EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Funeral services have been scheduled for the late tribal leader for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.
Cacique Jose Sierra Sr. died at his Pueblo home on Saturday, Aug. 16. He was 81 years old.
Public visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission, 131 S. Zaragoza.
The rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday, also at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the same location.
Graveside service will be at noon Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Mount Carmel Cemetery, 401 S. Zaragoza.
Sierra is being remembered for his leadership and love of Pueblo traditions. He left behind a list of accomplishments that helped the Pueblo maintain those traditions he loved and move the Tiguas forward.
Prior to his role as cacique, he held multiple leadership roles and positions within the Pueblo including governor, traditional sheriff, tribal judge and mayordomo.
When Sierra was governor in the 1970s, he helped establish community assets such as the Tigua Indian Cultural Center, the Tigua Spice Plant and the Tigua Indian Housing Community.
Upon being appointed as cacique, Sierra is credited with achieving the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the tribe’s gaming rights, established a new state-of-the-art health care clinic, built a new early learning center, developed new housing and gained the return of Pueblo artifacts that were held in the Netherlands for over 140 years.
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