Clck Here to view artwork exhibited at Ceremonial 2000.

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Ceremonial vendors love rain, but visitors hate it

Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Underneath gray clouds, the Inter-Tribal Ceremonial began at Red Rock State Park on Thursday. Rainwater slid down the giant red rocks, turning them maroon, crashed into white tent tops, dripped down eyelashes and cheeks, splattered booths and displays, and soaked the concrete and red-dirt floors.

The occasional showers during the morning and noon were welcomed. More visitors turn away from a hot, unrelenting sun than from a light, cooling rain, said Elsy Whitehorse, a jewelry vendor at the Ceremonial.

However, as the day continued, so did the drizzle interrupted by heavier rain and the cool weather turned to cold, water began running off the tops of tents and people couldn't get rid of the damp feeling.

Vendors sitting in booths outside began to see the traffic by their tables taper off. At the same time, food stands outside and the art exhibit indoors enjoyed a busy day.

Whitehorse said last year, "I was selling at the same time that I was setting up." This year, business is slow. She said fewer customers are coming not only because of the rain but because the coordinators of the program didn't advertise the event enough.

Another jewelry vendor, Melinda Largo, said, "I think because of the rain, business is really slow." Last year, on the first day of sales at the Ceremonial, Largo said she earned about $600. This year, at 4 p.m. six hours after she set up, and four hours in the day left to go Largo had sold $100 worth of merchandise.

Depending on the location, the booth spaces rent for $125 up to more than $200 for the four days. Arts and crafts vendors said they hope business picks up in the next three days.

A slow first day is typical, said Bob Fultz, president of the Ceremonial Association.

"The first day is always slower," Fultz said. "Traditionally, all you have to do is start the Ceremonial, and it rains. We're used to it."

It seemed the crowd shifted from the vendors' booths to the indoor art exhibit.

"For me, I hope it keeps raining outside so they all keep coming in here," said Beverly Curly, laughing. Curly works in the exhibit.

Curly said she made more sales this year than last year on the first day of the Ceremonial. Usually people wait until the last day to make purchases from the art exhibit, she added.

Food vendors also worked hard on Thursday. Some food stands had to replenish their supplies after lunch. Many stands had tents set up over their tables, but even those without tents did well.

Some vendors said they would welcome the rain everyday because it keeps things cool while they cook.

Visitors in yellow and black pullover raincoats frowned at the rain and talked of leaving early but most commented first on the excellent show.

Jeanne Webb-Chavez, from Connecticut and on her third year at the Ceremonial, said she enjoyed it as much as every other year, bought two items and happily put up with the rain. However, three of her friends, from her party of eight, decided to go back to their hotel when the rain wouldn't stop.

Shirley Hayame, from California, said she was looking forward to showing her daughter their traditional Navajo art and culture at the Ceremonial for the first time, but was disappointed to see the rain. She said she was worried the cool breeze and moisture would get her daughters sick.

"We're dodging tent to tent just trying to get to our car," Hayame said.

None of the events, including the dances and rodeo, was canceled though the dances were delayed about half an hour because of the rain. Though the arena wasn't packed during the dances, many people sat in the rain on wet concrete benches to watch.

Leaving the dances, one young French man said, in broken English, the rain was terrible, while the show was beautiful.

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Judge cuts jail time for felon

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — A 38-year-old Cibola County man convicted of larceny, a fourth incident of drunken driving and being a habitual offender was sentenced to a total of six years in prison and then had Judge Joseph Arite suspend all but 10 months of the sentences.

Beltran Jaramillo was convicted April 22, 1999, pursuant to a repeat offenders' plea and disposition agreement, of three counts of larceny and fourth-offense driving while intoxicated, all felony offenses.

Jaramillo also admitted that he is a habitual offender.

Arite sentenced Jaramillo to 18 months for each of the larceny convictions for a total of four and one half years in prison. The judge then suspended all of the prison time on those charges.

