PENDLETON – Blue Mountain Community College announced to employees this week $1.76 million in reductions to its 2020-2021 budget, with more cuts on the way. The reductions begin to address a significant budget gap that could potentially grow to more than $4 million due to the impacts of COVID-19. In April, the College announced a $2.8 million budget shortfall, and…
Chris Schwartz is the manager of Information Technology at Cayuse Technologies, and he is currently deployed to Somalia.
Cayuse rewarded for commitment to military personnel, vets
By the CUJ Cayuse Holdings, a CTUIR-owned enterprise located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is the recipient of the Seven Seals Award at the highest level. The U.S. Department of Defense, Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve (ESGR), awarded Cayuse the Gold Award for “meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in…
Julie Taylor, far right, was recognized by the City of Pendleton for her volunteer service as a volunteer Pendleton Youth Basketball (PYB) coach. Here she stands with her team, Team Taylor, of 3rd-4th graders. Back row from left, Brooklyn Jones (Taylor’s granddaughter), Tatum Ganuelas, Kaitlyn Lyda, Miranda Case, and Charlie Swisher. Kneeling, from left, Audrey Tribelhorn, Ayanna Star, Yasmin Ferman. Not pictured, Layla Berumen.
Taylor honored among Pendleton volunteers
The City of Pendleton has recognized Julie Taylor during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, for the work she does in the local community. Taylor is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the director of CTUIR’s Department of Children and Family Services. The City noted in a letter that Taylor served 27 hours coaching…
AT&T, Union Pacific projects impact culturally significant sites
By the CUJ MISSION – The Confederated Tribes have negotiated mitigation agreements with AT&T and Union Pacific Railroad to mitigate for impacts to culturally significant sites caused by construction projects in Umatilla and Gilliam counties, respectively. Both companies will contribute to the First Foods Fund, which is managed by the Cultural Resources Protection Program (CRRP) for the Confederated Tribes of…
Vans make fewer runs, deliver more meals
By the CUJ A team of six people have changed the way they provide nutritious meals to tribal elders during the COVID-10 pandemic. Usually hot meals are delivered each weekday. However, to protect elders, one of the most at-risk populations, staff have decreased food delivery to twice per week during the coronavirus outbreak. To make up the difference, they deliver…
COVID-19 funds help Yellowhawk feed more elders
By Casey Brown of the CUJ MISSION – The Nixyaawii Senior Center is currently providing 520 meals per week, two hot and three frozen each for 104 elders, thanks to funding from the federal CARES Act. The supplemental funding from the coronavirus relief bill (CARES Act) increased the number of meals the senior center can provide to tribal elders, which…
Despite COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 Census must go on
By Casey Brown of the CUJ UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION – The 2020 Census continues rain, shine, or pandemic. The decennial count of every person in the county reached “an important milestone” on April 28, according to Shana Radford, tribal partnership lead for Oregon and Idaho. She said that half of all households in the nation have responded to the 2020…
From left, Adrienne Berry, Community Garden Coordinator; Carrie Sampson-Samuels, Community Wellness Director; Teara Farrow Ferman, CRPP Manager; Talia Tewawina, Community Garden Program Assistant; Wenix Red Elk, Public Outreach & Educational Specialist; Shoshoni Walker, Health Educator. Not pictured: Bambi Rodriguez, CRPP Assistant Program Manager.
First Foods, Food Systems project wins grant
MISSION – Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center has received a $32,000 grant to support the efforts of the First Foods & Food Systems Collaborative for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The grant from the First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, Colorado, will support development of a comprehensive First Foods and Food Systems Report and Strategic Plan, and…
CTUIR ramp up broadcand speeds for those required to work and study from home
By Casey Brown of the CUJ MISSION – Broadband speeds on the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s “UmaRez” network have been ramped up to assist reservation residents and tribal members who are working or going to school from home due to COVID-19. Marguarite Becenti said that CTUIR’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) has increased bandwidth speed and replaced hardware, which resulted in…
Brenda and Gail Shippentower spent two days pulling weeds and removing puncture vine from the Nixyáawii Veterans Memorial to get it ready for Memorial Day on May 25.
Volunteers clean Warriors Memorial
As Gail and Brenda Shippentower of Mission pulled weeds and swept sidewalks in the July Grounds, they didn’t want anyone to know what they were up to. They were getting the Nicht-Ya-Wi Warriors Memorial ready for Memorial Day. “It is almost Memorial Day, so we’ve got to clean it up for the guys,” Brenda said. Gail was pulling puncture vine…