14 email to the CUJ. “First, I believe the CTUIR has come a long way in providing law enforcement and protections for our community,” she said. “However, I have witnessed a lot of disparities, harassment of tribal members and other injustices within the current system. I wanted to be part of a team that addresses these issues head on and allows tribal members to feel safe and protected.

All tribal members deserve to be treated equally and fairly and have confidence that justice will prevail.”

The Law and Order Committee reorganized on Feb. 2. Hall and Sams remained Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, while Jiselle Halfmoon became the new secretary.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Officials criticize Biden for Keystone XL pipeline permit cancellation RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem and South Dakota's congressional delegation are criticizing President Joe Biden's decision to cancel a permit needed to build the Keystone XL pipeline while a coalition of Indigenous people, environmental activists and some rural landowners are celebrating.

TC Energy and supporters of the pipeline are hoping Biden will change his mind by viewing the pipeline as progressive when it comes to labor and the environment.

"I'm very disappointed," Noem said. "I think it's the wrong policy on energy, it's the wrong policy on the environment, and it's the wrong policy on safety. Over the years we've debated this pipeline and vetted it on all of those elements."

Meanwhile, opponents say they will continue to fight for climate justice and possibly even against the KXL Pipeline since it's unclear whether TC Energy will pull the plug on the project, fight it in court, or wait four more years in the hopes of there being a new president who supports the pipeline.

"It is rare that a promise to our people is kept by the United States," Harold Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, said in a news release about Biden keeping his campaign process to shut down the pipeline.

Oscar High Elk, who is part of a small protest camp near Philip, said he now wants to see all infrastructure, including a nearby work camp and pump station, removed so the land can be restored.

“The camp will remain until we confirm all KXL construction sites have been shut down and the pipes removed,” he told the Journal.

TC Energy is likely deciding whether to scrap the project or hope for a new president in the next four years since it’s not likely to change Biden’s mind or find success in the courts, according to two professors at the University of South Dakota.

“There’s not going to be a political route” and “I don’t see much of a chance at all” legally speaking, said Sean Kammer, who specializes in natural resources law.

The company needs to make “a judgment as to what the 2024 election would be and who might win versus the present value of pulling up the price of the pipes between now and then,” said Michael Card, an expert in South Dakota politics. The price of oil is low right now and tar sands extraction is a more expensive method of obtaining oil, he said.

The battle over the $8 billion pipeline began when the Canadian-owned TC Energy proposed the project in July 2008, according to a CTV news timeline.

If built, the pipeline would run 1,200-miles from the Alberta tar sands in Canada to Nebraska, entering South Dakota at a spot 32 miles northwest of Buffalo. It would run southeast through Harding, Butte, Perkins, Pennington, Haakon, Jones, Lyman, Meade and Tripp counties before exiting about 20 miles southeast of Colome. The oil would be then be transferred to another TC Energy pipeline before being shipped to the Gulf of Mexico.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION CTUIR TRIBAL MEMBERS OTHER FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBAL MEMBERS OR; FAMILIES THAT RESIDE WITHIN THE CTUIR BOUNDARIES

LONGHOUSE PARKING LOT (CARS LINE UP ON CONFEDERATED WAY)

January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

FBI working with UTPD regarding deceased man found By the CUJ

MISSION - The Umatilla Tribal Police Department found a subject unresponsive on Jan. 26 at 11 p.m.

Officers identified the man, Thomas James Van Pelt Jr., 46 and determined he was deceased.

A criminal investigation has been launched, and UTPD will be assisted by the FBI, the Oregon State Crime Lab and BENT. UTPD officers arrested Tom Redhawk Tias, 21, as a result of the investigation.

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office states he was booked for one count of assault, one count of violating a restraining order and one count of domestic abuse.

“The investigation is ongoing and the FBI is in communication with the US Attorney's Office regarding pursuing potential Federal charges,” Chief Addleman wrote in an email to the CUJ.

Limit of TWO Households PER car.

Each family or community member must pick up their own food.

You must remain in your vehicle while picking up the food. Food will only be placed in vehicle trunks or pick-up beds. No exceptions.

Elders may send a representative to pick up food and sign for their household.

We are unable to hold food for individuals and families; it is first come, first serve.

If you have questions, please contact DCFS at 541-429-7300.

BREAD, MILK, HILL’S MEAT HOT DOGS, HINES MEAT HAMBURGER PATTIES, HOT DOG AND HAMBURGER BUNS + MORE

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CUJ Opinions & Editorials A sign of beauty and destruction The river is a powerful force. Most days when driving by the river it looks calm. There are many memories of being by and in the river. Whether it be from gaffing for salmon or finding the best swimming hole, the river has been a good part of our lifetimes. It’s easy to forget this lifeline for the community can be a daunting force of nature.

Many folks don’t like rain. Skies are gloomy and it’s understandable how moods could go down. It’s easy for me to enjoy the rainfall because of the smell, hearing the sounds of droplets hitting the ground, and seeing the sight of rain blending with the horizon. Yet, I found it unusual the amount of rain coming down in the days leading up to February 6th, 2020. The river became more swift and murky from the abundance of rain falling and the rain created a great amount of snow melt.

It would’ve been interesting for anyone to be a fly on the wall during the late morning briefing for the Board on February 7th, 2020. There was an ominous silence in

the chambers. You could hear the hopes and prayers for the safety of those getting affected by the overflow. The ICT Commander at the time Mr. Paul Rabb deserves more praise than what was given, he remained calm and collected during the flooding event. Before the term unprecedented became overused, the Umatilla River flooding of 2020 was truly unprecedented. From Boots Pond Gibbon to Hermiston, the river was BOT member making its presence known for how truly destructive it can be.

I remember driving up Mission Road on my way to Pendleton and seeing the Riverside area being engulfed by the Umatilla River. It was a surreal experience seeing the river flowing as rapid as it was and to see the river out of its usual flow path. My emotions were mixed

seeing the view at that time. I truly was empathetic for those whose homes were being destroyed and whose livelihoods had altered so quickly. Still, I had a sense of awe. Mother Nature, herself, will always be determining the river vision.

The 2020 Umatilla River flood is an example of how we must prepare for what lies ahead. What happened was a sign of beauty and destruction. There was much damage done to infrastructure and the way people live. Yet, it was beautiful to see the community coming together to help in any way possible. Whether it be filling sandbags, delivering supplies to those upriver, or organizing the donated goods at the community gym.

There was also assistance coming from outside the area from Tri-Cities to the Oregon Coast lending helping hands by cleaning up or donating supplies. In the end, this unanticipated disaster, brought out the best in the community and it will serve as a teaching moment for us as we prepare for tomorrow.

Indigenous Fire Practices Once Shaped Northeast Oregon

By Jeff Casey of BIA Fire Management

From an outsider’s perspective, the American West appeared to be an untouched and unmanaged landscape prior to colonization. However, Western science and oral history collection since the mid- 1900’s have shown that Native Americans not only had the “technology of fire” but used it to manage the character of the environment in which they lived.

In the past, fire scientists attributed many old fire scars found in tree rings to natural causes, such as lightning.

However, scientists are finding what oral history has supported, that “natural fires” were intentionally caused by native peoples. The practice of small, cool fires for management of grasses and underbrush was actively discouraged by non-Natives and almost disappeared until the 1980’s, when researches began to collect more traditional ecological knowledge on fire use.

Perhaps the most important effect of the controlled use of fire on wild food plants was to change the normal sequences of plant succession, from late stages dominated by wood species to early stages that favored short-lived forbs and berries. Fire also removed weedy competition and refuse, killed insects and pathogens, and laid down a fertilizing layer of ash. Predominant uses of fire by the Native peoples of Northeastern Oregon were to improve growth and yield of native grass for big game species (deer, elk, antelope), horse pasturage, and berry plants (especially raspberries, strawberries, and huckleberries).

Fires set by American Indians were common in the Blue Mountains into the mid-1800s. Fires were frequently set in dry forests. In mixed-conifer forests, they were set in autumn after rain had begun to fall. Native tribes including the Cayuse, Nez Perce, Paiute, Shoshone, and Umatilla burned forests throughout the Blue Mountains to improve hunting and grazing and to increase production of edible

CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal

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‘Fires set by American Indians were common in the Blue Mountains into the mid-1800s.

Fires were frequently set in dry forests.’

-Jeff Casey Bureau of Indian Affairs

berries and roots.

The mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is to protect and improve the lands held in trust for Native American Tribes and individual allotment owners. There are three significant management activities being implemented on the Umatilla Agency Fire Management Program contributing to this mission: 1. In conjunction with Tribal Resource Specialists, identify areas of heavy brush and weeds that have the potential to spread large wildfires, and reduce the brush in those areas; 2. Use fire as a management tool to increase and improve the production of “First Foods”, particularly huckleberries; and, 3. Improve forest health by returning fire to the landscape and the natural role it traditionally had for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

If you have any questions or comments concerning prescribed burning and/or the mechanical treatment of fuels on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, please contact me at Jeffrey.Casey@bia.gov or the BIA Fire and Fuels Management Program at 541-278-3788.

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

Interim Publisher: Jane Hill CUJ staff: Cary Rosenbaum, Interim Editor Megan Van Pelt, Reporter Dallas Dick, Freelance Photographer

Letters What happened to ‘tribal preference?’

January 26, 2021 Article II of our tribal Constitution and By-Laws: includes the phrase, “to achieve the maximum degree of self-government in all tribal affairs, and to protect and promote the interests of the Indians of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.” “Self-government in all tribal affairs” certainly includes hiring qualified CTUIR tribal members, and “to protect and promote the interest of Indians” certainly includes promoting the employment interests of CTUIR tribal members.

We are all obligated to honor and comply with the letter, and spirit, of our Constitution and By-Laws. Thus, how is it that when two top management positions for the CUJ are open a non-Indian is hired for the Publisher’s position, and a non-CTUIR tribal member is hired for the Editor’s position? It is obvious our tribal hiring preference policy has been blatantly ignored in this situation.

Yes, for now these may be interim hires, but we all know it is just a matter of time before they are made permanent. Where is our elected leadership to “protect and promote” our tribal employment interests?

There was a non-Indian in the editor’s position for over twenty years, which was twenty years too long. Will it be another twenty years before tribal leadership acknowledges we have qualified CTUIR tribal members to meet the responsibilities of the CUJ editorship?

Bob Shippentower

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CUJ Opinions & Editorials Program Update

Well No. 6 project to begin By the CTUIR Public Works Department

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is pleased to announce that our Mission community Well No. 6 construction project on South Market Road will be starting construction in February.

This project was designed and managed by Anderson Perry & Associates and will provide a new water supply to the Mission community while increasing water system reliability.

It will include a new well structure and water storage reservoir (tank).

The selected contractor, Tapani, Inc., will begin mobilizing equipment to the site and preparing project staging areas on February 8, 2021.

New water pipe installation will be constructed on the west side of South Market Road from Tokti Road to approximately 0.5 mile south of Lloyd Road/ This activity will begin on February 15 and continue through mid-May. Construction of the new Well No. 6 pump station and water storage reservoir will begin around February 22 and continue through mid-July.

The project is anticipated to be completed in early September.

During construction of the new water main on the west side of South Market Road, both travel lanes on South Market Road will generally remain open.

Traffic may be restricted for a few days to one travel lane (with flaggers present) where the water main crosses Lloyd Road and South Patawa Creek.

Those traveling on South Market Road should use caution and slow down while driving in the construction zone.

Some residents along the west side of South Market Road may experience temporary delays in accessing your property, but access will be restored daily whenever possible.

The Contractor will be providing advance notice of such impact and will work to minimize impacts to local residents.

The CTUIR Public Works Department appreciates the support of the U.S. Indian Health Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and our community who make this project possible.

If you have any questions, please contact: CTUIR Public Works at 541-429-7508 or Project Superintendent Bill Ledbetter at 541-786-5643.

January 2021

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) talks to Oregon press on Jan. 20 from his Washington, D.C. office to discuss the Capitol riots and the potential impeachment trial of President Trump.

Zoom Screenshot

Coyote Stories: A smile after the storm It doesn’t matter who you are or what political party you align with, you felt something as you watched or read about the Capitol riots that left five dead in Washington, D.C. in early January.

It was one of those incidents you know you’re going to be talking about for years — maybe even into your old age — as one of those “Where were you?” moments. The scene was simply unforgettable.

It crept much closer to Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, who was evacuated from the Capitol as what appeared to be a dangerous mob Sin-ka-leep marched forward. Merkley invited Cary Rosenbaum press, including the CUJ, to a Zoom meeting in mid-January.

The aftermath of the incident — which saw more than 20,000 members of the National Guard deploy to the Capitol for Pres. Biden’s inauguration — was alarming, he said.

“To see the Capitol filled with troops conveyed such a difficult moment for our country — how deep the division is, how shocked we were on Jan. 6 for the first storming of the Capitol since 1814,” Merkley said. “All this surrounds

Confederated Umatilla Journal

a big lie — really a mega lie — Trump told that the election was rigged and that he had actually won it.”

The aftermath was felt during the inauguration, where Merkley said he witnessed an empty mall.

Most of us watched on television or online and could tell there was a drastic change.

“To look out today it was very different than 12 years ago when I first joined the Senate,” he said. “On that day (during Pres. Obama’s inauguration) you had the largest turnout in history. Today the mall was empty. It was empty because of COVID and because of security. So quite a different picture.

“What was missing? President Trump. I believe it was well over 100 years when a president failed to show up for the transition of one president to the next.”

Merkley described what the weeks ahead would look like. “One of the issues of accountability we must go forward with is the impeachment trial of the president,” he said. “We will proceed.”

As we know in early February, the effort may not go far, as the Democrats do not have the needed support from the Republican party. But the incident was the cherry on top of an already tumultuous 12 months for our nation.

You almost wondered: What more could happen?

Instead of more chaos during Biden’s inauguration, social media found a way to lighten the mood: The TV coverage of the event spawned an epic meme from a shot of Sen. Bernie Sanders sitting in the D.C. cold with his mittens. It got so big, many news outlets picked it up and Bernie made merchandise out of it which raised more than $1 million to Vermont charities.

It was a smile after the storm, for many — an unforgettable one at that.

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CUJ Almanac Obituaries

suant to that authority, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following regulations.

The CTUIR flag was at half-mast Jan. 4 when the Tribe learned of the passing of Tribal member Alan Moomaw.

ZONE 6 COMMERCIAL GILLNET FISHERY Area: John Day Pool Only Dates: 6 AM Monday February 1 to 6 PM Saturday February 6, 2021.