The judge then sentenced Jaramillo to 18 months in prison for the driving while intoxicated charge and suspended all but 10 months of the sentence, meaning Jaramillo will serve a total of 10 months behind bars.

Arite also ordered Jaramillo to serve five years' probation and gave him credit for 173 days of pre-sentence confinement.

When Jaramillo gets out of prison he is to report to a prevention program in Dallas, Texas. Part of the sentence allows Jaramillo not to serve time on the habitual offender charge unless he violates this repeat offender agreement.
In other Thirteenth Judicial District Court dispositions:

Arite sentenced Sylvia Salcido, 60, of San Rafael, for assaulting a police officer on June 20, 1999. Assault on a peace officer is a misdemeanor.

Arite sentenced Salcido to 364 days in jail and then suspended the sentence. The judge ordered Salcido to be placed on unsupervised probation for 364 days.

Arite sentenced Raelynn Armijo, 19, of Seboyeta, for careless driving on July 23, 1999, to 364 days in jail and then suspended the sentence. Arite ordered Armijo be placed on supervised probation for 364 days.

Arite sentenced Eric Pancho, 23, for criminal trespass, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, reckless driving, driving while his license was suspended or revoked, and failure to carry proof of financial responsibility, all misdemeanors.

Arite sentenced Pancho to a total of 1,272 days and then suspended all but nine months in jail. When Pancho gets out of jail he is to serve two years and nine months of supervised probation.

Arite sentenced Robert Fleets, 27, of Los Angeles, for two counts of battery on a peace officer to three years in jail. This time the judge did not suspend any of the sentence. After serving the three years Fleets is to be placed on parole for one year and is required to pay parole costs.

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Rodeo could be riding into the Olympics
Ganado rider tops field in bullriding event

Carrie Loretto
Staff Sports Writer

RED ROCK STATE PARK — Rodeo is close to becoming an Olympic event for the 2002 Winter Games.

The idea has been championed by Rodney T. Grant, Director of the 2002 Cultural Olympiad, a committee exploring how to incorporate Native American and Western culture into the Olympic celebration. Rodeo would be a special event as a cultural activity of the Games.

"Rodeo is quintessentially a Western experience," said Grant who is focusing on Navajo involvement in Salt Lake City.

Grant was part of the light crowd at Red Rock State Park which watched Casper Baca's stock best their riders during the Double Iron Bullriding Tour which kicked off the 79th Annual Inter-Tribal Ceremonial All-Indian Rodeo Wednesday night.

"There's about a 95 percent chance it will happen," Grant said during a break in the action. "We have the place, we have the times, we've got the PRCA partnership.

"I've been championing the idea of pitting the best American cowboys with the best Canadian cowboys, one nation against the other. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has extended an invitation to the Canadian Association, we're just waiting to hear from (Canada)."

A final decision will be made by December and will be announced in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo.

If the Canadians agree, the organizations would determine the criteria for team member selection.

"It would probably be the top money winners, the top point winners in the nation," Grant speculated.

The top point winner during Wednesday's bullriding event was Vincent Shorty. The Ganado rider stayed atop 2X4, a high-leaping spinner and was rewarded with an 87, to capture the long-go. But Shorty was bucked off onto his back during the top five short-go which failed to produce any completed rides.

Alfonso Francis and Derrick Davis scored 79's in their first ride and Philbert Betony and Jeff Clinton had 74's to advance to the short-go. Francis drew out of his second ride.

The next event for the bullriding tour will be in Chinle next Friday night.

The regular performance of the Ceremonial rodeo will be held today and Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Slack will be held both mornings at 8. The top 8 bareback, top 10 saddle bronc, top 15 bullriding, top 12 steer wrestling and calf roping, top 10 breakaway roping and barrel racing and the top 15 team roping finishers in the long-go will advance to Sunday's short-go finals which begin at 1 p.m.

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Habitat hammering together local group

Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent

GALLUP — Efforts to make Habitat for Humanity a reality in the Gallup community are moving quickly, according to local organizers.

