2023 July CUJ

A new housing development was celebrated with a ribbon cutting in June. See more photos on Page 15A.

Chief Bill Burke was among the dignitaries attending a Horse Parade in June. For more turn to Page 3A.

Madison Munoz trains on a simulator motor grader in a TERO program.

See Page 18A.

Confederated Umatilla Journal Section

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

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JULY 2023 Volume 31, Issue 7

BOT OKs alcohol at Arrowhead

Wellness Center on schedule

Vote was not unanimous

Presentation to General Council set for July 22

By the CUJ

MISSION – Alcohol can now be purchased at Arrowhead Travel Plaza following a split decision June 12 by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The BOT vote was 5-3 with Vice-Chair Aaron Ashley, Treasurer Sandra Sampson, Secretary Sally Kosey, and members Lisa Ganuelas and Toby Patrick voting in favor of the resolution (23-056) approving alcohol sales at Arrowhead. The two votes against were from BOT members Corinne Sams and Boots Pond. General Council Chair Lindsey Watchman was absent. BOT Chair Kathryn Brigham only votes in case of a tie.

That same day the BOT approved amendments - with the same five voting in favor - to the 2006 Liquor Tax Code, which includes a 5 percent tax on gross sales of liquor. The amendments make that Code applicable to all Wildhorse businesses authorized to sell liquor. The amendments did not change a provision Conintued on Page 14

By the CUJ

MISSION – Design options, potential sites, and a host of possible features for a wellness center are expected to be presented July 22 to the General Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTU- Don Sampson, IR).

CTUIR Executive D o n Director Sampson, Executive Director for the CTUIR, said design options include a 58,000 square-foot “foundational” or basic athletic facility and a larger, more costly, 85,000 squarefoot campus.

‘We’re going to do it.

We’ve talked about it for too long.’

Playing cowboy Jordan Yazzie, a Navajo dancer from Georgeville, Wash., competed in the Cowboy Special at the Wildhorse Pow Wow, which took place June 30-July 1. More photos on Pages 4 and 5.

INSIDE THE CUJ Shane Rivera, throwing it down at right, and Brooker Jones, will be inducted Aug. 11 into the Pendleton Linebacker’s Hall of Fame.

Read more on Page 1B.

Conintued on Page 17

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

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

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

BOT amends Enrollment Code appeal process for membership reapplication By the CUJ

ABOUT THE CUJ

The Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) was created in 1975 as the official publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), which includes the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people. The 6,000+ circulation newspaper is based out of Pendleton, Oregon, is produced by the CT UIR’s Communications Department and is printed monthly in Lewiston, Idaho.

CONTACT US

Confederated Umatilla Journal 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801 Phone: 541-429-7005 Fax: 541-429-7005 General inquiries via email: cuj@ctuir.org

STAFF

Publisher: Kaeleen McGuire kaeleenmcguire@ctuir.org Advertising: M. Moses-Conner monecemoses@ctuir.org Photographer: Dallas Dick dallasdick@ctuir.org

SUBSCRIBE

Print subscriptions can be purchased by contacting the CTUIR Finance Department at 541-429-7150 or visiting the Finance desk at Nixyaawii Governance Center, 46411 Timine Way, Pendleton.

Though the newspaper is free around the area, we do charge for mailing subscriptions to cover the printing and postage costs per issue. Those prices are as follows: One year: $15, Two years: $28

ADVERTISE

$5.50 per column inch Common sizes: Full page: $417 Three Quarter Page: $323 Half page: $229 Quarter page: $132 Business Card: $52 The CUJ prints on the first Thursday of each month.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES: • Word limit: 300.

• Letters containing information found to be inaccurate/libelous will not be published.

• Letters containing profanity will not be published.

• One letter per issue will be published.

Campaigning is not allowed.

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

MISSION – Changes to the Enrollment Code regarding reapplication and appeals have been adopted by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The amendments were approved May 22 by the BOT following recommendations from the CTUIR Enrollment Commission.

The Enrollment Commission, which is charged with reviewing the Code at least annually, met multiple times in 2022 and 2023 with the Enrollment Officer and the Office of Legal Counsel.

Those meetings resulted in a package of proposed amendments that were reviewed by the BOT at a work session May 10, and were subsequently adopted

by BOT Resolution 23-045.

The most significant of the amendments, according to CTUIR attorney Joe Pitt, concerns reapplication.

Prior to the recent amendments, a person whose enrollment application was denied was required to wait six months from the date of the denial and submit new information with their application.

If an applicant was denied enrollment three times, Pitt said, the Code stated that the applicant was barred from applying for enrollment with the CTUIR. The amendment to Section 2.08 removes both the six-month limitation as well as the limitation on three applica-

Under the amended Code, an applicant can appeal a denied enrollment application to Tribal Court even if it is the first denial. tions.

With the new amendments, a person can reapply for enrollment at any time so long as they submit new information establishing their eligibility for enrollment.

A corresponding change was made to Section 3.04 (A) regarding appeals of denied enrollment applications.

Previously, this section allowed an applicant to appeal the denial of an enrollment application to Tribal Court only if it was the third denial. That is, Pitt said, judicial review was only permitted if an applicant was at risk of losing their ability to reapply for enrollment in the future.

Under the amended Code, an applicant can appeal a denied enrollment

application to Tribal Court even if it is the first denial.

Finally, minor technical changes were made to the Code which clarified that tribal members are eligible to received dividend/per capital payments on the day of eligibility established by the BOT pursuant to the Gaming Revenue Allocation Plan; and changed the schedule for the Enrollment Officer’s reporting to the BOT from quarterly to biannually.

Toni Minthorn is the CTUIR Enrollment Officer.

Under the authority of the Election Code, the CTUIR Election Commission conducts and supervises all Tribal elections; resolves election dispute; promulgates such additional regulations as may be necessary from time to time; and provides information and education about the election process to CTUIR members.

Members of the Election Commission include Chair Catherine Barkley, ViceChair Velma Dunfee, Secretary (currently vacant), and members Bonnie Burke and Marlene Taylor. The Commission meets at 2:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.

The BOT appoints the two member positions the CTUIR General Council appoints the three officer positions.

The terms for the Chair and Vice-Chair end in December of this year.

CTUIR codes, statutes and laws can be found at ctuir.org/departments/ office-of-legal-counsel/codes-statuteslaws/

Tovey named to Energy Trust Board PORTLAND - Bill Tovey, the Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is one of three new members on the Energy Trust Board.

Tovey, an enrolled member of the CTUIR, joins Jane Peters and Ellsworth Lang, who fill positions vacated by Elee Jen, Erik Andersen and Ernesto Fonseca, who all stepped down in February.

Tovey, of Pendleton, has worked for the CTUIR for more than 30 years, helping develop and open Wildhorse Casino & Resort, Coyote Business Park, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center and Nixyáawii Education Center.

For the past three years, he has worked on tribal housing needs and facilitated the production of rental housing units and building lots for home ownership.

Currently, Tovey oversees the CTUIR land acquisition program and is working on reservation broadband services as well as securing funding for net-zero solutions like wind and solar energy.

“I’m thrilled to join the Energy Trust Board of Directors to help strengthen Energy Trust’s outreach efforts to increase energy efficiency for Oregon Tribes and Eastern Oregon communities,” said Tovey in a news release.

Lang was born and raised in Chiloquin and is an enrolled member of the

Ellsworth Lang

Jane Peters

Klamath Tribes. He serves on the Klamath Tribes Tribal Council, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Discover Klamath Board of Directors.

Lang previously worked at the JELDWEN Communities Resorts Division for 15 years. He has a passion for economic and business development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and has been driving the adoption of inclusive business practices throughout his career.

“I am very pleased to be working with Energy Trust of Oregon to help bring tribal perspectives at a state level. Being a part of a sustainable future and bringing

Bill Tovey

equity to Oregon is exciting,” said Lang.

Peters, of Portland, is an environmental psychologist who is well known for her work conducting process evaluation and market research for utilities, energy agencies and nonprofits. Her career focused on including the voices of all market actors.

Energy Trust’s volunteer board provides strategic direction and organizational policies. Its insights guide programs that help Oregonians and businesses access clean, affordable and equitable energy, save energy and lower costs, and generate renewable energy.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal

Ike Blackwolf sits atop his horse as it struts and trots

by Mission spectators during the traditional three laps around the longhouse July 1.

Grand Marshal of the Memorial Horse Parade, Les Minthorn, brought in the flag of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) during his entrance to the Nixyaawii Veteran’s Memorial the morning of July 1.

Memorial Horse Parade rider Cecil Tias reigns in his pony as he passes through parade crowds. The Memorial Horse Parade has long been a tradition of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla People’s until the custom went dormant in the 50’s before being revived by the Jones family in the early 90’s

Umatilla Chiefs Bill Burke, left, and Gary Burke, right, stand for a rare photo following grand entry during the Memorial Horse Parade celebration at the Mission Longhouse July 1.

Longhouse cooks and sisters listen to speakers during the event.

From left are Lynnsue Jones, Linda Jones and Brenda Shippentower.

Young rider MyaLyn Mills rides in the parade.

According to one of the lead organizers, Linda Jones, the Memorial Horse Parade used to be held during summer solstice but was changed to the fourth of July decades ago. Families travelled to the July Grounds for group encampment, gambling, games and horse races, among other activities.

2023 CTUIR Horse Parade

Nakai Gavin, center, rides with cousins Abigayle McIntosh, left, and Lisa Faye McIntosh-Gavin, right, on a patriotic float during the July 1 parade.

The Memorial Horse Parade restarted after decades of dormancy at the Mission Longhouse in 1992.

This year’s organizer, Linda Jones’ recalls her mother holding a meal, naming’s and sometimes memorials at their home in a long tent before the event returned to the longhouse. There was no parade, but eventually families heard of the event and started to attend. Jones and her sisters, that were present at the time, were told to come cook, and cook they did. Decades later they continue to carry on this tradition, with 2023 being no exception.

The day of the event began with a Call to Order at the Nixyaawii Veteran’s Memorial and speeches were carried about by veterans before an honor song was held for Chief Bill Burke.

Immediately following was the parade, which ended with a War Dance into the longhouse.

Traditional memorial speakers and a give away were hosted before the 4th of July Celebration lunch was served.

Keith Burke dons his War Bonnet for the Memorial Horse Parade in Mission July 1. Tribal members customarily dress in their finest regalia and dress their horses the same for the event that dates back as far as oral historians can recall.

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Saul Kirapd from Siletz was one of hundreds of dancers from across Indian Country competing at the Wildhorse Pow Wow. A dancer uses her feather fan to block the sun at the Wildhorse Pow Wow.

Boogie Morning Owl danced in the heat at the 27th annual Wildhorse Pow Wow June 30-July 1.

Kenston Chief, a Creek Indian, dances during an inter-tribal at the Wildhorse Pow Wow.

Logan Quaempts strikes a stoic pose during men’s dance competition at the Wildhorse Pow Wow. Results of the competion were not available by press time.

Lillian Watchman, a student at Nixyaawii Community Student, danced in women’s competition.

Dancers, including a laughing John Bevis, line up for a Warbonnet Special at the Wildhorse Pow Wow on the grounds of Wildhorse Resort. Winners of the special, from first to third, were George Meninick Sr. from Toppenish, Wash., Carlos Calica, Warm Springs, and Nakia Williamson, Lapwai.

Arianne Sheka, a Hocak and Cheyenne Arapaho Indian, was one of the dancers who traveled for the Wildhorse Pow Wow dancing.

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Wildhorse pow-wow turns RED Dancing pays tribute to missing and murdered Native Americans

Teata Ellenwood dances at the Wildhorse Pow Wow, which boasted more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.

Dancers participate in a Red Dress Special at the July 2 Wildhorse Pow Wow. Winners of both specials, shown below, were awarded Pendleton blankets and cash prizes. The next Red Dress Special will take place at the Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowas July 21-23.

Aurora Sohappy and Luna Gottfriedson were among many children who participated at the Wildhorse Pow Wow.

Kola Shippentower painted her face red to acknowledge the Red Dress Day, also known as the national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People The day honors and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to disproportionate violence in the United States and Canada. Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project installation, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women. Red dresses have become symbolic of the crisis as a result of her installation.

CUJ photos by Dallas Dick & Megan Van Pelt

The Red Dress Special was held July 2 during the Wildhorse Pow Wow. The special started several years ago and has been organized on the Umatilla Indeian Reservationannually by Mildred Quaempts and family. Both Quaempts’ mother and daughter were murdered and their cases remain unsolved.

Co-coordinator Willa Wallace also represented Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+IA missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. Following the Red Dress Special was a Men’s Redgalia event co-coordinated by Kola Thompson and the family of Atwai TJ Van Pelt who was slain on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in February of 2021. Thomas Redhawk Tias was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison in connection with the death of Van Pelt.

Winners of both specials were awarded Pendleton Blankets and cash prizes.

The next Red Dress Special will be held at Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa, OR July 21-23.

Diamond Greene twirls a rope in the Cowboy Special at the Wildhorse Pow Wow.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Letter to the Editor

The CUJ welcomes letters to the editor as a means for writers to express their opinions on matters of CTUIR importance.

in the context of our Constitution it is BOT should not an absolute requirement for the GC body to approve an increase in dividend make decision on payments.

The BOT can demonstrate leadership this situation by using their own inihike in dividends intiative to make the decision to increase To the editor, I have recently written that it is time for tribal dividends to be increased for all CTUIR tribal enrollees. However, I now believe I was approaching the issue from the wrong direction. Article VI of our tribal Constitution defines our duly elected Board of Trustees (BOT) to be the governing body of the CTUIR. Thus, the BOT has the authority, and responsibility, for decision-making, and leadership.

Yes, the General Council body should be involved in tribal governance; however, for decision-making Article V limits GC authority to mostly making recommendations on tribal decisions. Thus,

tribal dividends for all CTUIR enrollees.

It is common knowledge that the cost of living is almost always rising across the country, including here in our community.

The dividend payments have been at 20 percent of the profits of our tribally owned businesses for at least 15 years now. Thus, the right thing for the BOT to now do is increase the dividend percentage a modest 5 percent to 25 percent. This would definitely assist tribal families, and individuals, to meet necessary cost of living expenses.

Sincerely, Bob Shippentower

Thank you letters The General Council officers

would like to thank and acknowledge first, our grand marshal and CTUIR Flag Day honoree, Alvina Huesties. Thank you for your service to our nation and community. Also, we want to announce to all that the parade was won by the Human Resources float representing Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The winning float receives a pizza party at Big John’s. Congratulations WRC HR department!! Committee included Chair Cree Enright; and members Pam Peterson, Toni Cordell, Naomi Wilkes, Jessica Munoz, Kathleta Rodriguez, Adam Minthorn, Dewey McBride, Dorothy Cyr, and Raven Manta.

We would like to thank the following: Wildhorse Resort &Casino – sponsored the boxed lunches and bottled water throughout the event Cayuse Holdings, LLC – sponsored the Horseshoe Tourney and visiting veterans gift cards Arrowhead Travel Plaza – sponsored gifts for Treaty Day family activities June 9, 2023 Treaty Day Planning Committee: Brittney Eikstaedt; Rae Ann Oatman; Kathleen Elliott; Liz Bill; Kateara Chavez; Kris Powaukee; Martina Gordon; Toni Cordell and GC Officers Coordinators: Brittney Eikstaedt – Volunteer Coordinator; Martina Gordon and Liz Bill – Annex Booth Coordinators; James Hall – Parade Manager; Thomas Morning Owl – Vendors; Rae Ann Oatman and Althea Wolf – Dress Up Pet Show; Kris Powaukee – Horseshoe Tourney Coordinator; Toni Cordell – Veteran’s Memorial Public Safety Department – provided traffic control Public Works – helped with setting up and provided power at July Grounds Jiselle Halfmoon – Flyer design Lee Aaron Gavin – T-shirt design Anson Crane – Sound system Thomas Morning Owl – Parade announcer Volunteers: Amber Gillpatrick; Cindy Hamilton; Nadine French; Lindsey Pasena-Littlesky; Claire Wildbill; Wyatt Withers; Julie Taylor; Kathleen Elliott; Lisa Ganuelas; Martina Gordon; Alaina Mildenberger; Cody Wahl; Althea Wolf; Kelsey Burns; Althea Wolf; Brittney Eikstaedt; Liz Bill; Sam Spino; Katrina Burnside; Kateara Chavez; Jeanine Ganuelas; Calista Winnett and No’alani Malumaleumu.

These volunteers were so busy serving lunches, handing out water, setting up and cleaning

up – they made the day run smoothly and did it all with a smile.

