Honoring the life and legacy of Davis “Yellowash” Washines
David “Yellowash“ Washines at the 2025 Lamprey Celebration in Oregon City, OR
Today, Willamette Falls Trust honors the life and legacy of Davis Washines, known to so many as Yellowash, who passed away on May 1, 2026.
A respected Elder, cultural leader, educator, and advocate for Native communities, Yellowash played a defining role in shaping the Trust and its mission to restore public access to Willamette Falls. Since joining the Trust’s board of directors in 2020, he has served on the Tribal Leadership Committee and from 2024 to 2025 served as Board Chair.
A citizen of the Yakama Nation, Yellowash brought a steady, reflective presence to the Trust’s work, always centering Tribal sovereignty, history, and stewardship. Through storytelling and intergenerational knowledge, Yellowash often spoke about the meaning and significance of Willamette Falls, not just as a geographic landmark, but a place of identity, sustenance, and ceremony for Native peoples since time immemorial. He also spoke of his unwavering commitment to share the history, splendor and beauty of the Falls with everyone.
“Yellowash led with humility, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to both people and place,” said Kate Brown, president of the Willamette Falls Trust. “He reminded us that this work is not only about restoring public access, but about restoring and uplifting the relationship between communities and the river. He brought people together in a spirit of respect and shared purpose, and his legacy will guide this work for years to come.”
The Willamette Falls Trust extends its deepest condolences to Yellowash’s family, Yakama Nation, and all who were touched by his life.
Those who served alongside Yellowash on the Willamette Falls Trust board remembered him not only as a leader and cultural steward, but as a mentor, colleague, and friend.
I had known Yellowash for 27 years, as a mentor, a co-worker, tribal leader and friend. He visited my own reservation in North Dakota while with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and he spoke of that trip often with me. It was one of many things that bonded us.
While he was Chief of Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Enforcement back in 2015 or so, we were dealing with a tangle of problems between barge operators, windsurfers and tribal fishers in the Zone 6 area. Davis and I accepted a ride on a commercial barge to hear and see river issues from the navigators perspective. It was a transcendent day, blue sky, water like glass and we sat at the front of the barge gliding down the Columbia for hours talking about life. I will never forget that.
I'm grateful that Yellowash and I were able to sit at the table together for the February meeting of the Trust. I was so happy to be with the River People again and sing a Washat song. I told Davis how good that felt at the end of the meeting and he said, "Yeah, I could hear you across the room".
–Chuck Hudson, Trust Board Member and retired Intergovernmental Affairs Director for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
At our last board meeting in February, he said something that caught my attention, “Leaders define reality and give people hope.” Yellowash did that throughout his whole life. He had an incredible generosity of spirit and continually invited people in to be part of the reality he was defining. He was so proud of the Lamprey Celebration and how the inaugural event in the 90’s got the fish and game advocates who were opposing Indian rights at the Falls to come and eat together with the Yakama. At Reimagine the River, he closed the day, giving us hope, and received a standing ovation.
His engagement, leadership, and love of others right up until the end of his life was truly a pleasure to witness. We will greatly miss our friend and must carry on his visionary work at the Falls in honor of him, and the seven generations ahead he cared about.
–Annette Kendall, Trust Board of Directors Secretary and Vice President, Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager with The PacWest Group, Morgan Stanley
yellowash at the 2023 Yakama Treaty Day Parade, Toppenish, WA