The position of Wasco Chief has been vacant since the passing of Autwai Alfred Smith Jr., in fall 2022. There are 3 hereditary chief positions on Tribal Council, one each for the 3 tribes – Wasco, Warm Springs & Paiute, as established in the Tribes’ Constitution and Bylaws.
Following several Public Meetings for the Wasco People, Warm Springs Tribal Council Agency District Representatives set the date of the Wasco Chieftainship Election for May 15th, 2024. To allow the Agency District people decide who will serve as the next Wasco Chief.
There will be two questions on the ballot. The first is the selection of the next Wasco Chief. The second is, if the elected chief becomes unable to serve as Chief, should the next surviving highest vote getter on the ballot serve as an interim Chief until the Wasco people determine the replacement? The sitting Agency District’s representatives, at that time, will make the decision to implement this clause, if the vote affirms this second question.
The Agency representatives have asked two Wasco elders to monitor the process at the polls. The results will be reported to the Agency District Representatives to confirm the results. There were eight nominations and seven completed the qualifying process to be listed on the ballot as nominees.
Nominees are: Garland Brunoe, Jefferson Greene, Leona Ike, John Katchia Sr., Danny Martinez, Alvis Smith III, WIssie Smith
Absentee ballots have already been sent out to off reservation Agency District Voters. Those ballots must be received by May 15th in order to be counted.
The in-person polling location will be the Warm Springs Community Center during the hours of 8am to 8pm on May 15, 2024. To vote for Wasco Chief.
You can read each candidates submitted statement here:
- Leona Ike
- Wissie Smith
- Alvis Smith III
- Danny Martinez
- Garland Brunoe
- Jefferson Greene
- John Katchia Sr
You can also hear candidate statements recorded by KWSO: https://soundcloud.com/kwso-radio/sets/may-15-2024-vote-wasco-chief
You can find previous articles articles and information pertinent to the issue of the Wasco Chieftainship on the KWSO website at https://kwso.org/2022/11/wasco-chief-process/
