
What We Do
The Woodfords Indian Community is comprised 70 acres of trust land and surrounding areas in Eastern Alpine County, California. The Woodfords Community Council is an elected governing body of five (5) council members, comprised of enrolled members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.
Hungalelti Report: January 2024 - May 2025
Community Uplift & Growth
The Woodfords Community Council (WCC) is proud to share the incredible progress and achievements of the Hungalelti community! Together, we are building a vibrant, culturally rich, and supportive environment focusing on well-being, youth development, and community strength. Hereβs a look at what weβve accomplished!
Empowering Our Youth
- Youth Basketball is a Slam Dunk! π
- Multiple Hungalelti youth basketball teams formed, participating in at least 5 tournaments between Feb-April 2025!
- Teams coached on sportsmanship, leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
- All three teams placed 3rd at the Hawthorne Goatheads Tourney!
- Practices held twice a week at the Woodfords Wellness Center.
- Awesome Activities & Learning! π
- Woodfords Indian Education Center (WIEC) offers after-school programs, cultural activities, field trips (like to Yosemite!), and language classes.
- Open gym is a hit, with an average of 27 participants enjoying various sports.
- WIEC received approval for 5 more years of funding (2025-2029)!
- $5,000 grant received to add more Native books and resources to the WIEC library.
- Summer Youth Employment Programs keep our teens engaged and learning.
- The UNITY Youth Council is active and planning events.
- New play structures are planned for the community!
- Spring Break activities included swimming lessons and tree planting.
Strengthening Community & Culture
- My2Aunties Program Approved! β€οΈ
- This culturally-grounded program will offer family support and wellness, with curriculum developed with Elders.
- Keeping Our Culture Strong! β¨
- Efforts to bring back the Washoe language to youth and adults, with elders working with students.
- Cultural sensitivity training requested to ensure respectful interactions.
- Community events like the WCC Thanksgiving Dinner bring us together.
- New, clear addresses for community buildings make services easier to find.
- We're exploring an exciting "Land Back" opportunity to reclaim ancestral lands!
- Supporting Each Other! π€
- Community dinners and after-school snacks.
- WCC supported a community member's participation in Ms. Indian World.
- The WCC general fund was $20,000 in the black (spent less than budget)!
Investing in Health & Safety
- Focusing on Wellness! πΏ
- $373,000 from Opioid Settlement Funds allocated to Hungalelti to support recovery and prevention!
- Crossroads Recovery, a Native-owned program, secured funding to bring services to Woodfords.
- A Wellness Center at Diamond Valley School (DVES) is now providing services to families.
- The "Listen and Leap" project brings restorative justice approaches to local schools.
- Making Our Community Safer! π‘οΈ
- $15,000 approved for security cameras at the entrances of the Hungalelti reservation.
- $20,000 allocated for new streetlights.
- Funds dedicated to community cleanup, including removing abandoned vehicles.
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training offered to help us prepare for emergencies.
- The Woodfords Cemetery was cleaned up by the Washoe Tribe Conservation Corp. (WTCC).
Building Our Future
- Improving Our Spaces! ποΈ
- $714,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are being used for major infrastructure improvements to the Firehouse, Gym (Wellness Center), and WIEC!
- This includes HVAC upgrades, engineering design, and potential solar arrays.
- The MakerSpace at WIEC is now open, offering a creative hub for the community!
- funding allocated for maintenance and janitorial work for WCC buildings.
- Economic Growth & Support! π°
- Economic relief aid was distributed to community members.
- The WCC is actively seeking and has secured grants for various programs, including:
- IMLS Grant for WIEC library and programs.
- Tribal Nutrition Assistance Program (TNAP).
- A $10 million Community Resiliency Center Grant is being pursued to protect our community against climate change.
- Alpine County funding for 3on3 basketball tournaments.
- The WCC budget meeting for 2024 was held, allocating funds for recreation and services.
The Woodfords Community Council (WCC) is committed to providing culturally relevant and uplifting programs and services. Together, we are making the Hungalelti community an even better place to live, grow, and thrive!
Guiding the Woodfords Community
The Woodfords Community Council serves as the local governing body for the Woodfords Indian Community. This interactive guide provides a clear overview of the council's structure, its core responsibilities, and its vital role in overseeing key community programs.
About the Council
Structure
Composed of five elected members who serve four-year terms, forming the community's governing body.
Leadership
The Council elects a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and a Secretary/Treasurer from its members to lead its operations.
Tribal Representation
Two council members are selected to represent the Woodfords Community's interests on the larger Washoe Tribal Council.
Jurisdiction
Oversees Woodfords, Fredricksburg, Paynesville, Diamond Valley, the Dutch Valley area, and other acquired lands.
Key Responsibilities
The Council's powers are broad, covering legislation, financial management, advocacy, and resource administration to promote the well-being of the community.
π Governance & Policy
Adopts local laws and resolutions, establishes subordinate organizations, and regulates community procedures to reflect the will of the residents.
π° Financial Management
Prepares the annual community budget for presentation to the Washoe Tribal Council and supervises all expenditures of budgeted funds.
π£οΈ Community Advocacy
Represents the community's interests when meeting with federal, state, and local governments, and keeps residents informed of tribal affairs.
π² Land & Resources
Manages community enterprises, advises on tribal land leases, and provides recommendations on applications for land assignments within its jurisdiction.
Program Oversight
The Council provides direct supervision and guidance for several critical community programs. Click on a program to learn more about the Council's role.
Recreation Activities Program
The Council directly supervises the Supervisor of Recreation Activities to ensure a vibrant and engaging environment for all community members.
- Oversees the planning and implementation of all community recreation activities.
- Monitors after-school programs and the summer recreation program.
- Reviews monthly reports on community center operations and events.
- Ensures proper maintenance of the community building and park grounds.
Woodfords Indian Education Center (WIEC)
The Council directly supervises the Director of the WIEC to support the academic and cultural journey of K-12 students.
- Oversees all administrative operations of the education center.
- Reviews grant applications, budgets, and program activity reports.
- Receives regular updates on student progress and program effectiveness.
- Manages the distribution of the Woodfords Community Council Higher Education Scholarship.
My 2 Aunties Home Visitation Program
The Council Chairman (or designee) supervises the Program Coordinator, guiding this grant-funded initiative to empower families.
- Provides oversight for in-home visiting, case management, and program administration.
- Ensures the program helps families build life skills and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Oversees coordination with county, state, and tribal resource partners.
- Reviews reports on family support plans and program outcomes.
Washoe Tribe Youth Corps (WTYC)
While this program is supervised by the Hungalelti Community Council, the Woodfords Council collaborates and supports its goals within the broader tribal structure.
- The Council supports the WTYC's mission of youth development and environmental stewardship.
- Responsibilities include oversight of construction projects and managing youth corps members.
- The program is a key partner in providing opportunities for young tribal members.
Governing Documents
The Council's authority and responsibilities are formally defined in the following key documents, which provide the legal framework for its operations.
- Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Constitution and Bylaws
- Woodfords Community Council Articles of Association