Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) last Thursday by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“Art provides a vital pathway to learn, discover, and appreciate culture, identity, and heritage,” Rep. Leger Fernández said. “My first visit to the IAIA was decades ago when it was in a small space in Santa Fe, doing big things. Now it occupies a vibrant campus with dormitories, film studios, graduate students, and inspiring spaces that inspire the artists that inspire all of us.”
The Congresswoman’s strong commitment to the arts and Native communities is deeply rooted in her representation of New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Santa Fe, where IAIA’s campus is located. She emphasized the historical significance of indigenous art to the economic well-being of tribal communities in New Mexico, with one out of every ten paychecks in the state coming from the creative economy.
“I have worked hard to support the skilled Native creators who contribute to our arts economy,” she stated. “Last year, I supported an increase of almost $2 million of federal funding for IAIA from the previous year and Democrats have increased funding for IAIA every year we have been in the majority. I will continue to fight for robust federal funding for our education institutions..”
Congresswoman Leger Fernández’s legislative efforts extend beyond economic support for Native artists. She championed the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, which aims to protect tribal cultural items from theft. The STOP Act, passed by both the House and the Senate, seeks to provide necessary tools to safeguard sacred cultural artifacts and ensure any illegally trafficked items are returned.
Congresswoman Leger Fernández’s appointment to the IAIA Board marks a significant step forward in her continued dedication to advancing the interests of Native communities and the arts on a national scale.
About the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
The Institute of American Indian Arts, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a land-grant college dedicated to Native American Art, providing academic programs grounded in indigenous cultures, serving the Native arts community, and cultivating creativity and innovation. It has been named one of the top art institutions by UNESCO and the International Association of Art.
