TRIBAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Tribal Acknowledgment, Sovereignty, and Future Commitments

Acknowledgment of Past Shortcomings

The Río Grande Trail Commission was established under the Río Grande Trail Commission Act. The Río Grande Trail Commission recognizes that the original Río Grande Trail Commission Act was passed and signed into law without sufficient engagement or participation from Pueblos, Nations, and Tribes who have called the Río Grande home since time immemorial. Early planning assumptions envisioned the trail following the Río Grande River corridor through areas that include sovereign Tribal lands. However, Pueblos along the Río Grande have primacy within their sovereign lands. These assumptions did not reflect the government‑to‑government relationships, cultural responsibilities, or legal protections that guide how the State of New Mexico must work, and seeks to partner, with Tribal governments.                           

Respect for Tribal Sovereignty

The Commission affirms that the Río Grande Trail will not cross sovereign Tribal land boundaries without full tribal approval. The Commission is committed to ensuring that Tribal governments retain full control over activities on their sovereign lands.

Commitment to Responsible Stewardship and Equitable Access to the RGT

First and foremost, the RGTC will honor and respect tradition, cultural, and historical values of all Tribal communities with ties to the Río Grande as well as all applicable Tribal laws and guiding principles. In addition to following Tribal laws and values, all new trail planning, development, and environmental review will comply fully with applicable federal and state laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all cultural resource protection requirements. The Commission is committed to ensuring that culturally significant sites, traditional cultural properties, and sensitive environmental areas are respected, protected, and preserved, be they within, or outside of, current political boundaries.

The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Río Grande Trail benefits all communities along the Río Grande by supporting equitable access, community health, and outdoor engagement. Trails serve as connectors, linking people to landscapes, cultural heritage, one another, and provide meaningful opportunities to experience nature and wellness.

Strengthening Government‑to‑Government Collaboration

The Río Grande Trail Commission is committed to building a future planning process that authentically includes Tribal leadership, cultural knowledge, and priorities. This includes early and transparent communication with Pueblos, Nations, and Tribes when planning activities may intersect with areas of cultural, historical, or environmental significance. The Commission acknowledges that respectful engagement is essential to creating a trail that honors the river’s cultural importance and reflects the values of all communities along the Río Grande.

A Shared Vision Moving Forward

The Río Grande Trail is envisioned as a collaborative, multi‑jurisdictional effort; this includes Tribal representation on the Commission and in the development in the Río Grande Trail. Recognizing past shortcomings is an important step toward building a more respectful, inclusive, and responsible planning process. The Commission is committed to ensuring that future work reflects the sovereignty, history, diversity, and stewardship of the Tribal Nations whose lands and cultures shape the Río Grande corridor, and to fostering a trail vision that strengthens connections and shared benefits for all communities along the river.