Redding Rancheria Newsletter
October 2025
Redding Rancheria Stillwater Pow Wow 2025
We extend our heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited and experienced the 33rd Annual Stillwater Pow Wow. What a powerful and joyful weekend it was—filled with laughter, love, and light! The variety of dancers, the rhythm of the drums, and the diverse crowd created a vibrant celebration, alive with the energy of the sun.
Mark your calendars—we’ll be back next year, from October 2nd to 4th, 2026. See you then!
We are deeply grateful for the dedication and commitment of this year’s Head Staff, whose efforts made this pow wow a truly memorable event. Your selfless service brought this celebration to life. Thank you!
Master of Ceremonies: Carlos Calica
Arena Director: Josette Scholfield
Head Woman: Naomi Bebo
Head Man: Dallin Maybee
Host Drum: Iron Star
Guest Drum: Ozuye
Stillwater Pow Wow 2025 Moments
Stillwater Pow Wow 2025 Honored Elders Dinner
We are thrilled to unveil this year’s Honored Elders of 2025! The Thursday night before the pow wow kicks off, we gather in joy and gratitude for our annual Honored Elders dinner. This our opportunity to pay tribute to elders whose lives have left an indelible mark on the Redding Rancheria and throughout Indian Country. It was an evening filled with celebration and deep respect, surrounded by the warmth of these beloved individuals and their cherished families.
In keeping with tradition, the inaugural Grand Entry of the Pow Wow was dedicated to these extraordinary souls. It is our immense honor to celebrate the following distinguished elders: Anthony Hayward, Phillip Potter Jr., Theodore Martinez, and Joe Estrada. Their unwavering dedication and commitment have paved the way for us to continue their invaluable work. These extraordinary individuals are pillars of inspiration, bringing our people together in strength and unity.
To our esteemed elders, we offer our deepest gratitude. Your guidance, wisdom, and nurturing of our youth have shaped not only the present but also the future of our community. Your legacy drives us onward, and we thank you sincerely for all you have done. With reverence and respect, we will continue to walk the path you have carved with your time on our homeland.
Thank you for the light you shine on our journey forward.
Phillip Potter Jr. Redding Rancheria Tribal Member
Joe Estrada Yaqui
Anthony Hayward Redding Rancheria Tribal Member
Theodore Martinez Pit River - Atsuge
2025 CNIGA Visit to Redding Rancheria
We were honored to host the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) for their quarterly meeting on October 15 & 16. CNIGA serves as the official voice of tribal governments on gaming-related issues in California, representing over 40 federally recognized tribal governments. The organization is dedicated to protecting tribal sovereignty, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and advancing the well-being of tribal communities through the responsible operation of gaming enterprises.
We were delighted to welcome CNIGA members on for a mixer—a chance to connect, share stories, and set the tone for an inspiring time together. The evening concluded with a wonderful dinner filled with good company and conversation.
The meeting kicked off Thursday morning with breakfast before the day’s discussions began in earnest. It is our privilege to collaborate with CNIGA, an organization whose work aligns deeply with our shared mission: to strengthen tribal communities, support self-determination, and improve the quality of life across Indian Country and beyond.
October is National Physical Therapy Month
Join us in celebrating our excellent Physical Therapy Staff:
Physical Therapy can offer many benefits for individuals of all ages and physical conditions. It is a non-invasive approach to healing and improving overall physical function, post-surgical rehabilitation, improved mobility and prevention of future injuries.
One benefit of physical therapy is pain reduction. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation, physical therapist help reduce pain and improve mobility
Physical therapy also plays a vital role in restoring movement and strength. Whether someone is recovering from surgery, a sports injury, or managing a neurological condition, physical therapy helps patients regain independence by improving balance, coordination and muscle function.
Another key benefit is injury prevention. Physical therapists assess posture, gait, and muscle imbalances to develop personalized programs that strengthen vulnerable areas, reducing the risk of future injuries.
Overall, physical therapy is a powerful tool to enhance quality of life by improving physical function, reducing pain, and promoting long-term health benefits.
Atun Cawker
Mike Engbretson
Angela Gutermuth
Leslie Kempley
Tim Parr
Kayla McNeely
Honoring the Families of the Redding Rancheria
Celebrating the people who make our Tribe stronger together! At the Redding Rancheria, we are proud to be a family oriented employer. Across all our entities, whether in health, government, education, or enterprise, our greatest strength is our people. Many of our employees do not just work side by side… they are family. And that is something truly special.
In recognition of this unique bond, we are excited to begin sharing the stories of families who work for the Redding Rancheria. These stories reflect not only the strength of our workforce but also the heart of our community rooted in culture, connected by tradition, and united by purpose.
By showcasing the families who work together here, we hope to highlight the powerful legacy we are building. Together, we are not only creating a brighter future for our Tribe, but also living the traditions of our ancestors and leading by example in community development and cultural preservation.
Kimberly Billy: “I’m especially looking forward to the Health Village. I’m so excited about bringing it to the community.”
Andrew Billy: “I’m excited for the I-5 project for the casino. We’ll be next to the river with beautiful views. I just can’t wait to see the progress.”
We are so proud of the journeys and growth of our team members. Your hard work, dedication, and gratitude inspire us all!
