January 2021 CUJ

Ode to a fallen Chief: Jesse Jones’ fascinating life recounted following his December passing.

Historic First: Presidentelect Biden selects Congresswoman Deb Haaland as Head of Interior. Tribal leaders react.

Story begins on 4A

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

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Volume 29, Issue 1

COVID-19 vaccine arrives CTUIR receives 300 doses; next round to include 55-plus with underlying symptoms

By Megan Van Pelt & Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

The Pfizer vaccine reached the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on Dec. 17. The 300 doses were administered at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, starting on Dec. 19.

CUJPhoto/MeganVanPelt

‘Indian-uity’ Ingenuity with lamprey freezer keeps vaccines at appropriate temperature MISSION - Collaboration between departments at the CTUIR is not uncommon.

But when a deadly COVID-19 pandemic is involved and a potential so-

lution is a 700-pound lamprey freezer to store lifesaving vaccines, you’ll be hard-pressed to find such a unique situation nationwide. Its -75-degree capabilities make it ideal to hold the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

“You wouldn’t expect to use a freez-

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

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

er for fish to store life saving medicine for our people and our community,” said Department of Natural Resources’ Aaron Jackson, who heads the Tribe’s lamprey project.

DNR lent the freezer to Yellowhawk

MISSION - “Didn’t even feel it,” CTUIR elder Chazz Webb said with a laugh after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 19.

Webb was among the first 300 Tribal and community members vaccinated at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. His wife was hesitant about him receiving it, he said.

She “came along, which was good,” Webb told the CUJ. “It’s something you got to do. ... This stuff (the COVID-19 pandemic) is getting goofy out here. The best thing to do is get it.”

Umatilla County had 5,863 cases, including 57 deaths as of Dec. 4, including 10 active cases on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, according to Incident Command Director Chuck Sams.

“Incident Command is concerned about the spread that is happening in Umatilla County,” Sams said. “Umatilla County charted over 150 cases on January 1st, with another 100 cases over the weekend.”

Also receiving the vaccine was Board of Trustees

Indian-uity on page 19A

Year in Review

Vaccine arrives on page 18A

Remembering 2020: CUJ staff recount a year that included a coronavirus pandemic and flooding.

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

CUJ News Tribal med student Danni Dearing shines at UND opportunity to ask the guest speakers questions at the end. Registered participants who engage with the discussion, or submit input via email/voicemail will be entered in a raffle.

For more information and registration, contact Colleen Sanders at ColleenSanders@ctuir.org or call 541-429-7247.

Phone Conference ID: 204 932 049; call in (audio only): +1 321-754-9526

By The CUJ GRAND FORKS, N.D. – CTUIR Tribal member Danni Dearing, a second-year student by the University of North Dakota’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was recognized by We Are Healers, a social media page highlighting Native Americans in medicine.

The 24-year-old Dearing held an informational online session Nov. 4, where she shared her story and answered questions.

“It was such an honor to be a part of the event,” Dearing said. “Native students interested in medicine would send in questions and I answered them all in real time. It meant a lot to be able to pass down my own advice.”

Mentoring is an important aspect, according to Dearing, who first graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

“I still rely very heavily on the mentorship of the Natives in medicine around me, so it was nice to be able to start to do my part for the next generation,” she said, noting she is a member of the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) Program.

Becoming a doctor will allow Dearing to achieve her goal of serving the Tribal community someday, she said.

“I grew up getting care at Yellowhawk and I had a new provider every few years or so,” she said. “While I love and appreciate Yellowhawk for all that they do, I knew I could be the one to break the cycle of physicians coming and leaving.”

Dearing is the daughter of Chris and Angie Dearing. She attended WestonMcEwen High School in Athena.

According to its website, We Are Healers seeks to increase the number of American Indian health professionals who provide culturally appropriate care.

Happy Canyon Princesses continue to second year PENDLETON - Due to Coronavirus, 2020 Pendleton Round Up and Happy Canyon was canceled for the first time since World War II. Luckily, the Happy Canyon Princesses were given the opportunity to continue into the next year.

Clarise Huesties, enrolled Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and Mary Rivera enrolled Little

Nixyaawii Community Financial Services awards $250,000

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation member Danni Dearing was part of a ‘We Are Healers’ social media event that highlighted Native Americans in Medicine. Dearing, who attended Weston McEwen High School in Athena, is the daughter of Chris and Angie Dearing.

Courtesy Danni Dearing

Shell Tribes of the Chippewa Indians, will be the Happy Canyon Princess of 2021.

In an interview in September 2020, Huesties and Rivera expressed how they are looking forward to 2021.

“I’m so excited,” Huesties said. “It’s exciting to think I get to do this again, especially since I was not able to do anything this year. I am really excited to see what I get to do next year.”

“It feels great. Even though I was bummed out to miss this year I am super grateful to continue next year,” Rivera said. “And I’m grateful to have Clarise continue with me too. I’m ready to start.”

Climate & Big Game Webinar MISSION - The fourth webinar in a series geared toward development of a CTUIR Climate Adaptation Plan is taking place on Friday, Jan. 22 from 1-3 p.m.

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

and is titled, “Climate and Big Game”.

Starting with an opening prayer and introductions, this webinar is jam-packed with guest speakers and a raffle opportunity. A Microsoft Team link is required to attend the meeting, but there is a call option available.

After introductions, Carl Scheeler and Scott Peckham of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Program will speak on Big Game and Migration/ Disease & Insect Vector Issues. Then, Forage and Invasive Species Issues will be discussed by Cheryl Shippentower, DNR Range/Ag/Forestry Program and Lindsay Chiono, DNR Wildlife Program.

The last presentation is on Hunting and Treaty Right Issues, by Board of Trustees (BOT) Vice-Chairman Jeremy Wolf, BOT Member Corrine Sams, and Ken Hall, Fish & Wildlife Commission.

There will be an open discussion and

MISSION – Nearly 40 Tribal memberand locally-owned businesses received grants totaling $250,000 this month from Nixyaawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) to aid in recovery efforts. In November, the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation allocated monies from CARES Act funding to NCFS to support local businesses, artists and artisans, and contractors through the challenges caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. By December 18, the full amount had been awarded to 38 grant recipients.

Dave Tovey, Executive Director of NCFS said, “We are fortunate to be part of national and regional networks of Native CDFIs and benefit from the idea itself as well as the methods they use to support their communities’ small businesses. Because these CARES Act resources have an end-of-year sunset, we were driven to pull together an immediate grant program in November knowing we could help in a small way to keep local businesses and businesspeople going and maybe brighten their Christmas.”

NCFS continues to research services and resources that may be contained in other COVID-19 relief legislation in order to channel needed assistance to the community’s private sector.

Qualified grantees received awards ranging from $5,000-$10,000 include: Maranatha Mobile Massage, Sundown Grill & Bar-B-Q, Kanaine Apparel and Accessories, Waterlily Botanicals LLC, Natural Skin Products, Attitude Marketing, Brigham Fish Market, Brigham Fish ‘N Chips, Cut It Again Sam.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

‘ Arleta Sampson

Sharon Weathers

“It’s gonna come back to doing what your great grandmas did. Having that knowledge that gives you a pretty good step up on other communities that don’t know that.”

“Nowadays our young people and our children are being taught how to use the medicines and what kind they are.

I think that’s good because I think a lot of the parents can learn from their children because some of us didn’t know about the medicine”

What would you say to help Tribal members during these trying times?

Woodrow Star

“Help one another. Put food out for someone who’s having a hard time. We have a lot of hunters among us and they provide meat. They provide the good meat: elk and deer. And we need to keep that in our system, keep that in our bodies. That kind of food is natural foods we ate. There’s a reason why those foods are blessed at Longhouse.”

T

’

his package of photos and quotes, taken verbatim from the interviews, is presented through a National Endowment for Humanities CARES Grant: “Living in Today’s Pandemic and Historical Pandemic and Catastrophes.”

The Education Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has received the CARES grant to document, through video interviews, Umatilla elders and residents providing their thoughts about the current effects of the coronavirus as well as historical pandemics and natural catastrophes that have occurred throughout the Tribes’ ceded areas.

Photos by Digital Brilliance LLC. National Endowment for Humanities CARES Grant Elders were selected by the Education Department, the CARES grant team, and elders.

These are four elders who have been interviewed.

January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Cayuse Chief Jesse Jones remembered as

‘A MAN AMONGST MEN’ C

ayuse Chief Jesse Jones Jr., Uma-Pi-Ma, died Dec. 19, twelve days after his 80th birthday.

He was a father, an uncle, and a grandfa-

spect.

Simply put, Jesse James Jones Jr. was a “man amongst men.”

ther.

He was a horseman, a war dancer, a story teller. ones was born Dec. 6, 1940 to Jesse James Sr. and He was a friend, an “advisor” and teacher, a deJeanette (McKay) Jones and was raised in the upvout leader at the Tutuilla Presbyterian Church. per McKay Creek area.

He was an athlete and a hunter.

He was married twice. With wife Merrily BrothHe was a disciplinarian and strictly adhered to erton he raised two boys – Jesse “Buck” James Jones certain kinds of protocol, including appropriate dress Jr. and Brooker Phillip Jones. Upon the death of his for the occasion. sister, Josephine, Jones adopted James Anthony Jones.

He was vigorous and robust, he was prompt, he His son, Gabriel Hawk Jones, was the child of Jones was faithful to his people and community. and his second wife, Marvella Henry. His fifth son, He was among the men who followed the tradithe youngest, is Jacob Jones. Chief Jones also had 11 tions of the past, who didn’t show up empty handed grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. and he never refused food or drink when he visited His father’s house, which was destroyed by fire, friends and relatives. was in the mountains, but the family address was He was an “encyclopedia” of tribal history and Pilot Rock where he was educated. culture and he shared his wealth of knowledge with He graduated from Pilot Rock High School in 1959, people young and old, Indians and non-Indians alike. a member of the Rockets’ state-champion basketball He shoed horses and raced horses. He was a team. That same year he was invited to war dance in member of wild horse racing teams and cow-milking Portland in honor of Oregon’s 100th birthday. He rode teams at rodeos around the many times on his horses, Joe Northwest.

Buck and Dinero, representing He rode the spotted horse, the Confederated Tribes of the silhouetted against the mounUmatilla Indian Reservation tains, and was a wagon train in Portland’s Rose Festival “raider” at Happy Canyon, Parade. where he participated for more Jones didn’t stop playing than 60 years. hoops locally, before the advent He ruled as chief in the Inof post-World War II basketdian tee-pee village where he ball tournaments. In the 1950s, camped for decades with his Jones was part of Presbyterian family next to the fence near teams that brought many trothe ticket booth, behind the old phies back to the church. bull pens.

Jones was employed for He was a fixture on Saturmany years in the Pilot Rock day mornings, presiding for lumber mill and he worked more than 30 years over the cattle on horseback at the 7UP ceremonial dancing, his deep, ranch. He lived on the south strong, melodic voice fillreservation, but would show ing the Pendleton Round-Up Chief Jesse Jones laughs during the Saturday morning up on the north end to help arena. friends and relatives with dances sponsored by Pendleton Woolen Mills.

He proudly rode in Septemcattle drives and branding. ber’s Dress Up and Westward He loved and supported the Ho! Parades and was inducted into the Round-Up CTUIR community, spending countless hours over and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame in 2004. the years at Longhouse events and celebrations.

He was a portrait-worthy subject for photographers from around the world, cutting a razor-sharp t his funeral Dec. 21, which was live-streamed figure in his regalia and war bonnet. because of COVID-19 gathering restrictions, He loved Hank Williams.

Walla Walla Chief Don Sampson, Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox, He had a big smile and bright eyes. read condolence letters from Mort Bishop III, retired He had a firm handshake and may have been unpresident of the Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Rob comfortable doing it, but would give hugs as well.

Collins, Round-Up Indian Director for eight years.

He was always prompt, conscientious about where Letters also came from the Pendleton Round-Up and he was supposed to be.

Happy Canyon directors.

He was not impersonal, he was statesmanlike, Jones became loyal friends with the Bishop family, dignified, well-spoken and thoughtful. which owned the Pendleton Woolen Mills. He was And he commanded, received and deserved recommitted to the Saturday morning dancing because

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

Photo by E.J. Harris, former photographer for the East Oregonian

of the Bishop family’s friendships with the headmen of the Confederated Tribes.

The dancing began in 1927 to honor Chauncy Bishop, who died in a hunting accident. Poker Jim established the event and the Pendleton Woolen Mills reciprocated by bringing prizes.

“Jesse was there for us every September,” Bishop wrote in a message read at the funeral. “He was the lifeblood of the Saturday morning dances … through sickness, sadness, injury, pain, family deaths, Jesse was there for us.”

The Round-Up arena was his “sacred ground,” Bishop wrote. “He stood tall, he stood proud in his buckskins and eagle feathers. His deep melodic voice boomed through the stands and the Indian encampment and echoed across the canyon wall. He was there for his people, he was there for his drummers, he was there for his dancers, he was there for the piercing call to the wild. Jesse was our sentinel. He was there with dignity and grace.”

Bishop also described Jones as a “wise man.”

“He was the steady one,” Bishop wrote. “He was the one who lifted us up. He was there for all of us. He was there for you, for me, our fathers and forefathers.”

In his letter, Bishop called Jones “our leader.”

“He was our chief. He was the one brave and true.

Jesse Jones was a man amongst men,” he wrote.

B

obbie Conner volunteered alongside Jones at the Saturday morning dances, recording the winners and organizing photo shoots. She helped out for 22 years and knows Jones led the event for much longer than that.

“The origin of the war dances were the result of loss of life due to a hunting accident and that was a very old established relationship [with Bishops] that Jesse wanted to uphold,” said Conner, director at Tamastslikt Cultural Center. The Conner family camped in the Indian Village across from the Jones family tents.

The Saturday morning dances epitomized Jones’ involvement with the Indian community.

“He was faithful to honoring the lives and traditions of our people at the Longhouse as a chief,” Conner said. “He was always there for dances, funerals, veterans and ceremonies. When his presence was needed he was always there.”

Conner said Jones was “incredibly loyal.”

“If you were his friend, you were his friend for life,” she said. “When people were on their death bed, Jesse came to visit with them.”

Conner said Jones loved to tell stories of the old days.

“I think Jesse missed the old people and the old days,” Conner said, adding that Jones “always wanted to be appropriate, honoring the old ways.”

He shunned displays of public affection like hugging, but, rather, he was statesmanlike.

“Jesse exemplified that,” Conner said.

She will remember Jones as “a man’s man in part Chief Jones on page 5A

January 2021

Chief Jones Continued from page 4A

because he didn’t like to dabble in women’s things. He thought they were petty and silly, not his purview.”

J

ones was always prompt and didn’t suffer those who weren’t on time.

One year, not long ago, Jones started the Saturday morning dancing at 9 sharp.

Soon after, but still not on time, Chief Sampson wandered up holding a cup of coffee. Sampson grabbed a folding chair and dragged it to the front where Jones and other dignitaries were sitting. Jones addressed Sampson, telling him he was late and that he wasn’t sitting up front. He was to take his chair over to the side where other chairs were set up for Happy Canyon and Round-Up princesses about 10 yards away ‘I was struck by from the front. Then, his intense pride a bit later, when Chief Gary Burke showed up in who he was, he got the same recepwhere he came tion with the same timefrom, and the out.

Not far from the Jones sense of honor place, Burke, who was that governed 15 years younger, grew his actions.’ up on McKay Creek.

Burke remembers when, as a boy, Jones Rob Collins, former Round-Up Indian Director would drive up in his “little green Chevy truck” and drink from his green thermos as Burke and his brothers broke and trained horses. Jones always offered his counsel and Burke always accepted it.

Burke used to travel with Jones to cut wood and shoe horses. They’d be gone all day, replacing horse shoes throughout the region – from the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Gerdain and Heppner.

The pick-up had a cassette player and Burke got tired of hearing Hank Williams songs.

