The Tribal Council
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council is the sovereign governing body of the Muwekma Ohlone People, currently comprised of seven members dedicated to protecting the inherent sovereignty, cultural wellness, ancestral rights, and recognition of our people.
Charlene Nijmeh
Charlene C. Nijmeh is the Tribal Chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. From the Marine-Sanchez lineage of the region's first peoples, she succeeded her mother's 43-year tenure in 2018. A mother of five, environmentalist, and businesswoman, she leads advocacy for federal recognition and cultural revitalization.
Tribal Chairwoman
Anthony Acosta
Anthony Acosta serves as Tribal Secretary and Council Member for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. He actively engages in cultural preservation, including ancestral burial recoveries and reburials. Residing in San Jose, California, Acosta champions Ohlone heritage and resilience.
Tribal Secretary
Council Member
Richard Massiatt
Richard Massiatt is a Council Member and recently retired Executive Director of Cultural Resource Services for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. With 37 years of leadership experience, he formerly served as Senior Pastor of True Vine Christian Church and owned a landscaping business. A passionate advocate for Ohlone heritage, he resides in Manteca, California.
Madeline Dressler
Council Member
Madeline Thompson-Dressler serves as Council Member for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. From the Armija-Thompson and Marine lineages, she has protected ancestral sites since the 1980s. She champions Ohlone cultural heritage and resilience.
Arnold Sanchez
Council Member
Arnold Sanchez, son of Elder Dolores “Dotty” Galvan Lemeira, serves as a Council Member for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. A dedicated tribal archaeologist, he supervises ancestral burial recoveries and site protections, safeguarding Ohlone cultural heritage and historical narratives for future generations.
Council Member
Joanne Brose
Joanne Massiatt-Brose serves as Councilwoman and Elder for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. She descends from the Marine-Muñoz and Guzman lineages as granddaughter of Victoria Marine Munoz. She champions tribal enrollment and cultural preservation.
David Splan
Council Member
David J. Splan serves as a Council Member for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. From the Santos-Piños/Juarez/Colos/Armija lineage and great-grandson of Verona Band member Alfonso Juarez, he champions Ohlone cultural preservation and tribal sovereignty.
Contact the Tribal Council
Office Contact: (408) 852-1677 Muwekma@Muwekma.org