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Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon
August 14, 2019
Tribal Utilities and Gelco
Construction were working
last week on replacing the
pressure reducing valves
(right and far right) for the
Agency water system.
The old valves were not
functioning properly,
causing leaks in the water
lines.
The work so far has been
a great improvement for
the water delivery system;
more work will continue
as parts become
available.
Chico Holliday photos/
Tribal Utilities
Tribes seek $12.5 million for 2017 wildfire damages
At direction of
Tribal Council, the Con-
federated Tribes are
pursuing a lawsuit to re-
cover damages from the
2017 Nena Springs fire.
The fire burned for
about two weeks across
68,000 acres, including
a northeastern area of
the reservation.
The tribes say a
far mer, two of the
farmer’s employees and
the far m equipment
company bear a respon-
sibility to compensate
the tribes.
The damages include
the loss of reservation
timber, and the use of
the tribal fire fighting
resources. The lawsuit
seeks more than $12
million.
The lawsuit claims
the farm equipment was
giving off sparks,
caused by a rock lodged
in the intake chute. De-
spite the fire hazard, a
worker continued to op-
erate the machinery.
The tribes’ lawsuit
says the fire caused sig-
nificant damage includ-
ing burnt forest and
Courtesy Incident Command
August 2017: Fire fighters of the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs work to contain an area of
the Nena Springs fire through control burn, off S-
200.
land, damaged fencing, de-
terioration of the soil and
watershed, range and veg-
etation damage, damage to
cultural resources and dam-
age to fish and wildlife and
their habitat.
The Tribal Council reso-
lution, no. 12,597, is sum-
marized in part:
On August 8, 2017 a
wildfire ignited on a private
ranch located just north of
the Warm Springs Reserva-
tion in Wasco County, which
became known as the Nena
Springs fire, and then
spread south and entered
the reservation.
Based on the investiga-
tion to date, the Confeder-
ated Tribes of the Warm
Springs Reservation under-
stands that the origin and
cause of the Nena
Springs fire resulted
from human activity in
connection with the op-
eration of farm equip-
ment.
The tribes committed
tribal resources to com-
batting and containing
the Nena Springs fire.
The Nena Springs fire
caused damage to forest
land and rangeland of the
northeastern part of the
reservation; and
Pursuant to War m
Springs Tribal Code Sec-
tion 200.025, the Warm
Springs Tribal Court has
jurisdiction over the
tribes’ claims against any
persons responsible for
causing the Nena Springs
fire; and
Oregon’s state courts
and/or the United States
District Court, District of
Oregon may also have ju-
risdiction over the tribes’
claims against any per-
sons responsible for caus-
ing the Nena Springs fire.
For these and other
reasons the Council ap-
proved the filing of the
lawsuit.
Coming up on the Tribal Council August agenda
The following are some of
items coming up on the Tribal
Council agenda during the
rest of August:
Monday, August 19
9 a.m.: Secretary-Trea-
surer and Chief Operations
Officer updates.
10: September agenda
and review minutes.
11: Museum at Warm
Springs funding with Liz
Woody.
1:30: Legislative update
calls.
2:30: Enrollments with
Lucille Suppach-Samson of
Vital Stats.
3:30: Indian Head Ca-
sino loan documents with
Jeffrey Carstensen and the
Summary of Tribal Council
August 5, 2019
The meeting was called to
order at 9 a.m. by Chairman
Tsumpti. Present:
Chief Joseph Moses, Chief
Alfred Smith Jr., Brigette
McConville, Anita Jackson,
Lincoln Jay Suppah, and
Raymond Moody. Minnie
Yahtin, Recorder.
Office of Special Trust
Update.
Warm Springs Housing
update on a tenants work
order.
Chuush Fund Estab-
lishment:
· Motion by Anita adopt-
ing Resolution No. 12,614
approving Exhibit ‘A’ and
Tribal Council Chair, Vice-
Chair or Secretary-Treasurer
to make such modifications
as necessary to finalize Ex-
hibit A and execute, deliver
and perform the finalized
Exhibit A, and authorizes the
Tribal Council Chair, Vice-
Chair, and Secretary-Trea-
surer to take such further and
additional action as any such
officer deems necessary or
appropriate to implement
and complete the transac-
tions contemplated by the
Chuush Fund Agreement,
including the execution and
delivery of certificates and
other related documents,
with the taking of any such
foregoing actions being con-
clusive evidence that the
Tribal Council Chair, Vice-
Chair or Secretary-Trea-
surer has determined it to
be necessary and appropri-
ate to complete the trans-
actions contemplated by the
Chuush Fund agreement.
And Tribal Council agrees
to waive the Tribe’s sover-
eign immunity for the lim-
ited purposes of the Chuush
Fund Agreement under the
ter ms contained in the
Chuush Fund Agreement as
authorized by the WSTC
Chapter 30; Second by
Brigette; 5/0/1, Joe/Ab-
stain, Chairman not voting;
Motion carried.
With no further discus-
sion the meeting adjourned
at 10:20 a.m.
casino board.
4: Draft resolutions.
Wednesday, August
21: Water Settlement Agree-
ment/Deschutes Basin is-
sues.
Monday, August 26
9 a.m.: July Financial up-
date with Alfred Estimo and
Dennis Johnson.
10: Donation guidelines
with Michele Stacona.
Items for further con-
sideration:
Bannock Gathering in
Idaho.
Clean Water Act/Gov-
ernor 100-Year Plan.
Community notes...
The Native American Program Legal Aid Ser-
vices of Oregon is offering free civil legal services in
specialized areas to eligible tribal members. The next
intake clinic is this Thursday, August 15 from 10 a.m.
to noon at the Community Action Team office on
campus. Walk-ins are welcome. For information call
541-553-3148.
The Jefferson County School District 509-J
board meeting is coming up on Monday, August 19
at the school district support services building, 445
SE Buff St., Madras.
The board members are Jamie Hurd, chair, Laurie
Danzuka, vice-chair, Courtney Snead, Tom Norton
Jr. and Kevin Richards.
The Summer Meal Program is available at the
Warm Springs Academy. All youth ages 1-18 can eat
for free weekdays. Breakfast will be served 9 to 9:30
a.m. and lunch from 11:30 until noon.
The last day for kids to turn in book slips for the
Warm Springs Library summer reading program is
Friday, August 30. Remember: For every book you
read, fill out a book slip from the library and put it in
the drop box, for a chance to win prizes.
The Warm Springs Outdoor Market is this Fri-
day, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on campus
next to the Community Action Team office, the cor-
ner of Paiute Avenue and Warm Springs Street. In-
terested vendors should contact Emily Courtney at
541-553-3148. KWSO will be there with gear for
sale, and and serving food. This summer’s Outdoor
Markets are on Fridays, tribal paydays.