Annex Display Tables: Whitman College by Jeanine Gordon; Cayuse Native Solutions, Melinda Broncheau; Horse Medicine, Fabian Spencer; First Foods, Wenix Elk and Dara Williams-Worden; Department of Children and Family Services, Brittney Eikstaedt; Language Program, Kristen Parr; Tamastslikt, Bobbie Conner; Cayuse Holdings, Debra Croswell; Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission, Jill-Marie Gavin; Trinette Minthorn; Yellowhawk Public Health Program, Dr. Katie Morioka We’re so very thankful to all of these and those who participated, coming out to share in the day and enjoy lunch together. It was a memorable day and the floats were all so very creative. Most of all though, we’re thankful to our forward thinking ancestors who, in 1855 somehow saw some of the challenges we would face in our times and did the long, hard work of ensuring to the best of their ability that our needs would be provided for.

General Council Officers: Chairman Lindsey X. Watchman Vice Chair Michael R. Johnson Secretary Shawna Shillal-Gavin Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl

Sophie Bronson would like to thank the following individuals for their generous gifts on graduation day: Grandma Burke and Becky, Kelly and Gary George, Megan George, Quincy and Josie, Larry, Candice and Zack, Preston and Rose, KC and Dionne, Bryson and Liz, Grandma Sara, Ginny, Teddi and Dixie, Peggy Bronson, TJ and Trinity, Derek Hoeft family, Matt and Patty Farrow, Fred Hill, Jeremy Barkley family, Justin and Jenny Samp family, Muriel Hoisington-Jones, Eric and Sasha Quaempts, Toni Minthorn, Cassan, Jeff and Bentley, Michelle Thompson, John and Polly Johnson, Jean Thomas family, Sandy Sampson, Nixyaawii staff, Pamawaluukt program, CTUIR Education program, Papa Ed and Nana Terri, Celeste, Taylor, and Tyera Pete, Mike BadWarrior and boys, Tiatta Oatman, and Sayqis Greene. If I left anyone out it is not intentional; there were a few gifts left on my table with no card.

Thank you very much for your support, love, and encouragement. I wouldn’t be where I am today without friends and family like you! Love, Sophie.

Tell them you read it in the CUJ

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Tamástslikt Cultural Institute Director Bobbie Conner and the CTUIR Board of Trustees present a Harvard University’s Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development award to the Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Conner nominated the DNR for its work protecting cultural resources and First Foods, and the Umatilla Basin Salmon Recovery Project.

From left, General Council Chair Lindsey X. Watchman, BOT members Boots Pond, Lisa Ganuelas, Tamástslikt Director Conner, BOT Vice Chair Aaron Ashley, DNR Intergovernmental Affairs Audie Huber, BOT members Corinne Sams and Toby Patrick, BOT Treasurer Sandra Sampson, and BOT Secretary Sally Kosey.

Department of Natural Resources receives Harvard award Harvard University’s Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development in May announced selection of the CTUIR Department of Natural Resources and eight other tribal governance programs as 2023 All-Stars as part of its Honoring Nations program.

The CTUIR program was selected from among 142 submissions from across the United States.

Since 1999, the Honoring Nations program has recognized excellence in tribal governance, selecting

awardees based on a nominee’s effectiveness, significance to sovereignty, cultural relevance, transferability, and sustainability.

“Honoring Nations recognizes innovative programs and initiatives operating throughout Indian Country and provides a unique opportunity for local governments around the world to learn about and replicate lessons from these outstanding tribal governance success stories in their own communities,” the program’s director, Megan Minoka Hill (Oneida), said in a news

release.

The award included a gift of a storyteller sculpture created by world-renown Jemez Pueblo potter Caroline Sando. Other Northwest tribes recognized as 2023 All-Stars include the Nez Perce Tribe’s Fisheries Department and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s Child Welfare Program.

8 wát̓ uy uymɨt́ at (first, eight) Obituaries Louis Mark Case May 5, 1959 – June 17, 2023 Louis Mark Case was brought into this world

by Louis Quaempts and Delores Craig and had numerous siblings.

He died Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Providence Medical Center in Portland. He was 64.

Louis was adopted and raised in Cayuse by Clinton C. and Catherine Case. A few years prior to graduating from Pendleton High School, he proudly earned the highest ranking in Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout.

He married Katherine Shepherd and they had a son together, Brandon Alan Case. After divorcing he had another son, Bryson Leigh Case.

Later he fathered three sons with Sandie Dave: Clinton Miles Case, Isaiah Lil’ Dove Case, and

Jared Elias Case.

Louis had a very long career with CTUIR fisheries and loved every day of it. His pride and joy were always family and he cherished time with his boys and grandchildren. He loved hunting, fishing, motocross racing, good movies, NBA & NFL, photography, and high school sports. A few years ago, he married his best friend, Renae Miguez.

Washat services at the Mission Longhouse took place June 22. A final seven was held the next day with a private scattering of cremated remains.

Cheryl Janice Cooper Feb. 25, 1949 – June 13, 2023 Cheryl Janice Conner, born February 25, 1949, to Gilbert Cecil and Virginia Wilkinson Conner in Pendleton, Oregon, passed away at her home in Pendleton on June 13, 2023, in the company of loved ones.

As a 5-year old, Cheryl and her cousin Merrilyn Williams were pictured with a local Tribal contingent greeting President Dwight Eisenhower when he visited the region to dedicate McNary Dam. Cheryl graduated from Pendleton High School after attending schools in Salem and briefly in Madras, Oregon. She lettered in ten-

Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023 nis, was an enthusiastic competitor in softball and a life-long fan of rodeo. After completing Airlines Training School in Denver, Colorado, she married Pete LaMere of Rocky Boy, Montana. They divorced in 1979 and she then attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

She worked at Kahneeta Resort in hospitality and at the Tribal court of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

She was employed at the Statesman Journal, Boone’s Treasury, and Los Compadres, simultaneously, and subsequently at the Cleanery and Pacific Knott Communications. Later, she was an in-home care giver for both of her parents in Madras.

Cheryl is survived by her daughter Dyan LaMere and sons Jason LaMere and Lucas Conner, all of Pendleton; grandchildren Cole and Preston Watson, Ty and Peyton LaMere, Wyatt Conner, Kiesha, Ella, and Wacey LaMere; greatgrandchildren Caius and Cohen Watson, Macaylee LaMere, Tavius Farrow and Xic’iyu LaMere; sisters Jody Conner Bear of Imnaha, Elaine Miller, Madras, Carla Green, Warm Springs, Kit, Carol and Kris Conner, Pendleton, brother TC Conner, Ukiah.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings John, James, Matt, and Verna Conner, and dogs Jackie, Crystal, and Max. After cremation, a celebration of life was conducted at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, on June 20, 2023. Family and friends attended a lunch at the Roy Raley Room at the Pendleton Round-Up grounds at noon.

Weather Weather information taken at the Pendleton Weather Station as of June 27.

The average daily temperature was 82.1 degrees with a high of 91 degrees on June 13 and a low of 42 degrees on June 19. With a departure from normal of 2.5 degrees Total precipitation to date in June was 0.07. CTUIR lost nearly an inch of rain in June.

The average wind speed was 8.6 mph with a sustained max speed of 38.0 mph from the West on June 27. A peak speed of 51 mph occurred from the West on June 13.

There were 2 thunder storms, 2 days out of 31 in which some rain fell, 1 haze events/days, 0 fog/ mist. Air Quality Index values ranged from Healthy to Moderate.

Public Notice UMATILLA CHEMICAL DEPOT For Public Review The public is hereby notified of the availability of the Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) for the closure, disposal, and reuse of Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD), Oregon. The UMCD, located west of Hermiston, was closed in August 2012. Of the 17,148.80 acres, 109.27 acres along the southeast corner of the Installation will transfer to the State of Oregon, Department of Transportation (ODOT).

In February 1984, the United States Army granted an easement to the ODOT, Highway Division, for a right-of-way for a controlled–access highway. Since the granting of the easement, the Grantee has built Interstate Highway 82 on the Property. The Property is intended to be transferred as a public highway and is consistent with the intended reuse of the Property as set forth in the Umatilla Army Depot Reuse Authority - Local Reuse Authority (UMADRA – LRA) U.S. Army Umatilla Chemical Depot Base Redevelopment Plan (2010).

The purpose of the FOST is to document the environmental suitability of the ODOT parcel consistent with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 120(h) and Department of Defense (DOD) policy.

Prior to the development of the FOST an Environmental Assessment (EA) had been developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and associated implementing regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 40 CFR 1500–1508 and the Army implementing regulation, “Environmental Analysis of Army’s Actions” (32 CFR Part 651). The EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) underwent a 30-day public comment period in August 2016. Since then the Programmatic Agreement (PA) was amended and underwent a 30 day public comment period from July 15 to August 16, 2021. The Army updated the FNSI and submitted it for a 30 day public comment period from September 23, 2021 to October 25, 2021.

A digital copy of the FOST, FNSI, the EA and the 2021 PA Amendment is available for review by the general public via the Internet at http://www.hqda. pentagon.mil/acsimweb/brac/public_reviews.html.

Hard copies of the full EA with all appendices, the 2021 PA Amendment, FNSI, and draft FOST, are also available in the following libraries: Boardman City Library, 200 South Main Street, Boardman, OR 97818; Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Avenue, Hermiston, OR 97838; Heppner Public Library, 444 North Main Street, Heppner, OR 97836; and Umatilla Public Library, 700 6th Street, P.O. Box 820, Umatilla, OR 97882 or by contacting Michele Lanigan, 503428-4082, michele.m.lanigan.civ@army.mil. The public comment period is for 30 days and begins on July 10 and ends August 11, 2023. Submit written comments to Michele Lanigan, michele.m.lanigan. civ@army.mil no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2023.

Express yourself.

Offer an opinion.

Generate public discourse.

Submit letters to the editor to cuj@ctuir.org

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Feds arrest, charge Cameron Sheoships From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. - A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment June 13 charging a Mission man with possessing child pornography.

Cameron Jacob Sheoships, 55, has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Members of the FBI raided a home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and arrested Sheoships, who is a former officer with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Police Department.

Neither the Umatilla Tribal Police or the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office were told in advance of the FBI raid and subsequent arrest.

According to the indictment, on or about May 24, 2023, Sheoships is alleged to have knowingly and unlawfully possessed material containing child pornography, including depictions of a child under 12 years old.

On May 25, Sheoships made his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Armistead. He was released on conditions pending future court proceedings.

If convicted, Sheoships faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Cassady A.

Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.

Anyone who has information about possible crimes committed by Sheoships, or the physical or online exploitation of any children, are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Employment Join the Cayuse Holdings team! We have dozens of jobs open each month. Work on the Reservation, remotely from your home, across the US or overseas.

Equal Opportunity Employer. See the complete list of job openings at www.cayuseholdings.com.

Current Cayuse Holdings job opportunities include Apprentice, Customer Service Representative (Pendleton), Customer Support Agent (remote), Help Desk (Pendleton), Program Support Specialist (remote), Retail Support Services Help Desk Agent (remote), Senior Software Project Manager, Server Administrator, Web Support and Desktop IT Technician on or near Indian Reservations across the US.

GOVERNMENT

ϰϲϰϭϭ dŝŵşŶĞ tĂLJ WĞŶĚůĞƚŽŶ͕ KZ ϵϳϴϬϭ ;ϱϰϭͿ ϰϮϵͲϳϬϯϬ ĨĂdž ;ϱϰϭͿ ϮϳϲͲϯϬϵϱ ŝŶĨŽΛĐƚƵŝƌ͘ŽƌŐ ǁǁǁ͘ƵŵĂƚŝůůĂ͘ŶƐŶ͘ƵƐ

ŽŶĨĞĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ dƌŝďĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ h hŵĂƚŝůůĂ /ŶĚŝĂŶ ZĞƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ dƌƵƐƚĞĞƐ Θ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ŽƵŶĐŝů

PUBLIC NOTICE June 1st 2023 TRIBAL MEMBERS: This notification formally announces that applications are now being accepted from tribal members who wish to serve on the Commissions/Committees listed below.

Appointed members will receive a $125 stipend per meeting effective January 1, 2022, once the minutes have been approved on CTUIR paydays.

Board of Trustees

General Council

Chair N. Kathryn Brigham

Chair Lindsey X. Watchman

Vice Chair Aaron Ashley

Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson

Treasurer Sandra Sampson

Secretary Shawna Gavin

Secretary Sally Kosey

Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl

Will advertise for the following vacancies: 1 WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ dh/Z ƵůƚƵƌĞ ŽĂůŝƚŝŽŶ͕ ƚŽ Ĩŝůů Ă ƌĞŵĂŝŶŝŶŐ ƚĞƌŵ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ DĂLJ ϯ͕ ϮϬϮϰ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ĂƐ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ͘ ϭ WŽƐŝŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ŶƌŽůůŵĞŶƚ ŽŵŵŝƐŝŽŶ͕ ƚĞƌŵ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ Ɖƌŝů ϮϬϮϳ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ϮŶĚ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ͕ Ϯ͗ϯϬ WD ϭ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ >Ăǁ ĂŶĚ KƌĚĞƌ ŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ͕ ƚŽ Ĩŝůů Ă ƚĞƌŵ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϯ͕ ϮϬϮϯ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ϭ Ɛƚ ĂŶĚ ϯƌĚ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ Ăƚ Ϯ͗ϬϬWD͘ ϭ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞ Θ dĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ ŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ͕ Ϯ LJĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ϮŶĚ ĂŶĚ ϰƚŚ dƵĞƐĚĂLJƐ Ăƚ Ϯ͗ϬϬWD͘ ϭ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ dŝŝĐŚĂŵ ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ƚŽ Ĩŝůů Ă ƌĞŵĂŝŶŝŶŐ ƚĞƌŵ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ &Ğď͘ ϯ͕ ϮϬϮϰ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ϮŶĚ ĂŶĚ ϰƚŚ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ Ăƚ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD͘ Ϯ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ tĂƚƚĞƌ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͕ Ϯ LJĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͕ ŵĞĞƚƐ ϭƐƚ ĂŶĚ ϯƌĚ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ Ăƚ ϴ͗ϯϬ

All applications will be due Tuesday, June 27, by 4:00 PM. a BOT work session is scheduled for Friday Thursday, June 30th at 8:30 AM to review applications. Appointments will be made on Monday, July 10th 2023. ƉƉůŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ EŝdžLJĄĂǁŝŝ 'ŽǀĞƌŶĂŶĐĞ ĞŶƚĞƌ Žƌ ŽŶůŝŶĞ Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ĐƚƵŝƌ͘ŽƌŐͬŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚͬĐŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞƐͲ ĐŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ ŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ƐƵďŵŝƚƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ EŝdžLJĄĂǁŝŝ 'ŽǀĞƌŶĂŶĐĞ ƐǁŝƚĐŚďŽĂƌĚ ĚĞƐŬ͘ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ĂŶLJ ƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ^ĂůůLJ <ŽƐĞLJ͕ Kd ^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJ ϱϰϭͲϰϮϵͲϳϯϳϮ͘ ^ŚŽƵůĚ LJŽƵ ŶŽƚŝĐĞ ĂŶLJ ĞƌƌŽƌƐ Žƌ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ůĞƚ ƵƐ ŬŶŽǁ ƐŽ ǁĞ ĐĂŶ ŵĂŬĞ ĐŽƌƌĞĐƚŝŽŶƐ͘

At-large BOT Members: Boots Pond Corinne Sams Lisa Ganuelas Toby Patrick Executive Director: Donald G. Sampson Deputy Executive Directors: Jonetta Herrera & Shana McConville Radford

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - June 2023

HEMP

Pilot plot could be planted on Reservation in Spring of 2024

By the CUJ

MISSION – If all goes according to plan, a pilot plot of industrial hemp will be planted next spring on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the sale of recreational marijuana products may not be far behind.

“We want to build a lean and mean business model,” said Don Sampson, Executive Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). “We’re taking a crawl, walk, run approach.”

In addition to the potential economic benefits, Sampson said hemp production, perhaps as a regenerative rotation crop for wheat, may reduce greenhouse gasses and sequester carbon.

Sales of hemp could provide “environmental, economic and spiritual” benefits, Sampson said. “What if we integrated hemp into tribal farming practices, add hemp as a rotation crop with wheat? Hemp takes toxins out of the soil and production could create jobs.”

Even before the CTUIR Board of Trustees (Board) approved a resolution legalizing the possession and use of cannabis (marijuana) in April, tribal leaders had been considering industrial hemp production for some time.

