FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2022
Contact: Teran Villa, [email protected]
Pueblo Governors Celebrate 342nd Anniversary of the Pueblo Revolt
(Albuquerque, New Mexico) – On August 10, 1680 Indigenous Pueblo Nations successfully rebelled and expelled the Spanish conquistadors and colonizers from New Mexico for a period of a dozen years. The events that occurred in 1680 are celebrated annually on this day and are commonly known as the Pueblo Revolt, which was carefully planned by the Pueblo leaders of this esteemed All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG).
The Pueblo Revolt was planned and executed by APCG because of the long implementation of Spanish encomienda and repartimiento policies, the former forced Pueblo people to donate their crops to Spanish families, armies, and missions and the latter forced Pueblo people to work in Spanish households without compensation. In addition to these policies, Pueblo people were prohibited by Spanish missionaries and institutions from exercising our traditional cultural practices. With no choice but to protect the gifts of our Creator, including our instructions to be caretakers of mother earth and her beings by the practice of ways of life, the Pueblos took action and secured the preservation of our traditions, cultures, and languages of Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, and Zuni.
The APCG and its leadership of Chairman Mark Mitchell – former Governor of Tesuque Pueblo, Vice Chairman Jerome Lucero – former Governor of Zia Pueblo and Secretary Val Panteah Sr. – Governor of Zuni reflect on this day to underscore that the fight to sustain our traditions, cultures, and languages did not end at the Pueblo Revolt, the following continue today:
- Threats to our languages are underscored by the absence of Tribal Sovereignty and the full implementation of culturally relevant education systems including:
- The ongoing Martine/Yazzie decision and the New Mexico executive and legislative bodies must work with the tribes to resolve this lawsuit by supporting the Tribal Remedy Framework and implementing a Comprehensive Plan to align the lawsuit’s findings of fact to all budget and legislative proposals to sufficiently comply with the court order and improve the education outcomes of the four student groups: English language learners, socially disadvantaged students, disabled students, and Native American students.
- Need for full appropriations to Bureau of Indian Education and Tribally Controlled Schools.
- The threats to our traditions and culture are underscored by desecrations to Sacred Landscapes beyond each Pueblo’s existing reservation landholdings such as:
- The continued threat of mineral development surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the Greater Chaco Region. The Department of the Interior must complete its contemplated Administrative withdrawal.
- The proposed 12.5 mile-long 115-kilovolt powerline on the Caja Del Rio by the Department of Energy must be addressed by full compliance of federal statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act to assess the cumulative impacts to cultural resources and environmental resources.
- The call for permanent protections of Caja Del Rio must with guidance and consent of Pueblos.
- The threats to Tribal Sovereignty at federal, state, and local levels of governance must honor the federal trust responsibility and support Pueblo initiatives including but not limited to:
- Pueblo Energy Priorities
- Protection of the Indian Child Welfare Act
- Water Rights Settlements
- Elder Care Equity
The APCG has been in existence since 1598 with the first documented convening occurring at Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo) with Spanish leadership.
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