January 28, 2025
Dear Tribal Members,
With the change in presidential administration, we are seeing a flurry of executive orders shaking up Washington, D.C., and the nation. On Monday, Jan. 27, the administration issued a memo halting trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans to eliminate spending on programs. This memo is vague in its call to temporarily pause federal financial assistance – other than Medicare, Social Security, and similar programs – and it is causing confusion for nonprofits, state agencies, city governments, and tribal governments.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees, Executive Management Team, Office of Legal Counsel and Federal Lobbyist Team are staying on top of the situation, and we will inform the CTUIR membership of any funding changes that could affect services.
It is important to remember that many of the targeted funds are tied to federal obligations under the trust responsibilities of the federal government. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties are considered the supreme law of the land, and the federal government has a fiduciary and trust responsibility to the CTUIR under the Treaty of 1855.
The well-being and peace of mind of our CTUIR Tribal members are incredibly important. Thank you for your continued patience and trust as we navigate what potential changes mean for CTUIR. We truly appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated with important developments.
Sincerely,
CTUIR Board of Trustees
Office of the Executive Director
