Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2025)

Volume 20 Issue 11

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

Governor’s Report

Maguwam,

I hope this newsletter finds our community

in good health and spirits. Fall is here and

its nice to see the color changes. It is getting

colder in the evenings, so remember to

bundle up.

We would like to welcome our new director

Angel Montoya, Elder Center. She comes

to the Pueblo with 26+ year specializing in

Adult Care with the City of Albuquerque.

We are looking forward to the great things

she can offer to the Pueblo.

I would like to thank the Recreation staff

for an awesome cross-country season. The

Pueblo of Isleta hosted the meet on October

4th at Big Momma. It was nice to see all the

runners, families, and tribal members who

attended to support our kids.

I would like to thank Tiffany Jiron and

staff for the “I will Run for Them 5K” held

on October 11th at the Isleta Lakes. This

event was to support the Domestic Violence

Awareness Month; it was a great event and

nice to see the support for this event.

On October 16, Lt. Jones, Charlene Lucero,

and staff attended the Government-toGovernment Indian Education Summit in

Santa Fe. They had a full agenda of how to

collaborate with Native American Families,

Supporting Native American students,

and the Martinez/Yazzie action plan, etc.

We look forward on providing ongoing to

support to our department, students, and

community.

The following week Lt. Jojola along with

Andrea Pesina, Executive Director of Head

Start and Jeffery Jojola, Business Manager

attended the AIAN Policy Institute in

Washington, D.C. Lt. Jojola and staff meet

with Senator Heinrich while in Washington.

Every year our departments do a wonderful

job celebrating Halloween with costumes,

goodies, and themed games for the

community to enthrall themselves in. We

want to say thank you for the community

and departments for making this event fun.

Turkey Distributions will be held on

November 17th, at the Isleta Recreation

Center, from 8am to 8pm on this day only.

Please look out for notifications and flyers

for more information, if you have further

questions, please contact the Governor’s

office at 505-869-3111 and you can speak

with Jessica Jiron or Amber Richesin.

Last, I want to send my condolences to the

families of those who have lost their family

members during the month of October.

Ha-Wuh,

Eugene Jiron,

Governor

November 2025

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for December Newsletter articles is set for

Monday, November 10, 2025, 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 that 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 to the

Newsletter. A single picture may be submitted with the ad.

Submitters of classified ads are responsible for generating

their 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 flyers as this is a FREE

service.

Classified ads and business flyers will be posted no more than

two consecutive months. In the event that 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 in 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 - Carols 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)

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

Page 3

Marvin A. Trujillo, Jr.

Tribal Council Administrator

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL

BOARD AND COMMITTEE VACANCIES:

TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE COLD

The Pueblo of Isleta is seeking applicants for open Board and Committee

Positions. The following positions are open:

Elder Advisory Committee (2 Vacancies)

Sponsorship/Donation Committee (2 Vacancies)

Higher Education Board (5 Vacancies)

Tribal Enrollment Committee (TEC) (2 Vacancies)

Election Committee (5 Vacancies)

Health Advisory Board (5 Vacancies)

Appellate Court: Lay Judge (1 Vacancy)

Letters of interest can be submitted via email to Marvin.Trujillo@isletapueblo.

com and Sabin.Chavez@isletapueblo.com or contact the Tribal Administration

Staff at (505) 869-9746. The letters should include the position you are

requesting to fill, all contact information (email address, mailing address and

phone number) and current resume. Letters can also be mailed to:

Pueblo of Isleta

Attn: Tribal Council

P.O. Box 1097

Isleta, NM 87022

Construction Project Notification – Isleta Diversion

Dam Sluiceway and East Bank Modifications Project

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with the Pueblo of Isleta and

the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, will construct modifications to

the Isleta Diversion Dam (IDD) and the east bank of the Rio Grande with the

goal of reducing the amount of sediment flowing into the Peralta Main Canal.

The project will build a new concrete floor in the Peralta Sluiceway, automate

several dam and sluiceway gates, and realign the east bank of the river just

upstream of the IDD.

Construction is currently scheduled from:

February 25, 2026

November 19, 2025 –

The project site is located on the east side of the Rio Grande, south of the NM147 bridge, on Tribal Road 21. Some traffic control may be required on NM147 at the turnoff to Tribal Road 21.

For questions, please contact:

Andrew Sweetman

Acting Director,

Department of Natural Resources

Water Resources Division Manager

Pueblo of Isleta

505-869-7566

David (Sonny) Cooper

Project Manager

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Albuquerque Area Office

505-462-3599

PHONE: 505-869-5170

Colder temperatures are here and it’s time to protect

your plumbing from freezing temperatures. Sewer

piping can freeze – especially underneath a modular

home. Take time now to check your water and sewer

lines. Any exposed water or sewer pipe should be

protected with heat tape, insulation or other means to

help prevent the pipes from freezing. If you have a

modular home, please ensure the skirting is in good

condition and if there is no skirting, do what you can to

protect the underside of the home from the cold.

Swamp coolers should be properly winterized. The

water supply line should be removed from the spigot

or frost free and drained. Frost frees should not be left

in the open position; remove any hoses from the frost

free and close the frost free. When left open, the frost

free cannot drain the water that is inside the unit. The

frost free is designed to drain itself when the handle is

put in the closed position, which should help prevent

freezing.

Homeowners should know where the main water shut

off is to their residence. Most homes have an interior

and exterior main shut off valve. Toilets and sinks

should have isolation valves going directly to the

fixture. The purpose of the fixture isolation valves is to

isolate just the fixture that has a leak, allowing water

to be available at the other fixtures in the home. Have

you ever tested these isolation valves to ensure they

work? Take time before cold weather moves in to locate

these valves and ensure they are working properly.

There should be a main isolation valve located both

inside and outside of the home. Many of the interior

main shut-off valves are located close to the hot water

heater. Shutting this valve down will stop water

from entering the home but you will still have water

available outside the home. If it is necessary to shut

off the water outside the home, knowing exactly where

your shut-off valve is, is vital.

