With the filing deadline closed, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Election Commission announced candidates for the nine elected positions of the CTUIR Board of Trustees, to be voted on Nov. 24.
Antone Minthorn, chairman of the board of trustees who is seeking reelection, will be challenged by Elwood Patawa.
Patawa retired in July as chief executive officer for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, where he supervised that department's 70 employees and managed an $8 million budget. He previously served as the board of trustees chairman from 1981 to 1993, and was appointed to a position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Clinton administration. He also has served as chairman for other boards, such as the Oregon Legislature's Commission on Indian Services.
"I'd just like to utilize that experience and continue the work," Patawa said, saying members from the community suggested he run for office. "So I?think there's some support out there for me."
Patawa mentioned the need to negotiate and resolve the tribes' pending water rights as a major governmental challenge. He also cited the need to advocate and lobby for more funding from the federal Indian Health Service and other possible sources to bolster tribal health, as well as develop a plan to build a permanent facility for Nixyaawii Community School, the tribes' charter high school.
"We don't have that right now and I?think that's a priority," Patawa said.
Minthorn has served as board chairman from 1996 to 2001, and from 2003 to the present. Minthorn is in Washington, D.C., and was unavailable for comment.
In other positions:
? Board of trustees Vice-Chairman Leo Stewart seeks reelection. Andrew DuMont and Clifford Pond have filed as challengers.
? Board of trustees Treasurer Les Minthorn has decided not to seek reelection. Rosenda Shippen- tower, currently an at-large board of trustees member, now runs unopposed for the treasurer position.
? Board of trustees Secretary Kathryn Brigham seeks reelection. Shawna Gavin and Helen Morrison have filed as challengers.
? Ten people are vying for four positions as board of trustees at-large members. Armand Minthorn, Jay Minthorn and William Quaempts are running as incumbents, to be challenged by John Barkley, Alan Crawford, Greg Harris, Fred Hill Sr., Robert Shippentower, Althea Wolf and David Wolf.
? General Council Chairman Michael Johnson seeks reelection. Aaron Hines filed as a challenger.
All positions are voted on by the general council, all enrolled tribal members age 18 and older. The tribes have close to 2,500 enrolled members.
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