CTUIR Donates Aid to Burns Paiute Tribe for Flood Relief

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has donated approximately $10,000 worth of goods to the Burns Paiute Tribe (BPT) in Harney County as it recovers from recent flooding.

CTUIR Board of Trustees Chairman Gary I. Burke said the CTUIR, at the BPT’s request, donated alfalfa hay, firewood, and biodegradable plates and utensils.

“I would like to thank our Emergency Management crew for helping get this much-needed aid to the Burns Paiute Tribe in a timely manner,” Burke said. “When called upon for help by Burns Paiute Tribal Council Chairwoman Tracy Kennedy, the Board of Trustees felt the need to respond as quickly as possible to help our fellow Oregon tribe. We know they would do the same for us.”

CTUIR Emergency Management Coordinator Kimberly Hughes said the hay was a high priority, so on April 9 the CTUIR secured 48 bales worth about $7,000 as well as a truck for transporting it to Burns. The hay, which weighed nearly a ton, came from the Adams area and took about 4.5 hours to deliver.

On April 14, the tribe had six cords of split firewood worth $1,500 delivered from the John Day area to the BPT reservation. The rest of the $10,000 was earmarked for eco-friendly, compostable plates and utensils.

Hughes said the BPT was serving meals twice daily to around 200 tribal members and trying to reduce the number of dishes needing to be washed due to the City of Burns’ failed sewer system.

Hughes said BPT officials were grateful for the donations, especially since the BPT reservation was still recovering from last summer’s wildfires.

“I think it’s incredibly inspiring to see CTUIR stepping up to support another tribal community in Oregon,” she said. “It speaks volumes about the strength of intertribal relationships and the values of solidarity, respect and mutual aid among Indigenous communities. In times of need, that kind of support can make all the difference, and it reinforces the teachings that we’re stronger together.”

According to a BPT email requesting aid, BPT officials were evaluating the extent of the damage as the water recedes, but the major issue was the failed sewer system. The email stated the sewer failure affected all tribal homes, including those affected by flood waters, and that multiple BPT buildings were flooded.

Southern Oregon, which includes Harney County and the BPT reservation, received high levels of rainfall and snowmelt that led to the flooding.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla 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.