During those drives, Burke remembers Jones talking to him about being a chief.

“What do you think of that?” Jones asked. “My dad was a chief too, and Jesse said it was only appropriate that you take his place.”

Burke remembers Jones as his uncle, as were many of his father’s friends.

“All of those men were my uncles, all those guys were relatives. I’d be listening to them, following behind them, learning about our culture and tradition,” Burke said. “Those kind of people make you stronger.”

R

ob Collins, who was the Round-Up Indian Director for eight years from 2010 – the 100th anniversary of the Round-Up – until 2018, came to know Jones in the 1990s when he began volunteering at the Round-Up. “That was the beginning of what I now view as one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” Collins wrote in the letter read at Jones’ funeral.

With the Round-Up chiefs’ guidance, Collins worked with local and visiting Indians, coordinating events that included each day’s matinee dancing and eventually “Dancing in the Park” each afternoon through the finals on Saturday before the rodeo.

Collins said Jones didn’t warm up to him immediately.

“It seemed like it took a little time for Chief Jones to decide that I was okay, but by the time I was elected to the Board of Directors to serve as Indian Director, we had become friends,” Collins wrote.

Jones was an “enormous support” to Collins, who had many conversations with him about tribal customs and traditions, as well as family histories.

“And sometimes,” Collins wrote, those conversations were “just his outlook on life.”

Collins described Jones’ knowledge as “encyclopedic.”

January 2021

Chief Jesse Jones Jr. speaks to observers at the Saturday morning ceremonial dancing during the Pendleton Round-Up. CUJ file photo/Phinney

“… he seemed to enjoy sharing his knowledge of both oral and written histories,” Collins wrote, noting that Jones was a “far better teacher than I was a student.”

Collins said Jones was “incredibly proud” of his people and proud of his opportunity to serve his people as Chief.

“He served with humility and was dedicated to providing leadership … I was struck by his intense pride in who he was, where he came from, and the sense of honor that governed his actions,” Collins wrote.

In the last couple of years before he retired from his Round-Up position, Collins said Chief Jones, who had been thrown from a horse, “found it increasingly difficult to carry out all of his duties

Confederated Umatilla Journal

as he had done in his younger years, but repeatedly I saw him continue without complaint, even when I could see it was becoming difficult.”

Jones continued to narrate at the Saturday morning ceremonial dancing through Collins’ term.

Jones handed the dance narration duties over to Chief Sampson, but it won’t be the same.

“If anyone could be considered irreplaceable,” Collins wrote, “it would be Chief Jones. His voice, dignified presence, and knowledge of tribal dance traditions will not be forgotten.”

Collins ended his tribute saying, “I am a better man for having known you.”

Story by Wil Phinney, formerly of the CUJ 5A

CUJ Opinions & Editorials

2021: A new year, a new hope Boots Pond BOT member

At 25 years of age there has been no year that has felt as long, eventful, or as quick as 2020.

There has been moments throughout the year that felt like minutes turned into hours. It felt some weekends lasted only half a day. It made me think, take nothing for granted and nothing lasts forever.

A little more than a year ago I was elected to the Board of Trustees. I was told beforehand there would be a huge learning curve. That was an understatement, but I hung in there. Within two months the routine had started to become

Coyote Stories

Dear reader: Send content my direction!

enjoyable. Then, a historical flood happens right at our door step. A few weeks later an illness makes its presence known. That is all it took, less than a month separated one era from another.

Our community has been part of and witnessed so much in the year of 2020. Climate change is here. The Umatilla River floods, the McKay Creek floods, and the effect of wildfires such as smoke showed us the power of Mother Nature. Protests rallied across the nation to challenge police brutality. The presidential elections came down to the wire. To top it off the world

Looking into extinction

I was going into the interview cold. I didn’t know the subject at that March 2014 meeting; she didn’t know me; anything could’ve happened. As a reporter, you have to be proactive and reactive for interviews, but I was not quite prepared for this one.

Pauline Stensgar, one of the last fluent speakers of one of my tribe’s ancient dialects, nxaamxčín (en-hump-cheen) Salish, looked around the room and said, “Every time I come in, I look. They’re all gone. They’re all dead. Now I’m sitting here all by myself. I guess I gotta do what I gotta do and continue — go, go, go far as I can go.”

It’s surreal, really: Wil Phinney’s gone, following 24-plus Though there were several years, if not decades, of documentation of the language, the tribe years at the helm of the Confederated Umatilla Journal. had failed to create fluent speakers in the little For newspaper staff, the vibe now feels like Pinocchio withtime it had. Among more than 9,000 members, out Geppetto; Facebook without Zuckerberg; or Fleetwood not one had a grasp on the language like Pauline.

Mac without Ocean Spray.

I got a knot in my stomach and felt emotional.

It’s hard to imagine one without the other.

To that point in my young career, there hadn’t been a moment that hit home like For the first time since Macarena was atop the Billthat. I felt partial responsibility for not board 100, we’re without Phinney’s editorial mindset doing my part in keeping a language alive. and goofy presence. One woman approached me on Flash forward to October’s orientation my way into work on Jan. 4 asking to see his office to work for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, a simito make sure he was “really gone.” lar feeling came back upon learning the “Yep,” she said. “Just a plant left.”

Cayuse language, weyiiletpuu, “disapCurrently, our staff consists of an interim editor, peared.” interim publisher, and a temporary reporter.

The news came as a surprise considerSounds promising, right? ing the CTUIR website states “language is Sin-ka-leep a way of life and being. Within the phrases Stability is on the horizon. With that said, I’d like Cary Rosenbaum and words of our language is the history of to encourage you — the reader, the Tribal member, our people and the strength and emotion the subscriber, the advertiser, the news enthusiast, of our tribal community.” the potential freelance photographer or writer, the future So was a way of life completely lost? I wondered why it happened and when it happened. intern — to make a pivot when it comes to sending content The word “disappeared” seems so nonchalant or inquiring about the CUJ. when followed up by such passionate phrasing In the interim, please begin emailing information to either like that of the website. my direct account (CaryRosenbaum@CTUIR.org) or our Several online sources, varying in credibility, generic email account (CUJ@CTUIR.org). By phone I can be had conflicting dates in which the Cayuse language was lost. I read the late 1800s, then 1904 reached at (541)429-7368 or (541)215-9597. and also 1940. To an extent, perhaps all three Cheers to a Happy New Year in 2021. could be correct. Maybe it was a slow die-off: Qe’ci’yew’yew’.

CUJ Confederated Umatilla Journal

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

was hit by a pandemic that changed the way we work, have school, vacation etc. The impact 2020 has had will be remembered generations down the line.

With all of this said as we enter a new year, I am hopeful. My sincerest thoughts go out to those still healing from the losses that occurred last year. Prayers for the safety of those working on the front lines. For those delivering supplies, mail, those checking out groceries, and those providing medical care. You deserve more than thanks. Here’s to 2021. I wish you all well!

Interim Publisher:

Jane Hill

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

word-by-word, phrase-by-phrase, and personby-person. I wondered when the last equivalent of the Colville Tribes’ Pauline Stensgar was for the Cayuse.

So I asked around.

“I’m still trying to get a grasp on that,” said Tribal member and Cayuse-Nez Perce speaker Fred Hill, whose ancestors spoke weyiiletpuu.

“Why did our people resort to speaking Nez Perce rather than Cayuse? (Losing our language) is a tragic thing. Many of us have the blood of our ancestors in that we’re Cayuse Indians.”

I wondered if the museum had anything. I was pointed in the direction of Malissa Minthorn Winks, a Collection & Research Manager at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.

“The Cayuse language was extinct even as anthropologists and linguists were trying to record the language in the 1800’s,” she said.

“There are only a limited number of words recorded in that language in writing.”

Sounds like it was just too late from that perspective, I thought. But then a pair of Pauline-like figures emerged through talking to Thomas Morning Owl, the Board of Trustees’ interpreter, who wowed me by speaking to me in my own language, nselxcin Salish.

“There were two ladies,” he said. “They were the chief speakers alive in the 1940s during World War II. And when they passed, the language died with them. Up to that time, there’s been no recordings, no documentation. (The loss of the language) was basically a mystery.”

Morning Owl said Hudson Bay Company workers noted a language shift in the Cayuse people in the early 1800s. It was apparent that many Cayuse were utilizing their own version of Nez Perce language, now referred to as CayuseNez Perce, when trading with the company.

“There was a trader,” he said. “He did a language inventory back in the early contact years.

And he made comments at that time noticing a language shift whereas the Cayuse people they Continued on page 7A

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CUJ Letters to the Editor Higher Education with COVID-19 Students across the spectrum have been dealing with deadlines, big projects and finals this last fall term of 2020 at Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC). Additionally, college students have COVID-19 to thank for increased stress and remote learning.

For many, attending college was supposed to be a huge milestone and the opportunity to meet new friends.

However, amid the pandemic the college experience is in disarray and unlike the typical higher education experience.

With remote learning, there are new barriers along with staying on-top of assignments and courses. There are internet issues, limited access to a reliable laptop, and adjusting to all-online coursework. Yes, there are Zoom courses with an actual including instructor but it’s not the same experience.

Additionally, freshmen were robbed of the little things. Staying up at the library with friends, cheering on your basketball team in the overcrowded stands, attending lecture halls, meeting new friends and more. This experience has drastically shifted, now students must experience the “college life” through a laptop and Zoom.

There are numerous perspectives and opinions I could continue to blather on about, I didn’t even dive into financial predicaments students may be facing or perhaps how college faculty may be unfamiliar with online learning.

But that’s not the point. My point is that yes, sometimes I think about dropping out of college to eliminate this stress but I won’t.

Despite the barriers, setbacks, and fear of finals, I am still pursuing higher education and so are hundreds of thousand students in Oregon.

If college students can persist and survive through this last fall term, I have little doubts about progressing to graduation and beyond.

Megan Van Pelt

Phinney was not a ‘journalist’ To the editor, In his self-described swan-song, Wil

Continued from page 6A

traded with at Fort Nez Perce were beginning to primarily speak a form of Nez Perce.”

Cayuse (weyiiletpuu) and Nez Perce (nimiipuu) were two distinguishable languages, Morning Owl said. But Cayuse was even more unique, as there were no similar dialects nearby.

“It’s considered an isolate,” Morning Owl said, “but it could be related to Molalla (a language spoken by western Oregon tribes that died in the 1950s).”

Morning Owl’s son, Damien Totus, teaches Umatilla for the Tribe’s Lan-

January 2021

A Zoom Farewell On Dec. 7, CUJ Editor Wil Phinney was called into the Board of Trustees’ meeting, where BOT members said their farewells. Phinney was asked if he had anything to say.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it — well, not every minute of it,” he said, joking. “There’s a few hours in there. I didn’t mind putting in the hours, because I love my work. I’d be happy to come back and write some things. … Thank you so much for taking the time during the meeting to talk to me and I appreciate everything you’ve said. It’s been a pleasure to work here.”

Phinney states that he has been a reporter for over forty years. If Phinney wishes to describe himself as a reporter, that is fine.

However, I have never seen or heard anyone, including himself, describe himself as a journalist. Journalists write about the issues in an objective, fair, professional, and balanced manner.

As long as I can recall, Phinney has always wrote his articles in a biased manner, always favoring the tribal government and administration. However, whenever the tribal government was a fault, Phinney would simply cover up the situation. For example, we all remember when a former tribal member employee sued Phinney and other senior staff for running her confidential personnel information in a front-page story in the CUJ. Although this was a newsworthy situation, CUJ management covered up the situation and refused to report on it.

A genuine product of journalism, like, say, The East Oregonian, would have reported on the situation in a broad, general manager, without publicly revealing confidential information like Phinney did when he wrote the article on the employee.

Another example of Phinney’s onesided and biased reporting was when I had to appear in tribal court because my dog bit and injured a neighbor. The tribe proved the case against me and the court found me guilty of being at fault.

Phinney then wrote a lengthy article on the situation, which was fine and well.

However, just five weeks after the first hearing, I was called back into court on charges I failed to comply with the court directives and ruling of the first hearing.

This time around, the tribe failed to prove their case, meaning I won the second hearing and the tribe lost.

Thus, since Phinney wrote a CUJ article on the first hearing it would be only fair that he write an article on the second hearing as it was a clear continuation of the same overall situation. However, Phinney refused to write or report on the second hearing. It was obvious that Phinney just did not want to make the tribe “look bad” by reporting on the second hearing. This is clearly biased and onesided reporting.

guage Program. He’s tried to work through a small document featuring some words in weyiiletpuu, but has struggled.

“We’re not well-versed in how to use it,” he said.

Morning Owl said there are letters in Cayuse – such as F, NG, and R -- that don’t appear in other Tribal languages.

Hill, who proudly owned a food stand with his wife they called, “Cayuse-Yakama Frybread,” is still searching for answers in his own ancestry. At one point in history, a potentially Cayuse surname was changed from Aweo (Uh-we-oo) to Makai. His grandfather, Aweo, was one

of the original allottees of the CTUIR, and Hill said Tribal members who had the letter “C“ and a dash were Cayuse members.

Though his Cayuse ancestry confounds him, Hill is still proud to speak and teach the Cayuse-Nez Perce language.

“I feel very humbled, yet I have a personal pride,” he said. “I’m also just so glad and willing to share it with my students and my grandkids.”

There just aren’t many answers to the language loss, Hill added.

“None of us can really have the answers for why we don’t have the Cayuse

Bob Shippentower (Editor’s note: The CUJ made a frontpage apology to the Tribal member regarding lawsuit, despite the fact the person’s name was not in the original story. In the case of Mr. Shippentower’s dog, Tribal Court found him guilty. He was recalled into court for an alleged compliance violation and ultimately complied with court’s order.)

Props to Phinney To the Editor: I have been the “CUJ” volunteer distributor in Union & Wallowa Counties since 2004.After reading several issues of the paper I proposed to Deb Croswell a paid position distributing in the counties.We agreed upon gas money for travel as a volunteer.At the time I drove to the Reservation every month to pick up the “CUJ” after printing in Pendleton.I made a monthly delivery side-trip to Jim Carrico’s shop in Umatilla because it was fun to hear Jim’s stories & browse the trading post.The paper changed printers & the “CUJ” was delivered from Bend to “The Observer” newspaper building in La Grande.In 2013 I went to work during

Confederated Umatilla Journal

fire season & had to make delayed pickup arrangements with “Observer” staff.

Currently the paper is printed in Idaho & I meet the distributor at the truckstop in La Grande in the very early morning hours of the first Thursday of the month.I make the drive monthly to Wallowa County,sometimes in foul weather, & have missed only a few deliveries due to road conditions.

Why do I do this “job”? I was first impressed with the quality of the “CUJ’s” reporting & the breadth & depth of its news.It seemed to me (& still does) that we on the other side of the Blue Mountains have a neighbor & a nation 45 miles away that we needed to know more about,whose activities were of great interest to us & that a small mountain range should not be a barrier to communication between our locales.The paper disappears regularly from the racks in both counties.It is obviously widely read.Due to Covid-19 I have had to trim some of the outlets for the paper but it still gets to libraries from La Grande to Joseph,Nez Perce offices in Wallowa & Joseph & markets & shops in the counties.Over the last 16 years (& prior) the newspaper has been awarded nationally again & again for its reporting from our Indian Country.I see the “CUJ” as a kind of “hands across The Blues”.

Wil Phinney has been my “boss” since 2004.Our communications since have been infrequent,mostly logistical in nature,always friendly & paper is on deadline & on target.Publication day I browse it quickly for an immediate feel for Reservation issues & read it more leisurely through the month.I count on Wil’s maintenance of the highest journalistic standards,his article selection,the choice of illustrative photographs & his dedication to the craft of newspaper reporting.While papers are exiting as a primary means of communication Wil has maintained the vitality of the medium on the Reservation & beyond.It is my greatest hope that the CTUIR will choose a new editor with the abilities,dedication to & love of the truth & news so ably represented by Wil these many years.

