UPDATE:
04/10/08 - CVMT TRIBAL OFFICE, STOCKTON, CA -
To all friends of the Tribe and others that have voiced concern, thank you for the support we have received concerning our previous medical hardships. Now that our health conditions have been addressed, we are revitalized and stronger than ever. We have again been able to send representatives to functions whose importance merits inclusion on our website. Below are just a few of the functions we were able to attend. Please feel free to visit, as updates will now be added periodically.

Northeastern California Tribal NAGPRA Coalition Meeting
04/04/08 - RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY, RENO, NV -
The California Valley Miwok Tribe was honored to be invited to the Northeastern California Tribal NAGPRA Coalition (NECATNC) meeting held on April 4th, 2008, at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Reno, Nevada. The Tribe currently is an active member of the Sierra Nevada NAGPRA Coalition (SNNC) and is proud to work with any coalitions of NAGPRA to preserve sacred sites, tribal lands, retrieve all cultural items lost throughout history and to repatriate the remains of our ancestors whom came before us so that they may finally rest.

The main topics addressed were the need for more regulation concerning Off-Highway Vehicles and securing the protection of sacred sites, lands open to the public and the environment from the impact of irresponsible OHV use by working through the legislative process. Cultural activities, resources and partnerships were also discusssed. For more information on NECATNC, please contact Melany L. Johnson, SIR/Natural Resources Dept. (NRD) Cultural Resource Specialist at nagpra1@citlink.net

Bi-Annual Inter-Tribal Council of California General Council Meeting
04/03/08 - ROBINSON RANCHERIA RESORT & CASINO, NICE, CA -
The Inter-Tribal Council of California (ITCC) is an organization with Native American tribes and tribal organizations from throughout California. It was established in 1963 to help meet the needs and address future concerns that affect our tribal communites. The California Valley Miwok Tribe is an active member and was able to attend the conference held at the Robinson Resort & Casino on April 3^rd and 4^th, 2008. With information and solutions being discussed on subjects ranging from protecting sacred sites and health issues to helping families in crisis. The Tribe is also grateful for the program workshops, they were very informative. For more information on ITCC and what their mission statement is, please visit them at http://www.itccinc.org

Native American Day at the Rae House Museum

11/20/07 - RAE HOUSE MUSEUM, GALT, CA -
Today on November 20^th, 2007, there was a gathering of 40 to 50 homeschooled students and their parents/guardians whom attended a Native American Day cultural event held at the Rae House Museum in Galt, California. Barbara Payne, a Galt City-Council Member and Curator of the Rae House Museum, commenced activities and gave introductions. Tribal Artisan Mildred Burley opened the proceedings with traditional prayer.

Silvia Burley, Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, explained about indigenous tribes and how they interact with local, state and tribal governments. She took questions from the audience, read aloud poetry and played traditional flute. Mildred Burley educated the audience on the methods employed by Miwoks to process acorns for consumption, a staple in the Miwok diet. Much to their excitement, the children were invited to participate and recieved hands-on experience. She also engaged the students in the artistry of traditional basket-weaving of which she is an established local expert.

Miwok spiritualist and Sweat Leader Daryl Burley was the next presenter. He performed a Miwok "Hand-Game song" and spoke of spirituality and of the Indian ways. Next, he performed a Miwok "Acorn song", using traditional clapperstick. He explained about the Native American rituals of smudging and cleansing through the use of sage to all present. He accepted and answered all of the questions that the students posed to him and delighted the audience by speaking in his native language. Finally, he closed with another song in honor of his grandmother, using the clapperstick. Mildred Burley concluded the session with traditional prayer.

At this time, the Tribe would like to thank Barbara Payne, Curator of the Rae House Museum, for the invitation and allowing them to share their culture with all of those whom attended.

Caltrans Celebrates American Indian Heritage Month
11/14/07 - Each November is recognized as the National American Indian Heritage month. This year, the Department of Transportation, located at 1976 E. Charter Way/1976 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is having three different sessions to celebrate on November 7th, 14th and 28th. The California Valley Miwok Tribe was invited to speak at the November 14th session held at the Department of Transportation in Stockton, CA, which was open to Caltrans personnel and the general public. Tribal Cultural Director and Elder Mildred Burley offered traditional prayer upon the opening of the event. Guest speaker Silvia Burley of the California Valley Miwok Tribe spoke of Native American experiences past and present and of her fellow tribal members’ hopes for the future. She also went into fine detail on Native American customs and tradition and connected with those in attendance with her personal feelings expressed through poetry and flute playing.

