Show Opening at ART123 Gallery - Pixels: Indigenous Digital Art
Experience the power and beauty of Indigenous perspectives through the lens of digital art. Join us in celebrating the innovation, talent, and cultural influences of Navajo artist Christian Bigwater as he works to redefine what it means to create in the digital age.
ArtsCrawl Family Craft: Seed Beads Guaranteed
Create faux turquoise jewelry using painted sunflower seeds (in the Events Center)!
Pop-up Play Sharity
Children’s Museum (in the Events Center)
Welcome to Cardboard City where endless amounts of cardboard await you. The possibilities are endless so come build, create, and have fun.
The School Year Has Begun
As parents we often focus all of our attention on our own kids, it is hard not to. However, encouragement is one of the best reinforcements for a child’s success. The next time your child has their friends over make sure you ask them how they are doing. When you see a
student out in the town wearing their school colors or team jersey tell them good job. Make sure you show up for the school’s activities like sport games, band conferences, or those dreaded parent/teacher conferences.
Gallup is a unique small town with a handful of different schools. We have Miyamura High School, Gallup High School, Rehoboth, Central High School, McKinley Academy, Six Directions, Hozho Academy, and several middle and elementary schools. It can be difficult to keep track of what is going on in the community related to our kids. But it is important as adults to get as involved as you can. Showing that you care about your community and its inhabitants only makes it grow positively, and that can be contagious.
—Jpa
When you finish these puzzles, bring them to our office at 210 E. Aztec Ave, оr take a pic with your phone and email it to gallupjourney@gmail.com. Don’t forget to include your name.
Thanks
Cyndi
Dianne
Daisy & Jason Arsenault
Do you have a cool local story you want to share with the Journey?
Gallup Journey Magazine 505-722-3399 • 210 E. Aztec Ave. • PO Box 2187 gallupjourney.com • gallupjourney@gmail.com Don’t want to miss an issue, subscribe to the Gallup Journey - one year $45.
Charley Benally
Thomas Gomez
Sarah Landavazo
Mark Gartner Pepita
Jaye Smith
Larry Cisco
DK & Footies
LaRoy Cisco
Rhonda Touchine
R Morris
Stephen Mahnke
Jones AJ-Harmony Christina Ashley
Chei-Ann Manygoats Libby J. L. James Molly Maguire-Marshall Brandon Utley Mary Allison Brandon Utley Michelle Skeets Marquis Apachee Shane A. Pinto E Skeet N.T.N. Jay Vink Audra Arviso Maureen Bia AJ Murphy Valerie Barker August Master Finishers Cover Photo Courtesy of Jessica Young Contents J ourney The Free Community Magazine gallup Gallup Journey T-shirts are Available Now! September Classes: September 2: Table Runner Club — 9 am to 4 pm • $20 Each month, we will be making a different table runner from Villa Rosa designs or Cut Loose patterns. So come join in for some fun times. September 9: Hunters Star Quilt — 9 am to 4 pm • $45 It takes 3 charm packs to make this quilt. Made with 1/2 square triangles and 5” square to make block. September 16: Mesh Bag — 9 am to 4pm • $45 Learn to make this bag with vinyl mesh. The pattern gives lots of different looks. September 23: Machine Embroidery Club — 10 am to 4pm • $10 This is an open embroidery session with a brown bag lunch. Come join us for a day of fun and laughter. Learn from one another. Vacuum & Sewing Center Quilting, Fabric & Supplies Monday-Saturday • 9 am to 5 pm 104 W. Coal Avenue • 505-722-9414 10 Should You Start a Business? Cyndi Jarvison: Small Business Development Center 4 Local Treatment Center Offers Quality Care, Hope For those Struggling with Addiction Kourtney Munoz 16 Tech Trek New Mexico NM Tech Trek 20 Psychology and Baseball Michele LaughingReeves 24 How To Dig, Divide & Process Iris Edith Iwan 27 Treasure 28 Event Calendar 30 Navajo Technical University, Culinary Arts Program, Earned Numerous Awards & Accolades Dale Morgan 38 Walking in Beauty 40 National POW/MIA Day Never to Be Forgotten Kenneth Riege 42 People Reading 50 Update for Local Healthcare Dr. Val Wangler, Dr. Connie Liu 52 El Malpais National Monument 54 Purpose of the Coordinated Community Response Dianne Nakai, BIP CoManager 56 Day TripAztec Ruins National Monument September 2023 7 6 September 2023
u Craft a Comprehensive Business Plan: A meticulously constructed business plan outlines your objectives, strategies, financial forecasts, and operational intricacies. Serving as a navigational guide, this document assists your startup’s initial stages and bolsters your case for securing investment from backers. A robust business plan showcases your dedication, expertise, and foresight to potential stakeholders.
