Dr. Donna Miranda-Begay

CEO for CA Native American GIS and Founder of California Native American GIS Summit 2025 and 2026.  Tübatulabal cultural practitioner, conservation and cultural bearer, and Tribal researcher. State government technologist for 28 years and CIO for Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwoks. CA Governor Appointee – Dept. Rehabilitation Council (2000-2008), served on Caltrans and CalEPA Tribal Advisory Committees (1998-2011), and CA DWR State Water Plan Advisory Committee and Tribal Water Summit Planning Team (2000-2012).  Awarded California State Assembly and Senate proclamations endorsed by California Tribal Chairperson Association in 2018, 2023, and 2024 for her work in the protection of cultural landscapes, environmental justice, advocacy of traditional ecological knowledge for natural resources management and innovated technologies for Tribal communities. Founder of CA Native American GIS Summit 2025 & 2026 – bringing together CA Native American Tribes, Federal/State/Local governments, Non-profits, Academics, and Tribal Youth to share and learn about the uses of GIS based technologies that can help with natural resources management, protection of cultural landscapes, data sovereignty, and environmental justice support. CA Governor’s Tribal Authors’ writing teams – CA Truth and Healing Council “Real CA Native American History” and Land Use and Climate Change – 5^th Assessment of Climate Change – Tribal Report 2026.