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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Louisa M. Allman, Juvenile Delinquency Specialist, as Pro Tem Judge for the Umatilla Tribal Court. Allman has been employed by the Umatilla Tribal Court since 2018 and is an enrolled member of the CTUIR. She previously served as Paralegal/Victim’s Assistant for the City of Pendleton City Attorney for 19 years, and was employed…
Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Martina Gordon, Criminal Justice Records Specialist, as Interim Umatilla Tribal Court Director effective immediately. Gordon has been employed with Umatilla Tribal Court since 2017 and is an enrolled member of CTUIR. She previously served as the Food Programs Coordinator and Manager for CAPECO for six years. She currently serves as Vice-Chair for the…
Press Release Nixyáawii – the 13-acre neighborhood located south of Nixyaawii Education Center and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, was originally, planned for development over the summer of 2021; however, delays from pandemic response and very volatile development market has moved the project to spring of 2022, with lot sales windows occurring in early spring 2022. Nixyáawii will allow CTUIR Tribal…
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Tribal employees belonging to four CTUIR entities have until Sept. 30 to get fully vaccinated. Though the Tribe has held mass vaccination clinics and given a $50,000 grand prize for a fully vaccinated employee, an estimated 35 employees working at those entities are not vaccinated. The directive was released Aug. 31 by…