Zuni Indian Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pueblo of Zuni
A:shiwi
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico, Arizona |
| County | McKinley, Cibola, Apache County, Arizona |
| Population
(2000)Enrolled tribal members
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| • Total | 7,758 |
| Time zone | MT/MDT |
| Website | Official site of the Zuni tribe: http://www.ashiwi.org/ |
The Zuni Indian Reservation, also known as Pueblo of Zuni, is the special homeland of the Zuni tribe. The Zuni are a group of Native Americans.
In their own language, the Zuni Pueblo people call themselves A:shiwi. They call their homeland Halona Idiwan’a, which means "Middle Place."
Contents
Where is the Zuni Reservation Located?
The Zuni Reservation is mostly found in the Zuni River valley. It is located in western New Mexico, about 150 miles (240 km) west of Albuquerque. The main parts of the reservation are in McKinley and Cibola counties.
There are also smaller pieces of Zuni land in Apache County, Arizona. These are found northwest of the city of St. Johns.
Natural Borders and Size
The main part of the reservation touches the state of Arizona on its west side. To the east, it borders the Ramah Navajo Reservation.
Beautiful natural features surround the main reservation. These include the Painted Cliffs, the Zuni Mountains, and the Cibola National Forest. The total land area of the reservation is about 723 square miles (1,873 square kilometers).
The Zuni Tribe also owns land in Apache County, Arizona, and Catron County, New Mexico. These areas are not directly connected to the main reservation.
How Many People Live on the Zuni Reservation?
In the 2010 census, about 7,891 people lived on the Zuni Reservation. Most of these people live in the main community called Zuni Pueblo. This town is the center of the reservation.
Many also live in Black Rock, which is a town close by to the east.
History and Important Places
The Zuni Reservation is home to the Hawikuh Ruins. Hawikuh was an ancient Zuni pueblo, which is a type of village. It was the largest of the places known as the Seven Cities of Cibola.
Hawikuh was built in the 1200s and was left empty in 1680. It was also the first pueblo that Spanish explorers saw. An African scout named Estevanico was the first non-Native person to reach this area.
Towns and Education
The biggest town on the reservation is Zuni Pueblo. This is where the Tribal government is located. Other towns on the reservation include Black Rock and Pescado.
There is also a branch campus of the University of New Mexico in Zuni. This offers college-level education to students.
How the Zuni Tribe is Governed
The Zuni Tribe has its own government. It is led by an elected governor, a lieutenant governor, and a six-member Tribal Council. Elections for these positions happen every four years.
The governor is in charge of the Tribal Council's daily work. The Tribal Council makes all the final decisions for the reservation. They manage money, business choices, taxes, and agreements.
Education for Zuni Children
The parts of the Zuni Reservation in Cibola and McKinley counties are part of the Zuni Public Schools. Students in these areas attend schools within this district.
Zuni High School is the main high school for students living on the reservation.
See also
In Spanish: Reserva india de los zuñis para niños
