'Little In-Law' is loyal to the Navajo
Nancy Watson
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — He's one of Gallup's millionaires, he's been bankrupt
a few times, and he's "earned the title of town drunk."
But through it all, he's remained intensely loyal to the Navajos he
serves.
A fourth-generation trader who grew up on the Navajo Reservation,
Ellis Tanner speaks Navajo and was given the name Ay he Yazzie, or
Little In-Law, by Navajo friends.
"Being called Little In-Law is a great honor and great responsibility
that I take very seriously," said Tanner, who stands about 5
feet 4 inches tall. "In the Navajo way, the Little In-Law is
the one who tries to help."
Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye said he also regards Tanner
as a friend to the Navajo.
"Ellis has exemplified the meaning of a 'good in-law' to the
Navajo by his continued commitment and expression of gratitude to
the Navajo," Begaye said.
On a recent day at his trading post in Gallup, Tanner was chewing
his traditional cigar as he helped a woman who needed some jewelry
to wear to a funeral.
She had previously pawned her jewelry for $2,500 and could not afford
to pay the loan back, but she told Tanner she needed to wear some
of it. Tanner loaned her some of the store's jewelry.
The relationship between Tanner and the Navajos who come to his trading
post can be seen in the way he handles his pawn operation.
Pawning does not mean the same thing to Navajos that it means to non-Navajos,
he explained. To the Navajo, pawning is like writing a check. The
more pawn tickets, the more wealth.
Many believe their jewelry is safer in his vault, and the vault is
cheaper than a safe deposit box, he said. The walls of his concrete
vault are a foot thick and woven with rebar.
That vault contains some 40,000 pieces of turquoise-and-silver jewelry
that he said still belongs to the families who have pawned it.
And the Navajos who come to Tanner's know he won't betray their trust
by trying to make a quick dollar by selling their pawn when the opportunity
arises.
Indeed, some of the items in the vault have been there for decades,
waiting for families to redeem them.
"I'll do anything the in-laws ask me to do," he said, "I've
been very lucky, very blessed."
And he believes he and the Navajo are about to be blessed with prosperity.
Crafts boom on horizon
He remembers the Indian crafts booms of the 1940s and 1970s and says
another is on the horizon. The 1970 boom was spurred by articles in
national magazines on Indian jewelry. Suddenly movie stars began wearing
silver and turquoise.
"It happens every 30 years," he said. He pointed to the
August issue of the Smithsonian magazine that includes an article
on turquoise. He is featured in the article.
"It was impossible for me to fill all the orders," Tanner
said of the 1970s boom. "All my in-laws were driving new trucks,
and some even bought Cadillacs."
Tanner wants them to have that prosperity again. "It tears me
up," he said, "to see how hard they struggle just to put
food on the table."
He expects the next boom in Indian art to come from Europe, where
an appreciation of the art is steadily growing, particularly in Germany.
Japan is also enthusiastic about Indian art.
A high school dropout, Tanner's life has also included a lot of struggle.
"In 1984," he said, "I was bankrupt on all fronts physically,
morally, spiritually and financially."
That was when he finally gave up drinking after going through three
rehabilitation programs. "I was drinking a quart of VO a day,"
he said. "A case wouldn't last me a week."
He began drinking when he was about 13 years old and eventually began
losing control. "I'd charter planes," he said, "and
fly a group off to Vegas."
"He was a hooligan," said fellow trader Bruce Burnham. "But
even then, he was a good hooligan."
Halfway to heaven
But his flamboyant lifestyle ended when he became so ill, he had no
choice but to change. When he was 41, his doctor told him he was dying
and should start making his final arrangements.
"I called a Mormon missionary, a Catholic priest and my medicine
man," he said. The combined spiritual efforts worked he was spared.
"I was halfway up there (to heaven)," he said, "got
my butt spanked and sent back down."
Since then, he has not had a drink. The disease is always with him,
he said, and he lives in constant fear of alcohol.
Shortly after he began his recovery from alcoholism, he started planning
an annual celebration, called Native American Appreciation Day, to
thank his patrons for helping him become successful. "We all
know Native Americans drive the economy of Gallup," he said.
Begaye said few businessmen from Gallup have shown a willingness to
support Navajo causes, "but Ellis continues to give to many worthy
charities where his Navajo in-laws have benefited."
