Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope's Biography

Wa•lih wali•s•y which is the Me-Wuk Translation for Morningstar.

Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope is the Tribal Chairwoman of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians. She is the great-granddaughter of the original distributees, Louis and Annie Oliver. She is the only great-grandchild, and her children are the only great great grandchildren of Louis and Annie. Elinor Oliver was her grandmother, and the only child of the Olivers to have children.

Since assuming leadership of the Tribe, she has resurrected nearly lost traditions. A Memorial Day celebration was started by her great great grandfather Casus Oliver. This event is documented by C. Meriam Hart, as he was a guest of Casus Oliver when he visited their rancheria. Her great grandfather Louie also continued the tradition. The tribe is also actively involved in the language revitalization.

Rhonda and her husband, Marty, have made significant progress toward the tribe's cultural preservation. "We were blessed with a beautiful dance arbor in 2007. Once again you can hear that foot drum and the singing. The spirit of the ancestors are happy with our progress and will continue to guide us on our path to keep the culture of this tribe alive."