This spring, CTUIR officials, including Board Vice-Chair Aaron Ashley, attended an economic summit in Las Vegas that included a conference on hemp and marijuana. There they met with members of the Iowa Tribes of Kansas, who have been growing hemp for about four years. The Iowa Tribes were the second in the nation to adopt a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hemp code.

Since then the CTUIR has contracted with the Iowa Tribes to conduct a feasibility study of the “business side” of hemp production. The Iowa Tribes have advised several other tribes in Indian Country, Sampson said.

The Board earmarked up to $35,000 for the feasibility study.

According to the feasibility study Request for Proposals (RFP), the Iowa Tribes will assess how best the CTUIR can produce and market industrial hemp for commercial and internal-use. The assessment and feasibility study, according to the RFP, will help determine the longterm and short-term goals of a hemp program, including providing information to help the CTUIR understand the quantifiable environmental

impact of hemp production.

“It is our intent to regulate hemp, produce, sell and process hemp,” said Sampson, adding that an office would likely be established in the Tribal Farm Enterprise within the CTUIR Department of Economic and Community Development.

On that note, on June 13, the Tribal Farm Committee discussed and then voted to produce a letter of support for a hemp-project grant being sought

by Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center.

With hemp recently made legal by the USDA, opportunities exist to create new biobased materials and products (BBMP) made from this new-old crop. The properties of hemp-derived materials have significant potential to replace petroleum and natural gas products, including plastics, in the manufacture of high-performance textiles, cultural and industrial textiles, and construction materials.

Hemp can be used to make paint, cosmetics, paper, building supplies, rope, food, fuel, hempcrete and more.

Hemp was used in the 18th century to make the sails on ships and dungarees.

“Establishing a materials supply

and biomanufacturing base on reservations and in surrounding rural areas is good for tribes and in the strategic interests of our nations,” according to the USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural Sustainable Agricultural Systems program.

OSU is involved with USDA Agricultural Research Service working with tribes in several capacities, including the potential creation of a Native American-led business consortium made up of Northwestern U.S. tribes that have wanted to invest in biomanufacturing on their reservations and across the region.

As envisioned, the consortium will partner with rural businesses, technology providers and researchers, educators, and extension specialists to identify the feasible economy options for hemp fiber production and processing. The project will assess existing and needed resources; direct biomaterials to their highest valued markets; identify financial and policy instruments to support investments, and provide training for a tribal workforce.

According to a scoping paper the project supports a White House Executive Order that promotes a “sustainable, safe, and secure American Bioeconomy (Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable production and conversion of biomass into a range of food, health, fibre and industrial products and energy.) “to help confront decades of underinvestment in disadvantaged communities” and requirements in the USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program that projects strengthen the bioeconomy with an emphasis toward generating benefits to underserved communities.

The Iowa Tribes of Kansas, as part of the feasibility study, would assist in the writing and submission of a CTUIR hemp plan to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. That plan would consider matters of jurisdiction, growing hemp as an agricultural crop and licensing.

Upon approval from the USDA, with the Iowa Tribes acting as a consultant, will directly support the implementation of the CTUIR industrial hemp program until internal capacity is established to manage the program, at which point the Iowa Tribes would be retained to support the program on as-needed basis.

Marijuana for consumption Continued on Page 11

July 2023 -

Confederated Umatilla Journal

(first, eleven) wát̓uy pútɨmt ku náx ̣š

Lumley steps down from NAYA to take

11

Takes over Cascade Aids Project During nearly seven years there, Lumley built the Native American Youth and Family Center into an economically powerful organization and more than doubled the affordable housing properties it runs.

HEMP

Continued from Page 10

– smoking, vaping or as edibles – is a different story, especially considering the federal government still considers marijuana a Class 1 narcotic and regulates drug-related revenues in the nation’s banking system.

But many tribes across the United States are compacting with their state governments, aligning with state rules “so if the feds move in we can say we’re not doing anything the state isn’t doing,” Sampson said.

Toward that goal, the CTUIR has contacted the Oregon Governor’s office and is initiating government-to-government consultation with the state’s Department of Justice and Department of Revenue.

On the regulatory side, the CTUIR is eager to learn about any available cannabis sales-tax rebate. According to Sampson, the CTUIR could be in line to receive a rebate on all or part of the 18 percent cannabis tax required by the state.

“We need to know how much of a rebate we could get,” he said. The feasibility study will presumably answer that question.

Currently there is a glut of marijuana production in Oregon.

How would growing, processing and sales of pot be

different on the Umatilla Indian Reservation?

“That’s why we’re doing the feasibility study first,” Sampson said. “What is our advantage? Can we develop a niche market that takes advantage of our sovereignty and uses our tribal tax advantages to build a strategy?”

Assuming the CTUIR is able to check all the prerequisite boxes, Sampson said, it is conceivable that down the road a retail dispensary could be established, perhaps near Arrowhead Travel Plaza along Interstate 84.

“Look at the number of cars that come off the freeway and go to the casino,” Sampson said, estimating that some 800,000 people visit Wildhorse each year.

Ideally, Sampson said, the CTUIR could establish a drive-through shop that sells hemp and/or marijuana items. Sampson envisions a phone app that would allow would-be customers to order online and pick up their product at a drive-up window.

For now, the CTUIR will await the feasibility study to determine whether it should grow and sell hemp and/or marijuana.

“Hemp is legal through USDA. Marijuana is tricky and the market is complex. That’s why, even though we’re on the right track, we will remain cautious,” Sampson said.

“We want to build a lean and mean business model. We’re taking a crawl, walk, run approach.”

- Don Sampson, Executive Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

see that there are so many Native kids who are coming out of the closet because they felt safe there, because the staff felt safe.

And I think it was also because of me, because I am a two spirit leader.”

Return to Neerchokikoo When Lumley started at NAYA as CEO in 2016, the organization was deep in debt and almost had to sell its buildings and campus. NAYA’s 10-acre campus is home to the Many

By Nika Bartoo-Smith Nations Academy alternaIndian Country Today & Untive high school, buildings derscore News for NAYA programming, a community garden and After nearly seven pathways that years as CEO connect the of the Native land to WhitaAmerican Youth ker Ponds and and Family Centhe Columbia ter, Paul LumSlough. ley, Yakama, The campus is resigning to is situated on head up the Casan ancient Incade Aids Projdigenous gathect. There, he ering site called will be the Neerchokikoo. first Native For centuries, American and it was used by two spirit pertribes throughPaul Lumley son to serve as out the area as CEO. an encampment for trade Lumley called leavand community building. ing NAYA “bittersweet,” In an effort to secure but added that he is a more stable home for looking forward to NAYA, and in recognition helping the Cascade Aids of the cultural significance Project grow. of the place, Lumley and Lumley steered the orstaff began a campaign ganization back from a called “Return to Neerfinancial brink. When he chokikoo.” came on board, NAYA The Return to Neerwas deep in debt and chokikoo campaign raised nearly had to sell its 10money to bring NAYA out acre campus along the of debt and to repair the Columbia Slough. Today, campus buildings. Lumit has an annual budget ley said the community reof over $20 million, along ally showed up, donating with 50 added staff pohundreds of thousands sitions since 2016. The of dollars and working to campus itself is transrepair buildings pro bono. formed, with gardens that “NAYA will always emphasize community be a permanent home to and first foods. the Native community,” As a two spirit person, Lumley said. “This is land it has always been importback.” ant for Lumley to advocate for and support the Affordable housing LGBTQ2S+ community, Increasing affordable and youth in particular. housing for Indigenous “I come to NAYA and community members has I see we have an alternabeen a priority for Lumley tive high school, a Native one,” Lumley said. “And I Continued on Page 13

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - June 2023

Nicht-yow-way Senior News A

t the June 2, Nicht-yow-way senior meeting, the potential dates of Aug. 11 or 18 were proposed for an Elder Listening Session with the Board of Trustees. However, no motion was made and therefore no action was taken.

The senior program will continue to plan for a future listening session with the Board of Trustees. Feedback and participation of CTUIR elders are needed and invited at the next meeting, July 7 at 9 a.m. at the NichtYow-Way senior center.

To gain perspective on what elders may need and want from the Board of Trustees, the senior program reviewed the BOT summary of the June 18, 2021, Elders Listening Session at Wildhorse.

In 2021, seventeen comments by individual elders raised about 30 issues for the Board of Trustees to address.

Four elders voiced concern about the outcome of the Land Buy-Back program. Four voiced concern about

the senior program, its budget and activities. Three elders had concerns about wells. In that period, flood damage was an issue for many householders. Two seniors were concerned about the CTUIR Department of Planning in relation to their own land use plans; elders’ needs for transportation; and septic maintenance.

Other issues that were expressed singly were the need for an assisted living facility; need for COVID data; elder pension; elder tech needs; support for the enrollment study; need for environmental clean-up; need to expand mental health services and provide more support care for elders; extend Well 6 to Redhawk Lane; fix dike at Mission Creek; housing repair at homesites; Indian Child Welfare Act coverage; Round-Up vending rules; Repeat Tower on McKay Creek; Sobriety House rules; suggest hair stylist, gift certs, family bowling, monthly drawing for elders; TERO training recommendations; Thornhollow Bridge repair; Tribal Farming Revenue; Tribal Housing conditions; Tribal

Police responsiveness; weed control; and Tribal definition of senior (55 or 60).

A written narrative summary of the above topics was sent out to all seniors by the Board of Trustees in the months following that Listening Session. The Board of Trustees also sent its response to each issue presented.

Seniors are asked to consider whether priority issues are the same as in 2021 or whether there are other pressing issues to prioritize before the BOT. The senior program has been asked to condense from 30 topics to 3 or 4 agenda items.

If seniors are unable to attend the July 7 meeting, they can share comments with Katrina Burnside, Senior Activities Coordinator, KatrinaBurnside@ctuir.org or 541-429-7314 or DCFS at 541-429-7300. Be sure to state that comments relate to Elders Listening Session with the BOT. Seniors can also comment in the Camp Crier app in the CTUIR Seniors Age 55+ group if they have enrolled in the group.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - June 2023

Lumley Continued on Page 13

since before he came to NAYA. Earlier in his career he was executive director for the National American Indian Housing Council in Washington D.C. And in his youth, Lumley himself experienced homelessness. He spent many nights sleeping along the Columbia River, according to an interview with Ecotrust.

“I’ve always felt like somebody out there is watching over me and giving me these great opportunities,” Lumley said.

“I feel like I am being guided almost,

maybe by our ancestors, to do the right thing by Indian country.”

Under Lumley’s leadership, NAYA more than doubled the affordable housing it offers. The organization now owns 258 units in eight properties.

“We set out this vision to try and bring Native people closer to NAYA geographically,” Lumley said. “And I knew we could through the process of affordable housing development.”

Since Lumley came on board, the organization has completed three new

affordable housing projects, adding 165 units, at Nesika Illahee, Mamook Tokatee and Hayu Tilixam – all in the Cully neighborhood, near the NAYA campus. Each is covered inside and out with Native art, fostering a sense of community and home. Tenancy preference is given to Indigenous applicants.

Later this month, NAYA will host a ground blessing ceremony at Tistilal Village. The property is currently owned

by NAYA, but a new development in the

works will expand the number of homes from 34 to 58.

LGBTQ2S+ Advocacy As a teen, Lumley was heavily bullied for being gay. As an adult, he has supported efforts at NAYA to create a safe space for students, particularly two spirit and queer Native youth.

“I grew up in an era when discrimination against gay people was incredible, including in Indian Country,” Lumley said. “And the HIV crisis made it worse.”

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - June 2023

Arrowhead alcohol Continued from Page 1

in the original Code that directs liquor tax revenues to be deposited in a Substance Abuse Fund to support substance abuse education, prevention, treatment and enforcement.

Sales of alcohol at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, including the golf course, was approved in 2005 by a referendum vote, 229 for and 218 against. Amendments to the CTUIR Liquor Code in 2019 authorized the BOT to approve liquor sales at other Wildhorse amenities.

Vice-Chair Ashley made the motion to approve alcohol sales at Arrowhead “to generate revenue, to increase profits.”

In a text response to the CUJ, Ashley wrote that added revenues will increase distribution to tribal members and provide funding for alcohol- and drug-prevention programs.

“This decision is also an assertion of our sovereignty, a decision that reflects the majority of General Council members’ wishes,” Ashley wrote.

In fact, a survey conducted by the General Council in September of 2022 indicated that of 350 responses 52.71 percent were in favor with 47.29 opposed to alcohol sales at Arrowhead. (A majority of those same respondents opposed alcohol sales at Mission Market and Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.)

BOT member Corinne Sams, who voted against both resolutions (Pond abstained on the tax code vote), said the sale of alcohol at Arrowhead was not

fully vetted through proper departments and programs, leaving her unable to make an informed decision.

“Behavioral health, which includes substance abuse, still continues to be one of our community’s biggest battles,” Sams wrote in a text response to the CUJ. Sams said the BOT decision was made without input or consultation with Yellowhawk (Tribal Health Center), the Health Commission, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Tribal Ambulance, nor the Law and Order Committee.

“This decision will impact many of these important stakeholders, and they should have had the opportunity to advise the BOT with current data,” Sams wrote.

Additionally, Sams said there was no financial analysis of the proposal.

Last Sept. 12 the BOT had scheduled a vote to allow alcohol sales at Arrowhead but backed off after a front-page CUJ story spurred tribal members’ concerns.

Earlier in the day, the BOT had conducted a work session with Wildhorse CEO Gary George and other Wildhorse managers. Arrowhead manager Tom Fine had informed the Board that the store received “10 verbal requests a day” from people asking, “Where’s the beer?”

Language from the on-line survey conducted last September noted that the controversial subject of alcohol sales “has proven to be highly sensitive, even divisive for our community.”

July 2023 -

Confederated Umatilla Journal

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15

J.D. Tovey III, Planning Director, Shandiin Yessilth, Project Manager, Wenaha Group, Corinne Sams, BOT Member at Large, Sandy Sampson, BOT Treasurer, Bill Tovey, Director of Economic & Community Development, Kat Brigham, Chair, BOT, Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chair, BOT, Lisa Ganuelas, BOT Member at Large, Marcus Luke, Housing Director, Justin Northern, Public Works Director, and Kaeleen McGuire, Communications Director.

New Tribal housing celebrated

KCUW Radio Station Operations Manager, Anson Crane, provides music for the Nixyáawii Neighborhood celebration.

General Council Chairman, Lindsey X. Watchman, also chair of the CTUIR Housing Commission, told attendees. At the same time the housing options were huge successes, housing for veterans and assisted living for elders are other projects CTUIR will be looking at next

Nixyáawii Neighborhood’s celebration included a street fair with vendors, entertainment for children, and local food vendors.

Signs throughout the Nixyáawii Neighborhood showing lots that have been leased and will be future home sites for tribal members.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Supreme Court Affirms Indian Child Welfare Act WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Supreme aim of erasing who they are as Native Court handed down a major decision people and tribal citizens. These were June 15 in the Haaland v. Brackeen case, acts of unspeakable cruelty that affectaffirming the constitutionality of the ed generations of Native children and Indian Child Welfare Act by a 7-2 vote. threatened the very survival of Tribal The decision represents a major victo- Nations. The Indian Child Welfare Act ry for federal Indian law and tribes across was our Nation’s promise: never again.” the nation.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, LaThe opinion, authored by Justice Amy guna Pueblo, called the decision “a welConey Barrett, said the court “declines come affirmation across Indian Country to disturb the Fifth Circuit’s conclusion of what presidents and congressional that ICWA is consistent with” Congress’s majorities on both sides of the aisle have authority under the Constitution in recognized for the past four decades.”

Article I. “For nearly two centuries, federal “The United States, joined by several policies promoted the forced removal of Indian Tribes, defends the law,” Coney Indian children from their families and Barrett wrote. “But the bottom line is that communities through boarding schools, we reject all of petitioners’ challenges foster care, and adoption. Those policies to the statute, some on the merits and were a targeted attack on the existence others for lack of standing.” Challengers of Tribes, and they inflicted trauma on cited that ICWA was against “federal children, families and communities that authority, infringes state sovereignty, people continue to feel today.” and discriminates on the basis of race.”

