All Incumbent Elected Officers Will Serve
Four-Year Terms in Accordance with the Tribe's Constitution
HIGHLAND, Calif., May 15, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- SAN MANUEL INDIAN RESERVATION - During
a ceremony held yesterday, three elected leaders took the oath of
office to be seated on the Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San
Manuel: Chairwoman Lynn "Nay" Valbuena, Treasurer Latisha Prieto and Second Governing Council
Member Laurena Bolden. All three incumbent San Manuel Tribal
Council officials will begin new four-year terms in accordance with
the Tribe's Constitution. They will continue to serve with Tribal
Council members Vice Chairman Johnny
Hernandez, Jr., Secretary Audrey
Martinez, Culture Seat Joe Maarango, and First Governing
Council Member Edward Duro.
The Tribe's recently adopted Constitution mandates four-year
terms for the Tribal Council, replacing the previous two-year term
under the former Business Committee structure.
The Tribal Council is a seven-member body elected to oversee
the San Manuel's day-to-day operations, including
stewarding cultural, social and community affairs, carrying out
the Tribe's laws and directives, protecting its
governmental and business interests, and exercising
the Tribe's inherent sovereignty. Each Council member is
elected by majority vote of the Governing Council, the main
governing body of the Tribe.
Chairwoman Valbuena said making the transition to four-year
terms was voiced by the drafters of the constitution and supports
the Tribe's right to self-determination to advance and sustain its
tribal government.
"This election is a significant milestone in implementing
the Tribe's Constitution," said Chairwoman Valbuena.
"Governments the world over typically elect leaders for four-year
terms to ensure continuity of leadership. We express our
gratitude to the San Manuel Governing Council for their
foresight and support for the ongoing development and governance of
this vibrant and self-sustaining Tribal Nation."
About San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San
Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally-recognized Indian
tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near
Highland, California. San
Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance
and provides essential services for its citizens by building
infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social,
economic, and cultural development. As the Indigenous people
of the San Bernardino highlands,
passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of
San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are
committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region.
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SOURCE San Manuel Band of Mission Indians