News Stories May 18, 2018

Applications for the 2018-19 Hatfield Fellowship program are being accepted through May 31. The fellowship program is funded by the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.  Each year, it sponsors a highly motivated and capable Native American to serve as the Hatfield Fellow and intern in a congressional office.  Placement of the Fellow has traditionally rotated through the Oregon congressional delegation.   Fellows are given an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of how to navigate the political process in Washington, D.C., while working on issues that directly affect Native Americans. The Hatfield Fellow will begin their Capitol Hill experience in November with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science Association, followed by an eight-month term in an Oregon congressional office. The Fellowship includes a monthly stipend, relocation and travel expenses.  It is open to members from the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon, as well as members of tribes in Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Preference is given to members of Oregon tribes. Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (or graduating in June 2018) and be at least 21 years of age to apply. www.thecommunityfund.com/hatfield-fellowship.

Madras Baseball beat Mazama 13-10 in a Play in Contest yesterday. They move on to a first round playoff game next Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined.  Madras trailed Mazama by six runs in the top of the second inning and four at the end of the fourth inning. But the White Buffaloes rallied in the fifth inning with seven runs to win and advance to the state playoffs.

Madras Softball lost in their play in game yesterday to North Bend in extra innings 2-1

Warm Springs Recreation is coordinating a one day opportunity for 8 youth 14 years of age and older to learn more about being a pilot as a career.  Sign up details will be available soon.  There will be criteria to participate.  Registration will begin in June and the one day flight school will be on July 10th.  We will share more information once it is available.

The nation’s highest court has agreed to consider whether the Yakamas are exempt from state gas taxes on the reservation, The Yakima Herald reports. The case stems from 2013 when the state Department of Licensing sued the Cougar Den, a gas station and convenience store owned by tribal member Kip Ramsey in White Swan, saying it brought out-of-state fuel onto the reservation without paying the state’s fuel tax. Yakima County Superior Court and the state Supreme Court ruled the Yakama Treaty of 1855 exempted tribal-owned gas stations on the reservation from the tax. The licensing department then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.