Spilyay Tymoo
July 28
Page 5
Quincy Ellenwood new CRITFC Chair
Q
uincy Ellenwood is the new
chairman of the Columbia River
Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Mr.
Ellenwood, a Nez Perce leader,
was sworn in during a July
CRITFC meeting. Oath of office
was administered by outgoing chair
Jeremy Takala, Yakama.
“CRITFC’s four member tribes
are united by many things,”
Ellenwood said, “Most significantly
by our deep cultural and spiritual
connection to the land and the
First Foods it provides, especially
salmon.
“These sacred fish face ever
growing impacts from climate
change and other threats to their
ecosystem. And the fishers who
depend on salmon face many
health and economic impacts from
the global pandemic.
“By working together in inter-
tribal cooperation, it is my hope
that we not only retain and en-
hance what we have, but also pro-
vide resiliency in all our tribal foods
and cultural needs into the future.
In working to provide for our
people and our futures, I believe
we honor the sacrifices and dedi-
cation of our elders and ancestors.
It is truly an honor to serve in this
role.”
Quincy is the son of the late
Ruby Jackson, and grandson of
Charles Jackson Sr. and Shirley
Ellenwood. His Indian name is Tsi-
Yo-Kum. His great-grandfather
Gene Ellenwood called him
Waawat, which mean ‘Loves to
fish.’
Quincy graduated from Lapwai
High School in 1997 and studied
Business at Lewis-Clark State Col-
lege. He has served as a Nez Perce
Tribe Fish and Wildlife commis-
sioner, and a CRITFC commis-
Quincy Ellenwood
sioner for over 10 years.
“I had the honor of serving
with the late Elmer Crow,Jr on the
Fish and Wildlife Commission,”
Quincy said.
“He taught me ‘When you’re at
the table working for the people,
keep them in your heart and mind.’
That wisdom guides me in my ser-
vice and will guide me in this new
role as CRITFC chair.”
Quincy is currently serving his
fifth year as a member of the Nez
Perce Tribal Executive Committee.
He has also served two years
on the Nez Perce Tribe Enterprise
board, and two years on the Nez
Perce Tribe Resolutions Commit-
tee to which he was elected at the
age of 19.
In addition to protecting the
salmon resource, he is also actively
involved in the Interagency Bison
Management Plan and has been an
advocate for the Nez Perce hunt-
ing rights in the State of Montana.
Quincy resides on the Nez
Perce Reser vation in Lapwai,
Idaho with his wife Janice Jack-
Ellenwood. He has three daugh-
ters, Kimiwan, Loreal and Leiloni,
and two stepsons, Tristan and An-
thony Spencer.
He enjoys watching his
children’s sport activities, UFC
fights, barbecuing and being out-
doors. Quincy is an avid hunter
and fisher and is an advocate of
the water, natural resources, tra-
ditions, and language.
Outgoing CRITFC Chair Jer-
emy Takala remarked, “I look for-
ward to continuing working to-
gether for the vision we carry out
for our fisheries and treaty-re-
served rights. Salmon and other
culturally important fish face
many hardships, including climate
change which is altering Mother
Nature herself.
“We must continue to fulfill the
tribal vision of restoration, no
matter the obstacles, for the sake
of our fish runs and for all native
aquatic life to prosper in our Co-
lumbia River system.”
The other officers of the Co-
lumbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commssion, elected for the 2021-
2022 term, are:
Ron Suppah Sr., Warm Springs,
vice-chair; Jeremy Red Star Wolf,
Umatilla, secretary; and Jeremy
Takala, Yakama, treasurer. The
election of CRITFC officers takes
place every June with the seats ro-
tated among the four member
tribes.
CRITFC coordinates manage-
ment policy and provides fisher-
ies technical services for the
Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla,
and Nez Perce tribes.
Jeremy FiveCrows, CRITFC