# Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2024) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apueblo_isleta%3A05afb3636ffffad9 ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text Volume 19 Issue 3 Isleta Pueblo News Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com March 2024 Governor’s Report Maguwam, I would like to wish the entire community good health while we gear into the month of March. As we approach into farming and fire season, I would like to remind the community to continue to practice safety while out in the fields, farming, etc. Also, just a reminder to everyone if you are feeling sick, please stay home to prevent the spread of any illness. see the developments we are making and continue to make for the pueblo. The Department of Natural Resources would like to announce the Ditch Work dates will be determined at a later time. Please contact your Association Mayordomo and Treasurer for payment of ditch dues and assessments. In the month of February, we have been super busy as myself, Lt. Jiron and Lt. Abeita attended the 2024 American Indian Day at the State Capitol. I was honored to provide the invocation and some brief remarks to kick off the day’s events. As we continue to stay busy thru the month, we have met with state officials during the New Mexico legislative session. I successfully advocated for Isleta Department of Education summer youth programming and secured funding from Representative Harry Garcia to provide cultural and educational programming for the next two summers. I met with Governor Lujan Grisham and she supported my request for funding to begin design of the historic Pueblo of Isleta Main Street Restoration and for additional vehicles for the Rec Center. We appreciate the support of Representative Garcia and Governor Lujan Grisham. I also have had the opportunity to meet with the APS Board of Education Member Josefina Dominguez. In hopes to address the importance of the ongoing education issues and more inclusive tribal consultation policies. We continue to appreciate Josefina Dominguez’s advocacy as she continues to provide for our pueblo. As elections are around the corner, I have met with the Valencia County Clerk Milam and his staff to discuss the upcoming 2024 state and presidential elections. As the result of our meeting, Valencia County will be providing an early voting and election day voting location, as well as translation services at the Veterans center for this year’s election. We are including the flyer of information of important dates. We welcomed Senator Martin Heinrich’s Chief of Staff and his team to the pueblo for a tour of our Cultural and Historic department along with the Assisted Living and the Health Center. They are touring to He continues to thrive toward his future in following his dreams, as we wish for many of our young youth in focusing in their futures. Let’s continue to remind our youth that they can be anything they want to be as long as put their mind to it. I would like to remind all tribal members, anyone needing a burn permit to please see the Department of Natural Resources. They are located in the same building as Transportation/Motor Pool- we are on the south side 3929 Hwy 47 Albuquerque, NM 87105. For more information, please contact her at 505-869-9817. Myself along with the whole tribal administration office would like to send our condolences to the Lente Family, and I would like to honor the late Tribal Council President Michael Allen Lente for devoting his time to the Pueblo of Isleta. Last, I want to send my condolences to the families of those who have lost their family members during the month of February. I would like for the community to join me in sending best wishes and congratulations to one of our very own tribal members, Jeremiah Lujan. Jeremiah has a passion in roping, farming, welding and lending a helping hand to anyone who is in need. Ha-Wuh Max A. Zuni Governor Pueblo of Isleta Page 2 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DEADLINE for April Newsletter articles is set for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 4:30 pm. Articles may be dropped off at the Library or emailed to Nathaniel.Lujan@ isletapueblo.com. Should you email your article, expect a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, odds are it never made it to me and then it’s time to panic, so call Nate at 505.869.9808. People who wish to submit an article or flyer are responsible for generating their own article or flyer. Should you need help, please call the Library at 505.869.9808 and set up a date and time to sit down with a Library staff member who will help you throughout the process. The Library will NOT accept notes dropped off at the Library or information over the phone to generate your article. PROBATES need to be published in the Newsletter for two consecutive months. Probates are considered court documents, therefore, all submitters must provide: 1) Name of Deceased, 2) Date of Deceased 3) Court Case # and 4) Date of Court Date. A Probate form can be found on the Newsletter Archive page at http://www.isletapueblo. com/newsletters.html . TRIBAL COURTS CLASSIFIED ADS: The new administration has requested that the Newsletter start a Classified Ad section for Tribal members selling land, houses, mobile homes, vehicles, and farm equipment. Leasing of houses and mobile homes will be accepted. Smaller items which can be sold at the local flea markets or weekly yard sales will NOT be accepted. WHEN: Friday April 05, 2024. Currently, this service is FREE to Tribal members. Land, houses, and mobile homes must be within the reservation boundaries. Ads must meet the 160 character limit. Ads that exceed the 160 characters will NOT be submitted into the Newsletter. A single picture may be submitted with the ad. Submitters of classified ads are responsible for generating their own ads as this is a FREE service. Tribal Court Warrant Amnesty Day Isleta Tribal Court is offering an amnesty day to clear up any warrants you may have. If you have a warrant, we are offering a day of amnesty for you to come be heard, and get your warrant resolved. TIME: 9:00am – 3:30pm LOCATION: Isleta Tribal Court HOW: Come to the Tribal Court on the above-mentioned day at any time between 9:00am -3:30pm, and the court will immediately hear your case to resolve your warrant. You will not be arrested upon first sight. You will be given an opportunity to be heard and your record reviewed. President Michael Allen Lente As a reminder, Tribal business owners may submit a small flyer at no charge. Like the classified ads, business owners are responsible for generating their own flyers as this is a FREE service. Classified ads and business flyers will be posted no more than two consecutive months. In the event where the Newsletter may exceed the 24-page limit, classified ads and business flyers will be “bumped” for newsletter articles. Again, this is a FREE service for Tribal members. The Isleta Newsletter is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Isleta. Therefore, the Governor of the Pueblo of Isleta has the final say of all articles and contents within the Isleta Newsletter. For additional questions, you may call the Library and speak with Nate or Diane at 505.869.9808. Thank you, Nathaniel Lujan Newsletters may be found at the fifteen distribution locations listed below. Remember, Digital copies of the Newsletter may be obtained from the Newsletter archive at http://www.isletapueblo.com/newsletters.html The fifteen Newsletter distribution locations are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. TR 2 & TR 22 - Chical SE of Community Hall TR 10 - Behind the old 47 Sales TR 1 & TR 5 – Ranchitos / Bosque Farms Reservations Line Ranchitos Park Post Office - Big Tree TR 82 & TR 84 - Teller Road TR 78 & TR 82 - Carlos Trujillo Sr. TR 90 @ Y - CF Padilla Mouse Town Park – Health Center – South end of Health Center Parking lot Library Sunlight & Moonlight Intersection TR 6 - 47 Intersection TR 12 - 47 & 147 intersection (Old Smoke & Save) TR 71 & TR 54 @ Y - Holiday Robot / Paved Road / Railroad Tracks TR 45 & TR 40 @ Y - Tata Mel (POI Signage) In the short time that we worked with you, the memories of the good times we shared will forever remain a treasure. You were a man with a great heart of service not only to your family but those you served. You showed so much compassion and displayed a lot of humility so much that every one of us seeks to emulate you. Never wanting to be compensated for your time on Council or the extra hours you put in. You were a great leader, someone with patience and a love for hard work. Thank you for being the kind of man you were to us, a true mentor and friend. Rest on, President Lente. Jolynn, Anna, and Sabin March 2024 PUEBLO OF ISLETA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CULTURAL CENTER CALL TO ARTISTS Work Media: Pottery, Jewelry, Moccasins, Men & Women’s Traditional & Contemporary Clothing, Paintings, and Sculptures. Work Size: Items will need to fit inside a 4’(H) x 3’(W) x 1’(D) display case, there will be six (6) cases to display works of art. Entry Requirements: All entries must be original Isleta works of art from Isleta Tribal Members. REQUIREMENTS: 1. 2. 3. 