Chief Strong Horse (Kenneth Smith), Narragansett:
Born on February 13, 1921, in Orange, Connecticut, Kenneth “Strong Horse” Smith grew up close to the water and woods, learning to fish, hunt, and swim around Narragansett homelands. After overcoming polio as a child and earning the nickname “Strong Horse” at 9, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was elected Sub-chief of the Narragansett Indian Tribe in 1946, remaining active in tribal affairs for decades. A revered culture bearer, he led songs and dances at powwows, emceed the Great Swamp gathering and August Meeting, and worked steadily to strengthen relationships between tribal, state, and federal governments. He also became a meticulous documentarian of Narragansett life; the Tribe drew on parts of his collected materials during its successful 1983 federal recognition effort, and his extensive “Strong Horse Collection” now resides at the Tomaquag Museum.
Always optimistic about the future of his people, Chief Strong Horse described his mission as keeping the Narragansett relationship with the Great Spirit and reservation lands at the center. A musician who loved country and bluegrass and a tireless advocate for cultural preservation and public education, he continued to mentor as an Elder well into later life. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 98, remembered with deep respect for safeguarding traditions and voices across generations.
Chief Sachem Anthony Dean Stanton (Crawling Wolf), Narragansett:
Anthony Dean Stanton, known as Crawling Wolf, has served as Chief Sachem of the Narragansett Indian Tribe since 2018, carrying forward the Tribe’s tradition of leadership by a Sachem alongside an elected council with major decisions approved by the full body. A visible cultural leader, he hosts and participates in ceremonies and community events, including the Narragansett August Meeting powwow, one of the oldest recorded powwows in North America.
As Chief Sachem, Stanton has been an outspoken advocate for Narragansett sovereignty and stewardship of ancestral lands. In public remarks and interviews, he has challenged recent Rhode Island land transfers to groups he says have not undergone the rigorous federal recognition process that the Narragansett completed in 1983, urging the state and federal governments to establish a clear, fair process for any future transfers and to consult the Narragansett as the state’s only federally recognized tribe. His focus remains on protecting his people’s rights, history, and homelands while building stronger relationships with government partners.