San Juan Pueblo

San Juan Pueblo, one of the Eight Northern pueblos, is situated in the Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, 25 miles (40 km) north of Santa Fe. It was in November 2005 that the Pueblo was given its pre-Spanish name, ‘Ohkay Owingeh’, meaning “place of the strong people�. This Tewa-speaking Pueblo is the largest and the northernmost of all the Pueblos. It is also the headquarters of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council. At present, 6748 people are living at the San Juan Pueblo. In ancient times, this Pueblo was the primary center of an Indian meeting ground and it is believed that the O’ke natives were so powerful that only they had the right to declare war for the Pueblo Indians.

The San Juan Pueblo is also home to the Oke-Oweenge Crafts Co-operative that displays the art of the eight northern pueblos. This Tewa Village is primarily known for its weaving, red ware pottery, and painting. A major attraction nearby is the Aquino’s Indian Arts and Crafts, which exhibits impressive paintings and wood carvings. Another favorite spot in the area is the OhKay Casino, where people love to enjoy a buffet and a round of Roulette. The main recreational activity at the Pueblo is fishing. Fishing by permit is made available at the San Juan Lakes throughout the year. A number of cash fishing tournaments are held year-round at these lakes.

Situated on the east side of the Rio Grande, just opposite the 1598 site of San Gabriel, the San Juan Pueblo was the first pueblo to be subjected to Spanish colonization. Even today, many of the tribe members are Catholics. However, most of the San Juan tribes practice only the traditional religious rituals of the Native Americans. The two large, rectangular Kivas flanking the Church provide evidence for the fact that the past and the present cohabits here. The main cultural events include the annual San Juan Fiesta, held on June 23 and 24; the turtle dance, performed on December 26; and the Matachine Dance, performed on Christmas. The annual San Juan Fiesta features Comanche and Buffalo Dances while the Matachine Dance flamboyantly describes the subjugation of the Native Americans by the Catholic Spaniards. The Pueblo is worth visiting and can be reached via NM 74, a mile off NM 68, about 4 miles (6 km) north of Espanola.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 1099, San Juan Pueblo, NM 87566
• Telephone: (505) 852-4400
• Hours: Open daily during the daylight hours
  
• Website: www.indianpueblo.org