Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com (2022)

Volume 17 Issue 12

Isleta Pueblo News

Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com

December 2022

Governor’s Report

Maguwam,

Hello to everyone and I hope this

newsletter finds everyone in good health.

The holidays are fast approaching and

we encourage everyone while attending

family events and Traditional activities

to continue to mask up when you feel the

need to. If you are feeling sick, please

stay home to prevent the spread of

Influenza and COVID. Again, we always

have stressed the use of hand sanitizer

and frequent hand washing and we still

encourage the community to continue

good hand hygiene. In the previous

week at the time of this writing we had

a spike in numbers of COVID positive

individuals. Our number reached to

36 positive cases. The new numbers

currently on November 16, 2022 was 16

positive cases within community. Please

continue to follow the Health Order and

masking requirements that are in place

at some of the Tribal Facilities.

At the latter part of October, a

delegation from Isleta and Jemez

made a trip to Hawaii to visit the

“Immersion School” in Hilo. The Isleta

delegation include staff from the Head

Start, Department of Education and

Administration. The delegation met

with staff from University of Hawaii

Hilo and learned about the history of

the Hawaiian language in the public

school system. King Kamehameha III

established it around 1840 before the

Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown.

The language was then eventually

banned in the public education system.

In the 1960’s and early 1970’s, there was

a revival in cultural identity and pride

and the many efforts began to revitalize

the language. Due to those efforts, the

State of Hawaii mandated that it would

promote the study of culture, language

and then recognized Hawaiian as one of

two Official languages of the State.

Today, we [Isleta Pueblo] are faced with

losing our language. While many agree

learning the language begins at home, at

this time due to the strong influence of

the English language it is not happening.

There are many other factors for this

also. As we move forward to preserving

our language, we must do all we can

now before it is too late. The Hawaiian

proverb says, “In the Language is Life,

In the Language is Death”. This is true

as if we lose our language we will lose

our cultural and traditional ways of life.

We must come together as a community

to encourage our youth and young adults

to learn our Tiwa Language. We hope

that future Administrations and Tribal

Councils will support a program that

allows for Immersion in the Classroom.

Immersion is just not about teaching the

language but also providing the cultural

knowledge in instruction. Students in

immersion programs have a sense of

pride and we must instill that in our

youth. Currently the Department of

Education has language pilot program

in which language consultants are using

immersion to instruct family groups.

We must all make a conscious effort if

we are to preserve our language. With

this visit and the newfound support and

collaboration of all involved, we hope to

create more Immersion spaces such as

in the Head Start and possibly in the

new BIE School.

2nd Lt. Governor Sanchez, General

Counsel Emily Soli, and Associate

General Counsel Lindsay Cutler, met

on November 9, 2022, with Mesa del

Sol (MDS) representatives regarding

their “Framework Plan Amendments

to the Employment Center Expansion.

The Amendment is proposing to change

from “residential” to “employment

center.” “Employment centers” are

predominantly industrial, business,

and retail centers. Our concern with

any zoning change that would allow

for industrial uses could contribute

noise, soil and air pollution, as well

as potential threat to groundwater

pollution.

The MSD representative

clarified that any manufacturing would

be indoors and could not have any

impacts to surrounding residential

areas. 2nd Lt. Governor, pointed out

while in this instance the Amendment

pertains to re-designating the 500

acres to a different zoning type, Isleta

is concerned is the eventual build out of

MSD which will border our reservation

boundary east of I-25 and west of Sandia

Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force

Base. From this meeting with MDS

and during the November 17, 2022,

Albuquerque Planning Commission

meeting, 2nd Lt. Sanchez, testified as

to our concerns and the Commission

in approving the Amendment, added

language to their findings that Mesa

del Sol will communicate with POI on

any future site plans and will develop

a Memorandum Of Understanding.

Inclusion of that language into the

Planning Commission’s findings will

ensure that POI is included on future

zoning decisions as they happen in later

stages of the Mesa del Sol development,

which is a positive outcome on our end.

First reports received by Lt. Governor

Lucero through our Police Department

on the early morning of November 15,

2022, was that an Air Force helicopter

had crashed in the mountains. A second

report came in that another helicopter

has crashed. Upon clarifying the actual

incidents, it was learned that a Huey

helicopter made an emergency landing

on the Mesa Lucero on Laguna. A rescue

helicopter sent to evaluate the situation

and provide supplies while in route back,

had a warning light come on and made

an emergency landing south of the IPD

Shooting Range and north of Perea Mesa.

Clint Lente our UXO Manager was in

contact with Kirtland Air Force Base

and received updates on the situation.

The downed helicopter on Isleta was

able to fly back later that morning. Mr.

Lente went to the area, evaluated the

landing site conditions, and found some

fluids leaked on the ground. Mr. Lente

at Tribal Administration’s directive

coordinated with KAFB’s HAZMAT

personnel to conduct a clean up to

remove any contaminated soil. We also

request that KAFB provide a followup report on the cleanup effort. This

incident heightened our concern with

continuing low elevation military flights

over the reservation. We will be having

a meeting with Senator Heinrich’s office

and field representative and will be part

of the conversation with a follow up

meeting with the KAFB Commander.

We will report outcome of that meeting

and what KAFB intends to address this

issue.

This farming season we were fortunate

to be blessed with much needed rain

after the river almost ran dry here at

Isleta. While we did have some prior

and paramount (P&P) water stored for

that acreage, we did not have to call for

it. There remains misunderstanding

of how and what conditions allow for

the calling of that P&P water. Our

water challenges will continue until we

finalize our water rights claims. As a

community, we must do this together

and understand the decisions we have

to make are not only for the present

but are for the future. This is to insure

we claim as much water as we can

by maintaining and expanding our

agriculture lands, as well as all other

water uses, while not diminishing our

land and natural resources, culture,

and who we are as Isleta people. To

this end, we must look to our younger

generations to farm, whether small

plots or acres, and to keep that tradition

alive as who we are.

Lastly, I Governor Abeita, along with

my staff Lt. Lucero, Lt. Sanchez and

Sheriff Kyle wade would like to thank

the community for your support during

our Administration. We wish everyone

a safe and happy holiday season and

a successful and fruitful New Year.

Continue to be strong Isleta.

Haw-wu! Governor Vernon B. Abeita

Page 2

Isleta Pueblo News

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEADLINE for January Newsletter articles is set for

Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 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 June 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:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

TR 2 & TR 22 - Chical SE of Community Hall

TR 10 - Behind the old 47 Sales

TR 1 & TR 5 – Ranchitos / Bosque Farms

Reservations Line

Ranchitos Park

Post Office - Big Tree

TR 82 & TR 84 - Teller Road

TR 78 & TR 82 - Carlos Trujillo Sr.

