CHIHENE NDE NATION OF NEW MEXICO
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Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico
The Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico was incorporated in May of 2011. We were formerly known as the Chihene Nde Warm Springs Band of Chiricahua Apaches from October 2009 to May 2011. To review status with the NM PRC click on the Articles of Incorporation and enter our NMPRC # 4439774. We were awarded our tax exemption status pursuant to section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code on March 30, 2012.
Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico consist of a Board of Directors (Tribal Council). This is the governance council of this organization. We have over 500 hundred members and continue to receive applications for membership. Our Membership requirements and qualifications are listed and available on this site. You can download applications from this site, located in the "Enrollment" tab above.
Tribal Council-Governance Council
2012-2014
TRIBAL CHAIR
TRIBAL VICE-CHAIR
TRIBAL SECRETARY
TRIBAL TREASURER
COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL MEMBER
TRIBAL GENERAL COUNSEL
AND LEGAL TEAM
GENERAL COUNSEL
TRIBAL PARILIAMENTARIAN
TRIBAL CULTURAL ADVISOR
A. Paul Ortega
Mescalero Apache, NM
BIOGRAPHIES
Paul A. Martinez, Jr.
Tribal Secretary (2012-2014)
Mr Martinez is the Secretary for the Tribal Council. He was elected at the Tribal Elections in June 2012 in Bayard, NM. His term is from 2012-2014. He was born in Anaheim, CA. His hometown is Las Cruces, NM. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where he received his Bachelors Degrees in History and Political Science. He is a candidate for a Juris Doctor's Degree -Class of 2015 at UNM School of Law in Albuquerque, NM. He is an active member of both the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) and the Mexican American Law Student Association (MALSA). He serves on the Constitutional Review and Membership Committees. He is of the Martin, Abeyta Clans (Apache/Genizaro-Chihene and Jicarilla) and, Romero and Tenorio families (Taos-Tiwa).
Carlos Benavides
Tribal Vice Chair (2012-2014)
Mr. Benavides was elected Vice Chair in June 2012 for a second term. His terms expires 2014. He is a retired educator. He taught Spanish for Cobre High School in Bayard, NM. He is married and has 3 children. He resides in Silver City, NM. Mr. Benavides has been active in his community in Grant County for many years. His primary functions as Vice Chair are overseeing the annual gathering and working with the cultural arm of the organization (OCRS). He has been inspirational in organizing and facilitating tribal meetings and inter-governmental affairs. He is a descendant of the Alicio Clan of the Chih ende.
Manuel P. Sanchez
Tribal Chair (2012-2014):
Mr. Sanchez was elected Chairman of the Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico for a second term. He was first elected in 2010 as Chair of the Chihene Nde Warm Springs Band of Chiricahua Apache. The Tribal organization re-organized and rechartered as the Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico. He was re-elected in June 2012 for a two year term. Mr. Sanchez is a federal agent employer with the National Indian Gaming commission out of the Temecula, California Regional Office. Mr. Sanchez has been inspirational in all of the Tribal efforts from the initial organizing to pursuing Federal Re-recognition process. His family are from the both the Grant and Dona Ana Counties Enriquez Clan of the Chi ende.
Judy Marquez
Tribal Treasurer (2012-2014)
Judy is originally from Grant County, New Mexico. Both maternal and paternal families are from the Mimbres and Santa Rita areas. Judy is of the Parra/Samaniego/Olguin clan of the Apache del Cobre and Apache de Mimrenos Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico. Judy and her husband currently reside in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She has two sons and two grandchildren. Judy grew up in Silver City and graduated from Gallup High School before her 25 year career as a Human Resources Manager in Las Cruces. She has served in leadership capacities at a variety of philanthropic organizations. Judy currently is a BA NMSU Psychology candidate.