Best of luck & health to Wil Phinney & his family & to the whole of The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.Let us hope for a superior 2021.

M.R. Rosenbaum La Grande,OR

language,” he said. “We’re not the only language in the world that has had this happen.”

Morning Owl said the loss of the Cayuse language is a cautionary tale as other Tribal languages could potentially die out. “(Losing the Cayuse language) really shows the dire, critical aspects of where we’re at with the language speakers right now,” he said. “There’s only a handful of language speakers that are living as part of the Tribe here. That’s what we have to build upon.”

Cary Rosenbaum is the interim editor of the CUJ.

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CUJ Almanac Obituaries Chief Jesse Jones, Jr Uma-Pi-Ma Jesse James Jones Jr was born December 6, 1940 to Jesse James Jones Sr and Jeanette (McKay) Jones Raised in the Upper McKay Creek area and attended school in Pilot Rock, Oregon.

He graduated in 1959 participated and excelled in all sports for the Rockets.

Was a member of the 1959 Class B Oregon State Champion High School Basketball team and selected All State Tournament team.

That same Year, Jesse was asked to appear in Portland to perform war dances and explain Oregon’s Indian culture in honor of Oregon’s 100 Birthday.

Married Merrily Brotherton reared two boys, Jesse (Buck) James Jones III and Brooker Phillip Jones.

Employed many years in the Pilot Rock lumber mill.

In the late 1960’s learned the trade of a horseshoer from Hack Bloom.

A former member of the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

An avid horseman who also participated in Wild Horse races in the Northwest rodeo circuit including the Pendleton Roundup.

Rode over 30 Years in the Portland Grand Floral Parade on his horses Joe Buck, Tequila and Dinero Worked for 7UP ranch for both Red and Terry Anderson doing various duties, but mainly around the cattle on horseback.

Jesse was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed elk hunting in the Johnson Creek area. He taught many the land and how to hunt.

Jones Jr. 80 of Pilot Rock, died Thursday, December 17, 2020 at his home. Funeral Service was held Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Tutuilla Presbyterian Church. Burial followed at Tutuilla Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of the arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at http:// www.burnsmortuary.com

Joseph Myers Joseph A. Myers, will be laid to rest on Friday, January 8, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he will not have public funeral services. There will be a viewing at Eggen and Lance Mortuary in Santa Rosa, California from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eggen and Lance Mortuary is located at 1540 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. To attend the viewing, use the fol-

Myers was a friend to many in Indian country, including CTUIR Chief Judge William Johnson. lowing link to specify a time for your arrival to Eggen and Lance. Specify arrival time at: https://www.signupgenius. com/go/4090549aca62da13-inloving Family and friends may visit in 20 minute intervals.

The mortuary will conduct COVID-19 cleaning protocols prior to the entrance of the next group. We want you to be safe. Please note that the Myers Family will have a Celebration of Life Event for Joe once it is safe to gather.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Flowers may be sent to Eggen and Lance for the viewing on January 8, 2021. Sympathy cards may be sent to the Myers Family c/o NIJC/CIMCC, 5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95492. Donations in Joe’s honor may be made to CIMCC through https://cimcc.org/donation-center/.

In Loving Memory of Joseph Myers The founder of the National Indian Justice Center and the founder and chairman of the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center has walked on to the spirit world. We are devastated by this loss. He was a fearless leader and educator. He was dedicated to the improvement of justice in Indian Country, public awareness of California Indian history and cultural revitalization. We will continue to carry on his visionary work for future generations. Please take a moment to learn about his life’s work and honor his legacy.

May he forever Rest in Peace and Power.

Joseph A. Myers, a Pomo Indian of northern California, served as the Executive Director of the National Indian Justice Center (NIJC), a non-profit corporation in Santa Rosa, California. He founded the NIJC in 1983, as an independent resource for tribal governments and their courts.

NIJC creates and conducts legal education, research, and technical assistance programs aimed at improving the administration of justice in Indian Country.

Mr. Myers began his career as a law enforcement officer in Oakland. He was the first known California Indian to join the California Highway Patrol Officer. He was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), School of Law at Boalt Hall. From 1976 to 1983, Mr. Myers served as associate director of the American Indian Lawyer Training Program, creating and managing its tribal court advocate training project. During this time, he collaborated with the California Indian Legal Services to bring a lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of his mother Tillie Hardwick. This case reversed the termination of 17 California Indian Rancheria communities. Mr. Myers contributed significantly to the improvement of education, justice and the quality of life in Indian country. For the past 29 years he lectured in Native American Studies at UCB. In 1993, Mr. Myers received national recognition from Attorney General Janet Reno for his work on behalf of victims of crime in Indian country. On December 6, 2002, the California Wellness Foundation awarded him the California Peace Prize for his work in violence prevention on Indian reservations. In 2010, Mr. Myers received the Peter E. Haas Public Service Award from U.C. Berkeley.

Additionally, Mr. Myers was a founding board member of the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center. From 2002 to 2018, he served as Chairperson of CALTRANS Native American Advisory Committee. UCB recently honored Mr. Myers by naming a research center in his honor. The Joseph A. Myers Center is housed at UC Berkeley’s Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (ISSI), the center’s name is intended to recognize his extensive service to Indian country.

On December 29, 2020, Joseph Myers passed away from complications related to heart failure. He has left us with an amazing legacy of his achievements.

Correction A photo in the November 2020 issue on the Veterans Section incorrectly identified Viola Wocatsie as Susan Sheoships.

Public Notice

ing the request. Written comments must be received by 4:00 pm January 22, 2021 at 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) 276-3099.

Lindsey X. Watchman, Secretary Land Protection Commission

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.

Planned Unit Development File #PUD-20-001 – Applicants, Chelsey Minthorn and Whitney Minthorn II, 46352 Best Road, Pendleton, OR 97801 seek approval from the Land Protection Planning Commission for a Planned Unit Development of Allotment UM 47-B to create two new housing lots. The subject property is located in NE quarter of Section 4 Township 1N Range 33 E. The property is zoned Ag-1, Exclusive Farm Use. Planned Unit Developments are subject to the CTUIR Land Development Code Chapters 7 and 13.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 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 579 606 529#. Materials relating to this Planned Unit Development request and additional information for joining the meeting are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https://ctuir.org/events/lppc-meeting-publichearing-pud-20-001/.

The public is entitled and encouraged to participate in the hearing and to submit oral or written testimony regarding the request. Written comments must be received by 4:00 pm January 8, 2021 at 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

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: Land Development Code Amendment #ZC-20-004 – Applicants, Tribal Planning Office, 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton, OR 97801 seek a recommendation from the Land Protection Planning Commission to the CTUIR Board of Trustees to amend the Land Development Code to create a Neighborhood Residential and Neighborhood Services zone. Land Development Code Amendments are subject to the CTUIR Land Development Code Chapters 9 and 13.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 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 701 815 95#. Materials relating to this zone change request and additional information for joining the meeting are available for review at the Tribal Planning Office or online at https:// ctuir.org/events/lppc-meeting-public-hearing-zc-20-004/.

The public is entitled and encouraged to participate in the hearing and to submit oral or written testimony regard-

Weather According to preliminary data received by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton Oregon, temperatures at the Pendleton airport averaged warmer than normal during the month of December.

The average temperature was 36.3 degrees which was 3.1 degrees above normal. High Temperatures averaged 43.1 degrees, which was 3.6 degrees above normal. The highest was 65 degrees on the 21st. Low temperatures averaged 29.5 degrees, which was 2.6 degrees above normal.

The lowest was 18 degrees, on the 24th.

There were 23 days with the low temperature below 32 degrees. There were 2 days when the high temperature stayed below 32 degrees.

Precipitation totaled 1.01 inches during December, which was 0.46 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation -at least .01 inch- was received on 11 days with the heaviest, 0.26 inches reported on the 20th.

Precipitation in 2020 totaled 13.27 inches, which is 0.61 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at the Pendleton airport has been 4.45 inches, which is 0.45 inches above normal.

The highest wind gust was 65 mph which occurred on the 21th. There were 2 days when the wind exceeded 50 mph.

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 The outlook for January from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. Normal highs for the Pendleton airport during January are 41.8 degrees and normal lows are 28.9 degrees. The 30 year normal precipitation is 1.43 inches.

The National Weather Service is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department.

46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 http://ctuir.org

Jobs

CTUIR Board of Trustees

General Council

Chair Kathryn Brigham

Chair Lindsey X. Watchman

Vice Chair Jeremy Wolf

Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson

Treasurer Sandra Sampson

Secretary Shawna Gavin

Secretary Sally Kosey

Job Announcement Career Opportunities

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

COVID-19 Screeners (4 positions) *open to existing employees & CTUIR members Closing Date: December 21, 2020.

Posted on 12/14/2020

Position: Administrative and Contract Specialist, Full-Time, Regular. New! Location: Portland, OR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Open until filled; review of complete applications on January 14, 2021.

Posted on 12/14/2020 Youth Services Manager Closing Date: December 17, 2020.

Posted on 12/8/2020 Surveillance Operator Closing Date: January 4, 2021.

Posted on 12/8/2020 Web Programmer II Open until filled; review of complete applications on January 4, 2021.

Posted on 12/8/2020 Re-Advertised Early Educator Open until filled; review of complete applications on November 25, 2020 & December 9, 2020.

Posted on 11/19/2020 Equipment Operator I Open until filled; review of complete applications on November 24, 2020 & December 1, 2020.

Posted on 11/19/2020 Computer Helpdesk Technician I Open until filled; review of complete applications on November 19, 2020 & December 4, 2020.

Posted on 11/4/2020 Tribal Set-Aside Project Leader Open until filled; review of complete applications on November 20, 2020 & December 4, 2020.

Posted on 11/4/2020 Public Transit Bus Driver Open until filled.

Posted on 10/26/2020 Public Transit Bus Driver (part time) Open until filled Posted on 10/5/2020 Deputy Prosecutor Open until filled Posted on 10/5/2020 Indian Education Coordinator Open until filled; review of complete applications October 16, 2020.

Posted on 10/5/2020 Lead Botanical Operations Technician Open until filled; review of complete applications October 23, 2020.

Posted on 10/5/2020

For more information visit: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Att: Office of Human Resources Online -

Job Summary: The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking an Administrative and Contract Specialist to serve the Fishery Science (FSCI) Department.

The FSCI Department is the largest department at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), containing over 40 full-time staff stationed primarily in Portland, OR, but also in Hagerman, ID, and Moscow, ID. Fishery Science staff perform anadromous fish and habitat research throughout the Columbia River Basin, which encompasses the states of OR, WA, ID, MT, as well as British Columbia, Canada. Additionally, there are many fixed assets that have been procured by the FSCI Department: scientific research lab and field equipment, firearms, servers and sensitive equipment.

Job Requirements/Qualifications: Associates or B.A. degree in Administrative or Business Management. High School diploma with five years’ relevant experience will be considered; Ability to work positively with a diverse team of professionals to provide information and support administrative and contracting functions; Experience with budgeting and fiscal procedures, including purchasing; Must be a selfstarter and willing to learn process and procedures on the job; Must be able to prioritize activities and schedule time effectively to meet schedules and deadlines; Dependable work habits including regular attendance, and punctuality in all matters concerning work and work assignments; High proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint). An Excel proficiency test may be given during the interviews; Excellent organizational ability. Must be highly motivated and detail oriented; Excellent oral and written communication skills.

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

General Council Meeting Nixyaawii Governance Center, 2 p.m. - Jan. 21 Draft agenda:

BOT Treasurer Report Circles of Hope 5 year Grant Report Special Election Information Open Mic

CTUIR Express Phone Directory

Starting salary range: $51,244.00 – $66,614.00 Closing date: February 12, 2021. Employment application and full job announcement located https://www.critfc.org Unfortunately this is the only picture that we have available at this time. Her name is Alpha. she is about three months old and my sevenyear-old and 15-yearold are very upset while we all are as a family. She is a German Shepherd pitbull mix. She is about a foot tall.

If it’s not too late we can be reached at 541-379-1150 or 541969-5045 Michelle Bratlie or Ian Bratlie or Warren Williams

Want to contact a Tribal employee during office hours?

Contact the CTUIR Switchboard at (541)276-3165

January 2021

Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl

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

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Wrangling sea lions A crew from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission work on a sea lion barge that includes a transfer cage and a squeeze chute at East Mooring Basin in Astoria.

“Sea lion wranglers,” part of sixto-eight person crews, will start again to remove California sea lions in April and May. The work to remove the bigger Stellers will last two or three months in the fall. The California sea lions arrive in early spring, but return to their breeding grounds in May. Six California sea lions were counted at Bonneville in 2001 and 30 the following year, and the numbers have continued to climb.

Between 2002 and 2018, the number of California sea lions at Bonneville ranged from 30 to 195.

Up to 120 Stellers have been counted at Bonneville. (Overall, the California population is estimated at 300,000 with about 80,000 Stellers.)

(Photos courtesy of CRITFC)

CRITFC preparing for removal of huge marine mammals

By Wil Phinney, formerly of the CUJ

B

ONNEVILLE – Two or three people will be hired as “sea lion wranglers” in February to help trap and euthanize perhaps up to 50 California and just as many Steller sea lions that have in a single year eaten as much as 45 percent of spring Chinook salmon in the Columbia River and some of its tributaries.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will hire the techs to physically maneuver the animals into cages on barges for a ride to a final destination in a facility at Bonneville Dam. Veterinarians will administer the chemical euthanizing agents.

Three of the four treaty fishing tribes – the Umatilla, Nez Perce and Yakama – have delegated authority to CRITFC to handle the predation problem.

Doug Hatch, Deputy Manager of the CRITFC Fishery Science Department, said the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act was amended in December of 2018 to allow the removal of sea lions through “areabased management,” rather than the previous version of the public law, which allowed for management of individual sea lions identified as salmon-eating predators.

Before the amendment, sea lions observed eating salmon were subjected to non-lethal hazing before being added to a list for removal. With the amended law, sea lion predators, upstream of the I-205 bridge and in tributaries can be trapped and euthanized or darted, collected and then euthanized.

Over the last several years more and more sea lions have traveled from Pacific Ocean rookeries up the Columbia River where they feast on salmon, particularly at Bonneville Dam and at Willamette Falls, so new tactics are being deployed.

Hatch said the problem with California sea lions, which can reach 1,000 pounds, started in the early 2000’s. Over a five year period, the number of tagged sea lions increased and the number of spring Chinook salmon declined.

There aren’t as many of the larger Steller sea lions,

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which started showing up in 2009, but they stay and eat for about nine months at Bonneville Dam. In a “normal” year, sea lions take about 20 percent of the salmon run.

In 2015, there was a 45 percent loss, about 200,000 spring chinook salmon eaten by sea lions, according to Hatch.

“Even when it’s not a ‘huge’ problem, it’s still significant,” he said.

T

Some of the sea lions have been “cell phone” tagged so every time one surfaces it gives managers location data.

Interestingly, Hatch said, the sea lions have distinctive patterns. Californias spend about two weeks at the dam, then return downstream to Astoria.

“They travel surprisingly fast, down to Astoria in a day and a half. When they are motivated they can really move, to Astoria and back to Bonneville within five days. We have no explanation, but it’s a common pattern,” Hatch said.

The Stellers, with a range that goes farther north, stay for some nine months at Bonneville Dam and then leave … when they are full.

he California sea lions arrive in early spring, but return to their breeding grounds in May. Six California sea lions were counted in 2001 and 30 the following year, and the numbers have continued to climb.

Between 2002 and 2018, the number Stellers are twice as big as tellers are twice of California sea lions at Bonneville as big as Califorranged from 30 to 195. Up to 120 Stell- California because most are nia because most are ers have been counted at Bonneville. “unbelievably fat.” “unbelievably fat.”

(Overall, the California population is Hatch said CRITFC CRITFC workers have estimated at 300,000 with about 80,000 workers have identified identified one Steller sea lion one Steller sea lion that Stellers.)

