A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER

FREE | JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1 | PRINTED QUARTERLY

PUEBLO OF ZUNI | P.O.BOX 339 | 1203B STATE HWY 53 | ZUNI, NM 87327 PHONE: 505.782.7000 | FAX: 505.782.7202

The Zuni Tribal Council on Inauguration Day Pictured from left to right: Head Councilwoman Virginia Chavez, Lieutenant Governor Carleton Bowekaty, Governor Val Panteah, Councilman Arden Kucate, Councilman Clyde Yatsattie, Councilman Ricky Penketewa Sr., Councilman Arlen Quetawki Sr, and Councilman Eric Bobelu.

Throughout the years, the of council affairs. This printed copy will be re- ects are weekly public service announce- Zuni has seen its share of newsletters, the leased quarterly, providing the community ments. The public service announcements most recent being the Shiwi Messenger. Un- with updates on meeting, events, and travels will be released on the KSHI radio station fortunately, these newsletters, for funding by the tribal council. Through this newslet- and they will cover various topics as well as reasons or others, reached the end of their ter, the Zuni Tribal Council hopes to allevi- weekly updates on what is happening in the publications. However, in a push for trans- ate any confusion from what is being done community. parency, and to improve communication in office and the community expectations. The tribal council is eager to intro- between the tribal council and the commu- They hope that this newsletter will bridge duce these communication platforms to the nity, the tribal council has allotted funds any communication gaps between the com- community. They aspire to create a well to create another newsletter. The A:shiwi munity and tribal council. informed community as well as encourage A:wan Messenger, a name that alludes to its There are two other components to community participation in future events predecessor, is one of three projects initiat- this transparency project as well. One of the and listening sessions. Through these proj- ed to create transparency. two is a monthly electronic newsletter that ects, the Zuni Tribal Council is one step The A:shiwi A:wan Messenger is a will provide updates on tribal programs and closer to achieving their goal of building newsletter that will solely focus on tribal upcoming events. The second of these proj- transparency. A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER 2 JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1

Newly Inaugurated Zuni Tribal Council captured walking from the big plaza to the Governor’s Chambers, a moment displaying the new leaders of the community taking their positions in office. As the New Year comes, it often brings change with it. This year Zuni viduals will be able to harness their full potential and resist the tempta- saw the effects of the 2018 election as the new tribal council took their tion to fall back in the cycle of drinking, drug-use, and other forms of seats in office. January 2019 kick-started the Panteah-Bowekaty admin- violence or self-destruction. istration and there is a mix of recurring faces and new additions to the Alongside economic development, Governor Panteah’s goal for this council. Val Panteah was re-elected as the Governor of Zuni and his term is to work collaboratively with various programs to support com- running mate Carleton Bowekaty joined him in office as his Lieutenant munity members’ dreams. He hopes to improve the business code by Governor. Also in office for this term are Head Councilwoman Virginia breaking down some of the barriers that stand in the way of creating lo- Chavez, and councilmen Clyde Yatsattie, Arlen Quetawki Sr, Eric Bobe- cal businesses. Breaking down these barriers will make it easier for fellow lu, Ricky Penketewa Sr, and Arden Kucate. community members to establish their own businesses and in turn, create Since taking office, the council have picked up where the last admin- more employment opportunities within the community. istration left off, working diligently on a variety of issues concerning the Pueblo of Zuni. The new administration is making a push for transpar- ency so that the general public is up-to-date and informed about what is LIEUTENANT GOV. CARLETON BOWEKATY going on in the Governors’ Chambers. Carleton Bowekaty was elected alongside Governor Let’s meet our newly elected council… Panteah and now serves as his Lieutenant Governor in office. Lieutenant Governors clans are Sun clan and child GOVERNOR VAL PANTEAH of the Tobacco clan. Prior to this term, Bowekaty served Val Panteah was reelected to serve a second term as on tribal council as a councilman. Before that, his role the Governor of Zuni. Dona:kwe deyan Dowa:kwe awan in the community was played as a Child Support Inves- cha’le, Governor Panteah comes to us from the Turkey tigator after he returned home from the military. During clan and child of the Corn clan. Before taking his posi- his work as a Child Support Investigator, Bowekaty wit- tion in office in 2015, Governor Panteah worked as an nessed the struggles of the community, especially when it came to raising associate judge for the Pueblo of