Preserving Cultural Traditions and Empowering Indian Country
Sovereign Energy Receives Grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to Strengthen Cultural Identity and Empower Native Communities
Culture is more than tradition—it’s the heartbeat of a people, a living legacy passed from one generation to the next. That’s why Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is investing over $13.5 million during the 2025 San Manuel grant cycle, including several grants that uplift Native American communities and focus on cultural preservation. Among the recipients of this year’s San Manuel Cares grant cycle is Sovereign Energy to expand its educational outreach and technical support to support Native energy sovereignty in New Mexico.
A Grant That Honors Legacy
The grant to support Tribal energy sovereignty work aligns with the San Manuel Cares “Preserving Cultural Traditions and Empowering Indian Country” giving pillar. This pillar supports efforts that revitalize Native languages, protect sacred traditions, and foster cultural education and advocacy. It’s about honoring the past while empowering the present—and ensuring Indigenous identity thrives for generations to come.
“This grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation will allow us to expand our educational outreach on federal energy projects, state incentive programs, and solar programming,” said Mayane Barudin of Sovereign Energy. “It’s a meaningful investment in our community’s spirit, resilience, and cultural future.”
Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation shared: “For over two decades, the call of Yawa’—a Serrano value meaning ‘to act on one’s beliefs’— has guided our giving programs and community efforts. We are proud to support organizations like Sovereign Energy that honor cultural traditions and empower Indian Country through education, celebration and advocacy.”
Investing in the Next Seven Generations
Since the early 2000s, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has awarded more than $425 million in charitable donations, investing in critical causes across Serrano Ancestral Lands and Indian Country.
To learn more about Sovereign Energy’s programs, visit our program page here.