Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2024)

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Volume 19 Issue 2

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

Governor’s Report

Maguwam,

I hope this newsletter finds everyone in

good health. I can’t believe how fast time is

flying and we are entering into the month

of February. We would like to remind

everyone if you are feeling sick, please stay

home to prevent the spread of any illness.

In celebration of All King’s Day that took

place on Friday, January 5th and Saturday,

January 6th. It was great to see everyone

in great spirits in welcoming the New Year

and new officials.

On January 13th, a meeting was held

to select the 2024 Mayordomos for this

farming season. I would like to thank all

the tribal members who attended and those

that were selected and offered to serve in

this capacity.

Acequia Madre Mayordomos:

• Adrian Reckaway

• Kevin Shroder

Cacique Mayordomos:

• Kevin Lente Jr.

• Kevin Lente Sr.

Chical Mayordomos:

• Eddie Paul Torres Jr.

• Joe Jiron

We also continued with the celebration of the

Blessing of the Canes on Sunday, January

14th. We would like to give a special Thank

You to the Hopi Buffalo Dancers who came

with many blessings to our community and

tribal officials.

We would like to apologize for canceling

the Community Meeting that was set

for Saturday, January 20th. We have

postponed due to the traditional dances.

We plan to re-schedule the meeting for

the near future and look forward to your

attendance.

We would like to invite everyone to attend

Indian Day on Friday, February 2, 2024.

This will be held at the New Mexico

Roundhouse in Santa Fe. On this special

day, the Pueblo of Isleta and the Pueblo of

Laguna are going to be recognize our very

own distinguished tribal member, Miguel

Trujillo. Mr. Trujillo was a brave civil

rights advocate that paved the way

for Native American to exercise their

constitutional right to vote in New

Mexico. It is our wish to construct and

donate a sculpture of Mr. Trujillo to be

displayed in the State Capitol, memorizing

his legacy.

Last, I want to send my condolences to the

families of those who have lost their family

members during the month of January.

Ha-Wuh

Max A. Zuni

Governor

Pueblo of Isleta

February 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE:

The Pueblo of Isleta is requesting

public comment for Clean Water Act

401 certification of the draft NPDES

Pesticide General Permit.

This is a notification that the U.S

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

public notice and associated federal

comment period have been opened for the

draft 2026 National Pollutant Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide

General Permit. Additionally, the Pueblo

of Isleta has opened the simultaneous

comment period for the pending Clean

Water Act Section 401 tribal water quality

certification of the draft NPDES permit.

When EPA drafts a NPDES permit for a

discharge into surface waters, the Pueblo

of Isleta has an opportunity to assure that

the discharge will not negatively affect the

Pueblo’s receiving waterbodies. This is

documented through the 401 certification

and is required in accordance with the

Pueblo of Isleta Surface Water Quality

Standards. The Pueblo of Isleta can make

the draft permit more stringent if based on

tribal law or can make comments to EPA

for consideration in the final permit. The

Pueblo of Isleta also has the authority

to deny certification if the permitting

circumstances will not guarantee that the

discharge will meet surface water quality

standards.

The draft 2026 Pesticide General Permit,

draft fact sheet/statement of basis, and

other associated information are available

electronically at:

https://www.epa.gov/npdes/pesticidepermitting-proposed-2026-pgp.

The Pesticide General Permit regulates

point source discharges of the application

of biological pesticides and chemical

pesticides to waters of the U.S. for the

following pesticide use patterns:

Mosquito and Other Flying

Insect Pest Control -- to control public

health/nuisance and other flying insect

pests that develop or are present during

a portion of their life cycle in or above

standing or flowing water. Public health/

nuisance and other flying insect pests

in this use category include mosquitoes

and black flies.

Weed and Algae Pest Control -- to

control weeds, algae, and pathogens

that are pests in water and at water’s

edge, including ditches and/or canals.

Animal Pest Control -- to control

animal pests in water and at water’s

edge. Animal pests in this use category

include fish, lampreys, insects, mollusks,

and pathogens.

Forest Canopy Pest Control -application of a pesticide to a forest

canopy to control the population of a

pest species (e.g., insect or pathogen)

where, to target the pests effectively, a

portion of the pesticide unavoidably will

be applied over and deposited to water.

The public comment period for this

certification begins February 1, 2024

and expires on March 1, 2024. Comments

concerning the Pueblo of Isleta’s Clean

Water Act Section 401 certification may be

sent to:

Ramona M. Montoya, Water Quality

Control Officer

Pueblo of Isleta Environment Department

PO Box 1270

Isleta NM 87022

E-mail:

Ramona.Montoya@isletapueblo.com

Tel. (505) 869-7565

Hand delivery: 3929 Hwy 47 SW,

Albuquerque NM 87105

Environment Department will review

all

comments

received,

draft

recommendation on the Pueblo of Isleta’s

401 certification action for consideration

and review Legal Department and by

Governor Zuni. The final approved

document will be submitted to the EPA.

WATER RESOURCES DIVISON

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Highway 147 Drain Pipe Replacement Update

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy (MRGCD) has begun on-site activities to replace

a failed drainage pipe beneath Highway 147. The MRGCD and its subcontractors had

several set-backs since the project’s inception last November. The project timeline

has now been extended to early April of this year. Currently, the groundwater level

in the project area is being lowered with dewatering pumps and the pumped water is

discharged to the Rio Grande, Isleta Riverside Drain, and the Belen Highline Canal.

The dewatering pumps will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the duration

of the project. For the next month, open trenching will occur on the South side of

Highway 147 between the road shoulder and the Isleta Riverside Drain South. A

direct bore beneath Highway 147 is continuing from the North side of the highway,

placing subsurface drain pipe as it progresses. Please be aware that there are high

voltage generators, the associated electric lines and conduits, as well as, open pits

and trenches at the site. Due diligence is being taken to secure the project site

and the associated hazards but non-authorized foot traffic within the project area

should generally be avoided. The result of the project will be a new 42-inch pipe

beneath Highway 147 that connects the Isleta Riverside Drain from North to South.

Moreover, the project will directly benefit tribal farmers on the Acequia Madre, as

well as providing a repair solution to the collapsed pipe issue without interfering

with local traffic.

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for March Newsletter articles is set for

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 4:30 pm. Articles

may be dropped off at the Library or emailed to Nathaniel.

Lujan@isletapueblo.com. Should you email your article,

expect a confirmation email. If you do not receive a

confirmation email, odds are it never made it to me and

then it’s time to panic, so call Nate at 505.869.9808.

People who wish to submit an article or flyer are responsible

for generating their own article or flyer. Should you need

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

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

will help you throughout the process. The Library will NOT

accept notes dropped off at the Library or information over

the phone to generate your article.

