- HOPLAND BAND OF POMO INDIANS
|
My name is Wanda D. Balderama. I was elected Tribal Chair of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians and
seated in January 2005. My roots extend to and as far back as what is known as the “Apple tree Site”.
This village of ShoKawah Natives existed before the creation of the Hopland Reservation that we live
upon today.
Growing up on the reservation and having lived 15 years of my life in the City of Sacramento, California, I
can say I have experienced the best of both worlds. As a child I have always gravitated to the
reservation and maybe it was because of the stories of creation and families that lived on the
reservation told by my grandmother that gave me a greater sense of belonging. I am a descendant of
the “Elliott” family and have been blessed with my married name “Balderama”.
Knowing at a young age my calling was to help people in need, I began my journey with this tribe as a
“Community Planner Trainee”. The many positions that I held since then have included, Community
Health Representative, ANA, HUD and JOM Coordinator, IPA Internship with the State Department of
Housing, and finally became the Business Manager for the tribe.
Now being on the Tribal Council, I find comfort in the progress we’ve made thus far to recover
financially, to maintain peace and order for public safety and in the efforts being made to consolidate
resources on and off the reservation for our tribal citizens. There is no place that I would rather be or
be doing. I am living my God given calling and I am happy.
seated in January 2005. My roots extend to and as far back as what is known as the “Apple tree Site”.
This village of ShoKawah Natives existed before the creation of the Hopland Reservation that we live
upon today.
Growing up on the reservation and having lived 15 years of my life in the City of Sacramento, California, I
can say I have experienced the best of both worlds. As a child I have always gravitated to the
reservation and maybe it was because of the stories of creation and families that lived on the
reservation told by my grandmother that gave me a greater sense of belonging. I am a descendant of
the “Elliott” family and have been blessed with my married name “Balderama”.
Knowing at a young age my calling was to help people in need, I began my journey with this tribe as a
“Community Planner Trainee”. The many positions that I held since then have included, Community
Health Representative, ANA, HUD and JOM Coordinator, IPA Internship with the State Department of
Housing, and finally became the Business Manager for the tribe.
Now being on the Tribal Council, I find comfort in the progress we’ve made thus far to recover
financially, to maintain peace and order for public safety and in the efforts being made to consolidate
resources on and off the reservation for our tribal citizens. There is no place that I would rather be or
be doing. I am living my God given calling and I am happy.
My historical connection to the reservation is through my grandmother, Marian Wilder. She came to live
on the Hopland Reservation as a child. After she married she left the Reservation for lack of
employment opportunities and for reasons relating to poor housing and sanitation conditions. My
mothers name was Cleopha Wilder Rodriguez and I was born and raised in Sonoma County.
I graduated from Sonoma County schools system, attended Heald Business College and received a
certificate for an Administrative Assistant.
Today I serve as Deacon in my church, supervise a food ministry with the capacity to serve 3,000
people, and I have facilitated recovery and counseling sessions at Harvest Christian Church. My work
experiences include: Home Health Care, Secretarial, Retail, Economic Development, and most recently
as a Team Leader for a youth Drug and Alcohol recovery program.
My commitment to this tribe is to do my very best and use my skills and knowledge in strengthening our
tribal organization. As the Tribal Council Secretary I have been entrusted as the keeper of all tribal
records. Working in this capacity I take what I do very seriously and uphold what I do with the highest
integrity. This comes easy for me because I enjoy my work and I strive for better performance in
meeting the duties of my position on a daily basis.
I enjoy recreational outings with my children and large family oriented functions.
on the Hopland Reservation as a child. After she married she left the Reservation for lack of
employment opportunities and for reasons relating to poor housing and sanitation conditions. My
mothers name was Cleopha Wilder Rodriguez and I was born and raised in Sonoma County.
I graduated from Sonoma County schools system, attended Heald Business College and received a
certificate for an Administrative Assistant.
Today I serve as Deacon in my church, supervise a food ministry with the capacity to serve 3,000
people, and I have facilitated recovery and counseling sessions at Harvest Christian Church. My work
experiences include: Home Health Care, Secretarial, Retail, Economic Development, and most recently
as a Team Leader for a youth Drug and Alcohol recovery program.
My commitment to this tribe is to do my very best and use my skills and knowledge in strengthening our
tribal organization. As the Tribal Council Secretary I have been entrusted as the keeper of all tribal
records. Working in this capacity I take what I do very seriously and uphold what I do with the highest
integrity. This comes easy for me because I enjoy my work and I strive for better performance in
meeting the duties of my position on a daily basis.
