The Coquille Indian Tribe has voted to retain its chairman and secretary/treasurer, while welcoming a new representative following a recent election.
Chair Brenda Meade, who has served in that position since 2012, was sworn-in to a new three-year term on Oct. 25. Jackie Chambers, who has served as secretary-treasurer since 2021, and new
Representative Shelley Estes, were also sworn-in by Vice Chair Jen Procter Andrews on the same day.
Meade will continue heading the seven-member Tribal Council, which oversees all of the Tribe’s governmental and business activities. Over the past 12 years, she has remained passionately engaged in state, regional and national organizations that work on Native American issues, including serving as chair of the Oregon Legislative Commission on Indian Services.
Some of her other leadership roles have been with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the National Congress of American Indians, the National Indian Gaming Association, the Governor’s Task Force on Oregon Tribal Cultural Items, and the University of Oregon’s Native American Advisory Committee.
“We have much more work to do,” Meade said. “Working to protect our sovereignty and create opportunities for self-sufficiency for our Tribe and Tribal citizens is something that requires constant effort but is worth it. A healthy and vibrant Coquille Tribe can only add to a healthy and vibrant community.”
Estes, who has been serving as chair of the Elders Advisory Council among other roles with the Tribe, takes the seat that had been held by Laurabeth Barton who did not run for reelection.
