This past week we went with Charles to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  We stayed in a Hotel on the Sandia Pueblo Reservation.  We also attended the Joseph Day Festival on the Laguna Pueblo Reservation which is about 45 miles west of Albuquerque.  The Pueblo of Laguna dates back as far as the late 1600’s.  While on the Laguna reservation we visited the St. Joseph Mission which was established by the Franciscan Fathers in 1699.  We joined the American Indians in the plaza area specifically designed for their community rituals, prayer and dance.  We witnessed the native drumming and dancing ceremony.  We watched as the older generation passed on this tradition to the children.  We were captivated by the beautiful native attire and the headdress’ worn by some of the men.  During our stay in Albuquerque, we also visited the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.  At the Cultural Center the kids were able to make pottery and we were able to take a guided tour.  The tour provided details on the history and cultural heritage of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.  Charles and the Lutheran minister delegation met with the 19 tribal leaders and the governor of New Mexico as they signed important legislation that insures collaborative leadership among the Pueblos and the state government.  Our experience in Albuquerque as well as our previous study has given us (the children and I) a better understanding of the Native American experience in this region.  While visiting the Cultural Center, CJ kept asking “Where are the Longhouses?”  I had to remind him that the Native Americans who lived in Longhouses where in the north and eastern part of the United States.