SUNDAY

SEPT. 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

THE DAILY TIMES

FARMINGTON, NM www.daily-times.com

Northern Navajo Nation Fair prepares to kick off

The Daily Times file photo

The Northern Navajo Nation Fair is shown in a file photo from Wednesday Sept. 30, 2010.
By Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times

It may not seem like this year s Northern Navajo Nation Fair is much different than last years. But, organizers say, thats because a lot of the big changes are taking place behind the scenes. In order to think outside the box, we have to ensure that everything inside is manageable, said Robert Felson, Jr., the fair director. All coordinators are new. They have backgrounds in management and business, and they are all

volunteers. Also new to the infrastructure of the fair management are marketing, information technologies and public relations departments. Many of the fair s mainstay events, however, are back this year. The fair runs from Oct. 3 to 6 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock. The parade is always a favorite, and it will run from the east side of town to the south, as usual. To ensure the parade runs smoothly, parade coordinator Eugene Zohnie asks that people

keep their children under control. We are asking floats to not throw candy, Zohnie said. Song and dance competitions will be going on throughout the weekend. Judges from all over the Navajo Nation will choose winners in several categories, from 15th to first place. Guy Lee, the song and dance coordinator, expects to see 20 to 25 groups of singers compete. Rodeo is an integral part of the fair as well, and coordinators have made a special point to include the children as

much as possible. Traditional trail rides, pageants, the Indian Market and the City of Fun carnival also keep fair-goers entertained. Each year, the fair board chooses one person to heal during a nineday healing ceremony, called the YeiBiChei. The ceremony is private and includes only the person who is being healed and a Medicine Man and his helpers. The man being healed this year is Patrick Tsosie of Cornfields, Ariz. The final day of the healing ceremony, Oct. 6, coincides with the final

day of the fair, which closes at sunset. The Northern Navajo Nation Fair is now in its 102nd year, and it is the longest-running fair on the reservation. The fair began as a place to trade the fruits of the harvest and to celebrate the harvest. Over the past century, the fair has grown larger and now incorporates many more traditions. But one thing is still the same: its a time to celebrate culture, tradition and the harvest, Felson said. Felson said the board aims to use profit from

this years fair to revamp the fairgrounds and open them for year-round use. Residents have complained about the conditions of the fairgrounds for years, and coordinators would like to address those issues. We are here for a purpose, Felson said. That purpose is the people, the dedicated people, like those who stay overnight to see the parade. More information on the history of the Navajo people and the fair can be found at www.navajopeople.org.

YeiBiChei Commences

Miss Northern Navajo & Teen Pageant

Miss Northern Navajo & Teen Traditional Royalty Day

Traditional Trail Ride (Commences) Fairgrounds Open Indoor Exhibit Judging (4-H Exhibit) Miss Northern Navajo & Teen Pageant Youth Day Activities Elder Fest Indan Market Open Junior Rodeo City of Fun Carnival Kids Day Small Animal Judging Exceptional Rodeo Free BBQ (Sponsored by APS, BHP, PNM) Youth Karaoke Contest 49/Round Dance Open Womens Rodeo Singspiration

Parade Fairgrounds Open Song and Dance (Open Registration) Pow Wow (Open Registration) Indian Market Open Kids Corral (Roping) Rodeo Grounds VFW Tent (Food Sale) Gourd Dancing City of Fun Carnival Mutton Bustin Guest Performances Pow Wow (Grand Entry) Song & Dance (Grand Entry) Open Show Rodeo/ Wild Horse Race Demonstrations and Talent Show Presentations Kids Corral (Roping) Rodeo Grounds Parade Winners Award Presentation Gourd Dance Session Pow Wow (Grand Entry) Open Show Rodeo/ Wild Horse Race Country Western Dance

Traditional Trail Ride (On-going) Fairgrounds Open Livestock Show Indian Market Traditional Trail Ride Arrival Song and Dance (Open Registration) Open Masters Rodeo Native Music Fest Miss Northern Navajo & Teen Pageant VFW Tent (Food Sale) 4-H / FFA Jr. Livestock Sale Pow Wow (Open Registration) City of Fun Carnival Gourd Dance Session Song & Dance (Warm-up Dancing) Archery Contest Fashion Review & Public Speaking Presentations Pow Wow (Grand Entry) Northern Gateway Open Bull-Riding Metal Fest

Yaateeh and Welcome friends, relatives and the people of the great Four Corners. On behalf of the Northern Navajo Nation Fair Board, Planning Committee and as the Fair Director of the Northern Navajo Nation Fair, I would like to invite you to the 102nd Annual Northern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock, NM beginning October 3-6. Join us for an event full of fun, entertainment and festivities. This event is held annually in tribute to all the communities throughout the Four Corners, Northern Agencies and the Navajo Nation. We bring you an event that is established for the people to unite and commune in celebration of this years culture, tradition and harvest. This year the Northern Navajo Nation Fair will feature the Carnival, Rodeo, Pow Wow, Song & Dance, Miss Northern Navajo Nation Pageant & Teen Pageant, Exhibits, Youth Day, Elder Fest, 4-H Showcase, Entertainment, Indian Market, Traditional Trail Ride, and YeiBiChei . We hope to see you at this years fair. Ahehee and Thank You. Robert Felson Jr., Fair Director

