Tribal Council
Valentin Lopez has been the Chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band since 2003, one of three historic tribes that are recognized as Ohlone. Valentin is Mutsun, Chumash and Yokuts. The Amah Mutsun are comprised of the documented descendants of Missions San Juan Bautista and Santa Cruz. Valentin Lopez is a Native American Advisor to the University o f California, Office of the President on issues related to repatriation. He is also a Native American Advisor to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology. Valentin is actively involved in efforts to restore tribal indigenous knowledge and ensure our history is accurately told. Finally, Valentin is working to restore the Mutsun Language and is a traditional Mutsun singer and dancer. As Chairman, Valentin is a standing member on all Tribal committees and Boards.
Ed Katechum is the Vice-Chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Ed has been a Council member since 1992: Ed also serves as the Tribal Historian and Natural Resource Coordinator. He has studied Mutsun history and culture since childhood. Ed regularly presents tribal history to members and the public, he particularly enjoys telling the Mutsun creation stories to our youth. In addition to being the Tribal historian he has represented the tribe with organizations providing our goals of restoring habitat and protecting culturally significant lands. Ed is also registered with the Native American Heritage Commission as the Most Likely Descendent for most of San Benito County and portions of Merced and Santa Clara Counties.
Lisa Carrier is the Tribal Secretary and has been on Council since 2003. She was a Co-Founder, Director of the Mutsun Language Foundation which was founded in 2001. In addition to working on language, Lisa is a traditional dancer & singer. She continues to preserve her Mutsun heritage through basket weaving, music, regalia making, traditional jewelry and studying the horticulture & genealogy of her ancestors. She has taught Mutsun traditions and skills through presentations and classroom demonstrations at schools, universities and state, regional and county parks and for the native people in her community. Lisa is a member of the Humunya Foundation, releases all Tribal announcements & other communication to her Tribe and is employed as Director of Operations with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.
Denise Espinosa, Tribal Treasurer and has been on Council since 2003, is a retired professional therapist and expertise on issues related to Native American Mental Health including: drugs and alcohol, Native identity, using ceremony in healing. Denise is the Treasurer of the Humunya Foundation.
Eleanor Castro, Member: Eleanor has been on Council since 2019. Eleanor has serviced on the Humunya Foundation. She volunteers as a Tribal Elder for the Native Stewardship Corps of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, she is a cultural practitioner and has taught her mutsun traditions through presentations and demonstrations schools, universities and state, regional and county parks and for the native people in her community.
Marcella Luna, Member: Marcella has been a Council member since 2021. Marcella works as a Administrative Specialist and leader for the Native Stewardship Corps of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust. Specializing in cultural burns, ocean and coastal monitoring and native plant restoration.
Catherine Luna-Rodriguez, Member: Catherine has been on Council since 2021 and participates in all Tribal meetings related to wellness and helps members with their understanding of difficult topics. Catherine is a tribal elder who assists our Youth Group and leads the UwiSmak singers.
Mark Mondragon, Member: Mark has been on Tribal Council since 1999. Mark has expertise in wild fires and as such helps the Tribe develop policies related to land management, and habitat restoration..
Sonya Pineida, Member: Sonia Has been on Council since 2007. Sonia serves as member liaison for all lineages. Sonya keeps members informed of Tribal events and helps coordinate transportation, to meetings, etc. Sonya also helps members with individual issues as requested. Sonya has specialize training from Cornell University in Library Science with emphasis on Native American archival records.
Marie Luna, Member. Marie has been on Council since 2021 and participates in all Tribal meetings related to wellness and helps members with their understanding of difficult topics.