Marshall C. McKay

Marshall Christopher McKay passed away on December 29th, 2020 at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, California after a difficult battle with COVID-19. He was a warrior until the very end. He was 68. Marshall was born on June 5th, 1952 in Colusa, California to his parents Charles McKay, Mabel Lorenzo McKay and his biological mother Frances Lorenzo McDaniels. Growing up, Marshall’s childhood had many hardships. Living in migrant housing in Arbuckle, California was not a pleasant experience. This would go on to shape his life, inspire him to be a dedicated leader, loving father, and mentor. As an adult he went to work, made sure he was providing, learning and making connections. Marshall accomplished everything he set his mind to. He was the first person of his tribe to go to college, attending Sonoma State and UC Berkeley. Marshall met his first wife Electa Reynolds in 1976 and the pair went on to marry and have two children, Rebecca and Dillon. He spent 15 of his early years contracted with the United States Navy, repairing and maintaining nuclear submarines for the Department of Defense, eventually supervising those work crews. He married Sharon Rogers in 2003 and expanded his family with her children. Marshall served as a member of the Yocha Dehe Tribal Council from 1984 to 2015, for a total of 31 years where he was elected to lead his Tribe as Chairman for nearly a decade of that time. He continued to serve on many of the Tribe’s governmental bodies, including the Board of Directors for Cache Creek Casino Resort. Marshall’s leadership was marked by a dedication to the preservation and promotion of Native American arts and culture, the affirmation of sovereign tribal governance, the international effort to protect the rights of all Indigenous peoples and for the improvement of his own Tribe. He was instrumental in helping Yocha Dehe achieve economic independence by diversifying its agricultural operation and expanding the Tribe’s land holdings within Yocha Dehe’s ancestral territory. He provided insight and his knowledge to 9 committees, totaling 96 years combined. Marshall was a fierce advocate for the environment, tribal land rights, a champion for sustainable living, land-use practices, higher education, including California Tribal College. He was dedicated to protecting tribal sovereignty, the rights of Native tribes and peoples. He served on the Board of the Native American Rights Fund and was a Founding Commissioner of the California Native American Heritage Commission, whose charge is to protect Native American cultural resources, including places of religious and social significance to Native peoples, such as tribal cemeteries on private and public lands. As the son of the renowned healer and basket weaver Mabel McKay, Marshall had a deep passion and appreciation for Native art as a means for Native people to tell their stories and preserve their histories and culture. Marshall was a founding member of the Native American Arts & Cultures Foundation, and was appointed to the Board for Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. He was the first Native American to be appointed Chairman of the Board for the Autry National Center (which includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West, and the Institute for the Study of the American West). Marshall shared a glimpse of his mother Mabel’s life and her work through an exhibit in 2018 at the Autry. Marshall McKay leaves us with a lengthy list of attainments and a legacy of achievements that make him a modern day Native American heroic figure and an inspiration to all. We all knew him so well, he's fully appreciated for the great man and leader he was. Time will pass and future generations will recognize that Marshall McKay’s life was that of historical magnitude. He oversaw the growth of a homeland where each family has a mansion as a home. Cache Creek Casino has expanded to a gambling destination, with a world class golf course, an Internationally accredited fire department, Séka Hills provides fine wine, and world class artisanal olive oils. Most importantly of all, treating the homeland environment with respect by helping to build a better place to live, nurture our families and support the future of the valley. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has provided many philanthropic benefits such as food, other benefits including an awe-inspiring list of accomplishments led by Marshall’s dedication and leadership. They have shared their bounty with many. Without Marshall’s love, support, dedication and devotion, the lives of many in our family would’ve been drastically different. Marshall made sure the tribe and homeland would be led by future leaders that he mentored and inspired. As much as he triumphed, he assured the future would be better by preserving their history and their language. Not only did he leave his legacy outside of his Native land, he continues his cultural legacy leaving his Native name bestowed upon Alisha Byrd’s son, Maximus Randall Applegate. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation leaves a significant list of fulfillments led by Marshall’s dedication and leadership. What a legacy we all have been given. As we mourn the loss of our beloved Marshall, we encourage any and all who knew him to remember the beauty he brought to this world. We thank you and will honor your life's work. Wile bo. He is survived by his wife Sharon Rogers of Los Angeles, son Dillon and wife Anilem McKay of Woodland, grandson Anthony McKay of Benicia, sister Harriet Roberts, nephews Anthony wife Melissa and Brayden Roberts, Jose Leos, Kanon Smith, Maximus Randall Applegate, Rocco Knight Jr, Preston and Michael Clarke. Nieces Alisha Byrd, Briana Roberts, Vanessa Applegate, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of Brooks. Uncle Floyd McKay, Cousin Clint wife Lucy McKay and Family, and numerous cousins, all of Santa Rosa. Stepchildren, Brent Rogers, Hsin Neh Rogers, Alexander Finkel, and extended family all of Los Angeles. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca McKay, his parents Charles and Mabel McKay, biological mother Frances Lorenzo McDaniels, grandparents Harry and Daisy Lorenzo, uncle Alfred Lorenzo, brothers Phillip Knight, Randall Knight, niece Cynthia Clarke and most recently his brother Rocco Knight Sr, February 10, 2021. Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who has sent their prayers, love, support, calls, texts, emails, beautiful flowers and memories during this difficult time. Wile bo God Bless A Graveside service is scheduled for April 24, 2021 at 11am at: Benicia City Cemetery 150 Riverhill Dr, Benicia, CA 94510. (Covid-19 restrictions will apply)

Marshall C. McKay

June 5, 1952 - December 29, 2020