Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2026)

Volume 21 Issue 6

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

June 2026

Governor’s Report

Maguwam,

I hope this newsletter finds everyone in good

health and spirits. Wow, how the month of May

is coming to an end so quickly, it has been a busy

month. I would like to invite the community in,

“Congratulating all our 2026 Graduates from

college, high school, elementary and head start

levels.” I would also like to congratulate all our

youth in completing another school year and

advancing into the next grade level. Remember

to give thanks to your parents, grandparents,

siblings, aunts, uncles, teachers for pushing thru

this school year and achieving your goals.

We were invited to attend the Elementary

School field day on May 13th. My office and

staff participated in the event along with other

departments. It was nice to see the Elementary

school and our Head Start classes collaborate for

our youth students. They had fun with the dunk

tank, water guns, and sponges. Tribal Council

also provided a cool snow cone treat to everyone

who attended. The school also provided a delicious

lunch; hat’s off to the cooks who prepared the food!

I visited the Recreation Center on May 29th; to

join our summer youth workers for lunch and I

provided some words of wisdom to them. They

had a heavy agenda this week, but very great

trainings lined up prior to them working with our

children. I appreciate them applying themselves

to serve our community.

Notice of Public Comment Period: In 2023 the U.S.

Department of Interior issued Public Land Order

No. 7923, withdrawing approximately 336,404

acres of federal lands in an approximate ten-mile

buffer area surrounding Chaco Cultural National

Historical Park from new mineral leasing and

entry for a period of twenty (20) years. On October

30, 2025 the Bureau of Land Management

Farmington Field Office issued formal written

notice initiating a process to revoke PLO 7923 in

whole or in part. BLM will soon be issuing a Draft

Environmental Assessment (EA), which initiates

a public comment period of only 14 days. A text

alert will be issued once this comment period

opens. The Tribal Administration encourages

the public to submit comments on the draft EA

through the BLM online. Resources, including

templates and a toolkit with background on the

issue, will soon be posted online at https://www.

isletapueblo.com/tribal-community/. The Library

also has computers and internet access available

for anyone that would like assistance with

submitting public comment on this issue – even a

short comment counts.

VOTE 411 and Primary Election Voter Guide

The League of Women Voters of Central If you are registered as a Libertarian

New Mexico is providing information or Green Party member, you must

about candidates in the primary election change your registration to Republican,

in two ways.

Democratic or DTS before you will be

given a ballot. If you register DTS,

We will have an online Voter Guide

you can choose either a republican or

available at VOTE411.org on April

democratic ballot.

29 and we will have published guides

available at local libraries, community If you are not a registered voter, you

centers and senior citizen centers as will be asked to provide identification in

well as a number of local businesses order to register.

during the first week in May.

This includes

Early voting at clerk’s offices begins

•     A physical form of

on May 5 and early voting at polls

identification that is issued by

throughout the state begins on Saturday,

the federal government, a state

May 16. Election Day is June 2.

government, a federally recognized

This spring the League has published

Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or an

Voter Guides for Bernalillo and Sandoval

educational institution and that:

Counties and for Torrance and Valencia

•     Contains your name which

Counties.

should reasonably match the

We will also have PDF versions of the

name provided on the certificate of

guides available on our website at www.

registration and

lwvcnm.org

•     Contains your photograph

The guides contain information about

which should resemble you

early voting, questions and answers with

•     Contain an address that

candidates and information about who

matches the address provided for

can vote and procedures for registering

the certificate of registration or be

to vote.

accompanied by an original or copy

This is the first semi open primary

of a utility bill, bank statement,

election in New Mexico, which means

government paycheck or other

the 370,000 independent (Decline to

document issued by an educational

State) voters can choose whether to vote

institution or government, including

republican or democratic ballots.

a document issued by a federally

recognized Indian nation, tribe or

If you are registered as a member of

pueblo dated within the 90 days of

either party, you will be given a ballot

registration.

for that party. If you are registered as

an independent (Declined to State) Anyone with a question can call the

voter, you may choose to vote either the League office at (505) 884-8441. Leave a

republican or democratic ballot.

message. You will receive a return call.

Los Lunas Middle School Baseball Team

Congratulations to the LLMS Tigers Baseball, it was an awesome season

You did an amazing job. We are so proud of all of you!

Myself, along with my tribal officials would like to

extend an invitation to our community to attend

our Governor’s Feast Day on Saturday, June

20th. Mass will be held at 8am at St. Augustine

Church with festivities to follow. We hope to see

you there!

Last, I want to send my condolences to the families

of those who have lost their family members

during the month of May.

Ha-Wuh,

Eugene Jiron

Governor

Pueblo of Isleta

Pictured left to right

A. Lucero, S. Carassco, D. “Nani” Lujan, G. Lente, & D. Lujan

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for July Newsletter articles is set for Tuesday,

June 16, 2026, 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)

June 2026

June 2026

Need Legal Counsel?

Felicia L. Jojola is an Isleta tribal member

admitted to practice law in Isleta Tribal Court, as

a Spokesperson, sworn in on March 4, 2026.

Felicia L. Jojola recently served a two-year

term as Chief Judge of the Isleta Tribal Court,

appointed by then, Governor Max Zuni. She was

appointed on January 13, 2023, and served a twoyear term through January 28, 2025. Prior to her

appointment as Chief Judge, she served 5 years

10 months as an Associate Justice on the Isleta

Appellate Court, from 2017-2024. She has been

appointed four separate times by four separate

governing bodies of the Pueblo of Isleta. She has 8

years of experience in Isleta’s Judiciary.

Felicia is currently the Legal Analyst/Spokesperson

for The Law offices of Darlene Gomez.

Felicia is ready to represent you

in your case, call today!

