From the Desk of Governor Frank Lujan

Isleta Pueblo News

Volume 7 Issue 2

From the Desk of Governor Frank Lujan

We are at the end of the month of January,

and as always the new year is full of tribal

activities, beginning with the appointment

of the traditional War Captains. This year,

the Head War Captains are Larry Lujan,

Marvin Jiron. The other War Captains are

Ray Jojola, Brian Trujillo, Abel Orozco,

Brian Jojola and Daniel Waseta, Jr.

Feburary 2012

Tribal Government Complex

My administration will work and support

the War Captains, as I have committed to

them, we will help them in carrying out

their responsibilities throughout the year.

It is important for us to work together as we

are both responsible to our people to protect

all our natural resources and our traditional

way of life. We pray to our Creator that he

give us health, that He give us wisdom and

that He guide us through the good times as

well as the bad times, guide us to prosperity

so that all our people will benefit.

What a beautiful day of dancing on All

Kings Day. My thanks go out to our War

Captains and our Spiritual leaders for their

thoughts and prayers on this day. I thank

them for the respect that they show toward

the Lincoln Canes.

I want to thank Father Bob for filling in

while Father George is away. Father Bob

celebrated Mass on January 22, with the

blessing of our Lincoln Canes.

As we begin the year, I mentioned to the

congregation at the blessing of the Canes

that we are off to a rocky start. I want to

explain what I meant. As some of you know

by now, the Tribal Council is dealing with

legal matters pertaining to Councilwomen

Diane Piegler and Regina Zuni. I thought

it’d be important for you to know the

circumstances surrounding these matters

as we have pledged to have a transparent

tribal government. As you may recall, the

tribal Council adopted a Code of Ethics

during the latter part of 2010, to be effective

in 2011, with the intent of assuring you,

that we, the elected officials and employees

of the Pueblo will conduct ourselves in

a professional manner and stay clear of

unethical conduct. The majority of the

Council strongly supported the adoption of

this code. The Tribal Council created a five

(5) member Ethics Board to hear cases of

unethical misconduct. Since its adoption,

charges have been filed in violation of this

code against Diane Piegler and Regina Zuni

by two tribal members. Councilwoman

Cynthia Jaramillo has also filed on separate

charges to the Ethics Board.

Because of these matters, Council has

had many difficult days with conducting

business as a council. Arguments have

ensued among members of the council

as discussions and/or deliberations on

tribal subject matters, especially those

dealing with ethics, have progressed. The

Tribal Council has more often than not

argued about personal matters, instead of

discussing important issues that affect the

entirety of the tribal members. It’s sad to

say that we, my Lieutenant Governors and

I, have had to stop meetings because the

Council meetings have gotten out of order.

It is also important to note that this has

been on-going since the first of last year

when Councilwomen Zuni was suspended

for ninety (90) days for a conflict she had

with representing clients in tribal court

hearings while serving on the council.

Then on August 18, 2011, Councilman

Mark Dixon was suspended for ninety (90)

days. The suspension was the result of

delinquent minutes, cited as dereliction of

duties while serving as Secretary of Council

from the previous year. Then just recently,

as mentioned above, the Board of Ethics

has scheduled hearings to determine if

charges filed against Councilwomen Piegler

and Zuni are in fact a violation of unethical

conduct and/or behavior and should they

come before the board to argue their case.

Councilwoman Piegler did not show at her

hearing on Monday, January 23, 2012,

( Continued on Page 3 )

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2012

Isleta Youth Taking the Lead to Preserve Our Culture

Hello, my name is Loraine

Padilla. I am the proud mother of

Stephanie Padilla, a remarkable

17 year old young lady who won

a casting on MTV which gave her

the opportunity to have an Epic/

Un-Wasted Weekend.

What do you think Stephanie

did? Did she board a rocket ship

and fly to the moon? Did she rent

an airplane and take her family

and friends shopping in Paris?

Did she party in Vegas with the

Kardashians? No, Stephanie

chose to have a cultural

preservation workshop for the

children of the Isleta Elementary

School.

So with MTV, the

Above the Influence campaign,

and many family and friends,

Stephanie created a fun filled

day which included sessions on

Tiwa, pottery, painting, baking

and dancing.

The workshop was on January 8th

at the Isleta Elementary School.

In attendance were about 50 of

the Isleta Elementary students

and many of their parents and

family members. Ta-ta Joe D.

Lucero gave the opening blessing

and sang some very old songs

from the days of the Hunchie Dance. The workshop then went into

a baking session presented by Bernadette Cotton, Nana Sandra

Montoya, Lena Luther and Thelma Lujan. All of the students

participated in forming the bread, shaping cookies and making

pies. The children were very creative and all of the cookies turned

out beautiful. They shaped cookies to look like animals, flowers,

hearts, gardens and even snowmen. After the baking session the

children split into three rotating sessions which consisted of Tiwa,

painting and pottery.

Tiwa was taught by Nana Barbara Trujillo. The kids really enjoyed

speaking our language, learning new words and even a song that

names our body parts. It was amazing to see them so eager to learn

and how easily they retained the different words. Painting was

taught by Gregory Analla and pottery was taught by Bernadette

Cotton. The paintings and pottery that the children made were also

very creative. The children made baskets, pots, animals, houses

and hornos. Their paintings were all very different consisting of

traditional Native American artwork, landscape scenery, animals

etc.

EVERYONE’S A LOBO!

WOOF WOOF WOOF!

The Edaakie family would like to congratulate

Mary Jane Edaakie for her outstanding work

and accomplishment in obtaining her Bachelor’s

Degree from the University of New Mexico

(University Studies: Native American Studies)

this past fall. We are proud of her hard at school,

work, and at home to complete her degree. We

thank her for her dedication to academics and for

the love and care given to our family. God Bless

you and watch over you always.

While the rotating sessions were taking place the bread, pies and

cookies were taken to the village for baking. The oven was prepared

and tended by Frances Abeita, Ramona Abeita-Terry, Mary B.

Zuni, Show-tu Zuni, Terrence Lujan and Reyannon Lente.

