The Native American People

Native American People Native American Tribes Native American Events Etiquette for Visitor,

Many centuries before European explorers found their way to the western hemisphere, the Pueblo Indians developed a unique and multifaceted civilization. These peace loving people created an urban life in agreement with the environment and with each other. The Pueblo people today are settled in nineteen communities, some of which have been continuously inhabited since long before the discovery of America. This is their story…

The name Pueblo comes from the name given to cliff-side dwellings first built in the 12th century AD. Pueblos, which were small rooms built along the cliffs, protected the Pueblo's from attack, yet kept them close to their farming lands and water sources. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Stone construction was adopted and the connected, now-above ground, houses became larger. The Pueblo People began to build their pueblos on less accessible mesas, with defensive walls that enclosed large clusters of rooms and were excellent for defensive purposes.

The Anasazi people, the ancestors of modern Pueblo culture, began weaving textiles and an incredible variety of baskets around 200 AD. In around 700 AD they began weaving cotton cloth. By 1100 AD belt and vertical looms were in use in the pueblos. The men of the Pueblos did the weaving, as is the tradition today.

The Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado arrived in northern New Mexico in 1540, and discovered more then an hundred occupied Pueblo villages. Spanish domination took a cruel toll on the Pueblos both from war and new diseases. Today, only 19 of the original communities, discovered by Coronado have survived.

When the first Spanish explorers arrived, they found the local people weaving a wide variety of items, primarily out of cotton. The Spanish introduced sheep to the area and wool became a staple among Pueblo weavers.

Their religion constituted an important part of daily life, within which they created an equitable government, a magnificent architecture, intensive agriculture with a sophisticated irrigation system and a highly developed art in pottery, weaving, jewelry, leather work and other crafts.

All the Pueblo People have similar religions, governments, and economies. They have kept their strongly traditional communities and continue to practice their rituals and religions. Their customs and cultural order which has been passed down for centuries, have held firm. Most Pueblo People speak English, as well as one of their traditional dialects: Tewa, Zuni, Keres, and Tiwa.

A present-day Pueblo village often consists of a single complex building structure made of adobe bricks or stone, set in clay and mortar. They are built in terraced stories, and access to the interior is by ladders through trapdoors in the roofs. Rooms are added to the original structure as needed. Each village has at least two, and usually several, kivas, an underground chamber used for rituals as well as a male lodge.

Pueblo People, while nominally Christianized, maintain their ancient beliefs. The religious ceremonies in the kivas, are held between crop seasons and consist of prayers and thanks for good crops. The Pueblo economy, while primarily agricultural, is often supplemented by the sale of handicrafts. Pueblo pottery is characterized by a beauty of decoration and shape, as exemplified by the work of Pueblo potter Maria Martinez.

Navajo Nation

The largest, most populous Indian Nation in the US, the Navajo Nation is located in the Four Corners Area, covering northwest New Mexico, northeast Arizona and southeast Utah. Its capital is Window Rock, Arizona, just across the New Mexico state line. Three other Navajo Bands in New Mexico are located away from the main reservation at Alamo, To'hajilee and Ramah. The Navajo Nation's population is over 250,000, with 70,000 residing in New Mexico.

The Diné (Navajo people) have endured many hardships. During the infamous "Long Walk" of 1860, more than 8,000 Navajos were forcibly marched and incarcerated at Bosque Redondo near Ft. Sumner, NM by the US Army. Many Navajos served in World War II, where they developed an unbreakable code based upon their native language.

The Navajo Nation is well known for its fine silversmithing, weaving and sand painting traditions, featured in trading posts and reservation stores. Navajo Nation fairs and rodeos, along with annual ceremonies and other events, offer a colorful expression of traditional Navajo culture and contemporary life. In New Mexico, the Navajo Nation also offers fishing lakes, camping, hiking and other outdoor activities.

Jicarilla Apache Nation

The scenic mountains and rugged mesas of northern New Mexico near the Colorado border are the homeland of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The tribe includes approximately 2,755 tribal members (Census 2000), most of whom live in the town of Dulce. Nomadic in nature until just before European contact, the Jicarilla people established trade with Taos and Picurís pueblos centuries ago. They wandered and traded as far east as Kansas until they settled deep in the southern San Juan Mountains in the mid-1720s.

