The Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery at 4H Park

A concept rendering showing updates to 4H park including a Native American Art Walk, padestrian plaza with shade, educational outdoor classroom and more. Complete list on page below.

Park Updates

The Historical AIS Burial Area on the east side of the park is fenced in with Perimiter Metal Fence with oppportunity for community inspired Native American art and/or sorytelling.
There will be entrances into the burial area on the north west, and south east sides.
There will be a colorful planting area to the west of the Burial Area.
The existing Solar Arc Sculpture will stay just to the west of the Burial Area within the planting area.
A Pedesdtrian Plaza with shade (by structure and/or vegitation) and Native american art will be south of the existing sculpture.
There will be signage acknowleding the burial area on the east side of the Pedestrian Plaza.
A Native American Art Walk will span the south side of the park, and turn into the pedestrian plaza.
- The Native American Art Walk will be lined with new trees and there will be Educational Graphic Panels to include community inspired Native American artwork. (Type and qty to be determined).
There will be a Gathering Space and Educational Outdoor Classroom on the south west side of the park, on the Native American Art Walk.
- The Entry Plaza Space for this will face the park.
The main area of the park will have a 150' x 240' play/multi-use recreation field.
- The actual usable field is currently 49,500 square feet, and the proposed new field area will be 47,800 square feet.
The play area on the north west corner of the park will be renovated to be complimentary to the parks purpose and theme.
There will be Streetscape Enhancment along Menaul Boulevard Extension for IPCC Connection.
There is potential for a crosswalk/connection to IPCC across Menaul Boulevard on the south west side of the park.

How did we Get Here

6 tribal conslutation meetings.
All Day charette with stakeholders.
Extensive research and documentation of historical documents and information.
Community meetins and engagement.
Consistant conversations with Tribal members, Indigenous groups, Neighborhood Association members and various stakeholders.
Mayor Keller Resolution R-21-205 where the City recognized and acknowledged the 4h historical and Sacred Burial Site and the history of the ongoing intergenerational trauma experienced by Native Americans.

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 View Day 3 - January 13th video here View Day 4 - January 14th 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.

Latest News and Upcoming Events

Healing Reflection and Memorial for AIS Cemetery Event

Learn about the event hosted by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Parks and Recreation Department to honor those who attended Albuquerque Indian School.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Updates to Irrigation System at 4-H Park

City of Albuquerque Seeking Stories, Historical Artifacts from Descendants of Albuquerque Indian School

Community conversations about future of 4-H Park scheduled January 11-14, 2022

City of Albuquerque Continues on Path Forward for 4-H Park

Community conversations scheduled in January 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE: Next 4-H Park Meeting Temporarily Postponed

Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery Officially Recognized at 4H Park

City takes additional steps recommended by CAIANA and Community Stakeholders

CABQ and Native American Leaders Host Albuquerque Indian School Cemetery Acknowledgement

City makes acknowledgement and apology as step towards reconciliation, takes up community recommendations including additional input, non-invasive archeological techniques