Piro Pueblo press Las Cruces council on fed recognition help

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A group of American Indians who are seeking federal recognition also want support from Las Cruces.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports representatives of Piro Pueblo de Las Cruces told city councilors this week they wanted their endorsement in getting the federal government to recognize them.

In March, the Piro-Manso-Tiwa Tribe of the Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe went before city council seeking support for its quest for standing as a federally recognized tribe.

The Las Cruces City Council also heard from tribal members and members of Los Indigenes de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, another tribal group in the area.

But infighting among the different groups has stalled efforts to receive federal recognition.