The Jicarilla Apache Nation's land is renowned for hunting, fishing, camping, boating and hiking opportunities. The tribe maintains Horse Lake Mesa Game Park, the largest single elk enclosure in the country at 14,500 acres. Black bear and mountain lion roam freely throughout the reservation.

The nation offers fishing at five beautiful mountain lakes (La Jara, Horse, Stone, Mundo and Embalm) from 30 to 400 acres in size, and harbors thousands of ducks and the greatest variety of water birds found in the Southwest.

Stop by the Jicarilla Arts and Crafts Shop Museum and marvel at Jicarilla beadwork, baskets, paintings and ribbon shirts. Scattered across and under several enfolding limestone-streaked mesas, Dulce, the tribal capital, is pretty quiet except during the mid-September Go-Jii-Ya Feast Day and Stone Lake Fiesta (mid-September) and July's Little Beaver Roundup.

Mescalero Apache Reservation

The Mescalero traditions remain strong, as evidenced by the Apache Maidens' Puberty Rites, held in conjunction with the tribe's annual 4th of July Celebration. Another must-see is St. Joseph Church, a European-style cathedral that sits on the east side of the community. It took 23 years to build and was completed in 1939. No cameras are allowed.

The Mescalero tribe's mountainous lands present exciting opportunities for outdoor adventurers. However, recent fire restrictions have placed a hold on many activities. Please call ahead to see what outdoor opportunities might be available; call (505) 464-4494 for more information. Mescalero tribe is perhaps most famous for its Inn of the Mountain Gods resort, which offers first-rate golf and gaming.

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Native American Tribes

Tribe	Phone #	Location
Pueblo of Taos	(505) 758-9593	Taos
Pueblo of Picuris	(505) 587-2519	Peñasco
Pueblo of Nambe	(505) 455-2036	Santa Fe
Pueblo of Pojoaque	(505) 455-3901	Santa Fe
Pueblo of Tesuque	(505) 983-2667	Santa Fe
Pueblo of Santo Domingo	(505) 465-2214	Santo Domingo
Pueblo of San Felipe	(505) 867-3381	San Felipe
Pueblo of Sandia	(505) 867-3317	Bernalillo
Pueblo of Isleta	(505) 869-3111	Isleta
Pueblo of San Juan	(505) 852-4400	San Juan
Pueblo of Santa Clara	(505) 753-7330	Espanola
Pueblo of San Ildefonso	(505) 455-2273	Santa Fe
Pueblo of Cochiti	(505) 465-2244	Cochiti
Pueblo of Jemez	(505) 834-7359	Jemez
Pueblo of Zia	(505) 867-3304	Zia
Pueblo of Santa Ana	505) 867-3301	Bernalillo
Pueblo of Laguna	(505) 552-6654	Laguna Pueblo
Pueblo of Acoma	(505)552-6604	Acoma
Pueblo of Zuni	(505) 782-7238	78 miles west of Albuquerque
Jicarilla Apache Nation	(505)-759-3242	Dulce
Mescalero Apache's	(505) 464-4494	Mescalero Apache Reservation
The Navajo Nation	(520)-871-6647 (928) 871-6434	Northern NM & Arizona

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Native American Events (2007)

January

Jan 1

Taos Pueblo - Turtle Dance

Santo Domingo Pueblo - Corn Dance

San Juan Pueblo - Cloud or Basket Dance

January 6- Kings Day Celebration

Picuris Pueblo - various dances

Nambe Pueblo - Buffalo, Deer and Antelope Dances

Sandia Pueblo - Various Dances

Taos Pueblo - Deer or Buffalo Dances

All pueblos have dances on Jan. 6th

January 22

San Ildefonso Pueblo - Vespers Evening with firelight procession 6 pm - call Pueblo to confirm.