TR 90 @ Y - CF Padilla

Mouse Town Park –

Health Center – South end of Health

Center Parking lot

Library Sunlight & Moonlight Intersection

TR 6 - 47 Intersection

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

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

Railroad Tracks

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

December 2022

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

Pueblo of lsleta Career Opportunities

Position Posting

Office Location

Closing Date

ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR Elder Center Open Until Filled

ACCOUNTANT Treasury Open Until Filled

ACCOUNTANT Housing Authority Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I Recreation Center Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II Tribal Administration Open Until Filled

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II Elder Center Open Until Filled

AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN

Agricultural Division

Open Until Filled

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Police Department Open Space

Open Until Filled

BOSQUE RESTORATION TECHNICIAN

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled - Within Only

BOSQUE AND RIVERINE RESTORATION MANAGER

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

BUYER Procurement Open Until Filled

BUSINESS MANAGER II Public Works Open Until Filled

CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER Police Department Open Until Filled

CHILD CARE PROVIDER Health Services Open Until Filled

CLINICAL THERAPIST Health Services Open Until Filled

COMMUNllY SERVICE WORKER COORDINATOR

Tribal Courts

Open Until Filled

COMPUTER IT SPECIALIST

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR SUPERVISOR

Gaming Regulatory

Open Until Filled

COOK I Elder Center Open Until Filled

COOK I Head Start Open Until Filled

CUSTODIAN Public Works Open Until Filled

CUSTODIAN SUPERVISOR Public Works 11/30/2022

DIRECTOR, CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

Construction Operations

Open Until Filled

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services

Open Until Filled

EMT INTERMEDIATE Health Services Open Until Filled

EMT INTERMEDIATE PRN Health Services Open Until Filled

FARM EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Conservation

Open Until Filled - Within only

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN Natural Resources Open Until Filled

GROUNDS KEEPER C-Storcs Open Until Filled

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER Public Works Open Until Filled

HEAD START STAFF ASSISTANT Head Start Open Until Filled

HEALTH INFORMATION CLERK Health Services Open Until Filled

HIGHWAY SAFETY POLICE OFFICER

Police Department

Open Until Filled

HOME CARE ATTENDANT Elder Center Open Until Filled

HOME MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Elder Center Open Until Filled

INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATOR

Department of Education

Open Until Filled - Within Only

INVESTIGATOR Police Department Open Until Filled

LIFEGUARD Parks & Recreation Open Until Filled

MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Health Services 11/23/2022

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

PARKS & MAINTENANCE WORKER

Parks & Recreation

Open Until Filled

PERSONAL CARE SERVICE AIDE (2 Positions)

Elder Center

Open Until Filled - Within Only

PHYSICIAN Health Center Open Until Filled

POLICE OFFICER I - CERTIFIED

Police Department - Open Space

Open Until Filled - Within Only

POLICE SERGEANT Police Department Open Until Filled

PRE K-12 EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT Procurement Open Until Filled

PROJECT ASSISTANT Social Services Open Until Filled

PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICAL ASSISTANT Health Services 11/23/2022

PURCHASED/REFERRED CARE ACCOUNTING CLERK Health Services

Open Until Filled

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN

Natural Resources

Open Until Filled

SALES ASSOCIATE C-Stores Open Until Filled

SECURITY OFFICER Police Department Open Until RIied

SEPTIC TRUCK DRIVER Public Works Open Until Filled

SHIFT LEAD C-Stores Open Until Filled

TIWA LANGUAGE EDUCATION ASSISTANT

Department of Education

Open Until Filled

TRIBAL COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR Tribal Council 11/30/2022

UTILITY FOREMAN Public Works Open Until Filled

VETERAN SUPPORT SERVICE MEMBER

Elder Center

Open Until Filled - Within Only

WATER RESOURCES MANAGER Water Resources Open Until Filled

WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST Water Resources Open Until Filled

WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST Natural Resources Open Until Filled

W-WW APPRENTICE - W-WW OPERATOR IV

Public Works

Open Until Filled

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 4

December 2022

Job Postings

Visit us online at

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

Fax: 505-244-8232

OUR LOCATION

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.

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

ENVIRONMENTAL

Protect Your Home from Mold

With the winter season right around the corner, it is important to

keep your pipes from freezing in order to prevent water damage

and potential mold contamination in your home. Here is some

information you need to know in order to prevent mold from

growing in your home.

What is mold? Mold is a type of fungus comprised of small

organisms found almost everywhere. Molds thrive on moisture

and reproduce tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air.

People are exposed to small amounts of mold every day. Mold

spores are usually harmless, but when they land on damp areas

in your home, they can start to grow and release large number of

spores into the air where they can be easily inhaled.

Where does mold grow? Molds are common in buildings and

homes and will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as

around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes. Mold growth is most

commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, laundry

areas, attics, and crawlspaces.

How does mold affect your health? Exposure to damp and

moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects.

People who are sensitive to molds or who are exposed to it for a

long period of time may develop symptoms such as stuffy nose,

wheezing, and red or itchy eyes or skin. People with allergies to

molds or with asthma may have more intense reactions.

Preventing mold indoors

Realistically, mold problems can occur at any time of year, so

long as the mold spores have three things: moisture, oxygen and

a source suitable on which to grow. Here are a few tasks that may

significantly reduce the risk of mold in your home:

•

•

•

•

•

•

Keep indoor humidity levels low.

Clean and repair roof gutters.

Promptly fix leaky roofs, windows, and pipes.

Ventilate shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

Dry wet materials quickly.

Avoid placing carpeting in bathrooms

If you can see or smell mold in your home, a health risk may be

present. It is always best to call in mold removal and remediation

experts to eliminate and prevent mold. If you have any questions

regarding mold, you may contact Pueblo of Isleta Environment

Department at 505-869-7565.

SOCIAL SERVICE

The term “stalking” is defined as engaging in a course of conduct

directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable

person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others or suffer

substantial emotional distress.

Department of Justice, 2021.

7.5 MILLION people are STALKED each year. (Department of

Justice, 2021)

If you believe you are a victim of stalking, it is crucial that you

keep a log of stalking-related incidents and behavior. When

reporting the incident, write down the person’s name and agency

you reported to, including badge or identification number they

may have. Remember to save a copy of your log for your records.

