By the CUJ Policies that reflect “diversity, equity and inclusion” are being added to the new management plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Then Columbia River Gorge Commission approved a revised management plan in October. It is the second time the plan has been updated in 29 years for the 202,000-acre national scenic area, which is shared…

By the CUJ UMATILLA – The Oregon Trail Advocates want a revised mitigation proposal for the Umatilla Chemical Depot by the Department of Army. The allocation of a 600 by 500 feet plot of land to preserve the Southern route of the Oregon Trail for lands to be transferred to the Columbia Development Authority, which the Confederated Tribes of the…

By the CUJ MISSION – A “softer” approach to restoring habitat on Meacham Creek has yielded another environmental stewardship award for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This time the Meacham Creek – Bonifer Reach Restoration Project (Bonifer), which has been underway about five years, has been selected for the Society of Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter’s “Restoration Project…

Yellowhawk addition to help with social distancing By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ MISSION – The new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center’s pharmacy drive-thru on the Umatilla Indian Reservation is just what the community needs during times like these. With the COVID-19 pandemic risk increasing, prompting a two-week freeze by Gov. Kate Brown in November, the extra distancing will make acquisition…

By the CUJ MISSION – Modesta Minthorn, the CTUIR’s Director of Education, explained the difficulties facing tribal families with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Board of Trustees Nov. 25. But a bright spot has been the Tribe’s After School Program for students of all grade levels. Three cohorts of 10 students are allowed to participate from the…

MISSION – Hazard mitigation has been of the utmost importance in the area since February’s Umatilla River Flood. “The river’s changing course and moving as it wants to, and (a flood) is going to happen again,” Planning Program Manager Patty Perry told the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in November. Perry…

By the CUJ MISSION – Seven out of 10 students at Nixyaawii Community School graduate on time, according to the statewide 2019-2020 Report Card issued in November by the Oregon Department of Education. Pendleton High School graduates about eight of 10 Native students on time. Among other things, the report card indicates the percentage of Native American/Alaska Native students at…