San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena was honored for her efforts on the California and National Indian gaming commissions at the Annual National Indian Women’s “Supporting Each Other” Honor Lunch in early November. The luncheon was hosted at the Hyatt Hotel by Sacramento Convention Center by the National congress of American Indians, the largest and oldest American Native organization.
Chairwoman Valbuena was one of two honorees during the luncheon, as she was recognized for her 50 years of service representing Native people at the local, regional and national levels. She was also celebrated for her role with the National Museum of the American Indians and American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California.
The honor lunch was introduced by Veronica Homer, who was the first female President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). After being named president in 1994, Homer met with a small group of Native women to discuss the need to promote, honor and recognize the accomplishments of Native women leaders. Since then, Native women leaders are celebrated during NCAI conferences and related activities for their work in Indian Country and beyond.