4. Contact the Cultural Center at (505) 869-9767 to set up an appointment. Bring work of art to be reviewed (max. 4 items) Artist Statement or Bio no more than a paragraph Title/Date of Work Photograph of Artist Timeline: Exhibit is ongoing, display cases will be changed every 6-9 months to ensure other tribal member works of art are displayed. Entries Due: On-going Selection Process: All works of art will be reviewed and selected by the Cultural Center staff. Selected works will be displayed for 6-9 months, afterwards the items will be returned to owners and a new set of community artwork will be displayed. If artist is not selected, they may be put on a waitlist to be displayed at a later time. Notification to artist: Cultural staff will contact artist based on the artist’s preferred method of contact. Delivery/Pick-up: Pueblo of Isleta Cultural Center (POICC) Tribal Road 40, Building 71, Isleta, NM 87022 Sales: POICC is looking to display community Artwork “On Loan” at this time. Any artwork for sale will be handled by the Artist, not POICC. Contact: M. Stephanie Zuni, DCHP/POICC Director (505) 869-9768 or Marilyn.zuni@isletapueblo.com CALL FOR PHOTOS Pueblo of Isleta Cultural Center is searching for Pueblo Photos of any persons or personnel who worked at the Isleta Health Center in the past. Early photos of Nurse Sandman? Anyone? We are also searching for photographs of the Isleta Elementary School interior or exterior before renovation. Photos may be of students, teachers or activities held at the school. You may contact the Cultural Center at (505) 869-9767 LAND FOR SALE • • • 4.782+ Acres Tribal Road 10 Call, Text, or Voicemail Kimo @ (505) 506-3432 Isleta Pueblo News Page 3 Isleta Pueblo News Page 4 Job Postings OUR LOCATION Visit us online at http://www.isleta.com/career-opportunities.aspx Fax: 505-244-8232 March 2024 Isleta Resort and Casino is located 7 minutes south of downtown Albuquerque at Interstate 25 and Hwy 47, exit 215. The Human Resources office can be found on the east side of the building through the Employee Entrance doors. HR news from Isleta Resort & Casino  POI/IRC Health & Wellness Fair – Friday, October 13th in the Isleta Ballrooms from 9am to 3pm o Come out and learn about the new benefits for both POI and IRC team members!  Enhanced medical benefits for employee family members.  Enhanced dental benefits to include orthodontic coverage for adults.  Addition of MDLIVE which offers reliable 24/7 health care by phone or video for medical and mental health support.  Pet insurance coverage.  AND MORE!!! October Career Fair – Wednesday, October 18th from 10am to 3pm in Triple 7’s o Meet face-to-face with Hiring Managers who will be interviewing and hiring on the spot! o Learn more about all of the great career opportunities and benefits Isleta Resort & Casino has to offer. March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 5 Affordable Connectivity Program The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program? A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: ● Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; ● Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program; ● Participates in one of these assistance programs: • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools. •SNAP •Medicaid •Federal Housing Assistance, including:  Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)  Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/ Section 202/ Section 811  Public Housing  Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • WIC • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits • or Lifeline; ● Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands: • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance • Tribal TANF • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations •Tribal Head Start (income based) Apply now! www.GetInternet.gov Goodwill Goodwill Good jobs offers individuals free assistance with job search, interview skills, and resume assistance. Contact : Vicki Herring Career specialist at 505-944-0289 Vicki Herring Career Specialist Goodwill Industries of New Mexico _______________________________________________________ vherring@goodwillnm.org 505-944-0289 or 505-881-6401 x4097 201 Desert Willow Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031 www.Goodwillit.org 2024 Fire Season Pueblo of Isleta Fire Department Fire season is here! The Isleta Pueblo Fire Dept. will be available to assist and stand-by for community members with agricultural burns. Burn permits are required, instructions on burn permit must be followed. For more info contact the numbers listed below. Fire Chief 505-869-9724 Isleta Dispatch 505-869-3030 Isleta Pueblo News Page 6 March 2024 Pueblo of Isleta Career Opportunities Position Posting Office Location Closing Date Position Posting Office Location Closing Date March 2024 Position Posting Office Location Isleta Pueblo News Page 7 Closing Date 2024 AMERIND Safety Poster Contest Encourage your students to submit a safety themed poster for the AMERIND 2024 Safety Poster Contest. They could win $1,000! One national winner in each of the three categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-8) receives $1,000.00. February 2024 – May 2024 Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority (IPHA) is one of several housing authorities hosting the AMERIND Safety Poster Contest. The theme can be any safety topic you would like. Some examples are: Fire Safety, Driving Safety, etc. All posters should be submitted to IPHA no later than May 31, 2024. June 2024 – August 2024 IPHA will select one winner from each category (K-3, 4-6, 7-8). Winners will then be sent to SWTHA Region VIII for Regional Voting no later than June 30, 2024. Winners from the Regional voting will be sent to AMERIND Safety Service Team no later than August 31, 2024. September 2024 National online voting. One winner from each category is selected. November 2024 Winners will be announced at the AMERIND Annual Meeting. Instructions 1. Use blank 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper 2. Clearly print on one side of paper First and Last Name Grade Tribal affiliation Phone Number Housing Authority: “ISLETA PUEBLO HOUSING AUTHORITY” a. b. c. d. e. 3. On blank side of paper, create your masterpiece. 4. Deliver your masterpiece to IPHA for submission!!! Attention: Pueblo of Isleta Community Public Works has implanted a new work order system for community work orders. Community members can submit a work order the following ways: 1. Below is a QR Code you can scan with a smart device 2. You can access the link on the Pueblo of Isleta Website 3. Calling Public Works Office at 505-869-5170 Please provide as much information as possible about the work order being placed. We will need the following information: • What is the issue? • Location (Complete Address) • Contact Name & Number • Attached pictures, if any NOTE: Please one work order per submittal! Our new system will not generate multiple work orders in one submission. Not providing all detail information on your work order may cause a delay! We understand that not everyone has access to a smart device or computer to submit a work order, calling into Public Works Office at 505-869-5170 is still available. Page 8 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 Census/Tribal Enrollment Department I hope this memo finds you and your families doing well and staying safe. The Census office is located in the village proper north of the Governor’s office. Our address is 123 Tribal Road 40, Isleta, NM 87022. Hours of operation are Monday- Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Address Updates: Please make sure to update your address each time you move so our office has the most current information on file. We have noticed a lot of address issues within the Census and Treasury department during the past distributions. Our office is the main source that other departments use to verify information. You may also call our office to verify your information regularly to avoid any issues. New Address update policy: Address Change a) Tribal members are responsible for maintaining a current address with the Tribal Census/Enrollment Department. b) Acceptable documentation of a change of address shall include at least two (2) of the following: 1. A valid, state issued driver’s license or government-issued identification card listing the new address. 2. A current utility bill with the requester’s name and address listed on the statement. Eligible utilities bills shall include propane bills. 3. Current insurance card or bill showing the requestor’s name and address. 4. Current real property rental agreement or purchase agreement showing the requestor’s name and address. 5. State Medical or Public Assistance with requestor’s name and address on card, letter from issuing agency showing requestor’s name and address, or profile print out from issuing agency showing the same. 6. Bank or credit card statement not more than 60 days old. 7. Employment pay stub containing requestor’s name and address. 8. Documentation from an education institution such as a transcript, report card, or enrollment information. 9. A notarized change of address authorization. Tribal Identification Cards: Tribal Identification cards will be issued every Tuesday and Thursday by appointment. Any lost or stolen ID’s will have a replacement fee of $20.00, money order only. Made payable to the Pueblo of Isleta. Please note a limit of 1 replacement ID will be issued per year. Reminder** ALL TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FIVE (5) YEARS. **ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE ON FILE WITH THE TRIBAL ENROLLMENT/CENSUS OFFICE PRIOR TO RECEIVING A TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION CARD. ** Birth and Certificates: The Census office cannot make or accept copies of state birth certificates, it is illegal to alter, copy or counterfeit birth certificates. State of NM Birth Certificates may be obtained through the Census/Tribal Enrollment Department. We will continue to make monthly visits to New Mexico Vital Statistics on behalf of tribal members. An Authorization form must be signed and notarized at the Census/Tribal Enrollment Department giving Director or Enrollment Clerk authorization to obtain Birth Certificate on behalf of Tribal Member. The cost for each certified certificate is $10.00 each with cash, check or money order payable to: NM Vital Records Office. P.O. Box 25767 Albuquerque, NM 87125 Death Certificates: There have been many questions regarding the death certificate process. As a reminder, the Pueblo of Isleta, Census/Tribal Enrollment Department will kindly assist family members in the completion of death certificates of all Tribal Members. Paperwork needs to be completed by the family before starting the process on the state system. Paperwork can be picked up at the Census office. Once the death certificate has been approved and registered with the NM State Vital Office, an Authorization form must be signed and notarized at the Census/Tribal Enrollment Department giving Director or Enrollment Clerk authorization to obtain Death Certificate on behalf of the family. All Certified Death Certificate copies are $5.00 each with cash, check or money order payable to: NM Vital Records Office. P.O. Box 25767 Albuquerque, NM 87125 Minor IIM accounts: Our office assists any minor who is now of age to request to withdraw their Individual Indian