San Esteban del Rey, Acoma Pueblo

The punitive expedition ordered by Juan de Oñate and commanded by Vicente de Zaldívar is summarized, following documents from the subsequent trials. The construction and current situation of San Esteban del Rey, including the convento and courtyard complex, is then detailed, following historical sources and interviews with gaugashti (church caretakers) and others. Of particular interest is the decline of tradition and the lack of volunteer labor for traditional church workdays. The chapter then analyzes how Catholic churches at the pueblos are often dissociated from Catholicism and reinterpreted in Indian terms. The experience of visiting the church on Christmas Eve is then discussed, including votive offerings made by Acomas to the Christ child. The chapter’s last section explores Acoma v. Laguna, a lawsuit regarding the disputed ownership of a miraculous painting of St. Joseph. The chapter concludes with a visiting guide.

LEARNING ACROSS GENERATIONS AND CULTURES

Interests in school library services and in library services to the disadvantaged ran through much of Anne Galler's professional work. This paper, a personal description of the author's work with the Sky City Community School Library (Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico), reflects these interests. Likewise, the fact that this work came about as part of an inter-generational and cross-cultural informal learning experience sponsored through an Elderhostel service project reflects Galler 's personal interest inlifelong learning, and learning in retirement. The program included intensive learning about the Acoma Pueblo, about the education of indigenous peoples, and about the culture of the Acoma Indians. The author concludes that the experience highlighted the value of life-long learning.