Area: The Dalles Pool Only Dates: 6 AM Monday February 1 to 6 PM Saturday February 6, 2021.

Restrictions: Closed areas in effect include standard dam and river mouth areas applicable to gillnet gear.

Gear: Gill nets with no minimum mesh restriction Allowable Sales: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, yellow perch, bass, walleye, catfish, and carp may be sold or retained for subsistence. Sturgeon from 43 to 54 inches in fork length in The Dalles and John Day Pools only when caught during open periods for that pool may be sold. Legal sized sturgeon may be kept for subsistence purposes. Fish landed during the open periods are allowed to be sold after the period concludes.

ALAN W. MOOMAW OLYMPIA, WA – Alan W. Moomaw left this earth on December 31, 2020 at the age of 64, following a very swift onset of liver cancer. Alan was born in Omak, Washington on March 10, 1956 and was the oldest child of Rich and Elaine Moomaw. He grew up at the family home along Omak Creek on the Colville Indian Reservation. Alan is a 1974 graduate of Omak High School.

He attended Washington State University, graduating cum laude in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management and a minor in Native American Studies. Alan was then employed by the Colville Confederated Tribes, working on the Mt. Tolman project, and, as an Environmental Coordinator. He later attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin in the Institute for Environmental Studies. Alan moved to Olympia to work at the Environmental Protection Agency in Lacey where he served as a tribal coordinator, working with tribal governments on federal assistance projects. As a younger man, Alan liked to play basketball in rez ball tournaments, from his college years onward. He was an avid WSU sports fan. GO COUGS! He is survived by his wife of six wonderful years, Jeri of Olympia; beloved son Richard C. Moomaw of Shelton; beloved step-daughter Michaela (Les) O’Brion, and cherished grandchildren Emelia, Tucker and Harvey of Enumclaw. He is also survived by his mother, Elaine Moomaw of Omak; brothers Jay (Kim) of Omak, Tom (Joyce) of Rumford, Maine; and sister Julie (Ed Barlongo) Muraoka of Kaneohe, Hawaii. Alan was predeceased by his father in 2009.

Alan was a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and a lineal descendent of the Colville Confederated Tribes, and the SissetonWahpeton, Assiniboine and Chippewa Tribes. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Correction In a January 2021 edition story on Wil Phinney’s retirement, Debra Croswell was inaccurately labeled as Director of Compliance. Her position should have been noted as “President of Cayuse Shared Services.”

For the sake of accuracy in the CUJ, we ask that any

CUJ Photo / Megan Van Pelt

corrections be called or emailed in. Our phone number is 541-429-7399 and our email is CUJ@ctuir.org.

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

Conditional Use #CU-21-001 – Applicant, Alexis Egerer, Hermiston, OR, and property owner Debra Roesch, Pendleton, OR are requesting Conditional Use approval to locate a manufactured home on the subject property at 69499 Emigrant Road. The property is a 7.32 acre parcel identified as Umatilla County Map and Tax Lot 1N3403C0-00700. The property is zoned G-1, Big Game Grazing Forest; single family dwellings, including manufactured housing, are a Conditional Use in the G-1 zone. Conditional Use approvals are subject to CTUIR Land Development Code Chapters 6 and 13.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this hearing will be held via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to participate in the hearing or provide testimony, please call 321-754-9526 at 9:00 a.m. The conference ID is 441 735 799#. Materials relating to this proposed conditional use and additional information for joining the meeting are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https://ctuir.org/events/lppc-meetingpublic-hearing-cu-21-001/.

The public is entitled and encouraged to participate in the hearing and to submit oral or written testimony regarding the request. Please submit written comments

by 4:00 p.m. February 22, 2021 to the Tribal Planning Office or via email to hollyanderson@ctuir.org. To obtain further information contact the Tribal Planning Office at, 46411 Tímine, Pendleton, Oregon, 97801 or call (541) 429-7517.

Lindsey X. Watchman, Secretary Land Protection Commission

F&W Regulations 2021 COLUMBIA RIVER SMELT FISHERY Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Code of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to establish emergency regulations for Umatilla ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial fisheries. Pursuant to that authority, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following regulations.

Area: Cowlitz River Only Dates: Open daily from Monday, January 26 to Wednesday, March 31, 2021. *This fishery may close earlier due to low returns and/or high catch rates.

Gear: Dipnets fished from the bank and occupied at all times. No mesh restriction.

Restrictions: No per person bag limit. Subsistence purposes only.

Reporting: Fisher(s) are required to report with the Fisheries Program the dates of harvest and total catch within 72 hours. Catch report may be given by contacting: Preston Bronson at (541) 429-7277 or Chelsey Dick at (541) 429-7294.

ZONE 6 PLATFORM AND HOOK AND LINE FISHERY Area: All of Zone 6 Dates/Times: 6:00 AM Monday February 1 to 6:00 PM Friday March 19, 2021.

Gear: Hoop nets, dip nets, hook and line.

Allowable Sales: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass and yellow perch may be sold or retained for subsistence. Sales of fish are allowed after the fishing period as long as they were landed during the open period. Sturgeon of legal size for that pool may be sold only if caught during open commercial gillnet periods for that pool. Sturgeon from 43-54” fork length in the John Day and The Dalles pools and from 38-54” in the Bonneville Pool may be retained for subsistence.

Jobs

Join the Cayuse Holdings team! We have dozens of jobs open each month, including: Customer Service Agent (remote, must live in Oregon), Administrative Support Specialist, Budget Analyst, Helpdesk Agent, Project Management Office Analyst, Software Developer. See the complete list at www.cayuseholdings.com

2021 COLUMBIA RIVER WINTER COMMERCIAL GILLNET FISHERY Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Code of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to establish emergency regulations for Umatilla ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial fisheries. Pur-

CTUIR Job Openings Administrative Office Manager Closing date: Open until filled; review of complete

Pendleton Pioneer Chapel received three prestigious awards in 2009

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

Our experienced family provides caring, compassionate care including:

Burial Services ~ Military Services Cremation ~ Monuments

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CUJ Almanac applications on January 28, 2021.

Posted on 1/14/2021 Police Officer (1 position) Closing date: Open until filled; review of complete applications on January 27, 2021.

Posted on 1/13/2021 Public Transit Bus Driver (2 positions) Open until filled Posted on 1/7/2021 Facilities Maintenance Technician I Open until filled; review of complete applications on 1/20/2021 Posted on 1/7/2021 Utilities Operator II Open until filled; review of complete applications on 1/20/2021 Posted on 1/7/2021 Fisheries Habitat Biologist I - Umatilla Habitat Project Closing date: 2/28/2021 Posted on 1/7/2021 Public Transit Bus Driver (On-Call) Open until filled.

Posted on 1/7/2021

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

Job Announcement Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is recruiting for the following position: ist

Position Title:

Genomics Laboratory Special-

Starting Salary: Range of $53,529 - $70,490 (CRITFC scale of GS10/1 to GS12/1; DOQ) Benefits: Full health benefits (Health, Dental, Vision) and retirement package Department: Fishery Science, Genetics Classification: Full-time, Regular, Exempt Location: Hagerman, Idaho Recruitment Period: closing date February 28, 2021 Job Summary: The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking a Genomics Laboratory Specialist with experience in genetics/genomics methods and a strong background in molecular biology and genetics. The position is part of the Fishery Science Department and will be located at the Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station in Hagerman, ID. The employee will work under the Lead Geneticist, in association with CRITFC geneticists and technicians, as well as staff of the Fishery Science Department in Portland, OR. Efforts will focus on developing, maintaining, and trouble-shooting lab protocols to generate empirical data to address questions related

to conservation and recovery of steelhead, Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon, white sturgeon, Pacific lamprey, and other fishes of the Columbia River Basin. This role includes full/partial supervision and coordination of lab technicians and their duties.

Nixyaawii Governance Center

Essential Functions: Specific duties of this position include, but are not limited to: 1. Prepare DNA libraries for next-generation sequencing (e.g., GT-seq and genome resequencing) and provide guidance to lab technicians on these methods.

2. Perform analyses with lab equipment such as sequencers, thermal cyclers, and others.

3. Supervision (full or partial) of lab technicians.

4. Verify data entry is accurate for storage in various databases (e.g., Progeny, FishGen).

5. Design, implement, and ensure QA/QC protocols are completed for genetic/genomic data.

6. Maintain updated protocols and train lab technicians on methods.

7. Test and implement new techniques as needed.

8. Troubleshoot problems that arise with methods and data sets.

9. Communicate effectively with project leaders and coordinate lab activities.

10. Contribute to reports and publications of key scientific results or new methods.

11. Participate in inter-agency workgroups, as necessary.

12. Other duties as assigned and as appropriate to CRITFC goals and purposes.

Minimum Qualifications: The Genomics Laboratory Specialist is required to meet one of the following education criteria: -a Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 2 years’ experience in a related position.

-a Master’s degree plus 1 years’ experience in a related position.

-a Doctorate’s degree in a related field.

In addition, the person must have demonstrated skills in the following areas.

1. Knowledge and experience with current molecular genomics techniques (e.g., GT-seq, whole genome resequencing, Pool-seq, sequence capture, RAD-seq, RNA-seq).

2. Strong skills with common computer software (word processing, spreadsheets, and databases).

3. Familiar with current lab equipment for generating genetic/genomic data including Illumina sequencers.

4. Experience with data/tissue archiving and database management.

5. Ability to research, learn, and develop new lab techniques and protocols.

6. Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining concentration and attention to detail.

7. Ability to design lab tests to troubleshoot problems and develop new methods.

8. Good interpersonal and communication skills to coordinate duties among lab members.

9. Experience with supervision of others in a lab environment and providing annual performance reviews.

10. Physical ability to stand 4-6 hours/day, perform assigned laboratory duties (requires keen motor skills), lift up to 30 pounds. Occasionally will be required to work with toxic, volatile, corrosive chemicals and/or carcinogenic substances with appropriate safety gear.

The following qualifications, although not required, are desirable: 11. Familiar with Linux/Unix operating systems, and competency working with Shell, Bash, Python, and Perl scripts.

12. Knowledge regarding fishes of the Columbia River and western United States.

Supervision Received/Given: The Genomics Laboratory Specialist is supervised by the Lead Geneticist. The Genomics

Read it first!

https://issuu.com/confederatedumatillajournal

January 2021

General Council Meeting

General Council DRAFT Agenda February 18, 2021 – 2:00-4:30 PM VIA Zoom 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Ascertainment of Quorum a. General Council Officers b. Board of Trustees c. General Council Members 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Approval of Executive Summary – December 17, 2020; January 21, 2021 6. Old Business a. Covid-19 Update – Chuck Sams, III; Acting ICT Director b. Food Systems Survey Assessment Report - First Foods & Foods System WG c. Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) – Dave Tovey, NCFS E.D. 7. New Business a. Board of Trustees Secretary Annual Report – Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary 8. Open Mic 9.News/Notes/Announcements a.Raffles b. Announcements c. Next Meeting – March 18, 2021

CTUIR Express Phone Directory CTUIR Switchboard 541-276-3165 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

9A

CUJ Almanac Laboratory Specialist will assist in supervision of technicians and must have the ability to work independently and be an effective team member. This includes coordination of lab duties and communicating well with the Lead Geneticist and Fisheries Geneticists.

Working Conditions: Most of the work is performed in a laboratory or office setting. At times, it will be necessary to participate in field sampling and attend regional meetings, conferences and workshops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a modified telework schedule may be required for Fishery Science personnel; however, an exception may be made (not guaranteed) for this position under a modified in-office schedule following the CRITFC COVID-19 Response Guidance.

Application Process: This recruitment will be used to fill at least one position and to create a list of qualified candidates for future openings, depending on funding.

Note: Hiring preference will be given to qualified members of the four CRITFC member tribes and to qualified enrolled members of other federally recognized Indian tribes and Native Alaskans. Proof of tribal enrollment must be provided with application.

Submit a letter of interest, application, list of at least three professional references, and proof of tribal enrollment, if applicable, to: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Attn: Human Resources 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1200

Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-238-0667 Email: hr@critfc.org

Job Announcement Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is recruiting for the following position: Position: Genomics Laboratory Specialist, FullTime, Regular. New! Location: Hagerman, ID Job Summary: The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking a Genomics Laboratory Specialist with experience in genetics/ genomics methods and a strong background in molecular biology and genetics. The position is part of the Fishery Science Department and will be located at the Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station in Hagerman, ID. The employee will work under the Lead Geneticist, in association with CRITFC geneticists and technicians, as well as staff of the Fishery Science Department in Portland, OR. Efforts will focus on developing, maintaining, and trouble-shooting lab protocols to generate

empirical data to address questions related to conservation and recovery of steelhead, Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon, white sturgeon, Pacific lamprey, and other fishes of the Columbia River Basin. This role includes full/partial supervision and coordination of lab technicians and their duties. Job Requirements/Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: The Genomics Laboratory Specialist is required to meet one of the following education criteria: a Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 2 years’ experience in a related position, Master’s degree plus 1 years’ experience in a related position, or a Doctorate’s degree in a related field. In addition, the person must have demonstrated skills in the following areas. Knowledge and experience with current molecular genomics techniques (e.g., GT-seq, whole genome resequencing, Pool-seq, sequence capture, RAD-seq, RNA-seq).Strong skills with common computer software (word processing, spreadsheets, and databases).Familiar with current lab equipment for generating genetic/genomic data including Illumina sequencers. Experience with data/ tissue archiving and database management. Ability to research, learn, and develop new lab techniques and protocols. Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining concentration and attention to detail.

Ability to design lab tests to troubleshoot problems and develop new methods. Good interpersonal and communication skills to coordinate duties among lab members. Experience with supervision of others in a lab environment and providing annual performance reviews. Physical ability to stand 4-6 hours/day, perform assigned laboratory duties (requires keen motor skills), lift up to 30 pounds. Occasionally will be required to work with toxic, volatile, corrosive chemicals and/or carcinogenic substances with ap-

FOOD DISTRIBUTION CTUIR TRIBAL MEMBERS OTHER FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBAL MEMBERS OR; FAMILIES THAT RESIDE WITHIN THE CTUIR BOUNDARIES

LONGHOUSE PARKING LOT (CARS LINE UP ON CONFEDERATED WAY)

10A

Confederated Umatilla Journal

propriate safety gear. The following qualifications, although not required, are desirable: Familiar with Linux/Unix operating systems, and competency working with Shell, Bash, Python, and Perl scripts.

