Description
Spanish and Mexican government policy allowed and encouraged the capture and purchase of Indigenous peoples. This presentation discusses how these captives were acquired and treated, as slaves who were considered little more than chattel, compared to those who were raised as adopted children. Emphasis focuses on the Apache, Navajo, Ute and other native captives that developed into an element of Hispanic New Mexico society known as Genízaros.
New Mexican native Robert Tórrez served as state historian from 1987-2000. He has researched New Mexico archives for decades. He authored several books and contributed chapters to nearly two dozen anthologies and textbooks.