New Mexico Leads Nation in Indigenous Sterilization Inquiry

New Mexico is taking a groundbreaking step toward justice by becoming the first state to formally investigate forced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color.

Lawmakers introduced Senate Memorial 14 this week to create a truth and reconciliation commission focused on uncovering the full scope of abuses carried out by federal agencies. Research from the 1970s shows that between 25 and 50 percent of Indigenous women were sterilized, often without their knowledge or consent, with some of the highest rates occurring in New Mexico.

For decades, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service subjected Native women to these violations. The proposed commission would gather survivor testimony, locate all cases within the state, and develop educational policies to ensure this history isn't forgotten.

Keely Badger, a human rights advocate who wrote her dissertation on this topic, testified about the challenges of accessing records. She believes the federal government may have intentionally sealed documents to hide the truth, similar to what happened with boarding school records.

"It's going to require real political will and advocacy from civil society groups to get to the real heart of this from a national perspective," Badger told lawmakers. She emphasized that only official state agencies have the authority to demand access to these hidden records.

The memorial would direct the Indian Affairs Department and the Commission on the Status of Women to conduct a comprehensive study. This includes documenting the history, understanding ongoing impacts on survivors and their families, and creating a path toward accountability.

The Ripple Effect

If this memorial becomes law, New Mexico could spark a national movement toward acknowledging these human rights violations. Other states with similar histories might follow suit, finally giving voice to survivors who have waited decades for recognition.

The commission represents more than just historical research. It offers survivors a chance to share their stories in an official capacity and ensures future generations learn this painful truth as part of their education.

The memorial now heads to the Senate floor for a vote before moving to the House of Representatives. Support for truth and reconciliation efforts has grown nationwide, particularly following recent national apologies for boarding school abuses.

New Mexico's leadership on this issue shows that confronting difficult truths is the first step toward healing and justice.