Few things bring us as much joy here at ZYEP as seeing our youth become mentors and role models in their own right. Sometimes they grow up with our programs and then transition into these roles; in other cases, they hear about leadership opportunities and decide to step outside their comfort zones.
Raymond Homer took a chance when he saw an ad for the 2022-23 Delapna:we Project. This annual collaboration between ZYEP, A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, Edaakie Arts, ShiwiSun Productions, Zuni Public Library, KSHI Radio and other community members brings traditional Zuni stories to life through the performing arts.
“When I saw the ad, I wanted to give it a try because I was bored,” remembers Raymond, now 20, with a laugh. “I also thought it would be cool to be a main character. I ended up playing the dad, which was silly and fun.”
Next, Raymond decided to join eight other youth on ZYEP’s “Connect to Land” camping trip in March 2024. From their base in Moab, Utah, they visited Arches and Canyonlands national parks and had opportunities to engage with National Park Service staff to discuss cultural protections, how NPS works with tribes and how to pursue an NPS career.
“I was excited to go to Utah,” Raymond says. “I didn’t know Zuni people were connected to those places.”
During the spring months, ZYEP also was busy preparing for its annual Summer Camp program. Raymond’s sister encouraged him to apply for a counselor position; he got the job two weeks later and was assigned to the 6- to 9-year-old group.
“I had never worked with kids before, and I was pretty scared at first,” he admits. “But I really liked it. It was fun, and the kids inspired me to be a better leader — and a better person.
“With them, I learned how to express myself and show who I really am,” he continues. “Before all this, I was quiet, and I would wait for someone to come my way. Now, I’m more confident, and I can approach other people. Kids ask me questions, and I teach them what I know. Then I think, wow, am I really having an impact on their lives, these little Zuni kids? Did I really do that?”
This fall, Raymond joined a three-night ZYEP backpacking trip at Grand Canyon National Park, a sacred space for 11 tribes. He says he appreciated hearing about the Havasupai people, who were forced to move when the park was formed, and how the Zuni people stood with them.
In addition, he worked as a mentor in ZYEP’s “Rooted in Healthy Traditions” after-school program at Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School. This time, it was his aunt who saw the ad and encouraged him to apply.
“My aunts do that for me,” he says with a smile. “They tell me to take advantage of opportunities.”
Noting that RHT is both longer and shorter than Summer Camp, with a 10-week duration but only three hours per day, Raymond says he enjoyed working with the third- through fifth-graders.
“I didn’t expect it to be as fun as it was,” he shared. “The best part is how my kids shout, ‘Raymond!’ and hug me when they see me. I loved having time with them, and I enjoyed being a mentor a lot.
“I’m so glad they have all this, because it gets them involved,” he adds. “It gives them things to do that I wish I had growing up.”
Raymond spent his prekindergarten through fourth grade years in Gallup, New Mexico, rather than in Zuni Pueblo. He remembers he traveled to Zuni for weekend visits and then returned to the city for school.
“I would have preferred to be here in Zuni,” he says. “I would have learned more about my culture and maybe become fluent in my language. Since I’ve been back, I’ve learned so much.”
Raymond credits his family for inspiring and encouraging him, noting that his grandfather is an important cultural figure in Zuni.
“He shares his stories and experiences, and he encouraged me to go to the Grand Canyon,” he says. “He’s teaching me the Zuni language, our religion and our history, and he really inspires me to be a better person. I’ve learned so much from him and my uncles.”
Raymond says he tries hard to do his part as the oldest of four siblings and the oldest grandchild. He is the baba (older brother) not only for his own siblings, but also for his cousins.
“I always say to them, what do you need?” he says. “I always help them. I never imagined I’d be this person.”
Raymond isn’t sure what the future holds just yet, but he has a keen interest in the arts. He enjoys drawing, painting and photography, and he recently started working with yarn as well.
“Maybe I wouldn’t mind working with the National Park Service,” he muses, “but when I think of a career, I’m looking to Zuni artists — the people who are creating things.”
Creating magic on stage definitely counts, and Raymond is looking forward to Delapna:we 2024-25, which is just getting started. Public performances will take place in February.
“It gives me something to do during the winter,” he says, “and I learn so much from leaders like Curtis Quam, Keith Edaakie and Leanne Lee.
“All these activities — Delapna:we, Summer Camp, backpacking, camping and RHT — have taught me so much,” he continues. “ZYEP rocks, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
Raymond’s advice to his community is simple: If you see an ad, go for it, because you might have a lot of fun and learn something along the way.
“They let you be you, and if you have your own story to tell, they’ll listen,” he says. “They brought out a whole new me! I didn’t know I could do all this, being here for these kids, and it just gets better and better.”
