By the CUJ MISSION – The Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) on May 13 told Executive Director Ted Wright to begin recruitment for an individual to work under his supervision as a Deputy Executive Director (DED). The exact duties of the DED were not fully flushed out during the BOT work…
Category: News
Mt. Emily Pack likely to blame for livestock deaths
MISSION – Wolves from the Mount Emily Pack are likely to blame for five livestock deaths that occurred on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) over a two-week span between April 30 and May 13, according to a news release from the Confederated Tribes. At least one of those cases was confirmed as a wolf kill. A livestock producer found a…

Healthy, safety remain top concern as we re-open
By Kat Brigham On behalf of the Board of Trustees (BOT), I say congratulations to the tribal community on successfully staying safe and healthy over the past three months. Yellowhawk conducted their second round of testing for our community and all tests were negative. This BOT is very concerned about your health and safety and we are providing all the…
BOT approves amendment to compact with State of Oregon
MISSION – The Board of Trustees (BOT) on May 18 approved an amendment to its gaming compact with the state that allows the Tribes to waive its obligation to fund the Wildhorse Foundation, according to a CTUIR press release. The move came as a result of Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenues are expected to…
Patrick, family cited for violating COVID-19 social gathering order
By Wil Phinney of the CUJ MISSION – Toby Patrick and perhaps as many as 16 others who attended his Easter feast in April have been issued citations for violating a COVID-19 social gathering order issued by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Conviction for failure to comply carries a potential…
Cayuse introduces apprenticeship program
By the CUJ MISSION – Cayuse is introducing an apprenticeship program designed to attract tribal members to a career in one of Cayuse Holdings’ family of companies, which are owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Coordinating the apprenticeship program is Debra Croswell, recently named director of Cayuse Shared Services, which provides administrative support functions to Cayuse…

Second round of Yellowhawk tests reveals only negative results for COVID-19
By Wil Phinney of the CUJ MISSION – For the second time in May, results were negative for more than 100 people tested for the active COVID-19 virus on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. A third round of testing for the novel coronavirus, a worldwide pandemic that has killed more than 103,000 people in the United States, is planned June 16…
NGC staff could return to work by mid-June
MISSION – Although a specific date has not been determined, employees at Nixyaawii Governance Center (NGC) should expect to be back at work in the building by mid-June, according to Ted Wright, Executive Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). An NGC Re-opening Plan was submitted May 28 to the CTUIR COVID-19 Incident Command Team (ICT),…

BIA prepares for active fire season
By Casey Brown of the CUJ In the age of coronavirus, summer fire season for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) must go on. Jeff Casey, fire management officer, reminds his crew that all non-COVID-19 threats are still out there. “We are still responsible for all wildland fire management activities on the CTUIR. Our job is still to respond and…

Wildhorse re-opens: 600 employees return as safety protocols implemented
By Wil Phinney of the CUJ MISSION – Guests were happy, employees were relieved and tribal leaders were satisfied when Wildhorse Resort & Casino re-opened May 28 on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. After being closed for more than two months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wildhorse met the standards set out by the Incident Command Team’s (ICT) Re-opening Plan as…