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 505881-6401 x4097

201 Desert Willow Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031

www.Goodwillit.org

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

Job Postings

June 2026

Visit us online at http://

www.isleta.com/career-opportunities.aspx

Fax: 505-244-8232

COUNT MEMBER - 42HCTM

Albuquerque, NM

0160

$15.72 /Hour• Non-Exempt

NIGHT AGENT

Albuquerque, NM

0205

$16.79 / Hour • Non-Exempt

IT SPECIALIST I

Albuquerque, NM

1550

$21.12 / Hour• Non-Exempt

BARTENDER CART

Albuquerque, NM

0335

$10.92 / Hour • Non-Exempt

SLOTS FLOOR TECHNICIAN

Albuquerque, NM

0100

$21.12 / Hour • Non-Exempt

OFF-SITE ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

$14.42 / Hour• Non-Exempt

SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

$11.96 / Hour• Non-Exempt

BARTENDER

Albuquerque, NM

$10.92 / Hour • Non-Exempt

FOOD ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

$14.42 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$14.42 / Hour• Non-Exempt

COOK

Albuquerque, NM

$15.72 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SURVEILLANCE SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

0170

$27.35 / Hour• Non-Exempt

RESTAURANT MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

0305

$56,884.04 /Year• Exempt

ESTHETICIAN

Albuquerque, NM

0500

$15.72 / Hour• Non-Exempt

SOUS CHEF

Albuquerque, NM

00HSCF

$23.94 / Hour • Non-Exempt

SHOP CLERK

Albuquerque, NM

$14.62 /Hour• Non-Exempt

0700 Full Time - Seasonal

GROUNDSKEEPER

Albuquerque, NM

0701

$15.2 /Hour• Non-Exempt

LAUNDRY ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0230

LAKES GROUNDSKEEPER

Albuquerque, NM

0780

$15.2 / Hour • NonÆxempt

NAIL TECHNICIAN

Albuquerque, NM

0510

$14.94 / Hour • Non-Exempt

COSMETOLOGIST

Albuquerque, NM

0510

$16.79 / Hour • Non-Exempt

SPA SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

0500

$18.96 / Hour • Non-Exempt

PLAYERS CLUB REPRESENTATIVE

Albuquerque, NM

1150

LIEUTENANT

Albuquerque, NM

0180

FOOD ATTENDANT (BEVERAGE)

Albuquerque, NM

SUPERVISOR F & B

Albuquerque, NM

Bar, Beverage, Supervisor

0327

RESTAURANT MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

0315

SUPERVISOR F & B

Albuquerque, NM

$15.46 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$65,207.5 /Year• Exempt

$14.68 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$21.12 / Hour• Non-Exempt

$54,696.19 /Year• Exempt

$21.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.2 / Hour • Non-Exempt

PLUMBER III

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$27.35 / Hour. Non-exempt

$15.72 /Hour• Non-Exempt

PLUMBER II

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$23.94 / Hour • Non-Exempt

$18.76 /Hour• Non-Exempt

MAJOR APPLIANCE TECH III

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$23.94 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.46 / Hour• Non-Exempt

MAJOR APPLIANCE TECH II

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$21.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.72 / Hour• Non-Exempt

MAJOR APPLIANCE TECH I

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$18.76 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$31.35 / Hour• Non-Exempt

ENGINEERING SERVICE TECH III

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$31.35 / Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.2 /Hour• Non-Exempt

ELECTRICIAN Ill

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$31.35 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$14.42 / Hour • Non-Exempt

HVAC TECH I

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$18.76 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.72 /Hour• Non-Exempt

HVAC TECH II

Albuquerque, NM

1350

$23.94 / Hour• Non-Exempt

$15.72 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SHUTTLE DRIVER

Albuquerque, NM

0250

$15.2 / Hour • Non-Exempt

$15.2 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SLOTS SHIFT MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

0100

$65,207.5 /Year• Exempt

VALET ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0250

$14.68 /Hour• Non-Exempt

POOL ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

1365

$14.68 /Hour• Non-Exempt

CAGE CASHIER

Albuquerque, NM

0150

$15.46 /Hour• Non-Exempt

SURVEILLANCE AGENT

Albuquerque, NM

0170

$18.76 /Hour• Non-Exempt

CUSTODIAN

Albuquerque, NM

1355

HDCT

Albuquerque, NM

1355

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Albuquerque, NM

0500

STEWARD

Albuquerque, NM

0386

HDC SPECIALIST

Albuquerque, NM

0386

SUPERVISOR (Facilities)

Albuquerque, NM

1350

ROOM ATTENDANT

Albuquerque, NM

0230

FLOOR BEVERAGE SERVER

Albuquerque, NM

0390

BANQUET CAPTAIN

Albuquerque, NM

0340

CALL CENTER AGENT

Albuquerque, NM

0210

FRONT DESK AGENT

Albuquerque, NM

0205

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026

Page 5

Pueblo of Isleta Career Opportunities

Position Posting

Office Location

Closing Date

ACCOUNTANT-ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Treasury

06/04/2026

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I Truancy 06/14/2026

Position Posting

Office Location

Closing Date

POLICE OFFICER i

OPEN SPACE CERTIFIED

(2 Positions)

