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

Volume 20 Issue 7

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

July 2025

Governor’s Report

Maguwam,

I hope all is well with everyone in our

community, I hope everyone is in good

health and spirits. Whew, it is hot outside

with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. I

want remind everyone to hydrate and make

sure you are drinking plenty of water. I

would like to again, remind everyone to

be safe during this summer season. Keep

a look out for one and another and talk to

someone when you are having a hard time,

we as a community are here for everyone.

I would like to take a moment to honor

our late former Governor Max Zuni, he

passed at his home on June 11th as he was

battling cancer. Governor Zuni retired from

Honeywell is 2003. Shortly, after retirement

he was appointed 1st Lt. Governor in 2005,

while he served with Jose R. Benavidez,

Governor Zuni dedicated himself to the

Pueblo of Isleta for many years after

his first term in office. We will forever

remember him as the Governor with his

sense of humor, and his offerings of candy.

He will forever hold a memory in our hearts

and as he would say, “I want everyone to be

happy”!

At the tail end of May, Lieutenant Governor

Jojola and I participated in a tribal

consultation session hosted at SIPI. We

provided comments on behalf of the Pueblo

advocating against federal funding cuts

and in favor of hiring more BIE staff. The

Pueblo will be submitting detailed written

comments in early July.

On June 10th and 11th Lieutenant Governor

Jojola and I attended the 2025 State

Tribal Leaders Summit & Governmentto-Government Indian Education Summit

alongside DOE. The discussions were

productive and the New Mexico Public

Education Department was receptive to

the Tribes’ asks for continued support

for culturally responsive education and

services and programming that supports

student success.

Later this month I will be meeting with Terry

Sloan, Intergovernmental Tribal Liaison

and staff from the City of Albuquerque. I

look forward to discussing issues of mutual

concern with the City.

I would like to introduce M. Rodney

Jones our 2nd Lt. Governor to serve our

community. We are happy he has accepted

this role; he is a former POI employee who

served as Chief Judge for a 2-year term. He

comes to us with many years of experience

and we are excited to see great things

happen for our community.

I would like to thank everyone who assisted

with the preparations for our Governor’s

Feast celebrated on June 21, 2025. A special

thank you to our families, friends and our

POI departments who came together for

us. Ha-wuh! I would like to also remind

everyone of our upcoming Feast Day-St.

Kateri Tekakwitha on July 14, 2025. 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 June.

Ha-Wuh,

Eugene Jiron

Governor

Pueblo of Isleta

Cochiti Apple

On Isleta Earth day, Shi-Whif-Tui’ was

fortunate to have been gifted thirty-five

apple tree saplings from Cochiti Pueblo.

Their journey to Isleta began after a

conversation I had with Kirsten Cuevas,

a Healthy Soil Expert and employee of

the Pueblo of Cochiti. Excitedly I, now the

second Lt. Governor, explained my mission

to propagate cuttings from what I believed

was a wild apple tree in our Bosque. My

efforts were inspired by Fee-oh (Herman

Lente), a friend and colleague, who told

me stories about picking apples from the

Bosque during his childhood. He recollected

traveling with his family on horse and

wagon to collect firewood in the winter,

plucking sweet red apples along the way.

A few weeks after our talk, Kirsten called

me back to put me in contact with Cochiti

Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

director, Earl Conway. I met with Earl and

he explained how Cochiti had reclaimed

a portion of their ancestral lands that

included the Dixon Apple orchards. He and

his team were in the process of propagating

some of the orchard’s original trees and he

said they would likely be able to give some

to our Pueblo in the coming weeks.

I reached out to Governor Jiron who then

pointed me to Bosque Restoration Manager,

Te-de’ (Marcelino Zuni), with whom I shared

my vision of repopulating the Bosque with

apple trees. Te-de’ exclaimed “I’m all in”.

We started to discuss obstacles we would

have to contend with, but then he stopped

and said, “let’s just make it happen”.

We then linked up with Los Lunas Schools

Native American Liaison, Llur-pa-whew

(Tinesha Howard) who coordinated a

group of students belonging to the Tribal

Exchange for Food Sovereignty (TEFS).

Isleta Youth Council Chair Llur-pa-thlu

also joined in on our project. Once our team

was established, a date was set to move

forward with this exciting endeavor.

When the day to plant the saplings arrived,

we were blessed to be in the company

of Former Cochiti Pueblo Pete Herrera,

eight TEFS students, representatives

from the Isleta Youth Council, and Tede’s Bosque restoration crew. Kristen was

onsite to give the green light for the spot’s

soil and moisture content. Pete and Earl

were present to demonstrate how to dig

holes, trim roots and plant our new trees.

Our eager young people then got to work.

In total, twenty-five Cochiti apple trees

(Dixon) and ten Honey Crisp apple trees

made it into the ground in an hour and a

half. It was a wonderful experience. Later

that day I received a text from Kirsten that

read, “thank you today was a good day for

my soul.”

Thank you for all entities that made this

happen for our people here in Tui’. With

our Great Spirits Blessings, these trees will

grow and produce fruit for you and future

generations. Special BIG SHOUT OUT

to Kirsten Cuevas from Sublime Farms

in Valencia County who shared my vision

with Cochiti and made this happen.

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for August Newsletter articles is set for

Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 4:30 pm. Articles may be

dropped off at the Library or emailed to Nathaniel.Lujan@

isletapueblo.com. Should you email your article, expect a

confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation

email, odds are it never made it to me and then it’s time to

panic, so call Nate at 505.869.9808.

People who wish to submit an article or flyer are responsible

for generating their own article or flyer. Should you need

help, please call the Library at 505.869.9808 and set up a

date and time to sit down with a Library staff member who

will help you throughout the process. The Library will NOT

accept notes dropped off at the Library or information over

the phone to generate your article.

PROBATES need to be published in the Newsletter for

two consecutive months. Probates are considered court

documents, therefore, all submitters must provide: 1)

Name of Deceased, 2) Date of Deceased 3) Court Case #

and 4) Date of Court Date. A Probate form can be found on

the Newsletter Archive page at http://www.isletapueblo.

com/newsletters.html .

CLASSIFIED ADS: The new administration has requested

that the Newsletter start a Classified Ad section for Tribal

members selling land, houses, mobile homes, vehicles, and

farm equipment. Leasing of houses and mobile homes will

be accepted. Smaller items which can be sold at the local

flea markets or weekly yard sales will NOT be accepted.

Currently, this service is FREE to Tribal members. Land,

houses, and mobile homes must be within the reservation

boundaries. Ads must meet the 160 character limit. Ads

that exceed the 160 characters will NOT be submitted into

the Newsletter. A single picture may be submitted with

the ad. Submitters of classified ads are responsible for

generating their own ads as this is a FREE service.

As a reminder, Tribal business owners may submit a small

flyer at no charge. Like the classified ads, business owners

are responsible for generating their own flyers as this is a

FREE service.

Classified ads and business flyers will be posted no

more than two consecutive months. In the event where

the Newsletter may exceed the 24-page limit, classified

ads and business flyers will be “bumped” for newsletter

articles. Again, this is a FREE service for Tribal members.

The Isleta Newsletter is owned and operated by the Pueblo

of Isleta. Therefore, the Governor of the Pueblo of Isleta

has the final say of all articles and contents within the

Isleta Newsletter.

For additional questions, you my call the Library and

speak with Nate or Diane at 505.869.9808.

