Isleta Pueblo News Volume 9 Issue 5 May 2014 From the Office of the Governor Indian Health Service Honor Awards Certificate Business Administration Ceremony • Debra A. Jiron, Pueblo of Isleta On April 4, 2014 the Pueblo of Isleta AA Liberal Arts and Isleta Resort & Casino hosted the • Dominique D. Zuni, Pueblo of Isleta Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service AAS Natural Res. Management Honor Awards Ceremony in the show room • Jessica A. Tenorio Pueblo of Isleta of the Isleta Casino. The event commenced Certificate Office Info.Management with a posting of colors by the Pueblo of • Andrea L. Vicente Pueblo of Isleta Isleta Veteran Honor Guard followed by AA Early Childhood Education a welcome by IHS Area Director Richie The event was attended by Governor Eddie K. Grinnell. 2nd Lieutenant Isidor Abeita P. Torres along with Governors from the provided an opening traditional prayer nineteen Pueblos. followed by a keynote address by Governor Eddie P. Torres. The event was held to New Mexico Governor’s Ball recognize special achievements by IHS On April 5, 2014 the Pueblo of Isleta and U.S. Senator Tom Udall, Governor Eddie P. staff and Tribal personnel from throughout Isleta Resort & Casino hosted the Governor’s Torres and NM Senator Michael Sanchez at the Albuquerque wide service area. We Ball which is an annual fundraiser for the the Solar Array Ribbon Cutting. are particularly proud to recognize our Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Sol for New Earth Day Tree Planting tribal members who have made significant Mexico’s Children. The event was attended Ceremony contributions toward the IHS mission by past New Mexico Governors and Pueblo through their exemplary performance in Governors. The event was well attended by On Wednesday, April 23, 2014 an Earth Day carry out their job responsibilities. approximately 500 people from throughout Tree Planting ceremony was held at a site the state. The highlight of the evening was where extensive habitat restoration work Pueblo of Isleta, a speech by Governor Susana Martinez has been done by the New Mexico State Palace West Casino on the importance of protecting the future Land Office. The site is directly south of the On April 11, 2014 the Pueblo of Isleta of our children through contributions Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (old celebrated the public grand opening of the made to children’s charities. Since the Valley Gold Dairy farm) in Albuquerque’s new Palace West. The dream of a new facility Governor’s Ball was established in 2004, south valley. The event was attended by for the public became a reality thanks to the over $800,000 has been distributed to New Governor Eddie P. Torres, who provided persistence of Ms. Pamela Gallegos, CEO Mexico Children’s charities. The Pueblo of opening comments along with Valentino and her dedicated staff and a special thanks Isleta was represented at the event by 1st Jaramillo, Director, Cultural Affairs, who to the Isleta Tribal Council for their support Lieutenant Governor Antonio Chewiwi. gave the opening prayer at the event. of the project. The Palace West Casino is a Pueblo of Isleta Solar Array State Land Commissioner Ray Powell, non-smoking 12,500 square foot space with Ribbon Cutting along with officials from AMAFCA, U.S. an upgrade from 80 slot machines to more Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau than 250 and will offer a new restaurant. On Monday, April 21, 2014 a ribbon cutting of Reclamation, Bernalillo County, and ceremony was held for the newly installed students from Menaul High School were solar array at the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal on hand to plant a native New Mexico Service Complex. Event Speakers, in cottonwood tree. The Commissioner pointed order, included Governor Edward Paul out native trees and vegetation that were Torres, Sr. - Pueblo of Isleta, Joe Herrera- planted as a result of funding from the Integrated Control Systems, New Mexico Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Senator Michael Sanchez, Ron Darnell- Control Authority (AMAFCA) as well as a PNM Senior Vice President of Public Policy, grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and United States Senator Tom Udall. Also under the Middle Rio Grande Endangered in attendance were 2nd Lt. Governor Isidor Species Act Collaborative Program. This Abeita, former Governor Frank Lujan, collaborative effort will help to reduce fire Tribal Council member Joseph Lucero, danger, encourage growth of native plant Tribal Council member Phillip Jiron, Ron Governor Eddie P. Torres and Pamela species, and will create habitat for the Solimon-Center for Lifelong Education Gallegos CEO at the Palace West Casino Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Ribbon Cutting Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. representatives from Consolidated Solar Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Technologies, PNM representatives, and Institute, Albuquerque, NM. Tribal Services Complex employees. In On April 17, 2014 the Southwestern Indian late 2012, under the Tribal Leadership of Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a National Governor Frank Lujan and the Alternative Indian Community College, held their Energy Committee consisting of Tribal 2014 Commencement Ceremony at the Council members helped implement this SIPI Gymnasium. The commencement project. The Pueblo of Isleta contracted speaker for the event was Sally Jewel, U.S. Integrated Control Systems, Inc. to design Department of Interior, and President's and install the solar array at the Pueblo of Message by Dr. Sherry Allison, President Isleta Tribal Services Complex. The project of SIPI. We are very proud and honored was completed and put into service in to recognize the following Pueblo of Isleta February 2014. The array consists of over students who have attained Degrees/ 1500 rooftop and ground mounted solar Certificates: panels which can produce 591 kW of solar • Tiffani E. Jojola, Pueblo of Isleta energy and will reduce the PNM energy Governor Eddie P. Torres, Ray Powell, NM AAS Accounting costs at the Tribal Complex. State Land Commissioner at the Earth Day • Tiffani E. Jojola, Pueblo of Isleta Tree Planting Page 2 Isleta Pueblo News May 2014 ( Governor’s article, continued ) within the Isleta Reservation. May our • Construction Timeline/ Shawna Great Spirit keep you close to his heart and Ballay/Natalie Abeita New Parish Building continue to guide the life he has set before • Logistical breakdown In response to our community members you. Congratulations and thank you for a • Eligibility Criteria request for easier access to St. Augustine job well done. • Availability of Services Parish and Father George, a modular Sincerely, Eddie P. Torres, Governor building has been placed at the vacant lot Community Meeting Application for Health Coverage adjacent to the north side of the Governor’s Exemption for American Indians Administration building. This modular The Pueblo of Isleta Community meeting building will be used as a temporary site is scheduled for May 10, 2014 and will be David Antle, Director Isleta Heath Clinic pending completion of the CCD and Parish held at the Isleta Resort and Casino Hotel Law Enforcement Crime Report construction project. The temporary Parish ballroom. The community meeting will office will be in operation about mid-May. start at 9:00 am and will end around noon. Chief Kevin Mariano I am looking forward to seeing a good turn • Part I Part II Crimes out and participation by our community State/Federal funding levels membership. Attached is an agenda of subject matter to be presented: Andrew Teller, Treasurer / Kristie Anzara, Contracts and Grants Casino Facilities Update Recreation Fire overview Pamela Gallegos CEO Vernon Abeita / Steve Abeita • Palace West Casino • Golf Course Improvement Washington D.C. • Casino F&B improvement New modular building and site of the St. On April 30, 2014, Governor Eddie P. Augustine Parish Community Facilities Project Torres, Chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors and other Tribal Leaders from Updates: Presenter: Shawna Ballay/staff Retirement of Fire Chief across the country will be meeting with Robert Jojola • CCD Building the Democratic Steering and Outreach With great admiration I recognize Mr. Robert • Silt Removal Committee in Washington D.C. to discuss Jojola our Fire Chief who after 20 years of • Traditional Site ways to strengthen economic opportunities, dedicated service to the Pueblo of Isleta has • Chical Headstart Renovation ensure more adequate access to health retired from his position. On behalf of all • Cemetery Wall care, and the provision of the recently the residents of the Pueblo, I would like • Old Elementary School Renovation reauthorized Violence Against Women to take this opportunity to express to you, • Transportation Projects Act created to protect victims of domestic Chief Jojola, our most sincere appreciation Lava Rock Facility violence in Indian Country. We will provide an update of the meeting in our next for your unselfish volunteer services as Fire Upgrade/Economic Venture Chief for the Pueblo of Isleta Volunteer Fire newsletter. Governor Eddie P. Torres Department (VFD). You have dedicated Message from the Governor a large amount of your personal time and • Upgrade of Equipment Let us all be grateful and give thanks every energy in service to your fellow tribal • Projected Production output day to our Creator for being blessed with members and other citizens. • Marketing Strategy positive visions to broaden and build on • Employment Opportunities Your work involved helping to preserve the our experiences, to broaden our mindset, homes and property of pueblo residents as Assisted Living Facility Update opening us to new possibilities and building well as responding to structural fires and on our resources. Thank for your support, Natalie Abeita, Director ALF other devastating emergency situations Eddie P. Torres, Governor ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SET TO BEGIN IN MAY Big changes are coming to the Isleta Health Center. In May, the If you are seen at the Health Center this month, expect to see use of electronic health records will begin.