NMLA Archives & Archivists SIG Land Acknowledgment

As stewards of New Mexico’s rich documentary heritage, our SIG recognizes the stolen and occupied ancestral lands of the Pueblos of Haak’u [Acoma], Ko-tyīt [Cochiti], Shiewhibak [Isleta], Walatowa [Jemez], Ka’wai’ka [Laguna], Nambé Owingeh, Ohkay Owingeh, Pe’ewi [Picuris], P’o-suwae-geh Owingeh [Pojoaque], Tuf Shur Tia [Sandia], Katishtya [San Felipe], Po-Who-Geh Owingeh [San Ildefonso], Tamaya [Santa Ana], Kah’p’oo Owingeh [Santa Clara], Kewa [Santo Domingo], Taos, Tet-sugeh [Tesuque], Shiwina [Zuni], and Tsiya [Zia]; Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the Haisndayin [Jicarilla Apache Nation], the Mescalero Apache Tribe; and the Diné Nation. We further recognize all the ancestors that have walked and lived on these lands, as their contributions have molded our histories and our cultures. As responsible custodians of our history, we collectively include an honest narrative of colonization and its impact–no matter the discomfort we or others may feel. Indeed, it is this discomfort that suggests we are heading in the right direction. As a profession, we acknowledge our role as knowledge keepers and the problematic methods through which materials have been historically collected and shared. We strive to do better, for our profession, for ourselves, and for the future generations of New Mexicans to come.
As {an ally of} Indigenous archivists, we recognize that our Tribal colleagues serve their communities with additional responsibilities. They answer not only to the archival profession, but to the people in their communities. The preservation of their archival resources–whether transmitted through language, oral history/traditions, or affixed to a physical or digital medium–also involves the preservation of Indigenous knowledge systems that provide context to these resources. Our SIG recognizes the work our Tribal peers do to get their community’s history correct.

We come together as archivists to learn from one another, and to support each other as we continue to work toward a more inclusive history of New Mexico. We encourage those reading this statement to do more research into the history of their Indigenous neighbors, and to embrace opportunities to advocate for them.

When to State This

• When you want to recognize the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous colleagues and allies, and to remind others of the contributions as stewards of Indigenous history that have been made by our colleagues to the profession
• When doing archival work and attending professional meetings or gatherings across New Mexico where the impacts are centered on Indigenous communities
• Publicly during the NMLA annual meeting
• At other times as felt necessary for new members joining the SIG, or when you feel the need to remind people of our state’s Indigenous history

Drafted March 21, 2022

• Valerie Fernando (Laguna Pueblo), Library Technician, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
• Cordelia Hooee (Zuni Pueblo), Cultural Resources Manager & Tribal Archivist, Zuni Tribal Archives
• Brittany Garcia (Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, Zuni and Navajo), Archives/Records Management Assistant, Zuni Tribal Archives
• Jonna Paden (Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna), Librarian & Archivist, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
• Jonathan Pringle, Scholarly Communications & Digital Librarian, UNM Health Sciences Library