CALIFORNIA TRIBAL TOBACCO
CONFERENCE 2025

2025 Agenda

8:00-9:30AM Networking Breakfast

9:30-9:45AM Welcome and Opening Prayer

• Given by Chairman Robert H. Smith (Pala Band of Mission Indians)

9:45-10:15AM Keynote Performance

• Valerie Whipple (Navajo, Lakota, Dakota)

• Theah Mejia (Los Coyotes)

• Raven Garza (White Mountain Apache and Comanche)

• Topa Black Calf (Navajo)

10:15-11:15AM Traditional Tobacco Panel

• Darren Henson (Keetoowah)

• Laurie Gonzalez (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians)

• Ami Admire (Payomkawichum)

• Lacey Cannon (Descendant of the Eastern Band of Cherokee)

• Andrew Pittman (Los Coyotes)

This panel discussion brings together esteemed Tribal community leaders from various Tribal Nations. They will share profound insights into the role of traditional tobacco and challenges posed by commercial tobacco, examining the distinct impacts of each within their communities.

11:15-11:30AM Break

11:30-12:15PM Breakout Session #1

1. Native Health: Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use Study with Native Young Adults

Kurt Schweigman, MPH (Oglala Lakota Nation), University of Southern California

This presentation will describe a three-year dual-university (USC and UCSF) study to learn about Native young adults' co-use of cannabis AND commercial tobacco products. Specifically, we aimed understand the evolving products, methods, motivations, and practices of cannabis and commercial tobacco co-use among Native young adults; the contextual, social, and pharmacological factors driving use patterns and practices; how Native young adults view advertising for new tobacco products; and what educational messages about these products are most effective. Survey, interview, and biomarker data were collected at two different time points. Preliminary results will be shared including co-use patterns, types of products used, motivations for use, and policy perspectives on ending the sales of commercial tobacco in California.

1. The 5 A's of Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills - A Refresher

Anna Knight MS, APRN. FNP-C (Cherokee Nation), Indian Health Service – California Area Office

Carolyn Pumares, PharmD, MSc, Indian Health Service – California Area Office

Utilizing The University of Arizona Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills curriculum, the speaker will outline how to conduct 3-10 minute, low-intensity, evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment interventions utilizing the Integrated 5 A's Model construct.

12:15-1:15PM Lunch

1:15-2:30PM Breakout Session #2

1. Interactive Approaches to Engagement in California's Tribal Communities

• Ravena Soto, M.Ed. (Enterprise Rancheria Maidu), ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

• Nicole Graumann, MA (Redwood Valley Rancheria, Pomo), ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

• Rachel Reif, M.Ed. (Te-Maok band of Western Shoshone), ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

• Arman Markarian (Enterprise Rancheria Maidu)

• Colin Welker, MSL, Public Health Law Center

• Zackery Guzman (Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians), Tuolumne Me-Wuk Tobacco Education Program

• Jaime Gutierrez (Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians), Redwood Valley Rancheria Breathe Again Project

• Tara Martinez (Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians), Redwood Valley Rancheria Breathe Again Project

This interactive session will feature hands-on strategies for engaging community members in ways that build trust, create comfort, and center Native voices. Attendees will participate in activities designed to uplift community leadership and make learning about commercial tobacco prevention and policy development meaningful and fun. Come ready to engage with staff representing a diverse group of California tribal tobacco projects and leave with tools you can use in your own work.

1. #1 Commercial Tobacco Policy 101: Reclaiming Our Narrative Through Policy

Lou Moerner, MPH, PhD (ani-yv-wiya), Lou Moerner Consulting

Join this dynamic workshop to find out why the tobacco industry's tactics drive our need for modern policies on commercial tobacco control. This is a hands-on workshop where anyone, novice to expert, can learn how best to advocate together for policies that matter in your community. We will be using the Midwest Academy Strategy Chart in a way that is meaningful to Indian Country and its allies.

 

#2 Reward & Reminder Retail Intervention: An Update after 200+ Store Visits

• Joseph Rodriguez, BS (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Haliwa-Saponi), Indian Health Council, Inc.

• Chase Kornacki, BS (Navajo), Indian Health Council, Inc.

We have conducted 14 waves (227 store visits) of a Reward & Reminder intervention that evaluates ID-checking compliance at local retailers. Clerks who deny sales to apparent minors receive a modest reward and commendation in social media posts, while clerks who sold without ID verification were reminded of the law.