Corps of Engineers staff have count- that was at least 13 feet long was at least 13 feet long ed as many as 50 sea lions a day at and weighed well over and weighed well over a ton.

Bonneville Dam in the fall. a ton.

What used to be spring Chinook and “They gorge themwinter steelhead has become a problem selves,” Hatch said, for all upriver runs, with the exception probably of sock- noting photos of individual sea lions that doubled their eye that migrate at a time when they aren’t susceptible weight from 200 to around 600 pounds in two months. to sea lions, according to Hatch.

The bigger sea lions, “bigger than a polar bear,” presWhy sea lions started coming up the Columbia is still ent a number of challenges. kind of unknown, but it’s thought that during El Nino Besides being so big, sea lions are “really smart.” years warm currents in the Pacific have caused hunger Hatch said sea lions are not far behind dolphins in terms pains for the predators. of intelligence.

“When you get those currents in California, the sarHatch said the two species are different in personality dines and herring populations take a dive,” Hatch said. and “orneriness.”

So when the first sea lions came up the Columbia “They are clever. We hazed them for years and it got and got a taste of spring Chinook the round-trip exodus to where they recognized the boat and our patterns.” was on.

Sea lions have learned how to navigate the locks at “Many habituate and we see them repeatedly year Bonneville, with some moving upstream into Zone 6 after year,” Hatch said. “If we take a ‘shock and awe’ where tribal fishers set their nets. approach over the next few years we think recruitment “Zone 6 fishers have reported impacts from sea liwill drop way off … just some explorers that we can ons that get through the locks. We’ve heard anecdotal manage.”

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Sea lions Continued from page 14A

stories of sea lions above The Dalles, but we’ve never seen any photos.”

Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers modified the lock process. Before, barges downstream would radio miles ahead and the locks would be lifted. The doors would stay open long enough for sea lions to get into the lock and then swim upriver.

“Now we aren’t seeing as many because they leave the doors closed until the last minute,” Hatch said, commending the Corps for “stepping up to improve the process.”

Still, sea lions are “really good at what they do.” They take advantage of salmon in the tail-race of the dam where they are concentrated trying to find the ladder.

In that case, the fish are “really vulnerable.”

Sea lions take smaller fish underwater to eat. The predators bring bigger fish to the surface to tear them apart to eat.

Hatch said the impact on smolts is significant. The necropsy on one California sea lion was full of a guesstimated 100 fingerlings.

“We don’t really know the impact, but suspect it’s much higher than what we’re guessing,” Hatch said.

The sea lions have different appetites with some satisfied to eat smolts that come through pipes that bypass dams.

“They specialize I guess. One likes French fries and another like hamburgers.”

Along with salmon, sea lions do eat Pacific lamprey, often referred to as eels.

There is some speculation that a robust lamprey run provides a buffer for salmon. Lamprey get fat and are easier to catch when they latch on to the parts of the dam.

“Maybe that takes up some of the slack for feeding sea lions,” Hatch said.

CRITFC uses “trap” to refer to the fenced in in East Mooring Bay at Astoria. “The sea lions need to rest for several hours each day and generally they ‘haul out’ onto the bank somewhere to do that. The traps provide a good place for the sea lions to haul out and rest – that’s their motivation to use the traps,” said Doug Hatch, a fisheries scientist at CRITFC. The barge, shown in the back left, is equipped with the transfer cage and squeeze chute.

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fter breeding, adult males – almost exclusively males – start venturing further and further away from the females who bear pups at the estuary rookeries.

“What we think happened in the early 2000’s is that the sea lions moved north when there were big salmon runs at the same time. They followed the salmon into the river and got a taste for it,” Hatch said, adding that in some El Nino years salmon get a “double whammy” when the sea lions hit adult fish, and juveniles have poor migration conditions heading to the ocean.

Although sea lions have created the predation problems mostly over the last two decades, documentation from the Lewis & Clark journey indicated there were many “seals” in the area.

“They shot a couple and they sank on them. Everybody speculated that they were harbor seals, but they possibly were sea lions,” Hatch said.

Archeologists have found Steller sea lion bones along the Columbia River, but that may have been from Indians trading. Even so, Hatch said it appears Natives hunted sea lions as predators. Also, historically tribes traveled south to rookeries in California to take juvenile sea lions.

“They were probably hunting them to keep the numbers down,” Hatch said.

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he Marine Mammals Act in the early 1970’s was passed when populations of sea lions was low.

“We knew they needed protection, but we didn’t expect their recovery to be so successful. There were no off-ramps for harvest or management once the populations did recover,” Hatch said.

California sea lion populations have recovered and Stellers are approaching that point.

When amendments were passed in late 2018, the wheels began to roll toward stricter predation control, but it wasn’t a quick process.

CRITFC sought permits in a joint application for the four tribes, plus Oregon, Washington, and Idaho filed their own applications. Permits were applied for in June of 2019, but the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) required the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. A task force that included tribal, state and federal representatives provided guidance and eventually issued permits. It took another month for the

January 2021

This photo shows four traps used to capture sea lions that have been resting on “sea lion barges.” In the two traps furthest away the observer can see sea lions in the doorways of the traps. The two traps that are closest , on the right, don’t have animals in them because 2x4s in the doorway restrict the size of the sea lion that can get in the trap.

three tribes to delegate the work to CRITFC. Finally, in October of 2020, CRITFC and state staff removed a half dozen Stellers.

Part of the new permit allows the use of parts of the animals for cultural or educational purposes.

In the past, a euthanized sea lion was rendered – a process that converts waste animal tissue into stable, usable materials, such as pet food. Now the rendering process will allow Indians to use the hides or bones for regalia. A system for obtaining the sea lion parts is underway.

The sea lions aren’t suitable for human consumption, mostly because of “bio-accumulators” such as heavy metals.

CRITFC is working with Oregon State University for toxicity tests on samples, but “consuming is not possible” because the meat is “too hot.” Hides and teeth are being tested to make sure there is no human health concern.

T

he “sea lion wranglers,” part of an eight-person crew, will start again to remove California sea lions in April and May. The work to remove Stellers will last two or three months in the fall.

“We’ll try to really ramp up and get as many as we can, within the limits of the permit. I’m guessing we’ll get 50 Californias and probably an equal number of Stellers. I hope; that’s a lot of Stellers,” Hatch said.

In addition to the cage-like traps, CRITFC uses “trap” to refer to the fenced in docks where the sea lions rest.

“The sea lions need to rest for several hours each day and generally they ‘haul out’ onto the bank somewhere to do that. The traps provide a good place for the sea lions

Confederated Umatilla Journal

to haul out and rest – that’s their motivation to use the traps,” Hatch said.

Before dark trap doors are set open and held open with a magnetic lock that is controlled remotely (see photo at left).

“The next morning, when reasonable numbers of the sea lions are on the trap, the door is remotely triggered and the animals are trapped,” said Hatch.

CRITFC staff try to capture “smaller, easier to manage” sea lions.

“Then the barge (top photo) is positioned on the backside of the trap and the transfer cage is moved against a small door in the trap.

The sea lions are sorted and moved individually into the transfer cages. The barge is then towed to the forebay of Bonneville Dam and over to a dock where the euthanasia shed is located.

Wranglers try to time it right so the gate is dropped with one or two or three inside.

“More sea lions tend to haul out at night so the traps generally get pretty full overnight and then gradually the ocean-going mammals leave the trap in the morning,” said Hatch. “We try to get to the traps when a manageable number are there. At times more the 20 animals will be on a trap a one time,” Hatch said.

The traps are transferred by boats to barges; the cages are fork-lifted off the barge. Wranglers using sheets of plywood “coax” or “herd” the sea lions from transfer cages into the facility at the dam.

“It takes a lot of manpower. Sea lions are not always cooperative; they are wild animals,” Hatch said.

The process of euthanizing sea lions is similar to putting a horse or a cow down, Hatch said.

Once off the barge, the sea lions are “herded” out of the traps and into a squeeze cage. Instead of a narrowing chute like those used for cattle, a chute hinged at the bottom squeezes the animals to the floor where they are immobilized and administered the fatal drugs.

“It’s quite involved and dictated by an animal careand-use committee that provides protocols,” Hatch said.

Two CRITFC techs are expected to continue working as wranglers, but Hatch said two or three more will be needed this spring.

“We actually want to try to have them on board in February. The wranglers will be pushing the sea lions and will be critical to all aspects of the removal process … setting traps, wrangling the animals, move them around in the [euthanasia] shack.”

Hatch said tribal members will have priority when it comes to hiring. Applications should be on the CRITFC. org website.

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First Food & Food Systems Workgroup presents

Huckleberry Jam Class Virtual Option only

January 14 2021 at 6 p.m.

Register : contact TaliaTewawina@yellowhawk.org Talia Tewawina (541) 215-9413

Rep. Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo Tribe) was named Secretary of the Interior by President-elect Biden in December.

Associated Press

CTUIR Notice to Purchase In the Matter of the Estate of:

Henry “Hank” Alfred Bushman

Probate No: P000122371IP

Identification No: 143A001186

Tribe: Ottawa-Ok

Below reflects the Purchase of 2/3 Shares of Decedent’s Share

Allotment:

841 845 817 1186

Legal Description: Section/Township/Range

7 / 1N / 35E 7 / 1N / 35E 4 / 1N / 35E 4, 9 / 1N / 35E

In the Matter of the Estate of:

Aggregate Share:

2/108 2/108 2/18 2/3

Equivalent Share Acres: (Share Acres : Total Acres)

1.48 : 80.00 1.48 : 80.00 8.89 : 80.00 53.34 : 80.00 Total:

Fair Market Value:

$ 1,587.04 $ 1,848.15 $ 13,733.33 $ 78,266.67 $ 95,435.19

Benjamin Joseph Lujan Jr.

Probate No: P000100634IP

Identification No: 143U001334

Tribe: Umatilla

Below reflects the Purchase of 1/5 Shares of Decedent’s Share

Allotment:

UM 98 510 514 1318 1369

Legal Description: Section/Township/Range

18 / 2N / 33E 6 / 1N / 34E 31 / 2N / 35E 34 / 1N / 33E 1 / 1N / 35E

Aggregate Share:

1/120 1/120 5/960 7/240 7/240

Equivalent Share Acres: (Share Acres : Total Acres)

0.27 : 33.20 0.50 : 60.16 0.41 : 80.00 2.33 : 80.00 2.35 : 80.75 Total:

Fair Market Value:

$ 1,250.00 $ 250.00 $ 680.72 $ 1,166.66 $ 1,925.00 $ 5,272.38

This publication is to serve as the Official CTUIR Notice of Option to Purchase for the above referenced estate - that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (“CTUIR”) of Oregon will exercise its Option to Purchase under the authority of the CTUIR Inheritance Code* in any and all interest(s) of the above referenced trust or restricted allotments at fair market value pursuant to Section 1.05(C)(4).

CTUIR Inheritance Code Section 1.05(E) – Tribal Member Right to Purchase Eligibility Requirements: Any member of the member of the Confederated Tribes owning an interest in a trust land parcel where the Confederated Tribes has filed a Notice of Purchase pursuant to Sections 1.05(D)(2), (3) and/or (5) of this code may purchase such lands in the place of the Confederated Tribes if: a. The member of the Confederated Tribes owns an interest in the subject trust parcel on the date of death of the decedent; b. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes files his/her notice of intent to purchase the interest in the subject trust parcel with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees within 30 days after publication of the purchase by the Confederated Tribes in the Tribal newspaper; and c. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes’ right to purchase under this subsection shall be subject to the requirements that the fair market value of the interest in trust lands as determined by the Secretary [of the Interior] must be paid as set forth in section 1.05(C)(4) of this code, and shall be subject to the rights of the surviving spouse and Indian lineal descendant set forth in section 1.05(C)(2), (3) and (7). d. The eligible member of the Confederated Tribes deposits payment in the amount equal to the fair market value of the subject trust parcel, of interest therein, with the BIA Umatilla Agency Superintendent which payment shall be accompanied by the identification of the decedent, the probate case number and trust parcel in question.

The eligible member must make the full payment for the subject trust parcel, or interest therein, within 60 days of filing its notice of intent to purchase. In such an event, the eligible member shall be authorized to acquire the interest in the subject parcel in the place of the Confederated Tribes.

Please contact the CTUIR Land Acquisition Program at (541) 429-7485 if you have any questions, concerns, and/or to request a copy of the Inheritance Code. * The CTUIR Inheritance Code was approved by the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) per Resolution No. 08-028 (April 7, 2008) and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs on May 16, 2008 (effective 180 after approval = November 12, 2008) in accordance with the Indian Land Consolidation Act, [P.L. 97-459, 25 U.S.C. Ch. 24 §2201-2221].

16A

Biden taps Haaland for Interior secretary By the CUJ New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland was named Secretary of the Interior

by President-elect Biden in December, making her the first Native American to ever serve in such a high role in the federal government.

“A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior,” Haaland tweeted after her selection. “ ... I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land.”

Tribal leaders from across the nation celebrated the nomination, including Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham.

“All of us are looking forward to 2021 for positive changes,” she said.

“One of the greatest positive changes is to see a Native American woman, Deb Haaland, be nominated to the Department of Interior by President Elect Biden. She knows what it is like to be born and raised on a Tribal reservation, she understands that tribes are working toward the future for our children, their children’s children. Tribes across the US are very pleased with her being nominated!

“Many of us will be stepping up to help the Biden/Harris administration make some good changes for tribes.

Deb Haaland is a women who has lived on a reservation and worked her way to a position to be nominated to the Department of Interior. What a great event to witness.”

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez told the AP Haaland’s nomination is “truly a historic and unprecedented day for all Indigenous people.”

The Dept. of the Interior has wielded influence over tribal nations for generations.

“With Haaland’s nomination, Indigenous people will for the first time see a Native American at the table where the highest decisions are made — and

Confederated Umatilla Journal

so will everyone else,” OJ Semans, a Rosebud Sioux, told the Associated Press. “It’s made people aware that Indians still exist.”

The 60-year-old Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe of New Mexico.

The role as Interior Secretary would put her in charge of an agency that not only has tremendous sway over the nearly 600 federally recognized tribes but also over much of the nation’s vast public lands, waterways, wildlife, national parks and mineral wealth, according to the AP.

Haaland meets with tribal leaders Nine days after being introduced to the world as President-elect Joe Biden’s Interior Secretary nominee, New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland met with tribal leaders for a virtual roundtable.

The December meeting was Haaland’s first as the Interior Secretarydesignate, according to the BidenHarris Transition Team.

It’s unclear how many tribal leaders participated in the roundtable, where Haaland reiterated Biden’s promise to “fully honor America’s sacred trust and treaty obligations” to tribal nations.

“It’s the start of Joe Biden’s and my commitment to listening to our Indigenous communities as we work to address environmental injustice and live up to this country’s trust responsibility,” Haaland posted on Facebook.

The roundtable included a discussion on how the Biden administration will work with tribes affected by climate change and how it plans to create jobs, use clean energy, conserve and restore lands and waters.

Information from Indian Country Today and the Associated Press was used in this report.

January 2021

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

17A

Vaccine Arrives Continued from page 1A

Chair Kat Brigham.

“I’m glad to receive the vaccine,” she said, noting “it’s important we social distance and wear our masks.”

Yellowhawk officials stated there are more vaccines at the facility ready to be administered.

“We received a shipment of the Pfizer vaccine last week and have them in the deep freezer,” officials said. “We will continue to have more en route but the number available is dependent on how many Indian Health Service sends us.”

Sams said 250 more doses are on the way through the Indian Health Service. The next age group to receive doses will be 55 and older with underlying conditions, he said. That group will be contacted by Yellowhawk.

“Yellowhawk is currently asking patients to not call in and check because they will be reaching out to them directly,” Sams said.

