Tribal Partners

Governor Kotek Orders Flags Lowered in Honor of Paiute Chief Joseph Moses of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Salem, OR – Pursuant to the United States Flag Code, Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on September 2, 2026, in honor of Chief Joseph Moses, who passed away on August 27. The flag shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Chief Moses was first elected to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) Tribal Council in 1992. He was elected Vice Chairman in 1995 and later that term became Tribal Council Chairman. He served three terms before becoming Paiute Chief in July 2001 and continued to serve on the CTWS Tribal Council until his passing.

Chief Moses also served on the CTWS Gaming team as well as the Warm Springs Composite Board. Off reservation, he served on the Sapsik'wala Advisory Council at the University of Oregon, advocating for more Native American teachers in public schools to help address the challenges Native students face in modern education. Chief Moses was a strong supporter of youth development, leadership, and education, and was community-oriented, with a particular concern for the drug and alcohol problems facing Warm Springs youth and the broader community.

“On behalf of the people of Oregon, I want to express my deepest condolences to Chief Moses’ family and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for their loss,” Governor Kotek said. “Chief Moses was a consistent, strong voice for youth leadership and educational opportunities. 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.”