San Manuel to Recognize Four Local Nonprofits for Exceptional Work

Tribe hosts 11^th Annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards Breakfast at National Orange Show Fairgrounds

HONORING COMMUNITY: On April 18, 2019,  the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will host its 11^th Annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards to celebrate the transformative work of nonprofits in the Inland Empire and Indian Country. Award recipients embody the time-honored Serrano concept of Yawa’ – “to act on one’s beliefs.”

With the help of Spectrum News Inland Empire Bureau Chief Mary Parks as emcee, San Manuel will honor four organizations who demonstrate the essence of Yawa’ by making a significant difference in four philanthropic areas – economic &community development, health, education and special projects.

The 2019 honorees that have done extraordinary work to benefit the communities they serve are:

• Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health for providing critical healthcare services to the Native populations in the Inland Empire
• Bright Prospect for their dedication to empowering low-income students to break the cycle of poverty through pursuing higher education
• Family Assistance Program for their commitment to help homeless and runaway youths through their emergency shelter program “Our House Youth Shelter”
• Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival for their work to preserve Native languages which are cornerstone to the way of life for California’s Indigenous People

During the award ceremony, these recipients will receive hand-crafted Yawa’ Awards designed by the youth of the reservation.

Also in attendance will be representatives of more than 100 regional nonprofit groups who serve greater San Bernardino, the Inland Empire, and Indian Country.

 The Tribe invites media to this invitation-only event to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of these four exceptional organizations. 

LOCATION:      National Orange Show Fairgrounds 930 South Arrowhead Ave., Gate 9 San Bernardino, CA 92408

DATE/TIME:    April 18, 2019  8: 30 AM – 10:30 AM

INTERVIEWS/VISUALS:    

* Yawa Award Winners: Speak with Yawa’ Award recipients about their work and programs being recognized  
* Traditions: Speak with San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena about the significance of Yawa’ in Serrano culture and how every person can embody this concept.

About the San Manuel Band of 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. As an indigenous community the origins and history of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians stem from our relationship with the land and to all who share it. Since ancient times we have expressed ourselves through a culture of giving. Today, San Manuel is able to answer the call of Yawa’ (Serrano word meaning “to act on one’s beliefs”) through partnerships with charitable organizations. We have drawn upon our history, knowledge, expertise and cultural values to direct our philanthropic giving in our local region, as well as to Native American causes nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.