The closing ceremony was performed by one of Stephanie’s best

friends, Emmet Yepa and his younger siblings who performed

traditional dances from the Pueblo of Jemez. Afterwards the

children got to take home their artwork and a little bag with the

traditional baked goodies.

What a great day we all had. Many attendees, students and parents

were very complimentary and supportive of Stephanie’s passion to

preserve our beautiful culture. It’s amazing to me how one person,

17 years young, can truly make a difference. Stephanie is a senior

at the Native American Community Academy and will be in the

first graduating class at NACA this May. Stephanie has been

raised here in Isleta Pueblo and is proud to claim Isleta as home,

even though Isleta does not recognize her as a tribal member.

Stephanie is 3/8 Isleta, 1/8 Laguna descendant and ½ Hispanic.

Stephanie is my daughter and the granddaughter of Joseph and

Frances Abeita.

So youth of Isleta, I challenge you, what can you do to make a

positive difference? Please watch MTV, the week of February 7th.

Stephanie’s workshop will be aired as a commercial for the Above

the Influence campaign. Additional footage from Stephanie’s

amazing weekend will be available online at the MTV website.

Thank you to MTV and the Above the Influence campaign for

giving Stephanie this opportunity and providing all the necessary

supplies and food.

Thank you to the Pueblo of Isleta and Governor Lujan who gave

100% support. Thank you to the Isleta Pueblo Language Program,

the Isleta Elementary School, Principal JoAnn Myers and special

thanks to Paul Reichback, who was at our beck and call. Thank

you to the parents and students in attendance. I hope you were

inspired. Thank you to the Isleta Lakes, the Isleta Fun Connection,

St Augustine Church and Father George. Thank you to Ta-ta Joe

D. Lucero and Nana Barbara Trujillo.

And special thanks to our wonderful family and friends with

whom we could not have done this. We love you and will forever

be grateful for your generosity, time, support, laughter and love.

Okay, here we go: Frances and Joseph Abeita, Ramona AbeitaTerry, Bernadette Cotton, Gregg Analla, Nana Sandra Montoya,

Tata Avelino Zuni, Mary B. Zuni, Lena Luther, Thelma Lujan,

Terrence Lujan, Reyannon Lente, Jeanette and Ted Olguin Sr.,

Ted Olguin Jr., Show-tu Zuni, Mariah Montoya, Marissa Montano,

Julianna Zuni, Summer Zuni, Tomas Padilla, Cameron Jojola,

Pamela Lujan, Floripa Olguin, Emmet Yepa, Aliyah Vigil, Holly

Jose, Nick Felipe, Reed Bobroff, Marie Lente and Brianna Jojola.

February 2012

Isleta Pueblo News

( Continued from page 1, the Desk of Governor Frank Lujan )

Councilwoman Zuni’s hearing has been public venue, not write innuendos. As tribal

rescheduled for January 31, 2012. What’s officials, the voice we speak in representing

interesting is that the adoption of the our Pueblo is the voice of the Pueblo. This

Ethics Code was strongly supported by the voice will be the voice of the people and we

majority of the Council, but when the code carry that voice to all that need to hear us.

is used against tribal officials, the Code all We are constantly reminded that no one is

of a sudden becomes moot because of the without fault, we make mistakes, but we

opinion of Ms. Piegler, that the Code was not pray for forgiveness, guidance, and learn

formally submitted to the Bureau of Indian from our mistakes for a better tomorrow.

Affairs for their review and approval. This

In other news, the lawsuit, known as the

also is before the tribal courts, to determine

Unified Native American Plan, that we

the validity of the Code. The question is,

entered into concerning the NM State

was it required by the Tribal Constitution

Legislative re-districting case was won.

to submit the Code for approval by BIA as

Isleta now moves to the west in District

is required for ordinances, resolutions and/

69, joining Laguna and Acoma, going south

or other decisions?

to Alamo. Our district representative is

It is not pleasant for me to write this. As Ken Martinez. We expect Rep. Martinez

your elected officials we are responsible for to hopefully move up to the House of

the affairs of the Pueblo, and not for our Representative seat after Speaker Ben

own individual concerns. We have sworn Lujan retires. This puts Isleta in a great

to uphold our duties and responsibilities position. In the Senate, we remain in

in accordance to Tribal Constitution, and District 19, represented by Senate Majority

in doing so, we should be responsible for Leader Michael Sanchez. We have two of

our own actions. We all make mistakes, the most powerful legislators representing

but it is difficult for some to admit guilt, Isleta. I believe that we are in good shape

wrongdoing and face up to their mistakes. for the years to come. We have to thank Ms.

It is easy to take credit for all the good that Teresa Ledger of the Nordhaus Law Firm

comes with decision-making. I ask you not for doing one heck of a job in representing

to pass judgment and let the processes be us to have the Unified Native American

followed so that these matters will come to Plan passed.

a justifiable resolution. We are all afforded

The Legislature is in full session and

due process and we have rights. We will

already bills have been introduced that

let our judicial proceed and do their work.

will affect the Pueblo. House Bill 48 has

We cannot let any individual or individuals

been introduced that proposes to eliminate

divide us. Yes, we have a voice and have

the tribal gasoline tax. This tax helps us

every right to speak our peace. As tribal

pay for construction of the new Tribal

officials, we speak and voice our opinions in a

Government Complex. As you know, the

Page 3

Pueblo borrowed from the New Mexico

Finance Authority to pay for construction of

the project. We use this tax revenue to pay

on the loan. House Bill 50 which will reduce

the Tribal Infrastructure Fund (TIF) is also

up for discussion. The State of New Mexico

sets aside about 5% for the tribes. I will

be attending hearings at the round house

as I need to help kill these bills in various

committees.

Last week, the Lt. Governors and I attended

the First All-Indian Pueblo Council’s

Blessing, hosted traditionally by Santo

Domingo Pueblo. Governors remarked

that there is a need for unification of the

Pueblos that will make us stronger as we

move forward into the future. The AIPC is

recognized in Indian Country as a strong

body with influence throughout the country.

Other tribes are envious on how the AIPC

has stayed organized since its adoption in

the 1500’s. The end of the meeting was the

best part, as we all enjoyed the food that was

prepared by the women of Santo Domingo.

