Upper Columbia United Tribes, Committee Coordinator

say’ ay’ (pronounced Sigh Eye) – John Eli Sirois

say’ ay’ is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and is of the respective Okanagan, Methow and Wenatchi Tribes. say’ay’, he was born and raised on the Colville Indian Reservation in Omak, WA. 

Mr. Sirois carries cultural education from his grandmother and extended family that ties him to the lands and waters. He completed degrees at Dartmouth College (History, and Native American Studies) and Masters of Public Administration at the University of Washington. 

He served over 20 years in the Colville Tribes’ government as an elected representative and in departments that focused on tribal lands, cultural preservation and revitalization, economic development, renewable energy project development, policy development, governance.

Mr. Sirois promotes and educates about the rights of sovereign Indigenous Peoples and Nations to ensure that those rights are fully respected.  Mr. Sirois currently serves as the Committee Coordinator for the Upper Columbia United Tribes to assist the collaboration of those Tribes’ work on reintroduction of salmon, wildlife habitat, water, forestry and addressing climate change impacts. 

Mr. Sirois seeks to build a better future for all for generations to come.  You can find say’ay’ camping, hunting, hiking, reading and salmon fishing with his family!

Email: john@ucut-nsn.org