Press Release from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
For immediate release: March 13, 2020
Contacts:
Carrie Sampson-Samuels, Public Information Officer – Public Health, (541) 240-8728
Jiselle Halfmoon, Public Information Officer – Tribal Governance, (541) 969-4801
CTUIR Incident Command Status Update
MISSION, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) is working on several plans to ensure the safety of the entire community. The ICT continues to monitor and manage the emerging situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a very serious situation with Tribal, Local, National and International implications. As this situation progresses, it increasingly appears that COVID-19 is now in the greater population, so taking immediate measures to slow its spread are imperative – especially to vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations include people above 60 years of age, people who may be immunocompromised or other chronic conditions such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes.
The ICT will share information on a frequent and regular basis as quickly as decisions are made. They have reviewed and considered all recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) as they become available, however, the CTUIR has the authority to choose how the guidance is used in our community.
Current CTUIR guidelines as of March 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm are as follows:
All CTUIR and Yellowhawk community-based events, gatherings, meetings will be cancelled, regardless of size, until further notice.
It is strongly advised that all attendees of the Wildhorse Resort and Casino 25th Anniversary Fireworks Show on March 14, 2020 remain in their vehicles for the fireworks viewing.
The CTUIR Recreation program (to include community gyms) will be closed until further notice.
If you need to conduct business at the Nixyáawii Governance Center, it is highly encouraged to schedule appointments with the appropriate department prior to visiting.
It is advised that all residents of the CTUIR avoid travel over 75 miles. This advisory is important to protect the safety and welfare of the CTUIR community and surrounding communities.
If you have traveled beyond 75 miles, especially by air, the tribal governance suggests self-quarantine for 7 to 14 days and consult your healthcare provider if you show cold or flu symptoms illness.
There are community action plans currently being discussed by the incident command team that will be shared once finalized. Those include:
Food delivery for youth during school closure
Identifying elder needs for delivery of food and supplies
Continuation of utility services for CTUIR residents
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is made up of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 statute 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the treaty rights guaranteed under federal statute.
###
