Governor Kotek Visits Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Visit to Warm Springs marks fifth of Governor’s commitment to visit all nine federally recognized Tribal nations of Oregon this year
Salem, OR — This week, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson visited the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS). The visit is part of Governor Kotek’s commitment to meet with all of Oregon’s nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations in 2024.
“The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have been very gracious hosts this week,” Governor Kotek said. “It was a privilege to take part in the Warbonnet Ceremony designating Jefferson Greene as the newly elected Wasco Chief, see the newly renovated, beautiful Kah-Nee-Ta resort, and learn more about the Tribe’s community services.”
“We’re grateful to Governor Kotek for her visit to the reservation to listen to and learn from members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs about the issues that are important to us. It’s not lost on us that her visit occurred during the week that marks the anniversary of the Treaty of 1855, a time when we remember and celebrate our predecessors’ aim to reserve our Creator-given rights, our culture and our way of life. At this time, as always, we look forward to continuing to be good neighbors as we collaborate on the welfare of our region,” said Jonathan Smith Sr., Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council.
The Governor and First Lady started their visit Wednesday with the CTWS Tribal Council, before touring the largest hydroelectric project within the State of Oregon: The Pelton/Round Butte Hydroelectric Project located on the Deschutes River, co-owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and PGE. The tours spurred conversation around the Tribe’s dam projects, renewable energy transition efforts, and fish passage efforts.
They spent time learning about the Tribe’s public services, including their law enforcement and judicial processes, before touring the The Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center. The Governor and First Lady toured Simnasho and the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery before attending a Warbonnet Ceremony, designating the newly elected Wasco Chief, Jefferson Greene.
On Thursday, the Governor and First Lady toured the newly renovated Kah-Nee-Ta Resort. The resort was first opened in 1962, and will be reopening this summer to the public with newly renovated and restored natural hot spring soaking pools and a lazy river.
The First Family spent the rest of the morning learning about the CTWS’ housing initiatives and touring a housing development in West Hills to see recent improvements made to the units. The Governor and First Lady ended their trip with a presentation on the Tribe’s health and human services and education departments and spent time at the Tribal Community Farmers Market in the afternoon before returning to Salem.
Note to editors: The 644,000 acre Warm Springs Reservation was established by the Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon of June 25, 1855. In the Treaty, the Tribes ceded to the United States ten million acres of their ancestral homeland in north central Oregon while reserving rights in the ceded area and beyond to fish at their usual and accustomed places and hunt, gather berries, dig roots and pasture livestock on unclaimed lands.
Today, the Tribes’ eleven member Tribal Council exercises governmental authority over the Reservation and off reservation tribal lands. The Tribes’ exemption from Public Law 83-280 excludes State jurisdiction on the Reservation.
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NEWS RELEASE
June 28, 2024
Media Contact:
Anca Matica, Press Secretary to Governor Kotek
Anca.Matica@Oregon.Gov
Jamie Mixte, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
jamie@gomixte.com