In the early 1970's the Zuni tribe sued the United States for lands that were damaged as a result of federal improprieties related to trust responsibilities. After over ten years of litigation the United States and the Zunis settled the case out of court by establishing a trust fund through the Zuni Land Conservation Act of 1990 to restore damaged lands and to plan and implement Zuni sustainable resource development. In 1992 the Zuni Conservation Project prepared the Zuni Resource Development Plan: A Plan of Action for Sustainable Resource Development and organized efforts to meet requirements of the Act and needs of the Zuni community. The Conservation Project began full implementation of the plan in 1994.
For thousands of years Zunis have lived in a complex and delicate environment which has sustained their ancestors and which continues to bring great benefits to Zuni people today. But with the continuing growth of the population and the increasing demand for limited natural resources, the time has come to decide what means will need to be used to ensure that the resources and benefits available to their ancestors will be available for future generations.
Today Zuni could probably be described as both a developing nation and a prosperous community. Contemporary habits are approaching the patterns of the United States in general, but culture and ways of life remain consistently and uniquely Zuni. People are faced with the enormous challenge of moving into the next century maintaining traditions and values, yet needing the modern technical capability to deal with the conservation and development issues that confront them.
There is still an enormous amount of work to be done. While many members of the Zuni community are currently involved in the planning and implementing of natural resource programs, there remains a large part of the population which needs to be informed and included in natural resource decision-making. The work must be inclusive and equitable. The measure of success will be in how the elected tribal representatives, the Zuni people, and relevant governments accept responsibility for the future.