Please be reminded of the upcoming

deadline, February 27, 2012, for applying

for residency. We have received and have

approved many applicants. Thank you for

your quick response, your understanding,

and congratulations on your cooperation.

In closing, I pray to our Creator that He

guide us through the tough times and good

times, that he give us health, wisdom, the

knowledge that we need to help find our

way to prosperity. I ask for your forgiveness

for my faults. I ask for your prayers and

Isleta Youth Bring in the New Year With First-Ever "Youth Lock-In"

Article by Anthony Fleg, Native Health Initiative

On Saturday night most of New Mexico

waited for the clock to strike midnight to

celebrate a new beginning.

In Isleta Pueblo, a group of youth decided to

get a jump start on the festivities. In fact,

as youth began to arrive with sleeping bags

and pillows at the Isleta Recreation Center

around 4pm on New Year's Eve, it was both

a culmination of months of hard work and

planning as well as a time to begin thinking

about the year ahead.

A group who call themselves the Young

Leaders Youth Krew have been working for

four months to plan their community's firstever "Youth Lock-In" as a safe and healthy

environment for young people to bring in

the new year.

"We felt that there were not many safe

options for youth on New Year's and we

wanted to change that, said Alex Edakie

(Isleta/Zuni) proudly. A 6th grader from

Isleta Elementary, Alex said that he was

excited to see youth taking part in an event

that he and the Youth Krew had worked so

hard to plan.

The night's events began with the 27 youth

splitting up into clans, each with specific

responsibilities (e.g. cooking breakfast,

clean-up). From there, they played teambuilding games, limbo, held video game

tournaments, and played sports. I watched

as one group began a game of kickball

using a quarter of the gym, using their

imaginations to create a playing field.

Roxanne "Roxy" Lucero (Isleta), a quiet

leader of the Youth Krew had a look of

contentment on her face as she watched the

younger children playing, while she picked

the tunes to play on the sound system.

"I think we accomplished what we set out

to do, making a fun environment that is

also away from some of the dangers of

New Years," remarked the Los Lunas High

School senior. "I would rather have kids

here in a safe environment."

Greg Simpson, a fellow member of the

Youth Krew agreed, adding "I am already

wondering what this event could grow to be

next year and the year after that." One of

the things that impressed him the most was

how the group, which met every Monday

night over the previous months, grew

together with very few youth dropping out.

The Youth Krew is supported by staff at the

Isleta Behavioral Health program, one of

whom is Krystal Lucero (Isleta), a Mental

Health and Addictions Counselor. "This

is really comforting for me," she sighed,

looking at the students playing in the gym.

"I know many of these children's older

family members, so I feel that I am giving

back to people I call my family and friends."

Krystal felt that one of the important

messages from this event was to show the

larger community that youth have great

potential to work for change.

"I am really proud that they all stuck to

the commitment they made to themselves

and their friends to carry it out, to be here

tonight as a group to celebrate not only the

arrival of 2012, but to celebrate the hard

work it took to get here."

Juan Rey Abeita (Isleta/Dine'), another

adult support staff at the event, pointed out

that the dangers the youth identified were

very much real. As in many communities,

guns are shot off into the air by many in

Isleta to celebrate the New Year, and he

worries about someone getting accidentally

hit. He recalls having a streetlight burst

from a bullet a few feet away from him in a

recent New Years.

Abeita also talked about the many steps it

took to get to this special night, from eliciting

the Tribal Council's and Recreation Center's

support, to honoring the commitments

that many of the youth had to participate

in traditional dances during the holidays.

"Maybe even harder is to talk about a

message of healthy living without making

a young person who sees unhealthy habits

and addictions in the home...often, these

youth feel ashamed and do not know if they

should stand against things they see mom

and dad doing."

Isaiah Jojola (Isleta/Laguna), a 6th grader

from Isleta Elementary summed up the

sentiments of both youth and adults saying,

"I am really proud that youth took the lead

to do something like this...it makes me see

how much we can do when we put our hearts

and time into it."

What will the Youth Krew tackle as their

next challenge? Only time will tell, but their

2012 is off to a promising start.

Page 4

Medicare and Indian Elders

Isleta Pueblo News

Ron Lujan M.D.

Social Security as previously discussed by Dave Baldridge is a very

important and necessary program to understand when receiving

retirement benefits. It is closely associated with Medicare's various

parts. These parts are important for Tribal members to enroll in

to receive health care which is not available through IHS, because

IHS and Tribal clinics only provide basic clinic services.

Medicare Part A helps pay hospitals and some medical equipment

and supplies needed for patient care. It becomes available when

people who are eligible turn 65 and people under 65 who receive

SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance for more than 24 months.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient services and it requires a monthly

premium payment from patients. Currently this basic premium is

$115.00 per month and it can be deducted from monthly Social

Security payments or paid directly. Medicare Parts A and B are

considered "traditional" Medicare and are alternative resources for

IHS patients who may be referred by IHS. These referrals happen

when needed specialty services are not available at IHS.

Another type of Medicare program available to eligible Tribal

members is Part C, Medicare Advantage Plans. These Plans require

Tribal members to already have Parts A and B. Some Medicare

Advantage Plans may have no additional premium cost beyond the

Part B premium. Other Part C Plans may have an additional cost.

The final Part of Medicare is Part D which helps pay pharmacy

costs and may or may not require a monthly premium payment.

The summary above concerns Medicare as it relates to Social

Security. Native American people must continue to contribute to

Social Security and Medicare. They must also begin to understand

Social Security benefits as well as how Medicare can help with

health expenses.

For more information, please contact Roy Aragon at 1-800-9661935 or Dr. Ron Lujan MD at 505-280-3438.

