The CIBA Board of Directors works hard to provide a sustainable future for our organization by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies and help ensure that CIBA has adequate resources to advance our Vision, ” To preserve, promote, and perpetuate California Indian basketweaving traditions while providing a healthy physical, social, spiritual, and economic environment for basketweavers.”
Alice Lincoln-Cook (Karuk): Chairperson
Alice has proudly served on the CIBA Board of Directors for eight terms. She is a member of the Karuk Tribe and worked over 20 years as an independent artist, making traditional jewelry and weaving Karuk style baskets. She teaches basketweaving to local tribal members at her store, the Klamath Book Nook in the town of Klamath, California. In addition, she works with local schools and other institutions and at events throughout the Pacific Northwest region. Alice was instrumental in reviving CIBA’s Following the Smoke program, building valuable partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.
Jennifer Malone (Wukchumni): Vice Chair Person
Jennifer is from the Wukchumni tribe and has been weaving for 25 years, having learned from Beatrice Wilcox, her grandmother who was Master Weaver. Jennifer is active within her tribal community teaching both basket weaving and working on keeping the Wukchumni language alive. Jennifer works with several organizations in her local community, serving as the cultural advisor for Sequoia National Park’s annual, Go Native event. Jennifer is proud to have served on the CIBA Board for over a decade.
Diania Caudell (Luiseño): Treasurer
Diania is a member of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. She has served multiple terms on the Board, being first elected in 2001 and has served as CIBA’s Treasurer for over 15 years. Diania works with several San Diego county-based tribes and schools, teaching basketweaving history and workshops. She currently represents CIBA as a member of the Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC), a group which consists of tribal representatives from across the United States who are concerned about pesticides and its uses in Indian
Starla Madrigal (Cahuilla/ Luiseño): Secretary
Starla Madrigal is Cahuilla and Luiseno from the Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians. At an early age she learned basket weaving from her parents and elders. Her inspiration for weaving comes from her great-great grandmother and her mother. She enjoys basket weaving, cooking traditional foods, learning her language, making pottery, and Bird dancing. Her passion for traditional plant uses lead her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Botany. She currently teaches traditional plant uses and basket weaving to her local communities. She believes in the importance of passing on cultural knowledge to Native communities and youth.
Clint McKay (Wappo/Pomo/Wintun)
A gifted basket weaver, Clint formally served as Chair of CIBA for many years and looks forward to again serving a statewide community of weavers. Clint is Wappo, Pomo, and Wintun and a descendant of several well-known Pomo basketweavers and culture bearers that include the late Laura Fish Somersal and the late Mabel McKay. Clint has and continues to be an advocate for his ancestors and their way of life. “Our ancestors gave all to preserve our culture; the least we can do is work to save it during our time here.”
Cristina Gonzales (Chumash)
Cristina is a member of the Coastal Band Chumash Nation. Since attending her first CIBA Gathering in Lemoore, Cristina has worked primarily with dogbane and has taught dogbane cordage classes throughout the years in the Central Valley. Cristina is a cultural practitioner and museum professional. In 2015, Cristina worked with Gladys McKinley (Dunlap Mono) as part of an Alliance for California Traditional Artists (ACTA), apprenticeship grant. She is proud to serve, stating “I wanted to be on the Board because I want to be part of something I believe in.” This is Cristina’s first term on the CIBA Board.
Cody Walker (Chukchansi)
Cody is from the Chukchansi tribe and is serving his first term on the CIBA Board of Directors. He has been participating in CIBA events since 2013, including the collaboration with the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center to promote basketweaving classes and demonstrations, the Rekindling Culture and Fire Program, and CIBAs annual summer gatherings. Cody’s professional work in water quality and watershed management intertwines with the traditional cultural land management important to basketweavers. CIBA has provided wonderful networking and learning opportunities over the years and Cody is proud to serve on the CIBA Board, and with a similar vision; “Honor the ancestors. Preserve and expand culture. Encourage and teach the youth.”
Chrissy Atwell-Valle (Mono, Tachi & Chukchansi Yokut)
Chrissy Atwell-Valle is Mono, Tachi & Chukchansi Yokut and is a tribal member from Big Sandy Rancheria. Chrissy is a 5th generation basket weaver being taught by her grandmother Maggie Sample and has been weaving for six years now, completing 32 cradle boards since she became a grandmother. “I had no idea how much my Gram was preparing me for my own grandchildren.” Reflecting and remembering all the basket weaving gathering material outings with her grandmother. Chrissy has a 25-plus year career in the field of Child Development and has worked in multiple Native communities but is most proud of her current role of “Preserving Our History” project for her own tribe at Big Sandy Rancheria. Her greatest blessing is chauffeuring her favorite elders around including Pearl Hutchins seeking basket weaving materials, plants for medicinal use and searching for pounding rocks used by our ancestors in our local community. Chrissy is excited to be a part of the CIBA Board and looks forward to the many ways she can strive for a productive and fruitful year.