Knowledge regarding fishes of the Columbia River and western United States.

Starting salary range: $53,529 - $70,490. Closing date: February 28, 2021. Employment application and full job announcement located https://www. critfc.org

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Oregon State University Extension Service Oregon State University and its Extension Service invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term, 12-month, 4-H Youth Development Outreach Program Coordinator position that will be located in Umatilla County, Oregon. To review posting and apply, please visit https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/ postings/97074. Posting #P04126UF. Closing date: 02/22/2021. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.

Limit of TWO Households PER car.

Each family or community member must pick up their own food.

You must remain in your vehicle while picking up the food. Food will only be placed in vehicle trunks or pick-up beds. No exceptions.

Elders may send a representative to pick up food and sign for their household.

We are unable to hold food for individuals and families; it is first come, first serve.

If you have questions, please contact DCFS at 541-429-7300.

BREAD, MILK, HILL’S MEAT BACON, HINES MEAT BEEF ROASTS + MORE! January 2021

Taylor Awarded

Brief

Continued from page 1A

dramatically reducing unnecessary foster care and keeping more children safely at home with their families. Julie even brought members of CTUIR’s Youth Council to Portland to make a presentation to the NICWA Board of Directors.

We love partnering with and learning from Julie, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.”

“Julie is truly a role model for the community,” ICWA Consultant Emily Hawkins said. “Throughout the years she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication, passion and advocacy for improving outcomes for Tribal children, youth and families. Julie leads and empowers her staff to help her community thrive. This award is well deserved for Julie’s commitment. Incredibly proud to walk alongside her in this work and continue to learn from her leadership and partnership.”

Kelsey Burns, the Alcohol & Drug Prevention Education Program Coordinator at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, said Taylor is a huge part of the CTUIR community.

“She has the ability to lead. She is dedicated to the community,” he said.

“Julie has known me basically my whole life. I didn’t get to really work with her until the CTUIR Youth Leadership Summits and Youth Council formed in 2013. She has helped guide not just me, but numerous youth into becoming leaders.

“The work that Julie does for the community will never go unnoticed,” Burns added. “I am thankful for her providing her leadership for the DCFS and for the community as a whole.”

Taylor wanted to recognize her staff, which includes Taylor Jerome, Marla Mayfield, Cristina Ferea, Haley Kannard, Angelica Lopez, and Dionne Bronson. Her DCFS staff includes Kathleen Elliot, Lawanda Bronson, Natasha Herrera, Randy Minthorn, Sam Spino, Calista Winnett, and Alan Crawford.

Bronson, an ICWA Caseworker for DCFS, said Taylor is passionate and creative. “(She uses) the rich resources and unique connections she has built over her lifetime to empower the youth,” Bronson said.

“She wants our youth to have authentic experiences that provide them a foundation of identity, exploration, knowledge

January 2021

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Upholds Oregon’s Denial of Permit

By PowerPastFrackedGas.com

CTUIR member Julie Taylor, third from the left, was named a 2020 Champion for Children by the CWLA. Taylor is the Director of the Tribe’s Department of Children and Family Services. She is seen here with Siddalee Baker, Latis Nowland and Alayna Bevis.

Courtesy Photo

‘Throughout the years, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication, passion and advocacy for improving outcomes for Tribal children, youth and families.’

-Emily Hawkins, ICWA Consultant and service to their people. Leaders such as Julie Taylor provide encouragement, hope, love, and opportunities for our children, understanding there is no better investment.

“She was taught that by her elders and now teaches her value of family and community through her profession and lifestyle,” Bronson added.

Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham also praised Taylor and her staff for their work.

“Julie Taylor has always worked for our children,” she said. “She has cried, smiled and laughed with them in their good and bad times. Julie and her staff in the Department of Family and Children Services work hard to get the wrap around services that our children need. It is wonderful to see

that Julie was nominated by her peers for this important national award.”

Taylor’s background includes earning a Master’s of Social Work degree from Portland State University; she was a former intern with the National Indian Child Welfare Association; she was employed with the National Indian Health Board in Portland; and is a former Board of Trustees member (1997-1999, 2010-2011) who resigned to become the DCFS Director.

From a leadership standpoint, she has served various roles, committees and commissions, including the ICWA Advisory Committee, the Chair of the CTUIR Education Committee, Chair of CTUIR Tribal Employment Rights Office, Co-Chair of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indian Youth Committee, the CTUIR Youth Leadership Council, the Head Start Policy Council, and Nixyaawii Community School Board.

She is Umatilla, Walla Walla, Cayuse and Chippewa. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Chief Clarence Burke and granddaughter of the late Ellen Burke Cowapoo and William “Bill” Johnson. She is the daughter of Marlene Taylor; mother of two children, Jacqueline and Sidney Jones; and grandmother of Brooklyn Jones.

“My family, my mom, children, and sisters, uncles, cousin, and grandchild have been truly with me through this journey with my work and the prayers help all of us everyday!” Taylor said.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 19, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) upheld the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s denial of a key permit for the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline. The Jordan Cove LNG project cannot move forward without a Clean Water Act approval from the state of Oregon.

This is the latest in a series of regulatory losses for Jordan Cove LNG, representing a huge blow to the 15-year-old proposal that has been vehemently opposed by Tribes, impacted landowers, fishermen, climate advocates, and others. The project has also not qualified for other critical state, federal, and local permits needed to move forward.

In its summary of the meeting, FERC wrote: “The order finds that Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector never requested certification with respect to the Commission authorizations for the Jordan Cove Energy Project and that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality could not have waived its authority to issue certification for a request it never received.”

“The FERC decision is very encouraging. It is certainly our hope that Pembina will give up on this devastating project once and for all,” said Chairman Don Gentry of the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Tribes.

“The evidence in the record was clear, FERC had no choice other than to deny Pembina’s request to waive Oregon’s 401 water quality authority,” said impacted Douglas County landower Stacey McLaughlin. “Any approach to seeking approval of its Pacific Connector Pipeline and Jordan Cove Energy Project without proper permits compromises the safety of Oregon’s landowners.”

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Challenging times on the water

COVID-19 Hurting Salmon Market, Creating Risky Conditions for Tribal Fishers

By Dawn Stover of Underscore

The Brigham Fish Market was bustling on a Monday afternoon in November.

Two women shared a meal over beers at an outdoor table overlooking the Columbia River in Cascade Locks. In front of the entrance to the market, a couple dined at a streetside table behind a fish-patterned metal railing. Inside, an older couple pointed out a fresh Chinook salmon fillet in the glass-fronted display, and several people waited for takeout orders in an attractive space decorated with Native American art, blanket samples, and historical fishing photos.

In the kitchen, Terrie Brigham, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation who manages the market, was preparing a smoked-salmon quesadilla and Cajun-seasoned halibut and chips. Brigham’s sister owns the business, which specializes in fresh and smoked fish from the Columbia River, mostly caught by family members.

Brigham says she is “one of the lucky ones.” The market has stayed open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by relying on takeout orders, outdoor seating, and federal relief funding that helped keep employees on the payroll. A second location, called Brigham Fish ’n Chips and located in the new food court of the Wildhorse Casino & Resort outside Pendleton, opened in late September.

The Brigham market is surviving, but the pandemic has been hard on many Native Americans who make their living selling fish from the Columbia.

COVID-19 has devastated the restaurant industry, causing a major downturn in the market for salmon. Meanwhile, the living conditions at tribal fishing sites and villages—long neglected by the federal government—have made it difficult for fishers to practice social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus. One of the lessons learned from the pandemic is that Native American fishers camping or living year-round on the river need better access to health care and other services. With 2020’s relatively long fall season behind them, officials are planning for the possibility that COVID-19 will still be a threat when seasonal fishers return to the Columbia in the spring.

A deadly disease On the 147-mile stretch of the Columbia from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam, the only commercial fishing allowed is by the four Columbia Plateau tribes that signed treaties with the federal government in 1855. The treaties ensure the fishing rights of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Despite those treaties, dwindling salmon runs have forced the tribes to strike a delicate balance between their rights to the salmon, other commercial and recreational fishers, and protecting the environment.

COVID-19 has made salmon fishing, culturally and economically important for the people on this stretch of the Columbia,

12A

ABOVE: Sam George gillnet fishes the Columbia River for salmon in October off the Stanley Rock Treaty Fishing Access Site in Hood River. RIGHT: Terrie Brigham, who manages the Brigham Fish Market in Cascade Locks, serves customers during a busy October day at the market, despite the COVID-19 outbreak. Brigham, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, calls herself “one of the lucky ones.” The market has stayed open during the pandemic by relying on takeout orders, outdoor seating, and federal relief funding that has helped keep employees on the payroll. Brigham’s sister owns the business, which specializes in fresh and smoked fish from the Columbia River, mostly caught by family members.

Leah Nash / Underscore

even more difficult. The outbreak has had a disproportionate impact on tribes. In Oregon, Washington, and a dozen other states, American Indian and Alaska Native people have died at nearly twice the rate of white people.

COVID-19 took from the Yakama Nation two leaders who had long helped protect salmon and fishing rights. In April, tribes mourned the loss of Bobby Begay, a leader at Celilo Village who died at age 51 from complications of the coronavirus.

In July, the Yakama Nation mourned for Johnny Jackson, chief of the Cascade Band of the Yakama, an elder who lived on the bank of the White Salmon River near Underwood, Washington, and was a passionate advocate for the River People of the Columbia Gorge and their abiding connection to salmon. Jackson died after being hospitalized with COVID-19.

Other Native people who fish the Columbia continue to be at risk of contracting the coronavirus. They live and work in conditions that can be crowded at times, and their work brings them into contact with people from around the region. But those challenges did not prevent fishers from participating in the 2020 harvest.

The annual return of salmon to the river

not only connects the four treaty tribes to a way of living that predates their loss of land to white settlers, but also is the primary source of income for many tribal members.

During the fall commercial gillnet fishing season, which ended on Oct. 7, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission staff found itself in pandemicresponse mode.

The commission provides technical assistance to the four Columbia Plateau treaty tribes. This year, CRITFC employees tasked with helping fishers in business development and regulatory compliance also delivered supplies from the Yakama Nation to fishers camped at access sites on the Columbia River. The food, water, toilet paper, and cleaning and school supplies from the Washington-based tribal government was distributed to people along the river to cope with COVID-19.

“When the pandemic hit, people living year-round on the river didn’t have easy access to the health care [available] back on the reservation,” says CRITFC Executive Director Jaime Pinkham, who is Nez Perce. “They were falling through the cracks.”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

The tribes partnered with One Community Health, which operates clinics on both sides of the Columbia River Gorge, to connect fishers with local health care services. Also, says Pinkham, CRITFC and its partners and funders “worked hard to get a medical vehicle to do testing.” That van will now be used to do vaccinations on the river.

“It could have been worse” Treaty-tribe fishers got the go-ahead to fish with gill nets during a three-day summer season that began in late June, and again during the much longer fall season that began in August and ended in early October. The tribes closed the gillnet season after steelheads, an oceangoing form of rainbow trout, came back in greater-than-expected numbers, resulting in a large catch that was approaching the harvest limit. The 2020 runs for Chinook salmon, however, were significantly lower than the 10-year average, although more adult spring and summer Chinook salmon passed through Bonneville Dam this year

COVID Challenges on page 13A

January 2021

Continued from page 12A

than in 2019.

Fishers who use traditional platforms and dip nets, or conventional hook-andline gear, were allowed to continue fishing through the end of the year, for both subsistence and commercial sales. Brigham, whose grandfather fished at Celilo Falls, will continue to sell fish that is caught by family members from scaffolds in Cascade Locks.

Overall, the fishing in 2020 was “not super amazing,” she says. “But it could have been worse.”

Each year, biologists from the four tribes that have traditionally fished in the Columbia River meet with their counterparts from state and federal agencies.

Together, they analyze fish counts and use computer models to make their best guess as to how many fish can be sustainably harvested. After accounting for fish that are needed as hatchery broodstock, or that will be allowed to escape upriver to produce a new generation of wild salmon, they determine how many are available for harvesting.

The individual tribes decide the fishing seasons and regulations for their members. Tribes divide their allocated salmon harvest among three categories: ceremonial use, subsistence, and commercial fishing. Fishers exercising their treaty rights are legally entitled to half the yearly harvest of Columbia River salmon.

Occupational hazards Although Native fishers work outdoors, some of their working and living conditions put them at increased risk of contracting the coronavirus. A typical fishing boat used for gillnet fishing is about 20 feet long and has a crew of four people who may or may not be members of the same household. Fishers are elbow-toelbow while pulling in nets, which makes it impossible to maintain social distance.

While the gillnetting season was open, Brigham limited the size of her crew to reduce the chances of exposure to the coronavirus and to protect her father, who fishes with her. She fished with only her core crew, rather than hiring additional help.

But boats are not the only place where fishers come into close contact.

When the salmon are running, people from across the Pacific Northwest, many of them living on reservations in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, come to the Columbia to fish. Tribal governments urged fishers to start social distancing even before heading to the river, to minimize their contacts with people outside their own households, and to get tested for COVID-19 through tribal clinics.

“People tend to travel from village to village, especially during fishing season,” says Lana Jack, who identifies as Celilo Wyam. Jack lives in Celilo Village and made regular deliveries last year of face masks, hand sanitizer, and other supplies to people at smaller villages along the Columbia.

Broken promises Some Native American fishers live year-round at 31 fishing sites along the Columbia that are reserved for their use; many others join them seasonally. Many people at these sites are living in conditions that are unsafe and unsanitary.

Legislation enacted in December 2019

January 2021

Minnie Goudy gillnet fishes the Columbia River for salmon in October off of the Stanley Rock Treaty Fishing Access Site in Hood River. In 2020, COVID-19 added challenges to harvesting salmon runs that are already lower than average. Lack of demand because of restaurant closures has pushed down prices.

Leah Nash / Underscore

authorized the Secretary of the Interior to assess and improve facilities at fishing sites, but that process is still in the assessment phase. The omnibus spending bill Congress passed shortly before the end of the year set aside $1.5 million for the treaty sites in 2021.

Tribal governments brought in wash stations and additional portable toilets, and they increased janitorial services.

But even at the best-equipped sites, fishers must share facilities such as showers and fish-cleaning stations. They have to crowd around processing tables that are not much bigger than a dining table. The least-developed sites have only pit toilets and no running water. In the fall, the busiest season, hundreds of people fish on the river, and 2020 was no different.

