After the passing of Wasco chief, Alfred Smith Jr., the matter of who will be the next Wasco Chief has not been decided.

Autwai Chief Smith did name a subchief, his brother, Wissie Smith in 2016 and his family maintains that the traditional custom of naming a subchief means he automatically becomes the Wasco Chief.

For the prior two times the Wasco Chief passed away – a vote was conducted for the people to elect their Chief. Autwai Alfred Smith Jr. was elected in 2012 and Autwai Nelson Wallulatum was elected in 1959.

Wissie Smith and some of his family members stopped by KWSO to do an interview.

Anyone pursuing the Wasco Chieftainship is invited to contact KWSO for an interview.