The newest members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Senior and Junior Youth Leadership Councils took their oaths of office on Friday, Jan. 3 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino (WRC) Rivers Event Center.
After being postponed twice out of respect to losses in the community, the swearing-in ceremony was held in conjunction with the Elders Christmas Luncheon. Despite some councilors not in attendance because of school functions, CTUIR Chief Judge William Johnson administered oaths to those who were present. Overall, there are 21 senior councilors and 23 junior councilors.
The Senior Youth Leadership Council (grades 9-12) consists of Chair Weptas Brockie; Vice Chair Miracle Edmiston; Treasurer Brooklyn Jones; Cultural Ambassador Abraham Shippentower; Secretary Eagle Edmiston; Publicist Ayanna Star; Pendleton High School Members-at-Large Dymond Say and Mateni Hutchings; Nixyáawii Community School Members-at-Large Layla Wallahee and Malaeloa Malumaleumu; Athena-Weston Members-at-Large Addison Carey and Sydney Carey; Members-at-Large Demetri Brockie Jr., Devon Hall Spencer, June Johnson, Garian McDonald, Emma Star-Nez and Hiyuum Nowland; and Members Meadow Morris, Kymani Van Pelt and Johnny Goodrider.
“I ran for Youth Council and this position so that I could improve my public speaking skills and be more involved with my Native community and peers,” said Miracle Edmiston, 15, of Pendleton High School. “It also will help me grow in many ways for when I am older as well as a resource for when applying for colleges.”
Brockie Jr., 14, of Nixyáawii Community School, said he ran for Senior Council again to continue learning and focusing on treaty rights. “It was excellent last year, and I want the chance to learn new things and meet new people. I am also here to help save my treaty rights such as hunting, fishing, digging and picking.”
The Junior Youth Leadership Council (grades 6-8) consists of Chair Abigayle McIntosh; Vice Chair Luka Worden; Treasurer Grant Sheoships; Cultural Ambassador Gabriella Calvillo; Secretary Dazha Joseph; Publicist Sophia Ferman; Members-at-Large Savannah Clark, Nakai Gavin, Kateri Jones, Kelsey Jones, Loren Sampson and Brees Van Pelt; and Members Poppy DeMilo, Braylen Frost, Violet Jim, Cayuse Jones, Solomon Malumaleumu, Lisa McIntosh, Savaya Minthorn, Awna’ee Najera, Desmond Nez, David Ramirez and Simon Shippentower.
“I ran for Junior Youth Council because I wanted to be more connected to my community and see how I can be more involved,” Gavin, a 12-year-old Sunridge Middle School student, said.
As part of the CTUIR’s Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), the Youth Leadership Councils were created in 2015 to teach area CTUIR youth about tribal governance, offer them a voice in the CTUIR government, network with their peers and develop leadership skills. They meet regularly and travel to conferences and events and participate in various leadership development opportunities. Members of the councils were elected Nov. 23-24 at the WRC, and each councilor will serve a one-year term.
“The youth councils’ elections mark a significant step in fostering leadership and community engagement among the tribal youth,” DCFS Director Julie Taylor said.
