Xavier Rain Tree

Xavier Z. Rain Tree (he/him) is a Native American community advocate and student, tribally Indigenous to California’s Central Valley (Fresno). He is a proud member of the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians and a descendant of the Choinumni (Choy-Numb-Knee) and Wukchumni (Wok-Chum-Knee) Yokuts Tribes. Deeply committed to preserving his tribes’ cultures, languages and identities, Xavier actively works to protect their existence in the face of ongoing cultural genocide and the struggle for lawful recognition at both the state and federal levels. 

His dedication to this cause led him to create and screen a short documentary, highlighting the consequences of unratified American Tribal Treaties. He was pivotal in documenting his family’s efforts to rename their ancestral homeland from the former pejorative, “Sq**w Valley” to one that honors his people: “Yokuts Valley.” Xavier’s advocacy was further shaped by a personal experience of discrimination at his high school graduation, where he was prohibited from wearing tribal regalia—including a beaded cap, feather and a traditional yarn belt made especially for him as a graduation sash. This injustice fueled his passion for working with tribal youth and young adults, ensuring future generations will not have to endure similar hardships. Thoughtful and kind, Xavier strives to embody the core values of his medicine, channeling them into his work to uplift and advance his people.