Health care workers who were previously vaccinated will receive their second doses on Jan. 5, Yellowhawk officials said. Community members who received their first dose were expected to receive a second dose by the end of the first week

‘I recognize the United States is currently at a new high for COVID-19 and we’re asking the community to continue to be vigilant: wash hands, wear a mask, stay at home as much as you can.’

Above: Tribal Elder Chazz Webb receives his COVID-19 vaccination at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center in Mission on Dec. 19.

At left, Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham gets the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Below, Doris Thompson receives her vaccine.

Thompson said receiving it was ‘a good opportunity.’

-Chuck Sams CTUIR Incident Commander of January.

The next phase of vaccinations will begin late January, Yellowhawk officials said.

The initial vaccine was part of an allotment received for the CTUIR, Lummi and Yakama nations. It was brought here from the Lummi Nation via Portland Area Indian Health Board Chairman Jutskadim’ Nickolaus Dee Lewis (Lummi), who drove the vaccine to the Yakama Tribe and dropped their portion off before continuing to Mission.

The CTUIR took further preventative measures by providing four days of administrative leave to employees at the end of the year.

“It was to encourage people to stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Sams said.

“That being said, we know that COVID after a holiday period takes about 2 to 2-1/2 weeks to incubate, so we will be very vigilant during that time period.”

With 20.9 million cases nationwide and more than 354,000 deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to worsen even as the vaccine rolls out.

“As Incident Commander,” Sams said, “I recognize the United States is currently at a new high for COVID- 19 and we’re asking the community to continue to be vigilant, wash hands, wear a mask, stay at home as much as you can.”

Yellowhawk noted the clinic will not have medical appointments available on Tuesdays or Thursdays but will operate as a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, officials said. All other departments are operating under normal hours.

18A

Photos by Megan Van Pelt

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Governor Brown Statement on Planned Defiance of COVID-19 Executive Orders From the Office of the Governor SALEM —Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement in December regarding planned defiance of her Executive Orders, which have reduced the spread of COVID-19 across Oregon: “Oregon’s health and safety measures are in place to protect Oregonians, save lives, and keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed by COVID-19. Oregonians have made incredible sacrifices throughout this pandemic and, now, many communities across Oregon are reducing the spread of COVID-19 and moving into risk levels that allow restaurants and businesses to reopen to at least some indoor service.

“If businesses reopen too early and instead create new spikes in COVID-19 cases, the actions of a few business owners could set entire communities back and keep them in the Extreme Risk category for even longer.

“It’s unfortunate and irresponsible that some local politicians are choosing to willfully mislead business owners into jeopardizing public health and risking fines, instead of working with their communities to help stop the spread of

‘It’s unfortunate and irresponsible that some local politicians are choosing to wilfully mislead business owners into jeopardizing public health...’

- Kate Brown, Governor

COVID-19 so that we can reopen businesses, schools, and more quickly return to normal life.

“Let me be clear: Local elected officials do not have the authority under Oregon law to disregard my emergency orders or to authorize anyone else to do so. Any businesses that reopen in violation of state risk level requirements for their county will be subject to fines and enforcement. Undoubtedly, those same local elected officials who are encouraging businesses to fully reopen and

flagrantly disregard public health are unlikely to have the backs of businesses when faced with fines and penalties, nor are they likely to be willing to be held responsible for the public health impacts their actions create.

“I am urging all Oregon businesses to put the health of their communities first by following the guidance we have in place for their counties. A large majority of businesses continue to do the right thing to protect their communities.

However, when Oregonians don’t take

COVID-19 seriously, and don’t take steps to reduce the spread of the disease, they put all of us at risk.

“I have directed Oregon OSHA and the OLCC to deploy all available resources to ensure businesses are in compliance.

I expect enforcement agencies to continue to use an education first approach, but Oregonians need to understand that these rules are enforceable under law. For businesses that refuse to comply, OSHA and OLCC staff are empowered to take administrative action including issuing citations, fines, and Red Warning Notices if necessary.

“Oregon has led in our response to COVID-19, and help is on the way for struggling businesses. I proposed new resources for rent relief for businesses in the third special session, and I expect a new round of federal aid to be delivered soon. We can’t waiver in our response to the virus now, when the end is finally in sight and resources are on the way. We are better than this. As we head into the new year, I am asking all Oregonians, yet again, to commit to making smart choices and to take seriously their individual responsibilities during a public health emergency.”

Lamprey Cooler Continued from page 1A

Tribal Health Center (YHTC) after the idea was presented by Umatilla Hatchery Satellite Facilities’ Chris Dearing, the husband of YTHC Pharmacist Angie Dearing.

“Chris mentioned we had one in the program so he got a hold of me,” Jackson recalled.

Yellowhawk was looking at a potential wait of three months to receive a freezer.

“Angie basically told me what she was up against,” Jackson said. “I explained to her we had one and they wanted to know more information on what temperature the vaccine could be stored at to see if it met the criteria.

“Lo and behold it did.”

Yellowhawk signed a loan agreement with DNR for the use of the freezer, Jackson said.

“Next thing you know staff picked it up and took it over to Yellowhawk,” he said.

The freezer was installed just a few days before the vaccine arrived, Jackson said.

That installation did not come without challenges, according to YTHC Facilities and Risk Management Director Eric Gabriel. Logistically, Yellowhawk had to figure out how to move the freezer and then how to unlock it; they had to rewire the power capabilities of their receiving room; and then learn how to turn it on and set the appropriate temperature.

The transfer was achieved with a forklift. But the lock was too tough to pick.

“It didn’t come with a user’s manual and there’s a locking mechanism,” Gabriel said. “They had lost the keys god

January 2021

‘It was really good internal coordination within our organization to find out another department had what we needed with the vaccines.’

-Kat Brigham Board of Trustees Chair knows when. So I contacted the company that made this freezer and talked to the tech department.”

A key replacement could not be found, so a new lock was put in, Gabriel said.

To increase the power output, Yellowhawk hired electricians to resupply the shipping department with the appropriate amount of electrical capacity.

Many Tribal members and employees were involved in the coordination of the freezer.

“It was really good internal coordination within our organization to find out another department had what we needed with the vaccines,” Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham said. “So we were able to get the cooler to Yellowhawk so we could be one of the first tribes in the Pacific Northwest to get the vaccines to the tribal community.”

The 700-pound freezer used to store the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center has small writing on the opening side: “Lamprey.”

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

Confederated Umatilla Journal

19A

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20A

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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

January 2021

CTUIR member Trevon Allen is averaging 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the Polish Basketball League.

Proballers.com

Allen excelling overseas

By The CUJ

Safer distances ahead at Yellowhawk

Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham, center, prepares to cut a red ribbon at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center to symbolize the opening of the new Drive-Thru Pharmacy on Dec. 22 in Mission. At left of Brigham is Tribal Health Commission Chair Shawna Gavin and at right is Yellowhawk CEO Lisa Guzman. See more photos from this event on 5B. CUJ Photo/Megan Van Pelt

UTPD video and audio recording policies approved By the CUJ

MISSION - The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve two policies regarding Umatilla Tribal Police Department cameras for recording interactions with the community.

The resolution states the policies will “ensure the proper use of body-worn and vehicle cameras by UTPD personnel in the performance of their duties.”

“This’ll be good for supervisors to assess performance, especially with new recruits: Are they doing well with traffic stops and those sorts of things?”

UTPD Police Chief Tim Addleman told the Board. “Department personnel can

request to review certain recordings.

These recordings are going to be valuable in certain training aspects. We got a copy of a recent pursuit from Pendleton and what they got. It’s very beneficial to go over that with the officers.”

One key aspect of the policy is officers shall not erase, modify, alter, reuse or tamper with recordings.

CTUIR Office of Information Technology Department Director Marguerite Becenti said there is an auditing process that will allow the Tribe to monitor if files are tampered with.

“If anybody was going to make some changes or do something to a video in attempts to make it shorter, any type of

editing, that would all be documented,” she said. “So I think it’s a fairly good system they’re looking at. I’m confident this system will work well for I.T.” Recordings will only occur during interactions, according to the policy.

“When we’re in the field, you’re not going to activate your (camera or audio) to talk to somebody about what’s going on along those lines,” Addleman said.

“Why not leave them on all the time?

Is it just simply a storage capacity issue?” BOT Vice Chair Jeremy Wolf said.

“Just referencing some national news and some different policies. Some police departments have come under fire, or

Trevon on page 11B

UTPD Cameras on page 9B

Robert Fossek and Monica Paradise are the new faces for this year’s Discover Program. Read more on 8B.

January 2021

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation member Trevon Allen has a starting role in the Polish Basketball League.

The 6-foot-2 guard from Clarkston, Wash. who played for the University of Idaho is playing quality minutes for Polpharma Starogard Gdanski.

Allen is averaging 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 31.4 minutes per game.

The transition to the pros has been natural, as his numbers are similar to his final season for the Vandals (21.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists last year).

“I had the biggest problem with physicality,” Allen said in a team press release Dec. 18. “It’s playing harder than I expected.

Twenty-four seconds on the clock forces you to play fast. And the

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Shaping a legacy, one newspaper page at a time: Wil Phinney went from an unknown to a fixture of the CTUIR community. To read more, see 14B.

1B

CUJ Sports

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Shaw Broncheau, descendant of CTUIR, played basketball for Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) last winter term, February 2020.

CUJ Photo/Megan Van Pelt

Sports starting at Blue Mountain CC

By The CUJ

PENDLETON - Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) athletics will have a late start in the upcoming winter term of 2021.

According to the BMCC Athletics website, the Northwest Athletic Conference Athletics (NWAC) released the official schedules for baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer. The majority of sports teams will move to winter and spring quarters. The BMCC rodeo schedule is still up in the air. All teams are required to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

Volleyball and basketball will start their season on February 13. First game of volleyball will be at Yakima and basketball will remain home. Both basketball teams home against Yakima Valley.

Baseball and softball both start on March 14, men’s will be home against Spokane. Softball will play against Treasure Valley at home.

Both soccer teams are on the road, women’s soccer team against Yakima Valley and men against Wenatchee,

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March 27.

As protocol, all student athletes will undergo the grey phase quarantine starting on Jan. 3.

For more information regarding athletic schedules, visit bmcctimberwolves. com.

Congrats! Private Nyeli James recent graduation from ARMY Basic Training in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and now off to AIT Fort Lee Virginia!

We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments!

Much love Boone and Robin

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CUJ Sports High School sports to start practicing in February From the Oregon School Activities Association

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Executive Board has revised the Association’s calendar to start activities in February. The OSAA Executive Board was hopeful that the state’s landscape was going to improve when it adopted the current calendar back in August, but that has not proven to be the case as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, county risk level metrics have changed and restrictions on prohibited activities have not been lifted by the Governor’s Office and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “(The Dec. 7) decision by the Executive Board is another reminder of the impact the pandemic has had on Oregon students and schools,” said Peter Weber, OSAA Executive Director. “While disappointed that we need to adjust our original schedule, we believe that keeping three distinct seasons, albeit in shortened seasons, maintains potential opportunities for all students moving forward.”

Board members made it clear during with comments during the meeting that the OSAA and its member schools are bound by the rules, regulations, and guidance set forth by the Governor’s Office and the OHA. Neither the OSAA Executive Board nor the OSAA Executive Director are able to waive state mandates or provide exceptions for certain activities or counties in the state. The OSAA staff continues to be in contact with the Governor’s Office, OHA and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to advocate for a safe return to in-person learning and high school activities.

In the revised calendar adopted today, Fall sports are moved to Season 2 and will begin in February with multiple activities permitted by state guidance.

This allows time for case counts to decrease in the new year and for counties to subsequently move out of the Extreme Risk category. Cross Country and Soccer, as outdoor sports, are permitted by the Governor’s Office and OHA in all counties. As an indoor activity, Volleyball is tied to the Governor’s County Risk Level Guidance and only allowed in

Congratulations on your 40+years at Yellowhawk and the CTUIR!!

We are very proud of you and can’t wait for you to spend your days stress free and finally getting to all your projects and travel plans with your sisters. Enjoy your next chapter, you have more than earned it!

Love, your family & friends

January 2021

those counties deemed as Lower, Moderate, or High Risk. Full contact football remains on the Governor’s prohibited list of activities at this time. Discussions around possibly moving Football later in the year were not supported at this time due to concerns expressed by the OSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) regarding the impact that a later contact football season would require modifications to the Fall 2021

football season.

Season 3 features the traditional Spring activities (Baseball, Softball, Golf, Tennis and Track & Field), all of which are permitted by state guidance as outdoor activities. These will begin April 5 and extend into the third week in May. The sports calendar wraps up with Season 4 and traditional winter sports (Swimming, Basketball and Wrestling) beginning in mid-May and extending

into late June. The shift of wrestling and basketball to the end of the calendar provides the most runway for their prohibition to be lifted by the state. The OSAA has been given no indication that a change will be made in this designation but remains hopeful that a change could occur prior to Season 4. Swimming is currently allowed outdoors for all counties and indoors for those counties not in the Extreme Risk metric.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

3B

NOW OPEN Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Pharmacy Drive-Thru Window Pharmacy Hours M, W, Th, F: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tu: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The pharmacy is closed daily for lunch, 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Prescription Refills: (541) 240-8690 Direct Line (541) 240-8691

4B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

JANUARY GROCERY SPECIALS

Shawna Gavin receives a prescription in the new Drive-Thru Pharmacy offered by Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on Dec. 22 in Mission.

CUJ Photos/Megan Van Pelt

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From left to right, the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Pharmacy Team consists of Cappie Allen, Rich Kelly, Angie Dearing, Tessa Minthorn Woods, Shannon Hoisington, Brooke Collins and Kay Murphy.

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DRIVE THRU OPEN NEW STORE HOURS Board of Trustees Secretary Sally Kosey made her way through.

January 2021

Monday – Saturday 7am – 8pm | Sunday 9am – 5pm 46493 Mission Rd. Pendleton, OR 97801 • 541-276-9082

Confederated Umatilla Journal

GAGA 12.20 WH122006

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Thank you

Festive Fun Christmas cheer was all around during the Light Show Parade this year.

Christmas lights, snowmen, reindeer and even Christmas trees were attached to vehicles!

CUJ Photos / Dallas Dick & Megan Van Pelt

January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

THANK YOU COMMUNITY FOR PARTICIPATING IN CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED US PUT ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW ON DECEMBER 16TH, 2020. WE HAD A GREAT TURN OUT!! WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITH OUT THE TRIBAL SUPPORT WE RECEIVED. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE WHO HELPED US IS SOME WAY TO HELP US GET THIS GOING, UTPD, TIM ADDLEMAN AND CREW The POLICE DID A FABLOUS JOB BLOCKING OFF THE ROUTE FOR US, FIRE DEPARTMENT JAMES HALL, AND CREW, PUBLIC WORKS, FRANK ANDERSON, J.D. GONE, PROS PICARD, ZACK PATRICK, DEANNE BROWN, FINANCE, BECKY BURKE, JULIE JOHNSON, JAIME INGLE, (CANDY SACKERS) ADDISON KOSEY, MAURICE, ALYRIC, BRYSON BRONSON, AND BAY BAY, JUE JUE MATAMOROS. (APPLES DONATIONS), KOKO HUFFORD AND MARIYLN STILLWAGON, ( XMAS LIGHTS) GAIL AND BRENDA SHIPPENTOWER, ( ELVES-HELPERS) KATHERINE AND MYLES MINTHORN, BERTA TAYLOR, MIKE ORITZ, LINDA JONES, ABLE AND RACHEL MATAMOROS, BABETTE COWAPOO, DAVE AND SALLY KOSEY, RITA GEORGE AND LEON DAVE, (DECORATIONS) LORI GAINES, (SANTA HELPERS) KEYON SINGER AND DIAMOND GREEN. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS WHO DECORATED THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS WITH ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS AND BEAUTIFUL DÉCOR, MADE THE EVENING SO SPECIAL TO OUR COMMUITY AND ESPECIALLY OUR ELDERS AND OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU, ANDI AND JILLIAN SCOTT, CORINNE SAMS AND NATASHA HERRARA, SHELLY MORRISON AND FAMILY, JOSHUA SPENCER AND FAMILY, JILLMARIE GAVIN AND FAMILY, EASTON POWAKEE AND KRIS POWAUKEE, RAEANN AND JAIME CRANE AND FAMILY, LUKA DARA FAYE, AARON WORDEN, SALLY AND ADDISON KOSEY, I KNOW THEIR WERE MANY MORE THAT I DIDN’T GET YOUR NAME, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, WISHING YOU ALL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

CELEBRATION COMMITTEE AND CAY-UMA-WA YOUTH COMMITTEE

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Fossek, Paradise selected for Discover Program

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ

NEW YEAR 2021 SALE!

