Ashton Picard (Nez Perce), left, raises his right hand and recites oath of office during his swearing-in at the Clearwater River Resort & Casino. Jeremy Takala (Yakama Nation), right, led Picard in his oath of office as his last official duty as CRITFC chair before moving into his position as treasurer. ▣ J Gavin/CRITFC
LAPWAI, ID. – Ashton Picard, Nez Perce, was sworn in as the new Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) chair during their on-site commission meeting at the Clearwater Resort and Casino.
Picard succeeds Jeremy Takala, Yakama, who served as chair since last July. “Ashton brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to the commission table,” Takala said, “His reverence for the teachings of our elders and the voices of our youth are fundamental parts of his leadership that I both appreciate and expect will bring great strength to his time in this role.”
Picard is the son of Andre Picard, Sr and Leanna Lewis. His paternal grandparents are Eugene Picard and Theodora Allman and his maternal grandparents are Harry Lewis and Etta Conner.
Picard gives remarks on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee during the June Lamprey Celebration at Clackamette Park in Oregon City. ▣ J Gavin/CRITFC
Picard was elected to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (NPTEC) in 2023 and currently serves as chair of the tribe’s Natural Resource Subcommittee. He was appointed to serve as a CRITFC commissioner shortly after being elected to NPTEC.
With the year-long term as chair ahead (each member tribe rotates the chair position swearing in a new tribal leader each July) Picard considers what first drew him into public service in preparation for his new role. As chair he will be continuing a family legacy of CRITFC service. During the previous Nez Perce rotation of the chair position, his uncle Ferris Paisano served as chair. His brother Andre Picard also sits as a CRITFC commissioner.
“I was told by my elders that it’s time for younger people to begin stepping up into leadership. I was also told that if I waited much longer that I would no longer be that youthful voice,” Picard said, “That really stuck with me and I want to make sure the concerns of the younger tribal members are being heard and I will do my best to bring that perspective to the table while honoring the wisdom of our elders.”
A Fisher from a Fishing Family
Though only a few years of experience in tribal and CRITFC leadership, his relationship with Xuyéełp
(who-YEAH-thl-p — the Nez Perce name for the Columbia River) stems back to his childhood. Picard began fishing the Columbia as a young man with his father and uncles. He credits the experiences he had on those fishing trips for not only building a lasting connection and relationship with the river.
“I remember being a kid down at Zone 6 fishing sites and seeing CRITFC Enforcement check in,” he said, “It helped me understand that our fish and wildlife commissions and CRITFC work hand-in-hand. That was my first glimpse into what CRITFC means to our people.”
Picard shared that his upbringing, cultural teachings, and experiences all guide his decision-making for the resources and the tribal members who rely on them.
“By listening and learning, I hope to be an advocate for the river and all the living beings who depend on it,” said Picard.
Ashton Picard, left, stands with CRITFC delegation and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden at Wyden’s office in Washington D.C. earlier in spring of this year. From left are Wyden, Yakama Nation Tribal Council member and CRITFC Treasurer Jeremy Takala and CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau. ▣ FiveCrows/CRITFC
Leadership Priorities
Looking ahead to his new role as CRITFC chair, Picard names transparency, science-based decision making, and public education around salmon recovery and overall ecosystem health as the key components he hopes to make pillars of his leadership.
“One of my main focuses as chair is to get as much education and knowledge out to our communities about salmon and other species that are critical to our ecosystems,” Picard said, “We’re living in a time where information can be skewed or lost. It’s important that the full picture is shared and not just what’s convenient or popular.”
CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau expressed her enthusiasm regarding Picard’s upcoming term during his swearing in saying, “Ashton brings not only a distinctive viewpoint shaped by his background, but also a steady voice rooted in community, cultural responsibilities and ecological stewardship of our shared and treaty-reserved tribal fishing rights on the Columbia River,” she said, “During his time as a commissioner, Chair Picard has shown exceptional skills in navigating complex natural resource issues while consistently prioritizing our core values as treaty tribal members.”
Responsibilities of Intertribal Leadership
Picard and family pose for a photo during the CRITFC Employee Appreciation Banquet at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland, Oregon in December of 2024. ▣ J Gavin/CRITFC
As chair, Picard takes on the responsibilities of representing all four CRITFC member tribes, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Picard will lead the commission meetings where tribal representatives from each tribe discuss salmon restoration, treaty fishing rights along the Columbia River, climate resilience, enforcement and all the other shared priorities of the four treaty tribes. Picard also offer appreciation for the decades of work of his predecessors did to get the organization where it is today.
“I didn’t fully understand, until serving on CRITFC, how much knowledge and history exists within the CRITFC. There are folks here who have committed 30, 40, even 50 years of their lives protecting our fish; that’s powerful and humbling,” he said.
“The chair doesn’t just carry their own views; they carry the voice of our people. It’s not easy and there will be challenges but I believe Ashton is ready. He has shown that he walks his path with respect, balance and intention,” Takala said.
“I’ve spent my fair share of time fishing, gutting, and honoring every part of the salmon,” Picard continued, “We must be mindful of how we use these resources, how we fish, and how we give back to the earth. A well-rounded respectful approach is the only way forward.”
Honoring Outgoing Chair Takala
After the swearing in ceremony, Picard, DeCoteau, staff, and commissioners thanked Takala for his strength and determination during his term as CRITFC chair over the past year. Takala was also gifted a Pendleton blanket in honor of his dedication and service.
Takala delivers his closing remarks after moving into his position as CRITFC Treasurer at the close of his second chairmanship July 24th at the Clearwater Resort & Casino on the Nez Perce on-site commission meeting. ▣ J Gavin/CRITFC
The other CRITFC officers elected for the 2025-2026 term were Ron Suppah (Warm Springs), vice-chair; Corinne Sams (Umatilla), secretary; and Jeremy Takala (Yakama), treasurer.
Takala expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve his relatives and tribal fishers, twice, once in 2020 and most recently, in 2024.
“CRITFC and its member tribes have shown the mission and vision of our past leaders. The executive director, Aja DeCoteau, and staff have shown its true dedication to our work on behalf of the sacred foods, like our wy-kan-ush and the many moving parts that are very important to the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes,”
Takala said, “Not only the technical support but also the protection our Treaty Rights that have once again been proven the importance of the organization. I commend the work of our organization and only wish that the vision is carried forth. It’s been an honor serving as chair and I look forward to continuing the collaboration.”