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Lamar Fairmint is a young man I'm lucky to know. I finally got a chance to meet him in Costa Rica at the Retreat—no question he had the most interesting background of anyone who attended.In this episode, we talk about what it was like growing up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon. Lamar shares stories about his Native roots, family history, and what it means to live with both Native and Black heritage. We also talk about the weight of generational trauma—and how he's learning to carry it with more grace as he gets older.Before getting to know Lamar over the past few years, I'd never known anyone who grew up on a Reservation. Come to think of it, I'd also never met a salmon fisherman.But that's what Lamar's does. He's a commercial fisherman. And his business does well enough that he spends half the year traveling the world.The origins of his fishing career are interesting too. He says fishing gave him purpose after dropping out of San Diego State, and shares what life on the water has taught him about patience, resilience, and doing things "your own way."
Shippentower is named Co-Captain of the Oregon Ravens Football Team!Kola Shippentower is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement.Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Welcome back to the show Kola!!!And we talk women's football and MMIW . . .Oregon RavensSRTN Website
A federal law passed in the 1950s gave six states, including Oregon, civil and criminal jurisdiction over tribal reservations. Tribal nations have argued that the law undermines their sovereignty.Oregon tribes have been able to petition the governor to repeal the law on their land, but there’s no official procedure or timeline for that process to take place. Senate Bill 1011 would change that by laying out clear guidelines for federally recognized tribes to regain control over civil and criminal matters that take place on tribal land.Brent Leonhard is an attorney in the Office of Legal Counsel for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He joins us with more details about the bill and its implications for tribal sovereignty.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kola Shippentower. Her tribal name is Tumhiya, and she is from Nixyaawii country, in Eastern Oregon as an enrolled tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She is a two-time professional athlete, and a passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIW). She shares her deeply personal journey into advocacy—a role she never sought but felt compelled to take on as violence against Indigenous women continues to impact her community. Kola reflects on the weight of this work, the pain of losing loved ones, and the responsibility she carries to fight for justice, not just for her family but for future generations.Through raw and heartfelt storytelling, she challenges misconceptions about Indigenous identity, the erasure of Native voices, and the way non-Native audiences often consume these tragedies without taking meaningful action. She emphasizes the urgent need for funding, systemic change, and allyship that goes beyond passive sympathy. Guided by her father's wisdom, Kola has shifted her approach—moving beyond sorrowful storytelling to empowering and mobilizing her people to reclaim their strength, resilience, and rightful place in the fight for justice. This conversation is a wake-up call to all who listen: real change requires more than awareness—it demands action.
Earlier this month, J.D. Tovey was appointed the executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation following a vote by its board. Tovey is an enrolled member of the CTUIR, and he had been serving as the interim executive director since last May. An urban planner by training, Tovey was appointed by Gov. Kotek as co-chair of the Housing Production Advisory Council in March 2023. The council finished its work with a report released last year containing recommendations on how to meet the state’s target of building 36,000 new homes a year over the next decade. Tovey joins us to talk about his work on the council and his priorities for the CTUIR, including the development of the Nixyáawii neighborhood within the Umatilla Indian Reservation to ease the housing shortage for tribal members. He also shares how the Trump administration’s policies and directives could affect tribal relations with the federal government.
In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the devastating effects that dams have on Indian Country. The construction and maintenance of dams cause flooding of sacred sites, displacement of people from their ancestral lands, and permanent disruption of the ecosystem and fish populations. These irreparable consequences result in the loss of traditional ways, vital resources, and quality of life in tribal communities. Join us and take a look back at the history of NCAI's advocacy efforts against dam construction on tribal lands, which began shortly after the organization's founding in 1944 and has continued through today. This episode also features an interview with Corrine Sams, elected Board of Trustees Member for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Treasurer of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission. Sams discusses recent progress in the Pacific Northwest as Tribal Nations defend their sovereignty and advocate for the removal of dams and restoration of salmon populations in the region. She also sheds light on the Biden administration's recent report on the detrimental effects of dams in the Columbia River Basin, marking the first time the federal government has acknowledged the decades of harm tribal communities have endured. Listen now to learn more about the impacts of dams on Native people, the environment, and their intrinsic rights.
A growing number of Oregon tribes have been investing in equine therapy for youth struggling on reservations and in foster care. Both the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have developed programs in the last three years. And the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Klamath Tribes and Burns Paiute Tribe have plans to launch programs, some as soon as this summer. Nancy Marie Spears is the Indigenous children an d families reporter for The Imprint. She has been reporting on this trend and joins us to share more.