Tribes, Native organizations, advoJustices Clarence Thomas and Samuel cates and allies cheered for the decision Alito were the lone justices to dissent. reposting sentiments like “tribal soverThe justice with the strongest knowl- eignty wins” or “ICWA stands!” edge of federal Indian law, Justice Neal Mary Kathryn Nagle, Cherokee, is Gorsuch, wrote in support: a Native rights attorney and attorney “Often, Native American Tribes for the National Indigenous Women’s have come to this Court seeking jus- Resource Center, for which she filed an tice only to leave with bowed heads amicus brief in the case. and empty hands. But She emphasized that is not because this what the day means Court has no justice to to Indian Country: “In adopting the Indian offer them. Our Con“We just could not Child Welfare Act, stitution reserves for have gotten better the Tribes a place—an Congress exercised news. This is an inenduring place—in the credible, incredible that lawful authority structure of American victory.” to secure the right life. It promises them “It’s definitely a of Indian parents to sovereignty for as long day for Indian Counas they wish to keep raise their families as try to celebrate,” Nait. And it secures that gle told ICT. they please; the right promise by divesting Like many, she of Indian children to States of authority over was still reading grow in their culture; Indian affairs and by through the 133-page giving the federal govopinion as the news and the right of Indian ernment certain signifbroke Thursday communities to resist icant (but limited and morning. She noted fading into the twilight enumerated) powers that there will be a of history. All of that aimed at building a lastnumber of Native ing peace. attorneys and fedis in keeping with the “In adopting the Ineral Indian law lawConstitution’s original dian Child Welfare Act, yers who will comb design.”’

Congress exercised that through the court’s - Supreme Court lawful authority to seopinion.

Justice Neil Gorsuch cure the right of Indian The first thing she parents to raise their said that jumped out families as they please; at her was the overthe right of Indian children to grow in whelming win for tribes. their culture; and the right of Indian com“Just the fact that we won on every munities to resist fading into the twilight single issue and Gibson Dunn (the law of history. All of that is in keeping with firm representing the petitioners’) is the Constitution’s original design.” not taking home anything,” Nagle said.

President Joe Biden weighed in shortly “They’re not winning on a 10th amendafter the Haaland v. Brackeen ruling was ment issue. They’re not winning on Indireleased. He said he stands with tribes an as a race-based classification. They’re and that ICWA is a vital law he’s proud not winning on anything is huge.” to support.

The Indian Child Welfare Act was The ruling keeps in place a crucial law enacted in 1978 and its purpose is “...to that protects tribal sovereignty and Na- protect the best interest of Indian Chiltive children, Biden said in a statement. dren and to promote the stability and “Our Nation’s painful history looms security of Indian tribes and families by large over today’s decision. In the not- the establishment of minimum Federal so-distant past, Native children were standards for the removal of Indian stolen from the arms of the people who children and placement of such children loved them,” Biden said. “They were in homes which will reflect the unique sent to boarding schools or to be raised values of Indian culture…,” the Bureau by non-Indian families—all with the of Indian Affairs website states.

Sams reacts to ICWA decision MISSION – Corinne Sams, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was a victory for all of Indian Country.

Sams said the spirit of ICWA was threatened and tribal sovereignty was on the line.

The Supreme Court decision, she said, was “imperative to how we protect native children and families.

A different decision “would have totally challenged the validity of all Indian law and policy moving forward.”

The CTUIR played an important role two years ago in codifying

For years, ICWA has been long seen as the “gold standard” for child welfare policy.

The Protect ICWA campaign, which includes the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the National Congress of American Indians, Native American Rights Fund and the Association of American Indian Affairs, said they are all “overcome with joy” that ICWA has been upheld.

“One thing is certain: ICWA is crucial for the safety and well-being of Native children and families and the future of Native peoples and Tribal Nations,” the campaign said in a statement. “The positive impact of today’s decision will be felt across generations.”

The campaign said they will give a deeper analysis Thursday afternoon after a legal review.

The ruling is an affirmation of rule of law and the constitutional principles of the relationship between Congress and tribes, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., Morongo Band of Mission Indians Chairman Charles Martin, Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill and Quinault Indian Nation President Guy Capoeman said in a statement.

They hope that this decision will slow the “political attacks” aimed at diminishing tribal sovereignty.

“By ruling on the side of children’s health and safety, the U.S. Constitution, and centuries of precedent, the justices have landed on the right side of history.

With these latest political attacks on ICWA now behind us, we hope we can move forward on focusing on what is best for our children,” the statement says.

Indigenous peoples woke up to the news as early as 6:07 a.m. in Alaska.

Social media reactions range from ICWA supporters saying they’re “really emotional” or “grateful for today.”

Charitie Ropati, Yup’ik and Samoan, wrote on Twitter, “Celebrate today, celebrate Indigenous youth joy.”

Medical student and Forbes contributor Victor Lopez-Carmen, Hunkpati

ICWA into Oregon state law.

Sams testified in March of 2021 before the Oregon House Judiciary Committee in support of Oregon’s ICWA, pushing for a state specific statute that modified Oregon’s dependency code to conform to federal ICWA laws.

In her testimony, Sams said the Oregon ICWA “will prove to be effective in reducing the disproportionate treatment of Native American children in the state’s welfare system.”

The Supreme Court ruling, Sams said, “upholds tribal rights to ensure native children and families maintain the connection to family, native culture, identity and our community.”

Dakota and Yaqui, gave kudos to the lawyers involved. “Just wanna throw a big party for all the Native lawyers who bodied this. Wow. Y’all really are incredible,” Lopez-Carmen wrote on social media.

In an April 2021 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld certain sections of ICWA and flagged constitutional concerns about others, prompting appeals on both sides. The U.S. Supreme Court granted petitions to review the Fifth Circuit’s decision and heard the case last November. Congressional members, 87 in total, filed a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief defending ICWA’s constitutionality in Haaland v. Brackeen.

Oral arguments on the landmark case took place in November. Indigenous people from around the country traveled to Washington D.C., for the hearing.

Kimberly Jump-CrazyBear, Osage and Oglala Lakota, was one of many who showed up to show support for the Indian Child Welfare Act. “I’m just here on behalf of all of you who can’t be here today. To help lend my voice,” she told ICT before the oral arguments for Haaland v. Brackeen began.

“Without our children, we don’t have a people anymore.”

While it is a day for celebration, Nagle said it is also important for tribes to stay vigilant and to support and heal one another after enduring the trauma of this long legal fight.

“They’re gonna probably try to find a different way to attack us. And so we have to celebrate, then we also have to kind of come back together and understand where the next attack is going to come from. And that’s unfortunate, but I think that’s just what it means to be Indigenous in the United States. So, but I think the first thing to do is to really celebrate because this is, I think, next to McGirt, the most incredible decision, victory we’ve gotten in the Supreme Court ever.”

July 2023 -

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Wellness Center

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Continued from Page 1

It’s more likely, based on projected costs, that the smaller facility will be chosen with room to expand.

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, which has a 2,500 square-foot physical therapy facility, would be a major user of the new wellness center. Along with Sampson, Yellowhawk CEO Aaron Hines has been involved in the process.

Tribal membership will be asked to provide input and rank the sites and options.

Right now, through the end of the year, schematic designs are being created to be followed through May by design development, according to Sampson. Construction documents and permitting could take as long as six months before seven months of construction could begin in February of 2025. The calendar sets completion and occupancy in August of 2025.

A wellness center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation has been discussed and debated for years, but Sampson it’s time to get the job done.

“We’re going to do it,” he said. “We’ve talked about it for too long.”

Six sites have been narrowed to two with the preferred location on 27 acres west of Wildhorse Golf Course and north of the truck parking lot at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The preferred option would provide room for both an indoor facility and outdoor activity fields, plus access from Highway 331 and proximity to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, the Nixyaawii Governance Center and community housing. The second site would at Coyote Business Park West, farther south but closer to the freeway.

Use of the facility would focus on CTUIR members and employees, followed by the Pendleton-area community and Wildhorse patrons.

Indoors the facility could provide active exercise such as weight training, basketball and swimming, as well as passive functions like physical therapy, meditation, acupuncture, massage and even chiropractic services.

Outside amenities being considered include fields for soccer, baseball/softball, basketball courts, plus a fitness loop/trail, a community garden, a skate park, and a dog park.

“We have an in-depth operation plan and now we’re looking at the details,” Sampson said.

The wellness center will cost millions, perhaps as much as $1,000 per square foot. That would put the price tag on a 55,000 square-foot facility at $55 million.

Sampson said the benefits will outweigh the cost.

“A community health assessment revealed many medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” he said. “Compare the cost of the facility to mitigation or prevention of disease. An investment of millions will by far outweigh the cost of medical conditions. In the long run it will improve healthy lifestyles 10-fold.”

The assessment provided a “baseline” so disease and other medical conditions could be monitored.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could save millions in health care costs and be happy?” Sampson asked.

Information about the “foundational” or basic facility, which would be 58,500 square feet with about 38,000 square feet for assigned amenities: - 6,450 square feet of public and shared resources including a lobby, reception area, cultural and art exhibits, small group food service, universal showers and lockers.

- 12,350 square feet of recreation space for a one-court gymnasium, 20-25 cardio machines, and 20-25 strength training machines.

- 5,000 square foot pool for recreation and lap use plus another 6,000 square feet for a natatorium deck, with lifeguard office, storage, and chemicals.

- 4,760 square feet of wellness space, including a lounge, private rooms for therapy, sauna-sweat-steam facility, physical therapy plus staff offices/workspace.

- 1,800 square feet for operations and support, such as administration, facilities maintenance, and support.

Site and landscape options include:

- Fields for soccer, football, baseball/softball fields, and courts for basketball, volleyball/badminton, and pickleball courts.

- Lounge and social zones for horseshoes and cornhole, food trucks/carts, outdoor dining, outdoor BBQ/ kitchen, and a fire pit.

- A labyrinth, lounge seating, fountain/water feature, fitness loop/trail, space for yoga.

- A plaza, community garden, farmers market/health fair and amphitheater.

- Skate Park, children’s playground, and a dog park.

An on-line survey of 5,000 people on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in Pendleton and surrounding areas provided a lot of information.

Of those responding to the survey, 52 percent were enrolled CTUIR, 30 percent were not enrolled but employed by CTUIR, with a much lesser number of people from different tribes living on the reservation.

From the greater Pendleton area, 9 percent enrolled, 15 percent not enrolled by employed by CTUIR, and 74 percent neither enrolled nor employed by the CTUIR. The survey respondents were predominantly millennials (27-42 years old), followed by Gen X (43-58 years old), baby boomers (59-77), and then Gen Z (11-26 years old.) Females accounted for 73 percent of survey respondents, leaving 26 percent male.

More than 80 percent of the respondents who are CTUIR members or employees and 57 percent of non-Indians said they would travel to use a fitness center. About 73 percent of enrolled members and employees, and 67 percent of non-Indians said they would use an indoor pool. About half the respondents said they would use indoor courts.

Interest in “reasonably priced wellness center membership” showed 18 percent member/employees and 38 percent non-Indian “definitely” would be interested in memberships; about 30 percent said “probably”, one in three members/employees and one in five non-Indians

said “maybe.”

The “likelihood” that CTUIR members/employees would use the facility is 40 percent definitely, 22 percent very likely, 20 percent somewhat likely, 13 percent likely, and 5 percent said they would not use a wellness center.

In the 12 months prior to the survey some 63 percent of CTUIR members and/or employee respondents had used a fitness center or gym, with 48 percent using an indoor pool, 46 percent using wellness therapy or a spa center, 39 percent indoor sports. More non-Indians used an outdoor pool, but more Indian respondents used baseball and softball fields, and outdoor lined grass fields.

Here is some other information garnered from the survey: - Programs most desired, in order, by CTUIR members and employees: massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy and smudging; hot tub and sauna; meditation and mindfulness space; physical therapy and rehabilitation machines; and a cold tub.

- Fitness and recreation most desired, in order: indoor walking and jogging track; outdoor walking trail or path; weight training equipment; cardio machines; water fitness, indoor studio for group exercising; water recreation, outdoor adventure-equipment rentals; indoor basketball, volleyball and other court sports; outdoor sports fields or courts; skating, archer and … axe throwing.

- Respondents also wanted, in order, nutritional food service, kitchen facilities, healthy cooking classes and nutrition information; areas for spiritual activities; a children’s activity center; and space for art and other “maker” opportunities. Other possible features included outdoor amphitheater, group multi-purpose space, an outdoor fireplace, a water feature, an outdoor wellness/restorative space, and gardens for sensory, culinary and meditation purposes.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

TERO starting pre-apprenticeship training program in mid-July From the Tribal Employment Rights Office

MISSION - A construction pre-apprenticeship training program will start mid-July on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The 10-week Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) program is available to interested tribal members who are pursuing work in the construction industry.

“This is a first for the CTUIR TERO program,” said John Barkley, TERO Program Manager. “We successfully obtained a Ready For Oregon grant from the Bureau Labor of Industries (BOLI) to help initiate this effort which is essential to supply trained TERO workers on construction projects.”

TERO has hired Michelle Bratlie as the new TERO Apprenticeship Training Coordinator. She formerly served as TERO Dispatch Officer and is certified as a training instructor for OSHA, traffic control (flagging) and Hazwoper.

Bratlie had been training NCS students on a CAT simulator that does both front end loader and motor grader, which was purchased by a CTE grant from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). She also has been training them on a welding simulator acquired by a grant from the Marathon Petroleum Foundation (MPF).

Barkley said the construction industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) which authorizes us to dispatch workers to meet hiring goals set by TERO and focusing on construction will provide a pool of workers to accommodate the needs of contractors and ODOT.” TERO has developed a curriculum, schedule and application for the training program. Applicants will be interviewed to assess their personal goals and commitment to construction projects under ODOT and the Tribes.

Madison Munoz, a student at Nixyaawii Community School, practices on a CAT simulator motor grader. TERO is offering pre-apprenticeship training program starting this month.

“Wildhorse Resort & Casino intends to begin another expansion project next Spring that includes a 10-story tower, parking garage, outdoor pool and 1,500 seat convention center,” added Barkley.

“By then we hope to have three cycles of training completed and be able to supply workers for this project and others.”

Most construction project pay prevailing wages to help TERO workers support their families and livelihoods.

The training program will emulate requirements posed by contractors such as passing drug tests. Participants must also attend all training, be on time each day, and have a positive attitude.

TERO has recently hired a new TERO Dispatch Officer. Kathleen Elliott brings her skills and experience to the TERO program and is very familiar with consulting clients.

“I look forward to working with the TERO staff and continuing to assist our people with reaching their goals for training and employment,” said Elliot.

Natasha Watchman is the new TERO Assistant, a position she held as a temporary employee for six months. Her attention to details is a valuable addition to the TERO program.

“I enjoy working and assisting our TERO clients with their needs for training and employment, allowing them to have the opportunity to reach their career goals,” said Watchman.

“We have a great crew at TERO to provide services to our clients, contractors and ODOT,” said Barkley. “We look forward to this endeavor and are targeting youth for these viable construction career opportunities.

Tribal members interested in the program should contact the TERO office at 541-429-7506 weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 2023 -

19

Confederated Umatilla Journal

Board approves CTUIR drone flight guidelines By the CUJ

MISSION - A new policy that sets procedures and guidelines for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) – drones - has been adopted by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

The BOT on May 22 also formed an interdepartmental UAS Working Group to review requests to operate UAS on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The complete document is available at www.ctuir.org under the Government section on the Code/ Statutes/Laws page.

The policies and procedures were put in place to guide management and development of the growing UAS activities. They address the overall policies for use of unmanned aircraft, specific mandatory parameters for all UAS operations, and procedures for CTUIR staff/ departments to work with the GIS Program to conduct UAS operations.

The guidelines provide a “pathway to evaluate requests from outside entities to fly drones on Tribal properties,” according to Stacy Schumacher, who along with Travis Olsen, are the two CTUIR staff with drone certification. UAS operations is part of the CTUIR Office of Information Technology Geographic Information Systems Program.

Schumacher said the program has been able to meet the requests for drone services for CTUIR departments. As an example, Schumacher last month operated a drone to photograph the new basketball courts in a Tribal housing neighborhood, at the request of the CTUIR Communications Department, through the CUJ. The use of drones to improve CTUIR procedures, emergency services, and data collection efforts is expected to grow in the future. Activities for which unmanned aircraft will be used in the near term include, but are not limited to, aerial photography (such as inventories of natural resources, surveys of existing facilities and properties, and monitoring of construction sites), videography (such as recordings for promotional events, project site locations), pick-up and drop-off of biologic samples and pharmaceuticals at the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, and data acquisition such as natural-color photos, color-infrared photos, elevation/LiDAR, terrain models, temperatures).

“We’ve had opportunities to map burn areas, assess elk damage, inform trespass issues, and fisheries habitat restoration projects,” Schumacher said. “As

we move toward digital solutions and have ever-growing need for outreach and education, I expect we will utilize drones in the future.”

