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The Pueblo of Sandia
is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in central New Mexico and adjacent to Albuquerque, the largest metropolitan area in New Mexico. The reservation covers 22,877 acres on the east side of the Rio Grande Valley. Sandia Pueblo is one of 19 pueblos located throughout New Mexico. The Sandia people are members of the pre-Columbian Tiwa language group who once dominated the Albuquerque area and their lineage can be traced back to the Aztec civilization who later migrated to the New Mexico region. The present site has been home to the Sandia people, where they have cultivated the land and raised their families, since 1300 AD. The Sandia Mountain provides the source of their spirituality as well as plants, animals and other resources which have been critical to their survival in this desert region. Once the largest pueblo in the area with over 3000 people, they currently have just under 500 members.
The Pueblo of Sandia owns and operates several thriving enterprises to help create a broad economic base to ensure its financial future as a self reliant Tribe. The Pueblo of Sandia employs over 2,000 residents of the Albuquerque area including both Indians and Non-Indians.
In addition, the Pueblo makes a significant contribution to the state economy in the way of salaries, goods and services purchased.
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