Our Land: Cochiti Pueblo Opposes National Monument Expansion

March 13, 2020 - On a recent episode of Our Land, we talked about public lands in New Mexico. They hold different meanings for different people, including each of the state’s American Indian tribes. On this month’s episode, correspondent Laura Paskus talks with a former governor of the Pueblo of Cochiti, tribal councilman Eugene Herrera, who speaks about the pueblo’s relationship with the landscape and its opposition to a popular bill in Congress, sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich, that would transition Bandelier National Monument into Bandelier National Park.
In response to a request for comment, Sen. Martin Heinrich said in a statement, “While I understand Cochiti Pueblo’s position that they should run Bandelier, I must also respect and protect access for the other pueblos that consider this land sacred. This legislation has broad support from New Mexico’s Pueblo communities because it provides the highest level of protection to Bandelier’s cultural and spiritual resources, ensures religious freedom for tribes, and will be the first National Park in America that integrates Native voices into park management.”
Episode 1337
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[@RichSchrader]

Excellent point of view.... thank you for amplifying Gov. Eugene Herrera and Cochiti peoples' voices

[@unaluv88]

Wise words, love, peace and harmony prayers go out to you.

[@angelamoore6544]

Thank you for presenting the native land meaning to natives, the way of life for the future of all native Peoples. Angela Moore

[@DeluxiousD1111]

🙏🏼Dear Creator, Please Protect these Sacred lands from the evil Gv't. Protect Cochiti Pueblo People and surrounding Tribes, Amen🙏🏼

[@JWeahkeeFilm]

After what Dominici did with the Petroglyphs, our sacred sites in New Mexico require more protection than ever.

[@skysky9115]

I am dine ` and I support you !

[@nathangale7702]

Personally I don't understand what the need is to turn the monument into a national park. Thanks for giving the dissenting opinion on this issue.

[@drummerboy6843]

As much as little land we have left they need to stop this and leave us alone!

[@gaylordfrazer8708]

Eugene Herrera, HOLD FAST!!!!! Bruce Frazer

[@KiowaQtee]

I loved this ❤️

[@davidortega357]

This place is sacred to pueblo people we should reverence their beliefs look what happened to Yosemite National Park the local miwok & Paiute lost it

[@sylvesternoche1863]

Nice Zuni tie. I know the couple that make those ties. They are my aunt and uncle.

[@theempath8244]

I would say that all Native Indian lands should be left alone, there are other spaces that can be turned into whatever, but why do people keep wanting to use Native American lands. You can't push them to almost extinguish their beliefs and way of life. It is a very intricate way of the Native American the same as the Australian Aborigines, if you take their land you take away their ancient ways of life. Put yourself in their place and they wanted to take all of of your land, what would you do? You would fight for it too, not literally fight, but you know what I mean. Leave their way of life alone and find other places to build or whatever. If you have already misused what non Natives lands you have, then change them. Why not try to allow them to carry on and provide for their families to come, their beliefs that they have had for eons. Maybe we should learn some of their ways to have a better place for all of us.