PROBATES need to be published in the Newsletter for

two consecutive months. Probates are considered court

documents, therefore, all submitters must provide: 1)

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

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

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

com/newsletters.html .

CLASSIFIED ADS: The new administration has requested

that the Newsletter start a Classified Ad section for Tribal

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

farm equipment. Leasing of houses and mobile homes will

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

flea markets or weekly yard sales will NOT be accepted.

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

houses, and mobile homes must be within the reservation

boundaries. Ads must meet the 160 character limit. Ads

that exceed the 160 characters will NOT be submitted into

the Newsletter. A single picture may be submitted with

the ad. Submitters of classified ads are responsible for

generating their own ads as this is a FREE service.

As a reminder, Tribal business owners may submit a small

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

are responsible for generating their own flyers as this is a

FREE service.

Classified ads and business flyers will be posted no

more than two consecutive months. In the event where

the Newsletter may exceed the 24-page limit, classified

ads and business flyers will be “bumped” for newsletter

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

The Isleta Newsletter is owned and operated by the Pueblo

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

has the final say of all articles and contents within the

Isleta Newsletter.

For additional questions, you may call the Library and

speak with Nate or Diane at 505.869.9808.

Thank you,

Nathaniel Lujan

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:

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

TR 2 & TR 22 - Chical SE of Community Hall

TR 10 - Behind the old 47 Sales

TR 1 & TR 5 – Ranchitos / Bosque Farms

Reservations Line

Ranchitos Park

Post Office - Big Tree

TR 82 & TR 84 - Teller Road

TR 78 & TR 82 - Carlos Trujillo Sr.

TR 90 @ Y - CF Padilla

Mouse Town Park –

Health Center – South end of Health

Center Parking lot

Library Sunlight & Moonlight Intersection

TR 6 - 47 Intersection

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

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

Railroad Tracks

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

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit

program that helps ensure that households can afford the

broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month

toward internet service for eligible households and up to

$75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of

up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet

from participating providers if they contribute more than

$10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one

monthly service discount and one device discount per

household.

Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity

Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the

Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household

meets at least one of the criteria below:

●

Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current

award year;

●

Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating

provider's existing low-income internet program;

●

Participates in one of these assistance programs:

• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program

or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community

Eligibility Provision schools.

•SNAP

•Medicaid

•Federal Housing Assistance, including:



Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

(Section 8 Vouchers)



Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/

Section 202/ Section 811



Public Housing



Affordable Housing Programs for American

Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• WIC

• Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

• or Lifeline;

●

Participates in one of these assistance programs and

lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

• Tribal TANF

• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

•Tribal Head Start (income based)

Apply now! www.GetInternet.gov

HR news from Isleta

Resort & Casino

 POI/IRC Health & Wellness Fair

– Friday, October 13th in the Isleta

Ballrooms from 9am to 3pm

o Come out and learn about the

new benefits for both POI and IRC

team members!

 Enhanced medical benefits for employee family

members.

 Enhanced dental benefits to include orthodontic

coverage for adults.

 Addition of MDLIVE which offers reliable 24/7

health care by phone or video for medical and

mental health support.

 Pet insurance coverage.

 AND MORE!!!

October Career Fair – Wednesday, October 18th

from 10am to 3pm in Triple 7’s

o Meet face-to-face with Hiring Managers who will be

interviewing and hiring on the spot!

o Learn more about all of the great career opportunities

and benefits Isleta Resort & Casino has to offer.

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH

Letters of Good Standing

What is a Letter of Good Standing?

A letter signed by the pastor certifying that

an individual is a registered, active and

contributing parishioner of a parish, and so

is eligible to serve as a godparent at Baptism,

a Confirmation sponsor, a mentor for Marriage

preparation, to have your child Baptized outside

our parish, or to have a Catholic School Subsidy

approved.

Often we receive requests to sign a statement that

a certain individual is a practicing Catholic and

eligible to serve as a Godparent, Confirmation

Sponsor, to receive some Sacrament in a Catholic

Church where they are not registered, or to

approve payment for Catholic School Subsidy.

Most people who are asked to be sponsors qualify

without any question. However, several times

a month the pastor is asked for a letter from

persons who he does not know or recognize, or

who are not in good standing with the church and

who infrequently or never attend Mass. These

issues make it impossible for the priest to testify

to something that they are not sure is true. If

we do not know you, and have no record of your

attendance at Mass, we cannot in honesty issue

a sponsorship letter. Using envelopes is a good

way of tracking, but it is not the only way of

assuring that you are a practicing Catholic, and

an appropriate spiritual role model for a young

person about to receive the Sacrament.

If you need a letter of good standing testifying

that you are considered an active parishioner

in good standing of St. Augustine, we would ask

that you:

• Register at St. Augustine, if you are not

sure if you are registered ask the parish office.

If you are an adult child of parents registered in

the parish, register yourself here, or wherever

you attend Mass.

• Fulfill your obligation to participate in

Sunday Mass and Holy Days.

• Contribute to the financial needs of the

parish by using envelopes or online giving. It

can be anything, just let us know you are here.

• Become involved in some parish program

or activity.

If you are asked to be a sponsor, and we do not

know you, please provide some evidence that you

are in fact a practicing Catholic. The purpose of

these Letters of Good Standing, is to show that we

value the example and commitment of godparents

and sponsors, and it is hypocritical to stand up for

someone when you either do not believe or practice

what you profess. Being invited to be a godparent

or sponsor is a sacred thing and not something to

be undertaken negligently or wantonly, so please

don’t ask the pastor to change the rules for you.

The Church, for its part, requires pastors to have

a founded hope that those seeking the sacraments

are practicing Catholics in good standing. The

same is true when parents present their children

for the sacraments. Pastors are to have a founded

hope that the children will be raised in the

Catholic faith. We therefore invite you to become

an active member of the church and establish a

home parish.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Job Postings

Page 5

OUR LOCATION

Visit us online at

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

Fax: 505-244-8232

Isleta Resort and Casino is located 7 minutes south of

downtown Albuquerque at Interstate 25 and Hwy 47, exit

215. The Human Resources office can be found on the east

side of the building through the Employee Entrance doors.

LAND FOR SALE

•

4.782+ Acres

Tribal Road 10

Call, Text, or Voicemail

Kimo @ (505) 506-3432

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Nathaniel Lujan

Asst. Editor:

Diane Abeita

Published By:

Valencia Express

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta Career Opportunities

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

In January, Envionment Department conducted the quarterly

radon monitoring inside the St. Augustine Church. Radon levels

show to be well below the EPA recommended radon action level

of 4.0 pCi/L and below the WHO recommended radon action

level of 2.7 pCi/L. These levels are also significantly lower than

the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) radon standard

of 100 pCi/L. Each radon monitor was set out for a total of 8

days which continuously collected radon levels. As a reminder,

the average radon levels used to be around 19.5 pCi/L. Now,

average levels are around 2.3 pCi/L. The Pueblo of Isleta

Environment Department will monitor radon levels in June of

2024 to ensure radon levels remain low.