Thank you,

Nathaniel Lujan

Newsletters may be found at the fifteen distribution

locations listed below. Remember, Digital copies of the

Newsletter may be obtained from the Newsletter archive

at http://www.isletapueblo.com/newsletters.html

The fifteen Newsletter distribution locations are:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

TR 2 & TR 22 - Chical SE of Community Hall

TR 10 - Behind the old 47 Sales

TR 1 & TR 5 – Ranchitos / Bosque Farms

Reservations Line

Ranchitos Park

Post Office - Big Tree

TR 82 & TR 84 - Teller Road

TR 78 & TR 82 - Carlos Trujillo Sr.

TR 90 @ Y - CF Padilla

Mouse Town Park –

Health Center – South end of Health

Center Parking lot

Library Sunlight & Moonlight Intersection

TR 6 - 47 Intersection

TR 12 - 47 & 147 intersection (Old Smoke & Save)

TR 71 & TR 54 @ Y - Holiday Robot / Paved Road /

Railroad Tracks

TR 45 & TR 40 @ Y - Tata Mel (POI Signage)

July 2025

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

Public Works Department

The Annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR’s)

will be available by the end of June.

Watch your mailbox for the postcard with the

information on how to access the reports.

Reports will be available on the

Isleta Pueblo website.

Limited paper copies will be available at

Public Works, Governor’s Office, and Library

Questions? Call Public Works 505-869-5170

From the Cultural and Historic Preservation

Department: Early Days of Pottery Mound

Since 2012, when Isleta received ownership of the ancestral Tiwa pueblo

of Pottery Mound from the University of New Mexico (UNM), the Isleta

Department of Cultural and Historic Preservation (DCHP) has worked

to understand the pueblo’s occupation history, and how its inhabitants

utilized the landscape around them. In a recent piece for this newsletter,

we presented project results that show how the pueblo was occupied into

the mid-1500s and how it was visited by one or more Spanish parties

during that time. Today, we’ll go back another 300 years to look at when

and how the pueblo came into being.

Pottery Mound is famous for the many different ceramics that can be seen

all over the site. By forms, styles, and raw materials, archaeologists can

date the bulk of these ceramics to the 1300s and 1400s. The 1400s were

the heyday of Pottery Mound; this was when the pueblo had the most

inhabitants in its entire history. Far less visible are ceramics dating from

the pueblo’s founding years. There are several reasons for this. First,

the people who established Pottery Mound were few in number, perhaps

no more than half a dozen families, and left few ceramics. Second, the

area where early ceramics have been found since the 1950s is small,

and much of that area has been destroyed by the Rio Puerco. Third, the

surviving remains of the earliest settlement are buried under later room

blocks and are inaccessible for study.

Despite these challenges, it is possible to identify the location of this

earliest settlement under the north-central part of the pueblo. The early

ceramics from this area date from between 1100 and 1300. This ceramic

evidence and the layering of structural remains suggest that the pueblo

was founded around 1100-1200 and remained just a hamlet for about

a century. Then, at some point around 1300, the population began to

increase significantly. The reasons for this are not clear; however,

it appears that some other, smaller sites around Pottery Mound were

abandoned during that time, and that the inhabitants of those sites

moved to Pottery Mound. Why? That’s a question that can never be

answered for certain, but perhaps it was because of Pottery Mound’s

location close to the Rio Puerco. Even when running intermittently, the

Puerco would have been a more reliable source of water than the small

tributary streams along which those smaller sites were located.

Cultural surveys by the Isleta DCHP of the lands surrounding Pottery

Mound preserve information and fill in the map of Ancestral Tiwa

settlement as it was before Pottery Mound became the most prominent

pueblo in the area. But erosion and human activities endanger many

sites in the Puerco Valley, Pottery Mound included.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPT: UPCOMING PROJECT

LOCATING WATER SERVICE LINES

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing assistance,

at no cost to the Pueblo and Tribal Members, to locate and identify

select water service lines at residential properties. This is work

following the Lead Service Line Inventory that occurred months ago.

Areas where water lines noted in the inventories as “unknown” need

to be investigated and documented.

EPA’s contractor, ERG, will begin the first steps in the process to

investigate the water service lines that are categorized as “unknown”.

ERG will first solicit and procure contractors to work with the Pueblo

on Community Outreach, line location activities, and if needed,

excavation of the water lines to obtain information on the type of

piping installed from the shut-off to the home.

Once this work is completed, homeowners will be informed of what

kind of piping is serving their residence. If it is Lead, educational

materials will be provided. Any lead service lines noted will be added

to a list for future replacement.

Additional information on this project will be provided as it becomes

available. If you have any questions, please contact Public Works at

505-869-5170.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 4

July 2025

Angelina Phee-Bah-Seh Keryte Earns Master of Science in

Nursing from Johns Hopkins University

Angelina Phee-Bah-Seh Keryte, daughter

of Ronald and Selina Keryte, and

granddaughter of Jose “Snookie” and

Angelina Keryte and the late Pat and

Louisa Thomas, has earned her Master of

Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins

University.

Johns Hopkins, located in Baltimore,

Maryland, is recognized globally as a

leader in nursing education, research, and

practice, and is currently ranked #1 among

graduate nursing schools in the United

States. Phoebe graduated on May 20, 2025,

from what is known as the most innovative

nursing graduate program in the country.

In recognition of her academic and

professional

accomplishments,

the

university honored Ms. Keryte with a Star

Quilt Blanket Ceremony—a tribute to her

cultural heritage and the significance of her

achievement.

During her time at Hopkins, Phoebe was

the founder and chair of the Indigenous

Student Nurses and Allies Association, the

first group of its kind at the institution.

She led the student organization’s mission

to bring awareness, advocacy, and cultural

humility to uplift her Indigenous relatives

and communities within and beyond the

school.

Phoebe extends her heartfelt gratitude

to the Isleta Pueblo Assisted Living and

Memory care unit along with the elders who

laid a strong foundation within her nursing

journey. The experience she gained played

an important role in shaping her path

forward to becoming a nurse and continues

to inspire her dedication to elder care and

community-centered healing.

Phoebe is committed to serving Indian

Country and will seek a Labor and Delivery

position within the Indian Health Service

(IHS) or a Tribal Health Care system.

Her dedication to improving healthcare

outcomes for Native communities reflects

her deep-rooted commitment to service and

cultural preservation.

Her parents shared, “Tribal leaders at the

national level are always advocating for

nurses and physicians, and now we have

one—a home-grown nurse. Phoebe will be

giving back to Indian Country by working

in one of the Tribal or IHS systems. We are

extremely proud of our daughter and know

she will be an amazing leader in Indian

Country. This is just the beginning of her

journey in the healthcare field.”

Phoebe’s accomplishment is a celebration

not only for her family but for the broader

Native community as she takes this

important step in advancing Indigenous

health and representation in the medical

field.

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

Job Postings

Page 5

Visit us online at http://

www.isleta.com/career-opportunities.aspx

Fax: 505-244-8232

SAFETY MANAGER $72172.03 /Year• Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

BINGO SUPERVISOR $22.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Join Isleta Resort & Casino as a Safety Manager and play a vital role in creating a safe

and compliant workplace for all team members. In this key leadership position, you'll

oversee and evolve our safety programs, ensuring adherence to OSHA, Tribal, an...

Step into a high-energy leadership role as a Bingo Supervisor at Isleta Resort and Casino!

We’re looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented professional to oversee all aspects of

our vibrant Bingo operations. In this role, you’ll supervise floor staff,...

SLOTS MANAGER $72172.03 /Year• Exempt

PLUMBER Ill $26.30 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque, NM IiiIsleta Resort & Casino is seeking a dynamic and experienced Slots

Manager to oversee the daily operations of our Slot department, ensuring an engaging,

efficient, and guest-focused gaming experience. In this high-impact leadership role, you'll

be respon...