Police Department

Open Space

03/18/2026 or Until Filled

POLICE OFFICER II

Police Department

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

Health Services

05/11/2026

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT II

Design & Construction

Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ill

Administration

Open Until Filled

PREVENTION COORDINATOR

ANIMAL CONTROL

OFFICER II

Police Department -

Open Space

03/18/2026 or Until Filled

PROJECT MANAGER Public Works 05/25/2026

APPOINTMENT CLERK-DENTAL

Health Services

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

Public Defender

06/04/2026

ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL I

Legal

06/30/2026

ASSOCIATE JUDGE Tribal Courts 05/25/2026

RECORDS CLERK/ RECEPTIONIST

Elder Center

06/21/2026

RECREATION CENTER

AIDE/FRONT DESK

Parks & Recreation

05/17/2026

RECREATION LEAD

Parks & Recreation

12/21/2025 or Until Filled

BACKGROUND & RECORDS

SPECIALIST

Human Resources

06/21/2026

REGISTERED NURSE/

CARE COORDINATOR

Health Services

07/13/2026 or Until Filled

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES CLINICIAN

Police Department

06/15/2026

ROADWAY MAINTENANCE

WORKER IV

Transportation Services

05/19/2026

BILLING SPECIALIST

Health Services

04/28/2026 or Until Filled

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Treasury 06/04/2026

CAREGIVER

Assisted Living

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

SHIFT SUPERVISOR Assisted Living 04/23/2026

CHILD/ ADOLESCENT THERAPIST

Health Services

Open Until Filled

SOLID WASTE OPERATOR

CHILD CARE PROVIDER I

Head Start

04/13/2026 or Until Filled

SUBSTANCE ABUSE Health Services 05/10/2026

COUNSELOR

CLINICAL THERAPIST Health Services 06/04/2026

Solid Waste

05/28/2026

SUBSTITUTE Head Start 04/23/2026

COMMUNITY HEALTH MANAGER

Health Services

Open Until Filled

COMMUNITY HEALTH

REPRESENTATIVE (2 Positions)

Health Services

07/12/2026

COMMUNITY SERVICE

COORDINATOR

Tribal Courts

03/26/2026 or Until Filled

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

MANAGER (2 Positions)

Design & Construction

Open Until Filled

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation

ENGINEER Services

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

MANAGER/ PROJECT INSPECTOR

Design& Construction

Open Until Filled

TRAVEL COORDINATOR Procurement 05/14/2026

COOK I Assisted Living 06/28/2026

COOK I

Elder Center

03/09/2026 or Until Filled

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

DIVISION MANAGER

Design & Constrcution

Open Until Filled

DIABETES PROGRAM MANAGER

Health Services

Open Until Filled

DIRECTOR CLINICAL SERVICES/

CLINICAL PROVIDER

Health Services

DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

DISPATCHER I

SYP- LIFEGUARD

ASSISTANT

Parks & Recreation

05/18/2026

SYP - WEED & LITTER

Parks & Recreation

05/18/2026

TEACHER ASSISTANT Head Start 04/23/2026

TRIBAL HISTORIC

Cultural & Historic

PRESERVATION Preservation

TECHNICIAN

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

04/27/2026

UTILITY WORKER Public Works 07/12/2026

UXO HAZMAT

TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT

UXO Division

04/14/2026 or Until Filled

07/14/2026 or Until Filled

VETERAN SUPPORT

SERVICE MEMBER

Elder Center

05/18/2026

Human Resources

08/16/2026 or Until Filled

WATER/WWTP APRPRENTICE Public Works 05/06/2026

Police Department

08/05/2026

WATER/WWTP OPERATOR I-III

Public Works

05/06/2026

DISPATCHER II

Police Department

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

Department of Education

05/19/2026

FAMILY SERVICE COORDINATOR II

Head Start

06/21/2026

YOUTH /GROUP LEADER

(3 Positions)

FINANCIAL PLANNING & Treasury 06/01/2026

ANALYSIS COORDINATOR

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

Parks & Recreation

06/25/2026 or Until Filled

GRANTS & CONTRACTS Treasury 06/18/2026

COORDINATOR

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

Public Works

07/16/2026 WORKER

HOME CARE ATTENDANT

Elder Center

05/11/2026

HR GENERALIST /WIOA

&SUMMER INTERN COORDINATOR

Human Resources

06/21/202

IN-HOME SERVICE PROGRAM

MANAGER

Elder Center

05/11/2026

INTERN I (6 Positions)

Human Resources

05/05/2026

INTERN II (7 Positions)

Human Resources

05/05/2026

INTERN Ill (7 Positions)

Human Resources

05/05/2026

LABORER (2 Positions)

Public Works

06/25/2026

LAND SURVEY TECHNICIAN

Survey & Mapping

06/21/2026

LANGUAGE TEACHER

Department of Education

03/18/2026 or Until Filled

LIBRARY AIDE I Library 05/28/2026

LIFEGUARD (4 Positions)

Parks & Recreation

05/28/2026

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Health Services

07/27/2026 or Until Filled

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Health Services

01/04/2026 or UntilFilled

PC TECHNICIAN I

MIS 04/23/2026

PERSONAL CARE SERVICE AIDE

Elder Center

05/17/2026

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Health Services

01/04/2026 or Until Filled

POLICE CADET - OPEN SPACE

(2 Positions)

Police Department•·

Open Space

06/15/2026 or Until Filled

POLICE CADET

Police Department

08/12/2026 or Until Filled

POLICE DEPARTMENT

OFFICE SUPERVISOR

Police Department

07/12/2026

Page 6

B’eeh K’oo-ee Wellness Center

The Isleta Youth Wellness Program (IYWP)

concluded the Spring 2026 afterschool

program. The program hosted 24 youth ages

9-17 from February 24th through May 13th,

12 weeks of sessions. Groups were split into

two groups: 9-11 years old & 12-17 years

old. We have our upcoming Summer Session

that will include 16 youth ages 9-15. We

plan to have two interns join our program

this summer.

IYWP would like to thank our partners

for their time and support throughout

the Spring Session: The Transportation

Department, Assisted Living, Isleta Lakes,

Isleta Recreation, Department of Education,

Mountain Center, Coalition to Stop Violence

Against Native Women, and B’eeh K’oo-ee

Wellness Center.

Our youth had fun throughout the session

traveling to various locations, experiential

outings and incentive outings. IYWP was

fortunate enough to see cultural dances in

Laguna & San Felipe Pueblo. Helped clean

our Isleta community with trash pick-up,

had activities/crafts and dinner with the

elders at Assisted Living, learned how to

snowboard at Ski Santa Fe, and had fun

skating at Skate-O-Mania. Learned cultural

crafts with Tata Ignacio & Tata Richard,

practiced our swing at Topgolf, learned to

float at Isleta Recreation pool, and ended

the session cheering on the Albuquerque

Isotopes.

