From the Desk of Governor

Isleta Pueblo News

Volume 6 Issue 4

From the Desk of Governor

Frank Lujan

Spring has sprung and comes with it many

outdoor activities. Spring is the beginning

of baseball, camping, fishing, picnics, and

so forth. Also, coming with the spring

season are the many fire dangers and the

dangers around our water areas. The Rio

Grande River will be running full, as well

as the irrigation canals, and therefore we

are advising that children not be allowed

to be around these areas without adult

supervision.

photos of the housing project. In addition

to this project, the new Tribal Complex is

moving into the finishing stages. Though

it may not look like it’s nearing completion

as you drive by, but let me assure you that

completion of the project is very near. Since

we are so close to completion, the final

selection for furnishings and colors have

already been made. Expected completion

for this project is July, 2011 and move in

is scheduled for August, 2011. We believe

this project is a benefit to our community as

most of the programs will be located under

one roof.

Fires have become a major concern, and lately

there have been some fires in the Bosque,

but thanks to our professional fire crews,

they were immediately contained. I decided

to put emphasis on our fire situation because

of the many calls our office has received

asking us to respond to uncontrolled fires.

Our volunteer fire department, the Natural

Resources Department, and the Bureau of

Indian Affairs have been spending a lot of

their time responding to uncontrolled fire

calls. Please read the article concerning

fires and what the Pueblo has experienced

in recent days. We ask each and everyone

to PLEASE take all necessary precautions

when and if you plan to burn weeds, trash

or even plan on a backyard barbeque.

An investment opportunity presented itself

recently to the Pueblo of Isleta. The Indian

Pueblo Marketing Inc. (IMPI), a company

owned by the Nineteen Pueblos, asked the

Pueblos to invest in property associated with

the Albuquerque Indian School. The Pueblo

of Isleta responded with a loan to IPMI

of $2 Million, under terms and conditions

which will financially be favorable to our

community. This loan was made by Pueblo

of Isleta as an investment opportunity for

our community, with an expected return of

$5.08 million after fifteen years.

The fuel prices have skyrocketed in recent

days. We're not sure when the prices will

settle. As a result, the Pueblo will begin

scheduling of certain services to curtail our

fuel costs. The Public Works Department

has begun to ascertain the number and

types of work orders received to look at

various ways of providing services in a more

efficient and cost effective method. Last

year, Public Works spent approximately

$100,000 in fuel, whereas, this year it is

expected to increase by at least $60,000 if

the fuel prices remain at current prices. I

am sure the price of other goods and services

will increase as well.

Sunset Hills Subdivision is scheduled for

completion in January, 2012. This project

is employing about 30 tribal members who

have done an excellent job in utilizing their

job skills to help meet the Pueblo’s housing

needs. This is another great example of how

far housing has come since the adoption of

the cinder block construction. Below are

April 2011

the project will be scheduled [ i.e., roofing,

HVAC, lighting, and furnishings]. I know

we all can't wait for the completion of our

church. Ed Crocker, Ltd., contractor, is

continuing to do excellent work.

Future 2011 road projects include

permanent realignment and aggregate

surface course of Tribal Road 33, from Tribal

Road 40 to NM 147; Tribal Road 78 from

NM 314 to NM 45; the extension of Tribal

Road 97 [gravel road] from the Wastewater

Treatment Plan to the new intersection at

Highway 47 (across the highway from the

Tribal Services Complex).

April is Child Abuse Awareness Campaign.

New Mexico Legislature — Efforts to defeat

the existing tribal cigarette tax exemption

failed in committee. In fact, it never made

it out of committee thanks to our lobbying

efforts by the Setter Group. Also, there is

potential for new funding for watershed

restoration.

NEWSLETTER MAILING

It will eliminate the need to drive from

one location to another and make it more

convenient for tribal members to conduct

business. It will save on energy costs, as

well. The St. Augustine Church project has

been met with unexpected complications

and the completion date has been moved to

July or early August. This has to do with a

portion of a wall that came down. The north

wall has been removed and replacement is

now being done. Once this portion of the

work is finished, then other components of

This will definitely be the last month

that the newsletter will be mailed. We had

planned that the last month for mailing

would be with the March 2011 issue;

however, Governor Frank Lujan decided

that we should mail the April 2011 issue.

The May 2011 issue will be available

for pick-up at the Governor's Office, the

Old and New Recreation Centers, Health

Clinic, Tribal Library, Department of

Education, and Headstart. Newspaper

boxes will be set up at the Ranchitos Park,

Veterans Association (the Old Headstart

Building) in Chical, and a location to yet

be determined, north of the Pueblo in the

87105 zip code area.

We have received but a handful of name

suggesting for the Newsletter. We would

like to change the "Isleta Pueblo News".

Remember...there is dinner at the Tiwa for

the best name.

For any questions concerning the

Newsletter, call Ulysses Abeita at 3071582 or 869-2680.

Page 2

Johnson-O'Malley Program

Greetings from the Johnson-O'Malley staff!

March has been a busy month for us here in

our program from attending a conference in

Denver to planning a month full of activities

for April. We have tons of activities in the

works and hope to see each and every one

of you here. We have some great news to

share with you. We have a young man by

the name of Brandon Tewaheftewa that

will be assisting the JOM program with

tutoring, student activities and other duties.

If you get a chance stop by and meet our

new worker. He has assisted in preparing

for upcoming activities and events. We are

excited to have him working with JOM.

During March, Bernadette and Geraldine

attended a workshop titled, "Save the

Children, Save the Teenager" during this

conference they met several people from

other Native and Indigenous communities.

They discussed many issues that our Native

children face, social issues including drug

and alcohol abuse, drop out prevention,

poor attendance, family support, as well as

test-taking skills.

Isleta Pueblo News

collected contact information from parents

such as email and mailing addresses. We

sent out several emails and mailers to

inform parents of the "Parent Forum" and

various activities. Take a guess at how

many parents came to discuss concerns.....

Absolutely zero! Not one parent came to

express any concerns or issues at all! Please

remember, the JOM program is here to work

collaboratively with everyone that has a

student enrolled in a public school. Parents

and students give our program direction

when it comes to the types of services and

support that we provide.

March 2: Read Across America

On March 2, we gave away books! We had

quite a few parents and students come in

and select free books to build literacy skills

at home. Everyone that attended received a

list of books that are appropriate for their

Did you know that the amount of

involvement a father has in the education

of a child impacts how well a student will

do in school? Did you know, by expanding

your child's vocabulary they will be more

successful academically? It is simple things

such as these that we tend to overlook. How

many of you believe that there is a huge

issue with drug abuse? Here at the JOM

program have been told by your students

that there are many of our children involved

in Marijuana, Meth and Cocaine usage.

That's right! You heard it here!

Some children from our community have

begun using these types of drugs. Since

December, we have contacted the bus

compound in Los Lunas on several occasions

because we have had several students

inform us that they do not want to ride the

bus because students on the Middle and

High school buses are smoking marijuana

on the bus to and from school. I would

suggest you begin talking to your students

about their journey to and from school.

Something needs to be done. It is the school

district's responsibility to ensure that our

students are transported to and from school

in a safe and healthy manner. We can only

do so much as individuals but when we

stand together and demand change, change

must follow.

In January, we had a "Parent Forum". We

wanted to discuss the good, the bad and the

ugly! If you had any concerns regarding your

students we wanted to hear from you. These

issues could pertain to social development

including coping with bullies, dealing with

peer pressure, supporting academic growth

and perhaps making our community better.

Not sure about you, but we're kind of

tired of seeing all the graffiti around our

community, and it's getting worse. We have

also heard that there have been break- ins

involving some teens. At the beginning of

the school year we had over 500 students

receive school supplies. During this time we

April 2011

the brain becomes more active in problem

solving and critical thinking also known

as cognitive skills? Parts of the brain are

unlocked as the students use visualization,

logic and memory retrieval. Engaging in

problem solving exercises creates new

connection in the brain while strengthening

old ones. Students were able to select from

over 20 different types of puzzles to make.

