[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6571834,"mediaKeyId","3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c","parentId",3105383,"title","Warm Springs leaders explain their declaration of sovereignty and urge city to pair recognition with policy","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",4716000,"endMs",5038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c&start=4716&end=5038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c/thumbnail_4716000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571834/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Warm-Springs-leaders-explain-their-declaration-of-sovereignty-and-urge-city-to-pair-recognition-with-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571834-789291502bda6d59b64324ad8ddf6056/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146936&Signature=GTN1VZkEbWZd06NZSLezNX702eqT0mWTUQYLHpS~kjzUHOOetkcorzpsQcLCf~sjxuQHrsU~oDNPfqdKc1SbfNC5M8-mkAWNa6Bsrjv8K2FPcDA~9A6tlPIe0b8ruOVFeN1jEqhVohZ-W6HkDVTitUERPrNxSwW-mYqpT7qw5VHCzJiZerbqn64ROytYIa3LPezI7ebT50SHWcLIeC6OAGH8qfrxJeD7-Ro--CEzDSJ4mQRLEnX98L9wh2wFSLzf1dkZGz0oVEn-Tx-lAEtyLeAtGp-UO1nx-aGHyf2zsOH2ozqBKxigyG02hnbitMkcpfXUSGR7xqMEYFYExxuiyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bend, OR","date","2025-04-24T03:33:14.347Z","article","Members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs described the tribe’s Declaration of Sovereignty and discussed how the City of Bend might recognize Warm Springs sovereignty in place of, or alongside, a traditional land acknowledgement.

Bobby Bruno, introduced in the meeting as a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs representative, said the declaration is central to tribal identity and is the product of years of community drafting and legal collaboration. Howard Arnette, a tribal lawyer who provided a historical overview, said the declaration was shaped through community meetings and editorial work with the late University of Oregon law professor Charles Wilkinson.

Arnette noted the drafting process included multiple longhouse meetings where elders and community members contributed language reflecting how the tribe views its inherent, time-immemorial sovereignty. He said Wilkinson listened, drafted and revised the text through community input so the document could express the tribe’s perspective in English for audiences outside the reservation.

“[The declaration] is original. It goes back to time immemorial... it’s a national sovereignty,” Arnette said, describing the declaration as an effort to convey the tribe’s self-definition to outside institutions.

Tribal leaders described why a conventional land-acknowledgement statement can be limiting. Josh Newton and other tribal members told Bend officials the tribe sees a declaration of sovereignty as a more complete statement that recognizes ongoing governance and cultural connections, not only historical presence. Newton described discussion with city staff about pairing the declaration with a council-supported policy that would guide how institutions and the city reference the tribe.

Carlos Calika, a Warm Springs Tribal Council member, emphasized intergenerational transmission of law and the nonwritten cultural practices the tribe carries forward. He said the declaration reflects teachings carried by elders and tied to songs, seasons and local place-based law.

City response and next steps
Bend officials thanked tribal leaders for the history and asked for guidance. City staff said they had paused use of a previously drafted land-acknowledgement statement and would seek further advice. Officials framed the next step as seeking additional guidance from tribal leaders about an appropriate recognition approach, including the possibility of a city policy that acknowledges tribal sovereignty in the tribe’s terms.

What officials did not decide
No formal city policy or endorsement was adopted at the meeting. The item was presented for discussion and tribal leaders requested continued consultation on appropriate wording and institutional practice.

