June 2026
VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 6 The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Pendleton, Oregon
CUJ
CONFEDERATED UMATILLA JOURNAL
cuj.ctuir.org
The concept of blood quantum dates back centuries and was later used by the federal government to define and limit Native rights and land ownership. Tribal enrollment standards vary across the U.S., with some tribes lowering the blood quantum requirements and other ancestral lineage. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are expected to discuss potential changes to their blood quantum requirement in the coming months. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
CTUIR considers lowering enrollment blood quantum MISSION — The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is considering whether to lower its tribal enrollment blood quantum requirement from one-quarter to one-eighth. The CTUIR, made up of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla tribes, has seen a decline in membership in the past four years. In 2022, the CTUIR had 3,232 enrolled members. Enrollment dipped by one member in 2023 to 3,231. However, the decline became more noticeable in 2024 when enrollment fell to 3,206, before slipping again in 2025 to 3,193 members. Under the current code, applicants must show at least one-fourth combined Native American blood
“This will be a long, detailed process if the General Council wants to determine what options, if any, they would like to put to a vote. It will take a lot of conversations.” — ELFRINA LUBRIN, CTUIR Enrollment
quantum to qualify for enrollment in CTUIR. Now, tribal leaders are weighing whether that threshold should change. The CTUIR Board of Trustees (BOT) plans to hold a work session with the Enrollment Office to review whether to amend the enrollment code. Tribal leaders have not introduced a formal proposal or set a timeline for a vote, but discussions are expected to begin in the coming months. The CTUIR has hired consultants
CTUIR 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801
YASSER MARTE The CUJ
from Taylor Policy Group Inc. (TPG), based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, to conduct a population study and provide data research as CTUIR leaders evaluate a possible change. According to the company’s website, Native nations use TPG’s research for internal decisionmaking, negotiations, tribal policy development and contested proceedings. The firm also specializes in natural resource economics, gaming policy, impact analysis, economic development strategy, taxation and governance
issues involving tribal corporations. Elfrina Lubrin, CTUIR Enrollment administrative office manager, said the BOT is scheduling a presentation with the TPG to brief members on its findings. Lubrin said the group also plans to present the study to the General Council. Tribal leaders are not seeking motions or votes at that meeting, she added, describing it instead as the first step in sharing information with tribal members as discussions move forward in the coming months. “We hope to create an education campaign after meeting with the BOT to help summarize the research for tribal members,” Lubrin said. “We hope to include graphics and implication examples so they can come to the June (17) See BLOOD QUANTUM, Page A2
NCS Students to participate in treaty bison hunt PAGE B1
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