Jemez National Recreation Area, Sandoval County
Current Population: 3.400
Pre-Contact Population: 30,000
Language: Towa
Early Societal Structure: Agrarian, Exogamous, Matrilineal Clans with Ritual Moieties & multiple Kivas
Location: 89,000 acres in Sandoval County
Pre-Contact Territory: More than 625,000 acres that included the Valles Caldera and parts of Rio Arriba, Los Alamos & Sandovol Counties
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The original name of the Jemez is Hemes, which in their language of Towa means “people.” The village where most tribal members reside is called Walatowa, which means “this is the place.”
Late in the 13th century, the Jemez people migrated to the Jemez Mountains from the Four Corners area. They built Gíusewa Pueblo in A.D. 1450 at the mouth of Church Canyon 15 miles north of where Jemez Pueblo is currently located. Giusewa means "place of boiling water," named such because of the nearby hot springs. Jemez Nation was one of the largest and most powerful of the Puebloan cultures, occupying numerous villages that were strategically located on the high mountain mesas and the canyons that surround the present home, Walatowa. These stone-built fortresses were upwards of four stories high and contained as many as 3,000 rooms.
After participating in multiple rebellians, many members of Hemes went west to live with the Dine. Some eventually returned to Jemez but many remained with the Navajo. Some Jemez also fled to Hopi but were returned several years later by missionaries. The Jemez exile did not end until the early eighteenth century, when members of the tribe returned and settled at Walatowa, 12 miles south of their former mesa homes.
In 1798, 116,290 acres were taken from the Jemez and given to Spaniards in the Cañon de San Diego Land Grant.
History of Runners
The Hemes have a long history of running. They used this skill to help communicate plans of the Pueblo Revolt.
Tribal member Steve Gachupin won the Pikes Peak Marathon six times. He set a record in 1968. Al Waquie was a Pikes Peak Marathon championin 1981 and 1982.
Preservation of Culture
The Hemesh are considered very traditional. This has allowed them to maintain their culture, religion, and language despite outside pressures. They are the last speakers of Towa and are keeping the language alive. They have the highest number of tribal members that speak the native language than any of the other 19 Pueblos.
The pueblo itself is closed to the public except during feast days. Traditional dances are held throughout the year at Jemez. The public is welcome at the “Nuestra Senora de Los Angelas Feast Day de Los Persingula,” held on August 2nd, and the “San Diego Feast Day” on November 12th.
Jemez Pueblo took in the last remaining people from Pecos Pueblo. The did not just give them a safe space. They incorporated their traditions, which are still honored today. In 1936, Jemez Pueblo and Pecos Pueblo officially merged through an act of Congress.
Vision of Health in Tribal Communities
Tina Archulata, a tribal member of the Pueblo of Jemez, has been preparing food for her community her entire life - in the pueblo, in kitchens filled with family creating food to share with others. Her life’s work has always centered around reclamation of wellness in Native communities.
She opened Itality Plant Based Foods at Avanyu Plaza - at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, selling culturally relevant whole foods. “We believe that food is medicine and that healthy, culturally relevant foods can reverse the impacts of diabetes, obesity, and other health issues faced by the Native community. We are cultivating a culture of health in native spaces and inspiring people to reclaim their health and wellness with how they eat.”
"Tina is an example of Native entrepreneurship aligned with traditional values, such as reverence for Mother Earth and Indigenous wisdom. From advancing Tribal and food sovereignty to uplifting healthy eating as a form of self-respect, Archuleta continually returns to her core values when sharing her journey to plant-based wellness and how Itality evolved organically through deep care and focused intention." - Native Business
