CTUIR Enrollment Office reminds members to submit tax form

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) just wrapped up the General Welfare Distribution (former gaming/dividend distribution) for May 2024. Under the new payment formula, tribal members now have the ability to make their distribution tax exempt. To qualify for the exemption, download and fill out the attached form to submit to the CTUIR Enrollment Office.…

Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown stands at Willamette Falls. WILLAMETTE FALLS TRUST | COURTESY PHOTO

Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown named President of Willamette Falls Trust

WEST LINN – Following a national search, the Willamette Falls Trust Board of Directors has selected former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to lead the non-profit and the next phase of the Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project. “Willamette Falls has been sacred for Pacific Northwest Tribes since time immemorial, providing food, spiritual nourishment and community gathering space. After conducting a…

Sexual assault report released to tribal members

By LISA SNELL Editor MISSION – It’s something uncomfortable to talk about, to hear about, or even believe is happening in your community, but a report on the history of sexual assault crimes happening on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) was delivered to tribal members’ homes and tribal offices in early May. “Learning the number of…

Public Notice June 4, 2024

TRIBAL MEMBERS:  This notification formally announces that applications are now being accepted from tribal members who wish to serve on the Commission(s)/Committee(s) listed below. Appointed members will receive a $125.00 stipend per meeting, effective January 1, 2022, once the minutes have been approved and processed on CTUIR paydays.      Will advertise for the following vacancies: 3 Positions for CTUIR…

General welfare needs is how the CTUIR now classifies its allocations to tribal members. The CTUIR is one of the few tribes so far that have made tax code changes to how it shares gaming revenue with tribal citizens. CUJ | STOCK PHOTO

Answers to FAQ regarding updated revenue payments

By CHRIS AADLAND, Reporter MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) recently received confirmation from the federal government that it could implement the new gaming revenue sharing plan for tribal members that leaders approved last November. With that, the CTUIR made its second quarterly payments to enrolled members on May 20 using the new Gaming Revenue…

Megan Red Shirt-Shaw speaks at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, on Jan. 17, 2023. Two University of South Dakota faculty members, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and her husband, John Little, have long included their gender pronouns and tribal affiliations in their work email signature blocks. But both received written warnings from the university in March that doing so violated a policy adopted by the South Dakota Board of Regents in December. RYAN PAGELOW | DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY PHOTO

Pronouns and tribal affiliations are now forbidden in South Dakota public university employee emails

By MARGERY A. BECK, Associated Press A new South Dakota policy to stop the use of gender pronouns by public university faculty and staff in official correspondence is also keeping Native American employees from listing their tribal affiliations in a state with a long and violent history of conflict with tribes. Two University of South Dakota faculty members, Megan Red…

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…