Preserving culture and land through the lens of a Pueblo elder-Santo Domingo Pueblo

“I know I won’t live long enough to see these trees mature but I’m proud to be part of this effort so that my grandchildren and future generations can carry our way of life.”

For Santo Domingo Pueblo elder, Joe Bird, the restoration of Tribal lands is more than regenerating critical natural resources. He believes in restoration as a form of medicine to preserve the land, language and rich traditional values that are imperative to the survival of people in Santo Domingo Pueblo.  

For Mr. Bird, planting a simple but culturally-important tree does more than regenerate the land, it holds the cultural integrity of the people and acts as “the bridge that connects the younger generation to what their ancestors fought for.” Having served two terms as the Tribal Warchief, his wisdom and knowledge is centered around the Pueblos principles on sustainability. Tribal sustainability isn’t just based on land and resources but the future livelihoods of the people as well.

Growing up in the Pueblo his entire life, Mr. Bird has been active in the preservation of the Tribes culture and lands for his entire life. As an 83-year old elder, he knows his time on this earth will be over soon. He expressed, “I know I won’t live long enough to see these trees mature but I’m proud to be part of this effort so that my grandchildren and future generations can carry our way of life.” Fighting to protect our future and for the next generation is who we are, it’s what makes us strong as a people.