For more information about radon, please call Environment

Department at 505-869-9814.

WIC

Diabetes Awareness

THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF DIABETES

Type 1- known as juvenile or insulin

dependent diabetes. The exact cause

is unknown but the body’s immune

system attacks the insulin producing

cells in the pancreas which are needed

to process glucose in our body. Insulin

is required to treat this type.

Type 2- cells in the muscle, liver and

fat become resistant to insulin which is

needed to transport sugars into cells of

the body, this causes a raise in blood

sugar levels. There are four stages to

this type. They are insulin resistance,

pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and type

2 diabetes with vascular complications.

The condition develops over time and

most people with diabetes have this

type. Factors such as weight and genes

are contributing factors.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms include: being overly

thirsty and using the restroom

frequently; blurry vision; tingling in the

hands and feet; wounds that are slow

to heal; and, weight loss without trying.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Diabetes can be managed through

diet and drugs such as Insulin and

Metformin. A care team needs to be

established with a primary care doctor,

endocrinologist and dietitian. Lifestyle

changes such as weight loss, healthy

eating and exercise benefit an individual

and manage symptoms.

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

PROJECT UPDATES FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The Public Works Department will be busy with projects through

the year. We ask you to please be careful when traveling in these

areas. Watch out and maintain a safe distance from construction

crews and equipment.

●Eastside Sewer Collection Systems (MAP: Eastside Sewer

Collection System)

●Eastside Drinking Water Infrastructure

(MAP: Isleta Pueblo Water System)

Drilling of wells are complete

The Pueblo is also working with PNM to bring 3-Phase

electrical service to each of the well sites.

Currently, to provide water to the Eastside community,

water is produced only by the two Casino wells. This puts a

strain on the two wells and the Arsenic treatment facility. With

the hot summer months quickly approaching, water usage will

continue to increase. Please remember to turn off the water once

you are done watering your gardens and don’t over-water them.

Check your home for any leaking fixtures, especially the toilet, as

a “stuck” flapper valve will waste a lot of water in a short period

of time. Excessive water leaks will also overwhelm your septic

system, potentially oversaturating your leach field.

●

Westside Water Line Replacement 2 (MAP: Westside

Waterline Replacement -2)

This project will upgrade existing 2” and 4” water main

lines to 6” water main lines and add fire hydrants and valves

along these roads. Residents will be connected to the new water

lines. Old main lines will be abandoned.

Project will begin on January 29,2024 for approx. 4 months

– See attached letter from CF Padilla regarding notice to

residents on Tribal Road 90

●Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant

Project is to expand the existing plant to handle an

additional 200,000 gallons of flow per day at the Westside

Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on TR100.

Molzen Corbin has been chosen as the engineering firm.

●Los Padillas Tank and Well Construction

Construction will be started for a new well that will be drilled

near TR 82 and Hwy 314, with a future elevated 200,000-gallon

water storage tank to be constructed on the same property.

The elevated water storage tank will provide consistent

water pressure throughout the area, which is a much-needed

improvement.

Old well located on TR 90 is currently off-line

If you have questions, please call the Public Works office at 505869-5170.

All homes and buildings on the Eastside of the Rio Grande

and South of the Tribal Complex, to the Bosque Farms and

Peralta reservation lines will be connected to the new sewage

collection system

The sewage collection lines will connect to the existing

Eastside treatment facility, which has enough capacity to

handle the expected sewage. Preliminary design includes an

E-1 pump system to be installed at each building, with piping

connecting the E-1 unit to the main collection line; lift stations

as needed to pump the sewage to the treatment facility, and

abandonment of existing septic systems at each residence and

electrical upgrades as necessary.

Kick Off Meeting will be happening in the next month for

the design of this system

• More updates will be announced in the coming months

February 2024

ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

(APS)

Greetings from Indian Education at Albuquerque

Public Schools!

Enrollment in all APS schools is open to all students

who reside in Isleta with free busing available to the

following schools:

Los Padillas Elementary School

Polk Middle School

Rio Grande High School

To register, the first step is for one parent to log in to

ParentVue, If you do not have a ParentVue account,

you can create one here:

https://www.aps.edu/students-parents/parentvuestudentvue/create-your-parentvue-account

Registration for each of your children is completed

through your ParentVue account. There is currently

a bug in the system for many home addresses. If you

have difficulty, please use the school address for Los

Padillas (2525 Los Padillas Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM

87105) to complete registration and then work with

your child's school to fix the address when you visit the

school.

If you would like for your child to attend one of the

other 145 APS schools, you can place a transfer request

to the APS school of your choosing. As a member of the

Pueblo of Isleta, who resides in Isleta, your transfer is

given the highest priority.

The transfer request process can be found here:

https://www.aps.edu/schools/transfers/new-studentsrequest-student-id-and-transfer

Please be sure to select the reason for your transfer as

"residing on non-taxable trust lands within a 50 mile

radius of Albuquerque" so as to ensure your transfer

request receives priority.

-Phil Farson

Senior Director

APS Indian Education Department

505.884.6392 ext 80039

TRUANCY

Greetings,

We hope you and your family had a wonderful start

to 2024. It was a wonderful feeling to see our dances

throughout the year, and look forward to them

continuing throughout the year.

A new semester has begun and before you know it will

be summer break.

The second quarter has come to an end at the Isleta

Elementary School. There was a total of 9 students that

received perfect attendance. The Truancy department

gave those students a LCD drawing tablet along with

a gift card. We hope to see an increase in the number

of students who receive perfect attendance for the 3rd

and 4th quarters. We also provide perfect attendance

incentives to students attending Los Lunas and

Albuquerque Public School students. Just remember

to give our office a call with your students name, grade

and which school they attend so that we can verify

their attendance.

There is tutoring at the Department of Education;

there are also many family events that take place

each month. As a reminder, don’t forget to utilize the

Library for any books/movies that you may need for

your educational needs or for your down time.

Do not hesitate to contact the truancy department if

you need assistance with any educational needs that

you may need assistance with.

Thank you,

Isleta Truancy Department

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

VETERANS ASSOCIATION

The Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Association has received

the below e-mail from Terry Obago, Native American

Patient Advocate at the Veterans Administration

Hospital. "On behalf of my program, the VA Native

American Veterans Program and the New Mexico VA

Healthcare System, I am reaching out to your agency

and organization to offer Veterans Administration/

Veterans Benefits Administration presentation and

outreach to your Veterans on the PACT Act and

Compact Act, as well as general Veteran program

resource information for 2024. In 2023 we have

provided PACT Act presentations and outreach to

many of your Veterans at your Location. Please review

the attached flyers for more information. We will also

be enrolling eligible Veterans in VA healthcare and

have information on the VA copay reimbursement

eligibility application for Veterans who may have

paid copays for VA medical services.