The pandemic also brought new procedures for mask wearing and physical distancing at wholesale and over-thebank sales stations. At the wholesale stations, “fishermen couldn’t get out of their vehicles,” says Brigham. But at overthe-bank stations, where fishers sell their catch directly to customers, not all of the customers took care to wear masks.

The federal government has broken its promises to construct permanent housing for Native American families whose homes along the Columbia were inundated by dam construction. Celilo Village, which is visible from Interstate 84, is the only site where the government has constructed replacement houses for Native Americans since dam construction began in the 1930s.

At sites such as Lone Pine in The Dalles, residents still lack access to basic amenities, including running water, electrical connections, and a sewer system.

It’s not just about building houses, Pinkham says. River communities also need adequate health care and social services, a year-round economy, and schools for their children. “Covid has taught us a lot about the infrastructure for a long-term sustainable community on the river,” he says.

Sales decline Living conditions at camps and villages weren’t the only challenges for fishers coping with COVID-19. Because of the virus, the fall commercial fishing season took place in a radically altered economic environment. In the U.S., about 70% of all seafood is consumed in restaurants, so restaurant closures and restrictions necessitated by the pandemic have had a major impact on the salmon business.

There are two types of customers for Columbia River salmon caught by Native fishers: The majority of the catch is purchased by wholesalers, who in turn sell the fish to higher-end restaurants and grocery stores. The rest is sold “over the bank” directly to the public, either at businesses like the Brigham Fish Market or at small stands near the river in Cascade Locks and other locations along the Columbia River Gorge.

Roughly 75% to 80% of tribal fishers on the Columbia sell to wholesalers. This year, not as many wholesalers showed up to buy fish. Fishers can still sell directly to customers or to small markets like Brigham’s, but that doesn’t make up for the loss of their biggest market.

Additionally, fishers couldn’t apply for coronavirus assistance funding provided by the CARES Act until the commercial fishing season was underway, months after the pandemic began, because appli-

cants were required to provide extensive documentation of their receipts and expenditures—paperwork that many fishers didn’t have.

Sales both to wholesalers and to the public have traditionally been cash transactions, and fishers have paid their crew members in cash. Many of them haven’t kept good records, and this traditional way of doing business has proved to be a problem in the time of COVID-19. Organizations like CRITFC and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission have tried to help fishers quantify the economic impacts of the pandemic on their livelihoods, but the process has been frustrating for those who rely on the informal economy.

Many of these health and economic challenges are continuing into 2021. They come on top of climate forecasts that predict a continued decline in salmon runs.

That won’t stop fishing on the Columbia. As COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out, people who fish the river eagerly await the arrival of the first spring Chinook salmon, which usually happens in early April.

“It’s part of our identity to fish and to eat fish,” says Jeremy FiveCrows, who is Nez Perce and works as a public affairs specialist at CRITFC. “For tribal people, there’s no way to keep them away from the river.”

Fishers clean the day’s salmon catch at the Stanley Rock Treaty Fishing Access Site in Hood River .

Leah Nash / Underscore

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Language and culture bill fails in S.D. PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A proposal to allow four schools that would teach Oceti Sakowin language and culture failed to pass the South Dakota Senate Monday.

The bill’s failure to pass the Senate represented a setback for Native educators and parents who had worked in recent years to start the schools aimed at addressing a disproportionate drop-out rate among Native Americans and what they described as a legacy of ``oppression’’ in government-run schools. A similar proposal passed unanimously in the Senate last year, but failed to clear the House.

The bill faced opposition by groups representing

school districts that said the proposal was in essence charter schools that would drain funds from the districts. They also argued that magnet schools that teach Lakota, Dakota or Nakota language could be created by the school districts.

Several lawmakers who voted against the bill said they applauded the effort to improve education for Native American students, but felt the bill would create problems for existing schools.

But that argument left Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert, the Democrat who brought the proposal, visibly frustrated as it failed.

``When we give them a viable option that we know works, they say, ‘that’s not good enough’,`` he said.

Heinert indicated he may ask the Senate to reconsider the bill, but proponents would have to change the minds of a handful of lawmakers.

Sage Fast Dog, an educator who runs a private school that teaches the Oceti Sakowin curriculum in Mission on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, was frustrated at the defeat, but said he would keep pushing to reshape education. ``We’ll still call out this broken system all the time,’’ he said. ``We’re not done.’’

CTUIR NOTICE TO PURCHASE

Notices to purchase come to the CUJ from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Land Acquisition Program.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CUJ News Nixyaawii Community School to start in-person learning Feb. 22 start date approved by NCS school board

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

MISSION - Nixyaawii Community School students are set to return Feb. 22 after the school board unanimously voted to allow in-person learning.

The hybrid plan is to have students attend two days per week and perform distance learning two more days in an effort to improve attendance and grading.

“The kids are excited,” NCS Principal Ryan Heinrich said. “Once we can get the kids in and reach them, I know we can get some of these kids caught back up and hopefully relieve some of the numbers” concerning grades and attendance.

NCS had a 78.3 attendance rate for distance learning compared to 93.3 percent in-person last year, according to Heinrich.

“Attendance is a huge issue,” he said.

Incompletes are also an issue, Heinrich said, noting 38 students received Fs for Quarter 1. By the end of Quarter 2, 44 students had incompletes.

“Not the best numbers there,” Heinrich said. “Letters were sent home, calls were made, numerous emails, Facebook posts, websites trying to get kids in.”

As of January’s meeting, eight out of 28 seniors had an incomplete. Heinrich believes the school can get 25 to graduate.

He was particularly alarmed with the freshman class, where 10 out of 16 had incompletes.

“We’ll have our work cut out getting them caught up down the road,” he said.

NCS hopes the in-person learning environment will begin to turn those results around, according to Heinrich.

The school’s staff will complete their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by Feb. 9, according to officials.

“Everyone (on staff) will have been vaccinated,” Heinrich said, “and hopefully the (COVID case) numbers continue to decline.”

There is also the logistical challenge of preparing to re-enter the building, according to Heinrich.

“There’s quite a few boxes to check to bring kids back in the building,” he said.

“A lot of it’s based on the physical distancing and cleanliness.”

Mental health on the mind Cindy Cecil, the School Based Mental Health Therapist for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, said there is anxiety surrounding students returning to school.

“That anxiety, however, is overshadowed by the desire to get back to some normalcy in returning to campus, connecting with friends and teachers,” she said.

Cecil said the consensus shows students appear more anxious, as well as increases in depression over the last nine months.

“Given what I just said, there are some students who are thriving from online,

January 2021

‘Once we can get the kids in and reach them, I know we can get some of these kids caught back up and hopefully relieve some of the numbers.’

-Ryan Heinrich, NCS Principal

in-home instruction,” she said. “We will assess these levels as youth return to oncampus learning.

As one of YHTC’s therapists, Cecil acknowledged there has been increased difficulty in connecting with clients.

“It has been difficult as a whole to connect with clients due to lack of in-person interactions,” she said. “We have tried to stay connected via Zoom, telephone calls and letters.”

School board positions open The Nixyaawii Community School (NCS) Board’s bylaws changed to become a five member board, eliminating a sixth position.

Currently, there are two openings: One is for a community member and one for a Tribal member. Applications are available on the school’s website or may be picked up at the school office.

For both positions, the term duration is from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025. Eligibility requirements include being 18 years or older, pass a criminal background check, attend Board meetings on a consistent basis and more. Board member applications will be due on Feb. 19. The Board Election will occur on Mar. 18 and to a swearing in will occur in May.

‘That anxiety (of returning to school) is overshadowed by the desire to get back to some normalcy in returning to campus, connecting with friends and teachers.’

-Cindy Cecil, School Based Mental Health Therapist for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

Outgoing board members include Chair Randall Melton, Vice-Chair Corinne Sams and Andria Scott.

The remaining Board members include Marissa Baugartner, Candice Patrick, and

Sally Kosey, who serves as the Education and Training Committee (ETC) board member.

For more information, visit the NCS website.

Graduation rates released The Oregon Department of Education released the 2019-20 graduation rates for all public schools in Oregon, on Jan. 20.

Nixyaawii Community School had a slight increase of 4.17 percent this academic year to reach a 79.17 percent graduation rate.

Pendleton High School had a slight increase of 1.04 percent to move to 90.36 percent.

Pilot Rock High School saw an increase of 12.5 percent, bringing the school to 87.5 percent.

For more information on graduation rates in Umatilla County, visit www. oregon.gov.

Sports update Heinrich was approved unanimously by the school board as the NCS Athletic Director.

He noted traditional fall sports -- including volleyball, football and crosscountry -- will begin practicing with in-person learning occurring.

Volleyball players will be required to wear masks, Heinrich said.

“It will be a month before they play a game, with hopefully a limited number in the gym,” Heinrich said. “Hopefully the student athletes may not have to wear masks, but it’s not looking like it. There will be no fans in the gym for volleyball.”

For the first time ever, the football team will do a co-op with Pendleton High School, Heinrich said. There are talks within the Oregon School Activities Association of playing 7-on-7 football, Heinrich said.

In cross-country, the OSAA is considering having staggered starts of 10 runners.

As far as the post-season goes, Heinrich said there will be a culminating week which is the traditional state championship week.

“Schools can opt into it or play a regular season game that week,” he said.

Basketball is up in the air, Heinrich said.

But if played, he said the school would likely opt into the postseason if it made it.

Megan Van Pelt contributed to this report.

DO THIS IF you hear the following codes while visiting Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center ...

CODE BLUE -- Medical Emergency Stay clear of the area where the emergency is happening

CODE RED -- Evacuation or Fire Calmly make your way to the nearest exit and walk to the far end of the parking lot

CODE GREY -- Aggressive Individual Stay clear of the area, tribal police will assist In all clinical and hospital settings there are codes for different emergencies. These codes are used to alert staff and visitors of the situation. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center has codes for everything from a medical emergency, to child abduction, fire, and more. And while there are a number of other codes that could be called, blue, red and gray are the ones we want to make sure you’re aware of to help ensure your safety and the safety of everyone in the clinic.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

15A

ARE YOU 16 OR OLDER?

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center is moving into the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination and is beginning to vaccinate more people.

During the month of December and into January, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center gave the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers, first responders and CTUIR elders over the age of 55. The clinic is moving into the next phase of vaccinating and is beginning to vaccinate others. IF YOU ARE A TRIBAL ELDER AND HAVE NOT HAD YOUR VACCINATION, please call us (541) 240-8733 and we will schedule you right away.

Am I eligible to be vaccinated?

To get your COVID-19 vaccine at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, YOU MUST BE 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER and be a CTUIR member or Yellowhawk-eligible.

How is my vaccination appointment scheduled?

Call (541) 240-8733 to schedule your appointments. Your second vaccination shot is scheduled for approximately 21-days after first vaccination shot. Leave a message indicating that you are calling to schedule your vaccination appointment, speak clearly and state your name and leave a good callback number.

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Vaccine Appointment Line (541) 240-8733 Clinic Appointments (541) 966-9830 16A

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Court upholds key ruling against Dakota Access pipeline

By Dalton Walker of Indian Country Today

A federal appeals court has upheld a key ruling against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The U.S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a ruling Tuesday upholding a federal court’s decision that revoked a key pipeline permit and required a more extensive environmental study. The ruling does not require the pipeline to shut down or be emptied of oil.

The ruling is the latest move in an ongoing fight over the controversial pipeline that tribes and water protectors have been against for years. It comes just days after four Lakota tribes called on President Joe Biden to take action on the pipeline.

Biden revoked the permit of another controversial pipeline, the Keystone XL, on his first day in office.

The nonprofit EarthJustice issued a news release on Tuesday hailing “yet another victory to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,” and quoting Chairman Mike Faith.

“We are pleased that the D.C. Circuit affirmed the necessity of a full environmental review, and we look forward to showing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers why this pipeline is too dangerous to operate,” Faith said.

The ruling stated: “We agree with the district court that the Corps acted unlawfully, and we affirm the court’s order vacating the easement while the Corps prepares an environmental impact statement.”

The Dakota Access Pipeline spans hundreds of miles from North Dakota to Illinois and crosses under the Missouri River on unceded ancestral land near Standing Rock.

In 2016, opponents set up what became known as the “Oceti Sakowin Camp,” which served as a base for Native and non-Native water protectors who came to demonstrate from around the world.

“Today we’ve reached another milestone in our four-year legal battle on behalf of the Standing Rock Sioux to shut down this pipeline,” Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman said in a statement.

“This decision affirms what the Tribe has been saying from the start — this pipeline is a threat to clean water and Indigenous sovereignty, and we must examine the consequences it brings for the future.”

EarthJustice said Dakota Access should not be allowed to operate until the Corps decides after its review whether to reissue a federal permit granting easement for the pipeline to cross beneath Lake Oahe.

The group said Biden has the discretion to shut down the pipeline.

“The appeals court put the ball squarely in the court of the Biden administration to take action,” Hasselman said. “And I mean shutting the pipeline down until this environmental review is completed.”

The Lakota People’s Law Project has created a petition directed at Biden to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, meanwhile, said the court was right to reject the shutdown, and he wants Biden to stay out of it.

“The Army Corps of Engineers should be allowed to proceed as they are with-

January 2021

out political interference from the Biden administration,” Cramer said. “This is not another opportunity to wage war on North Dakota’s energy producers.”

The Obama administration originally rejected permits for the project, and the Corps prepared to conduct a full environmental review. In February 2017, after President Donald Trump took office, the agency scrapped the review and granted permits, concluding that running the pipeline under the Missouri River posed no significant environmental issues.

A man holds a child on top of a road block during a peaceful protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota on Sept. 2, 2016.

Indian Country Today

CardioVascular Disease is the leading cause of death in American Indians and Alaskan Natives coro nary hear t

ack t t a t r hea

ase e s l di a t ni e g con

con ges tive

fail ure

DISEASE The greatest risk factor for developing CVD is diabetes

5 ways you can help reduce your chances of developing CVD and diabetes 1. Get least 20 to 25 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day: Walk at a 3 to 4 miles-per-hour pace Play soccer or basketball Shovel snow at a fast, consistent pace 2. Maintain a healthy weight and watch your waist: Adult men should aim for a waist circumference under 40 inches An adult, non-pregnant woman, 35 inches or less 3. Keep your LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and albuminuria in check: Eat your veggies, especially the green, leafy ones Reduce intake of animal proteins and try plant-based options 4. Don’t smoke 5. Reduce exposure to foods and other elements with high levels of lead, iron, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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CUJ News February sees small surge in COVID cases Six new cases suddenly emerge; hundreds will receive first shot soon

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

MISSION - Despite more than 320 community members having received both Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations, a small surge occurred as February began.

