About the Pueblo Indian Government

The Pueblo Indians began interacting with non-Indian groups since the 1600's. From that time the Pueblo Indian Government has remained self-governing under Spanish, Mexican and American authority. This is a brief overview of the Pueblo Indian government from just before the Spanish discovery up to modern day.

History

Before the Spanish arrived, the government of the Pueblo Indians was controlled by the priesthood. The functions were controlled by politically autonomous religious leaders. Each community, called a Pueblo, was itself divided into clans. The religious leaders controlled such things as:
• War and peace
• Witchcraft
• Hunting
• Husbandry

Significance

The Spanish extended their influence on the Pueblo Indian government over time. While the Pueblo Indian is peaceful, there is a recorded account of revolt in 1680 overthrowing the Spanish for over a decade.
When the Spanish arrived they introduced new civil positions to the Pueblo Indian government. This was a democratic form of government where the Pueblo Indians elected village heads on a yearly basis. While religious affairs were still controlled by the priesthood, civil affairs fell under the authority of a Governor, Lt. Governor and a body of aldermen. This form of local government has remained among Pueblo Indian communities into modern time.
Within the Pueblo Indian government, the elected office does not dignify the office holder. The elected official is seen as a public servant and receives no special considerations. Historic accounts from the Spanish show how office holders were regarded as just men to the surprise of the Spanish.

Time Frame

After the Spanish left Mexico, the Pueblo Indians were governed by Mexico. During this time, Mexico granted the Pueblo full citizenship while allowing the Pueblo Indian government to continue. The Mexican government gave the Pueblo Indians full voting status. After the war between Mexico and the United States, the Pueblo lands came under American jurisdiction in 1848.

History

As part of the treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, the Pueblo Indians were allowed their government and granted full citizenship within the United States. Because of this fact, the Pueblo Indians are the only autonomous tribe in America.
With the passing of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, many of the Pueblos refused to change their traditional government with a foreign system. Each tribe within the United States was given the option of reorganizing under this act.
The Pueblo Indian government has taken a modified form of both U.S. government rules and the way corporations are governed. Traditional Pueblo Indian government incorporates leadership from different sources of strength within their communities.
Clans are still an important factor of leadership within the Pueblo Indian Government. In certain pueblos clans have a traditional obligation to provide leaders for the community. Examples of this include:
• The Bear Clan of the Hopi
• The Antelope Clan at Acoma
• The Bow Clan at Zuni
• The Tewa pueblos use duel village leaders with heads of the winter and summer seasons.
Many Pueblo Indians still govern their own lands; others such as the Hopi, live on reservations under authority of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This agency as introduced elected officials in Santa Clara, Laguna, Zuiand and Isleta. The Hopi have and elected council at the tribal level.

Function

The All Indian Pueblo Council's first recorded meeting was held in New Mexico in 1598 when Juan de Ouate met with 38 Pueblo leaders at Santo Domingo. Pueblo oral history tells of various pueblos working together before outsiders arrived. This council's secret meetings became a major factor in planning the Pueblo Indian Revolt of 1680.
The modern version of the council was formed in November 1922. Pueblo Indian government leaders met with officials of the United States at Santo Domingo. The current constitution was enacted on October 16, 1965.
The All Indian Pueblo Council is an organization of pueblos in New Mexico seeking to advance and protect their interests regarding relations with other governments.

Identification

The Pueblo Indian government is set up as 26 little republics within the realm of the United States. While communities govern their own affairs without reference or interference of other governments, each still recognize the authority of the United States over them. This, in effect, has proven a workable form of government for the Pueblo Indian tribes.