Our Tribal Council
Sara Dutschke
ChairpersonI am serving my first term as Tribal Chairwoman. A native of Ione, California, I’ve always been deeply connected to our Tribal Community and identified, first and foremost, as a proud Miwok Native. My dedication to my Tribal community, and Indian Country as a whole, is the result of many years listening to stories of our elders who worked tirelessly to ensure the health and well being of our people. It is the work of these elders that built the strong foundation on which the Tribe rests today, and I draw from their strength and perseverance as I work to build a strong Tribal government to support present and future generations. In addition to my service as Tribal Chairperson, I am a partner with the law firm, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell in San Francisco, where I practice Federal Indian Law. My practice is focused almost exclusively on representing tribal government across the United States. I am a graduate of Chico State University, U.C. Davis, and the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
Tracy Tripp
Vice Chairperson
Steven Walloupe
SecretaryI was born and raised in Ione and have always identified myself as Miwok Indian. I am inspired to
represent the tribe by the stories I was told when I was younger, about how difficult life was for our
elders. They were unable to proudly represent themselves as Miwok as we are today. They faced
outright racism, prejudice, stereotypes and were generally looked down upon in society. It is important
to me that we now have a voice, can be proud of who we are, gain resources to further our culture and
take care of our people and to make sure that we are never forgotten. I want to see our tribe flourish
and to make sure that no Miwok person is ever ashamed to say that they are Miwok like the old timers
were forced to do. I want us to be represented in the world and for our story to be told accurately and
completely. I have spent the last 28 years working for California State Parks and taking every
opportunity to teach the public about our story and to represent the Miwok people in every position
and assignment I have held.
This quote from Chief Seattle resonates with me “And when the last red man shall have perished
from the earth and his memory among white men shall have become a myth, these shores shall
swarm with the invisible dead of my tribe, and when your children’s children shall think
themselves alone in the field, the store, the shop, upon the highway or in the silence of the
woods they will not be alone. In all the earth there is no place dedicated to solitude. At night,
when the streets of your cities and villages shall be silent, and you think them deserted, they will
throng with the returning hosts that once filled and still love this beautiful land. The white man
will never be alone. Let him be just and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not
altogether powerless.”
Cecilia Michel
Treasurer
George Gurion
Member at LargeI grew up in Amador County and began working at a young age where I learned the value of a good work ethic. I am currently employed at the neighboring tribe of Jackson Rancheria, where I have been for the last eight years. My work has entailed learning the construction trade and working with the cultural department. I serve on the parent committee for Indian education of Amador and El Dorado counties, and MACT Health Advisory Council Member. My other passion is doing work at Chaw’se during our Big Time and other ceremonies to keep our cultural heritage around for our future generations to come.