Six positive cases out of 10 tests were reported at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on Tuesday, Feb. 2, reflecting testing that occurred on Monday, Feb. 1.

“This past week we had an increase in positive cases at the clinic,” Yellowhawk CEO Lisa Guzman said. “With that being said, it’s important people remember to stay diligent and keep taking precautions.

Even after you’re vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands often.

“We cannot stress that enough.”

Yellowhawk has received 2,050 doses of the coronavirus vaccine thus far. By the end of February, officials expected 1,025

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are shown in the lamprey cooler used to store them at appropriate temperatures.

CUJ Photo / Megan Van Pelt

people will be fully vaccinated.

As of Feb. 2, 327 were fully vaccinated, and 150 were scheduled to receive their first dose. As of Feb. 1, 935 doses were left. There is no definitive date for receiv-

ing more doses, officials said.

Yellowhawk followed CDC guidelines to determine eligibility, starting with elders 75 and over; Health Center staff and CTUIR first responders; then elders

65 and over, officials said.

“Then down the line from there,” the hospital said in a statement to the CUJ. At one point, Tribal members and Yellowhawk-eligible patients 16 and older began receiving shots.

The vaccination plan is currently in Phase 3, according to officials.

“Overall the vaccination process has been smooth,” said Nursing Supervisor Shana Alexander. “Sure, there’s been pressure and we are strained just like every hospital and clinic throughout the country, but we’ve worked together and have been extremely organized in our efforts to get everyone vaccinated.”

Medical Director Dr. James Winde stated the distribution process has been well executed by Yellowhawk staff.

“We have not wasted one dose,” he said. “The vaccination clinic is set up so people maintain a proper distance from others with eight people scheduled every 15 minutes. After they get their vaccination, patients are required to stay for observation to make sure they don’t have any adverse side effects.”

YELLOWHAWK Diabetes Prevention Program

Joining a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that a CDC-recognized program can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and up to 71 percent for people aged 60 and older. With the support from your lifestyle coaches, you will learn how to make lasting behavior changes that may improve your overall health.

BUILD HEALTHY HABITS

EXERCISE OFTEN

WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU JOIN THE PROGRAM Classes are led by trained lifestyle coaches who will guide and encourage you CDC-approved curriculum Learn skills needed to lose weight, become physically active, and manage stress Gain support from other participants with similar goals and challenges Year-long follow up and support

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT

MAKE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

PROGRAM AND CLASS DETAILS Zoom classes begin this March* Attend class using a computer** or smart phone from home or anywhere you have a high-speed internet connection available Classes run weekly, 5 to 6 p.m.

The program is open to all Yellowhawk patients 18 years of age and older, and their support system *The exact start date will be announced soon. **Accommodations are available if you do not have access to these items

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER Chelsey Minthorn | (541) 240-8443 | chelseyminthorn@yellowhawk.org Dusty Dressler | (541) 240-8524 | dustydressler@yellowhawk.org

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

February 1 - 28

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January 2021

Wahleah Johns, Diné, has been selected to run the U.S. Office of Indian Energy Programs and Policy.

Courtesy Photo

Diné woman selected to run Energy program

By Joaqlin Estus of Indian Country Today

A Diné woman who knows what it’s like to live without electricity and has fought for solar energy for her people has been selected to head the U.S. Office of Indian Energy Programs and Policy.

She’ll be taking over a program that the Trump administration nearly brought to its knees by cutting its budget by twothirds.

Wahleah Johns is co-founder and director of Native Renewables, a company that brings solar energies to Native American homes and trains Navajo solar installers. She’s also been a community organizer and advocate for water protection, and economic and environmental justice. She’s chairwoman of the Navajo Green Economy Commission.

Johns grew up on and near the Navajo reservation, where about 15 percent of homes lack piped water and 10 percent lack electricity. Water and energy became core issues for her.

In a May New York Times op-ed Johns wrote, “How is it that the Navajo Nation borders 80 miles of the Colorado River and doesn’t have access to one drop of water? How can it be that coal and water from Navajo lands helped create electricity for Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, and yet 15,000 families on the reservation don’t have power?

“Our tribal government was formed in 1923 with the express purpose of completing a business transaction to sign oil lease agreements with Standard Oil,” Johns wrote. “This was the beginning of a system in which corporations could make billions pillaging our homelands for uranium, coal, oil and gas deposits, leaving our groundwater contaminated and our people sickened with uranium radiation exposure, lung disease, asthma and cancer.”

Without power lines, families on the reservation rely on batteries and gas

Confederated Umatilla Journal

‘I feel honored for my nomination to serve in the Biden-Harris administration...’

-Wahleah Johns

generators. She said families can pay anywhere from roughly $150 to $700 a month just on fuels, depending on the season.

“And usually in the winter, it’s more.”

Johns will be taking over an office that sustained a 64 percent budget cut. The Office of Indian Energy’s 2020 budget was $22 million. The Trump administration requested only $8 million for its 2021 budget.

The Indian Energy website reports “infrastructure development in Indian Country is limited due to limited funding and financing, inadequate infrastructure, limited technical capacity and a complicated legal and regulatory structure governing Indian lands.”

The office has a staff of seven people, with three in Washington, D.C., and two each in Golden, Colorado, and Anchorage, Alaska. To provide services to the nation’s 574 tribes, the office works to: -Promote Indian tribal energy development, efficiency and use -Reduce or stabilize Indian tribal energy costs -Strengthen Indian tribal energy infrastructure -Electrify Indian land, housing and businesses.

“I feel honored for my nomination to serve in the Biden-Harris administration as the Director of Indian Energy at DOE. As the original caretakers of this land, I believe Tribes can lead the way to solving our climate crisis and building a regenerative and clean energy future,” Johns said in a Tweet.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Sports & News

Section

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

B

February 2021

Payment approved Multi-entity payout includes Cayuse Holdings dividends

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

‘Check’ it out

Happy Canyon and the Pendleton Round-Up awarded the CTUIR with a $25,000 Let’er Buck Cares check. BOT members Shawna Gavin and Boots Pond (center left and right) received the check. Half of the funds were for CTUIR youth scholarships, and half to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center for its work for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mikal Wright / Courtesy

BOT chair testifies for bill to replace statue Bill would replace statue of Marcus Whitman with late tribal rights icon

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham was one of many tribal leaders from the Pacific Northwest to testify in the Washington House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations to support the replacement of a U.S. Capitol statue of Marcus Whitman with one of the late Native American leader Billy Frank, Jr. The statue of Whitman has been on display since 1949 at National Statuary Hall.

Rep. Debra Lekanoff, a Tlingit tribal member and Democrat from Skagit Valley, proposed House Bill 1372.

“He was a great leader. He was a man who could pull many of us together, even though there were times we disagreed,”

Billy Frank Jr.

Brigham said. “He was able to sit us down and talk about how we need to be working together.

“He made us think about the future, about our children’s children, and how we need to protect our tribal treaty rights. So he was brave in that. All of us loved him and the work he did.”

Frank, a Nisqually Tribal leader and

national Indian rights advocate, passed away in 2014 at the age of 83. He was posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama.

“One of the things I loved about him as well was he was able to get doors open.

When he got doors open, he just didn’t walk in the door himself,” Brigham said.

“He brought other tribes with him to say, ‘We’re here to talk about our treaty rights.

We’re here to work together.’ ... He went to jail to protect those treaty rights.”

States are allowed to have two statues at the capitol.

Lekanoff noted the replacement would modernize the state’s representation.

“The bill before you today is really a time of healing for Washington state,” she said. “It’s a time of recognition of the first Washingtonians and of the first Americans. Being able to provide a pathway for Billy Frank Jr. to tell his story, to share our Washington story of who we are as a people.”

President Biden selects another Native American to serve in the Administration as Dine tribe’s Arlando Teller joins U.S. Department of Transportation.

Story begins on 4B

January 2021

MISSION – After just a few years in operation, Cayuse Holdings reached a point of success where dividends could be shared with Tribal members.

The $250,000 dividend translates to $19.82 per person, but combined with other sources — including Gaming ($650.25), Arrowhead/Mission Market ($198.96) and NOAA Fisheries ($34.98) — each CTUIR member will receive $904.01

by Feb. 28.

“We are proud to contribute a portion of Cayuse’s earnings to our owner, CTUIR,” Cayuse Board Chair Cisco Minthorn said. “Our growth in the past two years is now being realized and we are hopeful to contribute more next year and into the future.”

The payment is 25 percent of a profit share with the CTUIR. The remaining 75 percent will go to Tribal government services and business opportunities, according to the release.

“While this contribution may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to the Tribe’s larger enterprises, it is a significant sign that the Board of Trustees’ decision in 2018 was a good move,” Cayuse Chief Executive Officer Billy Nerenberg said. “They authorized changes that would spur the growth of Cayuse and today we can proudly help support the CTUIR tribal government and community.”

Cayuse Holdings was created in 2018 to strategically and formally expand Cayuse Technologies into a multi-company structure. At that time, the CTUIR Board of Trustees decided to expand Cayuse into the government contracting field and also to acquire Native Hawaiian Veterans, a small business with several years of experience in performing work for the federal government.

Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham Cayuse on page 4B

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center holds ribbon-cutting ceremony at CTUIR sober transition house in Mission.

Photos begin on 11B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

1B

Briefs Shawna Gavin re-elected secretary for NPAIHB

Allen Keeps Progressing

By Jill-Marie Gavin for the CUJ

MISSION - Shawna Gavin, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s Health Commission Chair, was re-elected as Treasurer for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) Executive Committee.

Gavin has served on the NPAIHB Executive Committee since 2011 when she was elected as the Sergeant of Arms Gavin until 2013.

She began her work on the Yellowhawk Health Commission when she was appointed by the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in 2005.

She was first elected as the Health Commission Chair in 2007 and was selected as the NPAIHB Executive Committee delegate for CTUIR shortly thereafter.

This is her seventh year serving in her role as treasurer, her first term began when she was elected as an officer 2013.

During her years on the Executive Committee Gavin said she has been honored to work with many great leaders from regional tribes and hopes to continue bringing forth meaningful advances in Indigenous health systems in the years to come.

Previous NPAIHB Executive Committee Chair, Colville Tribal Business Councilman Andy Joseph Jr., spoke highly of Gavin and the CTUIR members who have represented on the committee.

“I have worked with Shawna for a number of years on the Health Board.

I may be biased towards Umatillas, as I am a descendent from there, but she has represented the Board well. The Umatilla Tribe always has strong representation and Shawna has brought many good words and input for as long as she has served," Joseph said.

Joseph served on the NPAIHB Executive Committee as chair for several years but ended his tenure when he was not re-elected at Colville. He has since been re-elected and currently serves on the Business Council.

The newest Executive Director for NPAIHB, Laura Platero, has been working with Gavin for years and is excited to welcome her back as officer for yet another year.

"Shawna's perspective, cultural values, and deliberation on important issues impacting Northwest Tribes are valued by all.

As the new ED, I’ve been supported by her focus on fiscal matters. I appreciate her passion for ensuring that our Executive Committee and all of our delegates receive the financial information they need to ensure we fulfill our fiduciary responsibility. I would be remiss if I failed to mention General Councilwoman Gavin’s sense of humor that has a way of bringing levity to discussions and connecting us all. I look forward to working with her in the next two years as she continues in her role as NPAIHB Treasurer," Platero said.

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The season is coming to an end in March for Polpharma Starogard Gdanski, the Polish basketball team featuring CTUIR member Trevon Allen (center) as its leading scorer.

Allen has started all 24 games, averaging 19.4 points per game. The team, with a 5-19 record, has five remaining games, according to its online schedule. The lengthy professional season started in late October.

Courtesy Photo

bluecc.edu/DualCredit Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Winter H ops

Ira Toledo plays ‘around the world’ with friends Lucus Arellanes and Kenen Ganuelas at Grecian Heights Park in Pendleton on Saturday, Jan. 30.

Wil Phinney / For the CUJ

Study: 75 percent of Natives would get COVID-19 vaccine

By Joaqlin Estus of Indian Country Today

American Indians and Alaska Natives are willing to get vaccinated at rates above the national average to prevent COVID-19 — despite safety concerns about the vaccines.

Many are motivated by a desire to protect their community.

That’s according to the first national study of Native American and Alaska Native attitudes toward, knowledge of and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines.

The Urban Indian Health Institute posed 49 questions in an online survey between Dec. 11 and Dec. 30, 2020. It received responses from 1,435 American Indians and Alaska Natives in 46 states and representing 318 tribal affiliations.

The Seattle-based tribal epidemiological center issued the results Thursday.

The institute said the goal was to gather information such as individuals’ willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and hurdles they face in accessing healthcare and resources.

The survey found that 75 percent of the American Indian and Alaska Native participants would be willing to get vaccinated. A different study shows 64 percent of the U.S. general population is willing to get the shots.

However, 75 percent of the respon-

January 2021

dents were also concerned about potential side effects.

“Willingness to receive a vaccine and hesitancy are not mutually exclusive,” said Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk, Pawnee and Athabascan. “Fear and distrust of government and medical systems still exists in our community, which are hurdles that we have to overcome.”

The study notes “…historic distrust, rooted in the legacy of colonialism, genocide, and medical experimentation may contribute to vaccine hesitancy.”

“The data indicates that most Native people willing to be vaccinated feel it is their responsibility for the health of their community,” Echo-Hawk said. “This shows what motivates our community when it comes to decision-making.”

Other key findings: 74 percent of participants said getting vaccinated is their responsibility to their community 72 percent of participants wanted evidence of the vaccine’s current and long-term safety “This data will be important to all organizations conducting COVID-19 vaccine education efforts,” Echo-Hawk said. “Native communities have unique challenges and needs that usually are not considered in public health campaigns.”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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applauded the company’s hard work.

“They did it with careful budget planning in 2020, even though there was a pandemic,” she said in a Feb. 2 release.

Cayuse noted that prior to the holding company formation and expansion it had been generating $13 to $15 million in annual revenue. Since adding several new subsidiaries and conducting government contracting, the earnings have grown to $38 million in 2020.

In order to accept the dividend, the CTUIR amended the Enterprise Distribution Plan (EDP) to include a distribution payout from Cayuse Holdings.

