Seven Ancestors of La Junta to Be Reburied in Presidio Ceremony

The People of La Junta for Preservation invites the public to join a historic and deeply meaningful Reburial Ceremony for seven Ancestors of La Junta on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Cementerio del Barrio de los Lipanes in Presidio, Texas. A community reception will follow at the American Legion.

For generations, the remains of local Ancestors were taken from their homeland by archaeologists and private collectors and held in institutions too far from the Rio Grande. In recent years, the Council of the People of La Junta — the traditional governing body of the descendants — alongside People of La Junta for Preservation, an indigenous nonprofit led by the Aguilar and Ornelas Families, have led efforts to bring them home. Many local families have participated in DNA studies to confirm direct lineal connections, making it possible to reclaim and return these Ancestors to their rightful resting place.

“This reburial is a profound act of love and responsibility,” said Melanie Hernandez, Executive Director, People of La Junta for Preservation. “For too long, the remains of our people were removed and studied without consent. By bringing them back to Presidio, we honor their lives, restore their dignity, and heal an open wound in our community.”

The reburial is part of an ongoing cultural and historical restoration in the La Junta region, one of the oldest continuously inhabited and cultivated areas in North America. The work underscores the resilience of Indigenous families who have protected their history despite displacement and a lack of federal recognition.

This sacred event is made possible through the support of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance and The Mellon Foundation, whose commitment to cultural preservation has led to the restoration of the Cementerio del Barrio de los Lipanes.