We are planning and coordinating our 2024 outreach

event calendar and we would like to ensure that our

Veterans in your community are served and that we

secure a date for outreach to your Native American

Veterans."

The Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Association will be

coordinating with Terry Obago to set dates when

outreach services will be provided.

The following VA programs have participated or will

continue to participate in community outreach efforts:

Suicide Prevention Program/Mental Health

Initiatives

Geriatric Services

Health Disease Prevention and Promotion

Native American Veterans Program

Women's Veterans Program

Women's Health

Intimate Partner Violence/DomesticViolence

MyHealtheVet

Enrollment and Eligibility

Congressional Representative

Chaplain Services

Caregiver Support Services

Veterans Benefits Administrative Staff

VA Loan/Native American Direct Loan

Homeless/HUDVASH Program

National Cemetery Program

Please send your concerns, or list of programs that

be relevant to you, to P.O. Box 338, lsleta NM 87022.

DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY?

COMPACT ACT

We want all Veterans and former service members to

know that they can get free, emergency suicide care

when they need it, no matter where they are.

We break down what this means for you and your

loved ones should you need emergency suicidal care.

PACT ACT

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health

care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits,

Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions

that we assume (or "presume") are caused by exposure

to these substances. This law helps us provide

generations of Veterans - and their survivors - with

the care and benefits they've earned and deserve.

The next POI Veterans Association meeting will

be on February 21, 2024 at 6 PM. More info will be

available.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

February 2024

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

As we enter into February we can look forward to the last month of winter and the

transition into early spring. This February brings more programming and Summer

Reading Program Planning. The year has just begun, but here at the library we already

have so much to plan for the upcoming year and we couldn’t be more excited about

it. Stay up to date with the latest news by following us on Facebook, Instagram and

Snapchat!

News

At the beginning of the month the library

will be having a staff meeting. We take

this time to plan upcoming programs for

children, teens, adults and families for the

upcoming months.

The library will be CLOSED on Monday,

February 19th in observance of Presidents

Day. All library media checked out on

Thursday, February 15th will be due on

Tuesday, February 20th.

With the weather quickly changing and

New Mexico’s unpredictable weather

patterns, please keep in mind that

unexpected closures may occur. Notices will

be posted throughout and up to the minute

notices will be posted on the Pueblo of Isleta

Public Library’s Facebook, Instagram and

Snapchat.

We are in the process of hiring and

conducting interviews for a full time and

two part-time library positions. We hope to

have these positions filled by late February,

early March. Please be patient with staff

as we are short-handed and waiting times

may be longer than usual. We apologize for

any inconvenience and we thank you for

understanding during this time.

We are excited to announce that the

construction on the library’s canopy shade

and play area is complete and we are just

waiting for the final inspection. That means

that it will be ready to use, hopefully by the

middle of the month. This play area by

the children’s room incorporates sensory

elements, with a water, music and turning

wheels station.

Check out a new way to read with our NEW

collection of Wonderbooks (from Playaway).

Every Wonderbook is a print book with a

ready-to-play audiobook inside. Kids can

listen out loud, or plug in headphones. It’s

simple to use just click the green button

to turn the audio device on, and then the

orange button to press play. Stop by the

library and check out our book display and

browse our collection located by the front

desk.

Join the Library weekly for Family Story

Time every Wednesday at 10:00am with

the library. Family Story Time is a fun

opportunity for parents, grandparents, and

caregivers to introduce their children to

reading and language. No sign-ups required,

just come in! For more information on this

program, please call library at 505-8699808.

Upcoming

Join us on Thursday, February 8th from

5pm-6pm as we celebrate Chinese New

Year, Year of the Dragon! Library staff

member Cheyenne will be showing you how

to make paper lanterns to light up your

home. This program is open to the first

10 patrons, ages 8 years old and up. Signups started on January 22nd. For more

information, please contact Cheyenne by

email at Cheyenne.Castillo@isletapueblo.

com or phone at 505-869-9808.

After School Program students trying out the NEW Wonderbooks!

More program announcements to come! For

up to the minute info on the library follow

us on our Social Media accounts where we

will be promoting upcoming programs and

events.

Recap

Our Summer Reading Program planning

meetings took place on January 10th and

11th. We discussed different themes and

planned out Youth and Junior Calendars.

Each year we start extra early on our

planning so we can get the information and

calendar to you, so you may review and

make the best decision on where your child/

children will go for the summer.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

This year our Juniors (3-6 year old) will

have a curriculum based on science. The

Juniors will be doing experiments and we

hope to bring in a couple of presenters.

Each day we will have story time, activities

and crafts. They will also have field trips

and fun water days. The Junior calendars

are in the process of being filled in, finalized

and hopefully ready by April.

The Youth (7-14 years old) will consist of

4 curriculum-based programs. Each library

staff member will have different theme,

mini field trips, and activities. Descriptions

and calendars coming soon!

Our After School Program is in full swing

for the remaining school year. Students are

coming in daily completing their homework

and reading and then an activity or craft

to follow. We currently have students

from Isleta, Bosque Farms and Sundance

Elementary. As of right now our program is

completely full, but we do have a waiting list

going. If you would like more information

please call the library at 505-869-9808 and

speak with a staff member.

Learning Outside the Classroom field trip

took place on January 31st and was led by

library member Diane. This program was

an approach to an “All Learners Day” that

Los Lunas Schools conduct one day a month

throughout the school year. The goal is that

on these days students can make the most

of their day and learn outside the classroom.

For this time around, library staff members

Diane and Kyle along with 10 students, all

who attend Los Lunas Schools, went to the

Museum of Natural History and Science

and enjoyed lunch after at Dion’s. We hope

continue this program for future Learning

Outside the Classroom fieldtrips. If you

have any question or would like more info

about this program, please feel free to give

us a call at 505-869-9808.

NM Poison Control

We should be cleaning and

disinfecting more often.

It is

important that you do not inject or

ingest these chemicals into your

body. Please remember to keep ALL

chemicals out of children’s reach. If

any cleaning or disinfectant solution

is swallowed or injected, please

contact the NM Poison Control

immediately.

1-800-222-1222

Newly built play area located in the Children’s Patio at the library.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 14

February 2024

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Isleta Police Department is inviting

the Isleta community to join us in

welcoming the new basketball coach, School

Resource Officer Ricky Yzquierdo. Schools,

communities, and families can play

crucial roles by providing opportunities

for organized sports, active playtime, and

physical education programs. By instilling

a love for movement early on, we contribute

to the growth and long-term health of the

younger generation. A huge thank you to

Officer Ricky for volunteering his time to

support and mentor our children.

