A ceremonial queen, a powwow and Navajo dance help mark the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s joyous celebration of Native American culture
A ceremonial queen, a powwow and Navajo dance routines helped mark the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s celebration of Native American culture that was held over the last 11 days.
The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial began in 1922 and is one of the state’s oldest and most cherished annual occasions honoring Native American and Indigenous tribal heritage and culture, while bringing together tribes from across the American Southwest and beyond.
This year’s centennial celebrations kicked off on August 4, and saw Native American & Indigenous tribal processions & performance showcases, rodeo events, ceremonial queen and princess pageants, art contests, a running five kilometer running event, parades, film screenings, a powwow and Navajo songs & dances.
Over the years, the event has become a New Mexico destination experience. Organizers said this year’s Ceremonial was a culmination of 100 years of culture and heritage.
Despite the importance of the event, tragedy almost struck in the early hours of August 5 when a drunk SUV driver ploughed through a nighttime parade that served as the kick-off for the festivities, injuring at least 15 people.
Miraculously, no one was killed, but Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and his family were among those almost hit as the Chevrolet Tahoe drove through the parade route. Jeff Irving, 33, was arrested late Thursday and faces charges that include aggravated driving while intoxicated, fleeing from officers and injuring parade-goers and two Gallup police officers who tried to stop the vehicle, court documents said.
Irving’s blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit for driving, according to court records. His license had been revoked or suspended for another drunken driving charge and the SUV had no registration or insurance, police said. Pictures from the parade route showed a scene of devastation all too familiar in the United Sates.
However, spectacular pictures from the days that followed the incident showed the festivities were not dampened.
A ceremonial queen, a powwow and Navajo dance routines helped mark the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s celebration of Native American culture that was held over the last 11 days. Pictured: Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen Cajun Cleveland, who is Diné (Navajo), stands for a photo after the ceremonial rodeo on August 14, 2022
Participants and spectators await traditional dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park. The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial began in 1922 and is one of the state’s oldest and most cherished annual occasions honoring Native American and Indigenous tribal heritage and culture
The wild horse race takes place at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Dancers wearing traditional dress prepare to enter the contest powwow at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park on August 12. This year’s centennial celebrations kicked off on August 4, and saw Native American & Indigenous tribal processions & performance showcases, rodeo events, ceremonial queen and princess pageants, art contests, a running five kilometer running event, parades, film screenings, a powwow and Navajo songs & dances
Dancers participate in the contest powwow at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park on August 12, 2022 near Gallup, New Mexico
Traditional dancers from Mexico prepare to perform the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park on August 12. One man is seen climbing up a tall pole
Traditional dancers from Mexico perform the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) above the heads of spectators
An Ohkay Owingeh tribal member is seen after dancing at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park
Ohkay Owingeh tribal members sit after performing the Eagle Dance at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Ohkay Owingeh tribal members perform the Eagle Dance at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park
Dancers prepare to enter the contest powwow at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 12
Ohkay Owingeh tribal members prepare to depart after dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park on August 12
Participants and spectators view night dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 12
Traditional dancers from Mexico perform the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park on August 12
Members of the Navajo Nation Band warm up before marching in a downtown parade at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial on August 13
Members of the Zuni Olla Maidens prepare to march in a downtown parade at the Indian Ceremonial on August 13
Raquel Sam, a member of the Navajo Nation, rides a horse in a downtown parade at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial on August 13
Members of the Diamond Creek Dancers prepare to march in a downtown parade at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial on August 13
Raquel Sam (right), a member of the Navajo Nation, rides a horse in a downtown parade at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial on August 13
One of the many attractions of the event is the Intertribal Ceremonial Queen Pageant, which began in the 1930s, and is open to young Native American woman.
According to the event’s website, ‘The Ceremonial Queen proudly represents her family, Tribe(s) and serves as an ambassador for both the annual Ceremonial event and Native American & Indigenous Peoples.
‘As a role model her efforts will empower Native American & Indigenous Peoples, while simultaneously representing them in both a traditional and contemporary sense.’ For the next year, winner Queen Cajun Cleveland will attend a variety of events and act as an ambassador for the community.
The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial is held around 100 miles West of Albuquerque in Red Rock Park, which in addition to stunning landscapes features a rodeo arena – where several of the other events are also held.
Speaking before the event, Intertribal Ceremonial Office Melissa Sanchez said: ‘This collaborative production is the momentous opportunity to showcase one of New Mexico’s signature cultural events to a global audience while we recognize and celebrate the rich diverse cultures, history, contributions, culture and heritage of Native & Indigenous peoples.’
Spectators view the opening of night dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 13
Dancers prepare to enter the contest powwow at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 13
A member of the Navajo Nation Band warms up before marching in a downtown parade at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial on August 13, 2022 in Gallup, New Mexico
Dancers prepare to enter the contest powwow at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 13
Spectators view the opening of night dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 13
Participants and horses gather beneath monsoonal clouds at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Competitor Ty Toadlena takes a drag of a cigarette as he rests between events at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Participants gather at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park, August 14
Competitor Ty Esteves, a member of the Navajo Nation, waits for his next event at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Participants gather at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14, 2022 near Gallup, New Mexico
An aerial view of people gathered at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Hank Blackgoat (right) and Adrian Begay, members of the Navajo Nation, take a break during the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Spectators view the opening of night dancing at the 100th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, August 13
A competitor rides a buffalo at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
A competitor rides a bull at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park
Participants gather at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park, August 14
People gather at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
An aerial view of people gathered at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park
Tristen Thomas (right), who is a member of the Navajo Nation, waits with other riders to compete in the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
People watch the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Contestants watch on as a competitor (left) rides a bull at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Participants and bulls stand at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park
Members of the Navajo Nation depart on motorcycles after attending the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Participants prepare to depart with their animals following the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
People watch the frybread pan throw contest at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Participants prepare to ride horses at the 100th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Rodeo at Red Rock Park on August 14
Nathaniel Henio, who is a member of the Navajo Nation, walks with his horses after the conclusion of the ceremonial rodeo
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