‘METALLICA’  bassist makes stop

at Navajo Nation Metal Fest ‘Taa’

A sea of black donned attire, long hair thrashing about, and fist pumping in the air was the scene as headbangers came out to the Navajo Nation Metal Fest Taa’  “3.”

The heavy metal fest took place at the Navajo Nation fairgrounds in Window Rock, Ariz. Oct. 1, making its third comeback for a full day of rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal music. Taa’” means the number three in the Dinè language.)

Primarily Native American bands came out in numbers from around the area as well as non-Native bands to play their music, meet old friends, and make some new ones, and just share the common thread – the love of heavy metal music.

According to promoter/organizer Randall Hoskie of Rancid-Savage Productions, bands came from all over the southwest area, so much so that a few had to be turned away.

Bands included those from the Navajo Nation and other Indigenous tribes such as the Tohono Oʼodham, San Carlos Apache, Jicarilla Apache, various Pueblos, and Cherokees.

One man not turned away was “Metallica” bassist Robert Trujillo. Hoskie said the rock legend assisted on many levels at the fest, including helping out backstage.

“He was like the ultimate stage hand running around and lending us a hand,” Hoskie said of Robert Trujillo. “As well as Max Cavalera of ‘Soulfly.’”

Hoskie said that the turnout only reinforces his idea for making it a two-day festival.

“This event is going to give us some clout in this business especially with the heavy hitters like Robert Trujillo and Max showing their support,” he said.

As Robert Trujillo helped backstage, during an interview with the Sun, he said he was also there to see his son Tye, who plays with the band “Ottto.”

“For my son to be here is really powerful because he’s been writing his own music, touring, and becoming an old pro at a young age,” Robert Trujillo said. “That’s a beautiful thing. I believe that in this day of age there are not enough platforms for the youth to do these sorts of things. So anything I can do  to help launch them and create a nice experience rather than a crappy experience so that they can enjoy this and hopefully carry the torch for the future, [I”m going to do that.]”

Being it Robert Trujillo’s first time in the area, he was not only amazed at the landscape, but the talent as well.

“Great energy, the landscape, the sky, everything is magic, I’m honored to be here,” he said. “Great bands too, all these bands are crushing, Navajo Nation Metal Fest has some of the best bands I’ve ever seen in a long time, seriously, the local talent is kicking ass.”

Another doting father was Max Cavalera, the vocalist for the heavy metal band Soulfly as well as long standing band Sepultura. Coming out to see his son, Igor Cavalera and his band “Healing Magic,” Max Cavalera joked that he wanted to help his son set-up for the performance but was told, “Dad I got this, I want to do my own thing.”

Cavalera said his son brings plenty of passion to his music and dedication. The proud father said his son truly shows great independence, but that he also needs to learn that rock ‘n’ roll is all about being on the road, even on the Navajo Nation.

“It’s about getting out there and facing situations, harsh times, good times and he has to learn all about that,” Cavalera said.

Cavalera said he loves the area and is friends with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, noting that the president is a “major metalhead.”

Finally, amidst the blaring music and frenzy backstage, this reporter caught up with the guys of the three-piece band “Ottto.”

Hailing from the Pacific Coast Highway in California, all three members were stoked to be a part of the metal fest. Members of the band include Bryan Ferretti (vocals and guitar), Tye Trujillo (bass), and Patrick “Triko” Chavez (drums).

“Man, everyone has been so welcoming and it is such a beautiful place to be, couldn’t be happier.” Ferretti said.

Tye Trujillo, a senior in high school, backed up what his bandmate said, praising the people of Window Rock and the landscape.

“It’s an honor being here and given the chance to play here,”  Tye Trujillo said. “This area is full of mystical beauty, the people – everybody. They love music and are ready to have a good time.”

Chavez complimented the other bands and showed appreciation for being a part of the fest.

“They’ve been great and kicked butt, just to be here is truly an honor,” Chavez said.

For more information on Rancid-Savage Productions, visit Facebook.

For more information on Ottto, visit www.otttoband.com and Facebook.

For more information on Metallica, visit www.metallica.com

For more information on Soulfly, visit www.soulfly.com

By Dee Velasco
For the Sun

Landmark celebration features virtual, in-person events

A global pandemic pushed the big celebration back one year, but the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, founded in 1921, will commemorate its 100th show from Aug. 4-14.

This year’s show carries a particularly special aura due to the centennial, which the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Board wants to convey through the events and the culture and history on display.

“We want to congratulate the State of New Mexico, City of Gallup, [Indigenous people] from all over the world, our local Native People, and everyone that has been a big part of this beautiful event for the last 100 years,” Ceremonial Board Member Rhonda Ray said. “It is a privilege, honor and legacy to celebrate the contributions that dedicate and honor Native American Culture all around the world in the heart of Gallup.”

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The Ceremonial begins its in-person event slate on Aug. 4 with the Ceremonial Night Parade at 7:30 pm. The theme of the parade is “Come Back Down Memory Lane” to mark 100 years of the Ceremonial celebrating Native American & Indigenous Peoples culture, heritage, art, songs and dances throughout its 11-day run.

