New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Issues Statement on American Indian Day

Santa Fe – Indian Affairs Department Cabinet Secretary Lynn Trujillo issued the following statement on American Indian Day.

"The tradition of honoring New Mexico's 23 tribes, nations, and pueblos during the legislative session goes back several years. Thanks to the late-Senator John Pinto, our state continues to recognize the tremendous contributions of native people. Indian Day has always focused on the recognition of the inherent sovereign status of tribal governments. And through this recognition, the need to continually renew and strengthen government-to-government collaboration.

Today's Indian Day celebration is bittersweet. While more and more people are receiving the vaccine, we look back at a year in which every family and community lost people to the COVID virus. It was a year in which we all had to make sacrifices in order to slow the spread and mitigate the epidemic. The toll that this public health crisis has taken on our tribal communities has been immense.

Through it all, we have remained strong and resilient as native people and as New Mexicans. The lessons passed down from our ancestors continue to guide us and fortify us. Our people, New Mexico's first citizens, preserve centuries-old traditions. Through our living languages and vibrant cultures, indigenous people continue to contribute to the diverse tapestry of our state.

This year we cannot be together, but I look forward to joining you next year in-person. For now, let us take a moment to celebrate Indian Day and indigenous people across the world."