Angie Savala Bulletts: family, culture and work ethic

“’Sometimes you’re going to have to stand alone in the decisions you make, so stand up and stand alone,’” Angie quoted her dad, David Savala. “So, I never thought twice about having my own opinion.” Where did that attitude get her?

“I believe the stories grandpa told me, which we continue to tell, we will always be here. This is our universe; this is our world, and we always have to be here to take care of it.” Photo via Laurali Noteman.

After a career with the BLM and Forestry Department beginning in 2001 with an impressive progression through the system, she retired (kind of) in 2023. She currently holds a board seat on the Zion Forever project. She also sits on the board of a new national monument that has not yet had the opportunity to move forward. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, asked her to sit on the board in 2025, for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukven, Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. If you would like to read more about Angie’s professional career just enter her name in your search engine.

After a three-year commitment in Las Vegas as Manager of Nevada District, in 2023 Angie began a new chapter: “The grandkids started and I was out of there.” Backing up a bit Angie’s family moved from Los Angeles when she was 12. Her mom, Gevene Savala, wanted to be closer to Angie’s grandfather in Pipe Springs. She explained, “When I grew up, we were a four generational household. Grandfather would tell me stories.” Born in 1901, he would tell stories of the valleys of Bryce Canyon, the place of his birth, the tribe spent summers there and followed the Paria River down to Lee’s Ferry for the winters.

Angie’s love of family and cultural history was paramount to her federal employment. “I always had the privilege of working in Paiute Traditional Lands, all the jobs I had did that for me. For that I am truly grateful to the Federal Government.” Having a degree in Cultural Anthropology, with an emphasis in Sociology and Natural Resource Management, she was able to fulfill her educational dreams, something her dad questioned her about when he asked what she was ever going to do with those degrees.

“At 12, I started my bead work. I am now considered a master bead worker, not the best but I’m kind of up there.” Angie says. She also sews traditional clothing as well as making cradle- boards. She is teaching all of these skills to her daughters; Leslie, who is learning the art of making cradleboards, and India, sews tribal clothing and is learning to bead.

She also enjoys fishing with her husband, Carlos, around the US and off the coast of Mexico. They hire a guide the first time they investigate a new fishing area. He teaches them the best areas and techniques for whatever they are fishing, like tuna off the coast of Mexico.

She is proud of her ancestry, and her son-in-law Riley is making the effort to learn the Paiute culture, language and lifestyle. She loves that her grandchildren are enrolled in the Paiute tribe.

It was a genuine pleasure to meet Angie. I appreciated her accomplishments and am impressed with her devotion to family and continuing her commitment to her tribal culture.