Fourteen volunteers met Thursday to discuss their work to advance the project.

That discussion also involved a wish list of sorts.

The group is looking for volunteers to donate their time and talents to Gallup Habitat, people willing to serve as board members and officers, office space, warehouse space for building materials and contributions of money, materials and property.

The local Habitat group was formed in the spring under the leadership of Albert Kissling, the interim pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that has helped to construct more than 90,000 homes around the world. The organization builds modest houses in partnership with low-income, working families who must earn "sweat equity" by helping build their own houses. The homes are then sold to the families at cost, with no interest mortgages.

Volunteer Jerry Spurlin, chief financial officer of Gallup Federal Savings Bank, emphasized that Habitat is not a welfare-type program.

"This is not a give-away program, it's a self-help program," he said. "It's a bargain, but not a freebie."

In an effort to inform and involve the public, the group is holding what it is calling a "Community Building Potluck" from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the First United Methodist Church.

The formation of the Gallup Habitat affiliate and its goals will be discussed, Habitat videos and literature will be available and people will have a chance to sign up as Habitat volunteers. The election of volunteer board members and officers is also slated for the evening.

Gallup Habitat has a number of different committees on which people can volunteer a little or a lot of their skills and energy:
church relations, construction, site selection, landscaping, family selection, family support, finance, fund raising, marketing and publicity, and volunteer coordination and hospitality.

At the Aug. 24 potluck, volunteers can learn more about the work of each committee.

According to Kissling and Spurlin, the Gallup Habitat group is working through the process of meeting Habitat's criteria for becoming an affiliate. Although that process hasn't been completed, the group does have two lots on Gallup's north side waiting to be given to Gallup Habitat.

Norman Sabrowsky, a volunteer with the site selection committee, said the lots were donated last year to Habitat for Humanity International and the Albuquerque affiliate has been holding the property until a Gallup affiliate could be established.

"So we at least have a possible site," he said. Rehabilitating existing, substandard houses is another possibility the group is researching.

One of Habitat for Humanity International's requirements is that the local group begin fund raising. Residents who currently make financial donations to Habitat International can now begin supporting the Gallup group.

Because Habitat's founders Millard and Linda Fuller established the organization as a nondenominational ministry, many of its funds come from congregations and individual members of different faith communities. Churches frequently sign up to have "covenanting" relationships with Habitat.

"Covenanting churches" agree to help support the work of Habitat in their budget, they have a representative on Habitat's church relations committee and they ask their congregation members to volunteer on Habitat projects.

Gallup has five churches that have agreed to help support the work of Gallup Habitat. "We're hoping for all churches to covenant," Kissling said.

The group is working to have an Internet web page up and running soon, to enable residents to easily stay informed about Gallup Habitat events. Until the group establishes an office and mailing address, financial donations can be mailed to Habitat for Humanity of Gallup, c/o Gallup Federal Savings Bank, 221 W. Aztec, Gallup, NM 87301.

For further information about the Gallup Habitat project, Kissling can be contacted at 722-3247 (work) or 726-1568 (home).

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New Grants coach wants team to be physical, tough

Santiago Ramos
Sports Editor

GRANTS — After guiding Eunice to the Class AA state title last year, new Grants head football coach Jerald Burns faces a tough task trying to mold the Pirates into district contenders.

"We're little and slow," the 52-year-old Burns said. "We have only four seniors. These kids are working their butts off.
They're not real talented but I'm really impressed with them. The coach before me worked them hard."
His coaching philosophy is simple: be physical.

"We have to be physical and show that we're tough," Burns said. "I've been on them discipline-wise. It's 'Yes, Sir and No, Sir'. They don't cuss. I don't put up with it on the field."

Burns said he heard about the vacant Grants' head coaching job when he attended the graduation of the daughter of his younger brother David, who was the defensive coordinator at Laguna-Acoma last year. Jerry wanted to have his brother as one of his assistant coaches at Grants but David landed the head coaching job at Clayton. Former coach Johnny Medrano left Grants after four seasons for a coaching job in Texas...