Zuni. Prior to his work children on the reservation. He recognized that the Zuni Pueblo needed in the court, Panteah also worked in the law enforcement more avenues for assistance, and he knew that helping the community field for over 20 years. He spent 11 of those years as a would be most efficient if it began at the tribal government level. chief of police working for the Ramah Police Department. As a councilman, Bowekaty saw an opportunity for improvement Governor Panteah explains his motivation for running for positions in when it came to the tribal council meeting the needs of the community. office as a drive to help his people. During Governor Lewis’s administra- Seeing the potential, the council had, he decided to run for a higher posi- tion in the 90’s, Panteah also served as a councilmember. Looking up to tion to help Governor Panteah continue building upon what was created his father, the late Quincy Panteah, Governor Val Panteah follows closely in the previous term. his footsteps as his father also served as a councilmember, governor, and Lieutenant Governor holds military ethics to high regard, incorpo- police officer in his lifetime. rating the acronym LDRSHIP (leadership) into his daily life; L stands Governor Panteah sees this reelection as an opportunity to foster for loyalty, D for duty, R for respect, S for selfless service, H for honor, growth in the form of economic development. Coming from his judicial I for integrity, and P for personal courage. Using these ideals, Bowekaty and law enforcement background, Panteah first-handedly witnessed the dedicated his platform to reinstilling the honor, faith and integrity in the effects of the many social ills plaguing the community. He feels that in government. He would like to see the tribal council be looked at as a generating economic development, there are more resources and oppor- form of guidance whereby community members can trust and reach out tunities for community members facing these ills to become productive to the council for assistance with our worry of hesitation. He is also pas- members of the pueblo. Through employment opportunities, these indi- sionate about cultivating the younger generation for success in helping JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1 3 A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER them see and understand the full extent of their in decreasing unemployment rates and generat- overall quality of life on the reservation. So far self-worth, all while recovering and reviving lost ing more funds for community betterment. into his term Yatsattie describes his experience values that used to govern the Zuni people. He Chavez has big ideas for the community in office as a lot of learning that comes with any believes that in cultivating our youth, we a pre- paralleling her platform which include open- new job. He is getting familiar with the process- paring them for the future. The youth today are ing a local hotel that would help our families es and expectations. He is also implementing the leaders of tomorrow and it is important to that come visit from out of town, host guests his core values of kindness and respect into his start building their surefootedness now so that from neighboring tribes and who come work daily. they have deep understanding of who they are to Zuni on business, and boost tourism reve- During this term, Councilman Yatsattie’s and why they belong in this world. nue. She would also like to see a hardware store main goal is to be supportive of tribal programs Lieutenant Governor Bowekaty’s ultimate come to Zuni as well as more restaurants and and community members. He pledges to try the goal for this term is to support Governor spaces opened for local artists and entrepre- best he can while setting positive examples for Panteah to the best of his abilities so to ensure neurs to sell their works. On top of these ideas community members and younger generations. that Governor is successful. As they share many for economic growth, Chavez would like to see Yatsattie stresses that in our community, there of the same morals and visions, he feels that more recreational spaces opening for youth and is no room for violence and hate, yet it exists. they are complementary to each other in office families in the community. She has been actively To improve the community for everyone, it will and looks forward to what council has in store involved in working with the transit system on take community effort in working together to this term. expanding hours as well. She hopes to collabo- create a friendly environment and being patient rate with the transit program further to create as issues resolved at the government level take HEAD COUNCILWOMAN “special occasion routes” by which the transit time. VIRGINIA CHAVEZ could lift the transportation barriers that stand Serving another term as a in the way of families and individuals from at- COUNCILMAN RICKY councilwoman, Virginia Chavez tending events like the Gallup Inter-Tribal Cer- PENKETEWA SR. of the Sun clan and Turkey clan emonial and many others. This term, Ricky Penketewa was re-elected into office. Be- All in