Husband and Wife - Andrew and Kimberly Billy
Redding Rancheria Wellness Department
Hosts Win-Fit Competition #2
Health and wellness is our way of life and we are so excited about it! At Redding Rancheria, we are dedicated to promoting health and wellness within our community through engaging activities and events. One of our signature wellness initiatives is the Win-Fit Competition, which encourages participants to get active—whether by walking the beautiful trail along the river or by joining the competition. The course for the race is about 2 miles with a different exercise every half mile. The exercises consist of 20 reps of pushups, sit-ups, and squats and ends with 10 reps of burpees.
This year, we had an impressive 130 participants, including 38 competitors who took on the challenge. The Wellness Department continues to support these opportunities by fostering a culture of fitness, wellbeing, and community connection. WinFit remains one of our top participation events, inspiring employees to stay active and healthy together to help make lasting change to create brighter and heathier tomorrow!
2025 Little Big Time
What a joy it is to see the Little Big Time return! Our hearts are full as we come together once again to celebrate, share, and pass on the beauty of our traditions to the youngest members of our community
At Redding Rancheria Head Start, we take great pride in nurturing not only bright minds, but strong spirits, teaching our children the stories, songs, dances, and values that have guided our people for generations. Our way of life is built on balance and humility, reminding us that strength comes from unity, respect, and gratitude.
And let’s be honest, who can resist the mouthwatering aroma of that traditionally cooked salmon? It’s more than a meal; it’s a symbol of connection to our land, our ancestors, and to one another.
As we celebrate this special comeback, we honor the past, embrace the present, and light the path for the future. Together, we continue to live in harmony, share with love, and keep our culture alive, one little learner, one dance step, and one delicious bite at a time!
California Rural Indian Health Board Inc. Award Ceremony
We are beyond proud of our award winners from the 56th Annual California Rural Indian Health Board Inc. Award Ceremony.
The late and respected Tribal Member James Hayward Sr. was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his incredible dedication to Indian Country and his Tribe. His legacy continues to inspire us all. His niece Michelle Hayward accepted this meaningful honor on his behalf.
We also celebrate Dr. Joe Villalobos, recipient of the Luna Wessel Award, for his commitment to providing exceptional medical care to our tribal community.
Congratulations to both for their lasting impact and heartfelt service.
Tribal Youth Family Night at Hawes Farm
Once a month depending on scheduling, our tribal youth leadership hosts family fun activities to create opportunities for our people to come together and be active, while creating memories together. This past October they hosted a family fun evening on the Historic Hawes Farm!
It was great to see so many families coming together and smiling away like the sun was shining! We had kids on coasters, people with pumpkins on a patch, and belt busting bronco bull riding by the brave kids! From dawn to dusk we partied through the evening until the ghosts and ghouls came a haunting!
Thank you to our Education Department for hosting this family fun and exciting event. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to our youth!
Caring for Our People: Redding Rancheria’s Approach to Flu Prevention and Wellness
Many members of Native American communities and rural regions—like those served by Redding Rancheria— face higher risks of serious complications from the flu. Studies have shown that American Indian and Alaska Native populations are hospitalized for influenza at rates up to 1.5 to 2 times higher than the general U.S. population.¹ In rural areas, challenges such as limited healthcare access, higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and transportation barriers can make it harder for people to get timely treatment or preventive care.
Hosting a flu clinic directly addresses these inequities by offering proactive protection for the community. Because influenza can lead to severe illness and hospitalization—especially for elders, children, and people with chronic health conditions—vaccination is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect individuals and reduce strain on local healthcare systems.
Redding Rancheria Tribal Health System (RRTHS) places community wellness at the heart of its mission. The organization supports chronic disease prevention, culturally informed care, and accessible health services. Providing a flu clinic reflects that philosophy: it’s not just about treating illness after it happens, but about preventing it, reducing disruptions to families’ lives, and strengthening community resilience year-round.
¹ Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Indian Health Service (IHS) influenza surveillance data.
Trick or Treat!
Here Comes the Head Start Kids!
From ghouls and ghosts to Batman and Bluey, our halls were bursting with color, creativity, and giggles galore! This wasn’t a day for fright — it was pure delight as our Head Start kids made their way through the Tribal Admin Building, trick-or-treating from office to office.
Both floors came alive with magic and imagination — from a fairytale land sparkling with wonder, to a spooky forest full of surprises, and even a visit to Peter Pan’s Neverland!
We love going all-out to bring the Halloween spirit to life and create memories the kids (and staff!) will never forget. Here’s to many more years of laughter, costumes, and spooktacular fun!
Trick or Treat!
Comes the Head Start Kids!
Think Pink 2025
From high-energy 5K Fun Runs to inspiring Resource Fairs, Think Pink brings communities together to raise awareness, support, and critical funds for Breast Cancer research and prevention.
Every October, we go all out — thinking pink, wearing pink, and spreading pink power — because breast cancer touches all of us in some way. But here’s the truth: we don’t have to face it alone.
Whether you’re a survivor, a supporter, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, there’s a place for you in this movement. We encourage everyone to:
• Get regular screenings — mammograms save lives!
• Know your body — perform monthly self-exams.
• Talk to your doctor about your family history and risk factors.
• Stay active and eat healthy — lifestyle matters!
The best defense is early detection — and that starts with awareness and action. So rally your crew, throw on some pink, and let’s support one another in the fight against breast cancer.
Because when we Think Pink, we think hope, strength, and community.
Fighting Breast Cancer Together
Of The Month October employee of the month to be announced soon!!
