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…
Category: News
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…
CTUIR Wins Safe Routes to School Construction Award
Last summer the Tribal Planning Office collaborated with Yellowhawk’s Community Health program and the Nixyáawii Community School to collect input from the community on where safety improvements are needed in the community to serve walking and biking students. The Planning Office applied for the ODOT Safe Routes to School Grant, and won an award of $1 million to construct three…
CTUIR hazard planning effort seeking public comment
The Umatilla Indian Reservation experienced several natural and human-caused disasters in recent years – flooding, smoke from wildfires, hazardous materials spills and train derailments, and of course the COVID-19 pandemic. Every five years, CTUIR updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify the greatest threats and hazards facing our community, and how we can best mitigate the impacts. Hazard Mitigation is…
Land Ownership Consolidation Program to Return to CTUIR
MISSION – The Land Buy Back Program will soon return to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), offering eligible landowners a third opportunity to participate in the land ownership consolidation program. The Program will be based upon the availability of funds remaining and will tentatively mail offers to landowners during the summer of 2021. Because of the…
Columbia Basin tribes urge Congress to make historic investment in northwest infrastructure
MISSION – This week, representatives from 12 different Northwest Tribes spent two days discussing advancing a salmon and energy proposal from Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) that could make an unprecedented infrastructure investment in the Pacific Northwest to save imperiled salmon runs, protect inland agriculture industries, and transform the region’s energy supply for a renewable future. Beyond the bold salmon and…
CTUIR opens COVID-19 vaccine clinic to 11 counties across ceded territory
MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has opened their two day mass vaccination event to any resident (16 and over) who resides in the 11 counties that span the CTUIR ceded territory. The 11 counties include Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield counties in Washington and Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Grant, Baker, and Malheur counties…
HISTORY MAKER: CTUIR member is the second Native American appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Appointment to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council is a goal Chuck Sams has had for 26 years. A 24-year-old Sams was working one of his first jobs after his service in the Navy with the Earth Conservation Corp’s Salmon Corps Program. His work regularly crossed paths with the Council. Before long,…