Honorable Leslie Lohse
Chairwoman
Leslie Lohse has served as Tribal Council Treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians since 1998. Over this period, she participated in putting together the Paskenta Band's purchase of over 2,000 acres in Tehama County, the tribe's aboriginal territory. She was instrumental in getting this land federal government trust status and then completing the construction of a 70,000 square-foot casino that includes three restaurants. Her tribe has successfully negotiated leasing transactions with private investors that have brought two new hotels and a private hunting club to the tribal lands. In the October 2007 the John Daly signature 18-hole, links style championship course was opened to the public.
Leslie has chaired and sat on numerous committees over the years (US Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee, National Tribal Budget Advisory Committee, Pacific Region Representative; Chairperson; National Congress of American Indians Executive Committee, Vice-President; National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, Tribal Representative; CALFED Bay Delta Advisory Committee, Member; CALFED Environmental Justice Subcommittee, Co-Chairperson; and, California Film Commission, Member) and currently serves on the California Native American Heritage Commission, California International Relations Foundation, and Tehama County Girls, Inc..
Under the careful guidance of the Paskenta Tribal Council, the tribe has been able to secure a Small Business Administration 8A Corporation certification. This has enabled the tribe to broaden its economic development portfolio and secure greater job opportunities for the tribal members. The Tribe has also invested in a renewable energy business, which has teamed with a renowned waste management company, to address the need and desire for green energy and improved waste management practices.
At a tribal forum, held in January 2004, on “Threats To Sovereignty” Leslie spoke of “tribal complacency” and tribes allowing themselves “to be defined by what we do instead of who we are” as contributing factors to the diminishing recognition and understanding of sovereignty. On July 13, 2004, Leslie testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Resources about her tribe’s concerns with “reservation shopping” and how the practice of such would be an additional attack on sovereignty. At a follow-up field hearing held in Sacramento, California on June 6, 2005, Leslie reiterated her tribe’s concerns. Off-reservation gaming continues to be a concern for Leslie because history has shown that when tribes are either “in the way” or “not it the right place,” they can be mislead or forced to enter areas that can lead to their own and other tribes’ diminished sovereignty.
Understanding the need to work cooperatively, Leslie’s tribe continues to commit funding to meet the needs of the Tehama County government and citizens. Over the past 6 years, the tribe has provided $1.5 million to the County’s general fund, $300,000 to the District Attorney’s Office and $300,000 to the Sheriff’s office. Along with this funding, the tribe has contributed safety equipment to local and state agencies, helped fund local women’s and children’s programs and continues to support many of the local schools and numerous charity groups. Leslie and the other council members know that outreach and cooperation are the keys to a respectful and positive relationship between tribal governments and local and state governments.
Honorable Margie Mejia
Vice-Chairwoman
Margie Mejia serves as Tribal Chairwoman of the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, a position she has held since 1995. In addition, Chairwoman Mejia serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Casino San Pablo.
During her tenure as tribal chair, Mejia has dedicated herself to developing the tribe’s businesses, investments, infrastructure, health, environmental and housing plans as well as managing budget and contract negotiations. She also serves as the tribe’s representative at various community and political events, driving nearly 80,000 miles annually. As chairwoman of the tribe, Mejia presides over all meetings of the Tribal Council.
In 2009, Chairwoman Mejia was honored with the Gary Rhine Memorial Award for Dynamic Courageous and Visionary Tribal Leadership by the Friendship House Association of American Indians in San Francisco.
Chairwoman Mejia has received recognition for her distinguished leadership as the treasurer and chairwoman of the Sonoma County Indian Health Project. She currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Wells Fargo Center for Performing Arts in Santa Rosa, CA.
From 1998 to 2005, Chairwoman Mejia served on Indian Health Service California Area Office Advisory Committee, a position she was elected to by tribes throughout the region. She has also served as vice chair of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Policy Committee.
Prior to serving as chairwoman, Mejia worked as a congressional staff assistant where she was responsible for constituent affairs.
Chairwoman Mejia has been married since 1979 and has five children and five grandchildren. While growing up, Chairwoman Mejia was actively involved in her children’s education, having served on the school site council, room mother for all of her children, and as president of the PTA.
