Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

06/07/2026

06/06/2026

CTUIR efforts reflect commitment to future generations

Opinion | N. KATHRYN BRIGHAM, CTUIR Chair Board of Trustees

In April, it was great to see progress on several projects, some that have taken years to accomplish and others that are still in the works.

What stood out most is how these efforts are built on strong relationships, both within Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and with external partners. These projects will have a lasting impact on our membership and our community.

Relationships matter to all of us. They are not always easy to maintain, but they are essential over time. Tribal leaders understand we cannot create success for our people and our communities on our own. We have to work with others who influence and affect our lives.

I have often been reminded by tribal elders that our 1855 Treaty was signed with the future in mind. Our leaders then were planning ahead for generations they would never meet. Now it is our turn to do the same. That message has stayed with me for decades, and it continues to guide the work our leaders are doing today.

One project that reflects this long-term commitment is the reconnection of Chamna and the healing of the Yakima River Delta. CTUIR and the Yakama Nation have worked on this for decades, restoring the island and ensuring the Yakima River can flow freely again at its mouth. It was powerful to see so many partners come together and hear their stories. The Yakama Nation also hosted a strong celebration to recognize the success and bring everyone together.

To read the full opinion piece, visit https://bit.ly/4nVlca4

06/05/2026

Gov. Kotek Signs Proclamation Returning Civil Legal Jurisdiction to CTUIR

SALEM – Gov. Tina Kotek has signed a proclamation to return sole legal jurisdiction in civil matters on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

“Since the early 1980s, the CTUIR has exercised our criminal jurisdiction on our reservation by way of retrocession,” CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair N. Kathryn Brigham said. “Four decades later, the state, under Gov. Tina Kotek, is retroceding civil jurisdiction back to the CTUIR, and we are extremely happy that it has come to fruition.”

The signing ends a 73-year history of the state having concurrent jurisdiction with the CTUIR in civil cases on the UIR. The state’s Public Law-280 criminal jurisdiction over the CTUIR was retroceded in 1981. Its PL-280 civil jurisdiction, however, remained in place until now.

“This proclamation represents the tangible work of reconciliation and affirming the sovereign status of tribal nations,” Gov. Kotek said. “This action restores the tribe’s independent power to administer justice. Moving forward, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and all sovereign tribes utilizing this path, can continue to determine their destinies on their own terms.”

“Today’s action by Gov. Kotek reflects the state of Oregon’s firm commitment to tribal sovereignty,” State Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-Bend), chief sponsor of Senate Bill 1011, said. “Strengthening tribal jurisdiction improves access to justice, public safety and our governmental ties with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribal nations.”

Enacted by Congress in 1953, PL-280 required certain states, including Oregon, to assume criminal jurisdiction and certain civil jurisdiction over tribal lands. On the criminal side, this law authorized state law enforcement to operate on reservations without tribal consent and to prosecute crimes involving Native people in state courts. Its civil provisions opened state courts to private civil disputes arising in Indian Country but did not grant states civil regulatory authority over tribes.

In 1968, PL-280 was amended to require tribal consent for any new state assumption of jurisdiction and to allow a state to return jurisdiction to the federal government through retrocession. Although a tribe could request retrocession, the decision rested with the state, and Oregon lacked a specific process for carrying it out.

In Oregon’s 2025 Legislative Session, SB 1011 established a clear statutory process for the retrocession of PL-280 jurisdiction. Prior to the bill, decisions on retrocession were made on a case-by-case basis, which created uncertainty for tribes pursing jurisdictional restoration as well as the state. SB 1011 had bipartisan sponsorship and passed unanimously in the Senate on March 31, 2025, and in the House on May 14, 2025. Gov. Kotek signed the SB 1011 into law on May 22, 2025.

The governor will now petition the U.S. Secretary of the Interior pursuant to 25 USC 1323, and any regulations promulgated thereunder, to accept this retrocession.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.

KCUW-LP Pendleton
The CUJ
Governor Tina Kotek

06/05/2026

Calling All Oregon Artists!

The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and the Division of Extension and Engagement at Oregon State University invite submissions for the PRAx Open, a juried art exhibition featuring traditional, emerging, and new media works from across Oregon.

The exhibition emphasizes original art that speaks to the places – be they rural, urban, or suburban – where the artists live, engaging in particular with the landscapes, histories, cultures, economies, ecosystems, or region-specific topics of such places to represent the breadth of the state and sovereign tribal nations in Oregon.

This show also aims to support the Oregon arts economy. Artists will retain 100% of their sales. While pieces are not required to be offered for sale, the exhibition will be curated with the intent that a significant majority of the works may be purchased via direct correspondence with the artist.

Works that will be considered include:

• 2D wall-hung or 3D self-supporting mediums;
• Digital or time-based works, though they must be formatted for a single screen with headphones; and,
• Large-format submissions (accepted number limited by space)

The exhibition will be primarily installed in the 3,000-square-foot Kate and John Stirek Gallery at PRAx and is anticipated to feature the work of 25–40 artists later this year.

