November is Native American Heritage Month. Each year, Heritage University kicks off its celebration by honoring four Yakama elders for their lifetime contributions to their communities. This year we recognize Warren Cloud, Esther Moses- Hyipeer, Carol Craig, and Elmer Schuster.

WARREN CLOUD, LUXKULKIST dedicated his life to hard work, always using his hands to ensure the job got done. As a trucker, he transported fruit from the fields to the processing center, ensuring that families received nourishing food. As a logger, he carefully brought trees from the forest to help build homes. He worked tirelessly as a heavy equipment operator to keep waterways flowing, providing essential water for crops and animals to thrive. When the call came for him to serve as a tribal leader for the Yakama Nation, Warren answered with a heartfelt “yes.” As the Yakama Nation General Council Chairman, he leads with a deep respect for tradition and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the principles of the Treaty of 1855. Warren’s leadership embodies a legacy of service and devotion to his community, inspiring others to honor their heritage and work together for a brighter future.

“TALEETS” ESTHER MOSES-HYIPEER grew up deeply rooted in her culture, surrounded by the rich stories and history of those who came before her. From an early age, she learned the importance of gathering and preserving the traditional foods. From the medicine men in her family line, she learned to nurture her community with instilled values. These lessons would guide her throughout her life. Her unwavering commitment to the Yakama people shines through her work across various entities, including the Yakama Nation Tribal School, Higher Education, and the Language Program; the Yakama Nation Gaming Commission; and the Yakama Nation Tribal Council. Taleets has led impactful initiatives that honor veterans, provide transitional housing for homeless families, and tackle the challenges of drug and alcohol addiction. Additionally, she’s led the call for tribal healthcare programs to work together to address the holistic mental and physical health of individuals and families. In every endeavor, she carries the wisdom of her elders and the principles of the Treaty of 1855, allowing their teachings to illuminate her path of service. Taleets embodies the spirit of community and resilience, inspiring those around her to uphold their heritage and support one another.

CAROL CRAIG NUKSHÁY XWÁAMI is a storyteller and educator devoted to sharing the truths of Native people, the environment, and treaty rights. Her impactful work at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife has raised awareness of tribal efforts to restore dwindling salmon runs while educating non-tribal communities about the significance of the fishing rights granted to the Yakama people through the Treaty of 1855. As a reporter for the Yakama Nation Review, Carol ensures her community has access to honest and accurate information about issues that affect their lives. Her unwavering commitment to her people and the environment fosters a deeper understanding of their heritage and rights. Carol’s work empowers her community and inspires future generations to honor and protect these vital connections.

ELMER SCHUSTER, TOMIITH’S life’s work has left an indelible mark on the landscape and the people of the Yakima Valley. A skilled carpenter since the 1960s, he has helped construct vital infrastructure, including highway overpasses that facilitate the movement of people and goods, and irrigation dams that ensure the flow of precious water to the crops that nourish our nation. Moreover, he has helped craft longhouses that preserve cultural traditions through meaningful ceremonies and constructed youth camps that foster lifelong memories and impart invaluable lessons. Under his leadership at the Yakama Nation Housing Authority, he led the teams that built the homes that shelter hundreds of tribal members, providing a foundation for community growth and resilience. Elmer’s contributions are not just physical structures; they are enduring symbols of strength, tradition, and hope for future generations.

The four elders were each featured in ads that ran in the Yakama Nation Review and were honored during a special ceremony at the university on November 6. This is the tenth year that Heritage has honored Native American elders. Portraits of all of the recipients are on a permanent display in the Violet Lumley Rau Center.