Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2023)

Volume 18 Issue 2

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

Governor’s Report

Greetings and Happy New Year!

I want to start by thanking the people of Isleta who have

placed their faith and confidence in me, and to my First

and Second Lieutenant Governors, Eugene Jiron and

Juan Rey Abeita, who have accepted the responsibility

of assisting me in serving our people this term. Both

of these men come from respected families and bring

with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in

tribal government. I have appointed Eugene Lucero

and Kyle Wade to serve as our Tribal Sheriffs. I and

my administration are honored to serve the community

and ask that you afford my administrative staff with

your full cooperation.

I would like to congratulate those that were elected

to serve on the Tribal Council. The Tribal Council has

elected Michael Allen Lente as President, Ron Olguin

as Vice-President, and Elizabeth M. Kirk as Secretary.

I wish them the strength within their roles and hope

that we can work as a team in our efforts of advancing

our tribe’s health, safety, and economic sustainability.

On Sunday, January 15th, a ceremony was held

at the St. Augustine Church for the blessing of the

canes. Approximately 30 of our children from the

Isleta Head Start danced and breakfast was provided

by the Isleta Resort & Casino and by the families of

the tribal administration. It was well attended by

the community, and we hope that it is a first of many

traditional activities that will take place this year.

By the time you read this, my administration will

already have held our first community meeting. At

the meeting, it is my intent to listen and determine

what the priorities of the community are. I will followup with the information collected in next month’s

newsletter. Furthermore, I plan to schedule quarterly

community meetings throughout the term.

I have appointed with the unanimous concurrence of

Tribal Council that Felicia Jojola serve as the Tribal

Court’s Chief Judge for the two-year term. I am

confident that she will be able to fulfill the duties and

responsibilities of the Courts and serve our community

to the best of her abilities.

For COVID issues we recognize the utilization of face

masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing and vaccines

are still the best defenses in fighting against the

disease and protecting the health of the community.

I ask that you follow these best practices so that our

community remains healthy and safe. The COVID

response team is available to the community for any

questions, concerns, and requesting COVID test kits.

Burn permits and wood permits shall be obtained

through the Police Department’s Open Space Division

located at the tribal services complex. Please feel

free to refer any inquires for wood or burn permits

to either Mrs. Crystal Anchondo at the Open Space

Division or by calling 505-869-7564. Additionally, any

elder dependent on wood for warming their homes

may contact the Department of Natural Resources for

assistance at 505-869-9817. Supply is limited.

I want to send my condolences to the families of those

who have lost their family members during the month

of January.

And last, I want to ask that you take steps forward

with my administration as we move our community

forward.

Ha-Wuh,

Max A. Zuni

Governor

Pueblo of Isleta

February 2023

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for March Newsletter articles is set for

Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 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 .

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.

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.

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

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)

February 2023

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

IPHA RENOVATION &

EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR

PROGRAM

The Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority (IPHA)

would like to formally inform all Isleta Pueblo

Homebuyers/Homeowners of the IPHA Renovation/

Emergency Home Repair Program. According to the

IPHA Renovation & Emergency Home Repair

Policy prior to submission of any work order requests

to IPHA, the homebuyer/homeowner must submit a

supplemental application for maintenance services.

Upon review and processing of the application,

the IPHA will determine if services will be Grant

“Courtesy” services” or Repayment “Invoiced”

services. In order for an applicant to qualify for the

IPHA Renovation/Emergency Home Repair program

they must meet the following criteria:

● Must be an Isleta Tribal member;

● The applicant must own the home/property and

must be their primary residence, which the home

is located and provide proof of ownership i.e. land

assignment, land survey, legal description;

● Must not have any vacated/past due accounts

owed to IPHA, including no prior evictions from

IPHA; and

● Must provide proof of income for all household

members residing in home seeking services.

Supporting documentation is required to be provided

at the time of submission along with the application

to the IPHA. The Homeownership Counselor will

review and process the application within a timely

manner. Once the application has been processed

and approved you will be formally notified by letter

of which program you have qualified for. At that time

the homebuyer/homeowner may then contact IPHA

and submit their work order requests. The following

funding threshold for the maintenance program will

apply as follows for either Grant or Repayment:

● Up to $4,000.00 – Home Repair/Seasonal

Services; and/or

● Up to $10,000.00 – Emergency/Renovation

Services

The Homebuyer/Homeowner must reapply for

services every three (3) years. However, once a

Homebuyer/Homeowner has met/exceeded either

limit, they will be notified by letter that they will not

be able to receive maintenance services from IPHA

for another five (5) years. At which the homebuyer/

homeowner will not be able to make any service

work order requests through the IPHA until the five

(5) year period has passed. Should the homebuyer/

homeowner need future maintenance services, they

are welcome to contact an outside vendor/contractor

for maintenance services.

The IPHA would like to extend our appreciation for

your patience and understanding as we implement

the supplemental application process. Here at

IPHA, we are diligently working to respond to all

maintenance service requests. With this process in

place, the IPHA will be able to better manage the

work flow of service requests and provide the equal

opportunity of program assistance to tribal members

who are unable to obtain such services without the

assistance of the IPHA Renovation & Emergency

Home Repair program. IPHA is a service provider

strictly to the Pueblo of Isleta, with only a couple

maintenance staff on hand, we ask for your patience

in addressing your work order requests within a

timely manner.

Should you have questions or concerns regarding

this process, please feel free to contact the Isleta

Pueblo Housing Authority Homeownership Dept. at

(505) 869-4153.

ISLETA PUEBLO HOUSING AUTHORITY

RENOVATION AND EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR

POLICIES ADOPTED JULY 19, 2006, AMENDED

DECEMBER 30, 2019; RESOLUTION NO. 2019-028

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 4

Job Postings

Visit us online at

http://www.isleta.com/career-opportunities.aspx

Fax: 505-244-8232

February 2023

OUR LOCATION

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.

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

Pueblo of lsleta Career Opportunities

Position Posting

Office Location

Closing Date

ACCOUNTANT Treasury Open Until Filled

ACCOUNTANT Housing Authority Open Until Filled

ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR Treasury 01/20/2023

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II Tribal Administration Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ill Tribal Administration Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

ADULT DAY CARE ASSISTANT Elder Center 0l/20/2023

AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN

Agricultural Division

Open Until Filled

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Police Department --- Open Space

Open Until Filled

BENEFITS & BILLING COORDINATOR

Elder Center

Open Until Filled

BOSQUE AND RIVERINE RESTORATION MANAGER

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

BUYER Procurement Open Until Filled

BUSINESS MANAGER II Public Works Open Until Filled

CAREGIVER Assisted Living Open Until Filled

CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER Police Department Open Until Filled

CHILD CARE PROVIDER Head Start Open Until Filled

CHR COORDINATOR Health Services Open Until Filled

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR Health Services Open Until Filled

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE Health Services Open Until Filled

COMPUTER IT SPECIALIST

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR MANAGER

Gaming Regulatory

Open Until Filled

COOK I Head Start Open Until Filled

CUSTODIAN Public Works Open Until Filled

DIRECTOR, CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

Construction Operations

Open Until Filled

DIRECTOR, CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Cultural & Historic Preservation

02/02/23 - Within Only

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services

Open Until Filled

EARLY HEAD START TEACHER Head Start Open Until Filled

EMS MANAGER Health Services 01/20/2023

EMT INTERMEDIATE Health Services Open Until Filled

EMT INTERMEDIATE - PRN Health Services Open Until Filled

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - HA Housing Authority Open Until Filled