Pictured is IES P.E. Teacher Alecia

Smith and SRO Ricky Yzquierdo

The Isleta Elementary School’s after school

basketball practice will be for 1 hour after

school. Monday through Thursday 3:15pm

to 4:15pm starting Monday January 22nd.

Objectives of this program are: to provide

a fun after school learning environment for

students that will help promote exercise,

self-discipline,

self-confidence,

instill

teamwork, strengthen school unity and

community relations. To promote IES

and help boost new student enrollment.

Isleta parents who want their children

to participate in sports could potentially

bring their children from surrounding

schools who do not have sports activities to

participate in.

Isleta Highway Safety Patrol will be

participating in the annual “Click it or

Ticket” campaign. The “Click it or Ticket”

campaign is enforced by police agencies

nationwide. According to the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration in

the 2021, over 11,000 passenger vehicle

occupants killed in car crashes were not

wearing seatbelts. Drivers play a crucial role

in highway safety by obeying speed limits,

avoiding distractions, and consistently

wearing seatbelts. Highway safety is a

shared responsibility that, when upheld by

both drivers and authorities, significantly

reduces the risk of accidents and enhances

the overall well-being of all that are on the

road.

Lastly, we would like to introduce and

welcome to the newest faces at the Isleta

Police Department; Charles Bouyer

Greetings Families of our

IES students:

My name is Ms. Smith, I am the PE Teacher

at Isleta Elementary School. I, along with

officer Ricky, am excited to announce that

we will be starting basketball practice on

Monday, January 22nd, 2024.

Basketball Practice

Isleta Elementary Gym

2nd-6th grade students only

Monday through Thursday

3:15pm to 4:15pm

Students are welcome to leave gym bags

with practice attire with me in the gym.

The restrooms in the gym will be available

for students to change into practice clothes

after school.

Our goal for starting a basketball team

is to enhance a sense of unity and eagle

pride to our students and opportunities to

compete in games, leagues, tournaments

all while having fun.

Thank you for all your support and we

look forward to working with our children.

Ms. Smith

“Remember it’s always a great day to

be an ISLETA EAGLE”

(Sergeant) and Gertrude Lujan (Dispatcher).

We know they will be wonderful additions

to Isleta Police Department family.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 15

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

February here we come! Those of you

that made New Year’s Resolutions

should be a month into it by now and I

hope you are still sticking with it. Our

weather seems to be getting warmer,

which means more of us are getting

outdoors, which is always a good

thing. As for us here at the Parks &

Recreation Department, things are

looking good, as well.

GOOD NEWS – We will now have

the Main (New) Recreation Center

open on Saturday mornings for

4 hours from 8 am to 12 noon

starting Saturday, February 3rd,

2024. This means the whole center

will be available for you to utilize

on Saturday mornings, so come

by and workout in our fitness

section, bring the family and swim

in the pool, or shoot some baskets

in the gym when its available. We

are looking forward to seeing you

here on Saturdays.

Our Parks crew is plugging away

prepping our parks and facilities for

the upcoming warmer weather, they

do a great job for the department and

the Pueblo. Our Fitness Sections

at both (Old Rec and New Rec) are

hopping with lots of tribal members,

POI employees and Casino Employees

in our gyms working out.

Our

Recreation Section is doing good

things with the kids in the program

and starting to plan for the summer

program, which will be here before we

know it. Our Aquatics Section just

finished their annual maintenance

work on the aquatics center and our

Sports Section has been busy with the

Volleyball league and planning for

the next big activity so keep your eyes

open for that.

As a department we will continue to do

good things for all the tribal members

here in the pueblo.

If you have any questions, concerns

or comments about things here in our

department please feel free to reach

out to me (Arnold Sena, Department

Director), I would love to hear from

you!

AQUATICS SECTION – We hope

you all have had a very fun, safe start

to your New Year! Isleta Aquatics is

looking forward to our 2024 Season!

We have just completed spring

maintenance in the Lap Pool, which

included draining and refilling as well

as feeder and Heater maintenance.

We do appreciate everyone’s patience

through that process.

swim times this spring. Open Swim

will be open from 4:30pm until 7:30pm

from Monday through Thursday, and

4:30pm-5:30pm on Fridays. Morning

Lap swim can also be scheduled

through the Aquatics office at 505869-9783. Isleta

year’s Volleyball League. Like always

we love to see their creativity with the

team names. Games are played on

Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6, 7

and 8pm. If you want to get out and

watch a game, come on by, we would

love to see you here!

Aquatics is still hiring Lifeguards for

Spring and Summer! We will provide

all necessary Lifeguard training and

certification at no cost to the candidate!

If you know anyone interested in

becoming a lifeguard, please call or

visit the POI website for the job posting!

For anyone interested in information

about Lifeguard certification, child or

adult swim lessons, and other aquatic

programming please call Josh Roybal

at 505-869-9783.

We are also looking for kids to

participate in a summer basketball

league. Team ages are 9–10-yearolds and 11–12-year-olds. If we have

enough interest to form two teams the

games will be played in Albuquerque

and all practices will be here at the

Rec center. We need to have at least

10 players for each, so please sign

up as soon as possible if you are

interested so we can get our team

registered. For more information, you

FITNESS SECTION – We started can call George Waquie at (505) 869off the year with a couple of new 9777 or email him at george.waquie@

challenges. You asked for them and isletapueblo.com he will be able to give

we gave them to you. If anyone has the information you need concerning

ideas for different types of challenges the youth basketball or any other

feel free to let us know, if we are able sports activities taking place here at

to do them, we will. January was the recreation center.

the TKO AirRaid running challenge.

Winners won a brand-new Adidas

Defender gym bag and a Hurley

shaker bottle. This was to introduce

you to the new running machine and

having fun while getting your cardio

in.

February’s challenge will be 14

workout sessions for at least 30

minutes or more, that’s easy, so come

picked, 1 male and 1 female will win a

Stanley Water Tumbler. Talk to your

fitness team members to get all the

details.

And now for the Latest and Greatest

News! The Isleta Recreation Center

wants you to start off the year knowing

your body and where you started, so

to start off your fitness journey this

year with getting your InBody body

composition done along with getting

your blood pressure taken. Isleta

Recreation Center has purchased

a state-of-the-art blood pressure

machine that is very quick and easy

to use, this machine is amazing! So

come on in and get with the fitness

staff to start your health and fitness

journey.

SPORTS SECTION – Here we go

with another year and I hope everyone

is staying healthy and safe. We are

very excited to have 12 teams in CoEd Volleyball league this year. Just

Spike it, S.W.A.T, The New Kids on the

Block, Practice Safe Sets, Evolution,

We have already begun scheduling Back Shot’s, Out of Line, F.A.Y.B.,

the afterschool program and others for Misfits, Regulators, Barbz, and Wolf

Pack, these are the teams for this

RECREATION SECTION – We are

busy with the kids and planning our

Spring Break and Summer Programs.