During her spare time, Chairwoman Mejia enjoys sewing and reading biographies and books pertaining to U.S. history.
Honorable Bobby L. Barrett
Secretary
Bobby L. Barrett is serving his fifth consecutive term on the Viejas Tribal Council. After three terms as vice chairman, Barrett takes great pride in resuming his role as chairman for a second term of one of the premier tribal enterprises in Southern California.
As the full-time chairman, Barrett focuses on increasing tribal business revenues and planning and implementing long and short-term economic diversification goals. He is working to strengthen Viejas culture, leadership and maintain critical alliances with the state, national American Indian community and non-Indian communities alike.
Prior to serving on the council, Barrett left a decade-long career in management at Viejas Casino, where he acquired management and leadership skills, as well as hands-on experience in employee relations and customer service, all of which add to his strengths as chairman. He is also a problem gambling counselor, certified by the California Council on Problem Gambling, which the Tribal Council has supported financially over several years.
He is a trained and able communicator in the areas of American Indian rights, gaming and culture. He believes the best way to secure the rights and status of the Viejas Band in the new millennium is by being proactive - anticipating challenges and opportunities and taking actions that integrate the will and desires of Viejas tribal members.
Aside from his role as chairman, Barrett also served as chairman of the newly formed California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), which was created to protect the Tribal government gaming industry, and to create strategic alliances with a wide group of businesses and industries. CTBA, comprised of a select group of California's largest and most politically active and philosophically progressive gaming tribes, provides lawmakers with information and counsel about all tribal issues and the gaming industry.
His accountability extends far beyond the scope of operations and administration of the council. One of Barrett's top priorities is ensuring the Council's accountability to Viejas tribal members. Actively involved in infrastructure and housing for the band, he builds upon the business and government foundation initiated by prior councils to add and strengthen government programs that improve the quality of life of tribal members. An advocate of the Viejas Housing Program, Barrett's commitment to tribal members ensures that each member of the tribe will have a home they can be proud to own on the reservation.
True to his conviction and compassion for others, Barrett founded The Bobby Barrett Foundation, which believes that all people are entitled to live with respect and dignity, and that the welfare of our communities as a whole can be improved by showing compassion and empathy for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. The Foundation, in conjunction with Sharps and Cor-o-van health care, coordinated the donation of over 40 hospital beds and various other medical equipment to two hospitals in need south of the border. In 2005, Barrett also led the charge to establish the Indian Nations UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund to assist the survivors of this cataclysmic event with a special emphasis on the children.
Believing children are symbolic of innocence, Barrett feels it is his duty to protect that innocence through education. Barrett encourages tribal children to participate in many educational programs offered by the tribe designed to provide physical, emotionally safe, secure, and supportive learning environment.
In his spare time, he finds gratification in helping those less fortunate and receives pleasure in being in the company of family and friends. He also enjoys golfing and is an avid reader.
Honorable Robert H. Smith
Treasurer
For two decades, Robert Smith has dedicated himself toward improving the way of life for the members of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. As Tribal Chair, he played an integral role in the complex negotiations that resulted in Governor Wilson's signing of the Pala-State Compact in 1998, a groundbreaking agreement that legalized gaming on tribal lands and helped to ensure the continued economic freedom and independence of tribes throughout the state. In 2004, Chairman Smith was one of five tribal leaders to work side-by-side with Governor Schwarzenegger to come to agreement on a set of compacts that benefited both the tribes and the state of California. Chairman Smith was intimately involved in all decisions leading to the construction and development of the Tribe's Pala Casino Resort and Spa, which opened in 2000.
Chairman Smith takes great pride in being actively involved in the community and lends his time and energy to a variety of organizations. He serves as a board member for the Vivian Banks Charter School Parent Advisory Board and for the National Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Board, and he is a member of the National Fire Protection Agency, the California State Fireman Association, the National Indian Gaming Association, the National Congress of American Indians and is a delegate on the National Bureau of Indian Tribal Leaders Budget Committee. He is also chairman of the Southern California Tribal Chairman Association, Indian Health Council for Northern San Diego County, Californian Indian Manpower Consortium and the Cupa Cultural Center.