Policy & Legislation

New Mexico leads the nation in groundbreaking state-tribal government-to-government relations.

Since its inception, IAD has worked hard to implement landmark state-tribal policies to move New Mexico forward. The IAD works with state departments and tribal leadership to launch policies intended to improve the quality of life for Indian citizens of New Mexico.

At the core of these innovative policies is the IAD Policy Unit. The Policy Unit is vital to state-tribal governmental relationship building. The Policy Unit provides analysis and research services, training and information to the State of New Mexico and to New Mexico’s 23 federally recognized tribal governments on matters of mutual concern, such as tribal consultation, education, health, community and economic development and legislative analysis.

To date, the Policy Unit has played an important role in the development of state-tribal consultation policies, the development state-tribal legislation such as the Tribal Infrastructure Act and the Indian Education Act, to name a few. With the increasing participation of tribal governments in state policy-making and legislation, the Policy Unit will continue to be a key resource for the state and the Indian nations, pueblos, and tribes of New Mexico.

Amanda Nezzie, Policy and Government Relations Director
New Mexico Indian Affairs Department

Cell: (505) 699-3354
Email: amanda.nezzie@iad.nm.gov