Flow of the River: Corre el Rio

From the Introduction:

This is the eternal paradox of the river: it is always changing, yet it always remains the same. Throughout the centuries it has provided life-giving water to the people of New Mexico, and it has provided continuity.

Observing the successive seasons of the river makes one aware of the strength of the two forces, continuity and change. In spring the rush of water is turbulent, in summer it is sluggish and heavy with fertile silt, in autumn the water is mellow, in winter it's nearly frozen and silent. How closely these observable changes in the river reflect both continuity and change in the lives of people and of the cultures of the Rio Grande.

Man and his technology also change the river. Man dams the water and controls its flow, and diverts the water into new channels. Man's need and use of the water creates new relationships among the cultures of the Rio Grande, changing the landscape and redefining boundaries. Also, each new tide of immigration into the valley creates a change in the affairs of the people.

This is the issue before us today. Beneath that flood of change lies the stable bedrock of the old cultures. How can we preserve and encourage the established languages, traditions and values of the Indian and Hispano cultures of the Rio Grande? How can we insure that in New Mexico the diversity of cultures continues in a balance and harmony which is beneficial to the people? Instead of idly standing by and watching the flood of change sweep over the land we must use our sense of history and humanity to guide the flow of change for the benefit of our people.