CTUIR departments and programs interested in learning how UAS could assist their work should contact the CTUIR Office of Information Technology Geographic Information Systems Program at gis@ctuir. org.

Operation of UAS by any commercial or non-tribal entity on the Umatilla Indian Reservation must be governed by a specific contract, memorandum of understanding, or intergovernmental agreement approved by the BOT by resolution or authorized by the Office of the Executive Director (OED). Requests from outside entities about UAS operation should be directed to the Office of Legal Counsel at legalcounsel@ctuir. org. Purely recreational operation of a UAS in accordance with FAA Regulations on, or within the airspace of, CTUIR owned land, whether held in fee or trust, is prohibited without prior written authorization of the OED. Any such operation without prior written permission shall be considered civil trespass subject to a

penalty of up to $500 per incident and confiscation of the UAS and associated items.

Tribal members are authorized to use CTUIR properties for recreational UAS operation in accordance with FAA Regulations without the need for prior written authorization from the BOT or OED. Areas that are off limits for recreational drone use include Wild-

horse Resort & Casino, Wildhorse Golf Course, Nixyáawii Community School, the Nixyáawii Governance Center, and Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.

CTUIR currently operates the Matrice 300 RTK and the Mavic 3 RTK drones, which, according to Schumacher, are “easy to deploy, provide accurate locational information, and have great imagery and video capabilities.”

Section

B

JULY 2023

News & Sports

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

Linebackers inducting Brooker Jones, Shane Rivera By the CUJ

PENDLETON – Brooker Jones and Shane Rivera will be inducted Aug. 11 in the Pendleton Linebacker’s Club Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame reception will take place at the Pendleton Convention Center with a dinner and auction set for 5-6:45 p.m., followed by introductions of new inductees.

Jones, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is considered one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Pendleton High School, from which he graduated in 1982.

Rivera, who grew up on the Shane Rivera Umatilla Indian Reservation, played football, basketball, and baseball at PHS. He was a perennial all-star in basketball and baseball.

Jones had the luxury of being a good ball handler with size.

“He was long and lean, and he could pass, rebound and defend,” according to the Hall of Fame program.

Brooker and his older brother, Buck, who was inducted into the Linebacker’s Hall of Fame in 2022, were considered the best brother duo to put on the greenand-gold basketball uniform.

Brooker’s first experience in organized basketball was in church league at Helen McCune Junior High. He played for Upper McKay Creek team coached by his father, atway Jesse Jones, a Cayuse chief.

Brooker was a three-year letterman in basketball, starting two of those years.

He averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior and 17 points and 8 rebounds in his senior year. He was selected to play in the State Metro bas-

Who are the Pendleton Linebackers

Contributed photo

Buck and Brooker Jones. Buck was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Shane Rivera played football, basketball and baseball for Pendleton High School. He graduated from PHS in 1982.

Contributed photo

ketball game, which was the first to win both games in the series.

Brooker also played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. He pitched a two-hitter in his Babe Ruth All-Star team’s 4-1 state championship. That team won the regional tournament in Miles City, Montana, and advanced to the Babe Ruth World Series in Nogales, Arizona.

In addition to basketball and baseball, Brooker played tight end and wide receiver his senior year at PHS. He went on to play two years of basketball at Walla Walla Community College and Blue Mountain Community College.

Brooker, often with his brother, played in Indian basketball tournaments throughout Indian Country. The brothers were part of four National Indian Athletic Association championship teams. Brooker was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

Shane Rivera was a two-way starter in football and a varsity starter for both the basketball team and Intermountain Conference (IMC) champion baseball team. In his junior year he was selected as a first-team all league tight end and, in his senior year, he was a first team allleague runnin back and free stafety for the IMC champion Buckaroos. He was selected that year to play in the Shrine football game.

His senior year of basketball saw Shane earn first-team all-league, an allstate honorable mention, and a spot on the State-Metro senior all-star game.

In one season of basketball at Blue Mountain Community College Shane was the second-leading scorer and top rebounder and was voted the team MVP. In 2012, Shance became the head boys’ basketball coach at Nixyaawii Community Schgool. In eight seasons as head coach, his teams won the Oregon Class 1A state championship. In five appear-

Pendleton Linebacker’s Club, established in 1983, has contributed $850,000 to Pendleton High School athletics, scholarships and youth sports.

Officers include President Dean Fouquette, Vice-President Bruce Hendricks, Secretary/treasurer Roy Schuening, Inductee Chairman Rod Anderson, Major Sponsor Chairman Jack Shaw, Golf Chairman Doug Doyle, Auction Chairman Gabe McCune, and PHS liaison Kenny Melton.

The Club hosts the Don Requa Memorial Golf Tournament each year.

ances at state, Nixyaawii also finished second and third.

Shane was voted Class 1A Oregon State Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year in 2019 to go with coach of the year honors for both the Old Oregon League and the Big Sky League.

Brooker, born in Pendleton, was raised around hunting, horses, and sports on Upper Brooker Jones played in McKay Creek many Indian basketball where he lived tournaments and took home MVP hoanors with his father several times and mother, Merrily Brotherton, and his older brother Buck. He has two children – son Sid and daughter Jacqueline, and a granddaughter Brooklyn.

He has worked 25 years of Wildhorse Golf Course on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Shane and his wife, Drew, have six children – Dylan 27, Hannah 23, Lyle 18, Shane II 18, Barrett 8, and Bradley 7.

Shane resides and works on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

2 ‘The Boyz’ win 9-team Battle of Blues náptiyaw nápt (second, two)

Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Submitted By Mariah Watchman

MISSION - Nixyaawii hosted the Battle by the Blues Men’s Basketball Tournament 2023 over Treaty Day weekend June 9-11 featuring nine high quality teams that came from Warm Springs, Yakima, and Lapwai, and from as far away as Wyoming, Idaho, and New York.

Local players also participated.

Teams were playing for a top prize of $2,000 cash.

Teams were guaranteed at least three games with an exhibition round to get things rolling.

Tournament play began on Saturday morning and by the end of the tourney on Championship Sunday, team Nimiipuu had walked away with third place and custom Nike Duffle’s along with $600 cash.

Team We-R-One from Wyoming battled through the back door to earn their spot in the championship game but lost 68-59 to The Boyz. The Wyoming squad was awarded $800 in cash and custom long sleeve shirts by Wasco Trade. The Boyz took home the Championship title with no losses throughout the tourney, earning the $2,000 cash prize, and custom hooded windbreakers, also produced by Wasco Trade.

A three-point contest drew about 20 contestants. Emmitt Taylor II took home $150 cash for knocking down 19 3’s in one minute. His little brother, Kross Taylor, was second with 17.

Brandon Kohler (Colville), who

The Boyz, a team made of players for several reservations, won the Battle of the Blues basketball tournament in June 9-11 at Nixyaawii Community School gym. The tournament featured nine Contributed photos teams playing for a first-prize of $2,000 cash.

Boots Pond, left, and Mariah Watchman, right, stand with Brandon Kohler, this year’s Battle by the Blues MVP.

played on the championship team, was this year’s Battle by the Blues MVP. He was gifted a custom Pendleton jacket and beaded medallion. All-star selections included Marcus Enick (Snoqualmie Nation) from The Boyz, Micah Lena (Seminole) from We-R-One, Trevon Allen (Nez Perce) and Byron Patt (Warm Springs).

Off the court had some serious action going on too. Concessions hosted a Domino’s pizza night, and Kanisha Perry threw down in the kitchen providing menu items like breakfast burritos, street tacos, and full entrée breakfast platters.

referees Ricky Grunlose, TJ Parrish, Vinny Sohappy, Lindsey Watchman, Nick Eastwood, and Brandon Kohler. Thank you to my co-host Boots Pond on another tourney collaboration; we held down books and shot clock a majority of the weekend. Thank you to Kanisha Perry, Jeannette Wyena and Tramaine Moses for hosting concessions. Thank you to our volunteers, Pierce Watchman, Chelsey Minthorn and Myalynn Mills along with others, working admissions and player check in. Thank you to Carlos from Wasco Trade and Creative Signs in Pendleton for the custom tourney apparel!

Thank you to the players who traveled from near and far who showed up to ball out. We hosted such great talent, from collegiate athletes to professional overseas players. Thank you to the spectators who came to watch the action happen.

Vendor “Hu5tle x Heart” by JT offered gear for purchase throughout the tournament. His website for future purchases can be found at hu5tleheart. com or on Instagram @hu5tlexheart.

Thank yous

There are so many people to thank! Thank you to the CTUIR Education Center and Nixyaawii Community School for allowing us to use the facility. Thank you to Nixyaawii Community Financial Services and Cayuse Holdings for being sponsors of the tournament. Thank you to the Board of Trustees, Department of Children and Family Services, Julie Taylor and Dionne Bronson for helping with tourney prize apparel. Thank you to our

Tell them you read it in the CUJ

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

(second, three) náptiyaw mɨt́ aat

Article 10 of the Treaty of 1855 authorized the President of the United States to establish a railroad right of way through the reservation if “the public interest may require it.” President Rutherford Hayes did so by Executive Order on January 22, 1881.

After an agreement was negotiated between the railroad and tribal chiefs and headmen in June of 1881, the railroad was authorized to cross the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The rail line between Portland, Oregon and Omaha Nebraska was completed December 1, 1884.

Native All-Stars CTUIR Tribal members, Solomon Malumaleumu and Tiedan Moore, played in the District 3 All-Star tournament for Triangle Little League.

Contributed photo

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Salmon campers Awna’ee Najera (CTUIR), left, Diego Slockish (Yakama), center, and Karlos Adams (Warm Springs), right, use their nets to try to catch and study smolt during their tour of Meacham Creek on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Campers came from the four Treaty Tribes along the Columbia River. Warm Springs, Yakama, Nez Perce and CTUIR rotate hosting Salmon Camp annually since 2010 when the camp was started by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC).

Photo by Laura Gephart/CRITFC.

Umatilla Master Speaker Thomas Morning Owl shows Salmon Campers plants traditionally used by Tribes in the area for medicine and food June 28. Salmon Camp was held at Bar M Ranch from June 25-30.

Photo by Jill-Marie Gavin/CRITFC

SALMON CAMP 2023

Luka Worden (CTUIR) feeds fish at the Walla Walla Hatchery during the Salmon Camp day-two field trip to Walla Walla Community College Center for Water and Ecology and the hatchery.

Photo by Laura Gephart/CRITFC

Campers from the four Columbia River treaty tribes participated in activities in June at Meacham Creek and at the Walla Walla Hatchery.

Campers peer through the glass at tanks while waiting for Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) staff at the Walla Walla Hatchery. CTUIR Dept. of Natural Resource (DNR) staff led campers through the facility to see CTUIR efforts in salmon and habitat restoration. Salmon Camp was created in part by CRITFC in 2010 to give Tribal students the opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses of study. The camp aims to share salmon culture as well as possibly spark a life-long STEM interest for some of the campers in hopes they will one day work for CRITFC or their own Tribes natural resource departments.

Photo by Jill-Marie Gavin/CRITFC

Third Row Right: Minnie Yahtin-Cloud, Warm Springs, holds up braided grass she created while listening to DNR fisheries staff, Jude Love, Zoe Johnson, Rebecca Shwartz and Larry Allen share how they monitor fish and their habitat on their tour of Meacham Creek June 26. Campers also visited the US Forest Service Park during their trip upriver.

Photo by Jill-Marie Gavin/

Campers climb to the top of a tank to see and feed salmon being cared for at the Walla Walla Hatchery June 27.

CRITFC was founded by the four Treaty Tribes in 1977. The Tribes’ created the commission to provide coordination and technical assistance to tribes in regional, national and international efforts to protect Treaty Rights.

Photo by Laura Gephart/CRITFC

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Tribes receive watershed restoration grants for Walla Walla projects Funds coming from Washington Department of Ecology SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology is awarding $2.2 million in grant funding for watershed restoration and water management projects, including two by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), in the Walla Walla River Basin.

The selected projects will help to address the basin’s decades-long challenges of meeting water needs, managing floodplains and restoring habitat, according to June 29 a Department of Ecology news release.

The work to bolster water supplies and improve habitat and floodplain management is a collaborative effort between Washington, Oregon, the CTUIR and an advisory committee with representation from agriculture, environment, recreation/quality of life, economic development and local government.

“We have a wide variety of project sponsors engaged in critical on-theground water and watershed work in the Walla Walla basin,” said Tom Tebb, director of Ecology’s Office of Columbia River. “These grants will leverage existing projects and help the basin build climate resilient ecosystems and communities now and into the future.”

“This important work is a great complement to the recent passage of House Bill 1322, which paves the way for cooperative, bi-state water management in the Walla Walla Basin,” said Anton Chiono, habitat conservation project leader for the Umatilla Tribes’ Department of Natural Resources. “We are pleased to

support a diverse list of project sponsors who are actively working to improve instream flows, restore floodplains, and monitor and manage our water resources for the fish, farms and communities of the Walla Walla River Basin.”

The CTUIR projects are titled Tuusi Wana Property Restoration and Walla Walla River Frenchtown Floodplain Reconnection and Habitat Improvements.

The Walla Walla River Restoration project is located on the mainstem Walla Walla River near the Frenchtown historic site.

This site is located in a Priority Restoration Reach within the Walla Walla Major Spawning Area. This project will remove confining features to encourage restoration of river processes, reconnect floodplain, increase channel complexity, dispose of armoring from the banks, and revegetate disturbed areas with native vegetation to improve the riparian area to support juvenile Middle Columbia summer steelhead and spring Chinook rearing. The project is located on a property owned by the CTUIR and adjacent privately-held properties.

Chris Kowitz, North Central regional manager for the Oregon Department of Water Resources added, “the Walla Walla Basin is a bi-state basin and the partnerships we have formed reflect a commitment to engaging in water resource management across the entire watershed, regardless of the state line.”

Other sponsors receiving grant funds include Walla Walla County Conservation District, Columbia County Conservation District, City of Walla Walla, City of Dayton, Tri-State Steelheaders, Washington State University, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Ecology/Oregon Water Resources Department, Washington Department of Ecology.

(second, five) náptiyaw páx ̣at

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náptiyaw uylɨx́ s (second, six)

NCS students inducted into Honor Society Seven students from Nixyaawii Community School recently were inducted into the National Honor Society, which selects its members based on grade point average. Students participating in a pinning ceremony, included from left, Harley Gone, Aftin Ruckman, Shawndein Salt, Addison Jones-Kosey, Liana Higheagle, Weptas Brockie, and Sky Smith.

Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start recruiting MISSION - Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start is recruiting children for the 2023-2024 school year.

Head Start is a federally funded program providing comprehensive child development services to children ages 3-5 and their families. Families that reside within the boundaries of the Umatilla Indian Reservation or Native American families living in neighboring communities are encouraged to apply for admission to the program.

Priority will be given to children and families under the following guidelines: - Children must be 3-4 years of age on, or before Sept. 1, 2023, to be eligible for initial selection.

- Cay-Uma-Wa Accepts applications all year long to maintain a waiting list for enrollment slots that open during the school year.

- Cay-Uma-Wa provides early intervention services, well-child checks, child finds, screening, and assisting in coordinating these services.

- Children receive kindergarten readiness skills to be prepared for school, as well as providing assessments and developmental screenings. There also is a focus on perceptual, motor, and physical development.

- Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start provides a strong cultural component that focuses on traditional teachings, storytelling, learning songs, as well as celebrating seasonal gatherings and learning the Native language and customs that have been taught for generations.

- Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start offers parenting programs (PIP, Positive Parenting Programs, and Triple P parenting) and family engagement activities that help promote healthy families.

Families are encouraged to register children early. For more information call or email Micki Fabian: 509-2515807 or mickifabian@ctuir.org; Lloyd Commander: 541-429-7836 or lloydcommander@ctuir.org.

Applications can be picked up at the Nixyaawii Educational Center or accessed online at www.ctuir.org

Got news?

Send it to cuj@ctuir.org

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

(second, seven) wát̓uy uynápt

Department of Natural Resources Director Eric Quaempts talks about CTUIR’s Meacham Creek and Umatilla River restoration projects and answers questions from BPA leaders about how the federal agency can best contribute to the tribes’s ongoing and future work over lunch during a daylong visit with the tribe on June 22 that included a government-to-government meeting during the morning at the Nixyaawii Government Center.

BPA administrators visit CTUIR restoration sites Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Administrator and CEO John Hairston laughs with Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees Member-at-Large Toby Patrick during a June 22 visit in which Hairston and other BPA officials met with CTUIR board members and Department of Natural Resources staff to discuss their partnership. Part of the day included site visits to restoration projects paid for with help from the BPA.

