Santa Fe County proclaims October Indigenous Peoples’ Day; Tewa Women United representatives honored
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Summary
The Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October and hosted members of Tewa Women United, who spoke on cultural stewardship, intergenerational healing and community leadership.
Santa Fe County commissioners on Oct. 14 approved a proclamation declaring October Indigenous Peoples’ Day and closed administrative offices in observance of the designated day. Commissioner Lisa Kakari Stone and Commissioner Hank Hughes introduced the proclamation and invited elder Kathy Sanchez and Dr. Corinne Sanchez of Tewa Women United to speak.
Speakers and themes Kathy Sanchez, founder of Tewa Women United, and her daughter Dr. Corinne Sanchez addressed the board, speaking in Tewa and English about cultural healing, stewardship of the land and the need to center Indigenous women in governance and community work. Commissioners praised Tewa Women United’s decades of work on environmental justice, cultural and language preservation, and community-based healing practices.
Proclamation content and vote The proclamation recounts prior county actions recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day (first resolved in 2017) and lists collaboration between the county and Pueblo governments on water settlements, waste cleanup efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and other intergovernmental projects. The board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation and took a photograph with the invited elders.
Ending Commissioners underscored the county’s interest in continuing intergovernmental collaboration, honoring tribal sovereignty and supporting Indigenous cultural and environmental stewardship.