January 23

San Ildefonso Pueblo - Annual Feast Day - Buffalo, Comanche & Deer Dances

January 25

Picuris Pueblo - St. Paul's Feast Day - Various Dances

February

1st weekend

Old Acoma Pueblo - Governor's Feast Day - Various Dances

February 2 - Candelaria Day Celebration

San Felipe & Picuris & Taos Pueblos

February 5 thru March 24

Taos Pueblo- Closed to Public & Closed for visitation- Call for specific dates- for updated information call (505) 758-1028.

February 6-11

Jicarilla Day Pow wow - Dulce, NM- For info: Phone 505-759-1343

March

March 9

Crownpoint Rug Auction. Rug Auction and Arts & Crafts vendors. Viewing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Auction begins at 7:00 PM. There is no admission fee. Contact: Ena Chavez, Manager (505) 786-5302 or Christina Ellsworth, Co-Manager at (505) 786-7386. Crownpoint Elementary, Crownpoint, www.crownpointrugauction.com

March 19 - St. Joseph's Feast Day

Laguna Pueblo: Old Laguna Village– Annual Feast day - Various Dances

February 5 thru March 24

Taos Pueblo- Closed to Public & Closed for visitation- Call for specific dates- for updated information call (505) 758-1028.

April

April 13

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Rug Auction and Arts & Crafts vendors. Viewing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Auction begins at 7:00 PM. There is no admission fee. Contact: Ena Chavez, Manager (505) 786-5302 or Christina Ellsworth, Co-Manager at (505) 786-7386. Crownpoint Elementary, Crownpoint, www.crownpointrugauction.com

Easter Sunday

Dances at most Pueblos - Call Tribal Offices for Confirmation

Nambe Pueblo - Bow & Arrow Dance after Mass

Zia Pueblo - Various Dances

San Ildefonso - Various Dances

Cochiti Pueblo- Corn Dances on Sunday and Monday

April 26-28

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, NM

Info: http://www.gatheringofnations.com/

May

May 1

San Felipe Pueblo - St. Philip Feast day -- Corn Dance

May 3

Taos Pueblo - Corn Dance - Santa Cruz Feast Day - Blessing of the Fields

May 11-13

Zuni Pueblo - Mother's Day & Graduation Arts Market, Info Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

May 18

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Jemez Pueblo - Annual Red Rocks Arts & Crafts Show.

May 28
Zuni Pueblo - Memorial Day Carvers Market, Info Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

June

June (4 days)

Zuni Pueblo - Deshkwi (a fasting period)- ALL BUSINESSES CLOSED- NO SELLING ALLOWED IN ZUNI PUEBLO- call for specific dates- Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

June 13- St. Anthony Feast Day

Sandia Pueblo- St. Anthony Feast Day- Annual Feast Day

Also celebrated at: Taos Pueblo,

San Ildefonso and Picuris Pueblos

San Juan Pueblo - Green Corn Dances

Santa Clara Pueblo - Comanche Dance

Picuris Pueblo - Foot Races

June 15
Crownpoint Rug Auction

June - Father's Day Weekend

Picuris Pueblo - Weekend High Country Arts & Crafts Festival

June 24- St. John Feast Day

San Juan Pueblo - Annual Feast Day - Corn Dances

Taos Pueblo - Traditional Corn Dances

June 29 - St. Peter's Feast Day

Santa Ana Pueblo - Corn Dance

July

July 4

Nambe Pueblo – 4th of July Celebration of the waterfall - call to confirm

Mescalero Apache Tribe - Annual Maiden's Puberty Rites Celebration & Mountain Spirits Dance, Mescalero, NM

July - 1st Weekend

Picuris Pueblo - Arts & Crafts Fair, call to confirm

July 6 - 8

Taos Pueblo - Annual Intertribal Pow Wow - For info: www.taospueblopowwow.com

July 13
Crownpoint Rug Auction

July 14 - St. Bonaventure Feast Day
Cochiti Pueblo- Annual Feast Day - Corn Dances

July 14-15
Zuni Pueblo -New Moon Painters Plus Market- Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

July 12-15

Jicarilla Apache Nation - Little Beaver Roundup & Rodeo & Various Dances in Dulce, New Mexico

July 21 & 22

36th Annual Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Annual Arts & Crafts Fair, San Juan Pueblo/ Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Visitor Center - Contact (505) 852-4265 or 800-793-4955

