ZUNI, NM (May 29, 2025) — On May 13-15, two Advanced Artist Apprentices from the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project traveled to Arizona to share Zuni art and cuisine through the Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program at Desert View Watchtower. ZYEP Food Sovereignty Coordinator Brittny Seowtewa and Built Environment Leader Enric Tsalate accompanied the young adults as chaperones, with Tsalate also serving as cultural advisor.
The Grand Canyon trip marked the culmination of ZYEP’s six-month Advanced Artist Apprenticeship, an intensive program for the top three students from the youth project’s Emerging Artist Apprenticeships; it is made possible with support from the Bezos Family Foundation. This year’s advanced apprentices are Ryanna Waatsa-Kaskalla, 17 (watercolor painting); Janiece “Dawa” Chapella, 18 (Pueblo cooking); and Mary Peynetsa, 20 (cross-stitching).
Peynetsa and Chapella were able to make the May trip to Grand Canyon National Park. During her cultural demonstrations, Peynetsa showcased and sold handmade crocheted hats, embroidered aprons, beaded bracelets and prints of paintings.
Chapella sold Zuni sourdough bread, blue corn sweet tamales, parched corn, twice-baked Zuni pudding and dehydrated chile jerky, all of which quickly sold out. So, on the second and third days, she demonstrated how to parch corn and make the twice-baked Zuni pudding.
National Park Service rangers assisted with the pudding demonstration, as did several other volunteers from the audience — both adults and children.
“I know I’ll always remember that morning, when four NPS staff members took on the arduous task of mixing the he’balokya, the Zuni wheat pudding,” Tsalate said. “They are a force to be reckoned with!”
Before contact, Zuni pudding was made with corn and honey. When the Zuni people got wheat from the Spanish, they realized they could get double the volume because of the gluten; they also decided to replace honey with sugar, as they could use less of it, and it was easier to obtain.
Chapella offered samples so everyone would have the opportunity to taste this traditional treat. Seowtewa said, for her, the highlight of the entire experience was watching these young artists gain confidence as they talked with visitors from around the world.
“It can be quite nerve-wracking to showcase personal artwork and demonstrate the process,” she explained. “It was a privilege to witness Janiece and Mary thrive in their interactions.
“Both participants received a lot of questions regarding their art forms, Zuni and its culture, and ZYEP programming,” she continued. “They answered these questions with confidence. Both also received compliments and praise from visitors. One in particular praised both artists for learning about, teaching and uplifting our ancestral ways of life.”
Tsalate noted that this was the first visit to the Grand Canyon for both young artists. It was a great experience to see them representing the Pueblo of Zuni, he said, and to see the support from visitors.
“Some visitors left memorable impressions and positive comments with the apprentices, reminding them to keep up the great work, thanking them for sharing part of Zuni culture and reaffirming the message to ‘never forget your Zuni culture and heritage,’” he shared.
During their stay at the Grand Canyon, Peynetsa and Chapella also had opportunities to explore Desert View Watchtower, visit the main visitor center to watch the “We Are the Canyon” film, attend a Hopi dance group’s presentation of a Zuni Butterfly dance and learn more about sites of cultural significance along the rim.
In addition, Seowtewa, Tsalate, Peynetsa and Chapella were sworn in as Junior Park Rangers. As part of this experience, they received a special tour of the watchtower, visiting the top and taking in its spectacular views.
“As always, we would like to thank the Grand Canyon NPS staff and the Grand Canyon Conservancy staff for their support, hospitality and laughter,” Tsalate said. “Trips that connect the youth with the Grand Canyon would not be possible without their support.”
“The best part of trips like this is building connections with youth and watching them grow into strong adults who are slowly making positive changes that will have an impact on their lives as well as on the lives around them,” Seowtewa said. “I am excited to see our young artists create a space in the art world for themselves.
“We are forever grateful to the wonderful Grand Canyon staff who create welcoming spaces for our up-and-coming artists,” she added. “All of this would not be possible without their hospitality and their support of the 11 tribes that call the Grand Canyon home.”
Grand Canyon has been home to 11 tribes for generations, which means it is more than a national park, a World Heritage Site and a natural wonder of the world. It’s a sacred space for entire peoples: Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, Yavapai-Apache, Kaibab band of Southern Paiute, Las Vegas band of Southern Paiute, Moapa band of Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribes of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and Zuni.
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.