Locating the exterior isolation valve may be

challenging. Take time to locate your exterior shutoff while it is not an emergency. Placing a marker of

some type near the shut-off will save time in the event

you do have an emergency and need the main water

to the home shut-off. It will take Public Works time to

respond to an emergency water leak, especially after

hours or on weekends. If you know where the main

shut-off valve is, Public Works employees can arrive

and work immediately on shutting off the water to the

home. If they need to first locate the shut-off, valuable

time is lost and water damage to the home may occur.

Be prepared and protect your water and sewer pipes

from the cold. Check the isolation valves at each fixture

and know how to turn off your water in an emergency.

Locate and mark the location of your exterior water

shut-off device.

If you have any questions, please call the Public Works

office at 505-869-5170.

Goodwill Good jobs! Serving

Albuquerque south valley/Isleta

Pueblo, and Valencia County

We offer individual free assistance with job search,

interview skills, and resume assistance.

Contact: Vicki Herring

Career specialist at 505-944-0289

Goodwill Industries of New Mexico

vherring@goodwillnm.org 505-944-0289 or

505-881-6401 x 4097

201 Desert Willow Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031

www.Goodwillit.org

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

Job Postings

November 2025

Visit us online at http://

www.isleta.com/caree

r-opportunities.aspx

Fax: 505-244-8232

LAKES CASHIER

Albuquerque, NM

0780

$14.62 / Hour • Non-Exempt

COSMETOLOGIST

Albuquerque, NM

0510

$16.14 /Hour• Non-Exempt

TABLE GAMES FLOOR SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

0120

$26.30 / Hour • Non-Exempt

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Albuquerque, NM

0500

$18.04 /Hour• Non-Exempt

PLUMBER Ill

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$26.30 / Hour • Non-Exempt

ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

0330

$54696.19 / Year • Exempt

SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

0315

$11.50 /Hour• Non-Exempt

TABLE GAMES DEALER

Albuquerque, NM

0120

$11.50 /Hour• Non-Exempt

FOOD ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

$13.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

OFF-SITE ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

$13.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR F & 8

Albuquerque, NM

$20.31 / Hour• Non-Exempt

FOOD ATTENDANT (BEVERAGE)

Albuquerque, NM

$13.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

PAINTER -IPHA

Responsible for the setup, operation, and closing of all front and back of the house snack Albuquerque, NM

bar areas, including food preparation, food service and dining areas. Must be able to handle

all guest requests.

PLUMBER -IPHA

Albuquerque, NM

PAYMASTER

Albuquerque, NM

$14.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN -IPHA

0140

Albuquerque, NM

BINGO ADMISSIONS CLERK

Albuquerque, NM

0140

$14.37 /Hour• Non-Exempt

PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

1195

$72172.03 /Year• Exempt

PLAYERS CLUB REPRESENTATIVE

Albuquerque, NM

1150

$14.87 / Hour • Non-Exempt

VALET ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0250

$14.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

RETAIL ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0400

Carpenter II-IPHA

Albuquerque, NM

LABORER - IPHA

Albuquerque, NM

$22.73 - $26.71 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$30.25 - $35.55 / Hour • Non-Exempt

$20.65 - $24.27 / Hour • Non-Exempt

$25.00 - $29.38 / Hour • Non-Exempt

$15.50 / Hour• Non-Exempt

LAKES GROUNDSKEEPER

Albuquerque, NM

0780

$14.62 / Hour • Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR F & B

Albuquerque, NM

0327

$18.04 / Hour • Non-Exempt

EDR ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0370

$14.62 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$14.37 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

CUSTODIAN

Albuquerque, NM

1355

COOK

Albuquerque, NM

00HCOOK

$14.62 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$14.87 / Hour • Non-Exempt

HDCT

Albuquerque, NM

1355

STEWARD

Albuquerque, NM

0386

$15.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$18.04 / Hour• Non-Exempt

MAIN BANKER

Albuquerque, NM

0150

SECURITY OFFICER II

Albuquerque, NM

0180

$16.14 / Hour • Non-Exempt

FLOOR BEVERAGE SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

PMT II

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$18.04 /Hour• Non-Exempt

LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN I

Albuquerque, NM

1360

$15.12 / Hour • Non-Exempt

HVAC TECH Ill

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$26.30 / Hour • Non-Exempt

HVAC TECH II

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$23.02 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SURVEILLANCE AGENT

Albuquerque, NM

0170

$18.04 /Hour• Non-Exempt

ROOM INSPECTOR

Albuquerque, NM

0230

$15.12 / Hour • Non-Exempt

STEWARD

Albuquerque, NM

0386

$14.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Albuquerque, NM

1195

$20.31 /Hour• Non-Exempt

ROOM ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0230

$14.62 / Hour • Non-Exempt

NAIL TECHNICIAN

Albuquerque, NM

0510

$14.37 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$13.87 / Hour• Non-Exempt

COCKTAIL SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

$10.50 / Hour • Non-Exempt

Job opening will be for Poker, and Class 2. Hours of operation will be morning and swing shift.

BARTENDER

Albuquerque, NM

$10.50 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Bartending position for Triple Sevens night club. Hours of operations Friday-Sunday 5pm to 2am.

Second Bartending position Class 2 gaming Bar, and roam between Center, and Sports Book Bar

Swing shift.

IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN

Albuquerque, NM

0701

CARPENTER Ill -IPHA

Albuquerque, NM

$18.04 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$27.50 - $32.32 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

$11.50 / Hour • Non-Exempt

Responsible for waiting on all food and beverage guests, accurately recording, submitting, and

delivering food and beverage orders while promoting and exhibiting World Class Guest Service to all

the lsleta Resort and Casino employees and guest.

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

Pueblo of Isleta Career Opportunities

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.