Students were also given the opportunity

to create their own puzzles. Not only will

puzzle making support the development

of metacognition, but it is a great way to

relieve stress!

Cognitive Skills is the mental process

of perception, memory, judgment, and

reasoning, as contrasted with emotional

and volitional processes. (http://dictionary.

reference.com/browse/cognitive)

student. Students also celebrated what

would have been Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with

a wonderful cake made by Bernadette. We

had approximately 30 students plus their

parents. They completed fun Dr. Seuss

activities and games.

March 24: Pizza and a Puzzle

On March 24, we held an event called

Pizza and a Puzzle. Did you know that

by encouraging students to make puzzles

Metacognition is the process of thinking

of thinking and having an awareness of how

our brains process. Also defined as having

an understanding of when and how to use

particular strategies for learning or problem

solving. (Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition

and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitivedevelopmental inquiry. American Psychologist, v34

n10 p906-11 Oct 1979)

Ysleta del Sur College Fair

On April 1— April 4 we were invited to take

a group of students to the College Fair in El

Paso, Texas to visit Ysleta del Sur. We have

been working over the past couple of years

to create a working relationship between

our two communities. This will be the first

visit for students. We anticipate making the

most of this visit and learning more about

the similarities and difference between our

Isleta Pueblo and that of Ysleta del Sur.

It is important to understand the history

between our community and theirs.

The College Fair component will allow

students to apply to different colleges in

southern New Mexico, as well as Texas.

This will provide students and parents the

opportunity to meet with the local college

representatives. Our goal is to create a

lasting relationship with the Ysleta del Sur

community including the students and staff

of the JOM Program. We strongly believe

this will be a positive learning experience.

April 2011

Activities Scheduled for the

Month of April:

Mark your calendar! These activities are

scheduled for the benefit of your student.

We hope to have more parent and student

involvement. When we have more people in

attendance it assists our ability to justify

additional activities and events that support

your child’s education.

• April 9 — Up...Up and Away! This

activity begins at 9:00am and ends at

2:00pm. Participants will watch the

movie, “Up” followed by a kite making

competition. We will also test the theory

of aeronautics in an attempt to lift

objects from the ground using helium

filled balloons. Lunch will be provided.

• April 13 — In celebration of “National

Garden Month” students can come and

learn about planting flowers or gardens.

The participants will plant seeds or

seedlings, discuss the life cycle of a plant,

and complete arts and craft activities.

• April 21 — “Easter Egg Decorating”

It’s that time of the year when Peter

Cottontail comes hopping down the

bunny trail. This year we are going

to help him out a bit with decorating

papier-maché eggs, plastic eggs, and

possibly real eggs. There are many other

surprises in store. This same evening

the Indian Education Committee will be

hosting a parent meeting. Parents are

strongly encouraged to attend. We will

be planning summer activities, back to

Isleta Pueblo News

school, and other business.

• April 30 — Can you hear the rumbling

of the drum? This year we will be

taking students to the Gathering of

Nations Pow-Wow. This activity is for

middle and high school students and

is limited to 12 students. If you know

your student is interested in attending

this activity, please contact the JOM

office as soon as possible to complete a

parent permission form. We will not

hold spaces for students. Once again,

you must complete a parent permission

form and have it submitted to the JOM

Office. Parents wishing to attend will be

required to pay for their own admission.

We will require that all students

attending this activity remain with the

group and travel to and from the event

with staff from the JOM Program. We

will not allow parents to retrieve their

students at the site of this event.

• April 29 Staff Development Building

Mathematical Foundations: Basic

Math and Pre-Algebra Workshop

presented by The Alliance for Education

and Community Development Inc.

(Bernadette, Geraldine and Brandon

were approved to attend this workshop

to boost the effectiveness of the tutoring

program.)

Congratulations Class

of 2011 Graduate!!!

Wow! It’s almost that time of year again,

a time when our students transition

into young adults. The closing of one life

Page 3

chapter and the beginning of another as

they march down the aisle to the tune of

“Pomp and Circumstance”. The cost of

preparing for this splendid celebration with

ceremony and fuss can be overwhelming...

and expensive. Well, we have some great

news for all students that are planning

their graduation. The JOM IEC approved

the reimbursement expenses for cap and

gown. Please bring your receipt to the

JOM office located at the Old Elementary

school as soon as possible. If you ordered

a special “Graduation Package” you will

only receive the reimbursement for the cost

of cap and gown. Generally this can range

from $40.00-$60.00. We will need original

receipts to process a reimbursement and all

checks will be made directly to the student.

This can take up to three weeks to process.

JOM Parent Meeting

We will be having a parent meeting on

April 21 during our Easter Egg Decorating

Activity. Please bring your thoughts, ideas

and concerns for the rest of the school year.

We will also discuss the budget and back to

school activities.

If you have any question or need additional

information about any activities or events,

please do not hesitate to contact the JOM

office at 505-924-3189 or our new general

e-mail: isletajom@hotmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Geraldine, Beverly, Bernadette

Brandon

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society

8333 Greenwood Blvd. • Suite 260, Second Floor

• Denver, CO 80221

Phone: 303.466.1725

• Fax: 303.466.5414

17TH ANNUAL

AMERICAN NATURAL RESOURCES YOUTH PRACTICUM

Sponsored By

SW Region Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2 and

Turner Enterprises, Incorporated

When: June 20 - 24, 2011

Where: Ladder Ranch, Located Approximately 15 miles Northwest of Hillsboro,

New Mexico (Ladder Ranch is Owned By Turner Enterprises, Incorporated)

Open To: Incoming 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade Students

The Practicum is open to Native American high school students from Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico,

southern California, and Utah who have an interest in pursuing a career in fishery and wildlife management,

forestry, range management, watershed management, hydrology, or other natural resources related field. The

Practicum provides a "hands-on" learning experience in natural resource management and combines classroom

with field sessions that enables students to learn concepts and techniques used to manage natural resources.

Summer temperatures in the area during June/July range from the 50's to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Some

strenuous hiking will be involved. For more information, contact Jeanne Lubbering at 505/281-7694; or Norman

Jojola at: (office) 505/753-1451 or (cell phone) 505/927-3494.

and

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

COMMUNITY CONTEST

"Rename the POI Elder Center"

Why Change the Name?

• People turning 55 or 60 years of age may be a little shy

about going to a place that categorizes them to aging or as

elders.

• The name may turn people away thinking that they must

be using a cane to take advantage of services.

• When people hear the word "center" they may think that

our services are only provided at the center. However, the

majority of our services are provided in the home (respite

care, homemaker, home-chores, personal care, meal delivery,

etc.).

• Due to the “Baby Boomer” era, we are anticipating a

significant increase to the older adult population. Therefore,

we should think about a name that will associate a positive

perception on aging; taking into consideration the benefits

of emotional and physical wellbeing plus the possibilities of

offering diverse programming (e.g., hiking, traveling. sports,

arts, music, dance, community involvement, etc.).

Who Can Participate?

• Residents of Isleta Pueblo

All ages

How to Participate:

• On form below submit your idea(s) to Renee Chavez,

Activities Coordinator, Isleta Elder Center.

• Deadline for your submission - May 27th, 2011(close of

business)

Winner Package: Isleta Enterprise "Escapade" - Hard

Rock Hotel Stay, Fun Connection

Package, Isleta Lakes Package, Isleta Eagle Golf

Package and $100.00 in cash!!

"Rename the Elder Center" Contest

Name:

Phone Number:

Address:

Idea(s):

Isleta Elder Center - Senior Olympics

2011 ALL INDIAN GAME DAY

Every year, the Senior Olympics

organization requests that each Tribal

Senior Center recognize an athlete for

their participation in Senior Olympics.

