Tribal Leadership Council Awarded $50,000 Grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Invests in Tribal Leadership Development
The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in California, has announced grants totaling over $13.5 million to support diverse regional initiatives. Among the beneficiaries is the Tribal Leadership Council (TLC), an organization dedicated to promoting sovereignty, leadership, and sustainable growth for tribes across the United States.
Empowering Future Tribal Leaders
As part of its 2025 San Manuel Cares grant cycle, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has awarded $50,000 to the TLC. These funds are intended to strengthen the council’s leadership training programs and to build collaborative partnerships with various tribal groups and educational institutions.
Justin Barrett, the TLC president, expressed gratitude for this support, highlighting the importance of developing leaders equipped to manage community economic development, health, education, and welfare.
“These new leaders are responsible for economic development, health, education and the welfare of their communities, so investing in training helps create good leadership.”
Justin Barrett, President of TLC
Lynn Valbuena, chairwoman of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, also conveyed pride in backing the council’s mission, emphasizing the value of supporting organizations that serve vulnerable community members through critical services.
“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.”
Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Since its inception in the early 2000s, the San Manuel Cares program has granted over $425 million towards initiatives aimed at enhancing local quality of life and supporting worthy causes.
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and California’s AB 831 Legislation
In addition to grantmaking, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is a prominent advocate for California’s AB 831, a legislative effort targeting the prohibition of sweepstakes gaming within the state.
Sweepstakes gaming has sparked debate, largely because it resembles gambling, although proponents argue otherwise. Many regulators and tribal entities have criticized the format for generating unregulated competition that undercuts licensed gaming operations.
California and other states have pursued legislation to ban sweepstakes. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, alongside the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, supports these measures. However, some tribes like the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Big Lagoon Rancheria, and Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria Tribe oppose the bill, stating it does not reflect a unified stance among California tribes.
Despite differing tribal opinions, AB 831 continues to advance in the state legislature, much to the disappointment of organizations like the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA).