The event slate was determined after overcoming one of the most daunting challenges that the Ceremonial faces each year: budgeting.

“Lots of little things can change or unexpectedly come up during the event planning process, so I believe it’s best to keep the expenses modest and not over spend,” Ray said. “That then leads to another challenge, which is to gather and analyze the valuable event data. This can be interpreted as the event mishap on event [Return on Investment] to track what did or did not go well.”

Ray mentioned other logistic challenges with vendors and coordinators, including confirming communication, paying deposits on time, looping in on relevant communication, confirming the venues, the dates and times, and final confirmation. She said the weather is another factor to consider with the bevy of outdoor events, some of which could be canceled in certain conditions and can lead to crowd downturns and refunds needing to be issued.

But through it all, Ray said the Board will work through these issues through clear communication, which she holds as the key to success.

“Overall, we all have challenges in life, but we will continue to overcome, communicate and have faith in each other,” Ray said.

 

ONE WORLD BEAT

Then on Aug. 5 the Ceremonial begins in earnest at Red Rock Park at 1 pm with the Artisans Market, song and dance performances on the Four Winds Stage, and Ceremonial Queen & Tribal Royalty Meet & Greet. The day will be capped by “One World Beat,” described as a showcase of Native American & Indigenous Songs & Dances. The showcase runs on Aug. 5-6 at 7 pm both nights and features a spotlight performance and featured act.

The Aug. 5 spotlight performance is Pamyua, an Alaska-based Inuit-soul musical group established in 1995 which showcases Inuit culture through song and dance performances. As explained on their website, “pamyua” is pronounced “bum-yo-ah” and is the Yup’ik Inuit word for “encore” or “do it again.” More information can be found at http://www.pamyua.com/.

The second spotlight performance for Aug. 6 is HAKA: Mori Cultural Experience. Hailing from Aotearoa, or New Zealand, the group performs a haka, a ceremonial Mori war dance that includes tribal dances and choral singing to graceful action songs.

 

CEREMONIAL RODEO 2022

The weeklong slate for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Rodeo at Red Rock Park begins with the Six-Shooter Six-Steer Team Roping Shootout on Aug. 7 at 8 am at the Butler Jackpot Arena, with teams and pairs aiming to rope one of six steers in the best time.

Following Jackpot Roping on Aug. 8, the rodeo festivities continue with the Junior Open Rodeo at Red Rock Park Arena on Aug. 9 at 8 am. Riders under 17 years of age will be split into five age-group categories and then compete in over 30 events that include flag racing, barrel racing, goat tagging, wooly riding, break away roping, pole bending, team roping, and more. Two events added to this year’s schedule are the Father/Daughter Rescue Race and Mother/Son Ribbon Roping.

Then on Aug. 10, there is the Iron Cowgirl Challenge at Red Rock Park Arena at 7 pm. Women of all ages will participate in events including breakaway roping, barrel racing, team roping and calf roping to compete for a cash prize.

Various rodeo slack events will occur on Aug. 11 as a preamble to the weekend’s show, including bull riding, junior bull riding, and an open rodeo slack at 8 am. The timed event slack will follow at 9 am, team roping at 6 pm, and conclude with rough stock performances of the open rodeo at 7 pm and a second rough stock at 7:30 pm.

Team roping events will occur from Aug. 11-13 at 6 pm each night.

As for the main event, the first performance of the open rodeo will occur on Aug. 12 at 1:30 pm at the main arena with the second performance following on Aug. 13 at 6 pm.

The rodeo will be capped on Aug. 14 with a wooly riding preshow at 11:30 am that will lead to the 12 pm show that includes a top 10 short round alongside Old School Days rodeo that will feature a wild horse race, hide race, pony express race, frybread pan throw, ranch bronco riding, women’s steer riding, fruit scramble and buffalo riding.

 

CEREMONIAL QUEEN PAGEANT

The ceremonial would not be complete without the Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Queen Pageant, where contestants will compete for the crown and title of The Ceremonial Queen to demonstrate the annual Ceremonial and Native American and Indigenous Peoples and serve as an inspiration and role model to Indigenous peoples.

This year’s contestants are Caitlin James, Navajo; Cajaun Cleveland, Navajo; Destiny Touchine, Navajo; Penelope Joe, Navajo; Samantha Antone, Tohono O’odham/Navajo; and Tyneesha Charlie, Navajo.

The public events will be held at the El Morro Theatre at 207 W. Coal Ave. Guests will be able to attend the following events:

Aug. 8: 2 pm - Little Miss Ceremonial Pageant (Free Event)

Aug. 9: 6 pm - Ceremonial Queen Dinner, Silent Auction and Public Speaking Competition

Aug. 10: 7 pm - Traditional Talent Showcase, 2021-2022 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Queen Amber Ballenger Outgoing Presentation and Crowning of the 2022-2023 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Queen

 

POW-WOW, SONG, DANCES

Another marquee event of the Ceremonial runs Aug. 12-13, the Kiowa Gourd Dance and Contest Pow Wow at the Red Rock Park Arena. The first gourd is at 4 pm and is followed by the grand entry at 7:30 pm the first night, followed by the gourd dance at 2 pm and the grand entry at 6 pm on the second night.

