Nez Perce Tribe Guidance on ICE Presence and Community Safety

The General Council includes all enrolled Nez Perce citizens over age 18. It meets twice a year to review reports from the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.

2026 Spring General Council
May 7-9, 2026 / Lapwai, Idaho

NON-PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION 2026
NEZ PERCE TRIBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The following is a list of non-certified candidates as of February 18, 2026.
All candidacy packets were received by the deadline of 4:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026. 

Seat 1:
*Rachel P. Edwards

Marsan Lawyer 


Seat 2:
*Ashton Picard

Elizabeth Arthur-Attao

Seat 3:
Marie Baheza

Channa Henry

Jacob Whiteplume

Alexis Walker



*Denotes Incumbent


The Primary Election will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.


There will be TWO METHODS OF VOTING:

  1. Absentee Ballot: For your absentee vote to count, your ballot must be received by 4:30 p.m.on April 03, 2026. Ballots will be verified prior to in-person voting.

Drop off at any of the three Nez Perce Tribe Official Drop Boxes:

  • Wa-A-‘Yas Community Center, Kamiah
  • Teweepuu Community Center, Orofino
  • Boards & Commissions Building, Lapwai

OR

  1. In-Person April 04, 2026: Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

POLLING SITES:

  • Wa-A-‘Yas Community Center – Kamiah
  • Teweepuu Community Center – Orofino
  • Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center – Lapwai


Only one voting method is allowed!!

Any enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe who is eighteen or older shall be entitled to vote in the Primary Elections. Eligible Voters may vote at any Polling Place or by Absentee but will only be allowed to vote once.

Tune into Nez Perce Tribe’s Facebook to view the counting on April 04, 2026. Final numbers will also be posted on https://www.nezperce.org/government/general-council/

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact General Council Election Judges:
at election judges@nezperce.org, Carey Reuben at 208.553.7074 or careyr@nezperce.org,
Jasmine Higheagle at 208.790.1066 or jasmineh@nezperce.org, Kayla Warden at 208.935.8798 or kaylaw@nezperce.org.

 

2025 NPTEC General Election Results

SEAT 1: Jesse Leighton (358)  Elizabeth Arthur-Attao (349)  Invalid (6)

SEAT 2: Shannon Wheeler (379)  Alexis Walker (330)  Invalid (3)

SEAT 3: Quintin Ellenwood (281)  Aaron Gould (425)  Invalid (6)

General Council Officers

Chairperson  Jenny Oatman | jennyo@nezperce.org
Secretary  Maurita Oatman | mauritao@nezperce.org

Election Judges | electionjudges@nezperce.org

Jasmine Higheagle (208) 790-1066 or jasmineh@nezperce.org
Carey Reuben (208) 621-3824 or careyr@nezperce.org
Kayla Warden (208) 935-8798 or kaylaw@nezperce.org

Resolutions Committee | resolutionscommittee@nezperce.org   

Chairman  James Spencer jamess@nezperce.org
    Vice Chairperson  Alexis Walker awalker@nezperce.org
    Secretary  Matthew Wheeler mattheww@nezperce.org

Member Lalonni Burke lalonnib@nezperce.org

Meeting Minutes and Resolutions

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