The Tribal Council of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians consists of five members duly elected by the Tribal Community Council, which includes all qualified voters 18 years and older. The Tribal Council consists of three officers - the chair, secretary, treasurer - and two at-large members. Terms of office are for three years. Additionally, elders appointed to ex-officio status have full voice at all Tribal Council meetings.
Tribal Chairman Marshall McKay:
Born in Colusa, California, Marshall McKay grew up in Brooks, California near his present-day home on the Rumsey Rancheria. He began his successful career in tribal government in 1984 that culminated in his election as Chairman of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians in 2006.
Chairman McKay has a diverse background in education, business, Native American tribal government, politics and the arts. His strong interest in the renaissance of Native American culture provides the foundation for his leadership roles within the Rumsey Tribe.
As Tribal Chairman, Mr. McKay oversees the day-to-day operations of the Rumsey tribal government and the Tribe’s two economic development enterprises, Cache Creek Casino Resort and the Cache Creek Mini-Mart. Chairman McKay also serves as an elected member of the board of directors of Cache Creek Casino Resort, president of the Board of Trustees of the Yocha-De-He Preparatory, and as a member of the Rumsey Rancheria Fire Commission. He previously served as the Rumsey Band’s Tribal Treasurer and Tribal Secretary.
After attending Sonoma State University in Northern California, Chairman McKay worked in management for the United States Navy and retired as a nuclear refueling manager. Responding to calls from members of his Tribe, he returned to the Rumsey reservation to take an active role in the Tribe’s economic growth by working in the initial development and subsequent expansion of the Cache Creek Casino Resort.
Over the years, the Tribe has invested wisely. The Tribe is the largest landlord to the State of Illinois through its ownership of several buildings in Springfield, Illinois. With its ownership of a Ford dealership in Texas, the Rumsey Tribe is the first tribe in the country to own a car dealership. Chairman McKay was instrumental in these endeavors and also in the opening of the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School.
Chairman McKay’s commitment to the Native American culture is best exhibited by his involvement in the California Indian Project at the University of California, Berkeley, his dedication over many years to the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and his involvement with the Autry National Center and the Southwest Museum of the American Indian.
Chairman McKay was a delegate to the 1994 White House Conference on Travel and Tourism and is currently a member of the California Travel Industry Association. His active involvement in Indian gaming included service as chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and as a delegate to the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). Chairman McKay also serves as a member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors Advisory Committee.
Chairman McKay is dedicated to the continuation of relationships with outside governmental agencies. He believes that sovereignty no longer means isolation; it means using the Tribe’s governmental status to assure its rightful place among other governments to solve problems that transcend multi-jurisdictional issues. Chairman McKay frequently addresses business and service organizations and provides testimony to state and federal legislative hearings.
As Tribal Chairman, Mr. McKay focuses on educational benefits within the Tribe, insisting that education is fundamental to the continued success of the Tribe for future generations.
Tribal Secretary Bessey Villalobos:
Tribal Secretary Bessey Villalobos has served on the Rumsey Tribal Council for 13 years. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Cache Creek Casino Resort and is a former board member of the Rumsey Community Fund, the philanthropic branch of the Tribe. Villalobos is also a former member of the board of trustees of the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School.
Villalobos grew up in Tehama County before moving to the Rumsey reservation in 1984. She frequently contributes to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Villalobos is married and has two children. In her spare time, she enjoys vacationing in Fort Bragg and helping her children with their homework and cheering for the Sacramento Kings.
Villalobos also firmly believes in the obligation to give back to those less fortunate and enjoys actively serving the Rumsey community as a member of the Tribal Council. Villalobos is guided by the principle that current and future generations of the Rumsey Tribe should live by and understand the native culture of the Wintun people.
Tribal Treasurer Anthony Roberts:
Anthony Roberts has served on the Rumsey Tribal Countil since 2000 and was elected Treasurer in 2006. Roberts is actively involved in the Rumsey Community, serving on the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School Board of Trustees, the Rumsey Rancheria Fire Commission, and the Board of Directors of the Rumsey Community Fund and as a Commissioner for the Cache Creek Casino Tribal Gaming Agency.
Roberts is married and has two children, both of whom attend the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School. He enjoys traveling, current events and reading, especially with his children. Roberts is a life-long resident of Yolo County and has lived on the Rumsey Rancheria for most of his life. He attended Esparto High School.
Roberts is a big sports fan. He especially enjoys basketball and golf. He participates in an organized basketball league and volunteers his time coaching at the Woodland YMCA and with the Youth Soccer League in Esparto. Roberts is an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan.
As a member of the Tribal Council, Roberts, who attends Wintun language classes, hopes to help connect kids with their ancestors and educate them about their culture, particularly as it relates to their native language. Roberts believes that children of the Tribe must understand that the current success of the Tribal enterprises is because of the sacrifices of their forbearers. Ultimately, he hopes that young members of the Rumsey Tribe will complete their education and participate in the businesses of the Tribe.
Tribal Council Member Cynthia Clarke:
Cynthia Clarke is serving her first term as an at-large member of the Rumsey Tribal Council. Clarke has served on the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School Board of Trustees since 2005 and is actively involved in the development of policies and procedures as it relates to the hiring and training of Rancheria employees.
Clarke grew up on the Rumsey Rancheria and graduated from Esparto High School. She is married with two children.
When the Rumsey Band first opened their bingo hall in 1985, Clarke worked as a bingo waitress believing it was important to help assist in the future success of the Tribal enterprise.
Clarke devotes her time to a number of philanthropic organizations including the Native American Charities’ Educational Fund, the Covenant House, Future Farmers of America and the AIDS Foundation of Greater Sacramento. Clarke also volunteers with Esparto and Winters public schools. In her spare time, Clarke enjoys crossword puzzles, reading Native American history and biographies, horseback riding, and driving exotic cars.
Clarke holds a special interest in Rumsey ancestral history and ceremonies. She attends Wintun language classes and believes that future generations have an obligation to connect with their native cultures and continue the traditions that have spanned centuries.
Tribal Council Member Twila Frease:
Twila Frease is serving her first term as an at-large member of the Rumsey Tribal Council. Frease was an original member of the Yocha-De-He Preparatory School Board of Directors and she frequently provides counsel regarding Rumsey Community Fund donations.
Raised in Corning, California, Frease moved to the Rumsey Rancheria when she was 11 years old. She graduated from Esparto High School and is continuing her education at Woodland Community College. Frease has three children and is an avid reader. She especially enjoys writing short stories in her spare time. Frease’s love of education and literature influenced her to become involved in the Yocha-De-He tribal school and the Tribal Council.
Frease believes it is vital to maintain and cultivate the Rumsey tribal culture, language and traditions so the Rumsey people can preserve their unique tribal identity. She believes that the goal of the Tribe is not only to adequately provide for this generation, but for generations to come. With the ever increasing importance of political, business and community relations in mind, Frease plans to contribute to the significant progress made in developing the relationship between Rumsey and local governments. Frease has great expectations for Rumsey and believes that every challenge helps to unify and strengthen the Tribe to become truly self-reliant.
Tribal Elder and Ex-officio Tribal Council Member Elaine Frease:
As an elder of the Tribe, Tribal Elder Elaine Frease serves as an ex-officio member of the Tribal Council by appointment.
Ms. Frease is also currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cache Creek Casino Resort.