This year the staff elected Josephine

Valardez. Josephine is the daughter

of the late Tata White Corn (English

name/Jesus) and Nana Thu-de (English

name/Gertrude). She is one of 6 children

who were brought up by very traditional

parents. As a matter of fact, her parents

wore native clothing throughout their

lives well into the 1970's. Josephine

lives in the home where she grew up

and was the primary caregiver for her

STAR ATHLETE

parents and sister Cecelia. Josephine JOSEPHINE VALARDEZ

is like a mother to her 12 nephews and

nieces and is loved and respected by everyone. By trade she worked

as a housemaid and house sitter, and because of her loyalty to her

employers they treated her like family. She has many interesting

stories about the vacations she took with her employers throughout

the 42 years of employment.

Like many elders, she has a medical set back with arthritis, but you

would never know it. Her determination to overcome her set back is

reflected in her choice to participate in Senior Olympics every year.

She plays shuffle board, frisbee distance and accuracy, soccer kick

accuracy, and loves to bowl. Throughout the years Josephine has won

many competitions. Most importantly, she is an inspiration to all

elders who may be reluctant to participate in Sr. Olympics for health

reasons. In Josephine's words "I stay involved in Senior Olympics

because it helps me stay involved with my friends and physically it

has really helped me improve the movement of my hands and legs."

Josephine was honored at the AIGD Banquet on March 23rd where she

was accompanied by many members of her family. Congratulations

Josephine, keep up the great work!!

This year’s AIGD event drew more than 420 participants from

the various New Mexico tribal communities. Look for results

and pictures in next month’s Tribal Newsletter!!!

Isleta Elder Center

Activities Calendar

April 2011

For more information contact Renee Chavez,

Activities Coordinator (869-6661 ext. 359);

email poi23002@IsletaPueblo.com

Pueblo of Isleta Veterans

Association

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 20 April

2011 at 6:30 PM. There will be a presentation

on the recent Memorandum of Agreement

between the Veterans Administration and

Indian Health Services. As a Native American

veteran, this is important information.

The Association is always looking for new

members. If you would like to join the

Association, be at the meeting and sign up. Any

veteran with an honorable discharge is eligible

to join the Association. Annual dues are $25.

If there should be any questions...call Ulysses

Abeita at 307-1582...Refreshment will be

served.

April 2011

April 5: Shuffleboard - Manzano Mesa - 12:30 pm

April 7: CHR - Eye glass and hearing aid Cleaning & Information 10 am

April 7: Mass - 11:30 am

April 7: Commodities

April 8: Railrunner to Santa Fe - Lunch/Shopping in the Plaza

April 11: Chile Cook-Off (Red/Green) - 10 am - 12 noon

April 12: Belen Senior Center Dance/Bingo - 9:30 am

April 12: Isleta Cancer Education & Support - 10:30 am

April 14: Easter Activities/luncheon -10 am

April 15:Spotlight on Volunteers Conference-Sheraton Uptown 8am

April 19: Caregivers Training - 12 noon

April 19: Shuffleboard - Manzano Mesa - 12:30 pm

April 20: AARP Meeting - 1 pm

April 21: General Membership Meeting -10 am

April 22: Good Friday

April 24: Happy Easter

April 25: Commodities

April 26: Board Meeting - Open to Public - 10 am

April 28/29: Build Froat for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness

Parade. Volunteers Needed - 9 am

April 29: Gathering of Nations - "The Pit" - 10 am

April 30: Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness PARADE!

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

TRAFFIC DIVISION NEWS

Isleta Police Department Traffic Division is asking everyone to

Traffic Safety Officers Darryl Chavez and

Tim Zuni recently completed training in

Child Seat Safety and are now certified

technicians. Officers Chavez and Zuni

attended a forty-hour training class, as

well as participated in a car seat clinic

set up for trainees. Both wasted no time

in becoming active in the community by

participating in the Car seat Clinic held at

the Health Clinic on March 26, 2011. Traffic

Supervisor, Sergeant Sharon Mitamura,

has been a Child Seat Technician for two

years, recently renewing her certification,

and was also in attendance at the clinic.

Sergeant Mitamura also attended the

Buckle Up Conference held March 23-24,

2011, presented by the NM Department of

Transportation Traffic Safety and Safer NM

Now. The conference provided updates, new

information, and the bringing together of

ideas/concepts of keeping our most precious

assets, our children, safe while traveling in

a motor vehicle. A session was also provided

on non-traffic related safety for children in

and around motor vehicles.

According to the American Academy of

Pediatrics (AAP), "motor vehicle crashes

represent the leading cause of death for

children and youth older than three (3) years

in the United States. Each year, more than

5000 children and adolescents under the

BUCKLE UP!

age of twenty-one (21) years die in crashes,

which represents approximately 15% of

people killed each year in crashes. Fatalities

represent only the tip of the motor vehicle

crash problem for children and youth. For

every fatality, approximately eighteen (18)

children are hospitalized and more than

400 receive medical treatment for injuries

sustained in a crash".

Another fact presented by the AAP "in the

United States, motor vehicle traffic-related

mortality rates are the highest for black and

American Indian/Alaskan Native children,

lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander

children, and intermediate for Hispanic

and white children".

Child seat restraints, properly installed, are

absolutely critical for the protection of our

children when in a motor vehicle. However,

everyone needs to know the proper restraint

for children as well as proper installation

of infant ca,rriers, carseats, booster seats,

etc. Always follow the manual instructions

provided with the carseat, but also ensure

that you refer the your vehicle owners'

manual, as well. Both together will assist

parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,

friends, etc., on making the mode of

transportation for our young passengers as

safe as possible.

If you are not absolutely comfortable with

your own installation, there are other

avenues of assistance you may seek. Not

only can you contact the Traffic Division of

the Isleta Police Department, but Frances

Anchondo and Stephanie Barela are also

technicians and instrumental in the carseat

clinics that have been made available on

the Pueblo of Isleta. Please take advantage

of the skills and knowledge available to you

and your children in making sure everyone

is safe when traveling in a motor vehicle.

Parents, please take note the Traffic

Safety Division is quite concerned with

your children’s safety, but we are equally

concerned for yours, as well. What better

way to teach your children the importance

of using seatbelts than setting the example.

The Isleta Police Department Traffic Safety

Division is asking everyone upon getting

into a motor vehicle

BUCKLE UP FOR

SAFETY!

Or

CLICK IT OR TICKET!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Isleta Police Department Traffic Division

Traffic Safety Sergeant Sharon K.

Mitamura

poi06056@isletapueblo.com

(505) 724-9282 or Ext. 253

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Criminal Investigations Unit

Fraud Prevention Tips For Elders

With Spring time fast approaching, the Isleta Police

Department cautions everyone to keep watch over our elders

who live alone, with focus on ''Fair Weather Foes"; the doorto-door scam artists. Here are some tips to help reduce elder

exploitation in our community.

Never participate in sweepstakes offers either

through the mail or over the phone. The odds of winning

are terrible and many are out and out scams.

Never buy anything over the phone unless you

initiate the call. If a stranger calls you and asks you to

buy or invest or donate, hang up the phone.

Shop in your own backyard. Decide what products

you want and then find local merchants in the yellow

pages to buy from.

Never make a buying decision based upon

emotion. Don't let a salesperson convince you to "do it

for your kids, or your grandkids."

Before buying from a business, find out:

The age of the business. Where is it located and for how

long. Who has done business there before and talk to

them about the business. If any complaints have been

filed with the Better Business Bureau or the attorney

general's office. You may call IPD to assist with this

endeavor.

Never buy anything from a door-to-door

salesperson, especially someone purporting to be a

contractor or a yard worker.

Never make a buying decision at the time of the

sales pitch. Have your own personal rule that you have

a three day cooling off period before deciding whether or

not to buy,

Before making a charitable contribution, ask for

and review written financial reports of the charity

to find out where your money is going.

Ask for advice from a friend or family member

before deciding to buy something. The most

successful fraud pitch in the United States today

is: CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'VE WON! Don't fall

for it. There is nothing free in the marketplace and if

someone tells you otherwise, the person is lying.

