The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Ancient Spirit of New Mexico Lives

at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

     On a sunny November afternoon, members and guests of the Facility Manager Association of New Mexico experienced a heartfelt journey through the past, into the present and glimpsing the future as they toured the acclaimed Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Led by Cochiti Pueblo tribal elder Dave Chalan who is the construction manager at the venue, his personal story was intermingled with his substantial accomplishments and his family history at the 80-acre campus near the Rio Grande.

    In the ancient past, two “abandonments” structure the conventional views of Puebloan prehistory, according to Science Direct.  The first migration from Chaco Canyon happened about A.D. 1150 and the second of the migrations out of the Mesa Verde region of the Four Corners area happened about A.D. 1300.  DNA evidence indicates the indigenous people who are members of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico (most located along the Rio Grande) are direct descendants of these ancient people. 

     Dave shared how his father was the first facility manager at the IPCC and how he earned his allowance–he was student at the Indian School on the campus– by shadowing his dad and learning the key components of the critical infrastructure of the facility.  An impressive 38 years later, he has shifted from a maintenance role into construction where he feels his true talents are better served.

     Thousands of people visit the Center each year and watch native dances, enjoy the murals and extensive art collection both ancient and modern, partake in native-inspired fine dining, and visit the large well-stocked gift shop.  This prompts the facility staff to constantly update the technologies and building infrastructure needed to smoothly run such a multi-faceted venue.

    FMANM folks got a glimpse of the future as they visited new construction on the site.  La Montanita Food Co-op, New Mexico’s largest locally-owned food co-op, will open its doors in of 2024.  The Entrepreneur Center, currently also under construction, will offer small business start-ups space and technology for the development of their products and services.    Networking and good food ended the early evening as we sojourned to the 12 Street Tavern, one of the many restaurants, coffee shops, and retail and