Picuris Pueblo (; Tiwa: P'įwweltha [p’ī̃wːēltʰà]) is a historic pueblo in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. The federally recognized tribe of Pueblo people inhabit the community. Picurís Pueblo is a member of the Eight Northern Pueblos. Their own name for their pueblo is P'įwweltha, meaning "mountain warrior place" or "mountain pass place." They speak the Picuris dialect of the Northern Tiwa language, part of the Kiowa-Tanoan language family.
Government
The administration of the Pueblo of Picuris in 2025 is:
- Governor: Wayne Yazza
- Lieutenant Governor: Craig Quanchello
Geography
Picuris Pueblo is located in northern New Mexico, The Rio Santa Barbara and Rio Pueblo unite near Picurus to form Embudo Creek, a tributary of the Rio Grande.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 86 people, 38 households, and 18 families residing in the CDP. At the 2010 Census, the population was recorded as 68. By 2014, it was one of the smallest Tiwa pueblos. The Picuris people later lived in a village of about 3,000 people now known as Pot Creek, near Taos. They migrated to the present location along the Rio Pueblo about 1250 CE.
In the late 17th century people from the pueblos of New Mexico revolted against the Spanish colonialists, particularly during a revolt between 1680 and 1696 when they fought for autonomy and their land. Following this period the people of the pueblo were dispersed and had abandoned their pueblo until 1706. At that time they joined with the Spanish to fight against attacks by Comanche and Apache tribes. Then, the Picuris pueblo people settled into a peaceful period. The pueblo was influenced by the Spanish, particularly adoption of Christian religious practices and letting go of traditional rituals and ceremonies. Having been influenced by the Spanish and then the Americans for centuries, the Picuris adopted telephone and electrical services, paved roads and television. They resumed their traditional customs, which are performed throughout the year, and became self-governing again in the mid-1920s.
Government
The Pueblo's headquarters is in Peñasco, New Mexico. Their tribal officers, led by a tribal governor, are elected every two years. In 1991, the tribe opened the four-star Hotel Santa Fe and the Amaya Restaurant, serving Native American cuisine, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Tourism
Located within the Pueblo are the San Lorenzo de Picurís church and the Picuris Pueblo Museum, which displays and sells the works of local weavers, potters and beadworkers. There are also picnic and campground facilities. There are Corn Dances and Buffalo Dances in June and August,