Speaker Bio
Kat Brigham is the Chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This is her second consecutive term serving as Chair. She has worked within the CTUIR’s Cultural Resource Protection Program, Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, and was also a former consultant for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC).
Kat has provided testimony for a number of State and Federal hearings to advocate for Natural Resources and Treaty Rights on behalf of Tribal nations within the Pacific Northwest. She was and continues to be extremely instrumental in the restoration of Salmon to the Umatilla River and its tributaries. Many organizations have recognized Kat’s work and accomplishments with awards, including CRITFC, the Oregon League of Women Voters, the Pacific Salmon Commission, the CTUIR, and more. Kat’s appointments outside of the CTUIR include the Accord Negotiation Team, Columbia Basin Collaboration, Columbia Development Authority, OR Willamette Falls Locks Commission, Oregon Commission on Indian Service, Oregon Gaming Working Group, Salmon Principles Working Group, Tribal Negotiating Team, UPRR Agreement and recently appointed by the Department of Interior Secretary Haaland to the Special Tribal Advisory Committee.
In her free time, Kat enjoys participating in events at the Longhouse whenever possible and spending time with her husband and family.