Engaging in a tour aimed at fulfilling a political commitment, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, alongside First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, dedicated a day to meeting with leaders and members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Kotek's promise to interact with all nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon in 2024 found her delving into the CTUIR's unique history and ongoing projects.
In a visit that encompassed both cultural exchanges and policy discussions, Kotek remarked, "The Tribe is working on some exciting, innovative initiatives and the state of Oregon is ready to support the good work of CTUIR however we can," according to a report by the Oregon Newsroom. CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke welcomed the gesture, stating, "Gov. Kotek has shown us that she is fulfilling her promise to learn in-depth about each of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon such that she and her administration can more effectively work with us as distinct, individual sovereign governments."
Kotek and Wilson began their visit at the Nixyáawii Governance Center, engaging in discussions with the CTUIR Board of Trustees on key partnership opportunities, after which they received a tour of the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Yellowhawk is notably the first tribal building in the state to join the "Path to Net-Zero" initiative.
Governor Kotek further underscored her administration’s attention toward infrastructure by examining the aftermath of the Thorn Hollow Bridge, which remains a critical concern following its collapse in the 2020 floods. The day also saw Kotek performing a ceremonial signing for Senate Bill 1567, intended to guide cooperative water management strategies in the Walla Walla Basin, a resource vital to both the Tribes and surrounding communities.
Honoring the rich cultural heritage of the Umatilla, Kotek participated in the First Foods presentation over lunch, an experience that accentuates the Tribe’s traditional approach to environmental reciprocity and sustainability. The visit concluded with a deeper cultural immersion at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, where Kotek and Wilson viewed the "Portraits in Red" exhibition, which focuses on the grim reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Throughout the Governor's visit, the intertwined themes of respect and partnership between the state of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation remained evident. The exploratory visit stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts by state officials to understand and appreciate the complexities and contributions of the Tribes within the region. For detailed information about the event, visit the Oregon Newsroom.
