ZUNI, N.M. (April 20, 2026) — Last month, young adults from the Pueblo of Zuni traveled to Grand Canyon National Park for a three-night backpacking trip with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project. They returned home with new skills, shared experiences and a deeper understanding of their cultural connection to the land.
Made possible with support from the National Recreation Foundation and the 11th Hour Project, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, the March 16-19 trip was part of ZYEP’s ongoing Connect to Land programming. Youth Development Coordinator Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, Operations Manager Josh Kudrna and Built Environment Leader Enric Tsalate, who also served as cultural advisor, led six youth participants ages 17-23.
The journey began with a stop at Walnut Canyon National Monument, where the group completed the 1-mile Island Trail loop and visited ancestral cliff dwellings.
“Walnut Canyon was a great warmup hike for talking to them about hiking in the Grand Canyon since the mile-long loop includes a few hundred stairs to climb,” Kudrna said. “It gave them an idea of what they should expect from the steepness of the canyon.”
From there, the group departed for the Mather Campground on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, where they spent their first night. According to Kudrna, they awoke to an unexpected wildlife encounter.
“We woke up on Tuesday morning to a large group of elk meandering through our campground,” he said. “Everyone was enamored with how close the elk were willing to get to us and being able to have that moment before we started the hike.”
The group met National Park Service Tribal Programs Coordinator Kelkiyana Yazzie at the Bright Angel Trailhead, and they began their descent into the canyon. They hiked roughly 5 miles to Havasupai Gardens Campground, which served as their base camp.
“I kept thinking, ‘Wow, I really am about to backpack down the canyon to Havasupai Gardens,’” said participant Keely Bobelu, 23. “It was surreal, especially having such an energetic group.”
Fellow participant Alexie Shack, 21, said some of her favorite memories came from that evening at camp.
“Everyone was chilling, sitting at the little stream just talking and laughing,” she remembered. “But something I learned from being in that space was how the Havasupai were forced to leave their homes, and hearing that just made me think about how they must’ve felt.”
On Wednesday, participants continued deeper into the canyon. When they reached the Colorado River, they spent several hours resting, cooking a meal and taking in the canyon environment.
“We spent about four to five hours along the river, and our group enjoyed the water,” Kudrna said. “They even took a dip to stay cool.”
“My highlight was being down by the river and absorbing the scenery, sounds and spiritual connection,” Bobelu said. “You can feel the presence of many people who came before us, the ones who resided down in the canyon.”
Throughout the trip, the group learned about the canyon’s natural features, including minerals, plants, wildlife and geological formations. They also built practical skills related to camping and backpacking in extreme environments, including how to prepare gear and supplies and which items to prioritize.
“Now I know how much to pack, like what healthy food I can pack that’s suitable for hot weather,” (Keely) said. “I also learned a lot from hearing Enric talk about our ancestors.”
Cultural teachings and Zuni language were woven into each day. Before departing Zuni, participants offered prayers and cornmeal, asking for protection and guidance. During the trip, they made daily morning offerings to Father Sun.
“This offering is an impactful learning experience for the youth participants because it commemorates what our ancestors were instructed upon their emergence to this world with an emphasis that we must continue to give offerings to this day,” Tsalate said. “It also is an offering to our ancestors, reminding us that we are not alone in a sacred place and that we are visiting with intention and respect.”
The group also made offerings at springs and waterways, praying to the spirits of the water that they bring rains to the Middle Place (Zuni), and they made offerings before returning home. They also identified ancestral sites along ancient migration routes described in Zuni oral history.
On the final night, the group gathered for reflection. This included the recitation of part of the emergence history, a moment that helped ground everyone before the challenging hike back up to the rim.
That return hike on Thursday required careful planning due to unusually high March temperatures. With a heat wave pushing temperatures to 102 degrees at the canyon floor and 92 degrees at Havasupai Gardens, the group began hiking early to stay in the shade.
“The group voted to wake up at 6 a.m. and get packed without breakfast so we could start our hike quickly,” Kudrna remembered. “It felt like a bit of a race against the clock.”
Despite the physical demands, participants supported one another throughout the ascent.
“On the way back up, everyone was supportive,” Zunie said. “We encouraged each other, some of the guys sang traditional songs, and the whole group kept each other going.”
For the participants, the backpacking trip left a lasting impression.
“Looking back, I realize it was quite a fun trip,” said Johnathon Niiha, 17. “Even though the second and last days were challenging, it was a great experience that I wish others could have. I also learned how much beauty of nature is often hidden. You just have to explore it to see it.”
For Zunie, the shared moments were what stood out most.
“One of the best parts of the trip was our late-night talk,” she said. “We asked them for advice for first-time backpackers. People shared tips like ‘pack smart’ and ‘take moments for yourself to be present.’ We laughed about how sore we were, yet we were mentally preparing to carry our weight out in the morning.
“I’m grateful to ZYEP for giving so many people the chance to learn and experience new things,” she added. “We gained a stronger sense of cultural identity, and we returned to Shiwi’na with greater strength and appreciation for those who came before us and for those who will walk in our footsteps.”
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. For updates, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
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.
