Eight Pueblos North of Santa Fe

NAMBÉ PUEBLO

Nambe (Tewa)
"People Of The Round Earth"

Nambé Pueblo history dates back to the 1300s, when it played a pivotal role as a center of culture and religion. Because of its importance as a social and economic hub, the Spanish conquerors that began arriving in the late 16th century tried to destroy it and nearly succeeded. Today, Nambé is known for traditional micaceous pottery, jewelry and sculpture and also for its beautiful location in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains where a spectacular double-drop waterfall, a lake, and a campground make up the popular Nambé Pueblo Recreation Area.

The Rio Nambé, whose headwaters begin high in the mountains and flows through the Pueblo, which is heavily forested in areas, and eventually feeds into the Rio Grande. The Pueblo has strong agricultural traditions, a buffalo range, and offers tours arranged in advance.

Annual events include a 4th of July weekend celebration at Nambé Falls, Easter Sunday Dances, October 3 (Evening Firelight Vespers), St. Francis de Assisi Annual Feast Day, October 4, and December 24 (Buffalo Dance Following Christmas Eve Mass).

Directions and Contact Info
18 miles north of Santa Fe, off U.S. 84/285 and N.M. 503
(505) 455-2036
www.nambepueblo.org

OHKAY OWINGEH

Formerly San Juan Pueblo (Tewa)
"Place of the Strong People"

When Juan de Oñate established the first Spanish capital city in New Mexico in 1598, it was on the land of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, formerly San Juan Pueblo, where there stands a plaque to denote this today. Po'Pay, a medicine man who lived at Taos Pueblo when he led the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, was born at Ohkay Owingeh. The people of this Pueblo possessed such strength that only those born there could declare war for all the Pueblo Indians.Today, Ohkay Owingeh is home to San Juan Lakes, a popular fishing spot, the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, and the Arts and Farmers Market where art from the eight northern pueblos is exhibited every Saturday, July-October. Pueblo artists primarily produce redware pottery, jewelry, painting, weaving, embroidery, and willow baskets. The Rio Grande runs through the Pueblo, which is surrounded by unusually tall trees. During the summer this is a very lush area.

Visit the Native Arts of the Rio Grande Gallery & Cooperative where you can see and buy works from local Pueblo artists. Ohkay Owingeh also operates the Ohkay Casino, Resort and Hotel. Annual events include Ohkay Owingeh St. John's Feast Day with Comanche and Buffalo Dances held June 23-24, the famous Indian-Spanish hybrid Matachines Dance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the beloved Turtle Dance on December 25, which ushers in the new year for tribal members.

Directions and Contact Info
Located 25 miles north of Santa Fe on U.S. 84/285 then five miles north of Espanola off N.M. 68.
(505) 852-4400
www.ohkay.com

PICURIS PUEBLO

Pinguiltha (Tiwa)
“Mountain Warrior Place”

When Spanish colonist Juan de Oñate encountered the residents of this Pueblo more than 400 years ago, he named the pueblo Pikuria, for "those who paint." Artistic traditions still flourish at Picuris, which is famous for micaceous pottery. Picuris Pueblo is nestled on the banks of the Rio Pueblo River where it sits in a serene spot known locally as "the hidden valley." Residents recently completed a major restoration by hand of their beautiful and historic 200-year-old adobe mission church, San Lorenzo de Picuris. The pueblo honors the church's namesake during the annual San Lorenzo Feast Day on August 10 with dances, pole climbing and a foot race. Local art is displayed and sold at the Picuris Pueblo Museum, and visitors can also view the pueblo's bison herd. The Pueblo also holds a majority interest in elegant, Native-themed Hotel Santa Fe The Hacienda & Spa featuring Amaya Restaurant in downtown Santa Fe, which offers tours to Picuris.

Directions and Contact Info
Located in Peñasco, 60 miles north of Santa Fe on N.M. 68 then 13 miles east of the junction at Embudo 75.
(575) 587-2519
www.picurispueblo.org

POJOAQUE PUEBLO

P'o Suwae Geh (Tewa)
"Water Gathering Place"

War and disease nearly demolished Pojoaque Pueblo but residents who returned in the 1930s wanted to ensure its survival so they evicted squatters, erected fences, and rebuilt. Today the Pueblo is thriving thanks partly to its Poeh Cultural Center and Museum, which provides a wide range of art instruction, demonstrations, and world-class exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art and culture.

The pueblo also operates one of the state's largest luxury resorts that features fine dining, golf and spa services and two casinos. The Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino also has on display one of the largest collections of museum-quality Native American Fine Art in the state. The Pueblo also offers a weekly Farmer's Market and tours of the Bison range by appointment. Annual events include Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day on December 12, honoring the Pueblo's patron saint, and Three Kings Day Celebration on January 6.

