CTUIR Family Violence Services to Host Public Summit July 7-9

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Family Violence Services (FVS) is inviting the public to its 2026 Tribal State & Federal Summit July 7-9 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

FVS Coordinator Desiree Coyote said the summit is a biennial event in which the FVS partners with the Oregon Department of Justice – Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division to emphasize the importance of the CTUIR community’s health and wellbeing. This year marks the eighth summit.

With this year’s theme of “Beyond Policy: Shaping Behavior and Culture,” the summit will encompass various aspects impacting CTUIR community members as well as provide information from professionals that can benefit the community, Coyote said.

“Our keynote speaker Marisa Miakoda Cummings will highlight the importance of strengthening cross-jurisdictional collaboration among tribal, state and federal partners when dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and related harms while focusing on tribal sovereignty and culturally informed responses,” she said. “Participants will gain insight into the interconnected nature of public safety, public health and community wellbeing with emphasis on prevention, intervention and survivor-centered services.”

Other sessions include ensuring compliance when dealing with state and federal funding; supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in the workplace; and brain injuries and their connection to domestic violence. For the complete agenda, visit https://ctuir.org/media/5hyc1hny/agenda-2026-tribal-state-federal-summit.pdf.

Coyote said the summit is open to the public because community members should hold accountable CTUIR employees and officials who deal with such issues by learning the practices, procedures and values of the tribe’s departments and programs.

“The CTUIR programs, departments and entities are here to benefit our people, all people equitably with heart,” Coyote said. “And this summit allows our community to come into play. As employees, we can train and enhance our skills and our knowledge. However, those we serve, our community, should always be aware of how our employees are to be examples and role models. And the best way to do that is for our community to learn alongside our employees.”

For information, call 541-429-7410 or 541-429-7415 or email desireecoyote@ctuir.org.

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

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Caption: Desiree Coyote, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Family Violence Services (FVS) coordinator, right, walks with CTUIR Education Department administrative assistant Andria Scott and her nephew Timinah Ellenwood-Parrish during a Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women/Peoples Week event on May 6, 2024, around the Nixyáawii Governance Center campus in Mission. FVS is inviting the public to its 2026 Tribal State & Federal Summit July 7-9 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino, where it will host sessions on topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault and violence in the workplace. CTUIR