ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Mayor Tim Keller signed legislation requiring Tribal Consultation for development impacting sovereign or sacred land and other sensitive areas.
The Tribal Notification and Engagement Consultation amendment to the City’s Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) was unanimously passed by the City Council last month. The updated ordinance was sponsored by Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.
“Albuquerque is taking action to strengthen the partnership we share with local tribes over our land," said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are demonstrating leadership and setting an example for the nation as we grow our city for future generations."
“These IDO amendments were crafted with a steadfast commitment to respecting the input of our tribal partners on land use issues,” said City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. “I am proud that these proposals have been approved, guaranteeing that our tribal counterparts have a substantial voice in decisions that affect them, their lands, and their sacred areas.”
The IDO Annual Update for 2023 included an amendment adding Indian Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos partially or wholly in New Mexico as commenting agencies for proposed developments within 660 feet of Major Public Open Space or tribal land. This amendment aims to provide an opportunity for tribal representatives to offer feedback to the city when planning new developments on significant land tied to historic and ongoing cultural practices.
“Tribal consultation for developments happening around the Petroglyphs and other sacred sites is long overdue. These IDO amendments reflect the City’s commitment to respecting Tribal sovereignty,” said Naeva Executive Director Ahtza Chavez. “The fight to protect the Petroglyphs is at the heart of our organization; it is how we first formed in the early 1990s. Since then, we have worked tirelessly defending sacred sites from intrusive development. These amendments are the first step towards continuing to foster meaningful tribal engagement. It is our hope to build on this in the future. Thanks to Councilor Fiebelkorn for her tireless efforts to help make this a reality for our communities.”
"Protecting sacred sites is our whole community's responsibility,” said Kyle Tapaha from the Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, CABQ. "We need to continue standing and working together to protect our ancestors' wishes of safeguarding and leaving cultural resources and spaces intact for future generations.”
“We celebrate the amendments to the IDO, which demonstrate the will of the people and our community to build effective working relationships with tribal entities,” said Office of Equity and Inclusion Director Sonya Lara. “With these changes, we renew our commitment towards educating ourselves about Indigenous communities' history and practices, aiming for appropriate engagement and upliftment.”
“This represents a historic honoring of Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination for Tribes around Albuquerque, and in New Mexico,” said Terry Sloan, Intergovernmental Tribal Liaison. “As far as we are aware, Albuquerque may be North America's first municipality instilling Tribal Consultation in a development ordinance.”