The seed for Native American Appreciation Day held in early June may
have started when he was a youngster.
"I remember Native Americans coming to town in wagons loaded
with camping gear," he said. "Their fires flickered on the
hillsides around Gallup in every direction. It was a beautiful sight,
almost magical."
Event gets too costly
The venture, begun in the late 1980s, proved to be costly. Tanner
soon found himself spending $100,000 to pull off a full day of food,
dancing and entertainment.
Finally, after eight years with support from only a couple of Gallup
businessmen, he said he was no longer able to afford it.
He still chokes up when he has to explain the announcement he made
to his in-laws that January. He wipes away tears as he remembers his
in-laws coming up and saying, "I understand."
The next year, when the Gallup Chamber of Commerce took over the event,
he ran for the board and still serves as secretary and events chairman.
Now, every year, it gets bigger and better. The budget this year will
be about $120,000.
But there was a time when he had to get on the radio to warn his in-laws
before they came to town that the meal they would be served would
be a hot dog, a bag of chips and a piece of melon.
Tanner had prided himself on serving a good barbecue meal, complete
with salad. He had too much respect for his Navajo guests not to warn
them about the hot dogs.
No one who knows Tanner doubts this dedication.
"He's one of the good ones," Burnham said. "A 7-foot
man in a 4-foot frame. His first and foremost interest is in the well-being
of Native American people. He'll promote anything that will improve
their well-being."
Begaye agrees.
"Most of all, Ellis remembers what it means to be Navajo,"
Begaye said, "probably more than some Navajos know what it means
to be Navajo."
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MacDonald's portrait missing
Bill Donovan
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — As Navajos began noticing the Circle of Light portraits
that started gracing the walls of the Ellis Tanner Trading Co., one
name kept being mentioned as a possible candidate to be honored Peter
MacDonald.
"MacDonald has done a lot for his people," said Tanner who
agreed at one time that he would have had no problem making MacDonald
one of his selections.
But MacDonald eventually "crossed the line," Tanner said.
When someone would come up to him and suggest MacDonald as a candidate,
Tanner would respond with sadness that this was not the time to put
MacDonald's portrait on the wall.
MacDonald, once labeled by a national magazine as the most powerful
Indian leader in the country, is now serving his seventh year of a
14-year federal prison sentence for taking bribes and conspiracy in
connection with a July 1989 riot in Window Rock that left two of his
supporters dead of gunshot wounds.
Tanner said he wanted the portraits on his trading post wall to be
role models that Navajo youngsters look up to and try to emulate.
But what happens when one of those role models stumbles, which happened
recently to Navajo golfer Notah Begay III, who was arrested for driving
while intoxicated.
Tanner said the way Begay handled the situation made him even "proud
that his portrait is up there."
By immediately admitting he had done wrong and even telling the court
he had another DWI conviction five years before in Arizona, Tanner
said Begay showed he had a lot of character.
"The court here in New Mexico would never have known about this
earlier charge if Begay hadn't told them," he said.
MacDonald, on the other hand, has been criticized by many Navajos
for not immediately admitting guilt and apologizing to the Navajo
people.
He eventually wrote a letter to the Navajos in 1996 at the encouragement
of then-U.S. Rep. Bill Redmond, R-N.M., who told MacDonald he would
have to write such a letter if he wanted to get support for clemency
from President Clinton.
Tanner said this underlines one of his basic beliefs: To be a role
model, one doesn't have to be perfect, but people have to be willing
to admit their mistakes and try to live their lives in a manner that
makes them worthy to be emulated.
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Trailer park evictees appeal to Begaye
S.J. Ludescher
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation's Economic Development Committee
refused to talk to 15 evicted trailer park residents Wednesday, but
the group ended up with an audience with Navajo Nation President Kelsey
Begaye instead.
The upset citizens represented 26 families who received notifications
to remove their mobile homes from leased spaces in Navajo, N.M. to
make room for a proposed housing development. The tenants were given
only 20 days to comply.
EDC Chairman David John refused to add the residents to the committee's
agenda.
Janet Hubbard, a consultant for the Navajo Townsite Community Development
Corp., the nonprofit group that supervises the rentals, also attended
the session. NTCDC Executive Director Leonard Teller is traveling
for several weeks, according to his office.
The residents wanted the committee to hear their complaints because
it oversees the housing project that will replace the trailer park.