Money (IIM) account. Forms are available here in our office. Also, address updates can be updated here at the census office for any IIM account. Also, the office of US - Department of Interior - Bureau of Trust Funds Administration sent us a list of Isleta Tribal Members whose whereabouts unknown (WAU). If your name, or someone you know, name is on the list below please call or come to the Census office for assistance. You may also check on the website https://www.doi.gov/ ost/wau to see full list of names. Whereabouts Unknown ERIC V. ABEITA NOAH ABEITA AMBROSE J ANDERSON AMANDA L ARAGON DANEEN R BEARDSLEY DAMIAN CUARON ARMANDO I GARCIA STEVEN E GARCIA JOHN D JARAMILLO JUSTIN E JIRON KATERI JOJOLA BRANDON L JOJOLA ANDRES D JOJOLA DANYELLE R LUCERO WESSON LUCERO BERETTALYN LUCERO HANNAH M LUCERO ANTHONY W LUCERO KENNETH HOWARD LUCERO ZION L LUJAN ELIANNA L LUJAN LINDA LYNCH ZINIA L MARTIN DESIDARIO B B MARTIN CRYSTAL G PADILLA NATHAN PIRO Residence Ordinance: Any non-tribal member wishing to reside on the reservation must have a residence ordinance application on file. Applications are available for pick up only at our office. This ordinance is being enforced by Governor’s and IPD, please make sure your application is up-to-date. Due to delays in background checks, this application can take up to 6 weeks or longer to complete. Note: only one nontribal member can be sponsored by enrolled tribal member (over the age of 18) per household. Any minor non-tribal members do not need an application. Please verify with our office the status of your application or any concerns you may have. From the Tribal Enrollment Committee For the month of January 2024, the Tribal enrollment committee has enrolled 4 new Tribal members. On Land base No Yes Yes No Isleta Blood 1/4 1/4 5/16 1/4 Gender Female Male Male Female Age 23 4 7 50 Please contact the Pueblo of Isleta Census/Tribal Enrollment Department at (505) 869-9766 if you have any questions. Census/Tribal Enrollment Staff, Nanette Mariano, Director Ashlee Abeita, Enrollment Clerk March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 9 Pueblo of Isleta Fire Department 3950 Hwy 47 Albuquerque, NM 87105 505-869-9724 With winter almost over and spring is blooming so starts the beginning of another fire season. As we begin smelling smoke, the Isleta Pueblo Fire Department, and all Pueblo partners want to remind Community members and visitors of the important role that fire plays in our community. The fire department’s goal is to become a fire-wise and fire-safe community. In order to accomplish this mission, the Isleta Pueblo Fire Department is in the process of establishing a community-wide fire patrol and Burn assistance program. This patrol and assistance is designed to assist the members of the community in the planning and execution of controlled burns of agricultural and cultural areas. Over the past several years we have had an increase in agricultural burns. Currently the Pueblo of Isleta has issued over 180 burn permits, which are required for a controlled burn. To obtain a burn permit you will need to go by the Department of Natural Resources Office at 3929 Highway 47, you can call the DNR office at 505869-9817 with any questions. On the day of your burn, you will need to call Isleta Dispatch at 505869-3030 to advise of your location and a good contact number of who is doing the burning. The Isleta Fire Department does assist the community in the burning of fields and ditches if requested. All you need to do is contact the fire department for assistance. The fire department will assist in the pre-planning of any proposed burns. We will also assist in the establishment of a sustainable water source for the burn in the event the property is not located within a reasonable response area of available water. We wish to assist the community members by having a pre-planned fire wise, fire safe prescribed burn process that will mitigate any losses of property to the community members and help decrease any fees or fines in the event the fire gets out of control. The Pueblo of Isleta fire department is comprised of 9 Volunteers, 1 Fire Chief and 6 full time firefighters. The full time firefighters are on duty Saturday thru Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm. Our Volunteers assist when they are available, usually nights and weekends. All firefighters have attended the appropriate Wildland Firefighter training. All firefighters are required under the National Wild Fire Coordinating Group and the Southern Pueblos Agency to follow proper guidelines for wildland firefighting and maintain the proper certification and personal protective equipment required. The fire department works closely with all POI departments and if we are unable to assist you, we can direct you to a department that will be able to assist. If you have further questions, comments, or wish the fire department to assist you, please feel free to contact the Fire Department at 505-869-9724. Isleta Pueblo News Page 10 March 2024 Department of Education to campus support. Take some time to research schools of your choice to see if they have a Summer Bridge Program. Happy March, The Academic Success Team has been working hard to get out and meet with high school students. Before we get into all the happenings, I would like to welcome Lloyd Padilla to our team here at the Department of Education (DoE). Lloyd is the new Academic Success Coach for the program. We wish him well with his new position here at DoE. The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) holds an annual “Bridge to Success Summer Program” that takes place in June-July, an 8-week program. It is FREE! Take advantage of this opportunity and contact SIPI if you have any questions. Call 505-346-2353 Email: SUMMERBRIDGE@MAIL.SIPI.EDU Meet Lloyd… Hello Community members and family, My name is Lloyd Padilla, my mother is from the Navajo Nation, my late father was part Isleta and Laguna Pueblo. I was raised primarily Navajo. My late grandfather was Ricardo Padilla, WW2 Veteran raised here in Isleta. I have a background in Education, completed my Bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies with a Minor in Psychology and currently working towards my Master’s degree in Academic counseling. I taught at the Santa Fe Indian School and also worked at the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, NM. During my time at SFIS, I coached the High School and Middle School Cross Country boys/girls teams where our varsity girls won the 2022 State Title. I want to support Isleta youth in pursuing their goals and help guide them in following their dreams. Thank you for welcoming me into this new position and I am honored to serve in this role. The highlight at CNM was their School of Skilled Trades & Arts (STA) program, which consist of: • • • • • • • • • • • • Automotive Technology Aviation Maintenance Technology Carpentry and Construction Diesel Equipment Technology Electrical Trades Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industrial Technology (Mechatronics) Machine Tool Technology Plumbing and Gas Fitting Welding Students met with a student and professor in the Diesel Equipment Technology where they were able see hands on demonstrations on what all goes into the program. Both site visits were a success and we hope that in the future more students will join us on these learning opportunities. During the Los Lunas In-Service day, the department took a group of students to visit Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Students were able to tour both campus’ and ask questions about each school. One of the highlights at SIPI was that they have their own optometry teaching facilities where students learn how to do eye exams, as well as make eye lenses for glasses. Aside from school visits, we have been at Los Lunas High Schools meeting with students during their Tiwa classes or during lunch periods. Students who have been visiting us during lunches or group meetings have received information on upcoming events such as Junior Day at UNM and our afterschool program. The afterschool tutoring program has been a great success and good things are happening with the K-12 program. As always it is best to keep up with your grades from the get go instead of trying to play catch up towards the end of the grading. Shelly & Lloyd – Academic Success Team PreK-12 Updates Highschool Visit The Spring semester has certainly been a dynamic one. This semester has been marked with a range of activities and initiatives aimed to support student understanding and to enhance student learning. One initiative included a visit by our tribal leadership on January 24th to all the three Los Lunas Public School district high schools which are Los Lunas High School, Century High School, and Valencia High School. The leadership was able to listen to students’ experiences at school. This included the benefits and challenges. Students expressed that academic work, social expectations, and athletic endeavors weigh heavily in their minds. Mental health quickly became the common concern among students. Some highlights were that students enjoy many of their teachers and felt supported by them. In addition, most students expressed their enjoyment for Tiwa classes and wish they had more Tiwa related activities within their academics. It appears that students felt this could create a stronger sense of belonging within the school community. The DoE encouraged Los Lunas staff to allow students to incorporate their identity in their projects. Both students and tribal leaders thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Tribal leaders were also able to have a SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAMS Most Colleges and Universities offer “Summer Bridge Programs”. This allows incoming college freshmen to get a jumpstart on their first year and refresh their skills in Math, English and Reading over the summer. Students also have the opportunity to experience life as a college freshman and learn “what to expect” when the semester starts. During this time students have the opportunity to seek out resources, ask questions and get introduced discussion with Los Lunas Public School Superintendent, Dr. Kettler. Tribal leaders heavily focused the Pueblo’s task of language preservation. Attendance, academic success and funding were also topics