The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center opened 50 years ago with its mission to preserve and share Pueblo culture. Last Saturday, August 22, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Gina Tafoya, a vendor who has been involved in beadwork since she was 18, feels good about being part of the celebration. She said she learned beadwork from her father, who came home with an instructor who’s also a tribal member from their tribe.
She feels nothing but pride in being part of the 19 Pueblos who are showcasing their culture out there.
For her, events like this let her share her stories behind her work, connecting visitors with Pueblo culture.
She said the cultural center provides education and awareness to the non-Natives, other Indigenous tribes, and even Pueblos out there.
The president and CEO of Pueblo Cultural Center, Monique Fragua, says they will continue to educate others and guide them toward the center’s next chapter.
She also mentioned new facilities in the center, such as the Entrepreneur Complex on their campus to help entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams, and their newly opened digital mural, “Old Road,” inside the exhibit.
With these new things and facilities, they are excited to show how technology and exhibitry can come together to tell their stories.
Leaders hope the Pueblo community survey will help guide what the next 50 years look like.
