Growing up in Zuni Pueblo, I was surrounded by the beauty of our lands, the strength of our culture and the resilience of our people. Yet, like many children in our community, I didn’t always have opportunities to fully engage with the outdoors in meaningful ways. That changed when I became involved with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, first as a participant, then as a counselor and now as the executive director.
Since 2009, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project has been dedicated to providing Zuni youth with opportunities to connect with their culture, strengthen their well-being and build confidence through outdoor learning. For years, we relied on community-driven efforts to make these experiences possible. But in recent years, the Outdoor Equity Fund has played a transformative role in expanding our work, allowing us to increase access to culturally significant outdoor programs, reach more youth and create a sustainable model for engaging future generations.