Ending
Tribal leaders asked the city to engage with the declaration’s full language and to return with recommended next steps for how the city can acknowledge and respect Warm Springs sovereignty in official contexts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bend City Council & Warm Springs Tribal Council Joint Meeting - 4/23/25 12:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","Tribal council members summarized the history and purpose of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs' Declaration of Sovereignty, described its origins with Professor Charles Wilkinson and community process, and urged the City of Bend to consider acknowledging tribal sovereignty rather than a standard land acknowledgement.","taxTitle","Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon","taxId",2850,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571838,"Bend, Warm Springs plan joint roundabout and public-art program to mark gateways and tribal presence",231,3987000,4218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c&start=3987&end=4218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c/thumbnail_3987000.jpg","/articles/6571838/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Bend-Warm-Springs-plan-joint-roundabout-and-public-art-program-to-mark-gateways-and-tribal-presence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571838-9fe7e861390a5d8e26c4ba9d5fc17a73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146936&Signature=eA1vwim8GFjNbGUOK-c1g7ICsnBWgFbGNxVA1bkVM0kitI6C7du2jPTuhv6jmGsE2EMYp7VpUk69UvtpEs~f7-A1iGKOHRrmX6lRGVTynz1x08QIfDf1FyHeDxNIjeqjNOCuuJyVtiCfGmKeWcEKcPmRK2uTGQfw~KFn0b66cjvEl49XmVhbMXEkU6PgaAVforwxqiUUhnronKfYFJuVLKd6-HrQhaQZi9fgMrLq6IZEHInZKa5wvMwZLL0-UNcP3VQt2mEF4FscZ-xLXSs4d-Gm7E99ct7IiacMgCsXEU7iXplHR61G1Pt~Ia-CHvnuJCQN571hIxHA2n1YR7xHCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bend City Council and Warm Springs Tribal Council members discussed a proposed joint public-art program to place culturally informed artwork at gateway roundabouts and other public locations in Bend.

City Manager Eric King introduced the idea and staff proposed forming a joint work group to define scope, budget, timeline and suitable locations. A staff presenter outlined a process that includes a public call to artists, use of the Art in Public Places platform (CAFE) to distribute the call, a selection committee and contracting and installation with city staff and Oregon Department of Transportation oversight where state right-of-way is involved.

Renee (staff member) described the steps: identify a work group between both councils, draft a call to artists with eligibility and selection criteria, advertise widely, select an artist and then execute contract and installation. She also said artists would be compensated through the city’s Art in Public Places program.

Tribal council members urged artwork that reflects Warm Springs cultural history and local ecological themes. Carlos Calika, identified in the meeting as a Warm Springs Tribal Council member, described examples he has seen elsewhere — murals, totems and fish imagery — and urged work that honors salmon, water and tribal food-gathering traditions.

“Maybe having a big fish scaffold in the middle of the roundabout... something that depicts our people,” Carlos Calika said, recounting examples from other communities and urging local murals and gateway art that tell shared history.

Locations and outreach: Officials said they have talked with ODOT about Highway 20 at Cooley and Roble as potential gateway sites and noted other partnerships (for example, with the Old Mill). The tribe requested local advertising in the community newspaper referenced in the meeting as “SCILLI” and local radio so Warm Springs artists and Bend residents can participate.

Process and next steps: Council members and tribal leaders supported creating a work group and returning to councils with recommended scope and member appointments. City staff said they will ensure a call to artists includes local outreach and that compensation is part of the award. Officials stressed a deliberate approach to ensure cultural meaning and community buy-in rather than a hastily executed installation.

What officials did not decide: No site was selected and no artist was chosen. No appropriation or final budget was adopted at the meeting.

Ending
City and tribal leaders asked staff to return with a proposed work-group membership, draft call-for-artists language and a recommended approach to local outreach and ODOT coordination.","City and tribal officials proposed a collaborative public-art program — starting with roundabout art at gateway locations — and outlined a work-group process, artist call, selection committee and implementation steps with ODOT and local outreach.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571842,"Bend and Warm Springs leaders outline joint work on Deschutes Basin water rights, mitigation and updated science",1129,2725000,3854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c&start=2725&end=3854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105383-d864f5613feea9b4210437c63e5de89c/thumbnail_2725000.jpg","/articles/6571842/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Bend-and-Warm-Springs-leaders-outline-joint-work-on-Deschutes-Basin-water-rights-mitigation-and-updated-science","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571842-81f21f1cecb8c2e0a51dd7ced4c17299/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146936&Signature=TtB~IaIDKOOl1Vp-eYJcAwm5~6SCKpr8WRSJAO3d58WPLDbBTjFmgEJWdmNNvYnO2ogsPZhSzfsJ4z0FMlAJ1-w955oCRlLhdLmCKhwDoWjNGHhOMKtbV1Q6WLDOvPc6aVH-nCoFUXcJrlHMmdp3Tz5fGkVpWebyJDauXMq5xrdvgYBV6vfDSTDwuBhcNaKonh-xlAsKj6PGmuI54K6~f-Y3G1DIcR0Xr5QtXpwwGZn8~Sit~TCJ5HpvkomMl7sqeFZIQm54rN6cXpKt-6~z0wJ8Iyjgst18iSeutZdl4S3QKxBQSc3oP0cDNrnefZimemtLqQce9aKvpSTdLuI-yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bend City Council and Warm Springs Tribal Council members met in a joint session to review progress on collaborative work addressing water-right transfers, the Deschutes Basin Groundwater Mitigation Program and the need for updated basin science.

