ZUNI, NM (Nov. 14, 2024) — On Oct. 29-31, three Zuni art students and one Zuni food sovereignty intern had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program. Their involvement was made possible through a partnership between the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and Grand Canyon National Park, with funding from the National Park Foundation.
ZYEP Arts Assistant Coordinator Kandis Quam accompanied art apprentices Kallen Quetawki, 22 (Zuni pottery), Jalen Hannaweekea, 23 (Pueblo weaving), and Gregory Baca III, 19 (Pueblo embroidery) while ZYEP Food Sovereignty Specialist Zachary James accompanied Jaynie Lalio, 17, who worked with ZYEP this past summer through a food sovereignty internship.
The free cultural demonstrations took place at the Desert Watchtower, the easternmost developed area along the national park’s South Rim, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of the three days. The youth also had time to visit select spots along the South Rim.
On the first day, ZYEP staff supported the young participants as they got a feel for their presentations and how to engage with the gathered crowd. By the third day, they were comfortable with demonstrating their skills, answering questions and connecting with visitors without staff intervention.
“The first day was a little intense with the amount of people visiting us, but as the days passed, we gained our footing,” James said. “Overall, we had a great experience — from the beauty of the Grand Canyon itself to the many conversations with people from all over, from New York to France.”
Indeed, meeting people from around the world was a major highlight for the Zuni youth, especially since they also were gaining experience presenting themselves and their culture. According to Quam, the young people said they wanted to be like the older Zuni artists and cultural demonstrators, and they felt this experience would help them achieve that goal.
“Although they were nervous initially, they definitely had fun and said they would love to do it again,” she said. “It’s a challenge to learn how to relay cultural knowledge concisely, in a friendly and culturally appropriate way, but they all found their footing.”
While the art students showcased specific pieces of their artwork that also were available for purchase, the food sovereignty cultural demonstration was dedicated to knowledge sharing. Lalio talked with visitors about ZYEP’s efforts to increase knowledge about nutrition and agriculture among Zuni youth; she also participated in the “We Are Grand” panel alongside the 2023-24 Zuni Royalty.
“The Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program is important because it allows young people like Jaynie to build their skills in public speaking, make new connections and follow new pathways,” James said. “It allows them to jump out of their comfort zones and share who they are as resilient Native individuals.”
ZYEP first participated in the program in August 2023 with art apprentices LaShea Harris, Chasady Simplicio and Cassandra Tsalate. The youth project returned in May of this year with art apprentices Keely Bobelu, Breydon Othole and Chasady Simplicio, as well as food sovereignty intern Kailin Quam.
Kandis Quam said it was an honor to see this new group of Zuni youth grow and gain in confidence, becoming the next generation of leaders and culture bearers for Zuni Pueblo.
“This was such a significant opportunity for them,” she said. “Not only did they get to represent themselves to an audience they would never meet in our local community, they also served as ambassadors for our tribe.”
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.
The purpose of the Cultural Demonstration Program is to give members of those 11 traditionally associated tribes a voice at Grand Canyon by supporting interactions with the public through demonstrations of traditional Native practices and crafts. Made possible by grants from the Grand Canyon Conservancy, the program began in 2014 and continues to grow.
“We would like to thank the National Park Service staff who contributed so much to our young people’s positive experience at Grand Canyon in October,” Quam said. “Dan Pawlak, Kelli Jones, Lakin Epaloose and Meranden Numkena made a positive impact on all of us.”
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.
