Visiting a New Mexico Pueblo: Laguna Pueblo Feast Day

Feast Days at the pueblos of New Mexico are special times full of family, feasting and ceremony. Usually feast days are open to the public. And, as I found out, feast days are great opportunities to enjoy Native American culture, pueblo-style.

What is a Feast Day?
According to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, “Feast Days” at each of the Pueblos are named after the Pueblos’ patron saint. The Pueblos open up their respective Feast Days to the public where visitors can view the reverent dances and songs offered on those days.

Feast Days bring tribal members together to renew their culture, language and native religion. On those days, families prepare food for the many invited visitors coming through their homes, and participate in the activities taking place on their Feast Day. Pueblo Feast Day Dates do not change and are held on the same date each year. List of Pueblos and Feast Days

What is a Feast Day Like?
I had never attended a feast day and heard about the Feast Day at Laguna Pueblo, 45 miles west of Albuquerque. The pueblo, visible from I-40 had always intrigued me.

With earth colored adobe homes dotting the hillside and a white historic mission church at the top of the hill, Laguna Pueblo looked more like a scene out of old Mexico than what you might expect to see while driving the Interstate. Laguna is home to the Ka-waikah people and, like the other pueblos, have their own government and rules for visitors.

St. Joseph Church at Laguna Pueblo

September 19th is the Feast Day of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Laguna Pueblo. You can see the beautiful whitewashed adobe St. Joseph's church from the highway. When you attend the Feast Day, you may visit the church.

The feast day, the year I went, was on Sunday and took place 10am - 8am. I arrived around 11 a.m. and found plenty of places in the dirt parking lot on the hillside behind the church. People were parking alongside the road and at their relative's homes.

The first thing I noticed were rows upon rows of colorful tents lining the areas around the church. I parked (free) and started walking along the dusty pathway. I

I enjoyed looking at all the booths. Families were selling roasted corn from the backs of their pick-up trucks. The corn, grey with ash, looked as though it had been roasted in a pit.

As I made my way up the hill, I noticed that there were quite a few jewelry vendors from Kewa Pueblo (formerly Santo Domingo) known for their inlaid shell and heishi. There were "Diné curly fries", hamburger stands and sno-cone vendors. I had a sense I would not go hungry!

It was fun to see what each booth offered. There were dime toss games for children, quite a bit of pottery from Acoma, Macaw feathers from Central America, wonderful home made pies and horno (oven) bread.

The main booths were located along two streets near the church. A Laguna pottery vendor welcomed me and suggested I visit the church, founded in 1701. I did so and said a prayer for the success of the pueblo's harvest. I noticed beautiful traditional painting along the walls, and old, creaky wooden pews that must have been there for many years. I took a photo of the church, with permission, and left a donation.

It was getting hot and I was glad I brought water. Around the stone and adobe homes, there were many people. Inside, families were serving their invited guests, too many to fit inside the home.

Ceremonial Dances
I heard the beat of drums and wandered closer to the main plaza. Just outside, in front of a home there were feathered Eagle Dancers. I watched the dance and then headed over to see what was going on in the plaza. It wasn't time for a dance yet. There were chairs lined up for the local people. Visitors could watch, respectfully from above, if they remained behind the local people.

As I wandered the booths, I noticed dancers, in traditional dress, shopping for food and for more items of traditional dress. I especially enjoyed the fact that this was not a tourist-oriented event. 95% of the people there were Native American. I saw friends from Zuni and Acoma there.

Laguna Pottery
I collect pottery and was looking for some Laguna potters. I asked each pottery vendor where they were from and oddly, most were from Acoma. I know that Laguna and Acoma people have had a close relationship over the years but I still had hoped to purchase a piece of Laguna pottery. In speaking with a young Laguna woman who had a few pieces of pottery to sell, I found out that there were not many people at Laguna making traditional pottery. She was teaching pottery and wanted to revive the art. Next to her, one of her students was wrapping up two huge pottery jars for a collector. Other than these two booths, I didn't encounter many local people who made pottery.

I ended up purchasing a small Jemez pot from Geraldine Toya. She had a gorgeous wedding vase pot which was a bit out of my price range. Her pots are all made in the traditional way and she and her husband use natural pigments and paints.

Geraldine Toya and her beautiful pottery.
The amazing wedding pot is on the left.

Interestingly, you can see their work, in much larger form, along the Albuquerque Sunport road.