I enjoy recreational outings with my children and large family oriented functions.
Welcome from the Hopland Tribal Council, the governing body of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians (HBPI). Article
IX, section 1 of the Tribe's Constitution, enacted August 20, 1981, states the Tribal Council shall exercise the
powers and responsibilities provided by the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934. The Tribal Council
consists of seven (7) members, elected from the General Council. The General Council is comprised of all
members of the HBPI who are eighteen (18) years of age or older and registered to vote.
The current members of the governing body of the Hopland Reservation are:
IX, section 1 of the Tribe's Constitution, enacted August 20, 1981, states the Tribal Council shall exercise the
powers and responsibilities provided by the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934. The Tribal Council
consists of seven (7) members, elected from the General Council. The General Council is comprised of all
members of the HBPI who are eighteen (18) years of age or older and registered to vote.
The current members of the governing body of the Hopland Reservation are:
I am a member of the Billy clan. My father was Richard Billy, Sr. and my mother was Tillie (Cordova) Billy
from Dry Creek. I am an aunt and great-great aunt in my family. I live on the Hopland Reservation with
my husband, three dogs and a few cats.
Education: Started my career as a licensed vocational nurse. I continued my education in management
at Santa Rosa Junior College earning an AA degree. Then on to Sonoma State College where I earned a
BA degree and California Coast University earning my MBA. I have also taken Mediation Training at
Mendocino College.
Tribal Council Experience:
First term 1984 to 1990
Second term 1991 to 1998
Third term 2004 to present
I have enjoyed working for the Tribe and utilizing my education and experience to assist with our Tribal
functions. My job related skills continue to provide me with methods to accomplish problematic issues.
My plan is to serve the Tribe as elected by its membership.
Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, bingo and music.
from Dry Creek. I am an aunt and great-great aunt in my family. I live on the Hopland Reservation with
my husband, three dogs and a few cats.
Education: Started my career as a licensed vocational nurse. I continued my education in management
at Santa Rosa Junior College earning an AA degree. Then on to Sonoma State College where I earned a
BA degree and California Coast University earning my MBA. I have also taken Mediation Training at
Mendocino College.
Tribal Council Experience:
First term 1984 to 1990
Second term 1991 to 1998
Third term 2004 to present
I have enjoyed working for the Tribe and utilizing my education and experience to assist with our Tribal
functions. My job related skills continue to provide me with methods to accomplish problematic issues.
My plan is to serve the Tribe as elected by its membership.
Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, bingo and music.
My mother was Florence Elliott and my father was named Hale P. Knight, Sr. The grandparents I grew
up with were Alice and Rayfield Elliott. I have numerous aunts and uncles on both the Knight and
Elliott side. My wife is named Sharon and we have a daughter named Natasha Lilawa Knight. I have two
other daughters, Priscilla and Alisha Knight. I have six grandchildren, Benjamin, Trejo, Skylar, Roman
and Gabriella Ray. Kevin Johnson and Bradley Brown.
Education: I graduated from Hopland High School in 1962. I attended Humboldt State University for a
little over a year.
Tribal Council Experience:
I was fortunate to have served on Hopland’s first Interim Tribal Council in 1978. Although I have been
on the Council for approximately 22 years, being on the Tribe’s first Tribal Council as the chairperson
was, for me an honor and a privilege. It ranks up there with being a father. I have been the chair
several times and vice-chair twice. My objective for being on the Council is to serve my Tribe. I grew
up on our Reservation and I have seen and lived the poverty. But, I have also seen the beauty of our
land and the hardy people who helped develop our community. They were hard working people.
Because I saw my mother and grandparents help people who needed help in the community it instilled
in me a desire to help all people. Again, I saw my mother and grandparents always treat others fair. So
when on the Council I try to help people as much as our resources allow and to be fair with all. My
grandmother told me that the leaders of the tribe long ago were called captains and were the last to
get their portion of food or other benefits. The captains made sure everyone in the tribe got their
share first, before the captains took theirs. This is the philosophy I try to follow while serving on the
Council.
Hobbies: Watching my grandchildren grow. I enjoy watching boxing. Along with my Uncle Bill Elliott,
who used to box professionally years ago, we are training two of my grandkids, Roman and Gabrielle in
the fine art of self defense. I also enjoy my video camera. I enjoy reading the Bible and writing.
up with were Alice and Rayfield Elliott. I have numerous aunts and uncles on both the Knight and
Elliott side. My wife is named Sharon and we have a daughter named Natasha Lilawa Knight. I have two
other daughters, Priscilla and Alisha Knight. I have six grandchildren, Benjamin, Trejo, Skylar, Roman
and Gabriella Ray. Kevin Johnson and Bradley Brown.
