Courtesy Yakama Nation
With heavy hearts we share that our esteemed Elder, Davis Washines—known to many as Yellowash, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026. A revered traditional and spiritual elder, an unwavering public servant, and a fierce advocate for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, his departure leaves a monumental legacy across our community and the Pacific Northwest. His life was a powerful testament to the strength of our traditional ways, the sacredness of our lands, and the enduring spirit of our people.
The Living Legacy of Yellowash
A Champion of Sovereignty and Justice
Yellowash launched his public service career in 1973 with the Yakama Tribal Police Department, where he advanced through the ranks to serve as Chief of Police in 1986—a role he held until 1996. Following his service on the Yakama police force, Yellowash served on the Yakama Tribal Council and then worked as a middle school counselor. In 2005, Yellowash was once again appointed Yakama Nation Chief of Police, serving until 2008.
In 2010, Yellowash was appointed Chief of Police for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Yellowash retired from law enforcement in August 2013 and was elected Yakama Nation General Council Chairman in December 2014, serving until July 2019. Whether wearing a badge or leading the General Council, his actions were guided by an unshakeable moral compass. He never let the shifting winds of politics sway his dedication to truth and justice for his people. He always did the right thing even when it wasn’t popular.
“Yellowash commanded respect in a gentle way and his presence brought a level of legitimacy that was apparent when he walked into a room of police leaders (or any room at that),” said CRITFC Enforcement Chief Russell Spino. “I remember being in a room full of lieutenants, commanders, captains and chiefs, the atmosphere tense and a little volatile. With a smile, Yellowash addressed the room, his low tone both calm and commanding. He spoke directly into this room of police leaders, who were speaking loudly amongst each other and everyone stopped, poised themselves and gave him the room. I recognize this was not a matter of rank or title; it was real respect given freely from his peers. This was Yellowash and this is one of many things I will remember about him.”
“I learned many things from him over the years, but the most important lessons were about how you treat people, how you make them feel and how that is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a leader. He didn’t tell me any of this, though. He showed me, he led by example and we all can take a page from his book and do the same. He was a good man, and he will be missed by many.”
A Voice for the Land and Čúuš
Transitioning to become the Government Relations Liaison for the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources, Yellowash became an essential voice in regional environmental stewardship. He fought to heal our homelands and our great river, Nch’i-Wána (the Columbia River). A proud descendant of the Klickitat Tribe—one of the fourteen original signers of the 1855 Treaty—he merged his law enforcement background with environmental justice.
When fighting the toxic pollution at Bradford Island, a usual and accustomed fishing place near Bonneville Dam, he boldly called the historical dumping by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a “criminal act” and treated the polluted waters as a crime scene where the victims were the water itself, the salmon, and the Yakama people. He did not view this work simply as government policy, but as a sacred obligation to the Creator and to the First Foods that sacrificed themselves for the people. As he taught us:
“One of our responsibilities is to speak for those that can’t speak for themselves: the salmon, and the fish, and the natural resources. If we’re honest, they are speaking to us—if we would only listen… Since Time Immemorial, Yakama oral traditions teach us that the ‘choosh’ (water) is the blood of our Mother, the Land. In order for all things to grow healthy as the Creator had intended… choosh must be pure.”
Educator, Elder, and Community Pillar
Yellowash’s impact extended deeply into the hearts of the youth. During the mid-1990s, when gang violence tragically began to cast a shadow over tribal lands, Yellowash looked past the symptoms and identified the true root of the crisis: a loss of traditional rites of passage. He actively worked to pull disconnected young people back to their roots. By advocating for programs that reconnected them with hunting, fishing, and cultural customs, he helped replace despair with a positive, meaningful Native identity and a renewed sense of pride.
As a deeply respected spiritual Elder, Yellowash carried the weight and wisdom of our ancestors, frequently conducting traditional ceremonies across the region to ensure our sacred ways remained vibrant and alive. He seamlessly bridged two worlds, extending his guidance beyond the reservation to guarantee that authentic Native perspectives were heard and honored within broader cultural institutions.
Leading with steadfast dedication, he served with distinction as Board Chair for the Willamette Falls Trust, a Trustee for the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and Vice-Chairman of the Native American Advisory Board for the Burke Museum at the University of Washington.
Celebrating the Next Generation
Though a man of immense public and spiritual responsibility, Yellowash found great joy in the simple act of showing up for the youth. A devoted fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, his most cherished teams were always the student-athletes of his own community. His voice could consistently be heard echoing across the courts and fields of the Yakama Tribal School, cheering on the very children he spent a lifetime protecting. Davis “Yellowash” Washines leaves behind a world he fought tirelessly to improve. In his own wise words regarding the earth we walk upon:
“We don’t own this. It belongs to our children. It belongs to our grandchildren. And we’re just taking care of it for them.”