Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Contact: Mahen Gunaratna, mgunaratna@barackobama.com, (505)-358-5547 (cell)

Sandia Pueblo Endorses President Obama for Re-Election

Sandia Pueblo Governor Malcolm Montoya Presents Endorsement to Obama for America National Political Director Katherine Archuleta

From left to right: Sandia Pueblo Governor Malcolm Montoya, Obama for America National Political Director Katherine Archuleta, and Sandia Pueblo Lieutenant Governor Scott Paisano

Albuquerque, NM – This week, Sandia Pueblo offered its endorsement of President Obama’s re-election. A federally recognized Indian tribe located in central New Mexico, the Pueblo is one of the largest in New Mexico.

In a ceremony at Sandia, Obama for America National Political Director Katherine Archuleta accepted the endorsement on behalf of the President’s re-election campaign.

“President Obama has backed up his words with actions in building a strong nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and Native Tribes,” said Sandia Pueblo Governor Malcolm Montoya. “From day one, he’s been committed to creating jobs in Indian Country, building critical infrastructure, making health care accessible and affordable through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and helping our youth and veterans in Native communities get back to work with summer jobs and training. Sandia Pueblo is proud to endorse the President’s re-election and continue working with his Administration to restore economic security for New Mexico Tribes.”

The endorsement is an extension of the full All Indian Pueblo Council (AIPC), a consortium of 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and one Pueblo in Texas, endorsement of President Barack Obama’s re-election in December 2011. The AIPC has been in existence since the late 1500s and includes the Pueblos of Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Sandia, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Kewa (Santo Domingo), Taos, Tesuque, Zia, and Zuni, as well as the Texas Pueblo Ysleta del Sur. AIPC advocates on behalf of the Pueblos with state, local, and national governments on important issues, including the environment, water rights, health care, and education.

Organizing for America – New Mexico has been fully engaged with Indian Tribes, conducting an unprecedented level of outreach to Indian communities and engaging tribal leaders as well as core supporters to promote President Obama’s accomplishments for Indian Country.

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