all, Head Councilwoman is very excit- Sr, of the Eagle and Crow clans, fore serving in this term and the ed to be in office for another term. She is very takes a seat in office. Before his term prior, Chavez was an ac- energetic and takes lots of pride in being able to current position, Penketewa tive member in the Zuni Public serve and represent her community. She enjoys was very active in the construc- School District, beginning her work as a health what she does and is learning many new things tion field for as far as he can re- assistant, then working her way up to a book- about our community and the way we relate to call back, where he held several keeper and eventually earning the title of Fi- the world around us. different titles. Through his work in construc- nance Director. Succeeding her work with the tion, some titles he has held are building inspec- school district, Chavez also worked as a tribal COUNCILMAN CLYDE tor, establishing a construction company, and a employee in the finance department for six years YATSATTIE professor for the all trades construction courses before running for council in 2014 and taking Donashe:kwe deyan, Da- through the University of in both her seat in office in 2015. kk’ya:kwe awan cha’le, Clyde Gallup and the main campus. All of his work Virginia Chavez explains her motivation for Yatsattie is one of the new faces has accumulated into Penketewa becoming an running for tribal council as a desire to care for to join the tribal council. Since advocate for the importance of quality build- her people. She recognizes and understands the graduating high school back ing, so as to avoid complications in the future. concerns within the community and she would in 1976, Councilman Yatsattie Penketewa describes himself as an outspo- like to be an asset to solving these issues and held various forms of employ- ken man, and he hoped to use this quality in making improvements. When running for coun- ment while also pursuing higher education. In office. He felt motivated to run for office to help cil, Chavez declared her platform to be based 1982, Councilman Yattsatie graduated with resolve the housing issue on the reservation, as on economic development. Chavez says that in his Bachelor’s degree in business administra- well as to improved the quality of education developing the economy of the Zuni Pueblo will tion and accounting. Succeeding his Bachelor’s offered on the reservation as well. Councilman assist in the overall growth and prosperity of the degree, Yatsattie pursued a Master’s degree in Penketewa felt frustrated by the changes in the people. An increase in locally owned businesses Business Administration as well. Since graduat- school district, where by teachers were shuffled will create more jobs for the Zuni people, aiding ing with these degrees, Yatsattie has been an ac- around to teach in areas they had not taught in tive employee with the Indian Health Services- before, as well as the drop in the grade for the Albuquerque Area where he held the titles of Zuni Public School district. Internal Auditor, Budget Officer, and Deputy During this term, Penketewa has several Finance Director. In 1992, Councilman Yatsat- things he would like to see for the pueblo, the tie moved back home to the Zuni Pueblo where first being an improvement in education all he served as the Zuni IHS Hospital Administra- across the board, which includes more activities tion Officer until his retirement in 2017. and extracurriculars for students to engage in. After being semi-retired, Councilman Yattsa- The Zuni Housing Authority create some sort tie decided to run for tribal council, describing of construction company that could increase his motivation for doing so as a desire to con- the rate at which houses are built and renovated tribute to the overall improvement of the com- is a dream that he has. He is also researching munity. Understanding community concerns, ways to create an energy efficient car wash as Yatsattie discusses the importance of acting on well as a laundromat for the pueblo as well. those concerns as a community member. Rath- From working hands-on majority of his life er than just talking about issues, Yatsattie ran to sitting in office, Councilman Penketewa has for council as a form of corrective action and had a shift in daily tasks. He describes his expe- a chance to do something about the issues he rience so far as being a huge learning process. witnessed. Everyday there is something new to do and Yatsattie is especially passionate about local discuss everyday. Penketewa says that looking businesses, employment, infrastructure, educa- from the outside in, being on tribal council Lieutenant Governor Bowekaty and Governor Panteah share a hug and handshake while delivering their inaugral tion and health and human services. Through- seems easy, when in reality it is difficult. Despite addresses at the reception held at Zuni Wellness Center. out this term, he is work towards improving the the challenges, Penketewa enjoys what he does. A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER 4 JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1 