The Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery at 4H Park
The east corner of 4H Park is a known burial site and final resting place for some students and staff who attended the Albuquerque Indian School (AIS) from 1882-1933. In 1881, the Presbyterian Church opened AIS to educate and assimilate Native children into white Anglo society. AIS was transferred to federal control in 1884.
1999 Planning Department Research Report
Recognizing the sensitive and sacred nature of this site, which is connected to a difficult and painful period of history for the Native American community, the City of Albuquerque is working with community stakeholders, those who have a connection to the site, and Pueblo & Tribal Leaders, to listen to recommendations on what steps should be taken next.
History of Site
While research into the history of the site is ongoing, using limited city records, archived news reports and existing reports from local historians, the general history of 4H park is understood as follows:
Additional resource: Albuquerque Indian School and Indian Child Removal Gallery Exhibit
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Approx. 1882 – 1933 | Site used as cemetery for some of the students and staff of the Albuquerque Indian School (AIS). |
| June 20, 1972 |
Based on City records, citizens who live nearby request city to take over care of the cemetery, Superintendent of AIS, Keith Lamb, agrees. (source: Parks and Recreation memo) |
| October 6, 1973 | Trenches are dug for an irrigation system and remains are uncovered. (Source: Albuquerque Journal 1, 2) |
| October 10, 1973 | AIS hires a security guard for the area and states they will place a fence around the site of the cemetery. (Source: Albuquerque Journal) |
| 1992 |
The City’s Public Art Program begins looking at a new site for the Solar Arc. Near North Valley/Old Indian School Neighborhood Association apply to have it placed at 4-H, and are selected. |
| November 8, 1995 | Solar Arc is installed and dedicated at 4-H, shortly after a plaque which acknowledges work done with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and the All-Indian Pueblo Council in placing this piece of art. |
| 1999 |
City of Albuquerque Planning Department contracts with Quivira Research to locate active and inactive cemeteries in and around Albuquerque. The AIS Cemetery is mentioned in this report. View the report here. It is possible that as a result of this report, the secondary, currently missing, plaque was installed. |
| 2019 | Initial report of plaque being missing is made. |
| June 29, 2021 | Notified of replacement plaque missing. |
| July 6, 2021 | City of Albuquerque 4H Park Work Group was created. |
| August 10, 2021 | Community Engagement Discussion #1. RE: Future of the site. View the community engagement report here. |
| September 20, 2021 | City of Albuquerque Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs provided recommendation letter on the Albuquerque Indian School Boarding School Cemetery Site/4H Park. View letter here. |
| September 25, 2021 | Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery Healing Reflection and Memorial event at the Native American Community Academy. View agenda here. View press release here. |
| October 4, 2021 | Resolution 21-205 "Acknowledging and Recognizing the Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery at 4H Park as A Historical and Sacred Burial Site; Acknowledging the Historical and Ongoing Intergenerational Trauma Experienced by Native American individuals, Families, and Tribal Nations as A Result of Indian Boarding School Policies; And Committing to Work with Tribal Nations and Local Native Americans Toward Reconciliation and Healing" passed the City Council with a unanimous vote. |
| October 8, 2021 | State of New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee approved Special Permit Application and Research Design document. |
| October 11, 2021 | Resolution 21-205 was signed by Mayor Tim Keller. |
| November 10, 2021 | Working Group meeting with CAIANA |
| December 2, 2021 | Virtual Tribal Consultation and Listening Session Discussion #1 |
| December 12, 2021 | Cultural Advisor held prayer/ceremony in preparation for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. |
| December 17, 2021 | Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey of 4H Park. |
| December 20, 2021 |
WindForce meeting |
| January 11 - 14, 2022 |
Virtual Community Engagement Discussion to update as Community Discussion #2, #3, #4, #5. Re: Fact Finding. View press release here. View Day 1- January 11th video here View Day 2 - January 12th video here |
| January 28, 2022 |
Tribal Consultation/Listening Session #2 |
| February 9, 2022 |
City of Albuquerque received formal letter of apology from the Presbytery of Santa Fe for all the American Indian Residential Schools of which were part of. |
| April 28, 2022 |
Provided updates at the All Pueblo Council of Governors monthly meeting. |
| May 12, 2022 |
Provided updates at the Near North Valley Neighborhood Association meeting. |
| June 2022 |
Irrigation updates started and completed View Public Notice. |
| June 23, 2022 |
In person Tribal Consultation and Discussion #3. |
| July 25, 2022 |
Tribal updates |
| November 17, 2022 |
IPCC Meeting |
| May 4, 2023 |
Tribal Consultation #4 |
| December 2023 |
City of Albuquerque Office of Equity & Inclusion + Parks & Recreation Dept met with UNM staff to coordinate Spring 2024 iD+Pi course curriculum |
| January - May 2023 |
UNM course: CRP 420 Community PlaceMaking studio, part of the BAEPD degree – multiple meetings of City of Albuquerque Office of Equity & Inclusion + Parks & Recreation Dept. consulting with students in classroom & field. |
| May 6, 2023 |
UNM & 4-H Park: final presentation of the CRP Placemaking Studio with City of Albuquerque Office of Equity & Inclusion + Parks & Recreation Dept attending for review & feedback. |
| May - June, 2024 |
Fencing has been installed in the NE area of the park in respect for its sacred space. Park design continues as does associated Tribal & community collaborations. Next Tribal consultations & community meeting(s) are currently being coordinated with anticipated scheduling for late 2024. Our process aligns with the intent for the sacred site area to achieve the special protection and recognition it deserves in order to serve as place of reverence, education and healing. City of Albuquerque Office of Equity & Inclusion + Parks & Recreation collaborated with the All Pueblo Council of Governors as well as each of the Puebloan leadership individually & in other meeting capacities. |
| June, 2024 |
Updated GPR Fact Sheet released publicly. |
| September 2024 |
Tribal Updates |
| September & October 2024 |
Completion of fencing installation in the NE area of the park. |
Click here to download a printable version of the timeline
Click here to download 'A History of the Cemetery at the Albuquerque Indian School' by Joe Sabatini
What's Next:
The City of Albuquerque Native American Affairs Office, Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Parks and Recreation Department has developed the following action plan.
- Continue to share information and history about the Burial Site in 4H Park.
- Continue to engage in direct, government-to-government tribal consultation with tribes/pueblos most directly associated with the site to get their input and recommendations on the future of the site, including: Navajo, Zuni, Apache Tribes, the Ute (Southern and Ute Mountain) Tribes, Hopi and Pima (Salt River Pima and Maricopa Indian Community).
- Continue to engage with other Native American community organizations and Native American leaders that are interested stakeholders to get their input and recommendations on the future of the site.
- Continue to seek other input from the Albuquerque community
- Continue to implement recommendations
Want to provide input or feedback? Email us at: [email protected].
Download a printable version of the Action Plan
Latest News and Upcoming Events
City of Albuquerque Seeking Stories, Historical Artifacts from Descendants of Albuquerque Indian School
City of Albuquerque Continues on Path Forward for 4-H Park
Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery Officially Recognized at 4H Park
CABQ and Native American Leaders Host Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery Acknowledgement
City Lays Out Next Steps for Burial Site at 4H Park
