Thatâs when the federal government returned the Blue Lake watershed to his tribe.
âNow we donât have to hide when we go up into the mountains,â said Suazo, a former Taos Pueblo governor. âNow, we can freely go where we want to go on our lands and not have to worry about getting arrested or prosecuted.â
Suazo and fellow tribal members conducted their first ceremonials in December 1970 after President Richard Nixon signed legislation returning Blue Lake to the people of Taos Pueblo.
However, many who started the 64-year journey to have the sacred lands returned never saw its end.