COUNCILMAN COUNCILMAN In effort to push for transparen- litter, renovating or demolishing ARLEN ARDEN KUCATE cy and better communication with abandoned homes and buildings, QUETAWKI SR. Yaddokya:kwe community members, the Zuni affordable housing, better health- Dona:kwe dey- deyan, Kolok’da:k- Tribal Council held a community care, and even high-speed internet an, K’yak’yali:kwe we awan cha’le, meeting and conducted a commu- for the entire community. awan cha’le, former Arden Kucate also nity survey. The meeting granted The second question on the sur- two-term governor joins tribal council community members a chance vey was, “What positive things do and councilmember once again, build- to speak before the council while you see in our community?” While Arlen Quetawki Sr. ing on his previous addressing an issue and present- a handful of community members takes a seat in office once again. Be- experience. While serving as a coun- ing their solutions to the problem. see no positive changes or attri- fore being involved in tribal council, cil member, Kucate also plays a role In this meeting many communi- butes in the community,majority Quetawki as been a public servant, as a caretaker through the medicine ty members came forth to discuss witness great things in the pueblo. working as a police officer and a fish society. Kucate explains his desire employment issues. Of the various The most mentioned positive thing and game officer. He is also a part to run for tribal council once again solutions to this problem, one in- witnessed are the many opportuni- of the religious sector. Quetawki de- as deep sense of compassion for his cluded reestablishing agriculture as ties for youth to engage in various scribes his motivation for running people. To Kucate, being a tribal a form of self employment, while activities in the community. Other for council as a drive to continuously leader is another form of being a also giving the rest of the commu- things community members have move forward with projects he started caretaker for the community. Trib- nity an opportunity to purchase noticed is that the Pueblo of Zuni when he was the governor, especially al leaders have a responsibility to locally grown produce. Other solu- possesses a strong sense of cultur- those concerning protecting sacred empower their people rather than tions to issues such as upkeep of al identity that is unlike any other. sites. telling them what to do, this way the the pueblo included cleaning up Although Zuni is the largest pueb- When running for tribal council, people can become leaders them- the riverbed area, maintaining the lo, it has maintained a deeply root- Quetawki did no declare a platform, selves. In empowering community roads, and using public lands as ed culture that may be attributed instead he allowed the people make members, the overall betterment of grazing areas for animals. In this to the ruralness of the community the decision for his election based on the community improves as more community meeting, a lot of excel- as well as the sense of communi- their own judgement. He stated that people will see the long-term goals lent ideas were discussed and the ty and caring that arises when re- the only promise he makes to the peo- for the Zuni Pueblo. council hopes to use these ideas ligious events are occuring. Other ple is to try his best using the resourc- Kucate is passionate about re- in the creation of plans to correct things mentioned include the trib- es that are available. Quetawki would solving the substance abuse issue what the general community sees al council’s willingness to listen to like to bring about positive change for on the reservation as well as educat- as issues and problems. the community’s input as well as the community which includes bring- ing families on the dangers of illic- The survey conducted was an- the support community members ing in revenue and generating finan- it drug use. Through educating the other way of encouraging commu- get from the various tribal pro- cial alternatives to federal funds, so people, especially the youth, Kucate nity members to share their input. grams. It is quite obvious that Zuni that should these funds be taken away, hopes the community members see This survey was made available has some detrimental issues, but it the pueblo will be unaffected. and understand that this form of through email, shared on social is up to community members to Quetawki finds some of these al- self abuse is not the way of life. Ku- media, on the Pueblo of Zuni web- maintain a balance of addressing. ternatives to be the supporting en- cate believes that to really solve this site, as well as having paper cop- The he issues as well as recognizing trepreneurship from local artists and problem, less talking should be done ies in popular areas of business. what is being done to make life on business owners through events like and more action should be taken. In creating various platforms and the reservation better. the Zuni Pueblo Mainstreet. Quetaw- Using his previous experience, ways for members to respond, the The final question on the survey ki explains that these forms of