SPORTS BOOK WRITER

Albuquerque, NM

Join our team as a Plumber III at Isleta Resort and Casino, where your expertise will help

keep our world-class facilities running smoothly and safely! In this vital role, you’ll be

responsible for maintaining, repairing, and installing essential plumbi...

$14.87 / Hour• Non-Exempt

BAKER I $15.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Are you passionate about sports and thrive in a fast-paced, people-first environment?

Isleta Resort & Casino is looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Sportsbook Writer

to become a key player in our exciting sportsbook operation! In this guest-...

Join our culinary team as a Baker I at Isleta Resort and Casino, where passion meets

precision! In this hands-on role, you’ll prepare a variety of fresh-baked goods from

scratch, follow standard recipes, and assist with cake decorating and advanced baki...

TRAINING COORDINATOR $20.31 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN II

Albuquerque, NM

Join our team as a Training Coordinator at Isleta Resort and Casino! Support employee

development by coordinating, organizing, and delivering impactful training sessions. This

role blends communication, creativity, and guest service in a fast-paced envi...

Join our dynamic team as a Landscape Technician III and be a vital part of maintaining

the beauty and vitality of the Isleta Resort grounds! In this hands-on role, you’ll take pride

in enhancing the resort’s exterior by operating power mowers, aerating ...

SOUS CHEF- $23.02 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

FOOD ATTENDANT (BEVERAGE)

Albuquerque, NM

If you thrive in a high-energy, fast-paced environment and are passionate about creating

unforgettable dining experiences, Isl eta Resort and Casino is looking for you! As Sous

Chef, you’ll play a key role in leading our culinary team-overseeing daily ki...

Bring your energy and hospitality to the heart of our guest experience as a Food Attendant

- Beverage at Isleta Resort and Casino! In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the forefront of

providing friendly, efficient service while ensuring food and beverage...

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS PROGRAM MANAGER

STEWARD

Albuquerque, NM

• Exempt

Albuquerque, NM Join our team as a Compensation and Benefits Program Manager,

where you will lead the design, execution, and oversight of comprehensive compensation

strategies and employee benefit programs. In this impactful role, you’ll shape pay

structures, ensure co...

$16.14 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$13.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

$14.87 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Join the heartbeat of our culinary operations as a Steward at Isleta Resort and Casino! As

a vital member of our back-of-house team, you’ll help maintain the highest standards of

cleanliness, safety, and organization in our kitchens and dining areas. Fr...

LAKES GROUNDSKEEPER $14.62 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

PROMOTIONS MANAGER $72172.03 /Year• Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

We’re looking for a dedicated Lakes Groundskeeper to help keep the Isleta Lakes and

surrounding grounds clean, safe, and inviting for our guests. You’ll perform daily cleaning,

minor repairs, and routine maintenance on buildings, grounds, tools, and equ...

Join our dynamic team as a Promotions Manager at Isleta Resort and Casino! In this

exciting role, you’ll have the opportunity to create, manage, and execute profitable

promotions and special events that engage our guests and elevate their experience. Yo...

RESTAURANT MANAGER

Albuquerque, NM

SERVER (Ristra)

Albuquerque, NM

$54696.19 I Year• Exempt

$13.87 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Isleta Resort & Casino is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Restaurant Manager to

oversee the smooth and efficient operation of our diverse dining outlets-from casual bites

at the Deli and Bingo Snack Bars to the upscale experience at Embers and Triple Se...

Join our team as a Server and deliver exceptional dining experiences with friendly,

attentive service. You’ll greet guests, take accurate orders, and ensure a clean, welcoming

atmosphere. If you’re energetic, guest-focused, and thrive in a fast-paced en...

CAGE SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

TABLE GAMES FLOOR SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

$23.02 / Hour• Non-Exempt

$26.30 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Join the team at Isleta Resort & Casino as a Cage Shift Supervisor and take the next

step in your leadership journey. We’re looking for a detail-driven and service-focused

professional to oversee daily cage operations while ensuring compliance with regu...

Step into an exciting leadership role as a Table Games Supervisor at Isleta Resort &

Casino! You’ll oversee day-to-day operations of Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and

more while ensuring games run smoothly, fairly, and in full compliance with all r...

SLOTS SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Albuquerque, NM

$23.02 /Hour• Non-Exempt

BANQUET CAPTAIN $15.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Join Isleta Resort & Casino as a Slot Shift Supervisor, leading slot operations and

staff during assigned shifts while ensuring top-tier guest service. You’ll oversee floor

attendants, resolve guest concerns, monitor performance, and support smooth mach...

Provide exceptional guest service, coordinate events, oversee billing, and ensure smooth

operations. Support staff, promote positive experiences, and maintain high standards.

Apply today to make an impact!

HVACTECH Ill

Albuquerque, NM

EXPEDITOR (Ristra)

Albuquerque, NM

$26.30 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Join Isleta Resort & Casino as an HVAC Tech III, where your expertise will support the

maintenance and repair of advanced heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. You’ll

troubleshoot complex equipment, monitor programmable logic controls, and lead I...

HVACTECH II $23.02 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Join our Facilities team at Isleta Resort & Casino as an HVAC Tech II, where you’ll assist

in maintaining and repairing HVAC systems to ensure optimal performance and guest

comfort. In this hands-on role, you’ll perform routine checks, respond to rnainte...

ROOM ATTENDANT $14.62 / Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Join our team as a Room Attendant at Isleta Resort & Casino and help create unforgettable

guest experiences! In this vital role, you’ll ensure rooms are spotless, comfortable, and

fully stocked, while delivering exceptional service with a smile. From cl...

SECURITY OFFICER II

Albuquerque, NM

$18.04 /Hour• Non-Exempt

As a Security Officer II at Isleta Resort and Casino, you’ll help protect our property,

guests, and team members by maintaining active surveillance, responding to incidents,

and enforcing safety procedures. Your role includes assisting with investigatio...

COOK $15.12 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Bring your culinary passion to life as a Cook at Isleta Resort and Casino! We’re seeking

talented, team-oriented cooks to help craft exceptional dining experiences across our

diverse food outlets. In this role, you’ll prepare and present high-quality me...

$14.87 I Hour• Non-Exempt

Ensure timely, accurate food service, assist guests, maintain cleanliness, and uphold

service standards. Apply today to be part of our team!

BUSSER $11.50 /Hour• Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Maintain cleanliness, assist with table resets, and provide excellent guest service. Apply

today to make a difference in our dining experience!

BARTENDER $10.50 /Hour•-Non-Exempt

Albuquerque, NM

Mix and serve alcoholic (Ind non-(alcoholic and non-alcoholic bervererages to guests

21+, handle cash and provide excellent service in a clean, efficient bar envirornnent.

Apply today!

SUPERVISOR F & B

Albuquerque, NM

$20.31 I Hour• Non•Exempt

Oversees dining operations, ensures exceptional s,ervice, managers staff� and enhances

guest experiences.

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

Regarding the Draft Programmatic

Environmental Assessment

Activities at Kirtland Air Force Base

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS FROM

ISLETA COMMUNITY MEMBERS:

Friday, July 11, 2025

To submit comments, see instructions in last

paragraph of Kirtland’s

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY, BELOW

or submit your comments by e-mail to: martha.

garcia.3@spaceforce.mil

For assistance submitting comments, community

members may contact Environment Department

505-869-7565 or 505-869-9814

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment

Addressing Air Force Research Laboratory

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

Activities at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

The United States Air Force (USAF), United States Space

Force (USSF), Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), Air Force

Research Laboratory (AFRL) announce the availability of

a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA)

addressing the continuation of research, development, test,

and evaluation (RDT&E) activities on Kirtland Air Force

Base (AFB), New Mexico. The Draft PEA was prepared

in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations,

and USAF instructions implementing NEPA.

