News Stories for Mon., Nov. 13, 2017

A small, coastal Washington tribe has begun clearing land for a long-planned move of its village to higher ground. The tribal school, senior center, government buildings and many homes lie in the tsunami and flood zone of the oceanfront town of La Push. Quileute tribal planner and grant writer Larry Burtness says moving the school to safer, high ground comes first. The new tribal school is paid for with a federal grant and should be ready to host the Class of 2020’s graduation. Meanwhile, down the coast, the Quinault tribe also has also started land clearing to move its main village of Taholah out of the tsunami zone.

The Bob Main Memorial Basketball Tournament was played in Warm Springs over the weekend. In the women’s championship, the Coastal Natives defeated Skyn Style 57-51. The men’s championship game featured two teams from Washington – Da Boyz came out on top – beating the Yakama Outlaws 61-44. The Oregon Travelers took third place.

A film about the controversial use of Native Americans as sports mascots and the impact on indigenous peoples will be shown today at the COCC Madras Campus at noon. “More Than a Word,” is documentary that focuses on the push to rename the Washington football team. Using interviews from both those in favor of changing the name and those against, More Than A Word presents an analysis of the many issues surrounding the Washington team name. A discussion will follow the film, which is free and open to the public.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – More than a dozen conservation groups have asked Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s office to reopen an investigation into the Oct. 27 killing of a wolf by a hunter who claimed self-defense. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports sixteen groups made the request Thursday. Brian Scott was elk hunting in Union County when he shot and killed a gray wolf he claimed was running at him. Oregon State Police investigated and agreed that he shot in self-defense. The letter claims that police misinterpreted the evidence. The groups say a public records request revealed photographic evidence that contradicts the official report done by police about the incident.