MISSION - Robert Fossek and Monica Paradise are the newest selections to the 2021 Pamáwaluukt Empower (Discover) Program. With that, the two will spend 12 weeks, one per month, within different departments of the CTUIR to gain experience and perspective of the innerworkings of the Tribe.

Fossek is a Patrol Sergeant with the Umatilla Tribal Police Department while Paradise serves as a Financial Specialist for the Office of Child Support Enforcement.

“I was aware of the Discover program when it first started and have watched it evolve,” Fossek said. “I know a few of the employees that have participated in the program and they had good things to say about their experience with the program.

“I learned about the Discover training module through the annual Human Resources advertisements,” Paradise said. “I had an interest but wasn’t able to pursue the opportunity due to other obligations. Finally, this year was the perfect opportunity for me to apply.”

Both share their employment goals for a five-year outlook.

“My employment goals are to grow within the CTUIR organization,” Paradise said. “I would enjoy finding a program manager/supervisory position that aligns with my previous experience and education.”

“I received a degree from BMCC and my Bachelor’s from Eastern Oregon Uni-

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Tribal members Robert Fossek and Monica Paradise will participate in this year’s Discover Program, which aims to empower Tribal members by giving them experiences and perspectives from various departments within the CTUIR. Courtesy Discover Program

versity,” Fossek said. “A Master’s degree is always in the back of my mind and something that I would like to complete.

As far as employment with the Tribe, I would like to continue working for the CTUIR and move up in to a manager or director position.”

Fossek said his goal is the learn all he can from each department.

“All managers over time develop their own style of management,” he said. “I would like to learn what works and what doesn’t then apply that knowledge to my position as a supervisor. My ultimate goal would be to move in to a manager or director position with the CTUIR.” Paradise said she is excited to learn the CTUIR flow from the bottom to top, and vice versa.

“Each part of the organization is vital in providing essential services and opportunities for Tribal members,” she said.

ANY REGULAR PRICED FRAME AND LENSES

Fossek stated it was an honor to be selected.

“This is a rare opportunity to see how each department works within the CTUIR,” he said. “Not only how they work but also how they all work together to accomplish goals. The public and other employees only see the surface of each department. This program will allow me the opportunity to see beyond that and witness the intricate workings of each department. I am excited and ready to start the learning process!”

“Pamáwaluukt,” the Discover program title, stands for “Each person raising themselves up.”

Hart, Maddern give and receive praise on Zoom during BOT session Steven Hart and Janet Maddern were last year’s Discover Program participants.

An emotional culmination of their year was held via Zoom during a Board of Trustees work session, where they shared their experiences this year.

“Everybody was on us, giving us what they have,” he said. “It just made me stronger as a person. I want to thank the board for funding this. It’s a big stepping stool for the tribe. It opens your mind and your heart. It’s probably one of the best things I’ve done in my life.”

Maddern cried at times when telling her story of overcoming adversity.

“This program gave me tools to utilize if I become a supervisor or program manager,” she said. “This program gave me my confidence back that I truly needed. You can kind of see which direction I go.”

“That’s really touching, both of your stories,” said Board of Trustees’ Secretary Sandy Sampson.

BOT Chair Kat Brigham became emotional when reacting to Hart and Maddern’s stories.

“Each of you make us very proud,” she said. “And I am going to cry. You give us hope. All of us have our own stories, good and bad. And we’re survivors.

We are going to make it.”

“When we started this program, we said you have to work for the future,” Brigham added. “You have to let people know it’s not just about a job working for the tribe, it’s not just a paycheck. It’s about us. Without us working together, we’re not going to accomplish what we need to accomplish.”

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January 2021

CUJ Briefs CTUIR Language Class Awards for 1st Academic Quarter 2020 MISSION - The Nixyaawii Community School announced the following award winners for language classes taught by Fred Hill Sr. and Damien Totus.

Fred Hill Sr.’s Umatilla Language class: • Outstanding Student Achievement Award – Nizhoni Toledo • Student Most Improved – Jae Dean Looney Damien Totus’ Umatilla Language Class • Outstanding Student Achievement Award – Sophie Bronson • Outstanding Student Achievement Award – Greyson Sams At Pendleton High School in Kim Minthorn’s Nez Perce Class, Bailey Baxter was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Taylor adding art piece to High Desert Museum Virtual Exhibition Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) tribal member, Ellen Taylor will have a piece in the High Desert Museum Virtual Exhibition called “Dam It! Beavers and Us” on Jan. 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The High Desert Museum will purchase four, four foot-tall fiberglass beavers and have local artists create their own unique version. While part of the exhibit is virtual, the art will be displayed throughout public locations such as downtown Bend, Old Mill and the Redmond airport.

This event is free but requires registration.

“This exhibit takes a close look at a species that had a huge impact on Indigenous communities and Anglo-American settlers. Through cultural history, science and art, visitors will find new ways to appreciate this oft maligned rodent” says High Desert Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw.

For more information and registration, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

Indigenous Spirituality inside Oregon Prisons SALEM - “Indigenous Spirituality inside Oregon Prisons” is a short film created by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) with the permission of Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) elders that aired on Dec. 11.

According to OPB, Native Americans are incarcerated at disproportionate rates in Oregon. Therefore, volunteers associated with the Red Lodge Transition Services

Saying hello from OSU Oregon State University President F. King Alexander and OSU Tribal Liaison Allison Davis-White Eyes met with the Board of Trustees and other tribal officials during a work session in December. “I’m very pleased to share some news about OSU,” DavisWhite Eyes said. “I am thrilled to introduce OSU’s 15th president, F. King Alexander, who comes from Louisiana State University. Prior to that, he worked at California State University - Long Beach. We want to welcome him to the state of Oregon and to give him the opportunity to develop relationships with the nine sovereigns of Oregon, and have a really deep, rich and appreciative relationship.”

Alexander said, “I want to express my deep appreciation. We’re here in the land of your ancestors. We are the only growing university this year in terms of enrollment, in large part because of our ECampus. I know you’re all dealing with this pandemic, economic recession, devastating wildfires. I’m really here just to commit to engaging with you as tribal leaders to make sure to enhance our relationship.”

BOT members brought up concerns they had with higher education and adapting to education in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I don’t even think we’ve begun to understand how it’s going to set back a generation of kids,” Alexander told the BOT. Chair Kat Brigham thanked Alexander for his time “and I appreciate the Board Members speaking up about all our education concerns,” she said.

came together to bring back feasts and spiritual practices inside Oregon prisons throughout 2019. The overall objective is to bring a healing process and familiarity to incarcerated Native Americans.

General Council Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson and Secretary Shawna Gavin were shown in the beginning of the film at Oregon State Penitentiary at the Spring Celebration on May 4, 2019.

And Tribal member, Art McConville was present to sing traditional songs to inmates.

Due to COVID-19, the Oregon Department of Corrections barred all visitors.

Many of the services of the Red Lodge were canceled in 2020.

For more information, visit opb.org.

UTPD Cameras Continued from page 1B

individual officers have come under fire for not having their camera on.”

“That’s political,” Addleman said.

“You’d be recording our officers 12 hours. For supervisors to review 12 hours of video to see if there’s anything that should be saved or not...

“What it comes down to is we hire the officers to do the job for public safety.

All these cases you read where an officer didn’t turn on his video camera... It’s

January 2021

never intentional is what it usually is, just in the heat of the moment they forgot to.”

General Council Chair Lindsey Watchman asked Addleman if he thinks the officers are safer.

“I do think it brings a higher level of safety and a higher level of transparency for both the community and the officers,” Addleman said. “Also, it’s going to help us to successfully prosecute crimes when we need to.”

The BOT and UTPD agreed to review the policies in seven months.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Stalking – Know it. Name it. Stop it.

By CTUIR Family Violence Services

A nice warm cup of coffee waits for you in the kitchen, like any other day. You get ready and head to work to begin the week.

Everything seems normal until you see a familiar car parked in your work parking lot. Recognizing the vehicle, your muscles tense, and your heart starts to race, and your breathing changes. You thought this was done, you thought you made it clear that you didn’t want contact with them anymore. You drive to a safe place and call the police. Your stalker has found you again.

The first step to finding a solution to the problem is realizing that stalking can happen to anyone. Most people initially do not believe it’s stalking until fear or annoyance become obvious. Some mistakenly think that the other person must be really be interested in them because they “run into” them or repeatedly contacted them. When it becomes too much, overwhelming or unwanted it crosses into stalking. Here are a few examples of how stalking begins; One person feels a strong attraction to another, one is interested in a personal relationship and the other is not, ending a dating relationship or long-term relationship such as marriage ,or ending an abusive relationship.

Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear that can last for weeks or even years, and can take a toll on a victim’s emotional health and sense of security; two or more incidents.

Victims and survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression as a result of their victimization, and many lose time from work and/or relocate. Stalkers use a variety of tactics that can include unwanted phone calls, texts, contact via social media, unwanted gifts, property damage, spreading rumors, harassment and threats.

This also includes showing up and or waiting for a person at work, school or home.

A stalking victim’s entire life can be altered by a stalker.

Stalking is a terrifying and psychologically harmful crime in its own right as well as a predictor of potentially lethal violence: 1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm victims, and stalking increased the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times.

January 2021 marks the seventeenth National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this traumatic and dangerous crime. It is critical to raise the issue of stalking as its own form of violence as well as a

crime that frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical and sexual assault. Stalking impacts over 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States -- yet, despite the prevalence and impacts, many victims, service providers, criminal justice professionals, and members of the general public underestimate its danger and urgency.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories, the District of Columbia, tribal lands and in the military justice system -- but can be difficult to recognize and prosecute in a system designed to respond to singular incidents rather than the series of acts that constitute stalking.

NSAM’s theme of “Know It. Name It. Stop It.” is a call to action for everyone in our own community and across the country.

While police and victim-serving profession-

als are critical, the reality is that the vast majority of victims tell friends or family about the stalking first. Responding with empathy and connecting victims to resources is key.

It is important to be aware and create strategies if you or a love one feels you are being stalked. If you are in imminent danger call 911. Trust your instincts; if something doesn’t feel right or you feel unsafe you could be. What should you do if you feel as if you are being stalked? Document everything. Keep an ongoing journal of the incidents when they occur. Note the date, time, and location of where you are, and briefly describe the incident. Share your concerns with trusted people at work, school and home. Reach out to local victim service providers such as Family Violence Services or Domestic Violence Services. These re-

sources can help you to identify if you are being stalked and help you to formulate a safety plan as well as offer peer support to address the trauma and anxiety that happens as a result of being stalked. Family Violence Services and Domestic Violence Services can assist you filing a stalking order and provide court accompaniment .If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of stalking, ask for help from local resources in our community.

We all have a role to play in identifying stalking, intervening when necessary, and supporting victims and survivors. Family Violence Services is striving to promote awareness and public education about stalking during the annual observance. For more information, please contact Family Violence Services 24/7 Advocate 541-240-4171, Child Youth Advocate, cell 541-215-9904.General office 541-429-7045,or Domestic Violence Services at 800-833-1161.

NATIVE

Birthday Wishes!

Happy 20th Birthday Ermia.

Love Travis, Marina, Lokaa, Nadine and Taz

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Trevon Continued from page 1B

most important thing: fouls.

“In the (United States) at the college level, a foul is considered a last resort.

Teams in Europe are able to sacrifice a lot to stop a player.”

Polpharma has a record of 4-16 as of Jan. 5, which ranks 16th in the league. Allen’s coach, Maciej Jamrozik, gave his new guard high praise, saying he will be an important part of the team’s growth.

“Trevon gives the team his offensive skills,” he said.

Allen has been posting pictures from his journey overseas to his Instagram account: @ trevonl25.

Starogard Gdanski is a city of about 50,000 people about 50 miles south of the Baltic Sea.

Trevon Allen has been making waves in the Polish Basketball League. After 20 games, he’s already known for his scoring ability. One advertisement sent out Jan. 2 states, “Can Trevon, one of the best Energa Basketball League scorers, handle Martynas’s iron defensive?”

Polpharma Basketball

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January 2021

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Working together in the weather

Above: Department of Children and Family Services Director Julie Taylor and granddaughter Brooklyn Jones utilize technology during the recent food distribution. At right, Ella Stewart carries a box of goods while wearing a rain coat during the event.

Photos by Jill-Marie Gavin

Gaming increased 2.5 percent across Indian country in FY19

By NIGC

WASHINGTON -- On Dec. 8, Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and Vice Chair Kathryn Isom-Clause of the National Indian Gaming Commission announced the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the Indian gaming industry. Revenues for FY19 total $34.6B; an increase of 2.5% over 2018.

In the 32 years since the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was enacted, 2019 marked the Indian gaming industry’s highest ever revenue report.

During FY19, nearly every NIGC region experienced growth. The Oklahoma City region saw the largest increase of 7.7%.

Additional information and a summary of gross gaming revenue according to the NIGC’s administratively determined regions can be found on the NIGC’s website.

“Healthy tribal economies are important to promoting the tribal selfsufficiency envisioned in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The growth reflected in the 2019 gaming revenue demonstrates the strength of tribal economies in recent years. The Indian gaming industry is a vital component to many tribal economies across the country,” said Chairman Simermeyer.

The reporting period for FY19 ended

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before the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the temporary closure of every Tribal Gaming Operation. Although the full effect of the Pandemic is yet to be realized, many Indian gaming operations remain closed or operate at reduced capacity. Some Indian gaming operations have been closed since March 2020.

The Pandemic’s impact on the Indian gaming industry will be reflected in the Fiscal Year 2020 GGR report.

Chairman Simermeyer cautioned that, “It is important to recognize the Pandemic’s impact on Tribes.”

Chairman Simermeyer went on to say, “Tribes’ dedication to a safe and sustainable Indian gaming industry is demonstrated in the preventative measures Tribes continue to take during the challenging economic times brought on by the Pandemic. This same dedication has fostered a successful and responsibly regulated Indian gaming industry over several decades.”

Vice Chair Isom-Clause added that, “While we welcome this positive report from FY2019, we know that the current reality is dramatically different. Future reports will reflect the effects of the pandemic on the industry, as well as how it continues to adapt to changing circumstances. Despite these current hardships, Indian gaming, like the tribal nations it benefits, has proved its resiliency over the years.”

Celebrating our Employees Congratulations Lisandro Aviles Revenue Accountant

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH December 2020 “Lisandro takes quality to the next level. He’s very thorough and works to provide helpful insights that contribute to a higher level of service to our clients. Lisandro does not let his location in the Hawaii time zone be an obstacle for geographically‐separated teammates.

He is always prompt in responding to requests and has not failed to provide deliverables within the required timeframes. Since Lisandro joined the Cayuse family, we’ve troubleshooted dozens of situations together. His personality is highly collaborative when working through issues, and his attitude is always positive even when the situation is stressful. Staff like Lisandro make working at Cayuse a joy, and make rough days and challenging tasks easier to manage.”

Confederated Umatilla Journal

+1 541 278 8200 | www.cayuseholdings.com

January 2021

Bison hunting regulations, application available By the Fish & Wildlife Commission

MISSION - CTUIR Treaty bison hunting regulations and applications can be found on the tribal web page.

