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Patricia Dixon,
CILS Board Chair, Dear Friends and Colleagues, The new year always ushers in change, and this January we have plenty of changes underway at California Indian Legal Services (CILS). After leading CILS for more than twenty-three years, Michael Pfeffer has stepped down as our Executive Director. It is with both sadness and gratitude for his many years of service that I make this announcement: CILS and California Indians have had the benefit of Mike's incredible wealth of knowledge, boundless energy, and passion for his work for more than two decades. Although he will not be leaving CILS, Mike has certainly left big shoes to fill for our next generation of leadership. Needless to say, California Indians and Indian tribes exist in a very different political and social climate today than when Mike took over the Executive Director role. Today, there are both vast improvements and further entrenched inequities. CILS' client community is far more diverse in its needs and its available resources than ever before. The positive impact of CILS over the past two decades can be seen in every tribal community across the state, and we embark on the search for a new Executive Director knowing that the challenges and opportunities that exist for California Indians and for CILS are as great as they have ever been. Foremost on our agenda as we look towards the future is ensuring that critical issues facing California Indians are addressed pro-actively and effectively. This means continuing to work with tribes and individuals to meet their specific needs, and developing strategies to address matters of significance to tribal communities across the state: Indian family protection, tribal justice systems and governance, economic self-sufficiency for Indian families, and Indian land and cultural resource protection – issues that touch every facet of Indian life in California. Under Mike's leadership, CILS has thrived as the law firm that California Indians can call their own: over the years, CILS has evolved to meet the changing needs of California Indians and Indian tribes, but has remained true to its commitment and responsibility to be the organization that California Indians can turn to protect and advance their rights. We remain committed to this legacy. On behalf of the CILS Board of Trustees, I want to express our enthusiasm and excitement for this next chapter in CILS history. As we begin our search for a new Executive Director, we do so with a renewed sense of pride and confidence that CILS is moving forward with a strong sense of purpose and a solid footing. The promise that CILS holds for the California Indian community is truly great, and this promise will be fulfilled by working hand-in-hand with California tribal leaders in the months and years ahead as we continue to shape CILS and its role in California Indian affairs. We look forward to announcing a new Executive Director soon and ushering in an exciting and promising chapter in CILS' history as the leading advocate for California Indian rights. Wishing you all the best in the new year, Patricia
Dixon, Chairperson
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