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

Vacant

Term: 12/7/2024 - 12/5/2026

Vice Chairperson

Vacant

Term: 12/2/2023 - 12/6/2025

Secretary Susie Cortez

Bio coming soon.

Term: 12/7/2024 - 12/5/2026

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 at Large Frankie Ramirez

Bio coming soon.

Term: 11/2026 - 11/2027

Member at Large Whitney Allen

Bio coming soon.

Term: 5/2026 - 11/2027

Member at Jessie Kai

Bio coming soon.

Term: 12/9/2024 - 12/5/2026