Tulalip, tribal advocate Sen. John McCoy dies TULALIP — Former state Sen. John McCoy — a Tulalip tribal member who often served as the only Native American voice in the state’s Legislature during his 17-year tenure — died June 6.

McCoy was surrounded by family and loved ones at his house in Tulalip when he died of natural causes. He was 79.

“People have been coming up to me, saying what an incredible life and incredible career Dad had, but Dad didn’t just have one life and one career — he had several,” said Angela McCoy, John

McCoy’s eldest daughter.

Born on the Tulalip Reservation, John McCoy followed his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Armed Forces as a young man. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and spent time at bases in Germany, Turkey and across the United States.

After retiring from the Air Force, John McCoy returned to Tulalip where he took over as the executive director of governmental affairs and managed the tribe’s business. He was instrumental in the founding of the Tulalip Resort Casino.

John McCoy ran for state representative as a Democrat in 2002 in the 38th Legislative District, representing Everett, Marysville and Tulalip. He won, and he continued to win reelection until 2013 when the Snohomish County Council selected him to fill a vacancy in the state Senate.

As a lawmaker, he fought for tribal sovereignty, education and the environment. John McCoy pushed for the passage of the Native American Voting Rights Act to expand voting access in tribal communities.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

GED instructor encourages students to follow Poffenberger example MISSION - “I DID IT!“ That was the text message Katherine Palmer, CTUIR GED Instructor/Coach received from Myaja Poffenberger on June 20, 2023, the day she completed her last and final test.

With this accomplishment Poffenberger earned her GED©, General Educational Development, diploma, and transcripts.

Poffenberger learned about the program from a friend, according to Palmer.

Her friend told Poffenberger the program helped her know what to study, what to expect when taking the test, and helped her understand the expectations.

When she completed the first test, she felt “on top of the world, giving her

confidence to complete a second test, Palmer said.

According to the GED website, “GED grads can earn on average $9,000 more a year” than students who do not earn a GED or graduate from high school.

Poffenberger said completion of the GED will give her “more opportunities for jobs that require a GED, and I can go to college to be an electrician.” Pof- Myaja Poffenberger fenberger added: “I have more opportunities to do anything that I want, and I didn’t have that option so I’m excited to see where the future takes me.”

She said she wants to develop a career that can support herself and her son.

She said that one day she may be able to “influence him to do something like I’m doing when he gets older.”

Poffenberger encourages others who to earn a GED to get “into this program because it is possible, and I never thought it would be.”

She added, “I never knew this opportunity was available to me and I am so glad I got into it because I don’t ever think I would’ve got my GED or even tried to if I didn’t find this resource.”

The GED program is currently in the summer term. Anyone interested should contact Katherine Palmer at 541-4297824 or email her at katherinepalmer@ ctuir.org for an application.

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July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Sunridge Students of the Year Cole Sazue and Miracle Edminston, center, both members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, were selected as Sunridge Middle School’s Students of the Year at an end of school assembly in June. The students were selected for their outstanding character, scholarship and service to the Sunridge Middle School community.

Edminston also serves on the CTUIR Youth Leadership Council. Also pictured are Pilper Kelm, Sunridge Principal, and Jared Tesch, Vice-Principal at the middle school.

Contributed photo

Tamkaliks Celebration July 21-23 WALLOWA - The Tamkaliks Celebration and Friendship Potluck is set for July 21-23 at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland grounds in Wallowa.

To arrange for name givings, memorials, and specials contact the NPWH office at info@wallowanezperce.org or 541-886-3101.

To apply to be a vendor, volunteer, sponsor dances or drums or to make a general donation to the Tamkaliks Celebration or Tamkaliks Scholarship fund visit the website at wallowanezperce. org/tamkaliks or call Nancy Crenshaw at 541-388-1112.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

ODFW seeks input on revised statewide Fish Passage Barrier Prioritization list List will incorporate climate change impacts; comment by July 31 SALEM, Ore.—ODFW is beginning the process to update the Statewide Fish Passage Barrier Prioritization List (Barrier List), which occurs at least every five years.

This list identifies the most critical barriers to fish (based on amount of habitat quality and quantity blocked, level of passage provided, # of species blocked including T&E species present, and other factors) and helps guide restoration efforts.

This time, the Barrier List will also consider new variables to incorporate the effects of future climate change into prioritization methods (such as changing seasonal flow and temperature patterns).

An initial public comment period is open until July 31, 2023 for people to share their thoughts and suggestions on the Barrier List, particularly the addition of climate change variables to prioritization methods.

Submit public comments via email to

Fish.Passage@ODFW.Oregon.Gov or by mail to: ODFW Fish Passage Program, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon 97302 Those interested in the process are encouraged to subscribe to ODFW’s Fish Passage page program updates to keep up to date on the process.

“We encourage water users, infrastructure owners, land use managers, conservationists and other interested groups or individuals to provide their expertise and insight,” said Katherine Nordholm, ODFW Fish Screens and Passage Coordinator. “A thorough public process will help us create a Barrier List that is accurate and effective and better supports our mission to restore fish passage.”

“By integrating knowledge on how the effects of climate change will impact habitat used by native migratory fish, we hope to enhance our ability to restore fish passage and protect the health of Oregon’s aquatic ecosystems,” she added.

To learn more about the planned update to the Barrier List, watch a presentation about it, and see more detail on previous prioritization lists and methods, visit https://www.dfw.state.

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Navajo Nation may recognize samesex marriages Kalle Benallie, Indian Country Today

The fight to have same-sex marriage recognized by the Navajo Nation continues during Pride Month.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Seth Damon signed and sponsored legislation that would recognize same-sex marriages within the Navajo Nation during the Navajo Nation Pride opening ceremony on June 23.

“The prohibition against same-sex marriages does not uniformly welcome or support the well-being of all Diné,” Damon said. “The purpose of the legislation I’m sponsoring is to ensure that all Diné are welcome within the four sacred mountains and to recognize all marriages within the Navajo Nation.”

The legislation also amends other provisions within the Navajo Nation Code to conform with this repeal, but the traditional Navajo wedding ceremony involving a man “We live with people and woman shall remain unchanged. we love. There should Since 2005, same-sex marriages have been prohibited when the Navajo council overbe no discussion whelmingly voted to pass the Diné Marriage about it when this Act, even a second time to override a presidenlegislation comes to tial veto of the act.

At the time, same-sex marriages were prothe floor. Why would hibited throughout the country, although there you debate it? This was a growing sentiment to legalize marriages is who we are. We’re for all. This led to a number of regional ordiDiné.” nances designed to define marriage as between one man and one woman. President George W. Bush would even lean on the definition during his re-election campaign in 2004.

This spurred the Navajo council to pass its Dinė Marriage Act, which has remained intact, even after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015.

Some progress has been made in recognizing the tribe’s LGBTQ+ citizens with the 24th Navajo Nation Council passing a resolution in 2020 to establish Diné Pride Week to be held every third week in June to protect Navajo Nation citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status among other things.

“We see ourselves as sacred human beings,” Alray Nelson, Diné PRIDE co-founder and executive director, said. “And with that knowledge, we teach every LGBTQ young person not only is the Navajo Nation on the right side of history, but its leaders also support our community.”

Eugene Tso, a former Navajo Nation Council delegate, joined Damon at the signing ceremony. He introduced similar bills in June 2022 and in March 2022.

The March bill was voted down in its early committee meetings, ultimately never passing.

“We live with people we love. There should be no discussion about it when this legislation comes to the floor,” Tso said in a statement. “Why would you debate it? This is who we are. We’re Diné.”

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náptiyaw pútɨmt ku nápt (second, twelve)

Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

UO students celebrate Mother’s Day Powwow EUGENE - The smell of fry bread, laughter from families and the beating of drums filled McArthur Court on Mother’s Day weekend as attendees celebrated the Native American Student Union’s (NASU) 55th annual Mother’s Day Powwow on the campus of the University of Oregon.

The powwow is one of the longest-running student-led events on the UO campus, according to Around the O. As an Oregon Heritage Tradition and the oldest documented powwow in the state, folks from all around the Pacific Northwest and farther, come to celebrate culture and community.

But this year, the powwow possessed a more profound meaning for many.

Since 2019, it’s been held “virtually” due to COVID-19. This year’s powwow was the first many students were able to attend in person. Students on the NASU committee, like junior Megan Van Pelt, took the reins for the first time.

“There’s not really leadership training for this job,” Van Pelt said, who shared the workload with other NASU co-directors, Jordan Harrington, Angela Noah and Kaitlynn Spino. “But we’ve had a lot of conversations about teamwork and effective communication which have been amazing, and why we’re finally having the powwow back this year.”

NASU also dealt with a 50 percent budget cut this school year made by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, according to the Daily Emerald.

After a budget hearing this past January, ASUO’s Programs Finance committee

Co-directors of the Native American Student Association at the University of Oregon, from left, Jordan Harrington, Megan Van Pelt, Kaitlynn Spino and Angela Noah are honored at the powwow for their work throughout the 202223 academic year.

Contributed photo by William Mosley

provided an $11,000 surplus NASU used to cover the powwow.

However, NASU still fell short with funds and had to raise more money on their own.

“This year, it felt like so much scrambling for us,” Van Pelt said. “We held fundraisers like Indian taco sales and raffles the past two terms which helped us out a lot.”

She said NASU also reached out to neighboring tribes for donations and received help from sponsors such as the Native Youth Wellness Program,

the Heritage Technical Assistance Grant, and more.

Despite the burnout that’s come with preparing for the event, Van Pelt said seeing everyone come together once again makes it worth it.

“I think it’s cool it’s an event led by a group of students for students and I’m excited to see everyone who hasn’t got to experience it yet to go.”

Over the two-day event, more than a 1,000 guests came out.

“This is the first time that people have really gotten back together to do this and be able to be in the community,” said Estralla Soto, owner of Chokis Beads, one of the vendors at the powwow.

Soto attended last year’s virtual powwow, but said the personal connection was missing.

“It was nice, but still rough because you can’t just sit and have a conversation with your friend or a family member as you’re with everyone else,” they said.

“Friends haven’t seen each other in a long time and family as well... I’m really glad we had a good show out here this year.”

Other guests came out to spend time with their families and compete in dance competitions, like Adam Kishko Soliz and Jessi Redtail Soliz.

“We’ve been doing this Mother’s Day Powwow since I think we were inside our mom,” said Jessi. “She always took us here when we were kids too, so this is a pretty important powwow to us.”

“Healing” was the first word Adam said when he described why dancing was important to him and the structure of the powwow.

“It’s like a medicine,” said Jessi. “And the entirety of powwows is just a type of healing, like Adam said.”

Members of the community, like Bad Soul, the host drum group, came out to perform for the powwow.

It wasn’t the group’s first time performing at the powwow, but they were excited to be back, said Leland Butler, the lead singer of the group.

Butler began drumming at 4 years old, singing and playing with his family

for fun. In 2014 he and his brother-inlaw, Washie Squetimkin, started their own group and never looked back.

“It started with six of us and we went down to a powwow in Santa Rosa, California,” Butler said. “We only had the intention to set up for that powwow, but it just built from there and we kept performing. It’s become what you see from us today.”

The group is a mix of family members and friends – who’ve also become family, Butler said – who come from tribes in Oregon and Washington, and from as far away as Oklahoma and Wyoming.

“It’s a brotherhood,” he said. “It’s one of the things that’s held me together through the good, bad and everything in between. It’s held all of us together.”

All the good energy that comes from performing at powwows, the environment or personal experiences, also inspire the songwriting process, Butler said. Performing with Bad Soul has become a creative outlet for him.

“After a good weekend like this one, being around family, the energy radiates from me and those good feelings push out the melodies and even the words,” he said. “You get to experience that connection between mind, body and soul when singing. I’m in the moment and all the worries in my head go blank.”

Whether it was to compete, perform or catch up with an old friend, the powwow brought people from all walks of life together. The powwow has become an opportunity for Native students and members of the community to have a sense of belonging at a predominantly white institution that stands on Kalapuya land.

“It’s become a tradition that generations of families have enjoyed coming to. We have people come all the time who’ve been dancing at this powwow since they were kids and are now adults,” Van Pelt said.

No author was listed on this article, which was published on Readymag.com. It was submitted by Megan VanPelt, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, a student at the University of Oregon, and a member of the Native American Student Union.

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Treaty Day June 9, 1855

(first, thirteen) náptiyaw pútɨmt ku mɨt́ aat

Parade kicks off CTUIR Treaty Days commemoration in Mission on UIR

Happy Canyon Princesses Susie Patrick, left, and Laatis Nowland, right, ride into the Mission Longhouse at the end of the Treaty Day Parade June 8.

Parade watchers clap as floats and riders pass them in front of the Mission Longhouse. General Council Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl announced floats as they passed the ceremonial home of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribal Peoples. Alvina Huesties served as the parade Grand Marshal.

CTUIR Youth Leadership Jr. and Sr. Council Chairs Garian McDonald-Morning Owl, left, and Diamond Greene, center, ride atop the Columbia River InterTribal Commission float.

General Council Secretary Shawna Shillal-Gavin, left, and Vice Chair Michael Ray Johnson, right, lead the line of floats, golf carts, walkers and riders in the Treaty Day Parade leaving the Bureau of Indian Affairs June 8. The parade kicked off the commemoration events held to honor the Treaty-signers and ancestors of today’s Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation living and exercising their reserved Treaty Rights on their usual and accustomed lands.

Cayuse Holdings floats pass through mission as Cayuse Commercial Business Development and Operations Director Janelle Quaempts-Gibson tosses candy to the crowd.

Drummers sing parade participants into the Nixyaawii Veteran’s Memorial following the Treaty Day Parade. . General Council Chair Lindsey X. Watchman has been aiming to expand the previous one-day event into a multi-day series of community activities, similar to Treaty Days held on the Warm Springs and Yakama reservations.

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

NW Tribes left out of Hanford cleanup talks A nuclear site is on tribes’ ancestral lands. Their voices are being left out on key cleanup talks The decision is affecting the future cleanup of millions of gallons of radioactive waste stored in underground tanks on the Hanford site near Richland.

By Hallie Golden, Associated Press

RICHLAND, Wash. — Three federally recognized tribes have devoted decades to restoring the condition of their ancestral lands in southeastern Washington state to what they were before those lands became the most radioactively contaminated site in the nation’s nuclear weapons complex, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

But the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Yakama Nation, and Nez Perce Tribe have been left out of negotiations on a major decision affecting the future cleanup

Experts from the Yakama Nation visit a Nike Missile site, which had been used to protect Hanford nuclear site from enemy aircraft, to examine the completed cleanup work and determine future restoration options near Richland, Wash., on June 15, 2023. The site in southeastern Washington is located on Rattlesnake Mountain, which is considered sacred for Northwest tribes.

Photo by Rose Ferri via AP

of millions of gallons of radioactive waste stored in underground tanks on the Hanford site near Richland.

In May, federal and state agencies reached an agreement that hasn’t been released publicly but will likely involve milestone and deadline changes in the cleanup, according to a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Ecology, a regulator for the site. As they privately draft their proposed changes,

the tribes are bracing for a decision that could threaten their fundamental vision for the site.

“As original stewards of that area, we’ve always been taught to leave it better than you found it,” said Laurene Contreras, program administrator for the Yakama Nation’s Environmental Restoration/Waste Management program, which is responsible for the tribe’s Hanford work. “And so that’s what

CTUIR language lesson

we’re asking for.”

From World War II through the Cold War, Hanford produced more than twothirds of the United States’ plutonium for nuclear weapons, including the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. Production ceased in 1989, and the site’s mission shifted to cleaning up the chemical and radioactive waste left behind.

For these tribes, which have served as vital watchdogs in the cleanup process, the area’s history dates back long before Hanford, to pre-colonization. It was a place where some fished, hunted, gathered and lived. It’s home to culturally significant sites. And in 1855 treaties with the U.S. government in which the tribes ceded millions of acres of land, they were assured continued access.

The U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology have held confidential negotiations since 2020 on revising plans for the approximately 56 million gallons of radioactive waste stored in 177 underground tanks at Hanford. The discerning eyes of the tribal experts have been kept out, though EPA and Ecology have said there will eventually be opportunities for the tribes to meet with them about this.

The revisions are expected to affect an agreement among the three agencies that outlines the Hanford cleanup.

Mason Murphy, program manager for the Confederated Tribes’ Energy and Environmental Sciences program, points out that the tribes also weren’t consulted in that original 1989 agreement.

“It’s an old scabbed-over wound,” Murphy said.

