The proposed coloring book project serves to enhance cultural education, preserve zuni heritage, empower the community, and strengthen intergenerational ties

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $195,060 to the Zuni Pueblo of (operating as Zuni Cultural Resource Enterprise) under the Cultural Resources Management program (CFDA 15.511) on September 19, 2025, to develop a three-phase Zuni heritage coloring book project. The deliverable will serve as a cultural education tool designed to preserve Zuni heritage, empower the community, and strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer regarding the significance of the San Juan Basin. Project execution spans three phases: Phase 1 involves identifying the target audience and conceptualizing design themes; Phase 2 includes meetings with selected artists, assignment of compositional themes, and review of design scenes; and Phase 3 encompasses printing and distribution of the coloring book. The project is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2027.

This award aligns with the Cultural Resources Management program's objective to increase public awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of heritage assets on Reclamation land. The Zuni Pueblo's tribally owned cultural resource enterprise was selected as the recipient, consistent with the program's recognition that Indian tribes are often sole-sourced for federal funding due to their unique ability to identify and manage properties of religious and cultural concern to tribal members.

By focusing on the significance of the SAN juan basin, this initiative aims to enrich the zuni peoples understanding of their identity and foster a deeper appreciation of their ancestral landscape.phase 1: identifying target audience, conceptualize and design themesphase 2: meeting with selected artists, assigning compositional themes, and review of design scenesphase 3: printing the coloring book and distribution