Information about our Government
Our Declaration of Sovereignty
The Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Cayuse ("Tribes") have always exercised our sovereignty. We have governed and protected ourselves as well as regulated our commerce. The Tribes entered into the Treaty of 1855 with the United States of America ("United States") but not as a conquered people. Both parties negotiated the Treaty and recognized the sovereign authority of all parties to the Treaty.......(click here for the entire document)
The General Council consists of all CTUIR Tribal members age 18 and older. The General Council elects the Board of Trustees, the CTUIR governing body, and also elects its own officers whose primary responsibilities include running the monthly General Council meetings. The General Council meets monthly to hear updates from its Chairman, the Board of Trustees, and various working groups. This is also an opportunity for General Council members to provide input and recommendations to the tribal officials. Special General Council meetings are occasionally held to discuss specific issues.
Tribal affairs are governed by an elected body called the "Board of Trustees which sets policy, makes the final decisions on tribal affairs, and takes a lead role in determining priority projects and issues. The Board conducts business meetings once a week, in addition to numerous work sessions with staff and special board meetings with external individuals and organizations.
Subsidiary bodies of the BOT (advisory, regulatory)
The Board of Trustees has created a range of subsidiary bodies that assist the Board by doing a variety of tasks. Each of these bodies is expected to assist the Board by developing expertise in a specific subject area.
The day-to-day work of the Confederated Tribes government is carried out by a staff of nearly 600 employees (about 53% are our own tribal members, 15% are Indians from other tribes, and 32% are non-Indians).
The Executive Director is responsible for directing the staff, which is organized into several departments, including: administration, economic and community development, health, natural resources, education, children and family services, fire protection, police, and court.
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