Any suspicious persons selling products, offering to do yard

work, or soliciting donations should be reported to the Isleta

Police Department at: 869-3030.

Page 6

MRGCD News

from Board Member Abeita

Irrigation season is here again within the Middle Rio

Grande Conservancy District.

Water availability looks decent this season with

possibility of shortages during the late summer. The

2012 irrigation season water supply does not look very

promising. Competition for our river water is great even

during a good year.

Keep June 7, 2011 open on your calendar for the

upcoming MRGCD election. Three seats on the MRGCD

board are up for election. These are position No. 1 - At

Large, Position No. 2 — Bernalillo County, and Position

No. 5 — Valencia County, all which impact Isleta Pueblo.

Early voting will be available two weeks prior to the

June 7, 2011 election date. At least one early voting site

will be available in each county. It is still not too late to

run for the board if anyone is interested. It is important

that pueblo members participate in the election process.

Potential candidates will be circulating petitions for

signatures to become eligible.

Negotiations on the Operations Maintenance and

Betterment Agreement between the MRGCD and BIA

are ongoing. This agreement covers routine maintenance

on MRGCD works on Pueblo lands. This agreement

expired in 2010. A stop gap agreement has been

submitted to BIA for their consideration. Meanwhile

the district will continue water deliveries and routine

maintenance.

It is very important that we attempt to use all our farm

lands. This use of farmlands will reinforce pueblo water

quantifications in future claims for Rio Grande water.

Everyone is invited to attend our bi-monthly board

meetings. The MRGCD follows the Open Meeting Act.

Meetings are open to the public with an agenda item

allowing members from the public to present their

concerns to the MRGCD Board. Please visit our website

at www.mrgcd.us to get an update on MRGCD news.

Please feel free to contact me regarding MRGCD issues.

I will do my best to find you an answer. My phone

number is 934-6538.

Have a successful irrigation season.

Eugene Abeita

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2011

Update on the Cacique Ditch Work

on March 12, 2011

We, the Cacique Mayordomos (Kenneth Jojola and Michael Lucero) had our

Ditch work on March 12th. We had support by the Isleta Fire Department

and the Southern Pueblo Agency BIA fire crew to control and safeguard

the ditch workers from any harm or any damages to property. Thank you

for your presence, devotion and dedication to your job. We appreciate your

help.

"REGULATION AND BY-LAWS FOR THE CACIQUE DITCH

MEMBERS APPROVED AND ADOPTED IN 1947: Article

I-Membership: Under the customs and traditions of the Pueblo of Isleta;

any land owner within the Cacique District are considered to be a member

of the Cacique Irrigation District".

Having read the By-Laws, every effort was made to contact each Cacique

member through billboard posters and a Newsletter announcement. Some

notices were delivered personally to over 120 known residences with a

turnout of 35 members who showed up for ditch work on Saturday. We

spent a large amount of time cutting, burning, and shoveling the inside

ditch from start to finish. Control burning takes time and requires safety

issues. The wind grew strong at the half way point and started to burn in to

personal fields. The Fire crews helped a lot and ditch workers also helped to

control some of the fire. The conditions were not safe for the ditch workers

and fire fighters to continue. Due to the lack of unattended members, the

tiredness, struggling of the workers present, and for everyone's safety we

adjourned for the day. This resulted in another day of work on Sunday in

which 26 members showed up on this day.

The weeds are growing faster than we can attempt to control. For this

reason, we may need to have another Ditch cleaning/weed control day(s) in

the upcoming months ahead. Due to the price of gas and the delinquent fines,

there are no funds available to personally notify all members with notices

door to door and it was very difficult to locate some Cacique members and/

or their addresses. The response we received from delivering notices for the

Ditch work was unsuccessful based on the number of attendance.

Due to the cement falling in to the ditch which could cause stoppage of the

waterflow, the water will not run until the repairs to the ditch have been

completed.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to present them

to the Cacique members and the Mayordomos at the next Public ditch

meeting.

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

Parks & Recreation

With the end of March 2011, hopefully comes the end to the nasty winds we have been experiencing as of late. The month of March was a

very different one as far as activities were concerned. We were the host site for several WIA and AmeriCorps meetings that were held in

our games-room. Also this month we were the host site for the last of a four year contract with the All Indian Day Senior Olympics. We

had just about every Pueblo from the State of New Mexico and several chapters of the Navajo Nation representing their respective tribes.

Approximately 450 athletes were on hand and about a 135 volunteers (the most ever) that helped make the event such a joyous occasion

for all participants. Also this month we were fortunate enough to fill the vacant position of the Massage Therapist since Ramona B.

Teller vacated because of her illness. We wish Mona all the luck in the world and thank you for serving our Pueblo of Isleta. The Aquatic

Program is once again open after doing some extensive clean up work that included emptying, scrubbing and power washing both the

big pool and the kiddy pool, along with working on the heaters that warm the water in the pools and Jacuzzi. Also with the beginning

of April, that means the growing season for our Parks, along with the beginning of the Little League Program that will be in full swing

with the Grand Opening of the 2011 Season on Saturday, April 2nd. The grand opening will include the parade of teams, team pictures

and barbecue prior to the participants beginning their full slate of scheduled games that commence on Monday, April 4th.

Senior Olympics

On Wednesday and Thursday, March

23rd and 24th the Pueblo of Isleta

was the host site for the last of a four

year contract having our Pueblo as the

venue site for All Indian Game Day

Senior Olympics from the State of New

Mexico. Although it has been an honor

and a pleasure for us to host and run

the games, it really has become a very

expensive and labor intensive program

that needs to be shared by other tribes

from throughout the State of New

Mexico. As Rita Jojola, Director for our

Elderly Program for the Pueblo of Isleta

said: “it is time for our seniors to go visit

other Pueblos or programs where we can

concentrate on getting more involved

with participating in activities rather

then hosting the activities.” Because of

the nature of the activities and the setup that took place for all the sports and

activities it was necessary to close the

New Rec Site to our Pueblo members

for those 2 days. We did however make

provisions for everyone to use the Old

Rec Center at Pickle Heights. It has been

fun and a great challenge that will be

hard to measure up to by whoever may

host the next All Indian Games, but one

that we as a Parks & Recreation Staff

will be willing to assist with rather than

being in charge of, in less of a financial

and labor intensive role. As a result of

these games, we had several of our tribal

members qualify for the National Senior

Olympics that will be held in Houston,

Texas in mid-June. Congratulations to

all Participants. You are all winners.

Pictured is a collage of pictures depicting

the many activities that took place

which included the 100 meter dash, the

400 meter run/walk, the 800 meter run/

walk, archery, basketball free throw,

bowling, Frisbee accuracy, Golf-9 holes,

huachas, shuffle board, soccer accuracy

kick, softball distance throw all held on

these 2 days of games. Also included as

fun events were bowling, chair exercise,

golf putting indoors, talent show, health

screening, chair massages, arts/crafts

fair, and a social dinner at the Hard

Rock Casino and Resort. The Olympics

ended with the Parade of Teams and

the carrying of the Torch by three of our

Tribal members whose pictures were

misplaced at the time of print.

Page 8

Isleta Pueblo News

Massage Therapist

On Monday, March 21, 2011 we

were fortunate enough to be able

to hire one of our own Pueblo

members to be our newest Massage

Therapist, Jonathan Lente. After

he does some minor upgrades

and painting, he will begin taking

on new clients as early as the

first week of April, 2011. Upon

being notified that he was the

person selected for the position,

he said; "it will be his honor and

distinct privilege to be serving his people, the people of this great

Pueblo of Isleta". He went on to say that throughout his travels,

experiences, and education, he has been fortunate enough to have

been taught by exceptional and inspirational mentors and I look

forward to applying efficient techniques of massage therapy and

health science for the betterment of our people as individuals, as

well as for the community as a whole. By the way, he is our first

male Massage Therapist since the program’s inception back in

1996. For more information about the program or for his schedule

of appointments, he can be reached at 869-8557, Monday through

Friday from 10:00 am until 6:30 pm. Welcome Jonathan and we

wish you great success with the program. Pictured is Jonathan

Lente, after being indoctrinated to the program, during the Senior

Games with chair massages for the many athletes.

