San Antonio, TX, October 16, 2025
News Summary
The Alamo has faced backlash after deleting a social media post that honored Indigenous Peoples Day, following criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. The post acknowledged the history of Indigenous communities and referenced plans for an Indigenous Peoples Gallery at the upcoming Alamo Visitor Center. Advocates express concerns this deletion further erases Indigenous narratives, prompting a review of the Alamo’s social media practices and its overall historical representation, particularly as renovations are set to cost approximately $550 million.
San Antonio — The Alamo deleted a social media post honoring Indigenous Peoples Day after criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. The deletion has prompted a review of social media oversight, renewed debate over how the Alamo presents history, and concern from Indigenous advocates about erasure of Indigenous presence at the site.
What happened
The Alamo deleted a social media post honoring Indigenous Peoples Day after criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. The now-deleted post recognized Indigenous communities’ history linked to the Alamo and mentioned plans for an Indigenous Peoples Gallery at the forthcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027. Following the post’s deletion, Buckingham is seeking to hold personnel responsible and implement a new oversight process for social media content.
Immediate responses and oversight
Buckingham condemned the post and said she did not authorize it and initiated a review of how the Alamo Trust approves social media content. The Texas General Land Office oversees the Alamo, which is managed by the nonprofit Alamo Trust under a contractual agreement. The Land Commissioner’s actions include reviewing approval processes and pursuing accountability for the unauthorized social media content.
Reactions from Indigenous advocates
Ramón J. Vasquez, executive director of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, criticized the deletion of the post and said Buckingham’s comments could contribute to the erasure of Indigenous history. Vasquez has been a member of the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee since 2014, advocating for a broader narrative encompassing Indigenous perspectives. Advocates have highlighted archaeological evidence that predates the modern Alamo narrative and underscores long-term Indigenous presence at the site.
Historical and project context
Archaeological evidence indicates that American Indians have occupied the Alamo site for 13,000 years. The Alamo has faced criticism for promoting what some describe as a one-sided narrative regarding the Battle of the Alamo, which emphasizes white settler perspectives while overlooking Indigenous history. The controversy has reignited discussions on the representation of Texas’s complex history and the Alamo’s role in that narrative amid ongoing renovations.
The Alamo Visitor Center’s narrative is under scrutiny for containing a significant focus on themes like freedom and liberty while referencing slavery and enslaved numerous times. Buckingham’s actions have raised concerns about the future of the project aimed at highlighting the diverse history of the Alamo, which includes Mexican, Tejano, Indigenous, and African American perspectives.
Ongoing renovations at the Alamo are costing approximately $550 million. The project includes a new Alamo Visitor Center and Museum planned to open in 2027 and a proposed Indigenous Peoples Gallery. The Alamo site is expected to transition to oversight by a new Alamo Commission by January 1, 2028.
Governance and next steps
The Texas General Land Office continues to oversee the site while the nonprofit Alamo Trust manages daily operations under contract. State law calls for expanded governance involving multiple statewide elected officials, and the Alamo is scheduled to move under an Alamo Commission by January 1, 2028. Officials are reviewing social media approval steps and may change internal controls for public messaging.
What this means
The deletion and the response from the Land Commissioner have intensified scrutiny on how a prominent historic site balances competing narratives and the role of oversight in public messaging. Advocates seeking a broader historical narrative worry that the incident may slow or alter plans to fully incorporate Indigenous and other non-settler perspectives into the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deleted social post | The Alamo deleted a social media post honoring Indigenous Peoples Day after criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham |
| Post content | The now-deleted post recognized Indigenous communities’ history linked to the Alamo and mentioned plans for an Indigenous Peoples Gallery at the forthcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027 |
| Archaeological evidence | Archaeological evidence indicates that American Indians have occupied the Alamo site for 13,000 years |
| Oversight | The Texas General Land Office oversees the Alamo, which is managed by the nonprofit Alamo Trust under a contractual agreement |
| Renovation cost | Ongoing renovations at the Alamo are costing approximately $550 million |
| Governance change | The Alamo site is expected to transition to oversight by a new Alamo Commission by January 1, 2028 |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not specified | Indigenous Peoples Day post published on Alamo social media | Post later deleted |
| After publication (date not specified) | Texas Land Commissioner criticized the post and initiated a review | Buckingham announced review and sought personnel accountability |
| Following deletion (date not specified) | Indigenous advocates criticized the deletion and raised concerns | Public response and renewed debate |
| January 1, 2028 | Planned transition to oversight by a new Alamo Commission | State law mandate |
| 2027 (planned) | Alamo Visitor Center and Museum scheduled to open | Includes proposed Indigenous Peoples Gallery |
Visual statistics
Bars are illustrative relative indicators, not comparative metrics of the same units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Indigenous Peoples Day post?
The Alamo deleted a social media post honoring Indigenous Peoples Day after criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham
What did the deleted post say or include?
The now-deleted post recognized Indigenous communities’ history linked to the Alamo and mentioned plans for an Indigenous Peoples Gallery at the forthcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027
How did the Texas Land Commissioner respond?
Buckingham condemned the post and said she did not authorize it and initiated a review of how the Alamo Trust approves social media content
What did Indigenous advocates say?
Ramón J. Vasquez, executive director of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, criticized the deletion of the post and said Buckingham’s comments could contribute to the erasure of Indigenous history
What does the archaeological record show?
Archaeological evidence indicates that American Indians have occupied the Alamo site for 13,000 years
Who manages and oversees the Alamo?
The Texas General Land Office oversees the Alamo, which is managed by the nonprofit Alamo Trust under a contractual agreement
How much are the renovations costing?
Ongoing renovations at the Alamo are costing approximately $550 million
What is the timeline for the new governance?
The Alamo site is expected to transition to oversight by a new Alamo Commission by January 1, 2028
Has this controversy affected the Visitor Center narrative?
The Alamo Visitor Center’s narrative is under scrutiny for containing a significant focus on themes like freedom and liberty while referencing slavery and enslaved numerous times
Could this affect the broader historical project at the Alamo?
Buckingham’s actions have raised concerns about the future of the project aimed at highlighting the diverse history of the Alamo, which includes Mexican, Tejano, Indigenous, and African American perspectives
Who on advisory committees has pushed for broader narratives?
Vasquez has been a member of the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee since 2014, advocating for a broader narrative encompassing Indigenous perspectives
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- News4SanAntonio
- Wikipedia: The Alamo
- Express News
- Google Search: The Alamo Indigenous Peoples Day
- San Antonio Current
- Google Scholar: The Alamo Indigenous Peoples Day
- New York Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: The Alamo
- Lubbock Online
- Google News: The Alamo Indigenous
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