Tribal Chief: Donald Elder Jr.
Subchief: Gage Hutchens
Secretary: Marilyn Lowe
Treasurer: Leuwanna Williams
Prayer Keeper: Rodney Presswood
Elder: Walter Magness
Peace Elder: Jerry Pierson

Ambassador:Barbara Simeroth

Ambassador: Otis Croy

State Chief: 
Donald Elder

Chief Elder was born on a ranch outside of Yuba City and grew up with only marginal access to his native heritage.  Thanks to Indian Education in Marysville Don has been trained in many skills and crafts which he shares readily with anyone who wants to listen and learn.

Listen to the Wind
Listen to your Spirit
Listen to the Wolf sing at the Moon
Listen to the Eagle in your Vision
Listen to the Water
Listen to the Indian tell you to Believe in Yourself.

Gage was raised between two households, that of his mother and his father’s parents.  Through his grandmother, a native of Talequah, and his grandfather raised in southern Missouri, Gage was taught the Cherokee values of tolerance, gadugi (helping your neighbor) and patience.

Unlike many people’s experience of being native, Gage was raised with an entirely favorable view of native people.

In the end, we are all brothers and sisters, perfected by Creator’s hand.

Born 1934 in Baxter Spring, Kansas Cherokee on my father’s side and Cherokee and Delaware on my mother’s side. Given my name” Laughing Water” at birth by my mother’s grand mother that raised her. I Have 5 children ages 32- 50, and 7 grand children and one great grand daughter. I Joined the Cherokees of Ca in 1976, wasn’t very active until about 1995. Chief Simeroth asks if I would act as her Treasurer in 1996.Voted as Chief of the Yellowbird Council of the Cherokees of CA in 1998.

I worked as a volunteer at the Mormon Library for over 29 years. I also teach, Indian Research at the THC seminars (past 20 years). My children, grand children and I have been involved with American Indian Ed over the last 35 years. I serve as an Elder on the advisor board of American Indian Education, in Feb 2002 was honored as an Elder at State Conference in Los Angles. Drummer with the Tsa-gi-li Thunder Drum group. Enjoys genealogy, beading, sewing, make tear dresses and ribbon shirts.