Dona Ana County Commissioners approve support for petition for local tribe’s recognition

The Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe of the Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe got the support of Dona Ana County commissioners on Tuesday to petition to be federally recognized.

The tribe says that support may bring them one step closer to getting the assistance they need.

“I know that this body and the body yesterday is not the body that will decide whether we get recognition or not but we’re just looking for your support,” Ed Roybal, Casique of the Piro Manso Tiwa Indian tribe said.

But the 3-2 decision didn’t come with out a fight. The meeting was filled with members of Tortugas Pueblo, who say they fear the splinter tribe could potentially lay claim to some of their land, if recognized by the feds. The Piro-Manso-Tiwa tribe denies any wrong doing.

“There’s no assurance that if they were to obtain federal recognition they would not seek to disenfranchise us and displace the community of Tortugas,” Arianna Fierro , President of Tortugas Pueblo said.

Tortugas Pueblo members made the same plea to city council on Monday, but councilors tabled the motion without a vote.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Billy Garrett said the commission’s decision should be independent. He said Tuesday’s vote had nothing to do with the history between two tribes.

“Why would be interfere with their legal claim?” he said.

Commissioner Leticia Benavidez wanted to table the motion, until they got more information. That motion was voted down. Eventually, a divided commission voted 3-2 in support of the petition.

It is ultimately up to the federal government on whether or not the tribe gets recognition.