Jim Boyd. Photo by Justus Caudell, / The Tribal Tribune
Jim Boyd, the chairman of the Colville Tribes of Washington, has passed away. He was 60. Boyd was well known throughout Indian Country as a musician -- he sang four songs on the soundtrack to the seminal film Smoke Signals -- before he joined the tribal council in 2012. He soon rose to the position of vice chair.
Boyd eventually was named to the chairman's post by his fellow council members in July 2014. He secured the post again last July.
"This is a very, very sad day for the Colville Tribes," Vice Chairman Michael Marchand said in a press release. "One of our most respected leaders and talented members is no longer among us." Boyd had just run for re-election to his seat as a representative of the Inchelium District on the reservation. He was trailing in votes to Georgia Simpson on June 18, according to the official results, but absentee votes have yet to be counted.Join the Conversation