Fairgrounds Open Open Show Slack (If necessary) Awards Presentation Song & Dance (Roll Call/ Grand Entry) Indian Market Open Gourd Dance Session VFW Tent (Food Sale) City of Fun Carnival Performances NNRA- Region 6/Wild Horse Race Mutton Bustin Kids Corral (Roping) Rodeo Grounds

Pumpkin Patch Fundraising Beclabito ALERT

Northen Navajo Nation Fair

P.O Box 2120, Shiprock, New Mexico, 87401 (505)368-4305 www.nnnfair.com

2 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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Modern art: Younger generation chosen to represent the Northern Navajo Nation Fair

Molly Maxwell/Special to The Daily Times

Shemar George, 15, poses with the 2013 Northern Navajo Nation Fair poster, which displays his artwork.
By Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times

FARMINGTON The artist behind this year s Northern Navajo Nation Fair poster is a 15-year-old. Shemar George created the poster, which depicts the Shiprock pinnacle, four ears of corn, four arrowheads and a basket. Last year, well-known, professional artist Cal Nez designed the poster. Created with oil and acrylic paints, charcoal and pencil, it intricately depicted a Yei' Bi' Chei dancer with items symbolizing tradition and technology floating on either side of him. This year's poster is different. I sketched it out, redrew the whole thing again and colored over it with colored pencil, George said. George is in Art II at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington. And although his artistic method was much simpler that the one Nez used, the care and effort put into the drawing cannot be denied. Each kernel of corn is carefully traced, and the pattern on the basket is perfectly symmetrical. In an interview with The Daily Times about his poster last year, Nez said, I use to see the fair posters while attending Sanostee Boarding School, and I said, I will be the fair poster artist one day. So he was touched to learn that a 15-year-old boy's artwork was showcased this year. That is so beautiful to hear, he said.

George won the poster contest this summer. Contestants were required to produce an image that represented the fair's theme: Individually, we restore balance and harmony. George submitted his poster with the following explanation: What the corn represent is having harmony, also what the basket represents is to restore balance, the four arrowheads represent the four directions and the four colors, what the corn stalks represent is the corn pollen we bless ourselves with. In the background, the rock represents Shiprock. So altogether Shiprock individually balance itself like the Navajo basket and has harmony like the corn stalks and the corn. Even after winning the contest, Shemar George did not realize that his art would be the fairs sole poster, said the teenagers father, Philip George. At first, we thought there were going to be two posters, one for youth and one for adults, Philip George said. The family lives in Newcomb, a tiny, remote town in southeastern San Juan County on the edge of the Chuska Mountains. Shemar George travels an hour to Farmington each week to attend Navajo Prep and goes home for the weekends. When hes not in art class, the teen gets plenty of practice drawing at home. He often draws Hawaiian flowers or images of the Los Angeles Lakers for his sister, said his father. His little sister always asks him to draw for her, he said.

Shemar George, whose artwork is featured on the 2013 Northern Navajo Nation Fair poster, shows off some of his other pieces.
Molly Maxwell/ Special to The Daily Times

Shiprock Of ce of Din Youth

Boys & Girls Clubs of Din Nation-TseBitAi Unit
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MISSION To advocate, educate and develop resilient healthy generations of youth through partnerships to balance and live in a diverse society.

The Navajo Nation Of ce of Dine Youth/ Boys & Girls Clubs of the Dine Nation- TesBitAi Unit provides an array of programs for youth between the ages of 6-21. Enrichment Programs: High School Prep Assistance program, Devil Pups, Youth Basketball League, NN Spelling Bee and more. Core Programs include: Power Hour (Homework Help), SMART Moves, T.R.A.I.L.S., Sports/Recreation, Career Launch, Reading Programs, Arts & Crafts, Cultural activities, Prevention Activities, Incentive Field Trips, Teambuilding/ Ropes Course, Sports Leagues, Holiday Events and much more. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM MON-THUR. 3:00 pm-6:00 pm Now Accepting Membership: Free

P.O. Box 3257 Shiprock, NM 87420 (505) 368-1125 FAX: (505) 368-1132 www.dineyouth.com

The Daily Times Farmington, New Mexico

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SHIPROCK FAIR

Sunday, September 29, 2013

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4 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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What parts of the Northern Navajo Nation Fair are you looking forward to the most and why?

The parade. Family can enjoy it together. I couldn't go last year so this year I will go early.
Le an n B e ga y

The corn dog stand.

Brandi Johnson

Indian Market. That's where you make money.