The meeting opened with presentations from Mike Bittner, Bend’s Water Services Director, and Josh Newton, a tribal attorney, who said the councils have used a memorandum of understanding to create regular government-to-government consultation and a staff-level process to review water-right transfers in the Deschutes Basin.

“The Deschutes Basin is one of the most well studied basins in all of Oregon, and we really want to keep it that way. But our science is aging,” Mike Bittner said, urging coordinated investment in updated modeling to inform decision-making.

Josh Newton said the tribe views the consultation as central to basin management. “This is consultation. It’s government to government that they are co-manager of these resources,” Newton said, describing treaty-reserved rights the tribe holds in parts of the basin and the legal complexity that creates alongside state regulation.

Why it matters: The Deschutes Basin has recurring water-right transfer applications, and the city and tribe said they want to lead a coordinated effort to refine mitigation rules and the underlying science before the program’s statutory review and the next legislative windows. Officials noted the Groundwater Mitigation Program is capped at a total allocation and scheduled to sunset in 2029, creating a timetable for policy work.

Key discussion points
- Review of city water-right transfer applications: Staff from both governments have met repeatedly to allow tribal review of Bend’s recent applications and to build a shared record for consultation.
- Deschutes Basin Groundwater Mitigation Program: City staff described the program as central to allowing groundwater use while obliging mitigations to offset impacts on the Deschutes River system. Bittner said the program was created with “bookends” to evaluate whether it should continue beyond the current timeline; participants noted the program is near a 200 cubic foot-per-second cap of total allocation and set to be reviewed before its 2029 sunset.
- Science update: Officials said basin hydrology and groundwater models are outdated in places and that more geographically fine-scale data are needed to detect localized impacts, especially near Redmond and the Crooked River. Josh Newton and tribal representatives expressed concern about how canal-lining and additional groundwater pumping could produce unanticipated local effects on surface flows and fish habitat.

Next steps and planning
City and tribal staff proposed a sequence of workshops and the creation of a small working group to draft possible changes to mitigation rules and to scope an updated groundwater science program. Bittner and Newton said they hope to develop draft language and a technical plan that can be included in the Oregon Water Resources Department’s report to the Legislature due in 2026, with an eye to the 2027 legislative session.

On cost and timing: When asked for a budget estimate for updated groundwater science, tribal and city representatives said the figure is not yet finalized but will likely be “at least hundreds of thousands of dollars” and that staff will produce a tighter estimate once a scope is defined.

Legal and jurisdictional context
Newton and others framed the work as occurring where state water law and tribal treaty rights overlap. Newton referenced the historical mismatch between early Oregon water statutes and federally reserved tribal water rights, and described the consultation as a needed co-management approach to avoid conflict as demand increases in the basin.

What officials did not decide
No formal votes or policy adoptions occurred at the meeting. Officials agreed to continue staff-level work, organize workshops, scope a science update, and return to councils with recommendations for next steps.

Ending
City and tribal leaders said they consider the MOU and repeated staff engagement successful early steps and committed to returning with specific workshop dates, draft mitigation language and a scoping estimate for updated basin science.","City and tribal officials described ongoing government-to-government consultation on Bend water-right transfers, potential changes to the Deschutes Basin Groundwater Mitigation Program and a plan to update basin science ahead of 2026–2027 legislative work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Warm Springs leaders explain their declaration of sovereignty and urge city to pair recognition with policy

Bend, Warm Springs plan joint roundabout and public-art program to mark gateways and tribal presence

Bend and Warm Springs leaders outline joint work on Deschutes Basin water rights, mitigation and updated science