of discussion - Los Lunas March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 11 administration expressed that they would support the Pueblo with this daunting task of improving outcomes for students. The Governors and Council expressed that they would love to continue hearing from both students and Los Lunas School administration. Tribal leadership felt this ongoing dialogue was necessary to the success of Isleta students. Additional visits have been planned. Middle School Visits This Spring semester has also been filled with trips to visit the middle school students. On February 6th and 7th, we visited with students from Los Lunas Middle School and Valencia Middle School respectively. During these visits we were able to bring over 400 books to students. Students were able to choose as many books as they wanted. With a little luck and a little search every student was able find a book. We hope that this helps create a love of reading within Isleta students. We enjoy these visits with students and look forward to many more. program has seen the success of student work. Below you will see how much work students within the tutoring program have accomplished. The tutoring program is both surprised and proud of how much work the students have accomplished since the beginnning of the academic year. • March 27th – College Engagement/Enrichment Workshop @ Department of Education (5:007pm) Higher Education • April 24th – College Engagement/ Enrichment Workshop @ Department of Education (5:00-7pm) We have completed all Spring 2024 funding. We wish all POI Scholarship applicants a successful semester. Our scholarship application for the Summer 2024 term will open up March 1st. The deadline date for the Summer 2024 application is April 1st. All supporting documents are due by May 31st. Please reach out to your Higher Education Coordinator if you have any questions. If you have graduated Summer/Fall 2023 or will graduate Spring 2024; please notify your Higher Education Coordinator, so we can recognize your achievement and provide your information using the link below: All Isleta Graduates: Elementary Visits The DoE staff also met with Principals from Bosque Farms Elementary and Sundance Elementary. During this time, resources were shared and discussions on building partnerships to support academic success took place. CALLING ALL GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND COLLEGES, please be sure to let us know you are graduating or have graduated by calling our department or filling out the link below. We want to celebrate your accomplishments! https://isletapueblo.formstack.com/ forms/2024_graduate Tutoring News You may also use the QR code to access the form. Save the Dates: • March 6th - College and Career Fair @Isleta Resort Casino from (48pm), open for all! • March 11th – 15th - Spring Break Camp @ Department of Education The tutoring program has also seen innovation. The tutoring program has created a reward program for students regularly attending tutoring sessions. The program looks to incentivize student academic performance. The tutoring • March 19th – FAFSA SUPPORT NIGHT @ Department of Education (4-7pm) • March 27th - FAFSA SUPPORT NIGHT @ Department of Education (4-7pm) • April 3rd – American Indian Junior Day @ UNM (9am) • May 5th – Senior Baccalaureate Mass @ St. Augustine Church (10am) open for graduates (High School & College) As always, the Department of Education team is here to serve the community. We consistently communicate with Districts and schools that serve our students. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to our department at 505-8699790. We encourage you visit our webpage by searching or googling, Isleta Pueblo Department of Education in your favorite browser. The Department of Education Team • PreK-12 (Michael & Jamie) • Tutoring (Nicole, Sonja, Elena & Trinity) • Academic Success (Michelle & Lloyd) • Higher Education & Adult Education (Fran & Sam) • Language (Pat, Edna, Martha, Carol, Rochelle & Ignacio) • Administration (Joy, AuDrena & Charlene • Language (Pat, Edna, Martha, Carol, Rochelle & Ignacio) • Administration (Joy, AuDrena & Charlene Page 12 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 Call for Applicants: The Tribal Council is soliciting letters of interest from individuals interested in serving on the Pueblo of Isleta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (1 position) and The Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Enrollment Committee (1 position). Any persons interested in serving on the Board/ Committee are requested to submit a letter of interest, including a resume/vital to the Tribal Council Office. Applications will be accepted until the vacancies are filled. Qualifications for Pueblo of Isleta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners are: 1) Each Commissioner shall possess communication skills, experience, and expertise necessary to carry out the duties of a Commissioner, and to contribute to the ability of the TDHE to achieve the purposes for which the TDHE was established. 2) Each Commissioner shall possess at least two years’ experience in housing development, design, management, construction/modernization, business management, personnel, tribal governance, accounting, financing, or housing inspections, or, in the alternative, he or she shall possess, at a minimum, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas: Business, Health, Political Science, Building Trades, Human Services, or Social Services. 3) Prior to appointment to the Board, each prospective Commissioner shall submit to a background investigation and a drug screen. The prospective Commissioner shall pay for such background investigation and drug screen, but, upon the TDHE’s receipt of satisfactory results, shall be reimbursed for all such costs. 4) Commissioners shall be Enrolled Members. 5) Commissioners shall not be employees of the TDHE. 6) When nominated and appointed, Commissioners shall not be past due on any payment owed to the TDHE or its predecessor entity. 7) Criminal Background. a) Conviction of any crime requiring listing on a Sex Offender Registry site, whether tribal, state, or federal, shall result in a finding of ineligibility until such time as the individual is no longer required to register. Conviction of domestic violence or other Crime of Violence involving the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against a Person or property; or any offense related to conversion of property or that would tend to reflect their ability to manage finances shall result in a finding of ineligibility of the individual as a Commissioner for a period of five years from conviction, or release from probation, incarceration, or parole, whichever is later. b) If, while in office, a Commissioner is charged with the commission of one or more of such offenses under this section, he or she shall be immediately suspended from the Board and shall remain suspended until such time as the offense or offenses for which the Commissioner was charged is or are resolved. If the Commissioner is convicted of the offense or offenses charged, his or her appointment to the Board shall be terminated immediately. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the Tribal Council Office at 505-869-9746. Send letters of interest to: Tribal Council Office P.O. Box 1270 Isleta, NM 87022 March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (APS) Greetings from Indian Education at Albuquerque Public Schools! Enrollment in all APS schools is open to all students who reside in Isleta with free busing available to the following schools: Los Padillas Elementary School Polk Middle School Rio Grande High School To register, the first step is for one parent to log in to ParentVue, If you do not have a ParentVue account, you can create one here: https://www.aps.edu/students-parents/parentvuestudentvue/create-your-parentvue-account Registration for each of your children is completed through your ParentVue account. There is currently a bug in the system for many home addresses. If you have difficulty, please use the school address for Los Padillas (2525 Los Padillas Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105) to complete registration and then work with your child's school to fix the address when you visit the school. If you would like for your child to attend one of the other 145 APS schools, you can place a transfer request to the APS school of your choosing. As a member of the Pueblo of Isleta, who resides in Isleta, your transfer is given the highest priority. The transfer request process can be found here: https://www.aps.edu/schools/transfers/new-studentsrequest-student-id-and-transfer Please be sure to select the reason for your transfer as "residing on non-taxable trust lands within a 50 mile radius of Albuquerque" so as to ensure your transfer request receives priority. -Phil Farson Senior Director APS Indian Education Department 505.884.6392 ext 80039 The New Beginnings, LLC “Enhancing Quality of Life” We are looking for someone to assist in the community integration to help people to enhance their personal, social, and vocational experience successfully in the community. Focusing in but not limited to broaden possibilities in the community and general population activities. Individual support is based on the identified needs and desires of the person served. Individuals are active partners in determining the activities they desire to participate in and identifying their most meaningful experiences. Job Qualifications: - Must be 18 years of age - Ability to read and carry out the requirements of the job - Ability to communicate in the language that is functionally required by the individual - Must complete all state required competencies - Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance - Must have a high school diploma or equivalent If interested in applying, please contact: Christian Satterfield Service Coordinator @ TNB 8908 Washington St. NE Albuquerque, NM 87113 (505) 363-6421 Page 13 Isleta Pueblo News Page 14 Welcome Our New Teacher Mr. Donald Casuse March 2024 Isleta Elementary School Newsletter March 2024 • Provide input and feedback on school goals and plans for improvement. Requirements: • Must commit to meet at least once per month. As a School Board Member, you will be compensated for your time. • Must