For the first time, the federal government acknowledges the devastation to Native America tribes caused by a century of dam building on rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The report by the U.S. Department of Interior notes the benefits for the region's burgeoning population in need of cheap power, irrigation, and steady jobs. But that same push dismissed the needs of the tribes that already occupied the land, resulting in flooding homes and sacred sites, and the decimation of salmon runs, their chief reliable food source. GUESTS Erik Holt (Nez Perce), chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission Corinne Sams (Cayuse, Walla Walla, Cocopah), chair of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission and member of the board of trustees and chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Keola Awong (Kanaka Maoli), program manager interpretation and education James Pepper Henry (Kaw and Muscogee), vice chairman of the Kaw Nation and director emeritus at the First Americans Museum
Two recent events are major wins for tribes in Washington State fighting to restore natural salmon runs. A federal judge just sided with the Puyallup Tribe in their lawsuit aiming to remove a dam on the Puyallup River because it harms endangered salmon and other fish. And a coalition of a half-dozen tribes just signed a $1 billion plan with the federal government to restore salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin. GUESTS Corinne Sams (Cayuse, Walla Walla, Cocopah), chair of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission and chair/board of trustees member of the Fish and Wildlife Commission for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Erik Holt (Nez Perce), chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission Jeremy Takala, member of the Yakama Nation tribal council
For the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has named Oregon State University one of the top 10 places in the nation to obtain an undergraduate degree online. OSU is ranked fourth, along with Arizona State University and North Carolina State University, for best online bachelor’s programs which were evaluated on factors such as faculty credentials and graduation rates. OSU was an early adopter of remote learning, making its first leap into the space more than 20 years ago. Today, students in all 50 states and nearly 60 countries attend courses virtually through OSU’s Ecampus. The online offerings cover more than 100 different subjects that are taught and developed by the same faculty who teach students seated in lecture halls or science labs. According to Lisa Templeton, the vice provost of Ecampus, online enrollment grew more than 10% last year, with about 3 in 10 students learning exclusively online last fall. Templeton joins us to talk about the expansion of online learning at OSU, along with Joann Malumaleumu, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, who graduated last year with an online bachelor’s degree from OSU.
In this episode of Confluence Radio, we hear from Antone Minthorn, a respected Elder and leader from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. In today's episode, we'll hear Antone Minthorn talk about tribal economies, the history of treaties along the Columbia River system, and how to get a collaborative “win-win”. You'll also hear Umatilla Tribal member Chuck Sams, who conducted this interview for Confluence back in 2019. Chuck went on to become the first Native American to lead the National Park Service.
Shippentower signs with the Oregon RavensKola Shippentower is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement.Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Welcome back to the show Kola!!!Waymakers Ravens VideoOregon RavensSRTN Website
In this episode Roberta Conner, Director of the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, talks about oral traditions, Celilo Falls. She was raised in Cayuse Country and spent most of her formative years on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Her work as an author, speaker, local and national leader, and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation earned her the 2007 Buffett Award.
Around this time each year, women and girls from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation gather wild celery. They say their ancestors come back through the plant, and the ceremonial dig marks the arrival of spring.
"Natives helping Natives" is the theme that the mighty team at Cayuse Natives Solutions stands behind. And it fits. The team is passionate about helping tribes invest in communications tools, public safety and other essential functions so they can handle emergencies, communicate effectively and improve the well being of their people and communities. In this episode, host Michelle Bouschor talks with team to learn more about their passions, their services, and how a recent grant received by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) will now allow the team to deliver digital inclusion services to the Umatilla Indian Reservation community, help with accessing affordable high-speed internet, obtaining free technology devices, and improving digital skills.
The protection of public land requires the broad ranging vision and leadership of federal service professionals at the highest levels. As the 19th Director of the National Park Service Charles F. Sams III is guiding the management of a complexed agency that oversees the protection of 63 National Parks and more than 420 individual monuments, battlefields, lakeshores and grasslands. A member of the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indians, Sams is the first Native American to serve as the administrator of the memorial sites that preserve our natural history and enduring national heritage. After a long career in the U.S. Navy in times of both war and peace as well as the creation of career opportunities for aspiring stewards of the natural environment, Sams now dedicates his commitment to public service by encouraging the next generation of National Park Rangers. By building a corps of passionate interpreters to effectively tell a more comprehensive story of our culture as a united people, he's a helping to pave a diverse and inclusive pathway of preservation well into the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] "You're never going to meet a more passionate group of people who are dedicated to mission than the National Park Service Rangers and their staffs out there," Sams said. "And what they really need is a leader who will advocate for them to ensure they have the funding so they can can go about doing the preservation of flora and fauna and telling America stories." In recent months since the passage by Congress of the Great American Outdoors Act, also known as GAOA, there are new opportunities to affirm the priorities of natural resource and heritage protection through the National Park Service. By permanently providing financial resources for the Land And Water Conservation Fund, the federal government is poised to make profound investments in the people and places that define our identity as a nation. Now that he's coming to the end of his first year on the job, I had the chance speak to Sams and have him reflect upon his tenure so far as well as the role that the NPS can play in the shaping our way forward. I'm James Edward Mills. And you're listening to, The Joy Trip Project. National Park Service Director Charles Sams (Middle) stands with Mosaics In Science Interns at the U.S. Department of the Interior Building in Washington D.C. (photo by James Edward Mills) JTP Well, first of all, thank you very much for taking the time to to chat with me and to share a little bit about your experience in the management of public land. My first question is a very basic one. Tell me where you from and how you how you got to the position that you're in now. Sams So I'm from Oregon originally. I was born in Portland, Oregon, but raised on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon, right along the Umatilla River, which was feeds into the big river, which is now known as the Columbia, that we know as the Necheewana. And I very fortunate to grow up in a very well-educated household. My parents had attended and graduated junior college, which was very rare to have two native parents who had actually not only attended, but graduated. And so education has always played an important part and also a freeing of oneself by having a good education. In addition to being surrounded by a number of elders, my grandfather and a number of tribal elders who raised me in a much more traditional and cultural sense of the Cayuse and Walla Walla people. JTP And from that experience, how did you get into public service? Sams Well, public service is expected in our family. We are supposed to give back more than we take, which is a simple principle. We also come from a group of people that believe that we have limited wants with unlimited resources, which is the exact opposite, which, you know, it's funny, since I have a business degree that tells me that I have unlimited...
