August is always Inter-Tribal Ceremony time here in Gallup, which always means tribal-dances (different groups every night) in front of the City Hall, singing, rodeos, along with displays of rugs, jewelry and art work! The highlight of the week of the Ceremonials is the Parade down Route 66 and downtown Gallup with different tribes in their regalia. As they parade down the street, they stop from time to time to dance and sing. The different princesses and Queens of the Navajo Nation also go with the parade shaking hands with the people they meet, usually coming over to our Residents.
Also, the president of the Navajo Nation and other public figures walk during the parade to meet the people. It was very striking since this year was the first time that the Code Talkers were not present. The last of the original Code Talkers died this last year and most of them are becoming very old and frail.
A few of our volunteers help out in taking the Residents to the Parade. Three of them were students from Notre Dame University (Victoria and Briana) and another who spent a month with us with the “Spring into Service Program” (Rachel). We thank these young women for their time with us and the many services they rendered to us, may God Bless them in their futures!
