July 03, 2012

Zuni is first Native MainStreet

Zuni First Native American MainStreet Project

By Bob TenequerThe Pueblo of Zuni will make history by becoming the first Native American MainStreet Project in the nation on July 5.

The pueblo will hold a proclamation signing ceremony to formalize this important project at 2 p.m. at the Zuni Visitor and Arts Center.
And:The MainStreet project is a licensed program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has been adopted by the state of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department.

Tom R. Kennedy, Zuni tourism office director, said, “This successful model of downtown and community revitalization is a vital strategy for economic renewal for Zuni Pueblo as it strives to preserve the ancient cultural traditions and create new opportunities for the future.”

“Zuni being the first Native American Mainstreet is a big deal, because state and the national organizations are now beginning to look at ways to learn from tribal communities,” he continued. “As a tribal MainStreet project, there is a huge difference. Keep in mind that the State Highway 53, which is open 24/7, lies within one block of where the most significant cultural practices of that community occur.”
Comment:  For more on Native tourism, see Astro-Tourism at Pyramid Lake and Navajo Nation = Great Road Trip.

Below:  "Social dances are a regular and important feature of events at the Zuni Visitor and Arts Center and enable visitors to experience and to photograph glimpses of traditional Zuni culture."

1 comment:

Rob said...

For more on the subject, see:

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/07/05/pueblo-of-zuni-becomes-first-tribal-nation-to-join-the-mainstreet-project

Pueblo of Zuni Becomes First Tribal Nation to Join the MainStreet Project

The Pueblo of Zuni became the first tribe in the nation to join the MainStreet Project—a national economic development project focused on cultural and historical preservation. The tribe signed a proclamation of their participation at 2 p.m. at the Zuni Visitor and Arts Center, reported the Cibola Beacon.

The grassroots program helps downtown communities establish or revitalize their business environments while preserving local cultural and historic resources.