Isleta Elder Center

Activities Calendar

February 2012

February 3: NM Legislature - American Indian Day - 7:30 am

February 3: "Elder" Day at Recreation Center - 9 am

February 7: Shuffleboard Practice/Lunch - Manzano Mesa

Multigenerational Center - 11 am - 4 pm

February 8: Senior Olympics Local Games Planning Meeting

12 noon

February 9: Introducing the Elder Poker Club - Elder Center

1 - 3 pm

February 10: Commodities

February 10: Elder Field Day - Hugs & Kisses Special

Luncheon & Dance, Barelas Senior Center-11 am

February 10: "Elder" Day at Recreation Center - 9 am

February 13: Johnson O'Malley Program - Valentines for

Elders - 9:30 am

February 14: Movie Matinee - "Valentine's Day" - 10 am - 12

noon

February 14: Valentine's Day Bingo - 1 pm - 3 pm

February 14: Isleta Cancer Education & Support - "Who Cares

for the Caregiver"- Patricia Torn, Cancer Support

Now - 10:30 am -moved to Health Clinic

February 15: Elder Field Day - NM Museum of Natural

History - 10 am

February 16: General Meeting - POI Natural Resources

Department - 10 am

February 17: "Elder" Day at Recreation Center

February 20: Center Closed - President's Day Holiday

February 21: Shuffleboard Practice/Lunch - Manzano Mesa

Multigenerational Center - 11 am - 4 pm

February 21: Caregiver's Training - Kiva Room - 12 noon

February 22: Ash Wednesday - Catholic Mass - 11:30 am

February 24: "Elder" Day at Recreation Center - 9 am

February 24: Birthday Celebration - 12 noon

February 28: Advisory Board Meeting - Open to the Public - 10

am - 12 noon

February 29: Commodities

ATTENTION

February 2012

Pueblo of Isleta Grazing Permittees

2012 — 2016 Grazing Permits are ready.

You can pick up your permit at the Natural Resources office

located north of the Hard Rock Casino.

Hours are: Monday — Friday 8:00 am — 4:30 pm

Any questions, call Randy Lujan 869-7566 or 710-2546.

Isleta Health Center

1-877-725-2552

24 Hour Nurse Advice Hotline

Is it an Emergency or not?

Make an appointment at the clinic

or call the ambulance?

Call Isleta’s Nurse Advice Line and

speak with a registered nurse.

Before calling an AMBULANCE or going to the

WALK IN CLINIC, call the NURSE ADVICE

LINE!!

Someone is there to answer your health-related

questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,

365 days a year.

This service is FREE for ALL Isleta Health

Center patients.

CALL THIS NUMBER

and

THEY WILL HELP YOU ANSWER ANY

HEALTH QUESTIONS!!!

Pueblo of Isleta Veterans’ Association

Next Important Meeting Will Be On Wednesday, 15

February 2012 at 6:30 PM.

We have submitted a capital outlay request to the

State Legislature for the amount of $875,000 for the

construction of a veterans’ center at our property

located in Los Charcos. The legislators sponsoring our

proposal are Alonzo Baldonado and David Chavez,

both from Valencia County. We are very hopeful that

we will receive some positive results on our proposal.

We are also involved in the following projects. A flag

pole and flag at the new Library/Education Complex, a

monetary donation to Valencia High School ROTC, and

a MIA/POW flag donation to Los Lunas High School.

Also, we are as always, an organization dedicated to

helping veterans and their families.

To join the association, you must be a veteran with an

honorable discharge and pay annual dues of $25. Any

questions, call Ulysses, Adjutant, at 307-1582.

February 2012

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

Parks & Recreation

The month of January ended with a bang and lots of activities and people utilizing the Rec. facilities. Activities taking place

ranged from “Freedom from Smoking” Meetings, to Zumba Exercise program, to a Volleyball Score Keepers Clinic, to Judo, to

the Annual College Career Day hosted by Los Lunas High School and our Higher Education program and, last but not least, we

played host site to the Los Lunas High School Swim Meet Invitational where a total of 7 High Schools were competing. Pictured

below are the many students representing the seven schools warming up for the Los Lunas High School Invitational Swim Meet

hosted by the Pueblo of Isleta. Next to them are the many visitors and spectators who were on hand to witness the swim meet.

Incidentally, the Los Lunas High Boys team took 2nd place and the Girls took 3rd place. And the next two pictures are students

preparing for their Saturday Judo class with 7th degree Black belt, Clarence Chavez.

College Career Day

Once again we were the host site for the Annual College Career Day hosted by Los Lunas High School, Ben Analla Coordinator and

Ulysses Abeita from the Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education program. As in years past there were lots of students and parents on hand

to visit with the many different Colleges, Universities plus many job opportunities and other post high school programs available

to those students once they graduate. Pictured below are College Career Coordinators Ben Analla from Los Lunas High School and

Ulysses Abeita from the Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education program. Next to them are several of our Pueblo of Isleta students who

were on hand to visit with and also a collage of pictures depicting some of the programs who were on hand for those students and

parents to visit.

( Continued on page 8 )

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2012

Title VII Indian Education

Los Lunas - Valencia High Schools

Thank you to all the students and parents that attended our annual

college/career day on January 21st at the Isleta Recreation Gym.

You got a chance to visit/talk and sign in on the colleges’ mailing

list. Several students and parents also won the door prizes that

were raffled during the fair.

Graduation for the Class of 2012 is fast approaching and some

Seniors have already start counting the days. This year’s graduation

will be held at the UNM Pit and not at the LLHS football field like

in years past. Seniors need to be aware of many concerns before

the BIG day comes. Make sure you have all the credits, and by this

you need to make an appointment with your counselor as soon as

possible.

Important Dates

12/25th, 26th, 27th Parent conferences via Advisors... Early

release

02-6 Senior Parent Night---Graduation info 6:00 pm auditorium

02-13 Seniors/Parents..Financial Aid Help---assist parents in

filling out FAFSA form 6:00 pm..Rm Computer Lab

02-13 Students enter course request into power school via

English classes in computer labs

02-20 No school, Presidents day.

2-27 Financial Aid Help—assist parents in filling out FAFSA

form,4:00-7:00, B-17 computer lab

2-27 & 3-5 AP/Pre AP Parent Night, 6:00, Library—ALL

students who register for a AP/Pre AP class must attend

one of these meetings with a parent.