Summer Program

The summer program is right around the corner and we will

begin with the hiring of our summer youth staff in early April.

Hopefully our youth who are interested in working with children

applied with the Pueblo of Isleta Human Resources Department.

The posting was held for 4 weeks. As a reminder, we will begin

taking registration for all participants beginning Monday, May

2nd. The 4 and 5 year old program will be held at Old Rec with the

6 year old and up will be at the New Rec. Center. Our anticipated

opening day is Monday, June 6, 2011 which could change pending

any make-up dates for our school system. We will keep everyone

posted as we find out more information.

Park Management

Our Park Management Division has begun to put the final touches

on the World War II Memorial Park known to many as the Chical

Baseball field. We will, by the time this newsletter reaches most

of you, have about 10 new trees planted along with an automatic

drip system and 2 new shade structures. The shade structures

will take some time to finalize but they will be completed before

the season begins. Pictures of the upgrades will be shown in next

month's newsletter.

April 2011

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND

TRAINING

This is to inform the residents of the Isleta Pueblo that on March

16, 17th 2011. The

Isleta Tribal Police

Department held open

recruitment for Entry/

Lateral Tribal Police

Officers positions. The

following photograph

depicted the P.E.B.

Selection and Fitness

Recruitment process.

As demonstrated by

our Lead Instructor/

Fitness Specialist Admin/Officer J. Reyes, included were

the IPD Instructor Cade Team, Sgt. Sharon Mitamura,

Sgt. Linda Milane, Traffic Officers, Darryl Chavez, and

Tim Zuni. We also included our Administration personnel, Mrs.

Juana Jiron, Executive Secretary to Chief Alvarez, and Lt.

D.J. Miller, Commander of Operations.

Police Chief Vernon Alvarez gave our applicants words of

support and encouragement and a brief history on our agency and

the new physical fitness requirements. Kudos to all IPD personnel

for a great job done in preparing and administering the selection

process and testing.

All Police candidates were required to participate in P.E.B. physical

fitness exams to include, but not limited to, running 1.5 mile, 300

meter run, pushups, sit-ups, and flexibility testing. These tests

are used nationwide for testing an applicant's physical ability

to become Police Officers. The Isleta Tribal Police Department

uses the Cooper Institute Standards for testing of Public Safety

personnel.

The Isleta Tribal Police Department is committed to serving our

community and maintains the highest standards of Tribal Law

Enforcement. To better serve our needs and provide our community

with the best trained and physically fit Police Officers. We attempt

to recruit Isleta Tribal Members/Native Americans and NonTribal applicants, who can best serve our diverse community. If

you are interested in serving your community, please make an

application with Isleta Human Resources or call IPD Admin/

Officer J. Reyes at 505-869-6511 ext. 353 for details on becoming

"Isleta's finest proud to serve".

Submitted By: Admin/Officer, J.Reyes

Professional Standards and Training Section, Isleta Police Department

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

Spring is here, spring is here! We hope all of you had a nice, fun, and relaxing spring break. For

those of you who haven’t had it yet, don’t worry, Easter is around the corner. We wish you the best

of luck finding all of those Easter eggs and may you get many goodies in your basket.

NEWS

We want to apologize to those of you who

submitted an essay for a free computer and

have not heard anything yet. There were

many essay entries and we are still reading

and going thru them. We will be making

our decisions soon and we will inform those

winners as soon as possible.

The library has been granted permission

on March 29, 2011, to shelve both the

Pueblo of Isleta Law and Order Code and

the Civil and Criminal Ordinance for check

out purposes for the public. In the past, we

were only allowed to shelve such material

on our Reference shelf without borrowing

privileges. At this time, no official word

has been given to us about making copies;

however, individuals may purchase a copy

from the Tribal Courts (see Tribal Courts

for prices).

The library’s Tribal Newsletter Archive

via library’s web site (www.isletapueblo.

com/library2.html) is now fully functional,

thanks to Norman Lucero and the rest of

the M.I.S. Department. With this service

you may view or download both current

and previous Newsletters at your will.

Another option of getting the Newsletter

is joining our Digital Newsletter Email

List Serve. All you have to do is send your

full name and email address to poi02002@

isletapueblo.com and we shall send you PDF

Version of the Newsletter. If you are not

receiving the newsletter via email it could

be that attachment is too large, you do not

have enough space in your email account,

or wrong email address. Of course, you can

always come into the library to pick up a

hard copy of the Newsletter, as well.

Our supervisors informed us that we need to

start informing our patrons of the handicap

parking. Only those cars with an official

handicap parking permit are allowed to

park there. If there is no parking permit,

violators will receive a warning, but if there

is a second warning, violators will be towed

and are responsible for any towing fees.

Jane’s Construction Company wants us to

inform our community members that they

have a drain at the south end of the school,

at the bottom of the hill. So ATV riders,

runners, and those who live in the area

please be cautious. There is no barricade or

warning sign up but will be shortly, so look

out for the drain and be careful.

The staff here will be attending the New

Mexico Library Association conference in

Albuquerque, the last week of April, so our

schedule is a little different. We will be

closing at 6:30 on Thursday, April 28th

and we will be closed all day Friday,

April 29th.

Lastly, the New Mexico Tribal Libraries

Fundraiser Committee will be hosting a

Golf Tournament at your local Isleta Eagle

The Library/Education Complex from the Southeast Side (Parking Lot).

Golf Club, on Friday, July 22nd. Proceeds

will be divided evenly to the participating

Tribal Libraries (Isleta, Laguna, Acoma,

Jemez, and San Ildefonso) to help cover

the cost of library operations in their

communities during these tough economic

times. If you, your business, or perhaps

The Library/Education Complex from the

you know of a business that would like

Northwest Side (Back of Library).

to Sponsor a hole or enter a team, please and we had many “Things” who showed up.

call the Library at 505.869.8119 and ask Those lucky students who received all their

to speak to Nathaniel Lujan for further points to go to the movies Friday night, had

details.

fun. Both movies we watched were funny

and the kids enjoyed it. They got free kids

UPCOMING:

In honor of Earth Day, we will be planting pack plus dinner afterwards. They worked

chili seeds on April 11th. Each student will hard and they deserved it. We appreciate

have his or her own planter that will stay all the hard work and reading that the

here at the Library, until Earth Day, April students do. We hope to see more of you

on our next trip. Continue to study hard!

22nd, when they can take them home.

We hope that you have already saved the date Also, thank you to both the Department of

for Easter Bunny pictures at the Library. If Education and the Isleta Recreation Center

not, here is another reminder. Pictures will for lending us your vans.

be taken on Tuesday, April 19th from 2:30

to 6:30. They will be available for pick up

that Friday after 12pm. Please remember

that these pictures are free and you receive

two 3x5’s. We look forward to see all your

smiling faces, and families are more than

welcome.

Be on the lookout for the Library’s float

on Saturday, April 30th for the Annual

Child Abuse Parade. During the parade,

the staff will be handing out Isleta Pueblo

Public Library buttons. Receive one and

bring it to our booth for a free snow-cone.

One snow-cone per button brought to us.

The parade starts at 10am then continues

into a fair at the Recreation Center. Stop by

our booth for information about the library

and also the Summer Reading Program. All

of the information regarding the Summer

Program will be available during this time.

We are looking for suggestions for the

Library’s End of the Year Incentive

Program. The date to go on this fieldtrip

will be Friday, May 20th but we are leaving

it up to the kids to decide where they want

to go. We have a suggestion box here at

the Library for the students to give their

input.