2:30-3:15PM Break and Craft Activity

Chrissy Gonzales (Cupeño, Luiseño)

Join us in the main ballroom for a quick craft activity and a chance to recharge and connect with others.

3:15-4:15PM Empowering Native Youth

1. Project Stop the Use of Nicotine (SUN)

Guadalupe Ramos, PhD, MS, University of Southern California

This presentation will focus on a cultural adaptation of an evidence-based smoking cessation program for American Indian youth. We will discuss the adaptations made and the program's implementation. We will review the limitations and challenges that go along with testing adapted programs in real-world community settings.

    2. American Indian Community Engagement in the Vaping Endgame

Sarah Keller, MPH, CHES, University of Southern California

This session will share the collaborative process to develop the , a school-based program created to prevent vaping among Native youth. Culturally adapted with input from Native community members, youth, and schools in rural Northern California, the five-lesson curriculum uses hands-on activities, storytelling, and cultural teachings to build knowledge and life skills. The session will highlight how youth and community voices shaped the program and what makes it meaningful and relevant for Native youth.

4:15-4:45PM Youth Advisory Council Toolkit Reveal

• Joseph Rodriguez, BS (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Haliwa-Saponi), Indian Health Council, Inc.

• Justin Rodriguez, BS (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Haliwa-Saponi), Indian Health Council, Inc.

• Melanie Estrella, BS (Pascua Yaqui), Indian Health Council, Inc.

• Ethan Wolfe, BS (La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Navajo, Lakota), Indian Health Council, Inc.

Indian Health Council's Tobacco Education Prevention Outreach Cessation (TEPOC) program convened a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to empower AI/AN youth to contribute to public health and policy initiatives in their communities. This interactive session introduces a youth-developed toolkit designed to help Tribal public health organizations create and sustain youth advisory groups. Attendees will receive free physical copies of the toolkit and engage in breakout activities, poll questions, and discussions led by YAC members and organizers.

4:45PM Closing Remarks

 

 

 

Speaker Bios (Alphabetical by Last Name)

 

Ami Admire (Payomkawichum)

Executive Director, 'ataaxum Pomkwaan

Ami Admire is Payómkawichum from the Rincon Band. A teacher with 25+ years experience developing culturally responsive curriculums from a mental health framework; including Rez Beats, Native & Indigenous Classes and Clubs, and Storytelling. Ms. Ami is a trained facilitator of Gathering of Native Americans and is a recipient of the National Indian Health Board Local Impact Award for making a difference in her community.

 

Lacey Cannon (Chickasaw, Cherokee)

Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Regeneration

Lacey has overseen and designed 17 acres of educational land restoration projects on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation. She is responsible for program development and implementation, capacity building, garden design, daily functions of IRG, curriculum development, marketing, strategic planning and community relationship building. She also sat on the San Pasqual Cultural Committee and teaches permaculture to the youth. Her background also includes extensive experience in organic farming, cycle work, native plants, crafting, business and marketing, event production and regenerative agriculture. Her most recent work is the restoration of the 7-acre lake in Jacumba Hot Springs.

 

Melanie Estrella (Pascua Yaqui)

Youth Advisory Council Member (2024), Indian Health Council, Inc.

Melanie Estrella earned two bachelor’s degrees: Global Health and Sociology with an emphasis in Science and Medicine and a minor in Native American/Indigenous Studies from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). At UCSD, she was heavily involved with Native American & Indigenous students, leading as Co-Chair of the Native American & Indigenous Student Alliance and employee of the Intertribal Resource Center, the Native American and Indigenous student services center at UCSD. She is applying for a Master of Social Work this fall to continue her higher education journey in efforts to aid Native American healthcare gaps.

 

Laurie Gonzalez (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians)

Councilwoman, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians

Councilwoman Laurie Gonzalez is a dedicated leader serving her fifth term on the Rincon Tribal Council. A cultural advocate and founder of the Luiseño Cultural Resources Advisory Group, Councilwoman Gonzalez brings a deep passion for community service and for preserving the culture and legacy of the Luiseño people. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to honoring the past while building a vibrant future for her community.