VHS Important Senior Dates

May 2012

2nd

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

13th

14th

15th

17th

18th

19th

Student Performance Auditions

Senior Finals

Senior Finals

Senior Finals

Senior Finals - AP: Lit and Comp Exam

Senior Finals - AP: Euro Exam

Tentative Baccalaureate (not VHS sponsored) Gym

Decoration

Sr. grades due by 8 am - Check-out 9-12 - Robing Practice

1

AP: Bio Exam

Robing Ceremony in the gym 7 pm. Students arrive at 6

AP: Govt Exam

AP: Econ Exam

Graduation Practice 8 am Senior Celebration (TBD)

Graduation at UNM Pit at 9 am Students arrive at 8 am.

Additional Information

• Senior Parent Night On March 20, 2012, there will be an

informative meeting that will begin at 6 pm. We will cover a

number of graduation-related topics. We hope to see you and your

parents here.

• Senior Dues Your $30 senior dues need to be paid by April

2nd. Senior dues pay for graduation-related expenses, the senior

celebration, and the senior t-shirt. You can make this payment to

Jennifer Trujillo in the front office. You must show your receipt to

Amber Reno in order to ensure you get a senior t-shirt in the size

you need.

• Yearbook Senior Ads If your parents did not receive a letter

in the mail regarding purchasing a senior ad and are interested,

see Mrs. Graham for more information.

Counselor’s Information

All students who wish to graduate in May and receive a diploma

must fulfill all their graduation requirements without exception.

If anything is missing, the next chance to graduate will be at the

end of Summer School (If parents are not on the Parent Portal

contact Esther or me asap). This means that you must pass the

current required classes that you are taking as well any complete

any Credit Recovery that is necessary well in advance of the

Graduation Ceremony, so that the names are accurately printed

on the graduation and award programs.

3-1

LLMS 8th grade registration at LLMS

3-12 to 16 Spring break..no school

3-26 SBA Test—info will be forthcoming

March 31, (Saturday) Annual LLHS-VHS Seniors/Parents/

Grandparents & Staff POWWOW, ISLETA PUEBLO

RECREATION GYM.

April 6th & 9th Spring break, no school

April 16th - Thursday, May 17th MAP testing via English &

Math classes

4-28 Prom, Hard Rock Hotel

4-30 Academic Letter, 6;30..gym

May 13, Sunday Graduating Native American Seniors/Mothers/

Grandparents Mass for LLHS-Valencia

High Schools..10:00 am (cap & gown)

May 14th & 15th Senior Finals..

May 15th Senior Count Down...2:25, Soccer Field

May 16th Senior checkout..8:00-11:00, cafeteria

May 17th Senior Honors Program, 5:30..gym

May 18th Graduation Parctice, 8:00, am/Senior Fun Day at

Cliffs Amusement Park!!

May 19th GRADUATION, 1:00 pm @ UNM Pit.

MAY 22, &23 Finals for grades 9 through 11.

May 23rd Last day of school

***May 24/25 Snow day make-up..IF NECESSARY

Please feel free to call the Title VII Indian Education office at

LLHS, 865-4646 x6145 or Valencia HS , 565-8755 x 6232.

Mr. Analla

All seniors should apply to at least one New Mexico college as a

backup plan even if you are not sure if you are going to attend

college or not. Because the Bridge/Lottery scholarship is only given

to students who go to college in New Mexico, right away in the Fall,

seniors and their parents will want to take this opportunity for

free tuition money seriously and make sure that once it is awarded

they do not lose it. It is best to apply to the college or colleges of

choice online. Then have our registrar, Kim Griego, send your

transcript and test scores to the college of your choice (If you have

questions about applying or testing, please contact me asap). If you

are thinking about going to both UNM and UNMVC, apply and get

accepted at UNM first or they will not consider your application

once they see that you are accepted at UNMVC. If you are planning

on attending both UNMVC and UNM or both UNM and CNM, you

must have a consortium agreement on file with both schools. Also,

keep a copy of all correspondence and emails with the colleges.

Find the contact information for both the admissions office and the

financial aid office at the colleges of your choice and do not hesitate

to ask them questions such as what else is needed, what else would

be wise to do, what is required to keep the Lottery Scholarship, etc.

All seniors and their parents should submit the FAFSA to get into

the federal and the college financial aid systems. Both the student

and the parents will need PIN numbers which will follow them

throughout their college careers; so keep them in a safe place.

Undocumented students and parents should not apply online but

instead fill out the paper versions and give them directly to the New

Mexico college financial aid offices. We will be helping students and

their parents fill out the FAFSA and also signing up for a raffle for

a GearUp Scholarship on February 27 and 29 starting at 4:00pm

in Rooms 405 and 407. More scholarship and college information is

available at our website. Go to “llschools.net” open the Valencia High

School page. Then click on “counseling” on the left hand column.

Seniors who are taking AP classes need to make sure that they

have those AP exams dates and times on their calendars. GearUp

will pay for the exams except for a 5 dollar registration fee if you

do not qualify for a fee waiver. We will go over this on Feb. 6 and

February 13 in the library starting at 6:00pm.

Peter Scherer, Licensed School Counselor

Valencia High School 320-412

Seniors AP, AVID and GearUp

565-8755 ext. 6209 pscherer@llschools.net

February 2012

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

PUEBLO OF ISLETA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Happy Tax Season, People of the Island! Hopefully, you all get the tax return

that you’ve been waiting for and don’t forget to get that special person in your life

a little something for Valentine’s Day. Remember, the Government wants you to

help keep the economy in motion. With that said, let’s get down to the “Brass Tax”

of things here at the library.

NEWS

The library would like to take this time to Thank all thirtyeight applicants who applied for our one Full-Time Library

Aide Position. I know the majority of you who applied were

not granted an interview but in order for this process not

to last longer than it should, cuts were made based on the

information on the applications. After the first two cuts,

ten individuals were granted interviews in hopes of making

it past the third cut. Many of the interviewees had great

ideas for the library and I honestly wish I had more than

one position available, but that was not the case and could

only choose one person. Those of you still looking for a job,

please keep trying and if there is any way the library can

help, please do not hesitate to ask for help.