In addition to the EDP, the Tribes negotiated a payout from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to offset fishing opportunities lost to Tribal members age 18 and over in 2020 because of COVID. “For those Tribal Members who have Credit Program Loans, Arrowhead/ Mission Market, NOAA Fisheries, and Cayuse payments will not be applied to your loans," officials said.

Board named PENDLETON - Cayuse Holdings, LLC announces the election of its chair and other positions for 2021. Cisco Minthorn was elected as Chair of the eight-member Board of Directors, with Shlomo Bibas as Vice Chair, Sandra Sampson as Treasurer and Hank Humphrey as Secretary.

Other members of the Cayuse Board are Chuck Sams, Leo Stewart, Monte Hong and Chief Executive Officer Billy Nerenberg.

Cisco Minthorn is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and has served on the Cayuse Board since November of 2019.

He works as Senior Director of Government Relations and Minthorn Senior Counsel for Intel Corporation and resides in the Washington DC

By Aliyah Chavez of Indian Country Today

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metro area. Minthorn also has worked for the US Department of Commerce as an Obama Administration appointee, for the US House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Shlomo Bibas was elected to another term a Vice Chair after serving in 2019 and 2020 in that same role. He works for Celestica, serving as Senior Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer. Prior to that, he served as Bibas Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Chief Information Officer for Apotex.

He has nearly 30 years of experience in information technology management, business transformation and operations.

Sandra Sampson was elected to serve a second year as the Cayuse Board Treasurer for 2021. She also serves as Treasurer of the CTUIR Board of Trustees, to which she was elected in November 2019.

Sampson is a CTUIR enrolled member and is experienced in working with Tribes, Sampson State, and Federal government in the health services field, including managed care contracting.

Hank Humphreys was elected to the Board Secretary position. Humphreys joined the Cayuse Board in June, 2020 and currently works as Global Channel Chief / VP for Algolia. He brings a wealth of technology experience to Cayuse with his previous Humpheys work for companies such as Workiva, Dropbox, Google, IBM, and BEA Systems.

Teller joins Biden’s transportation team

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Former Arizona state Representative Arlando Teller, Diné, has been selected as a key member of President Joe Biden’s transportation team.

He will serve as the deputy assistant secretary for tribal affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation, the agency announced this week.

“I am really grateful for this opportunity, but know that I’m not doing this alone,” Teller said. “There are mothers across many tribal nations that are hoping I listen to them and heed their concerns about school bus routes, bridges, and the airports that fly community members in and out of rural communities throughout America.”

Teller says part of his work will

Confederated Umatilla Journal

be assuring that the transportation issues of tribal nations are heard, as well as advocating for funding.

“I am very excited and extremely honored,” he added.

Teller resigned from his office as a Teller state representative in Arizona on Sunday after just being elected to a second term in November's election.

He has previously worked for the Navajo Division of Transportation, California’s transportation department and the city of Phoenix aviation department.

Teller will serve in the department with Pete Buttigieg.

January 2021

Gift Card

Women and Men (over 18) & Elders

Family Violence Services is expanding services to victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse and sex trafficking in the community. We invite participants to help inform us what a supportive systems response should look like.  A contracted facilitator is conducting 1 to 1.5 hour one-on-one telephone interviews through March 18, 2021.  Age specific focus groups will be conducted March 16-18, 2021 if Covid-19 restrictions lift.

If you are interested, please call Desireé Coyote @ 541240-4170 to schedule an interview time.

January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Herd on the Hillside

This herd of elk was spotted on the west side of Interstate 84 about three to four miles from Wildhorse Resort & Casino in late January.

Wil Phinney / For the CUJ

Brief Campbell named Office of Indian Education Director

By Megan Van Pelt of the CUJ

SALEM - Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde enrolled member April Campbell has been named Director of the Oregon Office of Indian Education.

Campbell’s new position entails working with the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon and up-holding the state laws regarding government to government relationships. Overall, Campbell is tasked with building and sustaining relationships between tribal entities and the state.

And having over 20 years working in Indian Education, Campbell has an extensive background collaborating with tribal governments.

“I gained a lot of experience working for my own tribe, the key takeaways for Campbell me was the lack of awareness around Indian Education,” says Campbell.

Campbell was instrumental in developing Senate Bill 13, which requires all school districts to implement a K-12 Native American Curriculum across Oregon.

Next CUJ Publish Date: March 4

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Questions? Call Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center (541) 240-8436 and ask for Shoshoni Walker.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

First-Ever International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards name nominees Snotty Nose Rez Kids garner four nominations

By Native News Online

The first-ever International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Show has its list of nominees.

The two-day virtual celebration will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 22 and 23. Winners will be chosen by the public through an online vote on the award show’s website.

Haisla Nation duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids lead the way with four nominations, including hip hop single of the year for “Where They At” and album of the year for “Born Deadly.”

Apsáalooke rapper Supaman from Crow Agency, Mont., is also nominated for hip hop album of the year for “Illuminatives,” which released in 2018.

Nominees were chosen by a group of music judges, as well as DJs, producers and other professionals in the music industry. The two-day event will include a virtual hip hop trade show and convention, which organizers say aims “to increase the national and international exposure of Indigenous urban arts performers and small businesses through live music engagement and educational conferences.”

The awards show will feature Indigenous performers from throughout

Former Mashpee Wampanoag chair facing charges

By Indian Country Today

The former chairman of a Massachusetts tribe is seeking to dismiss some of the federal bribery and extortion charges he’s facing over the tribe’s longplanned casino project.

Cedric Cromwell served as chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag from 2009 until his November arrest. He filed a motion last week to dismiss three bribery counts. Cromwell also said in the filing he reserves the right to file a separate motion to dismiss a number of extortion charges he faces.

Cromwell’s attorney, Timothy Flaherty, noted he is optimistic the arguments presented in the motion will be successful.

“The issues presented in our Motion To Dismiss the Indictment are cutting edge in the First circuit, and we look forward to presenting very persuasive arguments in support of Chairman Cromwell,” Flaherty said.

Federal prosecutors say Cromwell used his position as chairman to extort tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaged in a conspiracy with DeQuattro to commit bribery.

January 2021

Canada and the United States, including Diné hip hop artist Def-i. The Albuquerque rapper, emcee and producer also earned a nomination in the album of the year category for “Deserted Oceans.”

The public vote runs until April 30.

Award judges include Rex Smallboy, Miss Christie Lee, Chino XL, Blahzay

Blahzay, Jon C, and Masta Ace. Twenty-four performers are lined up for the show from all across the world.

RIGHT: The Snotty Nose Rez Kids received four nominations for the first-ever International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards in May. Voting has begun and runs through April.

Courtesy photo

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Arizona tribe asks MLB to delay spring training

By The Associated Press

A tribe in Arizona that hosts two Major League Baseball teams during spring training has asked for a delay in the start of the season due to coronavirus concerns.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Scottsdale, Arizona, eight Arizona communities and the Cactus League made a request in a letter dated Jan. 22 to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. The letter was co-signed by the mayors of Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise, Glendale, Goodyear and Peoria, as well as representatives from Phoenix and Salt River President Martin Harvier.

MLB said in a statement that it "will continue to consult with public health authorities, medical experts, and the Players Association whether any schedule modifications to the announced start of Spring Training and the Championship Season should be made in light of

the current COVID-19 environment to ensure the safety of the players, coaches, umpires, MLB employees and other game day personnel in a sport that plays every day.�

Arizona is averaging just under 7,000 new coronavirus cases per day, but the Cactus League cited data in its letter from the University of Washington's Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation projecting a sharp decline in infections by midMarch, down to as few as 3,072 daily.

Spring camps are set to open the week of Feb. 15, and spring training games usually take place throughout March.

The Cactus League hosts 15 MLB clubs.

Salt River owns Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, a ballpark home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies during spring training. The ballpark, which sits on the western edge of the reservation, opened in 2011 and Baseball Digest named it the top spring training ballpark of the decade in 2019.

We’re celebrating 26 years!

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 8pm Bring your friends, family, lawn chairs and blankets!

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Enrolled CTUIR member Briana Spencer was a speaker for the Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) Arts & Culture Series on Jan. 28. Nolan Bylenga, former candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives, joined Spencer to discuss their approach to planning a protest -- specifically to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest that occurred in Pendleton on Aug. 29. Around 40 participants attended via Zoom. This free event was open to the general public and coordinated by BMCC English Instructor and Arts & Culture Committee member Shaindel Beers.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Feathers ruffled

On the eastern edge of the Umatilla Indian Reservation near Meacham Creek, a small group of turkeys were not excited to see Wil Phinney / For the CUJ an approaching photographer.

   

A bald eagle sat on the hillside and enjoyed the sunshine on a mid-January day up in Dallas Dick / For the CUJ Meacham Creek.

Birthdays:

6th: Roger Harrison and Andrew Tewawina 7th: Jim Marsh, Deana Crane and Aaron Quaempts 8th: Norma McKenzie 9th: Emily Oatman and Grey Orna 10th: Eli Azure 11th: Kiya Frost 12th: Desirae Askins 15th: Phyllis Simmons 20th: Curtis Lindsay 21st: JoAnn Stewart 23rd: Lola Rodriguez 28th: Karen Frank

Anniversaries:

11th: Tom & Michelle Brigham

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January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Climate Adaptation Plan webinar series continues

By Megan Van Pelt of the CUJ

MISSION - Third in its series, the Climate Adaptation Plan on Climate and Fish virtual event occurred on Jan. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The event was coordinated by Colleen Sanders, the Climate Adaptation Planner for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

To start off, Board of Trustees (BOT) Vice-Chairman Jeremy Wolf gave an opening invocation. Wolf quoted Chief Tauitau or Young Chief from the 1885 Treaty Council.

To start the climate and fish conversation, Gary James gave a presentation on the salmon habitat and population restoration. He has over 39 years of experience working in the DNR Fisheries Program.

“It’s important to understand the general status of Columbia River salmon, if we got climate change coming we’ve already been dealt a difficult hand” says James.

James covered fish passage, instream flow enhancement, floodplain restoration and hatchery fish reintroduction.

James ended the presentation with the success, such as major instream flow increases, significant floodplain enhancement in five sub-basins and an increase of harvest opportunities.

To follow up, Jerimiah Bonifer, an assistant project leader in DNR, spoke on climate change impacts to salmon and the Umatilla Basin.

“I hope to lend something to the climate change discussion, I am going to talk about climate change to salmon distribution and survival specifically within the Umatilla basin” says Bonifer.

Bonifer covered potential impacts to Umatilla River aquatic First Foods, increase of water temperatures, and mitigating climate change.

Aaron Jackson of DNR Fisheries Pacific Lamprey Research and Restoration followed Bonifer.

Jackson covered everything “lamprey” such monitoring migration, passage, larval surveys and outmigration.

“The CTUIR lamprey project goal is to restore natural production of pacific lamprey in the Umatilla, Grande Ronde, Tuccannon and Walla Walla Rivers to self-sustaining and harvestable levels” says Jackson.

Then came a discussion on lamprey restoration and monitoring by Donna Nez, a project technician who works with mussel restoration.

“Our DNR mission statement is to protect, restore, and enhance the First Foods -- water, salmon, deer,

and huckleberry -- for the perpetual cultural, economic and sovereignty of the CTUIR,” said Nez. Nez covered overall background on mussels, habitat, how climate change affects the mussel community and more.

“The overall objective is to design a recovery plan for mussels in the Umatilla River and other Columbia River watersheds where mussels are declining or extinct” said Nez. Toward the end, Bud Herrera of the CTUIR Fish & Wildlife Commission and Jeremy Wolf spoke on treaty rights issues and tribal fishermans’ observations.

Herrera shared images of “being a fisherman on the river full-time.” He showed pictures of scaffolds, the difference in fish sizes over years, First Foods during a pandemic, and dry shack for salmon hanging.

“There is a lot that we are seeing down there (on the river) with the temperature changes in the water, the upwelling, size of fish difference and the firmness of the fish” says Herrera.

For more information or to view the recording of the webinar, visit the Climate Adaptation Plan Webinar Archive on ctuir.org.

Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters to hold Open House

By Megan Van Pelt of the CUJ

MISSION - The Cay-UmaWa Toastmasters club is offering public speaking and leadership courses in February.

A virtual open house is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 24.

This event is offered via zoom and will include door prizes for attendees.

Toastmasters is an organization that empowers individuals to become effective communicators and leaders. With over 357,000 members, Toastmasters has been helping leaders since 1924, according to a notice sent to CTUIR employees.

For more information, contact Leigh Pinkham-Johnston at (541) 215-2724.

TAMÁSTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE | EAT. SHOP. EXPLORE. | FEBRUARY 2021 Ínwai Circle of Friends

Five Free Months!

When you sign up to become a member of our Ínwai Circle of Friends, your membership will extend through June 2022! Enjoy benefits like free admission, discounts in the store and café, and free regular admissions to our cultural partners: Oregon Historical Society, North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, and Fort Walla Walla. Just go to www.tamastslikt.org/get-involved/membership/ and select the membership level that suits you best. You may also write Virginia.conner@tamastslikt.org or call 541.429.7706 to sign up or request a brochure.

The Museum Store at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

30% Off Winter Apparel!

All Month We still have some cold days ahead so this is a great time to take advantage of our 30% off sale. You’ll be able to bundle up in warm jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, and more! Order online at www.tamastslikt.org/shop (shipping is free!) or come by the store. We’re open 11am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. COVID-19 protocols are in place with masks and social distancing required. *Offer may not be combined with any other discounts/offers.

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February Weekly Specials!

February 5, Free First Friday: Indian Tacos, Frybread & Huckleberry Jam February 9-13: Bacon & Avocado Pasta Salad February 16-20: Tri-Tip BBQ Sandwich w/chips February 23-27: Caramel Pecan Rolls Take-out only. Call in your order to 541.429.7702 and we’ll have it ready for pick up!

February Hours We’re open Tuesday-Saturday weekly. On FREE First Friday, February 5, you can treat yourself to Indian Tacos ($10) or Frybread and Huckleberry jam ($6). Kinship Café is open 11am-2pm for take-out. The Museum Store is open 11am-4pm.

Please note, COVID-19 protocols are in place with masks and social distancing required.

