#1. I know that if you are not at the table, you don’t eat. District 56, (at a minimum) needs to fill this seat with someone who has a true love and understanding of the areas cultural ties, diversities, vision, dynamics, and the challenges of this area. It must be a person with strong leadership skills and who has faith, hope, enthusiasm and extensive local knowledge. They must also have dedication and fortitude – I am that person.
#2. I am not a career politician, and readily admit to not having all the answers. However, I am confident, smart, knowledgeable, and not afraid to ask questions or seek help from others.
#3. After much consideration and prayer, I was told by an elder, “When God speaks to you, even in a whisper, you must listen.” So here I am running for office.
I will not make any rash campaign promises, but I will listen, be at the table, and will work hard to make positive decisions for our future. I strongly support equality and diversity, and have zero tolerance for racism.
How am I directly connected to District 56? And what do I stand for?
I am a tribal native born in Klamath Falls, Oregon. I was raised on a ranch in the Sprague River valley and come from a long-line of cowboy and horse people. My tribal name is Lamina Wach – Thunder Horse. I am the direct descendant of some of the most powerful leaders in Modoc Indian history such as Winema, Captain Jack, Dr. Duffy, Scar Face Charley, Old Sheepy and Chief Schonchin- Treaty Signers of 1864. I am also proud of my Quechan, Czechoslovakian, Austrian, and German descent.
I have spent the last 26 years working for the Klamath Tribes as the Public Relations/News Department Manager. My professional work and other volunteer efforts within the Klamath Basin and the Pacific NW region have helped develop my leadership skills and have allowed me to become a strong advocate for the things I care about:
Ecosystem Restoration
Economic Development
Youth Advocacy
Forest/Natural Resource Recovery
Tribal Rights
Cultural Diversity and Equality
Salmon Recovery
Dam Removal
Renewable Energy
Cultural Tourism
Prior to starting my professional career in Public Relations, I graduated Chiloquin High School and attended college in Lawrence, Kansas, and Eugene, Oregon. To help pay for school, I worked for the Fremont-Winema National Forest Service on a chainsaw crew, as a wildland firefighter, and certified timber cruiser. In 1992 I began my professional career with the Klamath Tribes. My years of training and development have allowed me to obtain expertise and to serve on several professional boards locally, statewide, and throughout the region.