 

Nicole Graumann, MA (Redwood Valley Rancheria, Pomo)

Project Coordinator, ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

To: su Nicole Graumann, Kasil: naop ana (my name is Nicole Graumann, I am from Redwood Valley), She/Her. Nicole is Pomo from Redwood Valley Rancheria, born and raised in Mendocino County, California. Prior to starting at ETR’s Tribal Community Coordinating Center, Nicole was an employee of Mendocino County for 11 years as an Eligibility Specialist and Project Director for The Mendocino County Tobacco Prevention Program. Nicole completed her undergraduate in both History and Native American Studies at Humboldt State University, then earned her MA in History from the University of Oklahoma in 2022.

 

Jaime Gutierrez (Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians),

Project Coordinator, Redwood Valley Rancheria Breathe Again Project

Jaime Gutierrez is a Tribal Member from the Redwood Valley Rancheria located in Mendocino County. He is also a full-time father and leader in the community.

 

Zackery Guzman (Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians)

Community Engagement Coordinator, Tuolumne Me-Wuk Tobacco Education Program

Zackery Guzman is an enrolled member of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians and citizen of the Confederated Villages of Lijan Naton. He currently works for the Tuolumne Me-Wuk social services as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the tobacco education program. Zackery works with Youth and Elders and facilitates activities in a meaningful way that bridges the gap between generations. Zackery’s educational and advocacy work around tobacco deepened his respect for plant medicine and he looks to foster a meaningful relationship with those Creator meant for him.

 

Darren Henson (Keetoowah)

Darren is a Southern Traditional dancer, powwow singer, and retired military veteran dedicated to sharing and preserving Indigenous culture. He serves as a facilitator for traditional dance, song, games, and cultural workshops, offering meaningful experiences that celebrate and teach traditions.

 

Sarah Keller, MPH, CHES

Behavioral Health Project Specialist, University of Southern California

Sarah Keller is a project specialist at the University of Southern California, supporting commercial tobacco prevention and cessation projects to promote equitable health outcomes among California American Indian and Alaska Native populations. With a background in health education and research, she is interested in culturally relevant programs that create accessible and relevant health solutions. Sarah has experience working with Tribal communities on projects that focus on health communication, cancer disparities, and commercial tobacco research.

 

Anna Knight MS, APRN. FNP-C (Cherokee Nation)

NP Health Consultant/Health Promotion Disease Prevention California Area Consultant, Indian Health Service – California Area Office

A Family Nurse Practitioner by trade, Anna Knight currently works for the Indian Health Service, California Area Office of Public Health as the Nurse Practitioner Health Consultant and the Area Health Promotion Disease Prevention consultant. She has experience working for several tribal health programs in California in family practice and internal medicine. As an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Anna brings her 28 years of health care experience and her passion for caring for the American Indian/Alaskan Native people.

 

Chase Kornacki, BS (Navajo)

Tobacco Education Prevention Outreach Cessation (TEPOC) Project Coordinator, Indian Health Council, Inc.

Chase Kornacki is the TEPOC Project Coordinator at Indian Health Council, Inc. In this role, Chase leads initiatives to deliver cessation resources in clinical and community settings while raising awareness about commercial tobacco-related harms.  Also a Master of Public Health student at the University of California San Diego and Cornelius Hopper Diversity Trainee, Chase’s work bridges research and practice to support culturally informed, community-driven solutions that improve health outcomes for Indigenous populations.

 

Arman Markarian (Enterprise Rancheria Maidu)[CK1] 

Youth Speaker, ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

Arman is a rising seventh grader and a member of the Enterprise Rancheria Maidu Tribe. He enjoys leading educational games at his school and in community settings to teach his peers about contemporary California Native American culture and history.

 

Tara Martinez (Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians)

Community Engagement Coordinator, Redwood Valley Rancheria Breathe Again Project

Tara Martinez is a proud member of the Redwood Valley Rancheria Little River Band of Pomo Indians. She takes great pride in being an active participant in my community and finds fulfillment in working towards the betterment of my tribe.

 

Lou Moerner, MPH, PhD (ani-yv-wiya)

CEO, Lou Moerner Consulting

Lou Moerner is a community consultant focused on health equity issues in American Indian communities. Lou specializes in adaptation of evidence-based health and wellness models for use in American Indian Communities. She is author of both the Second Wind Adult Tobacco Cessation curriculum and the youth-based Project SUN (Stop the Use of Nicotine) vaping curriculum. Lou is also the author of California's first ever electronic cigarette policy and has worked effectively with tribes in California and nationwide assisting in the creation of culturally appropriate programs and policies for their Tribal communities.

