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California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

Aileen Meyer epitomizes the value of social justice that lies at the heart of California Polytechnic University, Humboldt. She grew up in the small town of Loleta, in rural Humboldt County, as a member of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria. Despite facing many structural and financial barriers, she has gone on to create positive change for the Bear River Band, Humboldt County and beyond.

College was unavailable to Ms. Meyer when she graduated from high school, so she moved to Eureka to pursue her dreams. She was hired at a law office that worked in Tribal law, and she soon realized that Native Americans could be entitled to certain types of restitution. As a result, she began in-depth research about the possible pathways to restoring government recognition of Tribes and Tribal sovereignty.

Ms. Meyer was instrumental in winning back Tribal recognition from the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Hardwick v. United States. Following that decision, she met with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., and successfully received funding to purchase land for a new Rancheria. (As with many Tribes, her Tribe’s initial reservation from the early 1900s had been dissolved and the land subsequently parceled.)

Having established that recognition, Ms. Meyer then became one of the authors of the Tribe’s inaugural constitution, working to enshrine the Tribe’s governance with the Tribal Council and rebuilding the Tribe. Despite structural discrimination, she continued working to secure grant funding and other resource allocations for essential initiatives.

Today, Ms. Meyer serves as the vice chairwoman of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria. She has an impressive knowledge of constitutional law and Tribal history, which she has used to serve her Tribe. She is a committed leader of the Tribal community and an inspiring example of service, resilience and tireless dedication to bringing positive change to the people of Humboldt County.

Ms. Meyer’s selfless dedication has made a positive difference not only for those who have known her personally, but also to the many she has never met through her successful advocacy for Tribal funding, recognition and sovereignty. Her quiet but effective leadership continues to inspire the next generation at Cal Poly Humboldt and throughout the community.

In recognition of her work for Tribal recognition and governance in Humboldt County, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt are proud to confer upon Aileen Meyer the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.