As chairman of the Viejas band of Kumeyaay indians, Bobby L. Barrett takes great pride in his role as second at the helm of one of the premier tribal enterprises in Southern California. 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.
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. Barrett serves as Council liaison to the Viejas Education Committee. He was recently appointed by the Council to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of Kumeyaay Community College (KCC).
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 and Council liaison 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.
A 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.
Barrett was elected as chairman of the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), created to enhance the political image of gaming tribes. CTBA, comprised of a handful of California's largest and most politically progressive gaming tribes, hopes to assist lawmakers in their quest for information about tribal issues beyond just gaming with the desire to represent the interests of all gaming tribes.
True to his conviction and compassion for others, Barrett 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.
Chairman Barrett served as manager of the Four Fires, LLC, a four-tribe partnership whose first project, a $43 million Residence Inn by Marriott Hotel near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., opened in time for the 55th Presidential Inauguration.
In order to serve in tribal government, 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 vice 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.
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 reading a good book.
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 Boys and Girls Club and for the Cupa Cultural Center, and he is a member of the Alliance of California Tribes (ACT), San Diego County Fire Chief Association and California State Fireman Association. He is also chairman of the Southern California Tribal Chairman Association, vice president of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority and treasurer of the Californian Indian Manpower Consortium.
Since January 2001, Chris Devers has served as chairman for the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians. Chairman Devers worked to open Pauma's current gaming facility, Casino Pauma, and as tribal chairman is leading Pauma's gaming expansion projects. In 2004, Chairman Devers was one of five tribal leaders to work alongside Governor Schwarzenegger to reach agreement on an amended compact that benefits the five tribes and the State of California.
Chairman Devers is an expert on the development of tribal water and energy systems.
He is actively involved in maintaining the culture of the Luiseño people and lends his time to national tribal organizations. Chairman Devers currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), is the tribe's representative to the National Tribal Environment Council (NTEC) and the Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association.
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 spring of 2005, the construction of a Fred Couples signature golf course will get underway.
In 1999, Leslie was elected as Chairperson of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee. In 2000, Leslie was elected by her peers and continues to serve as the Pacific Regional Vice-President on the National Congress of American Indians Executive Committee. In 2004, Leslie was chosen by California Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia to be a State Republican Party delegate providing her with a great opportunity to speak to groups about the issues facing Indian tribes, including gaming, economic development and intergovernmental issues. With Assemblywoman Garcia, she plans to expand this role to promote the involvement and participation of minority women in politics.
Since 2000, Leslie has served on the CALFED Bay Delta Advisory Committee. She has co-chaired the Environmental Justice Subcommittee and continues to represent tribal interests in the water projects of California. The CalFed water program has met many challenges, but Leslie has been supportive of cooperative decisions that bring tribal governments and the CalFed program agencies together. Such cooperation will help secure the improved water quality, supply and eco-system restoration that we all want for California.
The Tribal Council of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians has committed over $1 million to the Tehama County general fund to meet needs of the county as determined by the County Board of Supervisors. The tribe has contributed fire and safety equipment to local and state agencies along with much needed funding to local women's and children's programs. 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.
For more than 10 years, Jessica Tavares has served as tribal chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC). Under Chairperson Tavares' direction, UAIC successfully negotiated and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Placer County in 2000 that mitigated potential impacts of its economic development project. The intergovernmental agreement has been nationally praised as a model for cooperative relations between a tribe and local government. Since June 2003, Tavares has also served as chairperson of the Business Board of the tribe's Thunder Valley Casino, one of the most successful gaming facilities in the country.
Chairperson Tavares and UAIC have long been committed to giving back to neighboring communities and in March 2004 a philanthropic fund, the Community Giving Program, was established. The fund provides up to $1 million annually to non-profit organizations in Placer County that support needs in education, community health, arts and humanities, environment, community development and social services. A federally recognized Indian tribe, UAIC is a sovereign government, making the establishment of its philanthropic fund even more unique. The tribe receives no tax advantage for making a charitable contribution to any group.
In 2004, Chairperson Tavares joined the leaders of four other tribal governments in successfully renegotiating a Tribal-State Compact with Governor Schwarzenegger. In respecting sovereignty and protecting gaming rights, the agreement begins a new partnership between the tribes, local communities and the state.
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.
Chairwoman Mejia has received recognition for her distinguished leadership as the treasurer and chairwoman of the Sonoma County Indian Health Project. She currently serves on the Board of Directors.
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.