Museum Store Open Tues-Sat, 11am-4pm

Kinship Café Open Tues-Sat, 11am-2pm | Exhibits are closed Pendleton, OR | www.tamastslikt.org | 541.429.7700 TCI-383_february_CUJ2.indd 1

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9.8” x 7”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

1/20/21 1:31 PM

January 2021

v

Sober Transition House Opening

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured (from left to right) Sheryl Duran, Shawna Gavin (General Council Secretary), Kat Brigham (BOT Chair), Shayne Arndt, Lisa Guzman (Yellowhawk CEO), and Vivian Sohappy.

“Tribal members will be whole and healthy because of everyone working here,” said Shawna Gavin, General Council Secretary and Health Commission Chair.

The Sober Transition House, located near the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) office, will be used for Yellowhawk patients struggling with substance abuse.

CUJ Photos / Megan Van Pelt

Celebrating our Employees

Congratulations to our January Employees of the Month:

Dancers took part in a past Blue Mountain Community College Pow Wow. This year, it will be held virtually for the first time on March 27 via Zoom.

Courtesy BMCC

BMCC announces virtual pow wow in March

By Megan Van Pelt of the CUJ

PENDLETON - The Blue Mountain Community College Native American Club (BMCC-NAC) is planning a Virtual Pow Wow during spring break on March 27. With the help of local Tribal members, including Kelsey Burns, the club is aiming to attract remote participants.

Traditionally, the annual BMCC Pow Wow is held in the McCrae Activity Center. However, due to COVID-19 and restrictions, students are not doing events

January 2021

on campus.

“We are excited to host our very first virtual pow wow. We would like to offer multiple options in which dancers can submit their video. We are still planning everything but wanted to get the word out this is happening in March during spring break in case dancers need time to sew moccasins or work on projects” says BMCC-NAC Advisor Annie Smith.

Questions about the even can be sent to Smith at asmith@bluecc.edu.

Melissa Nathan

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Support Team

Join our team! We have dozens of jobs open each month, including: Customer Service Agent (remote, must live in Oregon), Administrative Support Specialist, Budget Analyst, Helpdesk Agent, Project Management Office Analyst, Software Developer.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

+1 541 278 8200 | www.cayuseholdings.com

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Young Diné COVID survivor full of ‘I love yous’ 4-year-old Stella faces big challenges ahead, but that didn’t stop her from winning over the hearts of caretakers

By Aliyah Chavez of Indian Country Today

Health care workers clapped their hands and held signs. Others cheered behind their masks.

The celebration this week was spurred by 4-year-old Stella, a Diné COVID-19 survivor, who was able to leave the University of New Mexico Hospital for the first time in eight months.

“To be honest with you … I have not seen a child leaving with a big ceremony like this. She was the first,” said Dr. Senan Hadid, who was one of Stella’s doctors.

While Stella made a full recovery from the virus itself, the kind-hearted young girl is expected to live with complications from her infection for many years to come.

Stella now has a condition called acute transverse myelitis, which has left her paralyzed.

The condition happens when the immune system attacks the spinal cord as a reaction to an infection. In this case, it happened as a reaction to a coronavirus infection.

In addition, Stella recently lost her father, Stanford Martin, who was also Navajo, to COVID-19.

Her mother, Cassandra Yazzie, says in April, Stella ran up to her saying her back was hurting. Then Stella’s body went limp.

The child was quickly driven to a local hospital but had to be airlifted nearly 200 miles away to Albuquerque for more immediate medical attention.

Stella is a little girl who loves Baby Yoda, “Star Wars” and unicorns. During her time in the hospital, she even frequently reminded her nurses that she loves them.

“She tells everybody she loves them,” her mother said. “You could be the meanest person in the world, but she’ll break you down and say, ‘I love you.’”

Now her family is one of many across Indian Country whose lives have been changed from the dangerous virus.

Stella’s father, who passed away last year, is among nearly a thousand Navajo citizens who have died, according to data from the nation.

Cassandra Yazzie says the care her daughter received at the University of New Mexico Hospital was “very, very good.”

The facility is New Mexico’s only dedicated children’s hospital, treating more than 60,000 kids each year.

The care Stella received was intensive and included neurology, immunology and cardiology teams, her doctor said.

It also included care for her emotional well-being because it left Stella “deeply saddened” to wake up and realize she no longer had mobility.

“We tried our best, not only with the medical part of things, but with entertain-

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Stella, 4. is a COVID-19 survivor from the Diné Tribe who has rare symptoms that led to her paralyzation. She was in the hospital for eight months and has a condition called acute transverse myelitis.

Courtesy photo

‘Whatever is out there, we’re still gonna be positive.

She’s only four years old, and she’s inspired so many people already.’

-Cassandra Yazzie Mother of 4-year-old Stella

ing and interacting with her,” Hadid said.

Nurses and staff kept her busy by bringing her toys, games and even an iPad so she could listen to songs from her favorite movie: “Frozen.”

Stella even made friends in the chil-

dren’s hospital, her mom remembers. She would frequently say hello to another patient who walked past her room. One day, she gave him a bracelet.

This spirit is what made the hospital staff very fond of Stella.

“She felt like a child to me, like my own child, not a patient anymore,” Hadid said. When the time came for Stella to go home, he had the honor of pushing her in her wheelchair to the elevator.

“I would say half the staff from the UNM pediatrics department were there on that day. They were so happy to see her getting out of here finally.”

Stella’s mom says she hopes her daughter gets up, “starts walking and proves everybody wrong.”

“Whatever is out there, we’re still gonna be positive,” Yazzie said. “She’s only four years old, and she’s inspired so many people already.”

Her mother has set up an Instagram account for Stella to document her journey.

Her advice for other parents is to be really cautious with their kids.

“COVID is not a joke … and it does affect kids in so many different ways,” Yazzie said. “And even if COVID wasn’t going on, cherish your kids. They are very, very precious. That’s what my dad always told us.”

Hadid advises everyone to follow the precautions set out by health officials, including properly wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing and traveling only for absolute emergencies.

He added that Stella is a patient he will remember, leaving her with a message: “Stay strong and come back only to visit us. You’re not allowed to get sick again.”

CONGRATS! Congratulations to all thirteen participants in the first ever Virtual Youth Financial Education and Entrepreneurship class! These young people completed five sessions of the Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) financial education classes. In partnership with ONABEN Real Change, they also participated in three sessions of youth entrepreneurship. The group went on to open an online Facebook shopping experience just in time for the holidays. Fantastic job, everyone! Watch for more exciting options to become savvy money managers and successful entrepreneurs!

For more information, contact Raven Manta at raven.manta@wildhorseresort.com or call 541.966.1920.

www.wildhorsebds.com/nixyaawii-community-financial-services Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) is a developing Native Community Development Financial Institution loan fund that provides loans, home ownership assistance, business development services, youth and adult financial education to members of the Umatilla Confederated Tribes, Reservation residents, and Tribal employees.

9.8 x 9 Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Tribal webinar focuses on restoration efforts

By Megan Van Pelt of the CUJ

MISSION - The fourth webinar of the Climate Adaptation Plan virtual series called “Climate & Big Game” took place on Jan. 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Coordinated by Colleen Sanders, CTUIR Climate Adaptation Planner, the primary focus was on the Tribe’s restoration efforts tied to First Foods including fish and game.

The opening prayer was provided by Ken Hall who is the chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

First to present was Carl Scheeler, Program Manager of the Wildlife Program, Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Scheeler presentation was on “Men’s Food Wildlife.”

Scheeler spoke on habitat conservation, restoration, and implications of climate change to big game species.

Dr. Scott Peckham, a Big Game Ecologist in the DNR Wildlife program gave a presentation on Big Game Nutrition and Migration Impacts from Climate Change.

Peckham started his presentation with the potential effects of a changing climate on the elk population. He also went into detail about the relationships between big game populations and the biophysical environment.

“Our research (DNR Wildlife) showed variability in elk migration dates and summer home range size – likely a response to climate and phenology, among other environmental factors” says Peckham.

Peckham communicated that the best course of action is to improve the quality and effectiveness of existing habitat using a targeted approach.

“We need to continue to do the research and monitoring climate change effects on wildlife” says Peckham.

Biology/Fire Ecologist, Lindsay Chiono talked about Forest Habitat Management for Forage.

Chiono spoke on the frequent fires in the Blue Mountains, how large scale trees are key factors of big fires and the overall concept of “Epidemic of Trees” credited to Paul Hesburgh.

“So when I think about climate change, I think about it as a factor that’s going to be intensifying the force forest health challenges that we’re already seeing the earlier snowmelt and the lower snow packs” says Chiono. She continued to note that early snowmelt could potentially reduce soil moisture.

Cheryl Shippentower, Restoration Ecologist spoke on Invasive Plant Species. Her presentation included invasive weed impacts on native plants, climate change and the CTUIR approach to invasive weed management.

“I want to define what an invasive weed is. It’s a plant that causes economic loss and ecological damage that creates health problems for both human and animals and is undesirable” says Shippentower.

“Climate change and invasive weeds are the leading threat to ecosystems, biodiversity and ecosystems services” says Shippentower. She continued to talk about range shift, the movement of species towards the north and upward in elevation. Increased stress to native species and ecosystem and climate change

January 2021

Ken Hall, of the Fish & Wildlife Commission, gives invocation at the fourth webinar of the Climate Adaptation Plan, Jan. 22.

may aid invasive weeds by decreasing native plant communities resistance.”

Towards the end, Shippentower discussed ways CTUIR has addressed invasive weeds with the changing climate. In 2018, DNR Wildlife developed an invasive weed measure plan for the reservation to manage invasive weeds.

Ken Hall told personal stories to inform the audience about his hunting

experience. Then Jeremy Wolf followed with a discussion about hunting buffalo.

And to finish up, Corrine Sams shared thoughts on climate change, “We certainly know climate change will shift both the timing and location of our first foods and our responsibility to protect, preserve, conserve and enhance our treaty rights will heavily

Microsoft Teams Screenshot

rely on the climate adaptation plan and the First Foods policy moving forward.”

Sams concluded by quoting a Young Chief who spoke at the 1855 Treaty Council.

Lastly the discussion was open for attendees and speakers.

For more information or to view the recording, visit the Climate Adaptation Plan webinar archive at ctuir.org.

SMALL BUSINESS START-UP presented by Nixyaawii Community Financial Services

Tuesdays, February 16 - April 20 | 6pm-9pm Enjoy the convenience of Zoom classes while learning how to launch your small business successfully!

The Oregon Native Enterprise Program (ONE) is a unique business development course led by Native entrepreneurs working here in Oregon. Each of the eight workshops begins with their own story, and these stories drive the program. Each offers personal and professional insights into the work of launching and running a business as a Native entrepreneur.

The course is FREE! Pre-registration is required at https://wildhorsebds.com/classes/course-schedule/ and limited to 12 participants. A Gmail account is required prior to class start (easy and free). Contact Raven Manta at raven.manta@wildhorseresort.com or call 541.966.1920.

Sponsored by Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC).

www.wildhorsebds.com/nixyaawii-community-financial-services Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) is a developing Native Community Development Financial Institution loan fund that provides loans, home ownership assistance, business development services, youth and adult financial education to members of the Umatilla Confederated Tribes, Reservation residents, and Tribal employees.

NCFS-03_start_up_workshop2.indd 1

9.8 x 9 Confederated Umatilla Journal

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1/21/21 12:01 PM

Searching for snow

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The almost full moon breaking over the snow on the trees and snow that has melted on Meacham Creek on Jan 23, 2021.

Photos by Wil Phinney (right) and Dallas Dick

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

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Friday | 4PM / Sunday 2PM A mixture of Acid Rock, Classic Rock, and Heavy Metal - with Tim!

Tuesday - Thursday 12PM Mix it up W/ Lily! It's all in the title!

RJevitaN raeB-C Thursday | 11AM The Modern & Traditional sounds of Hawaii with Uncle Phil!

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Thursday | 6PM & Sunday 9AM A spiritual journey of contemporary native music from around the world - with Marlene!

KCUW Radio is switching radio frequencies this Spring! Soon we will be broadcasting from 104.1FM! Stay tuned to the airwaves & the KCUW website, FB/Twitter pages for exact date

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Wednesday 11AM / Friday 11AM Jam packed with local events and PSAs plus emphasis on addiction, recovery, and as well as honoring our Veterans - With Cindy!

Tuesday | 11AM BOT Members Jill-Marie Gavin & Boots Pond talk about current events & issues within the CTUIR & the nation!

Friday 7PM | The ultimate rewind of Classic Rock, Blues, and Old School Soul spanning three decades — 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with Mike!

Friday 9AM | Topics For Familes!

Brent & Katherine present information on different educational topics for parents, guardians, and family members.

January 2021

Weekdays 3PM | An eclectic mix of music ranging from Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock, Alternative, Oldies & more with Jazz!

Wildhorse Resort & Casino Oregon East Symphony Oregon State University E-Campus Rural Roots Rising CHI St. Anthony's Yellowhawk Behavioral Health 2020 US CENSUS Native Public Media

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Haaland wears skirt made by Choctaw teen to inauguration 19-year-old crafter was surprised to see her work on TV

The dress, made by Crow designer Della Bighair-Stump of Hardin, Mont., now sits in the “Girlhood” exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Museum staff contacted Cornell after her prom and asked her if she’d be willing to donate it.

“I donated it to the Smithsonian for the sole purpose of raising awareness of what’s going on right now,” she said.

Cornell, who says she’s been involved in advocacy work for Native communities since she was a child, said that Haaland’s nomination represents hope for the future for Indian Country.

“For so long, Indigenous people haven’t had enough representation in policy work and in the media, and in pretty much every field you can think about,” she said. “And sometimes the representation that we have had isn’t always entirely accurate for us. So I think this is a huge step in the right direction for us as a people. It makes me proud to be Indigenous whenever I see people like (Haaland) doing good work for our community. It just makes me really hopeful for the future.”

By Jenna Kunze of Native News Online

When 19-year-old Bella Aiukli Cornell (Choctaw Nation) began sewing about four years ago, she couldn’t have anticipated that one of her traditional ribbon skirts would be broadcast on televisions across the world from the Presidential Inauguration.

Cornell, who introduced herself over the phone in her tribe’s Choctaw language, gifted a handmade ribbon skirt to New Mexican Rep. Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) back in 2019 during the congresswoman’s visit to Cornell’s hometown in Oklahoma City.

Cornell Haaland was selected by President Joe Biden to serve as Secretary of the Interior. Once confirmed by the Senate, she’ll be the first Native American to serve in a cabinet position in the history of the United States.

Last week, Cornell saw the congresswoman wearing that same skirt on national television. Haaland wore the garb, along with traditional moccasins, to usher in the new president.

