Albuquerque, NM (Dec. 04, 2012) – On December 10th, a groundbreaking ceremony will take place to begin the renovation of the last standing original building of the historic Albuquerque Indian School (AIS) which will serve in the near future as the new school building for the Native American Community Academy (NACA).

The building, located on federal trust land for the 19 Pueblos, is located at Indian School Road and 12th Street NW. The building’s history includes serving as office space and as the headquarters for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Southern Pueblos Agency.

The 81-year-old building, originally known as building 232, escaped demolition by the federal government when this portion of the Indian School property was moved into trust land, to be held by the 19 New Mexico Pueblos earlier this year.

The $2.6 million dollar project is funded from three sources - state capital outlay, federal grant dollars from the Human Resources & Services Administration and private financing. Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc., (IPMI) a federally chartered, Section 17 for-profit corporation operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, is leading the project and will lease the building to NACA.

Rick Bennett Architects of Albuquerque is providing the design work and the general contractor will be announced during the ground breaking ceremony.

The Native American Community Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving 340 students from 37 different tribes who are in middle and high school (grades six through 12). It is currently located in the SoutheastHeights in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kara Bobroff, NACA’s Principal said, “NACA families and students are excited about the move. There are many opportunities to further build off the success of the many partnerships and community resources in the area. We look forward to accessing the enriching opportunities, particularly at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center located close by. We also look forward to the new building and establishing one of NACA’s new homes.”

The project will be finished in the summer of 2013 and ready for the fall session according to Michael Canfield, President & CEO of Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc. “On behalf of the 19 Pueblos, we are delighted to bring education back to the AIS property by providing a home for the Native American Community Academy.” Canfield said.

“The building located on tribal land and the former site of AIS makes this a perfect match for NACA. We are also delighted that we were able to save the last building from the AlbuquerqueIndian School. This is truly a historical asset that will continue to play an important role in educating our children for many years to come.” He said.

Tribal, state and federal dignitaries are expected to attend the groundbreaking as well as NACA students, parents and Department of Interior officials.

The groundbreaking will begin at 10 a.m. on December 10, 2012 and will be followed by a short reception.

The address is 1000 Indian School Rd. NW on East of the Holiday Inn Express, near 12thSt. NW & I-40.