Director Mahroum learns about school’s history, views original artwork, and hears singers and drummers all highlighting the richness of Pueblo culture.
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
May 7, 2026
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U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Director Eric Mahroum visits the Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS). From left, DOE Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office Outreach Advisor Sarah Voorhees; Director Mahroum; SFIS Principal Valerie Grimley; SFIS Superintendent Christie Abeyta; SFIS Community Based Education Program Coordinator Jolynn Martinez; and Office of Indian Energy Chief of Staff Joe Alexander.
SANTA FE, N.M.—The Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) recently hosted DOE Office of Indian Energy leaders for an overview of the school’s unique history, programming, and a school tour.
The group is pictured above with a newly completed mural of SFIS graduate Nilynn Pino of the Zia Pueblo in full regalia holding pottery she gifted the school. The mural is the work of Jessica Clark and Warren Montoya and celebrates Pueblo culture and creativity.
From left, Indian Energy Director Mahroum; SFIS Principal Valerie Grimley; SFIS Community Based Education Program Jolynn Martinez; and SFIS Superintendent Christie Abeyta.
The tour began in the school’s rotunda, which features portraits of governors from the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico that own and operate SFIS. The school provides academic and student living programs for grades 7 through 12. It serves a population of approximately 700 students from the 19 Pueblos, Navajo and Apache Nations, and other Tribes throughout the southwest United States.
Indian Energy Director Mahroum, right, tours the SFIS greenhouse, which supports the Community Based Education (CBE) program. He is pictured with CBE teacher Kai-T Blue-Sky, left, and Daniel Denipah, center, from Santa Clara Pueblo’s Tribal Forestry program.
SFIS students grow native tree seedlings that contribute to Pueblo reforestation activities. Following a greenhouse tour, Community Based Education (CBE) teacher Mark Ericson presented the CBE program and its history and engagement with DOE and Accord Pueblos.
EM-LA maintains a decades-long relationship with SFIS as part of the Los Alamos Pueblos Project, which supports CBE programs.
Singers and drummers performed a traditional song for Indian Energy Director Mahroum as part of a tour of the Cultural Arts and Language Department at SFIS. From left: SFIS Principal Valerie Grimley; Indian Energy Chief of Staff Joe Alexander; SFIS students Tyler Chavez, Ayden Casiquito and Matthew Chavez; Director Mahroum; and SFIS Superintendent Christie Abeyta.