Zuni Indigenous Tribe

Indigenous people are an integral part of our nation's life and history. Yet most Americans think of their Indian neighbors as stereotypes; they are completely uninformed about them as modern individuals. Little is known about their history, culture, and contributions of our Native people. Prior to taking this course, I was one of them. In our currant world, it is essential for every American to know, understand, and share the lives of these First Nation individuals. I have a greater understanding of their cultures, and also a greater understanding of humanity.

Introduction to the Zuni People of New Mexico

The Zuni people are a tribe that is located in the desert Southwest of New Mexico. The vast majority of the tribal members reside on the Zuni Pueblo, which is Zuni city that is located in a remote region of New Mexico, about 40 miles from the city of Gallup. The tribe has a membership of nearly 12,000 current and active individuals, with nearly all of them residing in the Zuni Pueblo community. The Zuni are unique, in they have lived on the same exact land for over 1,000 years, without having to deal with forced relocation. The Zuni's tribal name is A'shiwi, which in English is pronounced (Shi'wi) and means “the flesh”.

Tribal Sovereignty

The indigenous people of the United States were recognized by the U.S. Constitution as American Indians. They are a group of culturally unique individuals that hold a political relationship with the United States government that is based on treaties, court decisions, and attorney-general opinions. Through the treaty process, millions of acres of land were ceded to the U.S. Government, by they tribes. In return for the native land, the indigenous people were provided with prote...

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...ni people are indigenous peoples, but they are not people from a historic past, they are modernized every day individuals, just like you and I. However, they are people with a very strong and extensive history and that have maintained their culture and existence for thousands of years. The most important thing about the Zuni, is that they seem to have one foot in the past and one in the present. They do continue to hold great respect for their tribal history, but also actively ensure they are modernized and able to function optimally in our current society. This is evidence by their impressive social services system for tribal members and participation in the economy with agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. They are resilient people who have proved they have the ability to withstand the test of time and will surely continue doing so in the future.