Melorie Begay

Eight of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes received over $15 million in annual funds for affordable housing from the federal government.  The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will use their $4 million grant to reduce homelessness in urban spaces.

An ordinance that would have fined motorists for giving or accepting items from pedestrians on the roadside was rejected by the Eugene City Council. 

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde has received an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award for cultural preservation. The honor was given by the state parks and recreation department.

The U.S. Department of Justice will grant close to $100 million to tribal governments across the country to support Native American crime victims. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Klamath Tribes obtained a combined total of over $1 million. 

A Eugene nonprofit broke ground on a new tiny home housing project, last Friday. The aim is to reduce homelessness and recidivism while keeping sustainability in mind. 

St. Vincent de Paul in Eugene completed renovations on their 10th home for their Veterans' Housing Project. The organization acquires and rehabs old houses for local veterans. 

It’s been almost 150 years since the Modoc War ended in 1873. The conflict began when Indigenous leaders resisted forced removal by the federal government. If passed, a new resolution in the state legislature would commemorate Modoc casualties

A Eugene nonprofit will receive more than half a million dollars from health organizations after their pilot program helped dozens of homeless people find housing.

As the state legislative session rounds the halfway mark, advocates are working to increase funding for equitable learning initiatives throughout Oregon. This includes support for 4 bills aimed at student success for Native American and Latino students, inclusive curriculum, and early childhood education.

Senate Bill 293 is making its way through the Oregon legislature. It's designed to get more Native Americans into medical careers in tribal communities across the state.

In the wake of terrorist attacks in New Zealand, where at least 1 gunman targeted 2 mosques and killed at least 49 people, over a hundred Eugenians joined the local Muslim community in offering condolences and support to victims.

Oregon educators and tribes are excited about new state mandated curriculum as its being developed. It fulfills Senate Bill 13, which requires the state’s department of education to create course material that’s culturally inclusive and relevant to Oregon’s 9 federally recognized tribes. 

Minnesota Honor the Earth tribal attorney Frank Bibeau, stopped by Eugene last week for an event on the Rights of Nature movement. KLCC spoke with the Chippewa lawyer about a recent ordinance his tribe passed giving legal rights to Manoomin, or wild rice.

The Egan Warming Centers in Eugene and Springfield managed to keep around 500 homeless people safe and warm during last week’s snowstorm. However,  the organization is still in need of more volunteers for the remainder of March.

Last week's unusual snowfall closed roads, schools, and caused several event cancellations including 2 talks by Walidah Imarisha. The award-winnning author and historian was supposed to discuss black history in the state and prison reform. 

The Eugene City Council listened to over 40 community members during a public hearing on a new panhandling ordinance last night. If passed, the city could start fining motorists $50 for handing out personal property, including money, to pedestrians on the street.

The Oregon Center for Public Policy says the state’s low unemployment rate doesn’t necessarily mean fewer families are living in poverty. The group’s newest report suggests that over 68 percent of households with one working parent live below the poverty line.

Minority Voices Theatre, in collaboration with the University of Oregon and the Very Little Theatre, will produce its first full production this month. The play is a part of an ongoing effort to increase theatre involvement among marginalized communities. 

Several immigrant rights groups testified to Lane County’s Board of County Commissioners, on Tuesday.  They expressed concerns about allegations the Lane County Sheriff is unlawfully assisting in Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, today. They demanded that the sheriff address allegations that officers used state resources to aid arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office denies allegations made by several immigrant rights groups, suggesting his department unlawfully aided Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Sheriff Byron Trapp says at no time was anyone instructed to violate any policy, referring to Oregon’s sanctuary laws.

The Lane County Sheriff’s department is accused of working with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or I.C.E. Over a dozen organizations, including immigrant law groups, say this violates Oregon’s 32-year-old sanctuary law.

A coalition of environmental and civil rights groups have teamed up to create a list of climate actions they want the state legislature to consider in this year’s session. Both the Eugene-Springfield NAACP and Beyond Toxics have joined in on the Oregon Green New Deal campaign.

An art installation aimed at disrupting racism with history and self-reflection is coming to the Runyan Gallery in Newport this Friday. ‘I Am My White Ancestors: Claiming The Legacy of Oppression’ by Portland-based artist Anne Mavor features life-sized portraits, narratives and audio stories. 

After 8 years, Shelley Corteville has stepped down as director of Egan Warming Center, a network of sites where homeless people can keep warm when temps fall below freezing. Now, the advocate plans to focus on helping unaccompanied youth.

In Eugene, over 300 hundred marchers came out to honor the legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. this morning.  The event centered on youth and the responsibility to carry on Dr. King’s teachings.

Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits may have noticed some extra funds on their EBT cards today. The Department of Human Services wants those folks to know, that that money is for February and to budget accordingly. 

In 2018 there were close to 15,000 people serving time in prisons across the state, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections. As of last month over 500 people were released into Lane County.