Rebecca Tortes

Rebecca Tortes (Cahuilla, Luiseño, and Assiniboine Sioux) has worked with California tribal populations for over 20 years and recently served as the executive director for the California Indian Basketweavers’ Association (CIBA), a statewide nonprofit working to preserve, promote, and perpetuate California Indian basketweaving traditions.

Before joining CIBA, she worked as a tribal administrator, development manager, grant writer, and community liaison for many California-based tribes and tribal nonprofits. In addition, Rebecca has worked as a private consultant to several California tribal communities in developing, funding, and evaluating programs that support California Indigenous control and protection of traditional food systems, water, languages, traditional ecological knowledge, and land.

Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts in human development and psychology and her master’s degree in public administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and earned a certificate in professional advancement in philanthropy from La Sierra University.

As the mother of a teenager, Rebecca is particularly passionate about creating programs for tribal youth and protecting natural resources for the next generation. When she is not working, Rebecca enjoys spending too much money on vinyl records, reading, hiking, traveling, and building her Luiseño language knowledge.