reve- Kucate continues to engage in council hoped to make this sur- was, “Any additional comments?” nue also create avenues for employ- gateways of involvement that were vey as accessible as possible, so In this section, majority of respon- ment as well as generating money that opened, one of these being the Na- as to generate an accurate repre- dents stressed issues they men- will stay in the community. Quetawki tive American Voter Task Force. sentation of people. n this survey tioned in the first question while wants to ensure that council continues Kucate is the chairman for the task three questions were asked, the others thanked tribal council for to support these projects. force, and he hopes to boost the over- first being “What do you see are their efforts to listen to their opin- When asked about his experience all turnout of Native American vot- the biggest improvements that ions. At this point, the data from in office so far, Quetawki expresses ers. The overall voter turnout from could be made in our communi- both the community meeting and some frustration and dissatisfaction community members and all Native ty?” This question received 207 the survey are being analyzed. The with the processes it takes to create Americans affects state and federal open ended responses where com- Zuni Tribal Council will use this the positive change due to barriers funding that is used for education, munity members provided their information to make informed de- that are in place. Despite the chal- health care, and other resources input. The biggest opportunities cisions in upcoming meetings, al- lenges, the tribal council is working used for daily life. Councilman Ku- for improvement in the commu- lot funds, and to better represent as efficiently as possible. Councilman cate also stresses the importance of nity are economic development, the voice of Zuni people. These lis- Quetawki also stresses the importance all community members taking part road maintenance, education, and tening sessions serve as a form of of community input. As the largest in the 2020 Census count as this also the selling of illicit substances and guidance for the tribal council to pueblo, there is quite a bit of power affects funding for the pueblo. alcohol. Some solutions provided meet the needs of the community, that comes with it in terms of poli- for the economic development is- see what issues are most concern- tics and voting. Quetawki stresses the sue included being supportive of ing among the people, and to find importance of voting. According to COUNCILMAN entrepreneurs as well as promot- creative solutions to these issues as Quetawki, the Pueblo of Zuni has the ERIC BOBELU ing local businesses by removing presented by community members. numbers in population to have one of the barriers that stand in the way the strongest voices in New Mexico. of opening these spaces. There With the help of community mem- were other suggestions for expand- bers and everyone getting out to vote, ing the economy in the pueblo so Zuni people can heavily influence the that younger people will be able outcome and protect the places we to secure jobs in the community have as sovereign indigenous people. as well. Other suggestions for im- provement included cleaning up JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1 5 A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER

Michelle Lujan Grisham pictured sitting in a meeting with the Zuni Tribal Council at the “Roundhouse” in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

On November 6, 2018, former Congress- our elders. Grisham has always recognized the Building Construction, Zuni Pueblo Veterans’ woman and democrat, Michelle Lujan Grish- importance of serving and protecting elders as Memorial Visitors’ Center, and Zuni Pueblo am, was elected as the 32nd Governor of New well as their caretakers, and for that matter, she Water Infrastructure Construction. These cap- Mexico. Prior to the election, Grisham reached promised during her campaign to protect these ital outlay awards have a deadline for project out to the All Pueblo Council of Governors services for elders. completion by June 30, 2023. to announce her then intent to run for gover- Upon taking her new position, Governor Additional funding was also received for nor. In this meeting, she received the support Lujan Grisham has already signed eleven bills land management for the Senior Center to of the pueblo governors and was endorsed by that will directly and positively impact tribal prevent the flooding that occurs during heavy the Pueblo of Zuni and the Picuris Pueblo. The communities. Of these bills, House Bill 278 was rains. The Governor and tribal council would Pueblo of Zuni also made some contributions signed to create a task force for the Missing and like to express their gratitude to Governor Lu- to her campaign as well. Murdered Indigenous Women movement to jan Grisham for awarding two million dollars Although Grisham has just been elected as counteract high rates of violent crimes against to the Water Infrastructure Project, as well as the Governor of New Mexico, her relationship women in New