Some examples of stalking behavior include:

•

Harassing or repeated unwanted phone calls

•

Sending you unwanted letters or gifts

•

Tracking you

•

Damaging your property

•

Spreading rumors about you

•

Posting private information or photos of you

•

Impersonating you

•

Hacking into your accounts,

including social media accounts

•

Threatening you or those close to you

•

Threats communicated through other people

Documenting stalking behavior can be a difficult and emotionally

exhausting task. For more information and assistance please

contact your local law enforcement office.

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) seeks

community input during public scoping on a proposed

action to modify the Isleta Diversion Dam.

Reclamation and Pueblo of Isleta (Pueblo) are proposing

to modify the Isleta Diversion Dam (IDD) in the Rio

Grande on Pueblo trust lands in Valencia County,

New Mexico. Under the 2016 Agreement of Settlement

and Compromise Regarding the Isleta Diversion Dam

(Settlement) the United States (Reclamation and the

Bureau of Indian Affairs [BIA]) and the Middle Rio

Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) have right-ofway access to the IDD for operations and maintenance

in cooperation with the Pueblo. As part of the

Settlement, the Pueblo, MRGCD, and Reclamation

have agreed to reduce sediment entrainment in the

IDD sluiceways and associated irrigation systems to

the greatest extent possible. Reclamation, with the

support of the BIA, MRGCD, Pueblo of Isleta, and the

State of NM also have a commitment with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service to provide fish passage at the

IDD for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus

amarus; silvery minnow), a federally endangered

species, as part of the Middle Rio Grande Biological

Opinion (USFWS 2016) for their water management

and maintenance activities. The proposed IDD

modifications would improve sediment management

and silvery minnow passage at the IDD.

Under the proposed action, modifications would

include:

•

Realignment of the east bank upstream of the

IDD

•

Peralta sluiceway modifications

•

Installation of a fish passage

The public is invited to attend a public meeting. The

public meeting will follow an open house style format

and consist of exhibits with different aspects of the

project. There will be an opportunity to speak with the

Reclamation staff.

Public Meeting Schedule:

•

•

Tuesday, December 20, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn Enchanted Ballroom

2601 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public

to learn more about the project, have discussions

with Reclamation staff, and provide input. Comments

received on the proposed action will be reviewed,

analyzed, and considered for the environmental

assessment.

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 7

TRUANCY

Let the Holidays Begin!

As we recover from all the delicious Turkey

from Thanksgiving, we will start preparing

for the Christmas Holiday Season! It’s always

during these holidays that we make wonderful

memories with our families and loved ones.

As the season starts, there are many things

that we can do to get our families involved in

keeping up with family traditions as well as

creating new traditions. When families get

involved together, it makes the holiday vacation

more meaningful. Decorating your home and

putting up the Christmas tree together, as well

as making cookies and treats, and sharing your

past favorite memories is a good way to cherish

time together.

The Truancy Department has been working

with the Isleta Elementary School to provide

PERFECT ATTENDANCE Incentive rewards;

a total of 15 students achieved Perfect

Attendance for the 1st quarter and received gift

cards to Barnes and Noble. There’s so much to

see and do at the bookstore, so we know that

these gifts will be enjoyed by the students. We

are also in the process of working with all Los

Lunas Public Schools to offer perfect attendance

incentives to those students who have no

absences and no tardies or early check outs. We

will continue to work closely with the Native

American Liaisons at the schools to ensure we

get a list of perfect attendance students at the

end of semester 1. If you have any suggestions

for incentives, please contact our department

and let us know your suggestions --- we would

like to hear from you!

Remember that it’s not too late to encourage

your students to work on attending school daily

and getting passing grades in all their classes!

When students are on time to school and all

their classes, it sets them up to be successful,

and become professionals with their time

managements skills.

Soon, all the students will be on Christmas

vacation and that will be their time to relax

and enjoy their free time. Then back to school

in 2023 when they can become engaged in their

education to finish off in a successful manner.

Happy holidays to all!!

Isleta Truancy Department

Page 8

DEPARTMENT OF

EDUCATION

Higher Education

If you received a Pueblo of Isleta Higher

Education Scholarship, please be sure to

submit your official transcripts as soon

as your grades post, but no later than

January 15, 2023. Also, if you submitted

an application for the full academic year

(Fall 2022/Spring 2023) or for Spring 2023

funding be sure to submit all required

documentation no later than January 15

for consideration.

Pre-K – 12 Services

Save the date for December Family

Art Night

Thursday, December 15 (5:30-7:30pm)

Please contact our department for support

with your educational needs. We provide

services for tutoring, adult education,

higher education and career planning.

Visit our webpage for more information:

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

Charts to the right contain information

from the New Mexico Tribal Education

Status Report (TESR). The New Mexico

Public Education Department (NMPED)

collaborates with 23 districts and 6 charter

schools to meet the statute of reporting

to New Mexico tribes regarding the

education of Native students statewide.

The report is due by November 15

annually. The report includes the following

indicators: 1) student achievement, 2)

safety, 3) graduation rate, 4) attendance,

5) parent/community involvement, 6)

education programs targeting American

Indian students, 7) financial reports, 8)

current status of federal Indian policies

and procedures, 9) public school use of

variable calendars, 10) school district

plans to decrease the number of dropouts

and increase attendance, 11) school

district consultation with district Indian

Education Committees, school-site Parent

Advisory Councils and Tribal, municipal,

and Indian organizations, 12) Indigenous

research and evaluation and results for

effective curricula for tribal students.

To view the report in its entirety, you

can visit: Reports – New Mexico Public

Education Department (state.nm.us)

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 9

My name is Jonna Toledo and I work out of the Goodwill

store in Los Lunas. What I do is help people find jobs in

the community. This is a FREE service that Goodwill offers.

I do work by appointment. The first appointment I just get

the information to help with your job search. Example: What

you are looking for, your availability, experience, etc…we do

meet weekly until you find a job. Just because you find a

job does not mean we are finished! I will stay in touch with

you about once a month for 3 months just to make sure

everything is going well. We want to make sure you are

being treated well and that the job is a good fit for you. I

can give job leads, help fill out applications electronically,

make resumes, and we can also practice interviewing skills

so you feel comfortable in an interview. I do know lots of

hiring managers in the area to help set up interviews. We

participate in job fairs as well as organize them and set them

up at Goodwill in Albuquerque and Los Lunas. Because we

are a non profit there is no charge for this service. It is FREE to

the community. Not a lot of people realize that Goodwill does

FREE services because they are not really advertised. They

just know that the store is a good place to go and get good

deals on merchandise. It doesn’t matter what type of job you

are wanting, I can help! There are several different fields in

the area including administrative, custodial/janitorial, retail,

daycare, eldercare, warehousing, production, retail and food

services. Soon landscaping and outdoor type positions will

be opening up. Please contact if you need help. It is always

my pleasure to help with your job search. Just call me to set

up an appointment! Thank you!