The Draft PEA describes the AFRL proposal to evaluate

potential environmental impacts associated with continuing

to conduct RDT&E activities on Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

AFRL has been conducting RDT&E activities on Kirtland AFB

since the 1960s and there are many existing Environmental

Assessments and Environmental Impact Analysis Process

documents spanning the decades from 1970 to present day.

The Proposed Action consolidates all current and proposed

future AFRL RDT&E activities into one PEA, ensuring these

activities can continue to occur on Kirtland AFB into the future.

Two units of AFRL conduct these activities, ARFL’s Directed

Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) and AFRL’s Space Vehicle

Directorate (AFRL/RV). AFRL/RD develops directed energy

weapons (including high energy lasers, high-power microwave,

and high-power electromagnetic system prototypes) to

counter, disable, and attack adversary sources. Equipment,

components, and designs for war fighter weapons are created

and tested in laboratories across Kirtland AFB before being

tested outdoors at the High Energy Research and Technology

Facility (HERTF)/HERTF Canyon, Frustration Canyon, Starfire

Optical Range/1-Mile and 2-Mile sites, and Outdoor Laser

Propagation and Firing Area to evaluate performance of the

new technology. AFRL/RV ensures that the United States

and its allies maintain space superiority by developing and

transitioning technologies that provide space-based capabilities

to the nation. Equipment, components, and designs for spacebased technologies are created in laboratories across Kirtland

AFB and then tested outdoors at the Skywave Technology

Laboratory, Improved Solar Observing Optical Network, and

South Park Antenna Field.

The Draft PEA evaluates potential impacts on the environment

from the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The

Draft PEA demonstrates that the Proposed Action would

not significantly impact the environment and based on this

analysis, AFRL has prepared a Draft Finding of No Significant

Impact (FONSI).

The Draft PEA and Draft FONSI are available for review on

the Kirtland AFB website at http://www.kirtland.af.mil/Home/

Environment and at the San Pedro Public Library, 5600

Trumbull Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Comments

regarding this document will be accepted for 30 days from

the publication of this notice. Comments for consideration and

other inquiries should be directed by mail to Ms. Martha Garcia,

Unit Environmental Coordinator RV & RD, Building 464 | Room

405, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

87117, or by email to martha.garcia.3@spaceforce.mil.

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Goodwill Good jobs! Serving Albuquerque south

valley/Isleta Pueblo, and Valencia County

We offer individual free assistance with job search,

interview skills, and resume assistance.

Contact: Vicki Herring

Career specialist at 505-944-0289

Goodwill Industries of New Mexico

vherring@goodwillnm.org

505-944-0289 or 505-881-6401 x4097

201 Desert Willow Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031

www.Goodwillit.org

Page 7

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 8

July 2025

Department of Education

Back-to-School Supply

and Career Fair:

Distribution

The Pueblo of Isleta Department

of Education presents the official

announcement of our Back-to-School

Supply Distribution & Career Fair.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 10:00

AM to 2:00 PM at the POI Department

of Education – 950 Moonlight Dr. SW,

Albuquerque, NM, 87105

Join us for a day full of food, fun, and

community activities as we prepare our

students and families for the new school

year!

FREE School Supplies & Giveaways,

Employment

Opportunities,

Haircuts,

College & Career Resources, On-site

Physicals, and more!

Calling all Local Artists & Food

Vendors:

We’re looking for local artists and food

vendors to be part of our upcoming Backto-School Supply Distribution & Career

Fair! Help us create a fun, family-friendly

atmosphere as we support our students and

celebrate community.

What we’re looking for:

Local art, crafts, and handmade goods,

delicious food and treats (FOOD

VENDORS MUST HAVE OR OBTAIN A

FOOD HANDLER’S CERTIFICATE).

If interested, please scan the QR code and

sign up today. Spots are limited – don’t

miss out!

Any questions, please call the Department

of Education office at (505) 869-9790.

Youth Camp:

Join us for an exciting 3-day Youth Camp

hosted by Indigenous Leaders North

America – packed with fun, learning, and

culture for students in 6th – 10th grade!

Mind lectures, Taekwondo, cooking, sports

activities, and so much more!

tribute to the journey of Pueblo People

and our resilience since the beginning of

time being passed on through our stories,

culture, traditions and dna.

It was a celebration of the success of

Our People to overcome many trials and

tribulations. Throughout the day we were

able to learn about the current issues

we face as a community and how the

Young Leaders of Isleta Pueblo envision

overcoming them. The day was completed

with a sense of revitalization.

The shirts designed for the event were to

reflect on the rezilience of the Youth today

in the work we are currently doing, the

generations to come and reflecting and

honoring the resilience of our ancestors that

have come before us. The design depicts

the ability for us to transform ourselves to

overcome the many trials and tribulations.

Whereas through our history we have come

back stronger to signify the strength we

have to power through today's issues.

We appreciate all who contributed the

success of the event!

Congratulations to Our T-Shirt Design

Contest Winner!

Isleta Young Leaders Council would like to

extend a warm congratulations to Antonio

Jaramillo for winning our recent T-shirt

design contest.

Antonio’s artwork, which was entirely

hand drawn, stood out for its creativity,

cultural relevance, and as a strong visual

representation of this year’s theme: Rezilience.

Students recently put their creativity and

engineering skills to the test by designing

and racing their very own mousetrappowered cars! Using only mousetraps,

cardboard, hot glue, and a mix of other

household items, students competed in

two exciting categories: Fastest Mousetrap

Car and Furthest Distance Travelled. In

Group B, Mayson Jojola dominated both

categories—his car sped across the finish

line in just 4.09 seconds and covered an

impressive total distance of about 26 feet.

Over in Group A, Shanelle Dopierala took

first place for furthest distance, with her

car traveling approximately 15 feet. Loyola

Olguin claimed the title of fastest mousetrap

car in Group A, clocking in at 4.16 seconds.

Congratulations to all participants for their

innovative designs and spirited competition!

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank

you to all the students who participated in

the summer program and to the parents

and families who supported them along the

way. Your involvement and commitment

made this summer a success.

We are proud to feature his design and

thank all participants who shared their

talent and vision with us. Your creativity

continues to inspire!

July 16th – 18th, 2025 from 9AM to 3PM

at St. Augustine Church. Lunch will be

provided.

Though June is wrapping up, we look

forward to more opportunities in the future

to serve and uplift our youth. Have a safe

and fun rest of your summer!

-DOE Staff

Don’t miss out – scan the QR code to register.

Questions? Call us at (505) 869-9790.

Isleta Young Leaders Council:

Optical Services

Patients that are requesting Optical

Services at Isleta Health Center will

need to call (505) 869-4080 to schedule

an appointment.

These services include:

**Isleta Young Leaders Council and Youth

Summit participants pictured. **

June 13th was historic day for the Pueblo of

Isleta as the Isleta Young Leaders Council

held the first ever Young Leaders Summit,

Rezilience Today, Tomorrow, and the Past.

The name of the event itself strongly pays

Summer Program:

As we near the end of June, our 2025

summer programming is also coming to a

close. It has been an exciting and rewarding

month filled with learning, laughter, and

memorable experiences with the children of

our community.

