ZUNI, NM (Sept. 26, 2024) — For the 2024-25 school year, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project has partnered once again with the Zuni Public School District to offer youth enrichment programming inside and outside the classroom. ZYEP currently is working with 30 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in a special elective class at Zuni Middle School and 35 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders through its “Rooted in Healthy Traditions” after-school program at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School.
What’s more, ZYEP Food Sovereignty Leader Khassandria Hattie and Food Sovereignty Specialist Zachary James are working closely with physical education teacher Shanel Leekya to teach more than 450 Shiwi Ts’ana students in pre-K through fifth grade about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. Using New Mexico’s “Eat Smart to Play Hard” curriculum, they are sharing plant-based recipes with the children, engaging them in a four-week fruit-and-veggie challenge, and playing a series of fun, active games.
These school programs are conducted in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), New Mexico Behavioral Health, New Mexico Department of Healthy’s Healthy Kids Healthy Communities initiative and the Centers for Disease Control’s Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country. They also are made possible with essential local support from ZPSD and the Zuni Education and Career Development Center.
“The collaboration with ZYEP to provide our students with enriching programs such as Eat Smart Play Hard and Rooted in Healthy Traditions is such a blessing,” said Janis Bowekaty, principal at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School. “We are unified in the fact that we want our students to receive the best programs. Shiwi Ts’ana looks forward to many more years of continued partnership with ZYEP.”
The ZMS elective class, which began Aug. 5 and concludes Oct. 2, takes place Monday through Friday each week. ZYEP Art Leader Liam Simplicio teaches Traditional/Creative Art on Mondays and Wednesdays, ZYEP Youth Development Leader Rani Yamutewa teaches Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and they share the Friday class.
In the art class, students received a sketching kit that included different types of drawing tools and a personal art folder with drawing journal and extra paper. They learned the basics of drawing, sketching and collaging; they practiced how to sketch imagery related to Zuni culture and clans, including dragonflies, sunfaces and landscapes; and they practiced both self-portraits and caricature portraits.
Seventh-grader Shaniya Kinsel shared that she enjoyed the drawing activities, especially the clan sketches, and sixth-grader Lily Enote said she loved collaging. Seventh-grader Sydney Mahooty said she enjoyed traditional art activities like drawing dragonflies as well as learning how to talk to other people; her big goal is to “be able to stand up and talk in front of a crowd.”
In the SEL class, each student received a folder with a daily check-in sheet, positive affirmations and class materials. According to Yamutewa, the class goal was for students to learn how to work effectively as a team while also becoming aware of what it means to be truly inclusive.
“They continuously participated in icebreaker activities that required them to interact and partner with each other throughout the duration of the class,” Yamutewa said. “They also participated in a variety of activities that helped develop their self-awareness and self expression and build their confidence.”
Students learned about healthy communication skills and setting boundaries, as well. Activities like debates required them to be open to hearing classmates’ different perspectives. Along the way, they learned about taking care of their holistic well-being and how self-care can shape the way they function and experience the world around them.
Each day started with positive affirmations led by ZMS host teacher Erica Nahohai, who created both Shiwi’ma (Zuni) and English versions. Two sixth-graders volunteered to stand in front of the class on Sept. 12 to lead the affirmations in Zuni, a significant highlight.
Other highlights included the “worry monster,” constructed from a tissue box, into which students could place pieces of paper with their worries written down; and the bandanas students decorated with positive messages for the younger children in ZYEP’s after-school program.
Student Peyton Kallestewa said she really enjoyed decorating a bandana with positive quotes, and she aspires to improve her drawing skills. Fellow student Carter Coonsis said the SEL debate activity was one of his favorite activities.
Although the ZMS elective is coming to an end next week, the “Rooted in Healthy Traditions” after-school program is still going strong. This semester, RHT is taking place at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School from Aug. 27 through Nov. 7 and is serving nine third-graders, 10 fourth-graders and 16 fifth-graders.
Working with the children are third-grade mentors Keely Bobelu and Andrea Sophie Riley, fourth-grade mentors Kalil Edaakie and Raymond Homer, and fifth-grade mentors Ryann Cornelius and Jasmine Bradley. The mentors completed a weeklong ZYEP training program to prepare them for the experience.
“This is an incredibly strong team,” said Kiara “Kiki” Zunie, ZYEP’s youth development coordinator. “All of them have experience working with youth, and they have been doing an amazing job. I’m excited for what is to come!”
During the after-school program, ZYEP Youth Development Leader Norene Lonasee is leading Homework Help/Knowledge Sharing, during which she fosters a sense of belonging to Zuni community and culture through engaging, hands-on activities. These include creating clan potholders and quilt squares, going on nature walks to learn about traditional plants, and creating traditional sunfaces and bracelets with yarn.
“I have straws and yarn at home,” mused third-grader Chase Waikaniwa. “I want to make more!”
ZYEP Food Sovereignty Leader Kenzi Bowekaty and ZYEP Food Sovereignty Specialist Zachary James are providing opportunities to learn about modern and traditional food sovereignty methods to increase health and wellness outcomes. They are leading healthy food demonstrations, directing related arts and crafts activities, and taking the children on visits to the greenhouse.
“The children had the chance to harvest carrots, tomatoes, corn and cilantro from the greenhouse gardens in week 2,” Zunie said.
“It was my first time taking corn off the stalk!” said fourth-grader Sonny Miller. “It was fun.”
ZYEP Physical Activity Leader Esther Siutza is encouraging children to engage in both traditional and contemporary physical activities, with an emphasis on traditional Zuni values. And ZYEP Arts Assistant Coordinator Kandis Quam is teaching Zuni vocabulary, cultural significance in art, and hand-eye coordination through activities such as creating optical illusions, block painting, and a variety of crafts using crayon, cardboard and yarn.
Yarn crafts, in particular, can be challenging for students who are practice weaving techniques and gradually strengthening their motor skills. They got it in the end, Zunie said, using yarn to create ojos (eyes), butterflies and turtles.
“I’m naming my turtle Hulk,” said third-grader Lilly Beyuka.
Each week, RHT mentors are providing vital support to program leaders and participants, as are Youth Development Intern Caleigh Johnson, Food Sovereignty Intern Raine Segura and Art Intern Kilani Lonjose. The three interns came to ZYEP through the Zuni High School and Twin Buttes Cyber Academy Work-Based Learning program.
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.
