News Release

News Releases

Aztec Ruins Centennial Banner

NPS Photo/C Murphy

News Release Date: January 13, 2023

Contact: Nathan Hatfield, [phone] ext 228

“WHEREAS, there is near the town of Aztec, New Mexico, a ruin of great antiquity and historical interest; and WHEREAS the ground on which said ruin stands has been donated to the United States for the establishment of a national monument with a view to the preservation of said ruin for the enlightenment of and culture of the Nation.”

Thus began President Warren G. Harding’s proclamation establishing Aztec Ruins National Monument on January 24, 1923. In the 100 years since that proclamation, the National Park Service has protected and preserved the ancient Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites located within the 318 acres of the National Monument.

On January 24, 2023 at 6:00pm mountain time, in partnership with Aztec Ruins National Monument, the Chaco Culture Conservancy will be hosting a zoom panel discussion featuring speakers from our affiliated tribes. The panelists will speak about how indigenous communities view these types of anniversaries. The panelists include Dr. Shelly Valdez-Kawaika, Curtis Quam, and Jon Ghahate.

Dr. Valdez-Kawaika is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna Tribe. Shelly has worked in education for 33+ years and currently manages an educational consulting business, Native Pathways. Shelly credits her father, the late Robert C. Valdez with inspiring her to understand the connection of school learning to her own worldview, giving her a culturally rich community-based education.

Curtis Quam was born and raised in Zuni, New Mexico. He currently oversees the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center. Curtis has helped with all Museum programming and was the Project Manager for the A:shiwi Map Art Exhibition. Most recently, Curtis helped coordinate an effort to revive Delapna:we (Traditional winter stories), under, Ho’n A:wan Productions.

Jon Ghahate is of the Pueblos of Laguna and Zuni. He is of the Badger and Turkey Clans. Jon is currently the Cultural Educator at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his responsibilities are to provide ahistorically accurate, science-centered, narrative of the culture, history, and legacy of the Pueblo communities of New Mexico with respect and dignity.

To join this Zoom Meeting go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89057516148?pwd=elpsY056bzBFN0VKQ05qa3dkSkhYUT09

Meeting ID: 890 5751 6148
Passcode: 045845

At the conclusion of the presentation, it will be made available on the Chaco Culture Conservancy facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/chacoculture

For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 505-334-6174 x.231, or visit our park Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AztecRuinsNM/) and click on "Events" to see the latest information.