MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
The San Manuel Department of Education Programme’s purpose is to assist in the implementation of the Tribe’s educational vision. The Department builds and develops services and programmes and education opportunities for Tribal families.
As part of its commitment to cultural preservation, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians partners with various government agencies, tribal governments and conservation groups to protect important places across ancestral territories and preserve the Serrano language and the traditional Serrano music. Leading these partnerships, Valbuena also spearheads other traditional activities like basket weaving, bird singing, plant gathering, the annual Pow-Wow event and more.
Meanwhile, the San Manuel Environmental Department’ focuses on protecting Tribal Lands and resources on the San Manuel Reservation. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians often sponsors community events and activities in the Inland Empire and across the Indian Country.
In September 2018, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians awarded a three-year, $960,000 gift to California State University to increase college-going rates and success of Native American students as part of the Native American Enrolment and Achievement Initiative.
AWARDS
While under Valbuena’s leadership, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians was awarded two `Responsible Business of the Year` awards at the Global Gaming Awards, in 2021 and 2022.
EMPLOYMENT
For almost 50 years, Valbuena held various elected and appointed positions within the San Manuel tribal government.
She was the Tribe’s first Housing Commissioner and held several Officer positions on the Tribal Council, including Secretary/Treasurer, Vice Chairwoman and is now in her fifth term as Chairwoman.
Valbuena is also currently serving her 27th year as Chairwoman of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN).
Furthermore, she served as Vice Chairwoman for the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Secretary for the National Indian Gaming Association and Delegate to the National Congress of American Indians.
She previously served as a Trustee for the National Museum of the American Indian and continues her trusteeship for the Autry Museum and Advisory Council Member for the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California.
PRODUCTS LAUNCHED
In March 2018, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians completed its Final Tribal Environmental Impact Report for the San Manuel Hotel and Casino Expansion Project. San Manuel proposed to build a hotel and expand its existing casino operations.
Speaking at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ success at the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2022, Valbuena said: “It’s an honour for us to be up here with our team for this award. It’s a team effort as we always say. For a Tribal Government to be recognised, not a corporation, is amazing. For us to work together with these corporations and build those partnerships in collaboration with all of you makes us so happy.” Lynn Valbuena