Position Posting

Office Location

Closing Date

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

COORDINATOR

Department of

Education

12/14/2025 or Until Filled

ACCOUNTANT

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

ACCOUNTANT- PAYROLL

Treasury

12/23/2025 or Until Filled

ANIMAL CONTROL

OFFICER II

Police Department

Open Space

11/05/2025 or Until Filled

ASSOCIATE JUDGE

Tribal Courts

11/06/2025 or Until Filled

BAILIFF

Tribal Courts

12/22/2025 or Until Filled

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

MANAGER

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

CAREGIVER

Assisted Living

12/24/2025 or Until Filled

CHILD CARE PROVIDER

Head Start

11/24/2025 or Until Filled

COMMUNITY HEALTH

REPRESENTATIVE

Health Services

01/05/2026 or Until Filled

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

CASE MANAGER

Health Services

01/08/2026 or Until Filled

COOK I

Assisted Living

Facility

11/16/2025 or Until Filled

CUSTODIAN

Public Works

01/05/2026 or Until Filled

DATA ANALYST

Head Start

11/24/2025 or Until Filled

DENTIST - PEDIATRIC

Health Services

01/07/2026 or Until Filled

DIRECTOR- NATURAL

RESOURCES

Natural Resources

12/15/2025 or Until Filled

DIRECTOR PUBLIC

HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

EMT- PARAMEDIC

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GAMING REGULATORY

Gaming & Regulatory

12/22/2025 or Until Filled

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN (2

Positons)

Natural Resources

01/05/2026 or Until Filled

HEAD LIFEGUARD

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

HEALTH PROMOTION

SPECIALIST

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE

TECHNICIAN

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

LANGUAGE TEACHER

Department of Education

12/14/2025 or Until Filled

LIFEGUARD

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

MAINTENANCE &

FACILITIES MANAGER

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

PARKS MAINTENANCE WORKER

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

PATIENT REFERRAL COORDINATOR Health Services

01/05/2026 or Until Filled

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

POLICE DEPARTMENT

ASSISTANT

Police Department

11/05/2025 or Until Filled

POLICE OFFICER I/ OPEN-

SPACE CERTIFIED - (2

Positions)

Open Space

Police Department

11/05/2025 or Until Filled

PROBATION/JUVENILE

OFFICER

Tribal Court

01/19/2026 or Until Filled

PUBLIC WORKS COORDINATOR

Public Works

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

RECREATION AIDE-- (2 Positions)

Parks & Recreation

12/22/2025 or Until Filled

RECREATION CENTER

AIDE/ FRONT DESK

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

RECREATION LEAD

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

ROADWAY MAINTENANCE

Transportation Services

WORKER I (2 Positions)

01/06/2026 or Until Filled

STAFF ASSISTANT

Head Start

11/24/2025 or Until Filled

TEACHER ASSISTANT

Head Start

11/24/2025 or Until Filled

UTILITY WORKER

Public Works

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

Opportunity for Public Comment

October 21, 2025

Notice that the Pueblo of Isleta Environment Department is

reviewing a request for Tribal Water Quality Certification or

Denial of the Reissuance and Modification of Nationwide

Permits Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean

Water Act

The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 authorizes

discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United

States. The US Army Corps of Engineers issues nationwide

permits (NWP) for specific types of projects. The current NWPs

will expire on March 14, 2026. The Pueblo is within a six-month

reasonable period of time that ends December 18, 2025 to act

on the Army Corps’ certification request. More information on

nationwide permits is available online at:

http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryProgram-and-Permits/NWP/

https://www.regulations.gov/document/COE-2025-00020001

This notice serves to notify the Isleta community that Environment

Department will be preparing a recommendation to Governor

for his signature regarding the request for certification under

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Environment Department’s

recommendation will be reviewed by the Pueblo’s Legal

Department. The purpose of such certification is to reasonably

ensure that the permitted activities would comply with Pueblo

of Isleta Surface Water Quality Standards.

Environment Department will accept written comments

regarding the Tribal water quality certification for re-issuance

of the Nationwide Permits until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday,

December 3, 2025. The Environment Department will consider

all comments received.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail or by hard copy (U.S.

mail or hand-delivered) to:

Ramona M. Montoya, Water Quality Control Officer

PUEBLO OF ISLETA Environment Department

Physical address:

3929 Hwy 47

Albuquerque NM 87105

(505) 869-7565 office

Mailing address:

PO Box 1270

Isleta NM 87022

Ramona.Montoya@isletapueblo.com

Protecting Elders:

The Safety of COVID and Flu Vaccines

By Dr. Hadley Pope

Doctor at Isleta Health Center

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza is very

important for older adults. These vaccines help protect people

from getting very sick, going to the hospital, or even passing

away from these diseases. Staying up to date with vaccines

helps keep elders, families, and the whole community safe.

Some people worry about feeling sick after getting a vaccine. It

is normal to have mild side effects like a sore arm, tiredness, or

a low fever. These are signs that the body is building protection.

Feeling a little sick after a vaccine is not the same as having

the actual disease. The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 or

the flu. These side effects usually go away in a day or two.

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself

and others. Elders are at higher risk for serious problems from

COVID-19 and flu, but vaccines make these illnesses much

less dangerous. By getting vaccinated, you help protect your

family, your friends, and your community.

Staying healthy helps everyone, and vaccines are a safe and

effective way to do that. If you have questions about vaccines

or want to schedule your COVID or Flu vaccine for the 20252026 winter season, contact Isleta Health Center Medical

Clinic at 505-869-4385. If you live on the Pueblo and would like

to find out if you can get your vaccines at home, contact Public

Health Nursing at 505-869-4890 or 505-869-5474.

November 2025

Transit Services Now

Serving the Pueblo of Isleta

The Pueblo of Isleta and the Rio Metro

Regional Transit District

Working Together

Bus Route 208 (No Fares until further notice!)

Bus Route 208 connects the Pueblo of Isleta and

Valencia County communities to the Alvarado

Transportation Center (ATC) in Downtown

Albuquerque during the morning/midday when the

Rail Runner does not operate. Route 208 features

three northbound trips arriving at the ATC at 9:30am,

11:00am and 1:30pm, and three southbound trips

departing the ATC at 9:35am, 11:05am and 1:32pm.

At the ATC, riders can transfer to ABQ RIDE bus

routes.

