Where Heritage Meets Stewardship and Sovereignty
The Cultural Resources Management (CRM) Department is tasked by Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (YSMN) Tribal leadership to advocate for, protect, preserve, and promote cultural resources of Tribal importance and concern throughout the Tribe’s 7.4 million-acre ancestral territory. As part of our Tribal consultation efforts with our local, state, and federal partners, the CRM staff conduct in excess of 200 individual consultation meetings, conference calls, and field visits each year. Furthermore, in a typical year, the Tribal Monitors representing SMBMI participate in no less than 3-4 dozen construction projects across Serrano territory—both on and off our Reservation.
In addition to the regulatory compliance-based work undertaken by the CRM Department, we also work to protect, preserve, and promote cultural resources by maintaining and developing the Tribal Cultural Resources Archive, which includes the Tribe’s basket collection, as well as over 250 linear feet of photographs, maps, documents, and artifacts.
Finally, to advance its heritage stewardship objectives, the CRM team also facilitates the Cultural Advisory Working Group gatherings; researches sacred and cultural landscapes and nominates them to state and federal registries of historic places; assists the Tribal Community in repatriating and reburying ancestors and funerary objects; and conducts and supports educational and cultural revitalization initiatives both within and outside of the Tribal Government and its businesses.
