Welcome to the New Mexico Euskal Etxea Member Portrait of Samuel Ulibarri.

Samuel Ulibarri traces his Basque ancestory back to the original Spanish colonization of New Mexico. He is very active in a number of activities related to his heritage, including historical reenactment and serving last year on the NMEE board. Here, Samuel takes a moment to be interviewed for the NMEE website.

NMEE: When and where were you born?

Samuel: I was born on the 13th of April, 1984 in Santa Fe, NM, and yes it was on a Friday.

NMEE: Where did you grow up?

Samuel: I grew up mostly in Santa Fe, but I also spent alot of time with my grandparents in Los Brazos, NM where I learned the ins and outs of cattle ranching in northern NM.

NMEE: What role has the Basque culture played in your life?

Samuel: Honestly not a whole lot until recently. My ancestor, Antonio de los Reyes Ulibarri came to NM in 1693 with de Vargas and during the era of Spanish expansion, so not too many notable Basque cultural traits were passed on, except maybe for sheep herding. But, when my father found out about our Basque heritage about ten years ago, his curiosity and zeal for understanding it and learning about it passed on to me.

NMEE: You have been involved in several events and activities honoring your Ulibarri ancestor, including writing a book about him. How did you come to be so involved in these events?

Samuel: I have been an active reenactor and living historian for about seven years now, first with Civil War reenacting and then with Spanish Colonial reenacting. The fact that there are not too many of us in this State makes us valuable assets for historical commemorations, fiestas, and educating the public on various asspects of NM history that have been supressed by recent political drama or just forgotten. Once you wear an authentic uniform from centuries past, and live out in the field for a few days and march and sweat and practice the lifestyle of the European men and women who helped shaped this part of the earth, you develop a devotion towards it, and you begin to understand and appreciate history, no matter how much you may disagree with the principals that were exercised back then. And of course then you research and study in order to educate and better understand what exactly you are reenacting.

NMEE: What does honoring your ancestor mean to you?

Samuel: Honoring my ancestors means to never forget the roles they played in history, no matter how small, and to never take for granted their sacrifices, because had they not sacrificed something, I might not be here today. Also, telling their story and commemorating them is very important to me, because everyone is part of the "bigger picture" of history, no matter how small their role may be.

NMEE: When will the book you are writing on your ancestor be published?

Samuel: My book will be professionaly published as soon as I can find a publishing house that is content to publish a work that is short, to the point, and not filled with over educated words.

NMEE: Now that you are approaching graduation and marriage, what role do you see the Basque culture playing your future?

Samuel: Being an Anthropology minor, I will always continue to study Basque culture, and apply it to my life as an idetification of who I am. Any kind of culture is important because it gives us a sense of identity, direction, and purpose. Basque culture will continue to help me identify who I am and will hopefully give me something to pass on to my descendants.

NMEE: What are your hopes and vision for NMEE?

Samuel: I hope that the NMEE will be able to reach the younger generations of Basque descendants via sports, music, etc. Because identity among youths is important and they will be the next in line when we pass on. Otherwise, I hope that the NMEE will continue to develop into an organization dedicated to educating people on the Basque culture and history that is relavent to NM, and continue to be a bridge for people to reconnect with Iberian Basque culture.

NMEE: Eskerrik asko, Samuel!