The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is charting a busy course for the months ahead, introducing new executive leadership and laying out a slate of community improvement projects in the inaugural edition of its internal Tomahawk Newsletter.
The newsletter, recently distributed to tribal government employees, highlights leadership transitions, major initiatives, and milestone achievements across tribal departments — offering a rare window into the organizational direction of one of Jefferson County's largest employers and most influential institutions.
New Faces at the Top
The newsletter spotlights several newly installed executives who are shaping tribal operations:
- Ed Henderson — Secretary-Treasurer and CEO
- Caroline Cruz — Chief Operating Officer
- Andrew Hofstetter — Director of Governmental Affairs
The leadership changes reflect an ongoing effort by the Confederated Tribes to strengthen administrative capacity and broaden its governmental affairs presence as the tribe navigates complex negotiations over land, water, fire recovery, and economic development.
Key Projects on the Horizon
Among the most notable announcements in the newsletter:
Highway 26 Rest Area Feasibility Study
Tribal leadership is exploring the feasibility of developing a new rest area along Highway 26, the main corridor connecting Madras, Warm Springs, and the greater Portland metro area. A well-designed rest area could serve both travelers and offer economic opportunity for the tribe, potentially including tribally owned retail or services.
Youth and Elder Center
Planning is underway for a new Youth and Elder Center on the reservation — a facility that would serve two of the community's most important populations under one roof, offering programming, gathering space, and support services.
Warming and Cooling Shelter
The tribe is also developing a warming and cooling shelter, a direct response to the increasingly extreme weather conditions — both intense summer heat and winter cold — that affect reservation residents, many of whom live in rural and isolated areas.
Infrastructure Progress
The tribal Public Utilities department reports active progress on more than a dozen infrastructure upgrades across the reservation. Details were not fully enumerated in publicly available summaries, but the projects are understood to span water, power, and road systems that serve Warm Springs community members.
Recognizing Long Service
The newsletter also honors 68 tribal government employees for milestone years of service — ranging from five years to over 50 years with the tribe. The recognition underscores the deep, multigenerational commitment many Warm Springs community members have to tribal self-governance and public service.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs employs hundreds of tribal and non-tribal residents across health, education, natural resources, utilities, and government departments, making it a cornerstone employer throughout Jefferson County.