For almost two decades, 80-year-old Joe Sando from the Pueblo of Jemez, served as the Director for the Institute for Pueblo Indian Studies/Pueblo Archives housed at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sando is a noted historian, author, consultant and lecturer who is a living, breathing resource of historical and genealogical knowledge for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.

He has served on numerous boards throughout the state (e.g., Chamisa Foundation, National Hispanic Cultural Center, National Indian Education Committee, State Judicial Council, New Mexico Council of American Indians and New Mexico State Fair Indian Village Committee.

He is a renowned author of several books such as,”Pueblo Indian Biographies,” “Pueblo Profiles,” and “Pueblo Nations.”  Some of the awards Sando has received include:  Literary Excellence – Bravo Awards; Outstanding Alumnae of Eastern New Mexico University; State Heritage Preservation Award; Excellence in the Humanities Award; Lifetime Achievement Award of Indian Librarians and Indian History Teachers and the Eugene Crawford Memorial Peace Pipe Award.

He has traveled extensively throughout the world lecturing on the history and culture of the Pueblo Indian people.  He has been integral to the education all peoples about the Pueblo culture and history and has promoted the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people New Mexico.