Tribal Council Member Claribel Holguin Terrill

Claribel was born in the Central Valley of California, Claribel is a descendant of Rosario Cooper through her granddaughter, Florinda Olivas Huizar's daughter, Antonia Olivas Huizar Holguin, a yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash elder. Claribel is a proud Northern Chumash mother of a son, Robert F. Terrill.

She was introduced to our grandmother Rosario Cooper's recorded voice by LeiLynn Olivas Odom, cousin and revered Northern Chumash elder. Interest in her heritage and a journey of discovery of her grandmother's legacy was sparked and continues to burn fervently.

She leads the Central Valley group of family Tribal members, committed to strong kinship relations, Tribal presence, and community outreach. Yearly, they present at Lopez Lake Campfire Presentations revisiting Tribal and family homelands, sharing history, language, songs, visuals and 'hands on' presentations/items.

She has participated in two Breathe of Life Language Revitalization workshops, after which she shared all the materials and lessons with the Central Valley family through a year-long workshop. 

She has revitalized the gathering, processing and making of traditional pine nut jewelry in a traditional way with her elder sister, mother, nieces and other family members.