Chairperson Silvia Burley attended the Tribal Leaders Forum at the 46th Annual California Native American Day on September 27, 2013. The Governor’s Tribal Advisor hosted an invitation only event for Tribal Leaders prior to the general public festivities at the State Capitol from 8:30 am to 10:00 a.m.
The Tribal Leaders Forum was held at the California State Capitol in Room 4202. The Governor, Tribal Advisor, members of the legislature, and California’s Tribal Chairs and Tribal Council members were present. The purpose of this event was to formally welcome Tribal Leadership to the State Capitol, in honor of and in commitment to government-to-government relationships. In addition, this year, the Tribal Advisor asked that each federally recognized Tribe donate a tribal flag to the Governor. These flags will be flown at the State Capitol to honor this celebration as well as future events hosted by the Office of the Governor’s Tribal Advisor.
Opening prayer was given by Mr. Bill Wright, Cortina Indian Rancheria of Wintun Indians of California. Besides the Fifty-Five Tribes that were represented, in attendance were, Honorable Cynthia Gomez, Tribal Advisor – Mr. Joe Dhillon, Senior Advisor for Tribal Negotiations – Honorable Marshal McKay, Chairman of Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation – Honorable Nicholas Fonseca, Chairman of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians – Honorable Bo Mazzetti, Chairman Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians – Honorable Vincent Armenta, Chairman Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians – Honorable Garth Sundberg, Chairman Northern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association – Honorable Robert Smith, Chairman Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association – Honorable Dale Delgado, Chairman Bishop Paiute Tribe – Honorable Daniel Tucker, Chairman Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation – Ms. Amy Dutschke, Director, Pacific Regional Bureau of Indian Affairs – Honorable Das Williams, Assembly, District 37 – Honorable Luis Alejo, Assemblyman, District 30 – Honorable John Perez, Speaker of the California Assembly – and Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of the State of California.
There were approximately 40 tribal flags flown on poles on the South Steps of the Capitol for public display at the Native American Day program. The California Valley Miwok Tribe is honored to have its Tribal Flag on display for this and future events at the State Capitol. CVMT would like to thank Ms. Cynthia Gomez, Ms. Heather Hostler, Honorable Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., the speakers, presenters, volunteers and all whom had worked together to make this first of its kind, “inaugural event” a very successful collaboration between tribes and governmental officials.
