Mary Ann Andreas

CHAIR

A steadfast advocate for tribal sovereignty and self-reliance, Mary Ann Andreas has served nearly four decades on the Tribal Council for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, including several terms as the Chair and as Vice Chair.

Raised on the Morongo Indian Reservation, Andreas maintains a deep, personal commitment to improving the quality of life of her fellow tribal members and for all Native Americans.

A nationally recognized and respected tribal leader, Andreas has championed the rights of Native Americans in local, state and federal arenas to bring about positive changes in housing, education, transportation and economic opportunity that put tribes on a pathway to selfdetermination and self-sufficiency.

Andreas is co-founder of the Native American Caucus of the California Democratic Party and has served as the Caucus chair. She also served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. She has served as the Acting Chair and Vice Chair of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee.

Andreas’ commitment to others has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, such as the California Lieutenant Governor’s Woman of the Year Award, California Black Voice Foundation Woman of Achievement Award, and the National Indian Gaming Association’s Tribal Leader of the Year Award. Her tireless work to protect and promote tribal sovereignty earned her special honors at the 20th Anniversary of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) in 2015.

Guided by her personal motto, “There is always more to do – each day offers more opportunities to serve,” Andreas continues to build on her accomplishments while exploring new possibilities for securing a better future for Morongo and all Native Americans in the areas of child welfare, housing, health care, vocational training, education and environmental protection.