The protection of public land requires the broad ranging vision and leadership of federal service professionals at the highest levels. As the 19th Director of the National Park Service Charles F. Sams III is guiding the management of a complexed agency that oversees the protection of 63 National Parks and more than 420 individual monuments, battlefields, lakeshores and grasslands. A member of the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indians, Sams is the first Native American to serve as the administrator of the memorial sites that preserve our natural history and enduring national heritage. After a long career in the U.S. Navy in times of both war and peace as well as the creation of career opportunities for aspiring stewards of the natural environment, Sams now dedicates his commitment to public service by encouraging the next generation of National Park Rangers. By building a corps of passionate interpreters to effectively tell a more comprehensive story of our culture as a united people, he's a helping to pave a diverse and inclusive pathway of preservation well into the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] "You're never going to meet a more passionate group of people who are dedicated to mission than the National Park Service Rangers and their staffs out there," Sams said. "And what they really need is a leader who will advocate for them to ensure they have the funding so they can can go about doing the preservation of flora and fauna and telling America stories." In recent months since the passage by Congress of the Great American Outdoors Act, also known as GAOA, there are new opportunities to affirm the priorities of natural resource and heritage protection through the National Park Service. By permanently providing financial resources for the Land And Water Conservation Fund, the federal government is poised to make profound investments in the people and places that define our identity as a nation. Now that he's coming to the end of his first year on the job, I had the chance speak to Sams and have him reflect upon his tenure so far as well as the role that the NPS can play in the shaping our way forward. I'm James Edward Mills. And you're listening to, The Joy Trip Project. National Park Service Director Charles Sams (Middle) stands with Mosaics In Science Interns at the U.S. Department of the Interior Building in Washington D.C. (photo by James Edward Mills) JTP Well, first of all, thank you very much for taking the time to to chat with me and to share a little bit about your experience in the management of public land. My first question is a very basic one. Tell me where you from and how you how you got to the position that you're in now. Sams So I'm from Oregon originally. I was born in Portland, Oregon, but raised on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon, right along the Umatilla River, which was feeds into the big river, which is now known as the Columbia, that we know as the Necheewana. And I very fortunate to grow up in a very well-educated household. My parents had attended and graduated junior college, which was very rare to have two native parents who had actually not only attended, but graduated. And so education has always played an important part and also a freeing of oneself by having a good education. In addition to being surrounded by a number of elders, my grandfather and a number of tribal elders who raised me in a much more traditional and cultural sense of the Cayuse and Walla Walla people. JTP And from that experience, how did you get into public service? Sams Well, public service is expected in our family. We are supposed to give back more than we take, which is a simple principle. We also come from a group of people that believe that we have limited wants with unlimited resources, which is the exact opposite, which, you know, it's funny, since I have a business degree that tells me that I have unlimited...
Tribal courts are asserting their ability to mete out justice and work toward healing. Many tribal courts are being recognized for restorative justice and for providing a means to address wrongs that go unresolved in other courts. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce speaks with Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the “Turtle Talk” blog, and Matt Johnson (enrolled in the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla; the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation), court director of the Umatilla Tribal Court.
Tribal courts are asserting their ability to mete out justice and work toward healing. Many tribal courts are being recognized for restorative justice and for providing a means to address wrongs that go unresolved in other courts. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce speaks with Matthew Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the “Turtle Talk” blog, and Matt Johnson (enrolled in the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla; the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation), court director of the Umatilla Tribal Court.
In this episode of Confluence Podcast, we hear from Antone Minthorn, a respected Elder and leader from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. In this episode, Antone discusses tribal governance, what the tribal economy means for the wider community, and the role of treaties today.
Kyle and Director Sams sit down together to discuss the National Park Service and the challenges of preserving and protecting 63 national parks, 84 national monuments, 5,000 bridges and 85 million acres of land. Charles "Chuck" Sams is the 19th Director of the National Park Service. He is also the first tribal citizen to be nominated to this position. Director Sams is Cayuse and Walla Walla and is an enrolled member, and former executive director, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Northeast Oregon, where he grew up. Before being appointed as Director, he served as the appointee for the state of Oregon to the Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Like many in his family, Sams served in the United States Military. He was an Intelligence Specialist in the U.S. Navy.
