The chairman and attorney general for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon have resigned their posts.

Chairman Elwood Patawa unexpectedly announced his resignation last week. His last day is today.

“It took a lot of people by surprise,” Debra Croswell, the tribe's assistant executive director, told The Oregonian. “It was somewhat all of a sudden.”

Croswell also confirmed that attorney general Christopher Burford, effective today. Neither Patawa nor Burford have stated their reasons for leaving.

The tribe will hold a special election in July for the chairman's post. The tribe will hire someone new for attorney general, Croswell said.

Get the Story:
Tribal AG Burford resigns (The East Oregonian 4/15)
Chairman’s departure a ‘surprise’ (The East Oregonian 4/9)