“I was so surprised,” Cornell said. “I wasn’t expecting her to wear it. I was really excited and really happy. It made me proud.”

Ribbon skirts originated with Plains Indian Tribes, when ribbon was bartered through trade. Cornell’s own tribe has a similar design, called a Stomp Skirt, that uses less ribbon, and instead has a ruffle at the bottom.

Cornell, a psychology major with a minor in Native American studies at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, said the skirt’s design can be interpreted in a lot of different ways.

The pattern was yellow, like the New Mexican flag, and was embroidered with a cross hatching design.

“Some say it looks like stars, some say it looks like the four directions,” Cornell said. Some of it was intentional, she said, but she’s also experimenting.

“I’m just kind of having fun with it and looking around me, like the world and stuff, to find colors because there’s inspiration in just about everything.”

Cornell sells her handmade skirts on Instagram through her brand Aiukli Designs. She limits the skirts to Indigenous customers only, to avoid cultural appropriation, but sells beaded earrings to any interested buyer.

For Cornell, this isn’t the first time Indigenous fashion has garnered her national attention. In 2018, Teen Vogue featured her in an article for her statement red prom dress bringing awareness to the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The U.S. Department of Justice found that American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average.

January 2021

LEFT: Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), wore a ribbon skirt made by Choctaw teen Bella Cornell, who was surprised to find her work on national television.

Courtesy photo

DID YOU KNOW? The Cayuse, whose original language is known to linguists as Waiilatpuan, lived: “..south of and between the Nez Perces and Wallah-Wallahs, extending from the Des Chutes or Wawanui river to the eastern side of the Blue Mountains. It [their country] is almost entirely in Oregon, a small part only, upon the upper Wallah-Wallah river, lying within Washington Territory.”

From ctuir.org/brief-history-of-ctuir

Confederated Umatilla Journal

17B

CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes Date: January 4, 2021 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Full quorum present.

Old Business: a. Staggering Terms for Election Commission by Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary. Memo was reviewed as to the changes to the positions of Election Commission terms being staggered to be consistent with the Election Commission By-laws for the following changes: G.C. 1.Roberta Kipp – Dec. 31, 2022 BOT 2 Bob Shippentower – Dec. 31, 2024 G.C. 3.Michelle Thompson - Dec. 31, 2022 BOT 4 Tami Rochelle - Dec. 31, 2024 G.C. 5 Margaret Shoeships– Dec. 31, 2022 BOT 6 Jessica Lavadour - Dec. 31, 2024 G.C. 7 Roberta Wilson- Dec. 31, 2022 BOT 8 Pam V.J. Peterson - Dec. 31, 2024 MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to accept the recommended term changes to the Election Commission terms for the staggered positions, four General terms ending December 31, 2022 and BOT terms ending December 31, 2024. Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

New Business: Resolution number is 21-001: Topic: Land Protection Planning Commission By-laws Update. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves and adopts the attached revised Land Protection Planning Commission By-Laws; MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-001. Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Resolution 21-002: Topic: CTUIR Coordinated Human Services Public Transportation Plan Update.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves and adopts the updated 2020 CTUIR Coordinated Human Services Public Transportation Plan attached as Exhibit 1; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 21-002. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Resolution 21-003: Topic: Kayak Public Transit Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the revisions to the Kayak Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Zero Tolerance Drug Policy attached as Exhibit 1.

MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-003. Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Resolution 21-004: Topic: 2021 Indian Housing Plan. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the Housing Department 2021 Indian Housing Plan (attached as exhibit 1) and authorizes the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to sign the required certifications for the Indian Housing Plan IHP; RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees directs the Executive Director and Housing Department to submit the attached 2021 Indian Housing Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-004 as amended. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Resolution 20-005: Topic: Lucky 7 Housing and Upgrade Project. RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves the revised Project Budget for the Lucky 7 Housing Upgrades Project (Project) as shown in the Project Budget attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C; RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby transfers from the Housing Development Services Account the amount under the Budget Modification column of the Project Budget attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes its Chair and the Executive Director to take such further action and execute documents needed to implement this Resolution or needed to complete the Project as authorized and funded by Board of Trustees action; MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21005. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 8-0-0.

BOT Travel Reports. Deferred- Eight from Kat Brigham who requested reports to be included in Minutes: 1. 11/17/20 call with John Hairston, BPA. 2. 11/18/20 WA 31st Annual Accord.

3. 11/20/20 Oregon Tribes and Governor.

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CTUIR Government 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 Interim Executive Director: Charles Sams III 4. 12/01/20 Oregon Tribal Summit.

5. 12/02/20 WFLC meeting.

6. 12/09/20 Biden and Harris transition panel.

7. 12/15 BPA December Update with John Hairston, BPA. 8. 12/16 three Chairs work session with Siletz Tribe and CTUIR via zoom.

BOT Leave and Travel Requests. None.

Date: January 11, 2021 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Armand Minthorn, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Jill-Marie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Full quorum present.

Old Business: Polled Yellowhawk Letter. January 4, 2021 Official Polled Action regarding Support letter for the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations for a no-cost 20 year IHS Out lease Agreement that is recommended by the Health Commission. Poll vote was Yes -8; No -0 and Abstain -0.

New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 21-006: Topic: Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations 20 Year IHS Out-lease Agreement RESOLVED, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation grants permission to the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations Executive Director, Rebecca Crocker to negotiate and to enter into an out-lease for Federally owned land from the Indian Health Service on which the new facility will be constructed under such terms and conditions that the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations will negotiate with the Indian Health Services. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 21-006 as amended. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 8-0-0. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to ratify Yellowhawk letter.

Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Other Board Action: None.

BOT Travel report (2): 1. Corinne Sams, 1/6 conference call to provide statement on behalf of CTUIR for the launch of the

Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act becoming law.

2. Kat Brigham, 1/8 at 3 PM Zoom meeting with Governor and OR Tribes on gaming.

MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to approve travel reports. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7-0-0. Jill-Marie stepped out of meeting.

BOT Leave and Travel Request: (4): 1. Jeremy Wolf, polled for 1/8 Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP) Webinar from 1-3 PM. 2. Corinne Sams, polled for 1/6 virtual speaking engagement at ORICWA from 9AM- noon.

3. Sandy Sampson, 1/12 virtual meeting on Tribal Climate Change from 10AM-1:30 PM. 4. Kat Brigham, 1/13 Four Chairs meeting at WRC which starts at 12:30 PM MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to approve four leave requests. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Date: January 25, 2021 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Armand Minthorn, Member on personal leave until 9:50 AM; and JillMarie Gavin, Member on travel; Quorum present.

Old Business: Polled Board Action 02-002: Thornhollow Bridge letter. Approved by vote of 8-0-0.

Letter dated January 13, 2021 co-signed by CTUIR BOT Chair Brigham and Umatilla County Commissioner Chair Murdock was sent to Sen. Wyden, Sen. Merkley and Rep. Bentz regarding restoration of the Thornhollow Bridge.

Polled Board Action 02-003: Land Buy Back Program. Approved by vote of 8-0-0. BOT is interested in exploring and starting the process for a 3rd Land Buy Back program at CTUIR. New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 21-007: Resolution 21-007: Topic: STIF Plan Adoption. RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees approves the proposed Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Plan attached as Exhibit 1, and staff to submit the Plan to the Oregon Transportation Commission for review and approval; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 21-007. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Resolution 21-008: Topic: Pandemic Preparedness Building Budget Amendment. RESOLVED the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Pandemic

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Preparedness Building Project budget modification attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C and appropriates funds from the CARES Act contingency fund for these purposes; RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes it Chair and Executive Director to execute the documents and to take such further action as may be required to carry out the purposes of this Resolution and to complete the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project; RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project budget modification attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C and appropriates funds from the CARES Act contingency fund for these purposes; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes it’s Chair and Executive Director to execute the documents and to take such further action as may be required to carry out the purposes of this Resolution and to complete the Pandemic Preparedness Building Project; AND, that said Resolution has not been modified, amended or repealed and is still in full force and effect. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 21-008. Sally Kosey seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Other Board Action: Commission/Committee Update and Appointments by Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary.

Cultural Resources Committee, two vacancies with one application from Lorena Thompson.

Check to see if LOC can move their day and time.

Corinne Sams said can check but thought was to check which CC she prefers and not change meeting schedule.

Commission/Committee Update and Appointments by Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary .Cultural Resources Committee, two vacancies with one application from Lorena Thompson. Check to see if LOC can move their day and time. Corinne Sams said can check but thought was to check which CC she prefers and not change meeting schedule.

MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to appoint Lorena Thompson by acclimation to CRC for two year term ending January 3, 2023 pending scheduling conflict being worked out. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 6-0-0.

CTUIR Cultural Coalition (CCC), four vacancies with one application from Kelsey Burns. MOTION: Boots Pond moves to appoint Kelsey Burns by acclimation to CCC for two year term ending February 1, 2023. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Health Commission, one vacancy with three applications from Kathleen Elliott, Linda Sampson and Susan Shoeships. ACTION: by secret ballot Kathleen Elliott was selected to serve on the Health Commission for staggered term ending December 4, 2024.

Housing Commission, one vacancy with one application from Kelly Long. Kelly withdrew her application and will re-advertise the position.

Land Acquisition Committee, one vacancy with one application from Iosefa Taula. MOTION: Boots Pond moves to appoint Iosefa Taula by acclimation to Land Acquisition Committee for two year term ending February 4, 2023. Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Land Protection Planning Commission, one

Happy 20th Birthday Mari!

Love, Your Short Mile Family

January 2021

CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes vacancy with one application from Brian Startzel Holt. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to appoint Brian Startzel Holt by acclimation to Land Protection Planning Commission for three year term ending February 1, 2024. Lindsey Watchman seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Law and Order Committee, one vacancy with two applications from Lorena Thompson and Roberta Wilson. ACTION: by secret ballot Lorena Thompson was appointed to Law and Order Committee for two year term ending February 1, 2023.

Nixyáawii Community Services Board CDFI, one vacancy with one application from Roberta Conner.

MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to reappoint Roberta Conner to CDFI for two year term ending December 1, 2022. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

TERO Commission, one vacancy with one application from Kelly Long. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to appoint Kelly Long to TERO Commission for two year term ending filling a vacant term ending November 4, 2021. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0.

Terms expiring: Talia McLaughlin, Credit Board and Sandra Alexander, STC. Continue advertising for: Credit Board, 1- for 3 year term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues. @ noon.

CTUIR Culture Coalition, 3 - for 2 year terms, meets 1st & 3rd Tues. @ 1:30 PM. Cultural Resource. 1- 2 year term, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday 1:30 PM Farm Committee, 1- for 2 year term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues. @ 2:30 PM. Housing Commission, 1- for a 3 year term ending, meets the 1st & 3rd Tues. at 1:30 PM Land Acquisition, 1- to complete term on 9/3/21, meets 1st & 3rd Tues. @ 9 AM. Land Protection Planning, alternate for 3 year term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues. @ 2 PM. Science & Technology, 2 - for 2 year term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues. @ 2 PM. All applications due Tues. Feb. 16 by 4 PM with BOT WS on Fri. Feb. 19 at 8:30 AM with action and appointments on Mon. Feb. 22.

BOT Travel report: Reports (4): Kat Brigham three reports: 1. 1/13 Zoom meeting with 3 Chairs and Governor Brown meeting.

2. 1/19 Conference call with Mr. McClanahan on CTUIR Land Buy Back.

3. 1/19 Conference call monthly discussion with John Harrison, BPA Administrator.

Sandra Sampson, 1/21 Zoom meeting on BIA Budget Formulation for 2023. BOT had no objections to any of the recommendations from the four trip reports.

BOT Leave and Travel Requests: 1. Jeremy Wolf submitted six travel requests.

A. 1/25/21 Mill Creek Coalition Video Conference 3-5PM, B. 1/28-29/21 CRITFC Monthly Meeting 8:30AM12PM, C. 2/25-26/21 CRITFC Monthly Meeting Video Conference 8:30-12PM D. 3/18-19. CRITFC Monthly Meeting 8:30AM12PM, E. 1/22/21 Climate Adaptation Plan Webinar 1-3PM. F. Personal Leave 1:30-2:30PM2.

Sandy Sampson 1/13 SB770 Meeting 9:00 AM -12:30 PM Center for Nations and Waterfront Sandy Sampson 1/13 SB770 Meeting 9:00 AM -12:30 PM 6. Sandra Sampson submitted four requests.

A. 1/13/21 Personal Leave 2-3PM, B. 1/20/21 Personal Leave 10:30-4:00PM C. 1/26/21 Personal Leave 7:30 AM-4:00 PM D. 2/17/21 Personal Leave 7:30 AM -4:30 PM Kat Brigham submitted two travel request.

A. 1/26/21 ATNI Zoom 8AM-6PM, B. 1/28/21 BIA Federal Tribal Conference Call 11AM-12PM 1. Boots Pond submitted one personal leave request 1/21/21 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. 2. Corinne Sams submitted two leave requests: A. Personal 1/15/21 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM B. Travel Leave 1/22/21 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. 1. Jill-Marie Gavin submitted one polled request.

1/12/21 Personal Leave 1:00 PM-4:00 PM MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to ratify polled requests and approve leave requests. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

January 2021

CTUIR LANGUAGE LESSON Imatalamłaamí Sɨń wit

Weyiiletpuutímt

English

čmáakʷ c̓ i tkʷátat

qem̓ešwéekuˀš

chocolate

xɨt́ way

láwtiiwaa

friend

tɨmnákni sɨń wit

c̓ íiqinim tim̓íne

talking heart

c̓ í tɨmnáy

cicyúk̓ iš tim̓íne

sweetheart

inmí k̓ úłi

ˀíim šúˀum

my pet

Ímnamwa inmí.

Wekúˀ ˀíinim.

Be mine.

Wáx ̣pank ináy!

Wak̓ álpim!

Hug me!

P̓ úxsank ináy!

Him̓kacaakim!

Kiss me!

Átawišamaš.

ˀéhétewiše ˀimené.

I love you.

Ayáyani Tɨmná Łk̓ ʷí!

ˀéey̓šnin̓ Héetewitnim Léeheyn!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Confederated Umatilla Journal

19B

541-276-5121

2801 St. Anthony Way Pendleton

Chazz Webb, tribal elder and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, who received his vaccine on December 19th at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center.

PICTURED:

20B

Thank you for taking the vaccine to help protect our communities from COVID-19.

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021