The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are mourning the loss of Paiute Chief Joseph Moses, who passed away Thursday morning, August 27, 2026. Moses had served as Paiute Chief since July 2001 — a position he carried with quiet dignity and a deep commitment to the Paiute people and the broader tribal community for more than two decades.
Before ascending to the chieftainship, Moses served three terms on the Tribal Council, building a reputation as a steady voice for treaty rights, cultural preservation, and community welfare. His leadership spanned a period of significant change for the Confederated Tribes, including efforts to restore tribal lands, manage natural resources, and maintain the sovereign integrity of the Warm Springs Reservation.
In response to his passing, the Warm Springs Tribal Council canceled its meetings for the week and requested that flags be lowered to half-mast on reservation grounds as a sign of mourning and respect.
Memorial Schedule
Services for Chief Moses begin today, Monday, August 31, at the Agency longhouse in Warm Springs. The community is invited to attend:
- 1:30 p.m. — Dressing ceremony
- Following dressing — Open denomination service
- 5:30 p.m. — Community dinner
- 7:00 p.m. — Washut (traditional Washat/Seven Drums worship)
Burial ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, September 1. Activities will begin with a community breakfast at 7:00 a.m., followed by a 9:00 a.m. departure for Simnasho Cemetery. The community will return to the Agency longhouse following the burial for a reception.
A Life of Service
Chief Moses represented the Northern Paiute people, one of the three confederated tribes — alongside the Warm Springs (Sahaptin-speaking) and Wasco peoples — that make up the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Paiute were forcibly relocated to the Warm Springs Reservation in 1879 following the Bannock War, and their chieftains have played a crucial role in maintaining Paiute identity and rights within the confederation ever since.
Tribal members and friends are encouraged to attend services and support the Moses family during this time of loss. The Madras Bulletin extends its deepest condolences to the Moses family and to the entire Warm Springs community.