Mayor Keller and First Lady Kistin Keller Receive Recognition from All Pueblo Council of Governors
Oct. 29, 2021
Yesterday, the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) recognized Mayor Tim Keller, First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller, and their family for their official work nurturing the City of Albuquerque’s relationship with the Pueblos, as well as their personal commitments to supporting urban Native American communities. As Mayor, Tim Keller has prioritized and strengthened government-to-government relationships with the sovereign Pueblos, and established key positions within city government to guide policies that address Native American affairs and other issues faced by the city’s diverse communities.
“Both professionally and personally, I’ve been made better by my experiences working with the Pueblos, their strong leaders, and their incredible people,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “I strive to carry the lessons and values instilled in me by these experiences into my work as a public servant and a leader. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the members of the All Pueblo Council of Governments, from whom I’ve learned so much. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we work toward justice, health, safety, and prosperity for Native American communities in Albuquerque and beyond.”
“The opportunity to work alongside Pueblo organizers and advocates left me with invaluable lessons that inform my work to this day and percolate through our values as a family,” said First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by those who have taught and inspired us, and we’ll continue to do all we can to foster collaboration and support that moves us all toward a more equitable, safe place.”
Mayor Keller and First Lady Kistin Keller were recognized at a meeting of the Council on Thursday. The formal recognition from Chairman Wilfred Herrera Jr. reads in part:
“We are grateful that as Mayor of Albuquerque you have consciously nurtured our relationship with coveted Pueblo core values that have guided the fulfillment of our shared sacred trust for the well-being of all people… As the All Pueblo Council of Governors, it is our honor to share this moment with you to express our appreciation and thank you for your service. We enjoy and cherish this relationship with you as the Mayor of ‘Burque.’”
Mayor Keller has been a national leader in recognizing Pueblo and tribal sovereignty, and made Albuquerque the first city in the nation to establish formal government-to-government relations through the formation of the Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs (CAIANA).
Most recently, he has worked with the Commission, tribal stakeholders, and community members as they have guided the next steps for 4H Park, a burial site and final resting place for some students and staff who attended the Albuquerque Indian School from 1882-1933. He continues to focus on sustainability goals informed by Native principles of conservation and respect for land that move us toward environmental equity.
The APCG also highlighted the Mayor and First Lady’s commitment to addressing inequities in housing, health, access to childcare, and resources for our seniors, along with the coordinated effort to support communities throughout the challenges of COVID.
The APCG is comprised of the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico and one Pueblo in Texas, and is organized to advocate for and protect the well-being of Pueblo people.