Soboba Tribal Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado was recently elected as Vice President for the Pacific Region to serve on the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Committee for the 2025-2027 term. She was sworn in on Nov. 21 during the final general assembly NCAI’s 82nd annual Convention & Marketplace in Seattle.
NCAI’s premier national gathering brings together thousands of Tribal leaders, delegates, and citizens from across Indian Country to conduct the vital business of the organization and elect its leadership. Following nominations and candidate speeches earlier in the week, NCAI delegates and individual members voted to elect the leaders who will guide the organization’s work for a two-year term.
“These elections are more than a procedural step — they are a statement of who we are as Tribal Nations,” NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. said. “At a time when a federal government shutdown, funding uncertainty, and travel disruptions could have kept people home, Indian Country chose to show up. Our delegates and members traveled long distances, navigated changing flight schedules and worked through real hardships because they understand the power of coming together. That commitment is what strengthens Tribal sovereignty and ensures our voices are heard at every level of government.”
The record turnout and successful elections demonstrate the resilience of Tribal leaders and communities. “Even when the federal government is gridlocked, Indian Country is not,” Wright continued. “We come together to debate, even disagree at times, but ultimately unite around a shared agenda for our people. The leaders elected this week carry the trust of their Tribal Nation and Indian Country as a collective. Together, we will press for stable funding, respect for Tribal sovereignty and solutions that reflect our Nations’ priorities.”
The newly elected Executive Committee will work alongside NCAI’s team, members, partners, and allies to advance policy priorities — including those reflected in the nearly 100 resolutions passed via consensus by NCAI membership this week — that uphold Tribal sovereignty, protect treaty and trust obligations, and improve the lives of Native people across the United States.
Mojado said her role will be “to uphold NCAI’s mission to protect and enhance treaty and sovereignty rights; secure our traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for our descendants; promote a common understanding of the rightful place of Tribes in the family of American governments; and improve the quality of life for Native communities and peoples.”
She was able to take in some of the convention’s many workshops offered and particularly enjoyed Healing Sovereignty: Native women Leading Through Mentorship, Culture and Community Resilience.
“Mentorship as Governance is one slide that stood out to me,” Mojado said. “Mentorship that will connect generations, help build continuity in leadership, ensures emerging leaders are grounded in culture, preventing leadership gaps that weaken governance and looking at strengthening trust in community institutions. This would be something that we would like to pass on to our $ovóova Pó$wáamay ladies. Three Hearts nonprofit organization was the presenter and they serve as advocates for service, sisterhood and skill building.”
Soboba Tribal Chairman Isaiah Vivanco and Mojado joined youth from Soboba Tribal TANF that were attending the convention’s activities that were designed for young Tribal members.
“Chairman Vivanco and I make it a point to meet with our youth, take them to dinner and have a conversation about the conference and get to know them more,” Mojado said.
She said that by chance she and Vivanco were able to meet Darrell Hillarie, director of the production “netse mot: one heart/one mind” and take all of the TANF youth to see it at the Paramount Theatre on Nov 18. It was presented in partnership by Children of the Setting Sun Productions & National Congress of American Indians. “It was amazing to see all Native performers in different aspects from jazz music, opera singers, traditional dancing and book and poetry,” Mojado said.
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of Tribal governments and communities, promoting strong Tribal-federal government-to-government policies and a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights.
NCAI’s annual convention serves as the central forum for Tribes to collaborate, debate issues, pass resolutions, and set shared priorities for the coming year. It also provides critical opportunities for Tribal Nations to strengthen intergovernmental relationships and advance national advocacy efforts.
For more information, www.ncai.org.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
