New Mexico pueblo reclaims swath of historic tribal homeland

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Jan 15, 1:44 PM EST

New Mexico pueblo reclaims swath of historic tribal homeland

By MARY HUDETZ
Associated Press


ISLETA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) -- A pueblo at the edge of New Mexico's largest city is adding 140 square miles to its jurisdiction under a deal the U.S. Interior Department says represents the single largest transfer of land back to a tribe's control in U.S. history.

The Pueblo of Isleta's land base, south of Albuquerque, will nearly double in size with the agreement that places a 90,000-acre ranch purchased by the tribe more than a decade ago into trust by the U.S. government.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell joined tribal leaders at Isleta Pueblo to announce the deal Friday.

It will return an area roughly the size of Detroit to the control of the tribe, which identifies the area as part of its historic homeland.




Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRIBAL_LAND?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-01-15-13-44-30

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[center]

Isleta Pueblo family, 1890, photo by Charles
Lummis; Kate Peck collection, Wheelwright



Cobb Studio (1862-1945), Isleta Pueblo Man, New Mexico
– ca. 1890-1900Albumen Print 7.50” x 4.50” - Negative #002721







Isleta Pueblo



Isleta Pueblo, 1890









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[Hortensis]

1. "restoring tribal homelands is a key part" of Obamas

Indian Country policy. I didn't know that. Go, Obama!

On the worry side, wonder what water rights/supply goes with this and what they intend to do with the land. I've read before about tribes out that way planning development that may not be sustainable in these days of disappearing fresh water, groups organizing to stop development, etc.

Wouldn't it be funny if Congress turned over to the Paiutes areas of federal land the Bundy flakes like to pretend rightfully belong to white ranchers...

Fantastic pictures, btw. We have an Zia Pueblo pot about a century old that's fairly similar to the one on that woman's head. It has some allover wear and a small hole right through on the lower curve, so maybe it took a tumble at some time. I figure that's about when it stopped being a utensil and got sold to tourists or something. I purchased it over 40 years ago at a dusty old gas station/secondhand shop on a lonely highway somewhere east of Virginia City, Nevada. I was 18 and thought my boyfriend would like it. Boy was I wrong, he doesn't have an acquisitive bone in his body, but it resides on a bookcase in our dining room today anyway.

[Judi Lynn]

6. That bowl on the woman's head is amazing! Don't let go of the one you have.

It would be something so many would love to have in their homes to look at, touch from time to time.

I noticed whoever took that photo lined up all the people holding items from their daily lives, other than the smallest kid. Makes you pretty sure it was an Anglo who took the photo, doesn't it? (It's a little embarrassing to see it now, because the people may have felt the photographer didn't see them as real human beings.)

It would be a cleansing of the whole country if Obama could start a progression of decent acts designed to restore the honor and respect, to pay some of the psychic, spiritual debt, since the people terrorized, despised, hated, abused relentlessly, murdered are lost to history, the humanity stolen so violently from the Original people.

[Hortensis]

11. The picture practically shouts that it was taken

by an artsy minded photographer from "outside." Yes! He cared enough to go there, tho, not a far more fashionable site that would get more attention and sell better. Still today our nouveau riche 10+ digit class considers rare Hollywood artifacts literally a million times more worthy of collecting than indigenous American art.

[cheapdate]

2. Yay!

I've read about several other actions the Obama administration has taken toward justice for Native Americans. Baby steps for sure, and barely mentioned in the press. But good to hear anyway.

[Judi Lynn]

7. If only it can be the beginning. We need to hope for all our sakes, it concerns everyone's honor. nt

[cheapdate]

10. +1

[Bayard]

3. Thanks so much for this!

I went to one of the pueblos in Taos a number of years ago. Wonderful experience. The people will invite you right into their homes. I wanted to buy a silver bracelet from a boy of 10 or 12. All I had was a $20, and he had no change. Before I could think further, he handed me his entire collection of silver jewelry. He returned 5 minutes later with change. He had the most beautiful long black hair you've ever seen----a lovely, polite, and honest child.

Terrific pictures!

[Judi Lynn]

8. And now he's grown! I'll bet he's a great adult, too.

It sounds like a moment you'll remember a very long time, almost like from another world?

You are lucky to have visited that part of the country. Nothing like it.

Thank you, Bayard, welcome to D.U.

[Beartracks]

4. This makes me glad.

I'll bet Isleta was able to purchase that ranch with casino/resort profits. When NM tribes first entered into compacts with the state upon the legalization of gambling, I remember jokes about how they were going to take back their lands in the only way that white people know: money!

And here we are...

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[Judi Lynn]

9. If only that could happen! They would have strong supporters among so many of us, too. n/t

[Bernin]

5. My understanding

is the natives do not own the land. The trusts for this and all reservations are owned by the federal government.
If I'm wrong about this please correct me.

[Hortensis]

12. Fed gov holds title, all right. After that it gets confusing.

Tribal rights to control the land have limitations, sovereign states or no.