This week, Albuquerque councilors confirmed the appointment of Jana Pfeiffer to the city government's Environmental Planning Commission. Pfeiffer is the first Native person to serve in the commission.
Pfeiffer told Source NM that her heritage makes her well-suited to the role.
“We live in this urban setting, but we do understand our deep relationship with the land and being the stewards of this land.”
Pfeiffer grew up in Farmington, N.M., a well-known oil town. Her father, Gilbert Kennedy Dee, worked in the Billiton coal mine.
Pfeiffer she said that she experienced racial discrimination many times, and these experiences formed a motivation to move forward and have success. She also said that she faced discrimination when meeting with the city councilors and that she felt she wasn't being heard.
About her experience with the councilors, she said, “After the first meeting, the curt responses — and that opposition I experienced and felt — really diminished my abilities, almost doubting myself. This is a form of discrimination and a larger conversation is needed on how Native Americans are subjected to this type of discrimination and gate-keeping from public office.”
She believes that she will enjoy her role and be able to use her background and knowledge as a benefit. Pfeiffer said, “I truly believe that is a very unique, special trait that we do have as Indigenous, Native peoples. We live in this urban setting, but we do understand our deep relationship with the land and being the stewards of this land.”