We have a lot planned for Summer Session

and we look forward to welcoming returning

youth as well as new youth into our future

programs. We wish you all a happy, fun,

and safe upcoming summer. For more

information about the Isleta Youth Wellness

Program, please contact us at 505-869-5475.

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

MEDIA RELEASE FOR FREE

MEALS FOR CEP

National School Lunch/Breakfast Program

School Year 2026-2027

The Isleta Elementary School announced today it will operate

the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National

School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the

2026-2027 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch

to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal

applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals.

This new approach reduces burdens for both families and

school administrators and helps ensure that students receive

nutritious meals.

For additional information please contact the following person:

Isleta Elementary School

Attention: Dr. Tamara Allison/ Principal

Isleta Elementary School

1000 Moonlight Dr. SE

Albuquerque, NM 87105

505.273.8444

Sincerely,

Christina Lujan/Head Cook

Non-discrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from

discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including

gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or

retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication

to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American

Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that

administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600

(voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)

877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a

Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be

obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any

USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to

USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone

number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in

sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR)

about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed

AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary

for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202509410; or

(2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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. 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.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 8

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Department of Education had the great

opportunity of witnessing so many students

earn their graduation achievement. It was

an honor to see smiling faces, hear joyful

laughter, witness warm hugs, and family

photo shoots. Listening to graduate stories

reminded us that each student's pathway to

graduation can look very different, and this

important endeavor requires hard work on

multiple levels. We want to congratulate the

students and families on this great triumph.

Additionally, we would like to commend all

students for completing another school year,

especially those transitioning from Head

Start to kindergarten, kinder to 1st grade,

elementary to middle school and middle to

high school. These are important milestones

and deserve to be recognized.

students in APS. Pueblo Governors were

impressed with the tremendous efforts

students made on their academic journey. Lt.

Governor Jojola presented Native American

Community Academy student, Aaron Abeita,

with his stole and certificate. https://photos.

google.com/photo/

Academic Success News

Isleta Internship Program for High

School and Adult Basic Education

On April 2, we proudly kicked off a new

round of internships for Isleta high school

students and participants in the Adult Basic

Education program. This cohort includes

14 dedicated participants who will secure

placements across a variety of departments

and organizations throughout Isleta. Over the

course of eight weeks in May and June, interns

will gain valuable hands-on experience, build

professional skills, and explore potential

career pathways while contributing to their

community. We are excited to support their

growth and look forward to the impact they

will make during this internship cycle.

College Application Reimbursement

High School Seniors, POI Department of

Education will reimburse for the cost of

college admissions applications up to $250.

Be sure to save your receipts to submit with

your application.

Higher Education Program

To access the Higher Education Scholarship

visit

https://www.isletapueblo.com/tribalprograms/educational-services/isleta-highereducation/

Higher Education Scholarship Deadline

Application Deadlines:

Fall/Full Academic Year - July 1st

Spring - November 1st

Summer - April 1st

(11:59 p.m. MST)

Supporting Deadlines:

Fall/Full Academic Year - August 31st

Spring - January 15th

Summer - May 31st

(11:59 p.m. MST)

Eligibility Requirements:

•

Must be an enrolled tribal member with

the Pueblo of Isleta Census Department

•

Must be accepted and Enrolled into

an Accredited Post-Secondary Institution.

•

Must apply for Financial Aid through

the Free Application for Federal Student

Aid (FAFSA).

Pre-K through 12 News

On May 8th Albuquerque Public Schools

Indian Education held their annual Senior

Banquet at the Isleta Resort and Casino. 1st

Lieutenant Governor Charles Jojola opened

the banquet with a powerful invocation

setting the atmosphere for both celebration

and expectation. The night celebrated the

academic excellence of Native American

Century High School launched the graduation

season for the Los Lunas Public School

district. 2nd Lieutenant Governor Rodney

Jones presented stoles to nine students.

Century High School created a ceremony

where students were able to express their

heartfelt gratitude to their friends, families,

and loved ones.

2nd Lt. Jojola attended the beautiful

ceremony Los Lunas High School hosted on

May 13th. At this ceremony the Department

of Education awarded eight students their

seals. Several of the students were awarded

their Isleta Education Tribal seal along with

their Distinguished Service-Learning seal.

One student, Isaak Sangre, earned his Tiwa

Bilingual Seal.

Valencia High School closed the robing

ceremony season for the district.

The Department of Education is proud to

announce that the following students have

earned their seals.

Isleta Education Tribal Seal

Dominic Abeita

Ava Cherino

Mariah Fuentes

Shannon Garcia

Amora Jojola

Zachary Lujan

Payton Yabeny

Ruby Lucero

Kayanna Jiron

Distinguished Service Learning

Ava Cherino

Mariah Fuentes

Shannon Garcia

Amora Jojola

Zachary Lujan

Kayanna Jiron

Tiwa Bilingual Seal

Isaak Sangre

June 2026

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 10

June 2026

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

Summer has officially arrived, and we are especially excited for our Summer

Reading Program. It's going to be a busy summer with reading, activities, crafts

and field trips. Did you know libraries are one of the coolest places to be during the

summer, literally? As the heat rises make sure and stop by the library for a good

book or check out the variety of movies and games, we have all for FREE

with your library card.

News

The library will be closed on Friday, June

19th in observance of Juneteenth. All

library media checked out on Wednesday,

June 17th will be due Monday, June

22nd. Juneteenth is a federal holiday to

commemorate the emancipation of enslaved

people in the US.

The library will be a host site for the

Summer Meal Program provided by the

Bernalillo County food program. We will

announce starting and ending dates as they

become available to us. We will be serving

breakfast and lunch for children ages 1-18

years old in the library Art Room. Breakfast

will be served from 7:45 am – 9:30 am and

lunch will be served from 11:30 am – 1:00

pm. All meals are FREE, and youth must

be present to receive a meal. If you have any

questions regarding this program, please

call the library at 505-869-9808 and speak

with a staff member

.

