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While we are deeply saddened by the passing of Chairman Mazzetti, we take this moment to honor and celebrate his remarkable life and contributions. He passed on May 1, 2025, at the age of 77. While he is no longer with us today, his life’s work lives on.
Chairman Mazzetti held countless roles serving his Tribe and others across California. From serving as a Roads Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and establishing the Reservation Transportation Authority, to serving as the President of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, a coalition of five tribes, that won a 50-year long lawsuit to regain tribal water rights – he was a force. He believed service to the community was important and modeled that belief daily.
In 2002, he was elected to the Rincon Tribal Council and eventually became Vice Chairman. In 2008, he was elected Chairman where he served for over 16 consecutive years.
At Caltrans, his leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on the tribal coordination work that we do. His participation on the Native American Advisory Committee, which began in 1999 and continued until he retired as co-chair in 2019, and the role he played in the development of the Caltrans Director’s Policy on Working with Native American Tribes helped set the foundation for Caltrans tribal relations policy and practice. He was also a fierce advocate of tribal projects in the San Diego region. His advocacy efforts led to many of the collaborations in place now, including the Intraregional Tribal Transportation Strategy and the two current tribal priority projects, the State Route 76 Improvements and the Interstate-8 at Willows Road Intersection Improvements, led by SANDAG with the oversight of Caltrans District 11.
Senior Tribal Advisor, Lonora Graves shares, “Chairman Mazzetti was a significant part of my education on tribal transportation. He was incredibly active and vocal in his dealings with Caltrans over the decades, and I learned so much from him. He truly was an advocate for Tribes, and his dedication and passion were evident in everything he did. One thing I will always remember and cherish is the humor he brought everywhere, especially to the NAAC. It made working with him a joy, and I will miss that immensely. I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn from and work alongside him.”
Current NAAC member, Chairwoman Erica Pinto shares, “Chairman Mazzetti was a true champion in Indian Country, a fierce advocate for sovereignty, transportation, and water rights for all American Indians. He was a mentor to many and will be missed by all.”
Read the official media statement from his tribe.
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