We report derailed photolurninescence (PL) and magneto-PL data on a new II-VI quantum dot (QD) system involving diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs). CdSe dots embedded in ZnMnSe exhibit relatively weak PL emission compared ta analogous non-DMS systems, such as CdSe/ZnSe. However, we observe a dramatic increase in the PL intensity emitted by excitons confined in such QDs when a magnetic field is applied. We explain this effect in terms of an efficient transfer of excitation between the excitons and the Mn ions. In addition to this, we report on the role that Mn plays in CdSe dot nucleation, providing a new handle for optimization of the growth of the CdSe QDs.