If you are interested in having your

child/children in the upcoming Spring

Break Recreation Program, please

make sure and sign up for the drawing.

If you want more information about

this program, please contact the

Recreation Center at (505) 869-9777.

Our After School Program is going well.

We currently have 20 participants

in this program and they all seem

to enjoy the program and activities

provided.

If any of you want to know more

information about the department,

please feel free to contact us at (505)

869-9777. Stay safe, healthy and

happy!

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

ISLETA HEALTH CENTER

Know Your Numbers, You Are

Important, You Are Worth It

Weight, BMI, and Waist Circumference

Andrea Wilson, Fitness Instructor

Phone: 505-869-4595

References: cdc.gov nhlbi.nih.gov

uofmhealth.org

Weight, waist measurement, and/or BMI are

different measurements used to measure the

health of an individual. Being overweight or obese

increases your risk for developing health diseases

such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high

blood cholesterol, and many others. If you are

overweight and/or obese, losing a small amount

of weight (between 5-10% of your current weight)

will help you lower your risk for developing these

health diseases. The best way to lose weight is

by eating a healthy and balanced diet, and by

exercising at least 150 minutes per week.

Weight

The ideal weight for males and females can differ.

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

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

important to know how much we weigh, that way

we know our risk for developing health diseases.

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

higher risk for developing health diseases such as

diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types

of cancer. You can maintain a healthy weight by

exercising regularly, and eating a healthy and

balanced diet. One way to determine a healthy

weight is calculating your BMI.

BMI

BMI is known as Body Mass Index. BMI is a

measurement of body fat based on an individual's

height and weight. It is important to note that

BMI does not consider muscle mass, and for

this reason individuals with a high muscle mass

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

individual would have a high BMI, but have a

healthy-looking physique. There are different BMI

categories, which include: Underweight= <18.5,

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

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

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

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

the overweight category. In order to move into the

normal weight BMI category, you would have to

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

now weigh 140 lbs. Your BMI would be 23, which is

considered a normal weight. You can calculate your

BMI through various websites, InBody, handheld

body fat analyzers, body fat scales, bod pods,

and skinfold calipers. You can decrease your BMI

by exercising and eating a healthy and balanced

diet in order to lose weight. A decrease in weight

results in a decreased BMI.

Waist Circumference

Your waist size is also another way in which

you can measure your health. A large waist

circumference is associated with an increased

risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high

blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. You

can measure your waist circumference by placing

a tape measure at the top of your hip bone, then

bringing the tape measure all the way around your

body, level with your belly button. A healthy waist

measurement for males is less than 40 inches,

and a healthy waist measurement for females is

less than 35 inches. You can decrease inches from

your waist measurement through calorie deficit

and exercising often.

Page 18

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

APPOINTMENTS IN CLINIC

By Dr. Hadley Pope

We are excited to welcome three new

providers to the Isleta Health Center Medical

Clinic. With Dr. Kelley, Dr. Kistin, and Nurse

Practitioner Hayes joining Dr. Nelson, Dr.

Sapien, and myself in clinic, the clinic is

now fully staffed with providers! This means

more appointment availability and expanding

services. With this exciting development,

I wanted to take a moment to review the

different types of appointments available at

clinic.

Primary

Care

Appointments:

These

appointments are scheduled in advance and

focus on chronic medical issues and healthcare

maintenance. Chronic medical issues are

those issues that require long-term treatment

and include: diabetes; high blood pressure;

anxiety, depression, and substance use

disorders; asthma and COPD; prenatal care;

rheumatological conditions, like lupus and RA;

and chronic pain. Healthcare maintenance

is the medical term for routine cancer and

disease screening. We recommend that all

patients (even those without chronic medical

conditions) see a provider for a primary care

visit at least once per year. If you do not have

a primary care provider, or were previously

seen by one of our former providers (Dr.

Chynoweth or Dr. Tomosie), we recommend

that you call medical clinic and get scheduled

for an establish primary care appointment.

Children should also establish with a primary

care provider. We recommend that all kids, no

matter how healthy, see a doctor at least once

a year (and even more frequently for infants

and toddlers). All of the medical providers at

Isleta Health Center are experienced in seeing

pediatric patients and eager to care for your

whole family.

Same Day Appointments: We offer 19

same day appointments per day. These

appointments focus on a single, urgent issue,

such as: upper respiratory infection (cold, flu,

covid); urinary infection; sexually transmitted

infection; pregnancy testing; accident or

injury; and concerning symptoms like chest

pain or shortness of breath. Patients should

call clinic at starting at 8am for a same day

appointment.

Hospital Follow-Up Appointment: After

discharge from the hospital or emergency room,

we recommend a follow-up with a provider to

ensure patients have the correct medications

and follow-up needed after hospitalization. We

have reserved appointments throughout the

week for hospital follow-up. When possible,

this appointment will be with your primary

care provider. Please contact clinic after you

are released from the hospital to schedule this

appointment.

Procedure Appointments: Starting in January

2024, we will be offering a dedicated procedure

clinic once per week. These appointments are

for in-clinic procedures, including: IUD and

Nexplanon insertion and removal; joint and

trigger point injections; and skin biopsy.

See you in clinic!

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

Isleta Healthy Foods Express

Stephanie Barela, Health Educator

Stephanie.Barela@islclinic.net

Phone: 505-869-4479

The Isleta Health Center has collaborated with

Roadrunner Food Bank since July 2023 on the

Healthy Foods Express food distribution that is at the

Chical Reception Hall on the 1st Friday of every

month. This Healthy Foods Express Event provides

free, fresh food to families. The distribution used to

be from 9-11am, however during the winter months

(January, February and March) the distribution time

was pushed back to 10:30 until 12:30pm, due to the

potential for snowy and icy roads. Unfortunately in

January we had a snow storm on January 4th, which

caused POI to have a late start on January 5th, which

in turn caused the Food Distribution to be pushed back

until 1:30pm-3:30pm. We are very sorry for those who

were not notified of the time change. A notice did go

out on the POI Text, but if you are not signed up for

that then you may not have received the notification.

Please contact me if you would like to be signed up for

the POI Text notification so that you are notified in

the future of any event dates or changes.

Since July, we have provided 7 Health Food Express

Food Distributions and have provided food to at

least 495 households, with more than 1,208 people

affected by the distribution. The Healthy Foods

Express is set up like a farmer’s market, with fresh

produce and other food items available for individuals

to select. At each event, any new participant will fill

out a Client Intake Form for their first attendance

and then in the future after the participant registers 1

time, they will no longer have to register again. Road

Runner Food Bank needs participants to register

in order to show the need for the program and to

maintain state funding. If you have completed this

form before, then you are not required to complete

this again, unless the information was incorrectly

inputted into the computer or your information has

changed. There is also a Pick-Up Authorization form

that is needed if we are distributing food from TEFAP

(The Emergency Food Assistance Program), in order

for you to pick up food for other households. Food

from TEFAP is not always distributed, but it would be

good if you are planning to pick up food for others, to

have this form completed in case we are distributing

TEFAP food that day. The pick-up authorization form

will be provided at each event, or you can access the

form in order to fill it out before the distribution either

on our website, www.islclinic.com or from the Isleta

Health Center.