Summer is one of the busiest times of

the year at the library, and patrons may

experience longer wait times at the front

desk. During this season, you will also

notice more children visiting throughout

the day, as well as new summer library

staff members joining our team. We kindly

ask for your patience and understanding

as many of our new employees are still

learning, and for some, this is their very first

job experience. We apologize in advance for

any inconvenience and greatly appreciate

your support during this busy time. If you

have any questions or concerns, please feel

free to contact the library at 505-869-9808.

Family Story Time will be taking a short

break during the months of June and

July as library staff focus on the Summer

Reading Program. Story Time will return in

August and will continue every Wednesday

beginning at 10:30 a.m. Activities and

crafts will follow each session. If you have

any questions about this program, please

contact the library at 505-869-9808 and a

staff member will be happy to assist you.

Summer Resources

The library will be offering access to

Mango Languages, an interactive language

learning app and website available for

free to our community. With over 70 world

languages to explore, as well as video-based

courses in American Sign Language (ASL),

Mango Languages make it easy to learn at

your own pace. This resource is available

anytime at no cost with your library card.

For more information about this service

please call the library at 505-869-9808 and

speak with a staff member.

With Summer here we would like to remind

you about our FREE movie streaming

service called Kanopy. You will need to set

up your four-digit passcode with the library.

You may visit or call the library to create or

reset your passcode. Afterwards, you may

download the app, explore the website or

follow the link through the library mobile

app under digital resources. From there

you can start enjoying films, TV shows,

educational videos and documentaries from

the comfort of your home.

Looking for a fun and affordable way to

explore New Mexico this summer? Stop by

the library and check out a FREE Family

Pass that provides access to 16 museums

and historical sites across the Land of

Enchantment. Each pass includes up to 6

free admissions to participating locations,

including the New Mexico Museum of Space

History, National Hispanic Cultural Center,

New Mexico Museum of Natural History &

Science, and many more. Patrons may check

out the pass for one week, making it the

perfect opportunity to start planning your

summer road trips and family adventures.

Upcoming

The Summer Reading Program (SRP) will

begin on Monday June 9th. Junior Program

(morning session) will begin at 9:00am

and end at 11:30am. The Youth Program

will begin at 1:00pm and end at 4:00pm

(afternoon session). If you are interested

in signing-up for this program, please

call the library and check the status of

program availability. If Junior and Youth

programs are full, we have a waiting list.

If a child decides our program is not for

them or misses more than 5 days, they will

be dropped from our program, and we will

move onto our waiting list.

After School Program registration for the

upcoming 2026-2027 school year will be

during the last week of July and will be open

to 20 students with limited slots for Isleta,

Sundance, and Bosque Farms Elementary.

Transportation to the library will be

available for Bosque Farms Elementary

ONLY, as the other school is in walking

distance and the other having a bus stop

near the library. If you have any question

regarding our After School Program, please

give us a call and speak with a staff member

at 505-869-9808

.

The library will be mainly focusing on

the Summer Reading Program in the

upcoming months. During this time library

programs will be put on pause until our

Summer Reading Program has concluded.

We apologize for any inconvenience and

thank you for understanding. Not to worry,

library staff is always on the lookout for

new 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 well.

Recap

Summer Reading Program registration was

held on Friday, May 8th starting at 7am.

We had a total of 20 spots for the Juniors

and 24 spots for the Youth. As of right

now, our Youth Program is full, however

we do have a waiting list. There are still

spots available for the Junior Program. To

register you would still need to come into

the library to fill out a registration packet.

Junior registration will stay open until all

spots are filled. If you have any questions

or concerns about our Summer Reading

Program, please feel free to call the library

at 505-869-9808 and speak with a staff

member.

On Saturday, May 16, the Library proudly

wrapped up our final Youth Cooking Series

session in collaboration with Jan’s on 4th.

Youth participants ages 10–18 had the

opportunity to learn the basics of grilling,

just in time for summer, during a fun and

hands-on cooking experience. Throughout

the

session,

participants

practiced

grilling techniques, kitchen safety, food

preparation, and teamwork while building

confidence and creativity in the kitchen.

The energy and enthusiasm from the

youth made this final session a memorable

way to close out the series. We would like

to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of

our youth participants and families for

their continued support and participation

throughout the Youth Cooking Series. It has

been wonderful watching participants learn

new skills, try new experiences, and grow

more confident with each session. A very

special thank you goes to Jan’s on 4th for

hosting the library and generously sharing

their culinary knowledge and expertise

with our community. Their partnership,

patience, and dedication helped make

this series a meaningful and successful

experience for our youth. The library is

grateful to everyone who helped support

this program, and we look forward to

offering more engaging youth opportunities

and community partnerships in the future.

The After School Program finished their

final month of program. We would like to

thank all our students for doing such a

great job this school year and participating

in our After School Program. It has been a

pleasure to have them in our program. Until

next school year, have a great summer!

The Chess Club program wrapped up a

successful and engaging season that ran from

March 11th through May 13th. Throughout

the program, youth participants met weekly

to strengthen their chess knowledge,

practice new strategies, and improve their

gameplay through friendly competition and

hands-on learning. It was exciting to watch

each participant grow in confidence, critical

thinking, and sportsmanship over the course

of the program. One of the highlights of the

season was the opportunity for participants

to attend a tournament at Slice and Dice,

where they were able to put their skills to the

test in a fun and competitive environment.

The experience gave participants a chance

to challenge themselves, learn from other

players, and represent the program with

great enthusiasm. We would also like

to extend a special thank you to Chess

Instructor Phillip Lujan for his dedication,

patience, and commitment to helping our

youth succeed. His passion for chess and

encouragement throughout the program

made a lasting impact on all of the

June 2026

participants. Lastly, thank you to all of our

youth participants and families for being

part of this program. Your hard work,

positive attitudes, and excitement each

week helped make this Chess Club season

a great success. We are proud of everything

our participants accomplished and look

forward to seeing them continue to grow

both on and off the chessboard.