FARM EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Conservation

Open Until Filled - Within only

GROUNDS KEEPER C-Stores Open Until Filled

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER

Public Works

Open Until Filled

HEAD START STAFF ASSISTANT Head Start Open Until Filled

HIGHWAY SAFETY POLICE OFFICER

Police Department

Open Until Filled

HOME CARE ATTENDANT Elder Center Open Until Filled

HOME MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Elder Center Open Until Filled

HOME OWNERSHIP COORDINATOR Housing Authority Open Until Filled

HR GENERALIST Human Resources 01/27/2023

INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATOR

Department of Education

Open Until Filled - Within Only

INVESTIGATOR Police Department Open Until Filled

LIFEGUARD Parks & Recreation Open Until Filled

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Public Works 02/01/2023

MEDICAL ASSISTANT Health Services Open Until Filled

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

OPTOMETRIST Health Services Open Until Filled

PATIENT REFERRAL COORDINATOR Health Services 02/01/2023

PARKS & MAINTENANCE WORKER

Parks & Recreation

Open Until Filled

PERSONAL CARE SERVICE AIDE {2 Positions)

Elder Center

Open Until Filled - Within Only

PHYSICIAN Health Center Open Until Filled

POLICE CADET Police Department Open Until Filled

POLICE CADET --OPEN SPACE (2 Positions)

Police Department

Open Until Filled

POLICE OFFICER I - CERTIFIED

Police Department-- Open Space

Open Until Filled - Within Only

PRE K-12 EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT Procurement Open Until Filled

PROJECT ASSISTANT Social Services Open Until Filled

PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Health Services

Open Until Filled

PURCHASED/REFERRED CARE ACCOUNTING CLERK

Health Services

Open Until Filled

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

RECEPTIONIST Gaming Regulatory Open Until Filled

RECEPTIONIST Parks & Recreation 01/27/2023

ROADWAY MAINTENANCE CREW SUPERVISOR

Construction Operations

Open Until Filled

SALES ASSOCIATE C-Stores Open Until Filled

SECURITY OFFICER Police Department Open Until Filled

SEPTIC TRUCK DRIVER Public Works Open Until Filled

SHIFT LEAD C-Stores Open Until Filled

TEACHER ASSISTANT Head Start 01/26/2023

TIWA LANGUAGE EDUCATION ASSISTANT

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

TRIBAL ADMINISTRATION RECORDS CLERK Tribal Administration 02/02/2023

TRIBAL COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR Tribal Council Open Until Filled

TREASURER Treasury 01/31/2023

UTILITY FOREMAN Public Works Open Until Filled

UTILITY WORKER Public Works Open Until Filled

VETERAN SUPPORT SERVICE MEMBER

Elder Center

Open Until Filled - Within Only

WATER RESOURCES MANAGER

Water Resources

Open Until Filled

WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST

Water Resources

Open Until Filled

WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST Natural Resources Open Until Filled

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

TRUANCY

February Greetings to all:

Our mission of the Isleta Truancy Department is to

increase school attendance and reduce truancy rates

for Isleta youth. We know there are many factors that

can affect our youth. The Truancy Department is here

to assist and support any families that may need it.

The Truancy Department does send out notification

letters in accordance with the Truancy Department

Policies and Procedures. We know that many families

get worried when they receive a letter from our

department but please know that you are not going

to be in court as that is the misconception of our

department. Once a call is received by our department,

you will be referred to your child’s school and you will

need to call them in order to discuss any unexcused

absences. The Truancy Department will then work

with you and the school to ensure that these unexcused

absences have been cleared up.

Outlined below are the department’s Steps of

Enforcement which we follow:

Third Absence (3rd)

First notification letter will be sent to the address

on file with the student’s school. This information

will be entered into the Truancy Monitoring Log

and student will continue to be monitored for

the remainder of the school semester. It is the

responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact

the Truancy Department to discuss the three (3)

unverified/unexcused absences after contacting the

school.

Fifth Absence (5th)

A Second Notification letter will be sent to

the address on file with the student’s school.

Information is updated in the Truancy Monitoring

Log for continued monitoring for the remainder of

the semester. It is the responsibility of the parent/

guardian to contact the Truancy Department to

discuss the five unverified/unexcused absences after

contacting the school. At this time, the student and

their parent/guardian will enter into a Truancy

Attendance Contract. Various interventions and

preventions may be offered to the student and their

parent/guardian at this time.

Seventh Absence (7th)

Third notification letter will be sent to the address on

file with the student’s school; continued interventions

and preventions will be offered at this time. Parent

and student will be mandated to attend the Truancy

Office Prevention Program (TOPP Presentation).

Tenth Absence (10th)

Final notification letter is sent to address on file with

student’s school. Attendance Contract modification

will take place; this will include the parent/guardian

and the student. If necessary, it can be requested for

this to be done at the school along with the school

counselor.

After 10th Absence– Peacemakers Court

Once both the parent and student agree upon

utilizing the Peacemakers Court, the referral will

be submitted to Tribal Court and a date will be set.

Should you need additional information or need

assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our

department and we will assist you. We want to see

our students succeed with their education, as well as

setting goals to achieve their dreams.

Thank you,

Isleta Truancy Department Staff

February 2023

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Happy February,

High School Update:

We hope that your January was off to a great start! It

is hard to believe that students are already starting

their second semester of the school year.

Parents, emails were sent to you by our program, if

your child had failed at least one class (if your child

has an active release of information with JOM). It is

important that your student get in touch with their

counselor to make arrangements to make up the class

as soon as possible. Thank you to those parents who

followed up with the email.

At the end of each grading period students who

have earned a 3.0 or higher will be recognized with

incentives from the program. We have met with the

high school students from Los Lunas Public Schools

and NACA within the last two months. Students have

provided the program with their email address to keep

in contact with them about opportunities with DoE.

Seniors: NMSU Aggie day is on February 20, 2023.

For more information visit https://aggie-experience.

nmsu.edu/

As always, the program does offer online and in

person tutoring for your student, you can sign up your

child at https://isletapueblo.formstack.com/forms/doe_

afterschool_tutoring

College Updates:

As the new semester approaches it is important to

stay on top of assignments and deadlines. Also, if

you are currently going through the Department

of Education’s Higher Education Program it is

important for you to check your emails for important

information. Don’t let a deadline bypass you because

you didn’t check your email. If you are not receiving

emails and were funded last semester, please make

sure your emails are not being marked as junk mail.

You may also not be receiving the emails because your

email was incorrect, if so please call the department

to update.

Online tutoring is available to college students as

well. Tutoring is done by Varsity Tutors and you can

sign yourself up at https://isletapueblo.formstack.com/

forms/doe_afterschool_tutoring.

We look forward to working with you all this semester.

Michelle & Jolynn

ST. AUGUSTINE

PARISH ONLINE GIVING

St. Augustine Parish is now offering online giving

services to better serve our parishioners. We are

providing this option in addition to cash or check

donations. You can still give through traditional

methods, but now you can make recurring or onetime gifts online with a credit/debit card or electronic

check.

To give online through our new platform, visit our

giving page on our website https://www.isletachurch.

org/. You can also give through text message by

sending “Give” to (505) 207-4077.

This program is beneficial to you, in that you do not

need to worry about having cash or a check on hand

at Mass, and it benefits the Parish by reducing the

time needed to process donations and run financial

reports.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

February 2023

JOSHUA S. CAMPOS

Isleta Pueblo News

Support Bureau. In this role he managed

the entire departmental budget of over 50

million dollars, administered and governed

millions of dollars in local, state, and federal

grant monies, oversaw human resources,

hiring, basic training, advanced training,

fleet purchases, inventory, property,

budget, finance, planning, and deployment,

tort claims, workman’s compensation, and

Equal Employment Opportunity Office.