I had met Laguna potter, Michael Kanteena, as he presented his art for us at the Petroglyph National Monument years ago and hoped to see him at the feast day. Unfortunately he was not there.

I stopped by the Indian Arts Center store just off the Interstate, near the gas station and asked about Laguna pottery. The owner explained, as did the pottery teacher, that there were not many potters in Laguna. She had some older pottery available for sale to collectors. Also at the Indian Arts Center, you'll often find fry bread and Indian tacos for sale.

Worth a Stop.

When You Go
Feast days are opportunities to visit the Laguna Pueblo as it is a time that visitors are welcomed. Although each small town that makes up the Pueblo has a feast day, the best one to attend is September 19th, as all the villages celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph and gather at Laguna for dances after a Mass at the San José Mission Church.

You'll be spending the day outdoors so wear sunscreen, a hat and carry (or purchase) water.

Bring cash for food and your arts and crafts purchases. While some vendors took checks, and a very few took credit cards, most expected purchases to be made with cash.

Follow - Pueblo Rules for Visitors

More Information - Laguna Pueblo Website

Celebrate Native American Culture Through Travel: New Attractions and Programs

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the National Park Service are encouraging travelers to celebrate American Indian culture throughout the country by visiting National Parks with special connections to the Native Heritage in their respective locations.

Through collaborations between tribes and public lands, tourism helps Indian Country link its historical interpretations to landscape, showcasing that authentic tribal stories and perspectives are intertwined in the fabric of American history.

During 2016, the centennial of the National Park Service, a number of park-tribal collaborations debuted, giving park visitors new perspectives on history, community, and the land.

Where should you go? Here are a few ideas the Parks and AIANTA put together:

• Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve:
  Twenty years of relationship building and collaboration between the Hoonah Indian Association (the federally recognized tribal government of the Huna Tlingit) and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was celebrated at the opening of the Huna Tlingit Tribal House (Xunaa Shuká Hít) on August 25, 2016. The Tribal House provides a venue for ceremonies, workshops, camps, and tribal meetings. Through mentoring, apprentice opportunities, and interpretive programming, the Huna Tlingit Tribal House ensures that Huna Tlingit culture, language, and history will be passed on to current and future generations.
   
• Desert View Watchtower:
  At the Desert View Area and Watchtower in Grand Canyon National Park, the expertise and voices of the park’s Inter-tribal Advisory Council and park staff along with support from the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association are launching a new vision and model for interpretation and tribal engagement. Park visitors can now engage with First Voice cultural demonstrators and interpreters while tribal youth can take part in internship and employment opportunities offered by the park. Over time, an inter-tribal heritage center will be developed where visitors can learn more about neighboring tribes and get information for visiting tribal reservations.
   
• Acadia National Park:
  In Acadia National Park, weekly Cultural Connections presentations spotlight the heritage and history of the park and the region. This year, Hawk Henries, member of the Nipmuck Tribe, brought a tribal voice to the series, featuring storytelling and musical performances on his hand-carved eastern woodland flutes.
   
• Crater Lake National Park:
  The Klamath Tribes of Oregon consider Crater Lake to be a place of important spiritual significance. When the Britt Orchestra and the staff at Crater Lake National Park began planning a special centennial concert in the park, they reached out to the Steiger Butte Drum troupe, made up of members of the Klamath Tribes, to play a prominent role. On July 29th and 30th, the Orchestra, Drum troop, and a 50-voice choir debuted an original composition, Natural History, to an enthusiastic crowd of park visitors.
   
• American Indians and Route 66
  The Native American experience of Route 66 is highlighted in a new website and travel guide, created in partnership by AIANTA and NPS. While the guide includes native history and points of interest along the route, it also informs travelers about genuine cultural experiences available today. Compiled with assistance from many tribes along the route, “American Indians and Route 66” gives travelers a more complete picture of the famed journey.

You’ll find that traveling through Native cultural areas and reservations has become even more open and welcoming to visitors. Organizations such as AIANTA are busy promoting Native tourism throughout the United States.

North of Phoenix, Visit Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot

Just north of Phoenix, Arizona, traveling north on I-17,  you'll find the Verde Valley. While many go there to enjoy the Verde Valley Wine Trail or take the Verde Canyon Railway excursion train, there are mysteries to be discovered in the remnants of the ancient cultures of the area.

