WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The “Buy Authentic Navajo” brand cuts to the heart of Navajo business. Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise has a unique business model that was established by the Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council.

The Advisory Committee enacted a resolution titled, “Approving the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise Payroll Deduction Plan for the Navajo Tribal Employees,” by a vote of 7-5 on Nov. 14, 1979.

Resolution No. CAN-112-79 planted the seed for economic development that continues to grow today. Elijah Muskett, NACE CEO, said the payroll deduction program has flourished over the decades, and now includes customers from tribal enterprises, schools...

2019 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial arts and crafts

Artists show their works, demonstrate their skills

Dana Aldis, of Gallup, has been painting professionally since 2008. She transitioned from painting primarily still life, animal portraits and landscape paintings, in oils.

“I try to participate in the local art scene when I can, mostly by displaying my work at ART123,” Aldis said July 16.

BACKGROUND

Aldis, who moved to Gallup from West Virginia in 2018, said she has lived in a number of places where her husband worked for numerous tribes.

Last June, Aldis joined gallupARTS and became very active in the arts scene. In February, she helped coordinate 15 in 30, a show where 28 local artists created 15 paintings in 30 days.

This path of teaching art comes from her time at...