In 2019, as Chief Deputy he oversaw and

managed the Operations Bureau, in this

role he managed and supervised near 300

sworn deputies, numerous lieutenants, and

six Captains. As the Operations Bureau

Chief he was responsible for 300+ sworn

and civilian employees, all area commands,

all uniformed patrol functions, and all

street level criminal investigations.

In 2022 He was promoted to the rank of

Undersheriff. As undersheriff he was second

in command of the entire department

answering and reporting directly to the

Sheriff of Bernalillo County.

When asked about his career reflection

Please join us in congratulating enrolled

Isleta tribal member, Joshua S. Campos, on

his Law Enforcement retirement from the

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua began his career in Law

Enforcement with the Isleta Range Patrol

in 2000. In late 2001 he applied to and

was accepted into the Bernalillo County

Sheriff’s Department, Regional Training

Academy as a cadet. After over 6 months

of training, he graduated from the academy

and attained the rank of Deputy Sheriff.

Throughout his 21-year career with

the Sheriff’s Office he worked in every

division of the department, including, but

not limited to, uniformed patrol, traffic

investigating, DWI, Gang Unit, Criminal

Investigations, Judicial operations, Crimes

scene investigations, SWAT, and crisis

negotiations. In addition, he served as

a Field Training Officer, advanced law

enforcement instructor, field investigator,

crisis intervention, and Police Academy

Drill Instructor.

Joshua was promoted to every supervisory

rank within the sheriff’s office starting with

Sergeant where he supervised the Criminal

Apprehension Unit, Judicial Operations,

Sex Offender Registration Unit, uniformed

patrol, and the warrants division.

Upon his promotion to Lieutenant, he

was assigned as the Assistant Division

Commander of the Criminal Investigations

Division (CID). In this role he supervised

all CID units, including Homicide, Violent

Crimes, Sex Crimes, Property Crimes,

Gang Unit, and Crime Scene Investigations.

About a year later he was assigned as the

Special Operations Commander, overseeing

the management and supervision of the

SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiations, K9 unit,

Emergency Response Team, Metro Air

Support, and the Reserve deputy division.

In 2015 he was promoted to the rank

of Captain overseeing the East Area

Command, a patrol area encompassing

over 200 square miles and the Special

Operations Units as mentioned above.

In 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Chief

Deputy, overseeing the Administrative

Page 9

Joshua stated “I would like to thank

the Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education

that provided me funding to attain my

associates degree, Bachelor’s degree, and

master’s degree which no doubt aided in my

rise through the ranks. A special thanks

goes to my immediate family, mom, dad,

sister, nieces, in-laws as well as my entire

extended family of aunts, cousins, uncles,

and friends with whom without this journey

would not be possible. The Sheriff’s Office

is my family and I will miss every person

whom I had the pleasure of serving with. I

wish nothing but health, safety, and good

wishes to those brave Law Enforcement

professionals who will continue to hold the

line between good and evil in my stead.”

Joshua is eager to start a new career as a

full time instructor within the Criminal

Justice program at the Central New Mexico

Community College.

Congratulations

Joshua!!!

on

your

retirement

Love You, Janai, Miyawni, and Z

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 10

February 2023

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAYS AND PRESIDENTS DAY

The first month of 2023 is gone and we are

moving into the second month. Time is

definitely not standing still as we step into

the next month.

WELCOME (BACK)!

Cold Weather Safety Tips

for your Pets:

•

•

•

•

Keep pets indoors when possible

Provide shelter for your pets

Provide extra food and water –

pets burn extra energy while

trying to stay warm

during the winter season

Keep pets feet and stomach dry

All animal related issues MUST be called

into Isleta Dispatch (505) 869-3030

Our newest employee is Therese Jiron.

Therese is actually a returning employee

who was employed with the Pueblo in 2007.

She left in 2019 working for an airline

company and did some traveling. She left

for a short time to stay at home and take

care of her grandchildren but has now

returned to the Police Department as of

January 9, 2023!

We witnessed changes in the weather, i.e.,

temperatures, precipitation, freezing rain

and snow this past month. Judging by the

weather forecasts, these may linger for a

bit longer so the National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration posted the following:

Whether it’s snow, sleet or ice, winter

weather can cause extremely dangerous road

conditions. In 2020, there were 374 fatal

crashes, and an estimated 25,000 injury

crashes that occurred in wintry conditions.

Preparing yourself – and your vehicle – for

winter weather is key.

ANIMAL CONTROL NEWS

Greetings from Animal Control, we hope

everyone is having a great start to their

new year and staying warm.

Looking back at our last month of the year,

Isleta Animal Control, along with last year’s

tribal Governors and Heaven from Isleta

Environmental Program had the pleasure

in releasing a rehabilitated Red Tailed

Hawk back into the community. Last year

in July, an injured Red Tailed Hawk was

found near the Rio Grande River on the

pueblo. Isleta Animal Control contacted

Hawks Aloft in efforts of further support to

help care and rehabilitate the hawk. Hawks

Aloft was able to assist, taking the injured

hawk to their veterinarian for additional

examination. Upon assessing the Red

Tailed Hawk, it was found the hawk had

an injured toe, which had to be amputated.

After several months of rehabilitation at

Hawks Aloft, the Red Tailed Hawk regained

its strength and was ready to be released

back into its natural habitat on the pueblo.

Watching the Red Tailed Hawk fly freely

once again was such a beautiful sight to see!

FREE Rabies Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday

February 15, 2023 from 10am-2pm at the

New Rec Center (60 Tribal Road 40). This

will be a drive-thru event.

Tribal Members Only

How cold is too cold for pets? Here is a cold

temperature breakdown on how the cold

weather affects pets. Below 45 F – 32 F,

some pets may begin to feel uncomfortable.

Temperature below 20 F, be aware pets

could potentially develop hypothermia and

frostbite. Coldness also varies from size,

age, coat size, breed and health.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry

weather, stay focused on yourself and

your passengers, your car, and your

surroundings.

•

Stay with your car and don’t

overexert yourself.

•

Let your car be seen. Put bright

markers on the antenna or windows and

keep the interior dome light on.

•

Be mindful of carbon monoxide

poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe

is clear of any snow and run your car

only sporadically — just long enough to

stay warm. Don’t run your car for long

periods of time with the windows up or in

an enclosed space.

Changes You May Notice

Tires

As the outside temperature drops, so does

tire inflation pressure. Make sure each

tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s

recommended inflation pressure, which

is in your owner’s manual and on a label

located on the driver’s side door frame.

Do not inflate your tires to the pressure

listed on the tire itself. That number is the

maximum pressure the tire can hold, not

the recommended pressure for the your

vehicle.

Some other tips:

•

Inspect your tires at least once a

month and before long road trips.

•

It’s best to check the tires when

they’re cold, meaning that they have not

been driven on for at least three hours.

•

Check each tire’s age. Some vehicle

manufacturers recommend replacing

tires every six years regardless of use.

Driving in Winter Weather

The Basics

Slow down. It’s harder to control or stop

your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered

surface. In fact, in 2020, there were an

estimated 119,000 police- reported crashes

that occurred in wintry conditions. On

the road, increase your following distance

enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to

stop for vehicles ahead of you.

Don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside

the truck. Snow plows travel slowly, make

wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and

exit the road frequently. If you find yourself

behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind

it and use caution if you pass the plow.

An inspection is not just about checking tire

pressure and age. Remember to check:

•

for any damage or conditions that

may need attention;

•

the tread and sidewalls for any cuts,

punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or

bumps. The tread should be at least 2/32

of an inch or greater on all tires; and

•

your spare tire.

