Environment
New Mexico tribe celebrates return of sacred land


Picuris Pueblo in northern New Mexico celebrated its purchase of a sacred site that was used for mining.

Tribal members long used the Oglebay Norton site to collect mica clay for pottery and gather medicinal plants. Now they can do so without trespassing on the property.

The tribe was fighting Oglebay Norton in court to stop mining. After the company declared bankruptcy, the tribe was able to buy the land last year.

Get the Story:
Picuris Pueblo Allowed To Collect Clay for Art, Ceremonies (The Albuquerque Journal 6/19)

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Bankrupt mining company pulls out of sacred site (09/07)
Company mining sacred site in N.M. files for bankruptcy (03/09)
Picuris Pueblo sues to stop mining of sacred site (2/23)
Mine near N.M. pueblo seeks expansion (11/15)
Picuris Pueblo protesting mine (11/13)
Pueblo loses mine challenge (10/29)
Pueblo wants mica mine shut down (10/25)
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