CTUIR leaders and Umatilla Tribal Police Department staff discuss tribal ID updates and community safety during a Jan. 9, 2026, work session at the Nixyaawii Governance Center in Mission. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
Tribal leaders and police work session focuses on ID updates, outreach and community safety. MISSION — Amid reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has refused to accept tribal identification, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are developing a protocol to help tribal members deal with the federal agency. The CTUIR Board of Trustees (BOT) and…
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees approved key appointments to its Water Rights Negotiation Team during its regular meeting on Jan. 12, 2026, in the chamber at the Nixyaawii Governance Center. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees (BOT) approved key appointments for its Water Rights Negotiation Team. The board held its regular meeting on Jan. 12 in the chamber at the Nixyaawii Governance Center. Eight trustees attended, with Trustee Toby Patrick out on personal leave. During the meeting, the board appointed Madam Chair…
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…
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on Jan. 9, 2026, warned residents to avoid sick or dead birds after a Stanfield chicken farm confirmed bird flu. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — A second case of bird flu at a farm in Stanfield has prompted Tribal and county health officials to warn residents to take preventative measures. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, in collaboration with the Umatilla County Health Department (UCHD) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), issued a notice…
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…
CTUIR Election Day is Nov. 4. All Board of Trustees and General Council positions will be on the ballot. All registered 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. 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 invited all Board of Trustees and General Council candidates to respond to a written questionnaire about their priorities and goals. Candidates were given the opportunity to respond to each question with 3-5 sentences. Following are the responses received by the CUJ deadline. Lavona Herrera, Board of Trustees Chair Candidate What had led you to run for this position,…
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 – With the search for missing 71-year-old Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) member Wesley Dixon Jones coming upon its third week, the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) is asking the public for help. “The UTPD is requesting video camera footage from anyone who has road-facing cameras and lives anywhere from Short Mile Road east to Cayuse…
A non-operational truck is loaded onto a flatbed trailer with other vehicles Oct. 16 on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR). The vehicles were later crushed and recycled as part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Planning Department’s authority to remove such vehicles from the UIR. BRIAN FULLEN/CTUIR PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is helping remove unwanted and unsightly non-operational vehicles from properties on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR). Brian Fullen, Environmental Health & Safety specialist with CTUIR’s Planning Department, said his office is working with UIR residents who request vehicle removals, residents who need encouragement to have vehicles removed and 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 (UTPD) is still searching for missing 71-year-old Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) member Wesley Dixon Jones, who was last seen Oct. 5. Since Oct. 6, UTPD Det. William Morris said the department has conducted two searches with the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue using canines, three aerial drone…