NOTE: We previously released this episode with the wrong file. This is the correct version. Sorry for the inconvenience! The National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) has grown from a small gathering of HR professionals into a national organization representing over 400 tribes nationwide with a membership in the thousands. On this episode of Magic in the Room, Chris sat down with NNAHRA board members Judith Wright, Anthony Tillman, Azadeh Tavakoli, and Susan Clem to discuss the importance of Tribal sovereignty, changes in Tribal enterprise, and the future of NNAHRA. For more information about NNAHRA, visit NNAHRA.org, or connect on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/nnahra/. Judith Wright- NNAHRA President Judy Wright is an enrolled member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and began her career in human resources in 1981 at Hewlett-Packard Company located in San Diego, California. In 2001, she joined Valley View Casino & Hotel, an enterprise of San Pasqual where she serves as Vice President of Human Resources. Anthony Tillman- NNAHRA Vice President Anthony Tillman is of Mohawk, Otoe-Missouria, and Muscogee (Creek) descent and has served as NNAHRA's Vice President since 2015. Anthony is currently working for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe as their Cannabis Compliance Manager. Azadeh Tavakoli- NNAHRA Treasurer Azadeh Tavakoli is both Meskwaki (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa) and Iranian. Human Resources is her passion, and she has worked with both Tribal and Medical employers since 2007. She is proud to have served on the NNAHRA Board on and off since 2015. Susan Clem – NNAHRA Secretary Suzanne Clem is the Human Resources Director at Wildhorse Resort and Casino (WRC), owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Suzanne joined NNAHRA as a speaker back in 2006, and was elected to the board in 2008. Music by evangrimmusic.com Recorded onsite at the 2022 NNAHRA Annual Conference Support from techblogwriter.co.uk
The National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) has grown from a small gathering of HR professionals into a national organization representing over 400 tribes nationwide with a membership in the thousands. On this episode of Magic in the Room, Chris sat down with NNAHRA board members Judith Wright, Anthony Tillman, Azadeh Tavakoli, and Susan Clem to discuss the importance of Tribal sovereignty, changes in Tribal enterprise, and the future of NNAHRA. For more information about NNAHRA, visit NNAHRA.org, or connect on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/nnahra/. Judith Wright- NNAHRA President Judy Wright is an enrolled member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and began her career in human resources in 1981 at Hewlett-Packard Company located in San Diego, California. In 2001, she joined Valley View Casino & Hotel, an enterprise of San Pasqual where she serves as Vice President of Human Resources. Anthony Tillman- NNAHRA Vice President Anthony Tillman is of Mohawk, Otoe-Missouria, and Muscogee (Creek) descent and has served as NNAHRA's Vice President since 2015. Anthony is currently working for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe as their Cannabis Compliance Manager. Azadeh Tavakoli- NNAHRA Treasurer Azadeh Tavakoli is both Meskwaki (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa) and Iranian. Human Resources is her passion, and she has worked with both Tribal and Medical employers since 2007. She is proud to have served on the NNAHRA Board on and off since 2015. Susan Clem – NNAHRA Secretary Suzanne Clem is the Human Resources Director at Wildhorse Resort and Casino (WRC), owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Suzanne joined NNAHRA as a speaker back in 2006, and was elected to the board in 2008. Music by evangrimmusic.com Recorded onsite at the 2022 NNAHRA Annual Conference Support from techblogwriter.co.uk
In the final episode of Short Wave's Summer Road Trip series exploring the science happening in national parks and public lands, Aaron talks to National Park Service Director Charles Sams, who recently issued new policy guidance to strengthen the ways the park service collaborates with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, the Native Hawaiian Community, and other indigenous peoples. It's part of a push across the federal government to increase the level of tribal co-stewardship over public lands. Aaron talks with Sams, the first Tribal citizen to head the agency, about how he hopes this will change the way parks are managed, how the parks are already incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and what national parkland meant to him growing up as a member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in eastern Oregon. Listen to more episodes about all the amazing research taking place on public lands, where we hike up sky islands and crawl into caves in search of fantastical creatures, by visiting the series website: https://www.npr.org/series/1120432990/road-trip-short-wave
When a Native American is the victim of a violent crime by a non-native person on tribal lands, it can be difficult to prosecute the crime. And limited data can obscure how severe the violence against Native Americans remains. A lack of resources and communication between tribal and urban law enforcement can also create more problems. EO Media Group and Underscore News partnered on an investigative project to dig into these issues. Karina Brown is the managing editor of Underscore. Desireé Coyote is the family violence services program manager for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Laura John is the City of Portland's Tribal Liaison. They join us with more about how violent crimes against Indigenous people can often fall through the cracks.
Willamette Falls Legacy Project aims to provide access to the West's largest waterfall. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde hold a substantial piece in making that happen, but they have recently withdrawn from the project. The Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation, The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have voiced concerns about Grand Ronde's motives in the project and why they feel the need for exclusivity in regard to the falls. We talk to Brian Oaster also known as “Toastie”, staff writer at High Country News.
Columbia Center for the Arts and The Dalles Art Center are showcasing prints created by more than two dozen Native American artists during residencies at the Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts, an arts center and printmaking studio located on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton. Crow's Shadow invites a select number of visual artists and sculptors each year to participate in a two-week residency to produce limited edition prints of their own design. Lillian Pitt, a Native artist from the Wasco, Yakama and Warm Springs Tribes, and Natalie Ball, an Afro-Indigenous artist from the Klamath, Modoc and Tahlequah Tribes, join us to talk about their art and their experiences at Crow's Shadow. They are also featured in the “Contemporary Native Voices: Prints from the Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts” exhibit at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River.
“Salmon have always kept their word…” In this episode, we talk with filmmaker WoodrowHunt a Klamath/Modoc/ Cherokee descendent and Bobbie Conner, a member of the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Executive Director of the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, about Hunt's recent film, Salmon's Agreement.