RECAP:

Christina Lujan & her Donated Cake

for Dr. Seuss’s Birthday.

For Dr. Seuss’ Birthday bash, we could not

leave out a special thank you to Christina

Lujan for donating the delicious birthday

cake and also to Alex Wood, from Molina

Health Care for donating all of the goodies

Mary Jane reading to a HUGH group during

inside of your gift bags. The kids enjoyed it

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Party @ the Library.

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2011

We always enjoy having visits from our

Elders. They gave us a special visit Monday,

March 28th. They planted spinach with our

staff, which they got to take home. They

looked at many books but paid particular

attention to our garden and planting section,

maybe because planting season is coming

up. We hope to see them again soon.

The 14 Students who earned their Movie Madness Points.

Isleta Elders transplanting Spinach

during their Library Visit.

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday: 8am-8pm Friday: 8am-4:30pm • Saturday & Sunday CLOSED

Mailing Address: PO Box 610 Isleta, NM 87022

Phone: 505.869.8119•Fax: 505.869.7690

Email: Poi02002@isletapueblo.com • Web Address: www.isletapueblo.com/library2.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IsletaPuebloLibrary

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Note from Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority (IPHA):

Please be advised that the IPHA will be accepting requests for

Seasonal service to include but not limited to turning on Air

Conditioners and turning off heaters.

Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority Resolution No.2010-010

Approving Amendments to the Isleta Pueblo Housing

Authority Renovation, Emergency Home Repair and

Maintenance Policies and Procedures

Adopted July 19, 2006

Amended December 16, 2009

Amended November 24, 2010

Routine heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, where

IPHA's cost of labor is equal to or less than twenty-five ($25.00)

dollars. This includes but is not limited to, lighting of furnace pilot

lights, changing of air filters, seasonal setting up and taking down

of evaporative coolers, and installation or replacement of weather

stripping. The charge for the services will be twenty-five ($25.00)

dollars plus the cost of material and labor time, provided that the

tribal member must make payment for such services immediately

or agree to do so within fifteen (15) days of billing. Payments will

be accepted in the form of Cashier Check or Money Order only.

Persons receiving assistance under these Policies will be required

to repay IPHA for the assistance, except that repayment will not

be required in the following instances:

1.the person receiving the assistance is both a) low income

and b) elderly or disabled (to qualify under this provision,

the person who is elderly or disabled must be a Isleta tribal

member), unless the emergency situation or situation which

required the renovation was caused by the gross negligence of

the person receiving the assistance, his or her family members

or an invited guest; or

Elderly person. A person who is at least 62 years of age

Disabled person. Any person who:

1) has a disability as defined in Section 223 of the Social Security

Act, or

2) has a physical, mental or emotional impairment which is expected

to be of long-continued and indefinite duration, substantially

impedes his/her ability to live independently and is of such a nature

that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing

conditions, or

3) has a developmental disability as defined in Section 102 of the

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.

A statement from a medical doctor or certified Social Services

worker verifying that a person meets one of the above definitions

of disability shall be sufficient.

Low income family. A family whose income does not exceed 80%

of the median income for the area as determined by the IPHA using

federal guidelines. The income of all household members shall be

used in determining whether an applicant is low income.

New Higher Education Students

The Pueblo of Isleta Scholarship Program is currently

planning for Summer 2011/Fall 2011 funding. In order

to be considered, you will need to submit a complete

scholarship application packet.

Your scholarship packet must contain the following

documents:

1.

POI Scholarship Application

2.

Certificate of Indian Blood

3.

Class Schedule

4.

2010-2011 Student Aid Report (Summer 2011)

5.

2011-2012 Student Aid Report (Fall 2011)

6.

Financial Needs Analysis

7.

Degree Plan

8.

High School Diploma or GED

9.

Acceptance/Admission Letter

Continuing Higher Education Students

Your scholarship packet must contain the following

documents:

1.

Summer 2011 Class Schedule

2.

Spring 2011 Official Transcript

Deadlines

Summer 2011

June 15, 2011.

Fall 2011

September 15, 2011.

Please submit document(s) to:

Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education

P.O. Box 1270, Isleta, NM 87022

SAVE THE DATE

Isleta Health Center

and Head Start's

Annual Community Health Fair

July 30, 2011

at the Isleta Rec Center

9 am-Noon

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

April 2011

CAR SEAT CLINIC

Health Beat

Isleta Health Center Health Educator:

Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

The Isleta Health Center held a Car Seat Clinic Saturday March 26, 2011

from 9am-11am at the Health Center. We'd like to say a BIG THANKS to

all the families that came and got their car seat checked, got to see if it was

properly installed, and the correct size for their child, and to make sure their

car seat was not recalled. It is very important to make sure your child is in

the appropriate car seat and make sure the car seat is safe.

The below chart explains 4 Easy Steps to protect our children, by putting

children in the appropriate car seat:

4 Easy Steps to Protect American Children

If you were unable to make it out to this event, but would

like to get your car seat checked, then call me (869-4479)

or Frances Anchondo (869-4482) to set up an

appointment and take an important

step in keeping your child safe!!

Freedom from Smoking

Stop Smoking in 8 Sessions

CONTACT Stephanie Barela at 869-4479

to sign up for Freedom From Smoking.

Be the next Isleta Tribal Member to take

back control of your life and sign up now!!

SIGN UP NOW

CALL 869-4479

Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy for

Isleta Health Center patients who

attend every session.

Isleta Pueblo News

Interested in receiving

emails regarding

up-coming

events at the

Isleta Health Center?

Editor:

Ulysses Abeita

Asst. Editor:

Beverly Piro

Published By:

Valencia Express

Email

Sbarela@islclinic.net

to get on the list

OR Call 869-4479

Great Job Charlie!!!

Charlie Jojola, son of Cynthia

and Joseph Jojola, and sixth

grade student at Bosque

Farms Elementary School,

recently competed in the

2011 Central New Mexico

Science and Engineering

Research Challenge held

at UNM in Albuquerque.

With

his

Engineering

Division Project entitled,

"Which Bridge will Hold the

Most Weight?", he placed first in the Bosque Farms

Elementary School Science Fair and placed second at

the Los Lunas District Science Fair which was good

enough to qualify him for the Central New Mexico

Science and Engineering Research Challenge.

Charlie was one of four students who earned the

opportunity to represent Bosque Farms Elementary

School in the Central New Mexico Science and

Engineering Research Challenge. Although he did

not place in the Challenge, his hard work paid off

as he gained valuable experience at this level of

competition. As a sixth grade elementary student,

this is the highest level of competition that Charlie

can compete in this year. But that is not stopping him,

as he is now motivated to do a much more in-depth

science project for next year's competition, and he is

determined to reach the next level of competition; the

New Mexico State Science Fair.

Your parents and extended family are very proud

of you and your accomplishments, Charlie!!! Great

job!!!

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

Family values

"Alternatives to Physical

Discipline"

It is not easy to be a parent in today's fast

moving world that interferes with family

values. Family values start with parents

(and grandparents) as the role models

for teaching family rules. This is what

holds the family together and helps the

children understand what is expected and

appropriate behavior in the home.

In making family rules you may start with

4 to 5 specific rules you want in your home.

Choose rewards, privileges and consequences

that you are willing to enforce, rather than

using physical discipline. Explain to your

child or teenager the rules, privileges and

consequences. Some common family rules

are given below, with an example provided;

Rules

Chore to feed dog in AM Before you leave

for school.

Privilege Play after school.

Consequence Can’t play and must feed

dog.

• Chores

• Homework

• Bedtime

• Respectful language

• No fighting

Family rules help with the development of

positive values. You may want to minimize

your family's overexposure to TV and other

media forms. And increase more family time

together with going for walks, eating and

cooking together, spending time together

like playing board games, attending church,

working out in the gym, participating in

cultural activities, and having family talking

circles to improve family communication.

