Taos Pueblo celebrated one of its most respected elders this week when Gilbert Suazo Sr. was presented with a National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Honor Award. The ceremony took place on Oct. 20 at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel during the NCAI’s 83rd annual Convention and Marketplace.
Local roots, national recognition
Born in 1940 and raised within the walls of Taos Pueblo, Suazo graduated from the Haskell Institute before embarking on a four‑decade career in the technical fields. He worked on experimental devices for electronics and particle‑physics experiments at the University of Kansas and later at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). In his final eight years at LANL he served as executive staff advisor on tribal government relations and led the laboratory’s tribal relations team, retiring in 2001.
Suazo’s service to his people extends far beyond his scientific work. Over nearly six decades he held every major elected position in the Pueblo’s traditional government—tribal secretary, lieutenant governor, governor, and a lifelong member of the tribal council. His leadership was highlighted by Gary J. Lujan, director of Trust Land Management at the Santa Fe Indian School and former Taos Pueblo governor, who introduced Suazo as a man whose “principles bring us together as tribal nations: the protection of our sovereignty, the preservation of our cultural identity, and, above all, a lifetime of service to our people.”
Champion of Blue Lake and water rights
Suazo is perhaps best known outside the Pueblo for his role in the decades‑long fight to reclaim Blue Lake, a sacred site central to Taos Pueblo’s religious traditions. The lake was seized by the federal government in 1906 to create the Carson National Forest. Suazo recalled that his personal commitment began at age ten when his father explained the loss of the land. He later founded the Youth of Taos Pueblo group in the late 1960s to rally younger members in support of the cause.
The effort succeeded in 1970 when President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 91‑550, returning Blue Lake to tribal ownership. Suazo described the victory as “the great achievement of justice” that will benefit his people for generations.
In the 1990s Suazo turned his attention to water‑rights negotiations that spanned four decades. Appointed by the tribal council in 1991 as co‑spokesman, he helped steer the Pueblo’s claims toward the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act—commonly called the Abeyta Settlement—signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010.
Honors and personal gratitude
When accepting the award, Suazo expressed humility and gratitude, thanking tribal leaders, government officials, his family, and “the Good Lord, the Great Spirit” for the guidance that made his service possible. He also honored his late wife, Martha, for her support throughout his career.
Other honorees at the ceremony included Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, recognized for five decades of service to his people, and attorney Arlinda Locklear, a pioneering Native‑American lawyer who argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and championed tribal sovereignty for the Lumbee and Sioux nations.
What this means for Taos Pueblo
Suazo’s recognition shines a spotlight on the enduring strength of Taos Pueblo’s leadership and its ongoing efforts to protect tribal sovereignty, cultural heritage, and natural resources. For residents of Taos and the broader New Mexico community, the award underscores the importance of honoring elders who bridge traditional values with modern advocacy.
Local leaders hope the ceremony will inspire younger generations to continue the work of preserving the Pueblo’s language, customs, and lands. As Suazo’s nephew and fellow tribal member Gary Lujan noted, “His example has helped shape my own understanding of what it truly means to be a leader.”
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