The National Parks Service could be getting its first Native American director. Charles “Chuck” Sams III is an enrolled member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes and the former director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. President Joe Biden nominated Sams to be director of the National Park Service in August and a Senate committee met Tuesday to consider his nomination. Journalist Brian Oaster asked three tribal leaders what they want to see from Sams if he's confirmed. We hear from Oaster about their answers and about some of the harmful history the NPS has with Native tribes.
Kristen talked with us about her job and what it entails. Books Ladies of the Field: Early Women Archaeologists and Their Search for Adventure, by Amanda Adams An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor, MD Outlander by Diana Gabaldon TV Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip With Sam and Graham A LInk to Abenaki Heritage Foods Still In Use Today
Kola Shippentower-Thompson is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She has co-founded and is the Director of The Wisáwca Project - Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, for better communication and involvement. Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kola is wife and mother to three children and takes personal safety to heart and especially in advocating for MMIWP. Kola also co-hosts a weekly podcast. Kola can be found on Instagram @kolashippentower
In this episode we explore the concept of monuments with the help of three Indigenous women who live in the Pacific Northwest. Bobbie Conner is an enrolled member at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and director of Tamástslikt Cultural Institute; Deanna Dartt is Coastal Chumash and Mestiza--descending from the Indigenous peoples of California--and has worked as a curator at several museums; and Emily Washines, is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and board member of the Museum of Culture and the Environment. This discussion starts here and continues in part 2 next week.
Public health officials in Umatilla County say they are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases linked to the Pendleton Round-Up. The annual rodeo was September 11-18 and compliance with the statewide mask mandate was apparently low. Umatilla County Public Health Director Joseph Fiumara said some people were symptomatic but chose to attend Round-Up anyway. In response to the surge in cases, the board of trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have declared a public health emergency. Interim CEO of the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Aaron Hines joins us to talk about what this means for staff and patients.
19:Hello my scientists, this week we chat with Adrienne Berry from Waterlilly Botanicals. She is from The Navajo (Diné) Tribe on the Diné Nation. She was born of the Bitter Water Clan and was born for the Beginning of the Red Streak People Clan. Adrienne works and lives currently in Eastern Oregon on the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation where she works with her partner on Waterlilly Botanicals. Some topics we cover in this episode is:How did Adrienne get into botanicals How does being an indigenous women shape you into loving plantsHow do you balance family with a small business What is Waterlilly Botanicals aboutWhat methods are used for the productsHow has Covid affected your businessWhat is the process of picking the herbs you useHow do you offer natural holistic solutions for your mind, body and spiritHow do you deal with pests naturallyHow to be more sustainable How do you use herbs with your plantsAre you finding it hard to educate people on food sovereignty GO CHECK OUT HER AMAZING BODY PRODUCTSWhere to find Adrienne:Waterlilly Botanicals LLCFBInstagramReferences mentioned:10 Herbs for a Happy, Healthy Catby Lura RogersHerbal academyFollow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me:floraandfungapodcast@gmail.comFacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubeHelp support my book and tea buying habit by "Buying me a Book"a twist on buy me a coffeeWhen I reach my goal of $100 I will do a special book giveaway!Theme song : -Soundotcom called Go Rock -Take the Lead by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4458-take-the-leadLicense: http://creativecommons.org/
Juan José Gutiérrez, immigration lawyer and executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, joins us to talk about labor immigration, why labor immigration channels remain blocked, and how immigrants are being pulled into the current story about a labor shortage in the U.S. We talk about how people who could enter the US via existing labor migration processes are being funneled into the pool of asylum seekers, in addition to other roadblocks to immigration put in place by the Trump administration, some of which the Biden administration has continued to implement. Kim Keenan, adjunct professor at George Washington University and former general counsel of the NAACP, tells us about the start of Google's trial before the National Labor Relations Board after the company was accused of violating labor laws by spying on employees, firing employees for attempting to unionize, and blocking employees from sharing information and work grievances with each other. We also talk about how these revelations dispel the general perception that some of these tech companies are great places to work at.Darren Thompson, reporter for Native News Online and Unicorn Riot, talks to us about the Biden administration's nomination of Charles “Chuck” Sams III, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, to head the National Park Service (NPS) and what it means to have a native face at that level in government. We also talk about the historical relationship between native people, native nations, and the NPS, and whether this nomination will help mend relations with the government. Esther Iverem, multidisciplinary author and independent journalist, host of "On The Ground: Voices of Resistance From the Nation's Capital" on Pacifica Radio and founding member of DC Poets Against the War, talks to us about the imperialism media spin on the war in Afghanistan, a new report highlighting the frequency at which Donald Trump's White House brought federal charges against Black Lives Matter protesters, and the fallout from Sunday's brawl between Antifa and the Proud Boys in Portland, Oregon.