Everyone is welcome to come to the Healthy Foods

Express Distribution at the Chical Reception Hall, so

we hope to see you at the February 2nd event from

10:30am-12:30pm unless the food runs out before

then.

Page 20

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

Meet the EMS Team at

Isleta Health Center

Dear Community,

We are excited to introduce you to the newest member

of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team here

at Isleta Health Center. These individuals bring a

wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to

serving our community, and we are thrilled to have

them onboard.

Sixt Lopez, Paramedic

Allyson Chavez, Intermediate EMT

Samantha Demko, Intermediate EMT

Kim Van Marter, Intermediate EMT

Nathan Miller, Intermediate EMT

At Isleta Health Center, we understand that quick

and effective emergency medical services can make

all the difference in critical situations. Our EMS

team is dedicated to providing the highest quality

care to our community members, ensuring that you

receive the help you need when it matters most.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our

newest EMS employees. We are confident that their

skills and compassion will enhance our ability to

serve you and your loved ones.

Sincerely, Peter Herrera

EMS Manager

Your Healthcare Matters: The impact of

Missed Appointments

Dear Patients and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high

spirits. At Isleta Health Center, we are committed to

providing you with the best possible care, but we need

your help to make your healthcare journey as smooth

and effective as possible.

Missed Appointments Affect Everyone:

When patients miss appointments or cancel at the last

minute, it affects not only their own health but also our

entire healthcare system. These actions impact:

Your health outcomes: Regular appointments

are essential for managing chronic conditions,

preventing illness, and ensuring your overall well-being.

Skipping appointments or delaying care can lead to

health complications.

Business operations: last minute cancellations

and no-shows disrupt our daily schedule, making it

challenging to accommodate other patients who need

timely care. This can lead to longer wait times for

everyone.

Employee satisfaction: Our dedicated

healthcare professionals are here to serve you, but

frequent no-shows and late cancellations can lead to

frustration among our staff. They want to provide you

with the best care possible, but their time is valuable

too.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and

emergencies happen. However, taking responsibility

for your healthcare engagement is essential. After your

appointment, follow through with any recommended

tests, medications, or specialist referrals. Your continuity

of care is crucial to your health.

We are here to support you on your healthcare journey,

but your active participation is vital. Together, we can

ensure that everyone receives the care they deserve,

and our healthcare system runs efficiently.

Thank you for entrusting us with your healthcare needs.

We look forward to continuing to serve you and our

community.

Sincerely,

Karen Lucero

Chief Executive Officer

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 21

WELLBRIETY: A Sober Life that is

balanced Emotionally, Mentally, Physically

and Spiritually. The Wellbriety Movement

is designed to offer a sustainable Culturally

Based Healing. Traditional Teachings tell

us that Wellness is a state of being in which

the person is in Harmony with Natural

Law, Principles and Values, which were

given by the Creator.

A Wellbriety Group is comprised of

Individuals who share similar experiences

and make an agreement to meet on a regular

basis. The meetings are not about “fixing”

other people. They are about creating

new thought patterns, new attitudes and

new feelings about themselves. For those

working in the Circle of Healing, they create

strong social and emotional bonds that help

the individuals to develop trust, autonomy

and other healthy feelings and thought

patterns. These then lead to Emotional,

Mental, Physical and Spiritual growth and

balance. Much is shared in the Healing

Circle. We are here to get well.

We use Medicine Wheel & 12 Steps

Teaching Videos, Talking Circles and

Mind Mapping to work through and heal

those things that often lead us to alcohol

and/or drug use, abuse, or dependence. All

permanent and lasting change starts on

the inside first then works its way outward.

Having the group sit in a circle and take

the time to connect with each other forms

one great mind that creates solutions and

ideas that will be far more useful than the

results of only one person thinking alone.

We must create a Healing Forest to benefit

our community toward a better future.

Are you ready for change? Come and Join

Us!! All you need to do to get started with

Wellbriety is show up! When you join, the

group facilitators will guide you on next

steps. We will ask that all group participants

complete an assessment so our facilitators

can offer additional support after a group

session, if needed.

WELLBRIETY MEETINGS

MEDICINE WHEEL & 12 STEPS

TUESDAYS, 4:00pm-6:00pm

B’EEH K’OO-EE WELLNESS

“THE GOOD ROAD”

CONFERENCE ROOM

(SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BUILDINGFOLLOW THE RAMP)

Pueblo of Isleta Health Center

1 Sagebrush St, Albuquerque, NM 87105

505-869-5475

Page 22

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

Isleta Health Center Optometry

Digital Eye Strain

We are using screens

now more than ever

before. Many of us use

our computer screens

at work and spend

much of our spare time on our TVs, phones

or tablets. This can be a wonderful thing, but

there are also potential side effects. One of

the effects of increased screen time is that it

can bother our eyes, a recent term has been

coined for this: “Digital Eye Strain”. Our eyes

feel strained due to the background light from

the devices, and due to small muscles inside

our eyes that are working hard to keep us

focused on the devices in front of us.

The Optometry Times and many eye-care

professionals have recently created a simple

rule to help combat this Digital Eye Strain.

They call it the 20-20-20 Rule; this means that

for every 20 minutes you spend on a digital

screen, you should take a 20-second break

to look at something at least 20 feet away.

Oftentimes, our eyes feel most relaxed when

we let them rest for a moment and just look

into the distance. If you can actively remember

to take short breaks from staring at screens

throughout your day, your eyes will thank

you. Especially if you are feeling eyestrain or

fatigue at the end of the day, this is something

you should implement into your daily routine.

Vision is such an important part of our lives,

let’s remember to take care of our eyes so

they can take care of us for many more years

to come.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 23

Attention Expecting Mothers,

Please call Isleta Health Center to schedule your newborn’s

establishing appointment at (505)869-4089 following birth.

We kindly ask arrival of at least one hour early prior to

your newborn scheduled appointment. This allows parents/

guardians to fill out the newborn application and give

patient registration the needed documents, to make copies

and ensures your newborn to be seen at the appointment

time. Needed documents are following:

Proof of Birth

Discharge Forms

Insurance Cards

Mothers valid Drivers license/valid government issued

photo ID

Mothers Valid Tribal ID

Fathers valid Drivers License/valid government issued

photo ID

Fathers Valid Tribal ID

Unwed parents, provide a notarized Declaration of

Paternity

*New Born applications will be accepted within 60 days

from birth.