If you find tire damage, take your vehicle to

a tire service professional.

Consider installing snow tires, but before

buying new tires, visit NHTSA’s Tires page

to review tire safety ratings. The Uniform

Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)

lets you compare tire treadwear, traction

performance, and temperature resistance.

February 2023

Car Seats

Isleta Pueblo News

flashers and interior lights. Be sure to also

check your trailer brake lights and turn

signals, if necessary.

Windshield Wipers

You can quickly go through a lot

of windshield wiper fluid in a

single snowstorm. Make sure your vehicle’s

reservoir is full of high-quality “winter” fluid

with de-icer before winter weather hits.

Make sure defrosters and all windshield

wipers work and replace any worn blades.

Consider installing heavy-duty winter

wipers if you live in an area that gets a lot

of snow and ice.

Cooling System

In colder weather, parents typically dress

their children in winter coats. But it’s

important to know that heavy coats can

interfere with the proper harness fit on a

child in a car seat. When your child will

be secured in a car seat, pick thin, warm

layers, and place blankets or coats around

your child after the harness is snug and

secure for extra warmth.

Also, make sure car seats and booster

seats are properly installed and that any

children riding with you are in the right

seat for their ages and sizes. See NHTSA’s

child passenger safety recommendations to

find the right seat for your child’s age and

size. You can visit NHTSA’s Child Car Seat

Inspection Station Locator to find a free

car seat inspection site near you, or to get

information on virtual inspections.

Batteries

When the temperature drops, so does

battery power. In cold weather, gasoline

and diesel engines take more battery power

to start, and electric and hybrid-electric

vehicles’ driving range can be reduced.

Have a mechanic check your battery,

charging system, belts, and for any other

needed repairs or replacements.

Safety Technologies

Familiarize yourself with the safety

technologies on your vehicle and how they

perform in wintry conditions. Know whether

your vehicle has an antilock brake system

and learn how to use it properly. Antilock

brake systems prevent your wheels from

locking up during braking. If you have

antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous

pressure to the brake pedal. If you don’t

have antilock brakes, you may need to pump

your brakes if you feel your wheels starting

to lock up. For more information on driver

assistance technologies, visit NHTSA.gov/

DriverAssistTech.

Floor Mats

Due to slushy winter conditions, you might

consider switching out your usual floor

mats for thicker material or rubbery ones.

Improperly installed floor mats in your

vehicle could interfere with the operation of

the accelerator or brake pedal, increasing

the risk of a crash. Follow the manufacturer’s

instructions for mat installation and use

retention clips to secure the mats. Always

use mats that are the correct size and fit for

your vehicle.

Preparing Your Vehicle

Lights

Check your headlights, brake

lights, turn signals, emergency

Make sure you have enough

coolant in your vehicle,

and that it meets the manufacturer’s

specifications. See your vehicle owner’s

manual for recommendations. Check the

cooling system for leaks, test the coolant,

and drain or replace the old coolant.

You may also want to visit your mechanic

for a tune-up and ask them to check for

leaks, badly worn hoses, or other needed

parts, repairs, and replacements.

Before You Go

Stock Your Vehicle

Carry items in your vehicle to handle

common winter driving-related tasks, and

supplies you might need in an emergency,

including:

•

a snow shovel, broom, and ice

scraper;

•

abrasive material (sand or kitty

litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in

the snow;

•

jumper cables, flashlight, and

warning devices (flares and emergency

markers);

•

blankets for protection from the

cold; and

•

a cell phone and charger, water,

food, and any necessary medicine.

Gas Up or Plug It In

Keep your gas tank close to full whenever

possible.

For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles,

decrease the drain on the battery. In

general, lithium ion batteries have reduced

energy at lower temperatures. Additionally,

most all vehicle batteries will use battery

power for self-heating in low temperatures.

The battery drain due to heating can be

minimized by keeping your electric vehicle

as warm as possible during freezing

temperatures. A common way to do this:

plug your vehicle in at night during the

winter, keeping the battery temperature in

its optimal ranges.

Plan Your Route

Check your local weather and traffic reports

before heading out. If your roads are not

in good shape, consider postponing nonessential travel until the roads are cleared.

If you do have to go out, make sure you are

prepared in case you become delayed while

traveling. If making a long road trip when

winter weather is forecasted, consider

leaving early or changing your departure to

avoid being on the roads during the worst

of the storm.

Familiarize yourself with directions and

maps before you go—even if you use a

Page 11

GPS—and let others know your route and

anticipated arrival time. On longer trips,

plan enough time to stop to stretch, get

something to eat, check your phone, and

change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy.

Year-Round Safety

Check for Recalls

NHTSA’s Recalls Look-up Tool lets you

enter a vehicle identification number (VIN)

to quickly learn if your vehicle has a critical

safety issue that has not been repaired,

and how to get that repair done for free.

You can also download NHTSA’s SaferCar

app and enter your vehicle and equipment

information. If a recall is issued, you’ll get

an alert on your phone.

Avoid Risky Driving Behaviors

You know the rules: Do not text or drive

distracted; obey posted speed limits; and

always drive sober. Both alcohol and drugs

can impair safe and responsible driving

by affecting things such as coordination,

judgment, perception, and reaction time.

And remember: always wear your seat belt.

Please drive defensively, not

aggressively, not only during

inclement weather

but all the time.

What to do if you

find a used needle

outdoors

People, especially children, must

never touch or pick up needles found

on the ground. Discarded needles can

be harmful. Needles or hypodermic

needles are also known as syringes

or sharps.

Cleaning up discarded needles must

be done carefully to protect human

health and the environment.

If a used or discarded needle is found

on Isleta tribal land, please call

Isleta Police Dispatch at 869-3030 to

report the location so that a qualified

tribal employee can safely collect

and dispose of the discarded needle.

Individuals who use needles for

insulin shots or other medical uses

are expected to dispose of their used

needles appropriately in sharps

containers that individuals have to

purchase themselves.

An exclamation mark within a

triangular border is the international

symbol for caution. Always exercise

caution if you see a discarded needle.

If you have any questions about this

article, please contact Environment

Department at 869-7565.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

February 2023

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

Good-bye January and hello to February. We hope the year has been treating you good so far. There is

only one more month of winter then here comes spring. Library staff has been busy planning our 2023

Summer Reading Program and finalizing calendars for both the Youth and Junior Programs. The flyer

and calendars will be released shortly, so please keep a look out around the community and on our social

media accounts.

News

With the weather quickly changing and with

unpredictable weather patterns, please

keep in mind that unexpected closures may

occur. Notices will be posted throughout

the library and up to the minute notices

will be posted on the library’s social media

accounts.

The library will be having a staff meeting

on Wednesday, February 1st starting at

9:00am. The library will remain open during

this time so feel free to come in. Just a

friendly reminder that we plan our monthly

staff meetings on the Wednesdays each

month. We take this time to plan upcoming

programs for children, teens, adults and

families for the upcoming months.

In observance of Presidents Day the library

will be closed on Monday, February 20th.

All library media checked out on Thursday,

February 16th will be due on Tuesday,

February 21st.

The library now has “STEAM to GO Kits”

that include Learn to Move, Emotions,

Outdoor Adventure just to name a few

are now available to check out. Patrons

now can have the convenience of STEAM

to GO! Kits were designed for preschool

age children; each kit features two fun

games that encourages children to explore

different subjects in STEAM. These games

help develop gross motor skills while

children have fun in the process. These kits

will be located in the general area of the

library by the parenting books. All you need

is your library card to check one out today!