The next stop on the tour is to an old sawmill near Adams, Oregon, where John Green and Marissa Baumgartner are milling the wood for a timber-frame hempcrete house and growing a few acres of fiber hemp on the edge of Marissa's family's ancestral lands of the Umatilla people. Hemp is currently illegal to grow on the reservation, but Marissa and John are hoping to show the tribal elders the positive potential of industrial hemp. Thanks to our sponsors Thanks to our sponsors: IND HEMP https://www.indhemp.com/ New Holland Agriculture betterhempharvest.com National Hemp Association https://nationalhempassociation.org/ Rosedowns https://www.rosedowns.co.uk/ Desmet Ballestra https://www.desmetballestra.com/ Victory Hemp Foods https://www.victoryhempfoods.com/ King's AgriSeeds https://kingsagriseeds.com/
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has created an online Umatilla language dictionary. Modesta Minthorn is the director of education for the confederated tribes and Thomas Morning Owl is the General Council interpreter. They join us to reflect on the importance of the online dictionary and how it can be used to support the language.
Sally Kosey is the Board of Trustees Secretary of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Last week, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation distributed nearly a thousand vaccine does to reservation residents and tribal employees. The tribe has already vaccinated tribal members over age 55, healthcare workers and first responders. Chuck Sams, Deputy Executive Director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, joins us to talk about the tribes' vaccination strategy.
Indigenous communities in our region have been hit disproportionately hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Emily Washines (Yakama) and Chuck Sams (CTUIR) to hear first-hand stories of the different ways Tribes have responded. This conversation will go beyond statistics and headlines to consider the daily lives of Native people as they confront what, for them, the most recent pandemic. Emily Washines is an enrolled Yakama Nation tribal member with Cree and Skokomish lineage. She speaks Ichiskiin (Yakama language) and other Native languages. A scholar, with a Master’s in Public Administration, her research and work in film, writing, speaking and exhibits focuses on the Yakama War, Native women, traditional knowledge, resource management, fishing rights, and food sovereignty. Yakima Herald-Republic lists her as Top 39 under 39. She is a board member of the Museum of Culture and Environment, Artist Trust, and Columbia Riverkeeper. Emily lives on the Yakama reservation with her husband and three children Chuck Sams is Cayuse, Walla Walla, Cocopah, and Yankton Sioux. He grew up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He is the Deputy Executive Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Prior positions include Environmental Health and Safety Officer/Planner in the Tribal Planning Office for the CTUIR, Executive Director for the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation, and National Director of the Tribal & Native Lands Program for the Trust for Public Land. He serves as Chairman to the Oregon Cultural Trust, Gray Family Foundation, and Columbia Land Trust. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as an intelligence specialist.
As rumors fly about who can and can’t vote by mail, and threats to a fair election escalate, rural Oregonians are sharing paper and digital STAND Election guides with their neighbors to offer clear information about how people who are displaced by the fires or who were wrongfully evicted can still vote by mail, are leading car caravans to safely drop off ballots, and surveying their local candidates! On our special 2020 election edition of Rural Roots Rising, you’ll hear from rural Oregonians about what’s at stake on Oregon’s statewide ballot measures, as well as ways to take action to encourage electoral change in your community. If this episode inspires you to take action for democracy, we have a Defend Democracy toolkit that you can find at rop.org/democracy. To access more shareable election resources in both English and Spanish including the public service announcements sprinkled throughout this episode, go to rop.org/STAND.Download this episode’s transcription at RuralRootsRising.org.Blackberries and Ballot Measuresfeatures a conversation about how the ballot measures will affect rural Oregonians between ROP organizer Hannah Harrod, Pam Reese, an ROP board member and organizer based in Echo, Oregon, and Keyen Singer, a Rural Organizing Fellow and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation based in Mission, Oregon. We also highlight Leslie Rubenstein and Cathy Bellavita from the Blackberry Pie Society in Cottage Grove. If you’re inspired by their work sending candidates running for all state and local offices a survey to respond to in order to earn their endorsement, we can help you get involved too! Reach out to us at info@ruralrootsrising.org to share your thoughts, and get support for your organizing.Did you like the music in this episode? We featured music from The Road Sodas, Ryan Cullinane, and Ketsaa.Rural Roots Rising is a production of the Rural Organizing Project. Thank you for listening!Support the show (https://rop.z2systems.com/np/clients/rop/donation.jsp?campaign=21&)
More than 3 thousand people live on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Tribal leaders are urging all residents to comply with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s "stay at home" order. We talk with Chuck Sams with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation about how the community is doing and the work being done by the Tribes’ incident command team.
It's been about a month since flood waters receded in eastern Oregon, but the recovery is ongoing. On Monday, the legislative emergency board approved $11.5 million for flood relief. We hear what things look like on the ground from two residents whose homes were flooded -- Brent Hall and Harley Hauck. We also hear from Kat Brigham, chair of the board of trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Umatilla County’s emergency manager, Tom Roberts.
