Merging ‘Old School’ concepts to this year’s extended Ceremonial

It’s that time once again for the annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, in the town known as the “Indian Capital of the World.”

In its 96th year, there’s been changes, and the man behind those changes, Ceremonial Director Dudley Byerley, talked with the Sun about the ambitious move of adding another week of festivities. He opened up about additions, such as the new Tiny Tot Pageant and Best Dressed Grandma and Grandpa Contest, and the $40,000 payout to the artists at the Red Rock Park exhibit hall.

Sun: Everyone is asking...”Why is the ceremonial longer this year?”

Byerley...

Coming from White River, Arizona, the Apache Spirit Mountain Dancers mesmerizes crowds when they perform at the Summer Nightly Indian Dances.

The group performed over the weekend of July 29 to a packed audience, close to 700 people.

Group leader Terrance Yazzie has been performing since the age of twelve and loves the feeling of passing on his culture to various crowds while keeping his traditions alive. Raised in White River, Ariz., on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Yazzie is half Navajo/Dineh and half White Mountain Apache. He was taught by his grandparents the importance of maintaining traditions

“My grandparents told me ‘this is who we are,’so I got into by...

The temperature climbed to borderline sweltering at the Gallup MX/OHV Park, and the live entertainment was “the bomb,” said 9-year-old Jennifer Begay.

The water gun fights were epic and the mud was thick and deep. Amid all that, somehow the Great Muddy Endurance Race, on July 22, managed to be a great time for racers, their friends and family, and the volunteers.

The race was a combination of a three mile fun run/walk first, followed by a 5k and a 10k. The run/walk saw both “runners” take part, as well as folks that desired more a more laid back exploration of the trail. The run/walk was very family/kid friendly with quite a few parents hiking it with their children...

SANTA FE — Please see the statement below from Governor Susana Martinez on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s report showing New Mexico is a national leader in economic growth:

“This is encouraging news for our families, communities and businesses,” Governor Martinez said. “Through a relentless commitment to reforms – balancing budgets, cutting taxes and streamlining regulations – we’re growing and diversifying our economy, and competing for jobs and investment with neighboring states like never before – and even beating them. I’m looking forward to continuing to work to build on this momentum to keep making New Mexico a better place.”

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