American Indian College Fund Receives $100K in Support from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

December 4, 2013

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, located near Highland, Calif., provided the American Indian College Fund with $100,000 to support of various program elements, including $50,000 for the scholarship program; $25,000 for the Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund Endowment; and $25,000 to sponsor the College Fund’s annual fundraising gala.

“The American Indian College Fund is helping Native communities develop by positively impacting individual tribal members, providing opportunities to attain their higher education goals and become productive citizens in their communities,” said San Manuel Chairperson Carla Rodriguez. “Our partnership is helping to set Indian Country on the path to a brighter future, one graduate at a time.”

“The support of Native communities such as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is vital to the development and livelihood of all of Indian Country,” said Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. “Thanks to their vision for building healthy tribal communities through a higher education, Native students will have the opportunity to achieve and give back, lifting individuals and communities from poverty and creating thriving and vibrant Native nations.”

About the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment. Visit www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov for more information on the tribe.