Matthew Bussler, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, uses mapping equipment in Dowagiac, Mich., on Aug. 10, 2023. Americans whose ancestors called the state home hope a new state law will speed the recovery and reburial of ancestors’ remains unearthed over the past two centuries. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

New law returns Native American remains for reburial in Illinois

By JOHN O’CONNOR and MELISSA PEREZ WINDERAssociated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — For centuries, Europeans carving up the prairie to suit their own idea of settlement dug up the graves of Native Americans as they conquered lands and pushed tribes to the West. Now, Native Americans whose ancestors’ remains ended up held for study in sterile, nondescript boxes on shelves…

Umatilla National Forest prepares to implement fall prescribed burn plan

PENDLETON, Ore. — Fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forest are preparing to implement the Forest’s fall prescribed burn plan, which could impact camping and hunting opportunities in several hunting units across the Forest. Any associated road and trail closures will go into effect prior to and during burn operations, which typically take 2-5 days to complete. Hunters are advised…

CTUIR granted funds for economic development

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will receive $81,060 in federal funds for economic development. This $81,060 investment from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development will develop a specific strategic document and implementation plan for Tribal agricultural and food business growth, food sovereignty, and job creation…

Reminder on wildfire prevention

Fires ignited despite safety precautions SISTERS, Ore. – Preliminary findings in the Juniper Creek Fire investigation indicate that the fire cause was consistent with target shooting. The Juniper Creek Fire started August 20, 2023, and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) contained it at 106 acres.  The responsible party took several safety precautions while shooting on their property.  Nevertheless, a…

People gather for a rally outside of the White House in support of imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Peltier supporters hold White House rally, urge Biden to grant clemency

By TRISHA AHMED Associated Press/Report for America MINNEAPOLIS — Hundreds of activists and Indigenous leaders rallied outside the White House on Tuesday to support Leonard Peltier on the imprisoned activist’s 79th birthday, holding signs and chanting slogans urging President Joe Biden to grant clemency to the Native American leader. Peltier is serving life in prison for the killing of two FBI agents…

Water tankers, like this one transporting juvenile coho salmon from Cascade Fish Hatchery in Cascade Locks, Oregon, now count as “fish passages.” Associated Press Photo by Gillian Flaccus

ODFW Commission sued over salmon policy change

Enviros and Nez Perce Tribe join forces in claim that board didn’t provide appropriate public notice before making significant revisions By NATHAN GILLES, Columbia Insight  Last week we reported on a chorus of objections to a recent policy change by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that changed the state’s definition of “fish passage.” Now the issue is heating up. On…

2023 FALL SEASON TRIBAL FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENT

Thursday, September 7, 2023 —- The Four Columbia River Tribes set the following fishery plan and the Columbia River Compact concurred: Zone 6 Commercial Gillnet Fishery Area: All of Zone 6 Dates/Times: Week of September 11: 6 AM Monday September 11 to 6 PM Friday September 15 (4 nights) Week of September 18: 6 AM Monday September 18 to 6…