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Environment Department

Eco-friendly

Resolutions

Inspired

New

Year’s

With the holidays now over, you’re probably

thinking about making New Year’s resolutions

for the 2022 New Year. Let’s face it, it’s hard to

make lifestyle changes that you only put less

than an hour of thought into. Instead of thinking

about your New Year’s resolutions as big projects,

try thinking of them as small commitments that

could improve your life. With that being said,

here are some environmental friendly inspired

ideas that can help you live more sustainably:

•

CHOOSE PAPERLESS RECEIPTS: You

can reduce your paper waste by asking for

email receipts. Many stores and restaurants

now offer email receipts as a secondary option

to paper ones.

•

ENCOURAGE OTHERS: Get family

and friends on board with eco-living! Spread

awareness and educate those you know on

new lifestyle swaps, plastic-free switches or

new environmental-friendly alternatives.

•

SAY NO TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS:

Use those reusable products as much as

possible! Just to name a few, here are some

examples of reusable products: water bottles,

metal straws, reusable grocery bags, etc.

PUEBLO OF ISLETA

FIRE DEPARTMENT

505-869-9724

•

START USING REUSABLE STRAWS:

Try switching to a reusable straw such as a

bamboo, silicone or stainless steel straw in an

effort to become eco-friendlier. Americans use

about 500 million plastic straws every day,

which could wrap around the Earth 2.5 times

a year! Plastic straws are found to be toxic to

your own health and the environment.

•

SHOP LOCAL WHEN YOU CAN:

By shopping locally you can help curb the

resources and energy necessary for packaging

and transportation at large stores. If you shop

at farmer’s markets or local grocery stores you

will likely receive fresher produce as well!

•

MINDFUL SHOPPING: Help reduce

your carbon footprint by purchasing clothing

that is organic and ethical. Support brands

who are supporting the fight against climate

change. Many companies are now changing

their outlook and are becoming more green

and sustainable. You may find some of them

recycling, using biodegradable products,

and using renewable energy. They may also

have ongoing projects that donate towards

environmental causes.

We all know it’s easier said than done when it

comes to resolutions. Remember to practice

positive reinforcement instead of putting

yourself down if you fail along the way. Instead,

focus on the progress you’ve made and learn

from previous mistakes so that you can improve

to accomplish your goals. You do not need a new

year to start something new. Every day is a new

day for opportunities to start again or continue

progressing your goals! For more information,

please call the Environment Department at 505869-9814.

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Nathaniel Lujan

Asst. Editor:

Diane Abeita

Published By:

Valencia Express

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 12

December 2022

ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER

CHRISTMAS SO SOON?!

2022 has flown by, it seems, and we have entered the FINAL month of the year. Although we have almost returned to

a relatively normal way of life, we still must take precautions to keep COVID-19 at bay. Combined with the flu season,

COVID could impact a person’s health even more seriously. It seems children are suffering from RSV and based upon news

media, hospitals are having a high rate of these cases impacting the increase in patients. Be Safe and implement safety

precautions to include the wearing of masks if necessary, sanitizing surfaces, washing of hands frequently, etc.

CONGRATULATIONS

Please congratulate her when you see her.

Welcome to the family, congratulations to

our new LEO sister!!

Well we hope everyone survived the rigors

of Black Friday shopping and found all that

you were looking for. With that behind us,

the next holidays, of course is Christmas

and New Year’s.

Kaitlyn Tafoya has successfully graduated

11/15/2022 from the Law Enforcement

Academy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She

reported for duty on 11/16/22 and begins

the first of three phases of her field training

each lasting approximately thirty (30)

working days!

During this time of the year parties, office

and private, are being held and of course

among the refreshments provided contain

alcohol. We ask all to be safe during this

holiday season and to seek a designated

driver if you are partaking in alcoholic

beverages.

As usual we do see a slight uptick in the

number of incidents which include the use

of alcohol. Please don’t be the one who adds

to our DWI statistics.

THE ISSUE

How alcohol affects driving ability

TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS & DATA PUBLICATIONS

ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVING

Alcohol is a substance that reduces the

function of the brain, impairing thinking,

reasoning and muscle coordination. All

these abilities are essential to operating a

vehicle safely.

As alcohol levels rise in a person’s system,

the negative effects on the central nervous

system increase. Alcohol is absorbed

directly through the walls of the stomach

and small intestine. Then it passes into the

bloodstream where it accumulates until

it is metabolized by the liver. A person’s

alcohol level is measured by the weight of

the alcohol in a certain volume of blood.

This is called Blood Alcohol Concentration,

or BAC. At a BAC of .08 grams of alcohol

per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, crash risk

increases exponentially. Because of this

risk, it’s illegal in all 50 states, the District

of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a

BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where

the BAC limit is .05.

However, even a small amount of alcohol

can affect driving ability. In 2020, there

were 2,041 people killed in alcohol-related

crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to

.07 g/dL.

BAC is measured with a breathalyzer, a

device that measures the amount of alcohol

in a driver’s breath, or by a blood test.

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration published the

following:

DRUNK DRIVING|

Holiday Season

2022 Holiday Season National Enforcement

Mobilization / Dec 14, 2022 - Jan 1, 2023

The holiday season is known for being

merry and bright, but it is also known

for being the deadliest season when it

comes to drunk driving. Unfortunately,

every holiday season, lives are lost due to

impaired drivers.

Isleta Police Department will be active in

this mobilizations and both the IHSP Traffic

Division as well as the Patrol Division will

be proactive in seeking impaired drivers

during this holiday season. Prevention is

key in averting serious and deadly crashes

resulting from impaired drivers and IPD

will be proactive in this sense.

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

THE ISSUE

Risk Factors

DRIVING AFTER DRINKING

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it

still continues to happen across the United

States. If you drive while impaired, you

could get arrested, or worse — be involved

in a traffic crash that causes serious injury

or death.

About 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in

the United States involve drunk drivers

(with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In 2020,

there were 11,654 people killed in these

preventable crashes. In fact, on average

over the 10-year period from 2011-2020,

about 10,500 people died every year in

drunk-driving crashes.

