Elroy Keetso
Master of Community and Regional Planning, 2013

What responsibilities are involved in your work?

At the Pueblo, my primary duty is to manage their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  The CIP is a list of all capital projects that are currently ongoing or forecasted on Laguna Pueblo lands. This task includes providing technical assistance to the leadership of the six villages, the Pueblo of Laguna Government staff, and the Pueblo of Laguna Entities in developing their capital projects.  I assist the Pueblo’s development of village-specific comprehensive plans. My work consists of designing community engagement processes that intend to incorporate all age groups within the villages.  I work on topic-specific plans and ensure that the community’s goals are incorporated into the architecture and engineering designs for capital projects.

What projects are you currently working on?

Through the Pueblo’s CIP I have been involved in several long term development projects. When I initially came to work for the Pueblo in 2012 I worked on a project with Laguna Pueblo youth to gather input about parks and playgrounds in Laguna.  The youth gave ideas of what they wanted in their village parks and playgrounds. The project has led to the development of a Pueblo of Laguna Masterplan of parks and playgrounds here at the Pueblo. The masterplan process developed twenty eight conceptual models of parks and playgrounds. Eight of those sites were prioritized by the villages and we have developed complete final designs for eight sites that are ready for construction, these projects are awaiting construction funding.

Another long term project that I have been working on is the Kawaika Community Campus master plan development located at the old Acoma Laguna High school site.  The campus area is approximately 220 acres and planned to house seventeen Pueblo facilities geared toward the well-being of the Pueblo of Laguna community, including health, recreation, education and economic development.  The Planning program managed the development of the master plan. The Pueblo is currently working on the design of the site infrastructure and the designs of the Laguna swimming pool, Community Center, and Health Clinic.

What makes your work personally rewarding and how has it impacted you and your community?

I have always been interested in community planning from a local tribal perspective.  Historically, the ability to self govern, let alone the ability to plan, design, and construct your community was taken from the Indigenous peoples here in the United States.  Even though I am not a Pueblo of Laguna member, my reward is being able to assist the Pueblo in developing community engagement processes that provide the Pueblo with the knowledge of developing a community-based plan that reflects their values, their beliefs, and their vision.  The Pueblo of Laguna Planning Program has provided me with a great opportunity to work and increase my knowledge of planning for an indigenous community. My hope is to one day be able to assist my home community on the Navajo Nation with my acquired knowledge.

How has the CRP program prepared you for your career?

The UNM CRP program gave me an understanding of planning theory and the various types of stakeholders that can be involved in a project.  The UNM CRP program introduced me to the use of graphic design software in planning like the Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. The UNM CRP program introduced the GIS software like ArcGIS as a tool to create maps for planning.  The CRP gave me access to a network of fellow graduates that do similar work for governments and consultants.  Through the Indigenous Design Planning Institute (IDPI) I was connected to the New Mexico Tribal Planners’ Roundtable, this group is a group of tribal planners, community developers, and managers that meet quarterly to discuss Tribal planning issues.

Any additional comments?

Tribal affiliation:  An enrolled Tribal member of the Navajo Nation.  I am a member of the Nihoobáanii (Gray-Streak-Ends) clan, born for the Tsé Nahabiłnii (Sleeping-Rock People) clan from the community of Counselor, NM.

Education: I received a B.U.S. degree with emphasis in Native American Studies, American History, and Political Science in 2004 and an M.C.R.P in Community and Economic Development from the school of Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 2013. I also received a graduate certificate in Historic Preservation and Regionalism from the UNM in 2013.