Route 208 serves two bus stops on the Pueblo of

Isleta. The stop closest to the village proper is located

on NM 147 just east of the Rio Grande Bridge.

Please do not park and leave vehicles unattended

on the adjoining roads near this stop, as the bus

and other vehicles use these roads to turnaround

and access other locations. Route 208 also stops

at the Isleta Pueblo Rail Runner Station, where

riders can transfer to the Isleta Resort and Casino

shuttle. Because the bus serves the station, riders

can also consider using Route 208 in combination

with the Rail Runner, for example, taking the bus

to Downtown Albuquerque in the mid-morning and

returning by train in the evening.

Please see route flyer that includes map, times of

Bus Route 208. (No Fares until further notice!)

Pueblo of Isleta Dial-a-Ride (No Fares until

further notice!)

The Pueblo of Isleta Dial-a-Ride operates Monday

through Friday from 8:15am to 2:45pm, providing

trips within the Pueblo and to the ABQ RIDE Route

53 bus stop on NM 314. Service to places like

Smiths, Albertsons and Wal-Mart in Los Lunas is

also provided with requests made before noon at

least one business day prior to your trip.

Request your Dial-a-Ride trip by calling Valencia

County dispatch at (505) 352-3595 before noon at

least one business day prior to your trip. Requests

are accepted between 5:00am and 3:00pm Monday

thru Friday. On the date and time of your trip, a

wheelchair accessible van will arrive within 15

minutes of your scheduled pickup time. Trips may

also be grouped together; riders should expect to

travel with others.

For more information about both services, including

a copy of the Route 208 schedule, visit riometro.

org and select “Schedules” > “Bus” > “Pueblo of

Isleta” from the grey bar near the top of the website.

Schedules for Route 208 are also available at the

Public Services Department Office at the Tribal

Services Complex.

For publication in the July 2023 issue of the Isleta Pueblo

News.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Last month we thanked everyone who

contributed to the reception to honor Miguel

Trujillo but left one name out. We sincerely

apologize and wish to give a warm thank

you to Patricia Waconda Abeita!

The Department of Cultural and Historic

Preservation would like to thank all

the artists and their families who have

generously loaned their belongings and

creations for the hallway niches inside the

culture center.

Designer of traditional clothing and

contemporary styles. Gloria sees clothing as

an art that keeps growing with colors and

styles. She also makes traditional pottery

by hand using natural clay and paints. She

works with ceramics, pottery, and figurines

with traditional designs.

GREGG ANALLA (1965-2018)

During my childhood I would spend

summers with my Grandmother Anita

Abeita in the Pueblo of Isleta, it is here is

where my artistic journey into the ceramic

arts began. My Grandmother was very

instrumental in exposing me to the beauty,

creativity and functional use of clay. She

introduced me into forming simple pinch pot

forms, small animal forms and traditional

firings of the clay in her Horno.”

ANTONIO LENTE (1983-2008)

Two Worlds in One, n.d. Acrylic on canvas.

Gloria Lena Abeita

Theresa Abeita

Gregg Analla, deceased 2018

Marguerite Madrid de Analla

Preston Chavez

Ernest A. Correa

Gabriel Correa

Kimo DeCora

Lupita M. “Lupe” Jojola DeCora,

deceased 2016

Rowan Harrison

Margaret Jaramillo

Elements of Prayer III, 2009. Mixed media

on wood.

Antoinette Lucero

Gregg was a great son, father, and

phenomenal artist of various mediums.

Gregg was an accomplished vocalist,

guitarist and percussionist. He is survived

by his wife, Marguerite Madrid de Analla;

son, Xavier; and family.

Lupita A. Lucero

KIMO DE CORA

Michael Jiron

Antonio Lente, deceased 2008

Marlene and Joe Lente

Ruby D. Lucero, deceased 2019

Virgil N Lucero

Pascha Madrid

Celestino Papuyo, deceased 1996

Antonio Lente was an exceptional artist.

His work was featured on billboards, murals

and skate decks. One of his murals is in

Albuquerque: the northside of Central and

2nd St, designed and painted by Antonio in

2000.

Wanda E. Peigler

Virginia Sangre

Jose Lalo Valdez, deceased 2022

Lorraine Valdez

Immanuel Zuni

RUBY D. LUCERO (1946-2019)

Pablita Zuni

Here are some highlights in case

you missed it.

GLORIA LENA ABEITA

Ten years after graduating from Haskell

Jr. College, Kimo started his artistic career

as a painter. He is a self-taught artist who

paints cast and hand-made Christmas pots,

miniature pots, and rocks. These pots by

Kimo are less than one inch! Yes, one inch.

ROWAN HARRISON

Children playing on mesa. Clay.

“A strong lady with a beautiful talent for

pottery and designing art. She was taught

by her mother and father in the process of

making natural clay and the natural process

of firing her pots (a natural fire pit left with

pots overnight). Her hand painting uses

ashes from the fire for black color and yucca

strips as paintbrushes.” -Gloria Abeita

Men’s shirt, 2024. Cotton thread, red and

white cotton.

Flowers. Clay and wood.

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

PASCHA MADRID

Abalone earrings, 2024. Abalone, leather, seed bead.

Pascha Madrid is a self-taught beader and weaver.

“My journey as a self-taught artist has been woven

with passion and dedication, resulting in authentic,

handcrafted earrings and woven straps that reflect

the rich tapestry of my heritage.”

JOSE LALO VALDEZ (1947-2022)

Jose Lalo Valdez was a leader and health worker

at Isleta Pueblo. He served in the U.S. Army in

the Vietnam conflict. He is survived by his wife,

Lorraine Valdez, and his family.

Made from homegrown round gourds, each gourd

is cleaned of seeds and fiber, then boiled in cedar

water. The handles are made of cedar, smoothed

with sandpaper to soften the shape and accentuate

natural coloring. White leather straps are then

placed at the top, middle, and end of handle. The

handle is secured by a pin at the top to hold it in

place.

We are planning to rotate the displays in the next

couple of months. Be on the lookout for a call for

artists in the future.