•

Ordering Eyeglasses

•

Eyeglass Adjustments

•

Eyeglass Repairs

Thank you for understanding,

Optometry Department

July 2025

MEDIA RELEASE FOR FREE

MEALS FOR CEP

National School Lunch/Breakfast Program

School Year 2025-2026

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 2025-2026 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. 20250-9410; or

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

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

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Child Safety Seat

Checks offered at

the

Isleta Health Center

Learn how to

properly install your

Child’s Safety Seat

CALL 505-869-4479 to Schedule an

Appointment.

Child and Car Seat

must be present.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

SANTA FE INDIAN SCHOOL

The Santa Fe Indian School Parent Orientation is scheduled

on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The Parent Orientation

provides essential information and resources that support

our families to best support their students for the new

school year. An important part of our Orientation is the

Resource Fair, where families can connect with and learn

about the many supportive services available in and around

their home communities. Attendees will include parents/

guardians, students, and family members. There are AM

and PM sessions offered and parents/guardians are free to

choose to attend either session.

The Resource Fair will be located indoors in our beautiful

Pueblo Pavilion. Chairs, tables, refreshments, and lunch

will be provided. Check-in starts at 7:30am and we hope

to have our Resource Fair participants remain till 3:30pm.

Parent Orientation is scheduled to end by 4:00pm. We

understand attending on a Sunday may be challenging. The

reason we hold Parent Orientation on a Sunday is because

a majority of our students reside in the dorms and Sunday,

8/17/25 is also their move-in day which presents the perfect

opportunity to reach the majority of our parents/guardians.

We value the services and support you provide to our

communities and hope you are able to attend and connect

with our families. Should you have any questions that would

need to be answered prior to committing, I am happy to

help. If you are ready to commit, we appreciate your RSVP

at your earliest convenience and before the form closes on

Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

Scan the QR Code to RSVP:

St. Augustine Parish

Isleta Pueblo

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Respectfully,

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.

Alissa L. Chavez Lowe

Director of Admissions

Admissions Office: (505) 989-6370

Director’s Office: (505) 216-7321

Cell: (505) 690-6293

Santa Fe Indian School Website

“Home of the Braves and Lady Braves!”

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

July 2025

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

As the summer sun shines brighter and temperatures rise, there’s no better

place to cool off than your local library. July brings the Summer Reading

Program, and we’re thrilled to see so many readers of all ages joining in

the fun! Please remember to keep yourself and your pets (aka furry family

members), hydrated and out of direct sunlight for long periods of time.

News

In observance of the Fourth of July holiday,

the library will be closed on Friday, July

4th. Library material checked out on

Wednesday, July 2nd will be due on Monday,

July 7th. Don’t forget you can always renew

using our Library Mobile App. Have a safe

and fun Independence Day.

There will be no Summer Reading Program

(SRP) from June 30th – July 4th. Enjoy

your break and 4th of July Holiday. We

will resume SRP Monday, July 7th. The

library will still be open to the public and

the Summer Meal Program will be served

during that week.

Just reminder due to the Summer being a

very busy time for the library, patrons may

experience longer waiting times at the front

desk. You will also notice more children

during the day and the noise level may

be louder than normal. We would like to

apologize in advance for any inconvenience

during this busy time and we thank you for

understanding. Please feel free to reach out

if you have any questions or concerns, you

may call the library at 505-869-9808.

The library will be a host site for the Summer

Meal Program provided by the Bernalillo

County food program starting June 2nd

through August 1st. We will be serving

breakfast and lunch for children ages 1-18

years old in the library Art Room. Breakfast

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

lunch will be served from 11:30am -1:00pm.

All meals are FREE and must be eaten on

site. If you have any questions regarding

this program, please call the library at 505869-9808 and speak with a staff member.

Summer Resources

Don’t forget the library has a mobile

device app which can be found in both the

Apple and Google Play stores. To find our

app, type in, “POI LIB” in the app search

bar and look for our purple library logo.

Our app will give you quick access to our

online catalog, your account info & digital

library card, FREE digital resources (NY

Times, Freegal, Libby, LinkedIn, Skill &

Skill Share) library event calendar, Pueblo

of Isleta Newsletter, social medial links,

and library contact information. Should

you accept our app notifications, you will

receive reminder, closure dates, program

announcements, library news notifications.

If you need help downloading the library

app, please call or stop in 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.

To help save some money this summer, come

check out a FREE Family Pass which gives

you access to 16 museums and historical

sites throughout the Land of Enchantment.

Each pass provides 6 free admissions into

the 16 sites which included New Mexico

Museum of Space History, National

Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico

Museum of Natural History of Science and

so much more. Patrons can check out the

pass for a week so start planning those road

trips for the summer.

Our Family Story Time will be taking a

break for June and July because library

staff will be busy with the Summer Reading

Program. Story Time will begin again in

August with story time every Wednesday

starting at 10:30am, activities and crafts

will follow. If you have any questions about

this program, please give the library a call

at 505-869-9808 and speak with a staff

member.

first come first serve basis. The following is

the number of students we will be accepting

from each school.

Upcoming

Library staff will be focusing on our

Summer Reading Program for the month

of July so children, teen, adult, and family

programs will be on a pause during this

time. However, library staff will be working

on programs for the community starting in

Our After School Program registration

will begin the week of July 28th. We will

be accepting 20 students, kindergarten and

up into our program. Please keep in mind

that spots are limited and will be filled on a

•

•

•

Isleta Elementary: 10 slots

Sundance Elementary: 5 slots

Bosque Farms Elementary: 5 slots

Transportation will be provided for Bosque

Farms Elementary students ONLY to the

library. All other schools are in walking

distance or have a bus stop near the library.

To register you must come into the library to

fill out a registration packet. Only parents/

guardians may fill out a registration packet.

NO EXCEPTIONS!

The After School Program will start on

Friday, August 1st. Program will include

homework help, daily reading, reading

activities, incentive programs, crafts, field

trips, and snacks. For more information on

this program, please call the library at 505869-9808.

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

August. We would also like to hear from

you! For any suggestions you can use our

Mobile App and send us any program ideas

that you may have in the Feedback section.

Some of the programs we have done in the

past include computer classes, book clubs,

painting nights, sewing, DIY crafts, Food

programs and much more. We appreciate

your suggestions and feedback.

Recap

Junior & Youth Summer Reading Update:

The first week of the Junior Program was

all about getting to know one another,

as some students are nervous and are

adjusting to a new routine. Library staff

presented the rules, introduced library

staff, and did a variety of Ice Breakers

to help students feel comfortable. In the

following week, students have been busy

participating in daily story time, sensory

bins, outside learning center and Wild

West/Monsters curriculum. Juniors also got

to visit the Isleta Cultural center for Story

Time with language teacher Josie Weldon.

Explored nature with a trip to Valle De

Oro reserve for Nature Tots hosted by their

rangers and went swimming at the Rec to

cool off. Thank you to all the departments

with collaborating with us for our Summer

Reading Program. For their final field trip

in July, students went to Jungle Jam and

enjoyed pizza afterwards.

Our Youth Program for ages 7-14 years

old have been working in their group

curriculums and reading groups. Students

read for 45 minutes each day and then will

discuss what they read within their groups.

This year we had 5 curriculums for students

to choose from.

•

Christmas Around the World

•

Fantasy

•

Art

•

Fiber Fun

•

Crystals & Gems

Junior Summer Reading Program June field trip to

Santa Fe Children’s Museum!

The Youth Program students will be in

their selected curriculums for the first 3

weeks, and after the break students will

choose a different curriculum for the second

three weeks of program. After reading is

completed, students get into their groups

crafts, activities and mini field trips based

on their curriculums. Students also got to

build and launch there very own rocket

which was challenging but exciting. For

their final field trip students went to Cliff’s

Amusement Park and enjoyed lunch at

Golden Corral.