u Secure Funding: Funding is the lifeblood of any startup endeavor. Explore diverse funding avenues such as angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, or self-funding. Be prepared to present the potential return on investment and the viability of your business model when presenting to potential investors.
Prudent financial management ensures your startup remains on course, sidesteps needless expenditures, and makes informed choices for sustainable expansion.
Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey mandates commitment, resilience, and a well-structured route. By adhering to these pivotal steps—ranging from validating ideas and market research to fostering agility—you can amplify the likelihood of crafting a prosperous and flourishing business that leaves a lasting imprint in your chosen field. Keep in mind, while the path to success may be arduous, the rewards can be immeasurable.
Gallup, NM - Venturing into startups involves inherent risks. Recent business statistics from 2023 reveal a daunting 90% failure rate among new startups, with a mere 10% managing to survive their inaugural year. First-time startup founders face even steeper odds, with a success rate of just 18% (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Faced with such discouraging figures, one might wonder why anyone would gamble their resources on such an uncertain future. However, unlike a lottery, launching a new business offers the possibility of improving your likelihood of success. Here are four strategies to tilt the odds in your favor:
1. Address a Pressing Customer Pain: Begin with a compelling idea that addresses a substantial customer pain point.
2. Construct a Solid Business Plan: Develop a well-structured business plan that outlines goals, strategies, financial projections, and operational specifics.
3. Secure Adequate Funding: Procure funding for your startup through avenues like angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, or bootstrapping.
4. Curate a Proficient and Passionate Team: Assemble a team of skilled and enthusiastic individuals who share your vision and can effectively alleviate customer pain.
The pursuit of entrepreneurship is a thrilling venture that necessitates meticulous planning, unwavering determination, and a strategic approach. Despite the inherent challenges, a well-executed startup can lead to financial independence, creative fulfillment, and a meaningful impact on the community. Let’s embark on a journey to decipher the blueprint for success by delineating the vital steps in launching a prosperous startup:
u Idea Validation and Market Research: Prior to plunging into a new enterprise, validating your business idea is paramount. Comprehensive market research helps you comprehend your target audience, analyze potential competitors, and gauge the demand for your product or service. This step ensures that your business idea aligns with market demands, forming the bedrock for future expansion.
u Build an Adept Team: Enlist proficient individuals who share your fervor and outlook. Formulate a diverse team equipped with complementary skills to address various facets of the business, spanning product development and marketing to financial management and operations. A resilient team enhances creativity, problem-solving, and overall efficiency.
u Customer-Centric Approach: Elevate customer satisfaction by actively listening to their input, addressing their needs, and cultivating robust relationships. Exceptional customer service not only cultivates loyalty but also encourages customers to return and recommend your offerings to others.
u Adaptability and Flexibility: The business landscape is fluid, demanding startups to be adaptable in the face of evolving trends and unforeseen obstacles. Be open to altering your strategies, exploring novel opportunities, and embracing innovation to remain competitive and relevant.
u Effective Financial Management: Maintain meticulous financial records and keep a vigilant eye on cash flow.
The New Mexico Small Business Development Center network (NMSBDC) includes nineteen service centers hosted by seventeen institutions of higher education across the state, with additional branch and satellite offices, an International Business Accelerator in Santa Teresa NM, a Procurement Technical Assistance Program and a State Office in Santa Fe. The NMSBDC gives expert counseling at no cost to over 4,000 New Mexico entrepreneurs a year in all aspects of business development, including writing business plans, obtaining investments, managing personnel issues and marketing. The NMSBDC is funded by the State of New Mexico and the U. S. Small Business Administration.
The NMSBDC is a member of the National Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). SBDC’s are located across the country and are your local, national and global resource for small business.