Every year about this time, the library accepts five individuals

who have knowledge about the library and it services, to

serve on its Library Board. The library is required to have

a Library Board in order to continue receiving funding

from the New Mexico State Library. Board members

will meet quarterly to discuss library policies, library

material, challenged material, help with programming, and

fundraising. You will be the liaison for the library to the

community and also the liaison for the community to the

library. If you should be interested in becoming a library

board member, please come on in and speak with Nathaniel

Lujan.

During the month of February, the Library will CLOSE on

two days. The first day will be Thursday, February 2nd

for Library Legislation Day at the Round House in Santa

Fe. This is when the library staff meets with the Pueblo’s

Legislators to remind them to continue supporting our

Library and the other various libraries throughout New

Mexico. The second day we shall be CLOSED is Monday,

February 20th which is President’s Day and also happens to

be a National Holiday.

Also, in the month of February the library will be the host

of three AmeriCorp volunteers who will assist us with

programs, tutoring, surveys, and story times. I ask that you

be patient with them as they will be learning the ins and

outs of the library profession from a program perspective.

Please, keep in mind these individuals are volunteers so

their duties at the library will be limited. We should be

getting them sometime in the first two weeks of February.

UPCOMING

During the 7th through 9th the library will be conducting

some Valentine’s Day Crafts from 4:30 to 5:30pm. At this

time, craft ideas are still being discussed, but be sure to keep

a lookout for our flyers posted throughout the community

right now as you are reading this article.

On March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and we plan on

celebrating his birthday with three days of activities based

around his book, The Lorax. Since, The Lorax is a long book/

story, we will break it into three fifteen minutes sessions

which will be ready each day of the program. Last year’s

Dr. Seuss Birthday program was on the book, Oh, the Places

You’ll Go, and was very eventful and fun. We hope that you

will join us again this year.

We are currently discussing a Willie Wonka/Charlie and the

Chocolate Factory book reading club/program to conduct

with the students who may be interested in the program.

As of right now, the program is tentatively scheduled for

Spring Break (March 12-16) but there is a good chance the

dates may change.

The Hip Hop Music Program will be starting up again in

the very near future, so please look for our flyers and read

our post on the library’s facebook page at www.facebook.

com/IsletaPuebloLibrary for the latest news concerning this

program.

In coalition to the Hip Hop Music Program, the library

along with Ungelbah Daniel-Davila will be conducting

its first ever film editing program. This program’s main

objective is to make a documentary on the Hip Hop Music

Program. People involved in the program will learn basic

film capturing skills, interview skills, and film editing

skills. The end result will be a filming of their documentary

at the library when the program comes to an end. If you

or someone you know is interested in this program, please

contact the library. Again, this will be in coalition with the

Hip Hop Music Program so a start has not been determined

at the moment, but look for it to start soon. Once again,

look for program flyers posted throughout the community

and check the latest news concerning the program on our

facebook page at www.facebook.com/IsletaPuebloLibrary.

On Wednesday, April 4th the library, in collaboration

with the people at the, Magic and Juggling Shop (www.

magicandjuggling.com), will be kicking off the Social

Service’s Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month

with a Magic Show for families to attend in hopes of helping

Child Abuse Disappear. The Magic show will be around

forty-five minutes long and will most likely start at 5:30pm

so parents and guardians may pick up their children so they

may attend the Magic Show as a family. So, plan on being

amazed and dumbfounded in the name of good fun while

being educated.

RECAP

Not much happened in the month of January besides

interviews and the cataloging of new library material (Books,

Blu-Rays, DVDs, and CDs).

At this time the Library would like to thank the following

Departments for donating some of its furniture to the library.

The caring Departments are: Treasury, Procurement, Realty,

Planning, Police Department, Tribal Courts and Records.

The furniture has made a big difference in the library and

the patrons are very grateful and excited because in their

eyes the library is slowly coming together.

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

PUBLIC LIBRARY INFO:

Physical & Mailing Address:

950 Moon Light Drive

Albuquerque, NM 87105

Phone: (505) 924.3192

Fax: (505) 869.8119

Email: poi02002@isletapueblo.com

Web: www.isletapueblo.com/library2.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IsletaPuebloLibrary

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2012

( Continued from page 5, Parks and Recreation )

Zumba

Basketball Program

As most of you are aware we now have Zumba Exercise programs

every Tuesday and Thursday featuring two of the Salvador

sisters, Rachel and Natalie. The cost is only $3.00 per class.

Over at Old Rec. classes are being offered by Caroline Dailey

free of charge on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings

at 5:30 am. Also beginning on February 4th we will begin a

new Aqua Zumba Class with Paparazzi Dance Instructor Ada

Kiehne every Saturday at 12 noon here at our Pueblo of Isleta

Swimming Pool. This type of class will really be great for those

who have problems with their knees and joints. What do you

say, come and join one of the many programs we are offering

to combat obesity and diabetes that is so prevalent in many

of our Indian communities throughout the country. Let us be

one Native Community that is doing something to beat the

odds and showing that we can put these diseases in check by

exercising, eating healthier and cutting back on sugars and

sodas.

Finally, after several cancellations because several of our

surrounding Pueblos, inclusive of our own Pueblo of Isleta, being

busy with traditional ceremonies, the basketball season is officially

off and running. The weekend of January 20th and 21st all our

teams had games at the Pueblo of Laguna on Friday the 20th

and at the Pueblo of San Felipe on Saturday the 21st. All of our

teams did well and more importantly were happy to finally play

competitive games against teams in our SPA League. In next

month’s newsletter we will feature pictures of all the players

prior to the SPA Tournament that we will be hosting here at

the Pueblo of Isleta.

Park Management

Now that it is beginning to get a little warmer you will begin

to see our Park Management crew out fertilizing our parks,

playgrounds and baseball fields along with stepping up our

watering program. We recently purchased several thousand

yards of compost fertilizer that will insure that by the time our

first Little League game is played, we will have beautiful green

grass to play on. Although Spring doesn’t officially begin until

March 20th we here in the Southwest experience much milder

winters compared to most cities throughout the country and our

crew is ready to be the first to showcase our beautiful parks,

playgrounds and especially our baseball fields once League

play begins. Don’t forget registration for Little League/Softball

is ongoing and if you are interested in your children playing,

please contact Virgil Lucero at 507-6912 as soon as possible.