Earlier this month it was reported that one lucky slot player walked away with a $1.2 million jackpot. The big hit took place at the Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip. The anonymous winner bet just $5 on Wheel of Fortune Wild Red Sevens’ progressive slot to land the $1,264,574 jackpot. This was the third seven-figure Las Vegas payout this year on the IGT series of Wheel of Fortune slots. Also in early March, a $10 wager hit a $1.7 million jackpot at Wynn Las Vegas. In January, $5.4 million was won at Excalibur as the biggest 2020 Wheel of Fortune jackpot to date. Asian Casino Mogul Betting Big on RussiaChen Lip Keong made his billion-dollar fortune in the Asian casino market. He is most notable for his company’s casinos in Cambodia. The president and CEO of NagaCorp is now banking on expansion into the Russian casino market outside of Vladivostok. Construction is well underway on a $300 million casino hotel. It is estimated to open sometime in 2021. This company was the first to build a casino in Cambodia back in 2006. Keong’s net worth from the venture has grown to $5.3 billion over the years. He anticipates the same kind of success in the Russian gaming market starting with this initial venture.Ransomware Disrupts Slot Play at Two Las Vegas CasinosTowards the end of February, two downtown Las Vegas casinos had their systems hacked. Both owned by TLC Casino Enterprises, Inc., the Four Queens Hotel and Binion’s Casino were impacted. The slot machines went down as part of the hack. Also impacted were credit card processing, hotel reservations and ATM machines. Both casinos kept operating with slot payouts in cash only. The outage dragged on for more than six days. The Nevada State Game Control Board is investigating the matter. It is also monitoring the situation at this time. TLC Casino Enterprises did not offer any official comments on the situation.Lastly, The Coronavirus Shuts Down Casino in OregonIt was reported that an employee at Wildhorse Resort and Casino has contracted the coronavirus. As a health precaution, the casino closed to the public on March 3. Following a thorough cleaning, its plan is to reopen on March 10. The employee was flown to a hospital in Washington for treatment. That person worked in a confined part of the casino with no exposure to the general public. This information was released by a spokesperson for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This is the first time the Pendleton-based casino has closed for business since opening in 1994.
H.R. 4920 – Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act (Rep. Takano – Veterans’ Affairs) To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an exception to certain small business contracting requirements applicable to the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement of certain goods and services covered under the Ability One program, Agreed to by voice vote H.R. 4183 – Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act (Rep. Khanna – Veterans’ Affairs) o direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disability and pension benefits provided to members of the National Guard and members of reserve components of the Armed Forces by the Department of Veterans Affairs Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 1 (Roll no. 685) H.R. 3530 – Improving Confidence in Veterans’ Care Act (Rep. Cloud – Veterans’ Affairs) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enforce the licensure requirement for medical providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 1 (Roll no. 686). H.R. 2726 – Banning Smoking on Amtrak Act of 2019 (Rep. Norton – Transportation and Infrastructure) to prohibit smoking on Amtrak trains Agreed to by voice vote H.R. 2548 – HELP ACT, as amended (Rep. Fletcher – Transportation and Infrastructure) To modify eligibility requirements for certain hazard mitigation assistance programs, Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 7 (Roll no. 688) H.R. 4719 – FISH SAFE Act, as amended (Rep. Golden – Transportation and Infrastructure) To amend the Federal share of the fishing safety standards grants Agreed to by voice vote.(text H.R. 3362 – Small Airport Mothers’ Room Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Miller – Transportation and Infrastructure) to require small hub airports to construct areas for nursing mothers Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 4998 – Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Pallone – Energy and Commerce) To prohibit certain Federal subsidies from being used to purchase communications equipment or services posing national security risks, to provide for the establishment of a reimbursement program for the replacement of communications equipment or services posing such risks, Agreed to by voice vote H.R. 4779 – To extend Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006 (Rep. McMorris Rodgers – Energy and Commerce) To extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006 Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 4229 – Broadband DATA Act (Rep. Loebsack – Energy and Commerce) To require the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules relating to the collection of data with respect to the availability of broadband services, Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 4227 – MAPS Act (Rep. McEachin – Energy and Commerce) to prohibit the submission to the Federal Communications Commission of broadband internet access service coverage information or data for the purposes of compiling an inaccurate broadband coverage map. agreed to by voice vote H.R. 2647 – SOFFA, as amended (Rep. Matsui – Energy and Commerce) This bill adopts the California flammability standard as the federal standard for upholstered furniture. To meet the standard, the upholstered furniture must past a specific test of the materials’ ability to resist smoldering when a heat source is applied. agreed to by voice vote H.R. 3172 – Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Cardenas – Energy and Commerce) This bill makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, or distribute inclined sleepers for infants. Specifically, inclined sleepers for infants are those designed for an infant up to one year old and have an inclined sleep surface of greater than 10 degrees. Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 150 – GREAT Act, as amended (Rep. Foxx – Oversight and Reform) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that issues the most federal grant awards, to (1) establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients, (2) issue guidance directing federal agencies to apply those standards, and (3) require the publication of recipient-reported data collected from all agencies on a single public website. Agreed to by voice vote. S. 216 – Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act (Sen. Cantwell – Natural Resources) This bill requires the Bonneville Power Administration to make specified settlement payments to the Spokane Tribe in relation to the construction and operation of the Grand Coulee Dam. Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 722 – Miracle Mountain Designation Act (Rep. Curtis – Natural Resources) This bill designates a specified mountain near Elk Ridge City in Utah as “Miracle Mountain.” Agreed to by voice vote. S. 50 – Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act (Sen. Merkley – Natural Resources) This bill authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to assess sanitation and safety conditions on land set aside to provide Columbia River Treaty tribes access to traditional fishing grounds. The bill applies to land held by the United States for the benefit of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Agreed to by voice vote. H.R. 453 – Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act (Rep. Fleischmann – Natural Resources) This bill takes specified lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, into trust for the use and benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These lands include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, the Tanasi Memorial, and land to provide support for these properties and cultural programs. Agreed to by voice vote. H.Res. 755 – Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors (Rep. Nadler – Judiciary) (Subject to a Rule) This resolution impeaches President Donald J. Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. The resolution sets forth two articles of impeachment of the President: (1) abuse of power by soliciting the interference of Ukraine in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and (2) obstruction of Congress by directing defiance of certain subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives. On agreeing to Article I of the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 197, 1 Present (Roll no. 695).—–On agreeing to Article II of the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 229 – 198, 1 Present (Roll no. 696). H.R. 5430 – United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (Rep. Hoyer – Ways and Means) To implement the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada attached as an Annex to the Protocol Replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 385 – 41 (Roll no. 701). H.R. 5377 – Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (Rep. Suozzi – Ways and Means) (Subject to a Rule) This bill increases the tax deduction for state and local taxes in 2019 to $20,000 for persons filing a joint tax return. It eliminates the current $10,000 cap on the deduction in 2020 and 2021. The bill increases the top marginal income tax rate to 39.6% beginning in 2020, and reduces the dollar amount at which the increased tax rate begins. On passage Passed by recorded vote: 218 – 206 (Roll no. 700). Support the show.
