New Mexico is home to 23 Native American Nations (or Tribes). Nineteen Pueblos comprised of Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojuaque, Sandia, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo (Kewa), Taos, Tesuque, Zuni and Zia. Three Apache reservations comprised of Fort Sill Apache, Jicarilla Apache, Mescalero Apache and the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian reservation in the United States, with some 300,000 people spread across 16 million acres in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Utah.
Nine Nations (in bold and underlined) are located along Route 66. Click here for more information about each Native American Nation.
Each Nation (Tribe) is a sovereign nation with its own government, life-ways, traditions and culture. Visitors are welcome to New Mexico’s Indian pueblos and reservations for dances and other special events related to Native American culture and traditions. Several hold regular tours and have excellent visitor centers with information about Native American culture and beliefs. Bear in mind that visitors are not allowed on certain days, when special observances are held in private. Call the pueblo or tribal office in advance of arrival to be sure that visitors are welcome on that day.
BEFORE YOU VISIT – please read about Cultural Etiquette, the Feast Days Calendar and other communities in New Mexico.
Click here for more on New Mexican traditions. And visit here for more about Albuquerque’s culture and heritage.
