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Brass Tax
O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax invites settlers to pay their past-due rent
If you’re reading this and are living in America, you are on stolen land. Full stop.
Yeah, everything you can see rightfully belongs to Indigenous folks, and rather than thinking about colonialism as some sort of nebulous thing that happened long before you were born, it’s important to consider its lasting impacts and how it informs society to this day while continually and consistently oppressing Indigenous people from border to border.
Now, however, if you’re ready to move beyond land acknowledgement lip service to something a little bit more tangible, please be aware of O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax, a new org that soft-launched last November and aims to collect a voluntary tax from those living in Santa Fe (or O’ga P’ogeh, its original Tewa name), which it will then redistribute directly to Indigenous people under the guidance of a council of Indigenous matriarchs.
The O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax is one of a number of similar nonprofits set up around the country with similar goals. Thus far, according to organizer Jo Christian, the new org has racked up 50 contributors who either donate on a recurring basis or have offered one-time contributions. There are no strings attached to the money, Christian adds.
“It’s been a tried and true method that is really working across the country,” she tells SFR.
The O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax launches officially this weekend with an event Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery—a business that was already donating to the tax before its organizers ever even reached out about an event.
There you’ll get the chance to dance with DJs Nokabah and Garronteed, shop from Indigenous vendors, hear standup from comics Ricardo Caté and Kory Herrera and learn more about the project. The org will also unveil the recipients of its first two contirnutions It’ll feel good, trust us. Visit ogahpogehlandtax.org for more deets and/or to contribute through the handy calculator tool.
Christian tells SFR that if organizers can pick up 168 new contrinutors, they’ll have considered the event a success. And trust us, it feels good to help how you can. (Alex De Vore)
O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax Launch Party: 6 pm Friday, Oct. 17 $10-$20 (free for Indigenous folks) Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery, 2791 Agua Fría St., (505) 303-3808
Cute, Cuddly Chiroptera
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Bats tend to get a bad rap, but in addition to actually being amazing, adorable creatures, they play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. There is something extremely badass about a bat expert, too, and certified wildlife biologist Milu Valardi is one such person. Valardi has dedicated her life to bats, and will go in-depth on the winged mammals at a talk this week. New Mexico happens to be home to one of the most diverse populations of bats in North America, a topic Velardi is set to explore during her talk. The bat expert also investigates the ongoing threat bats face with the ever-growing threat of the fatal fungal disease known as White Nose Syndrome. (Adam Ferguson)
New Mexico Land Conservancy: Milu Velardi on Bats: 6 pm Wednesday, Oct. 15. Free. New Mexico Land Conservancy, 5430 Richards Ave., (505) 986-3801
To the Max
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Roughly a year after artist Max-Carlos Martinez’s 2020 death, Santa Fe writer/artist Stephanie Thompson penned a remembrance in SFR that highlighted his importance as a creator, a teacher, a friend and a host of intellectual salons at Canyon Road’s El Zaguán. Now, as part of the recent Queer Magnetism show at the Santa Fe Community Gallery, organizers will host a tribute talk for Martinez (whose work appears in the show), which then loops in participants for that salon-style action Martinez held so dear. Featuring Curate Santa Fe’s Moss, plus Queer Magnetism co-curator/arts writer Jordan Eddy and panelists Carmen Selam (Yakama Natin), Polina Smutko and Ocelotl Mora, the talk should certainly prove illuminating. It’ll also herald the release of the Queer Magnetism mini-zine. (ADV)
Queer Magnetism: Max’s Salon: 5:30-7:30 pm Saturday, Oct. 18. Free. Santa Fe Community Gallery 201 W Marcy St., (505) 955-6705
Appreciate You
Zane Fischer
Industry night, fuck yeah!
If you’ve never worked in the foodservice industry, you might not know that it’s among the most draining and difficult jobs around. Picture this: You just worked all weekend. The customers were rude and under-tipping because they decided to teach you some kind of lesson on hour nine of your double. You just want people to enjoy the food, but you were in the weeds from the minute the doors opened. What are you to do? In Santa Fe, some businesses know the value of a restaurant worker who feels appreciated. At As Above So Below Distillery, they even offer special cocktail pricing for those workers during Monday’s Industry Appreciation Night. Simply show up with your alcohol server license for access to those deals. Lots of us totally appreciate what you do for us, and we think you deserve a little night out for your efforts. (ADV)
Industry Appreciation Night: 4-10 pm Monday, Oct. 20. Free (but pay for drinks, duh). As Above So Below Distillery, 545 Camino de la Familia, (505) 916-8596