The people that settled this valley came for the water and the abundant rich soil along the river. Visitors today can enjoy the massive "Montezuma Castle" cliff dwellings, drive a little farther north and hike in to see Montezuma Well and take a side trip to Tuzigoot National Monument with some great ruins to explore and a visitors center for information.

This is the way to get a sense of how these early people lived and, perhaps, why they moved on.

Visiting Montezuma Castle
Montezuma Castle isn't a castle at all. It's an impressive collection of ancient Sinaguan cliff dwellings. It is easy to see why ancient people stayed awhile to farm this land. What isn't clear is why they left. It is interesting that the people have been named the Sinagua (without water, in Spanish). You'll first stop at the Visitors Center where you'll learn about the ancient Sinaguan people.

The construction of Montezuma Castle began around 900 years ago and was abandoned about 600 years ago. The paved trail will take you to great places to view and photograph the cliff dwellings high up on the face of the cliff.

There are plenty of sycamore trees to shade you as you walk the short path to view the impressive dwellings.

As you continue on the path, you'll be able to visualize where the Sinaguans farmed and where they were able to draw water. And yes, there was water when they lived there. The name was given to them by archaeologists who noted, at the time of their work, that there was not much water in the valley.

You can no longer climb into the cliff dwellings as they are much too fragile and have had to be partially reconstructed. But the view from the pathways is striking.

Montezuma Well
Just north of Montezuma Castle is Montezuma Well, a fascinating sinkhole with some smaller cliff dwellings visible in the rock wall that surrounds the well. Formed long ago by the collapse of a limestone cavern, over one million gallons of water a day flows continuously into the Well. This constant supply of warm (74 degrees), fresh water provides an aquatic habitat like no other in the world, and has served as an oasis for wildlife and humans for thousands of years. If you look into the caves at the bottom of the path, you'll likely find some bats.

Not far from the well, follow the water to a lovely, grassy park. It is a quiet place to read a book in the shade.

Montezuma Well's outflow has been used for irrigation since the 8th century. Part of a prehistoric canal is preserved at the picnic ground.

Tuzigoot
Tuzigoot, not far from Montezuma Castle is an ancient village or pueblo also built by the Sinagua. The pueblo consisted of 110 rooms including second and third story structures. The first buildings were built around A.D. 1000. It is not a cliff dwelling.

The Sinagua were farmers with trade connections that spanned hundreds of miles. As you walk the trails and along walls, you can see the area where the ancient people farmed and it is easy to imagine corn, beans and squash being grown and stored in rooms of the pueblo.

This site is closest to Cottonwood.

When You Go
Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well can all be visited in a day.

Take a picnic and plenty of water. The best place to picnic is at the grassy area near the trailhead and parking for Montezuma Well. There are picnic tables and shade.

Avoid visiting in summer as it is just too hot.

Phone: (928) 567-3322 x221
Montezuma Castle Visitor Center phone line. Answered by a ranger during normal business hours.

Map of AZ Ancient Sites

5 things to know before you visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park

It is worth going to Chaco to see the amazing
work of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park providing for visitors the most noteworthy Ancestral Puebloan (living there between 850 and 1250 A.D.) structures in the American Southwest.

The park, accessible via dirt roads, is located in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington.It is a major destination for those interested in understanding the mysteries of these people who were known for building the massive structures using stone-age tools and often oriented to solar, lunar, and cardinal directions. How did these early people have the foresight and the knowledge to construct such massive great houses and kivas and why did they incorporate astronomical features into their work? Some believe that Chaco was an important ceremonial and trade center.

Since the park is remote and so significant, there are some things to know before you go.

1. Read Up on Chaco. At a minimum, check out the Chaco Culture website and print out a few of the brochures. You’ll come prepared with a little background information, learn about the trails and sites in Chaco Canyon, know how weather affects the area and whether there are special events or Ranger-led hikes when you will be there. Ranger programs are offered daily throughout the year. Check the schedule at the Visitor Center or call 505-786-7014 for more information. Special programs can be found on the park calendar.

Did you know that there is camping in Chaco Canyon? That would be a great option for those interested in the Chaco Night Sky Program. From April to October, Night Sky programs and telescope viewing of the spectacular dark night sky are offered three days a week.

2. Consider a Guide or a Tour. We visited Chaco Culture National Historical Park with Southwest

It helps to have a guide who knows where
the trails are and can tell you about
the history of the people who lived there.

