Catherine A Katchia

Cassie (as she preferred to be called), was born in Redmond, Oregon, to Prosanna Tohet Katchia and Cyrus Katchia. She was the sixth of seven children. Her parents, older brother, Daniel Katchia and older sister, Sharon Katchia preceded her in death. She left an only child, James Ray Katchia, and siblings John Katchia, Louise Katchia, Lyle Katchia and William Katchia, and four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.

Her working life began in Sandy, Oregon, each summer on a berry picking farm, where her family and others from Warm Springs lived for the berry season. Fondest memories were on the ranch at the end of Upper Dry Creek valley with her grandparents, parents and lots of cousins. Helping from childhood with all the cousins with the cattle and horses.

At the ranch and the Agency Longhouse began the lifelong "Way Of Life" that our people live with every day. This developed the strong roots and commitment that lead to her being appointed as our Leader of the Agency Longhouse, by our late Wasco Chief, Udwai Nelson Wallulatum, Udwai Bernice Mitchell and Udwai Adeline Miller. She maintained this leadership until her death, calling her sister and others from her hospital bed to make sure certain things were taken care of in the traditional manner for Feasts and other spiritual ceremonies.

As a child, her maternal grandfather, Udwai Alex Tohet, encouraged his children to send his grandchildren to the Warm Springs Baptist Church, to learn the Bible teachings. After the church services were over, they all went to the Agency Longhouse to finish Sunday services in our traditional way.

She graduated from Madras High School in 1975, and flew off to college in Kansas, with her cousin and best friend. They both later returned and enrolled at COCC to continue their college education. In high school she enjoyed playing volleyball, with Mr. Wiles as her coach. She was an active member of the Native American Club, that was earlier established (1970/1971) at the high school and for a week, the club shared a lot of fun things about our native culture: Tipi set up race, Stick Game, Pow Wow and of course a traditional meal.

Back then there was no little league softball, so she played with the Warm Springs Bravettes Fast Pitch softball team, and traveled many places to compete in tournaments. They went to Portland twice a week for league games in the summer.

As a COCC student in the early 80's, she began work for CTWS Finance Department. This led to a permanent position and was broke into her job fast, because it was time for the annual audit. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs was the first to establish a Joint Venture Project with DOD/DHHS and build the Warm Springs Health & Wellness Center. The Tribe provided the building and DHHS Indian Health Service provided the funding for its operation, with doctors, nurses, support staff for medical, dental, vision care, etc. for its service area. When Udwai Kenneth Smith was the Assistant Director of the Department of Interior, he laid the groundwork for establishing this joint venture relationship. In 1994 Cassie was assigned as the Joint Venture Budget Analyst to monitor the Federal Appropriations to make sure that the money allocated for Warm Springs stayed in Warm Springs. She took training in Washington, DC for the Federal Appropriations, and learned the law that goes with the funding. She showed our I.H.S. Service Unit Director (Russ Alger) at that time, that the I.H.S. Regional Office could not pull back any unspent appropriation of funds back to the Regional Office, proving that all funds appropriated to Warm Springs, stayed in Warm Springs. She worked until her retirement in 2018.

Being an advocate for promoting Our Way Of Life and healthy living, she coordinated the New Year's Eve Safe Night Out which offers families a night of games, activities and snacks. She organized all holiday meals and events at the Agency Longhouse for the Community to partake in.

When the Warm Springs Nation Little League was established, she was on the Board to support all our children involved. Actively involved with her grandchildren's lives, she enjoyed watching Little League Games, taking them to the State Fair, attending school activities and watching news with them. She was very disciplined about keeping up with all news, reading newspapers, watching CNN throughout the day.

Being a descendant of the original founders of the Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days Pow Wow, she was the committees Treasurer/Vendor Boss/Organizer. The work for this annual commemoration of our Treaty of 1855 begins each year in March or April (gathering tipi poles) until the last day of the Pow Wow. When she had down time, she kept busy stringing beads, fringing shawls and spending time with family. She was a mother of one, grandmother to many and teacher of all; she will be truly missed.

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