Ei-Shah Pirtle-Wright, 22, holds the bow and arrow they made while standing on a cliff that overlooks Willamette Falls below on Sept 22, 2025. Pirtle-Wright is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, with Siletz, Klamath and Modoc descendancy. (Jarrette Werk,/Underscore Native News)
by Nika Bartoo-Smith, Underscore Native News + ICT and Photos by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News Content Warning: This story discusses mental health challenges. Growing up across the state of Oregon, Ei-Shah Pirtle-Wright has called many places home. “I’m from the Earth,” said Pirtle-Wright, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, with Siletz, Klamath and Modoc descendancy. Pirtle-Wright…
A Kayak Public Transit bus sits outside the agency’s facility on Jan. 8, 2025. The agency is keeping a close eye on state transportation funding amid potential changes. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — As Gov. Tina Kotek urges lawmakers to act quickly to stabilize Oregon’s transportation system, Kayak Public Transit is watching closely to see how proposed funding changes could affect service in Eastern Oregon. At the Oregon Transportation Forum on Jan. 7, Kotek outlined a three-part plan she described as “redirect, repeal and rebuild” to shore up the Oregon Department…
Pendleton’s Cole Roy (in green) wrestles Jonathan Gisi, of La Grande, in the 150-pound weight class on Jan. 7, 2026, at Warberg Court. Roy won in a 20-5 technical fall. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)
PENDLETON — It was a packed house at Warberg Court on Wednesday night as No. 2 La Grande paid a visit to No. 3 Pendleton in a must-see wrestling match. The Tigers won every match from 120 pounds to 144 to escape with a 36-34 win and hand the Bucks their first dual loss of the season. “It was an awesome…
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees kicked off its first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 5 at the Nixyaawii Governance Center. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
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…
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Wesley Dixon Jones, who was last seen on Oct. 5, 2025, is still missing. The Umatilla Tribal Police Department’s lead investigator said no further searches are planned because the department has depleted all its leads. (Umatilla Tribal Police Department/Contributed Photo)
MISSION – The Umatilla Tribal Police Department’s (UTPD) lead investigator in the case of missing Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) member Wesley Dixon Jones said no further searches are planned because the department has depleted all its leads. UTPD Det. William Morris said without new information there are no plans to conduct any more searches for the…
Pendleton’s Paisley McLaughlin (13) passes to Katelyn Boatman while playing Scappoose on Jan. 5, 2026, at Warberg Court. (Kathy Aney/ The CUJ)
SCAPPOOSE — Scappoose stretched its win streak to four games with a 46-34 win Monday over 10th-ranked Pendleton at Warberg Court. “This was a missed opportunity tonight,” Pendleton coach Tim Foster said. “Scappoose plays hard and aggressive, and they caused us problems, but in general we did not execute well enough to win.” Scappoose (8-3) raced out to an 18-6…
Annie Fowler, The CUJ SCAPPOOSE — In one of the biggest upsets of the season, Pendleton outscored Scappoose 6-3 in overtime to hand the top-ranked Indians a 51-48 loss Monday — just their second of the season. “It’s so exciting for them,” Pendleton coach Ron Murphy said. “We haven’t put a full game together before today. We knew we could…
Campgrounds that will open for the holiday weekend include Alder Thicket, Bear Wallow, Big Springs, Bull Prairie Lake, Coalmine Hill, Drift Fence, Driftwood, Divide Well, Fairview, Frazier, Forest Boundary, Gold Dredge, Ladybug, Lane Creek, Midway, North Fork John Day, Oriental, Panjab, Pataha, Penland Lake, Teal Spring, Tollbridge, Tucannon, Umatilla Forks and Welch Creek. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
PENDLETON — Memorial weekend traditionally kicks off summer recreation season on the Umatilla National Forest and many are planning their annual trek to the mountains to enjoy nature. With that in mind, forest visitors are cautioned that not all roads, trails and campgrounds are open, particularly this year with the late season snow. Shaded areas and cut banks on roads…
Sisters Lisa Faye and Abigayle McIntosh ask Sen. Merkley about what the federal government was doing to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people and support their families. CHRIS AADLAND | CUJ PHOTO
By CHRIS AADLAND MISSION – Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) leaders and community members told Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley about their priorities and concerns during a Sunday town hall May 19. The CTUIR hosted the event for Merkley, who plays a key role in allocating federal dollars for Indian Country in the Senate, at the Nixyaawíí…
From left to right, Clifford Stanger, Lindsey Watchman and David Wolf lead the presentation of the colors during the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s observance of Flag Day, May 20, outside Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. LEE GAVIN | CTUIR PHOTO
By CHRIS AADLAND MISSION – Dozens of community members gathered Monday morning to recognize the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) holiday recognizing the tribal flag. The annual event – the only holiday the tribe recognizes that isn’t shared by anyone else – was held outside Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center this year. About 70 attendees heard remarks about…
