Marcus Clayton, who identified himself as a Muscogee Freedmen descendant, stands outside of the Muscogee Nation court building during a hearing challenging the Muscogee citizenship board on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Okmulgee, Okla. AP FILE PHOTO
By SEAN MURPHYAssociated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A judge for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma ruled in favor of citizenship for two descendants of Black slaves once owned by tribal members, potentially paving the way for hundreds of other descendants known as freedmen. District Judge Denette Mouser, based in the tribe’s headquarters in Okmulgee, ruled late Wednesday in favor of two…
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office at the Department of Education, Sept. 20, 2023, in Washington. The Biden administration is asking America’s colleges to renew their efforts to make campuses more racially diverse, urging schools to boost scholarships and minority recruiting and to give “meaningful consideration” to the adversity students face because of their race or finances. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
By COLLIN BINKLEYAP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration is asking America’s colleges to renew their efforts to make campuses more racially diverse, urging schools to boost scholarships and minority recruiting and to place “meaningful emphasis” on the adversity students face because of their race or finances. The Education Department issued a report Thursday promoting strategies to increase…
Leslie Minthorn
Oct. 1, 1933 – Sept. 21, 2023
By CHRIS AADLAND Reporter MISSION, Ore. — Leslie “Les” Minthorn, the longtime tribal leader and dedicated advocate for tribal sovereignty who played a prominent role in spearheading many efforts, like bringing gaming to the reservation, that have transformed the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, died on September 21. He was 89. A prosperous tribal gaming enterprise. A powerful…
CTUIR Election Day is Nov. 14. All Board of Trustees Officer and At-Large positions and all General Council Officer positions will be on the ballot.
Tribal members 18 years and older are eligible to vote. Voters can cast their ballot either in person on election day in the Nixyaawii Governance Center or by absentee ballot.
The CUJ asked Board of Trustees and General Council candidates a series of questions on a variety of topics in hopes their answers will help voters make informed ballot choices. Due to space limitations, only the first question is featured in print. All candidates were given the opportunity to respond with up to 200 words per question and submit a…
The Public Works Department will be closing through access to Confederated way for the day during construction activities ending at 5pm.
As part of the Umatilla Tribal Fire Station Phase II Remodel, Confederated Way will be closed for paving Monday, Oct. 2.
Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start will promote school readiness and competence of enrolled children ages 3 through 5, by enhancing all aspects of their development and offering support to their families. Click here for the 2023-2024 application for Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start program. 2023-2024_Head_Start_online_application.pdf (ctuir.org)
Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Youth Leadership Council and mentors were recognized with an intimate ceremony in the Nixyaawii Governance Center Sept. 28. Back row, left to right: Wynema Thurman, Penelope Gavin-Harvey, Weptas Brockie, Sydney Carey, Sunhawk Thomas, Hiyuum Nowland, Brees Vanpelt, Addison Carey, Dymond Say, Terri Carnes. Front row, left to right: Meadow Morris, Brooklyn Jones, Madison Munoz, Diamond Greene, Latis Nowland, Lindsey Pasena-LittleSky
PHOTO BY LISA SNELL, CUJ
By CHRIS AADLAND PENDLETON, Ore. – Tribal leaders, mentors and others gathered in the Nixyaawii Governance Center rotunda Thursday morning to recognize the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Youth Leadership Council for their contributions to Indian Country and recent earning of a high-profile award. In June, Portland-based nonprofit Ecotrust named the youth council as one of the…
President Joe Biden and CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair, Kat Brigham – CUJ FILE PHOTO
By CHRIS AADLAND Confederated Umatilla Journal PENDLETON, Ore. – The White House on Wednesday directed the government to prioritize working to revitalize salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, a move a tribal leader called the biggest commitment the federal government has made to restoring native fish species facing extinction. Through a memorandum, President Joe Biden ordered federal agencies…
Melissa Lonebear holds a banner with a picture of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places on it during a rally in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People movement at the Big Horn County Building on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Hardin, Mont. (AP Photo/Mike Clark)
By MATTHEW BROWNAssociated Press HARDIN, Mont. (AP) — Yolanda Fraser is back near a ragged chain-link fence, blinking through tears as she tidies up flowers and ribbons and a pinwheel twirls in the breeze at a makeshift roadside memorial in a small Montana town. This is where the badly decomposed body of her granddaughter Kaysera Stops Pretty Places was found…
File photo of President Biden signing an executive order
ASSOCIATED PRESS PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Biden administration has pledged over $200 million toward reintroducing salmon in the Upper Columbia River Basin in an agreement with tribes that includes a stay on litigation for 20 years. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Spokane Tribe of Indians signed the deal with federal officials on Thursday, The Seattle Times…
