Native American History

Indigenous history spans thousands of years in the American Southwest, long before Spanish explorers or European colonists set foot in the region. Present day Native American tribes still live here, including the Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and Hopi, all of whom thrived here for centuries in the past, crafting legacies of culture, art, and innovation that shape the region to this day.

The Albuquerque area was settled by the Tiwa people beginning around 1250 to the 1500s. In modern times, New Mexico is home to 23 federally recognized Native American tribes, including 19 pueblos, many of which are not far from Albuquerque.

The first year-round residents in the area of present-day Albuquerque were the Pueblo Indians who established a large network of pueblos along the eastern slopes of the Sandia and Manzano mountains. Their enduring presence can be seen in the oral traditions and intricate crafts, dances and arts that continue to echo the spirits of our ancestors.

Sacred sites such as present day Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Petroglyph National Monument and Chaco Canyon, bear witness to the profound spiritual and architectural achievements of the Indigenous peoples. The remnants of their expansive trade networks, sophisticated water management systems, and multistoried adobe structures provide invaluable insights into our ancestors’ way of life and understanding of the cosmos.

Today’s Albuquerque celebrates its Indigenous heritage through events like the Gathering of Nations Powwow, the largest powwow in North America. Here, thousands gather each year in April to honor traditions, share stories, and give honor in dances, ensuring that the spirit of our ancestors remains vibrant, and that the stories of our ancestors are told and cherished. Learn about the rich Native American history of our area, then visit some of the pueblos in our area to see where history happened and culture continues.