Building New Mexico’s Economy One Business at a Time. www.nmsbdc.org
Citation:
Howarth, J. (2023, March 16). Startup Failure Rate Statistics (2023). Exploding Topics. https://explodingtopics. com/blog/startup-failure-stats
A significant component in Four Corner’s rapid growth and ability to serve more than 2,000 clients to date is the support of local organizations with a shared commitment to ensure everyone in McKinley County has access to quality, evidence-based and culturally appropriate substance use and behavioral healthcare services.
“The partnerships we’ve established are instrumental in the work we do and we’re grateful for their support and collaboration,” said Ore. “This is especially true in our street outreach efforts.”
The street outreach team, which was established in September 2021, has since grown to five staff and has had tremendous success coordinating resources for community members, providing peer support and offering information about recovery services, harm reduction, relapse prevention and self-care. The team collaborates with Gallup Indian Medical Center and First Nations Community HealthSource to provide health education, testing, and treatment of Hepatitis C, STIs, and HIV.
By Kourtney Munoz Marketing & Communications Manager Santa Fe Recovery CenterIt’s a rare person who hasn’t been impacted by substance use disorder in some way. In September, thousands of communities across the country will come together to support and celebrate those in recovery, promote new evidence-based treatment practices and recognize the dedication of service providers. This year marks the 30-year anniversary of National Recovery Month, and the second year Four Corners Detox Recovery Center will host its Rally for Recovery event in Gallup, NM.
The Rally is scheduled for September 16th from 10:30 – 2:30 at the Courthouse Plaza and will feature food trucks, community resources, games for kids, face painting, music, Native dancing and an
opportunity to memorialize those lost to substance use disorder. Peers will also share their own stories of recovery, resilience and hope.
“We had a great turnout last year,” said Barry Ore, Four Corners Detox Recovery Center Program Director. “It’s wonderful to see that so many people came out to
celebrate. It’s really a testament to the progress we’ve made in countering stigma and creating a community of support and compassion.”
Four Corners Detox Recovery Center has played a key role in fostering this sentiment since opening its doors in December of 2020.
Earlier that year, at the request of the State of New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Human Services Department, Santa Fe Recovery Center was tapped to fill a gap in evidence-based substance use disorder treatment options in McKinley County. They established Four Corners Detox Recovery Center to provide medically monitored detoxification. Within a year, they expanded to include 30-day residential treatment and added a Street Outreach team. In late 2022, they also began offering outpatient treatment.
“Working in street outreach is extremely rewarding,” said Kyle Manuelito, a member of the Four Corners Detox Recovery Center street outreach team. “Our goal is to build trust and provide support where it’s needed most. We meet people on their terms so that we can better understand their challenges in order to work collaboratively to find pathways to stability and recovery.”
Through these collective efforts, the center has shown that the power of recovery is magnified when a community comes together with compassion and determination. Which is why this year’s theme for National Recovery Month: “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” resonates. Recovery requires a strong support system whether that be friends, family, neighbors, healthcare workers, peers or advocates.
“Celebrating National Recovery Month is a reminder that recovery is not a solitary path,” said Ore. It indeed takes a community.”
For more information about the services offered by Four Corners Detox Recovery Center and to learn more about the Rally for Recovery, visit www.sfrecovery.org
How did you spend your summer?
This will be a common question as students return to school soon! With an increased emphasis on STEM in
both education and the workplace, five girls from the Gallup area, recently had the opportunity to spend a week of their summer at Tech Trek New
Mexico, a summer STEM camp, sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Local participants were Rosaleen Begay
rising-eighth-grade New Mexico girls who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Tech Trek incorporates a variety of handson activities including a daily 3 hour core class, workshops, field trips, and a QA session with women professionals in STEM careers from around the state.
At Tech Trek, campers are immersed in a world that empowers and encourages them to visualize themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists. In addition to the 3-hour core classes in subjects ranging from Mechanical Engineering to the Stellar Life Cycle, the girls participated in workshops on chemical compounding, genetics, the engineering design process, game theory, and the design of roller coasters. The campers also attended an Engineering Expo, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources’ Mineral Museum, a Star Party, where they used telescopes and learned a bit of astronomy, enjoyed a geocaching scavenger hunt, and learned about financial literacy through a game activity.
Gleason, Tatum Cowboy, and Layla Hayes from Kennedy Middle school, and Anastasia Palacious and Maelynn Slick from Gallup Middle School. Only 60 girls were selected for Tech Trek from around the State of New Mexico.