It is important to be a parent advocate

by getting involved with your child's

or teenager's extracurricular school

activities and/or community youth-serving

organizations like "Project Vent" at Isleta

Behavioral Health Services. The Project

Vent program provides youth leadership

development activities like camping,

snowboarding, hiking, ropes courses and

other fun filled adventures activities for

ages 10 and up.

• Tell the child to stay for the given time

(age of child) by using a timer.

• If the child gets out of the time out place,

escort the child back and reset the timer.

You keep doing this till the child responds

appropriately.

• When child has completed their time. You

explain at their eye level, the reason for

time out. Ask the child to say, “I’m sorry.”

Then give a hug and praise. The child is not

given another consequence other than the

time out.

Another form of discipline technique is

using "time out," for younger age children.

Many of us have probably watched the TV

show "The Nanny." Her show demonstrates

active parenting skills to decrease children's

negative behaviors using the "time out."

The TV show also emphasizes, "quality play

time" with parental interaction with their

children.

It is important for parents to have patience

and to not rely on yelling, hitting (spanking),

or shaming as discipline strategies. These

strategies only create fear in children, which

does not result in lasting change. Whereas

the other approaches create self-regulation

and improve the child’s self esteem as their

time outs become shorter and less frequent.

Also, hitting the child could easily result

in physical abuse leaving visible marks or

bruises on the child.

The purpose of "time out," is to give children

one warning using a firm voice, to remind

the child to listen and obey. If the child

continues with the misbehavior like biting,

hitting, and destructive behavior then a

time out is used as a consequence.

Many parents mistake the time out as

only the beginning of a consequence. And,

they may remove other privileges for the

consequences from the child. If so, the child

may give up on responding appropriately to

a time out. Below, explains how a time out

is to be used.

“TIME OUT”

• Use a firm voice, and give one warning. “If

you don’t stop, you will go to time out.”

• Remove child to a safe boring place (not in

the bathroom).

To learn about parenting skills or stress

management, contact Isleta Behavioral

Health Services 869-5475.

Article written by Lisa Cherino,

IBHS Therapist

"Our Children are Keepers of Our Songs and Traditions"

We are all responsible for what we do in keeping children safe. The

month of April is recognized as National Child Abuse Awareness

and Prevention. It is about promoting awareness to voice concerns

about community messages of safety for all children. Child abuse

occurs in every community.

Child abuse often involves family members and usually the abuser

is someone the child knows and trusts, not a stranger. Also, many

children do tell an adult who are not willing report the abuse. Child

abuse takes many forms and can be defined briefly in four common

categories listed below:

• Emotional Abuse: by feeling threaten or verbally abusive.

• Physical Abuse: by hitting, biting or shaking.

• Sexual Abuse: by sexual contact with a child

• Neglectful Abuse: is when a parent or guardian fails to

provide a child with love and attention, food, clothing,

medical care, supervision, education and medical care.

How do we prevent abuse and neglect? One way is to use traditional

stories to communicate to children prevention messages to teach

children about safety. Isleta Behavioral Health Services is using a

story called, "Bear Hugs" which will be presented as a puppet show

which will be performed on April 30, 2011 at 11:00AM at the Isleta

Recreation Center as part of the Isleta Social Services Child Abuse

Awareness event.

Below, is an illustration from one of the scenes from the "Bear

Hugs" story. The story helps to tell children what to do if they are

touched inappropriately by using three puppet characters (bear,

raccoon and the alert bird). The animals in the story teach children

to tell adults, and keep telling until someone believes them.

Our children are keepers of our songs and traditions. That is why

it is important to listen if a child talks of being abused, whether

emotionally, sexually, physically or by neglect. People who abuse

children need help to overcome their problem and most of them are

survivors of their own abuse. They need help but are not likely to

do it on their own, which is why reporting is so important.

If you suspect child abuse, or to learn more about child abuse,

contact Isleta Social Services at 869-2772.

If you would like to learn more about the puppet show or other

prevention activities at Isleta Behavioral Health

Services call us at 869-5475.

Article written by Lisa Cherino, IBHS Therapist

Page 14

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2011

Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention Art Contest!

Lisa Cherino and Stephanie Barela

Isleta Behavioral Health staff Lisa Cherino, who was representing the Native Ways Family Program, was

accompanied by the Health Educator, Stephanie Barela, in assisting with the Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention Art

Contest.

The Isleta Elementary 5th graders and Dr. Shutiva and Mrs. Welbourne, were visited on March 3, 2011, for a

classroom presentation reviewing what they learned last year about Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention and how it is

advertised. The students seemed excited as they were commenting to each other, "It was about not smoking." They were

asked about how Commercial Tobacco has been advertised, and how they will design a T-shirt for commercial tobacco

use prevention. Many students eagerly raised their hands and responded positively providing many suggestions of

visual designs for a T-shirt.

The students were informed there will be a first, second and third place prize awarded for the selection of the T-shirts.

The students were given two weeks to submit their penciled outlined and colorful drawings. The design that is selected

will be used for the upcoming T-shirt for the "Every Breath Counts, Stay Smoke Free" awareness event. This event will

be held on July 30, 2011, at the Isleta Health Fair, which will be from 9-noon at the Isleta Rec Center.

NEW MEXICO INDIAN

LIVESTOCK DAYS

MAY 10 & 11, 2011

10:30 am to Noon Rotate between these

groups — please circle two choices

1 Grp #1 — Range and Water

2.Grp #2 — Proper Vaccination &

Proper Handling Techniques

3. Grp #3 — Horse

4. Grp #4 — Estate Planning

12:30 pm Lunch back at the Casino

1:30 pm Water Quality Presentation

2:30 pm NRCS — Norman Vigil

3:30 pm Adjourn

3:30 pm to 4:30 Bull Session

Hotel Information

McKinley County

Cooperative Extension

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

8:00 am — Registration

8:30 am — Welcome

9:00 am — Managing Fertility in Cows

& Bulls

10:00 am — Break

10:30 am — Trich

12:00 pm — Lunch (with speakers)

1:00 pm — Feral Horse

2:00 pm — Beef Council

2:45 pm — BREAK

3:15 pm — Grass Feed & other markets

5:00 pm — Adjourn for Dinner

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm — Bull Session

Enjoy your evening

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

8:00 am — gather to travel to hands-on

workshops. We will depart the parking lot

at 8:20 am.

8:30 am — 10 am Rotate between these

groups — please circle two choices

1. Grp #1 — Range and Water

2. Grp #2 — Proper Vaccination &

Proper Handling Techniques

3. Grp #3 — Horse

4. Grp #4 — Business Planning

10 am Break (30 mins)

John M. Romero, Sedillo Cattle Assoc.

Joseph Garcia, NMSU CES Southern

Pueblos

Steve Lucero, Sandoval County 4-H Agent

Jesse LeFevre, Jicarilla Extension Agent

Mike Larsen, San Juan County Extension

Agent

Chase Elkins, Cibola County Extension

Agent

Gerald Moore, Tri-State Extension Agent

Manny Encinias, Livestock Specialist

Rt. 66 Casino and REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Mail this brochure/form to: McKinley CES

Star Rt. 2, Box 59 Gallup, NM 87301

Hotel

Deadline for special room rate is

April 25th, 2011

1-866-352-7866

Ask for the Livestock 2011 group

rate of $69

Registering is important to ensure that

adequate seating space and meals are

available. Please circle your registration

option.

Full Program (2 day, lunch & breaks) $50

Tuesday Only (lunch & break)

$30

Wednesday Only

$30

DEADLINE for Program Registration

is April 22, 2011

Please make money orders out to

McKinley CES

New Mexico State University is an equal

opportunity employer. All programs are

available to everyone regardless of race, color,

religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.

New Mexico State University and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Planning Committee:

Kathy Landers, McKinley County

Extension Agent

Pat Romero, Laguna Natural Resources

Pat Melendrez, Livestock Specialist

Wayne Franklin, Crownpoint Extension

Agent

Jesse Jim, Crownpoint Extension Agent

Elena Bowers, McKinley County Home

Ec Agent

Bob Alexander, Laguna Natural Resources

Amount Paid: $

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Please go to the following website

Indianlivestock.nmsu.edu to do online

registration and for credit card payments.