Kher-kem / Ha-wuh from the Cultural Center staff:

Felicia Bartley, Anita Chiwewe, Daryl Lucero, and

Dr. Henry Walt

Pueblo of Isleta Veterans and

Community Members

We are honored to announce the Pueblo of Isleta Elder Center Veterans

Day walking Parade, On Friday November 14, 2025. We would like the

Veterans from the community to take part in their respective branches.

If you would like to participate in this wonderful event.

Please sign up by calling the

POI Elder Center 505-869-9770

In addition, if you would like to share a

Picture of you or your Veteran,

please bring an 8x10 copy.

Which will be showcased

at the Elder Center.

POI Elder Center is not responsible for

Lost or Stolen Pictures.

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

TRUANCY

Happy Thanksgiving,

The Truancy Department hopes you had a fun Halloween! We were excited

to participate in the Halloween carnival at the Recreation Center, and were

excited to see all the families enjoying the evening together, playing games,

winning prizes and getting many treats from all the booths that joined in on the

festivities. It great seeing all the children and their parents dressed up in their

finest Halloween costumes for this community event. We hope that you enjoyed

the goodie bags that our department gave out, as well as the other treats from

other departments.

The Truancy Department also participated at both Halloween activities for the

Head Start and Isleta Elementary School students. The morning started off with

visiting the children at the Head Start, where we shared treats with them. They

were so excited to see all the treats that were offered to them, and it was fun to

watch our young children enjoying their morning. In the afternoon, we went to

the Elementary School where we took part in their Trunk or Treat Event. Seeing

all the children dressed in their costumes was fun and exciting for us. It’s always

a joy for our department to participate in community events. A BIG thank you to

both Head Start and Isleta Elementary School for inviting us to join in on your

festivities!

If you are excited for the food, football games or even the time change, we hope

that the Fall months bring you many blessings, as more holidays are coming up

and more time will be spent with family.

The Truancy Department works closely with the Isleta Elementary School on

perfect attendance; the first quarter ended in mid-October. We provided a

special luncheon for ten (10) students who achieved perfect attendance, along

with two guests. A scrumptious meal of Dion’s pizza and salad was enjoyed by

all. Each student was awarded a certificate of recognition, as well as a 25-dollar

movie gift card to Starlight Cinema in Los Lunas. We hope the students that

received perfect attendance this first quarter enjoyed their incentives. Moving

forward, we hope to see more students achieving perfect attendance for the

remainder of the 2025/2026 school year. Incentives are offered to students

attending other schools as well; please contact our department and we can

discuss this with you.

Keep in mind that we strive to assist students and their families understand

attendance policies of the school districts our students attend as well and the

Pueblo of Isleta Children’s Code, which cites the current Attendance for Success

Law for the students, ages five (5) up until their eighteenth (18) birthday. You

may contact our office if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Isleta Truancy Department

Page 12

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

November 2025

Angel Montoya

Elder Center Director

Angel Montoya starts

her career at the Pueblo

of Isleta after a 26-year

public servant career at

the City of Albuquerque,

Department of Senior

Affairs,

where

she

oversaw

the

senior,

multigenerational, and

fitness

centers.

She

is a graduate of the

University of New Mexico with a bachelor's degree is

business management and a high school graduate of

St. Pius X. Angel is eager and ready to hit the ground

running as the new Director of the Elder Center.

Falling for Great Smiles: Your November

Newsletter from Isleta Dental Clinic

The air is getting crisp, the leaves are turning, and the

holidays are just around the corner! This season, we

want to remind everyone that just like a cozy sweater

keeps you warm, a great oral hygiene routine keeps

your smile healthy. Fall is a perfect time to refocus on

dental awareness and ensure your mouth is in top shape

before all the festive feasting begins!

November Hygiene Patient Drawing: Win an Electric

Toothbrush!

We're kicking off November with a fun giveaway to

encourage everyone to keep their hygiene appointments!

Any patient who attends their scheduled hygiene

appointment between November 3rd and November

28th will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a

brand new electric toothbrush! A little extra motivation

to keep those smiles sparkling clean.

The winner will be randomly drawn at the end of the day

on November 28th. Good luck to all!

Celebrating Our Wonderful Dentists

We want to take a moment to celebrate two incredible

providers who have dedicated themselves to serving the

Isleta community:

•

Dr. Matthew Matte is celebrating his 9th year

with Isleta Dental Clinic! His commitment and care for

our patients are truly invaluable.

•

Dr. Jonathan Pauwels is celebrating his 2nd

year with us! We are so grateful for his expertise and

dedication.

Thank you, Dr. Matte and Dr. Pauwels, for being such

wonderful and dedicated providers for the community!

Dental Awareness:

Don't Forget Your Routine!

As your schedule fills up with school events, work

deadlines, and holiday planning, it's easy to let good

habits slip. Here are a few quick tips to boost your dental

awareness this fall:

1. Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled brush

and fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time.

2. Floss Daily: Flossing removes plaque and food

particles between your teeth and under the gumline

where your toothbrush can’t reach.

3. Keep Your Appointments: Regular check-ups

and cleanings are crucial for catching minor issues

before they become major problems.

If you haven't scheduled your next hygiene appointment,

call us today! (505)869-4499 We look forward to seeing

you soon and helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful

smile all season long.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 14

November 2025

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

As the crisp November air sets in, weather turns colder, and the days grow shorter

many of us are preparing for the winter months ahead. It’s officially sweater weather,

followed by warm drinks in the morning and delicious Thanksgiving meals to end the

month. Here at the library, we’re thankful for our wonderful community and all who

walk through our doors. This month, we invite you to stop by, warm up with a good

book, and take part in our upcoming programs as we head into the holiday season.

News

A staff meeting will be scheduled sometime

during the first week of November. We

will be planning upcoming programs for

children, teens, and adults. The library

will remain open during this time so don’t

hesitate to come on in and check out any

library material.

The library will be CLOSED on the following

dates during the month of November.