On Tuesday, May 19th, library staff

participated in an important First Aid,

CPR, and AED Training in partnership with

the Department of Education as part of our

preparation for upcoming summer youth

programs. The training was instructed by

Johnny Leyba, Training & Development

Manager/Human Resources from Isleta

Resort & Casino. During the session,

participants learned valuable life-saving

skills including basic first aid response,

CPR techniques for emergencies, and

how to properly use an AED (Automated

External Defibrillator). This hands-on

training provided staff with the knowledge

and confidence needed to help create a safe

and prepared environment for the youth

and families who will be participating in

our summer programs. We are grateful for

the opportunity to receive this training and

appreciate the Department of Education

and Johnny Leyba for sharing their time,

expertise, and support with our library

staff.

Library First Aid & CPR Training

with the Department of Education!

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Nathaniel Lujan

Asst. Editor:

Diane Abeita

Published By:

Valencia Express

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Page 12

Isleta Pueblo News

Summer Programs

June 2026

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

The wait is over, summer is officially here.

If any of us had any doubt about it, those hot

days in May made us realize that summer

is here.

during the summer, our Youth Basketball

teams are still having games on Saturdays

and our Mes’s basketball League is still

going on as well.

The department has been very busy

preparing for the summer, getting the

parks ready, hiring summer staff, getting

the training ready for the new employees,

prepping the pool, gym, fitness rooms and

building for all the kids, making sure all

the field trips are set up, prepping the

supplies and games, making last minute

arrangements with parents, etc. Our Youth

Summer Recreation Program starts on

Monday, June 1st, 2026 and runs through

Friday, July 24th, 2026. We will have

approximately 140 youth participants in

the program this summer. Please keep

in mind that our Facility (Gym, Pool,

Game Room and part of the fitness area

will be designated primarily for the Youth

participants to use from around 8am

to 4pm daily Monday through Friday.

We appreciate your cooperation and

understanding with this, but we will still

have most of our adult services going on as

usually. Please do not hesitate to contact

us about this if you have any questions.

Our Sports Section is still doing their thing

We will also have all our usually activities

going on in the Fitness Section, Sports

Section and Aquatic Center as well. For

more information about those activities

please contact our office at (505) 869-9777.

SPORTS SECTION

The Men’s Basketball League is running

smoothly, we currently have 9 very good

teams in the league this year, the games

have been good and very competitive.

If you want to come out and see some

good men’s basketball games stop by on

Wednesday evenings. The summer youth

basketball league is also in full swing right

now, their games are held on Saturdays

and we currently have 4 teams competing

in different age groups in this league as

well. The age groups for our teams are 5and 6-year-olds, 7- and 8-year-olds, 9 thru

11-year-olds and 13- and 14-year-olds.

Everything is going great for the kids, they

really seem to be picking up on the sport

really well and they are excited about

playing the games. All their games are

held here at the Recreation Center, please

come down and support our youth teams.

I’m sure they would love it and so would we!

FITNESS SECTION

Fitness at Isleta Recreation Center wants

to remind you of all the fun and exciting

things we offer to help with your health and

fitness goals. Now that summer is upon us,

there is no excuse not to be at the recreation

center and being active.

We offer the following classes HIIT, Pilates,

Spin, Tai Chi, Water Aerobics and Yoga

and we are planning new and even more

exciting classes that will peak your fitness

lifestyles.

Outdoor Boot Camp will be returning along

with Community Cardio.

Community

Cardio is a supportive group, based

on people wanting the same goals as

yourselves. What are those goals you say?

Just to be more active. How long have you

been saying, you’re going to start walking.

You’re going to start jogging. You’re going

to start running? But you don’t want to do

it alone. You don’t have too. We are here for

you. Reach out to the fitness staff (Jocelyn,

Raylen or Thomas) for more information or

guidance.

Page 14

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026

Don't Wait: Schedule Your FollowUp After Hospital or ER Visits

By Dr. Hadley Pope

Why Follow-Up Care Matters

After you leave the hospital or emergency room,

your care isn't finished. Follow-up appointments

are a critical part of your recovery and help prevent

serious complications. Studies show that patients

who see their doctor after discharge have better

outcomes, including lower risk of death and fewer

health problems.

What Can Happen Without Follow-Up?

Without proper follow-up care, you may be at higher

risk for:

- Returning to the emergency room

- Being readmitted to the hospital

- Medication errors or confusion about your

treatment plan

- Worsening of your condition

- Missing important test results

Research shows that nearly half of patients who

return to the hospital within 30 days never saw a

doctor between visits. Many of these readmissions

could have been prevented with timely follow-up

care.

Take Action: Call to Schedule

Please call 505-869-4494 on the first business

day after your hospital or ER visit to schedule

your follow-up appointment. We will do our best

to schedule you with your primary care provider.

Important: Even if hospital staff told you they

would schedule an appointment for you at Isleta

Health Center, this often doesn't happen due to

communication gaps between facilities. Don't wait

for a call—take charge of your health and call us

directly.

Your follow-up visit allows your doctor to:

- Review what happened during your hospital

stay

- Check your medications and make any

needed changes

- Answer your questions

- Monitor your recovery

- Catch problems early before they become

serious

Remember: One phone call can make a big

difference in your recovery. Call 505-869-4494

the first business day after discharge.

St. Augustine Parish

Isleta Pueblo

MISSION STATEMENT

We are a ministry of consolation at

St. Augustine Parish to offer spiritual

comfort and support to families who have

experienced the loss of a loved one. We

will continue to honor and respect our

traditional teachings.

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 15

Department of Natural Resources Update

Message from the Director

Hello, my name is Nick Padilla Jr., and I am

honored to serve as the Natural Resources

Director for the Pueblo of Isleta. As a tribal

member, my connection to the land is not only

professional, but deeply personal. My work

has focused on rangeland management,

agriculture, and natural resource stewardship,

and I bring that experience forward with a

commitment to supporting our community,

our farmers and ranchers, and the long-term

sustainability of Pueblo lands.

