BIA fire crew during a morning briefing
Jeff Casey, BIA Fire Management Officer, briefs members of the summer firefighting crew, which includes, from left, John Preston, Chelsea Farrow, Mitchell Kurtz, Syd Thompson, Deontae Johnson, Keith Farrow, and Hunter Baum.

BIA prepares for active fire season

By Casey Brown of the CUJ In the age of coronavirus, summer fire season for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) must go on. Jeff Casey, fire management officer, reminds his crew that all non-COVID-19 threats are still out there. “We are still responsible for all wildland fire management activities on the CTUIR. Our job is still to respond and…

Dealer at blackjack table with two guests.
Blackjack dealer Dominique Darwin waits for a player to make his bet on Friday, May 29, the first full day of operations for Wildhorse Resort & Casino since it closed in March for the COVID-19 pandemic.The Wildhorse facilities, including the hotel, restaurants and cineplex, re-opened under strict guidelines that call for, among other things, employees and guests to wear masks.

Wildhorse re-opens: 600 employees return as safety protocols implemented

By Wil Phinney of the CUJ MISSION – Guests were happy, employees were relieved and tribal leaders were satisfied when Wildhorse Resort & Casino re-opened May 28 on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. After being closed for more than two months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wildhorse met the standards set out by the Incident Command Team’s (ICT) Re-opening Plan as…

Board of Trustees approves amendment to compact with State of Oregon

MISSION – The Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) approved an amendment to the Tribal-State Compact for the Regulation of Class III Gaming in Resolution 20-048 on May 18, 2020. The amendment, for the year 2020 only, allows the Tribes to waive its obligation to fund the Wildhorse Foundation, according to a…

Food distribution at noon on Saturday, May 23

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) is working on several plans to ensure the safety of the entire community. The ICT continues to monitor and manage the emerging situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a very serious situation with Tribal, Local, National and International implications. Current CTUIR guidelines/updates as of…

COVID-19 results negative in first round of Yellowhawk testing

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Incident Command Team (ICT) is working on several plans to ensure the safety of the entire community. The ICT continues to monitor and manage the emerging situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a very serious situation with Tribal, Local, National and International implications. Yellowhawk completed its first round…

Board of Trustees approves amendment to compact with State of Oregon

MISSION – The Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) approved an amendment to the Tribal-State Compact for the Regulation of Class III Gaming in Resolution 20-048 on May 18, 2020. The amendment, for the year 2020 only, allows the Tribes to waive its obligation to fund the Wildhorse Foundation, according to a…

FEMA says flood disaster survivors should apply with the SBA

SALEM – If you sustained damage from the severe flooding in Eastern Oregon Feb. 5 – 9, 2020, you should apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Disaster survivors who register for assistance with FEMA may be eligible for grants to help…

Governor Kate Brown Issues Finalized Phase I Guidance for Building a Safe and Strong Oregon

SALEM — As part of Governor Kate Brown’s plan for building a safe and strong Oregon, the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) today released finalized statewide and county guidance as counties and businesses across the state begin the reopening process. “As we begin the process of reopening and building a safe…