Adventure Tours who selected an experienced guide for our group. There is so much to understand about Chaco that, unless you have done considerable research yourself, you’ll miss some of the highlights and details and you may fall prey to some of the sensationalist stories about the Chacoans. Our guide at nearby Aztec Ruins, Larry Baker, also leads guided tours out of Salmon Ruins and will take tour participants on a day trip from the ruins.

Don’t be surprised that your guide cannot give you all the answers to the mysteries of Chaco. There are many theories and beliefs, but sometimes the answer to your questions will be, “no one knows.” Research continues and guides build on their knowledge as new research comes out.

3. Plan your Route. Whether you are visiting Chaco for a day trip or a longer stay camping, you’ll need to know how to get there and how long it will take you. There is a northern route (closest to Santa Fe) and a southern route (closest to Gallup). Both will lead you to the point where the road becomes dirt and rocks. Both will take considerable time. (Map) When we went, the southern route was easier than the northern route, which was pretty much 80% washboard road. But, that all changes with the weather and the seasons. Gas up before you go and, of course, carry water.

To get to Chaco, you'll be headed down long stretches of dirt road.
Here, Gina Zammit, journalist, sees her first tumbleweed.

4. Wear appropriate clothing. At the Chaco Culture National Historical Park you’ll not only be able to walk among the Ancestral Puebloan structures, you’ll be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the canyon and wash. It is rocky and sandy. Weather can affect the trails and the roads.

There are easy sightseeing trails and more difficult back country trails. Our group decided to scale a boulder-laden trail to reach Pueblo Alto and enjoy a panoramic view. The trail started at the Pueblo del Arroyo parking area and was fairly easy except for the 250-foot climb. Be sure and ask at the Visitors Center about trails, back country registration and needed equipment.

In general, be sure and wear day hikers with tread or hiking boots. Carry a hiking stick if you are a bit unsteady on your feet. Wear a hat, dress in layers, and use sunscreen. And, of course, carry water. The weather is unpredictable so be prepared for the day when you visit Chaco Canyon.

5. Consider the Culture. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is considered a spiritual place by most of the surrounding indigenous people. It is the place of their ancestors whose spirits still walk there.

The detailed stonework of these early
people is inspiring.

No longer called Anasazi, the people who lived at Chaco are ancestors to those who currently live in the surrounding pueblos. Thus the term, Ancestral Puebloans, is much more appropriate. In fact, the Navajo translation of the term Anasazi is “ancestral enemies.”

We don’t refer to the buildings at Chaco as ruins and don’t consider them abandoned. Remember, the ancestors’ spirits are still there!

These round structures are Kivas

We don't say that the Chacoans disappeared. They are all there around you in the Southwest. We noticed linkages when touring Acoma Pueblo. The people there recalled trade with the people of Mexico and the Mexican coastal areas. In Chaco, evidence was found of trade in Macaw feathers, shells and metal bells in exchange for local turquoise.

Window showing the quality
of stone masonry.

Enjoy your visit. Most are impressed with the sites and most gain some understanding of the connections between the early Chaco people and the native peoples of today who live in the Southwest.

More Information
Chaco Canyon National Historical Park
Visiting New Mexico
Southwest Adventure Tours
Grand Circle Association

This experience was part of a Grand Circle tour provided by Southwest Adventure Tours and hosted by the members of the Grand Circle Association. While this has not influenced this content, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.

Native Fashion Now at the Portland Art Museum - Photo Album

Look up... and be entranced
Patricia Michaels Parasols

Patricia Michaels
Taos Pueblo

Louis Gong's (Nooksack) Eighth Generation
Blankets
Watch out Pendleton!

 

 

Louis Gong is known for his shoe art
with Northwest Native designs.

Amazing weaving and owl mask by
Margaret Roach Wheeler (Chicasaw).
I'd love to see this one dance!

Bethany Yellowtail (Crow/Northern Cheyenne)
Amazing applique dress with elk tooth detail.
Only drawing from one's culture would yield such a look.

Street (or is it Rez) art was strongly represented by
artists like Jered Yazzie (Navajo)
His work can be found on the Beyond Buckskin website.

Jered with his MIS-REP design

Raven the Trickster and Eagle
Skate Board Art
Rico Worl (Athabaskan/Tlinget)

I didn't know about N7. Did you?
The N7 Fund is committed to creating early positive experiences in sport and physical activity for Native American and Aboriginal youth in North America.