The library has purchased new furniture

for the Teen Room, Children’s Room and

the General area of the library. Believe it

or not, picking out furniture is harder than

one might think. When selecting a piece of

furniture, we want to make sure that it gets

utilized and lives to its full potential with

our goal being to fulfill the needs of our

community. So, when you put all that into

consideration the decision can be somewhat

difficult. Library furniture and design play

a huge role in determining how patrons

interact, use our services and resources.

If people visiting the library feel like their

needs are being met, they are much more

likely to return. I guess you can say we our

passionate about library furniture!

We would like to remind the community

that the library offers a story time for the

whole family. If you ever find yourself

wanting to take your family out to a familyfriendly event like story time, painting or

other fun activities please stop by. Or you

can find all upcoming events on our social

media:

•

Instagram: @isletapueblolibrary

•

Snapchat: @poipubliclib

•

Facebook: Pueblo of Isleta Public

Library

Below is more information about the

library’s Family Story Time…

Join us every Wednesday at 10:30am with

library staff member Renetta. Renetta will

read a story and do a small activity with the

families and children who attend. Family

New “STEAM to Go” kits ready to check out at the library!

Story Time is geared towards children

16 months to 5 years old but everyone

is welcomed! No sign up is required and

monthly calendars will be available for

story time here at the library. For more

information on the story and activity for

that day please call Renetta at 505-8699808 or email Renetta.Jojola@isletapueblo.

com.

Upcoming

Looking for a gift for your loved one? Join

the library on Saturday, February 11th

from 10am-12:30pm in making a Breakable

Chocolate Heart along with chocolate

truffles. Fill the heart with desserts or

other surprises and break the heart open

with a hammer to reveal the surprise. Signups begin Monday, January 30th and is

open to the first 10 patrons 18 and over. For

more information, please contact Cheyenne

by phone at 505-869-9808 or by email at

Cheyenne.Castillo@isletapueblo.com.

Library staff is currently in the process

of working on upcoming programs for

children, teens, adults and families. Please

follow us on our social media accounts for up

to the minute announcements on programs

and events. We will also be posting flyers

throughout the community so keep a look

out for that.

as it becomes available. This program will

be open to 20 students, ages 3-6 years old.

3-year old’s must be potty trained. This

is a good introduction to a school setting

for children who have not yet entered a

Head Start program. Registration dates

will be announced soon so follow us on

our social media accounts for up to the

minute updates. If you have any questions

regarding the upcoming Summer Reading

Program, please give us a call and speak

with a library staff member at 505-8699808.

The After School Program is off to a great

start going into the second half of the school

year. Students are once again settled into

their routines coming in and completing

homework or reading. Library staff

members are currently in the process of

scheduling an incentive field for the second

half of the school year. January was filled

with crafts and activities that students

participated in. We look forward to finishing

off the school year strong. The After School

Here are some Library spotlights for the

month of February African American

History Month, World Read Aloud Day which

is held annually on the first Wednesday

of February, and Library Lovers’ Month

which is a month-long celebration of school,

public, and private libraries of all types so

come in and support your library!

Recap

Our Summer Reading Program planning

meetings took place on January 25th

and 26th. We discussed different themes

and planned out the Youth and Junior

Calendars. Since this article was written

before the meetings, here’s what we know

so far, the Youth program will have 5

different curriculums to choose from. This

program is open to 20 students 7-14 years

old. The Junior theme has not yet been

decided and we will share more information

After School Program students

making coffee filter butterflies.

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

On Saturday, January 28th the library

hosted a Read to a Dog event for children

5 and up. This program was led by library

staff member Renetta. There were 15 slots

available for participants to spend time and

read to a Certified Therapy Dog. Studies

have proven that when children read aloud

to Therapy Dogs, their mood and attitude

towards reading improves. The library

was excited to welcome our furry friends

and we would like to thank everyone who

participated. Make sure to stop by the

library and check out our book display

Page 13

dedicated to all the dog lovers out there.

The library’s Lunar New Year program

was a 2-day event starting with patrons 18

and over making Spring rolls on the first

day and on the second day patrons 18 and

under made rice paper flowers. Celebrating

the Chinese Lunar New Year and making

common Chinese New Year dishes bring

in wealth and good luck. This program

was led by library staff member Cheyenne

and we would like to thank everyone who

participated.

Ugly Sweater Cookie decorating Program participants!

Library Staff member Kim helping

the After School Program students

make a construction paper city

and an Igloo made out of apples,

Nutella and marshmallows.

Program is currently full but we do have a

waiting list on hand if you would like to put

your child’s name down. For any questions

or concerns about this program, please feel

free to call the library at 505-869-9808 and

speak with a staff member.

T’was a Grimm Winter Night participants making a Snow

White inspired candy apple!

Page 14

Isleta Pueblo News

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEWS

February already, hopefully we are starting

to see a little change in the weather.

February 14th is Valentine’s Day, I hope all

of you enjoy the day with that special person

in your lives. Remember that February

20th is Presidents Day and keep mind that

February 22nd is Ash Wednesday for those

practicing Catholicism, this will symbolize

the official start of the Lenten Season for

Catholics.

It is awesome to see many new faces here

at the recreation center this year. Lots

more tribal members are working out and

swimming, we would still like to see even

more tribal members come by and utilize

our facilities. Please stop in and talk to use

and see what we have available for you, we

would love to talk with each one of you.

Remember February is Heart Month!

AQUATICS SECTION

Isleta Aquatics wishes you well and hope

things are going well with all of your New

Year resolutions. If fitness and heart

health are part of your goals please consider

coming in and swimming! Swimming is an

exercise that can be done at all levels to

achieve cardiovascular fitness and it is also

fun! It also provides low impact on joints

and typically leaves minimal soreness even

for beginners.

Our daily swim sessions are available from

6:00am-8:30am, as well as 2:30pm-7:30pm

Monday through Thursday, and 6:00am8:30am and 2:30pm-5:30pm Fridays. We

will close mid-day to accommodate swim

time for youth programs as well as daily

pool maintenance. We are also offering

our adults only lap swim on Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays from 12pm2:00pm. All three types of swim sessions

can be reserved in one and two-hour

increments, session’s reservations can be

made at the front desk of the Recreation

Center.

Swim Lessons will be starting up again

soon! Registration forms to sign up for

swim lessons are available at the front desk

at the Recreation Center or you can contact

Josh or Connie at (505) 869-9783 for more

details on availability and registration.

Isleta Aquatics is still looking for

Lifeguards!

Previous experience is

welcome but we can train and certify those

that need it and qualify. Schedules are

flexible and we will work around school

schedules and extracurricular activities. If

you know anyone that might be interested

in becoming a Lifeguard, please call or visit

the POI website for the job posting!

Isleta Aquatics would once again like to

invite all to come check out our facility!

The Lap Pool is 80 degrees, Wading Pool is

90 degrees, and the Jacuzzi is 102 degrees

and perfect for exercise or relaxation! For

anyone interested in information about

Lifeguard certification, child or adult swim

lessons, water aerobics and other aquatic

programming, please call Josh or Connie at

(505) 869-9783.

FITNESS SECTION

While Focusing on Cardiovascular Health,

We Can Also Enjoy Self-Compassion and

Love for Self and Others

By Anne Asman

Comparing ourselves to others is the enemy

of inner peace.

The above is a saying I heard recently–but

unfortunately cannot remember where.

However, if my memory serves me well,

I believe it was from an influencer on

YouTube. Regardless, I was inspired to

share this saying with others, especially the

good people of Isleta Pueblo in my capacity

here as a fitness professional.

When meeting fitness goals, everyone

drawn to the journey is motivated by

different reasons. At the Pueblo, I’ve

been grateful to work with a population

of people who are mainly concerned with

functional mobility and their own health.

