MISSION – The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) approved the selection of Donald Sampson to be the Tribe’s Executive Director. His official start will be the week of Jan. 17. Mr. Sampson, who is a hereditary chief of the Walúulapam (‘Walla Walla people’), previously served as Executive Director from 2003 to 2010.…
Category: News
CTUIR’s Sams honored, thankful after historic confirmation for National Park Service Director position
History was made Nov. 18 as CTUIR member Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate by voice vote as the 19th Director of the National Park Service. Sams, upon being sworn in, will become the first Native American ever to lead the agency in its 105-year existence after being nominated in August by President Biden.…
Virtual Tribal Council? Meetings move to hybrid format
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Sixty Tribal members — including 14 in-person attendees — signed in Oct. 26 for the first hybrid General Council meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic ended regular in-person gatherings. “Funny, they all sat in the back of the room,” General Council Chair Lindsey Watchman said, “except to come to the front table, for…
Sams passes through committee, on to Senate confirmation for National Park Service Director
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ WASHINGTON, D.C. – CTUIR member Chuck Sams continued on his trek to make history as the first Native American to serve as National Park Service Director Nov. 2, as his nomination unanimously moved forward in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. One last step awaits: Approval by the Senate. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)…
COVID cases down, but one death reported in October
MISSION – As of Oct. 31, there were no new COVID-19 cases on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, according to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Active cases at this time last month were listed at 85. Now, they’re at just four. That doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods just yet, Yellowhawk Interim CEO Aaron Hines said. “YTHC is actively asking our…
Board of Trustees Applauds Chief Judge William Johnson’s Receipt of Oregon State Bar President’s Special Award of Appreciation
MISSION – The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) recently took action by way of motion to honor Chief Judge William Johnson of the Umatilla Tribal Court as the recent recipient of the President’s Special Award of Appreciation. This award will be formally conveyed by David Wade, President of the Oregon State Bar,…
Board of Trustees Declares End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
MISSION, OR – The Board of Trustees, the elected leaders for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, today approved a resolution to end the Public Health Emergency declaration on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The primary effects of this resolution are to dissolve the current Incident Command Team that had been formed to respond to the outbreak of cases…
Happy Canyon 2021
by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ – It’s not usual for Happy Canyon Princesses to reign for two years, but Mary Rivera and Clarise (Clair) Huesties are not your typical Princesses. Rivera and Huesties were announced the 2020 Happy Canyon Princesses in Dec. 2019. They were both very excited, especially Rivera being that it was her third time competing…
CTUIR members, staff win 18 NAJA awards
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Tac Maywii Nixyaawii! (Good Morning Nixyaawii!) was named the second-ranking news cast or podcast in Indian country by the Native American Journalists Association. KCUW’s show, which features BOT members Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey and Boots Pond earned runner up in General Excellence as part of the 2021 NAJA Awards. “There was many laughs to…
NCFS Host Grand Opening
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Nixyaawii Community Financial Services held its grand opening in August, allowing for tours, souvenirs, food and a DJ. The event — which was postponed from July due to the record heat — was also a reuniting moment for the seven-person staff. “We certainly heard so many positive compliments,” Tovey said. “I cannot…