Currently, the agencies plan to convert high-level radioactive waste into glass form that would be sent to a deep geological repository, said Ecology Department spokesperson Ryan Miller.

Low-level waste would be converted and disposed of permanently in stainless steel containers at a landfill at the Hanford site.

But there isn’t a deep geologic repository in the U.S. to dispose of the high-level waste, he said. And turning that waste into a glass form is reliant on a plant that hasn’t been completed and “faces ongoing technical challenges,” according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report published last month.

Changes to plans to turn the high-level waste into a glass form could have wide-ranging consequences, said Dan Serres, conservation director for the environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper.

“There’s nothing that I’m aware of that demonstrates that another path is going to protect the Columbia River, or groundwater, or the interests of tribes (that) have a right to be using as much of this area as possible,” he said.

The tribes do have small teams of experts dedicated to the cleanup, and they’ve had an impact.

Continued on Page 15

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July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Hanford cleanup Continued from Page 14

Through testimony to lawmakers in the 1980s, the Yakama Nation was instrumental in keeping the 580-squaremile (1,500-square-kilometer) site from becoming a deep repository where high-level nuclear waste from across the U.S. would be stored indefinitely.

More recently, tribal experts determined the U.S. Department of Energy’s work to remove the radionuclide strontium from groundwater at Hanford would push it into the nearby Columbia River. Their findings prompted the federal agency to reconsider its plans, said Rose Ferri, project tracking resource analyst for Yakama Nation.

“It is important for someone to be that other level of review; to be like, ‘Does this really make sense? Are you really understanding the science here or was there a mistake made?’” said McClure Tosch, a natural resource injury assessment lead for the Yakama Nation.

Last week, experts from the tribe traveled to a Nike Missile site, which had been used to protect Hanford from enemy aircraft, to examine completed cleanup work and determine future restoration options.

The Nez Perce Tribe has four experts within its Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program, which handles much of its Hanford work. Program director Jack Bell said

the team’s hydrogeologist determined that Energy Department contractors underestimated to what extent a radioactive contaminant could travel into groundwater. The tribe sent letters to the agencies, and the model was updated.

“That model will be used over and over again,” Bell said.

The state Ecology Department said it plans to consult with the tribes once the draft agreement is more finalized. But when that will happen and in what form is still unclear. An energy department spokesperson said in a statement that while the tribes are not included in the negotiations, in other instances the department “consults with Tribal Nations when its action affects, or has the potential to affect, tribal rights or resources.”

A regional EPA spokesperson said in a statement when the negotiations are completed, there will be opportunity for “tribal consultation and input ahead of public comment.”

Tosch said every chance he gets, he brings up the Yakama Nation not being included in the negotiations.

“If there are permit decisions made, where there is a lot more on-site closure of waste, rather than what we assumed would have been all high-level waste that would have been treated and taken off site … that’s more land that will forever be a waste disposal facility,” he said. “That is very much against the direction and vision for tribal council.”

Got news? Send it to cuj@ctuir.org

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HEAD START CAY-UMA-WA Summer Wildbill

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LOCATION Nixyaawii Education Center Physical Address: 46251 Naxš Wínataš Mailing Address: 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801

CONTACT MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 541-429-7843/7836 E-MAIL: MICKIFABIAN@CTUIR.ORG

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Minutes from the CTUIR Board of Trustees Date: April 24, 2023 BOT PRESENT: Members: Kat Brigham, Chair; Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chair; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Lindsey Watchman, (GC Chairman). Sandra Sampson, Treasurer and Lisa Ganuelas, Member on Personal Leave.

Quorum present.

Old Business: Official Polled Resolution(s): None Official Polled Action(s) No. 23-025 BOT take Action to remove Lamar Fairley-Minthorn from Farming Committee, MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to ratify Official Polled Action No. 23-025. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries. 8-0-0 New Business: Resolution 23-037 BJA STOP School Violence Grant Application Support, RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees approves and authorizes the submission of the BJA STOP School Violence grant application attached here within; AND BE IT FINALLY; RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees authorizes the Executive Director to prepare, submit, negotiate, and execute the BJA STOP School Violence grant application; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 23-037.

Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries. 8-0-0 Resolution 23-038 Topic: Yellowhawk

Expansion Project REVISED RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves of the Yellowhawk Expansion Project as described in the Yellowhawk Expansion PowerPoint and Yellowhawk Expansion Frequently Asked Questions as set forth in the attached Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes Yellowhawk Chief Executive Officer to take such further action, including the execution of documents, as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution. MOTION: Lindsey Watchman moves to adopt Resolution 23-038. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries. 7-0-1 (Sally Kosey) Resolution 23-039 Topic: Home Visit Grant – ACF Tribal MIECHV Grant Support, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees approves the Confederated Tribes’ Department of Children and Family Services to submit an application for the Administration for Children and Families Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Grant Program: Development and Implementation Grants; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED ,the Board of Trustees herby agrees to participate in the project and receive services if the Confederated Tribes is selected for the Tribal MIECHV Grant; MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to adopt Resolution 23039. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries. 8-0-0 Resolution 23-040 Topic 20-Year Transportation System Plan Adoption , RESOLVED,

that the amend2e Transportation System Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit 1, is hereby adopted and shall replace the 2001 Transportation System Plan in its entirety, effective immediately; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby adopts the Transportation System Plan as policy to guide the Board of Trustees, Committees, Commissions, and staff regarding the development of the Confederated Tribes’ public facilities, land and infrastructure investments on the Umatilla Indian Reservation; MOTION: Sandy Sampson moves to adopt Resolution 23-040. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries. 8-0-0 Other Board Action Items: None BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports: Deferred BOT Travel and External request: 1) Aaron Ashley PL (Polled) 5/25 – 5/26 2) Boots Pond PL (Polled) 4/11 3) Boot Pond Travel: 2023 NW Tribal Clean Energy Summit – Tulalip, WA 6/12 – 6/15 4) Corinne Sams April CRITFC 5) Corinne Sams OSP Tribal Liaison Interview Virtual 4/3 6) Corinne Sams OSP Tribal Liaison Interview Virtual 6) Kat Brigham Travel: 4 Chairs Nez Perce 5/11 – 5/12 7) Kat Brigham Travel: NCAI Mid Year Convention – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel 6/4 – 6/8 8) Kat Brigham PL (Polled) 4/17 9) Kat Brigham PL (Polled) 4/18 Kat Polled Travel 4-6-23 Did not attend 10) Kat Brigham Travel: Tribal Self Governance Conf. 6/26 – 6/29 11) Lindsey Watchman PL (Polled) 4/14 Lindsey Watchman PL (Polled) 5/1 5/8 12) Lisa Ganuelas PL (Polled) 4/20 – 4/21 13) Lisa Ganuelas PL (Polled) 4/13 – 4/14 23) Sally Kosey PL 4/17 23) Sally Kosey Birthday Leave 5/26 24) Sandra Sampson PL 5/11 25) Sandra Sampson PL (Polled) 4/10 26) Sandra Sampson PL (Polled) 4/14 27) Sandra Sampson PL (Polled) Progressive Act – Virtual 4/16 – 4/19 28) Toby Patrick PL (Polled) 4/17 MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to ratify and approve leave requests, travel, and outside meeting requests and Corinne Sams attend GOA on May 3, 2023. Sally Kosey seconds.

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

Date: May 8th, 2023 BOT PRESENT: Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Toby Patrick, Member; Boots Pond, Member; Lisa Ganuelas, Member; and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman. Kat Brigham, BOT Chair, Sally Kosey, Secretary and Corinne Sams, Member on travel. Quorum present.

Old Business: Resolution No. 23-041 Topic: COVID 19 Response Ambulance Services ICDBG Cares Act Citizens. RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees hereby informs the Office of Native American Programs that such operational matters are delegated to its Executive Director, or delegate, to 1. Cause a Citizen Participant Survey to meet the requirements of the Indian Community Development Block Grant on the Confederated Tribes website that announces that the Confederated Tribes has applied to replace and purchase Emergency Medical Service vehicles and equipment, that the Confederated Tribes is taking questions and comments, and a contact person; and 2. Inform Office of Native American Programs how the notification took place, a of the notice, how long the notice was posted, and a summary of comments received; AND BE IT

FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department f s extension of their grant related to these matters. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to ratify Polled Resolution 23-041. Lisa Ganuelas seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 4-0-0.

New Business: None Other Board Action: Commission/Committee Update by Sally Kosey, BOT Secretary.

Tribal Farm Committee, one position and one application from DeArcie Abraham. MOTION: Boots Pond moves to appoint DeArcie Abraham by acclimation to a two year term for Farm Committee term ending May 2026. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 4-0-0.

Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Commission. One position with one application from Lawanda Bronson. MOTION: Lisa Ganuelas moves to reappoint Lawanda Bronson by acclimation to a two year term to TERO Commission term ending May 2025. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question. Terms Expiring: Pat Walters, ECDC, June 1st, 2023, Shawna Gavin, Health Commission June 1st , Ken Hall, Land Acquisition, June 1st,, Robin Bitrick, ETC, term end June 1st, notices going out May 1st.

Re-advertising TERO position: Dennis Munoz was approved in January to be re-appointed to the TERO position but he has never completed his Oath of office, recommend to re-advertise this position and remove him as a Board member. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to re-advertise TERO position for May 2023 Committee/Commission List. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 4-0-0.

Will advertise the following positions on the public notice: 1 - CTUIR Culture Coalition, to fill a remaining term ending May 3, 2024, meets as needed.

1 - Enrollment, meets the 2nd Thursday or as needed at 2:30 PM 1 - ECDC, term ending June 2025, meets 1ST and 3RD Tuesday, at 9AM 1 - Health Commission 3 year term, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 3:30 PM1 - Law and Order Committee, to fill a term ending October 3, 2023, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 2 PM. 1 - Land Acquisition Committee 2 year term, ending June 2025, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 9 AM 1 - Alternate on Land Protection Planning, 3 year term ending 2026, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 9 AM 1 - Science & Technology Committee, 2 year term, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 2 PM. 1 - Tiicham Conservation, to fill a remaining term ending Feb. 3, 2024, meets 2nd and 4th Tues at 1 PM. Applications due Tuesday, May 23 by 4 PM and BOT work session scheduled for Thursday, May 25 with appointments being made on Monday, June 12.

BOT Travel report: Boots Pond reported on the Pacific NW TERO Regional: 22023 Spring Conference held at WRC on April 19 & 20. Lisa Ganuelas, BOT Member; Toby Patrick, BOT Member and Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chair also attended the conference.

Aaron Ashley reported on Tribal Enrollment Conference he attended at Albuquerque, NM from May 3rd to 6th.

Kat Brigham’s trip report for April 19 & 20 to Portland to attend Columbia Basin Collaborative meeting was deferred. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to approve the two travel report(s). Lisa Ganuelas seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 4-0-0.

BOT Leave and Travel Request: Boots Pond: Personal leave on 6/1, Personal leave on 5/15, and Polled personal leave on 4/25. Polled personal leave for 3 hours on 5/1.

Corinne Sams: Personal leave on 5/12, Coninued on Page 19

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July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Minutes from the CTUIR Board of Trustees Coninued from Page 18 Polled personal leave on 5/8. Polled travel on 4/29, Travel request for 5//17 to Portland for US v. OR meeting.

Lindsey Watchman: Birthday leave on 5/15, Polled personal leave from 3-4 PM om 5/1.

Lisa Ganuelas: Polled personal leave from 1-4 PM on 4/27.-Polled travel to Walla Walla from 6-8 PM on 4/26. Polled travel to May 4 & 5 to attend Oregon Tribes meeting.

Sally Kosey: Personal leave on 5/12. Polled personal leave from 3-4 PM on 4/25 Sandra Sampson: Polled personal leave on 4/28, Polled personal leave on 5/1 and 5/3 and 3.5 hours on 5/4 Polled personal leave on 5/9 cancelled. Travel to Chinook Winds for SB770 meeting from 7/5-7-7 MOTION: Boots Pond moves to approve leave requests. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 4-0-0.

DATE: May 22, 2023 BOT Present: BOT Present: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Toby Patrick, Member; Boots Pond, Member and Corinne Sams, Member. Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chairman and Lisa Ganuelas, BOT Member on travel. Aaron Ashley, BOT Vice-Chair on personal leave.

Old Business: Polled Resolution: No. 23-042 Topic: Maternal- Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (TMIECHV).RESOLVED, this resolution in the support of the CTUIR Tribal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program was approved by the CTUIR Board of Trustees on the date indicated below and demonstrates the commitment of Yellowhawk and the CTUIR to address the holistic care of children and families: MOTION: Boots Pond moves to ratify Polled Resolution No. 23-042.

Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Polled Action Items: No. 23-026 Subject: Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) Budget Modification. Budget modification over $100k to combine funds from grants into one line item for individual assistance. Current individual assistance needs are high and request BOT approval of modification. MOTION: Sandra Sampson move to approve Polled BOT Action No. 23-026 DCFS Budget Modification.

Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

New Business: Resolution 23-043 Topic: UAS Policy and Working Group. RESOLVED, that an interdepartmental Unmanned Aircraft Systems Working Group is hereby formally created, whose members are to include appropriate tribal personnel from the Office of the Executive Director, the Office of Information Technology, the Department of Natural Resources Cultural Resources Protection Program and Wildlife Program, the Department of Economic & Community Development, the Tribal Planning Office, the Office of Legal Counsel, and other departments as necessary; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Working Group shall meet as needed to review requests to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System on the Umatilla Indian Reservation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED ,that the Confederated Tribes hereby adopts the Policies and Procedures for Utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, attached hereto as Exhibit 1, to be effective immediately; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED ,that the Board of Trustees directs the Executive Director to publish the Policies and Procedures for Utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems so it may be available to the public; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Office of the Executive Director to execute agreements and memoranda of

understanding with nongovernmental entities reviewed by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Working Group; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all agreements and memoranda of understanding involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems will be reviewed and approved by resolution of the Board of Trustees; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 23043 with amendments. Boots Pond seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-044: Topic: Van Gelder Real Estate Contract of Sale. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the Real Estate Contract of Sale between the Confederated Tribes and John Van Gelder, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby authorize its Chair, or her designee, to execute the above referenced Real Estate Contract of Sale, or a contract containing substantially similar terms; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon the purchase of the Van Gelder Property, the Board of Trustees directs that: the Executive Director shall have the manufactured home on the Property evaluated to determine if it is habitable, if it could be repaired at a reasonable cost or if it should be removed; the Property shall be managed by the Department of Economic and Community Development except that the Tribal Range, Agriculture and Forestry Program shall manage the timber on the Property under the Tribal Forest Management Plan; the Department Economic Community Development will be responsible for payment of property taxes on the Property; and the Land Program Manager shall expeditiously pursue the conversion of the Van Gelder Property from fee to trust status; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby appropriates from the Land Acquisition Fund the purchase price for the Van Gelder Property on the payment schedule as set forth in the attached Real Estate Contract of Sale; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 23-044. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-045: Topic: Enrollment Code Amendments. RESOLVED,that the Board of Trustees hereby directs the Office of Legal Counsel to update and publish the amended Enrollment Code; MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 23-45. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-046: Topic: IGA Membership Renewal., RESOLVED, that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). authorizes the payment of dues for Indian Gaming Association (IGA) of $25,000 from the Board of Trustees budget and Wildhorse Resort and Casino (WRC) will reimburse half; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby appoints the following as representatives to IGA. N. Kathryn Brigham, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chairman; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Boots Pond, Member; Corinne Sams, Member; Toby Patrick, Member; Lisa Ganuelas, Member and Lindsey X. Watchman, General Council Chairman Ex-Officio; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that these appointments will remain in effect through December I, 2023 and/or until the Board of Trustees reappoint or replace our representatives. MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution 23-046.

Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-047 Topic: ADS Wánapa Road Project Confidential Mitigation Agreement .RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Confidential Mitigation Agreement between the Confederated Tribes and Amazon Data Services, Inc. and authorizes its Chair to execute it on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and to take such further action and execute other documents, if any, that are necessary to carry out the pur-

poses of the Confidential Mitigation Agreement and this Resolution; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 23-047. Toby Patrick seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-048 Topic: ADS East Penny Avenue Hermiston Project Confidential Mitigation Agreement. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Confidential Mitigation Agreement between the Confederated Tribes and Amazon Data Services, Inc. and authorizes its Chair to execute it on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and to take such further action and execute other documents, if any, that are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Confidential Mitigation Agreement and this Resolution; MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to adopt Resolution 23-048. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23-049 Topic: ADS Lewis & Clark Drive Boardman Project Confidential Mitigation Agreement. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Confidential Mitigation Agreement between the Confederated Tribes and Amazon Data Services, Inc. and authorizes its Chair to execute it on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and to take such further action and execute other documents, if any, that are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Confidential Mitigation Agreement and this Resolution; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 23-049. Toby Patrick seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

Resolution 23- 050 Topic: Tower Road Solar Project Confidential Mitigation Agreement.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the attached Confidential Mitigation Agreement between the Confederated Tribes and Tower Solar, LLC and authorizes its Chair to execute it on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and to take such further action and execute other documents, if any, that are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Confidential Mitigation Agreement and this Resolution; MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution 23-050. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries5-0-0.

