Zuni Olla Maidens at Red Rock Park. Photo Courtesy NM Tourism Department
1940 Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial. Photo Courtesy City of Gallup
INTERTRIBAL CEREMONIAL OFFICE NEWS RELEASE
The Intertribal Ceremonial Office (ICO), Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association, Inc. (GITICA), and the City of Gallup announce the 100th anniversary Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial event Aug. 4 -14 in Gallup. One of New Mexico’s longest running and historic events, this year will offer a mixture of in-person and virtual events including Native American and Indigenous tribal processions and performance showcases, rodeo events, ceremonial queen and princess pageants, a 5k run/walk, parades, powwow, and more. The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration will begin on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. with a parade in the evening starting in Downtown Gallup.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s 100th anniversary of ‘The Ceremonial,’ said Kyle Tom, president of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association, Inc (GITICA). “The Ceremonial is a staple in our community and has been for the last century. With events finally returning, we couldn’t be more excited to host a full schedule of activities that make the Ceremonial unique. We look forward to welcoming travelers from all over the world for this event.”
“We are honored to host a Centennial Celebration of ‘The Ceremonial,’ said Melissa Sanchez, executive director for the Intertribal Ceremonial Office (ICO). “It is important to note, in 1922, and now in 2022, the world was overcoming a pandemic. We are looking forward to seeing each other once again. Historically, the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, has always been instrumental in bringing people together, and from many directions, then and now. This year’s event will span 11 days with a spectrum of events showcasing Native American & Indigenous songs, dances, art, culture and heritage in a traditional and modern sense.”
Thursday “Kick Off” Parade
The opening “Kick Off” parade will be held on Thursday, Aug.4 at 7 p.m. and will march throughout downtown Gallup. The popular parade is a mainstay in the community full of rich tradition and history.
“One World Beat” Performances
On Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6, visitors to the event can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences at Red Rock Park in Gallup. Gates open at 1 p.m. for the Artisan Market, Demonstrations, Four Winds Stage and each evening at 7 p.m., guests can attend “One World Beat” performances. On Friday, the evening event will showcase the group Pamyua: Of Yup’ik descent, they will be performing a fusion of traditional Inuit music and Yup’ik dance from Alaska. On Saturday, it will feature the HAKA: Māori Cultural Experience from Aotearoa/New Zealand presenting an emotional and powerful combination of a range of compositions, from chants and choral singing to graceful action songs and ferocious war dances.
This is a ticketed event. Please visit www.gallupceremonial.com to purchase tickets.
5K Run/Walk
In addition, a free 5k run/walk will be held on Aug. 5. The event will begin at 7 a.m. and the first 100 participants will receive a free t-shirt. More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/5k-walkrun/, or by contacting the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association at (505) 863-3896.
Film Festival at the El Morro Theatre
Between Sunday, Aug. 7, and Tuesday, Aug. 9, visitors can enjoy a film festival focusing on Native American and Indigenous storytelling through full-feature and short films. The festival will also highlight the “Spirit of the Ceremonial” 2021 documentary, a one-hour film about the history of the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial event exploring its origin, unique memorable story elements, interviews, and captivating live performances by Native American and Indigenous dance groups from New Mexico and beyond. This is a ticketed event. Please visit www.gallupceremonial.com to purchase tickets. More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/film-festival/.
Rodeo Events
On Aug. 8, a Six-Shooter Six-Steer Team Roping Shootout will take place at the Butler Jackpot Arena at 8 a.m. The event will feature team and pair roping of six steers. The team with the best time will be awarded a pair of pistols.
On Aug. 9, the Open Junior Rodeo will take place at 8 a.m. The Junior Rodeo will take place in the Red Rock Park arena. Children and teenagers younger than 17-years old will be split into five age-group categories and compete in more than 30 events. Each event winner will receive a cash bonus and winners of the division will be awarded an honorary saddle.
On Aug.10, the Iron Cowgirl Challenge will take place in the Red Rock Park arena at 7 p.m. The Iron Cowgirl Challenge will be held for ladies of all ages and will include breakaway roping, barrel racing, team roping and calf roping. The fastest participant on all four events will receive a $500 cash prize.
Between Aug. 11 and Aug.13, a team roping challenge will take place at the Butler Jackpot Arena. The best participants of all three nights will win an honorary saddle.
On Thursday, Aug.11, slack and stock events will occur serving as overflow events for bull riding, junior bull riding, and others. Beginning at 8 a.m. at the Butler Jackpot Arena, “The Ceremonial” will host an open rodeo slack. The open rodeo will be followed by a timed event slack at 9 a.m., team roping at 6 p.m., an open rodeo rough stock at 7 p.m., and a rough stock at 7:30 p.m.
