Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

I am pleased to stand here with the Reverend Barbara Dua, Executive Secretary of the New Mexico Conference of Churches on an issue that Sandia Pueblo holds dear to our hearts. The Sandia Mountain is like our church, and the center of many of our religious practices.

The Pueblo of Sandia has entered into and supports a settlement that protects our rights to practice our religion, and to find a way to protect and preserve this mountain forever from any further desecration from development, while at the same time understanding and recognizing the interests and the rights of all those involved; the public, the homeowners, and the Pueblo.

Right now, to go to the mountain in practices fundamental to our religion, the Pueblo must receive permission from the United States government. These religious leaders, from churches of many faiths, and many denominations all have come together to agree that this is simply wrong, and can be rectified through the current Settlement Agreement. These leaders also stand with the Pueblo today, not just as religious leaders, but as our neighbors and friends. For this, I thank them and those of many religions who have come together to do what is right, and to stand together as friends and neighbors. It is time we reached a resolution, just and fair to this issue, so all of us can live together and know that we have found a way to protect and preserve the beautiful Sandia Mountain.

Today is the day we honor the memory of a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King was never afraid to reach out, and we at the Pueblo are going to follow his example and reach out to the members of your congregations. We ask for your support for the current Settlement Agreement and your support for preserving this mountain. It is up to all of us to protect one of God's greatest creations.