Statewide Early Childhood Tribal Advisory Coalition (TAC)

In FY23, ECECD, in partnership with the 23 Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations of our state, founded the Statewide Early Childhood Tribal Advisory Coalition to create a channel for regular communication and engagement with New Mexico’s tribal communities. The coalition highlights the distinct and unique American Indian cultures and languages across the state.

The coalition will be formed of 30 members, including at least one representative from each of the 23 Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos in New Mexico. In its first year, the coalition has developed its mission and vision, developed policy priorities to share with ECECD and their home communities, and developed work plans on how ECECD can implement the coalition’s policy priorities moving forward.

As of June 2023, the advisory coalition has 24 members (including alternates) and ECECD is continuing to work to get representation from remaining tribal communities in New Mexico. Currently the Advisory Coalition has representation from the following tribal communities and programs:

Acoma Pueblo
Mescalero Apache Nation
Isleta Pueblo
Navajo Nation
Ohkay Owingeh
Pojoaque Pueblo
Sandia Pueblo
Santa Ana Pueblo
Santa Clara Pubelo
Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo
San Illdefonso Pueblo
Taos
Zuni Pueblo
Saad K’idilye Dine Language Nest Program
Education for Parents of Indian Children (EPICS)
NM School for the Deaf
NM School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The coalition works towards five major goals:

1. Identify the strengths and gaps of early childhood education and care in each community

2. Learn from each other across tribal communities in order to develop culturally relevant and appropriate assessments, evaluations and innovative family engagement models

3. Develop best practices of collaboration in governance and financing structures

4. Communicate regularly with ECECD and make broad recommendations about tribal early childhood education and care needs

5. Strengthen ECECD’s commitment to equity and quality early childhood education and care for all

TAC Contact

Mark Hume, Early Childhood Policy Analyst Mark.Hume@ececd.nm.gov

Mescalero Convening

The Statewide Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) concluded their June 2023 convening in Mescalero, NM. Thank you, Rosario Dick and Autumn Enjady of the Mescalero Apache Tribe for hosting ECECD Assistant Secretary, Cotillion Sneddy and TAC members.

TAC was honored to attend a Mescalero Coming of Age ceremony, truly a once in a life opportunity that will impact our work for years to come.

Click the image to the right to see more.

TAC Representatives and Alternates

Name	Member	Alternate
Acoma	Cassandra Sanchez, Haak’u Learning Center Director
Cochiti
Isleta	Andrea Pesina, Isleta Pueblo Headstart & Childcare Executive Director
Jemez
Jicarilla
Laguna
Mescalero	Rosario Dick, Mescalero Apache Early Childhood Program Director	Autumn Enjady, Parent
Nambe	Samantha Viarrial, Early Childhood Coordinator	Sierra Paniagua, Home visitor
Navajo	Vice President Richelle Montoya
Ohkay Owingeh	Councilman Peter Garcia Jr.	Aileen Lopez, Education Director
Picuris
Pojoaque	Beverly Fierro, Early Childhood Education Director	Carmen Rael, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Sandia	Anne Duran, Child Development Center Director
San Felipe
San Ildefonoso	Elena Aguilar, Pueblo Education Board Member
Santa Ana	Shirley Marlow, Tamaya Learning Center Program Manager
Santa Clara	Jeremey Oyenque, Director of Youth & Learning/ Headstart Director	Carly Jo Chavarria, Teacher
Santo Domingo	Stanley Coriz, Early Childhood Learning Center Program Director	Tai Garcia, Early Childhood Learning Center- Family Services Coach
Taos	April Winters, Tiwa Babies Program Coordinator
Tesuque
Zia Pueblo	Marsha Leno, Education Director
Zuni Pueblo	Francine Cheama, Pueblo of Zuni Headstart	Michelle Kaskalla, Head Start Teacher
Saad K’Idilye Dine Language Nest	Warlance Chee, Director	Anesha Yazzie, Teacher
Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS)	Melissa Wassana, Early Childhood Specialist
NM School for the Deaf	Carla Gregory, Developmental Specialist, Early Intervention
NM School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired	Zelfa Sandoval-Sweeney, Developmental Vision Specialist
Fort Sill (no EC)
Navajo Nation	Zach Ben (Parent Member)

TAC Materials Library

Tribal Monthly Zoom Meetings

Check back soon for meeting dates and details.