Leadership dispute stirs San Ildefonso Pueblo

Friday, February 22, 2008  

A leadership dispute at San Ildefonso Pueblo is stirring change within the northern New Mexico tribe.

James Mountain resigned as governor last fall after being accused of sexual assault. Though the charge was dropped, Martin Aguilar was appointed as a replacement.

But Aguilar has since been ousted as governor. Male tribal members, who make up the general council, said he failed to arrange a new election.

The dispute has renewed a debate about the role of women in tribal politics. The council is now considering a new governing document to grant women the right to vote and participate in meetings.

The dispute is also affected a long-standing division within the tribe. For at leas 100 years, the community has been governed by two traditional groups that may finally be coming together, a tribal member said.

Get the Story:
Pueblo Leader Locked Out (The Albuquerque Journal 2/22)
Pueblo women could get right to vote (The Santa Fe New Mexican 2/22)