SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Schools in New Mexico's capital city are giving students permission to skip an annual reenactment of Spanish colonial royal court festivities led by a conquistador, out of deference to Native Americans that may find it disrespectful.
Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia on Tuesday directed schools to allow students to opt-out of watching a performance linked to the Santa Fe Fiesta that honors Spanish conquistador Don Diego de Vargas.
De Vargas reclaimed Santa Fe a dozen years after the Spanish were driven out in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. A "fiesta court" of Spanish colonial royalty visits schools this week to dance and promote various community events.
Garcia says it has become clear that some Native American and non-Christian students feel uncomfortable at the fiesta school performances.