Platform: Youth Involvement in the Preservation

of the Acoma Keres Language and Culture

 

Mataja, or "Shamunaitsa", is the granddaughter of Mary Victorino and the late Harry and Margaret Ascencio. She is the daughter of Myron and Bernadette Ascencio and is the youngest of four siblings.

 

Mataja is 20 years old.  She is of the parrot clan for her mother and the sun clan for her father.  She is a 2013 graduate of Grants High School and is currently employed as a tour guide for the Sky City Cultural Center.