T homas Peters on

The song and dance, and the rodeo. The Yei'Bi'Chei [traditional dance], the reason why [the fair] started.
R . A la n M an ue il to

Watching my cousin-brother, Joe Tohannie, Jr. perform. His band, the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers, are a main event.
Anth on y Pete rs o n

My family are farmers. They sell watermelon, corn, cantaloupes. The fair is all about the harvest, crops and eating traditional food, sharing it. ... We get to see our friends, clans, the only time all year...
Be rth a Ets itty

WELCOME SHIPROCK FAIR CONTESTANTS & VISITORS.

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BRING YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS IN TODAY!!!

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The Daily Times file photo

Terilynn Bellison places fry bread dough into a skillet during the Miss Northern Navajo fry bread contest at the Northern Navajo Nation Fair on Oct. 4, 2012.

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The Daily Times Farmington, New Mexico

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SHIPROCK FAIR

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Navajo Home Center

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OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM - 4PM

LOCATED AT AYANI NEEZ CENTER 101 AYANI' NEEZ BLVD. SE

505-368-4144 Shiprock, NM

6 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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Everyone is encouraged to participate in the rodeo this year

By Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times

SHIPROCK The definition of the word rodeo is a public display of cowboy skills. And this will be the first year that the Northern Navajo Nation Fairs will be very public. For the first year, the Open Rodeo events are open to anyone, said Jeri Lowe Scott, the rodeo coordinator, who has been running rodeos since 1994. This year's focus is focusing on all age categories, Scott said. That can be seen in the fair schedule, which includes several rodeo e v e n t s e a c h d a y. T h e Exceptional Rodeo, Mutton Bustin' and Kids Corral encourage children to try out different rodeo-related activities. Exceptional The R o d e o o ff e r s y o u n g e r children the chance to participate in several rodeo-themed events, such as dummy roping, goat tagging, feel and smell, horseback riding and horse grooming. Navajo Nation schools were invited to bring classes especially for the Exceptional Rodeo. Vo l u n t e e r c o w b o y s teach children ages 6 to 14 how to rope animals during the Kids Corral. And for those more serious riders, there is the

Junior Rodeo, Women's Rodeo, Master's Rodeo and Wild Horse Race. (The Junior Rodeo) has more participation than the Adult Rodeo. (Contestants) bring their families. It can be educational, a training system for the Adult Rodeo, Scott said. Buckles, custommade leather briefcases, laptop cases, saddles and jackets are among the many prizes that participants can win. Those interested in participating in any of the rodeo events are encouraged to pre-regist e r. C a l l o n e o f t h e Central Entry Secretaries after 6 p.m. to do so. This information can be found at nnnfair.com on the Rodeo Schedule. The Sasi School Rodeo Club, along with other riders, practiced Sept. 18 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds. It's something we've always done, something to look forward to every y e a r, s a i d J e n n i f e r Tree, who will be competing in the Womens Rodeo and Open Rodeo. Jeffery Jim, coaches the team, which i n c l u d e s h i s s o n , Te e Jim. And hes ready for this years competitions. If you want to ride a horse, Shiprock's the place to do it, Jeffery Jim said.

Molly Maxwell/Special to The Daily Times

Tee Jim prepares to lasso a calf during practice Sept. 18 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock.

Molly Maxwell/Special to The Daily Times

Jennifer Tree takes a break during practice on Sept. 18 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock.

Across from Northern Navajo Medical Center

The Daily Times Farmington, New Mexico

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SHIPROCK FAIR

Sunday, September 29, 2013

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8 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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The Daily Times file photo

The Daily Times file photo

On Sept. 30, 2010, children fly through the air on a carnival ride during the North- Visitors to the Northern Navajo Nation Fair hang from the top of a carnival ride on Oct. 4, 2012. ern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock.

The Daily Times file photo

The Daily Times file photo

People invert on one of the carnival rides during Youth Day at the Shiprock Fair Children are seen enjoying a ride on Oct. 5, 2012, during the Northern Navajo Nation Fair at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock. on Oct. 5, 2011, at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock.

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Navajo Preparatory School 1220 West Apache Farmington, NM 87401

Leaders

The Daily Times Farmington, New Mexico

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SHIPROCK FAIR

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Daily Times file photo

Visitors to the Northern Navajo Nation Fair participate in a social dance at the pow wow arena on Oct. 5, 2012.

Daily Times file photo

Women participating in the Best Dressed competition show off their native jewelry on Sept. 30, 2010, during Elderfest at the Northern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock.

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10 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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The Daily Times file photo

Michael Montague of Standing Rock, N.M., rides Slammin Sosa during the bull riding competition on Oct. 5, 2012, at the Northern Navajo Nation Fair.

Molly Maxwell/Special to The Daily Times

Jim navigates his horse through the fences during practice on Sept. 18 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Shiprock.

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The Daily Times Farmington, New Mexico

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SHIPROCK FAIR

Sunday, September 29, 2013

11

Daily Times file photo

A young cowboy watches the rodeo at the Northern Navajo Nation Fair on Oct. 4, 2012.

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12 Sunday, September 29, 2013

SHIPROCK FAIR

Farmington, New Mexico

The Daily Times

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