{"id":548733,"date":"2026-05-27T10:17:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=548733"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:17:53","slug":"press-release-umatilla-tribes-approve-contract-for-native-legal-aid-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/05\/27\/press-release-umatilla-tribes-approve-contract-for-native-legal-aid-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release: Umatilla Tribes approve contract for Native legal aid program"},"content":{"rendered":"
CTUIR Again Contracts with LASO for Legal Aid to Tribal Members<\/div>\r\n
Wednesday, May 27, 2026<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe following is the text of a May 27, 2026, news release from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation<\/a>, a federally recognized tribal nation in Oregon.\r\n<\/em>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nMISSION, Oregon — The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is again teaming with Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) to provide low-income tribal members legal help in civil cases.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe CTUIR Board of Trustees (BOT) recently approved a contract with the Native American Program of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (NAPOLS), which is a specialized LASO program serving Native tribes, organizations and individuals in Oregon. LASO is a legal services program serving the state\u2019s low-income communities.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cThe Board of Trustees recognizes that civil legal representation can be quite costly to tribal members, even those earning above federal poverty levels, and has made the decision to again provide funding to assist tribal members with obtaining no cost representation for certain civil matters,\u201d Joe Pitt, CTUIR Office of Legal Counsel lead attorney, said.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe types of civil cases covered include issues such as family law, housing, government benefits, senior law, consumer issues, debtors\u2019 rights\/bankruptcy, employment, probate issues, criminal expungement and civil rights.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nPitt said LASO generally provides no-cost representation to individuals whose income is 125% or less of federal poverty guidelines. However, the CTUIR\u2019s 2026 contract funds no-cost services to individuals whose income is above that threshold.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cIt covers the range between 126% and 250% of federal poverty guidelines,\u201d he said. \u201cNormally individuals in this income range would need to seek other options for representation at their own cost.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\nHowever, there are limited costs associated with initiating NAPOLS representation: $25 for individuals between 126% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and $50 for individuals above 200% of the guidelines.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cThere may also be litigation expenses such as court fees, deposition costs, expert witness fees, etc.,\u201d Pitt said. \u201cHowever, while NAPOLS does not cover these costs, the contract includes mechanisms for these costs to be reimbursed by the CTUIR in certain circumstances.\u201d \r\n

<\/p>\r\nIn the past, NAPOLS shared its expertise when requested on a case-by-case basis with the attorneys at the LASO Pendleton Regional Office. Under the 2026 contract, NAPOLS will directly intake and review tribal member requests for services and determine which cases are accepted.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nTo increase service to CTUIR members, NAPOLS may provide a referral to a regional LASO office or one of the two statewide offices \u2013 the Farmworker Program or the Low-Income Tax Clinic \u2013 depending on the specific legal question. Also, regardless of whether a case is accepted for representation, tribal members will either receive additional self-help legal resources or advice and counsel related to their issues. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nNAPOLS handles legal matters in Oregon\u2019s federal courts, tribal courts within Oregon and various federal administrative forums. However, NAPOLS does not take cases in out-of-state courts. CTUIR members who have legal matters in other states could receive a referral to a legal aid service provider in that state.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe CTUIR first contracted with the LASO Pendleton Regional Office to provide similar services from 1998 to 2022. Following a two-year absence, the BOT approved a similar contract with LASO in 2024. However, that contract expanded services to CTUIR members living throughout Oregon, unlike the previous contract which was limited to five counties surrounding the Umatilla Indian Reservation. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nTribal members can call the LASO Pendleton Regional Office at 503-224-4086 or the NAPOLS Portland Office at 503-223-9483 for help. For more information, visit lasoregon.org\/locations\/native-american-program<\/a>.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

\r\nThe Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.<\/em>
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