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4-H Park
4-H Park
The AIS cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the present day 4-H park in the Near North Valley/Old Indian School Neighborhood. A land transaction between the B.I.A. and the City of Albuquerque in the 1960s resulted in the creation of a new diagonal street called the Menual Extension. The installation of Menual Extension created a 2.95 acre triangle plot which was developed into a public park in 1973.
Today, the western part of the park is occupied by a playground, picnic tables, a flat expanse used for various sports, and a sculpture titled the Solar Arc. It is an important space for those of the Near North Valley/Old Indian School Neighborhood.
Draft plans of the Menual Extension show the location of the AIS cemetery.
The Solar Arc
The Solar Arc
One of the most prominent fixtures of the 4-H park is a large sculpture called the Solar Arc. This art piece was originally located at the corner of Central Ave and Girard Blvd on the University of New Mexico Main Campus. In 1992, however, the University asked that the City relocate the sculpture. In order to find a new location for the Solar Arc, the City's Public Art Program created a competition soliciting applications from neighborhood associations. The Near North Valley/Old Indian School Neighborhood Association was selected to receive the sculpture. The Solar Arc was installed in 4-H Park and dedicated in 1995. The location of the AIS cemetery was mentioned during discussions of the positioning of the arc in the 4-H Park.
The Solar Arc at 4-H Park
The Solar Arc plaque mentions the AIS cemetery
AIS Cemetery
AIS Cemetery
The AIS cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the 4-H park and is separated from the park by orange snow fencing.
There was once a bronze plaque marking the site of the AIS cemetery, but this was stolen in January of 2019. Currently, the only mention of the AIS cemetery on the site is in the Solar Arc plaque.
A memorial with stuffed animals, toys, and a sign is located around one of the trees in the cemetery.
Stuffed animals and toys continue to be placed at the AIS cemetery site.
A handmade sign acknowledges the site of the AIS cemetery.
What's Next
What's Next
The city is current engaged in conversations regarding the memorialization of this site. Public information on the subject is limited at this time.
We have conducted an analyses of various memorial case studies throughout the Nation and Canada and used these, as well as conversation with the Isleta Cultural Committee, to put together a series of recommendations on how to memorialize both the AIS cemetery and the history and impact of AIS.
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