Naika Ichxliu Winamsh Iskintwa. 

My name is Alvis W. Smith III, my parents are Late Alvis Jr.& Lorene Sissy Smith, Grandparents are Late Alvis Sr.& Mona Whiz Smith and Great grandparents are Late Wesley & Annie Jackson Smith 

I am descendant of the Wasco people and registered in the Agency district representing on the 29th Tribal council. Married for the past 23 years having 8 children and 12 grandchildren. 

I graduated from MHS and then continued on to COCC eventually enlisting in the US armed forces as a soldier in the U.S Army (AIT FT Leonard Wood MO) Later in life for a brief moment I was a patrol officer for the Warm Springs Police Department (Police Academy Salem Ore) 

I have worked most of my career as a journeyman carpenter with residential and commercial experience. This field has placed me in areas such as Arizona, various places in Oregon besides 

my reservation building many commercial/ residential blgs. Being raised by my father who was also a carpenter I grew up learning to build homes at a very early age. Having this experience and seeing some of the present issues with housing and youth needs this areas where I believe I can make a positive impact and have. 

Currently I am the building maintenance supervisor for the Utilities dept. In my spare time. I feel my biggest impact for the tribe is my dedication to the youth through my coaching. I am proudly the Head football coach for the Warm Springs K-8 academy. Plus 20 years actively with our Warm Springs Nation Little League. 

Currently I am delegate for our tribes on the CRITFC as a commissioner where it is our duty to protect our salmon resource as the voice in relation to the Gov’t to Gov’t discussions. I truly am honored to be learning from this table. 

A delegate for our education issues and represent the table for ECE, 509j, ATNI, and all discussions when youth are involved. 

Qur family are also ceremonial hunters for our tribe’s fridge. 

Growing up in school I was an officer in our youth Native American club, an Officer in the FFA Madras high charter and a Youth Tribal Council Rep where I would represent our tribes at UNITY and Soars like an Eagle. These travels as a student delegated me to travel to Washington DC, Boulder Colorado, Provo Utah, and etc…. 

A big impact was our tribal liaison at this time was my late Aunt Marie Calica motivated me as a youth in this direction.. 

My parent’s mom and dad first and foremost with guidance on everything I did. I had parents who disciplined, rewarded, provided and did everything with love. I also had aunts and uncles and a big family on our rez where everyone is involved in raising and protecting our youth. I was taught team concept from great coaches with a discipline that was beyond selfishness. I also had great teachers that rated themselves personally on the students’ progress and were very involved with students. 

One memory I had was 

There was a TV show called AM North West that did a show on Native American youth that were making it in the public schools system at that time. I was chosen as one of these students due to GPA, athletics, and extracurricular status. This brought a TV station to our little school with cameras following us through the halls while trying to maintain our daily schedule. This allowed me to impact native students as a whole and detail our blessings as well as struggles. 

Wrapping it all up my words as I get questioned what do you think students should be learning about the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs? (i.e.Treaty, Sov) 

First of all learn the true history of this great nation from the time of doctrine of discovery, the lives our east coast brothers saved soon claimed, expansion to the west with treaty tribe settlements compared to executive ordered tribes, U and A tribal areas, and timelines on these events. When our Treaties were made compared to when the State was made. 

Learn our Tribal government as well as learning the outside municipal they are teaching. you in school and be ready to teach it. 

Learn your ceded area and who has jurisdiction in these areas. Treaty rights were not just for us to follow but the country also received rights with these signings that can also be jeopardized Jurisdiction with sovereign nation within nation tribes compared to the executive ordered tribes and the levels and rights of these tribes. 

Learn resolution process. 

Always remember your value with potential, and this potential will never be maxed but greatness will be achieved with our common goal with effort and service. 

Finally Measure your success with input achieved for contributions. We are gifted with strengths to make each other stronger and also to depend on others as strengths. As a tribe we are not selfish or alone. 

Thank you. 

Respectfully. 

Aivis W. Smith III. 

29th Agency District Councilmen representative