Youth Summer Reading Program June

field trip to Meow Wolf!

Junior Summer Reading Program

Icebreakers week having a dance party!

Page 14

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

Happy Summer from

Isleta Dental Clinic!

We hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather

and making the most of your summer days. As

we dive into July, we want to take a moment to

highlight some important aspects of maintaining

your oral health and celebrate a special milestone!

Your Smile, Your Health: Don't Skip Your

Cleanings!

Summer often brings a shift in routines, but it's

crucial not to let your dental health take a back

seat. Regular dental cleanings are the cornerstone

of a healthy smile. These appointments allow us

to:

•

Remove Plaque and Tartar: Even with

diligent brushing and flossing, some plaque

and tartar can accumulate, especially in hardto-reach areas. Our hygienists are experts at

removing these stubborn deposits.

•

Prevent Cavities: By removing plaque

and tartar, we significantly reduce your risk of

developing cavities.

•

Fight Gum Disease: Cleanings help

prevent and manage gingivitis and more

advanced forms of gum disease, which can

lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

•

Freshen Your Breath: A thorough

cleaning can eliminate the bacteria that cause

bad breath.

•

Detect Issues Early: Your cleaning

appointment is also an opportunity for us to

examine your mouth for any potential concerns,

such as early signs of cavities, gum disease,

or other oral health issues, allowing for timely

intervention.

Restorative Care: See It Through!

If you have a restorative appointment scheduled

– whether it's for a filling, crown, or any other

necessary treatment – please remember

the importance of keeping that appointment.

Delaying restorative care can lead to:

•

Worsening Problems: A small cavity can

become a larger one, potentially requiring more

extensive and costly treatment if not addressed

promptly.

•

Increased Pain and Discomfort:

Untreated dental issues can lead to increased

pain, sensitivity, and discomfort.

•

Further Complications: What starts as a

simple issue can escalate into more complex

problems affecting your overall oral health.

We understand that life gets busy, but prioritizing

your restorative appointments is an investment in

the long-term health and stability of your smile. If

you need to reschedule, please give us as much

notice as possible so we can find an alternative

time that works for you.

Celebrating a 4th Anniversary with Isleta

Dental Clinic! We are thrilled to celebrate a

very special milestone this month! Our wonderful

dental hygienist, Susan, is celebrating her 4th

anniversary with Isleta Dental Clinic! We are so

grateful for her commitment to providing excellent

care and support. Please join us in congratulating

Susan on this fantastic achievement when you

see her next!

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment? If

it's been a while since your last cleaning, or if

you need to schedule or confirm a restorative

appointment, please don't hesitate to call us at

505-869-4499, We look forward to seeing your

smiles soon!

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

TRUANCY

Happy 4th of July! We’ve had much needed rain but the fire

danger is still high. Lighting fireworks is always fun but not

worth the risk of getting a fine or starting a fire. There are

some free firework shows that are happening throughout

Albuquerque.

We hope you and your families have a safe and fun 4th

of July. Below is some information that may be helpful in

enjoying the upcoming holiday.

Freedom 4th

Balloon Fiesta Park

9401 Balloon Museum Dr NE, Albuquerque

3pm-10pm

4th of July Celebration

Campus Park

2516 King Blvd NE

Rio Rancho, NM

6pm-9:45pm

Event is free

4th of July Celebration

Los Lunas Sport Complex

100 Morris Rd SW

Los Lunas, NM

4pm-10pm

Event is free

Soon we will be rolling in to the 2025-2026 school year.

We can’t wait for the new year to start, as many of our

students will be promoted to the next grade level and will

be experiencing many new adventures. This past semester

the Truancy department sent out notification letters more

frequently as our department adopted a new truancy code.

This code can be found on the Pueblo of Isleta webpage, by

clicking on the following link.

https://www.isletapueblo.com/wpcontent/

uploads/2024/11/LAOC-AmendedNovember2024.pdf;

the Attendance for Success Law (31-04-01) can be found at

the bottom of page 197 of the Law and Order Code. This

will help the community to understand the new Attendance

for Success Law more clearly.

What we have learned from most parents and students is

that students are not turning in doctors and/or parent notes

that are sent to school with them to the attendance clerk to

excuse their absences. At times, parents are also forgetting

to go to the school webpage and click on the “Report an

absence” link to report their student’s absence. In most

cases, after talking with parents and the parents contacting

the school, these absences have been cleared up. As the

school year approaches, we will continue to share this

important information so that parents and students will not

have to worry about their attendance.

We understand the struggle of getting up on time to avoid

running late. Here are some tips to start practicing now,

before the school year starts.

1. Night Before Preparation:

•

•

•

Lay out clothes: This prevents morning arguments

and saves time.

Pack backpacks: Ensure all necessary items are

included such as books and any homework.

Consistent bedtime: Ensure bedtime is consistent

so that wake-up time is not so difficult.

2. Morning Routine:

•

Wake up at the same time: Consistent wake-up

times help regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle.

•

Get out of bed: Avoid hitting the snooze button to

maintain a good sleep schedule.

•

Make the bed: A small accomplishment to start the

day

We hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer vacation

with family and friends.

Thank you,

Isleta Truancy Department

Page 15

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

JULY – 2025

The first day of summer

was June 20, 2025 but the

heat was here several days

before that. Last month’s

newsletter warned of the

dangers of heat and leaving

children and pets in vehicles.

According to Kids and Car Safety:

This year, at least six children in the

US have died after being left in hot cars.

These incidents, which have occurred in

multiple states, highlight the ongoing risk

of vehicular heatstroke for children.

Details:

•

Recent Incidents:

• March 18, 2025: A 4-month-old boy

in Lakewood, New Jersey, died after

being unknowingly left in a vehicle.

• May 7, 2025: A 2-year-old girl in

Silver Spring, Maryland, died after

being unknowingly left in a vehicle.

• May 10, 2025: A 6-year-old boy in

Paso Robles, California, died after

being left in a vehicle.

• May 25, 2025: A 1-year-old boy

in Albuquerque, New Mexico, died

after being left in a vehicle.

• June 8, 2025: A 21-month-old girl

in Hammond, Louisiana, died after

being left in a vehicle.

• June 9, 2025: A 7-month-old girl

in Hamlet, North Carolina, died after

being unknowingly left in a vehicle.

Important to note:

•

On average, nearly 40 children

die in hot cars each year in the United

States.

•

Since 1990, over 1,127 children have

died in hot cars in the US, with at least

another 7,500 surviving with varying

degrees of injury.

•

More than half of the deaths (55%)

are children under 2 years old.

How to prevent these tragic situations:

•

Never leave a child unattended in a

vehicle, even for a short time.

•

Make it a habit to check the back

seat every time you exit the vehicle.

•

Place a personal item in the back

seat as a reminder (e.g., purse, phone,

employee badge).

•

Notify your childcare provider if

your child does not arrive at daycare as

scheduled.

•

Teach children that vehicles are not

play areas.

•

Consider using technology like rearseat reminder systems or apps that can

alert you to a child being in the back seat.

As we all know, people treat pets as part

of the family, so in that sense, don’t leave

them alone in a warm/heated vehicle.

What happens to a human in a heated

vehicle also affects our furry friends as well.

Taking “Bandit” on a ride with you, only to

be left alone in a vehicle, is impractical and

your furry friend is better off left at home.

Keep in mind be it a child or a pet, legal

repercussions that can be faced:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

A 6-year-old child was rescued after being

left inside a hot car at a Walmart in

Albuquerque on Memorial Day.