Saturday, November 1st in observance of

All Souls Day! Normal hours will resume on

Monday, November 3rd.

Tuesday, November 11th in observance

of Veteran’s Day. We would like to thank

all that have served our country past and

present. All library media checked out on

Thursday, November 6th will be due on

Wednesday, November 12th.

Wednesday, November 26th EARLY

CLOSURE the library will be closing at

4:30pm.

Thursday, November 27th, Friday,

November 28th and Saturday and

November 29th in observance of the

Thanksgiving Holiday. All library media

checked out on Wednesday, November

26th will be due on Monday, December

1st. Remember the library has a section

filled with cookbooks to try something new

alongside your turkey. Normal business

hours will resume on Monday, December

1st. The library staff would like to wish

everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Please keep in mind with the upcoming

Holiday Season and unpredictable weather

that unexpected closures may occur. Notices

will be posted and up to the minute notices

will be posted on ALL library social media

accounts (FB, IG & Snapchat).

Our mobile library app service with

CapiraMobile will be coming to an end on

December 01, 2025. This means account

authentication, viewing checkouts, holds,

fines, and catalog searching will be

inoperative. On November 12, 2025, a push

notification will be sent out to all users of

our mobile app stating, “Important notice:

Effective on December 01, 2025, this app

will no longer function. Please contact the

library for more information.”

The library and app developer are unable

to remove the app from devices, therefore,

users will have to delete the app on their

own. Should users decide to keep the mobile

app, the only features that will operate are

links to the digital resources, digital library

cards, and library info such as google map

location, phone number, email address, and

business hours. The library is in the market

for a new mobile library app developer and

will keep you all posted.

The library would like to extend our

warmest congratulations and best wishes

to Abbey Whitaker, who will be leaving the

library to join the Isleta Police Department

as an Admin Assistant. We are grateful for

her contributions as a full-time Library

Aide. We are excited to see her continue

to serve the community in her new role.

Congratulations and best of luck on your

new journey!

Welcome to the Library Team! We’re

excited to welcome Paullene Chavez as our

new Part-Time Library Aide at the library.

Paullene will be assisting with the After

School Program, daily operations, and

helping patrons access our many resources

and services. Be sure to say hello and give

her a warm welcome next time you visit the

library!

lights to complete their pumpkin. It was

wonderful to see all the different pumpkins

and participants showing off their artistic

skills. Thank you to everyone who joined

us for this fall activity! We hope you had a

great time and look forward to seeing you at

our upcoming library programs.

Join us for Family Story Time here at

the library every Thursday starting at

11:00am, no sign ups required so just

come on in and stay for the fun! Library

Staff member will read a story and engage

toddlers and families in an activity or craft.

This program gives parents and caregivers

the opportunity to introduce reading to

their child(ren). If you have any questions.

Please give Abbey a call at the library at

505-869-9808.

Upcoming

The library will be planning programs for

children, teens and adults in the upcoming

weeks and months. Please keep your eyes

and ears open. We are excited to share our

knowledge with you. You can always check

for up-to-the-minute updates on the library’s

website, mobile app, social media, Isleta

Newsletter, and library flyers throughout

the community. All our programs are FREE

and open to the community and public.

Recap

During the month of October, B’eeh K’ooee Wellness Program in collaboration with

the library hosted a Suicide Prevention

Youth T-Shirt Contest to raise awareness

and promote positive mental health.

Participants were encouraged to design

original artwork centered around hope,

healing, and wellness. The winning design

will be featured on a B’eeh K’oo-ee Wellness

t-shirt and shared at upcoming community

events. A big thank you goes out to all

the youth artists who participated and to

everyone who continues to support suicide

prevention and mental wellness in our

community.

Library staff member Astrid hosted a fun

and festive “Guess How Many? Candy Corn”

challenge!

Patrons were invited to test

their guessing skills by estimating the

number of candy corn pieces in a jar. Each

participant had one chance to submit their

best guess, and the person who came the

closest without going over won a Halloween

themed goody basket. Congratulations to

our lucky winner, and we look forward to

more fun challenges in future programs.

Our Family Pumpkin Carving Program

took place on October 14th and was a huge

success! Families gathered to create their

own Halloween pumpkin masterpieces.

The library provided all the supplies, and

each family received up to three pumpkins

with carving tools, templates and LED

Pumpkin Carving Family Night

Program!

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Our Halloween Family Night was a fun

and festive evening here at the library!

Families gathered from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

to get creative and make something for the

spooky season. Participants enjoyed making

Pine Cone Spiders and Pine Cone Bats,

using their imaginations to crafts some

Halloween decorations. It was wonderful to

see families work together, laughing, and

showing off their unique creations. Thank

you to everyone who joined us and helped

make this Halloween Family Night such a

success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our

Halloween Mocktail Night on Thursday,

October 23rd! It was a frightfully fun

evening filled with spooky drinks, laughter,

and creative drink creations. Guests

enjoyed a variety of festive mocktails,

Halloween music, and great company in

a relaxed, adults only setting. We loved

seeing everyone’s creativity and Halloween

spirit come to life.

The After School Program has a lot of fun

activities and crafts planned for this month

and the upcoming holiday season. There is

even an Incentive Field Trip and Christmas

Party in the works. All out After School

Program students are doing an excellent job

in completing their homework and reading.

We are almost at the halfway mark of the

school year, and we can’t believe it has gone

by so fast. If you are interested in signing up

your student for our After School Program,

please give the library a call and we can let

you know if there’s any availability. If you

have any questions or concerns about this

program, please feel free to give us a call at

505-869-9808.

Halloween Family Night Program!

Pottery Demo with Pueblo Artist

Clarence Cruz (Ohkay Owingeh).

Library After School Program!

Page 15

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

NOVEMBER – 2025

Month eleven of 2025! We hope all had a

safe and fun Halloween and are now looking

forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas

which will now approach rapidly. School

breaks for Thanksgiving holiday will soon

be happening so watch out for the children

during this time.