Questions please call McKinley CES 505863-3432

If you are an individual with a disability

who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service

to participate in any event, please call (505)

863-3432 at least one week in advance.

April 2011

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 15

Department of Natural Resources

2011 Fire Awareness

As we all know, this is the time of year

that the Pueblo starts to ready itself for

spring planting and irrigating. One of the

tools that we use to accomplish this is fire.

While fire is a great and useful tool, it is

also highly dangerous and destructive and

it comes with great responsibility. I know

that fire has been used for generations, but

the Pueblo today is not the Pueblo of twenty

or even ten years ago and there are now

homes and infrastructure spread across the

valley.

In the past month and a half, there

have been out of control field/yard fires

practically every day and most of these

have been extinguished by the quick action

of the Volunteer Fire Department and the

Wildland Fire Crew in the Department

of Natural Resources. However, with the

larger and /or more aggressive fires, our

tribal resources have had to call in the BIASPA Fire Crews for back up and for extra

patrols. In fact, this year alone BIA-SPA

has responded to fifty fires on the eight

tribes they patrol and unfortunately 27

of them have been on Isleta — more than

half, and these aren't counting the ones

that our Volunteers and Natural Resources

Crews put out themselves. These are only

the statistics from this year and really

most of them have happened in the past

two months and we still have nine more

months to go. Fires are costly - an out-ofcontrol fire that spreads to a home, the

bosque or mountains, could easily run into

the hundreds of thousands, if not millions

and the person who lit the fire could be hit

with the bill. Also, anyone who damages

property that belongs to the Power, Gas,

Telephone or Railroad could be sued for the

monies - a gas meter replacement alone is

approximately $1000.00.

We have been very lucky, lucky in the sense

that no one has been seriously hurt in any

of these fires. Unfortunately, we have lost

at least two sheds, two corrals, a truck,

a camper, two homes were also severely

damaged and one abandoned mobile home

was completely destroyed. We have damaged

infrastructure such as telephone and power

poles, burned cable and electrical lines - all

during the same sixty days. We also have

had dozens of close calls with fires and

many of these were averted because of the

excellent work of our fire personnel - many

of them volunteers or employees serving on

their own time. Contrary to popular belief,

the fire personnel don't get paid danger

pay, many are salaried and when you see

them out at night or on weekends, they are

in fact "donating" their time or getting their

regular pay, if any, to fight these fires. Fire

personnel respond at all hours, in all types

of weather and stay as long as needed to

ensure you are protected. They sacrifice time

off and time with their families, risk their

health and even lives for their fellow tribal

members. Also, I would like to note that all

of our fire personnel are highly trained and

all of them are certified fire fighters, either

through the Volunteer Fire Academy or the

BIA-SPA Federal System, or both.

Remember, no one is trying to outlaw

burning or the use of fire as a tool. In fact,

the majority of Tribal members are very

conscientious and responsible when they

burn, but accidents do happen and our

emergency responders are there to help. In

fact, should you be worried about a field

following:

• 30-12-17 Unlawful burning

A. Any person who sets a fire or allows a

fire to escape, leaves a camp fire burning

unsupervised, or causes a fire to be

started by means of a lit cigar, cigarette,

match or firework causing damage to

any vegetation, forest, or structures is

guilty of unlawful burning.

B. Any person found guilty of

unlawful burning is guilty of a Class D

Misdemeanor

• 30-12-18 Arson

A. Any person who intentionally

and willfully starts a fire or causes an

explosion with the purpose of destroying

or damaging any structure or property,

to collect insurance, or to cause damage

to any public property, utility line, or

railway structure, or injure any person or

animal is guilty of arson.

B. Any person found guilty of arson is

guilty of a Class B Misdemeanor

• 30-07-01 Public Nuisance

A. Any

person

who

unlawfully

endangers the health or safety of another

or interferes with another's enjoyment

of property by willfully or negligently

causing a hazardous, unsightly or

unhealthy condition to exist on public

property, or a premise, or place where

persons are known to gather for purposes

of engaging in lawful conduct is guilty of

a public nuisance.

B. Any person found guilty of a

public nuisance is guilty of a Class E

Misdemeanor

• 30-12-05 Criminal Damage to

Property

burn or think you may need assistance,

you can request help by calling beforehand

through the Department of Natural

Resources (869-2710) or by contacting

the Volunteers - either way we will work

together to try and help you. We only ask

that you please stop by the Dept. of Natural

Resources and get a burn permit, follow the

list of instructions, such as creating a fire

break, having water on hand to extinguish

it and most importantly— calling the Police

Department (869-3030) before you burn to

see if it is a burn day. While it may look and

feel like a nice day, we all know the weather

here can change at any moment and if the

winds pick up it could be catastrophic for

you and your neighbors.

A minority few however, do refuse to abide

by the tribal council approved resolution:

requiring the use of burn permits, burning

on non-burn days, leaving fires unattended

and/or put others lives and/or property at

risk —to those few I feel the need to remind

you that you could be charged with the

A. Any person who defaces, damages, or

tampers with the property of any person,

organization, corporation, government, or

other entity in such a manner that their

action impairs its functionality or value is

guilty of criminal damage to property.

B. Any person found guilty of criminal

damage to property is guilty of a Class D

Misdemeanor

On top of these separate charges which

include fines, community service and so

forth, the damage could be such that a

person could find themselves being charged

with a felony if someone is hurt, killed or

if the value of the property is significantly

high. The person could also be charged with

aggravated charges if cultural sites are

damaged.

Again, no one is trying to ban burning or

regulate it to death — we would just like

our community members to respect it as

the dangerous tool that it is, and to help us

protect our tribal residents, neighbors and

our beautiful natural resources.

***A house can be rebuilt, a field

replanted, but we can never get

someone's life back... so let's all watch

out for each other.

Thank you.

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2011

Health Beat

HELMET SAFETY

Health Educator: Stephanie Barela, 869-4479

The 4th grade students at Isleta Elementary School learned about

bicycle and helmet safety. The Isleta Health Educator teamed up

with Albuquerque Parks and Rec to offer the 4th grade students

a presentation on bike safety and then the opportunity to try

out their newly learned skills through participating in a BIKE

RODEO. A bike rodeo is a skills course, which provides a fun and

safe environment for a class to learn various bike safety skills and

practice them. This rodeo consisted of a bike riding course designed

to simulate actual road conditions, a stop sign to help practice their

starting and stopping, as well as using their directional signals, a

chance to practice their skills when they are approached by a dog

and many other important bike safety skills.

ISLETA PUEBLO NEWSLETTER

P.O. Box 1270

Isleta, New Mexico 87022

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

ISLETA, NM 87022

PERMIT NO. 2

Bike riding is a lot

of fun, but accidents

happen. Every year,

about 300,000 kids

go to the emergency

room

because

of

bike injuries (www.

kidshealth.org).

Some of these injuries

are so serious that

children die, usually

from head injuries. A

head injury can mean brain injury and as the 4th graders learned;

OUR BRAIN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR BODY,

so we need to PROTECT IT!! That's why it is so important to wear

your bike helmet. Wearing one doesn't mean you can be reckless,

but a helmet will provide some protection for your head and brain

in case you fall down.

The most important skills the 4th graders learned were:

• STOP and Look Left, Right, Left, before crossing the street

• Use your hand signals when turning

Hand Signals. ( Use Left Hand.)

left turn

right turn

stop

• If you are ever chased by a dog while you are riding your bike,

you should stop peddling and coast (continue to move forward

without using your peddle). If the dog continues to chase you,

get off your bicycle and put it between you and the dog and

back up slowly.

• ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!!

Thank you Albuquerque Parks and Rec, Chuck Malagodi and

the Isleta 4th grade classes.