In 1837 he was part of the New Mexican Río Arriba Rebellion which briefly made first José María González and then Montoya governor of New Mexico.
Both González and Montoya were both Taos Pueblo Indians and led the Junta Popular, the most ethnically inclusive government in the history of New Mexico.
[3][4] In September of that year he led an army of 3000 rebels to within a league and a half of Santa Fe, where he arranged a truce with Gen. Manuel Armijo.
He secured his personal immunity by turning over the planners of the rebellion, who were jailed in Santa Fe and later executed by Armijo's forces.
[5] In January 1847 Montoya participated in the insurrection against United States rule in New Mexico, begun by those who did not accept the Mexican governor's surrender.