PSU signs historic MOU with Umatilla Tribe

Portland State University President Ann Cudd and BOT Chair of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation N. Kathryn Brigham met at the Tipi Village at this year's Pendleton Round Up to sign a document designed to enhance collaboration between PSU and the Tribe.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties recognizes the sovereign interests of the Tribe and affirms that PSU will invest in continuing to benefit from the Umatilla's rich and historic cultures through educational and research partnerships as well as enhancing PSU's support of Native American students.

"I'm really excited that we've signed an MOU with the Umatilla Tribe. This is the first tribe we've signed an MOU with, and it's a great path-breaking opportunity," President Cudd said. "We know there are lots of ways we can collaborate to serve the tribe and its students as well as learn many things from the tribe and enhance our offerings and our research."

President Cudd's first hire upon taking over as PSU's president in 2023 was Modesta Minthorn, who became the first executive director for Tribal relations at the university. The Umatilla MOU represents the first agreement with a federally recognized tribe in Oregon.

"This Memorandum of Understanding marks a meaningful and vital step forward in deepening our partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation," Minthorn said. "Seeing our institution commit to honoring Tribal sovereignty, enhancing educational access, and elevating Native students and knowledge systems fills me with immense pride and enthusiasm. This agreement is more than a document on paper-it is a living promise to walk together in mutual respect, collaboration, and shared purpose for generations to come."

PSU is recognized by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) as a top 200 college or university for Indigenous students and is considered a de facto tribal college with approximately 1,104 Native American, Alaska Native and/or Indigenous students representing 6.7% of the student body.