San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Name	San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Caption	Tribal seal
Population	ca. 600
Popplace	California: San Bernardino County
Languages	English; formerly Serrano
Related	Serrano peoples; Gabrielino-Tongva; Cahuilla

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indigenous tribe of Serrano people located in Southern California. The tribe is based near Highland in San Bernardino County and is notable for its transformation from a small land base to a significant regional economic and philanthropic actor. San Manuel has engaged with state and federal agencies, regional municipalities, and national institutions while pursuing cultural revitalization and sovereignty initiatives.

History

The tribal ancestors participated in pre-contact lifeways across the San Bernardino Mountains, Mojave Desert, and San Gabriel Mountains and encountered Spanish missions such as Mission San Gabriel Arcángel during the mission period. During the 19th century, tribal members experienced disruptions associated with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexican secularization, and settler expansion tied to the California Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad. In the 20th century the group navigated federal policies enacted under administrations such as Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, including the effects of the Indian Reorganization Act and later termination-era pressures. Federal recognition was restored through procedures established by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and reflected broader Native American activism linked to movements around events like the Alcatraz occupation and organizations like the National Congress of American Indians.

Government and organization

The tribe is governed by an elected tribal council operating under a constitution ratified by members and interacting with federal statutes such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Leadership has engaged with state executives including governors of California and members of Congress from districts represented by figures in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The council oversees departments addressing health services, housing initiatives, environmental stewardship, and intergovernmental affairs, coordinating with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Indian Gaming Commission, and regional entities like the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Reservation and land holdings

The tribe's reservation lands are situated in San Bernardino County, adjacent to communities including Highland, California, San Bernardino, California, and the unincorporated communities near the I-10 Corridor. Land base expansion and acquisitions have involved transactions with private landowners, municipal planning commissions, and federal trust processes administered by the Department of the Interior. The tribe manages natural resources tied to ecosystems like the Santa Ana River watershed and the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, implementing conservation measures sometimes coordinated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and regional conservation groups such as the Sierra Club and local land trusts.

Economy and enterprises

Economic development prominently features the tribe's casino-resort enterprise, which operates under frameworks established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and oversight from the National Indian Gaming Commission. Revenue from gaming and hospitality has funded diversified investments in sectors involving real estate development, philanthropic foundations, and partnerships with financial institutions including national banks regulated by the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The tribe has engaged developers, hospitality management firms, and regional chambers of commerce such as the San Bernardino County Chamber of Commerce to expand employment programs, workforce training linked to community colleges like San Bernardino Valley College and universities such as the University of California, Riverside.

Culture and community programs

Cultural preservation efforts emphasize revitalization of Serrano language, ceremony, and material culture through collaborations with academic programs at institutions like the Museum of Anthropology at UC Riverside and cultural centers such as the Autry Museum of the American West. The tribe sponsors community health initiatives in partnership with federal programs like the Indian Health Service and local hospitals including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Educational scholarships and youth programming connect with the California State University system and local school districts including the Colton Joint Unified School District and Redlands Unified School District, while cultural events draw partnerships with arts organizations such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and regional festivals.

Legal and political issues

Legal matters have involved litigation and negotiations over land-into-trust procedures under the Indian Reorganization Act and statutes interpreted through cases in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Political engagement includes lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. and participation in policy discussions around federal legislation affecting tribal sovereignty, gaming compacts negotiated with the State of California executive branch, and environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. The tribe has also been active in philanthropic responses to regional crises, coordinating with relief organizations such as the American Red Cross and emergency management agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Category:Native American tribes in California Category:Serrano