Collaborations with Zuni

At the request of the Zuni Tribal Council, The Keshi Foundation (TKF) participated in a series of meetings in 2018 to learn what the Zuni Community considered effective ways to expand economic opportunity in the Zuni Pueblo.

These sessions brought together a wide range of Zuni stakeholders. Participants included representatives of the Pueblo government, artists, and other stakeholders. The session included the analytical exploration of needs and potential solutions; and a more emotional exploration of how different stakeholders might experience possible developments.

Few opportunities exist in Zuni Pueblo for visitors to buy Zuni artwork directly from the artists. Visitors cannot know if the artist received a fair price for their work. Most shops buying and selling artwork in Zuni are owned by non-Zunis. By establishing a fair trade-based Zuni-owned and operated shop, Zunis will have control, oversight, and respectful distribution of Zuni artwork and provide education about their unique art and culture. Zunis will be the buyers and the sellers of their jewelry, fetishes, and pottery. Another outcome is the creation of Zuni businesses providing Zuni control over their work, pricing, employment, and company profits.

The highly constructive meetings led to a collaborative working association with TKF and the A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center (ACCRC). 

You'll be able to learn more about a possible solution here.
While TKF encourages artists to develop personal websites where they can sell their work, a dedicated digital portal will generate more traffic. This concept gained importance during the Covid-affected years beginning in late 2019. The Pueblo was closed for long periods during the pandemic, with a devastating impact on the art community. Collaboration between the A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center and TKF at the Entrepreneurial Building can help artists with photography and computer skills.

The meetings identified viable solutions for economic opportunity and pathways to follow. This process also led to a working collaborative association between TKF and the A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center (ACCRC).