This photo provided by the environmental group Earthjustice shows Ha’Kamwe’, a sacred spring near Wikieup, Ariz., March 5, 2022. ASH PONDERS | EARTH JUSTICE PHOTO

Judge blocks Arizona lithium drilling that tribe says is threat to sacred lands

By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press A federal judge has temporarily blocked exploratory drilling for a lithium project in Arizona that tribal leaders say will harm land they have used for religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. Lawyers for the national environmental group Earthjustice and Colorado-based Western Mining Action Project are suing federal land managers on behalf of the Hualapai Tribe.…

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, right, and Gov. Tim Walz speak to reporters at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, March 21, 2022. MOHAMED IBRAHIM | REPORT FOR AMERICA PHOTO | FILE

A win for the Harris-Walz ticket would also mean the country’s first Native American female governor

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER, Associated Press ST. PAUL, Minn. – If Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are elected this fall, not only would a woman of color lead the country for the first time, but a Native woman would govern a state for the first time in U.S. history too. Peggy Flanagan, the…

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland at the Interior Department’s press conference on its federal boarding school investigation in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. JOURDAN BENNETT-BEGAYE | INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY PHOTO

Federal action on U.S. boarding schools inches forward

Legislation is moving through Congress to create a Truth and Healing Commission. Meanwhile, Catholic bishops issued an apology for boarding schools run by the church. By MARY ANNETTE PEMBER, ICT The U.S. is beginning to face its Indian boarding school history. Both the U.S. Congress and the Catholic Church took visible steps forward last week in officially taking action on…

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation member Weptas Brockie, who serves as the CTUIR Senior Youth Council chairman, speaks during the Salmon Keepers event on May 22 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Mission. The 16-year-old said restoring salmon to healthy and sustainable runs should be important to Native and non-Native people because they are a keystone species. Also shown are CTUIR Department of Children and Family Service Director Julie Taylor and CTUIR Board of Trustees Member at Large Corinne Sams. TRAVIS SNELL | CTUIR PHOTO

CTUIR, CRITFC host first-ever Salmon Keepers event

MISSION – In collaboration with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) on Wednesday, May 22 hosted the first-ever Salmon Keepers dinner at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.  Corinne Sams, CTUIR Board of Trustees Member at Large and CRITFC chair, said the event highlighted the work CRITFC and its member tribes…

Campgrounds that will open for the holiday weekend include Alder Thicket, Bear Wallow, Big Springs, Bull Prairie Lake, Coalmine Hill, Drift Fence, Driftwood, Divide Well, Fairview, Frazier, Forest Boundary, Gold Dredge, Ladybug, Lane Creek, Midway, North Fork John Day, Oriental, Panjab, Pataha, Penland Lake, Teal Spring, Tollbridge, Tucannon, Umatilla Forks and Welch Creek. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

Umatilla National Forest prepares for holiday weekend

PENDLETON — Memorial weekend traditionally kicks off summer recreation season on the Umatilla National Forest and many are planning their annual trek to the mountains to enjoy nature. With that in mind, forest visitors are cautioned that not all roads, trails and campgrounds are open, particularly this year with the late season snow. Shaded areas and cut banks on roads…

Sisters Lisa Faye and Abigayle McIntosh ask Sen. Merkley about what the federal government was doing to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people and support their families. CHRIS AADLAND | CUJ PHOTO

Oregon senator holds town hall on reservation

By CHRIS AADLAND MISSION – Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) leaders and community members told Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley about their priorities and concerns during a Sunday town hall May 19. The CTUIR hosted the event for Merkley, who plays a key role in allocating federal dollars for Indian Country in the Senate, at the Nixyaawíí…

From left to right, Clifford Stanger, Lindsey Watchman and David Wolf lead the presentation of the colors during the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s observance of Flag Day, May 20, outside Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. LEE GAVIN | CTUIR PHOTO

CTUIR observes Flag Day

By CHRIS AADLAND MISSION – Dozens of community members gathered Monday morning to recognize the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) holiday recognizing the tribal flag. The annual event – the only holiday the tribe recognizes that isn’t shared by anyone else – was held outside Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center this year. About 70 attendees heard remarks about…

The planning of a prescribed fire involves meticulous care and consideration, especially after an active wildfire season. Umatilla National Forest burns only when objectives can be met, which include creating fire-resilient landscapes and protecting values at risk, like homes, infrastructure, and drinking water. 

State holding open house meetings on community wildfire programs

The Umatilla Indian Reservation area meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. in La Grande on Tuesday, June 4, at Union County Fairgrounds, Mount Emily Building, 3604 N 2nd Street. SALEM — A series of six open houses about the state’s new community wildfire risk reduction programs are scheduled June 3 through July 1 across Oregon. These events will offer opportunities to…

ODFW staff donned Tyvek suits, respirators, layers of gloves and eye protection in a mission to get the toxic cow carcass out of the forest before it could kill more wildlife.

Alarming incidents lead to collateral damage for wildlife, pets

ENTERPRISE —The target was likely a wolf, the latest poisoning in a disturbing trend that has killed 19 wolves in Oregon since 2015. Whatever the target, the collateral damage in northeast Oregon’s ongoing poisoning cases now includes golden eagles, dogs, and other carnivores.   The latest case was announced by Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division (OSP F&W) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife…