About

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is a modern tribal government representing the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people, who have lived in this region for thousands of years. Traditional games of skill and games of chance have always been part of their tribal culture.

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In 1988, the United States Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which provided a basis for Indian tribes in the US to enter into modern forms of gaming to supplement revenue for tribal nations. IGRA requires tribes to negotiate with states on the types of games to be played and how they will be regulated while ensuring that tribal governments are the sole owners and primary beneficiaries of gaming and legislatively recognizing tribal gaming as a way of promoting economic development for tribes. In March 1995, the CTUIR opened the Wildhorse Resort & Casino for this purpose (a temporary casino facility was opened by CTUIR in November 1994).

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The Wildhorse Foundation was established in 2001 as part of the amended Tribal-State Compact between the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the State of Oregon. This Compact determined that with the introduction of New Class III gaming at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, a percentage of gaming revenues generated would be contributed to a community benefit fund. The Wildhorse Foundation was established to coordinate the allocation of Tribal charitable and civic contributions.​