Democracy: A fragile strength in America

Democracy nowadays is a lot like this ancient A:shiwi pottery piece from 1050 AD: broken and delicate. Although it has gone through years, decades or even centuries of hardships, it has still stayed somewhat intact.

By Mekai R.H. Begay from Zuni High School in New Mexico

Digital Arts Program at Zuni High School

A digital arts program in Zuni Public School District would help students embrace art and technology of the 21st century and help students be more employable after high school.

Zuni High School

Cushman - AP Lang and Comp

Cushman - 8th hour AP Language and Composition

Rez freedom

This is Trevor, he is not a "Rez dog" but he is a dog living on the Rez. He has freedom within a confined system, just like Native Americans who have freedom within a "confined system".

Box Canyon

This is the spring at Box Canyon, near Nutria, where A:shiwi people stayed back then.

Sun going down at Black Rock hill

A special moment at sunset.

Democracy In Zuni

A tree has grown through a tractor that has been sitting in the middle of Zuni for many years. Just like democracy, it takes time to implement change and sometimes the change can affect something significant like removing the tractor from the tree.

Democracy in Zuni, NM

The sun was setting down on October 25, 2021. You just have to appreciate our freedoms like being outside and enjoy nature.

Generations of running

This was taken at the 2021 NM State Cross-Country Race. Our ancestors would run to different places sending messages and receiving messages. Running has been a part of our generation for many years and here we successfully continue the cycle.

Democracy in Zuni, New Mexico

When I look at Dowa Yalanne Mountain I see freedom and peace. It is sacred to us. We, as Shiwi people have our own constitution and rights. We are free to believe in whatever religion but no matter what individuals believe, we all hold DY sacred.

Valisha Neha- Shortage of substitute teachers

Shortage of Substitute teachers within New Mexico

Sleeping Problems in Youth

Students who struggle with sleeping are more likely to develop mental health problems.

Digital Arts Program at Zuni High School

A digital arts program in Zuni Public School District would help students embrace art and technology of the 21st century and help students be more employable after high school.

Conjoining Zuni High and Middle School, Will It Work?

The plan to solve both the Zuni High School and Zuni Middle School's problem is to create one conjoined school where the high school is currently located. Will a conjoined school work or not?

Zuni High School Baseball Field

Poor construction and poor welds are some problems that the Zuni High School baseball field is facing after only two years of being built.

Democracy In Zuni

The sun was setting on the view down the Black Rock Hill on 10/20/21. Sometimes you just have to appreciate our freedoms, like being outside and enjoying nature.

Democracy in Zuni

This picture is a "vote here" sign. I choose this because to me, it is showing how our tribal government uses a system of picking and replacing the old government with new people through free and fair elections.

Democracy in Zuni

Darkness is always represented as the downsides of an object. In recent years, it feels that our tribal government has let down the people of Zuni.

D.Y. Mountain

This is D.Y. Mountain. This is one of our sacred mountains that our people once lived on after the village flooded.

BIA- Bureau of Indian Affairs

BIA represents the federal branch of the tribal government by assisting in local fires, forestry, wildlife management, help with fire wood and job opportunities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Zuni New Mexico, October 28, 2021.

Men's Mental Health

Men's mental health matters too.

Irresponsible Dog Breeding in Zuni, NM

Rez dogs have started costing people and the community too much.

Zuni Animal Adoption Shelter / Clinic

As I drive around the Zuni Reservation, I see so many rez dogs in need of help. These dogs need "fixing" but Zuni doesn't have an animal clinic or shelter.

Pueblo Pottery

Wound through time, native pottery coils through history and into the future.

Democracy in Zuni, NM

The Dowa Yolanne Mountain shows democracy through the freedom we have, allowing us to practice our religion.

Gender Equality in the Sports World and within Native American Communities

Women’s equality has evolved over the last hundred years, but has it really changed?

Sheep walking on the road

My family and I always have to wait for these sheep to pass the road. Even wildlife and livestock have the freedom to walk on the road. Ojo Caliente, Pueblo of Zuni, NM

Language Preservation of the A:shiwi

The Zuni (A:shiwi) people, like all Indigenous peoples, are valiantly endeavoring to save their sacred language.

Democracy in Shiwi

This picture describes democracy in Zuni by showing a baseball field here at the high school, the school district had bought this baseball field so that we could play this sport.

Get To Know Your Neighbor

Interview with Taliya Tsalate.

Getting injured

Elijah talks about when he hurt his knee in football.

A Spirit's Path Home

For thousands of years, my people and our ancestors have inhabited the land, reciprocating blessings between ourselves and spirits of the animals. Our identity could have vanished long ago, but the walls that structure our protection still stand.

Humans of Zuni: Ian Bowekaty

Behold my friend, classmate, most proud to say: my brother.

Letter To The Editor

Letter to the editor of The Independent.

The most important person.

This my interview of my classmate, Alexandra Eustace.

Bad Park Conditions in Zuni

Bad parks and playgrounds are a safety hazard for children. We always want what's best for our children, and that starts with safety! Let's help out the community by fixing and cleaning up playground equipment that is in disrepair.

How covid-19 affected my life....

Never take things for granted..

Never Quit

This post is based on a interview that I conducted with a fellow student named Autumn Cooeyate.

Protection of sacred lands

It took little for the United States government to take 99% of Native lands along with the lands and resources well they and private corporations continue to exploit. These corporations don't understand that these lands are our place or worship.

Culture Preservation and Native Americans

Native Americans have endured so much abuse for far too long. Now something must be done about it and we must be heard.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor of The Independent

Democracy to Me

Democracy to me is different people voting for what they want as an individual.

Captions of Democracy- Lulu

This is a post by Lulu

What is Democracy?

For this post I am using my rings to represent the freedom of self-expression. I use these rings to add emphasis to my hands and to express myself. This also helps to keep my individuality. Freedom of expression is very important to me and my life.

Writing our future

One man’s trash is another man’s photo assignment.

Six Words

Coming of Age in the 2020s

Secret lands of the Zuni Pueblo

No skyscrapers in sight, no blur from the smog. Only a beautiful landscape captured in the morning that comes with freezing your fingers off to greet our Father Sun. Defining peace and sovereignty found here only in the Zuni Pueblo.

Journalistic Storytelling

My presentation

Humans of publications

Brooke opens up about her thoughts and beliefs

Six Words

Coming of Age in the 2020s.

Humans of May River

"May River helped me realize I could pursue my dream career in art, my final I painted in my art 2 class got put in a art gallery. That made me feel like a real artist, and made me realize my five years of practicing was worth something."- DR

my challange

A childhood story of my classmate .

Jake interviewed by Sophie

Jake.Z was interviewed by Sophie.S

My idea of democracy

My idea of democracy is being able to play whatever sports you want whenever you want to play them.

Democracy to Me

This picture (a lit 3-wick candle) represents democracy to me because it represents the three branches of government. All three have to work together to keep the country running smoothly and they have to "burn" equally.

Humans of Publications

Macy is a human of the Tiger Times

Humans of May River

"I have been a part of the community since I was born, I've watched as it has rapidly grown throughout the years". With that "I would like to be remembered for supporting those in the community who feel they don't have a voice in our community."

Humans of The Pepperbox

Humans of the Pepperbox

6 Words

Coming of Age in the 2020's.

Democracy to me

BIA- Bureau of Indian Affairs

Reese's democracy keys

My keys represent democracy to me.

Six Words

Coming of Age in the 2020s.

Democracy to me

When I think of democracy I often think of people. I saw this yearbook sign outside of my school. This made me think of democracy because people (students) are able to purchase a book full of their classmates and teachers.