The Tribal Leadership Council (TLC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation as part of the tribe’s 2025 San Manuel Cares grant cycle.
The generous funding is earmarked to strengthen the TLC’s training programs and expand professional development opportunities for new and emerging Tribal leaders across the United States.
The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, announced a total of over $13.5 million in grants to support impactful programs nationwide.
The grant awarded to the TLC aligns with the San Manuel Cares “Empowering Lives” giving pillar, which focuses on supporting underserved communities.
The TLC’s mission to build capacity and strengthen Tribal governance is seen as a critical investment in the future of Native American communities, as new leaders are responsible for vital areas such as economic development, health, and education.
The funding will allow the TLC to enhance its specialized instruction by continuing to build partnerships with Tribes, universities, and other organizations.
Justin Barrett, President of the Tribal Leadership Council, expressed his deep gratitude for the support.
We are deeply grateful to Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation for their generous support and belief in our mission. This grant will allow us to expand training programs about governance for new Tribal leaders, and to continue building partnerships with Tribes, universities, and organizations for specialized instruction. These new leaders are responsible for economic development, health, education and the welfare of their communities, so investing in training helps create good leadership.
Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, spoke about the Tribe’s guiding philosophy.
For over two decades, the call of Yawa’—a Serrano value meaning ‘to act on one’s beliefs’—has guided our giving programs and community efforts. We are proud to support organizations like the Tribal Leadership Council that uplift our communities by reaching some of the most vulnerable populations to provide critical services.
