Jefferson Greene elected Wasco Chief

The election of a new Wasco Chief has been decided, with Jefferson Greene winning the position.

Greene was selected with 204 votes. Wissie Smith had 117, Alvis Smith III had 93, John Katchia Sr. received 64, followed by Garland Brunoe with 48 and Dan Martinez with 29.

A total of 585 ballots were cast in the election.

The position of Wasco Chief was vacated in September 2022 after the passing of Autwai Chief Alfred Smith Jr. The process for selecting a new chief was in limbo after the passing, as the Tribes determined succession order, either holding an election for the position, or appointing Autwai Smith’s brother, Wissie Smith to the position, after he was named sub-chief by his brother.

The tribes held the election with results presented May 15.

Additionally on the ballot, was a decision about future chief succession, which passed with 333 yes votes. This creates a rule that in the event the Agency District (Wasco) Chief is absent from council for 60 days, falls ill, or is otherwise unable to fulfill his official duties, then the Agency district council will appoint the surviving candidates from the most recent election who received the most votes as Interim Agency District (Wasco) Chief to serve on tribal council for a period of no more than 18 months or until a permanent success is selected by the Agency District Wasco people.

Greene is an artist and native language teacher in Warm Springs. He is involved with many cultural resiliency projects, such as the Columbia River Institute of Indigenous Development, CRIID.

The other two chiefs for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are Warm Springs Chief Delvis Heath and Paiute Chief Joseph Moses.