Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Department of Natural Resources held an open house to showcase each of their programs and host the first Cops and Bobbers partnership with the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hosted its open house event at the Nixyaawii Governance Center, drawing tribal members eager to learn about ongoing First Foods protection and restoration initiatives.
According to Wenix Red Elk, Public Outreach and Education Specialist for CTUIR’s DNR Cultural Resources Protection Program, the event aimed to educate the tribal community about DNR’s efforts related to treaty rights and improving access to First Foods for tribal members and their families.
“We want tribal members to ask questions, bring ideas, and voice concerns related to their First Foods,” said Red Elk. “Their input helps identify future management priorities and shapes how we manage these resources for coming generations.”
The open house showcased work across multiple tribal programs including Water Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife, Forest, Agriculture, and Range Management, Environmental Science, Cultural Resources, and First Foods Policy. Each department demonstrated their contributions to restoration, management, and protection efforts.
Staff from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) all set up booths to share information on their programs. First Foods program management was present throughout the entire open house. Above the CTUIR Board of Trustees Treasurer Raymond Huesties, left, stand with Range, Agriculture and Forestry Program Manager Gordy Schumacher, right, during the April 24 event. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
This community gathering, typically rotated every other year, marked the first full-scale event since before COVID-19. The DNR integrated the popular “Cops and Bobbers” program, aiming to foster positive relationships between tribal police and community members.
The fishing component proved especially popular, with over 400 trout available in a catching pond open to all ages. Umatilla Tribal Police Officer Dick Bobbit, from the Fish and Game division, explained their role: “We set up for kids to come fish with police helping them learn to use the equipment. Once they catch fish, they can take them home, with staff available to clean them.”
Cayuse Jones, Sunridge Middle School student, holds one of the trophy fish placed in the fishing pools for the Cops and Bobbers events. According to UTPD Officer Dick Bobbie, the stocked catch ponds set up by the department held several trophy fish. The fish that weren’t caught were later transported to Indian Lake on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
According to Bobbit, the event highlighted interdepartmental cooperation, with DNR’s Fisheries Program Manager Jerimiah Bonifer coordinating water setup and fisheries personnel assisting participants. Remaining fish were later relocated to Indian Lake.
“What we’re hoping to achieve is improved communication between police, fisheries departments, and the community,” Officer Bobbit added. “We want everyone to see the work DNR does—from water to fish, roots and berries—and appreciate how the community works together to preserve these resources.”
Nixyaawii Community School students Marcellus Scott, left, and Sacas Wildbill, right, hold their plants they received from the Native Plant Nursery staff during their visit the CTUIR DNR Open House event at the Nixyaawii Governance Center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation April 24. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
by Jill-Marie Gavin, CRITFC Public Information