“The Fish and Wildlife Commission and staff have pressed for and secured changes to the Interagency Bison Management Plan Winter Operations Plan geared towards advancing our communications with Yellowstone National Park staff during the hunting season,” officials said.

“These changes are intended to result in improved hunt safety and efficiency, as well as reducing disruptions to harvest opportunity.

“We appreciate our hunters and law enforcement personnel for setting positive ex-

amples of safety, communication, and coordination with respect to bison hunting in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem throughout the years. It continues to be a very difficult time for traveling in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, so through coordination with our CTUIR Incident Command Team, we’ve included COVID-19 precautionary measures within all our regulations. We encourage hunters to familiarize themselves with these precautionary measures, as well as to review any local requirements prior to travelling, to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure a safe and successful hunt.”

For more information, visit https:// ctuir.org/media/v0qe20pm/ctuir-treaty-hunting-regs-2020-2021-july-20-red. pdf

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Treaty Bison Hunting Regulations and hunt applications were posted to the Tribal website recently.

Wikipedia

TAMÁSTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE | EAT. SHOP. EXPLORE. | JANUARY 2021 We’re open in January!

We’re open Tuesday-Saturday beginning January 5. On FREE First Friday, January 8, 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.

The Museum Store at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

Books, CDs, DVDs 25% off!

January 5-30 Add to your library and expand your knowledge of American Indian tribes’ cultures, music, and history.

It’s a good time to turn to reading while we are all staying safe and spending more time at home. Order online at www.tamastslikt.org/shop or come by the store. We’re open 11am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Feel free to call us at 541.429.7703. COVID-19 protocols are in place with masks and social distancing required. *Offer may not be combined with any other discounts/offers.

Inwai Circle of Friends

Membership Expiration Dates Extended!

When you sign up to become a member of our Inwaì Circle of Friends, your membership will extend through June 2022! Enjoy benefits like free admission, discounts in the store and café, 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.

Kinship Café

January Weekly Specials!

January 8, Free First Friday: Indian Tacos, Frybread January 12 -16: Bison Meatball Sub Sandwich January 19 -23: Baked Chicken Alfredo January 26 -30: Salmon Pesto Pasta Take-out only. Call in your order to 541.429.7702 and we’ll have it ready for pick up!

We are very sorry to announce that ArtWORKz 2021 is cancelled. Don’t worry though - we are planning to reschedule the competition once we have the pandemic safely behind us. Thank you for your patience, and to all the young artists, thank you for your wonderful work submitted every year. We always look forward to seeing the amazing art you send us.

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-381_january_CUJ.indd 1

January 2021

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

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Shaping a legacy, ONE newspaper PAGE AT A TIME

Wil Phinney started with the CTUIR as an unknown, but became a well-known fixture of the community

By Jill-Marie Gavin for the CUJ

The Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) was founded around the time its first editor was graduating high school.

Wil Phinney, CUJ Editor for nearly 25 years, started out a stranger in Mission and ended up being the most well-known white guy on the reservation.

Phinney has been writing the news and taking photos since one of the current Board of Trustees (BOT) members was in a baby board. He’s been kneeling on gym floors across the span of three decades and could name every senior at Nixyaawii Community School over the last three years.

He’s been photographing toddlers in the Pendleton Round-Up arena so long that some of them have become parents. It’s hard to believe that when he was in high school, he didn’t even know there was a reservation less than 40 miles from his home.

From the beginning, Phinney knew he was going to write.

When he was in sixth grade, he won an essay contest. By the time he made it to high school he had grown quite shy, fortunately for him he discovered Former CUJ Editor Wil Phinney started in 1996. Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham recalled seeing him for the first time and thinking, ‘Who’s that that putting a clip board and a camera white guy?’ He turned into one of the most recognizable faces in the community.

CUJ Archive between himself and other students quelled his fears and timid nature. This the sports, and the Tribes were a part the BOT at the time and they were curinewfound confidence drove his interest of his beat. ous about what the paper would bring. in journalism until he became an editor Soon after starting at the EO he be“He was introduced to us and had for the Hermiston High School news- came familiar with Donald Sampson, come from the EO. We weren’t quite sure paper and soon began writing sports Antone Minthorn and Gary George in how he was going to work out, but he stories for the Hermiston Herald. covering his beat. worked out quite good. He was a dediAfter finishing high school, the next That opened the door to his name cated person who really worked to get logical step was to attend college. Once being brought up in meetings on the information and the stories correct and he arrived and spent some time learn- Umatilla Indian Reservation. out,” Brigham said. ing about the ideas and theory behind According the Debra Croswell, curBrigham also said that the hiring of journalism at the University of Oregon, rent Director of Compliance for Cayuse Marcus Luke, current Housing Director, Phinney grew restless.

Shared Services, Wil Phinney had been as the first CUJ staffer was a huge help.

“It was all about theory and I had mentioned a couple times in discusLuke served as a photographer and already been writing for a couple years sions at the Confederated Tribes of the was a friendly and familiar face in the and I got bogged down. I wanted to Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). community. write, I wanted to report. That is what In the summer of 1994, two years Brigham said, “Marcus was helpful in I loved to do,” he said. before Phinney became editor, Croswell helping Wil get to know the community.

The country around him had their was hired as CTUIR’s first Public Af-Wil Phinney, He was very helpful in teaching him about eyes locked on Nixon and all the news fairs Officer.

Former CUJ Editor the community and how things worked coverage of Watergate.

The mid 90’s were an exciting time culturally and traditionally.”

As he watched newsmen in action, he for the Tribes. The salmon restoration As the years rolled by the CUJ and could no longer spend his time learn- project was fully lifted off the ground nationally acclaimed journalist Rich- CTUIR continued to grow. ing about journalism and had to jump and with the return of salmon came a ard LaCourse, the future of the CUJ was Phinney continued his coverage of into the fray. boom of economic opportunities for sealed. every pow wow, basketball game and During a visit home, Phinney got the Tribes.

The hiring team searched for Tribal Pendleton Round-Up event. Over time, a call from Jerry Reed, Editor of the Croswell said the Board of Trustees members and indigenous reporters to the paper grew from a once in a while Hermiston Herald. He began working at the time had wanted to see the public no avail.

10-pager to a monthly 56-page “monas the sports editor there and followed affairs office for the tribe take shape and “Of course we want to hire Tribal ster.” with five more dailies across Oregon bring back the dormant CUJ. members first,” Croswell said, “but Tribal As an editor, Phinney set the stanand bordering states over the next 20 During the first couple years on member journalists are few and far be- dard from the beginning. He always years. board, Croswell worked with Tribal tween and so we weren’t able to do that.” did his best to get every name of every He even found himself attending city Employment Rights Office employee Croswell had known Phinney from student, dancer and baby in the cutlines council meetings and swimming in a (at the time) Randall Minthorn in pub- working with him previously during her as much as possible. Every name has alsea of red robes during his coverage lishing the CUJ. It was sporadic in its college days. ways been important to him, even when of the Rajneesh movement in Eastern frequency, at best. By the time 1996 hit The pair got right to work and Cro- the paper was slammed up against a Oregon. it was clear, the CUJ needed an editor. swell helped with all the cutting and deadline, every name mattered.

That coverage landed Phinney’s by“I talked to my boss at the time, and pasting of building the newspaper and The news was important to him and line in a Netflix documentary and on my boss at the time was Gary George. sending the stories to the East Oregonian that was reflected in his work. the front page of the East Oregonian I said you know I really need help. The for printing.

“This is what I do, I’ve never had any 30 years later.

Current Board Chair Kat Brigham other job, except I stocked shelves at CUJ really needs a news person, someWhen he wound his path around one who can really do this,” Croswell remembers when Phinney was hired.

Safeway in high school. This is the only closer to home, Phinney ended up recalled.

Brigham joked that her initial thoughts thing I know how to do,” Phinney said. writing sports for the East Oregonian After 20 years of dormancy after were, “Who’s that white guy?”

Even when tensions grew high in the during the mid-90’s. His main job was the CUJ was founded in the 70’s by She said Phinney was introduced to Phinney on page 15B

‘This is what I do.

I’ve never had any other job, except I stocked shelves at Safeway in high school. This is the only thing I know how to do.

14B

Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

Schimmel starting to shine in D1

The Cincinnati Bearcats are seeing how valuable CTUIR Tribal member Milan Schimmel is on the court. The former Nixyaawii Community School star logged a career-high 37 minutes on Jan. 2 in the team’s 65-59 victory over Wichita State University. Schimmel, a junior, played efficiently, shooting 2 for 2 from 3-point range and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line to score 12 points, while adding seven rebounds, five assists and a block. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak, during which Schimmel averaged 27.8 minutes per game. The 12-point output Jan. 2 was the first time she reached double figures in her first season with the team.

Courtesy GoBearcats.com

Cleveland Indians to change name, but not in 2021, owner says CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians are changing their name — they just don’t know to what or when.

Expressing that “it’s time,” owner Paul Dolan said that after months of internal discussions and meetings with groups, including Native Americans who have sought to have the team stop using a moniker many deem racist, the American League franchise is dropping the name it has been known by since 1915.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Dolan said: “The name is no longer acceptable in our world.”

Dolan said the team will continue to be called Indians until a new name is chosen.

That “multi-stage” process is in its early stages and the team will play — and be

Phinney Continued from page 14B

past years, he remained focused on his task. The political tension, especially, could be hard to deal with..

“I was just a good newspaper man doing my job, and sometimes those stories are going to upset people. You have to give the people what they want and what they need,” Phinney said.

Brigham also noted that there have been some who did not care for the CUJ editor over the years, especially in the beginning. When the CUJ became a regular monthly publication in the 90’s up until today, Brigham said the reviews were mixed.

branded — as the Indians at least through next season.

“We’ll be the Indians in 2021 and then after that, it’s a difficult and complex process to identify a new name and do all the things you do around activating that name,” Dolan said. “We are going to work at as quick a pace as we can while doing it right.

“But we’re not going to do something just for the sake of doing it. We’re going to take the time we need to do it right.”

Dolan said the team will not adopt an interim name until choosing its new one.

“We don’t want to be the Cleveland Baseball Team or some other interim name,” he said, adding he hopes the new name “will hopefully take us through multiple centuries.”

Cleveland’s move follows a similar decision by the NFL’s Washington Football Team, previously known as the Redskins.

“It was a learning process for me and I think when fair-minded, open-minded people really look at it, think about it and maybe even spend some time studying it, I like to think they would come to the same conclusion: It’s a name that had its time, but this is not the time now, and certainly going forward, the name is no longer acceptable in our world,” Dolan said.

As Cleveland considers new names, Dolan said Tribe, the team’s popular nickname for decades, has been ruled out.

“We are not going to take a half-step away from the Indians,” said Dolan.

“The new name, and I do not know what it is, will not be a name that has Native

American themes or connotations to it.”

The decision was welcomed by Native American groups that met with the club.

“The team made a genuine effort to listen and learn,” said Cynthia Connolly, executive board member of the Lake Erie Native American Council in the Cleveland Indigenous Coalition. “We hope this serves as a blueprint for other professional teams and the 200-plus high school teams in the Ohio area. If there is a school or team that truly cares about fighting racism, these mascots cannot coexist.”

The name change by the Indians is the latest by an organization reacting to a national movement, which gained momentum in the wake of widespread civil rights protests last summer, to have prejudicial names and symbols removed.

“Depends on who you talk to. Some people just loved it, having those regular month newsletters and some people felt like it was just a bunch of B.S.,” she said, “But he worked hard and even though I know some people didn’t care for him there were lots who did care and still care for him greatly.”

His first co-worker, Debra Croswell, said of the criticism the newspaper has received over the years, “Wil cares a great deal about our community, he’s in a tough role, to be in that job you have to have a thick skin and be able to take a great deal of criticism. Wil has done a good job at that, he has received a lot of criticism thousands and thousands of pieces of information go into the paper

each month and people don’t realize how difficult and what an undertaking it is to put that together is a huge accomplishment.”

Now that the discussion has shifted towards goodbyes, Phinney is glad that he had a chance to exit slowly. During the months leading up to his departure, the Covid-19 global pandemic made his daily routine much different.

Over the years he had grown fond of chatting and visiting with his friends and colleagues at the office and all across the reservation. But the hallways grew quiet and dark as the age of working from home took hold.

Getting used to the idea of retirement wasn’t initially easy, he rescheduled his

exit date three times, but the absence of smiling faces and the hustle and bustle in the building did seem to ease him into it.

As for his final good bye, he’s not sure that will ever come. He has offered to stay on as a freelancer or to advise, but the full time work is what he is wanting to leave behind.

“I love the work. I’m just tired of working,” he said.

Having more free time he hopes to stay around to help teach golfing at Nixyaawii Community School, where his wife Carrie Phinney works. His passion for the community remains and he hopes to spend some time interviewing the elders of CTUIR for feature stories, now that he has time.

‘I love the work, I’m just tired of working.’

Wil Phinney, former CUJ Editor

January 2021

Confederated Umatilla Journal

15B

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16B

Marshall McKay (Pomo-Wintun) became the first Indigenous chairman of the board of the Autry Museum of the American West. He passed away after contracting COVID-19.

AP

Former Pomo-Wintun Tribal leader dies of COVID-19 complications

By Carolina Miranda of the LA Times

Marshall McKay, a Northern California Indigenous leader of Pomo-Wintun heritage who helped secure economic independence for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation near Sacramento, and whose deep support of cultural causes led to his becoming the first Indigenous chairman on the board of the Autry Museum of the American West, has died at 68 after contracting the coronavirus.

Last month, McKay and his wife, Sharon Rogers McKay, tested positive for the coronavirus and were both hospitalized after experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Rogers McKay recovered and was eventually released. Her husband did not. Marshall McKay died Dec. 29 at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by a representative for the Autry Museum and his stepson, Alex Aander.

Rick West, president and chief executive at the Autry, said McKay’s death marks a huge loss for the museum but also Native culture at large. McKay was, West said, “one of the five — maybe even three — significant Native leaders in the late 20th century and early 21st century period.”

“We will miss his strength and wisdom,” said a joint statement issued by the members of the Yocha Dehe Tribal Council. “He was a resolute protector of Native American heritage here, within our own homeland, but also throughout California and Indian Country.”

His stepson describes a congenial family man who loved road trips, Nicolas Cage movies and his chihuahuas — at one point he had a brood of 10 — the most beloved of which he named Frida Kahlo.

“I know that he has done so much incredible work in his life and I know only a small fragment of it,” Aander said.

“I knew him as a human being. … My biggest memory is road trips. We would drive around the countryside for hours and let the rock ’n’ roll do the talking.”

McKay, who was the first in his tribe to go to college, was involved in tribal governance for a three-decade period starting in the 1980s and helped the Yocha Dehe expand its land holdings in its ancestral territories in what is now Yolo County. He also helped the tribe achieve

Confederated Umatilla Journal

‘(Marshall) was one of the five, maybe even three, significant Native leaders in the late 20th century and early 21st century period.’

-Rick West President of the Autry Museum economic independence through a casino development — the Cache Creek Casino Resort, about an hour’s drive west of Sacramento. Half a dozen years ago, with his involvement, the tribe expanded into agricultural production, which included the development of Séka Hills, a brand of artisanal olive oil.

If economic issues were important to him as a tribal leader, so were cultural ones.

“The economics and the fight for sovereignty — the things I fought for all of my life — I think we’ve got that,” he told the Sacramento Bee in 2006. “Now we need to revitalize our spirituality, our culture — for the young people.”

McKay was a founding member of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, which supported Indigenous artists and culture. In 2007, he was tapped by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on the Native American Heritage Commission.

Shortly thereafter, he joined the boards of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington and the Autry in Los Angeles. At the time, the Autry had recently merged with the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, making it the steward of the second-largest collection of Native American art and artifacts in the United States.

In 2010, McKay became the first Indigenous person to serve as chair of the Autry’s board of trustees.

