Press Release from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
For immediate release: March 17, 2020
Contacts:
Carrie Sampson-Samuels, Public Information Officer – Public Health, (541) 240-8728
Jiselle Halfmoon, Public Information Officer – Tribal Governance, (541) 969-4801
CTUIR Command 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.
As of 10:30am today, Oregon now has a total of 65 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, after the Oregon Health Authority announced 18 new cases of the novel coronavirus.
OHA is reporting new cases in the following counties: Clackamas (4), Linn (5), Marion (1), Multnomah (1) and Washington (7).
Current CTUIR guidelines/updates as of March 17, 2020 at 5:00pm are as follows:
- CTUIR Department of Children and Family Services will continue to provide Emergency Assistance (Elders, Veterans, CTUIR Emergency Services), General Assistance, Child Care and Foster Care services. Office doors are locked during this time, the intake process will be conducted over the phone. To receive services, please call: 541-429-7305 or 541-429-7300 or julietaylor@ctuir.org.
- Effective today, March 17th, the CTUIR Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed the 2019-2020 Treaty Bison Hunt Season.
- Effective today, March 17th, Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon and Hamley Cafe will be open for takeout orders only.
- Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, Kinship Café and the Museum Store will be closed to the public until April 3, 2020.
- Wildhorse Golf Course will remain open with food service at the Clubhouse limited to takeout orders. The Golf Course at Birch Creek will remain open and restaurant will provide takeout orders only.
- Effective tomorrow, March 18th, at 12 noon, Wildhorse will be closing the casino until April 8, 2020. All restaurants will be open for takeout orders with the exception of Plateau, which will be closed. Wildhorse Cineplex will remain open through Sunday, March 22nd, at which time closure will be re-evaluated.
- The hotel tower will remain open with 100 rooms available, limited to every other room on each floor, and the courtyard rooms will be closed.
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.
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