In every state, it’s illegal to drive drunk, yet

one person was killed in a drunk-driving

crash every 45 minutes in the United States

in 2020.

THE ISSUE

Consequences

KNOW THE FACTS Interactions

between alcohol and other substances

in the body such as certain medications

or illegal drugs increase impairment

and make driving more risky.

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a

dangerous crime. Tough enforcement

of drunk-driving laws has been a major

factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths

since the 1980s. Charges range from

misdemeanors to felony offenses, and

penalties for impaired driving can include

driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail

time. It’s also extremely expensive. A firsttime offense can cost the driver upwards of

$10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Many states require offenders to install

ignition interlock devices at the driver’s

own expense. An ignition interlock device is

a breath test device connected to a vehicle’s

ignition. The vehicle cannot be operated

unless the driver blows into the interlock

and has a BAC below a pre-set low limit,

usually .02 g/dL. NHTSA strongly supports

the expansion of ignition interlocks as a

proven technology that keeps drunk drivers

from getting behind the wheel.

THE ISSUE

Responsible behavior

BEING A RESPONSIBLE DRIVER IS

SIMPLE: IF YOU ARE DRINKING, DO

NOT DRIVE.

1. Plan your safe ride home before you

start the party, choose a non-drinking

friend as a designated driver.

2. If someone you know has been

drinking, do not let that person get

behind the wheel. Take their keys and

help them arrange a sober ride home.

3. If you drink, do not drive for any

reason. Call a taxi, a ride-hailing service,

or a sober friend.

4. If you’re hosting a party where

alcohol will be served, make sure all

guests leave with a sober driver.

5. Always wear your seat belt — it’s

your best defense against impaired

drivers.

If you see an impaired driver on the

road, contact local law enforcement.

Your actions could help save someone’s

life.

NEXT MONTH: DRUG

IMPAIRED DRIVING

ANIMAL CONTROL NEWS:

Erika Pasqual

Happy Fall Everyone! This year is moving

along quickly, and with the seasons

changing it is always good to keep our

minds active by touching up on some

already known skills.

Isleta Animal Control refreshed their

vaccination skills with a hands on training

held at Santa Ana Pueblo. Isleta Animal

Control along with several other Pueblos

attended the hands on training for

vaccinating canines and felines against

Rabies. The Albuquerque Indian Health

Service Lay Vaccinator Program works

with many Pueblos by offering yearly

training on appropriate methods of vaccine

administration, storage, and handling of

Rabies vaccines. Isleta Animal Control has

been part of the Lay vaccinator program for

several years now, which has allowed us to

host several vaccine clinics for Isleta tribal

members dogs and cats throughout the

years. Our next vaccine clinic will be held

in 2023.

Tis the season for family gatherings and

lots of eating. It is important to keep in

mind that our pet’s love the smell and

taste of delicious foods and plants, however

some of the items in our surroundings can

be harmful to our pets. Listed below are a

few of items which are popular during the

Page 13

holidays that should be kept away from

your canines and felines:

* Chocolate * Grapes

* Onions, Garlic * Coffee * Nuts

* Tinsel, Ribbons

* Poinsettias, Holly, Mistletoe

If you feel your animal may have ingested

some of these items, please call your local

veterinary office or ASPCA Poison Control

1-888-426-4435 (fee may apply).

Have A Safe & Wonderful

Holiday

A reminder to all: The Isleta Police

Department does have a Facebook page

where community reminders, events and

other items of interest are posted. You can

view these by using the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=

100086226116534

The Isleta Police Department would

like to take this opportunity to wish

all a very safe and Happy Holiday

Season.

It won’t be long and 2022 will be gone

and we will be welcoming 2023!!

Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 14

December 2022

Pueblo of Isleta Public Library

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving with lots of yummy food, and got a jump start on

Christmas shopping. With that said we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year. December can be a busy time, and with that comes the pressure and stress of

the holidays. With so much going on, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so please make sure and take a

moment for yourself. You can always come into the library and check out a book or a nice holiday

movie to snuggle up to with a blanket, some hot cocoa and spend time with your loved ones. The

library is busy planning programs for the New Year and we are excited to see what 2023 brings!

News

With the upcoming holidays and unforeseen

circumstances, the library hours are subject

to change, however a notice will be sent out

as soon as we know. Please give us a follow

on our Social Media outlets for up-to -theminute updates on Library closures and

delays. We will be closed on the following

days:

Saturday, December 24th and Monday,

December 26th- LIBRARY CLOSED:

In observance of the Christmas Holiday.

We would like to wish everyone a Merry

Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 31st and Monday,

January 2nd – LIBRARY CLOSED: In

observance of the New Year’s Holiday. The

library staff would like to wish you and

your family a Happy New Year filled with

happiness and good health. Remember to

be safe and responsible.

The library will be having a staff meeting

on Thursday, December 1st at 8am. The

library will remain open during this

time so feel free and come in and use the

library as normal. During this time, we

will be discussing upcoming programs for

the remaining days of the 2022 as well as

planning for the beginning of 2023. We

apologize for any inconvenience this may

cause.

With the weather quickly changing and with

unpredictable weather patterns, please

keep in mind that unexpected closures may

occur. Notices will be posted throughout

the library and up to the minute, notices

will be posted on the library’s social media

accounts.

Have you returned your library books? If

you have had library material out more

than a calendar year a fine will be applied

to your library account. If you have library

items at home, please bring them. Return

them in good condition and there will be

no fines applied to your account. There are

four ways to check your library account:

•

Visit our online library catalog at

https://isletapueblo.booksys.net/opac/

pipl/index.html and log on with your

library card number and pin number.

•

Download our Librista app on your

mobile device and log on with your library

card number and pin.

•

Visit the library and speak with

someone at the front desk.

•

Give us a call at 505-869-9808.

Join us every Wednesday at 10:30am with

library staff member Renetta. Renetta will

read a story and do a small activity with the

families and children who attend. Family

Story Time is geared towards children

16 months to 5 years old, but everyone is

welcomed! No sign up is required, and

monthly calendars will be available for

story time here at the library. For more

information on the story and activity for

that day please call Renetta at 505-8699808 or email Renetta.Jojola@isletapueblo.

com.

Finals are coming up and the library

is available if you need a spot to study!

Utilize our FREE computers, printing, lap

top check outs, Wi-Fi, charging stations,

and conference room to prepare for your

upcoming finals.

