This is an excerpt from an interview with a Warm Springs Chief as he tells a story of elderly Native woman who predicted the coming of the pioneers and later, the end of the world.
The name of the Warm Springs Chief quoted in this interview has been removed in respect for his passing in March 2026. Per customs, his name will be added again after a year has passed. Confluence sends our heartfelt well wishes and love to his family, friends, and the entire community as they grieve.
Bio: Born in 1938, to Nathan and Lilly Heath, he has been the Warm Springs Chief since 1984. His father died in 1969, but he declined and Amos Simtustus, Sr. became chief. When Amos passed, he assumed the role of chief in 1984. He is married to Shirley Stahi, who he has been married to since 1960. The two of them have four children (two deceased), eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family ran the stables at Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Casino for many years, until they retired from it last year. He is a speaker of his ancestral language, Sahaptin and is active in the Longhouse and the teachings of the Washat religion. He works on Treaty issues with the state and federal government, as well on in-lieu fishing sites. He is also involved in the Museum at Warm Springs, where he serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The following is a transcription of this video:
“But an elderly lady and an old man told me [in Sahapitan]. This lady’s an Indian doctor and she could do, she knows a lot of things, she made a fire and looked into the fire and could see the pioneers coming. Big long-horned animals and long bear people are coming. And she could see all the future things. She even saw the end of the world. She wrote [in Sahapitan]. This land’s going to end by people. That’s going to get like more ants and they’re not going to get along, they’re going to fight each other. That’s going to be the end of this land. The mountains going to be mad now and erupt. That’ll take this land now and just end this world. That lady saw Fort Clatsop when the pioneers came and they know so they’ll be coming a time when this earth is going to end. So I’m hoping I’m not around when that happens.”