Oregon honors late Warm Springs Chief Joseph Moses with flags at half-staff

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff today, Sept. 2, in honor of Paiute Chief Joseph Moses of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Moses passed away on Aug. 27.

Moses served as Chief starting in July 2001 and continued to serve on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council until his passing. He was first elected to the tribal council in 1992.

After joining the council, Moses was elected vice chairman in 1995 and became tribal council chairman later that same term. He served three terms in leadership before becoming Chief. In addition to his council duties, Moses served on the tribal gaming team and the Warm Springs Composite Board.

Beyond the reservation, Moses served on the Sapsik'wala Advisory Council at the University of Oregon. In that role, he advocated for increasing the number of Native American teachers in public schools to help address challenges faced by Native students in modern education. Moses focused on youth development and leadership, while expressing concern for drug and alcohol issues facing Warm Springs youth and the broader community.

Gov. Kotek issued a statement offering condolences to the family of Chief Moses and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “Chief Moses was a consistent, strong voice for youth leadership and educational opportunities,” Kotek said. “He spoke honestly about hard things when it would have been easier to look away. That is the work of someone building a future for others. He will be missed.”