Upcoming

The library’s Elf on the Shelf is back at

the library for the holiday season, let’s see

what mischief he’ll be up to this year. In

honor of this holiday tradition the library

will be hosting an Elf on the Shelf Story

Time for families on Wednesday, December

7th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Participants

will get to hear the Elf on the Shelf Story,

make Christmas Candy Sleighs and drink

hot chocolate. This program is geared for

families whose children still believe in the

“Christmas Spirit.” Registration starts

November 28th and is open to 5 families

of at least 5 family members. To sign

up please call or come into the library.

For information, please contact Diane or

Renetta by phone 505-869-9808 or email

Diane.Abeita@isletapueblo.com

and

Renetta.Jojola@isletapueblo.com.

night in making Ugly Sweater Cookies

on Wednesday, December 21st from 5pm

to 6:30pm. Design your very own Ugly

Sweaters on sugar cookies using frosting

and sprinkles. All supplies will be provided

and this program is open to 4 families of 5

members per family or until spots fill up.

Registration begins on Monday, December

6th, to sign up please call or come in to

the library. For more information, please

contact Cheyenne by phone at 505-8699808 or by email at Cheyenne.Castillo@

isletapueblo.com.

Library staff member Kyle will be leading

a Family Paint Night on December 20th

from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm here at the library.

Now that it is getting colder outside and

Christmas is almost here, come join the

library for a fun evening painting with the

entire family. Sign-ups begin on November

22 and is open till all 10 spots are filled.

For more information about this program,

please contact Kyle at 505-869-9808 or by

email at Kyle.Lujan@isletapueblo.com.

School will be out soon for Winter Break

and the library staff members Kimberly and

Elena will be hosting a 3-day program starting

Looking for some Holiday fun? Bring the December, 27th - 29th from 10am to 2pm.

family and join the library for a fun filled

T’Was A Grimm Winter Night. Participants

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

will be reading the Disney Story of princesses

then exposing their creepy origins. After

each story a food craft will follow based

off their Grimm background. For more

information, please contact Kimberly or

Elena by phone at 505-869-9808 or email

Kimberly.Lacsina@isletapueblo.com

or

Elena.Lopez@isletapueblo.com.

Tutoring session will be beginning soon for

the month of November and December. In

collaboration with Tutor Doctor the library

will be offering professional tutoring

services for students. The library is now

enrolling students for a period of 16 sessions

of tutoring. This is a great opportunity to

end the school year on a good note and enter

the second half of the school year with more

confidence. To sign up please call or come

into the library, space is limited and spots

will fill up fast. A mandatory meeting will

be scheduled for anyone that is interested.

Date and time to be announced. If you

have any questions or concerns about this

service, please give the library a call at 505869-9808.

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

Library staff members Kimberly and Elena

attended a YALSA’s (Young Adult Library

Services) conference on November 3rd

through the 6th in Baltimore, Maryland.

They learned about different library

programs and services to help support

teens in our community. They are excited

to share what they learned and put it to use

here at the library. So, keep a lookout for

new tween and teen programs.

We would like to acknowledge our After

School Program students for doing such a

great job with their reading and keeping

up with their homework. We are currently

planning a Christmas Party for our students

on Thursday, December 8th. Festivities

will include activities, crafts, games, and

of course, food. This will also give parents

a chance to get any last-minute Christmas

shopping done. Students will soon be on

Winter Vacation as well during this time.

We hope students can relax and enjoy

their free time. We look forward to seeing

everyone after the break for the second half

of the school year.

After School Program students working

on their Fall Tree Luminarias!

Autumn Paint Night at the Library!

After School Program students making Cinnamon Tortilla Treats!

Page 15

Page 16

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 17

Isleta Health Center

Optometry Department

Eye Health for Adults Over 60

See your eye doctor regularly!

First and most important, it is recommended that

you have your eyes examined by an optometrist or

ophthalmologist at least once per year. You will

be screened for eye diseases such as glaucoma or

macular degeneration. If these are identified early,

you can work with your eye doctor to preserve your

vision for many years to come.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Conditions such as Diabetes and High Blood

Pressure can affect your eyes. It is very important

to work with your Primary Care Doctor to maintain

healthy blood sugar and blood pressure. A healthy

lifestyle not only helps the body, but also helps the

eyes.

Use the right eye drops!

Dryness of the eyes is very common with age. It is

recommended that you use eye drops for lubrication,

also known as “artificial tears”. Avoid drops that

say, “get the red out” as these can actually make

the eyes feel more dry. Instead, look for drops that

say “lubricating” or “moisturizing”. If you are not

getting sufficient relief, talk to your eye doctor about

other options.

Be aware of normal aging changes to your

vision!

The eyes change with time. Driving at night and

moving from dimly lit to well-lit areas become more

difficult. Be extra cautious while driving, especially

at night. You may also find that good quality lighting

will improve your ability to read and do other near

tasks.

Wear Sunglasses!

Good sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection will

help to slow the progression of cataracts and other

eye damage that can be caused by UV light. Widebrimmed hats can also help to decrease the UV light

that enters the eyes.

Page 18

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with your

families. I definitely enjoyed the time off and the time with my

family. I think it’s actually the first Holiday Season since 2019

that my family and I truly felt comfortable getting together

without worrying to much about the Covid virus. All of us need

to continue to be proactive and take whatever safety measures we

can to continue to keep our family, ourselves safe, and Covid free.

As for the department and the pueblo, things seem to be getting

better and better every day. We are gradually seeing more and

more tribal members use our facilities (Parks, Ball Fields, Old

Rec, New Rec, pool, etc.) and our services/activities. It has been

awesome to see people come back. Remember we need to continue

to stay healthy and take care of our departments and ourselves, so

come back to our facilities or come start using our facilities even

if it’s for the first time. All our staff is here to help you. I hope to

see you here soon.

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and

Prosperous New Year!

SPORTS SECTION

Straight from the desk of Coach George Waquie! The Pueblo

Harvest Event finished November 19, 2022 and this year’s winners

were as follows:

•

•

•

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Grace Jojola

Karen Abeita

Shirley Jojola

I want to thank all 25 individuals that participated in this Year’s

Pueblo Harvest Event. We are already looking forward and

planning next year’s Pueblo Harvest Event. Keep up the great

work with staying fit and healthy.

We have seen quite a few tribal members outside walking the

track around the fields here at the Recreation Center and that’s

awesome, keep it up, but keep in mind that our gymnasium and

our treadmills are also available to all of you to use for your

walking needs, especially if it’s too cold to be outdoors. Please feel

free to come do your early morning walks in our recreation center

gymnasium; we would love to see you here, we might even have

some fresh coffee available for you after your walk! Our fitness

facility also has other types of equipment available to you for your

fitness needs as well.

