Office of the Tribal Advisor

Save the Date: Sept. 30, 2025, Tribal Rights of Way Workshop, Blue Lake; More info to come soon!

Welcome to the Office of the Tribal Advisor

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is committed to integrating Tribal concerns into its programs and policies through active discussions and consultations with Tribes. The Office of the Tribal Advisor provides information about upcoming forums, hearings, and workshops.

To stay informed, submit your contact information in the form below. You can also find details on upcoming meetings, Public Participation Hearings, workshops, and newly filed proceedings in the CPUC Daily Calendar here.

For inquiries, contact the Office of the Tribal Advisor at TribalAdvisor@cpuc.ca.gov.

Meet Our Tribal Advisor

On April 18, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Briannon (Brie) Fraley as the CPUC’s Tribal Advisor.

Brie is an enrolled citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and grew up on the Pacific Coast in the heart of her tribal territory, in Del Norte County. She has dedicated her career to improving the conditions of tribal communities across the country.

Brie served as her tribe’s Self-Governance Director, establishing the Office of Self-Governance, advising Tribal leadership on government-to-government relations, leading negotiations for partnership development and community benefit. She led an innovative approach to incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in federal and state decision-making for co-management, an effort for which she was recognized with the Native American 40 under 40 Award.

Brie draws inspiration from her community, which has shaped her engagement and advocacy in uplifting tribal sovereignty through education, storytelling, and relationship building. Her advocacy roles for tribal communities include United Indian Health Services Board member, Title VI American Indian Education Parent Committee Chair, West Coast Governors Alliance, and the Department of Interior’s Self-Governance Advisory Committee Technical Advisor.

Brie holds a B.S. from Sonoma State University and Post Bachelor’s Degree in Native American Studies with an emphasis in Tribal Law and Governance from Cal Poly Humboldt.

About the Office of the Tribal Advisor

The Office serves as a resource for California Native American Tribes, facilitating government-to-government relationships and communication with the CPUC. It aims to support self-governance and ensure meaningful input in the development of policies that affect Tribal communities.

The CPUC’s Tribal Advisor implements the agency’s Tribal Consultation Policy and coordinates outreach and education on Tribal interests. They act as a point of contact for Tribal governments engaging in CPUC proceedings, facilitate consultations with Commission leadership, and encourage Tribal participation in utility programs while consulting on relevant policy changes.

The Tribal Advisor is essential in executing the CPUC’s mission and the goals of effective Tribal Consultation established by former Governor Jerry Brown Jr. (Executive Order B-10-11) and Governor Gavin Newsom (Executive Order N-15-19).

The CPUC respects the sovereignty of California's Tribal governments and aims to collaborate to address utility challenges faced by Tribal communities.