State leaders react to Biden-Harris inauguration

BOT Chair Brigham says transparency, COVID-19 are areas of improvement By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ President Joseph R. Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris were sworn in on Jan. 20. Biden was named the 46th President of the Unites States’ and Harris became the first female, African-American and Asian-American to hold that role in the history of the country. Oregon…

A Champion for Children

DCFS’ Julie Taylor receives national award By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Julie Taylor was surprised to find a certificate in her email inbox last month. She opened a digital certificate to find she had been named a “Champion for Children” by the Child Welfare League of America. Taylor, the CTUIR’s Department of Children and Family Services Director,…

February sees small surge in COVID cases

Six new cases suddenly emerge; hundreds will receive first shot soon By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Despite more than 320 community members having received both Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations, a small surge occurred as February began. Six positive cases out of 10 tests were reported at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on Tuesday, Feb. 2, reflecting testing that occurred on…

Well No. 6 construction project starting in February

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is pleased to announce that our Mission community Well No. 6 construction project on South Market Road will be starting construction in February. This project was designed and managed by Anderson Perry & Associates and will provide a new water supply to the Mission community while increasing water system reliability. It…

Transit Planning for Boardman and Port of Morrow

Mission, OR – Kayak Public Transit and The LOOP has partnered with Umatilla County and Morrow County to begin the planning process to extend services to the City of Boardman and the Port of Morrow. The purpose of the project is to provide safe and reliable transportation options to one of the region’s largest employment centers. This phase of the…

Indian-uity: CTUIR’s Ingenuity with lamprey freezer keeps vaccines at appropriate temperature

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Collaboration between departments at the CTUIR is not uncommon. But when a deadly COVID-19 pandemic is involved and a potential solution is a 700-pound lamprey freezer to store lifesaving vaccines, you’ll be hard-pressed to find such a unique situation nationwide. Its -75-degree capabilities make it ideal to hold the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “You…

COVID-19 vaccine arrives

CTUIR receives 300 doses; next round to include 55-plus with underlying symptoms By Cary Rosenbaum & Megan Van Pelt MISSION – “Didn’t even feel it,” CTUIR elder Chazz Webb said with a laugh after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 19. Webb was among the first 300 Tribal and community members vaccinated at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. His wife…

BMCC: What’s going on?

Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) has added instruction in the Umatilla language to Winter Courses. Fred Hill, a language teacher at the Confederated Tribes Language Program, is teaching the first year Umatilla class. Previously, the only language courses offered were first year Spanish and intermediate Spanish. If they pass, students can use the Umatilla class for general elective credits. According…