Students from the pre-K classroom at the Salish School of Spokane play outside together on November 5, 2025. (Photo by Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore Native News / ICT)
by Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore Native News + ICT, Underscore Native News Spokane, Washington — Sitting at a small desk in the basement of a single-family home converted into a school, Graham Wiley-Camacho patiently helped his youngest daughter, Kłaʔmásq̓t (Irie), work through a fractions math problem in n̓səl̓xčin̓ (Colville-Okanagan Salish). As he helped Kłaʔmásq̓t, whose English name is Irie Wiley-Camacho, and…
A Kayak Public Transit bus sits outside the agency’s facility on Jan. 8, 2025. The agency is keeping a close eye on state transportation funding amid potential changes. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — As Gov. Tina Kotek urges lawmakers to act quickly to stabilize Oregon’s transportation system, Kayak Public Transit is watching closely to see how proposed funding changes could affect service in Eastern Oregon. At the Oregon Transportation Forum on Jan. 7, Kotek outlined a three-part plan she described as “redirect, repeal and rebuild” to shore up the Oregon Department…
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on Jan. 9, 2026, warned residents to avoid sick or dead birds after a Stanfield chicken farm confirmed bird flu. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — A second case of bird flu at a farm in Stanfield has prompted Tribal and county health officials to warn residents to take preventative measures. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, in collaboration with the Umatilla County Health Department (UCHD) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), issued a notice…
The Pendleton girls wrestling team won the Vikings Invite on Jan. 10, 2026, in Umatilla. (Josie Dahl/Contributed Photo)
UMATILLA — Pendleton, behind the strength of four champions, won the Vikings Invitational on Saturday at Umatilla High School with 121.5 points. Riverside was a distant second (84), while Irrigon was fourth (43), Heppner sixth (38), Umatilla eighth (28.5) and Weston-McEwen 10th (25). Pendleton dominated the upper weights, winning titles at 155, 170, 190 and 235. Thiri Dahl won the…
The Pendleton swim team competed at the Valleydale Invitational on Jan. 10, 2026, at Lewis & Clark College in Portland. (Tony Hale/Contributed Photo)
PORTLAND — Sophomore Jared Pace won the 100 butterfly and was second in the 50 free to lead Pendleton to the boys team title Saturday at the Valleydale Swim Invitational at the Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion at Lewis & Clark College. “We had some stellar swims today at Lewis & Clark College against some really tough competition,” Pendleton coach Tony Nelson…
Nixyaawii’s Cryssa Kirkie (21) led the Golden Eagles (5–8) with 17 points Jan. 10, 2026, against Union at Nixyaawii Community School. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — Sawyer Shoemaker had 16 points to lead Union to a 65-32 nonleague win Saturday over Nixyaawii. No. 6 Union had a modest 12-8 lead after the first, then the points just started falling like rain. The Bobcats (9-3) went on a 22-13 run in the second quarter for a 34-21 lead at the half. Shoemaker scored 10 of…
(Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
ATHENA — Third-ranked Weston-McEwen opened the game with a 22-6 lead and never looked back in handing Irrigon a 66-24 Blue Mountain Conference loss Saturday night. “That is a really good team, to say the least,” Irrigon coach Fernando Sanchez said. “Back to work. We picked up some bumps and bruises, but we will work it out, ice up and…
Union’s KJ Klebaum (0) goes up for the fadeaway jumper Jan. 10, 2026, at Nixyaawii Community School. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — For the first time in seven years, Union got the better of Nixyaawii, getting 22 points from KJ Klebaum in a 61-44 victory on Saturday night. “We had to overcome some adversity tonight and I thought my kids did well playing through the adversity,” Nixyaawii coach Aaron Noisey said. “We are showing some growth in the area of…
(Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
ATHENA — Hayden Vera and Curtis Krogh combined for 43 points to lead Irrigon to a 57-43 Blue Mountain Conference win Saturday over Weston-McEwen. “We will take the win,” Irrigon coach Fredy Vera said. “We had a couple of guys out sick today. There was a lid on the rim for us, but I’m proud of the way we finished…
Pilot Rock’s Sun Schimmel goes to the hoop over Echo defenders on Jan. 9, 2026, in Echo. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)
ECHO — Sun Schimmel poured in 26 points to lead Pilot Rock to a 61-35 win over Echo in the Old Oregon League opener for both teams Friday night. The No. 6 Rockets (12-1) scored the opening basket of the game and never trailed. Pilot Rock led 15-6 after the first quarter and 27-14 at the half. The Cougars (5-8)…
