Tierra o Muerte: The Tierra Amarilla Conflict

Created by Cobre High School students Elias Guadiana, Cheyanne Medrano, and Mateo Salcido, this exhibition explores the 1967 Tierra Amarilla Courthouse Raid and its lasting impact on land‑grant activism in New Mexico. Developed for the 2025 National History Day competition, the project reflects months of research, analysis, and creative interpretation guided by their teacher, Julie Gutierrez.

National History Day is a year‑long academic program that encourages middle and high school students to investigate historical topics through primary sources and present their findings in formats ranging from documentaries to exhibitions. Each year’s broad theme—such as “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History”—invites students to delve into subjects that resonate with their interests and communities. As student Cheyanne Medrano noted, “I really enjoyed working on this project because of the details I learned surrounding the event; if you don’t have the historical context, a lot of importance is lost.”

Supported by the Historical Society of New Mexico, National History Day fosters a deeper understanding of the state’s past and the broader Southwest Borderlands. The New Mexico History Museum is proud to participate by hosting the northern regional contest and showcasing outstanding student work. Tierra o Muerte highlights the dedication of young historians whose scholarship brings renewed attention to pivotal moments in New Mexico’s story.

Photo credit: Mateo Salcido. R-L: Elias Guadiana, Mateo Salcido, Cheyanne Medrano