KWSO Radio

Suicide is a critical public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Each year, over 700,000 people die by suicide, making it one of the leading causes of death globally. While the statistics are sobering, there is hope. Understanding the risk factors, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing how to take action can save lives. KWSO's Will Robbins sat down with...

The pacific lamprey is one of the oldest species that still exists in the world. Dating back 450 million years, the pacific lamprey or eel is a one of the foods that have been consumed by tribal people since time immemorial. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission has a project for restoration and has been working on a translocation program for the fish.

Recent data show that anemia is increasingly becoming an issue for folks in Warm Springs. Pregnant and new moms and children are often the most aware of this. Doctor Leo Pereira is a High-Risk Pregnancy Doctor who works at OHSU in Portland. He also visits the Warm Springs Indian Health Service clinic once a month.

Late to mid-summer gives into the beginning of huckleberry season. KWSO's language lessons give listeners a way to learn about this time of year from feast to harvest. You can find all language lessons on our website kwso.org and on the KWSO App.

KWSO began a project in 2023 to gather information, stories, documents and photos about the Warm Springs Campus area. We conducted interviews with individuals about their memories and knowledge of the area. Brothers Robert "Bobby" Smith, Ken "Kenman" Miller and Eldred Smith, Sr. shared stories about growing up on the Campus area.

After a 6-year closure, Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort has reopened. On July 11, 2024, Tribal Members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs were invited to attend a blessing ceremony.

KWSO and the Warm Springs Community Action Team along with many partners and community members organize the Thursday Market in Warm Springs. The Markets run through the summer into early fall – from 10:30am – 2pm each Thursday. This year the market has moved into the new CTWS Health & Human Services Campus Pavilion. The Thursday Market provides an opportunity for local people as well as those pass...

In June, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson came to Warm Springs. The visit was part of Governor Kotek’s commitment to meet with all of Oregon’s nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations in 2024. Since taking office, Governor Kotek has stated that communication and transparency are cornerstone to the state’s relationship with the 9 tribes of Oregon. The visit in...

The Museum at Warm Springs is a place where history is on display – telling the stories of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute People. The Museum is a 501c3 non-profit. As such they conduct an annual membership drive to raise funds to support Museum Operations. In support of the Museum’s Membership Drive – we go to the KWSO archives for a look back at the grand opening of the Museum in 1993.

Pi-ume-sha Treaty Days 2024 was held during the last weekend of June this year, commemorating the signing of the Treaty of 1855 between the Indians of Middle Oregon and the United States Government. To give you a feel of the festivities we take you to the powwow starting with the opening Grand Entry.

The annual Pi-ume-sha Health Fair took place on June 26, 2024 in front of the Warm Springs Community Wellness Center. The health fair is a place for community members to learn about local resources available to them.

The following Warm Springs Program is from the KWSO Archives – It features an interview with Louie Pitt Jr from 2014. At that time, he was the director of Governmental Affairs and Planning for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. He talks about the Treaty of 1855 between the United States Government and the Indians of Middle Oregon. The Treaty is commemorated each June during the annual Pi-Um-...

KWSI was a commercial radio station owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs that went on the air in 1986. A program segment featured local Central Oregon History hosted by “the Old Timer.” This Our People & Mother Earth features information about the History of the Warm Springs Tribes and the impact of the Treaty of 1855. “The Old Timer” was produced by KWSI Station Manager N...

Staff from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources talk about the overpopulation of wild horses on the Warm Springs Reservation. Camille Brooks is a wildlife biologist for the Range & Agriculture Department. Michael Leecy is the Wildlife, Range & Agriculture Manager for the Tribes.

Native Language students of the Warm Springs Ichishkiin, Kiksht Awawat and Numu participated in the 2024 Knowledge & Language Bowl at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy on May 23, 2024.

An update on the Warm Springs Early Childhood Education Center with new staff members. Reona Trimble discusses staff training, program recruitments and building modifications. Paulette Henry talks about her role as the new Family Service Coordinator. Tiana Northrup gives updates on the summer program and curriculum. Karla Bagley shares the priorities of her position with ECE as the Health Coordina...

The school year is winding down but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down for Jefferson County schools. Dr. Jay Mathisen, Superintendent in the 509J School District, talks about events and activities for the end of the school year and summer, gives an update on 509J Bond Projects and other successes at schools in the district.

The Madras High School Native American Student Union held its second annual Powwow in the school gym. KWSO’s Marge Kalama caught up with folks at the event.

Andrew Portier with the Warm Springs clinic speaks to Warm Springs seniors about diabetes, kidney function, eyesight and other health conditions that are caused by poor blood circulation.

Lake Billy Chinook was formed when the Portland Round Butte Hydroelectric Project Dams were installed and the lake is a centerpiece of the Cove Palisades State Park in Central Oregon. Erin Bennet is a park ranger at the Cove. She talks about park and the Festival of the Land Event in June 2024. The Festival of the Land is a diverse natural, cultural and historical celebration of the land. The publ...

The 2024 Honor Elders Day celebrated 25 years of gathering elders from near and far in Warm Springs, OR to celebrate with the community.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources Update with General Manager Austin Smith, Jr. in May 2024.

On May 15th, 2024 – eligible Tribal Member Voters in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Agency Voting District elected Jefferson Greene as Wasco Chief. 585 ballots were counted, and Greene received 204 of those votes. He was one of seven candidates. In an interview with KWSO, leading up to the election – Greene shares about himself.

Dr. Laura Byerly is an internal medicine doctor of geriatrics specializing in the unique health needs of the elderly At a recent senior lunch, she presented information about loneliness and isolation, a field that according to her doesn’t get as much attention as other medical issues in elders.

May 15, 2024 – Agency District Vote for Wasco Chieftainship Nominees are: • Garland Brunoe • Jefferson Greene • Leona Ike • John Katchia Sr. • Danny Martinez • Alvis Smith III • WIssie Smith