Isleta Pueblo, unincorporated community and Tanoan pueblo in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Isleta Pueblo is a community in the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico where people have lived for many centuries maintaining traditional ways of life. The settlement is made up of simple adobe buildings with small windows and flat roofs that were built over time while keeping their traditional appearance.
Tewa-speaking people settled in the region in the 14th century and began farming corn, beans, and squash. Spanish missionaries built the San Agustín mission church between 1613 and 1617, marking the arrival of colonial influences that later created tensions with residents.
The name Isleta comes from Spanish, meaning 'Little Island,' while the community's traditional name is Tue-I. Residents continue to practice ceremonies, dances, and crafts like pottery and weaving that connect them to their ancestors and shape how they live today.
The San Agustín mission church is open to visitors daily from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon and is easily accessible by car near Interstate 25 south of Albuquerque. A visitor center provides information about the community's history and ongoing traditions.
Much of the community relocated during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and later returned, with one group becoming known as Isleta del Sur while maintaining their identity across generations. This diaspora and return shows the community's resilience and cultural continuity despite hardship.
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