CTUIR Youth Council wins award

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Youth Council has been named an emerging leader by Ecotrust, the nonprofit environmental organization in Portland. Ecotrust said it is the first time it has received a nomination for a group of young people. CTUIR Public Relations Specialist Chris Aadland said the group makes a big difference.

“They were nominated in part for a lot of their work in advocating for salmon restoration in the region and also for their work in supporting the community during COVID,” Aadland said.

Ecotrust will also honor CTUIR member Gabe Sheoships at its indigenous leader awards ceremony in October. He is the executive director of Friends of Tryon Creek in Portland and a former fisheries biologist at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

Other CTUIR members winning indigenous leadership awards in the past include Eric Quaempts and Bobbie Conner.

The Confederated Umatilla Journal contributed to this story.