Commissioner Jerry Meninick

Jerry Meninick is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. He comes from the Palouse band, and descends from Wanapum, Skiin,
Nawawi, Nisxt, and Qmil bands. He was raised traditionally by his grandparents on the Columbia River.

Mr. Meninick’s broad experiences include being a provider for his people, as a traditional fisherman on the Nch’i Wana (Columbia River) from childhood. And then for the United
States Forest Service working on the Pacific Crest Trail, in his formative years. As an adult he monitored Timber Sales for the Yakama Nation, until he was elected to Yakama Nation
Tribal Council, where he served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Fish & Wildlife Committee, and Law & Order Committees at intervals. Jerry has also been a member of the
Yakama Nation Executive Committee, serving as Yakama Nation Chairman from 1992–1994 and again 1996–2004. Cumulatively he has served Yakama Nation Tribal Council as
an active member for a combined 20 years. Mr. Meninick often travels as a delegate of Yakama Nation to National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Affiliated Tribes of
Northwest Indians (ATNI), and the Inter-Tribal Monitoring Association (ITMA) and other Co-Tribal Organizations regionally and nationally.

Most recently, after serving on the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Executive Committee, Jerry went on to work for Heritage University as a Tribal Liaison and Counselor. At Heritage University he compiled research on Yakama Nation and Yakama Nation Treaty of 1855 for the Native American Studies curriculum.

He currently serves as Yakama Nation Deputy Director of Culture and oversees Na Mi Ta
Man-Wit Nak Nu Wit (Cultural Resources) ku Ichishk’iin Sinwit (Yakama Language) Programs.

When Mr. Meninick is not leading the charge in preserving Tribal Sovereignty, you can often find him performing Master of Ceremonies (MC) duties at Pow-Wow’s throughout Indian
Country. He is well-known for his distinct voice and cowboy hat on dance floors throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

Written by Aulena Carl, Yakama Nation Cultural Specialist for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area