Sophie Bronson signed a letter of intent to play hoops at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. Look for more sports in Section B.
Youth Councils visit Washington, D.C., to advocate for salmon See page 6A
Confederated Umatilla Journal The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Section
A
MAY 2023
Pendleton, Oregon
Volume 31, Issue 5
Great Grant Advantage State program offers academic assistance to native students
Ceremony June 1
By the CUJ Students of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are taking advantage of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant program. The Oregon Legislature established the Oregon Tribal Student Grant in 2022 to provide financial assistance to students who are enrolled in one of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. Currently, the Legislature is considering HB 3525 to codify the program into law and allow for ongoing funding of these grants. The funding , for undergraduate and graduate students, allows among other things, for recipients to go to school part time. The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is expected to pay for most or all public college-related expenses not covered by other grants for students pursuing their first Associate, Bachelor’s, or Graduate degree. Award amounts will vary depending on where the student attends school and the degree they are pursuing. “This is a great opportunity for any student to get started in an accepted program of study,” said Brandie Weaskus, Higher Education Manager for the CTUIR. “The impacts of the state grant have been great for CTUIR students who have been able to return to finish degrees. I hope that all tribal members know Continued on Page 14A
Ribbon cutting set for Nixyaawii Neighborhood construction From CTUIR Planning and Housing Departments
Kylie Thorne is the Dental Administrator at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Thorne and other Indians from the nine federally recognized tribes in the state are taking advantage of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant program.
M IS SION – A r ibbon c utting ceremony is planned from 2-6 p.m. June 1 to celebrate the completion of the new Nixyaawii neighborhood infrastructure and Timine Way North Apartments. The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will be on hand for the ceremony. The community is invited. The housing projects are the result of many years’ worth of efforts to increase the available housing stock on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, according to J.D. Tovey III, Planning Director for the CTUIR. “This is the beginning of a new chapter for the CTUIR in creating affordable home sites. We have many projects aimed at providing a range of lots sizes and neighborhood amenities for tribal members to build, buy, and live in homes of their choosing. It takes time to build that market, and this is only the beginning,” said Tovey. “The Reservation is the home of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Indians, but for a long time it was Continued on Page 5A
INSIDE THE CUJ Basketball Against Alcohol & Drugs (BAAD) tournament photos in Section B.
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801
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