KWSO Wednesday Morning News: Grants Support Native Youth Programs, Joy Harjo Visits Warm Springs, and Regional Briefs

The Oregon Cultural Trust is distributing a record $4.5 million in grants statewide, with significant funding directed toward Warm Springs. The Warm Springs Community Action Team will receive $30,000 to connect up to 120 Tribal youth with Elders and traditional teachers through trips focused on gathering First Foods like roots, salmon, and huckleberries. The Portland-based Confluence Project received over $22,000 in Oregon Cultural Trust funding to host Native-led arts workshops across the state. The program pairs Native youth with artists to learn crafts including regalia making, beadwork, filmmaking, and photography. And a Trust-funded Indigiqueer comedy production will visit Warm Springs during its upcoming statewide tour.

Renowned Native American poet, musician, and author Joy Harjo presents an evening of poetry and conversation today at 5:00 p.m. at the Wyam Youth Center in Warm Springs. The event is free to the community and features a reading, storytelling, and an interactive Q&A with the former three-term U.S. Poet Laureate.

Central Oregon Community College is launching its annual JobFest series across four campuses next month, including a event at the Madras campus on October 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Over 40 regional employers and public agencies will participate, alongside free drop-in resume workshops offered by COCC in late September and early October.

At the monthly Native Aspirations Community Prevention Meeting, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach reported available housing units at its 22-unit Veterans Village and encouraged community members to refer veterans needing assistance.

Warm Springs Community Health staff warned meeting attendees about rising Oregon measles cases, the upcoming flu season, and a new COVID-19 strain. Staff plan to conduct outreach with the mobile medical unit and offer vaccinations at the Health and Wellness Center once vaccine supplies are confirmed.

A new poll of 600 likely voters funded by advocacy group Grow Oregon shows Republican Christine Drazan with a narrow lead over Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, 43% to 41%, with 13% undecided and a 4% margin of error.

A deadly bacterial pneumonia outbreak is threatening Oregon’s largest bighorn sheep herd near The Dalles. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife assistant biologist Trent Gianella warned that initial die-offs can kill up to 80% of a herd, though the state is still opening bighorn hunting season next week while providing hunters with tracking swabs.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver firmly rejected the idea of the Portland Trail Blazers relocating, stating, “I would see it as a failure if we did not keep the team in Portland.” The city council is expected to vote by year-end on a long-term Moda Center lease that could allocate over $120 million in public funds for arena renovations.

Today will be sunny with a high of 75 and gusty northeast winds before calming tonight with an increasing cloud cover and a low of 49. Thursday will be partly sunny with a high of 77 and a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers.