Wild Thing Championship Bullriding revenue provides loving help for local youth

Imagine this: You turn 11 years old and are cut off from the last person you could have distantly called family. You are alone and you feel like no one wants you. No positive future seems to await you after school — that is, if you can finish it by yourself.

Eventually, opportunities to experiment with drugs and other risky behavior, and to enlist the help of gangs for safety become daily occurrences.

This story is a story with no fairy tale ending for many of New Mexico’s youths. However, local community members and 65 volunteers from other states have partnered together to provide these young people without a stable home environment for a positive alternative: Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home, and Gallup Christian School, a component of MNCH.

According to Priva­teSchoolReview.com, GCS is an open-enrollment K-12 school that stresses a liberal arts education, offers extra-curricular activities, and bases its teaching on an enhanced home-schooling curriculum.

The children’s home has been around since the 1950s, but few community members could tell you how it came about. The Gallup Church of Christ spearheaded an effort to start a church just west of Gallup with a pleasant, yet unforeseen, outcome.

“Missionaries were overwhelmed by the many Navajo families who were bringing them children to raise,” Pastor Jeff Foster of the Church of Christ said.  “The focus shifted from church-planting to establishing a group home for children.”

Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home has come quite a ways since the 1950s, when it consisted of two small cinderblock buildings. Besides housing, there’s a brand-new playground, gymnasium, storage buildings, a school, and an office on 36 acres of property. The playground was installed three weeks ago, after a collective fundraising, with one anonymous donor contributing $20,000.

There are several cottages with seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms each, where the children can live in a clean environment with commodities they’re not used to having. House parents live among the children and work in rotations. The point isn’t to be surrogate parents, but to model how a healthy family functions.

“We’re not a shelter; we emphasize the ‘HOME’ part of Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home,” Jim Christian, the superintendent of MNCH and GCS, said.

Most of the residents of the children’s home also attend the Gallup Christian School on campus. Of the five residents who graduated from the school in May, all plan to continue their education.

“This would not have happened if they would not have been in the supportive structured environment of Manuelito Children’s Home,” Christian said.

Merle Roehr, a house parent and leader of the 65-plus volunteers for Wild Thing, agrees.

“It gives [the children] a stable environment and it gives them a better future most of the time,” he said.

Wild Thing Championship Bullriding believes in MNCH’s positive impact, and has been sponsoring it for the full 23 years of its existence under the leadership of Larry Peterson.

Christian said the Peterson family has been vital to MNCH, beginning with Peterson’s father in the 1950s. This year, proceeds from parking lot fees and the concession stand hit $13,000, all of which benefit MNCH.

Christian and others noted that the revenue from Wild Thing on July 8 - 9 made this “a good year.” Still, the organization must spend roughly $40,000 a year on propane, and $25,000 for electricity with the money they receive from donations. Giving decreases in the summer months, but expenses remain the same. Any donation helps.

The infrastructure of MNCH is efficient and robust. They partner with local organizations like the Community Pantry to make sure the kids have a well-balanced diet. MNCH provides a donated wardrobe, as most kids arrive with only the worn-out clothes they are wearing.

Specific donations are preferred, otherwise, Christian said, “we would end up with a 1,000 bottles of syrup, but no pancake mix!”

It’s also important to protect the privacy of the children and families involved.

“Our most cherished memories center on those children who have come into our care from families fractured by domestic abuse, criminal activity, and/or substance abuse . . . children who have bounced from house to house . . . children who have lived in unsafe and unwholesome and destructive environments . . . and who have found a place of security, comfort and love with us,” Pastor Foster concluded. “It is a beautiful thing to watch a child who has come to us with little promise be given resources and opportunities to excel in life.”

This kind of love isn’t just a “beautiful thing.” In this case, it’s also a ‘Wild Thing.’

For more information, call (505) 863-5530

Story and photos by Andy Gibbons III
Sun Correspondent

‘The Mayors of Shiprock’ shot on Navajo Nation

Ramona Emerson of Tohatchi is the latest recipient of a grant from the New Mexico Film Foundation, officials announced this week.

The Navajo-born Emerson, who owns film production company Reel Indian Pictures, was awarded $3,600 from the NMFF toward the making of a new film documentary called The Mayors of Shiprock. The grant is a result of a partnership between the NMFF and the Albuquerque-based Isora Foundation.

“The [Isora Foundation’s] mission is to fund projects which empower individuals to improve conditions within their own communities,” Isora Foundation Director Wendy Wells said. “During our 2016 funding cycle, we reached out to the [NMFF] to see if they knew of film projects that would meet our mission goals. Dirk Norris, the director at the New Mexico Film Foundation, suggested we look into Emerson’s project.”

The Mayors of Shiprock is 54-minutes-long and follows the storyline of the Northern Diné Youth Committee as they work to build and better their community. The group’s leader, Graham Beyale, has taken the lead in creating and implementing a community-oriented base of young men and women who strive to create a better world for themselves and their families. After a three-year hiatus from college, Beyale realizes he must return to school to implement the change he wants for his community and his tribe.

Why Shiprock?

Emerson, who previously had a film at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, said she selected the Shiprock community after a lot of thought. Emerson was raised in Tohatchi and Santa Fe.

“The young people of Shiprock are extraordinary,” the filmmaker said. “They commit every week to work in their community. Their efforts have had a direct effect on the community of Shiprock. They have motivated a lot of people – they have created a real park in the community for youth. They hold events like dodgeball and volleyball tournaments. They haul wood for the elderly; they pick up trash and, generally, mobilize the community to help. They remove graffiti and they actively try to learn about their language and culture. In short, they care.”

Wells explained what it means to help out filmmakers like Emerson.

“By providing a funding award, we are not only able to support a local New Mexico filmmaker, but support her efforts to highlight the incredible work Navajo youth are doing to bring about change within their own communities,” Wells said. “This film is a story of empowerment. We felt that its message could bring hope and inspire youth everywhere.”

Norris noted that this is the second grant the NMFF has awarded Emerson in 2016. Emerson, who graduated from the University of New Mexico, was one of 17 submissions for a Beau McNicholas Post Production grant.

Emerson said she hopes to inspire youth in every tribal community to take note of what the Northern Diné Youth Committee is doing and make an effort to do the same. She said the film should come out at some point next year, and she didn’t rule out Gallup as a showing venue.

Norris said the Santa Fe-based NMFF helps grow the independent film industry in New Mexico, while offering financial support and educational opportunities to New Mexico independent filmmakers.

In 2010, Emerson was a Native Filmmakers Ford Foundation Fellow at the Sundance Film Festival. Two years later, her short film Opal — about a young Navajo girl who takes on the town bully — made its way through Sundance film circles. The film was shown at Gallup’s El Morro Theatre and drew a wide audience.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

Agreement keeps chamber in tourism, marketing picture

The Gallup City Council unanimously approved a $185,000 professional services agreement June 14 with the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce – furthering a lodgers tax relationship with Chamber CEO Bill Lee that goes back several years.

The vote on the professional services matter took place at the regular city meeting. City Tourism and Marketing Manager Catherine Sebold and City Manager Maryann Ustick introduced the item to council members.

The agreement allows the chamber to oversee, manage, and design the content, production, sales, and distribution of the 2017 Gallup Visitor’s Guide, which can be found at area hotels, motels, and some restaurants.

The guide’s been a useful tool for visitors to Gallup and McKinley County, and the agreement provides funding to the chamber for advertising and promotional services that attract visitors and increase tourism for Gallup.

“This is a promotional and marketing agreement for the most part,” Lee said. “We [the chamber] are honored to work with the city on this once again.”

Sebold told council members that the agreement allows the chamber of commerce to continue to maintain and staff a Visitor’s Information Center. The chamber is located at 106 W. Historic Highway 66 and close to the heart of downtown Gallup.

The chamber of commerce will continue to provide tourists, travel agents, and tour operators with information on what Gallup and the surrounding areas have to offer in order to attract tourism, Sebold and Lee said.

Sebold noted that the advertising and promotion allocation of the approved funding represents a $55,000 decrease from last year, “as the city of Gallup will take over the lease on the billboards from the chamber,” she said.

The agreement has been in existence between the city and chamber for about five years. Lee gave the following breakdown of the $185,000:

-   $35,000 for the Visitor’s Guide

-   $50,000 toward the Visitor’s center

-   $100,000 for promotion and advertising

The agreement expires June 30, 2017, according to City Attorney George Kozeliski.

Both Lee and Sebold said they would share information to make sure the marketing and tourism effort moves ahead. Lee noted he and Sebold will concentrate on digital and social media for marketing and promotions.

“We plan to take some new approaches and at the same time utilize some old methods,” Lee said.

Mayor Jackie McKinney said Lee has done a good job marketing and promoting Gallup in the past. Lee was previously chamber director for six years until he left for the McKinley County Manager job about 19 months ago.

“There were some things that worked well in the past. But we will use some new strategies, too. One of the goals, still, is to get people driving Interstate 40 to stop in our city,” Sebold added.

Sebold’s job was created about a year ago. She was hired for the job in April from a similar job in Prescott, Ariz. There, she was that city’s communications and public affairs manager.

Lee said he and Sebold are in the process of getting the city connected with an offshoot of New Mexico True TV, which connects the city with the Dish TV Network. That network broadcasts throughout New Mexico and is able to reach national cable subscribers. Lee said the city’s website assists in informing people about Gallup. He didn’t rule out YouTube feeds as a marketing tool, too.

“We’re close to finalizing that,” Lee said of the TV initiative. “That will obviously bring a lot of exposure to Gallup and all of
the county.”

Gallup City Councilor Linda Garcia called the tourism and marketing happenings positive. Garcia’s council District 1 includes a good portion of downtown.

“I think the agreement is a good idea and Bill Lee has certainly proven that he knows what direction to take things,” Garcia said. “This helps the entire city.”

Lee, a Gallup native, former McKinley County Manager and president of the annual Red Rock Balloon Rally, one of Gallup’s top annual tourism draws, was recently elected to the McKinley County Board of Commissioners seat for District 3. That job starts in January.

Information on how much of an annual salary Sebold earns wasn’t immediately available from City Hall. Lee said there were 2,768 people who came through the doors of the visitor’s center last year. He said from January 2016 through the end of June there have been 926.

“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Lee said. “I think the city gets a fair share of people from all around the world that come here.”

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

Investigation yields few clues on how it started

GAMERCO– Shortly before 9 pm on a Saturday evening, a Gamerco home at 202 S. Chino Loop went up in flames. Then a second home. What expectedly ensued next was complete panic for the two families impacted by the blaze, according to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Roxanne King’s report.

Gallup Fire Department arrived on scene, and began to douse the flames. In a video submitted to the Gallup Sun, a small child could be heard saying it sounded like “popcorn” popping as memories and beloved belongings popped, melted, and burned to a crisp during the three-alarm fire June 25.

Dina Barron, one of the homeowners, arrived on scene and told King “that’s my house.” She then asked, “What happened? Can you get my car?”

For Barron, there was no going back to get the blue Chevy Camero from the driveway. The vehicle was eventually consumed by the raging flames. The only thing left was the frame and surrounding ashes. Anthony Martinez, Barron’s brother and neighbor, also lost his home to the fire.

According to GFD Chief Eric Babcock’s  investigative report, released to the Gallup Sun on June 29, Martinez said he and his wife smelled smoke, so he looked outside toward the west side of his home, and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Next, a neighbor stopped by his home to tell him his sister’s house was on fire. When he looked outside again, toward the west side, “the entire south west corner of Barron’s home was on fire, including two trees,” the report states.

When Gallup Fire Department crews arrived on scene they began to extinguish the flames, and when their trucks ran low on water, they reached for the nearest fire hydrant.

Gamerco Water & Sanitation District Manager Francisco Cantu said he was at the scene, and the closest hydrant, at Chino and Hubble, was not in working order.

It resulted in the fire department having to hook up to a working hydrant about 1,000 feet from where fire trucks were situated near the property.

“I pointed out which fire hydrants were working,” Cantu said

Chief Babcock said, “It impacted our ability to put the fire out,” adding that he’s not sure whether either structure could be saved at that juncture.

“The first one went up pretty quickly,” he said. “Everything burned to the ground.”

Crews from McKinley County Fire Department were also on scene and used their tankers to help extinguish the flames.

Meanwhile, Babcock said the cause is “undetermined after the investigation.” There was some speculation that fireworks could have set the home on fire, but Babcock discovered no such link.

As for the fire hydrant shortage, Cantu said Gamerco Water & Sanitation District has jumped through some hoops to get the funding, and “the politics” and red tape has caused delays, although he didn’t go into details. A KRQE News 13 report revealed that 12 out of the 54 fire hydrants in Gamerco don’t work.

Cantu explained that the water has sought federal and local funds to replace the defunct hydrants, and have plans to begin the replacement process in July. He didn’t reveal or know of a dollar amount for the project off hand, but said “this is major money.”

The Sun was not able to reach Barron for comment as of press time.

By Babette Herrmann
Sun Editor