Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supply soars despite COVID-19 lockdowns

by Miranda Vega Rector of the CUJ MISSION – When Melinda Broncheau invested everything she had into opening Ruby’s Indian Crafts & Supplies on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, a global pandemic was not included in her business plan but still she prevailed. Broncheau, a Tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), has had a passion…

Tribal youth get culture tour by Snake River

By the CUJ Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Colville Tribes and Nez Perce Tribes floated the Snake River in August. “It was an unforgettable three days with pukuunen (Snake River),” Josiah Pinkham said, “visiting cultural sites, learning about the canyon and all its life and splendor, and forming new friendships.” CTUIR youth members present were…

Allman named Pro Tem Judge for Tribal Court

Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Louisa M. Allman, Juvenile Delinquency Specialist, as Pro Tem Judge for the Umatilla Tribal Court. Allman has been employed by the Umatilla Tribal Court since 2018 and is an enrolled member of the CTUIR. She previously served as Paralegal/Victim’s Assistant for the City of Pendleton City Attorney for 19 years, and was employed…

Tribal member appointed Interim Director for Trial Court

Chief Judge William D. Johnson has appointed Martina Gordon, Criminal Justice Records Specialist, as Interim Umatilla Tribal Court Director effective immediately. Gordon has been employed with Umatilla Tribal Court since 2017 and is an enrolled member of CTUIR. She previously served as the Food Programs Coordinator and Manager for CAPECO for six years. She currently serves as Vice-Chair for the…

Nixyaawii neighborhood still in the works for 2022

Press Release Nixyáawii – the 13-acre neighborhood located south of Nixyaawii Education Center and Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, was originally, planned for development over the summer of 2021; however, delays from pandemic response and very volatile development market has moved the project to spring of 2022, with lot sales windows occurring in early spring 2022. Nixyáawii will allow CTUIR Tribal…

Vaccine mandate at four Tribal entities

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – Tribal employees belonging to four CTUIR entities have until Sept. 30 to get fully vaccinated. Though the Tribe has held mass vaccination clinics and given a $50,000 grand prize for a fully vaccinated employee, an estimated 35 employees working at those entities are not vaccinated. The directive was released Aug. 31 by…

A Tribe in mourning

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – By definition, “átway” is the Umatilla Tribal word used to respectfully name a deceased person. Two átways were added to Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s daily report in August, including 39-year-old Michael Gavin — the son of Tribal leader Shawna Gavin and brother of Tribal leader Jill-Marie Gavin-Harvey. Yellowhawk’s Interim CEO Aaron Hines…

From Pendleton to Line 3 in Climate Solidarity

Guest Column by Colleen Sanders and Jessi Pedersen These last several months have been a marathon of challenges for everyone; as the Covid-19 pandemic still continues, record-setting “heat bubbles” have scorched the Pacific Northwest, even as the skies have been choked with smoke from local and regional wildfires burning through a historic drought. It would be foolish for us to…

Public Hearing Notice

  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Land Protection Planning Commission (LPPC) of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will hold the following public hearing: Comprehensive Plan Amendment #CP-21-001 – Applicant, CTUIR – Tribal Planning Office, 46411 Timíne Way, Pendleton, OR 97801. The application proposes to amend text of the CTUIR 2010 Comprehensive Plan to update 2020 benchmarks…

Christopher Reuben Selam Sr.

Aug. 1, 1983 – Aug. 19, 2021 Christopher Reuben Selam Sr. was called home to the Lord on August 19, 2021. He was born on August 1, 1983 to Terry A Selam and Verona J Miller. He enjoyed playing softball. He played for the Lil Devils and The Shockers team. He enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, the New York…