have a favorable background clearance prior to starting the term. If you are interested, submit a letter of interest to the school. Please include your full name, phone number, and email address. The Season of Assessments Greetings Isleta families and friends! We were happy to introduce our new 6th grade teacher to Isleta Elementary. Mr. Casuse has close to 20 years experience in the classroom. He has taught in settings from third grade all the way to eighth grade. He is highly qualified to teach math, and in fact, he has a track record of bringing up highest test scores. He has taught in Gallup, NM as well as Las Cruces, NM. In his free time, he likes to work on classic cars, try new trails to go hiking, travel to different places, camp in the mountains, do river fishing, and try new foods. “I really love working with students to help them better their math and reading skills along with their social skills to make them better members of society. I believe that every child and teen have something positive to bring into the world. I am grateful to be working at Isleta Elementary. I look forward to working with the staff, parents, community and especially the students.” Your Voice Matters! Join the School Board We are seeking interested members of our community to serve on the IES School Board for the upcoming school year. Immediate Priorities: • Review School Board by-laws. • Review Student-Parent Handbook for next year. What type of standardized test does my child take? ● ACCESS Students in English language learner (ELL) program take the ACCESS for ELLs language proficiency test in February. The test measures academic English language proficiency for students learning English in our school and throughout our state. ● BIE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) & BIE MATH All students in grades 3-6 take the BIE ELA and BIE Math tests during the Spring. These computer-based tests measure academic proficiency in English language arts and mathematics. ● BIE SCIENCE This computer-based test is only administered to students in grades 5 during the Spring and measures academic proficiency in science. ● BIE ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT This assessment is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The decision for a student to be administered the alternate assessment is left to the discretion of the individualized education program (IEP) team. Why is it important for my child to participate? Teachers in our school use this information to help them make decisions about instruction for your child. Teachers also use these test scores to monitor the progress your child makes toward proficiency of the state standards. It helps students, parents, and teachers understand the student’s level of performance and areas for improvement. Here are some pictures from our Valentine Carnival. Can I get a copy of my child’s test results? Yes! NWEA MAP assessments reports are available after each testing period (fall, winter, spring). All other test reports are not available until June 2024. We will plan to distribute these reports at the start of the SY24-25 school year. We also maintain a copy of these reports in your child’s records. What can my child do to prepare? Students can prepare by getting a good night’s rest the night before the test day, arrive to school on time, eat breakfast, and do their best. Important Dates March 1 March 5 March 8 March 11-15 March 20 March 22 March 29 Dr. Seuss Day Picture Day Early Release. End of 3rd Quarter. No School - Spring Break. 3rd Quarter Awards Assembly (1:30–2:30 pm) Early Release No School – Good Friday VOTE NOW! Help Us Plan for SY 2024-2025 Calendar Go to our website at www. isletaelementary.com or scan the QR code with your phone to provide your input on our calendar for SY 2024 – 2025. Our first Valentine Carnival was exciting and special, as it was the first sponsored activity by our newly created Parent Teacher Organization. President is Desirae Salvador, VP is Connie Orozco, Treasury is Mariah Zuni, Secretary is Rachel Melchor At this time, IES would like to thank the many departments and parents that donated items and time to run a booth in making this a successful fun event for our students. March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 15 On Friday evening, Febrary 23 our Isleta Elementary hosted the first inner tribal sporing event since Pre-Covid, in the form of a few friendly basketball games with the Jemez Day School. Games were played between our 3rd & 4th grade boys and girls teams and our 5th and 6th grade boys & girls teams. There was a total of 4 games that evening with bleachers packed on both sides and people standing along the slidelines. Our cheerleading team even had the opporotunity to showcase their school pride. This was a great turn out in support for our youth whom loved the opportunity to showcase their hard work and skills. We would like to thank basketball and cheerleading coaches, the Elementary staff and parents volunteers, Officer J. Abeita and Coach G. Waquie for making this a fun filled event for our students and the community. TRUANCY Greetings, We hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. The Truancy Department was excited to take part in the Valentine’s Day carnival at the Isleta Elementary School on Valentine’s Day. It was wonderful to see all the students have fun with their friends enjoying a fun afternoon of music and snacks and enjoying games. We were happy to join in on the fun making popcorn for all those in attendance and handing out delicious cupcakes and Valentine cards to the students. A big shout out and thank you to the Elementary School PTO, Ms. Ceus and her staff for inviting our department to join in on the fun! We look forward to being invited to more upcoming events with Isleta Elementary School. Since Truancy focuses on attendance and ensuring the school policies are followed by our students and parents, below is information from the Los Lunas Public Schools Handbook: • All students between the ages of 5 and 18 must attend school daily. • What is chronic absenteeism? o Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. • A school approved extracurricular activity is when a student is not in school or class as a result of participation in a schoolsponsored sanctioned event, practice, competition, or contest. Students are permitted fifteen (15) school approved extracurricular events per semester. • Verified absences are defined as follows: o When a student is absent from school with prior knowledge and consent of a parent with written verification to the school. o When a student is absent with a personal illness, any medical appointments, death in the family, or a religious commitment. As many in the community are aware, there is a Pueblo of Isleta Law and Order code, 30-05-06: Failure to send a child to school, which states the following: A. Any person who without justification or excuse, fails to send or deliver a child under his or her care and supervision to school is guilty of a failure to send a child to school. B. Any person found guilty of failing to send a child to school is guilty of a Class E Misdemeanor. Each day of school missed shall be considered a separate offense. The Truancy department has been sending notification letters to our students that have multiple unexcused absences in accordance to the Truancy Department’s Steps of Enforcement. Once parents receive these notification letters, please contact our department so that we can work with you to address any concerns or questions regarding your child’s attendance to school. Keep in mind that we are here to work together to avoid negative outcomes, as we want to see positive results from our Isleta students attending school regularly and pursuing their future goals. Thank you, Isleta Truancy Department Page 16 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 17 Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Association (POIVA) - Commander Fred R. Lujan As you drive north or south on Highway 314, you have noticed the construction project at the Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Association Center, to the west end of the smaller buildings. This is the maintenance/storage facility. This building has been under construction for over a two year period, but is now near completion. All that is needed now is here and there electrical connections. The major issue of the longevity of construction was due to the slow availability of construction supplies, some due to COVID. This building will house the tractor and implements that will be used for cultivating the four acres at the POIVA property. POIVA would like to increase its membership, especially with younger Veterans, to conduct color guard and funeral details. Annually, we have had elections for new officers in January, but we have postponed 2024 elections, hoping that there will be new Veterans who will join the POIVA and vie for one of the officer positions. Due to the lack of new members, the POIVA has had the same officers year after year. Below is the list officers and duties. The only qualification for being an officer is a commitment to helping veterans. Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Association Duties of Officers Commander - It shall be the duty of the Commander to preside at all meetings of the Association and to have general supervision over the business and affairs of the Association, and such officer shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association. Vice-Commander - The Vice-Commander shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of Commander in the absence or disability of, as when called upon by the Commander. Adjutant - The Adjutant shall have charge of and keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of all meetings, keep such records under the direction of the Commander, and handle all correspondence of the Association. Finance Officer - The Finance Officer shall have charge of all finances and see that they are solely deposited in some local bank and shall report once a month to the Association the condition of the finances. The Finance Officer shall sign all checks disbursing the monies. Chaplains - The Chaplain shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of the Association and will offer divine but nonsectarian service in the event of dedications, funerals, and public functions and adhere to ceremonial rituals as recommended from time to time. Sergeant-at-Arms - The-Sergeant-at-Arms shall preserve order at meetings and shall perform other duties as may be from time to time assigned by the Association. General meetings are held once-a-month, on the third Thursday of the Month at 6:00 PM. Anyone interested, please call Ulysses at 505264-4110. Isleta Pueblo News Page 18 March 2024 Pueblo of Isleta Public Library A new month is here, and spring is upon us! For many, that means a start to spring cleaning, tax time and getting those gardens ready. Whatever it is, don’t let spring fever keep you away from the library. Come in and check out everything we have to offer. We are busy planning for upcoming programs and finalizing our Summer Reading Program. News At the beginning of the month the library will be having a staff meeting. We take this time to plan upcoming programs for children, teens, adults and families for the upcoming months. The library will be CLOSED on Friday, March 29th and Saturday, March 30th in observance of Good Friday and Easter. All library media checked out on Wednesday, March 27th will be due on Monday, April 1st. The Spring Break vibe is in the air! All schools will officially be on Spring Break during the week of March 11 – 15. During this time the library may be busier and louder than usual. Please remember students will be out and about, so please use caution when driving to the library as students like to ride bikes, scooters and hang out with friends. We are excited to announce that all parttime and full-time positions have been filled. We would like to introduce Abby Whitaker filling our library aide full-time position. She will be doing the Head Start story time and focusing on the children section of the library. Astrid Quintana and Isiah Abeita filled our two part-time positions. They will be focusing on the After School Program. We are excited to once again be fully staffed! from 12:30pm to 3pm. Learn how to create your own character and build your fantasy world with your team! Those that attend both days of D&D will earn their way to Slice and Dice to play games and grab a bite to eat. This program is open to 8 patrons, ages 9 and up. For more information, please contact Astrid at Astrid.Quintana@ isletapueblo.com or call at 505.869.9808. Library staff member Diane is in the early stages of planning a Learning Outside the Classroom field trip for Wednesday, April 24th. This program is the library’s approach to an “All Learners Day” that Los Lunas Schools conduct one day a month throughout the school year. The goal being that on these particular days students can make the most of their day and learn outside the classroom. Previous field trips have included the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. If you have any question, concerns or suggestions regarding this program, please feel free to call the library at 505-869-9808 and speak with a staff member. Summer Reading Program Registration will be on Friday, May 10th at 7am. Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. We will have one single line for registration for youth and junior groups. This will insure that priority is given to those who showed up early. Some reminders to keep in mind before registering: • Only Parents/Legal Guardians of students are allowed to sign up students for the Summer Reading Program. • 3-year olds MUST be potty trained. • We will be asking for BASIC information on registration form along with a list of allergies. • Students cannot be dually enrolled in other Pueblo of Isleta Summer Programs as there are limited Summer Program slots throughout the community. Check out a new way to read with our NEW collection of Wonderbooks (from Playaway). Every Wonderbook is a print book with a ready-to-play audiobook inside. Kids can listen out loud, or plug in headphones. It’s simple to use. Just click the green button to turn the audio device on, and then the orange button to press play. Stop by the library and check out our book display and browse our collection located by the front desk. Join the Library weekly for Family Story Time every Wednesday at 10:00am. Family Story Time is a fun opportunity for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to introduce their children to reading and language. No sign ups required, just come in! For more information on this program, please call library at 505-869-9808. Upcoming Join us to explore the world of Dungeons and Dragons this Spring Break for a threeday program starting March 13th -15th The Youth Summer Reading Program group descriptions are out. We will feature 5 different themes to choose from. 5 spots will be available for each of the programs. Both Junior and Youth calendars will be released in the April newsletter and will be available to pick up at the library, and will be posted on our social media accounts so keep a look out for that. This year our Juniors (3-6 year old) will have a curriculum based on science. The Juniors will be doing experiments and we hope to bring in a couple of presenters. Each day we will have story time, activities and crafts. They will also have field trips and fun water days. The Junior calendar is in the process of being filled in, finalized and hopefully ready by April. The Youth (7-14 years old) will consist of 5 curriculum-based programs. Each library staff member will have different theme, mini field trips, and activities. Descriptions and calendars coming soon! More program announcements to come! For up to the minute info on the library, follow us on our Social Media accounts where we will be promoting upcoming programs and events. Recap On Thursday, February 8th, library staff member Cheyenne hosted a Chinese New Year Program, year of the Dragon. It was a fun filled evening. Participants learned how to make paper lanterns and received red paper envelopes that are given during the Chinese New Year to bring good luck into the new year. We would like to thank everyone who participated, and Cheyenne for putting together an awesome program. Our After School Program is going strong and the kids are getting excited for warmer weather which means outdoor activities including students utilizing our new outside learning center. Library staff have been busy planning daily crafts and activities. We hope that we can plan an incentive field trip for March. Currently the activity van is in the shop, so for right now we are down our van until it gets fixed. We would like to acknowledge and thank the Department of Education for allowing us to use one of their activity vans for the time being. Students have also been liking the library’s new Wonder books and more books are coming soon! We would like to thank all the students for doing a wonderful job coming in and completing their homework and reading. We hope everyone enjoys their spring break and comes back refreshed and ready to finish off the school year. The Learning Outside the Classroom field trip to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History! March 2024 Chinese New Year program participants making a paper lantern for the Year of the Dragon! Isleta Pueblo News Page 19 Page 20 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT The warm weather is upon us finally! I think we’ve all been waiting for it to get here, but you know how we are, we’re never satisfied, in a few months we will all be complaining that it’s too hot and that we can’t wait until the cool weather gets here again. Maybe I should just speak for myself as far as the weather goes lol! March is upon us, spring is here! Plants are starting to bloom, grass is turning green, the leaves on the trees are starting to come back, overall, it’s a great time of the year. It’s no different for us as a department, we are also getting things popping here as well. Our Recreation Section is preparing our Spring Break Recreation Program, which takes place March 11th through March 15th, and they are also prepping for the summer program as well. Please see the flyers for more information about both of these programs. Our Fitness Section is hopping as well. They have been busy with clients and the numbers continue to grow which is always good. The Sports Section is also doing well, they just finished up the Volleyball League and they are getting ready for more activities, so keep your eyes peeled. The sports section is also putting together a couple of youth basketball teams to compete in the Bernalillo County Basketball League this summer. For more information on this contact Coach George Waquie at (505) 8699777. The Aquatics Section is also hard at work making sure that we are ready for the swimmers that come to use our Aquatics Center. We are still having a hard time recruiting Lifeguards, so if you are interested in becoming a Lifeguard or know someone that is, please contact Josh Roybal at (505) 869-9777. Not to be outdone, our Parks Maintenance Section is out and about busting their proverbial behinds to make sure all our parks and grounds are looking beautiful for all the tribal members as well. REMINDER – The Recreation Center is now open on Saturdays from 8am to 12 noon. This means that our fitness area is open, our gymnasium is open, and our Aquatics center is also open for drop ins. Come by on Saturday and enjoy the community center amenities. FITNESS SECTION We are 3 months into 2024 and it is going quick. It seems that you all are enjoying our monthly challenges. We wish everyone could win but it is the luck of the draw. It does tend to make things exciting. Will I win, am I achieving my goals while competing, have I deserved this prize? These are all great questions but those are not the only questions. The big question is, what’s next for the March challenge? What is the next give away? We have decided to focus on our weekend attendance. So come in every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm in the month of March and be entered to win a very useful prize, a Massage Gun. Participants must come in every Saturday for the Month of March, that is a total of 5 Saturdays. What better give away while benefitting your health and wellness. Ask the fitness staff for more details or call the recreation center directly at 505-869-9777. Good luck. RECREATION SECTION Spring Break Recreation Program for the youth will take place