New Mexico’s gaming tribe the Pueblo of Isleta has voted to allow people who have one-quarter tribal blood to become tribal members, expanding the tribal rolls by an estimated 1,400 members. This controversial move took place after a vote of 775 in favor and 554 against, with opponents bitterly opposed. This vote goes against the trend in Indian Country that “dis-enrolls” members with less than perfect bloodlines.
The Pueblo is located in central New Mexico. It operates the Isleta Resort & Casino near Albuquerque.
Last summer proponents of lowering the so-called “blood quantum” failed to persuade the tribal council to put the issue to a vote. They petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs to conduct the vote, which it did on April 6.
Of 1,500 tribal members registered to vote, 1,329 cast ballots. The vote in favor of lowering the blood quantum was a shift from six years ago, when such a measure failed to pass by 10 votes. The change could double the size of the tribal rolls.
The April 6 vote changed the tribal constitution, which had required that a person have at least one half Isleta blood to be a member of the Pueblo. The BIA must certify the results of the election within 45 days of the election: May 21.
One member who voted for lowering the quantum, Phillip Jojola, said that he did it because although he was a member of the tribe, his three adult children were not qualified to be members.
“It’s not just my own children, it’s for a lot of other children too. Our concern was to recognize our quarter-bloods, our children, our grandchildren,” he told Indian Country Today. “When I sit across the table, and I see my quarter-bloods, and I see the others who are half or full, how do I treat them? Do I give them less than the others deserve? That hurts.”
Opponents argue that expanding the rolls will dilute the tribe’s religious and cultural integrity. From a practical standpoint, it will also dilute the amount that each tribal member benefits from the pueblo’s casino.
Jojola recognized that motive when he observed, “When I was growing up, we never looked at something like this. Our God now is the almighty dollar.”
Reyes Jiron, who voted against the change, explained that he felt the tribe wouldn’t be able to absorb the additional members.
“We have our own health care, our own education, social services, services for the elderly. By picking up more of the quarters, they’re also going to bring in their families. It’s not just 1,400 individuals. We’re picking up 1,400 families,” she told Indian Country Today.
She added, “We are losing our language. We need to re-teach ourselves and our community members. We need to catch up first, before we try to start teaching others.”
Jiron has joined other opponents in challenging the election. She alleges procedural irregularities and other problems that could incline the BIA towards a recount or even restaging the election.
Jiron claims that the proponents gave out false information and that some older members felt threatened if they didn’t vote for the measure.
The issue is a bitter one that has caused rifts even within families.
In spite of the vote the Tribal Enrollment Committee and the Census and Enrollment Office announced that it would add the new members in phases over the next seven and a half years.