July 25 - Santiago Annual Feast Day
Taos & other pueblos - Corn Dances

July 26 - St. Ann Annual Feast Day

Santa Ana Pueblo - Annual Feast Day- Corn Dance

Laguna Pueblo - St. Ann Feast Day - Harvest & various Dances (Village of Seama)

Taos Pueblo- St. Ann Feast Day- Harvest Dances

August

August 2 –St. Persingula Feast Day

Jemez Pueblo - - Corn Dances

August 4 - St. Dominic Feast Day

Santo Domingo Pueblo –Annual Feast Day & Corn Dance

August 10-12

Annual Zuni Cultural Arts Expo Zuni Pueblo- Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

August 8-12

Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial: Dances, parades, arts & crafts and rodeo at Red Rock State Park. Info: www.gallupintertribal.com/ or (505) 864-3896.

August 9

Picuris Pueblo - San Lorenzo Sunset Dances

August 10 (Historical Anniversary Date of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt)
Acoma Pueblo (Acomita) - San Lorenzo Feast Day

Picuris Pueblo - Ceremonial foot race, pole climb and dances

August 12- Saint Claire Feast Day

Santa Clara Pueblo - Annual Feast Day - Buffalo, Harvest or Corn Dance

August 15 - The Assumption of Our Blessed Mother feast day

Zia Pueblo - Annual Feast Day - Corn Dances

Laguna Pueblo - The Assumption of Our Blessed Mother's Feast Day - Harvest & various dances at Mesita village

August 17

Crownpoint Rug Auction

August 18 & 19

Southwest American Indian Art (SWAIA) Annual Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM – www.swaia.org

August 28- St. Augustine Feast Day

Isleta Pueblo –Annual Feast Day - Mass in the morning and a procession following Mass - Dances in the afternoon

August 30-Sept 2

Zuni Pueblo- Annual Zuni Tribal Fair - Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

September

September 1 & 2

Santo Domingo Pueblo - Annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show

September 2

Old Acoma Pueblo – San Esteban Annual Feast Day - Harvest Dance

September 4 - 9

61st Annual Navajo Nation Fair – Window Rock, AZ – Info: 928.871.7055 or www.navajonationfair.com

The World's largest American Indian Fair. Multi-Sanctioned Indian Rodeo, traditional Navajo song and dance, inter-tribal pow-wow, Navajo food, concerts, parade, childrens' day, Miss Navajo Pageant, fine arts competition and exhibit, agricultural and commercial exhibits, home arts competition and exhibit, amusement rides.

September 4 - Saint Augustine's Feast Day

Isleta Pueblo - Harvest Dance

September 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Feast Day

Laguna Pueblo – Annual Feast Day -Social Dances (Encinal village)

San Ildefonso Pueblo - Corn Dance

September -2nd or 3rd weekend

Jicarilla Apache Nation- Stone Lake Fiesta & various dances in Dulce, NM

Info: (505) 759-3242

September 14

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Rug Auction and Arts & Crafts vendors. Viewing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Auction begins at 7:00 PM. There is no admission fee. Contact: Ena Chavez, Manager (505) 786-5302 or Christina Ellsworth, Co- Manager at (505) 786-7386. Crownpoint Elementary, Crownpoint, www.crownpointrugauction.com

September 19 - St. Joseph's Feast Day

Old Laguna Pueblo –Annual Feast Day - Buffalo, Eagle & social dances

September 25 - St. Elizabeth's Feast Day

Laguna Pueblo –Annual Feast Day- Harvest & social dances at Paguate village.

