|
|
Juan de Oñate (1550? – 1626) was a Spanish explorer, colonial governor in New Spain, and founder of various settlements in the present day Southwest of the United States.
Born in the Mexican city of Zacatecas to Spanish colonists, he began his career as an Indian fighter in the frontier regions of northern Mexico. He married Isabel de Tolosa Cortés Moctezuma, a descendant of both Hernán Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, and the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma Xocoyotzin.
In 1595 he was ordered by Philip II to colonize the upper Rio Grande valley (explored by Francisco Coronado in 1540). His stated objective was to spread Roman Catholicism and establish new missions, however hopes of finding silver attracted most of his followers. He began the expedition in 1598, fording the Rio Grande at present-day Ciudad Juárez–El Paso crossing in May. That summer his party continued up the Rio Grande to present-day northern New Mexico, where he encamped among the Pueblo Indians. He founded the Province of New Mexico and became the province's first governor.
Oñate soon gained a reputation as a stern ruler, to both his restless Spanish colonists who sought precious metals, and the indigenous people who suddenly found themselves under alien rule. His infamous suppression of the Ácoma revolt, in which one foot of the male captives were amputated by the Spaniards is still bitterly recalled.
In 1606, Oñate was recalled to Mexico City for a hearing into his conduct. After finishing plans for the foundation of New Mexico, he resigned his post, was tried, and eventually after delays, he was convicted of cruelty to both Indians and colonists, and adultery. He was banished from New Mexico, Oñate spent much of the rest of his life attempting to clear his name. Eventually Oñate went to Spain, where the king gave him the position of mining inspector. He died in Spain in 1626.
Oñate is a controversial figure. Honored by some Anglo-Americans and Hispanics for his explorative ventures, he is still disdained by many Native Americans for his alleged cruelty to the Acoma Pueblo people.
In the Oñate Monument Visitors Center northeast of Española on New Mexico 68 is the 1991 bronze statute dedicated to the man. In 1998 New Mexico celebrated the 400th anniversary of his arrival, but that same year Pueblo Indians cut off the statue's right foot. The sculptor, Reynaldo Rivera, recast the foot but the seam is still visible. Some commentators suggested leaving the statue maimed as a symbolic reminder of the Ácoma incident.