Last updated: August 22, 2024
Place
Stop 1: Welcome to the Park!
Courtesy of Pueblo of Jemez
Welcome! In this audio tour, you will hear about the special connections between the Hemish people and what is today called Valles Caldera National Preserve. Drought prompted a migration from southwestern Colorado to the Jemez mountains in the 1100s C.E.. The word Jemez is a Spanish spelling and pronunciation of “Hemish,” a Towa word. The Hemish people speak Towa, a Tanoan language related to Tewa, Tiwa, and Kiowa. Longstanding oral tradition among the Hemish emphasizes that the eagle on the south aspect of Waavema or Redondo Peak signaled that the place would be ideal for settlement. While forced out of the mountains during Spanish colonization, Valles Caldera was and is at the center of Hemish religion, culture, and history. During this tour, you will hear from Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Chris Toya, traditional religious leader Brophy Toledo, and cultural resources leaders Byron Andrew and Mark Magdalena.
During their introductions, you will hear a bit about the religious and social societies that most Hemish men and women are a part of. You will also hear about “power points,” places of special religious and spiritual significance to the Hemish.
During their introductions, you will hear a bit about the religious and social societies that most Hemish men and women are a part of. You will also hear about “power points,” places of special religious and spiritual significance to the Hemish.