Long-time Warm Springs tribal leader passes away

Ken Smith also served in the Reagan administration

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A long-time tribal leader on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation who also served in a top Interior Department position has died of natural causes, officials said.

Ken Smith, who died early Wednesday morning, served on the 10th Tribal Council for three years in the 1960s and was general manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs from 1971-1981, KWSO reported.

In 1981, President Reagan appointed Smith as assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. He returned to Warm Springs in 1984 to again serve as the tribes' executive officer until his retirement in 1995.

Smith graduated from Madras Union High School in 1954 and was recognized in 2017 as a distinguished alumnus of the school. He earned his bachelor's of science degree at the University of Oregon.

Private services for the immediate family are planned, due to COVID-19 concerns. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.