Last but not least. How could we not be amazed
by Orlando Dugi's (Navajo) gown and porcupine quill headpiece.

Native Fashion Now at the Portland Art Museum runs through September 4th, 2016. These photos represent my initial impressions of the show, but there is so much more!

Gallup Flea Market: Antiques, Native American Jewelry, Car Parts and Fry Bread

People watching includes
admiring the cute kids

I've heard about the Gallup Flea Market for years. So on my four-day trip to the Gallup area I put the Gallup Flea Market at the top of my list. And I found a great place to go on a treasure hunt.

The Gallup Flea Market is scheduled for Saturdays, with the first Saturday of the month, a more happening time to go. Some resources indicate the market is also open, on a smaller scale, on weekdays.

We went the first Saturday in October. The market opens when the first vendors arrive, close to 8 a.m. We went at 9 a.m. and found plenty of interesting vendors with many more opening up later in the morning.  The author of this fun "Haul Video" suggests arriving after 10 a.m.

Gallup Flea Market Treasures
Four of us, with four different reasons for going to the flea market, had a wonderful time. When we first got there, we noticed people purchasing bales of hay, car parts and tires. As we walked down the rows of tables we found such interesting treasures:

One great find was this string
of Sterling beads or, as the locals call
them, Navajo pearls

- An ancient-looking cow hide trunk. My friend thought it dated to the 1800's and belonged in a museum
- Navajo dolls made by an elderly Navajo woman. I think these were the best made dolls I have seen. Cost: $10 for a pair

- Large Sterling handmade beaded necklace quickly snapped up by my jewelry artist friend for a reasonable $60.
- Navajo-made two strand necklace with spiny oyster beads reasonably priced at $20 (after I asked for a reduced price)
- The best jerky in New Mexico, according to my friend, was offered in many flavors and went for $5.00 a bag.
- An old cast iron figure of a miner, snapped up by another friend for $10.00
- Sodas and water for 50 cents.
- Local honey
- Navajo tea and herbal cures
- Zuni inlay jewelry
- Horno bread
- Roasted corn
- Delicious-looking tacos, fry bread, tamales, bar-b-que

There were tables with rocks and minerals, antique tools, Navajo traditional clothing, Indian jewelry, antiques, household junque, and several litters of puppies.

Hand made Navajo dolls - $5.00 each.

 People watching was out of this world. It is fun to see what the locals buy and this is a local market, not a tourist market. That is why it was so attractive. The vendors sell primarily to the Native American families from the area. The market had a carnival atmosphere with families walking along eating roasted corn ears, looking at CD's, buying produce and stopping for an early hot lunch.

Recommendations
I highly recommend a visit to the Gallup Flea Market for some local flavor and shopping fun. We all agreed there were bargains to be had. None of us were shy about asking for a reduced price.

Be sure and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. You will be outside. Wear closed toed shoes as it is dusty. And when it rains, people complain of the mud.

Bring cash. Some vendors took checks and just a few took credit cards.

When You Go
The market is located off NM Highway 491 on the East side of 9th Street. It is accessible from I-40. Take exit 20 and head north. Turn right on West Lincoln Avenue, then proceeding to 9th Street, then turning Left and proceeding North up 9th Street, the market is on your right.  Map

Parking is free.

 Phone Number: 505.722.9857

Gallup Flea Market Website

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Instagram

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Travel to Feast Day at Laguna Pueblo

Well, I did travel but kept it to only a few days and avoided air travel. My destination was Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. The draw was to experience their feast day and just see the pueblo. I had seen Laguna Pueblo many times from I-40 and always wanted to visit. What better time that on their Patron Saint's feast day when the celebrations were open to the public.

Getting ThereI was traveling on the cheap yet knew I couldn't drive the full distance the first day. I opted to stay in Winslow, Arizona as they do have cheap motels. I stayed at The Lodge, which is familiar to me from my stays during the Adopt a Native Elder Program food runs to the Navajo reservation. Two nights = $78 with tax. That was a good buy.

Map

View Larger Map

The Feast Day ExperienceI spent the day enjoying the food boths, arts and crafts, ceremonial dances, and, finally, seeing Laguna Pueblo. Here is the full story of my experience. September 19th is the pueblo's feast day. Consider putting that on your calendar!