Education: I graduated from Hopland High School in 1962. I attended Humboldt State University for a
little over a year.
Tribal Council Experience:
I was fortunate to have served on Hopland’s first Interim Tribal Council in 1978. Although I have been
on the Council for approximately 22 years, being on the Tribe’s first Tribal Council as the chairperson
was, for me an honor and a privilege. It ranks up there with being a father. I have been the chair
several times and vice-chair twice. My objective for being on the Council is to serve my Tribe. I grew
up on our Reservation and I have seen and lived the poverty. But, I have also seen the beauty of our
land and the hardy people who helped develop our community. They were hard working people.
Because I saw my mother and grandparents help people who needed help in the community it instilled
in me a desire to help all people. Again, I saw my mother and grandparents always treat others fair. So
when on the Council I try to help people as much as our resources allow and to be fair with all. My
grandmother told me that the leaders of the tribe long ago were called captains and were the last to
get their portion of food or other benefits. The captains made sure everyone in the tribe got their
share first, before the captains took theirs. This is the philosophy I try to follow while serving on the
Council.
Hobbies: Watching my grandchildren grow. I enjoy watching boxing. Along with my Uncle Bill Elliott,
who used to box professionally years ago, we are training two of my grandkids, Roman and Gabrielle in
the fine art of self defense. I also enjoy my video camera. I enjoy reading the Bible and writing.
My name is Roman W. Carrillo Jr. I am happily married to my wife Tiffany, and have one son, Roman III,
and my second child is due in October 2007. Being a father and husband is my greatest honor in life.
Being a positive role-model for my family is also extremely important to me. My father, Roman Sr., and
Mother, Trina Vega instilled in me solid values and provided me with two prime examples of what being
a positive role model with a hard work ethic can accomplish.
I was elected to Tribal Council by our membership in January, 2006. I am serving in my first term as a
member of the Tribal Council. I am currently the Vice-Chair for the Tribal Council. It is a great honor to
have been elected and to serve as a Tribal Council member.
My historical connection to the reservation is through my great-grandmother, Marian Wilder. Through
her storytelling of what life was like for her on the reservation, I was inspired to learn more about the
culture and history of my Tribe. In the course of the learning process, I began to understand the
obstacles and hardships faced by those living on the reservation. I also developed an understanding of
how historical events and past decisions have impacted our people as a whole. With these
understandings, I am motivated to work towards improving the general welfare of my people and in
establishing a firm financial foundation for future generations. My focus is in developing a long term
economic development strategy for the Tribe. I truly believe that sustainable economic development,
apart from Tribal Gaming, will provide our Tribe with a financial foundation in which to improve the
social and economic standards of our people.
I began working for my Tribe in 1998 in the fiscal office as a trainee for the Fiscal Officer position with
the Tribal Administration. Over the next two years, I was trained in all aspects of fiscal management and
the operations of the Tribal Administration. In 2001, I was offered an opportunity to train for the
Controller position under the CFO at the Casino. I accepted the position and after one year in training,
I became the Chief Financial Officer for the Casino. Over the next two and a half years I served in the
CFO position for the Casino. I then moved on to work for an investment banker as the Director of
Finance for a company that worked with Tribes in developing economic development on reservations in
California. In 2005, I returned as the CFO for the Tribal Government and Economic Development
Corporation. Working in the financial field has enabled me to understand that a sound financial
foundation is needed in order for our Tribal Government to flourish.
I have four years of collegiate studies, with an A.A. Degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. I am
currently working towards finishing the units needed for a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration,
with an emphasis on accounting. I have or currently serve on the following Tribal Committees:
Enrollment Committee (chair), Budget Committee, Finance Committee, Education Committee, CIMC,
CNIGA, NIGA, Casino Business Board (chair), Constitution Committee, and ICWA.
My hobbies include spending time with my family, reading, and playing No limit Hold-Em poker.
and my second child is due in October 2007. Being a father and husband is my greatest honor in life.
Being a positive role-model for my family is also extremely important to me. My father, Roman Sr., and
Mother, Trina Vega instilled in me solid values and provided me with two prime examples of what being
a positive role model with a hard work ethic can accomplish.
I was elected to Tribal Council by our membership in January, 2006. I am serving in my first term as a
member of the Tribal Council. I am currently the Vice-Chair for the Tribal Council. It is a great honor to
have been elected and to serve as a Tribal Council member.