Tech Trek New Mexico, held on the campus of New Mexico Tech University, is a weeklong, residential STEM for
We’d like to thank all of our sponsors, some of which were, ExxonMobil, Sandia National Laboratories, LANL Foundation, Honeywell, Air Force Research Lab, and New Mexico Tech University for their contributions which made Tech Trek possible this year for these talented middle school girls. We would also like to thank the teachers from Kennedy and Gallup Middle Schools who took the time to nominate the girls for the opportunity to apply for Tech Trek NM.
For more information about Tech Trek, please visit https://techtrek-nm. aauw.net/.
By Michele Laughing-Reeves
Many people do not believe in psychology, some even go so far as to say that the unconscious mind doesn’t exist. In fact, for a more traditional Navajo, and perhaps for other Natives, psychology is not explicitly part of the culture. Navajo cultural identity consists of family, spirituality, and nature. The
mind or the thought process should be in harmony with familial connections, spiritual well-being, and a protective reverence for nature. The most interesting and applicable aspect of psychology is the phenomena of memories. The “memory battle” is only the tip of the psychology iceberg, and the reason why repressed memories are controversial is that scientists and psychiatrist cannot agree if these memories are “repressed” or altogether “lost.” Memories and their impact on our lives is a human experience.
I remember fondly those Monday nights when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I sat on the sofa with my uncle Larry to watch Monday Night Baseball. We had a tiny black-and-white television, but I kept my uncle company as he enjoyed teaching me about baseball. He introduced me to the two leagues, the conferences, and the teams of professional baseball. Then, over the next couple of hours, and without interruption from anyone, my uncle “talked” the game. I learned that each position has an assigned number, and those numbers are used on the score cards. I soon could appreciate a base hit as much as a homerun. Eventually, I started to understand how managers and coaches strategize in various situations. After a few seasons, I was looking forward to Monday Night Baseball as much as my uncle was.
My Uncle Larry died of cancer a few years
later, and I couldn’t bring myself back to the sofa to watch baseball. Perhaps this traumatic event repressed my memories of all those nights of learning how baseball is played, or it was a coping mechanism for my loss. For the next decade or so, I, unconsciously or purposefully, avoided baseball altogether. I had no intention of ever being a fan of any MLB team.
Then, one day while I was at UNM in Albuquerque, our residence hall was invited to a Dukes game. I joined the group to build camaraderie, but that evening was pivotal to accessing my repressed memories of everythingbaseball. From the first pitch, all the memories of baseball came flooding back, with such clarity, and I knew exactly what was going on during my first ever live, stadium game. It wasn’t an emotional experience, as people would expect, I was too surprised at how I knew what a sacrifice fly, a line drive, a 6-4-3 double play, a full count, and all the words to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” It felt like I was back on the sofa, enjoying baseball again. That Dukes game rekindled my love of the game of
baseball. I quickly became a fan of the Dukes and players Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, Pedro Martinez, and Ramon Martinez. Since the Dukes were the Triple A farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I soon became a Dodgers fan. Now, I prefer to watch baseball at the stadium and to enjoy the game as it was intended—and I think my uncle would’ve loved it, too.
Based on my experience, I believe that repressed memories do exist for some people. It is fortunate that I was able to remember how much baseball meant to me and my uncle. You don’t have to be a psychiatrist or a student of Sigmund Freud to persuade me that psychology is real. Sometimes it takes something small and insignificant to trigger a memory, like a whiff of homemade biscuits or the sound of a tractor or a special place to remember the past. Meanwhile, the debate over the human psyche continues.
Watching (from the sofa) the Dodgers win the World Series.
Dodger Stadium; World Series game against the Boston Red Sox.
Iris come in so many colors they are often referred to as rainbow flowers. To keep them producing flowers they need to be dug and divided every two to four years. When the clumps start bumping into each other and the centers are filled with brown dead clumps, they are telling
you they need more room.
