Post by: Uncle Russ on July 27, 2013, 08:10:33 PM
For those who didn't know, El Paso has an Indian Reservation which is practically downtown, it is in the Ysletta district....and known as the Tigua Indian Reservation.
This "Tribal Community", as they prefer to be referred to, was recognized by the state of Texas in 1968.
They have been baking breads in the same open clay ovens since the early 1800's, they were once a part of the Pueblo Nation but as the oldest permanent settlers in the State of Texas, the Tiguas, originally from New Mexico, relocated to the El Paso area after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
They built the oldest church in Texas, and the oldest Mission in Texas.
They are a proud and colorful people.
They love the bright colors, and color is seen everywhere when you're in town or anywhere around the tribe.
That was true when I was a young boy growing up there, and the last time I visited, things had not changed one bit.
Many in West Texas are very proud of their own Indian Tribe and, although I no longer live there, I have had the privilege of personally knowing several of them over the years. Many of them I met when I was attending UTEP, and doing "field trips" to Hueco Tanks (Pronounced Waco Tanks)
Hueco Tanks is a sacred area to the Tigua Indians, and there are still paintings, or pictographs, that were done hundreds of years ago, and they were done by the Tigua Indians.
Much of the land El Paso sits on was once Tigua land.
However through crooked land deals, and plain out & out land take overs, they have now settled in the lower valley at Ysletta.
El Paso Mission Trail | Be a Part of It! (http://visitelpasomissiontrail.com/history/tigua-indian-reservation-ysleta-del-sur-pueblo.html)
Here is another interesting link on the Tigua and Pueblo Indians for those interested.
The Tigua Indians of Texas (http://www.texasindians.com/tigua.htm)
Uncle Russ...
Post by: Roaddog on July 28, 2013, 06:29:16 AM
Post by: Lonewolfe20 on July 19, 2014, 03:12:50 PM
Great write up. Gordon kemp spent a lot of time in El Paso as you probably know
He also had great stories of the Tigua working with him on many steel projects
I was through El Paso last year and not much has changed.
Post by: sse on July 19, 2014, 05:11:00 PM
Post by: Voyageur on July 19, 2014, 06:30:50 PM
Post by: Uncle Russ on July 19, 2014, 07:33:42 PM
Quote from: "Lonewolfe20"
Hey uncle Russ
Great write up. Gordon kemp spent a lot of time in El Paso as you probably know
He also had great stories of the Tigua working with him on many steel projects
I was through El Paso last year and not much has changed.
Thank you Lonewolf for remembering Gordy, and to all the others for the kind words on this very old post.
Gordy was a long time personal friend, and I have always felt I am a better person by having known Gordy.
After Gordy's wife passed and he decided to move back to the old ranch I practically begged him, for weeks on end, not to do that...ranching is a young man's game, it's hard, grueling work, seven days a week every week and it's from daylight to well after dark....but he was determined.
He was determined not to stay in Florida and he felt the blowing sands of the West Texas desert was calling his name, so Gordy did what Gordy was determined to do.
Rest in peace my friend, you're very much missed.
Every time I make a gallon of that "sweet iced tea" I think of Gordy Kemp. He dearly loved my Sun-tea.
Uncle Russ...
Post by: Lonewolfe20 on July 19, 2014, 08:05:31 PM
It took along time to want to shoot or do anything with black powder after he passed
I was glad we were able to see him before he passed and we talked guns and plans to
go to the museum of the fur trade
He really loved what he did
And he really appreciated this site. He would probably kick me in my behind
for not paying my dues and becoming a member yet. That's my first priority when my check comes in now that I am back into this
Thanks for your words about him