News Stories Fri., Aug. 24, 2018

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs learned earlier this month that the California Air Resources Board has issued more than 2 million carbon offsets for use by regulated entities in the State of California for compliance with California’s Cap and Trade Program.  The carbon offsets represent more than 2 million metric tons of verified greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved under their Forest Management Protocol.  The Warm Springs Tribes have an approved compliance offset project that allows the sale of credits over the next several years which will provide revenue in the tens of millions of dollars for tribal operations, improved forest management and economic development initiatives.  Known locally as the Carbon Sequestration project – the Warm Springs project received close scrutiny during the development phases meeting stringent requirements.  Tribal Council Chairman Austin Greene was quoted as saying the project approval “demonstrates that our management is more protective of natural forests than standard practices which could otherwise be used on tribal lands.”

First Nations Development Institute this week announced the selection of 21 American Indian organizations and tribes, in 15 states from Hawaii to Massachusetts, to receive grants through its Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) for the 2018-19 funding cycle. The grants total $400,000.  The Fund is designed to enhance culture and language awareness, and promote youth empowerment, leadership and community building. An award was granted to Warm Springs for programming at the Boys and Girls Club in coordination with the Culture & Heritage Department, local artists and elders.   There will be four comprehensive sessions, each meeting for six to eight weeks. The fall session will focus on traditional regalia, the winter session will focus on language acquisition, the spring session will focus on First Foods, and next summer’s session will focus on cultural crafts.  The Boys & Girls Club of Warm Springs is operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County Washington.

The Airshow of the Cascades is tonight (8/24) and tomorrow (8/25) at the Madras Airport.  Gates open to the public this afternoon at 2.  There will be a car and motorcycle show – food and vendor booths – airplane and helicopter rides.  There is a fish and chips meal starting at 5:30 – live music by Countryfied from 5:30 to 7.  A motocross show at 6 and the airshow starts at 7 tonight.  Expect fireworks around 9 and then more live music.  Tomorrow morning gates open at 9 and the airshow performances will be from 1-4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Prep sports are underway at Madras High School.  Yesterday JV volleyball played and won at Culver high school. Varsity Volleyball plays at Summit High School in a Scrimmage this morning. White Buffalo football plays in a Scrimmage in Sisters this evening at 7. Cross Country will be in Prineville tomorrow for the Jere Breese Memorial. Next Monday both the Boys and Girls Soccer teams play in Sisters.  Officials are monitoring air quality to ensure the safety of players with all the smoke we’ve been having across the state.

The Western States Indian Rodeo Association is holding their regional finals this weekend – Saturday and Sunday at the Fairgrounds in Madras.  There will be 2 full go rounds with 8am slack if needed.  Performances each day start at 11am.  There will be a BBQ and live music following Saturday’s competition.  The event is being put on by DMJ Cattle Company.