Louise Burke was elected to the Pechanga Tribal Council in July 2024. The Pechanga Band of Indians is located in Temecula, CA. Louise earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. She began serving the Pechanga Band in 2008 when she started an apprenticeship in the Accounts Payable department at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. Later, she was appointed to serve on the Pechanga Band’s Trust Review Board, which promotes and protects the health, education and welfare of legally incompetent adult tribal members who require or request assistance.
In 2011, Louise was appointed Tribal Secretary, a Constitutional Officer position, where she served for 13 years. During her tenure, she focused on increasing efficiencies, technological advancements, document retention, strategic organization processes and tribal youth inclusion through an internship program. The role had a unique set of challenges and opportunities and Louise discovered so much about the tribe’s history, oral traditions, familial legacies, and the importance of protecting tribal sovereignty. Louise is amazed at the multiple opportunities available to all Pechanga tribal members and looks forward to advocating for Pechanga citizens and programs in her new role as Tribal Councilwoman.