Albuquerque honored Indigenous Peoples' Day by recognizing 4H Park as a sacred burial site, and Navajo Nation joined the city to mark the day. Johnathan Nez and the Navajo Nation’s First Lady Phefelia Nez were in Albuquerque Monday, joining in on Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations, according to KOB4.
“Today, in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we joined community members for a program focused on and signed an ordinance that formally recognizes 4H Park as a sacred burial site,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a tweet. “We also declared today 'Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day.’”
The acronym for the observance of missing women is known as “MMIWR Day.”
Keller urged public awareness and investigations of every person who has gone missing. “While these cases sometimes cross jurisdictions, each person is a valued member of our community and deserves answers to be brought to light and justice to be served," he said.
A KOB4 report said the observances have special meaning in New Mexico, the state whose Navajo Nation is the biggest Native American reservation in the country.
"We are just celebrating being Indigenous today, but every day is Indigenous Peoples' Day for Native Americans, and Indigenous people all over the world, so it's special to have a day recognized for Native people in this country," Jonathan Nez told KOB4.
A KOAT report said the Albuquerque event was attended by thousands, with memorial events held at the Civic Plaza and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Events at the Civic Plaza, co-sponsored by the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Indigenous Justice, a nonprofit tasked with insuring the rights of Native Americans, included Pueblo songs and dances, and speeches by elected officials.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on her website issued a statement saying Native peoples had made major contributions to the state of New Mexico and the nation.
“Tribal nations are an integral part of our state’s multicultural identity, making valuable and unique contributions to New Mexican life and to our nation,” Lujan Grisham said. “Over the past year and a half, Native communities have served as models for the world of what it means to protect and care for your community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, showing incredible resilience and strength in the face of challenging circumstances.”
Lujan Grisham said her administration had done more to support its native population than any other state government.
“On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I reiterate my commitment to supporting the health, well-being and prosperity of indigenous people and to working together to build a strong and equitable foundation for today and for those who will come after,” she added.
