Newsletter: October 2025

 

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

 

Greetings everyone, I hope this message finds you well. Here at the Chamiza Foundation, we have been super busy!

On October 4^th and 5^th, I attended the New Mexico Historic Preservation Conference in Las Vegas, NM. It was a very interesting conference. I met new people and saw old friends. See write up below for more details.

On October 9th, we hosted our Grant Writing & Learning Outcomes Workshop, with attendees from several pueblos. I want to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to our fantastic presenters from Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps and our Guest Speaker Ms. Diane Reyna, former Chamiza Foundation President.

As mentioned in previous Chamiza newsletters we are currently working on filming for our Chamiza Foundation Legacy Film which will be released at our 2026 Pueblo Symposium. On October 23, 2025, I was in San Ildefonso Pueblo with Autumn Billie, who is a member of the “No Reservations” film crew. We spent some time with Riversource staff, the San Ildefonso Day School Principal, students and Mr. Elmer Torres (San Ildefonso Tribal Elder) for a fun morning of exploring and learning. You can view photos from the day below.

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a heads-up on our application deadlines for 2026. We will begin accepting applications on January 9, 2026, for our first round of funding. The application deadline is February 6, 2026. Additionally, we will begin accepting applications on April 10, 2026, for round two. The application deadline is May 8, 2026, for our second and final round of funding. The Board will meet on March 13, 2026, to make grant awards for the February 6, 2026 deadline. The board will meet on June 12, 2026, for the May 8, 2026, deadline. Please note, if you need funding for the Summer of 2026, we recommend that you apply for the first round of funding. We will be accepting applications that focus on our traditional priority areas: language preservation, traditional architecture, sustainable agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, tribal and ancestral history; oral histories and storytelling, youth education and leadership, and intercultural exchange and education. Please contact me if you have any questions.

There are three ways that you can apply 1) You can complete your application online through our website, 2) You can email your application to apply@chamiza.org, or 3) You can send your completed application directly to me at executivedirector@chamiza.org . Please remember that I am available if you want to talk about a project idea/concept. I can also review your application before the deadline to ensure that you have included all the required information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amanda J. Montoya

 

 

 

 

New Mexico State Historic Preservation Conference

Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM

Dr. Amanda J. Montoya

 

On October 4th and 5th, I attended the New Mexico Historic Preservation Conference in Las Vegas, NM. It was a very interesting event where I met new people and reconnected with old friends.

On Saturday, October 4th, I had the opportunity to see Monica Bencomo and Aastha Sing from Homewise, Inc. present on the Historic Barelas Neighborhood in Albuquerque, NM. Their presentation highlighted the transformative power of community-driven development through the revitalization of key local spaces. They emphasized how preserving cultural landmarks can enhance local identity and foster a sense of pride.

The second presentation I attended was by Dr. John Taylor Montoya, titled “We Are in the Community: Collaborative Efforts in a Section 106 Environment.” He focused on the development of a survey method called the “Acoma Method” and explained the complex dynamics of going beyond typical consultations when working with a tribal community.

The third presentation was delivered by Sarah Berwald and Maggie Merrigan of the Hartman + Majewski Design Group. They discussed “Advocating for Preservation Assessment: Planning and Design at the New Mexico Supreme Court.” In the winter of 2024, their group performed a comprehensive assessment of the NM Supreme Court Building, one of the oldest public buildings in Santa Fe’s Capitol Complex. Their work included evaluating the building’s envelope, MEP and technology systems, structural integrity, code compliance, utilization, and workflow. They also utilized thermal imaging and 3D cameras to create a digital model of the structure, which was fascinating. The technology they used allowed them to capture images and even read documents that were lying on desks.

The fourth presentation was by Giulia Caporuscio, who presented “A Case Study of the Historic Santa Fe Foundation and Santa Fe’s Habitat for Humanity’s Endangered Properties Program.” This program was established to help families remain in their homes by providing free repairs to low-income households. However, they discovered that many homeowners were resistant due to fears of ulterior motives and other concerns. The audience provided feedback and suggestions on how to approach homeowners more effectively in the future.

Mr. Francisco Uvina-Contreras, an instructor at the School of Architecture and Planning at UNM, delivered the fifth presentation focusing on the conservation of historic structures. He spoke about the importance of introducing students to national and international standards, theory, pathologies, and the application of these concepts in real-world experiences.

On October 5th, I had the opportunity to hear Professor Ted Jojola speak about “PlaceKnowing and 7 Generations Planning.” Dr. Jojola discussed principles of Indigenous planning that focus on cultural identity, worldview, and generational thinking to create sustainable communities. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jojola as a board member of the Chamiza Foundation, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.

 

 

 

 

Chamiza Foundation

Grant Writing & Learning Outcomes Workshop

 

On October 9, 2025, the Chamiza Foundation held a Grant Writing & Learning Outcomes Workshop at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Fourteen participants from eight different Pueblos attended. The Executive Director guided participants through the Chamiza grant application process and offered valuable tips for completing a successful application. She also explained the reporting requirements for grant recipients. Afterwards, we heard a Best Practice presentation from Acoma Pueblo’s Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. Aaron Lowden and Ticika Dominick did a phenomenal job explaining how they strategically create information for grant reporting. They also provided tips for effective grant writing. The second part of the day was facilitated by Diane Reyna, former Chamiza Foundation President. She taught participants how to write Learning Outcomes, using ice breaker and interactive activities. Below are a few photos from the training.

 

 

 

 

Chamiza Foundation Legacy Film

Photos of our visit to San Ildefonso Pueblo with Riversource

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO

THE CHAMIZA FOUNDATION BOARD

 

 

Alissa Chavez Lowe has decided to step down from the Chamiza Foundation Board. Alissa has been a valuable member of the Chamiza board since 2021, representing San Felipe Pueblo. Her strong voice and contributions will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chamiza Foundation

Welcomes a New Board Member

 

Please help us welcome Mr. William Riding In to our board!

 

 

Will Riding In (Pawnee/Santa Ana Pueblo) is the Curator of Collections and Engagement at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. He has worked at institutions such as the Heard and Gilcrease Museums, where he co-curated exhibitions on Pueblo pottery, Pueblo studio school artists, and Southern Plains ledger art. Riding In has worked on large-scale exhibition reinstallation projects at the Montclair Art Museum and at the de Young Museum. He applies an Indigenous lens, framework, and artist-based perspective in his curatorial work and research. He holds an MA in Museum Studies from the University of New Mexico.