Humans of Zuni: Ian Bowekaty

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

By Anthony S. from Zuni High School in New Mexico

I am strong and very proud of who I am and all I represent. I believe without the role models and experiences in my life, I wouldn't be where I am today. I've fallen in love with the game since I was in middle school. My journey started as I tried out and thought of it as something to do. I never played but as I stepped on the field, it felt as if I belonged. Always working, and improving to get better was my goal. It wasn’t until the summer before freshman year I knew it became serious. I was in a different, but comforting environment where people were just like me, always working toward improvements. Upperclassmen took me under their wings, because one day they knew I would take over the reins. I have my family and role models to thank for my success, as behind everything they were the ones who supported me in making decisions to better myself and my community.

More posts from this author

Zuni High School

Smith-Dual Credit

Dual Credit with NTU and ZHS

No More killing, Save the Indian

"kill the Indian, save the man" -Richard Henry Pratt

Red Road of Connection

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." -Chief Seattle of the Duwamish Tribe

Humans of Zuni: Kristyn Eriacho

How sports have gotten Kristyn through lifes hardships

Humans of Zuni: Kameron Eustace

This is Kameron. Taking a glimpse at the world of his ambitions and dreams.

My Dawg on The Rez

A rez dog is a dog that is mixed breed, basically a mutt. They have no real home and roam around the rez with no real purpose. My dog is a rez dog and has been able to survive the harsh conditions we call home here in Zuni land.

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.

Sustainability for Sovereign Native Communities

When people think about Native communities, they think about the poverty levels and the stereotypes. I wanted to show how sovereign Native communities can continue to sustain themselves and thrive through the reclamation of ancestral traditions.

Humans of Zuni: Chasady Simplicio

Peering into the ocean of wandering waves, for the mind seeks beyond the shores and piers, past the blue horizons, and into the welcoming skies of the next morning.

Tribal Sovereignty and Writing the Op-Ed

The fight to have our voices heard to bring back Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Humans of Zuni: Joshua Mahkee

With life bringing many challenges and problems, you can always find a person smiling through it all. Here is the story of my brother Joshua and his journey of self-introspection and finding happiness.

Tribal Sovereignty in Zuni

Tribal Soverignty can be seen in plain sight around Zuni Pueblo.

Our sovereignty is inherent

We have always been a sovereign people and one with the earth since the beginning of time.

Humans of Zuni: Cody Seciwa-Koons

Personal stories define who a person by describing how certain events shaped their personality. This is Cody Seciwa-Koons' story.

Earth as a part of tribal sovereignty

The land has a deeply rooted connection to the A:shiwi people. They have had many obstacles but remain on their sacred land.

Humans of Zuni: Jodi Kallestewa

This is Jodi Kallestewa's story. How she has overcome adversity and struggle to become more confident and outgoing.

Humans of Zuni :Kyle Awelagte

This is Kyle Awelagte's story of his journey, becoming who he is today and the help of his family.

"Rez''ilient Education

Our tribal sovereigntypaves the way for us to developa unique education system that is the foundation for ensuring we support and enrich the deep culture we have within our community.

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.

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.

Sovereignty: The Backbones of Our Community

The importance of women in our culture and in my life

Culture Is Not Mass-Produced

The story behind two Zuni silversmiths and their efforts to market their jewelry in the face of non-Native opportunists who steal authentic designs to mass produce for a global market.

Tribal Sovereignty

Sacred Earthlings with sacred practices. We as A:shiwi (Zuni) people keep our religion sacred. And with this comes a law created by the Tribal Government. The No Flash Photography law that is abided by us as well as nonmembers of the community.

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: Anthony Sice

In the Pueblo of Zuni, we open ourselves to windows of opportunity to grow and prosper. Anthony found his passion for baseball in the red dirt fields, playing with family, uncovering a talent he didn't know he had, and nurturing that talent.

Tribal Sovereignty: Washed Faces

As the children are fed along a river, they find gratitude in the heart of the land. From one corn stalk to the next, the seed grows and the root stretches into the underworld, grasping the soul of their ancestors. A mother's sovereignty.

More posts from Zuni High School

Surprise Me

Language Preservation of the A:shiwi

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

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".

Get To Know Your Neighbor

An interview with Ladean Blackhair.

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.

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.

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.

Dear Teenagers of Zuni

Letter to the Editor of the Independent.

Experience of Las Vegas, NV

Sienna's experience in Las Vegas

"My happiest moment"

Haiden's happiest moment is when she's with her sister.

Letter To The Editor

Letter to the Editor of The Independent.

Symbol of Freedom: Sun rising above Dowa Yalanne

My Symbol of freedom represents us A:shiwi people, not everyone sees, hears, or knows about us Zuni people. Because of our Yaddokya Datchu, the sun, we have freedom.

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.

More posts about "story" and "straightoutofshiwi"

Surprise Me

Letter To The Editor

Letter to the Editor of The Independent.

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.

Story

This is a story I wrote about the ineffective electives required by the state, and the ones I believe should be replaced.

Humans of Publications

Interview with Melissa Singleton

Tribal Sovereignty

Sacred Earthlings with sacred practices. We as A:shiwi (Zuni) people keep our religion sacred. And with this comes a law created by the Tribal Government. The No Flash Photography law that is abided by us as well as nonmembers of the community.

Construction In Covid

In this article I will be discussing the importance of construction and why it is so important. I will also be talking about how Covid-19 has affected that line of work and how it has affected my dad who works in the construction business.

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.

Sun going down at Black Rock hill

A special moment at sunset.

Mexico

This is about mexico.

Mental Health Matter

This is about the mental health of Arkansans and what causes it.

Humans of Tioga County

This is my humans of Tioga County post.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor of The Independent

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.

Humans of Tioga County

Humans of Tioga County

Humans of Sophomore Honors: Gabriel Martinez

I interviewed Gabriel Martinez about his happiest, saddest, and proudest moments in his life. I also asked him one thing that people don't know about him and his goals for this year.

Reese's democracy keys

My keys represent democracy to me.

Humans of The Pepperbox

Humans of the Pepperbox

Humans of Sophomore Honors: Grace Allen

My interview with Grace Allen was short and intriguing. I got to learn what she would change in her life, and how she wants to be remembered.

Letter To The Editor

Letter to the editor of The Independent.

Anticipating Annie

Annie

Eating disorders and how social media affects them

This article is about how eating disorders and how social media affects them

Humans of "The Pepperbox"

Bella talks about her biggest fear for the future.

Super-Bowl LVI

This article is about is the most recent Super-Bowl LVI.

Humboldt Bay, King Salmon, and Radioactivity

My Journalistic Article is about King Salmon's section of Humboldt Bay and the radioactive materials stored within a large hill nearby the town. King Salmon's section of Humboldt Bay is very special, and it would be awful if something happened to it.

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