The Co-Ed Volleyball Season is up and going, so if you want to

come and watch some games, they are being played on Monday

and Wednesday nights, 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm are the game times.

Come cheer on your fellow tribal members!

We also want to remind all of you that Pickle ball is set up in

the gym on Wednesdays from 11 am to 3pm. It’s a fun activity/

sport that can be played by all ages, so if you would like to learn

how to play come on down, we would like to teach you the game.

We are hoping to start a Pickle Ball League and coming down on

Wednesdays is a good opportunity to learn this fun game.

We will also like to start up a Corn Hole league, so if you are

interested, please call or email Coach Waquie at (505) 869-9777 or

George.Waquie@Isletapueblo.com. The sooner we get the interest

the sooner we can start the league.

I hope to see you and hear from you soon!

AQUATICS SECTION

Isleta Aquatics hopes you and your families had a great

Thanksgiving! We are excited to be collaborating with the Isleta

Elder Center to provide age appropriate programming for our

elders! For any questions on times and activities please call the

Elder Center or the Aquatics office at 505-869-9783.

Isleta Aquatics would once again like to invite all to come check

out our facility! Although the temperature continues dropping

outside, our pool area as well as the pools themselves stay just

as warm as they are in the summer! Come get out of the cold

and enjoy a nice warm aquatic activity this winter! The Lap Pool

is 80 degrees, Wading Pool is 90 degrees, and the Jacuzzi is 102

degrees! We will have sessions available from 6:00am-8:30am as

well as 2:30pm-7:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 6:00am8:30am and 2:30pm-5:30pm Fridays. We will close mid-day to

accommodate swim time for youth programs Isleta has to offer as

well as daily pool maintenance. We also offer our adults only lap

swim on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12pm-2:00pm.

All three types of swim session can be reserved in one and two

hour increments at the front desk of the Rec Center. Swim lesson

registration forms are available at the front desk at the Rec Center

or contact Josh or Connie at 505-869-9783 for more details on

availability and registration.

Isleta Aquatics is still looking for Lifeguards! Previous experience

is welcome but we can train and certify those that need it and

qualify. Schedules are flexible and work around school and

extracurricular activities. 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, water aerobics and other

aquatic programming please call Josh or Connie at 505-869-9783.

FITNESS SECTION

Getting Comfortable in Our Own Skin

By Anne Asman

Since starting my job as a fitness instructor (a year ago practically

to the day!) I have had the privilege of training and teaching quite

a few tribal members and employees. To call it an honor is an

understatement as I am just so grateful to have the opportunity to

share with my clients and students what exercise and Yoga have

done for me. The benefits, as I know many of you have found, are

boundless. From your feedback, I’ve heard about better digestion,

deeper sleep, more moments of feeling calm, getting stronger and

more mobility, decreased chronic pain, better flexibility, easier

time with breastfeeding and more efficient breathing (especially

during intense exercise).

Those are just some of the comments and some of the feedback I

have received from all of you. However, that does not even cover

what I am able to see. In each of you, I have noticed more confidence

in how you move. I see progress and consistency, community and

camaraderie and the enjoyment that comes when we move our

bodies and connect with others. I have also watched so many of

you become more comfortable in your own skin.

As a fitness professional, I often hear about how others feel about

themselves–their weight and appearance; overall body image

issues that I equate to “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

Body image is an important conversation to have and to have

often. I have found that many times it is how one feels about

themselves that prevents them from going into a gym or exercising

at all. My friends both here at the Pueblo and elsewhere have

shared with me that it can be challenging to walk into a gym with

all of the “young, perfect bodies.” This dysmorphic experience

can sometimes lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement

from going back. It is also important to note that in our society,

celebrities are applauded for how they look and for setting

standards that are mostly unrealistic and (if we can be honest

here and not shaming) with the help of a lot of plastic surgery and

other cosmetic enhancements. Granted, some celebrities claim

they have never had plastic surgery and they eat and drink the

way the “average person” does. However, it is important to look

critically at these claims and to do our own research to find the

truth, especially if we are holding ourselves to those standards and

obsessing over every morsel of food we put in our mouths, and of

course how often and how hard we train at the gym.

Let me note here, this is not a

criticism of people who strive

for a “standard of perfection”

by way of exercise and other

methods for enhancing their

appearance, but it is rather an

insight into the mental aspects

that drive our motivation to

exercise and what may or may

not keep us from going back.

Let alone how these thoughts

cause us to feel about ourselves

all day, every day.

As we wrap up 2022 and head

into the New Year, I wish for all

of you to feel wonderful about

yourselves. If you are already

Namaste.

Photo Credit: MART PRODUCTION there, that is AWESOME,

and we will do a happy dance

from Pexels via Canva

for you. If you struggle with

this, let us fist bump over this challenge by prioritizing feeling

comfortable in our own skin.

All of this said, the light in me bows to the light in all of you.

December 2022

PARKS MAINTENANCE SECTION

Our Parks Maintenance crew continues to work hard on beautifying

our parks and fields every day and it shows. I get compliments

all the time about how good our parks and fields look. This crew

is hard at work no matter the weather outside. They are true

professionals. They have been busy with other duties as assigned

as well, in October the Parks Crew were a huge help with the

parking and traffic for the Halloween Carnival, we couldn’t have

done it without their help. In November, the Parks Crew was

right there helping with the Turkey distribution and this month

(December) the crew will be out there braving the elements again

helping with the Ham distribution. The Parks crew is always ready

and willing to help whenever they are asked. That is awesome for

us and all the upcoming events that we will be having. I want to

personally thank my Parks Crew for all that they do for us here in

the department and for everything that they do for the pueblo as

well. I have an awesome crew!!!!!

RECREATION SECTION

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!

After School Program – The After School program students learned

how to bake simple desserts for Thanksgiving and different ways to

use apples for desserts. One of their favorite desserts that they all

seemed to like was traditional Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice-Cream,

who does not like that, right! They made a different type of apple

pie dessert that is called a Apple-Pie-dilla. This dessert consist

of apple pie filling and tortillas, and it is cooked like a quesadilla.

Another snack they made were mini pumpkin pies. They were

bite-size and delicious, that’s for sure! For the month of December,

the students will be making various types of cookies; gingerbread

houses and candy cane bark that sound delicious, we are looking

forward to the finished products!

