San Manuel Band Awards $1.5M Grant To Launch Native Streaming App

San Manuel KVCR-FNX donation
L-R: Audrey Martinez, Secretary, Tribal Council, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman, Tribal Council, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Joseph Maarango, Culture Seat Member, Tribal Council, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Rich LeRoy, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Representative, FNX Operating Board; Running Bear Ramirez, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Representative, FNX Operating Board; (back) Dr. Gilbert Contreras, President, San Bernardino Valley College; (front) Dr. Diana Z Rodriguez, Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District; Frank Reyes, Trustee, San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees; Dr. Nathan D. Gonzales, Board Vice Chair, San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees; Connie Leyva, Executive Director, KVCR; and Jose F. Torres, Executive Vice Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District.

SAN BERNADINO, CA – San Bernardino-based KVCR and the First Nations Experience Network (FNX) received a $1.5 million grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians during a recent donation ceremony. The grant will enable FNX to purchase broadcast rights and hire production staff to launch its new 24-hour streaming platform featuring the first-in-the-nation, all-free Indigenous content.

San Manuel is a founding partner with KVCR and the San Bernardino Community College District for the FNX television channel, whose launch in 2011 opened doors for a first-of-its-kind media platform designed to promote Native American and Indigenous programming. FNX remains the only free national channel featuring Native storytellers, children’s programming, newsmakers, filmmakers, producers, entertainers, musicians, sports leaders, and other media professionals.

FNX has won three Emmy Awards for its programming and is currently watched by a national audience in 32 states. FNX livestreaming is available as a mobile app, as well as through broadcast outlets.