Las Cruces City Council does not vote in support of Piro Manso Tiwa federal recognition

After a heated discussion, Las Cruces City Council could not decide whether or not to support the Piro Manso Tiwa tribe gaining federal recognition.

While they’ve been trying for nearly 40 years to get that recognition, council chose to table the motion.

But the deadline to send that statement of support is a week from Monday, meaning there’s a likely chance there will be no support at all.

The decision stems from a long history of fighting between two groups. At one time, leaders say they belonged to the same tribe, but nearly 50 years ago a strife separated them.

Piro Manso Tiwa leaders said if they get federal recognition, they could qualify for more programs to assist them. But the Tortugas Pueblo group said they fear that recognition could lead to the tribe taking over parts of their land and artifacts, li

Councilors seemed surprised by the ongoing battle between both groups, some saying they felt forced to pick sides.

“I’m kind of being asked to choose who is the rightful tribe and I feel that I do not have sufficient information,” Councilor Olga Pedroza said.

With this particular group, they have a petition they brought forward,” Mayor Pro-tem Greg Smith said. “The other groups do not at this point and as I said at the beginning, as we were speaking I thinkwe’dbe in a good place to support other groups as well.”

Even though council did not vote in support, the federal government can still consider the petition to gain recognition.

Dona Ana County Commissioners will vote on the support of federal recognition at Tuesday’s meeting.