Leotis McCormack 

My Nez Perce name is “Haama Niix Hacwal Piimna,” and my English name is Leotis S. McCormack and an enrolled member of the Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce Nation. I am the son of the late Arnold “Otis” McCormack and Juda Pinkham (Leighton). My paternal grandparents are the late Arnold McCormack and Marceline Holt, while my maternal grandparents are Josh Leighton Sr. and Darlene Pinkham (Greene). My significant other is Mary R. James, who is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe. I’m a father to seven beautiful children all enrolled members of the Nez Perce Tribe: Kaylee, Josiah, Sakoya, Elijah, Paisley, Opal, and my late daughter Cora Lynn McCormack, who entered eternal rest on August 27, 2022.  I am the grandfather of a beautiful Grand daughter, Celilo McCormack.  Our family also includes two spoiled dogs named Red and Thunder!

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I have dedicated myself over 20 years to serving the Nez Perce Tribe in various roles, including natural resources, housing, public policy, public safety, gaming and community outreach efforts.   I hold a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Portland State University, with a focus on criminal analysis and an advanced certification in this field. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I concentrated on analyzing criminal statistics and exploring the relationship between criminal behavior and the trends and impacts of community services. My expertise lies in data evaluation and program development, alongside managing the day-to-day operations of public safety and policy regulation.  I have spent much of my adult life in a law enforcement role within the unique Tribal community, beginning my career in 2008 with the Nez Perce Tribe. I served in this capacity until I was elected to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee in 2013; Chairman of the Law and Order and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.  

 

In 2013, I was selected to serve on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, where I chaired the Law and Order and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. This committee provided policy oversight for the entire law and justice branch of the government. Our group led budget and policy initiatives regarding all emergency management, justice, and regulatory issues.  During my tenure with the Executive Committee, I served as the Nez Perce Tribe's S.P.O.D. representative for the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission table. I served as Secretary for CRITFC and the delegate for the 15 Tribes Coalition for the Columbia River Treaty negotiation process with Canada. This participation allowed me to represent and testify at every level of government from local to national tables carrying forward the issues and insight of the Nez Perce Tribe and other coalition Tribal Nations.

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In 2014, I was the first Nez Perce Tribal Member to receive the prestigious National Center for American Indian Economic Development 40 under 40 National Leadership Award for my work in Food Sovereignty, Human Services and Treaty impacts to Public Policy.  I was nominated by the Center for Native American Youth where I served as a mentor and advocate for Youth Leadership initiatives in Indian Country and Father Involvement.  This was a result of our Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program development with the Lapwai School District and Mega Loads Opposition. 

 

I have established strong relationships with numerous delegates and their staff members, ranging from tribal to state and federal partners across the country.  Through community outreach and spiritual and cultural practices, I have had the privilege to establish strong relationships with other amazing spiritual and community efforts alike.  This experience has enabled me to engage deeply with various policy-level issues affecting communities, youth and Tribal Government, including budgetary and personnel matters.  I have a comprehensive understanding of the fiscal responsibility and budget management process with Tribes, which extends to granting agencies, tribal and nonprofit policies, and, ultimately the community members themselves. During my time with the Nez Perce Tribe, as well as with other government agencies and sales companies, I have accumulated over 19 years of experience in management-level supervision, focusing on budget and policy coordination both as a staff member and as a policy executive.