Season 6 // Episode 3: Fall
/Alcoves in Fall
As the autumn winds bring cooler weather and vibrant colors to the Mesa Verde landscape, this seasonal transition also brings a time of harvest, celebration of the growing season, and preparation for the long winter months ahead.
“The gamble oak is turning that orange and red and yellow color. The mesa is starting to look different, and starting to go into that time of slumber.”
In this episode, Indigenous Ranger Interns Jordan Fragua (Picuris, Ohkay Owingeh) and Ian Bowekaty (Zuni) paint a picture of life in the cliff dwellings during the autumn months, and share how they see these traditions and ways of life continuing in their communities today. And Theresa Pasqual (Acoma) tells us about life at Acoma. She shares stories about the cultural knowledge and observances of seasonal change, and we hear about two particularly special foods harvested in New Mexico today: pinyon nuts and chiles.
Additional Resources
Visiting Picuris
If you’d like to visit Picuris, be sure to check out their tribal tourism website for guidelines on visiting with respect, as well as information about obtaining a photo permit if you intend to take photos: www.visitpicuris.com
Visiting Zuni
If you’d like to visit Zuni, be sure to check the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center website for current information: www.ashiwi-museum.org
Visiting Acoma
If you’d like to visit Acoma, be sure to check the Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum website for current information: www.acomaskycity.org
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
The mission of the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is to empower present and future generations by making the human past accessible and relevant through archaeological research, experiential education, and American Indian knowledge. Crow Canyon is not open to the visitors without an appointment, but visit their website to learn about their current projects, research, and webinar events: https://crowcanyon.org/
Episode Sources
“Visiting New Mexico Pueblos.” Petroglyph National Monument website. Accessed Sept 2024.
“Pueblo Languages.” School for Advanced Research website. Accessed Sept 2024.
“Picuris.” Endangered Languages Project website. Accessed Sept 2024.
“Indigenous knowledge helps untangle mystery of Mesa Verde.” Durango Herald. 06 Oct 2017.
Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent’s Compendium
“Archaeology and Legend: How Old is Acoma?” Pueblo of Acoma website. Accessed Sept 2024.
“Why use locally sourced pine nuts? It’s a matter of a piñon.” Andreas Wion. Colorado State University. 30 March 2022.
“Chicos.” New Mexico Nomad. Accessed Sept 2024.