Category: News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…