Pueblo of Laguna
The Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico (Western Keres, Kawaika [kʰɑwɑjkʰɑ]) is a Federally recognized tribe of Native American Pueblo people in west-central New Mexico, near the city of Albuquerque. Part of the Laguna territory is included in the Albuquerque area, chiefly around Laguna’s Route 66 Resort and Casino. The name, Laguna, is Spanish (meaning “small lake”) and derives from the lake on their reservation. This body of water was formed by an ancient dam that was constructed by the Laguna people. After the Pueblo Revolt of 1680–1696, the Mission Jan Jose de la Laguna was erected by the Spanish at the old pueblo (and finished around July 4, 1699.
Laguna is surrounded by enchanting mesas and is situated at the foothills of the beautiful mountains of Mount Taylor. Laguna is located 45 miles west of Albuquerque on Interstate 40. The reservation consists of approximately 500,000 acres of land situated in Cibola, Valencia, Bernalillo and Sandoval counties.
It is no mystery that some art forms from the Pueblo of Laguna have great similarity to those of the Pueblo of Acoma. Some 16 miles west of Laguna, the Pueblo of Acoma had no direct access to the tourist trade so, by the early 20th Century, Acoma artists traveled to the train stop in Laguna to sell their wares. Particularly with 19th and 20th century pottery, it is difficult to determine the original of many antique pieces. Historically, the potters would mix paints from plants and minerals of the Earth. After a slip of several coats of liquid clay, applied with a brush made from Yucca leaves, cloth or leather, very stylized patterns are painted showing geometric or curvilinear motifs. These often represent clouds, animals, or shapes passed down from family ancestors. The Acoma as well as the Laguna tribes have a distinctive white slip (Hopi tribe has yellow) and the designs are painted in yellows, reds, tans, oranges, and dark browns and blacks, the colors that stay with Earth tones. Contemporary work from the Pueblo of Laguna includes pottery, jewelry and painting.
For Directions, information about hours, admission fees and programs go to:
https://www.newmexico.org/native-culture/native-communities/laguna-pueblo