Wukchumni Council

The Wukchumni Council represents the Wukchumni people, one of the Yokuts bands that are indigenous to the San Joaquin Valley and Western Sierra Nevada mountain range. Since 1987, the Wukchumni Tribe, led by our Elders, have petitioned the Federal Acknowledgement to the Federal Government. We have maintained our governance, culture, language, and traditions since our petition, and we have continued to provide social and ceremonial services to our Wukchumni people as we have always done.

Wukchumni Council Constitution Preamble:

To maintain the cultural values (traditional and spiritual) of the Wukchumni people. To develop and teach the cultural values to our Wukchumni children in the traditional way as done by our ancestors before us.  To serve our Wukchumni people by learning and using methods that will help us protect and preserve our Sacred places. To work together to gain knowledge and understanding from one another. To work together by supporting issues and ideas that will benefit our Wukchumni people. We will share information and work towards an understanding of the struggles we have before us.  To stimulate, improve and enhance the lifestyle that will include the old and new.

The Wukchumni Council oversees all official businesses and fundraising efforts on behalf of the Wukchumni people and land back initiatives.

We operate the Wukchumni Tribe 501(c)3 organization as a way to provide direct services and build capacity within the tribe to continue meeting the needs of our community, provide education, cultural, and food sovereignty programs, and to further the goals of the Wukchumni Council.

Our Tribal Council and Elders Council developed and oversee the Wukchumni Community Land Trust, a California Corporation in the process of incorporating as a Federal 501(c)3 organization that will focus on provided affordable housing for income qualified community members, elder housing, community gathering and meetings spaces, and will hold land for housing, restoration, and conservation in perpetuity for future generations.

Tribal Council & Elders Council

  • Darlene Franco

    Tribal Chairperson

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  • Yaynicut Franco

    Tribal Council Vice-Chairperson

  • Ruth Tapleras

    Tribal Council Secretary

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  • Rachel Ramirez

    Tribal Council Treasurer

  • Susan Weese

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  • Judith Ramirez

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  • Lucinda Tapleras

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  • Margaret Weese

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  • Judith Weese

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  • Lisa Thomas

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  • Ron Tapleras

    Elders Council Advisor