Umatilla artist featured in Warm Springs

WARM SPRINGS –  Transforming a bare room with colorful horse sculptures, canvases, and traditional Native items is art by CTUIR member Ellen Taylor that is currently on display at The Museum at Warm Springs now through May 29. The exhibit titled, “Sacred Reflections: The Art of Umatilla Artist Ellen Taylor” consists of 42 bright colored hand painted pieces that are…

Dalles Dam Housing Discussed

MISSION – Board of Trustees members and employees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) held a work session in April to discuss strategies to move forward with the Columbia River Housing Project. In the 1930’s with the building of several dams along the Columbia River, many towns and tribal villages were inundated with water. The federal…

Oregon House approves ORICWA

SALEM – The Oregon House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation to make further refinements to the Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act (ORICWA), a top priority of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). HB 3182, coming in at 168 pages, includes amendments to the ORICWA, which became law in 2020 when the CTUIR pushed for a state specific…

TOP CHEF — “Stumptown U.S.A.” Episode 1806 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: David Moir/Bravo)

CTUIR makes appearance on Bravo reality TV show

Hand-picked roots and salmon paired with television cameras and chefs when the cast and crew of Bravo’s “Top Chef” gathered with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation(CTUIR) on the banks of the Columbia River. “Top Chef,” currently in season 18 with the CTUIR episode airing May 6, is an Emmy and James Beard award-winning reality television…

Coyote Stories: R.I.P. DMX

If you’re from an Indian reservation and were born between the 1970s and 90s, there’s a good chance DMX’s music played a big part in your life. Earl Simmons — also known as DMX — was one of the most prevalent storytellers of my generation. Tragically, he passed away on April 9 at age 50. Most of my 35 years…

Board of Trustees Approves Removal of a Policy Barrier to Accessing Tribal Housing Units

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have approved changes to the Housing Department’s Drug Elimination Policy, making it easier for potential residents who test positive for marijuana to obtain tribal housing. Under the policy changes, applicants are still required to take a mandatory drug test for screening purposes as part of the housing application process.…

CTUIR launches Umatilla Language Online Dictionary

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has launched a Umatilla Language Dictionary website at https://dictionary.ctuir.org. The project was a collaborative effort between Amazon Web Services and the CTUIR Language Program. “The online Umatilla Dictionary is an exciting project that we are very proud to share. We hope Tribal members will enjoy the easy online access…

Sams, Quaid part of honoring women panel

By Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ Tears filled their eyes as the panelists spoke with pride honoring the women who shaped them as adults. Recalling their grandmothers, mothers, friends, and community members, panelists including Corinne Sams, Board of Trustees member for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Katherine “KJ” Quaid, Communications and Outreach Coordinator of WeCan…

A GREATER PRIORITY: Umatilla County to start Thornhollow Bridge construction in 2023

By Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ MISSION – Construction for the Thornhollow Bridge located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation will begin in 2023, about four years earlier than originally anticipated. In February 2020, record-level flooding of the Umatilla River severely damaged the bridge, making it impassable. The bridge is located approximately 13 miles east of the Mission area and,…

CTUIR names newly identified species of ancient saber-toothed cat

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) proudly announce the publication of a scientific study unveiling the discovery of an ancient cat species that has been named in the Cayuse language to acknowledge its ties to the Tribes’ homeland. Tamástslikt Cultural Institute collaborated with Professor John Orcutt of Gonzaga University and Professor Jonathan Calede of the…