And Now.... Some Travel Book Recommendations

I love this book! Native Roads, the Complete Motoring Guide to the Navajo and Hopi Nations by Fran Kosik, is a must-have as you drive the back roads of Arizona.

When it comes to Navajo and Hopi lands, things just are not well-marked. But all the residents know where to go. And now you will too. This is more than a guide book with maps, it reveals the history and culture of the places you will want to visit. And, has tips on etiquette so you don't become the "ugly tourist."

You'll enjoy the historical photos and tips on how to get to both well-known and not so well-known places.

Trading post tour anyone?

IF I was traveling, I would have gone here...

I'm a travel writer taking a break from travel on a very busy Labor Day weekend. But if I was traveling, here are two places I would have loved to go:

Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch, New Mexico: Each Labor Day Weekend, the Chile Capitol of the World puts on a festival.  The festival attracts over 30,000 visitors from all over the United States, including such notables as the Food Network and the BBC. Festival goers can sample famed chile recipes, watch the crowning of the chile festival queen, or toss a horseshoe in celebration of this famous crop. The event also features chile ristra contests, artisan and food booths, and a carnival.

Navajo Nation Fair, Window Rock, AZ: The Navajo Nation Fair has become a world-renowned event that showcases Navajo Agriculture, Fine Arts and Crafts, with the promotion and preservation of the Navajo heritage by providing cultural entertainment. Enjoy rodeo, Indian dances, carnival and more.

I have yet to attend either of these events and you can bet they will be on my list for when I DO resume traveling!

Shopping with the Courtyard Vendors at the Gallup Ceremonial

One of the enjoyable things to do at Gallup Ceremonial is shopping with the vendors who make authentic hand made items. The Ceremonial screens the vendors and I think this year there were an exceptional number of very high quality items for sale.

I visited with the vendors in the outdoor courtyard at the Convention Center (outside the exhibit hall) and enjoyed seeing some well-known artists from Hopi, Zuni and, of course, the local area.

I visited with Brad Panteah whom I first met at the Heard Indian Market in Phoenix. He does some interesting contemporary overlay silverwork. My friend purchased bear earrings from him years ago. I was concerned about Brad as he often came to shows on oxygen and seemed very tired. However, this year, he looked much healthier and was cheerfully selling sans oxygen. He's a smart businessman who has items at all price points. He makes simple stampwork silver tree ornaments that sell for only $30.

I watched as D. Smallcanyon (I'm sorry I forgot her first name) from Gallup sold a beautiful Squash Blossom necklace that she made. The necklace and earrings went for only $400. The elderly woman whose husband purchased the set was noticeably moved. She was so thrilled to be able to have the necklace that she had tears in her eyes. I purchased a lovely corn or squashblossom pair of silver and turquoise from her for only $20 for the pair. I thought that was very reasonable.


Farther down along the row of vendors I encountered a nice couple with jewelry done in the Hopi style. It was very well done....lovely. Calvin Peterson is from Chandler, Arizona and anticipates opening a jewelry store soon. Meanwhile his simple silver creations were going well. I purchased a nice heavy sterling ring with a turtle symbol for $40, again a reasonable price.

There was a wonderful variety of bead work, silver jewelry, pottery, quilts and so many more creative products I can't list them. If you shop the vendors at Ceremonial, there is a good chance you will come home with a collectible item at a bargain price.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Look Who's in Gallup!

I've been traveling New Mexico and writing about my love for the land, the culture and the fun for years now. But imagine how surprised I was to run into a real celebrity at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial.

I had just finished enjoying the award-winning Native American art, listening to a Native flute player and I headed toward the horno (oven) to see if the bread was done. And there were my friends from northern New Mexico... Jack the travelin' bull dog and not far behind, Ms. Jill! It was so fun to see them. Jack was noticeably afected by the warm weather (after all, he is from a much cooler climate).

Later we saw Jack, in the Exhibition Hall, happily posing for photos near some absolutely splendid Navajo weavings. He really liked the cool floor.

Jack was just a pup when I first met him. But he's doing a great job of promoting tourism in New Mexico. Go Jack!

Follow Jack's exploits on his blog.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Native American Arts Blogs

Aside from my articles on About Southwest, and my website, Outdoorsy Girl, I rarely come upon a blog that promotes the Native American artisans of the southwest. Have a look at Southwestern Souvenirs. They seem to be in sync with my desire to repect and promote the work of Native American artisans who, like us all, have been affected by the economic downturn.