According to court documents, police

responded to the Walmart store on Carlisle

Boulevard and Claremont Avenue in

northeast Albuquerque. When officers

arrived, they found a security vehicle

blocking the car from leaving the store.

Police say in court documents they found

Michael Clohessy in the driver’s seat of the

vehicle with a 6-year-old in a car seat in the

back.

14 children have died in hot cars in

New Mexico since 1990

Court documents say security officers at

the store were flagged by a customer who

told them a child was in a vehicle with no

adult around. Officers then went to the

vehicle and found the child in the backseat.

Security also noted the vehicle was turned

off with no keys in the ignition.

Police interviewed Clohessy after they

arrived. Court documents say he went to

the Walmart store for items to change the

oil in his vehicle. He told police that he was

in town visiting his son. Court documents

say Clohessy told police he left the child

alone in the car with the car turned off and

without the keys. He told police he took the

keys with him, saying, “It’s Albuquerque.”

Police say in court documents that the

responding officer explained the dangers

of leaving a child in a vehicle unattended.

Documents say Clohessy told police, “Ya,

I know a child just died.” Police believe

he was referring to the 1-year-old who

recently died inside a hot car.

Court documents say Clohessy told officers

he left the child in the car because his son

did not want to go inside and Clohessy was

going into and out of the store.

Clohessy was arrested and charged

with child abuse with great bodily

harm. The penalties that can result

are as follows:

Penalties for Child Abuse

The penalties for child abuse in New

Mexico vary based on the severity and

circumstances of the abuse:

•

Third-Degree Felony: For first

offenses that do not result in great

bodily harm.

•

Second-Degree

Felony:

For

second and subsequent offenses or

if the abuse results in great bodily

harm.

•

First-Degree Felony: If the abuse

results in the child’s death or if

intentional abuse is inflicted on a

child under twelve years of age.

Leaving a pet in a hot car in New

Mexico can have consequences:

•

It is a petty misdemeanor

punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a

$500 fine.

•

If the animal was in distress,

suffered injuries, or died, it can be

considered animal cruelty.

•

Leaving an animal in a hot car can

lead to fatal heatstroke.

•

Some states have specific laws

penalizing hot car offenses

If you see a child or an animal alone in

a vehicle, call 911 immediately.

WELCOME

The Isleta Police Department welcomes

the two newest additions to the family and

would like to introduce them to you:

Jacob Jojola is a newly appointed Public

Safety Aide with the Isleta Police

Department, eager to serve his community

and support his fellow officers. A graduate

of Los Lunas High School, Jacob joined the

Marine Corps in 2006, where he had the

honor of serving overseas during Operation

Iraqi Freedom as part of Echo Battery, 3rd

Battalion, 10th Marines Task Force Military

Police. His specialties included serving as

a radio operator and Military Policeman, a

role during which he sustained injuries and

was ultimately medically retired.

Jacob’s commitment to education led him

to attend Coastal Carolina College in

Jacksonville, North Carolina, and later

pursue higher studies in Criminal Justice

at the University of New Mexico. With

eight years of total experience in law

enforcement, he began his career at the

Valencia County Detention Center as a

Correction Officer before transitioning into

private security. Most recently, he worked

as a Transport Officer for Argus Private

Security Force, where he was contracted to

extradite prisoners for Bernalillo County.

As a member of Isleta Pueblo, Jacob looks

forward to making a positive impact in his

community and ensuring the preservation

of law and order within the Pueblo.

Miguel Amaro is our newest addition to

the IPD family with his first day June 17,

2025. He comes to us with many years of

experience and writes:

“I am a United States Marine Corps

veteran … oohrah!! with 35 years of law

enforcement experience. I was with the

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department for

July 2025

21 years, retiring in 2011, where I served

in several capacities:

field services,

SWAT, Criminal Investigations and as

an instructor. I was with the Los Lunas

Schools Police as a school resource officer

for twelve years.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

In 2019 Sgt. Lucero accepted a position

with Isleta Open Space Division of the

Police Department. In the summer of

2020, Sgt. Lucero attended the Indian

Police Academy at the Federal Law

Enforcment Training Center in Artesia,

New Mexico. Upon completion, he

was appointed as 1st Lt. Governor by

Governor elect Vernon Abeita. After

serving his term as 1st Lt. Governor,

he returned to the Open Space Division

working as an Open Space Officer.

CONGRATULATIONS!

IHSP TRAFFIC DIVISION

The Traffic Division remains busy as ever

and as always are proactive in traffic

enforcement, crash investigations and

seeking out DWIs. Since the beginning of

the grant year (October 1, 2024), twentysix DWI arrests have been made and more

are coming before the end of the grant

year (September 30, 2025). A checkpoint

is scheduled for sometime in July as well

as ongoing patrol saturations for seatbelts,

speeding, reckless driving and other traffic

infractions. So everyone, please drive with

care and caution, obeying speed limits,

buckling up and most of all

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.

The hot summer months may entice

individuals to have a COLD beer while

doing yard work or relaxing with friends

but driving buzzed is driving drunk.

Officers will be out with the goals of saving

lives and will be out in force during these

summer months.

Congratulations to Virgil Lucero who

was recently promoted to Sergeant in

the Open Space Division. Sgt. Virgil

Lucero, Tribal member of the Pueblo of

Isleta, began his career with the Pueblo

in 2014 after working for New Mexico

Equine, Inc. for 15 years. As an Animal

Control Officer, he worked with local

partners including Rocky Mountain

Puppy Rescue and the Indian Health

Service providing spay/neuter and

rabies clinics for the pet population here

in Isleta.

On his time off, Sgt. Lucero enjoys

spending time with his family and

enjoying the outdoors.

During these hot summer months,

please remember to stay inside

if possible during extreme heat

days, hydrate, use sunscreen and

take every precaution to stay safe.

Monitor the elderly and children

as the temperatures have already

been in the upper 90s and 100s.

See Something,Say Something:

Breaking the Silence

The Pueblo of Isleta is a community rooted in

tradition, strength, and care for one another.

But even the strongest can struggle in silence.

Depression, isolation, and thoughts of self-harm

don’t always show up loudly — sometimes they

come quietly, in the form of withdrawal, sadness, or

changes in behavior.

We all have a role to play.

If you notice someone pulling away, seeming

hopeless, or just not acting like themselves — don’t

stay silent. A simple check-in or a call to someone

who can help might be what saves a life.

Your voice can be a lifeline.

Let’s break the silence around mental health. Let’s

look out for our youth, our elders, our friends — and

speak up when something feels off.

See the signs. Start the save.

You are never alone, and neither is anyone else —

not in this community.

For mental health resources and support, you can

contact:

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

• Suicide and Crisis Line: Call or text 988

-Nancy Jo Gonzales, MPA

Director of Public Health Services

Page 18

Transit Services Now

Serving the Pueblo of Isleta

The Pueblo of Isleta and the Rio

Metro Regional Transit District

Working Together

Bus Route 208 (No Fares until further notice!)

Bus Route 208 connects the Pueblo of Isleta and

Valencia County communities to the Alvarado

Transportation Center (ATC) in Downtown

Albuquerque during the morning/midday when the

Rail Runner does not operate. Route 208 features

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

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

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

At the ATC, riders can transfer to ABQ RIDE bus

routes.

Route

208

serves

two bus stops on the

Pueblo of Isleta. The

stop closest to the

village proper is located

on NM 147 just east of

the Rio Grande Bridge.

