ZUNI, NM (Jan. 26, 2024) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project announced today that the 6th annual Delapna:we Project will feature a live performance showcase for the Zuni community at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Zuni Educational and Cultural Resources Center. Two stories about Suski (Coyote) will be shared through a play titled Suski an Delapna:we.
The Pueblo of Zuni Cultural Education and Resource Department generously approved use of its Zuni Cultural Resource Center during the week of Feb. 11-18 for Ho’n A:wan Productions, a collaboration between the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, Edaakie Arts, ShiwiSun Productions, Zuni Public Library, KSHI Radio and other Zuni community members.
Founded in 2018, the Delapna:we Project brings traditional Zuni stories to life through the performing arts. It is made possible with support from the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and New Mexico Arts (a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs).
This winter storytelling season, the Delapna:we Project has 23 participants ranging in age from 8 to 56. Since they began working together on Jan. 2, they have been building confidence, practicing voice projection, and developing their acting skills through a mixture of theater activities. They also had opportunities to share the expectations they will carry throughout the duration of the project, which concludes on Feb. 19.
“This includes respecting one another, helping one another, and teaching one another,” explained Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator.
In addition, project leaders are incorporating the Zuni language throughout the activities. This gives participants a variety of opportunities to learn, practice, and become more comfortable with speaking the language out loud and with others.
“One major highlight this month was Family Night, which took place on Thursday, Jan. 4,” Zunie said. “Our participants and their families were invited to a night of Delapna:we. Our project leaders welcomed them and shared a little about themselves, and then Keith Edaakie and Leanne Lee from Edaakie Arts gave a presentation and led an engaging activity that allowed families to interact and create their own stories.”
Throughout the month, ZYEP’s Food Sovereignty team has been preparing delicious snacks for the Delapna:we leaders, participants and supporters. These include tortilla stew with blue corn muffins, homemade jerky with hambassa (chinchweed) in partnership with Major Market Inc., and mini pizzas. During Family Night, the team provided burrito bowls for everyone.
“They were so good,” Zunie recalled. “The team received a lot of compliments from the families in attendance. They are in the process of creating a cookbook for families to take home due to the large number of requests for recipes!”
While the families ate, Curtis Quam, director of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, shared video footage documenting life in Zuni in 1923. He also provided historical context about Delapna:we.
Norene Lonasee, ZYEP youth development leader, then played 1960s audio recordings of Zuni elders sharing the stories selected for this year’s Delapna:we Project performance. She shared part of the script with families as well, giving them a preview of what they can expect during the Feb. 16 and 18 live performances.
These stories are priceless treasures for the Zuni people. After being shared and passed down for generations, they were in danger of being lost forever by the mid-20th century. Fortunately, the Doris Duke Foundation in New York provided necessary funding in the 1960s so the Zuni community could record 19 elders sharing more than 800 stories.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
