Chairman Jeff Haozous (Deming) – The Fort Sill Apache Tribe hosted the state’s Indian Affairs Committee meeting at their federally recognized reservation in Akela at the end of October.
Senators and representatives from across New Mexico visited the tribal lands for the first time since the Fort Sill Apaches were legally recognized as a tribe under state law.
Tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous welcomed the lawmakers and told them that if they looked in every direction from Akela, they would see what once was Apache land, adding that they now have 30 acres in Luna County.
During the two-day meeting, legislators discussed statewide tribal concerns, toured the Fort Sill Apache historical tribal lands and attended a welcome dinner hosted by the tribe.
Last December, the tribe filed a lawsuit against Governor Susana Martinez and her administration, asserting the Governor was violating a state statute in refusing to recognize the Fort Sill Apaches as a New Mexico tribe.
In April, the New Mexico State Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Fort Sill Apaches, requiring Governor Martinez to recognize the tribe under state law and include them in the annual State-Tribal Summit.
Senators and representatives from across New Mexico visited the tribal lands for the first time since the Fort Sill Apaches were legally recognized as a tribe under state law.
Tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous welcomed the lawmakers and told them that if they looked in every direction from Akela, they would see what once was Apache land, adding that they now have 30 acres in Luna County.
During the two-day meeting, legislators discussed statewide tribal concerns, toured the Fort Sill Apache historical tribal lands and attended a welcome dinner hosted by the tribe.
Last December, the tribe filed a lawsuit against Governor Susana Martinez and her administration, asserting the Governor was violating a state statute in refusing to recognize the Fort Sill Apaches as a New Mexico tribe.
In April, the New Mexico State Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Fort Sill Apaches, requiring Governor Martinez to recognize the tribe under state law and include them in the annual State-Tribal Summit.
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