Comments on HB 376 from Councilman Manuel Cristobal Tamaya Pueblo

February 28, 2013

 

 

 

Honorable Representative James Roger Madalena &

House Judiciary Committee &

House Health Government and Indian Affairs Committee

New Mexico State Capitol Building

490 Old Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe, NM 87501

 

RE: House Bill 376

 

Good Morning Honorable Representative and Members of the Committee:

 

My name is Manuel Cristobal.  I am sixty-two years old from Tamaya (Santa Ana Pueblo).  I am a member of the New Mexico Indian Council on Aging (NMICOA) health committee and a councilman of the Pueblo of Santa Ana.

 

Today I stand on scared ground here at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, NM. This is the ancestral lands of the Tewa. Sharing this sacred land in New Mexico are the Keres, Tiwa, Walatowa, Zuni, Jicarilla and Mescalero Apaches and the Navajo Nation. Long before any European colonization, the Indian people were here. As indigenous people we have governed ourselves as sovereign Indian Nations.

 

In this spirit, we are here today to raise questions about the direction of Centennial Care. The State of New Mexico continues to address their concerns of managed care for Native Americans and ignore objections from Tribal Nations.

 

On April 25, 2012, the State of New Mexico submitted its request for section 1115 waiver. The state named this plan Centennial Care. Today, I stand opposed as councilman of the Pueblo of Santa Ana (Tamaya) in solidarity with the 19 Pueblos, Jicarilla and Mescalero Apaches and the Navajo Nation. I firmly believe that Centennial Care is a treat that exists nonetheless to tribal sovereignty and Federal Law.

 

This plan was developed without any real tribal consultation as required under New Mexico's Sate-Tribal Colloration Act, which mandates the state to make an effort to collaborate with Indian Nations, Tribes or Pueblos in the development and implementation of policies, agreements and programs of the State Agency that directly effect American Indians or Alaskan natives.

 

Our actions today will test our sovereignty internally and externally to govern our affairs. Sovereignty begins here, right here with our Indian people.

 

Today, I exercise my First Amendment right to free speech.

 

Note-As was the battle cry in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, a call for unity today. The battle cry unites us once again.

 

Thank you for hearing my comments today.

 

Aho,

 

 

 

Manual Cristobal

Councilman Pueblo of Santa Ana (Tamaya)