The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), in coordination with
Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, will be offering a drive-thru “trunk or treat” event this
weekend on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. The event will take place in the parking lot of
the Mission Community Gym from 3-6pm. Trunk or treaters are asked to remain in their cars
and candy and treats will be brought to you.
The CTUIR Incident Command Team (ICT) has been monitoring active coronavirus/COVID-19
cases on the reservation and has approved of this drive-thru event, which will be staffed by
volunteers from various departments. The ICT also has some guidance to families for how to
safely engage in Halloween activities this weekend.
“It is very important to continue to use good health and safety practices that are effective at
limiting the coronavirus transmission and protecting you and your family. This includes social
distancing, wearing face coverings, and thoroughly washing your hands often. Please don’t let
this invisible enemy win,” said Kat Brigham, Chair of the CTUIR. Further, the ICT strongly
urges that families avoid door-to-door trick or treating and opt instead for the CTUIR-
sponsored activity or small gatherings of less than 25 people, preferably outdoors.
Rob Burnside, Director of Public Safety and Commander of the ICT advised that “We are
seeing upticks and spikes in cases all across the Country, and we have had our own outbreaks
here on the Reservation recently as well, despite the safety protocols that have been put in
place. We know there is some “COVID fatigue” setting in but we need everyone to keep their
guard up and continue with the safety measures.”
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 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect,
preserve and enhance the treaty rights guaranteed under federal statute.