Please do not park and leave vehicles unattended

on the adjoining roads near this stop, as the bus

and other vehicles use these roads to turnaround

and access other locations. Route 208 also stops

at the Isleta Pueblo Rail Runner Station, where

riders can transfer to the Isleta Resort and Casino

shuttle. Because the bus serves the station, riders

can also consider using Route 208 in combination

with the Rail Runner, for example, taking the bus

to Downtown Albuquerque in the mid-morning and

returning by train in the evening.

Please see route flyer that includes map, times of

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

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

further notice!)

The Pueblo of Isleta Dial-a-Ride operates Monday

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

trips within the Pueblo and to the ABQ RIDE Route

53 bus stop on NM 314. Service to places like

Smiths, Albertsons and Wal-Mart in Los Lunas is

also provided with requests made before noon at

least one business day prior to your trip.

Request your Dial-a-Ride trip by calling Valencia

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

least one business day prior to your trip. Requests

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

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

wheelchair accessible van will arrive within 15

minutes of your scheduled pickup time. Trips may

also be grouped together; riders should expect to

travel with others.

For more information about both services, including a

copy of the Route

208 schedule, visit

riometro.org and

select “Schedules”

> “Bus” > “Pueblo

of Isleta” from the

grey bar near the

top of the website. Schedules for Route 208 are also

available at the Public Services Department Office

at the Tribal Services Complex.

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

JULY

NATIONAL CORD BLOOD AWARENESS MONTH

This month is dedicated to raise awareness about the importance

of cord blood. Blood from the umbilical cord is rich in stem cells

that can be used to treat many diseases including cancer, genetic

diseases and immune system disorders. It may also be used in

tissue regeneration. Cord blood saves lives and promotes healing

with diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are about

4 million births in the U.S. each year. For those births, cord blood

is collected only 5-10% of the time. Cord blood is derived from the

umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It can easily be extracted

for use. Parents who are interested should check with their provider

to see if the hospital offers cord blood banking.

Cord blood can be donated to public cord banks, which store it for

free and use it to help many people. Private blood banking is also

available to help individuals related to the child who are also in

need.

WIC News- We are having our annual World Breastfeeding Week

event on August the 1st from 9:30-1:30! Everyone is invited to

attend.

ISLETA WIC OFFICE 505-869-2662

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Nathaniel Lujan

Asst. Editor:

Diane Abeita

Published By:

Valencia Express

Page 20

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

Page 21

Tai Chi for Health

body. Although an art with great depth

of knowledge and skill, it can be easy to

learn and soon delivers its health benefits.

On a physical level, Tai Chi can improve

strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning

and balance. Research has shown that it

improves cardiovascular fitness, lowers

blood pressure, prevent falls and helps

people who have arthritis. It can be

performed standing or sitting and can be

adapted for all individuals.

Recently, staff at the Isleta Health Center

and the Elder Center went through a

Tai Chi for Health Institute workshop

and became certified instructors in Tai

Chi for Fall Prevention and Arthritis

Prevention. Training was sponsored by

the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal

Epidemiology Center.

Tai chi is an art that embraces the

mind, body and spirit. With origins in

ancient China, Tai Chi is one of the most

effective exercises for health of mind and

Isleta National Diabetes Prevention

Program

As of May 2025, the Health Center’s

Diabetes Prevention and Treatment

Program (DPTP) was recognized

by the CDC to prevent or delay

type 2 diabetes. It is the only tribal

organization in New Mexico with

CDC recognition. The program,

which has been heavily researched

in the Diabetes Prevention Program

Outcomes Study (DPPOS), has shown that participants who

complete the program can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes

for at least 15 years. The research also shows that the

program is more effective than medications at preventing

type 2 diabetes.

The National DPP lifestyle change program can help you

build healthy new habits that last a lifetime. The program

runs for one year. During the first 4-6 months of the program,

you’ll meet about once a week. During the 2nd half of the

program, you’ll meet once or twice a month. Making lifestyle

changes is an ongoing process. Staying in the program for

the full year is essential to help you stick to new habits and

avoid slipping back into old habits. If you have not reached

your goals in the first half of the program, your Lifestyle

Coach and other group members can help you succeed.

In the first half of the program, you'll learn to:

•

•

•

•

Eat healthy without giving up all the foods you love.

Add physical activity to your life, even if you don't

think you have time.

Deal with stress.

Cope with challenges that can slow your progress,

like choosing healthy food when eating out.

In the second half of the program, you'll enhance the skills

you've learned so you can maintain the changes you've made.

These sessions will review key ideas such as tracking your

food and physical activity, setting goals, staying motivated,

and overcoming barriers. Your Lifestyle Coach and the

group will continue to support you. You'll learn some new

information, too.

The program will be starting soon. Dinner will be provided

each session. If interested in finding out more information or

to register, please call the DPTP at (505)869-4595.

The Health Center will soon be starting a

16 class Tai Chi program which will then

transition to regular tai chi classes in the

future.

To find out more information about Tai Chi

or if interested in playing Tai Chi, call 505869-4095. To find out more information

about Tai Chi for Health and the benefits

it can provide, you can look up information

at www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org.

Page 22

Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025

On behalf of the Jaramillo family,

we would like to send out a heartfelt

thank you to our community during

the time of loss of our son, brother,

uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin,

and friend Everette “Po-loh”

Jaramillo. He lived a wonderful life,

although it was short, he lived his

life to the fullest, he made the best

of it. Po-loh was the kind of person

who always had a big smile on his

face, always laughing, happy and

had a personality that attracted

everyone around him. He had a

big bright smile that could light up

anyone’s day, and a laugh you

could never forget. He was the

kind of person who would drop

anything to help the people he

loved, even for those he just met. He was the kind of person who

would literally give you the shirt off of his back, the person you

would go to when you needed a laugh, when you needed to cry,

when you needed advice, when you needed help. He was a hard

worker who enjoyed farming, hunting and firefighting. He was a

man of many trades, everyone’s right hand man. He was always

on the go, always looking for new ways to better himself, he was

a provider, a teacher and protector to his family.

He was loved by so many and will continue to be loved. He will be

missed dearly and will live on in our hearts and in our memories,

he will never be forgotten.

May the creator and Poloh watch over every single one of you

and help guide you in the right direction. May he give you the

strength and comfort to keep going and may you all receive many

blessings in return.

Hurrkem and Hawuu from Edwin, Antone, Glorianna, Minewa and

Kinsley

Embracing Wellness: National Minority

Mental Health Awareness Month

Taneka Ben, Health Promotions Specialist,

Isleta Health Center

Each July, we observe National Minority Mental Health

Awareness Month—a time to uplift the mental and emotional

well-being of our communities of color. For the Pueblo of

Isleta, it is a meaningful opportunity to honor the strength of

our people and promote healing in ways that respect who

we are as Native people.

Mental health is more than just the absence of illness—

it is about balance, connection, and spirit. In our culture,

wellness comes from many places: our families, our

language, our dances, our lands, and the teachings of our

elders. These roots ground us and help us navigate life’s

challenges.

We also recognize that seeking support is a powerful act

of self-care and strength. There is no shame in asking for

help—our ancestors taught us to care for one another and

walk together in healing.

At Isleta, we are working to create safe spaces where

community members can talk about mental health openly,

connect with resources, and find support that honors both

our cultural traditions and personal journeys.

This month—and every month—we invite our relatives to

care for their minds, hearts, and spirits. Together, through

culture, community, and compassion, we continue to build

a path toward wellness for all generations.

For more information or support, please contact B’eeh

K’oo-ee Wellness Center at (505) 869-5475 or call the 988

support line.

July 2025

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 23

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Isleta Pueblo News

July 2025