Youth Council advocates for salmon in DC

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Museum of American Indian. The youth were given a tour by curator Renee Gokey who taught the youth some of the symbolic architecture, and educated the youth about tribal sovereignty, explaining the exhibit about tribal treaties and why they were formed.

The day ended with group discussion and celebration at the Patagonia store, which uses a percentage of their sales to fund trips to promote social justice. The youth had dinner while watching a film that showcased history of Celilo Falls.

The young people reflected on their journey with the Youth Salmon Protectors and Idaho Conservation League.

Added Pasena, “For many of the CTUIR youth council members, this was their first time on a plane, let alone their first time in DC.

“It was incredibly powerful to see them walking up to the Capital in their traditional clothing, performing a song and dance in the lobby of the Native American Smithsonian, and promising to ‘indigenize everywhere’ they went. They were also excited to see Native representation in a few of our meetings where staff from other Tribes shared their own stories and experiences as an Indigenous person in DC.”

A quote from Abbie Abramovich, the Salmon Campaign Grassroots Coordinator from the Idaho Conservation League, provided another perspective of the trip.

“On behalf of Idaho Conservation League, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Patagonia for all of the support provided to make our DC trip possible. This trip, including a combined group of Youth Salmon Protectors and Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Youth Council, was incredibly

Elders meet with BOT Chair, plan June listening session

From Susan Sheoships, Nicht-Yow-Way Senior Program secretary

MISSION - Kat Brigham invited the seniors to set a date in June for an Elders’ Listening Session with the Board of Trustees (BOT) when she dropped in on their March 3 meeting. Site and date are yet to be determined, since the schedules of all the trustees must be coordinated.

At their April 7 meeting, the seniors firmed up agenda items to present to the Board of Trustees in June. Some years ago, the Board of Trustees held an Elders Listening Session with tribal elders to present their needs and issues. The Board followed up with a letter to all seniors outlining a response to each issue. This time around, Kat Brigham asked that the seniors boil down many issues into a few overall agenda items.

impactful for the decision-makers we met with, for the kids themselves, and for our staff. Personally, this experience helped reignite my passion and hope that we’ll soon see a free-flowing lower Snake River.”

Secondly, Brigham asked for the elder group’s input on her appointment on the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Group (STAC) to the Department of Interior (DOI).

The STAC is comprised of 12 tribal representatives who will deal with more than dotting “i’s” and crossing “t’s” as they work on reforming Department of Interior (DOI) process improvement for Tribal consultation to Secretary Deb Haaland.

As background, DOI includes the agencies Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Consulting Group, U.S. Geological Survey, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and National Park Service. Many elders remember a time when BIA ran programs such as trust land management; social services to children, the elderly and families, child protection; and education benefits. Nowadays, Tribes run their own programs. DOI has new duties like helping Tribes establish broadband ownership as well as old duties such as Tribal-state gaming compacts. Now tribal relations with DOI are more likely characterized as co-management and co-stewardship with Tribes, introducing indigenous knowledge, and developing sustainable best practices in natural resource management.

This year an Indian Child Welfare Act case (Brackeen v. Haaland) is under Supreme Court scrutiny. Its outcome could yet again affect the federal stance toward tribal sovereignty.

Nicht-Yow-Way senior program is administered by Department of Children and Family Services, CTUIR, 541-429-7300. Officers are Mary Halfmoon, Chair; Lorena Thompson, Vice-Chair; Susan Sheoships, Secretary.

Here are the results from the Blue Mountain Community College Pow wow, held March 11at the McCrae Activity Center (MAC).

Master of Ceremonies was Fred Hill. The event was sponsored by BMCC Arts and Culture Series, BMCC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, BMCC ASG, CTUIR Education Department, CTUIR Higher Education Program, CTUIR DCFS

FANCY / JINGLE

1st Place Dazha Joseph

2nd Place Athena Whiskeyjack

3rd Place Hazel Quaempts

JUNIOR GIRL’S TRADITIONAL

1st Place Hannah Brown 2nd Place Gwen Johnson

Place Gia Spino

JUNIOR BOY’S TRADITIONAL

1st Place Amadeo Tewee

2nd Place Jesse Bevis JR

3rd Place Truman Brown

13 AND OVER WOMEN’S FANCY / JINGLE

1st Place Aurora Whiskeyjack

2nd Place Alayna Bevis

3rd Place Teata Ellenwood

13 AND OVER WOMEN’S TRADITIONAL

1st Place Jackie Barkley

2nd Place Nukinka Manuel

3rd Place Jeanine Gordon

13 AND OVER MEN’S TRADITIONAL

1st Place Jessie Bevis SR

2nd Place Wilbur Oatman

3rd Place Elijah Bauer

1) Start the conversation: Ask questions like the following

• What is the hardest you about controlling your high blood pressure?

• What can I do to help you?

• Have you talked to your doctor about Yellowhawk’s new Pinášukʷat program?

2) Provide Emotional Support: Be positive.

• Help your loved one remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and that control is possible.

3) Make control a goal: Take action to help your loved one make healthy lifestyle changes for better blood pressure control. For example, you can do the following:

• Help your loved one set up a routine to take medications regularly

• Set a reminder to get your loved one’s blood pressure checked—at home, at the doctor’s office, or at a pharmacy.

• Help cook healthy, tasty meals at home more often. Bring home-cooked meals to your loved one.

• If your loved one smokes, help him or her quit.

• Be more active with your loved one— even just a walk around the block is enough to get the ball rolling.