Aurora Valdez on working for the NM Indian Affairs Department

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, editor Geoffrey Plant talks with Aurora Valdez, deputy secretary of the NM Indian Affairs Department. Valdez is a member of Taos Pueblo and Tesuque Pueblo. She worked as a field representative for Sen. Martin Heinrich and was a research assistant for the Native Nations Institute. She’s been a grant writer and community organizer — for the 100% Taos County Initiative and the Taos Pueblo Sports Alliance. She also served as community wellness manager for the Taos Pueblo Division of Health and Community Services, and was named as one of Taos News’ Women of Impact in 2022. Geoffrey and Aurora talk about the priorities of the Indian Affairs Department, the challenges they are facing due to changes at the federal level, and how the department works to fulfill the vision of making sure tribal communities and Indigenous people in New Mexico are happy, healthy and prosperous. Learn more about the NM Indian Affairs Department Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.