The dance contest age groups and categories are listed as follows:

Golden Age (Ages 60+)

Women’s all categories combined

Men’s all categories combined

Adults (Ages 18-59)

Women’s: Northern Traditional; Southern Traditional; Fancy Shawl; Jingle Dress

Men’s: Northern Traditional; Southern Straight; Fancy Feather; Grass Dance

Teens (Ages 13-17)

Girl’s: Northern and Southern Traditional combined; Fancy Shawl; Jingle Dress

Boy’s: Northern Traditional and Southern Straight combined; Fancy Feather; Grass Dance

Junior’s (Ages 7-12)

Girl’s: Traditional combined; Fancy Shawl; Jingle Dress

Boy’s: Traditional combined; Fancy Feather; Grass & Chicken (combined)

Tiny Tots (Ages 0-6)

Combined

 

FILM FESTIVAL

Visitors to the first weekend of the Ceremonial can get a glimpse at Native American and Indigenous storytelling by taking in a screening of over a dozen feature-length and short films at the El Morro Theatre from Aug. 7-9. The schedule is as follows:

Aug. 7

2 pm - Legends of the Sky

3:45 pm - Dance Me Outside

5:30 pm - The Red Hooghan

Aug. 8

4 pm - Skins

6 pm - Honor Riders

8 pm - Smoke Signals

Aug. 9

3 pm - Pow Wow Highway

4:45 pm - Turquoise Rose

6:30 pm - 2021 Sundance Institute Indigenous Short Tour: (UDEYONV) (What They’ve Been Taught) - Brit Hensel (Cherokee Nation); THE HEADHUNTER’S DAUGHTER - Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Ífugão, Visayan); THE ORIGINAL SHAREHOLD EREXPERIENCE - Petyr Xyst (Roadrunner clan in the Pueblo of Laguna); LONG LINE OF LADIES - Shaandiin Tome (Diné); KICKING THE CLOUDS - Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians); MAIDENHOOD - Xóchitl Enríquez Mendoza (Zapoteca)

8:30 pm - Q&A/Film Talk

9 pm - Spirit of the Ceremonial

THE REST OF THE FARE

Guests can also expect the Artisans Market, Juried Art Show, and assorted events at Red Rock Park and other non-city entities with their own gatherings.

Also on Aug. 6 at 7 am is the 5K Run/Walk that begins at Ellis Tanner Trading Company, 1980 Hwy. 602. Registration is free for all participants.

This crowded slate represents the endeavors of the Ceremonial Board, the City of Gallup, and the many sponsors who bring the show to fruition each year and have done so for a century.

“​​From the earliest days, the local women, men, children and tribal members, have held the Ceremonial to celebrate these beautiful traditions, stories, dancers, and culture. The Ceremonial brings so much meaning to life experiences and offers a sense of self and cultural expression,” Ray said. “My heart is so full of love right now for this event and the people from the past, present and future.

“The [event] reinforces the Ceremonial heritage by reminding us of the contributions made by each and every one of us who nurtured these traditions and will continue to do so. How much work and love have een put into this beautiful event can be seen on full display by people who believe, love and honor the culture of the Navajo people and other Indigenous people here and around the world,” she continued.

Ray left with this last message for Ceremonial guests:

“While you celebrate these events with us, please learn, listen, teach and share your stories. Appreciate the beauty of our stories, dances, artists, drums, and each other. Get together, laugh and pray for blessings. Interact with others and other natives. Support the art and artists. Respect the elders, listen to their stories. Share what you see with others who were not able to be with us by sending on social media. In doing so, it will support the coming years of the Ceremonial. Enjoy the native foods, rodeo, One World Beat events, all the songs and dances, art exhibits, and don’t forget to make your offerings. Pray before you leave for safe travels until we see you again.”

For more information on the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, including ticket sales and a full schedule, visit https://www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/

By Cody Begaye
Contributing Editor

SANTA FE - Military & Veterans Day at the 2020 Legislature is Jan. 25 at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

This is the day each year on which the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and the New Mexico National Guard honor active-duty service members and veterans.

Every year, a particular segment of the military is highlighted at a noon ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.  This year, the spotlight will be on former Prisoners of War and those still listed as Missing in Action.

The public is invited to join in this annual celebration of New Mexico's service members and veterans, and to honor our nation's former POWs and current MIAs.

Information tables will be open from 8 am - 1 pm in the east and west wings of the rotunda, staffed by the N. M. National Guard, DVS, veterans' service organizations and community service organizations.

Veterans and active-duty personnel are encouraged to meet their local legislaturs to discuss military and veterans' issues, and to see the legislative process in action in the chambers of the state senate and the state house of representatives.

Miyamura defeats Kirtland Central 7-0