New leaders take office at Picuris, Taos pueblos

Officials of the Taos Pueblo and Picuris Pueblo governments took office in recent weeks, beginning their terms at a time when Native American sovereignty and natural resources have been at the forefront of national attention.

Picuris Pueblo

At Picuris Pueblo, Craig Quanchelo is serving as governor for 2017, while Richard Mermejo is serving as first war chief.

Quanchelo and Mermejo took office Jan. 6 during the annual blessing of the canes, when the new government is presented with canes originally given to the pueblos by Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon and the king of Spain as a testament to the pueblo's sovereignty.

Quanchelo, who is serving his second – but not consecutive – term as governor, told The Taos News that thus far the new government is “getting to know the council, some who have never served before.”

“The big thing we want to focus on is strengthening the community outreach – and that includes the non-tribal community around us,” he said, noting that Picuris Pueblo is a “checkerboard reservation.”

“We’re not going anywhere. The best thing I can say is, ‘Educate and work together,’” Quanchelo said.

Furthermore, economic development and natural resources are also at the top of his list of priorities for the coming year.

“Resources — especially from the federal government — are getting limited. We can’t rely on that. It’s handicapped us [because] we’re so used to it. We’re going to focus a lot of our efforts … toward becoming self-sustaining. We don’t have a Walmart or McDonald’s, but we do have the sun and the land. And it’s very beautiful. We have to protect and take advantage of that to generate some financial stability,” he said.

Picuris Pueblo, the smallest of New Mexico’s pueblos with fewer than 300 members, gets some financial payouts from holdings in the Hotel Santa Fe.

Quanchelo also said he hopes the new government can complete a 1-megawatt solar array (to be located in Vadito) in the coming year, a project that has been years in the making and would provide much of the energy needed for the small community. “I’m excited about it and the community’s excited about it, too,” he said.

The new Picuris Pueblo government also includes Lt. Gov. Wayne Yazza Jr., Second War Chief Ryan Griego, Third War Chief Gilbert Archuleta, Sheriff Jerome Salazar, First Fiscale Jamie Perez, Second Fiscale Shaun Snake and Tribal Secretary Nancy Armijo.

Taos Pueblo

Ruben A. Romero was named governor for 2017, while Curtis Sandoval was named war chief. The tribal government is selected by the all-male tribal council to serve one-year terms. Romero and Sandoval took office Jan. 3.

Romero told The Taos News that a lot has changed since he last served as governor in 2009. This is Romero’s fourth term as governor since 1998.

Transportation, economic development and education are among the top priorities for his government, he said, noting that the first few weeks of the term are being spent reviewing the initiatives, budgets and programs of the previous government.

In regards to transportation, tribal officials said about nine miles of side roads are in dire need of upgrades. Improving them would complement the revamped Veterans Highway, which was repaved between Hail Creek Road and Taos Mountain Casino. Phase two of the highway reconstruction is set to begin again this spring. That project was funded by a competitive federal grant.

The governor reiterated that the tribe will work towards cultivating more jobs within the community, while also strengthening what already exists. The casino and tourism department are the main economic drivers at Taos Pueblo.

Education was a major initiative of the Taos Pueblo governor’s office in 2016. Former Lt. Gov. Harold Cordova championed Vista Grande High School (a district charter with a Native American population of roughly 40 percent) during its rechartering process. At the last meeting of the Taos school board in 2016, tribal officials called for a spot on the board; district officials said they are in talks with the new administration about continuing that initiative into the new year.

Also serving on the Taos Pueblo governor’s staff are Lt. Gov. Delbert Chisholm, Tribal Secretary Floyd D. Gomez, First Sheriff John T. Cordova, Second Sheriff Gordon Martinez, Head Fiscale Martin Martinez Sr., Lt. Fiscale Del E. Romero and fiscales Frederick Lujan Jr., Anthony Ray Lujan Jr. and James Lucero.

On the Taos Pueblo war chief’s staff, officials announced for the new year are Lt. War Chief John Archuleta, War Chief Secretary Jeremy Lujan and staff members Patrick Winters, Peter Martinez, Kenneth Antonio, Aaron Romero, Kaisa Sandy, Antonio Martinez, Nelson Duran, Joel Archuleta, Manuel P. Martinez and Damain Young.

“On behalf of the outgoing [governor and war chief] administration, we would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to all organizations, business and individuals who have provided the [Governor and War Chief’s] office their support and assistance during 2016. We wish all of you a prosperous New Year,” the outgoing Taos Pueblo governments said via a statement.