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS

A Hunter’s Education Class has been scheduled for

Isleta Pueblo at the Isleta Health Center.

New Mexico Law requires that anyone under the age

of 18 must complete a hunter education class before

purchasing a hunting license or applying for a

hunt through the public draw.

ONLINE REGISTRATION BEGINS:

February 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM

CLASS DATE: March 10, 2012

You must obtain a Customer ID Number (CIN) from

the NM Game and Fish Website to register for

a Hunter Education course. To Obtain your CIN and to

register for the class, log onto the following website:

https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us

Contact: Vernon Abeita or Virgil Lucero

@ 505-269-8886 or 505-507-6912.

Class Tines: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (both days)

February 2012

Isleta Pueblo News

REDUCE YOUR RISK

Want to Teach your Kids

about Cancer?

Get Smart. Get Fit.

Get Checked.

Isleta Health Center,

Health Educator:

Stephanie Barela 869-4479

lsleta Health Center, Health Educator:

Stephanie Barela 869-4479

(Information from the "Guide to Preventable Cancers")

The key to leading a long healthy life is to get smart, get

fit and get checked! We can all play a part in reducing our risk

for cancer by choosing a healthy lifestyle that avoids commercial

tobacco and includes healthy food choices, exercise, and protection

against too much sun, moderate alcohol consumption and regular

cancer screenings. Learn about ways to PREVENT OR REDUCE

YOUR RISK FOR CANCER in this section in the Newsletter.

Breast Cancer

"Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among Native American

women and it is often diagnosed at later stages, making a cure or longterm survival with good quality of life less likely. Regular screening

for breast cancer increases the likelihood of early diagnosis and

survival...If found early and treated before it spreads, the five-year

survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent." (Guide to Preventable

Cancers, Prevent Cancer Foundation, pg 8, 2009)

Page 9

Does someone you know have cancer and you

want to teach your kids about it so they are not so

confused and scared? CALL ME, the Isleta Health

Center Health Educator (869-4479) and I will give

you a Family Cancer Resource Bag, which comes

with brochures and booklets on cancer and four

children/youth books on cancer. The more you learn

and the more you educate your kids, the less scary it

is.

SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF YOUR FAMILY

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON CANCER AND

REDUCE YOUR RISK!

RISK FACTORS

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Family history of breast cancer (risk increases with

diagnoses of several close relatives or diagnoses before age

50)

Family history of ovarian cancer

Genetic Mutations (BRCA-1, BRCA-2 or others)

Increasing age, most breast cancers are diagnosed with

women over 40

Menstrual periods starting before age 12 or menopause

after age 55

Obesity or sedentary lifestyle

Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and

progesterone

Exposure to breasts to previous radiation therapy

Previous breast cancer in one breast

Education and support with a

speaker/topic scheduled

for each meeting.

RISK REDUCUTION AND EARLY DETECTION

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

If you have babies, breastfeed them

Limit your alcohol intake to one drink a day for women and

two a day for men

Be physically active and exercise regularly

Maintain a healthy body weight (Call Isleta Diabetes

Programs 869-4595) for help.

Age 20-39, have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health

care provider every 3 years.

At age 40, begin an annual CBE and an annual

mammography.

If you are at high risk, talk to provider about doing it

younger.

Family history of breast cancer? Discuss genetic testing

with a genetic counselor

Do a monthly breast self-exam to learn what is normal for

your breasts and if you see a change, contact your provider

right away.

WHEN:

February 14, 2012

TIME:

10:30am to Noon

PLACE:

ISLETA HEALTH CENTER

(Small Conference Room)

NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION

SPEAKER:

“Who Cares for the Caregiver?”

Patricia Torn, Cancer Support Now

SYMPTOMS — you should not wait for symptoms, get screened

before then!

o A lump, mass or thickening of the breast

o A lump in the underarm area

o Change in the size or shape of your breast

o Nipple pain, tenderness or discharge (including bleeding)

o Nipple turning inward or inverted

o Change in skin color or texture, dimpling, puckering or

redness

o Breast that feels warm or swollen

TREATMENT- depends on the type and the stage of the breast

cancer

o Most common is surgery to remove the cancer itself

(lumpectomy) combined with radiation. Other therapies are

chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Please contact Stephanie Barela @ 869-4479

if you have questions.

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Page 10

—WIC NOTES—

Let's face it...sooner or later most of us

suffer with constipation. The definition of

constipation is infrequent bowel movements

or difficult passage of stools. Constipation is

a common gastrointestinal problem.

What is considered normal when it comes

to bowel movements? What's considered

normal varies widely. In general, however,

you're probably experiencing constipation

if you pass fewer than three stools a week,

and your stools are hard and dry.

Fortunately, most cases of constipation are

temporary. Simple lifestyle changes, such

as getting more exercise, drinking more

fluids and eating a high-fiber diet, can go

a long way toward alleviating constipation.

Constipation may also be treated with overthe-counter laxatives.

Constipation most commonly occurs when

waste or stool moves too slowly through

the digestive tract, causing it to become

hard and dry. In the large intestine (colon),

most of the water and salt are reabsorbed

because they're essential for many of your

body's functions.

However, when there is not enough fluid or

fiber-rich food in your diet — or if the colon's

muscle contractions are slow — the stool

hardens, dries and passes through your

colon too slowly. This causes constipation.

A number of factors can cause this

intestinal slowdown, including:

• Inadequate fluid intake or

dehydration

• Inadequate amounts of fiber in your

diet

• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel

movement or delaying until later

• Lack of physical activity (especially

in older adults)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Changes in lifestyle or routine,

including pregnancy, aging and travel

• Illness

• Frequent use or misuse of laxatives

• Specific diseases, such as stroke,

diabetes, thyroid disease and

Parkinson's disease

• Problems with the colon and

rectum, such as intestinal obstruction

or diverticulosis

• Certain medications, including pain

medications, diuretics and those used

to treat Parkinson's disease, high blood

pressure and depression

• Hormonal disturbances, such as an

underactive thyroid gland

• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids,

which can produce a spasm of the anal

sphincter muscle

• Loss of body salts through vomiting

or diarrhea

• Injuries to the spinal cord, which

can affect the nerves that lead to and

from the intestine

In rare cases, constipation may signal

more serious medical conditions, such as

colorectal cancer, hormonal disturbances

Isleta Pueblo News

or autoimmune diseases. In children,

constipation might indicate Hirschsprung's

disease, a congenital condition that results

from missing nerve cells in the colon.

