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Reckoning with Forced Sterilization in New Mexico

March 27, 2026

This week on New Mexico in Focus, KUNM’s Jeanette DeDios sits down with three state senators who kickstarted an investigation into the state’s long history of forced sterilization of Indigenous women and other women of color. Later, Jeanette asks the table how difficult it is for Native women to find a doctor in their community who specializes in reproductive health care. 

Mayor Tim Keller this week appointed Cecily Barker as the next chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. Barker has served as interim chief since January. Keller also appointed Raul Bujanda as public safety executive director, a position previously axed by Keller that will oversee police, fire and community safety. Both appointments now await final approval from the City Council. 

This fall, New Mexico voters will decide whether to finally pay state lawmakers a salary, joining the rest of the nation. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio sat down with Mason Graham, a policy advisor with Common Cause New Mexico, to talk about the choice for voters — and other Common Cause priorities. 

Indigenously Positive takes us on a trip to the Zuni Public Library, as our collaborative series with New Mexico In Depth spotlights a home for culture and information for more than 50 years. 

Host: Nash Jones 

Segments: 

NM to Investigate Sterilization of Indigenous Women 
Correspondent: Jeanette DeDios 
Guests: 
NM Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque 
NM Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi 
NM Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, D-Albuquerque 

Voters Will Decide Whether to Pay State Legislators a Salary 
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio 
Guest: 
Mason Graham, Policy Advisor, Common Cause New Mexico 

The State of Reproductive Health Care for Native Women Today 
Correspondent: Jeanette DeDios 
Guests: 
NM Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque 
NM Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi 
NM Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, D-Albuquerque 

Zuni Library is Vital for Native Community 
Host / Producer:  Bella Davis (Yurok) 
Director / Producer:  Benjamin C Yazza (Diné) 
Guests: 
Valarie Bellson (Zuni Pueblo), Children’s Program Coordinator and Acting Library Director 
Cassandra Osterloh (Cherokee), Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator for the New Mexico State Library 
Curtis Quam, (Zuni Pueblo), Museum Technician/Culture Educator  
Kacey Luna (Zuni Pueblo), Tribal Archives Digitization Technician 
Xyla Johnson (Zuni Pueblo), Acting Vital Records Coordinator