The Umatilla Indian Reservation has created a warming station, named Cmuytpama, for homeless tribal members to take shelter during the winter. We talk to James Rinehart about the center and how it went from a possibility to a reality in one week.
This is Part Two of the Hear in the Gorge LIVE! event that happened October 24th, 2019. You'll get to meet Terrie Brigham, member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and also "fisherman, captain, hunter, and parent of 3 beautiful children".
The oldest species in the Northwest is at the Oregon Zoo for the first time. The Pacific lamprey is a native species that has survived more than 400 million years until declining significantly in the early 2000s. After a long effort to increase populations, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Oregon Zoo and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated to introduce five Pacific lampreys to the zoo in hopes to raise awareness of their crucial role. We talk with Aaron Jackson, Lamprey Project leader for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation about why lampreys are ecologically and culturally important and how they are adapting to their new temporary home.
In this episode of pine|copper|lime Miranda speaks with Karl Davis, executive director of Crow's Shadow, about the history of the institute's print residency program, the challenges and joys of having a fine art centre in a rural setting, and its commitment to serving the community of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. More information: http://crowsshadow.org/ The book: http://willamette.edu/arts/hfma/exhibitions/library/2017-18/crows-shadow-2017-gallery/crows-shadow-publication.html ✨pine|copper|lime patreon✨ https://www.patreon.com/pinecopperlime
Bozeman, MT- Steven Rinella talks with Gray Thornton, Garrett Long, and Clay Brewer of the Wild Sheep Foundation, along with Scott Peckham of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Janis Putelis of the MeatEater crew. Subjects Discussed: Wolves, lynx, eagles, and other things that can be hell on wild sheep; thick and thin (horns, that is); the historic decline of wild sheep everywhere, including Texas; auto-immune diseases in sheep and lessons learned; wild sheep vs. the wool industry; wildlife terrorism; governor's tags, auction tags, and regular tags; a tribal perspective on destroying wild game; are you an a-hole for owning llamas; and more. To learn more about the ideas and materials referenced in this episode check out the show notes here.
Confluence Story Gatherings are live story-driven conversations designed to elevate indigenous voices in our understanding of the Columbia River system. This discussion is framed by audio excerpts from interviews we conducted with tribal elders and leaders with our partners at NW Documentary. This public event was recorded on November 12, 2016 at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton, Oregon. Thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation, Paul B. and Deborah D. Speer, Steve and Jan Oliva and Brot and Mary Bishop.
In which we learn that words have power. Be sure to click over to the history page for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. And be sure to stop on in to the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute if you’re near Pendleton. A HUGE thank you to Chuck Sams of the CTUIR and Ranger Stephanie Martin of NPS. And JD Chandler too. Sorry about any mispronunciations. You might be interested in two museum plaques that describe the Whitman Deal, First, from Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, Second from the Whitman Mission National Historic Site.
Confluence Story Gatherings are live story-driven conversations designed to elevate indigenous voices in our understanding of the Columbia River system. This discussion is framed by audio excerpts from interviews we conducted with tribal elders and leaders with our partners at NW Documentary. This public event was recorded on November 12, 2016 at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton, Oregon. Thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation, Paul B. and Deborah D. Speer, Steve and Jan Oliva and Brot and Mary Bishop.
Last night on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis spoke briefly to Sylvia Minthorn who lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon. She was featured in a January 21, 2013 Oregonian story on the front page of the paper under the headline: "Does Bigfoot Stalk This Swamp?" Full episode: http://groundzero.fm/?p=episode&name=2013-01-23_20130122_groundzero.mp3
Over the years, there have been many recordings of alleged Bigfoot calls. To date, I believe most of them have been explained away as being from known animals via audio analysis. The 1994 Howl from Columbiana County, Ohio, I believe is the only one that hasn’t yet been officially debunked. And to me, it’s the […] The post Bigfoot Calls on the Umatilla Indian Reservation first appeared on The Occult Section.
Over the years, there have been many recordings of alleged Bigfoot calls. To date, I believe most of them have been explained away as being from known animals via audio analysis. The 1994 Howl from Columbiana County, Ohio, I believe is the only one that hasn’t yet been officially debunked. And to me, it’s the […]