ZUNI, NM (Oct. 23, 2023) — Earlier this month, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s “Rooted in Healthy Traditions” youth mentors traveled to Albuquerque for a wellness conference on Oct. 2-3 titled “Rekindle the Spirit: How to Regain Our Sense of Self and Community Post-Pandemic.” ZYEP Program Manager Tara Wolfe and Youth Development Coordinator Kiara “Kiki” Zunie chaperoned six young people to the Isleta Resort and Casino for the conference, which drew more than 100 attendees from 15 Native communities in Arizona and New Mexico.
The RHT mentorship program is made possible with support from the Zuni Education and Career Development Center. The Loan Fund, in collaboration with Sundance Educational Consulting Inc., provided scholarship funds so the youth mentors could take advantage of this special development opportunity.
“The conference focused on personal, interpersonal and spiritual wellness, and it provided opportunities for both youth and adults to learn about physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellness post-pandemic,” said Christine B. Becker of Sundance Educational Consulting Inc.
During the two-day conference, ZYEP’s staff and youth mentors explored personal wellness, build relationships, connect with spirit, and address the pandemic’s impact as a shared experience of prolonged stress. Malcolm Bowekaty of Zuni Pueblo gave the keynote speech.
“This conference was different from any other that I have ever been to, because it talked about grieving, healing and moving forward as we move away from the pandemic,” Wolfe said. “It also talked about gratitude and being able to communicate, especially sharing words of appreciation and encouragement.”
“It was a great conference that allowed us to feel all our emotions while tuning into our strengths and abilities,” Zunie added. “It gave everyone the chance to learn new stress-relieving techniques, build communication skills, and form connections with surrounding indigenous programs and schools. I offer my thanks to the organizers, our sponsors, and our session leaders, as well as to our youth mentors, who engaged in the sessions and stepped outside their comfort zones.”
During the conference, attendees learned new tools to help navigate times of stress, including acupressure/acupuncture, energy work, psychocalisthenics, traditional healing, yoga, cultural storytelling and art, meditation, open communication, and ceremonies of spirituality. Wolfe said Kelly Noble’s session about energy work was her favorite.
“She talked about synergies and energy work, and she stressed how important it is that we have the ability from within to control our energetic inputs and outputs,” she explained.
“I agree, Kelly’s session was very engaging as she shared personal experiences of growth and ways to properly utilize your energy,” Zunie said. “One message I took away: Everyone is unique in their way to handle tough situations, and this includes the way you speak of it and the ways you work through it. If you dwell on the negative, it will be hard to get yourself out of the uncomfortable emotions it attracts. However, if you take a step back, find a sense of optimism, and feel gratitude despite the challenge, resilience is possible.”
Attending the conference with Wolfe and Zunie were Aidan Banteah-Yuselew, 19; Aaliyah Kaamasee, 19; Jazlyn Lalio, 21; Natalia Lucero, 18; Kallen Quetawki, 21; and Leilani Walela, 18. At ZYEP, these dedicated young people are responsible for mentoring youth in the Rooted in Healthy Traditions after-school program, which serves 3rd through 5th graders at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School and students at Zuni Middle School.
ZYEP designed the program to strengthen the connection Zuni youth have with their language and culture while engaging in physical activity, art, food sovereignty and knowledge-sharing. These elements are vital to the long-term well-being of Zuni youth and the larger Zuni community, because today’s young people are tomorrow’s leaders and culture bearers.
According to Wolfe, this conference was an important opportunity for the youth mentors, who attended a variety of sessions, including traditional healing and yoga. They had opportunities to tell their own stories through art, and they learned to refine their communication, active-listening, and relationship-building skills.
“The storytelling session was the one that resonated with me the most, because I had to think about my whole life and choose what events I wanted to highlight,” Lalio said. “It made me think about my life as a whole. One thing I’ll take away from this experience is that no matter what obstacles you might face, there’s always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to share this with the kids, because you never know how much they’re struggling. You want to give them that hope, that knowing that it will get better.
“I also want to share ideas about ways you can destress and find a sense of peace after a hard day,” she continued. “I would like to find ways to help bring a new enjoyment of old hobbies to help a person relax.”
Walela said the spiritual healing and meditation sessions resonated most with her, because they gave her a sense of peace and calm. They also helped remind her of her purpose, and the importance of staying present.
“Being told to let go of all insecurities and things that are bothering me, and to live in the present, was an eye-opener for me,” she said. “One thing I want to share with the children is a game we played that focused on communication and working together to get to the finish line. I also want to bring the idea to our community that it is good to accept yourself, practice mindfulness, and acknowledge your own strengths.”
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.
