Bella Gisele Garcia

Munahuu iiNaniyan Bella Garcia! Hello, my name is Bella Garcia! 

Bella Garcia (she/her) is an enrolled citizen of North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, located in the Central Valley. She was born and raised on the traditional homelands of her people – the Sierra Nevada Mountains – for which she is  forever grateful. A graduating senior, Bella has maintained a 4.0 and above GPA throughout high school. She currently serves as President of the Native American and Indigenous People’s Club, which she reintroduced at her school for the first time since 2008, and as Vice President of the Native American Youth Council (NAYC) at Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP). 

For the past two years, Bella has been consistently advocating for federal and state rights to wear Tribal regalia at her graduation ceremony, working closely with the ACLU, California Indian Legal Services, Indigenous Justice, Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP) and the International Indian Treaty Council. Her dedication, passion and desire drives her continual fight to ensure young people feel safe and protected. As such, she will be the very first Native American student and woman from Clovis Unified School District (CUSD) to graduate wearing a beaded graduation cap, beaded Mocs, beaded earrings and tribal stole, in addition to an eagle feather.

Bella has also been asked to speak at the state capital, alongside the chairman of the Tule River Indian Tribe, Shine Nieto and Assemblymember James Ramos, to support the proposed bill AB 1369. If passed, the bill would “clarify that what constitutes traditional regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance is to be determined by the pupil and the pupil’s family.” This bill would impact several communities in California, ensuring Native graduates and their families are the ones to determine their tribal regalia for their student(s). Bella is honored to be part of the 2025 California Native Youth Collective and looks forward to continuing to strengthen her community and protect future generations to continue the legacy of her ancestors.