Honorable Claudia Gonzales

Chairperson, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

Claudia Gonzales is the current Tribal Chairwoman, who was first elected to Tribal Chair in 2015. In this position, not only is she involved with the legislative aspect of the tribe, but she also oversees Tribal operations, including Tribal Government, Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, and Chukchansi Sovereign Enterprise. Claudia is the current longest standing elected Tribal Council member.

Before returning home to her Tribal community, Claudia was a Project Manager for a fortune 500 Company, which gave her the opportunity to learn business skills that she now applies to the Chukchansi economic development. Additionally, business skills that she now applies to the Chukchansi economic developments such as establishing a Section 17 Charter Corporation, Chukchansi Crossing Travel Center (fuel station), Chukchansi Insurance, franchised with Sonic, land acquisitions such as Chapel Hill where the current Tribal Government is housed and an Elder living community Grandmothers Village.

A life-long member of the Chukchansi community, Claudia has been an active and effective advocate for her tribe on both local, state, and national level. Claudia is also involved with other Native Community’s and currently serves as the Treasurer of the California Tribal Business Alliance.

As a member of the Tribal Council, she continually advocates for her tribe for a better opportunity. Being raised in a native American family, she continues to share and teach Chukchansi cultural ways with her Tribal community. Claudia is a mother of three beautiful children, two daughters and one son, Cali age 13, Nathiah age 12, and Adeline Rose age 3.