ZUNI, N.M. (June 16, 2026) — This spring, Zuni Middle School students engaged in traditional dance, food sovereignty, art and career exploration thanks to a partnership between the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and Zuni Public School District. Through a fourth-quarter elective class and the Rooted in Healthy Traditions after-school program, youth connected with cultural teachings, explored future pathways and built relationships with mentors throughout the community.
Zuni Middle School Elective Class
A fourth-quarter highlight took place on May 7, when students from the ZMS elective class opened the Zuni Senior Center’s Elder Awareness Day celebration with the buffalo dance, showcasing weeks of learning and practice for their families and Zuni elders. The performance also marked a departure from previous years, when the elective class culminated with the school’s Indigenous Day celebration.
“Indigenous Day this year took place two weeks before our elective started,” explained Rani Yamutewa, ZYEP’s youth development leader. “Fortunately our program manager, Tara Wolfe, was able to connect the ZYEP students to something just as meaningful and powerful — bringing together youth and elders at the Zuni Senior Center.”
“The connection between students and elders is what is needed,” said S. Mahooty, parent of one of the participating students. “They are our first teachers. I truly appreciate those resources out there for our students to utilize, and the teachings ZYEP provides.”
ZYEP partnered with ZMS teacher Pamela Tsadiasi to offer the elective class, which ran from March until May. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, students learned dance techniques, hand movements and the meanings behind dances such as buffalo, deer, turkey, corn, Mu:bachu, Supai and harvest. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they explored traditional regalia through a hands-on art project, building plush bears and making regalia to fit them.
The class has taken a holistic approach to dance for three consecutive years, allowing students to learn not only the movements but also the purpose and protocol connected with what they are practicing. It also allows them to learn about dressing for the traditional social dances using regalia items such as monta, kilt, belt, moccasins and jewelry.
“This quarter’s arts and dance class was exciting,” Tsadiasi said. “Students were given facts about how to dress in traditional social dances and the ‘why’ behind the regalia. While doing so, the students were given an art project, which was to dress their own bear in traditional girls’ or boys’ regalia. This included sewing their own regalia.”
For Tsadiasi, the students’ Elder Awareness Day performance was a meaningful culmination of the quarter.
“Middle school students are challenging to teach,” she said. “I praise the ZYEP staff for giving their best effort, first and foremost, to come in and be excited to teach the students to dance. There was some resistance, but the overall dance performance was emotional for me — and exciting to see that the majority of the students enjoyed their day with their elders.”
Rooted in Healthy Traditions After-School Program
Alongside the elective class, ZYEP also completed its fourth year of the Rooted in Healthy Traditions after-school program at ZMS. Held March 31 to May 14, the program served 17 students in seventh, eighth and ninth grades through an integrated curriculum focused on food sovereignty, traditional art, youth development and career exploration.
Participants prepared healthy recipes, learned about agriculture and food systems, created traditional art, and strengthened their communication and teamwork skills. They also explored available educational and career opportunities through site visits and special guests.
The Albuquerque-based Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum provided hands-on activities at ZMS, and staff from Zuni’s Shumak’olo:wa Health Center visited the school as well. Site visits included the Pueblo of Zuni’s conservation and sustainable agriculture programs; Twin Buttes Cyber Academy; the Zuni Education & Career Development Center; and Zuni-owned grocery store Major Market Inc.
The program placed additional emphasis on the arts, bringing students to the Ancestral Rich Treasures of Zuni (ARTZ) Cooperative and A:shiwi Tribal College. They learned about the services each location provides to the local arts community and discovered how they could build and use their skills to earn income.
“Art holds great importance in Zuni culture and our community, and we want to give our youth an opportunity to see how much support they can receive, whether they choose to be artists full- or part-time,” said Kandis Quam, ZYEP’s art leader.
Multiple staff members have been involved with RHT since its inception. Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator, said she has deeply appreciated the opportunity to watch students grow from age 11 to 14 — and the opportunity to grow as a programming team alongside them.
“I’m beyond grateful to have been part of RHT and witnessed its growth since the first year,” she said. “We had to learn ways to improve for the students each semester, and it led many to grow on their own and succeed in their academic journeys. I’m super appreciative of the team, past and present, who made it all possible.”
“RHT has a significant impact on tweens during a pivotal time in their lives, one in which they have to choose their path,” added Wolfe. “ZYEP staff and mentors provide a meaningful connection that helps influence the youth to become strong, healthy, resilient adults who have grown in Zuni culture, language and pride.
“This year was special, because the ninth grade became part of the middle school. The youth who were in the program when it started are still in the program, and that is so meaningful to me and to Kiki.”
This spring’s survey results reflected growth in several areas. Among students who completed pre- and post-program surveys, the percentage reporting a strong sense of belonging to the Zuni community increased from 36 to 64 percent; opportunities to learn about Zuni culture increased from 36 to 82 percent; and knowledge of traditional foods, crops and gardening increased from 45 to 82 percent.
In their written feedback, students also highlighted the social and cultural aspects of the experience.
“One thing I learned while in the program is to have fun with people you don’t know,” one participant shared.
Another wrote, “ZYEP is the best and fun. They help the community.”
The program had a lasting impact on the RHT mentors as well. They acknowledged the importance of stepping outside their own comfort zones, and they said they finished the semester with a sense of fulfillment and a deeper appreciation for the role mentors play in young people’s lives.
“Being an after-school program mentor was such a rewarding experience,” Victoria Dosedo said. “One of the best highlights was seeing the growth and confidence in the kids. I especially loved those moments when a student finally understood a tough concept or shared their excitement about a new skill they learned.”
“My experience with RHT at ZMS was the best,” agreed Tamia Cachini. “On the first day, I was so nervous to meet the students because I’d never worked with this age group before. But the students were amazing! Each has their own lively and creative personality, and we shared so many laughs. Thank you, ZYEP, for another amazing year of RHT. I am grateful for every moment of this program.”
ZYEP’s in- and after-school programs are made possible with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), McCune Charitable Foundation, New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Division, New Mexico Department of Health, NoVo Foundation, Seventh Generation Fund and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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.