at the center this month. The program is almost full, please contact LeeAnne Zuni at (505) 869-9777 for more information and to see if we still have space available. SPORTS SECTION As mentioned earlier, the Volleyball League finished up last month and it was another very competitive season, and boy was it fun to watch this year. Teams are getting better and playing harder. We are looking forward to providing more fun Leagues and activities for tribal members, so keep checking with us to see what we have up our sleeves next. We are preparing for our Annual Bernie Run again and it is tentatively set to take place in April. This is a great event for the whole family, once again information concerning this event/ run will be posted very soon. We are also putting together two youth basketball teams to compete in the Summer Bernalillo County Basketball League. I believe we currently have 14 kids signed up and we would like to have 20, 10 for each team, so if you want more information concerning this or any other sports related activities, please contact Coach George Waquie at (505) 8699777. The Summer Recreation Assistant Positions have been posted on the POI website, so if you or anyone you know are 16 years old or older and you are interested in working with the youth this summer at the Recreation Center, please go online and apply for one of our Recreation Assistant positions. These jobs are very rewarding, come join us and make a difference in someone’s life. We will also be having our Annual Easter Egg Hunt this month and our tentative date for this event will be Saturday, March 30, 2024. We will be posting more information about this event very soon, so please keep your eyes out for the information. One last thing, just a friendly reminder that we are now open on Saturdays from 8am to 12 noon at the Recreation Center (New Rec), so please come by and take advantage of our Saturday hours, we would love to see you here. March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 21 Page 22 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 23 DID YOU KNOW? There are no substitutes for blood, platelets or plasma—they cannot be manufactured. Patients in need of blood or blood products must rely on donations from people like you. Those who are hesitant about donating blood for the first time often find that the donation process is easy and that saving lives is deeply gratifying. One donation can save multiple lives. Here are the facts: • Just one donation can save up to 3 lives. • The average red blood cell transfusion is 3 pints (or three whole-blood donations). • More than 1 million people every year are diagnosed with cancer for the first time. Many of them will need blood— sometimes daily— during chemotherapy. • More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. • Type O-negative whole blood can be transfused to people with any blood type, but this type of blood is rare, and supplies of it are low. • Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients with all other blood types, but it is also in short supply. • While 38% of the American population is eligible to give blood, only 2% actually donates. Page 24 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 WIC Diabetes Awareness THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF DIABETES Type 1- known as juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes. The exact cause is unknown but the body’s immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas which are needed to process glucose in our body. Insulin is required to treat this type. Type 2- cells in the muscle, liver and fat become resistant to insulin which is needed to transport sugars into cells of the body, this causes a raise in blood sugar levels. There are four stages to this type. They are insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes with vascular complications. The condition develops over time and most people with diabetes have this type. Factors such as weight and genes are contributing factors. SYMPTOMS The symptoms include: being overly thirsty and using the restroom frequently; blurry vision; tingling in the hands and feet; wounds that are slow to heal; and, weight loss without trying. WHAT YOU CAN DO Diabetes can be managed through diet and drugs such as Insulin and Metformin. A care team needs to be established with a primary care doctor, endocrinologist and dietitian. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, healthy eating and exercise benefit an individual and manage symptoms. March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 25 Isleta Health Center Purchase Referred Care Department Patient Education: Understanding the Referral Process Welcome to the Isleta Health Center (IHC) Purchase Referred Care (PRC) Department. Your health and well-being are our top priorities. To ensure you receive the specialized treatment and diagnostics you need, it’s important to understand the referral process from start to finish. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through it. Step 1: Generating Referrals Referrals are initiated by IHC providers when specialized treatment or diagnostics are needed. This is the first step in accessing the care you require outside of our primary services. Referrals can also be generated by an outside provider, but keep in mind, you are responsible for calling PRC with the appointment day, time, facility and reasoning. Step 2: Insurance Information It is crucial that IHC has your current insurance information on file. IHC is your payor of last resort, requiring you to use your primary insurance first or provide a denial letter from CMS if you do not qualify for Medicaid. • Sign Up for Insurance: You can sign up onsite or through www.yes.state. nm.us. • Onsite Benefits Coordinator: Make an appointment with our onsite Benefits Coordinator for assistance at (505)8694469 The premise that Indians are guaranteed health care from our treaties as long as the water flows and the grass grows is, unfortunately not that simple. Indians ARE required to apply for alternate resources per 42 CFR 136.61 – Payor of Last Resort. While some treaties mention health care, the Indian Health Service is not an entitlement program, and therefore funding for PRC is not guaranteed by the Federal government. AR allows PRC funds to be conserved, thereby providing health care for more Indian beneficiaries. The Isleta Health Center receives its PRC funding from Indian Health Service, and must comply with the mutually agreed-to agreement which includes 42 CFR 136.61. Step 3: Referral Generation Once your insurance details are in order, the PRC will generate a referral for the specialized care you need. It is also important to make sure your address and phone number are up to date at Patient Registration. This helps PRC in scheduling appointments/and or facilities contacting you with important appointment information. Step 4: Scheduling Appointments If you have questions regarding the scheduling of your appointment, contact the PRC. Please note that you may be required to schedule your own appointment at the hospital or clinic. You can obtain a hardcopy of your referral onsite by request. Please keep in mind that you are required to call PRC of all scheduled appointments, including follow-ups, procedures, tele-med and in-person visits Step 5: Attending Your Appointment When attending your appointment: • Provide your insurance information. • Indicate that IHC is the payor of last resort. • Let provider know you have a referral (either by fax or picked up by patient) Step 6: Handling Bills Should you receive any bills: • Bring them to IHC immediately. Do not wait until they go into collections, as processing payments requires time. Emergency Care: If you attend emergency care, inform the PRC of your visit within 72 hours. Leaving voicemails is acceptable, please provide: • Name • Date of Birth • The date you were seen at the facility • Name of Facility you were seen at • Reason for the visit • Transportation method (self/ ambulance ie: Isleta/AMR/Albuqueque) • Any follow up appointments It is essential to inform the hospital of both your primary insurance and IHC as your last payer. Failure to inform IHC of your emergency or urgent care visit means we cannot search for your claims for payment. PRC Referral Coverage: Please remember, PRC referral coverage is not an entitlement. It is funding allocated for referred care or emergencies. Compliance with federal rules regarding the payment of claims and bills is mandatory to remain in compliance. The only way to ensure compliance is for patients to follow the required pathways for payment. Contact Us: for any questions or assistance, please reach out to the PRC department. We are here to help you through every step of your healthcare journey. (505)869-4488 Empowering Patients Education and Support. Through TO THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL ALLEN LENTE From the entire staff of the Isleta Health Center, we extend our deepest condolences during this most difficult time at the passing of Michael Allen. Michael Allen played an integral role in advocating for and supporting the Health Center in its mission to provide quality healthcare to our community. During his years of service to our community, Michael Allen demonstrated unwavering dedication to the well-being of our tribal members. Whether it was through his advocacy, his involvement in politics, or his support of our healthcare initiatives, his contributions have left a lasting impact on our community. Together we remember Michael Allen, and the positive changes he brought to our community, as well as his untiring support to the Isleta Health Center. His legacy of service will be remembered and cherished by us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Michael Allen. May the memories of Michael Allen help you find peace and comfort. Page 26 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 Are you worried a loved one might be at risk for suicide? Don’t hesitate to call 988, a 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can call if there’s a mental health crisis, if you’re worried about someone else, if you need help navigating a difficult situation, or just had a bad day. If there is an urgent crisis, it’s always still ok to call 911. There is no way to know if a loved one will follow through with