Mexico. House Bill 5/Senate Senator George Munoz and Senator Clementi with the Pueblo of Zuni goes back farther. Bill 1- Public Education Changes were also Sanchez for introducing the funding requests When Grisham served as a U.S. Congress- signed into law, calling for reforms to the cur- to the State Legislature. woman, she met with Governor Val Panteah rent education system. Governor Lujan Grish- and tribal council to discuss the Fort Wingate am would like to do away with the PARCC issue. Grisham as even invited out Governor testing system, and find new ways to improve Panteah to attend rallies with her on behalf of the quality of education here in New Mexico. indigenous peoples. This year, the Zuni Tribal Also making progress for positive change in Council received the opportunity to meet with education, Grisham signed into law Senate Bill Grisham privately to address their concerns 407- Lottery Funds for Tribal Colleges, which about the community. will allow students who attend tribal colleges Fresh out of law school, Grisham got her to access scholarships through lottery funds. first job working with the New Mexico Depart- This is big for the Pueblo of Zuni as students ment of Aging where she provided free legal who attend A:shiwi College and Career Read- services to the elderly. During her work with iness Center can have access to these scholar- the Department of Aging, Grisham worked ships through the Navajo Technical University with elders from our community through the Agreement that happen earlier this year. Meeting with Governor Grisham Pictured from left to right: Zuni Senior Center. Some of our elders know Under all the bills signed into law by Grish- First Lady Darlynn Panteah, Governor Val Panteah, Gov- and recall meeting Grisham, and during one of am, the Pueblo of Zuni received funding for ernor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Councilman Arden Kucate, her visits, she picked up a horned toad, earn- three projects by the New Mexico State Leg- Head Councilwoman Virginia Chavez, Councilman Eric ing herself the nickname “Łechok’yaba” from islature. These three projects are Zuni Fair Bobelu, Councilman Ricky Penketewa Sr, Councilman Clyde Yatsattie, and Division Director of Public Works Kelly Zunie A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER 6 JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1

Chaco Canyon, a natural historical park, has been a part of the lives The remnants of Chaco Canyon show the intricate buildings and the extent of habitation and of indigenous people since time immemorial. Once a place of refuge interaction from our ancestors. and habitance, Chaco Canyon has since become a park where travelers come to witness the great ruins while experiencing hikes, biking, guid- ed tours, and campfire talks. However, since the Trump Administration took office, several threats have been made to sell sacred lands for min- ing and fracking. Many indigenous people, including the Zuni Pueblo, have ties to these sacred lands and risk losing a portion of who they are. Once these ruins are lost, they can not be rebuilt. The administration proposed a barrier around Chacon Canyon it- self, but this alone is not enough to protect the canyon. Fracking has been known to cause earthquakes as the process for fracking requires digging deep into the earth’s surface. Should an earthquake be the result of this fracking, the ruins that remain at the canyon will be sent tum- bling down, erasing the footprints of our ancestors and diminishing the significance of Chaco Canyon. Fracking also pollutes the soil around its site, which then pollutes groundwater and runoff. When it rains in the are, water will become contaminated by whatever chemicals are in the soil and it will pose a risk to plant and wildlife in the region as well. Contaminated water will not be able to support life and it can have det- rimental effects on the beauty of Chaco Canyon. As mentioned, many indigenous tribes are fighting to protect Cha- co Canyon. These tribes and nations have recognized that the history and beauty of Chaco Canyon is more valuable than any revenue that can be generated through fracking and mining. However, it is not just indigenous tribes that recognize this significance, as New Mexico dele- gates have proposed a bill to protect Chaco Canyon as well. The New Mexico delegates are U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, as well as U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland, Xochitl Torres Small, and Ben Ray Lujan. This bill, referred to as the “Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019,” was proposed on April 9, 2019. This act delves into the sacred sites and historical resources located in the Chaco Canyon region that also expands into the region as well. To the New Mexico delegates proposing the bill, Chaco Canyon is avery significant and vital piece of history. The roads and networking systems built by Chacoan people are far too valuable to tarnish by fracking and mining. The Chaco Canyon region is also public land that should be protected since it was declared a national monument in 1923. While the fight to