Weaskus Named CTUIR’s New Legislative Affairs Manager

MISSION, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has found its new Legislative Affairs manager in tribal member Brandie Weaskus.

Weaskus, who has served as the CTUIR Higher Education program manager for more than 10 years, will take over the Legislative Affairs role March 18 when she starts tracking and analyzing legislation that may affect the CTUIR.

The position also calls for developing and recommending strategies and actions related to legislation at the local, state and federal levels, as well as being the primary liaison for the CTUIR’s federal and state lobbyists.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work to protect CTUIR’s approved goals and strategies in legislation at the local, state and federal levels,” Weaskus said. “While in college I worked in Legislative Affairs, so I was able to learn about the importance of exercising CTUIR treaty rights. It’s a great opportunity to continue previous work I have done and utilize the public policy experience that I learned when I was working on my master’s degree in public administration with a focus on tribal governance.”

CTUIR Communications Director Kaeleen McGuire said Weaskus has worked for the CTUIR for nearly 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge in the Legislative Affairs field.

“We are excited to see Brandie take on the Legislative Affairs manager position,” McGuire said. “As a tribal member with knowledge and understanding of tribal sovereignty and CTUIR priorities, Brandie will be able to work with our lobbyists to tackle important legislative issues.”

Weaskus, who also previously served as Blue Mountain Community College’s Native American Higher Ed counselor and liaison as well as CTUIR’s Fish and Wildlife secretary, said she plans to bring her years of experience working in the tribal community and education into serving the CTUIR.

“There are a lot of legislative priorities,” she said. “I was born and raised in this tribal community, and I know that legislation at all levels is important to all of us not only as individual members but as a whole tribe.”

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.