Local Trinidad Rancheria tribal leader Joy Sundberg dies at the age 90

TRINIDAD, Calif. — An influential tribal leader on the Trinidad Ranchera, died last Saturday at the age of 90.

Joy Sundberg was one of the original assignees of the Char-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria. She was a Yurok Native and served as a chairperson for over 26 years and the second-longest seated female chairperson of any tribe in California.

"She was very charming and had a, she was a good diplomat, as far as you know, being able to be an effective leader, she was able to do it very gracefully, even I'd say volatile issues because she did not back down," Joy's daughter, Lisa Sundberg said.

Joy's accomplishments and contributions span countless organizations and agencies. A procession will be held in her honor on Monday, March 6 starting in Arcata and up to the Klamath River.

You can read Joy Sundberg's full obituary here.