My historical connection to the reservation is through my great-grandmother, Marian Wilder. Through
her storytelling of what life was like for her on the reservation, I was inspired to learn more about the
culture and history of my Tribe. In the course of the learning process, I began to understand the
obstacles and hardships faced by those living on the reservation. I also developed an understanding of
how historical events and past decisions have impacted our people as a whole. With these
understandings, I am motivated to work towards improving the general welfare of my people and in
establishing a firm financial foundation for future generations. My focus is in developing a long term
economic development strategy for the Tribe. I truly believe that sustainable economic development,
apart from Tribal Gaming, will provide our Tribe with a financial foundation in which to improve the
social and economic standards of our people.
I began working for my Tribe in 1998 in the fiscal office as a trainee for the Fiscal Officer position with
the Tribal Administration. Over the next two years, I was trained in all aspects of fiscal management and
the operations of the Tribal Administration. In 2001, I was offered an opportunity to train for the
Controller position under the CFO at the Casino. I accepted the position and after one year in training,
I became the Chief Financial Officer for the Casino. Over the next two and a half years I served in the
CFO position for the Casino. I then moved on to work for an investment banker as the Director of
Finance for a company that worked with Tribes in developing economic development on reservations in
California. In 2005, I returned as the CFO for the Tribal Government and Economic Development
Corporation. Working in the financial field has enabled me to understand that a sound financial
foundation is needed in order for our Tribal Government to flourish.
I have four years of collegiate studies, with an A.A. Degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. I am
currently working towards finishing the units needed for a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration,
with an emphasis on accounting. I have or currently serve on the following Tribal Committees:
Enrollment Committee (chair), Budget Committee, Finance Committee, Education Committee, CIMC,
CNIGA, NIGA, Casino Business Board (chair), Constitution Committee, and ICWA.
My hobbies include spending time with my family, reading, and playing No limit Hold-Em poker.
| To contact the webmaster to report missing links or for questions/comments, please click here. |
My name is James Crandell
Everyone I know calls me “Red” that name stuck with me most of my life. I was raised by my
grandparents, Cruz and Suzie Billy.
I went to grammar school on the reservation with the rest of the guys, then high school in Hopland. I
was involved in sports activities such as: basketball, baseball and track which I did very well at. After
high school I joined the Army paratroopers at Camp Campbell in Kentucky. After basic training I elected
to go to Korea where I spent 26 months of active duty. It still brings back lots of memories.
After getting out of the service I did different types of jobs from working in the woods to having my
own delivery job. I decided to try something permanent and went to beauty school through the BIA in
their relocation and vocational training program. Through the program I became a hairstylist. It was a
very interesting job and took me all over the country for 33 years.
When I retired from hairstyling I got involved in tribal politics which was very interesting and frustrating
at times, but I enjoyed the challenge of the work meeting different people from different tribes all over
the country. I try to do the best I can to help people that need help and there are a lot of them that
need the help. I enjoy seeing them smile when you know you have helped someone you know or don’t
know. I hope very much to be around to see that this continues to happen.
We need to stick together and we will make it. By the away I am an avid 49’re fan. That is one strike
against me ha, ha, ha.
Everyone I know calls me “Red” that name stuck with me most of my life. I was raised by my
grandparents, Cruz and Suzie Billy.
I went to grammar school on the reservation with the rest of the guys, then high school in Hopland. I
was involved in sports activities such as: basketball, baseball and track which I did very well at. After
high school I joined the Army paratroopers at Camp Campbell in Kentucky. After basic training I elected
to go to Korea where I spent 26 months of active duty. It still brings back lots of memories.
After getting out of the service I did different types of jobs from working in the woods to having my
own delivery job. I decided to try something permanent and went to beauty school through the BIA in
their relocation and vocational training program. Through the program I became a hairstylist. It was a
very interesting job and took me all over the country for 33 years.
When I retired from hairstyling I got involved in tribal politics which was very interesting and frustrating
at times, but I enjoyed the challenge of the work meeting different people from different tribes all over
the country. I try to do the best I can to help people that need help and there are a lot of them that
need the help. I enjoy seeing them smile when you know you have helped someone you know or don’t
know. I hope very much to be around to see that this continues to happen.
We need to stick together and we will make it. By the away I am an avid 49’re fan. That is one strike
against me ha, ha, ha.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
- HOME > DEPARTMENTS > TRIBAL COUNCIL
DEPARTMENTS:
