Non-Indian protests exclusion from Taos Pueblo

Monday, January 21, 2008  

A non-Indian man who has been banished from Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico says he is the victim of racism.

Jon Ricketson, 45, is married to a tribal member. He was told to leave the reservation after an altercation with four men in early December.

Ricketson said the men were trying to steal his firewood. He says they called him a "piece of white trash."

"This whole thing wasn't about wood, it was about racism and me being white. I couldn't believe it then and I still can't," Ricketson told The Albuquerque Journal.

On December 29, tribal leaders ordered Ricketson to leave, saying he posed a threat to the community. The order stated the tribe lacks criminal jurisdiction over Ricketson since he is non-Indian.

Get the Story:
Husband Booted From Pueblo (The Albuquerque Journal 1/21)

Relevant Links:
Taos Pueblo - http://www.taospueblo.com

Taos Pueblo exiles husband of tribal member (1/7)