Resolution 23-051 Topic: Head Start Education Grant, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees approves and authorizes the submission of the Cay-Um-Wa Head Start 2nd Year Continuation Grant Application #90CI010130 and for the Cost Of Living Allowance and Quality Improvement Application #90CI010130 for Year 2 of Federal Assistance Continuation Refunding Grant Application (Exhibit 1) and 20232024 Budget (Exhibit 2); AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Executive Director to prepare, submit, negotiate and execute the Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start Grant #90CI010130 and with the CayUma-Wa Head Start Policy Council and provide periodic reports through our established process to the Tribal Education Committee, Board of Trustees regarding accomplishments and obstacles in such implementation; MOTION: Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution No. 23-051 as amended. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0 Resolution 23-052 Topic: Amendment to Limited Liability Company Code, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the Amendments to Section 2.01 of the Limited Liability Company Code attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1, showing all changes in redline form with deleted language lined through and new language underlined; MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to adopt Resolution No. 23-052. Sandra Sampson seconds.

Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0. b. Other Board Action: None. f. BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports.

Deferred.

g. BOT Leave and Travel or Outside Meeting Requests.

Aaron Ashley, 5/16-18 to Salem to attend LCIS and Spring Celebration.

Boots Pond, 1. 5/18 polled leave from 7:30 AM to noon.

2. 5/12 for from 1 to 4 PM. Corinne Sams, 3 requests: 1. polled for 5/10 from 1:30 to 4 PM 2. personal leave on 5/16 for 7.5 hours.

3. travel from 5/18-23.

Lindsey Watchman, polled personal leave on 5/17 all day.

Lisa Ganuelas, 6 requests: 1. polled personal leave on 5/5 all day.

2. polled travel on 5/10 from noon to 4 PM to attend WW Fish Hatcher tour.

3. polled travel on 5/12 to Kennewick, WA to attend Clover Island Ceremony.

4. polled travel on 5/19 from 1:30 to 4 PM to attend Walla Walla.County Community Development Dept. public hearing.

5. travel to St. Paul, MN from 5/21-26 to attend Tribal Energy Equity Summit.

6. personal leave on 5/19 from 7P30-9:30 AM. Sally Kosey, 4 requests: 1. personal leave on 5/24 all day.

2. personal leave on 5/15 all day.

3. polled personal leave on 5/17 from 3:30 to 4 PM. 4. personal leave both day on - 5/23-24 to submit.

Sandra Sampson, 4: 1. personal leave on 6/2.

2. polled personal leave on 5/16 from 7:30 AM to noon.

3. polled virtual meeting on 5/9 from 10 AM to 2 PM for Progressive Act meeting.

4. polled travel on 5/10 to go on Walla Walla Fish Hatchery tour.

5. local meeting at Cayuse Holdings all day on 5/24. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify and approve the 22 leave requests. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question.

Motion carries 5-0-0.

Date: June 12th, 2023 BOT PRESENT: Kat Brigham, BOT Chair; Aaron Ashley, Vice-Chair; Sandra Sampson, Treasurer; Sally Kosey, Secretary; Toby Patrick, Member Lisa Ganuelas, Member; Boots Pond, Member and Corinne Sams, BOT Member. Lindsey Watchman, General Council Chair on personal leave. Quorum present.

Old Business: Resolution No. 23-053 Topic: Topic: Investment Portfolio - Investment Authorize Portfolio Investment in Independent Access Partners Opportunistic Real Estate Fund LLC. RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees herby authorizes investment in Crystal Creek Capital Fund II, through Independent Access Partners Opportunistic Real Estate Fund.

LLC, a limited liability company, in the Perpetual Funds portfolio, Working Capital Reserve and Rabbi Trust portfolios up to the amounts recommended in Exhibit 1C; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Executive Director or his authorized designee, is authorized to take all Actions necessary to implement the above-named investments, including execution of all appropriate documents, MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify Polled Resolution 23-053. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6 for (Corinne Sams, Boots Pond, Aaron Ashley) and Sandra Sampson) – 0 against - 1 abstaining (Lisa Ganuelas). Missing Toby Patrick?

Official Polled Action: No. 23-027 Topic: Catered Luncheon for Laiik Meeting, CTUIR and DOE luncheon on May 24 at Richland, WA. CTUIR to pay portion of costs in amount of $1,850 from Contingency Fund. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to ratify Polled Action 23-027. Sally Kosey secConinued on Page 20

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Confederated Umatilla Journal - July 2023

Minutes from the CTUIR Board of Trustees Coninued from Page 19 onds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6 for (Sandra Sampson, Sally Kosey, Lisa Ganuelas, Boots Pond, Toby Patrick and Boots Pond – 0 against - 1 (Aaron Ashley).

No. 23-028 Topic: CTUIR joint letter with Yakama Tribe to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and House of Natural Resources Committee opposing S. 1287 and H.R. 2850.

CTUIR and Yakama Nation oppose proposed legislation that would open up a long standing consent decree between OR and Grand Ronde regarding its state-sanctioned hunting, fishing, gathering and trapping rights. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to ratify Polled Action 23-028. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7-0-0 No. 23-029 Topic: Letter to Sen. Merkley and Wyden opposing S. 1287 and H.R. 2850.

CTUIR letter to the two senator’s Merkley and Wyden opposing proposed legislation regarding the treatment of hunting and fishing activities by the Grand Ronde Tribe. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify Polled Action 23029. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

No. 23-030 Topic: Letter to BIA Regional Director. Letter to BIA Regional Director seeking extension to response to Notice of Gaming Land Acquisition filed for Colville Tribe. MOTION: Aaron Ashley moves to ratify Polled Action 23-030. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

No. 23-031 Topic: Letter to Governor Inslee.

Washington Governor Inslee request for meeting regarding 2023 Centennial Accords Summit. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify Polled Action 23-031. Boots Pond seconds.

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

No. 23-032 Topic: Authorize DCFS to use

BAAD funds for community events. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to ratify Polled Action 23032. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

New Business: Resolution 23-054 Topic: Amendments to Election Code, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the Amendments to Section 3.11 of the Election Code attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 1, showing all changes in redline form with deleted language lined through and new language underlined; MOTION: Corinne Sams Boots Pond moves to adopt Resolution 23-054. Sally Kosey seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Resolution 23-055 Topic: Surface Grazing Lease Authorization, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Superintendent to advertise for competitive public sale to the highest bidder, taking into account the Tribal Member Preference Stipulations, the grazing privileges as stated in Exhibit 1, for Tribal lands for a 10-year term; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such advertisement shall, at a minimum, be published in the Confederated Umatilla Journal and distributed on the Confederated Tribes’ public website and social media channels; AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Approving Officer (Superintendent) is authorized to correct minor errors and omissions in the advertisement without referral to the Board of Trustees, provided that such corrections do not materially alter the form and substance of the advertisement. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to adopt Resolution 23-055. Aaron Ashley seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Resolution 23-056 Topic: Arrowhead Travel Plaza Alcohol Sales, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the sale of alcohol at the Arrowhead Travel Plaza as an

Authorized Liquor Business as defined in the Liquor Code, provided that such liquor sales are limited to beer, wine, hard cider and seltzer; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby directs the Arrowhead Travel Plaza Manager to apply for and maintain a liquor license from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission as required by the Liquor Code; BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby directs the Wildhorse Chief Executive Officer to report periodically to the Board of Trustees on the progress made to offer alcohol sales at Arrowhead Travel Plaza as authorized herein; MOTION: Aaron Ashley moves to adopt amended Resolution 23-056. Toby Patrick seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 5 for (Aaron Ashley, Toby Patrick, Lisa Ganuelas, Sally Kosey and Sandra Sampson) - 2 against (Corinne Sams and Boots Pond) – 0 abstaining.

Resolution 23-057 Topic : Tribal Taxation Code Amendments, RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the amendments to Chapter 5 of the Tax Code as set forth in Exhibit 1 attached to this Resolution which shows new language underlined and deleted language lined through. MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to adopt Resolution 23-055. Aaron Ashley seconds. Discussion.

Question. Motion carries 5 for (Sandra Sampson, Aaron Ashley, Lisa Ganuelas, Sally Kosey and Toby Patrick) – 1 against (Corinne Sams) - 1 abstaining (Boots Pond).

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

Economic Community Development Committee (ECDC). One position advertised and one application received from Pat Walters.

MOTION: Boots Pond moves to reappoint Pat Walters by acclimation to a two year term for ECDC Committee for two year term ending June 2025. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Education & Training Committee (ETC).

One position advertised and one application received from Robin Bitrick. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to reappoint Robin Bitrick by acclimation to a two year term to Education & Training Committee for two year term ending June 2025. Toby Patrick seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Large yee-haw $14

Health Commission- One position advertised and two applications received from Shawna Gavin and Carrie Sampson- Samuels.

ACTION: By secret ballot vote Carrie Sampson-Samuels was selected for Health Commission for a three year term ending June 2026.

Land Acquisition Committee (LAC). One position advertised and one application received from Ken Hall. MOTION: Aaron Ashley moves to reappoint Ken Hall by acclimation to a two year term to Land Acquisition Committee for two year term ending June 2025. Boots Pond seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Land Protection Planning Commission.

One position advertised and one application received from Matilda Hoisington. MOTION: Corinne Sams moves to appoint Matilda Hoisington by acclimation to a two year term to Land Protection Planning Commission filling a term that ends in May 2025. Sandra Sampson seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 7-0-0.

Terms expiring: Kristen Conner and Andrea Hall, Water Commission, term ends July 1st 2023 with notices being mailed on June 1.

Will advertise the following positions on the public notice: 1 - CTUIR Culture Coalition, to fill a remaining term ending 5/3/24, meets as needed.

1 - Enrollment, meets the 2nd Thursday or as needed at 2:30 PM. 1 - Law and Order Committee, to fill a term ending 10/323, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 2:00 PM. 1 - Science & Technology Committee, 2 year term, meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at

2:00PM. 1 - Tiicham Conservation, to fill a remaining term ending 2/3/24, meets 2nd and 4th Tues at 1:00 PM. 1 - Water Commission, 2 year term, meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 8:30AM. All applications due Tuesday, June 27 by 4 PM with BOT work session scheduled for Friday, June 30 to review applications and appointments made on Monday, July 12.

BOT Travel or External Meeting Reports: Boots Pond, 4/27-28 to WSU for Advisory Board meeting and MOU signing .Boots Pond, 6/1, Zoom Webinar re: BLM Solar listening session.

Kat Brigham, 5 reports: 1. 4/19 Portland for Columbia Basin Collaborative meeting. 4/2728 Pullman, WA at WSU to sign MOU. 5/3-5 at Portland for CRITFC for 9 OR Tribes meeting.

5-6-11 to Coeur D’Alene for ATNI Mid-Year Convention. 6/9, Webinar with Jill Small re; CRT update.

Lisa Ganuelas, 4 reports: 6/21-25 to St. Paul, MN for Energy Summit. Lindsey Watchman and Toby Patrick also attended the conference. 5/2-6 at Seattle, WA and Portland for UW Tribal Leaders Meeting; HB 1322 WW 2050 Bill signing and OR Tribes meeting. 5/10 to WW Hatchery for tour with two state representatives. 5/12 to Kennewick, WA for Celebration of Clover Island Shoreline Improvement, Toby Patrick, Lindsey Watchman and Aaron Ashley also attended.

Sandra Sampson, 6/6 virtual re: OHBP monthly meeting.

Toby Patrick, 5/1-5 to Las Vegas, NV to attend STGWG stat/tribal working group mtg.

MOTION: Sally Kosey moves to approve the travel reports. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 6-0-0. [Kat Brigham not present] Toby Patrick not present BOT Leave and Travel Request: Aaron Ashley, personal leave on 6/16 from 1 to 4 PM. Boots Pond, polled personal leave 6/1 from 1 to 4 PM. Corinne Sams, (5): Polled personal leave 5/31 from 1 to 4 PM. Personal leave on 6/14 from 1-4 PM. Personal leave on 6/19 all day.

Travel on 6/16-18 to The Dalles, Rock Creek, and Skamania Lodge for Podesta visit. Travel, 6/21-23 to Lapwai, ID for offsite June CRTIFIC meeting.

Kat Brigham (7): 5/11-12 cancelled 4 Chairs meeting. 6/5 polled personal leave on June 5. 6/8 polled travel for meeting with Jill Small re—“” 15 Tribes meeting on CR Treaty”. 5/316/10 NCAI cancelled.

6/15-16 changed to 6/15-16 OR locations TBD re: tour and information to John Podesta, David Turk and maybe others. 8/1-3 to Portland for ATNI Executive Board meeting with 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Annual Judicial Conference. Changed date for travel from 6/11-12 to 6/15-16 for tour and info to John Podesta and David Turk. 8/1-3 to Portland for ATNI meetings.

Lindsey Watchman (5): 6/1 personal leave from 7:30 to 10:30 AM. 6/2 polled personal leave all day. 6/12 personal leave all day. 6/16 personal leave from 11 am to 4 PM. 6/20-23 personal leave all 3 days.

Lisa Ganuelas, two polled personal leave 5/26 and May 30 both days.

Sally Kosey (4): Personal leave on 6/1 all day. Polled personal leave on 6/5 from 3-4 PM. Personal leave, 6/30 all day. Personal leave on 7/3.

Sandra Sampson (4): Polled personal 6/1 from 3 to 4 PM. Virtual 6/22 from 10 AM to 2 PM re: ISDEAA negotiation Rulemaking for the Progressive Act. Travel 7/4-7 Chinook Winds to attend SB 770 Quarterly meeting and Consultation. Travel, 6/27-30 to Oklahoma City, OK to attend Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Advisory Committee meeting.

MOTION: Sandra Sampson moves to ratify and approve the leave requests. Corinne Sams seconds. Discussion. Question. Motion carries 5-0-0.

July 2023 - Confederated Umatilla Journal

Natalie Ball, Billy Nat, 2022, Ten color lithograph with gold leaf, 34” x 25”, Edition of 18

Artist brings lithographs back to Crow’s Shadow Ball’s second residency PENDLETON - Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts announces the release of two lithographs by Natalie Ball.

These bold, labor intensive prints emerged from Ball's 2022 residency with Crow's Shadow. With close collaboration by Master Printer Judith Baumann they completed these two powerful lithographs.

These new works will be available for purchase on our website on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 10 a.m.

“Deer Woman's first Tribal Council email” and “Billy Nat” result from a flurry of creative drawing, painting, stamping and collaging of elements in the studio. Ball's decisive compositional revisions and color studies are an inspirational to witness. Her wry humor, wit, and poignant finger poking are evident in these rich prints. We are pleased to share these unique pieces with you all.

This is Ball's second residency at Crow's Shadow, the first in 2019 in which she created two impressive five-color lithographs titled Mama Bear III and Mama Bear IV. Natalie Ball (Black, Modoc, and Klamath) is a multidisciplinary installation artist who works from her ancestral homelands in the rural community of Chiloquin, OR (Klamath County). As a young woman, she learned quilt making from her aunt, which has fueled a continual practice of challenging assumptions regarding materials, including the loaded politics and power of matrilineal craft. Often mining found objects for her installations, Ball perennially incorporates seemingly incongruous materials into provocative objects that both carry their own stories while inviting dialogue with viewers.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Ball has a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Ethnic Studies from University of Oregon (2005), a Masters in Maori Visual Arts (2010) from Massey University in New Zealand, and a MFA in Painting and Printmaking (2018) from Yale School of Art in New Haven, CT. Ball was the winner of the prestigious 2018 Betty Bowen Award, with a corresponding exhibition on view at the Seattle Art Museum from August 10 through November 17, 2019. She has shown widely around the states as well as internationally, including: Whitney Biennial 2017, New York; Diane Rosenstein Gallery, Los Angeles; the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), Santa Fe; and Art Mûr in both Montréal, Québec and Berlin, Germany.

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