The Department of Natural Resources

(DNR) continues to work across several

key areas that directly affect daily life in

the Pueblo, including irrigation operations,

water quality monitoring, land stewardship,

and environmental response. As we move

further into the irrigation season, these efforts

become increasingly important, particularly

under current environmental conditions.

Irrigation, Water Supply, and Current

Conditions

Water availability and distribution remain a

central focus for the Department. Irrigation

deliveries are currently being coordinated

through a regional rotation schedule. While

there is sufficient water to meet Pueblo needs,

overall supply levels remain below what is

required to fully serve the entire system. This

requires careful coordination and responsible

water use to ensure fair and consistent

delivery across all areas.

Rotational scheduling allows water to

be distributed between divisions while

balancing system-wide demand. Under

these conditions, community members are

encouraged to prioritize essential uses

during irrigation periods. Gardens, orchards,

and new plantings should take priority, while

less time-sensitive uses, such as pasture or

alfalfa, may require longer intervals between

watering.

These conditions reflect broader drought

trends across the Southwest. Forecasts

indicate continued drought presence,

reinforcing the need for conservation and

long-term planning.

Water samples collected from Pueblo surface

waters were analyzed for markers associated

with:

•

Human sources

•

Dog

•

Ruminants (livestock and wildlife)

•

Birds

•

Horse

Initial results indicate that there are both

human and ruminant sources contributing to

fecal contamination in certain surface waters

within the Pueblo. Continued MST sampling

will occur throughout the summer and beyond

to support targeted corrective actions and

more informed water quality management

decisions.

Protecting the Bosque and Pueblo Lands

DNR has observed an increase in illegal

dumping within the Bosque and surrounding

areas. Illegal dumping damages habitat,

increases fire risk, and creates public health

concerns. Community members are strongly

encouraged to properly dispose of waste and

help protect Pueblo lands.

Fire Restrictions and Safety

Due to ongoing dry conditions and elevated

wildfire risk, Stage I Fire Restrictions are

currently in effect. These restrictions include

limitations on smoking, campfires, and a

prohibition on fireworks on Pueblo lands.

These measures are necessary to reduce

wildfire risk and protect community resources.

Improving Service Through the Work

Order System

DNR has implemented a Work Order Request

system to improve response times and service

coordination. Community members can use

the QR code provided to submit requests

related to irrigation, maintenance, or natural

resource concerns.

the meeting, please use the QR code or visit

https://bit.ly/IsletaFarmers to complete the

farming survey and share your input.

Acknowledgment of Staff

Water Quality Monitoring and Public

Safety

The Department conducts ongoing testing

of irrigation and surface water for E. coli

to help identify potential health risks and

keep the community informed of conditions.

Community members are encouraged to take

precautions when in contact with untreated

surface water.

To better understand the sources of

contamination identified through routine

testing, the Department has initiated Microbial

Source Tracking (MST) analysis using

quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

(qPCR). This advanced method allows

scientists to identify the specific origin of fecal

contamination in water samples.

qPCR functions like a molecular photocopier

with a built-in counter, enabling scientists to

replicate and measure DNA in real time. This

technology allows the Department to detect

genetic markers that are unique to specific

sources of contamination.

MST analysis can distinguish between human

and animal sources of fecal pollution—

essentially serving as a “who did it” tool for

water quality. While traditional tests indicate

that contamination is present, MST helps

explain why and where it may be coming

from.

dry weather and limited precipitation. These

conditions are placing increasing stress on

crops, soils, and overall water availability,

underscoring the importance of careful water

management and planning.

Surface water supply and demand were

reviewed using long-term Rio Grande data,

emphasizing ongoing challenges in balancing

available flows with irrigation needs. Updates

on Prior and Paramount (P&P) operations

noted that storage levels at El Vado and

Abiquiu reservoirs are below optimal targets

due to climatic conditions and bypass flows,

limiting flexibility in water deliveries. A

rotational irrigation schedule is anticipated,

with releases timed to support farmers during

peak demand periods.

Operations and maintenance updates

included ongoing irrigation infrastructure

repairs, staffing support, and budget

investments. Current projects include ditch

system improvements and an assessment

of drought relief wells to enhance reliability

during shortages.

Overall, the meeting emphasized the need

for coordination, adaptive management, and

conservation as the community prepares for

a challenging irrigation season. If you missed

Tree Removal and Hazard Response

DNR focuses its tree response efforts

on situations where trees present an

immediate safety risk to people, structures,

or infrastructure. For non-emergency tree

removal needs, community members may

need to seek private services; however, the

Department remains available to provide

guidance when possible and appreciates

your understanding as we prioritize critical

safety concerns.

Farmers Meeting Update

The Pueblo of Isleta Farmers Meeting held

on May 16, 2026, at the Isleta Golf Course

focused on current drought conditions, water

supply, and irrigation system operations.

Presentations highlighted that Isleta and

much of central New Mexico are experiencing

moderate to severe drought, with little shortterm relief expected due to continued hot,

I would like to take a moment to recognize

and thank the dedicated staff of the

Department of Natural Resources for

their hard work and commitment during

this recent leadership transition. Their

professionalism and dedication ensured

that programs continued to operate steadily

and that essential services remained in

place during a period of change. I would

also like to extend a special thank you to

Andrew Sweetman for his leadership and

for helping guide the Department through

the transition period. The continued efforts

of our staff are critical to the success of

the Department, and their work is truly

appreciated.

Moving forward

The Department of Natural Resources

remains committed to protecting and

strengthening the Pueblo’s land, water, and

natural systems. As we face ongoing drought

and environmental challenges, our success

depends on thoughtful management and the

continued cooperation of the community.

Caring for these resources is a shared

responsibility, and by working together, we

can ensure they are sustained not only for

today, but for future generations.

