Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon
Tribal success with the vaccine
Despite enduring and tragic loss
during the pandemic, tribal nations
have led the way on vaccination:
This was feeling of witnesses at a
recent hearing of the House Sub-
committee for Indigenous Peoples
of the United States.
“We consider our work with the
Indian Health Service to be a suc-
cess story,” said Rodney Cawston,
chair of the Colville Business Coun-
cil for the Confederated Tribes of
the Colville Reser vation in
Nespelem, Washington.
The IHS-Colville Tribes collabo-
ration led to 40-percent of those
tribes’ vulnerable population—
roughly 3,000 patients with under-
lying health conditions—receiving
a vaccine.
Similarly, the vaccination num-
bers for the Confederated Tribes
of Warm Springs, administered
through the Indian Health Service,
are impresive. This week the IHS
reported 2,140 primary doses of
the Covid-19 vaccine have been
administered; plus 1,671 secondary
doses. These numbers are among
a reservation population of ap-
proximately 4,000 people.
All three vaccinations—
Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson &
Johnson—are being administered
on the reservation. The Moderna
is available to members, residents
and local workers 18 and over. The
Pfizer is available to the popula-
tion 16 and over. The Johnson &
Johnson single-dose vaccine is
available to the population 18 and
over.
Senator: virtual town hall from Warm Springs
(Continued from page 1)
Carina then asked Sen. Wyden
about his position on cannabis eq-
uity—treating sovereign tribes the
same as other jurisdictions of the
state in terms of the legality of
cannabis. The state is addressing
the equity issue, Ms. Miller said,
but the federal government still
considers cannabis among its
Schedule 1 illegal drugs.
Sen. Wyden said he and col-
leagues are sponsoring a bill that
would allow for sensible oversight
regulation of cannabis in all juris-
dictions, including on reservations.
Some of the questions on the
Facebook Live town hall came from
Madras, including one from Mike
Britton, general manager of the
North Unit Irrigation District.
The district and region have suf-
fered through chronic water short-
ages. “And this is the worst year in
terms of allotment and reservoir
levels,” Mr. Britton said.
Sen. Wyden described his bill—
introduced with Sen. Merkley—
the Water for Conser vation and
Farming Act.
The bill would help communities
in Oregon and across the West ex-
periencing high levels of drought,
Mr. Wyden said.
If passed, the law would improve
water access for agriculture and con-
servation by funding projects that
improve dam safety, create more
resilient watersheds and benefit ag-
ricultural and urban water users.
Sen. Wyden mentioned that in his
time in office, he has conducted
970 in-person town hall meetings,
and now continues with the virtual
meetings, until the pandemic is over.
He thanked the Confederated
Tribes of War m Springs and
KWSO 91.9 for hosting the Mon-
day virtual town hall.
Dave McMechan
April 7, 2021
Page 7
Summary of Tribal Council
April 5
The meeting was called to or-
der at 9:27 a.m. by Vice Chair
Brigette McConville. Roll call:
Chief Delvis Heath, Raymond
(Captain) Moody, Lincoln Jay
Suppah, Anita Jackson, Glendon
Smith, Chief Joseph Moses.
Minnie Yahtin, Recorder.
· Bureau of Indian Affairs up-
date with Brenda Bremner, Super-
intendent.
· Federal and state legislative
update calls.
·
Indian Health Ser vice
updatewith Hyllis Dauphinais and
Dr. Locker.
· Covid-19 update with Hyllis
Dauphinais, Danny Martinez and
Caroline Cruz:
The recommendation was given
to continue with 100 percent
workforce with tribal offices doors
remaining closed. Tribal buildings
WATER: bill also repeals ‘embarrassing’ laws
(Continued from page 1)
“In many cases, these laws are
more than a century old and do
nothing but continue the stigma of
subjugation and paternalism from
that time period.”
Laws that would be repealed by
the Respect Act include permitting
the forced labor of Native
Americans, and allowing for
children to be taken away, said Sen.
James Lankford, a Republican
will remain closed and appoint-
ments can be made ahead of
time to see staff, walk ins will be
screened per covid protocols.
· School district campaign up-
date with candidate Jaylyn
Suppah.
· Tribal attorney update with
Josh Newton:
Executive session, 2:05-2:48.
· Tribal attorney update with
John Ogan.
Motion by Captain to adjourn
at 3:45 p.m.
from Oklahoma and co-sponsor of
the bill. He called congressional
action long overdue.
“I’m embarrassed that we as a
nation ever had these laws in the
books. I’m really embarrassed that
they’re still on the books,” Lankford
said.