Indianz.Com > News > Secretary Burgum observes ancestral Native footprints in New Mexico
White Sands National Park
A view of White Sands National Park in New Mexico at sunset. Photo: Adam Cohn
Secretary Burgum observes ancestral Native footprints in New Mexico
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Indianz.Com

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum got a first-hand look at the oldest known Native ancestral footprints during a visit to White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

The fossilized Native footprints are 21,000 to 23,000 years old, highlighting the long presence of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. The date, first reported in 2021, has since been independently confirmed, including by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey, which is part of the Department of the Interior

“Enjoyed touring the extraordinary White Sands National Park in New Mexico today to observe the role paleontology plays in the park’s mission,” Burgum said in an April 16 post on social media.

Burgum visited White Sands, located in the southern part of New Mexico, on Wednesday. The park is known for its white gypsum dunefield, the largest in the world.

White Sands is also home to the largest collection of known fossilized human footprints in the world. The Native footprints are believed to represent a female and a young child, along with those of teenaged individuals.

Burgum’s visit came ahead of National Park Week, which begins on Saturday. Entrance fees to all national parks will be waived from April 19 through April 27.

A full statement from the Department of the Interior follows:

Secretary Doug Burgum visited White Sands National Park in New Mexico today, home to the world’s largest gypsum dunefield and one of America’s most extraordinary landscapes. While touring White Sands National Park, Secretary Burgum observed the vital role paleontology plays in the park’s mission by seeing an array of fossils, including rare prehistoric tracks left by both humans and animals. Following his tour, Secretary Burgum met with National Park staff to discuss ongoing initiatives aimed at documenting and preserving these ancient relics. His visit comes just ahead of National Park Week, which begins this Saturday, April 19. That Saturday, entrance fees to all national parks will be waived, inviting everyone to come and explore.
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Lumbee Tribe still waiting on federal recognition report as Trump threatens Indian Country funding
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (May 12, 2025)
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation works to address crisis of missing and murdered relatives
Native America Calling: First Nations issue sovereignty reminder into Alberta separation discussion
Montana Free Press: Indigenous Peoples Day is now the law
Cronkite News: Border policy leaves tribal lands open to migrants
Native America Calling: Bookshelf with ‘Medicine River’ by Mary Annette Pember
Cronkite News: Native coffee shop offers safe space for food and more
Native America Calling: Graduation ceremonies are a battleground over regalia
Native America Calling: Trump administration weighs in on Native American mascot debate
Native America Calling: Native public media’s uncertain future
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (May 5, 2025)
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation holds U.S. accountable for treaty obligations
Native America Calling: Stories of MMIP grief, activism and determination
Native America Calling: Contemporary and influential legacy Native talent on display
More Headlines