Governor Kotek visits Warm Springs Reservation for variety of events, activities

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Last week, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson visited the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The visit is part of Governor Kotek’s commitment to visit all of Oregon’s nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations in 2024.

“The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs were very gracious hosts last week, especially with all the Treaty Days activities going on,” Governor Kotek said. “It was a privilege to be present for the ceremony designating Jefferson Greene as the newly elected Wasco Chief, and it was wonderful to see the newly renovated Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and learn more about all the work the Tribe is doing to support their community.”

"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,” said Raymond “Captain” Moody, Vice-Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council. “We enjoyed hosting her during the week that marks the anniversary of the Treaty of 1855, a time when we remember and celebrate our predecessors’ aim to preserve our Creator's gifts, 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.”

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 Portland General Electric (PGE). The tours spurred conversation around the Tribe’s dam projects, renewable energy transition efforts, and fish passage efforts.

On the first day, they also spent time learning about the Tribe’s public safety services and touring the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center. The Governor and First Lady also traveled to Simnasho, stopping at the Three Warriors Market there, and toured the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. After dinner, they attended a 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 first opened in 1962 and will be reopening this summer with newly renovated and restored natural hot spring soaking pools and a lazy river.

The First Family spent the rest of the morning visiting the water treatment plant and learning about the CTWS’ housing initiatives and their human services and education departments. After lunch they spent time at the Tribal Community Farmers Market and the Museum at Warm Springs before returning to Salem.

The 640,000 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.