Board of Trustees
Dr. Ofelia Zepeda
Chair
Trustee since 2002
From Stanfield, Arizona
Mr. Bernard G. Siquieros
Vice Chair
Trustee since 2002
From Sells District
Mr. Tony (Anthony) M. Chana
Secretary and Elder Member
Trustee since 2007
From Ge Aji District
Mr. Jonas R. Robles
Elder Member
Trustee since 2007
From Ge Aji District
Ms. Mary Bliss
Member
Trustee since 2019
From San Xavier District
Ms. Libby (Elizabeth) Francisco
Member
Trustee since 2002
From San Xavier District
The Board of Trustees meets monthly. In June 2021, they held a retreat in Tucson. From left: Jonas Robles, Mary Bliss, Tony Chana, Dr. Ofelia Zepeda, and Bernard Siquieros.
Not pictured: Libby Francisco. Photo by Evan Thomas.
Board Reports
Board Members
Dr. Ofelia Zepeda
Dr. Zepeda, Chairwoman, is from Stanfield, Arizona and traces her family roots to the O’odham in Mexico. She is both a Regents’ Professor with the Department of Linguistics and the Head of the American Indian Studies Department at the University of Arizona. She earned her Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics from the University of Arizona.
Bernard Siquieros
Vice Chairman Siquieros is from Sells District. He is enjoying his retirement after a career of working for the Tohono O’odham Nation. Mr Siquieros’ most recent post was as the Education Curator of Himdag Ki: Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum. He is a former Director of the Tohono O’odham Nation Education Department. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education at the University of Arizona, and pursued graduate studies in education at Arizona State University.
Mr. Tony (Anthony) M. Chana
Secretary Tony (Anthony) M. Chana is from Ge Aji (Gu Achi) District. He is retired from Pima Community College, where he worked for thirty years as a counselor. He also taught Tohono O’odham History and Culture as an adjunct faculty member for Pima Community College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Arizona State University and an A.A. from Phoenix College. Mr. Chana is an Elder Member of the Board of Trustees.
Jonas R. Robles
Board of Trustees Member Jonas Robles is from Ge Aji (Gu Achi) District and served as Gu Achi District Chairman for thirteen years. He is retired from the Tohono O’odham Nation Behavioral Health where he was a Substance Abuse Counselor. Mr. Robles attended Pima Community College and Northwest Indian College. He is an Elder Member of the Board of Trustees.
Ms. Libby (Elizabeth) Francisco
Ms. Libby (Elizabeth) Francisco hails from Wa:k (San Xavier) District. She is the Chief Operations Officer of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise. Ms. Francisco earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona.
Mary Bliss
Board of Trustees Member Mary Bliss is from Wa:k (San Xavier) District. She has retired from Social Work, formerly worked with the Archie Hendricks, Sr. Skilled Nursing Facility’s Hospice Program and continues to volunteer as her schedule permits. Mrs. Bliss earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University.