Picuris Pueblo proves ancestral link to Chaco Canyon through DNA research

In a groundbreaking study, members of the Picuris Pueblo tribe in New Mexico collaborated with an international team of geneticists to explore their ancestral ties to Chaco Canyon. This endeavor, which incorporated DNA sequencing alongside the tribe's oral traditions, has roots in a desire to assert and protect their cultural heritage, particularly amidst ongoing debates regarding environmental impacts from potential oil and gas drilling near the canyon. The Picuris have long maintained stories connecting them to Chaco Canyon, an important historical site of Pueblo culture characterized by monumental structures and a rich heritage. The study revealed genetic links between the current Picuris population and ancient individuals who lived in or around Chaco Canyon between 1300 A.D. and 1500 A.D. Researchers found close genomic connections among 13 present-day Picuris members and remains of 16 Picuris ancestors. This research marks a significant shift in the relationship between Indigenous groups and scientific communities, as it emphasizes collaboration and consent. Previously, many archaeological and genetic studies were conducted without Indigenous input or acknowledgment, leading to a history of exploitation. Significantly, this new DNA analysis supports the longstanding oral histories of the Picuris, reinforcing their claims of heritage and ownership over these ancestral lands. As various stakeholders, including tribal leaders, engage with governmental entities over land use, the findings from this study serve as a tool for protection and advocacy. Leaders like Picuris Lt. Gov. Craig Quanchello and Gov. Wayne Yazza stress the importance of utilizing this data to safeguard their heritage against external threats, including development that could endanger the environment of Chaco Canyon. The implications extend beyond the specific case of Picuris Pueblo, reflecting a broader discussion about the role of Indigenous narratives in historical interpretation and cultural preservation. As federal land adjacent to Chaco Canyon faces pressures from extraction industries, these discoveries fortify the Indigenous claim to the land and its history. They serve as a call to recognize and value the continual presence and rights of present-day Pueblo people while challenging notions that frame their ancestors and cultural sites as relics of a 'lost civilization.'