September 27-30

96th Annual Northern Navajo Shiprock Fair – Shiprock, NM – info: www.snf-inc.com

September 29

Taos Pueblo - San Geronimo Eve - Vespers - Sunset Dance

September 30 - San Geronimo's Feast Day

Taos Pueblo – Annual Feast Day - Trade fair, ceremonial foot races and pole climb www.taospueblo.org

October

October 3

Nambe Pueblo - Evening Firelight Vespers

October 4

Nambe Pueblo - St. Francis de Assisi Feast Day - Annual Feast Day - Buffalo & Deer Dances

October 5-14

Zuni Fall Festival and Arts Market- Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

October 12

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Alamo (Navajo) Indian Days - Info: (505) 854-2686/2688

October 13-14

Jemez Open Air Market - Artists/Vendors at the Jemez Red Rocks area, Jemez Pueblo

October 17 - St. Margaret's Feast Day

Laguna Pueblo - Annual Feast Day - Harvest & social dances at the village of Paraje

November

November 12- San Diego Annual Feast Day

Tesuque Pueblo - San Diego Feast Day - Annual Feast Day - Various dances

Jemez Pueblo - San Diego Annual Feast Day - Corn Dances

November 16

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Zuni Pueblo – Annual Christmas Light Parade -Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

November 30 – December 2

Zuni Pueblo Holiday Arts Market, Zuni NM - Zuni Visitors Center: 505-782-7238

December

December 11

Pojoaque Pueblo - Vespers and procession are usually held at 6 pm

December 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day

Pojoaque Pueblo –Annual Feast Day - Mass at 10 a.m. - dances performed after mass

Jemez Pueblo - Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day - Matachine Dances

December 14

Crownpoint Rug Auction

December 24 & 25

Picuris & San Juan Pueblos – Spanish/Pueblo dance "Los Matachines"

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

San Juan Pueblo - Pine Torch Procession

December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Taos Pueblo - Sundown procession with bonfires - Children's Dance

Old Acoma Pueblo - Pueblo is lit with luminaries beginning at the Scenic View Point and continues as far as "Sky City"

Old Laguna Pueblo - Dances follow 10 a.m. Mass

San Felipe, Santa Ana & Tesuque Pueblos - Dances after midnight Mass

Nambe Pueblo - Buffalo Dances after Mass

San Juan & Picuris Pueblos - Sundown torch lit procession of the Virgin Vespers - Matachines Dance

December 25

Tesuque Pueblo - Various dances

Taos, San Juan & Picuris Pueblo - Dances to be announced (Deer or Los Matachines)

San Ildefonso Pueblo - Christmas Celebration & Matachines Dances

December 25-29
Cochiti Pueblo – Christmas Dances (various)
Most Pueblos have dances four days during the Christmas holiday

December 26

San Juan Pueblo - Turtle Dance (no pictures)

December 28

Santa Clara Pueblo – Holy Innocents Day - Dances

Picuris Pueblo - Holy Innocence Day "Children's Dance"

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Etiquette for Visitor

Pueblo cultures, including traditions, customs and religion have been passed down from generation to generation. Tribes hold them in high regard and integrate them into their way of life. Prayers, dances and ceremonies are the heart and soul of their existence. Thus a visit to a Pueblo is an opportunity to experience a unique culture not available anywhere else in the world. While maintaining their ancient and largely secret ceremonial life, they welcome visitors from all over the world, and offer a peek of a proud heritage that they have maintained for more than a thousand years.

While a visit to a Pueblo is very rewarding one should remember that Pueblos are living communities and not theme parks. They are places where people live and work and raise children and should be respected as such. Here are some suggestions to avoid any interference with traditional pueblo customs and be a good guest.

Each Pueblo has their own form of government and policies regarding visitors. Upon arrival, your first stop should be at the governor's office or visitor center. Check out the tribe's policy before using a camera. While attending dances, please watch and listen in silence. Each dance is a prayer, not a performance put on for tourists, and requires concentration. Please do not talk to the dancers, walk on the dance plaza, or applaud once a dance is over. Tribal communities do not depend on the clock to tell them when it is time to conduct activities. Acts of nature, as well as the sequence of events that must take place usually determine starting times. Do not ask when will an event start or why it has not started.

Observe all posting restrictions. Certain areas of tribal communities are off limits, These areas include cemeteries, ceremonial buildings (Kivas) and private homes. Do not climb walls or other structures. Drive slowly since you are in a residential area. Respect the resident’s privacy and their homes. Always ask permission before photographing a resident. On feast days, enter a Pueblo home by invitation only. It is courteous to accept an invitation to eat, but do not linger at the table. Alcohol or drugs are not allowed. It is advisable to not bring pets

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