Digging is best done any time from mid-July to early September. A forked spade works best but a shovel works too. Work around the outside edges of the clumps, lifting as you go until you can pull the clump out of the ground with your
hands. The clump may look like a gnarly mess but there is logic to it. In the center is the “mother rhizome”, which in many cases will not have any leaves. It looks like a potato with other smaller potatoes attached. Start working from the outside, breaking apart each clump in separate rhizomes. Any rhizome with a blossom stalk attached will not bloom again and is discarded. All of the inner rhizomes without leaves are also discarded. You will still have a good number of rhizomes with leaves when you are done.
For ease of handling and replanting, trim leaves and roots as shown in photos. If you have several colors or know the variety and want to be sure you replant some of each kind, mark a leaf of each rhizome or keep varieties separated into paper bags. For ease of handling and replanting, trim leaves and roots as shown below.
Rhizomes can then be washed with a kitchen dish brush or strong spray of water. If you have any rot in your iris patch, it is recommended that the rhizomes be sanitized then with bleach (1/4 cup in a gallon of water) for 1-2 minutes. Lay them out to dry.
They are now ready to replant. If you are unable to plant them at this time, iris rhizomes can be kept in a cool dry
area for a week or two. Add mushroom compost and high phosphate fertilizer to the soil before replanting. Most new growth come from the “heel” of the rhizome (where the leaves are). Allow space for growth in that direction when planting and place them two feet apart. The rhizome will sit close to the surface with just enough covering to hold it in place. Water every few days if no rain to keep the soil from drying out. By the end of October, they will have put out new leaves and growth for next year’s flowers. Smaller rhizomes may take two years to put out blooms.
If you love Iris, check out the Aril and Iris Society of Albuquerque. You can contact Rae Phillips, president at: 505235-5992 or raecyp65@ gmail.com. Meetings are monthly at the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd NE.
Edith Iwan is a Master Gardener who lives and works in Thoreau. As a Master Gardener she assists the County Cooperative Extension Service in providing accurate, research-based gardening information to county residents. If you have any gardening questions, please call the NMSU Cibola County Extension at 505-2879266 or NMSU McKinley County Extension at 505863-3432
Seeking Artists, Craft makers, others who make items out of recycled materials for the McKinley Citizens' Recycling Council America Recycles
Day event, Saturday, Nov. 4
ARD will be at the Gallup Community Service Center from 9 am-3 pm. Send request for registration to betsywindisch@yahoo.com
Message phone landline (505) 722-9257
I want a copy of God's message of strenth, hope and love. (Psalms and Proverbs). I understand there is no charge. IT IS FREE!
NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY
Allow A Few Weeks For Delivery
Mail to: PO BOX 2025 Gallup, NM 87305
Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe
September 1 Friday Night Rides Cars & Coffee
7 pm to 9 pm
September 29
Open Mic Night 6 pm
September 9
Paint-Along: Fall Leaves Studio123 at ART123 Gallery 1:00 – 3:00 pm, $20/person. Adults and kids: spend an afternoon painting!
Advanced registration required: www.galluparts.org/ paint-along
September 9
Show Opening of Pixels: Indigenous Digital Art ART123 Gallery
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Experience the power and beauty of Indigenous perspectives through the lens of digital art. Join us in celebrating the innovation, talent, and cultural influences of Navajo artist
Crafty Kids (all ages)
Join us at the Children & Youth Library every Thursday at 4:00 PM for family-friendly crafts with step-by-step tutorials for all skill levels and ages. Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, first-served basis using the Supply Request Form at http://ofpl.online.
Christian Bigwater as he works to redefine what it means to create in the digital age.
September 14
Artist Talk: Christian Bigwater ART123 Gallery 7:00 pm Hear what Christian is thinking about the future of Indigenous digital art.
September 19
Art be Smart: Intellectual Property & Indian Arts and Crafts Act 10:00 am
UNM-Gallup Calvin Hall
Auditorium
Artists and creatives: learn about copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property concerns. FREE. Full agenda and advanced registration: http://shorturl.at/ jzo05
September 19
Gallup Community Grief Support Group meets at 7 PM at 4501 E. 66 Avenue. There is no charge. Hosted by the Gallup Masonic Lodge. For information: 505-615-8053 (Talk or Text)
September 23
ART123 Gallery
Weekend Workshop: Printmaking 1 - 4pm
Get a jumpstart on the holiday season and make printed gift tags and cards! $40/person Register: www.gallupARTS.org/ workshops
September 27
Paint & Sip: Sunflowers
Studio123 at ART123 Gallery
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$35/person
Join us for a creative night out, complete with themed “mocktails”! Advanced registration required: www. galluparts.org/paint-sip
September 30
Book, Collectible and Hobby Show, 12 - 3 PM at 4501 E. 66 Avenue. No admission charge. Hosted by the Gallup Masonic Lodge. Vendor tables $10 each. For information or to reserve a table, 505-615-8053 (Talk or Text)
Email hetsitty@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
• September 7th - DIY Washer Necklaces
Learn how to make custom necklaces using washers and printed paper.
