MESCALERO APACHE TRIBE & SEVERAL PUEBLOS WELCOME, CELEBRATE NEW LEADERS
The Office of Indian Elder Affairs (OIEA) extends sincere congratulations to all re-elected and newly elected tribal officials across New Mexico. Several Pueblos celebrated their new officials on January 6, Three Kings Day, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe held their leadership inauguration on January 9.
“Leadership is a demanding yet rewarding service. We appreciate the brave individuals who step up to that calling. We invite tribal leaders to connect with OIEA to learn more about important programs like Capital Outlay and New Mexico Grown. We also encourage tribal leaders to engage with the elders and staff at their senior center and adult day center,” said OIEA Director Melissa Sanchez.
Many Mescalero Apache community members, advocates, supporters, tribal leaders, state leaders including Indian Affairs Department Secretary Josett Monette, witnessed re-elected President Thora Walsh Padilla and Vice President Duane Duffy take the oath of office along with four council members. The ceremony included powerful speeches, traditional songs in their Native language, and participation from Miss Mescalero and Little Miss Mescalero as well as a young brave who led the Pledge of Allegiance. The stage was also adorned with live pinon and juniper trees and yucca plants.
Days before the Mescalero inauguration, nine Pueblos celebrated and honored new officials with feasts and dancing for Three Kings Day. Those Pueblos are at Cochiti, Jemez, Pojoaque, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, and Taos. Many Pueblos honor the leaders and traditions with buffalo, deer, and eagle dances. Some Pueblos also dance Matachines and corn dances. These events welcome community participation, affirm Pueblo identity, and honor both spiritual lineages simultaneously. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center website to learn more about the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. The website also lists all Pueblo feast days for the year.
One powerful symbol woven through Pueblo political and spiritual life is the leadership cane. First bestowed in the early colonial period as a cane of office to Pueblo governors, this emblem signified authority under Spanish rule. Over centuries, successive sovereigns, including Mexico after independence and, most notably, President Abraham Lincoln in 1863–64, affirmed Pueblo sovereignty by gifting engraved, silver-tipped canes to the 19 pueblos. In 1970, President Nixon gave a cane to the Taos Pueblo after returning Blue Lake and in 1980, NM Governor Bruce King gave a cane to the Pueblos.
“OIEA looks forward to working with all the leaders across the state. We remain a resource for Native American elder affairs for any Tribe, Pueblo, Nation, or other entity interested in learning more and partnering with tribal elder communities,” said Director Sanchez.
The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department compiled a 2026 Tribal Leader Contact List that can be found here.
Contact the Office of Indian Elder Affairs by emailing info.oiea@altsd.nm.gov or visiting the ALTSD website. Learn More