Selected artists will receive a fixed $300 stipend intended to cover the costs of shipping or transporting the works to/from PRAx and related costs. Please note that applicants must be current Oregon residents, and for collaborative work, both must currently reside in the state.

Note: Artwork that is generated by publicly available AI tools is not accepted.

Applications are due July 1. Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/4nYbPGw

06/04/2026

Portland State University is proud to announce Antone Minthorn, an esteemed Cayuse leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), as a recipient of an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters on Sunday, June 14, during the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Commencement (Ceremony 3).

Minthorn’s commitment to “serving the city” and the Pacific Northwest is heavily reflected in his environmental and cultural stewardship. He served as president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and was a pivotal figure in adopting vital salmon policies for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. By successfully negotiating the return of salmon runs to his eastern Oregon homelands, he helped halt salmon extinction across the Columbia River Basin, impacting the entire regional ecosystem.

More about our esteemed speaker in the comment section




Graduation | Portland, Oregon | PDX

06/04/2026

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Stay Vigilant This Summer to Reduce Human-Caused Wildfires

PORTLAND – Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of all active restrictions and closures as warmer weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

“Every visitor to public lands can take additional precautions to lower the risk of starting a fire,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington acting state director. “Just one spark can start a wildfire.”

Visitors should research destinations in advance, as restrictions vary by location and jurisdiction. The use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns remain prohibited.

Many local restrictions address questions of when visitors can use power tools, what kinds of stoves or campfires are allowed, and what type of safety equipment to have on hand.

Vehicle Maintenance and Parking Safety
As roadside brush dries out, vehicles become a primary source of accidental ignitions. Drivers are urged to properly maintain their vehicles and avoid parking or idling on tall, dry grass. Even without a spark, the intense heat from a vehicle's exhaust system or catalytic converter can ignite vegetation beneath the car in a matter of seconds. Motorists should stick to established roads, gravel turnouts, or cleared parking areas.

Safe Towing and Equipment Practices
Towing trailers or driving recreational vehicles requires extra vigilance during fire season. Motorists must ensure that tow chains are properly secured and not dragging on the pavement. Loose metal links striking the highway create a continuous stream of sparks that can easily ignite the roadside. Additionally, all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and portable generators operated on public lands should be equipped with a properly functioning spark arrestor to stop hot embers from escaping.

For information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, see https://on.doi.gov/4ttAm7G.

BLM fire restrictions and closures infoBLM fire careersThe BLM Oregon and Washington Fire Program manages fires across 16.1 million acres of public lands. The number one priority is always firefighter and public safety.The BLM Oregon and Washington Fire Program is responsible for fire suppression, t...

06/04/2026

Summer EBS is Back to Help Feed Oregon Children during Summer Break

The Oregon Summer Electronic Benefits (Summer EBT) program is returning in 2026 to help families buy groceries for school-aged children during summer break when they don’t have easy access to healthy meals.

Eligible families can receive a one-time payment of $120 for each child on an Oregon EBT card to buy food. Unused benefits can expire 122 days after they are issued.

Families will get benefits automatically on their Oregon EBT card if they have children between the ages of 6-18 and received one of the following at any time during the 2025-26 school year:
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance.
• Medicaid, if household income is below 185% of the federal poverty level.
• Foster care services.

Families also may automatically receive benefits if they have children who:
• Were determined by their school to have a status as migrant, houseless or runaway.
• Took part in the Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations.
• Attended a Head Start program that was part of the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Families may need to apply if:
• Their household meets income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.
• Their child attends a school that was part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Important Summer EBT dates:
• June 1 – The Summer EBT call center opens. Call 833-673-7328 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 4 – Benefits are expected to begin issuing to families who are automatically eligible.
• June 5 – The online application opens and applications begin processing.
• Sept. 1 – Application deadline.
• Sept. 25 – The Summer EBT call center closes.

Children cannot receive 2026 Summer EBT benefits in multiple states. The program invites families to apply if they have children living in Oregon during the 2025-26 school year.

For information, find application information or get updates, visit https://bit.ly/3FrL23u.

Summer EBT is a new grocery benefits program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer when school is out.

06/03/2026

June 3 is the Cayuse Five Day of Remembrance, a day set aside to remember five Cayuse men who were wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death by hanging in Oregon City in 1850.

According to CTUIR historians, Marcus Whitman, who established the Whitman Mission in the Walla Walla Valley, was suspected of coveting Cayuse lands and spreading disease among the Cayuse people in 1847. Thirteen people, including Whitman, were killed at the mission when Cayuse tribesmen attacked it on Nov. 29, 1847. Following Whitman’s death, a militia formed and launched what came to be known as the Cayuse War.

In 1850, five Cayuse men volunteered to talk about the Whitman Mission killings and were subsequently arrested, tried and hanged.

In 2024, the mayor of Oregon City officially declared this day of remembrance to honor the men and the sacrifice they made, today we celebrate their lives and the resiliency our people continue to carry.