REMEMBER VETERAN’S DAY –

NOVEMBER 11, 2025

The Isleta Police Department pays tribute

to our veterans from the Pueblo and we

thank you for your service and sacrifices to

ensure our safety and opportunities.

If you know a veteran, please take the

time to acknowledge and thank them

for their service.

IHSP TRAFFIC UNIT:

As usual, this unit will be out for traffic

violations to include speeding, seatbelt,

DWI and any other traffic violations

that contribute to unsafe travel upon the

roadways of the Pueblo. With the cooling

temperatures of fall and unpredictability of

weather, always be prepared when traveling

and make sure you have emergency

supplies if you somehow become stranded

for lengthy periods of time.

Drinking and driving is still problematic

as many feel they are okay to drive, but

remember you are responsible for those

traveling with you and those other motorists

on the roadways as well. Driving under

the influence is never acceptable so find a

designated driver. The Traffic Unit will be

conducting random checkpoints and patrol

through the end of 2025, so please ...

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!

The unit has received grant funding

allowing them to purchase car seats. Car

seat clinics and checks will be upcoming

as well so please keep an eye out for these

functions.

TIPS & REMINDERS:

Please dispose of any carseat which may

have been in a vehicle involved in a crash,

avoid purchasing a carseat at a garage sale

and check the expiration date (yes, carseats

do expire) for the seat. Knowing the history

of the seat is imperative to ensuring it is

not defective and in good order.

If you encounter a reckless or suspicious

driver, please contact the Police Department

and report it. Impaired driving, road rage,

medical emergencies can attribute to the

nature of the person driving and we are

here to ensure the roadways are safe for all

to travel.

CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES TO OUR RECENT RETIREE!

Though the retiree is furry and four-legged, Rollo Lujan, served the community and Isleta Police Department well. Rollo

was honored at his very own retirement party on October 16, 2025 and here are a few pics we would like to share:

And as is traditional for all law enforcement retirees Rollo was given his “Last Dispatch” as well. We will miss you Rollo

and thank you for your dedicated service, but enjoy your well-deserved life of retirement.

The illegal narcotics game does filter on to

Pueblo Lands and we ask everyone to be

aware of this fact. Our Pueblo participated

in a drug public service announcement

recently on one of the television stations. It

is important not to take this lightly as it is

a problem everywhere. Below is an article

published last year. Please read and take

it to heart as the illegal narcotics game is

constantly changing and adulterants are

being used in various narcotics making

them much more dangerous and lethal.

KUNM | By Daniel Montaño

Published June 20, 2024

at 5:45 PM MDT

New drugs increasing presence in New

Mexico brings even more threats to

opioid epidemic

Xylazine, often sold to veterinary offices

under the brand name Rompun from Bayer,

has been increasingly used as an adulterant

in opioids across the U.S., and an advocacy

group in Albuquerque says it has made its

way to here in the Land of Enchantment. It

carries a host of negative side-effects, some

of which can be life-threatening, or cause

the loss of a limb due to infection.

Staff with a nonprofit in Albuquerque

say they’ve seen a recent rise in the use of

a dangerous animal tranquilizer as an

adulterant in street drugs in New Mexico,

and it brings a host of potential issues to an

already deadly epidemic.

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

While xylazine, sometimes called tranq,

is regularly used in veterinary offices as a

sedative and pain reliever in animals, the

FDA says in humans it can have several

dangerous side-effects including extremely

low blood pressure, sedation, severe

withdrawal, and wounds that can become

necrotic, which is rotting human flesh.

drug usage. Instead, they often appear

“downwind” of the injection, often where a

small scrape might be.

“They’re not in a position where they work

with actual drug checking, or actual lab

confirmations,” she said. “The only reason

we have this knowledge is because of the

fact that the department of health has a

drug checking program that actually allows

us to go out into the community, collect

substances, get them confirmed.”

Ashley Charzuk with the New Mexico

Harm Reduction Collaborative said her

organization saw a sudden increase in the

drug's presence starting in mid-May.

She says the tranquilizer is being used as an

adulterant, or cutting agent, in other drugs.

“ We never see xylazine by itself, or at least

hardly ever, and here in New Mexico we’ve

never seen it alone,” she said.

When drug dealers or wholesalers are trying

to maximize profits, they will cut the main

drug of choice with a bulking product to

increase yield. They will then add another

drug, in this case xylazine, to increase the

now weaker product’s potency.

In New Mexico, Charzuk says xylazine has

only shown up in a brown powder sold as

fentanyl powder or heroin, even though the

powder contains no actual heroin.

“We usually get around five to seven samples

of that specific powder, like that brown

powder,” she said, “and I know that from

the last quarter, three out of seven samples

had xylazine”

That's a nearly 43% positive test rate.

Charzuk says the New Mexico Department

of Health first confirmed the drug's presence

in the state in samples taken in February,

though it wasn’t announced until later. The

delay was caused by an error, where the

positive test for Xylazine was missed by the

harm reduction collaborative. In response

to the positive test, the DOH distributed

xylazine testing strips to harm reduction

programs and community health offices

statewide. They're also providing additional

training and resources.

Usually people are unaware the tranquilizer

is in their supply of drugs, which can cause

them to unexpectedly pass into a deep sleep

from which they cannot be woken. This is

an especially dangerous problem for people

living on the streets.

“They often will wake up and maybe

they've been robbed, or maybe they’ve been

assaulted, or they’ve fallen asleep in an area

that is in direct sunlight and they’ve got

extreme burns,” she said.

Because of the tranquilizer's strong sedative

effects, it can complicate overdose reversal.

Even after receiving a dose of Narcan,

people will still be asleep. In those cases,

Charzuk says the best thing to do is not

to rush to another dose of Narcan, but to

confirm the victim is breathing, and if not,

to perform rescue breathing, and put them

in the recovery position.

“You add vasoconstriction to that, the

healing process is now going to be much

longer,” she said. “It’s going to be much more

difficult for oxygen to get to the wound, and

for white blood cells to get to the wound.”