Directions and Contact Info
Located 15 miles north of Santa Fe, on U.S. 84/285.
(505) 455-2278
www.pojoaque.org
www.poehcenter.org
www.buffalothunderresort.com

SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO

Po-Who-Ge-Oweenge (Tewa)
"Where the Water Cuts Through"

Between 1200 and 1500 A.D., early residents of San Ildefonso Pueblo left Mesa Verde in Colorado and Chaco Canyon to settle on the Pajarito Plateau in the present-day Bandelier National Monument. Due to drought conditions, they relocated to their current location near the Rio Grande and towering Black Mesa in the late 1500s or early 1600s—and it was from this mesa top that Pueblo residents fought Spanish solders during the Spanish re-conquest of New Mexico in 1694.

San Ildefonso is home to many well-known artists, including the late renowned potter Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian. They developed their famous black-on-black polished and matte pottery introduced to the world by Maria at the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis. Many potters continue to create the black-on-black and also red style. San Ildefonso today remains a major arts community where visitors can purchase work directly from artists' homes in this flourishing community.

Visitors can explore the San Ildefonso Museum & Visitor Center and the Than Povi Fine Arts Gallery, formerly Cottonwood Trading Post, which feature crafts and fine art from major Native American artists, at affordable prices. Tours are also available along with photo permits. Black Mesa is not accessible to the public. Annual events include a Feast Day on January 23 with Comanche and Buffalo or Deer Dance, Easter Dances, and a Feast Day of the Nativity with Corn Dance on September 10.

Directions and Contact Info
Located 23 miles north of Santa Fe on U.S. 84/285 then west on N.M. 502.
(505) 455-3549
www.sanipueblo.org
www.thanpovi.com

SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

Kha'P'O (Tewa)
"Singing Water Village"

Due to drought circa 1550, the Puye Cliff Dwellers abandoned their homes, relocating to Santa Clara Pueblo, about 20 miles away. Today, Santa Clara artists such as world renowned sculptor Roxanne Swentzell from the Naranjo potter family are acclaimed for their black and red polished pottery, including signature double-necked wedding jars and hand-molded black animal figures as well as willow baskets, decorated gourds and textiles.

The Pueblo also owns the Black Mesa 27-hole golf course, The Santa Claran Hotel & Casino, and Puye Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center & Museum, which offers a glimpse into the ancient life and customs through the structure of the ruins. Tours that include photo permits are available and Native Dancers perform at the Visitor Center on the weekends. Check schedule.

Annual events include the Feast Day of St. Anthony on June 13 and the Santa Fe Clara Feast Day with Buffalo, Harvest or Corn Dance on August 12.

Directions and Contact Info
Located 1.5 miles south of Espanola, via U.S. 84/285 then off N.M. 30.
(505) 753-7326
www.santaclaran.com
www.puyecliffdwellings.com

TAOS PUEBLO

Tau-Tah (Towa)
"The Place of the Red Willows"

Taos Pueblo, with its world-famous, multi-storied adobe communal architecture set against the backdrop of Taos Mountain, is one of North America's oldest, continuously occupied villages and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Site. Local artists sell from their family homes, some of which have been converted into mini-shops and galleries—it doesn't get more authentic.

Taos Pueblo is located at the gateway to the eastern plains, served as a major trading center for centuries, and its Trade Fair drew thousands of mountain men, trappers and other traders. The Pueblo’s artists are known for their micaceous clay pottery, jewelry, paintings, moccasins, and drums. Farming and seasonal ceremonies are key to traditional Pueblo life and Taos is one of the more active present-day Pueblo farming communities. The Pueblo is located one mile from the historic City of Taos, a bustling arts community and tourist destination in and of itself. Visiting the town and Pueblo from Santa Fe make for a memorable round-trip day-trip. The Pueblo's annual Feast Day of San Geronimo, with pole climb and arts and crafts fair, takes place September 30 and the Taos Pueblo Pow-Wow, which brings together Indian Nations from across the country for this inter-tribal gathering, takes place second weekend of July annually.

Directions and Contact Info
Located in Taos 68 miles north of Santa Fe, then 2.5 miles north of the Taos Plaza on U.S. 64.
(505) 758-1028
www.taospueblo.com
www.taospueblopowwow.com

TESUQUE PUEBLO

Te-Tsu-Geh (Tewa)
"Cottonwood Tree Place"

Tesuque Pueblo has occupied its present location since the 1200s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although Tesuque is one of New Mexico's smallest pueblos, it spreads across more than 17,000 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain foothills and is a vibrant traditional farming community. Tesuque Pueblo artists are known for their pottery, painting and sculpture, particularly rain gods, whimsical figures originally invented for tourists in the 1880s. The Pueblo also operates Tesuque Casino, which is Santa Fe’s newest casino. Annual events include the Corn Dance and Blessing of the Fields held the first Saturday in June and the San Diego Feast Day on November 12. The Pueblo also operates the famous Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market where visitors can buy an incredible array of new and vintage items from artisans, craftspersons and traders from around the world.

Directions and Contact Info
Located 10 miles north of Santa Fe off U.S. 84/285.
(505) 983-2667/988-3620
www.tesuquecasino.com/about


Download the schedule of Pueblo Feast Days and Tribal Celebrations.