protect Chaco Canyon is just getting going and this proposed bill has not been acted on yet, it is good to know that New Mexicans and indigenous people are backed by their senators and representatives. JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1 7 A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER The 2017 audit report for the Pueblo of due to other funds. The remaining $17,058,253 $5,601,324 had been used for community ser- Zuni has been released by auditing company, was accounted for as grants received in ad- vices. Health services had a total expenditure MossAdams, as of September 2018, which vance. In fund balances, $56,661 were non- of $4,300,635, and educational services had a provides some insight to budgets and funds spendable under inventory and prepaids. Re- total of $1,360,229. Lastly, $450,852 was used the pueblo may have been working with for the stricted grant award requirements were totaled for natural resources, and $3,620,917 was ac- current and previous fiscal years. The audit re- at $46,912 generating a grand total of fund counted for capital outlay. The fund balance port analyzes financial statements submitted balances at $103,573. This brings the total li- at the beginning of the year was $55,080 and to generate information regarding the ways abilities and fund balances to a grand total of the fund balance at the end of the year was funds were spent as well as the way they were $23,234,101. $103,573 resulting in a net change in fund bal- received. In the 2017 fiscal year, assets for the In 2017, the Pueblo of Zuni received a to- ance of $48,493. year totalled at $23,234,101 with $21,566,584 tal of $26,126,865 in revenues. Of the revenues MossAdams, as the auditor, reserves the coming from cash and cash equivalents. Under received, $26,053,303 came from intergovern- right to express an opinion regarding the fi- the assets, there were $29 in accounts receiv- mental grants and contracts while $1,414 came nancial information submitted by the tribe. At able and $3,828 prepaids.Other assets due from from interest and investment earnings and the this point, the auditor had no opinion for the other governments was totaled at $1,610,827. remaining $72,148 came from miscellaneous 2017 audit, meaning that everything submitted The remaining $52,833 fell under the category revenues. has been in accordance with federal auditing of inventor and food commodities. Expenditures for the 2017 fiscal year to- guidelines and that the auditor found no dis- The funds from assets were then accounted taled at $26,078,372. Of these expenditures, crepancies with the report. Financial informa- for in liabilities and fund balances. Liabilities $995,203 was used for the general govern- tion for the 2018 fiscal year has been collected, attached to monies from assets were totaled at ment and $7,233,839 for public safety. Public and the 2018 audit report will begin soon. $23,130,528, where $6,072,275 were liabilities works was accounted for at $2,515,373 and

The gateway leading to the Fort Wingate base. Photo taken from Flickr, “Fort Wingate Army Depot,” by Norby. Lying seven miles east of Gallup is a plot of land otherwise known Nation and a select few have been transferred to interior departments as Fort Wingate. Historically, this area is of cultural significance to the of the U.S Armed Forces. However, when the Secretary of Defense no Zuni People being considered ancestral homelands for once serving as longer requires these parcels to be used for military purposes, official hunting and gathering grounds. Now, it has been discovered to have ownership will be transferred to the two tribes. more than 200 traceable ruins to our pueblo, as well as other surround- With the new additions of land to the Zuni Pueblo, Governor Val ing tribes such as the Navajo Nation. Panteah and the Tribal Council turn to the community for opinions and During World War II, this area became a military installation for the suggestions for what these lands could be used for. “What do they (the U.S. Army before being declared an inactive base in 1993. Since then, Zuni community) want to see become of this area?” Governor Panteah Zuni has embarked on a long journey over two decades to reclaim these asked during a recent interview with the tribal leaders. The council is lands as a part of Zuni property. The legal engagement for these lands currently working on a “Signing Ceremony” for the near future where it was lengthy and at times, challenging for all parties. On December 23, will be revealed which parcels will be given to Zuni. Through this event 2016, the journey ended with a slight victory for the Pueblo of Zuni they hope the community comes forward with their opinions on how when former president, Barack Obama, signed into law, the National the newly acquired land can be used in a beneficial way. Defense Authorization Act, S.2943. This act would be crucial to the At this point in time, the land being transferred under restricted return of these lands to the Zuni Pueblo as it contains Section 2829F fee is undergoing some environmental clean up to remove remaining that was captioned, “Return of Certain Lands at Fort Wingate, New military materials. Other parcels held in trust will be kept as they are. Mexico, to Original Inhabitants.” One of the most notable remains on the land are the “igloos” made The Fort Wingate area has been divided in to various plots of from the earth that were used as storages during World War II. The land referred to as parcels, and the S.2943 Act, grants Zuni ownership council hopes to transfer these large structures into usable spaces. over some of these parcels. Other parcels were granted to the Navajo A:SHIWI A:WAN MESSENGER 8 JUNE 2019 • VOL. 1 NO. 1