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 19

Christmas Break Program – The After School Program will

open up 10 slots for the Christmas Break to Isleta Tribal students

enrolled in Isleta Elementary, Bosque Farms, Sundance Schools

or APS Elementary Schools during the break. Christmas Break

program will start Monday, December 19, 2022 and will run through

Friday, December 30, 2022. The Hours for the program will be

from 7:30am to 5:30pm. The Program will provide an assortment

of activities such as gym play, nature walks, craft making, cooking,

swimming and much more. The Deadline to reserve a slot for your

child is Friday, December 9th, 2022. For more information about

this program or for information about the after school program in

general, please contact LeeAnne Zuni, Activities Coordinator for

more information. 505-869-9777.

Page 20

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

Pueblo of Isleta

WIC Program

The Pueblo of Isleta WIC Program would

like to welcome Amy Ruhrkraut to the team!

Amy is our newest WIC Nutritionist and

she is looking forward to serving our WIC

clients!

The Holidays are approaching and we have

some healthy holiday recipes to share! You

can use some of your WIC food benefits to

make this yummy maple apple oatmeal.

WIC Holiday Maple Apple

Oatmeal

Ingredients:

3 cups apple juice-WIC food

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup fresh apple, chopped-WIC food

1-1/2 cups oats, uncooked (quick or oldfashioned)-WIC food

¼ cup maple syrup

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Stove-Top Directions

1.

In saucepan, bring juice and

cinnamon to a boil. Stir in oats,

apple and syrup.

2.

Return to a boil; reduce heat to

medium. Cook 1 minute for

quick oats and 5 minutes for old

fashioned oats or until most

of juice is absorbed; stirring

occasionally.

3.

Stir in nuts (optional).

4.

Let stand until desired

consistency. Serve.

Please give us a call to check your WIC

eligibility (505) 869-2662

ST. AUGUSTINE

PARISH ONLINE GIVING

St. Augustine Parish is now offering

online giving services to better serve our

parishioners. We are providing this option

in addition to cash or check donations. You

can still give through traditional methods,

but now you can make recurring or onetime gifts online with a credit/debit card or

electronic check.

To give online through our new platform,

visit our giving page on our website https://

www.isletachurch.org/. You can also give

through text message by sending “Give” to

(505) 207-4077.

This program is beneficial to you, in that

you do not need to worry about having cash

or a check on hand at Mass, and it benefits

the Parish by reducing the time needed to

process donations and run financial reports.

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 21

Mental Health Awareness

Orion Zuni, Experiential Educator

Isleta Behavioral Health Services

(505) 869-5482

“You don’t have to struggle in silence.

You can be Un-silent. You can live well with

a mental health condition, as long as you

open up to somebody about it.”

~Demi Lovato

Mental Health Awareness was established to bring

attention to the importance of mental health and

wellness in American lives, and to celebrate recovery

from mental health illness. Although we may not

realize it, mental health is an essential aspect of a

person’s overall health.

What is mental health?

Mental health is focused on our emotional,

psychological, and social well-being. It is very impactful

to the way we think, feel, and act. Mental health is

very important at every stage in life, from childhood

and adolescence through adulthood into our elder

years. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate

to others, and when making choices. Throughout our

lives we may face mental health problems that could

impact our thinking, mood, and behavior.

There are many factors that can contribute to mental

health problems, and could include:

•

Life experiences, such as abuse or trauma

•

Family history of mental health problems

•

Biological factors, such as genes or brain

chemistry

Mental health problems affect everyone and are very

common within our community. Typically, mental

health problems are clinically diagnosable and are

products of our experiences, biology, psychology

and social factors. There are many various types

of treatments for mental health problems and are

dependent on the individual. Treatments can include

therapies (talk, trauma, EMDR, etc), medication, or

both depending on the individual’s needs that will

target specific mental health problems.

While it is important to consider mental health as a

part of our overall health and wellbeing, it still holds a

lot of stigma behind it. Many people with mental health

problems can be highly productive members of our

community. You probably know someone who struggles

with mental health problems but does not show it. Even

very young children may show early warning signs of

mental health concerns. Unfortunately, less than half

of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental

health problems receive the treatment they need.

Mental health support early in a child’s life can help

before problems interfere with other developmental

needs.

While there are many factors that play into mental

health problems, there are also positive ways of

maintaining positive mental health and can include:

•

Getting professional help if you need it

•

Connecting with others

•

Getting active physically

•

Helping others

•

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule

•

Developing healthy coping skills

Positive mental health allows us to realize our full

potential, cope with the stress of everyday life, work

productively, and make meaningful contributions to

our community.

While mental health problems are very common, help

is available. People with mental health problems can

get better and many recover completely. If you or

someone you know is struggling with mental health

feel free to reach out to the Isleta Behavioral Health

Clinic at 505-869-5475 and set up an appointment

with one of our counselors.

Page 22

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022

December 2022

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 23

Health Beat: Hand Washing Awareness

Week Dec 5-11, 2022

Stephanie Barela, Health Educator

www.cdc.gov

505-869-4479 | sbarela@islclinic.net

Do you like being sick? Probably not, most of us

hate being sick, so take the first week in December

to celebrate Hand Washing Awareness Week and

learn how and why to wash your hands! As the

CDC says, “Handwashing is like a ‘do-it-yourself’

vaccine—it involves five simple and effective

steps, (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry), washing

your hands can reduce the spread of diarrheal and

respiratory illness.”

How to Prevent the Spread of Germs by

Washing Your Hands

According to the CDC website, you can prevent

the spread of many diseases and conditions by

washing hands with soap and water; this is the

best way to reduce the number of germs. If soap

and water are not available, use an alcohol-based

hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce

the number of germs on hands in some situations,

but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs

and might not remove harmful chemicals

Make sure you wash your hands before and

after the activities below:

● Before, during, and after preparing food

● Before eating food

● Before and after caring for someone who is sick

● Before and after treating a cut or wound

● After using the toilet

● After changing diapers or cleaning up a child

who has used the toilet

●After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

● After touching an animal, animal feed, or

animal waste

● After handling pet food or pet treats

● After touching garbage

How to Wash Your Hands

• Wet your hands with clean, running water

(warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

• Lather your hands by rubbing them together

with the soap. Be sure to lather the

backs of your hands, between your

fingers, and under your nails.

• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song

from beginning to end twice.

• Rinse your hands well under clean, running

water.

• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry

them.

Page 24

Isleta Pueblo News

December 2022