KWSO Radio

KWSO recently went around the Rez to inquire about the newest developments happening.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center is a federally-funded program that is dedicated to helping children succeed academically. Our guest is Kayla Kneeland, Expanded Learning Programs Director for Jefferson County School District.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers compassion, care and support. Our guest is Shane Lopez-Johnston, THRIVE 988 Project Director for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) recently came to Warm Springs to discuss new developments, changes, and to gain a better understanding of the well-being of the community. At the meeting, tribal leaders of Warm Springs and ODHS directors sat down to talk about new developments and programs; hearing what needed to be focused on for the community; and sharing what works and what didn’t...

Brandie McNamee and Seth Taylor are candidates for Oregon's Jefferson County Commissioner Position 3 in the November 5, 2024 election. Elected Official Candidate Forum were held at different locations within Jefferson County. This audio was obtained from the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s forum recordings. Forum recordings can be found online at https://www.madraschamber.com/2024-ca...

Jeff Rasmussen and Yoonsun Reynolds are candidates for Oregon's Jefferson County Treasurer in the November 5, 2024 election. Elected Official Candidate Forum were held at different locations within Jefferson County. This audio was obtained from the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s forum recordings. Forum recordings can be found online at https://www.madraschamber.com/2024-candidate-fo...

The next election day in Oregon and across the US is Tuesday November 5th. In Oregon - there are 5 ballot measures that will be decided. 3 measures were placed there as referendums by the legislature and 2 were initiated by citizens. Greg Leo is a lobbyist in Salem and he explains each measure. Measure 115 – Amends the Constitution: Authorizes Impeachment of statewide elected officials by Oregon L...

In Warm Springs Tribal Culture, name-giving holds deep and historical significance. Traditionally, names are not merely labels but carry spiritual meanings. A name can reflect the characteristics of an ancestor, a significant event, or an individual's role within the community. Recently, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and Madras High School’s Native American Student Union (NASU) collabo...

Tony Summers, Madras High School Principal, came in to talk about a variety of topics regarding his school, and to bring up-to-date information that parents and students would like to know about new events, statistics, and more.

Information for Warm Springs K-8 Academy students and families for October 2024

Central Oregon LandWatch is an organization with a mission to defend and plan for Central Oregon’s livable future. Ben Gordon, Executive Director of Central Oregon LandWatch, says the organization does a lot of legal and policy advocacy work, and works very closely with a broad coalition of community members to make sure that Central Oregon’s best days are still to come. The organization is curren...

Business has been good at the Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprise. General Manager Cathy Ehli gives an update about the federal funding secured by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to upgrade transmission lines.

The Deschutes Land Trust is a non-profit organization whose goal is to preserve and tend to the lands and waters in Central Oregon, so that its local communities and the world itself can flourish in harmony with each other for the oncoming future generations. Mo O’Dell was at the final Thursday Market of the year in Warm Springs, handing out plants to visitors and providing information about her s...

It’s a new school year at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy. School administrators talk about what families can expect going back to school. Guests are Principal Lonnie Henderson, and Assistant Principals Gena Bennett and Troy Capps.

The Northwest Tribal Food Sovereignty Coalition Gathering was held September 3-5, 2024 at Heritage University in Toppenish, WA. Marge Kalama interviewed attendees: Edward Arlen Washines, Laurie Owens, Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, PhD, Ramona Kiona and Estrella Soto.

This year’s back to school BBQ at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy was well-attended by local families and also by local programs and organizations. KWSO talked with a number of these folks.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are made of three tribes: the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs. Each Tribe has its own distinctive history, culture and language. The languages are: Kiksht, Numu and Ichishkiin.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are made of three tribes: the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs. Each Tribe has its own distinctive history, culture and language. The languages are: Kiksht, Numu and Ichishkiin.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are made of three tribes: the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs. Each Tribe has its own distinctive history, culture and language. The languages are: Kiksht, Numu and Ichishkiin.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Health & Human Services has a lot going on. General Manager Caroline Cruz gives an update.

The Canoe Journey is an annual tradition of traveling on ancestral waterways for tribes and First Nations. This Year’s Canoe Journey had a special focus on Youth. Organizers of the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey 2024 said the whole point of the Youth Journey was to have adults and elders working with and teaching the children to prepare them to be in the leadership position. The Warm...

Heath Alexander takes over as the varsity girls' basketball coach at Madras High School. He talks about his coaching experience & style, excitement for the season and vision for White Buffalo girls' basketball.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Fish & Wildlife Committee for On and Off Reservation, hosted a meeting for the big game hunting season. Max Oakes from the CTWS-BNR gives an update on the seasons and wildfire-affected hunting areas. General Manager Austin Smith, Jr. talks about hunting regulations and gray wolf populations on the reservat...

The Columbia River Indian Fishers Expo is an annual event organized by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The expo is an important gathering for tribal fishers and focuses on fishing, resource management and preservation of tribal fishing rights. KWSO took the microphone around to different booths to learn about the services they were offering to tribal fishers.

Founded in 2013 to increase access to music education and honor Jim Pepper’s legacy, The Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival is held annually. The free event celebrates Native American culture and Jim Pepper’s musical legacy. Jim Pepper (1941–1992), who was of Kaw/Creek heritage, grew up in Portland, OR. KWSO's Samiakin Allen produced this program, using audio from the 2024 Festival. Samiakin was also...