Territory and Tradition (16th–20th centuries) Pueblo land-use relations and colonial influence in the North American Southwest

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of Pueblo land tenure from the 16th to the 20th century, focusing on the interplay between indigenous communal landholding practices and the Western concept of private property. It explores how Spanish, Mexican, and later American colonial policies disrupted traditional Pueblo land systems, imposing new legal frameworks that often resulted in dispossession. The research highlights the resilience of Pueblo communities, analyzing case studies such as the Hopi and Zuni, to demonstrate their adaptive strategies in maintaining land sovereignty. It also discusses the impact of forced assimilation policies, irrigation projects, and shifting economic structures on Pueblo landholding. By contrasting communal land stewardship with Western individualism, this paper sheds light on the long-term struggles of Pueblo peoples to protect their territorial integrity and cultural identity amidst external pressures.