Diego Abeita Papers
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0242
Scope and Contents
The Diego Abeita papers contain correspondence, minutes, conference papers, case files, legal documents, subject files, speeches, reports, clippings, publications and government documents spanning from 1927 to 1981. The bulk of the collection represents Diego Abeita's career as Chairman of the Middle Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Committee from 1951 to ca. 1977. The main subject area of the collection is Pueblo Indian legal water rights at the state and local levels.
Correspondence is located throughout the collection. The majority of the correspondence dates from 1951 to 1977. The Correspondence series contains mostly carbon copies of letters sent by Abeita to the various governors of the Middle Rio Grande Pueblos regarding committee business. There are also numerous letters received from New Mexico's Congressmen, Clinton P. Anderson, Dennis Chavez and John J. Dempsey, noting the congressmen's appreciation for serving their Pueblo constituents.
Minutes and resolutions found in the collection are incomplete. The majority of the minutes and resolutions represent the 1950s and the 1970s. During these two time periods, the Pueblos were involved in two cases regarding the distribution of water, Texas v. New Mexico and New Mexico v. Aamodt. The Case File series contain court opinions and briefs on these water litigation cases. A considerable amount of material is devoted in this series on William Veeder's influence, and the Pueblo's assessment of his involvement, in the Pueblo water suits of the 1970s. The Subject Files contain a variety of document types. This series covers numerous subjects from grasshopper infestation, 1955-1956, to the Westwide Water Study, 1970-1975. One notable file is the El Vado Dam, which includes resolutions and letters on the storage and release of Pueblo Indian water at the dam.
The emphasis of the Report series and the Speeches, Press Releases, Papers-Others series is on the Pueblo water litigation of the 1970s. Two reports, "Report on the Protection of Pueblo Indian Rights to use Water in the Rio Grande Basin: A Discussion of Pending Litigation" and Comments on Mr. Veeder's Report on Pueblo Water Rights, are of special interest regarding Pueblo water litigation.
The collection includes some personal writings of Diego Abeita, both professional and literary. The Speeches, Press Releases, Poems-Diego Abeita series includes three speeches, a report on Isleta Pueblo Resources and two poems written by Diego Abeita. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings. These items cover almost exclusively the Pueblo Indians and their attempts to maintain their water rights.
It should be noted that an archival arrangement was imposed on the Diego Abeita papers. An original order was not discernible when the papers arrived at the Archives.
Dates
- 1927-1981
Biographical / Historical
Diego Abeita was born in 1905; his father's name was Louis Abeita. Diego
Abeita married Lottie G. Abeita and they had two children, a daughter, Louise and a son, Richard. Diego Abeita attended the University of New Mexico for about two years in the 1920s. He was self-employed as a rancher, and raised Hereford cattle.
Diego Abeita was very active in Pueblo Indian affairs. He was the first Chairman of the Middle Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation District, from 1951 to ca. 1977. Abeita often acted as spokeperson for the Irrigation Committee. Abeita was a member of the Isleta Pueblo, and served for 30 years in the Pueblo government, including the position of lieutenant governor. He also was a trustee of the Bernalillo County Indian Hospital.
Diego Abeita died September 15, 1984.
Extent
2.50 Linear Feet (8 Boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Diego Abeita was the chairman of the Middle Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Committee, member of the Isleta Pueblo, involved in Indian affairs and a rancher. The collection includes correspondence, minutes and resolutions, conference materials, legislation, legal papers, reports, speeches; mostly regarding Indian water use and rights. Correspondents include William Brophy, Clinton P. Anderson, Dennis Chavez, John J. Dempsey, Tom Garrity and A.R. Fife.
Processing Information
Julia Tuten, 1985
- Title
- Guide to the Diego Abeita Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Julia Tuten
- Date
- 1985
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository