Tribal Council
The governing body of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe is the Tribal Council. The Tribal Council is comprised of seven (7) members elected by the General Membership. There are four officers: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Members-At-Large.
On February 1, 1998, the qualified voting members of the Mechoopda approved and adopted the Constitution of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California. The Constitution serves as the foundation for implementing the Tribe’s status as a federally recognized Indian Tribe and promotes the common welfare of Tribal Members and the Tribe as a political entity. Additionally, it works to secure the rights, powers and privileges of Tribal Sovereignty to the Tribal Members and their descendants.
Chairman Dennis Ramirez
Elected December 2007, Chairman Ramirez holds a strong commitment to providing education, housing, and healthcare for the members of the Mechoopda Tribe. Chairman Ramirez has worked tirelessly to build a strong ethical foundation, adhere to sound tribal laws and policies, and believes that accountability is instrumental in achieving tribal self-sufficiency. He has served for several years on the Board of Directors of the Northern Valley Indian Health Consortium, one of the largest health organizations committed to serving the underserved populations of Northern California. Chairman Ramirez works for the Glenn County Public Works Department and has held positions with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Forest Service.
TERM 12/3/2022 - 12/7/2024
Vice Chairperson Sandra Knight
Having served on the Tribal Council for over 19 years, Vice-Chairperson Knight has the capacity to lead by providing strong leadership critical to the Tribe’s success in its business and governmental operations. Vice Chairperson Knight has been employed since 2001 at the Mechoopda Tribe in its Business Development operations. Vice Chairperson Knight has also served numerous years as the Treasurer for the Northern Valley Tribal Health Board of Directors and as a Board Member of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fee-to-Trust Consortium.
TERM 12/2/2023 - 12/6/2025
Secretary Roberta Lewis
Secretary Roberta Lewis has served on the Tribal Council since her election in 2012. She was previously a member of the Chico Rancheria Housing Corporation of Directors for 4 years. Roberta is a charming and friendly person and brings a local Tribal Member perspective to the Council.
TERM 12/3/2022 - 12/7/2024
Treasurer He-Lo Ramirez
He-Lo Ramirez is a biologist, environmental educator, type-2 wildland firefighter, land steward, and a cultural practitioner. He-Lo has three associate degrees from Butte College (Sociology, Social & Behavioral Science, & Biology), a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Chico State, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential: Life Science/Biology, and currently is attaining a Master of Science degree in Wildland Management at CSU, Chico. In the past he has researched valley oaks extensively and published research on the ecophysiology and leaf morphology of valley oaks (He-Lo Ramirez et al. 2020). He-Lo currently works in the greater Chico area promoting food sovereignty utilizing indigenous foods, educating Native youth in environmental science, stewarding approximately 8,000 acres of conservation lands in the Chico foothills, and for the last few years He-Lo has volunteered at Chico State as President of the Native American Club and as an intern within the CSU, Chico Office of Tribal Relations to support the local Native community.
TERM 12/2/2023 - 12/12/6/2025
Member Barbara Rose
Member-at-Large Barbara Rose was re-elected as Tribal Council member in 2022. Mrs. Rose served on Tribal Council as Treasurer from 1994 to 1995 and again from 2007 to 2016 and as Vice-Chairperson from 1996 to 1999 and 2002 to 2006. She also served as President of the Chico Rancheria Housing Board of Directors and served on the Finance, Personnel, and Election Committees.
TERM 12/3/2022 - 12/7/2024
Member Jenny Adkins
Elected Member-at-Large in 2023
TERM 12/2/2023 - 12/2/12/6/2025
Member Isaiah Meders
Elected Member-at-Large in 2022
TERM 12/3/2022 - 12/7/2024