Nee Hemish: A History of Jemez Pueblo

by Joe S. Sando

In this intimate account of Jemez Pueblo from distant times to the modern era, historian Joe S. Sando profiles the multi-faceted history of one of the most vital and enduring of the Pueblo Indian communities of New Mexico. Sando writes about many of the events he describes with the authority of a participant and a witness. Sando follows the story of the Hemish (people of Jemez) from the origins and development of Pueblo civilization to the continuing struggles with the United States Government to maintain the sovereignty, land and water rights so vital to the survival of the Pueblo people today. Although all nineteen pueblos are closely related to one another historically, socially, and culturally, each is considered by its citizens to be a sovereign nation with its own government, customs, language and sense of destiny. Sando also discusses Pueblo government, land ownership and water rights, farming and irrigation, the coming of the railroad, the influence of the Catholic church, the influx of people from Pecos Pueblo (now part of Jemez), education at the Pueblo, the importance of the sport of long-distance running and of artists past and present. The appendix contains a compendium of historical information.

Genres: History

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Michael Baggetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading,"NEE HEMISH," it was a book I picked up when I was traveling with a good friend through New Mexico, enjoying the breathtaking views of the lands of the Jemez Pueblo Indians and also stopping to explore some of their ancient indian ruins . I learned so much from the author, who was an insider, born into the ,"Sun Clan," at Jemez Pueblo, he follows the story of the Hemish (people of Jemez) from the origins and development of this Pueblo Indian civilization. He also covers the Spanish colonial period up to the continuing struggles and successes with the United States Government to maintain sovereignty and water rights which are so vital to their survival as a people today. The authors background of teaching Pueblo Indian history at the University of New Mexico and also the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with his being born and raised in Jemez, made him a true authority to share his knowledge, love and experiences of his people. I felt this was a well written book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in native american history and culture, especially of those peoples located in the southwestern part of The United States!

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nee Hemesh, probably the only wide-scope history of the indigenous Jemez Pueblo. Published in 1982 by UNM Press, and written by Author Joe L.Sando, it is now out of print (I checked it out of the library). I live a little way north of Jemez, on what was part of their ancestral lands, prior tom occupation by Spain, Mexico and lastly the U.S. Sando is a credentialed and highly capable historian, and an excellent writer, and this history is comprehensive, told from the "inside" because he is, himself, Jemez. The story of the Jemez (pronounced "Hemish") serves as the story of the story of the robbery and oppression of all America's native people ("Indians"), and history we need to know. I have a number of friends from Jemez, toward the south end of the beautiful San Diego Canyon (I'm toward the north end) in New Mexico. We'd love to have you visit. (Bring money, humility and respec

[Mark Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of the Jemez tribe told from the perspective of a long-time tribal member.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

in depth history of an otherwise extremely secretive and xenophobic pueblo