Children may also become constipated if

they are afraid of or unwilling to use the

toilet. Talk with us at the WIC office for

helpful hints on toilet training your child.

Risk factors

• An older adult

• Not physically active

• Confined to bed

• Eating a diet that's low in fiber

• Not getting adequate fluids

• Taking

certain

medications,

including sedatives, narcotics or certain

medications to lower blood pressure

• Undergoing chemotherapy

Women are more frequently affected by

constipation than men, and children more

than adults.

If you're pregnant, you may have bouts of

constipation because of hormonal changes.

Later in your pregnancy, pressure on your

intestines from your expanding uterus also

can cause constipation. Talk with us at the

WIC office if you are experience constipation

during your pregnancy.

Complications

If it persists, and especially if straining

results,

you

may

develop

certain

complications:

• Hemorrhoids or cracks (fissures) in

your anus may result when hard stool

stretches the sphincter muscle.

• Fecal impaction occurs when you

accumulate a mass of hardened stool

that can’t be eliminated by a normal

bowel movement. You may need to have

impacted stool removed manually.

• Rectal prolapse occurs when a small

amount of rectal tissue pushes out

through the anus. This condition may

February 2012

lead to a secretion of mucus from the

anus.

• Lazy bowel syndrome may occur if

you use laxatives frequently, causing

your bowels to become dependent on

them for proper function. Laxative

use can also lead to other problems,

including poor absorption of vitamins

and other nutrients and damage to

your intestinal tract.

When to see a doctor

Although constipation may be bothersome,

it’s usually not serious. However,

chronic ongoing constipation may lead

to complications or be a sign of a serious

underlying disorder.

See your doctor if you experience an

unexplained onset of constipation or change

in bowel habits or if symptoms are severe

and last longer than three weeks. Also seek

medical care if you experience any of the

following signs or symptoms, which might

indicate a more serious health problem:

• Bowel movements occurring more

than three days apart, despite corrective

changes in diet or exercise

• Intense abdominal pain

• Blood in your stool

• Constipation that alternates with

diarrhea

• Rectal pain

• Thin, pencil-like stools

• Unexplained weight loss

Constipation can be extremely bothersome.

If you or your child is experiencing

constipation you should increase fluids

(primarily water) and foods high in fiber,

e.g. whole grains and fruits/vegetables. If

symptoms continue, talk with your health

professional.

Heidi Lanes, WIC Nutrition Coordinator

HEALTH BEAT

CANCER 101

March 3, 2012 9-4pm

at the Isleta Eagle Golf Course Club House

REGISTER NOW!!! CALL 869-4479!!!

Health Educator: Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

Feel like you keep hearing more and more about cancer in the Isleta Community? Want to learn

more about what cancer is; how you can reduce your risk and if cancer is really increasing here

in Isleta?

Come to CANCER 101 at the Isleta Eagle Golf Course Club House at 9am on March 3rd, 2012 to

ANSWER these questions and learn more about CANCER. There will be speakers from several

Cancer organizations, door prizes, T-shirts for the 1st 100 people to register and breakfast, snacks

and lunch served to all PRE-REGISTERED Participants! Please call 869-4479 before February

15, 2012 to PRE-REGISTER and SAVE YOUR SPOT!! You can also Pre-Register with Ben

Analla or any of the School Councilors at Los Lunas High School and Valencia High School.

Participants must be 16 years old or older and from the Isleta Community.

REGISTER NOW and TAKE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS

TO THIS PROGAM and TOGETHER LEARN HOW YOU

CAN

REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER IN YOUR FAMILY!

February 2012

Cacique Members

From Ranchitos Mayordomos:

Kenneth Jojola and Michael Lucero

Construction of the cacique ditch is currently

in progress. We hope that all the major repairs

are completed prior to release of the water in

April. Any members having problems with

their turn outs should call Mr. Cody Walker,

Water Quality Specialist at 220-4595. Prior

to calling, you need to clean out your turnout.

Keep in mind that if your turnout is not

cleaned, no work can be done. The Contractor

is not responsible to clean out turnouts.

Be aware of the changes that have been passed

by the Cacique Members and the Cacique

Committee:

1. Fees for No Show/No Worker at the

time of any cleaning or burning has been

changed from $20.00 to $60.00 per day. If

more than one day is needed to complete

the work, there will be an additional day

of pay added to the delinquent fine.

2. The Mayordomo’s pay was increased

form $200 to $500.

3. We have a budget of less than $1000

and people who owe is close to $20,000.

If we collected this money from the Cacique

members, we would not have to rely on the

Pueblo for financial assistance.

4. We are continuing to meet with the

attorney so that we can to make changes

to our by-laws. We anticipate developing

a plan that will help us collect delinquent

fines, whether it be through tribal court

action or other means.

We are still encountering unknown irrigators

and land owners who are not listed in our

district. We are losing members but our water

usage has increased.

As a reminder:

• Irrigators from the opening of the Dam

to the Peralta Main are to irrigate on

Mondays – Wednesdays.

• Irrigators from the Peralta Main to the

Otero Lateral are to irrigate on Thursdays

– Saturdays.

• Sundays are considered open. This has

been a problem throughout the irrigation

season because people upstream are

irrigating at anytime it is convenient for

them with no consideration for irrigators

downstream.

The Mayordomos for the Year 2012 are:

Village - Joe Pat Padilla

Ranchitos - Kenneth Jojola & Michael

Lucero

Chical – Douglas Jiron & Larry Jaramillo

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor: Ulysses Abeita

Asst. Editor: Beverly Piro

Published By:

Valencia Express

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Page 12

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2012