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Navajo panel OKs contracts

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Contracts for projects totaling more than $11.8 million have received the Inter-Government Relations Committee's approval.

In addition, the committee approved reallocating another $160,000 to pay for the Sept. 5 chapter-level general election and referendum question about reducing the size of the Navajo Nation Council from 88 to 24 delegates.

The committee moved the funds from the council's standing committees and the Office of the Auditor General, with a recommendation that all except the $20,000 from the auditor general be reimbursed from the Undesignated Reserve.

With the additional money, the Navajo Election Administration's budget for this year rises to $1.161 million...

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Teen dies in rollover

Christopher Schurtz
Staff Writer

WINDOW ROCK — A one-vehicle accident took the life of a Window Rock teen-ager.

Edward Benson Wauneka Jr., 18, was killed early Sunday when the 1995 Ford two-door sedan police believe he was driving rolled several times, throwing him from the vehicle.

Wauneka was traveling northbound on Navajo Route 12 near Goat Springs Wash by Fort Defiance when his vehicle swerved off the road near the west side of the wash.

Police say the vehicle jumped the 45-foot wash and hit a concrete wall, rolling several times.

When police arrived at the scene they found Wauneka dead beside the car...

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Burned land now haven for wildlife

Christian Oberholser
Special to the Independent

GRANTS — One year after the La Jara wildfire, signs Area Closed to Motorized Vehicles are still posted, protecting several thousand acres of fragile forest soil.

However, visitors on foot who want to see a new growth of wildflowers and wildlife are welcomed.

Last summer, the La Jara fire burned out of control while helicopters and air tankers were grounded.

For two days, winds gusting at 50 mph by early morning prevented firefighting aircraft from attacking the fire from the air. Helicopters stood by helplessly on the portable helicopter pad only miles from the fire; air tankers waited for take-off orders in Albuquerque...

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Summit to focus on youth issues

Staff Report

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Presidential Youth Summit will be held Monday and Tuesday at the Navajo Nation Museum's Library and Visitors Center.

The conference is designed to motivate and prepare young people in organizing a youth council that will eventually address issues and concerns of Navajo youth across the Navajo Nation.

"The majority of our population is composed of young people and they need our support and direction so that they will be prepared to be leaders," President Kelsey Begaye said. "The youth summit will create a positive environment for the participants that emphasizes a traditional Navajo framework of learning coupled with motivational presentations to help prepare the youth for the future."

The Youth Council Committee has established goals and objectives for the summit to organize roundtable discussions to address youth issues, brainstorm, and write a working document for presentation to policy makers of the tribe; to learn about and understand the Navajo Nation government; to coordinate classes that emphasize Navajo culture and traditions; to create social events for participants to learn from; to create an environment that will enhance community mobilization for youth service projects; and to organize team building and leadership training for youth that emphasize self-esteem, male and female role models, and responsibilities for the youth...

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School fight heats up in Kayenta district

S.J. Ludescher
Staff Writer

SHONTO, Ariz. — An attempt to put suspended Kayenta School Superintendent Tommy Yazzie back on the job failed Wednesday night.

The troubled and controversial Kayenta school board met at the Shonto Chapter House.

Board members heard updates about the investigation of the suspended superintendent and the recall petition aimed at the three board members who are fighting Yazzie.

Board member Teddy Begay tried to reinstate Yazzie, but the effort failed when his motion died...

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Deaths

Louise Lujan

GALLUP — Services for Louise Lujan, 56, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at St. Francis Church in Gallup. Father Diego Mazon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Lujan died Aug. 9 in Gallup. She was born May 23, 1944, in Las Vegas.

Lujan spent most of her life in Gallup. She attended Robertson High School in East Las Vegas. She was a homemaker, and her hobbies were knitting, ceramics, fishing and hunting.

