Gov. Tina Kotek holds up a ceremonially signed copy of Senate Bill 1567 while members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees and elected state officials applaud on Thursday, April 25, outside of the Nixyáawii Governance Center in Mission. SB 1567 or the Walla Wall 2050 Strategic Plan calls for cooperative water management between Oregon and Washington in the Walla Walla Basin to help restore salmon. Standing from left to right are Board Member at Large Lisa Ganuelas, Rep. Bobbie Levy, Sen. Bill Hansell, Board Members at Large Steven Hart and Corinne Sams, Chairman Gary I. Burke, General Council Chairman Alan Crawford and Board Vice Chairman Aaron Ashley. LEE GAVIN | FILE PHOTO

Kotek affirms state commitments to Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative

Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that she is directing state agencies to take all actions necessary and work cooperatively to fulfill the State of Oregon’s commitments to the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI). “The Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative is the result of a historic, unified partnership with sovereign Tribal nations and the states of Oregon and Washington – and I…

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. 

Umatilla National Forest prepares for fall prescribed fires

PENDLETON — Fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forests are preparing to implement fall prescribed burning activities to reduce the risk of severe wildfire in the future. While we have seen our fair share of smoke and fire over the last few months, conducting prescribed fire is critical to reduce the intensity of wildfire and to help protect our communities…

 2024 FALL SEASON TRIBAL FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENT 

Wednesday, September 18, 2024  The Four Columbia River Tribes set the following fishery plan and the Columbia River Compact concurred: The tribes are continuing to provide fishing opportunity throughout the summer season.  Zone 6 Commercial Gillnet Fishery  Area: All of Zone 6  Dates/Times: 6 AM Monday September 23 to 6 PM Saturday September 28 (5 nights)  6 AM Monday September 30 to…

CWD check stations held at several locations during opening weekend of major deer and elk seasons are one of the ways hunters can get their deer or elk tested for CWD. ODFW | COURTESY

Get your deer or elk tested for CWD, get entered in OHA hunting gear drawing

SALEM – Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) is partnering with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to encourage hunters to get their deer and elk tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) this season.  Hunters who submit a CWD test from a harvested deer or elk between Aug. 1, 2024 and April 1, 2025 will automatically be entered to win either…

Tribal, state and national officials are urging citizens to register to vote, and for the currently registered, to verify their voter information.

National Voter Registration Day Sept. 17

By LISA SNELL, The CUJ MISSION – Tribal, state and national officials are urging citizens to register to vote, and for the currently registered, to verify their voter information. “Today, I am thinking of a quote from Benjamin Franklin.  When he was asked if the Founding Fathers had given America a monarchy or a republic, he responded, ‘A republic, if…

Schools nationwide, including in Oregon and Washington, have increasingly grappled with how to manage cellphones over concerns that unchecked use of mobile devices in the classroom or in school keeps students from learning or leads to bullying.

NCS changes cultural leave policy, bans cell phone use during class time

By CHRIS AADLAND, The CUJ MISSION – With a new school year at Nixyáawii Community School (NCS) comes new rules for students, including stricter requirements to miss class for cultural activities and a cell phone ban.  The changes come after NCS staff tired of wrestling with the consequences of students taking advantage of lenient policies and what school officials say…

A map shows the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) proposed project area in Mill Creek near Walla Walla, Washington. A federal investment up to $10 million will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer and CTUIR to improve fish passage along the creek by notching 63 grade control sills to create a low-flow channel. CTUIR DEPT. NATURAL RESOURCES GRAPHIC | COURTESY

CTUIR selected for federal investment pilot program

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) learned Sept. 3 that it is one of 12 communities around the country chosen for a pilot program designed to invest federal dollars in small or economically disadvantaged communities. The CTUIR’s federal investment will be up to $10 million to improve fish passage along Mill Creek in southeastern Washington…

Bald and golden eagles are sacred to many Native Americans. U.S. law prohibits anyone without a permit from killing, wounding or disturbing eagles, or taking their nests or eggs. STOCK PHOTO

Wildlife trafficking ring killed at least 118 eagles, prosecutors say

By MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A man helped kill at least 118 eagles to sell their feathers and body parts on the black market as part of a long-running wildlife trafficking ring in the western U.S. that authorities allege killed thousands of birds, court filings show. Travis John Branson is scheduled to be sentenced in federal…

Corinne Sams

Corinne Sams wins 2024 EcoTrust Indigenous Leadership Award

MISSION – Corinne Sams, a Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Board of Trustees Member at Large, has been named a 2024 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award (ILA) winner. Ecotrust is a Portland-based nonprofit working with community members and organizations toward a vision of an equitable, prosperous and climate-smart future. It celebrates determination, wisdom and continuum of Indigenous leadership…