Vamonos is excited to join the nation in celebrating Native American Heritage Month, a federal observance held each November to honor American Indians and Alaska Natives.
As part of our commitment to supporting local communities and Native Americans, we actively work to bring student groups to Native American communities in the U.S. In doing so, we support their economy and increase our students’ awareness of Native American causes and cultures.
Our ongoing efforts to support local pueblos in New Mexico are a prime example of this commitment. Our REconnect: A Journey of Service, Culture, and Spirit is a 4-day excursion to Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley, spotlighting a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Zuni Reservation in Western New Mexico, a hike through Zuni lands, Santa Clara Pueblo, the Puyé Community, and Santa Fe.
Students Experience Native American Heritage
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (Day 1)
- Indian Pueblo LUNCH buffet: Enjoying authentic New Mexican cuisine at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen.
- Guided tour of Cultural Center: Experience a vibrant cultural dance performance, view world-class Pueblo murals and exhibits, and interact with Native artists through live demonstrations.
- Shopping: Opportunity to shop for unique, locally made art and crafts, directly supporting Native artists.
About: The center provides a rich, immersive introduction to the traditions, history, and art of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo tribes
Zuni Reservation & Nature (Day 2)
The entire day is dedicated to interacting with and learning about the Zuni Pueblo.
- Morning Activities at Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP):
- Cross-Cultural Activities & Exchange Program: Engaging with a rural elementary school and a Native youth group.
- Joint Service Project: Participating in a community project (e.g., mural painting, recycling).
About ZYEP: Experiencing how young people stay connected to their traditions by learning Zuni language, dance, art, and farming practices. This is a direct engagement with cultural preservation
- Afternoon Hike Through Zuni Lands:
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- Cultural session with tribal leader and educator.
- Workshops: Choosing between building a mini adobe brick structure (learning traditional building techniques) or traditional bread baking in horno (using a clay oven).
- Guided tour by a tribal member of historical village or sacred lands.
Santa Clara Pueblo Focus (Day 3)
The morning of Day 3 maintains a focus on Pueblo culture and cuisine.
- Pueblo Cuisine Cooking Class and Lunch: Participants learn how to make traditional dishes like green/red chili and New Mexican tamales at a local neighborhood home, connecting directly with Pueblo food traditions.
Tour Reflection/Departure (Day 4)
This final day is structured to facilitate a smooth departure, allowing time for travelers to reflect on their experiences as they begin their journey home.
Our Support Extends Beyond New Mexico Pueblos
While our work in New Mexico is a major part of our mission, our engagement with Native communities extends far beyond the Southwest. Vamonos partners with and supports Native peoples in diverse regions, including communities in the Florida Everglades and Indigenous groups throughout Panama and the Caribbean.
We are one of the very few outside organizations granted permission to visit the Guna Yala residential islands in northeastern Panama, an honor that reflects the trust we have built through many years of respectful collaboration. These opportunities allow students to encounter living cultures across the Americas, broadening their understanding of Indigenous heritage in a global context.
Student Travel Focuses on Present-Day, Living Cultures
Immersion tours like ours enable teachers and students to move from being passive observers of Native American Heritage to being active participants and learners. Uniquely, Vamonos breaks the mold of traditional education itineraries that relegate Native Americans as figures of the past.
Trips to these areas can help teachers reframe the narrative and emphasize that Native American people and their cultures are vibrant, resilient, adaptive, and continue to thrive to this day.
For instance, activities on the Zuni Reservation demonstrate tribal sovereignty: the right of Native nations to govern themselves. Students see a tribe actively managing its own affairs, culture, and youth programs (like ZYEP). Sovereignty gives Native nations the ability to make laws and policies that specifically safeguard their unique way of life.
Tours to these areas are essential because they provide students with direct, experiential evidence of tribal self-determination and the resilience of living, contemporary Native cultures, moving beyond textbook historical accounts. Offering a perspective that is critical to the process of “The Making of a Global Citizen.”
Dedicated to Immersive and Responsible Educational Travel
Ultimately, our commitment to meaningful student education is evident in every aspect of our tours, from crafting customized itineraries that eliminate pointless downtime to our passionate focus on cultural immersion and supporting local communities.
This is a principle that extends to honoring Native American heritage through authentic engagement. With a background rooted in classroom teaching, we specialize in creating educational experiences that are both deeply engaging and responsibly managed, upholding the highest standards for traveler safety, environmental consciousness, and business integrity. We can help students become fearless language speakers and informed global citizens.