Two young girls twirl in front of the Nixyáawii Education Center’s Week of the Young Child sign on April 8, 2024, in Mission. Students and faculty of the Átaw Miyánašma Learning Center, Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start and InterMountain Education Service District Early Childhood Special Education classrooms paraded from the Nixyáawii Education Center to the Nixyáawii Governance Center as part of the week’s celebrations. LISA SNELL | CUJ PHOTO

CTUIR Celebrates Week of the Young Child

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and its Early Childhood Department celebrated the Week of the Young Child April 8-12 to honor early learning children, as well as their teachers, families and communities.  Rayne Spencer, Child Development Intervention coordinator, said the CTUIR participated in the weeklong event to show how much goes into a child’s…

WWCC student Brittani Drennan and son Zylon | WWCC COURTESY PHOTO

WWCC offers students one-on-one help with financial aid applications

May 1 is the priority deadline The new changes in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have made more financial aid available, including grants that do not need to be repaid. The form is also shorter and, for many people, easier to complete. Walla Walla Community College Navigators are ready to help.  Call the Student Success Center at…

Julie Taylor has been named the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) 2024 Individual Champion for Native Children.

Julie Taylor named NICWA 2024 Individual Champion for Native Children

MISSION, Ore. – Julie Taylor, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has been named the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) 2024 Individual Champion for Native Children. Taylor, an enrolled CTUIR member in her 12th year as DCFS director, was expected to accept the award at the 42nd…

PUBLIC NOTICE: April 1, 2024

 TRIBAL MEMBERS:  This notification formally announces that applications are now being accepted from tribal members who wish to serve on the Commission(s)/Committee(s) listed below. Appointed members will receive a $125.00 stipend per meeting, effective January 1, 2022, once the minutes have been approved and processed on CTUIR paydays.    Will advertise for the following vacancies: 4 Positions for CTUIR Culture…

This image provided by the US Attorney for the District of Montana from a court document shows eagle feathers from birds that a Washington state man is accused of shooting to sell their parts on the black market. The defendant pleaded guilty to federal wildlife trafficking charges on Wednesday, March 20, in Missoula, Mont. PHOTO COURTESY US ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA

Man pleads guilty in eagle ‘killing spree’ on reservation to sell feathers on black market

By MATTHEW BROWN and AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Washington state man accused of helping kill thousands of birds pleaded guilty in federal court March 20 to shooting eagles on an American Indian reservation in Montana and selling their feathers and body parts on the black market. Travis John Branson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wildlife…

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is looking to contract out services that will eventually expand the reservation’s broadband internet coverage thanks to a $250,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. COURTESY PHOTO

CTUIR looks to expand high-speed internet via USDA grant

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is looking to contract out services that will eventually expand the reservation’s broadband internet coverage thanks to a $250,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden recently announced the grant award, which will allow the CTUIR to inventory assets that can provide broadband…

34th annual BAAD Tournament set for March 22-29

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center and Native Youth Rise Above are hosting the 34th annual Basketball Against Alcohol & Drugs (BAAD) Tournament March 22-29 at the Nixyáawii Community School (NCS) and CTUIR After School gyms. “This tournament is held annually during spring break for youth to engage in alcohol- and…

Corinne Sams named to Oregon task force

MISSION – Gov. Tina Kotek has appointed Corinne Sams, a Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees Member at Large, to the state’s Task Force on Tribal Consultation. As part of the 15-member body, she will help identify and clarify requirements for state agencies to maintain a just and respectful consultation process with federally recognized tribes…

Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Board of Trustees and Executive Director Donald Sampson pose for a photo with the CTUIR’s Smart Communities Award on March 12 in Kennewick, Washington. The CTUIR, along with other partnering entities, received awards from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee for their collaboration to revitalize Clover Island in Kennewick. Bottom row, from left, are Members at Large Corinne Sams and Toby Patrick, Chairman Gary I. Burke, Treasurer Raymond Huesties and Member at Large Lisa Ganueles. Top row, from left, are Sampson, Member at Large Steven Hart and Vice Chairman Aaron Ashley. TRAVIS SNELL | CTUIR PHOTO

CTUIR receives Washington Governor’s Award for Port of Kennewick collaboration

KENNEWICK, Wash. – Officials with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) joined other dignitaries March 12 at the Port of Kennewick to receive the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards for collaborating to restore and revitalize Clover Island. Gathered at the Clover Island Lighthouse Plaza, the awards were presented to the CTUIR, Port of Kennewick, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla…