The public is invited to the monthly themed meeting of the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters club. The theme is “Love is in the Air”. The date for the themed meeting is February 16. Meeting begins at 12 pm and will end at 1 pm. Arrive 15 minutes early to interact with members. Text Leigh Pinkham-Johnston, 541-215- 2724 regarding meeting information. Currently meetings…
Award-winning journalist returns to CUJ
Jill-Marie Gavin hired as reporter in February MISSION – A CTUIR member has rejoined the staff of the Confederated Umatilla Journal after serving as a Board of Trustees At-Large member for the past two years. Jill-Marie Gavin was hired by the CUJ as a reporter in late January and started on Feb. 2. “It was an honor to serve my…
NCS surpasses state graduation average for first time since 2018
BY CARY ROSENBAUM MISSION – Nixyaawii Community School reported highlights for the 2020-2021 school year in January. Among the success, the school has increased its overall graduation rates each of the past four years — including rising above the state average in Native American graduation rate. Noticeably, though, NCS increased it’s overall student graduation rates above the state average (82.76…
CTUIR judge reflects on new Oregon law and equal justice
An Oregon law that went into effect in January provides full faith and credit for tribal court judgments. This means that if a judge from a federally recognized tribe requires child support or grants a restraining order, those decisions will be better enforced off reservation as well. Chief Judge William Johnson of the Umatilla Tribal Court has been working toward…
CTUIR sees big surge in COVID cases
Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center deals with 323 positives as staff band together during shortage BY CARY ROSENBAUM MISSION – One of the biggest coronavirus case spikes of the entire COVID-19 pandemic hit the CTUIR in January. After dealing with just nine cases in November and 65 in December, a total of 323 positives were documented as of Jan. 27. “This…
STEPPING INTO POWER: Sams sworn in at NPS
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ One December day Chuck Sams was in a suit and tie in front of the Lincoln Memorial, shaking hands with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland after being sworn in as National Park Service Director. Days later, he’s in a NPS Ranger uniform being celebrated by his Tribal nation with an honor song. The…
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ How many times can you link the word “history” with Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III? First, the nomination for National Park Service Director as the first Native American candidate. Then, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval. And now, the Senate vote to confirm his role. He’s in — by unanimous confirmation —…
Youth vaccinations occur in November as Yellowhawk sees cases drop
By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Things have continued to slow down for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center regarding the battle against COVID-19. November saw a total of five positive cases, up from October’s total of four — which was a major fall off from the 85 positives just 60 days earlier. It’s good news, “but,” Interim Yellowhawk CEO…
Board of Trustees, General Council and CTUIR Youth Council start tenures
MISSION – The culmination of an election season that saw three changes to the Board of Trustees occurred with a swearing-in ceremony Dec. 1 in the rotunda of the Nixyaawii Governance Center. The 2021-23 BOT includes Chair Kat Brigham, Vice Chair Aaron Ashley, Treasurer Sandra Sampson, Secretary Sally Kosey, and At Large Members Cor Sams, Boots Pond, Lisa Ganuelas and…
BOT selects Sampson to be next Executive Director
MISSION – The Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) approved the selection of Donald Sampson to be the Tribe’s Executive Director. His official start will be the week of Jan. 17. Mr. Sampson, who is a hereditary chief of the Walúulapam (‘Walla Walla people’), previously served as Executive Director from 2003 to 2010.…