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…
Deb Croswell
Croswell will lead Cayuse Shared Services team
MISSION – Debra Croswell has been assigned new duties as President/Managing Director of Cayuse Shared Services, which will provide administrative support functions for the Cayuse Holdings family of companies. Croswell, who joined Cayuse Technologies in January of 2018, is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which owns Cayuse Holdings and its subsidiary companies. Shared…
Alayna Bevis dances while her father, Jesse Bevis Sr., records a video that they submitted to a social network pow-wow site. Native Americans from across Indian Country have been participating in the activity, some of which is competitive. Alanna was dancing here in front of the Nixyaawii Governance Center.
Distance dancing
By Wil Phinney of the CUJ WALLULA GAP – Logan Quaempts’ moccasins moved nimbly on the basalt deck, a crisp spring wind off the Columbia River, a setting sun in the west at his back, and it was almost like he was floating in that round bustle, a chicken-dance special to the sound of the Bull Horn Drum from the…
Five seek Umatilla County Commission post
By Casey Brown of the CUJ There is one seat open on the three-person Umatilla County Commission in the May 19 primary election. Five candidates are running to succeed retiring Commissioner Bill Elfring from Echo who has filled position #3 for two terms. The five candidates running for the open seat include Jonathan Lopez, Patricia Maier and Dan Dorran, all…
Linda Sampson took these photos during an April root gathering expedition. The Sampson family had to cancel their annual Mother’s Day Feast, but plans to get together at a later date to celebrate the return of the First Foods.
Root Feast ‘postponed’ until ‘semblence of normal’
By the CUJ MISSION – The Root Feast on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, one of the last on the spring Longhouse calendar among Northwest tribes, has been postponed – not cancelled – because of COVID-19. “It’s kind of sad that we can’t, but also with the virus it’s understandable,” said Linda Jones, the head cook and root gatherer of the…