N. Kathryn "Kat" Brigham at the Columbia Basin Fish Accords signing ceremony.

Brigham was elected to the chairwoman’s position at the commission's June 2008 meeting. She will take over her responsibilities from Chairwoman Fidelia Andy (Yakama Nation), the first woman to hold the position, this Thursday at the July 2008 commission meeting.

Brigham is also the current secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She was first appointed to the tribe's Fish and Wildlife Committee in August 1976. Brigham has been instrumental in implementation of the 1976 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bonneville Power Administration and the tribes, the U.S. v. Oregon Columbia River Fish Management Plans, the Pacific Salmon Treaty and the Northwest Power Act.

“One of my first teachings was our tribal treaty right to salmon," said Brigham. "This was a very important lesson that was taught to me by my grandpa, Sam Kash Kash and tribal elders. The commission has a responsibility to fight for those treaty rights-for our tribal members and the next seven generations of tribal members. Tribal fishing families on the Columbia River and its tributaries are exercising their treaty fishing right and passing down traditions to children, and now grandchildren. Our people deserve to know that their rights are being protected and enhanced, not threatened or diminished. By practicing these rights we will continue to have fish for our future generations; not only for our people but for everyone in the Pacific Northwest."

Departing Chairwoman Fidelia Andy presided over CRITFC during a year when the tribes signed several landmark agreements that will result in real and tangible benefits for the Columbia Basin’s fish populations.

“I’ve been fortunate to lead this organization at one of the most exciting times in the commission’s history,” said Andy. “This year saw changes that will have actual benefits for the Columbia Basin’s fish populations. We’ve secured funding for protecting the basin’s neglected fish populations and their habitat, reduced ocean harvest levels so an additional 92,000 fish can return to the Pacific Northwest, and updated an abundance-based management approach that is changing the way biologists manage mainstem fisheries. With these changes, I strongly believe more salmon will begin returning to the Columbia.”

Steve Wright, administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration and a federal signatory on the recently signed historic Columbia Basin Accords, states, "Kat is a proven leader on key salmon issues in the region and we are not surprised to see CRITFC's membership acknowledging that leadership, as well as her strong dedication, to such an important cause."

Other newly-elected officers include: Rebecca Miles (Nez Perce) as the vice-chairwoman, Bruce Jim (Warm Springs) as the secretary and Fidelia Andy (Yakama Nation) as the treasurer.

As a result of these new appointments, this will be the second consecutive year in the commission’s history that three out of the four officer positions have been held by women.