"The issue regarding these people has already been dealt with,"
John said. "We already support this development and have given
power to the Navajo Townsite Community Development Corp."
John explained to residents this was the first time a U.S. tax credit
had been used on the reservation. "If we don't act on it,"
he said, "we'll lose it."
When warned of the possibility of litigation, John said the issue
"has to be resolved between the NTCDC and this group. We want
them to handle it. There are opportunities to work this out rather
than intervene. The Navajo Nation can't be involved."
"(The EDC thinks) the money is more important than the people,"
Sammy Legah, a spokesman for the tenants, said.
But President Begaye apparently didn't agree with the EDC. When the
group was denied a spot on the committee's agenda, Legah asked for
an audience with Begaye.
Begaye listened to the group for nearly an hour.
According to his press officer, Mellor Willie, Begaye asked his legal
counsel to investigate the history and background of the NTCDC.
In addition, Begaye requested that NTCDC's alleged refusal to accept
overdue rent payments be investigated. Residents have said Teller
refused to accept late payments after notifying residents they had
to move. According to the relocation notification, NTCDC is obligated
to help pay to move tenants who are up to date in their rental payments
but not those who are behind in their rent.
Begaye asked his legal counsel to look into how NTCDC operates and
the status of the eviction process.
Willie said Begaye also directed Tilda Smith, an executive
staff assistant, to work with the group on the housing issues.
"There's a question as to the status of NTCDC," Willie said.
"It's unique. It raises questions about the withdrawal of the
land.
"They feel as if they have no representation as far as chapter
councils go, since they all come from different chapters. That's why
they felt it was appropriate to talk to the president about the problem."
Begaye also urged the group to request an audit if they wanted to
learn more about allegations of mismanagement and mishandling of funds
by NTCDC. "It is their prerogative to request this from the office
of the president or vice president," Willie said.
According to a statement by Navajo Nation Legislative Branch press
officer Carolyn Calvin, however, Navajo, N.M. residents are within
the jurisdiction of Red Lake Chapter, which is represented by Edison
Wauneka.
Wednesday evening, the group planned to attend a planning session
for Red Lake Chapter to ask that its issue be placed on its agenda
for the next meeting.
"I feel a little sense of relief by him (Begaye) getting involved,"
Legah said.
The group has asked a lawyer to file an injunction, halting the eviction
and construction of the proposed housing project.
Attorney Forrest Buffington said his law firm did not represent the
tenants but is considering their cause. "The Navajo Nation is
in the process of adopting consumer protection laws," Buffington
said. "Maybe it's time it also developed a uniform tenant-protection
act."
The land on which the tenants currently live was originally leased
to employees of the now-defunct Navajo Forest Products Industries.
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Road to 6AAA title runs through Gallup
Alan Arthur
Sports Editor
GALLUP — The road to the District 6AAA title runs through....Gallup.
Once again, Gallup High School will be the site for the District 6AAA
boys semifinals and championship game this weekend. The tournament
has been moved to Gallup in past years due the massive interest generated
for basketball fans in the area, who pack the gymnasium for the event.
The tournament continues tonight with a quarterfinal game at Tohatchi
High School. The Cougars, the No. 3 seed, host the No. 5 seeded Cuba
Rams. The Rams upset the No. 4 seeded Crownpoint Eagles, 75-69, on
Tuesday night at Crownpoint High School...
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Mural honors role models
Nancy Watson
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — There's space left on Ellis Tanner's "Circle of
Light" mural for only five more portraits.
The "Circle of Light" began six years ago when Tanner commissioned
Chester Kahn to paint portraits of positive Navajo role models on
a mural that circles the trading post.
Tanner's goal was to expose younger Navajos to Navajo men and women
who have excelled in their fields in both the Navajo and Anglo worlds...
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Mentmore residents lose faith in police
Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Mentmore residents say juvenile crime and an inability
of police to investigate the delinquents has spawned a loss of faith
in the Gallup police.
In response, city, county and state officials offered crime prevention
tips Wednesday night at the Mentmore Neighborhood Association meeting.
Gallup City Manager David Ruiz said city police told him that area
residents, out of fear of retribution from criminals, are not filing
police reports. He said it is difficult for police to see the problem
if they do not have reports or eyewitnesses...