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026

St. Augustine

The Sacrament of Baptism

Parents are responsible for bringing their child to the Sacrament of

Baptism as soon after birth as possible. Except in case of necessity,

the church is the usual place of baptism. By definition infants are

those who have not yet reached the age of reason (7 years old)

and cannot have or profess their own faith. All others are to be

considered minors or adults, and the rites and policies of the Order

of Christian Initiation (OCIA) must be followed. In order that a child

be baptized it is necessary that the parents consent, or at least

one of them, and that there is reasonable hope that the child will

be brought up in the Catholic Faith. If the hope does not exist, the

baptism is to be delayed for a period of time so that the practice of

the faith may be encouraged. At least one parent of the child to be

baptized must be registered with St. Augustine Parish. If you are not

already registered, please do so as soon as possible.

In the Baptismal Rite, the priest asks the child’s parents this question:

“You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are

accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice

of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s

commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.

Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”

That may be a difficult question to answer, especially for first time

parents. There are so many new responsibilities with a child

that sometimes it is overwhelming to consider how to meet all

the child’s needs. Baptism of children requires special care and

understanding since a child does not know what is happening at

the Baptism. Baptism is not a one-time event; you are committing

your child to a way of life in the Catholic faith. Because our priests

have a responsibility for determining the parents’ readiness for the

celebration of the sacrament, we invite you to really reflect on what

Baptism means to you and how you will teach your child about

Jesus Christ. Contemplating your child’s Baptism will also help you

to reflect on how you are living your baptismal responsibilities in the

faith life of the Church. Some questions to ask yourself:

•

•

•

•

•

What does baptism mean to me?

Do I participate in Mass to worship God every week?

What is my involvement in the parish?

How will I grow in my faith so to pass on the faith to my

child?

What are some practical ways I will teach my child about

the Catholic faith?

Selecting Godparents for your Child –

Many times parents inquire as to whom should serve as godparents

for their child. Being a godparent is not just an honor given to a good

friend or relative. It implies that the person has a real appreciation of

the Catholic faith, a practice of the same, and a sense of responsibility

toward the child and parents. What does a sponsor do? A baptism

sponsor strives: To pray for the child regularly. To be a model of

love, care, and Christ-centered faith for the child · To encourage and

assist the child in his/her relationship with Jesus · To be a regular

presence in the life of the child · To remember the child on baptism

anniversaries and other holidays.

You are to select two Catholic Godparents, one male and one female.

No more than two godparents are permitted, and it is prohibited to

have either two male or two female godparents.

Because of the great responsibilities of a godparent, the Catholic

Church has some minimum requirements it asks of all godparents

set forth by the Code of Canon Law (Can. 873-874):

•

Be at least 16 years old.

•

Have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism,

Confirmation, and Eucharist.

•

If married, be married according to the laws of the Church;

if single, not living in cohabitation.

•

Be active in the practice of the faith and receiving the

sacraments regularly

•

Not be the father or mother of the one being baptized

Baptisms at St. Augustine Parish will be held the third and fourth

Saturday of each month beginning July 2026. Baptisms in June will

be held on Saturday June 13th and Saturday June 27th. Baptisms

are not held during Lent and Advent. It is the responsibility of the

parents to pick up registration forms from the parish office. If you

have any questions, please call the parish office, (505) 869-3398.

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

Mateo & Mychal Lucero breaking ground

in the World of Chess

We would like to congratulate Mateo

J. Lucero for winning the Scholastic

Blitz Tournament at 2026 New Mexico

K-12 Scholastic State Championship

that took place in April of 2026.

Mateo is the current reigning Blitz

Champion and has now captured the

NM State High School Championship

at the age of 16.

Mateo J. Lucero has reached a Chess

rating of 2075 which qualifies him as

a “Chess Expert” under the United

States Chess Federation. Mateo is

on the verge of becoming the first

Native American National Master in

the history of chess. Mateo will be

representing NM this summer at the

2026 US Open in Michigan.

We want to wish him good luck on his chess journey towards becoming

the first Native American National Master as he strives toward a

rating of 2200 and in with the summer tournament.

We also want to acknowledge Mateo’s younger brother Mychal J.

Lucero age 14 who tied for 2nd place with last years NM state High

School champion. Congratulations.

June 21

Page 18

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026

June 2026

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

2026 Mosquito Control

Until the end of August 2026, the Pueblo

is providing mosquito control in parks and

recreation areas only. Keep in mind there

is not a possibility we are able to kill all

mosquitos. You are strongly encouraged to continue using

insect repellent as needed when outdoors. Follow product

instructions carefully.

Mosquito Control will be on the following recreational areas

Isleta Recreation Center, Tribal Rd 40:

●

Baseball Fields, Tee Ball Fields, & Soccer Field -east of Tribal Rd 40

●

Baseball Fields, playground, and batting cage area

-- west of Tribal Rd 40

Parks:

●

Mousetown “Veterans Park,” Tribal Rd 70

●

Pickle Heights “Veterans Park,” Tribal

Rd 65

●

Jose Lawrence Jojola/Celso Montoya Park

“Church Park,” Tribal Rd 48 near NM 147

●

Chical Baseball Field

●

Corporal Robert David/Fred Zuni Park, Tribal Rd10

●

Jose Manuel Valdez Park “Ranchitos

Park,” Tribal Rd 7

●

Fitness West grassy areas, Tribal Rd 64

Head Start:

●

playground area, Sagebrush Street

Insecticide will be applied with hand sprayers in Recreation

locations, limited to grassy areas and athletic fields, plus

artificial turf at Isleta Head Start. A sign will be posted on

nearby park fencing each day an area is sprayed. The first

application is planned to take place March 27, 2026 and will

be repeated approximately every 3 weeks. People and pets

may re-enter a treated area when the treated grass or turf is

dry.

Contact Environment Department at 505-869-7565 if you

have any questions.

Page 20

Isleta Pueblo News

June 2026