HIGHLAND, Calif. – The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians presented a gift of $100,000 to Noli Indian School, a private alternative middle and high school and California’s first BIA funded grant school. The gift will support the school’s mission to provide a quality education for students from the 20 sovereign Indian nations it serves.

“We share a belief with Noli Indian School that education and culture are fundamental to the development of native youth,” said San Manuel Chairman James Ramos. “Once you attain a degree or learn to practice your culture this knowledge becomes a part of who you are and can never be taken away.”

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians provides land, funding, material support and oversight of the school which serves students from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, but also serves many tribes from Southern California including San Manuel, Morongo, Cahuilla, Pechanga, Pala, Pauma, La Jolla, Rincon, Augustine, Ramona, Torres Martinez and Los Coyotes reservations.

“An investment in our children is an investment in our future,” said Soboba Vice Chairwoman Rosemary Morillo. “We are appreciative to San Manuel for their generous support of Noli Indian School.”