10-14-2024 12:53pm

Indigenous Peoples Day Pop Up Exhibition, Remembering Elijah Hadley, and Concert at White Sands

Chris Edwards Editor

On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org joins our fellow New Mexicans in celebrating the indigenous nations and peoples throughout New Mexico, the country and world.

Within New Mexico, there are 23 Native American Tribes who have retained, since time immemorial, a deep inherent connection to their own lifeways, traditions, languages, and cultural heritage.

Today, Indigenous Peoples stand as a testament to the strength and resilience of their ancestors’ teachings as current and future generations continue to practice, protect, and preserve their cultural heritage. Simultaneously, Indigenous Peoples have made, and continue to make, immense historical contributions to the foundation of our State and country, including as environmental stewards, United States Armed Forces service, contributions to scholastics, law, sports, the arts, public service and more.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the indigenous nations and peoples of New Mexico and throughout the country and world who continue to thrive to this day. All are welcome to join in the celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

Locally as a part of the celebration the Mescalero Apache Cultural Center and Museum Pop-Up Exhibition is open and free to the public. The exhibition is located at the Inn of the Mountain Gods as they celebrate the rich history and culture of the Mescalero Apache people in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Inn is proud to present a pop-up exhibition featuring a curated selection of remarkable artwork, historical photography, and items from the Mescalero Apache Cultural Center & Museum.

This exhibition is open to the public, and admission is free. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the enduring customs, traditions, and stories of the Mescalero Apache people.

This special exhibition will be on view through October 15. If you’d like to learn more about the Mescalero Apache, visit the Mescalero Apache Cultural Center & Museum, just 20 minutes away from the Inn:

Mescalero Apache Cultural Center & Museum
181 Chiricahua Plaza
Mescalero, NM 88340

In Alamogordo, the family of a slain 17 year old Mescalero Apache tribal member, Elijah Hadley was memorialized and remembered in a family arranged tribute and march on Saturday. The family of Elijah Hadley celebrated his name honoring what would have been his 18th birthday.

White Sands National Park, will honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day by holding a special concert on Thursday October 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

In partnership with Western National Parks Association, we are pleased to have Randy Granger from Las Cruces, New Mexico perform at the park's October Full Moon Night event. Randy is a professional musician, storyteller, educator, composer, and recording artist. A multiple award-winning musician, he tours the U.S. as a solo artist headlining many festivals, leading workshops, and teaching at Native American flute schools throughout the United States.

Join Randy for a relaxing fall evening on Thursday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the park’s natural outdoor amphitheater. Randy will fill the moonlit night with his unique blend of instruments, interpretation of traditional melodies, and heartfelt music. The program is free, but park entrance fees will apply. To get to the amphitheater, drive approximately six miles beyond the fee station to an intersection just after the Backcountry Camping Trail parking lot. Take a right at that intersection and then the second left. Drive approximately one mile further and the amphitheater will be on the right side. The parking lot will open at 5:30 pm. Seating is not provided at the amphitheater. You are encouraged to set up on the surrounding dunes and bring camp chairs, blankets, and coolers with food and drinks. Please help keep White Sands beautiful by packing out all your trash. The park hours will be extended to 9:30 pm for this event.

A native of New Mexico, Randy is of Mayan and Apache heritage and specializes in the Native American flute, storytelling, and other acoustic instruments. Randy plays and records with numerous percussion instruments, world flutes, and stringed instruments.

This is the final of the five Full Moon Night events White Sands is hosting this year featuring the cultural legacy of Southern New Mexico and the rich natural resources of White Sands. These events are a great opportunity to have a unique experience with the whole family under the light of the full moon.