Dr. Anjali Taneja, the executive director of

Casa De Salud, a harm reduction program

and medical provider in Albuquerque’s

South Valley, said xylazine wounds

generally require medical intervention to be

properly treated.

“If someone has been taking care of a wound

and it’s not getting better, that’s definitely

a sign to urgently get care, and if that’s

at an outpatient center, or if that’s in an

emergency room, I think the access to care is

really important,” Taneja said.

Charzuk agrees that the wounds are more

difficult to treat, but also says the wounds

get such a bad reputation because they

tend to be worse on people experiencing

homelessness.

She says for people living in houses, who get

the right equipment, which her organization

provides, to take proper care of the wound, it

can heal up well.

But for people living outdoors without access

to running water, or proper light, who live

in less than sterile situations…“Chances are

the wound is going to grow,” Charzuk said,

“and it’s going to need some kind of medical

help and antibiotics.

Both Charzuk and Taneja say New Mexico

is not prepared to deal with another largescale drug epidemic. Charzuk says while

providers and harm reduction advocates

knew the drug would make its way to the

land of enchantment, most thought there

was at least several more months to prepare.

Taneja says more services and a wider

range of services are necessary to fight the

encroachment of more and more dangerous

drugs.

“Our city, county, state government systems

have not put enough innovation and

infrastructure into best meeting the needs of

people who are using drugs,” Taneja said,

“and this only multiplies that effect, both

for people who are using drugs and for their

families.”

According to the U.S. Department of

Justice, Xylazine gets into the hands of drug

manufacturers, wholesalers, and dealers in

both a powder form that comes from China,

and a liquid form rerouted from veterinary

supply chains

The drug has been spreading across the

United States for over a year now according

to the DEA.

“Which means on their side with their leg

crooked and their arm crooked, so that way

they cannot turn over onto their stomach

and they cannot turn over onto their back,”

she said.

Organizations such as Bernalillo County’s

detox, the CARE campus, Presbyterian

Health Group and the Bernalillo County

Sheriff’s Office, as well as other official

sources, said they were not able to confirm

an increase in xylazine, though some of

them did confirm they had heard accounts

of its increased presence.

Xylazine constricts the blood vessels, known

as vasoconstriction, which contributes to the

wounds for which the drug is so infamous.

Charzuk says the wounds don’t necessarily

appear at injection sites, like traditional

abscesses associated with intravenous

But Charzuk says her organization, which

does direct harm-reduction work with people

using drugs, including mobile outreach to

people living on the street, is one of the only

places in the state doing the sort of testing

that can confirm xylazine’s presence.

Charzuk says her organization provides

several drug checking options, Such as

collecting samples to send out to the UNC

Chapel Hill, for more information on drug

testing contact the collaborative or the

NMDOH Harm Reduction Team.

Moreover, Charzuk says they have seen

growing incidents of xylazine wounds, and

more and more reports from people on the

streets of drug users falling into a sleep from

which they can’t be woken. They were even

able to go back and track the drug’s progress

moving south from Colorado into northern

New Mexico, and then Albuquerque.

Now that xylazine is confirmed to be here,

and shows signs of growing, Taneja says

we need to invest in ways to keep drug users

alive, so we can then get them into recovery.

After all, dead people can’t get sober.

The Isleta Police Department cares about

this community…..if you have information

regarding illegal narcotics, suspicious

activity in your neighborhood or anything

you find troubling, please do not hesitate

to contact us. You can provide information

anonymously or send the information to

Crime Stoppers.

We can make a difference if

we all work together.

The Isleta Police Department

wishes everyone a safe and

joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

Page 18

Isleta Pueblo News

Why is It Important to Know the

Names of My Medications?

Knowing the names of the medications you’re taking is very

important for your safety and overall health. Here’s why:

1.

Emergency Situations

In emergencies, it is important to know what medications

you’re on to avoid harmful interactions or duplicate

treatments.

2.

Avoid Drug Interactions

If you see different doctors or use multiple pharmacies,

knowing your medications helps prevent dangerous

drug interactions or duplication of treatments.

3.

Correct Use

Knowing the names helps you:

 Take the right medication at the right time

 Avoid Mixing up medication that may look alike

 Follow the proper instructions (e.g. take with food,

avoid alcohol)

4.

Communicate with Healthcare Providers

Doctors, MA’s, PA’s, Nurses, Pharmacists and Pharmacy

Technicians will ask what you’re taking. Knowing the

names helps you give accurate information and get the

best care.

5.

Track Side Effects or Allergies

If you have a reaction, knowing the medication name

makes it easier to figure out what caused it and avoid

it in the future

6.

Refills:

You’ll need medication names to:



Request correct refills



Verify prescriptions

7.

Empowerment

Understanding what you are putting in your body helps

you take control of your health and asked informed

questions.

If it’s overwhelming, you don’t have to memorize everything –

keeping a written or digital list of your medications (with names,

doses, and why you take them) can be just as helpful.

Early Medication Refill(s)

We know that life can be unpredictable, and there are times

when you may need to get your prescription filled earlier than

usual. Whether you’re planning a vacation or have experienced

a lost or damaged prescription, it’s important to understand our

policy to ensure a smooth and timely process.

Early refills are for chronic medications only

This policy applies exclusively to your chronic, long-term

prescription medications. Over-the counter (OTC), controlled

substances and weight loss items are not eligible for early

refills under this provision.

Two early refills per year

You are permitted a maximum of two early refills per calendar

year for chronic medications. This can be for travel or lost or

stolen medication.

After the annual limit

After you have used your two early refills for the year, you will

have two options:

Transfer: You may transfer your prescriptions to another

pharmacy. In this case, you will be responsible for any co-pay

or out-of-pocket expense.

Wait: You may wait until your next refill is due to have it filled

at IHC.

New Pharmacy Hours

As of August 11, 2025, Pharmacy hours have changed

Monday 8:00am to 5:30pm • Tuesday 8:00am to 5:30pm

Wednesday 8:00am to 5:30pm• Thursday 10:00am to 5:30pm

Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm

November 2025

November 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

Page 20

Isleta Pueblo News

November 2025