MISSION — The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees opened its first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 5 at the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
Trustees discussed several resolutions during the meeting.
Under old business, the board approved Resolution 25-102, authorizing the purchase of 39.99 acres of fee-simple land in Umatilla County from John and Marisa Remington. The board approved completing the purchase on or before Jan. 28. Federal Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Funds will pay for the property, according to the resolution.
The PCSRF is a federal grant program that supports state and tribal salmon recovery efforts. It funds projects that deliver measurable benefits to Pacific salmon and steelhead, including Chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon, and their habitat.
Moving on to new business, the board approved Resolution 26-001, increasing the interest rate credited to funds held for minors. The change raises the rate from 4% to 6% for custodial accounts, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Trust and the General Welfare Savings and Spending Trust accounts.
The increase took effect Jan. 1.
During commission and committee updates, the Board of Trustees approved General Council Chairman Lindsey X. Watchman to serve on the CTUIR Community Wellness Improvement Collaborative and Secretary Monica Paradise to the Culture Coalition. The board also appointed Isaiah Welch to the Science and Technology Committee and Dave Tovey to the Tribal Employment Rights Office Commission.
The board also approved advertising vacancies on the Culture Coalition, Election Commission, Enrollment Commission, Gaming Commission, Health Commission, Housing Commission, Tiichám Conservation District and Wildhorse Foundation.
Lastly moving onto executive director information, The Board of Trustees greenlit several initiatives involving executive directors and staff.
Trustee Sierra Quaempts will collaborate with Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center staff on a proposed adaptation of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths tool. The adaptation aims to support wraparound services and provide intensive support for tribal organizations and Indian health care providers.
Cultural Resources Protection Program staff will assist the city of Prosser by providing comments and information on identifying cultural resources or historic properties related to a road project. CRPP staff also will meet with the Malheur Field Office to discuss potential impacts to three cultural sites connected to the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine.
Department of Natural Resources staff will assess a project shifting Odessa aquifer wells to surface water and meet with the board regarding a government-to-government consultation with the Washington State Department of Ecology, part of a required environmental justice assessment.
The BOT approved General Council Chairman Watchman and Trustee Lisa Ganuelas to attend the Washington State of State on Jan. 13 in Olympia, Washington.
