Indios Amigos: Aztec Allies and the (New) Spanish Conquest of La Florida

“Indios Amigos” highlights the vital yet often overlooked contributions of Aztec artisans and warriors who accompanied Tristán de Luna’s 1559 expedition to establish the first permenant Spanish settlement in Pensacola. Drawing from the thesis work of Christina Bolte, Collections Manager at the University of West Florida’s Archaeology Institute, the exhibit brings to life through history and science the resilience, cultural heritage, and adaptability of these indigenous allies in shaping the early history of La Florida.