Survivors include husband, Joe Lujan of Gallup; sons, Patrick Lujan and Mark Lujan, both of Gallup; daughters, Bernice Lujan and Denise Lujan, both of Gallup; brother, Raymond Varela of Las Vegas; sisters, Dora Gallegos of Las Vegas, Virginia Castenda of Garden City, Kan., and Pauline Garcia and Mary Gonzales, both of Las Vegas; and six grandchildren.
Lujan was preceded in death by parents, Lalo and Maguerita Varela; brother, Jerry Varela; and sister, Albina Maestas.

Pallbearers will be Noe D. Lujan, Leroy Gallegos, Felix Garcia Jr., Jack Duckett Jr., Eddie Varela, and Gilbert Garcia.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Julia T. Wauneka

CRYSTAL — Services for Julia T. Wauneka, 101, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the United Methodist Chruch in Window Rock. Pastor Roger Tsosie will officiate. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Community Cemetery.

Wauneka died Aug. 6 in Grants. She was born Feb. 24, 1899, in Black Flutted Rock into the One Who Walks Around You People Clan for the Water People Clan.

Survivors include her daughters, Annie W. Barney, Mary Belone, Fannie W. Buck, Imelta Wauneka and Susie W. Buck; 28 grandchildren; 103 great-grandchildren; and 45 great-great-grandchildren.

Wauneka was preceded in death by her husband, Sam A. Wauneka; six sons; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Raymond Buck, Valdis Billy, Paul Peshlakai, Eddie Wauneka, Leroy Wauneka and Mike Woody.

The family will receive friends and family after the burial services at the Crystal Chapter House.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy E. Antonio

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Services for Dorothy E. Antonio, 75, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Ramah Navajo Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Herman Nells will officiate. Burial will follow at the Ramah Community Cemetery.

Antonio died Aug. 8 in Grants. She was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Ramah into the Meadow People Clan for the Mexican People Clan.

Survivors include her husband, Hoover Antonio of Ramah; sons, Delphino Antonio of Mesa, Ariz., and Lawrence Antonio of Ramah; daughters, Judy Antonio of Pine Hill, Karen Antonio of Mountain View and Marie Hunt of San Jos, Calif.; brothers, Ray Alonzo of Pine Hill, C. Frank Eriacho, Chemico Eriacho, Franklin Eriacho and Leonarod Eriacho, all of Mountain View, and Mac Daniel Eriacho and Frank E. Paul, both of Pinehill; sisters, Betty Edwards of Pinehill, Ethel Lee, Ester Martinez and Allson Pokagon, all of Mountan View; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Antonio was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Jesus and Ach-ha-yoo-bah Pino; sons, Albert Antonio and James Antonio; daughters, Gloria Antonio and Veleda Antonio; and a brother, Albert Eriacho.

Pallbearers will be Randy Alonzo, David Garcia, Nathaniel Henio, Tim Marla, Milton Mariz and Alvin Rafalita.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

John Oley Tomlinson

GALLUP — Memorial services for John Oley Tomlinson, 40, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Lexington Hotel in Gallup. Private disposition will be in Blanco, N.M.

Tomlinson died Aug. 1 in Gallup. He was born Sept. 27, 1959, in Bluewater.

Tomlinson attended school in Blanco and Grants. He was self-employed in the Gallup area.

Survivors include sons, O.J. Tomlinson of Grants, Manny Salcedo, John Frank Tomlinson and Alfred Tomlinson, all of Juarez, Mexico; daughter, Chantel Jaramill of Farmington; parents, Russell and Lydia Branyan, both of Gallup, and Vernon Tomlinson of Egegik, Alaska; brothers, Alfred J. Tomlinson and Jeffrey Branyan, both of Gallup; sisters, Anna Beth Garcia of Grants, and Lori K. Branyan of Albuquerque; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Teofilo Gonzales of Albuquerque and Rita Nailleux of Wichita, Kan.