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TESTIMONY OF THE PUEBLO OF LAGtJNA 



TO THE 



SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS 



OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES 



Honorable Congressman Bill Richardson, Chairman 



Re: Indian Fish and Wildlife Management and Enhancement 



Dear Mr. Chairman and Distinguished Members: 



My name is Harry D. Early and I am Governor of the Pueblo of 

 Laguna Tribe of New Mexico. Membership within our tribe is 

 comprised of 7,180 members and our land base consists of 

 approximately 528,000 acres. Our reservation is located in 

 northwest New Mexico, with our headquarters in the village of Old 

 Laguna, which is approximately 45 miles west of Albuquerque. 



The Pueblo of Laguna Tribe (Tribe) , like other Indian Tribes 

 throughout North America, have developed strong ties with 

 wildlife and other natural components of the universe. Wildlife 

 resources play an important part of our Tribal culture and 

 tradition. 



Wildlife species such as deer and eagles are represented in 

 tribal dances to pay homage and give thanks to the Great Spirit 

 (Creator) who has given these magnificent creatures to the 

 people. Our clan system is also based on natural components that 

 occur within this universe. Some clans are named after the sun, 

 water, eagle, turkey, roadrunner, badger, and antelope. Songs 

 about deer, butterfly, and other wildlife species are also sung, 

 again signifying the importance of these resources. 



Thus it was only fitting that our Tribe, in June of 1990, adopted 

 the Laguna Wildlife Conservation Code (Code) which set the stage 

 for wildlife management on our Reservation. This action was 

 perhaps one of the most important steps taken by the Tribal 

 Council in recent history. With the enactment of this Code, we 

 made a commitment to manage our wildlife resources and further 

 declared that it is our policy "that all wildlife will be managed 

 for human enjoyment and welfare, for traditional, cultural and 

 scientific purposes, and to insure the perpetuation of wildlife." 



With the enactment of the Code also came the establishment of the 

 Laguna Wildlife Conservation Program (Program) which is 

 responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Code. In 

 attempting to develop strategies to implement the policies set 

 forth in the Code, we have come to realize that present funding 

 levels are not sufficient. 



During the time our Code was being drafted and reviewed, we 

 submitted a funding proposal for the Establishment of the Pueblo 

 of Laguna Wildlife Management Program in the amount of $196,220. 

 This funding proposal was included with others as part of the 



