Bio

A Lifetime of Service to Indian Country

Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians in southern California, was first elected to the Pechanga Tribal Council in 1992 and is currently serving in his 28th consecutive year as Tribal Chairman. Throughout his tenure Macarro’s vision for Pechanga has been to see Pechanga strengthen its Tribal sovereignty, political and governmental self-determination, and economic self-sufficiency while maintaining its distinct cultural identity. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mark is married to Holly Cook Macarro (Red Lake Bandof Ojibwe) and is the proud father of four children.

APPOINTMENTS | BOARDS | COUNCILS

National Congress of American Indians
Chairman Macarro is the 1st Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians, serving since October 2021. The NCAI, founded in 1944, is Indian Country’s oldest and largest Native organization. NCAI’s mission is to protect and enhance treaty and sovereign rights, secure our traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for our tribal citizens, promote a common understanding of the rightful place of tribes in the family of American governments, and improve the quality of life for Native communities.
California Truth and Healing Council
Chairman Macarro was appointed in 2020 by California Governor Gavin Newsom to the inaugural California Truth & Healing Council. The CTHC follows the Governor’s apology made in 2019 to California Indians and tribes and seeks to examine and clarify the historical relationship between the State of California and California Native Americans.
University of California President’s NAGPRA Native American Advisory Council
Chairman Macarro was appointed in 2019 by University of California President Janet Napolitano to serve on the inaugural University of California’ NAGPRA Native American Advisory Council through present. The Advisory Council serves to guide the UC President on matters of the Native American Graves & Repatriation Act and surrender of ancestral remains.
American Gaming Association (AGA)
Macarro was appointed in 2018 to the Board of the AGA, which is composed of leaders from throughout the global gaming industry who guide the organization’s positions on issues affecting the current and future state of casino gaming.
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA)
Chairman Macarro has served on the Board of Directors for the Indian Gaming Association since 2003 as the Pacific Region delegate.
Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
Macarro became a Board Member of the Native American Rights Fund in 2010 and served through 2015. Founded in 1970, the NARF is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide.
The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development
Chairman Macarro served as a member of the Board of Governors for The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development from 2007 through 2015. The Harvard Project’s goal: recognizing and promoting examples of good governance projects from within Indian Country serving as models for success in applied social and economic development.
Electoral College Voting Member, California, US Presidential Election
  • 2020, Appointee of the CA Democratic Party
  • 2008 Appointee of Art Torres, CA State Party Chair
Delegate to the Democratic National Convention
  • 2016, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2012, Charlotte, NC
  • 2008, Denver, CO
  • 2004, Boston, MA
2008 Platform Committee Member Appointee, Democratic Party
Appointee of Howard Dean, DNC Chairman
2000-2003, Board Member, California Workforce Investment Board
Appointee of California Governor Gray Davis
1992-1996, Commissioner, Riverside County Historical Commission
Appointee of Supervisor Bob Buster for District 1 (sacred and cultural site protection)
1992-1994, Charter Board Member, Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival
Helping Native communities create new language speakers.