Hubbell Trading Post Diné Trader Wallace James, Jr. will give a talk at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. each day during the Bandelier Fall Festival. Courtesy
BANDELIER NEWS RELEASE
The traditions of Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site are once again hitting the road and will be at Bandelier National Monument 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10-11.
The 2026–2027 Hubbell Trading Post tour will bring an immersive cultural experience to national park sites, public lands, and community destinations across the West, connecting visitors with Diné (Navajo) artistry, knowledge, and traditions passed down through generations.
The Hubbell Trading Post tour has been connecting communities with the trading post’s living traditions for many years, with the program gaining significant momentum and reaching new audiences in recent seasons. The returning tour brings the history and heritage of Hubbell Trading Post, the oldest continuously operating trading post in the American Southwest, beyond its home in Ganado, Ariz.
At each stop, visitors can explore an extensive collection of authentic Navajo weavings, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry featuring turquoise and other fine gemstones, and other works created by Indigenous artisans.
More than a shopping experience, each event creates opportunities to learn about the people, traditions, and artistry behind the work. Hubbell Trading Post Diné Trader Wallace James, Jr. will give a talk at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. each day, sharing knowledge and stories drawn from his experience as a trader and his deep connection to the community. No two talks are exactly alike, giving visitors a chance to hear different stories and perspectives throughout the tour.
For James, sharing these traditions is deeply personal. A Diné trader who grew up in the community, he comes from generations of weavers and artists and a family whose ties to Hubbell Trading Post extend across generations. James spent much of his childhood at Hubbell, watching his mother weave and learning about wool, dyes, designs, and the stories behind the art.
“Hubbell’s has always been part of my family’s story,” James said. “I grew up here watching my mother weave and learning from the people around me. When we take Hubbell’s on the road, we share some of that knowledge and help people understand the time, skill, and tradition behind each weaving. I want people to leave knowing more than they did when they arrived feeling a connection to the artists and the stories behind their work.”
Diné weaver Tonita Yazzie will demonstrate traditional weaving throughout each event, offering an up-close look at the skill, patience, and knowledge involved in an artistic tradition carried forward across generations.
Together, the talks, demonstrations, and works available for purchase invite visitors to look more closely and better understand the living artistic traditions they represent. Visitors can ask questions, observe weaving in progress, hear directly from people connected to Hubbell Trading Post, and purchase work by Indigenous artisans.
Purchases during the tour support Indigenous artists while also supporting Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site and the 72 other national park sites that partner with Western National Parks (WNP), a nonprofit education and philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. WNP operates the trading post at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, continuing a trading tradition that dates to 1878.