Secretary Deb Haaland visits with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps crew working to stabilize Lowry Pueblo

On October 16th, BLM Colorado hosted Secretary Deb Haaland at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM) to showcase Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’s (ALCC) current work with BLM. ALCC is a program under Conservation Legacy that aims to engage Indigenous youth and young adults in conservation service programs related to Native lands and resources. 

During her visit the Secretary met with ALCC individual placement interns Tiana (Zuni), who is an Indigenous mapping and research intern based at CANM, and Pualani (Kanaka Maoli), who is a public affairs intern at the State Office. The group gathered at Escalante Pueblo and a blessing was given by Troy Cachini (Zuni) to acknowledge the original peoples of the region and to start the Secretary’s visit with positive intention. 

Secretary Haaland then traveled into the monument to meet with the ALCC Zuni crew stabilizing Lowry Pueblo in collaboration with CANM archeologists. Lowry Pueblo is one of the most significant BLM archeological sites in the Four Corners Region. There she spoke with members of the crew to learn about the work they were doing and their experience in the ALCC program. CANM archeologist Vince MacMillan also gave the Secretary a tour inside a covered portion of the pueblo. 

“This has been such a special opportunity meeting with Secretary Haaland and sharing not only what I do at ALCC but what I do with the Native Lands National Trails Project as well. I’m happy to be a part of such a momentous occasion,” said Tiana, ALCC individual placement intern. 

Kiana (Zuni and Hopi), an ALCC Program Coordinator for the Individual Placement Program echoed similar sentiments as she said, “Seeing the Secretary of the Interior, a Laguna Pueblo woman, and visiting with her was pretty remarkable being a Pueblo woman myself. She’s an inspiration.” 

The Secretary’s final stop was the great kiva associated with Lowry Pueblo. There she took her time observing the site before everyone was gathered for a final group photo. 

Pualani Tupper is an Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps intern placed at the Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Office. As a Kanaka Maoli woman, she aims to educate public land users through indigenizing communications at the BLM.