In July 2015, the Zuni Pueblo, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute quality, polluted water, and an inability to support natural ecosystems. Tribe, , and Ute Tribe came together to create the Bears Ears In- The Bears Ears region is too valuable to compromise for mining and ter-Tribal Coalition. This coalition was established by these five sover- development. Lastly, vandalism prevents archaeologists from being able eign nations to protect the area as well as the spiritual, cultural, natural, to put pieces together to uncover information about the history of the and historical resources in the region. Zuni Pueblo’s very own, Lieu- area as well. This damage done to these sites is irreversible and it de- tenant Governor Carleton Bowekaty, is the co-chair for the coalition, means the true value of the Bears Ears National Monument. sharing the seat with Sean Chapuse of the Ute Tribe. The ultimate goal The coalition has viewed Trump’s actions as an attack on the of the coalition has been to get Bears Ears the righteous protection it so five sovereign nations. The unlawful removal of lands from the national deserves, and in 2016 they witnessed a subtle victory. monument, coupled with the blatant disregard for the area and its sig- On December 28, 2016 former President Barack Obama desig- nificance has pushed the coalition to seek legal action against Trump. nated 1.35 million acres of land to become the Bears Ears National Whilst being in litigation against the president, Zuni is represented in Monument through presidential proclamation. The Bears Ears Nation- court by the Native American Rights Fund. The coalition has found al Monument is located in the southeastern portion of near the some congressional support during the process from Representative four corners region. The then Obama Administration worked closely Deb Haaland and Representative Ruben Gallego as well. with indigenous peoples, including Zuni, to protect the many ancestral Recently, the Interior Secretary, David Bernhardt, has appoint- lands that fall within the Bears Ears National Monument region. How- ed positions to the Bureau of Land Management’s Monument Adviso- ever, a short year later, President Trump used presidential proclamation ry Committee. However, the Bears Ears Coalition has expressed some to revoke the work done by Obama and reduced the Bears Ears Nation- concerns regarding the appointments made and they have opposed the al Monument by 85%. Since decreasing the size of the national monu- Monument Advisory Committee. Lieutenant Governor expressed some ment, thousands of archaeological and sacred sites fall out of bounds of these concerns as being that majority, if not all, of those sitting on of the protected region. the Monument Advisory Committee are opposed to the creation of the Bears Ears and the sacred sites surrounding the area now face Bears Ears National Monument. The Monument Advisory Commit- a wide range of threats to its overall wellbeing. Some of these threats tee also only has two spaces for those of tribal interest. This means include the looting and robbing of archaeological and cultural artifacts, that anyone of Native American descent can occupy these spaces, and mining and energy development, and vandalism. The looting and re- the issue with this comes in the fact that government elected officials moval of artifacts affects the cultural and spiritual health of the area. and their voices can be overshadowed by someone with less experience Many indigenous tribes have some connections to these areas and when who is representing themselves rather than the voices of their entire such artifacts are damaged or removed, it affects the connected tribes’ indigenous community. So far these appointments with the MAC un- ability to pass down integral knowledge to the next generation. Mining dermine the work the coalition has done this far, and they feel that the and energy development have an effect on the environment health of tribal officials should be the ones representing their communities on the the region as well. Indigenous tribes are not strangers to the negative MAC. Although the Bureau of Land Management has not addressed after-effects of mining and energy development on their ancestral lands. these concerns yet, the coalition continues to push for their spots on When these development sites are not cared for properly, they cause the MAC as well as for the entire amount of the Bears Ears National permanent damage to the surrounding area in the forms of bad soil Monument to be restored.