This event was put on by District 10 in honor of Native American Month as a venue for representatives of Native peoples to educate members of Caltrans and the general public on the history of the Native Americans of California, their current challenges and hopes for the future; working in conjunction with Federal, State, County and local communities in building a better understanding of achieving mutual goals and working towards shared future successes for the betterment of all Californians. We would like to thank Kome Ajise, the District 10 Director for sponsoring this event and representatives - Celia Garcia, Kathleen McClaflin, Jacqueline Wait and Mary Oliva - from District 10's various departments whom organized it and made this event possible. The Tribe would like to thank Caltrans for the invitation to attend the event and felt that the experience had been mutually educational and informative.

For for information about this event and the Caltrans District 10 office, please visit their official website.

TANF Relationship an Asset for CVMT
11/09/07 - KONOCTI HARBOR RESORT AND SPA, KELSEYVILLE, CA -
It has been a very fulfilling experience to work with an Indian-operated organization whose staff and membership understand, care for and support the empowerment of the people that the organization was devised to help. At this time, the Tribe would like to extend their thanks for the warm reception that their keynote speaker received while attending the recent sponsored TANF (CTTP) and co-sponsored (NACEC) educational conference in Lake County. 

The Tribe would especially like to thank Thomas Leon Brown, Executive Director of the California Tribal TANF Partnership and A-dae Romero, Education Director of the California Tribal TANF Partnership, for the invitation and allowing the Tribe to share their experiences with the various obstacles which face many native sovereign nations today that must be overcome in order to achieve lasting success within our communities.

The Tribe learned a great deal through participation in group study and discussion about the concerns of other native people regarding education, healthcare, safety and rehabilitation; among other topics. Discussion centered around the personal experiences of the participants and the methods which were or are currently being utilized in raising successive generations, with particular focus on the changes needed to ensure a quality future for our descendants and native communities in general. When it came time for the dinner keynote speaker Silvia Burley to address the audience, a true sense of unity was displayed in the undivided attention that was given while she read poetry, played some traditional flute, spoke of her and the California Valley Miwok Tribe’s personal struggles and of the important role that education has played in successfully addressing the issues that the Tribe faces today.

For more information, please visit the California Tribal TANF Partnership’s website at: http://www.cttp.net

Update:
10/19/07 - The California Valley Miwok Tribe recently received a letter from Ralph Lee, Director of the United States Census Bureau, thanking Tribal Consultant Tiger Paulk for his participation and input at the recent meeting. The document has been converted to .pdf and can be seen here.

CVMT Joins NAGPRA Protest at the University of California-Berkeley
10/05/07 - The California Valley Miwok Tribe, as a member of the Native American NAGPRA Coalition, sent Chairperson Silvia Burley to support the Coalition protest which was held on October 5th, 2007, at the Sproul Plaza at the University of California-Berkeley. The protest was organized to bring public attention to the disrespect which has been perpetuated against Native Americans over the University's handling of ancestral remains in their posession. During her speaking engagement, Chairperson Burley recited a poem that she had prepared for the event. A transcript of this poem is posted below.

40th Annual California Native American Indian Day
09/28/07 - Tribal Chairperson Silvia Burley was among the Tribal Leaders invited to speak at the 40th Annual California Native American Indian Day gathering held on September 28th, 2007, at the state capitol in Sacramento, California. Many relationships were strengthened and new ones were formed. The Tribe was honored that Tribal Chairperson Silvia Burley was asked to attend. Below is a transcript of the speech she delivered at the event:

The California Valley Miwok Tribe Hosts NAGPRA Conference in Stockton, Calif.

CVMT Attends 2010 Census Bureau Meeting

CVMT Tribal Elder Mildred Burley to Instruct Basket Weaving Class
04/27/07 - The California Valley Miwok Tribe's Indian Artisan, Mildred Burley, has signed on with the California Tribal TANF Partnership, to teach in a program aiming to enlighten participants in the indigenous art of traditional basket weaving, from one of the foremost local experts of the craft.

ATTENTION: Change to Tribal Office Contact Information
FYI - As of March 15^th, 2007, the Tribe will be suspending all office lines except for the main line (4567) and fax line (4333).

TANF to Conduct Presentation at CVMT Tribal Office
The California Valley Miwok Tribe extends a warm welcome to the TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Partnership. On February 5th, 2007, TANF held a presentation at the CVMT Tribal Office located in Stockton, California. Mrs. Tracy Avila, Chairperson of the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians, introduced the TANF staff and Mr.Thomas Leon Brown, Executive Director, all of whom presented a very detailed and thorough explanation of TANF's goals and services. We want to send our sincere thanks to all of the individuals who took part in the event and a special thanks to Mr. Ken Woodrow, who drove up from the Monterey area to attend.