January 2021

Washington, Oregon, 29 tribes sue over plan to move archives SEATTLE (AP) — Washington, Oregon, more than two dozen Native American and Alaska Native tribes and cultural groups from the Northwest are suing the federal government to stop the sale of the National Archives building in Seattle, a plan that would force the relocation of millions of invaluable historical records to California and Missouri.

The government is planning to sell the vast warehouse under a law aimed at unloading excess federal property, but the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday says the building is anything but “excess.” It contains irreplaceable documents dating to the 1840s and is used all the time for research about everything from tribal history to Japanese internment during World War II and fur seal hunts on remote Alaskan islands.

“This is the DNA of our region,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson told an online news conference Monday. “These are documents that are not digitized. Moving them a thousand miles away essentially and effectively eliminates public access to these critical documents.”

The National Archives building is one of a dozen properties around the country, collectively valued at $500 million to $750 million, identified for sale by the Public Buildings Reform Board. The board initially intended to sell the properties individually, but has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the commercial real estate market, it will offer the buildings early this year for an expedited sale as a single portfolio.

The records would be moved to National Archives facilities in Kansas City and in Riverside, California.

The Seattle building has a reported $2.4 million maintenance backlog and costs more than $350,000 a year to operate, but sits on land that would be prime for residential development, with views of the Cascade Mountains and Lake Washington.

The sale is opposed by all eight U.S. senators and many representatives from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

“The records stored in Seattle’s Federal Archives are vital to telling the story of the Pacific Northwest’s history,” Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the thirdmost-senior Democrat in the Senate, said in an emailed statement Monday. “I look forward to working with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration to explore every option available, including the appropriations process, to ensure that they remain accessible to local stakeholders.”

The lawsuit says the Seattle archives is ineligible for sale under the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act, which exempts buildings used for research in connection with federal agricultural, recreational or conservation programs.

Among other things, the lawsuit noted, the archives are used for research under federal historical preservation programs and to litigate land use, water rights and conservation issues.

Neither the board nor the federal Office of Management and Budget, which approved the sale, immediately returned emails seeking comment Monday. In a brief interview with the Los Angeles Times last month, Talmage Hocker, a Kentucky commercial real-estate developer appointed to the board by President Donald Trump, claimed the archive

January 2021

This Jan. 23, 2020, photo shows the National Archives on Sand Point, Wash., that has about a million boxes of generally unique, original source documents and public records. More than two dozen Native American tribes and cultural groups from the Northwest and Alaska are suing the federal government to stop the sale of the National Archives building in Seattle, a plan that would force the relocation of millions of invaluable historical records to California and Missouri.

AP Photo

doesn’t get a lot of visitors.

“It can become a part of the community, as opposed to what it is today,” he said.

Ferguson and others said that comment demonstrated the board’s ignorance of the archives’ importance to the region. He noted his own late father, a local history buff, spent many hours there conducting genealogical and other research.

The documents include old property, military service and marriage records, court cases, census records from Alaskan

villages before statehood, tribal rolls and treaties, and records of timber sales. There are 50,000 files related to the Chinese Exclusion Act, which limited the presence of Chinese laborers in the U.S. from 1882 until 1943, including photos and interrogations of Chinese immigrants.

Native American tribes have used the archives to win federal recognition, to establish their right to hunt and fish in their traditional lands, and to verify their oral traditions. The government’s failure to consult with the tribes before deciding

to sell the building violated federal policies, the lawsuit said.

“This generation is witnessing our history come to life with a resurgence of our language, our cultures, our songs, our dance, our tribal journeys,” said Fawn Sharp, president of Quinault Indian Nation on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. “We’re just getting to a point of having a basic understanding of this rich and vast history. If this information were to ever leave the Pacific Northwest, it would be a loss not only to tribal nations, it would be a loss to the entire Pacific Northwest.”

In 2018 the documents were used to help secure the Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American World War II veterans, said Connie So, president of the Greater Seattle chapter of OCA Asian Pacific Advocates, formerly known as the Organization of Chinese Americans.

The files also include key records from the internment of Japanese-Americans during World II — including documents that showed the National Archives building itself sits on land owned for decades by a family of Japanese American farmers, the Uyejis, who were sent to concentration camps in California in 1942. The Navy eventually took over the land and built warehouses on the property, which was never returned to the Uyejis.

Among the artifacts housed at the archives is a key to the family’s front door, the lawsuit noted.

DID YOU KNOW? Individual abilities were recognized by elders at an early age. Headmen and chiefs were selected based upon their experience, abilities and skills. Elders were respected and often leaders had council with elders. Individuals were recognized for their spiritual strength, medicinal abilities, warrior qualities, recognized for their hunting and tracking abilities, fishing skills, art, weaving, education, discipline, healing, cooking or other skills. Labor and skills were divided as many survival skills were necessary.

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

Confederated Umatilla Journal

17B

CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes December 7th, 2020 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; JillMarie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman.

Armand Minthorn, Member on Personal Leave quorum present.

Old Business: NONE New Business: NONE Other Board Action Items: Executive Director Job Description motion. As of November 4, 2020, the CTUIR Executive Director (ED) position was vacated. To ensure governmental operations and continuity, the Board of Trustees approved Resolution 20-100 which included the Board’s designation of a staff level Recruitment Team under Section V of the Executive Management Policy. That Team is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the ED job description. On December 3, 2020, the Team met with the Board during a Work Session to recommend an updated ED job description for the Board’s approval. The Team further recommended the Board’s approval be made by the motion on December 7, 2020. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves the Board of Trustees approves the Executive Director (ED) job description as recommended by the ED Recruitment Team and reviewed on December 3, 2020 at a Board Work Session.

Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 6 for (Sally Kosey, Jill-Marie Gavin, Sandra Sampson, Boots Pond, Corinne Sams and Lindsey Watchman) - 1 against (Jeremy Wolf) - 0 abstaining.

BOT Travel Report: BOT will read trip reports and email each other if there are questions. Jane Hill will conduct a post review of the G2G Tribal Session. . Jeremy Wolf, 12/2 video conference on Interagency Bison Management Policy. . Jeremy Wolf, 12/2 video conference call on SPOD. . Boots Pond, 12/1 & 2 attended Zoom Annual State/Tribal G2G Summit. . Jill-Marie Gavin, 12/1 & 2 attended Zoom Annual State/Tribal G2G Summit.

. Sally Kosey, 12/1 & 2 attended Zoom Annual State/Tribal G2G Summit.

MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve travel reports are in folder and email each other if there are questions. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

BOT Leave and Travel Request: Sally Kosey request attend SB 13 meeting on 12/9.

Kat Brigham, verbal request to attend Wyden panel.

Sandra Sampson, verbal request for conference call on 12/7 re: White House update .MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve the three verbal requests. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

December 14, 2020 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Jeremy Wolf, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; JillMarie Gavin, Member; Corinne Sams, Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman.

Armand Minthorn, Member on Personal Leave quorum present.

Old Business: NONE New Business: Resolutions: 20-113: Topic: UTPD Mobile and Portable Audio/Video Camera Policies RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) Policy 430 Mobile Audio Video (Exhibit 1), and UTPD Policy 431 Portable Audio/Video Recorders (Exhibit 2), to ensure the proper use of body-warn and vehicle cameras by UTPD personnel in the performance of their duties; MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to adopt Resolution 20-113. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Other Board Action Items: NONE BOT Travel Report: Jeremy Wolf requests: 12/18, Fri. morning half day for video conference, CRITFC monthly meeting.

12/17, to Tri-Cities for Shoreline Reconveyance Tour from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Corinne Sams requests:

Handmade by us, Home baked by you

12/14 video conference from 1-2 PM re: Yellowstone Buffalo Group.

12/16, video conference with CRITFC LEC from 9 AM to noon.

12/17, video conference with CRITFC from 8:15 AM to 4 PM. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to approve leave requests. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

BOT Leave and Travel Request: Sally Kosey, 12/9 Salem OR via Zoom re: ongoing meeting with SB 13.

MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve travel report. Jeremy Wolf seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

December 21, 2020 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: a. Ratify polled letter to Senator Patty Murray to support WA Representative Debra Lekanoff to be nominated to serve as the Environmental Protection Administration Region 10 Administrator.

MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to ratify polled letter. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 8-0-0.

New Business: Proposed Resolutions: Next resolution number is 20-115: b. Resolution 20-115: Topic: NARCH XII Manuscript RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby recommends publishing the NARCH VIII research manuscript “Recommendations for Improving Adolescent Addiction Recovery Support in Six Northwest Tribal Communities Exhibit 1” by Colville tribal member, Dr. Martina Whelshula, to be published in peer reviewed journals in partnership with Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance Harvard

Medical School MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt Resolution 20-115. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Resolution 20-116: Topic: CARES Act Appropriations to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic: RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the CARES Act Contingency Fund Budget attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C and appropriates funds from the CARES Act Contingency Fund for such purposes; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby directs its Executive Director and Finance Director to adjust the use of funds from the CARES Act Contingency Fund for hazard pay in a manner that complies with the Department of Treasury Guidance dated September 2, 2020 as outlined in Part V in Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby directs the Executive Director for CTUIR and the Chief Executive Officer of Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, Wildhorse Resort and Casino, and Cayuse Holdings to take all necessary steps to implement the U.S. Department of Education student loan payments made from the CARES Act Contingency Fund in a manner that complies with applicable law and Department of Treasury rules; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees declares that all assistance provided from the CARES Act Contingency Fund have been granted under the Confederated Tribes General Welfare Code and are exempt from federal income taxation to the maximum extent permitted under that Code and the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014; MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to defer the CARES Act Resolution because of the possible extension. Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion, Congress still have to vote on the possible extension and this is the last December BOT meeting. Question. Motion fails 2 for - (Sandra Sampson and Lindsey Watchman) - 6 against (Jeremy Wolf, Sally Kosey, Jill-Marie Gavin, Boots Pond, Corinne Sams and Armand Minthorn) - 0 abstaining.

MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to adopt

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

January 2021

CTUIR Board of Trustees minutes Resolution 20-116. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion, if an extension does occur staff will present additional information for the BOT to review and act upon. Question. Motion carries 6 for (Jeremy Wolf, Sally Kosey, Jill-Marie Gavin, Boots Pond, Corinne Sams and Armand Minthorn) - 2 against (Sandra Sampson and Lindsey Watchman) and 0 abstaining.

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

CTUIR Culture Coalition, advertising five positions and one application from Margaret Sams. MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to appoint Margaret Sams by acclimation to CTUIR Culture Coalition for 2 year term ending Dec. 2022. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7 for (Jeremy Wolf, Sandra Sampson, Lindsey Watchman, Armand Minthorn, Boots Pond and Jill-Marie Gavin) – 0 against – 2 abstaining (Sally Kosey and Corinne Sams).

Election Commission, advertising four positions and received six applications from Kelly Long, Pam Peterson, Jessica Lavadour, Margaret Shoeships, Michelle Shippentower and Roberta Wilson. The BOT will appoint two and General Council will appoint two. ACTION: by secret ballot Pam Peterson and Jessica Lavadour was appointed to service position 8 and 6 for four year terms ending December 31, 2024. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to approve selection. Jill-Marie Gavin seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7 for - (Corinne Sams, Jill-Marie Gavin, Jeremy Wolf, Sandra Sampson, Armand Minthorn, Sally Kosey and Boots Pond) - 0 against – 1 abstaining (Lindsey Watchman).

Health Commission, advertising for one position and received two applications from Kathleen Elliott and Linda Sampson. Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary informed the BOT an application dated Dec. 4, 2020 was found and would like to defer appointment until BOT has opportunity to review it. MOTION: Jeremy Wolf moves to defer appointment to the Health Commission until all applications are reviewed. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Law & Order Committee, advertising for one position and received one application from Patricia Hall. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to reappoint Patricia Hall by acclimation to two year term ending Dec. 3, 2022. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Tiicham Conservation District, advertising on position and received one application from Paula Wallis. MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to reappoint Paula Wallis to the Tiicham Conservation District for a 2 year term ending Dec. 1, 2022. Lindsey Watchman seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7 for – (Armand Minthorn, Lindsey Watchman, Sandra Sampson, Sally Kosey, Boots Pond, Corinne Sams and Jill-Marie Gavin) – 0 against - 1 abstaining (Sandra Sampson).

Chemical Depot Authority (CDA). The position was currently held by past General Council Chair.

MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to appoint Jill-Marie Gavin to the Chemical Depot Authority (CDA). Corinne Sams seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7 for - (Armand Minthorn, Corinne Sams, Jeremy Wolf, Sandra Sampson, Sally Kosey, Lindsey Watchman and Boots Pond) – 0 against -1 abstaining (Jill-Marie Gavin).

Terms expiring: Iosefa Taula - Land Acquisition and Roberta Wilson- - Law and Order- over due in January.

Continue advertising for: 4 positions for CTUIR Culture Coalition. 2 year term, meets as needed.

2 position for Cultural Resources– 2 year term, meets 1st 3rd Tues. @1:30 PM. 2 position for Farm Committee- 2 year termmeets 2nd and 4th Tues. @ 2:30 PM. 1 position Housing Commission- 4 year term meets 1st and 3rs Tues. @ 1 PM@ URHA

1 position Land Protection Planning Commission–3 yr. term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues. 9 AM. 1 Alternate position Land Protection Planning- 3 yr. term, meets 2nd & 4th Tues @ 9AM. 1 Land Acquisition Committee- position ends 9/3/21 meets 1st and 3rd Tues. @ 9:00 AM. 1 position for Law and Order 2 year term meets 1st and 3rd Tues. at 2 PM. 1 position Science and Technology- 2 year term- meets 2nd and 4th Tues. @ 2 PM. 1 position TERO – Term ends 11/4/21- meets 1st and 3rd Tues. @ 1:30 PM. Applications due Tues. Jan. 19, 2021 by 4 PM. Work Session scheduled for Jan. 22 at 8:30 AM to review applications and will make appointments on Mon. Jan. 25.

Memo to Commission/Committees regarding 2021 Annual Report schedule. The schedule for 2021 scheduled reports to presented on the BOT every 5th Tuesday all day. Reports are due by Monday noon of their respective reports.

MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve the Commission /Committee Annual Report schedule for 2021. Armand Minthorn seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Corinne Sams trip report was deferred. k. BOT Leave and Travel Requests.

Jeremy Wolf, personal leave from Feb. 8 at 1:30 PM through Feb 12 at 4 PM. MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve leave request. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 8-0-0.

Chuck Sams, IED request annual leave on Jan. 21, 2021 for 3 hours from 1 to 4 PM. MOTION: Jill-Marie Gavin moves to approve the annual leave request. Boots Pond seconds.

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

Gary George, WRC CEO personal leave request, Dec. 22, 23 and 24 was submitted to BOT Chair.

MOTION: Armand Minthorn moves to approve Gary George leave request. Sally Kosey seconds.

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

CTUIR LANGUAGE LESSON Umatilla 1. Aw Tičám ipinátamastklikša - The Earth Has Turned Itself Over, Time Of Soltice 2.K’sítal - January 3.Sapatawáyi - Frozen, cause to Freeze 4.K’sít iwá Ámčnipa - it’s cold outside 5.Átyaša - Cold Wind from the North

Weyiiletpuutímt 1. Wilúupup – January 2. ‘ení’m híiweš - It is winter.

3. Hahátyaca – It is windy.

4. ‘icwée’yš híiweš ‘éemtii – It is cold outside.

5. Kapohí! – Put on your coat!

Birthdays: 2nd: Bowen Bronson 3rd: Basil Badroads, Art Brickwood and Robert Kash Kash 4th: Leo Stewart and Julie Stewart 8th: Joaquin Hernandez 9th: Natalie Welch 12th: Daniel Brigham 15th: Nicole Linhart 18th: Damon Billy 20th: Michelle Brigham, Ruben Eickstaedt, Aya Majors and Jerry McKay 23rd: Alger Brigham 27th: Daniel Jones 29th: Bonnie Harrison 30th: Julius Welch Anniversary: 23rd: Robert & Kat Brigham

January 2021

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