Samantha Thornsberry is a member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians and lives and works on the Cahuilla Reservation, she moved back home to the reservation in 2008. After 18 years working in higher education as a Professor of Literature, BSE, MA, she began working as an Advocate for the newly formed Cahuilla Consortium Victim Advocacy Program in 2010, moving to Program Director in 2015.  Samantha has served her Tribe on various committees, including the Scholarship committee, Economic Development Committee, Indian Health Board alternate-delegate, Tribal College alternate-delegate, Casino Board of Directors (2014-2021) and the Tribal Council, Councilmember (2010-2014, 2024-2028), and she continues to engage and serve the Cahuilla tribe and community through  activities that support and promote the welfare and security of Native people.