About the Event:
MEDIA ADVISORY – PRESS CONFERENCE
JULY 30TH 2021 - 10am
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Courtyard
2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104Albuquerque NM –
The All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) calls upon the State of New
Mexico to end systemic racism for Native students in the state’s public schools. In a resounding
voice, the Pueblo Governors say Native children are the key to maintaining our Indigenous
cultures, languages, and traditional ways of life both now and into the future. Tribal leaders
believe that systemic racism in public schools today is tied to the history of boarding schools
established across the country to intentionally kill the cultural identity of Native children. They
contend that public education policies of forced assimilation have been used historically to that
end and still affects tribal communities and their children today.
“The New Mexico legislature and public education policymakers need to know that a strong
cultural identity is important for our children’s academic progress. In addition to math, reading,
science and the arts, our children need to know about their history, traditions, Native languages,
and tribal laws,” said APCG Chairman Wilfred Herrera. “The Legislative Education Study
Committee has a responsibility to shift the paradigm and that begins by removing its
controversial Director.”
To improve the educational outcomes for Native children, the tribes insist the state must invest in
the Tribal Remedy Framework, a comprehensive set of recommendations and solutions
developed by tribal advocates and education experts in response to the historic Yazzie/Martinez
lawsuit. Democratic Representative Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo has led the way by
persistently introducing legislation the past three sessions using the Tribal Remedy Framework
as the basis.
“My constituents, who come from communities of color, are demanding nothing less than
excellence in education,” said Rep. Lente. “They are tired of seeing their children at the bottom
on state and national rankings. It’s time for a change because our children deserve it.”
Tribal leaders say they have an inherent obligation to protect their children and communities--
that Sacred Trust must be upheld. Acoma Pueblo Governor Brian Vallo said, “We have a chance
to bend history, to make it different, to create change, so that our future generations of Native
children have it better than we do. It will take acts of courage and a collective belief that the
history of Native People will be shaped by what we do today.”
The All Pueblo Council of Governors invites members of the media to a press conference
on Friday July 30th at 10 am at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th St. in
Albuquerque, NM. This gathering is an unprecedented coming together of tribal leaders,
legislators, education advocates, leaders of major organizations, advocacy groups, and
community members who will be attending this event.
Press Contacts
Jonathan Sims – (505) 681-4009,
Teran Villa – (505) 301- 9062
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jul 30, 2021 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Topic: PRESS CONFERENCE - Protecting the Sacred Trust
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88078296726?pwd=QkREMDJhZWY5bERtWS9DZUNH
Wm1iUT09
Passcode: 505575
Or One tap mobile :
US: +12532158782,,88078296726#,,,,*505575# or
+13462487799,,88078296726#,,,,*505575#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 301 715
8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 880 7829 6726
Passcode: 505575
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcjs2FVzW