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Lack of offense ends season for Grants
Robert Arrieta
Sports Writer
MORIARTY — The Grants Pirates relied heavily this year on their
defense to keep their games close so it is no surprise that they would
continue with that game plan into the first round of the District
5AAA playoffs.
Unfortunately, to win the team still needs to score points.
In their 57-49 loss Tuesday night to the Moriarty Pintos, the Pirates
had a hard time making even the easy shots...
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Tribe weighs role in bank
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — For the second time in 25 years, the Navajo Nation
may become involved in the formation of a national Indian bank.
Since the late 1970s, tribes have discussed the idea that the economic
future of tribal governments lay in the creation of such a bank and
one effort the American Indian National Bank failed. Now, more than
20 years later, there's a movement within Indian country to try again.
The projected start-up cost of the Native American National Bank is
$30 million, and the Navajo Nation has been offered a chance not only
to get in on the ground floor, but to play a role in the institution...
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Cost of Milan inmates depletes Cibola
fund
Mary E. Davis
Staff Writer
GRANTS — The increasing cost of housing prisoners in the Corrections
Corporation of America facility, a privately operated prison in Milan,
is apparently depleting the county's general fund.
With four months to go in the 1999-2000 budget year, the county has
already spent $492,601.13 a 33 percent increase over the previous
year on incarcerating inmates. The county has spent about $61,000
each month for CCA's services.
Cibola County Manager Bob Ortiz told county commissioners in a special
meeting Tuesday that the cost of housing inmates at the facility amounted
to a little more than $370,000 last year...
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Newswoman chosen as head of election
office
Bill Donovan
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — The Navajo Nation's Election Board on Tuesday chose
a part-time correspondent for KTNN radio to be director of the tribe's
election office.
Carol Perry, who has a degree from the University of Michigan Law
School, was one of five applicants seeking the position left vacant
when longtime director Richie Nez resigned late last year to go into
the construction business.
"I'm very excited about the job," said Perry, who has spent
the past six years as administrator of the teacher education program
sponsored by Prescott College in the Window Rock area. "It's
real important to maintain the integrity of the rights of Navajo voters..."
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Deaths
Flossie Begay
NASCHITTI — Services for Flossie Begay, 62, will be held at 10
a.m. Friday, March 3, at the Naschitti Baptist Church. The Rev. Jerry
Begay will officiate. Burial will follow at the Naschitti Cemetery.
Begay died Feb. 27 in Albuquerque. She was born May 12, 1937, in Naschitti
into the Towering House People Clan for the Salt People Clan.
Begay was a homemaker. Her hobbies included quilting, crocheting and
sewing.
Survivors includer her son, Joseph Begay Jr. of Naschitti; daughter,
Helen John Joe of Naschitti; brothers, John D.
Johnson, Gilbert Willie and Herbert Willie, all of Naschitti;
and sister, Rose Ann Joe of Albuquerque.
Begay was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Begay Sr.; daughter,
Sarah Joe; parents, Lewis and Annie Willie; brother, Alfred Willie;
and sister, Mable Willie Thomas.
The family will receive friends and family after the burial services
at the Naschitti Chapter House.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Art Marinelli
GRANTS — Services for Art Marinelli, 71, will be held at 10 a.m.
Friday, March 3, at St. Teresa Catholic Church. Burial will follow
at the Grants Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. today, March 2, at the Grants
Mortuary Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 7 tonight, March 2, at
the Grants Mortuary Chapel.
Marinelli died Feb. 29 in Grants. He was born April 2, 1928, in Fruita,
Colo.
Marinelli had been a resident of Grants for 35 years.
Survivors include his wife, Doloris Marinelli of Grants; daughters,
Denise Y. Marinelli of Grants and Brenda Arrossa of Albuquerque; brothers,
Joseph Marinelli of Mina, Nev., Michael Marinelli of Kingston, Wash.,
Albert Marinelli of Loma, Colo., and James Marinelli of Eagle River,
Alaska; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Arthur Garcia, Sean Arrossa, Jean Pierre Arrossa,
Adam Arrossa, Rob Lujan and Michael R. Garcia.
Nora C. Tso
MANY FARMS, Ariz. — Services for Nora C. Tso, 77, will be announced
at a later date.
Tso died Feb. 29 in Chinle, Ariz. She was born Nov. 13, 1922, in Steamboat,
Ariz., into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People
Clan.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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