Contact: Erika Martinez
(505) 986-4263
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2015
Native American Tribal and Pueblo Leaders Invited to Senate Floor
Santa Fe, NM – Today, the New Mexico State Senate hosted several Native American tribal and pueblo leaders from around New Mexico to speak about tribal and cultural issues. Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia) said it was vitally important to hear tribal and pueblo leaders speak and was pleased they took time to return to the legislature to address lawmakers.
“The Senate was more than honored to host tribal and pueblo leaders on the floor today. It was disappointing that we were not able hear them during American Indian Day, but I am thankful they took the time to join us once again. It is especially important to assure our sovereign pueblos, tribes and nations that we care about their needs, and that lawmakers in the legislature value the feedback and input they bring to our State Capitol,” said Sen. Sanchez.
Tribal and pueblo leaders spoke about working collaboratively with the legislature to fulfill gaming and tribal infrastructure needs, keeping vital programs for tribal members alive, and the importance of maintaining Native American cultural influence in the state, among other issues.
Speakers included Governor Paul Torres of Isleta Pueblo, President Ben Shelly from the Navajo Nation, President Ty Vicente from the Jicarilla Apache Nation, Governor Milton Herrera of Tesuque Pueblo, Governor Virgil Siow from Laguna Pueblo, Governor J. Michael Chavarria from Santa Clara Pueblo, Governor Fred Vallo, Sr. of Acoma Pueblo, and Chairman Jeff Haozous of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe. Other tribal and pueblo leaders who joined lawmakers included Lt. Governor Jenelle Roybal of Pojoaque Pueblo, Governor David Pino and Lt. Governor Eric Ruiz of Zia Pueblo, and Lt. Governor Wayne Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo. Council members and tribal administrators from Santa Domingo Pueblo and San Felipe Pueblo were also in attendance on the Senate Floor. Senator Benny Shendo (D-22- Bernalillo, McKinley, Rio Arriba, San Juan & Sandoval), a member of the Jemez Pueblo, presided during their presentation on the Senate Floor.
“It was exciting to see our respective tribal and pueblo leaders from New Mexico on the Senate floor today. It’s important for these government-to-government conversations to take place and I was honored to be a part of that, both as a pueblo member and a Senate member,” added Sen. Shendo. “I think tribal and pueblo leaders were pleased to be invited and I thank those who were part of making it happen.”
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