Lately, I can relate to the emphasis on

health and wellness as drivers for my own

exercise. Years ago, my motivations were

different—as I was more focused on trying

to meet the standards imposed on young

women by glossy magazines or TV shows.

In hindsight, I recognize those motivations

were not healthy ones; that the desire

to one-up someone as far as vanity is as

realistic as chasing a ghost. It’s either not

possible, or even if it is, it’s fleeting. The

truth is, not one single person represents

physical perfection. We can have opinions

that someone is “perfect looking,” but when

we really think about it, are those opinions

based on fact, or is it really true that “beauty

is in the eye of the beholder?” Sometimes

I see photos of myself from 10 to 15 years

ago or younger and wonder why I don’t feel

pressured to look “that way” again. But the

truth is back then, I was woefully insecure

and therefore, in my mind there was always

something wrong with my appearance.

Whether it was feeling like my legs were

too short, my feet were too big, my nose was

too wide, it was never enough–I was never

enough.

But that was a long time ago and looking

back on those days, I realize how nice it is

to be in a place of gratitude for my physical

being–not wrought by all-day-everyday

insecurities and vanities that make me

push myself towards a physique that will

never be able to compete with bodies that

have been photo shopped for social media let

alone been through hundreds of thousands

of dollars in plastic surgery (I talk about

this more in the December 2002 issue).

As we head into February, American

Heart Month—when the health-care

sector encourages us to celebrate and

focus on the health of the main organ of

the cardiovascular system—from a Yogic

perspective, this month also presents a good

opportunity to focus on the “heart chakra,”

the energy that surrounds our heart and,

when balanced, can support our goal to feel

genuine love towards ourselves.

“Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means

wheel or cycle. Chakras are thought to

provide subtle energy that helps your

organs, mind, and intellect work at their

best level,” according to a June 28, 2021

article on WebMD. It adds: “Connected to

organs such as the heart and lungs, the heart

chakra…is considered a link to compassion,

trust, passion, and love for self and others.

When Anahata Chakra is out of balance,

it is believed to cause anger, lack of trust,

anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness. An

overactive heart chakra is thought to lead

to high blood pressure, heart palpitations,

and heart problems.”

If you find yourself motivated towards

your fitness goals by comparing yourself to

February 2023

others, does this mindset make you truly

happy? Do you think/feel it is coming from

a positive place? If so, wonderful! High

fives to you. If not, maybe working toward a

balanced heart chakra will be helpful to you.

Throughout the month of February, we will

be spending time meditating on our heart

center at the end of our Yoga classes by way

of visualization and affirmations. If you’re

curious to learn more, come join us! Classes

take place on Mondays and Wednesday

at 5:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. and

Chair class at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and

Thursdays at the New Recreation Center.

And don’t forget, the Silver Eagles

Challenge encouraging participation in our

programs at the New Rec Center is also on!

All classes are included for credit.

Have you checked out our new

machines? – Over the past couple of

months, we are pleased to let all of you know

that we acquired two new weight machines

designed to help strengthen the glutes—the

largest muscle groups in the body.

Highlights – Isleta Recreation Center

has purchased some new equipment to help

you reach your fitness goals. Please come in

to see what all the fuss is about here. Do

not be shy, we are here to help you learn

how to use the new equipment if you need

assistance, we are here to correct your

form to help you get the most out of the

equipment and much more. We are here

for you and all your fitness journey needs,

but what type of journey is up to you. For

more information, Please call the Isleta

Recreation Center at 505-869-9012, this is

the phone number to the fitness room.

1st is the York Barbell STS Power Front

Squat – this machine will target your

Quadriceps, Glutes and Hamstrings. This

machine does it all!

2nd is the Fettle Fitness Pendulum Total

Leg Press – this machine is great for

Quadriceps and Glutes. A total different

approach to your leg routine.

3rd we now have the Rogue Echo Bike –

Cardio, Cardio, Cardio… this will get you

going. A great way to warm up and get the

blood flowing for the entire body, working

February 2023

your upper and lower extremities at the

same time.

The Silver Eagles Challenge is On!

Come Join Us. – Job well done to Pat

Jojola for being the first of the Silver

Eagles to complete 10 visits to participate

in activities at the New Recreation Center

and the first to receive a sweat towel! Since

Jan. 3, “New Rec” has partnered with the

Elderly Center to encourage tribal and

community members 50 years and older to

take part in our various programs, including

working out in our weight room, taking

fitness classes, participating in team sports

and other recreational activities, and using

the outdoor track (or indoor gymnasium) to

walk/run some laps. After completing the

first punch card, participants can qualify

to win a heart tracker by completing two

additional punch cards (totaling 30 visits)

and a massage gun if they complete three

additional punch cards (totaling 60 visits).

Additional prizes will be given to those who

complete additional punch cards beyond

the six–for instance, more prizes for those

who complete 10 punch cards (100 total

visits) for the year or 15 (150 total visits).

At the end of the year, punch cards are

entered into a drawing to win $1,000 cash

prize. We commend all Silver Eagles for

prioritizing their health and wellness. The

Pueblo of Isleta takes very seriously the

empowerment of our bodies and minds by

way of the programs we offer. We can’t wait

to see you all again soon. If you are 50 and

over and have not yet signed up for our

program, come see us at 60 Tribal Road 40

so we can get you all set up! If you have

questions, please call the New Rec Center

at 869-9777, ext. 9012.

SPORTS SECTION

What’s going on at the sports desk this

month, we have the Co-Ed Volleyball league

going on. Right now the Serv-ivors are

leading the pack with a 3-0 record, All-out

in second with a 2-0 record, Ball Busters,

The Midfits, 1-0 record, and Practice Safe

Sets, Hummingbirds, Notorious Digit

round out the rest of league. It has been

fun seeing everyone have fun and compete.

So come down to the rec and cheer them on.

The Corn Hole league started up and it’s

on Tuesday nights. We have 16 teams right

now and it’s going well so far. We will keep

you updated in future newsletters. If you

participated in the Pueblo Harvest, please

come down to pick-up your long sleeve

running/walking shirt. Keep an eye out for

some outdoor activities that we’ll be setting

up for the youth very soon. We all hope

that everyone is staying safe. Until next

time have a great Heart Month and keep

working out!

Isleta Pueblo News

RECREATION SECTION

Highlights from the After School Program

– The After school program youth love to

experiment with many things that involve

science, building things or making a mess

with slime. The youth made butter slime

using modeling clay and tried another

slime recipe to make shining slime by

using baby oil. The program was able to

purchase some science kits so the youth

were involved in making propeller cars with

popsicle sticks, straws, rubber band and a

propeller. The youth were able to make the

project with step-by-step instructions that

were included, you should have seen the

cars propel across the floor.

Page 15

The postings will be for Summer Recreation

Aides and Weed & Litter Workers. Once

again, keep a look out for job postings!

We would like say Thank-you to Sterling

Benavidez aka “Luke”. He has made a

career change and has accepted another

job with the Natural Resource Department.

Luke has touched many hearts while being

involved with the youth program by working

as a summer recreation aide. He was then

promoted to a Recreation Lead Aide for the

past 2 years. Luke was the person who loved

to run around the playground and chase

participants. He also enjoyed playing tag,

taking the youth out on nature walks and

talking to them about the animal tracks or

what birds were flying above us. He was

our main science person he was always

ready to explode a coke bottle with Mentos.

Luke, thank you again and we will miss you

dearly. Best of Luck!!

