Pablo Abeita: The Life and Times of a Native Statesman of Isleta Pueblo, 1871–1940

Pablo Abeita was a key figure in advocating for Isleta and other New Mexico pueblos during assimilation,boarding schools, and US Indian policy reform. He secured funding for projects and testified before Congress, meeting nearly every US president. His story reflects the ongoing struggles of Native Americans to protect their land and water.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2024
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

Pablo Abeita, a man regarded as the most influential Native leader in the Southwest during his time, is the subject of the first biography in this collection. Abeita was a staunch supporter of Isleta and the other eighteen New Mexico pueblos throughout the periods of assimilation, boarding schools, and US Indian policy reform. He worked with some of the most progressive Indian agents in New Mexico, other Pueblo leaders, and advocacy groups to secure funding for much-needed projects, such as a bridge across the Rio Grande at Isleta.

To achieve these goals, Abeita testified before Congress and is said to have met and befriended nearly every US president from Benjamin Harrison to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Abeita addressed a wide range of issues that are still relevant today, including reform of US Indian policy, boarding schools, and Pueblo sovereignty. Pablo Abeita's story is one of a people who continue to live on their ancestral homelands, struggling to protect their land and water, and ultimately thriving as a modern pueblo.

This biography provides a valuable insight into the life and legacy of Pablo Abeita, a man who played a crucial role in shaping the history and culture of the Pueblo people in New Mexico. It sheds light on his advocacy efforts, his relationships with US government officials, and his commitment to preserving Pueblo sovereignty and culture. Abeita's story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Native peoples in the face of adversity, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring and preserving their heritage and traditions.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826366313