Celebrate Indigenous Families Weekend at Petroglyph National Monument

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The National Park Service will honor Native American Heritage Month at the Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Information Center (VIC) on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17. This event is free and open to the public.

Indigenous Families Weekend kicks off with a 4-mile trail run, hosted by Native Health Initiative and Running Medicine. The run will start from the escarpment trail next to the La Cuesta parking lot, located off Unser Blvd. and Western Trail, taking participants through Rinconada Canyon and back.

The run will be followed by an opening ceremony and demonstrations by Indigenous artisans, informational tables featuring local organizations, children’s activities and a food truck at the National Park Service visitors information center (VIC) until 2 p.m. At 11:30 a.m. in the VIC amphitheater there will be a performance by the Lightning Boy Hoop Foundation. A guided hike will take place at 1 p.m. starting from the Rinconada Canyon trailhead, located at the intersection of St. Joseph’s Avenue and Unser Blvd.

The event continues Sunday, November 17, starting at 10 a.m. with demonstrations, children’s activities, informational tables and a food truck at the VIC until 2 p.m.

Petroglyphs are images that were etched or pecked into stone, usually boulders or large rock faces. Most in the park were made by American Indians who either lived nearby or were passing through the area. Most were made by the Pueblo, Apache, and Navajo people. Later, early Spanish explorers and settlers also made petroglyphs. Many of the American Indian petroglyph images were etched 300 to 700 years ago. The Spanish petroglyph images were etched 200 to 300 years ago.

This event is a partnership between the National Park Service, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, and Native Health Initiative, with support from the National Park Foundation and Western National Park Association. For more information and a complete schedule of activities, visit the Petroglyph National Monument website.

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