The O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax (OPLT) is a project that began in the spring of 2023 by a diverse group of community members dedicated to acknowledging the ongoing harmful and extractive legacy of settler colonialism on Indigenous peoples in this area. We are an organization focused on reparation through economic justice and Rematriation led by local Indigenous leaders.
We are one of many land tax projects across Turtle Island, and we have recently been invited to join the Indigenous Solidarity Funding Coalition, a network of 7 other land taxes across Turtle Island! You can find information on other land tax projects here. Operating similarly to paying rent or property taxes, which grant us access to living space, an elective land tax allows us to compensate Indigenous communities as we recognize how we benefit from stolen resources. Unlike state and federal taxes, when you pay into the OPLT, you can trust that these funds are being infused DIRECTLY into your local community to support social well-being. The OPLT operates as a 501c3 under fiscal sponsorship, and has entrusted a council of Indigenous Matriarchs with the oversight of distributing funds between local Indigenous-led organizations.
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O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax Statement of Purpose
The O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax (OPLT) is an elective tax for all settlers and non-Native people who reside in O’ga P’ogeh/Santa Fe full-time or seasonally, recreate, or have economic ties to the region. It is an opportunity to enter into a restorative relationship with the local Native community. Through the ongoing redistribution of resources, the OPLT seeks to recognize and respect the sovereignty of Northern NM Native peoples.
With the oversight of an Indigenous Council of Matriarchs, this tax will support initiatives and organizations in service to the local Indigenous community and Rematriation of the land.
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O’ga P’ogeh Land Tax Vision Statement
It is important to recognize settler colonialism as a structure that continues to inflict harm on the land and Indigenous people, rather than a singular event. By redistributing resources from settlers (those who benefit from settler colonialism) to Indigenous people (those who are harmed by settler colonialism), the OPLT offers a chance for settlers to make an ongoing financial contribution to Indigenous efforts and initiatives on Tewa Land.
This is a cross-class project that allows people to contribute financially on a sliding scale basis. In doing so, contributors are able to move towards a right relationship with Indigenous peoples. Make your legacy one of reconciliation, repair, and rematriation.