threats of suicide, and we should always take threats seriously. If you are hearing of suicidal thoughts or seeing concerning behaviors, these may be calls for help. Warning signs might include unsafe behaviors, saying things like “I wish I wasn’t here anymore,” or someone not acting like themselves. If you see any concerning behaviors, you should approach them and offer support. You can also always help your loved one stay safe by removing lethal weapons and associated items (gun, ammunition, knives, medications, rope, etc.) from the home and making sure these items are locked away. There are other suicidal warning signs like leaving a note, giving away personal items, risky behaviors with substances, isolation and withdrawal, mental health distress, or struggling to cope with a difficult situation. People ages 1034 are at higher risk of suicide (CDC, Facts about Suicide, 2022). You can also encourage your loved one to seek counseling treatment services at Isleta Health Center B’eeh-K’oo-ee Wellness Center (BKWC) 505-869-5475. A counselor can help them explore strategies for managing crisis situations and develop coping skills. It may take time for your loved one to develop these skills and see a change in behavior and mood. For some, behaviors that can help mood might include listening to music, dancing, journaling, getting routine sleep, eating well, praying, and engaging in traditional spirituality. Scheduling regular family time can also improve communication around emotions and create a greater sense of safety and support. For many of us, it can be difficult to talk about suicide and suicidal thoughts with people we care about. But if you talk about it, you could help them get the care they need. Isleta Pueblo News Editor: Nathaniel Lujan Asst. Editor: Diane Abeita Published By: Valencia Express March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 27 WELLBRIETY: A Sober Life that is balanced Emotionally, Mentally, Physically and Spiritually. The Wellbriety Movement is designed to offer a sustainable Culturally Based Healing. Traditional Teachings tell us that Wellness is a state of being in which the person is in Harmony with Natural Law, Principles and Values, which were given by the Creator. A Wellbriety Group is comprised of Individuals who share similar experiences and make an agreement to meet on a regular basis. The meetings are not about “fixing” other people. They are about creating new thought patterns, new attitudes and new feelings about themselves. For those working in the Circle of Healing, they create strong social and emotional bonds that help the individuals to develop trust, autonomy and other healthy feelings and thought patterns. These then lead to Emotional, Mental, Physical and Spiritual growth and balance. Much is shared in the Healing Circle. We are here to get well. We use Medicine Wheel & 12 Steps Teaching Videos, Talking Circles and Mind Mapping to work through and heal those things that often lead us to alcohol and/or drug use, abuse, or dependence. All permanent and lasting change starts on the inside first then works its way outward. Having the group sit in a circle and take the time to connect with each other forms one great mind that creates solutions and ideas that will be far more useful than the results of only one person thinking alone. We must create a Healing Forest to benefit our community toward a better future. Are you ready for change? Come and Join Us!! All you need to do to get started with Wellbriety is show up! When you join, the group facilitators will guide you on next steps. We will ask that all group participants complete an assessment so our facilitators can offer additional support after a group session, if needed. WELLBRIETY MEETINGS MEDICINE WHEEL & 12 STEPS TUESDAYS, 4:00pm-6:00pm B’EEH K’OO-EE WELLNESS “THE GOOD ROAD” CONFERENCE ROOM (SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BUILDINGFOLLOW THE RAMP) Pueblo of Isleta Health Center 1 Sagebrush St, Albuquerque, NM 87105 505-869-5475 Page 28 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 Shei Puyu ~ Nathan Carpio (1984-2024) Shei Puyu, You had this beam of light because of your big kind heart. You gave of yourself humbly and unselfishly to your family, community, and clients at work, and for that, I know your spirit will continue to shine. I was blessed to have you as my son... Journey on my son in Peace. Go my son, go and climb the ladder where all the Spirits sing and dance... Signing off with my heartfelt Prayers, Gratitude & Respect for you (& sadness for now), until we meet again. We will miss you, and we will hold onto all the beautiful memories in our hearts. I will always love you Lawa, Mom ********************** To our family, friends & POI community: "Kher-kem & Ha-woo from the bottom of our hearts for all your support, prayers, kind words, sympathy cards, contributions, and help. May our Creator bless ALL of you in return.” Caroline & Family March 10th March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Purchased Referred Care Did you know? Did you know Isleta Health Center is your payor of last resort? Payor of last resort means if you have primary insurance, Isleta Health Center would be your secondary insurance. If you have a primary and secondary insurance, Isleta Health Center would be your Tertiary insurance. Please list Isleta Health Center as your last payor. Did you know you have to call PRC to inform them of all appointments? This includes all ER/urgent care visits, any follows ups, any secondary referrals, telemed appointments, rescheduled appointments. Not calling in for appointments will delay payment Did you know if you receive a bill from a provider, you have to bring it in to PRC, even if you have a referral? Some facilities will send a bill to the patient but not Isleta Health Center. It is best to bring all bills in received by mail to make sure PRC contacts the facility to bill Isleta. Page 29 Page 30 Isleta Pueblo News ISLETA SOCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION ON TRAUMA BONDS Trauma bonds are created during abuse and they create powerful emotions that are difficult to change. A family going through trauma may feel very close knit because of what they have endured as a family unit, even when one member is causing the pain. Trauma bonds can be caused by being in an unhealthy relationship with an unhealed person. Trauma bonds help your partner feel in control. This is because there might have been past traumatic experiences that left a feeling of being broken or incomplete. Some examples are: • Past physical abuse • Past sexual abuse • A particularly stressful event • Alcohol or drug addiction without substance abuse treatment • A family member that never showed them healthy relationships Toxic relationships may be the only love they’ve known. It becomes like a drug addiction when their brain chemistry releasing feel-good chemicals every time they take control. There are 7 stages of Trauma Bonding: 1. Love Bombing2. Trust and Dependency 3. Criticism and Doubt 4. Control and Domination 5. Tolerance of Abuse 6. Withdraw and Obsession 7. Trauma Bond *Children and Youth may NOT seek help.* Trauma bonds can be a barrier for victims or survivors to report violence and seek services. Survivors may feel fear, shame, self-blame, protective of the offender, loyalty or admiration towards the offender, and love towards the offender. These negative bonds impact relationships inside and outside of the family and can lead to intense loyalty to an abuser, repeated abusive relationships, and the cycle of violence can continue beginning with teen dating violence. You might struggle to reconcile the abuser’s harmful behavior with the affection they sometimes show. This confusion and self-doubt are part of the trauma bond. Instead-their control can keep you in a trapped in an abusive relationship. But—with the proper support and guidance, you can break free from the painful and confusing cycle of abuse. Freedom from an abusive partner involves recognizing the abuse and understanding the dynamics of trauma bonding. But it also means seeking professional help. It is certainly a challenging journey, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone and help is available. You have the strength and resilience to overcome this. Remember you deserve a life free from abuse. If you feel that you would like to speak to someone, please contact the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) at 505-248-3165 Monday through Sunday, 7AM to 3AM. www.icariusbehavioralhealth.com https://dvrcnm.org This project was supported by Grant No. 2020-TWAX-0035 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U. S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. NM Poison Control We should be cleaning and disinfecting more often. It is important that you do not inject or ingest these chemicals into your body. Please remember to keep ALL chemicals out of children’s reach. If any cleaning or disinfectant solution is swallowed or injected, please contact the NM Poison Control immediately. 1-800-222-1222 March 2024 March 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 31 Attention Expecting Mothers, Please call Isleta Health Center to schedule your newborn’s establishing appointment at (505)869-4089 following birth. We kindly ask arrival of at least one hour early prior to your newborn scheduled appointment. This allows parents/guardians to fill out the newborn application and give patient registration the needed documents, to make copies and ensures your newborn to be seen at the appointment time. Needed documents are following: Proof of Birth Discharge Forms Insurance Cards Mothers valid Drivers license/valid government issued photo ID Mothers Valid Tribal ID Fathers valid Drivers License/valid government issued photo ID Fathers Valid Tribal ID Unwed parents, provide a notarized Declaration of Paternity *New Born applications will be accepted within 60 days from birth. If you cannot come an hour early, newborn application pickup is recommended. Please call Isleta Health Center patient registration with any questions (505)869-3200. Sincerely, Cassandra Jaramillo Director of Administrative Services Page 32 Isleta Pueblo News March 2024 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apueblo_isleta%3A05afb3636ffffad9. Public record. Not legal advice.