Jenelle Roybal
Jenelle Roybal is the governor of the Pueblo of Pojoaque in Northern New Mexico.[1] The Pojoaque Pueblo (P’o-suwae-geh Owingeh in the Tewa language meaning "water drinking place village") is a federally recognized tribe,[2] and the pueblo is a sovereign nation with its own government, culture, traditions and lifeways.[3][4]
Education and early life
[edit]Roybal was raised by her grandmother who she credits as inspiration for her to become a leader.[5] She received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Management from Northern New Mexico College.[6] She is the sole woman to serve as a governor of a Pueblo.[7]
Career
[edit]
Roybal began working for the Pueblo of Pojoaque in 1994 when she was 15 years old. She held positions in the Pueblo's Education Department and the Human Resources department before being elected as Lieutenant Governor in 2014. She served for six years in that role before being elected as Governor.[6][7]
In 2023 she was appointed by the state of New Mexico to lead, in conjunction with Picuris Pueblo governor Craig Quancello, the Advisory Council of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons task force. The council works with law enforcement to advocate for those who have experienced murdered or missing family members.[8]
Roybal's service as governor focuses on the wellbeing of tribal members, in terms of access to housing, food, water resources, education and medical care.[9] She oversaw the opening of Wō Poví Cannabis, the first tribal-run cannabis dispensary in New Mexico. All of the profits made by Wō Poví Cannabis go to fund education.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Roybal has two children.[7]
See also
[edit]All Pueblo Council of Governors
References
[edit]- ^ "Pueblo of Pojoaque makes history with women leaders". Indianz (Native American newspaper). 4 March 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "23 New Mexico Federally Recognized Tribes in New Mexico Counties". New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "The 19 Pueblos of New Mexico". Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Nations, Pueblos & Tribes". New Mexico Indian Affairs Department. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Lenninger, Sasha. "Pueblo governor inspiring New Mexico's pueblo women". KOAT. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Jenelle Roybal". Pueblo of Pojoaque. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ a b c McKenna, Arin. "Pueblo of Pojoaque Governor Jenelle Roybal Focuses on Community Wellbeing". Northern New Mexico College. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Clark, Carol A. (29 November 2023). "New Mexico Governor Establishing Advisory Council To Implement Missing And Murdered Indigenous Persons State Response Plan". Los Alamos Daily Post. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Pueblo Of Pojoaque Gov. Jenelle Roybal Focuses On Community Wellbeing". Los Alamos Reporter. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Clark, Carol A. (11 June 2023). "Pueblo Of Pojoaque Governor Jenelle Roybal Focuses On Community Wellbeing". Los Alamos Daily Post. Retrieved 11 February 2025.