If you cannot come an hour early, newborn application

pickup is recommended. Please call Isleta Health Center

patient registration with any questions (505)869-3200.

Sincerely,

Cassandra Jaramillo

Director of Administrative Services

Purchase Referred Care

•

PURCHASED/REFERRED CARE is listed as payor of last resort.

●

So when registering at the facility for your medical appointment,

please make sure Isleta Health Clinic is listed last on your insurance.

●

If you do not have any insurance you will need to contact our Benefit

Coordinator at 505-869-4469 to schedule an appointment and apply for

insurance- Medicaid/Medicare

●

Should you receive any bills, please drop them off immediately to

PRC as it could cause a delay in payment and or being sent to collections.

•

Patients are required to call PRC for all ER/Urgent Care notifications

within 72 hours of visit (24/7).

●

Leaving voicemails over the weekend/holiday is acceptable

notification

●

Please provide the following information: name, date of birth,

hospital/clinic visited, reason for visit, how you arrived at the facility (i.e

private vehicle or EMS) and if you have any follow-up appointments

•

Patients are required to call PRC for ALL scheduled appointments

(i.e., procedures, tele-med and in-person visits)

●

Please give PRC as much advance notice as possible to allow us

time to enter your information, fax referral to named facility and mail the

referral to you.

•

Please make sure your address, phone number and insurance

are up to date. This helps PRC in scheduling your appointments

appropriately.

●

Having correct insurance information on file will help facilities bill

properly and avoid you being sent to collections.

•

PRC will assist with payment for medical services only. PRC does

not have funding for short/long term rehabilitation or nursing home care,

pharmacy, laboratory, or durable medical equipment (i.e., wheelchairs,

crutches, braces, etc.,)

February-

National Teen Dating

Violence Awareness Month

ISLETA WIC PROGRAM

505-869-2662

What is Dating Matters?

Dating Matters - is a teen dating violence prevention

model developed to stop teen dating violence before it

starts. It focuses on teaching 11-14 year olds healthy

relationship skills and reducing behaviors that

increase the risk for dating violence, like substance

abuse and sexual risk-taking. The model includes

prevention strategies for individuals, friends, families,

schools, and neighborhoods. Visit CDC.gov for more

info.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

• 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 6 ounces white chocolate chips

• 12-16 strawberries with stems

Melt both the semisweet and white chocolate in

separate glass bowls set over saucepans of simmering

water or in the microwave. Line a baking sheet with

parchment paper.

Grab a strawberry and hold it by the stem and twist it so

that it’s covered with chocolate. Gently lay it on its side

on the sheet of parchment. Repeat.

Let the strawberries sit at room temperature to set slightly,

about 30 minutes.

Transfer the melted white chocolate to a small piping

bag and drizzle stripes all over the chocolate on the

strawberries--you can do any designs you like! Then

store the strawberries in the fridge to set completely.

HAPPY

VALENTINE’S

DAY

Page 24

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

2023 Elder Center Christmas Celebration

The Annual Elder Center Christmas Celebration (60 +), was another successful event where elders

of our community enjoyed a dinner and dance dedicated to them. Here are some pictures from the

event.

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 25

DID YOU KNOW?

There are no substitutes for blood, platelets or

plasma—they cannot be manufactured. Patients

in need of blood or blood products must rely on

donations from people like you. Those who are

hesitant about donating blood for the first time

often find that the donation process is easy and

that saving lives is deeply gratifying.

One donation can save multiple lives. Here

are the facts:

•

Just one donation can save up to 3

lives.

•

The average red blood cell transfusion

is 3 pints (or three whole-blood

donations).

•

More than 1 million people every year

are diagnosed with cancer for the

first time. Many of them will

need blood— sometimes daily—

during chemotherapy.

•

More than 38,000 blood donations

are

needed every day.

•

Type O-negative whole blood can be

transfused to people with any blood

type, but this type of blood is rare, and

supplies of it are low.

•

Type AB plasma can be transfused to

patients with all other blood types, but

it is also in short supply.

•

While 38% of the American population is

eligible to give blood, only 2% actually

donates.

Page 26

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 27

Health Beat: Healthy Relationships

Orion Zuni, Experiential Educator

Phone: 505-869-5475

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month,

which is a great time to raise awareness about teen

dating violence, promote healthy teen relationships

and highlight programs that prevent dating violence.

Relationships hold a very important role in the

wellbeing of both teens and adults. While early

teen relationships may seem silly or unimportant

(especially when they don’t last more than a few

months), teens are learning how to form healthy

relationships. Unfortunately, healthy relationships

are difficult to teach as it comes with experience.

Unhealthy relationships may result in emotional

and/or physical harm. Being young, most teens lack

the experience necessary to determine how a healthy

relationship is formed and maintained. Our earliest

example of relationships are influenced by our own

family dynamics, which may or may not be positive.

The best way for younger people to learn about

healthy relationships is by watching their parents

interact with one another, their friends, and family

with honesty, trust, and open communication. In this

way, teens will begin to expect that from their own

relationships. Parents play a big role in helping teens

understand what a healthy relationship looks like.

With that in mind here are some characteristics to

discuss with your teen of what a healthy relationship

should look like:

Respect: In a healthy relationship people do

not put down, insult, or belittle their partners. They

value each other’s time and opinions.

Communication: In a healthy relationship,

each person can share their feelings in a safe and

non-judgmental manner, even in times of conflict.

Balance of Power: In healthy relationships,

both people should feel like they have equal footing.

One should feel safe to make their own decisions

independently without fear of retaliation or

judgment. You may want to discourage your teen

from dating anyone much younger or older, as

they have a higher chance of having an unequal

relationship, where one person isn’t respected.

Lastly, they put equal effort into their relationship.

Honesty: Partners should always be truthful

and open with their feelings, thoughts, aspirations

and opinions.

Trust: In a healthy relationship, partners

should be able to rely on each other. They know

they can count on this person to be one of their main

forms of support.

Growth: In our lives, our fears, hopes, goals,

passions, and interests will constantly change, and

good relationships should allow for these changes to

take place.

Individuality: Neither partner should have

to compromise who they are, nor their identity.

Each should be supportive of their partner wanting

to pursue new hobbies or making new friends.

Compromise: Conflict is bound to arise

in every relationship. People should be able to

compromise and negotiate to a mutually agreeable

solution when there are disagreements.

If you are worried that your own personal relationships

have not been the best example for your teenager,

being open and honest about your own experiences,

whether positive or negative, will go a long way. The

Isleta B’eeh-K’oo-ee Program is a great program to

assist you with improving your relationships. Contact

Isleta B’eeh-K’oo-ee at for more information at 505869-5475.

Page 28

Isleta Pueblo News

February 2024

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.