The After School program has limited slots

available for students to attend this school

year. If you would like to sign up your

child for this program, please call the New

Recreation Center, for more information,

that number is (505) 869-9777. The hours

of the After School Program are from

3:00pm to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday

and the program is located in the Game

Room. Bus Transportation is only provided

for students attending Isleta Elementary

School and that transportation is being

provided by the Elementary School.

Summer Recreation Program – 2023

Summer Recreation Program is just around

the corner!! Look for more information on

this program in the next newsletter, we

hope to have some details (program dates

and lottery information) finalized by then.

Summer program will probably begin in

early June 2023 and we are hoping to have

approximately 120 slots available this

summer for our summer program.

Summer Jobs – Are you looking for a

summer job? We will be posting summer

jobs this month so keep an eye out or contact

us for more information about those jobs!

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Nathaniel Lujan

Asst. Editor:

Diane Abeita

Published By:

Valencia Express

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

ISLETA HEALTH CENTER

Know Your Numbers, You Are

Important, You Are Worth It

Weight, BMI, and Waist

Circumference

Andrea Wilson, Fitness Instructor

Phone: 505-869-4595

References: cdc.gov nhlbi.nih.gov

uofmhealth.org

Weight, waist measurement, and/or BMI are

different measurements used to measure the

health of an individual. Being overweight or

obese increases your risk for developing health

diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood

pressure, high blood cholesterol, and many

others. If you are overweight and/or obese,

losing a small amount of weight (between 5-10%

of your current weight) will help you lower your

risk for developing these health diseases. The

best way to lose weight is by eating a healthy

and balanced diet, and by exercising at least 150

minutes per week.

Weight

The ideal weight for males and females can differ.

It also depends on factors such as: age, height,

fat and muscle composition, frame size, etc. It is

important to know how much we weigh, that way

we know our risk for developing health diseases.

If you are overweight and/or obese, you are at a

higher risk for developing health diseases such as

diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types

of cancer. You can maintain a healthy weight by

exercising regularly, and eating a healthy and

balanced diet. One way to determine a healthy

weight is calculating your BMI.

BMI

BMI is known as Body Mass Index. BMI is a

measurement of body fat based on an individual's

height and weight. It is important to note that

BMI does not consider muscle mass, and for

this reason individuals with a high muscle mass

may have a high BMI. In this specific case, the

individual would have a high BMI, but have a

healthy-looking physique. There are different BMI

categories, which include: Underweight= <18.5,

Normal weight= 18.5-24.9, Overweight= 25-29.9,

and Obesity= BMI of 30 or greater. For example,

if you are 5'5" and you weigh 170 pounds, your

BMI would be 28. A BMI of 28 would place you

in the overweight category. In order to move into

the normal weight BMI category, you would have

to lose about 30 lbs. Let's say you lost 30 lbs.

and you now weigh 140 lbs. Your BMI would be

23, which is considered a normal weight. You

can calculate your BMI through various websites,

InBody, handheld body fat analyzers, body fat

scales, bod pods, and skinfold calipers. You can

decrease your BMI by exercising and eating a

healthy and balanced diet in order to lose weight.

A decrease in weight results in a decreased BMI.

Waist Circumference

Your waist size is also another way in which

you can measure your health. A large waist

circumference is associated with an increased

risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high

blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

You can measure your waist circumference by

placing a tape measure at the top of your hip

bone, then bringing the tape measure all the way

around your body, level with your belly button. A

healthy waist measurement for males is less than

40 inches, and a healthy waist measurement for

females is less than 35 inches. You can decrease

inches from your waist measurement through

calorie deficit and exercising often.

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

VACCINATION FROM THE

MISINFORMATION

Stephanie Barela, Health Educator,

Isleta Health Center

Phone: 505-869-4479

www.TheMisinformationVirus.com

There is so much MIS-information in the media

regarding Vaccinations that a group of health

professionals throughout the country and right here in

New Mexico, decided to do something about it. They

prepared a documentary called “VACCINATION

from the Misinformation Virus”. As noted in this

documentary’s discussion/viewer guide, “This is a

comprehensive media campaign to help parents and

community leaders understand vaccines are safe,

important to community health and save millions

of lives annually.” The hope of this campaign is

to empower and support families and community

leaders to make healthy decisions regarding lifelong

vaccinations. As the viewer guide states,

“with so much misinformation in the media (social

and otherwise)… (this project is) a way to ‘vaccinate’

yourself, your family, and your community with clear,

concise and honest science-based information

from leading experts who have spent their lives

studying vaccines and viruses.”

People are exposed to a lot

of different information

from many sources and

right now, during the

COVID-19 pandemic, it is

no different. Unfortunately

a lot of this information

is health misinformation,

which is “information that

is FALSE, INACCURATE

or MISLEADING, according

to the best evidence at the time.” Misinformation has

caused confusion and led people to decline COVID-19

vaccines, reject public health measures such as masking

and physical distancing, and use unproven treatments.

Health misinformation is not something new, however,

due to Social Media and the Internet, the misinformation

spreads much faster and much farther. It is important

that together, we build healthier communities by

spreading accurate information, where we can all make

informed decisions about our health, the health of our

loved ones and the health of our communities.

Right now is a very important time to accurately educate

ourselves on the importance of vaccinations. Research

has shown us that vaccines are safe and important in

order for the community to stay healthy. Vaccines have

prevented the spread of many contagious diseases,

such as, measles, mumps, polio, chicken pox, whooping

cough, diphtheria and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention is

worth a pound of cure”, which is very important today!

To develop, distribute and administer a vaccine, it is

much cheaper than the cost of treating someone with

the disease. Prevention is key!

It is my hope that we will be able to offer an in person

screening of this documentary soon, however, due to

the current Public Health Order, we are not able to

do that. Instead, please access this documentary at

www.TheMisinformationVirus.com and watch the

documentary virtually by clicking on PBS and then

PBS Video Portal or simply go to:https://portal.knme.

org/show/vaccination-misinformation-virus/. Once the

public health order is loosened and we are able to meet

in person, I will plan a watch party in order to view this

educational documentary as a group.

If you would like to pre-register for the in person viewing

of this documentary or if you have any questions, please

contact me at (505) 869-4479.

Page 18

Health Beat: Heart Disease

Stephanie Barela, Health Educator

www.CDC.gov www.webmd.com

www.goredforwomen.org

Phone: 505-869-4479

February is HEART DISEASE AWARENESS

MONTH.

Heart Disease, also known as

cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death

in the world, and accounts for one in three deaths

among women each year and more than ½ of the

deaths in men. Here are things we can do to LOWER

our Risk of Heart Disease:

QUIT SMOKING COMMERCIAL TOBACCO.

Contact Stephanie Barela (869-4479) to learn about

the Isleta Health Center’s quit smoking programs.

EAT HEALTHY.

Eat more

•

Healthy fats, such as raw nuts, olive oil, fish

oils, flax seeds, or avocados

•

Colorful fruits and vegetables—fresh or

frozen, prepared without butter

•

High-fiber cereals, breads, and pasta made

from whole grains or legumes

•

High-quality protein, such as fish, poultry,

and lean meats

•

Organic dairy such as eggs, skim or whole

milk, or unsweetened yogurt

Eat less

•

Trans fats from partially hydrogenated or

deep-fried foods; saturated fats from

fried food, fast food, and snack foods

•

Packaged foods, especially those high in

sodium and sugar

•

White or egg breads, sugary cereals, refined

pastas or rice

•

Processed meat such as bacon, sausage, and

salami, and fried chicken

•

Yogurt with added sugar, processed cheese

GET ACTIVE

Get moving and increase your heart rate. Try for 30

minutes a day, 5 days a week.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS

o

o

o

o

o

o

Deep Breath

Take a Break

Exercise

Write in a Journal

Talk to someone (Friends/Family)

Make an appointment with Isleta Behavioral

Health (505-869-5475)

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

BLOOD PRESSURE

•

Keep it below 120/80.

