Deland Olney, Shawaway, was raised in Wapato, Washington. He attended Heritage University, Yakima Valley College, Haskell University, and Salish Kootenai College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management. Olney credits Yakama Nation Higher Education for helping make his academic success possible.

Olney has dedicated more than 35 to silviculture and forest development. Throughout his career he has worked to promote healthy forests and protect natural resources vital to the Yakama People. Among his forestry work, he spent three years helping protect huckleberry plants so that they would continue yielding fruit and ensure future generations could continue to harvest this traditional food.

Prior to being elected to Yakama Nation Tribal Council in 2022, Olney served as an alternate. He began his first day of service as a full-time member of the Tribal Council on his 55th birthday. He is the Chairman of the Timber, Grazing, Overall Economic Development Committee and currently serves on the Roads, Irrigation & Land Committee (Member); and Cultural Committee (Member).

In addition to his professional service, Olney spent many years as assistant coach for the White Swan High School football team mentoring youth both on and off the field. His current priorities include mentoring young People, preserving natural resources, and ensuring responsible stewardship of the Yakama Nation’s forests and traditional gathering areas.

 “Taking care of the forest is a big deal,” Olney says.

To contact Councilmember Olney, please feel free to call him at (509) 865-5121 extension 4346 or email him at Deland_Olney@yakama.com. His secretary is Angela Spoone, and she can be reached at (509) 865-5121 extension 4333.

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