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.

In this excerpt from an interview with the Warm Springs Chief, he discusses tribal jurisdiction of the Columbia.

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.

Transcription: And we still have jurisdiction, you can’t take that away from us. We still have jurisdiction all the way to the mouth and on the Columbia. So when you, if you’re going to battle us, you’ve got a big fight on your hands. They found out there was no way we’re going to win if we take it against the tribe because they own that. And they owned a lot the land before the coming of the pioneers.