Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller were recognized by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) on Thursday, Oct. 28 for their consistent nurturing of the relationship between the City of Albuquerque and the Pueblo people.
As mayor of Albuquerque, Keller has worked toward his goal of strengthening the "government-to-government relationships with the sovereign Pueblos" while steadily addressing any Native American affairs and issues, according to a press release from Keller's office. Keller has also made Albuquerque the first city in the nation to create a formal government-to-government relationship through the formation of the Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (CAIANA).
“Both professionally and personally, I’ve been made better by my experiences working with the Pueblos, their strong leaders, and their incredible people,” Keller said in the release. “I strive to carry the lessons and values instilled in me by these experiences into my work as a public servant and a leader. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the members of the All Pueblo Council of Governments, from whom I’ve learned so much. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we work toward justice, health, safety, and prosperity for Native American communities in Albuquerque and beyond.”
During Thursday's meeting, Chairman Wilfred Herrera Jr. formally recognized the couple and stated that Keller and his wife "consciously nurtured" the relationship with Pueblo while working alongside both parties' core values in order to provide for the well-being of all, according to the press release. Herrera Jr. also mentioned the mayor's commitment to addressing many of the inequalities the Native American community faces, including healthcare, childcare, senior resources, housing, and other points of concern.
The APCG is an organization advocating for the well-being and protection of the Pueblo people, compromised of the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico and one Pueblo in Texas.