From the CTUIR Vocational Rehabilitation Program On June 2, Vocational Rehabilitation turned 100 years old. President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Smith-Fess Act of 1920, which established the first federally funded program to assist people with disabilities who had not acquired their disabilities as a result of serving in the military. During the last four decades, more than 83…
Month: June 2020
By Casey Brown of the CUJ MISSION – While the decision about graduation is pending as of press time, Nixyaawii Community School’s New Media class has been working to produce messages of positivity for the Golden Eagles Class of 2020. “We wanted to make sure that the community has a chance to cheer on students,” Michelle Van Pelt said. Two…
Tribes developing ‘Safe Routes to School’ plans for Nixyaawii students
By Dani Schulte, CTUIR Transportation Planner MISSION – How many Nixyáawii Community School (NCS) students are walking or bicycling to school? Have you seen students cutting across the busy highway to get to Mission Market on their lunch break? Is there adequate lighting for students walking to a basketball game? These are some questions the Tribal Planning Office is hoping…
Students earn biliteracy diploma seals in Nez Perce, Umatilla languages
PENDLETON – Five graduating Native students, including Seth Scott who made remarks in Nez Perce at the Pendleton High School commencement ceremonies, have earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy for their achievements in studying native languages. Besides Scott, four students from Nixyaawii Community School earned the Oregon Seals, which will appear on their diplomas. Those students are Christina Kaltsukis, Susie…
John taking track career on to Colorado School of Mines
ZILLAH, Wash. – Sydney John Jr. wasn’t able to complete his prep track career as a senior this year at Zillah High School, but he plans to continue his running at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, where he will enroll this fall. John is graduating with an honors diploma from Zillah High School with a cumulative grade…
Nixyaawii Community School Coach Shane Rivera talks to players during a time out in a game at the Class 1A State Tournament in Baker City in March. Rivera is resigning after an eight-year stint after he accumulated a 171-51 record that included a state title in the 2019 tournament. Standing behind Rivera are his three assistant coaches – Alan Crawford, Ken Mayfield, and Aaron Ashley.
Rivera resigns as NCS hoop coach
By Wil Phinney of the CUJ MISSION – Shane Rivera is resigning as head boys’ basketball coach after compiling a record of 171 wins against 51 losses in eight seasons at Nixyaawii Community School (NCS). Rivera took NCS to the Oregon Class 1A State Tournament five times, winning the title in the 2018-19 season. That year Rivera was Oregon Class 1A…
Carol Farrow stands in front of the home where she lives with her siblings on Thompson Road.
Heavy rains create May 20 flood scare
By the CUJ MISSION – The community mostly dodged another bullet May 20 when the skies darkened before dumping more than an inch of rain in less than 24 hours on the foothills of the Blue Mountains. It didn’t end up anything like the February floods that caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage throughout Eastern Oregon, but for a…
A pair of backhoes work on some of the remaining walls at the former Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center as demolition work continued at the July Grounds in April.
Demo provides opportunity for new vision at July Grounds
From the CTUIR Capital Improvements Committee MISSION – The month of May brought a significant milestone to the July Grounds – the demolition of the former Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, as well as the demolition of the Cay-Uma-Wa Education Center, the former Prevention Building, and a modular that served as an office building for the Yellowhawk Finance Department. “These buildings…
BOT approves recruitment of Deputy Executive Director
By the CUJ MISSION – The Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) on May 13 told Executive Director Ted Wright to begin recruitment for an individual to work under his supervision as a Deputy Executive Director (DED). The exact duties of the DED were not fully flushed out during the BOT work…
Mt. Emily Pack likely to blame for livestock deaths
MISSION – Wolves from the Mount Emily Pack are likely to blame for five livestock deaths that occurred on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) over a two-week span between April 30 and May 13, according to a news release from the Confederated Tribes. At least one of those cases was confirmed as a wolf kill. A livestock producer found a…