Zuni girl with jar by Curtis, Edward S., circa 1903

Each morning Missy Yatsattie rises, she has a task to perform, a duty that was bestowed upon her through generations of her family on her mother’s side.Since the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, one family has been responsible for the care of an 18-inch wooden statue that was rescued before the missions were destroyed.Santo Nino, or Baby Saint, has been kept at the same home since 1690 when the Zuni people returned to Halona after escaping to Thunder Mountain following the revolt.

Now Yatsattie needs help to make repairs on the home of the Santo Nino, where she also lives to care for the statue. Last month Yatsattie walked 23 miles to raise funds to repair the adobe wall and the roof of the home. Earlier this month, she held a raffle. She also is planning another walk like one that raised nearly $400, most of which came from the Zuni people.

The Santo Nino is sacred to both the Catholics and the Zunis. For the Catholics, he is seen as a powerful figure because he represents Jesus in his most innocent stage – as a baby.

For the Zuni, the Santo Nino is actually a female – the daughter of the sun. Both attribute various miracles to the Santo Nino in past centuries.

Find out more at: News from Indian Country