Warm Springs Tribes, city of Bend officials hold ceremonial signing of historic memorandum of understanding

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Officials with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the City of Bend held a ceremonial signing Thursday of their historic Memorandum of Understanding at Tribal Council Chambers in Warm Springs.

The MOU is the first of its kind between the Tribes and a city in Central Oregon, and establishes a regular, rotating annual meeting schedule between the City Council and the Tribal Council on matters of common interest.

The MOU provides a framework to strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the parties in a manner that promotes awareness of, and respect for, each party’s interests, values, and cultures, city officials said.

Topics of mutual interest include the equitable use of the water resources of the Deschutes Basin, responsible use of natural resources, cultural resource protection, and sustainable regional economic development.

The two groups agreed to meet in early summer, and the agenda will include an overview of Tribal treaty rights, governance, and an understanding of Tribal lands.

The MOU was first discussed last Nov. 1, when the Bend City Council was honored to host the Tribal Council at a joint meeting during the City Council work session. Bend city councilors unanimoiusly approved signing of the agreement last month.

This first intergovernmental meeting reinforced the commitment Bend City Council has in forging a strong relationship with the Tribes, as the people of Bend care for, live, and work on the Tribe’s ceded lands.

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