On Aug. 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the Butler Jackpot Arena, an open rodeo will take place. A second performance of the team roping event will be held at 6 p.m.
On Aug.13, an open rodeo will occur at 6 p.m. along with a team roping event at the Butler Jackpot Arena.
On Aug. 14, a Wooly Riding preshow will take place at 11:30 a.m. with children younger than 6-years-old riding on sheep. Beginning at 12 p.m., a top 10 short round will occur alongside Old School Days rodeo featuring a wild horse race, hide race, pony express race, frybread pan throw, ranch bronc riding, women’s steer riding, fruit scramble and buffalo riding.
More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/rodeo/.
Juried Art Show
Beginning on August 10, an opening night wine gala will be held to kick off the Juried Art Show and Artisan Markets. The opening night festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will feature select wines and a performance from the Silver Country Band. Guests can also purchase Rocket Café/Rocket Lounge Selects wines and food at the opening event. For more information, please contact the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association at (505) 863-3896.
The juried art show will showcase pieces of art that have been entered into the show’s competition categories. The art show will take place Aug. 10-14. The exhibit hall will be open to the public on Aug. 10 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., Aug. 11 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Aug. 12 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Aug.13 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., and Aug. 14 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $100,000 in cash prizes to be awarded. More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/art-market/.
Virtual Artisan Market
A Virtual Artisan Market will open on August 4 and will be available online throughout the duration of the event closing on August 14. The market will feature painters, beaders, silver stampers, weavers, carvers, potters, jewelry, wall décor, handmade soaps and a variety of other products and homemade goods. More information can be found online at http://www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/market/
Ceremonial Queen and Princess Pageant
The pageant events will be held at El Morro Theatre and Event Center in the city of Gallup between August 8 and August 10. Originating in the 1930’s, the pageant allows young Native American women to participate in pageant events that empower and inspire the contestants to share their cultural knowledge. The Ceremonial Queen represents her family, Tribe(s) and serves as an ambassador for both ‘The Ceremonial’ event and Native American and Indigenous peoples.
On August 8, the Little Miss Ceremonial Princess pageant will take place at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, August 9, attendees can meet the contestants, outgoing Ceremonial Queen, Ms. Amber Ballenger, watch the Public Speaking Competition and support the pageant at the Ceremonial Queen Dinner event at 6 p.m.
This is a ticketed event. Please visit www.gallupceremonial.com to purchase tickets. More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/pageant/.
Powwow
On August 12 and August 13 at Red Rock Park, guests can enjoy a powwow featuring dancers and singers from North American tribes including New, Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma, Canada, and more. The powwow will include a variety of competitive dances in different categories including Tiny Tot, Golden Age, Men, Women, and Open Adult dances. More information can be found online at www.gallupintertribalceremonial.com/100th/powwow/.
Saturday Parade
The closing parade will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 9 a.m. and will march throughout downtown Gallup. The popular parade is a mainstay in the community full of rich tradition and history.
Event Details and Ticket Information
For information on the “One World Beat” Performances, the Ceremonial Queen and Little Princess Pageants, or the Film Festival, contact Intertribal Ceremonial Office at 206 West Coal Ave Gallup NM 87301; Phone: 505-905-1640; Email: ICO@state.nm.us. Please note: Some 2022 events are ticketed – online ticket sales are available NOW – reserved seating is also available. Please visit www.gallupceremonial.com for specific ticket information.
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For information on the Rodeos, 5kRun/Walk, Juried Art Show, Powwow contact Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association via email gallupceremonialnm@gmail.com or by telephone at (505) 863-3896.
About Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial
The first Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial was held September 28, 1922 and is one of the City of Gallup’s and State of New Mexico’s oldest events. “The Ceremonial” features Native American and Indigenous diverse intertribal culture, heritage and art in both traditional and contemporary presentations. Throughout its century old legacy and evolution, The Ceremonial has had many caretakers and its resilience is a result of the dedication and support of the City of Gallup, Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Association, Inc., McKinley County, State of New Mexico Tourism Department, Intertribal Ceremonial Office and generations of community “Ceremonial” supporters who volunteer their time and expertise. Additionally, thousands of Native American and Indigenous participants, some generational, have shared songs, dances, art, and culture, that demonstrate the fortitude of the Native American Tribes in New Mexico and beyond. The event is held annually in August at both the City of Gallup and the Red Rock Park which is located 10 minutes east of the downtown Gallup, New Mexico – USA.
For more information, please visit gallupceremonial.com.