One more time: Why the Entrada needs to go

In response to Jacob Brito’s My View (“The essence of Fiesta de Santa Fe,” Aug. 27), I am one of the people “wanting to take away the Entrada.” It is almost beyond comprehension that, with everything that has happened in this country, and the fact that the mayor himself has called for closer inspection of the publicly funded events in this city, that anyone would feel they have a defensible position on this subject. But still, it persists. So, let’s go over this one more time:

The Entrada, or the annual re-enactment during the Fiesta de Santa Fe, in its current form, has nothing to do with the promise made by Don Diego de Vargas to La Conquistadora after the notbloodless reconquest of Santa Fe. It is Eurocentric conquest theater invented in the late 1800s by largely Eastern-educated Anglos to promote Santa Fe as a tourist destination.

Pueblo people did not rise up solely because the “Spaniards did not let Native Pueblos practice their religion.” There were other issues such as slavery, rape, economic oppression, murder, attempted cultural genocide, destruction of sacred objects, to name just a few. Discounting these reasons disrespects the rights of any people to rise up against brutal occupation and colonization. That’s a right later recognized and sanctioned by the Fourth Geneva Convention and its subsequent protocols.

If the Fiesta de Santa Fe is a religious celebration, it doesn’t belong in the public schools. Nor should any public money be used to promote it. That violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another.

In what dialect of Spanish does La Conquistadora translate to Our Lady of Peace?

And further, in response to the many other comments I have heard from people who are unhappy with abolishing the Entrada:

They don’t disrupt our ceremonies, so why should we disrupt theirs? Comparing the celebration of conquest and a Pueblo dance is unbelievably offensive and ignorant. Our ceremonies are prayers for the well-being of our Mother Earth and all of Her Children. In many cases, all are welcome to come and celebrate with us, but that is a choice. We don’t hold these ceremonies in public space using public funds. We don’t insinuate our religious beliefs onto other people. We would appreciate the same courtesy.

Consider how much better off Native people in New Mexico fared than other Native communities because of the benevolence of the Spanish. When your children are being sold into slavery, do you care what language the slavers speak?

For those who consider us outside agitators. Iaman enrolled member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, but I grew up in Santa Fe and went to public schools. I had to endure the Fiesta Court visits every year, knowing that they were celebrating the conquest of my ancestors. So, if you don’t appreciate the voices and sensitivities of Native people, may I remind you that this is Indian land. You are welcome to leave.

Elena Ortiz is an enrolled member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo who grew up in Santa Fe. She went to public school in Santa Fe and works in the educational travel field.