Gov. Schwarzenegger Appoints Five Members to Native American Heritage Commission

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Leslie Lohse, Marshall McKay, Laura Miranda, James Ramos and Julie Tumamait-Stenslie as members of the Native American Heritage Commission. Additionally, the Governor proclaimed November 2007 as Native American Heritage Month to honor the significant contributions and centuries-old traditions of the Native American heritage and culture.
"Native Americans play incredibly important roles in our state's culture and success. Their customs and languages are invaluable parts of our state's history, which is why I am honored to observe Native American Heritage Month," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am confident the individuals appointed today will continue to preserve this wonderful heritage for generations to come."
Lohse, 52, of Glenn, has served as tribal council treasurer and assistant administrator for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians since 1998. She previously served as a receptionist for Cutting Edge from 1997 to 1998 and bookkeeper for the Chico Christian School from 1992 to 1997. Lohse currently serves as chair of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee and is a member of the Bay Delta Public Advisory Committee. She is also a board member for Northern Valley Indian Health and a member of the California Tribal Business Alliance as well as a former vice president for the National Congress of American Indians. Lohse is a Republican.
McKay, 55, of Brooks, has served in numerous capacities for the Rumsey Indian Rancheria since 1985 and currently holds the position of tribal chair. He is a member of the board of trustees for the Autry National Center and the University of California, Davis. He also currently serves as chair of the Rumsey Rancheria Fire Commission. McKay is a Democrat.
Miranda, 38, of Temecula, has served as deputy general counsel for the Pechanga Tribal Government since 2005. She previously served as partner in the law firm, Miranda, Tomaras & Ogas, from 2003 to 2006. From 1998 to 2003, she was directing attorney for California Indian Legal Services. Prior to that, Miranda was the human relations coordinator for the city of San Bernardino from 1993 to 1995. Miranda is a board member of the Riverside County Tribal Traditional Resources Advisory Committee. Miranda is a Democrat.
Ramos, 40, of Highland, has served as the cultural awareness program coordinator for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians since 1996. Previously, he served as chair of the San Manuel Gaming Commission from 1994 to 1996. Ramos was also business committee member from 1996 to 1998 and treasurer from 2004 to 2006 for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. He is a member of the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees. Ramos is registered decline-to-state.
Tumamait-Stenslie, 50, of Ojai, has served as a consultant for Chumash Cultural Services since 1985. Additionally, she has served as a sales representative for the Ventura County Museum of History & Art since 1987. Tumamait-Stenslie previously was a sales manager for Gem Quest Jewelers from 1992 to 1998. She is the tribal chair of the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians and serves on the Ojai Valley Museum Board of Trustees as well as the Oakbrook Chumash Interpretive Center Board. Tumamait-Stenslie is a Democrat.
These positions require Senate confirmation and there is no salary.

The Native American Heritage Commission assists the public, the development community, local and federal agencies, educational institutions and California Native Americans to better understand problems relating to the protection and preservation of cultural resources. The mission of the commission is to provide protection to Native American burial sites from vandalism and inadvertent destruction; provide a procedure for the notification of most likely descendants regarding the discovery of Native American human remains and associated grave goods; bring legal action to prevent severe and irreparable damage to sacred shrines, ceremonial sites, sanctified cemeteries and place of worship on public property; and maintain an inventory of sacred places.