 

Andrew Pittman (Los Coyotes)

Andrew James Pittman is from the Segundo family of Los Coyotes and a descendant from the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. Andrew is a video producer and co-owner of Condor Visual Media. Andrew is dedicated to expanding his traditional plant knowledge and protecting the natural elements and powers.

 

Carolyn Pumares, PharmD, MSc

Area Pharmacy Consultant, Indian Health Service – California Area Office

CDR Carolyn Pumares began her Pharmacy career in the Indian Health Service as a United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer.  She has worked as clinical pharmacist in the Navajo Nation prior to transferring to the California Area Office in 2018.

 

Guadalupe Ramos, PhD, MS

Project Manager, University of Southern California

Dr. Ramos was born in Jalisco, Mexico. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old and has lived in Southern California ever since. She is a first-generation college graduate and received her master's degree in clinical psychology and doctoral degree in prevention science.  Dr. Ramos has worked with primarily Spanish-speaking Latino/a communities in the areas of mental health and parenting programs. For the past five years, she has worked with Dr. Claradina Soto on mental health, substance use treatment and prevention, and cancer-related research among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. 

 

Rachel Reif, M.Ed. (Te-Maok band of Western Shoshone)

Project Coordinator, ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

Rachel is in her first year at ETR, working with the Native Health and Wellness Team. My role as a project coordinator focuses on working with tribal youth and their communities for TCCC and Native SUN (Stop the Use of Nicotine). She has worked with tribal youth in tobacco education for the past 5 years.

 

Joseph Rodriguez, BS (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Haliwa-Saponi)

Tobacco Education Prevention Outreach Cessation (TEPOC) Project Coordinator, Indian Health Council, Inc.

Joseph Rodriguez is the TEPOC Research Assistant at Indian Health Council. He is Luiseño from the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and Haliwa-Saponi from the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe. As an Indigenous researcher and community worker, he supports research studies, provides smoking and vaping cessation resources, and uplifts Indigenous voices in academic spaces. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology with a minor in American Indian Studies from UCLA, where he worked with American Indian Recruitment, a higher education-focused program, and served on the American Indian Student Association board, coordinating its admit weekend.

 

Justin Rodriguez, BS (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Haliwa-Saponi)

REZolution Research Assistant and Youth Advisory Council Member (2021-2024), Indian Health Council, Inc.

Justin Rodriguez was a member of the TEPOC Youth Advisory Council from 2021-2024. He contributed to education and prevention efforts at local events through presentations and activities with youth. He is a Research Assistant at Indian Health Council, Inc. for a mental health and suicide prevention project.

 

Kurt Schweigman, MPH (Oglala Lakota Nation)

Consultant, University of Southern California

Kurt is a Community Advisory Board member to the Native Health: Cannabis and Nicotine Study. He has nearly 20 years of Native American public health experience specific to California.

 

Ravena Soto, M.Ed. (Enterprise Rancheria Maidu)

Project Director, ETR, Tribal Community Coordinating Center

Ravena Soto is the Project Director for ETR’s Tribal Community Coordinating Center, where she supports tribes and tribal-serving organizations in reducing the harmful impacts of the commercial tobacco industry. She is dedicated to advancing community-led initiatives that address the root causes of substance use through effective policies and interventions. Ravena is a strong advocate for youth leadership and is committed to empowering the next generation of changemakers. She is a citizen of the Enterprise Rancheria Maidu Tribe and holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology and a master's degree in education.

 

Colin Welker, MSL

Senior Policy Analyst, Public Health Law Center

Colin Welker is a senior policy analyst supporting the efforts of the commercial tobacco control team. Before joining the Public Health Law Center, Colin worked for the American Indian Cancer Foundation and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. In both positions, he worked to advance policy, system, and environmental changes for Native communities across the country, focusing on commercial tobacco initiatives. He also served as a fellow from 2015-2017 with Truth Initiative advocating for progressive policy to protect LGBTQ+ youth from the tobacco industry.

 

Ethan Wolfe, BS (La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Navajo, Lakota)

As a member of the TEPOC Youth Advisory Council in 2024, Ethan contributed to the development of the YAC toolkit. Ethan is now pursuing a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in health behavior at the University of California, San Diego. His graduate studies center on understanding the social and behavioral factors that influence health, with a particular interest in designing and evaluating interventions to reduce health disparities

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