Laboratory Director Bob Kuckuck, second from right, shares a laugh with Santa Clara Pueblo Gov. Joseph Bruce Tafoya, center, and others attending the 19th cooperative agreement executive meeting Monday in Española. The Department of Energy/Lab has accord agreements with Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Jemez and Cochiti pueblos regarding matters of mutual interest. Kuckuck was attending the cooperative agreement executive meeting for the first time as Laboratory director. "Through the cooperative agreement, a true meaningful relationship has been established and provides a mechanism for discussing and making decisions on important issues or concerns relating to the operations of the Laboratory," said Kuckuck. He added that the cooperative agreement has been a vital tool in bringing the Laboratory and pueblos together, in building a trustful relationship and "respecting the sovereignty and ancestral home lands of the pueblos." Left to right are Buck Koonce, deputy associate vice president in the UC Office of the President; Santa Clara Pueblo Lt. Gov. Michael Chavarria; Ed Wilmot of the National Nuclear Security Administration/DOE Los Alamos Site Office; Tafoya, Kuckuck and Elmer Torres of the Tribal Relations team in the Government Relations (GRO) Office.
