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Warm Springs News
0RE60N H IS T O R IC A L SOCIETY
123 0 SW PARK AVE
PORTLAND ♦ OR 9 7 2 0 5
U.S.
sulk Rat« Permit No. 2
Warm Spring«, OR
S p ily a y l ym oo
WARM SPRINGS, OREGON 97761
VOL 7 NO 22
NOVEMBER 19,1982
Heart attack claims Chief Amos Simtustus
by Donna Behrend
Chief Amos Simtustus, Sr.
Chief of the Warm Springs tribe, Amos
Simtustus, died suddenly of a heart
attack Tuesday, November 16, at the
Simnasho Longhouse. His death has left
Warm Springs and neighboring^ Indian
communities in shock and mourning. In
honor of his memory, flags oh the
reservation were flown at half mast.
During the hours and days following
his death, Amps was remembered for his
seemingly never-ending smile, pleasant
manner and his sense of humor. He
always had a kind word and through his
quiet and wisdom and concern he led his
people with strength.
Word of Amos’ death traveled quickly
and all were deeply saddened by the news.
Tribal attorney Dennis Karnopp said, “I
was shocked to hear of his passing, as I’m
sure everyone was. It is a deep loss to the
trib e and e v e ry o n e w ho knew
him...every one thought a lot about
Amos.”
Assistant Secretary of the Interior Ken
Smith said, “I am deeply saddened at the
sudden death of our beloved Chief of the
Warm Springs tribe, Amos Simtustus. I
was privileged to have had a long and
fruitful relationship with him. His
foresight, talents, abilities and his
genuine love for people will be sorely
missed by all who knew him. My heart
goes out to Dorothy and his children.”
Johnson Menninick, Yakima Tribal
Chairman, commented that Amos had
many friends in Yakima and that their
culture and heritage were similar. “His
passing will be a big loss to us, we’ll miss
him. He spoke the same language as we
do and he’s related to many Yakima
people.”
i
Colville Tribal Chairman A1 Alberton
stated that his tribe “was very sorry and
offer our condolences to the Warm
Springs people and. Council. I t ’s
saddening when a man of his stature and
ability and kindness that he had for his
people passes away.”
Amos was a direct descendent of the
treaty signer, “Old Man” Simtustus.
Nearby Lake Simtustus also bears the
historical name. In 1971, following Chief
Nathan Heath’s death in 1969, Amos was
appointed chief of the Warm Springs and
he attended his first council meeting as
chief in May, 1971.
Amos didn’t limit his involvement in
Indiah issues to a local level. He was
active in several regional and national
organizations such as Affiliated Tribes of
the 1 N orthw est Indians, N ational
Congress of American Indians, National
Tribal Chairman’s Association, and the
National American Indian Cattlemen’s
Association, to list just a few.
He was also a member of the Celilo-
Wy’am Board and the tribal Range,
Agriculture and Irrigation committee
and on the Water Board.
Amos was born November 18, 1921 to
Johnnie and Elizabeth Sam Simtustus.
He married Dorothy Thompson June 1,
1942 in Simnasho at the Presbyterian
Church. Surviving are his wife; three
daughters. Evaline Patt and Jacqueline
and Marcia Simtustus. He also leaves
four sons, Stanley, Amos Jr., Johnnie
and Darwin Simtustus; a half brother,
Bertson Simtustus, two grandsons and
one granddaughter. All are residents of
Warm Springs.
Seven Drum dressing ceremonies were
held at the Simnasho Longhouse on
November 18 at 2 p.m. The dressing and
overnight services were conducted by
Matilda Mitchelk Burial was at the
Simnasho cemetery on November 19 at
sunrise.
Amos’ passing will leave a void for
many people. We will all miss his quiet
strength, dignity and presence. But most
of all, will miss that unique quality
befitting the best of men.
Council Proclamation
Amos Simtustus, Sr., Chief of Warm Springs Tribe
passed away November 16,1982. Amos Simtustus, Sr’
served as Chief and Councilman for 11 years.
In recognition of these valuable duties as Chief
Councilman, and Tribal Member, the Tribal Council
hereby offers this proclamation:
1. The Tribal Council declares this week a week of
mourning and all Tribal Flags will flown at half-mast.
Delbert Frank, Sr.
hairman Tribal Council
u Nov 221982
OREGON HISTORICAL
Ralph Minnick
Secretary-T reasurer
SOCIETY
Warm Springs honors veterans. See pages 6 and 7