STATE News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Monday commemorating Native American Heritage Month:

“This month, we celebrate the Indigenous peoples of this land. As the Governor of New Mexico, I honor the Pueblos, Apache Tribes and Navajo Nation, and all other Tribal nations.

“But while we celebrate the beautiful diversity of this state and the invaluable contributions of Native Americans, we also acknowledge the challenges still faced by Tribal nations, we mourn the lives lost during centuries of genocide committed against Indigenous peoples, and we dedicate ourselves to healing and growth through meaningful action and collaboration.

“Despite these challenges, Native Americans remain strong and thriving in New Mexico, and throughout the pandemic, they have been global models of what caring for ourselves and caring for our communities is supposed to look like.

“This month, I encourage all New Mexicans to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by making a conscious effort to learn more about the first residents of our nation.”

Indian Affairs Department Secretary Lynn Trujillo, a member of Sandia Pueblo, issued the following statement:

“During Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the contributions that Indigenous People have made to this country. By giving Native Americans a stronger voice, we are also drawing attention to the challenges that our Tribal communities continue to face. This month, all Americans have the opportunity to commemorate the legacy of the first people who lived on this land. We must continue to uplift our Native people, especially our youth, to embrace our traditions and assure our people’s health and prosperity, as well as the reverence and respect for our traditional ways of life.”