The proposed westward expansion of Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has ignited a complex and deeply rooted conflict between infrastructure development and the preservation of Native American cultural heritage. At the heart of the dispute lie seven rocks, considered sacred and imbued with spiritual significance by the Jicarilla Apache Nation and other Indigenous groups. These are not mere inanimate objects, but living entities, integral to their connection with the earth. The city’s plan to relocate these rocks, even a short distance of 100 feet, is viewed by tribal leaders as a destructive act that would irrevocably sever their spiritual ties.
For the Apache people, these rocks are more than just geological formations. They are living embodiments of their ancestral connection to the land, holding within them the stories, traditions, and spiritual energy of generations past. Lorene Willis, director of the Jicarilla Apache’s cultural affairs office, expressed deep concern over the city’s plan, stating unequivocally, "They can’t move those rocks. It loses its significance once it’s been moved." This sentiment underscores the core of the issue: the spiritual significance of these rocks is intrinsically tied to their specific location. Moving them, even a seemingly insignificant distance, would fundamentally alter their essence and render them spiritually barren.
The rocks in question are situated along the proposed route of the Paseo del Norte extension, a project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving transportation on Albuquerque’s West Side. Approved by voters in a bond package, the extension would stretch 1.6 miles west from Golf Course Road, traversing a portion of the Petroglyph National Monument. While the city views the road extension as a necessary infrastructure improvement, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and other Indigenous groups see it as a direct threat to their cultural heritage and spiritual practices.
The seven rocks themselves vary in size and form. Five are described as boulders, averaging approximately two feet high by two feet wide. The remaining two are "grinding slicks," flat surfaces used by ancient peoples for grinding materials. According to Raymond, the city-contracted archaeologist, some Jicarilla officials believe one of these grinding slicks to be a touchstone, a stone rubbed during rituals, further emphasizing their sacred nature. The larger stones are estimated to weigh hundreds of pounds, requiring specialized equipment for their relocation.
The city’s plan involves using a front-end loader-type machine equipped with straps to carefully lift and transport the boulders to a new location approximately 100 feet to the southwest. The intention is to maintain the same orientation as their original position, meticulously marking their location to preserve the spatial relationship. However, this approach is viewed with skepticism and disdain by the Jicarilla Apache.
Willis argues that maintaining the original alignment is irrelevant if the rocks are moved from their current location. "When they talk about trying to put them in the same alignment, it doesn’t mean anything to us. It’s just their own way of justifying what they’re trying to do," she explained. "It doesn’t make sense to us if they’re going to move them. It has no more significance to us. They’ve destroyed something that would be sacred to our people." Her words highlight the fundamental disconnect between the city’s perspective and the Apache’s spiritual beliefs. The city focuses on the physical attributes and spatial relationships, while the Apache emphasize the inherent spiritual energy and connection to the land that is inextricably linked to the rocks’ current location.
The conflict surrounding the relocation of these rocks has involved various stakeholders, including the city of Albuquerque, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Picuris Pueblo, the state Cultural Properties Review Committee, and archaeologists. The state Cultural Properties Review Committee initially granted the city a permit to collect data from the roadway path but stipulated that the city must consult with tribal officials before the permit could take effect. After a period of consultation, the committee authorized the city to proceed with the work after December 21, contingent upon a report back to the committee on December 2 regarding the findings of the tribal consultations.
Despite the required consultations, some committee members, like Craig Hoopes, seemed to downplay the significance of further discussions after December 2, suggesting that the permit had already been granted and the decision was effectively made. This attitude has fueled concerns among tribal representatives that their voices are not being genuinely heard and that the city is merely going through the motions of consultation without truly considering their concerns.
Archaeological investigations conducted by Parsons Brinkerhoff, the city-contracted firm, have yielded limited evidence of significant archaeological resources beyond the rocks themselves. Gerry Raymond, the archaeologist leading the investigation, stated that test pits were dug to search for pollen that could indicate the plants used in ancient rituals, but the findings were minimal. This lack of tangible archaeological evidence, however, does not diminish the spiritual significance of the rocks to the Apache people. Their connection to the land transcends the realm of empirical evidence and resides in the realm of faith, tradition, and ancestral knowledge.
The situation encapsulates a broader challenge faced by Native American communities across the United States: the struggle to protect their cultural heritage and spiritual sites in the face of development and modernization. The clash between infrastructure needs and cultural preservation is a recurring theme, often pitting economic progress against the intangible values and beliefs of Indigenous peoples. The outcome of this particular conflict will have implications beyond Albuquerque, potentially setting a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.
While the Jicarilla Apache Nation does not oppose the road extension in principle, recognizing the need for development in Albuquerque, they remain steadfast in their opposition to the relocation of the sacred rocks. Willis emphasized that the tribe understands development is happening but that these particular rocks hold a unique and irreplaceable significance. "But those things are living," she said. "Everything is all connected." This holistic view of the world, where everything is interconnected and imbued with spiritual energy, stands in stark contrast to the city’s more pragmatic and utilitarian perspective.
The future of the seven rocks and the Paseo del Norte extension remains uncertain. While the city has expressed a willingness to consider alternative methods of relocating the rocks after consulting with tribal representatives, the fundamental issue of whether they should be moved at all remains unresolved. The Jicarilla Apache Nation, while not disclosing specific alternatives, has indicated that there are other options that could be explored.
The case of Apaches Say Moving Rocks 100 Feet Would Destroy Their Spiritual Significance serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting cultural diversity and engaging in meaningful consultation with Native American tribes when development projects impact their ancestral lands and sacred sites. A solution that honors both the infrastructure needs of the city and the spiritual values of the Apache people must be sought. The outcome of this dispute will not only determine the fate of these seven rocks but also shape the relationship between the city of Albuquerque and its Native American neighbors for years to come. This issue of Apaches Say Moving Rocks 100 Feet Would Destroy Their Spiritual Significance is not merely about rocks; it’s about respecting indigenous cultures. The conflict of Apaches Say Moving Rocks 100 Feet Would Destroy Their Spiritual Significance highlights a recurring theme.