BLOOD SUGAR

•

Keep it below 6% (100mg).

BLOOD CHOLESTEROL

•

LDL is “bad” Cholesterol--Keep it less than

100mg.

•

HDL is “good” Cholesterol--Keep it higher

than 60mg.

•

Triglycerides--Less than 150mg.

BODY WEIGHT

•

Keep your Body Mass Index between 18.6

and 24.9.

Help us BRING

AWARENESS by

Wearing RED on

February 3, 2023.

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

WHAT IS GRIEF?

Grief is the natural reaction to loss. While everyone

experiences some form of grief and loss, it is also an

intensely personal experience. It is the emotional

suffering we feel when we lose something or someone

we love. The pain of the loss can feel overwhelming and

we may suddenly experience unexpected emotions from

shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and deep sadness. The

pain of grief is not limited to our emotional suffering but

our physical health can also suffer, making it difficult to

sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are common

reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the

more intense our grief will be.

Many are enduring losses during this challenging time of

the Pandemic. While we usually associate grief with the

death of a loved one, any loss can cause grief, including:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Divorce or relationship breakup

Loss of health

Loss of a job

Loss of financial stability

A miscarriage

Retirement

Death of a pet

Loss of a cherished dream

Serious illness of a loved one

Loss of a friendship

Loss of safety after a trauma

Selling or moving away from the family home

Whatever the cause of the grief, there are healthy ways

to cope with the pain that, in time, can ease our sadness

and help us come to terms with our loss, find new

meaning, and eventually move on with our lives.

Seek help if you:

1. Feel like life isn’t worth living

2 Wish you had died with your loved one

3. Blame yourself for the loss or for failing to

prevent it

4. Feel numb and disconnected from others for

more than a few weeks

5. Are having difficulty trusting others since

your loss

6. Are unable to perform your regular daily activities

Call Isleta Behavioral Health Clinic at 869-5475

Page 20

We the family of Robert E. Chewiwi would like

to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation

to everyone in the community for the kindness

and support showed to us during the loss of our

brother and uncle Robert.

He was everyone’s Meme Bob, Sheriff Bob or

Teh-eh Bob. He enjoyed visiting with everyone

he met.

Robert served as Under Sheriff for a period of

four terms and enjoyed every minute of it.

Robert was a proud Vietnam Veteran, and we

want to thank the Pueblo of Isleta Veterans

Association for paying their final respects.

Thank you to our family, relatives, and friends

for your thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness

that helped us get through this difficult time.

Thank you to Father Milton for his wonderful

eulogy.

Thank you to the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Administration for allowing us the use of the

community house.

Robert will be greatly missed but will remain

forever in our hearts.

May God Bless you all with good health and

happiness.

The Chewiwi Family

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 21

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 22

February 2023

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

ISLETA ELDER CENTER ADULT DAY SERVICES

We are recruiting elders to become a part of our Adult Day Services Program!

Clients are transported daily to and from the Elder Center to participate in a day starting with breakfast followed with

daily activities, snacks, special projects, exercising and lunch. In addition, a variety of field trips are planned throughout

the month to include grocery shopping, outings, field trips, medication pick up and transportation to medical appointments

within the Pueblo of Isleta. Periodic home visits are made to ensure fire and safety hazards are addressed on behalf of the

elder/ADS Client and to work closely with family members for other needed services.

Here are some activities that the clients have participated in:

They look forward to playing Bingo with the Isleta Health Center

Dietitian. They are able to learn about the food groups, serving sizes

as well as making healthy choices.

Educational meetings for health, wellness and

benefits (various agency presentations)

Encourage clients to enjoy, have

fun and role play.

Clients enjoy woodburning activities which show off

their talents as well as working with Legos which helps

increase problem solving and motor skills

The clients enjoyed Christmas Caroling and were

very proud of themselves.

We held a Food Drive and were able

to deliver over 70 bags of food to our

homebound elder clients.

Dance, dance, dance – Christmas dancing

is always fun!

The POI Adult Day Service Program

(for age 60+ years) supports the family

in the care of their loved one Monday

through Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm

(transportation to and from home

provided).

LET US HELP YOU IN THE

CARE OF YOUR LOVED ONE

The clients enjoy their time in

Adult Day Services and look

forward to meeting you and

welcome you to join them.

Clients participate in exercises to help keep them

healthy and active.

For more information you may contact

Monica Gonzales, Outreach Manager

or Evangeline Lente, Adult Day

Services Manager at (505) 869-9770.

February 2023

Isleta Pueblo News

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

Addiction is a chronic disease when left untreated

causes lasting damage to the person with the addiction

as well as to family and community. Addiction is also

known as chemical dependency.

People can develop an addiction or chemical

dependency to many substances that include

alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and

opiates such as heroin and pain pills. Alcohol is also

considered a drug and people can and do become

addicted to alcohol.

Addiction is classified as a brain disease because

abuse and misuse of alcohol and/or drugs changes

the brain. Addiction is dependence on something

that is physically or psychologically habit-forming.

It is difficult for the addict to stop using alcohol/

drugs because of the withdrawal that happens when

the use stops. A alcohol hangover, or withdrawal is

a severe physical and psychological shock. In opioid

use disorders, the physical withdrawals are the most

felt. In stimulant (methamphetamines) use disorders,

the combination of both physical and psychological

withdrawals occur.

People with addictions have an intense focus on using

certain substances such as alcohol or drugs until the

addiction takes over their lives. The changes in the

brain cause addicts to have powerful cravings and

make it hard for them to stop using alcohol and/or

drugs, even when they know continued use causes

problems.

The destructiveness of the disease is real and the

changes to brain chemistry are frightening. Sobriety

or recovery often seems impossible to the alcoholic/

addict, family, friends, and community. However,

all hope is not lost! In addiction treatment, there are

many tools, services and methods to help with fighting

addiction. Untreated addiction is a tragedy that

has a devastating ripple effect on children, parents,

communities, and nations.

Services to help treat addictions include, individual

weekly counseling, Ripple Effect-IOP Group (3 days a

week), Medical Assisted Therapy (MAT)-- utilization

of Vivitrol injections and inpatient residential

treatment referrals.

Remember there is no shame in

having an addiction –

the shame is in doing nothing about it.

B’eeh-K’oo–ee Wellness Center 505-869-5475

Page 23

Page 24

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2023

Public Health Department:

New Changes

Isleta Health Center

Phone: 505-869-9720

Greetings to all,

The IHC Public Health Department is making

changes around COVID-19 standards. These

changes are being made to stay current with

the evolvement of the virus, as well as meeting

the needs of the community. As the IHC Public

Health Department continues to see a decrease

in COVID-19 positive cases, it is important that

standards be updated in order to ensure we

are delivering quality health care to the POI

community.

Moving forward, the COVID-19 Response Line

will transition to normal Isleta Health Center

business hours (see flyer for new hours). Calls

made to the response line after 4:30pm and during

the weekend will be instructed to leave a detailed

voicemail and a Public Health representative

will call back the next business day. For medical

emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

Lastly, the IHC Public Health Department will

transition to supplying nonperishable food items

and cleaning products on a needs basis only,

which will be assessed by IHC Public Health

Patient Liaisons/ Contact Tracers.

As patient health and safety is a top priority to

the Isleta Health Center, changes mentioned will

revert if COVID-19 conditions becomes a state of

crisis that needs urgent attention.