MISSION – The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) approved the selection of Donald Sampson to be the Tribe’s Executive Director. His official start will be the week of Jan. 17. Mr. Sampson, who is a hereditary chief of the Walúulapam (‘Walla Walla people’), previously served as Executive Director from 2003 to 2010.…
CTUIR’s Sams honored, thankful after historic confirmation for National Park Service Director position
History was made Nov. 18 as CTUIR member Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate by voice vote as the 19th Director of the National Park Service. Sams, upon being sworn in, will become the first Native American ever to lead the agency in its 105-year existence after being nominated in August by President Biden.…
Board of Trustees Applauds Chief Judge William Johnson’s Receipt of Oregon State Bar President’s Special Award of Appreciation
MISSION – The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) recently took action by way of motion to honor Chief Judge William Johnson of the Umatilla Tribal Court as the recent recipient of the President’s Special Award of Appreciation. This award will be formally conveyed by David Wade, President of the Oregon State Bar,…
Board of Trustees Declares End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
MISSION, OR – The Board of Trustees, the elected leaders for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, today approved a resolution to end the Public Health Emergency declaration on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The primary effects of this resolution are to dissolve the current Incident Command Team that had been formed to respond to the outbreak of cases…
Happy Canyon 2021
by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ – It’s not usual for Happy Canyon Princesses to reign for two years, but Mary Rivera and Clarise (Clair) Huesties are not your typical Princesses. Rivera and Huesties were announced the 2020 Happy Canyon Princesses in Dec. 2019. They were both very excited, especially Rivera being that it was her third time competing…
CTUIR members, staff win 18 NAJA awards
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Tac Maywii Nixyaawii! (Good Morning Nixyaawii!) was named the second-ranking news cast or podcast in Indian country by the Native American Journalists Association. KCUW’s show, which features BOT members Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey and Boots Pond earned runner up in General Excellence as part of the 2021 NAJA Awards. “There was many laughs to…
NCFS Host Grand Opening
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Nixyaawii Community Financial Services held its grand opening in August, allowing for tours, souvenirs, food and a DJ. The event — which was postponed from July due to the record heat — was also a reuniting moment for the seven-person staff. “We certainly heard so many positive compliments,” Tovey said. “I cannot…
Adrienne Berry opens Waterlilly Botanicals LLC during pandemic shutdown
by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ MISSION – When everything shut down in 2020, including day cares and schools, parents like Adrienne Berry and Christopher Sampson, parents of five, were put in a difficult situation – who watches the kids? With not many options available, Berry chose to resign from her five year career as the Community Gardener of…
Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supply soars despite COVID-19 lockdowns
by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ MISSION – When Melinda Broncheau invested everything she had into opening Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, a global pandemic was not included in her business plan but still she prevailed. Broncheau, a Tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has had a passion…
Tribal youth get culture tour by Snake River
By the CUJ Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Colville Tribes and Nez Perce Tribes floated the Snake River in August. “It was an unforgettable three days with pukuunen (Snake River),” Josiah Pinkham said, “visiting cultural sites, learning about the canyon and all its life and splendor, and forming new friendships.” CTUIR youth members present were…