• September 14th - Stitched String Art
Learn how to use thread or string to create designs and patterns that are anchored by a group of fixed points.
• September 21st - Felt Dinosaurs
Have a ball making your favorite dinosaurs from felt!
• September 28th - DIY Mexican Tassels
Create handmade garlands out of colorful yarn used to decorate any space.
Join us at the Children & Youth Library every Friday anytime between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to unwind from a busy week! Get up and Game with video games and fun for the whole family including the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Kinect, and Oculus virtual reality!
Email pneilson@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
Library cards are free to McKinley County residents. Tap into amazing resources including streaming movies, audiobooks, a seed library, the New Mexico Family Pass for free entry to museums and historic sites, and 56 databases like Ancestry, Comics Plus, and the Chilton Manuals online. Register for OFPL’s newsletter and receive early notification of library events. Stop by the library to sign up today!
Library Card Design Competition (all ages)
Submit a design for a special edition of OFPL library cards. Designs may be submitted to either the Main or Children & Youth Library. The deadline for submissions is September 22nd. Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Adult Finance Classes (ages 19+)
Join OFPL and First Financial Credit Union at the Main Library on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM to learn how to manage your finances. Dale Dedrick, Business Relations Manager at First Financial, presents a series of financial planning workshops to help you achieve your spending and saving goals. Classes are limited to 25 participants, advance registration at http://ofpl.online or the front desk at the main library is required.
● September 6th - Building a Budget
● September 13th - Car Buying 101
● September 20th - A Roof Over Your Head
Email ctatsukawa@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
505-721-1000
On July 17-19, 2023, Navajo Technical University's Culinary Arts Program maintains its accreditation with a few added accolades. Master Technical Instructor/Culinary Arts
Chef Robert L. Witte, CEC, CCA, AAC, received the Presidential Medallion, the highest honor given by the President of the American Culinary Federation at the American Culinary Federation's National Convention in New Orleans.
Chef Robert L. Witte was presented in recognition of the outstanding representation of the ACF's fundamental principles, including superior strength of character and continued contributions to ACF and the culinary industry.
"I have truly enjoyed being a member of the American Culinary Federation. My proudest moment has been what I've done with this program," says Robert Witte, who started at NTU in 1999. "We've had people placed throughout the country who are progressing with their careers. That makes me feel better than anything. Everybody, such as Brian Tatsukawa, Walter Cloud, Sheila Begay, and many others, has worked hard to get this going. It's worth it to me to see them and do what they do. I'm proud of our program."
Chef Brian Tatsukawa also has been inducted into the American Academy of Chefs. The honor society of ACF, the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), represents the highest standards of professionalism in the organization, culture, and industry. AAC Fellows, like Chef Brian Tatsukawa, are recognized for their accomplishments and extraordinary contributions to ACF, AAC, and the culinary profession over a lifetime. His hard work and dedication to this institution and students have been outstanding. NTU is now one of the few institutions with two faculty members
inducted into the AAC.
"Being inducted to the AAC is a milestone in many chefs' careers. It demonstrates our commitment to our craft and the ideals of the American Culinary Federation." Remarked Chef Brian Tatsukawa. "It is a great honor and even more tremendous honor being amongst many other AAC Fellows at the induction dinner. The reality of being accepted into such a prestigious organization did not "hit me" until being formally inducted, and it was inspiring."
NTU student culinary team was a part of the ACF Student Team of the Year Competition Lorencita Billiman, Melvina Jones, and Sheila Begay demonstrated the
• Central Winner - Joliet Junior College (competed at Nationals)
• Central - Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts (competed at Nationals)
• Northeast Winner - Culinary Institute of N.Y. at Monroe College (competed at Nationals)
history of Fry Bread of the Navajo People to the biggest annual gathering of chefs, students, and food service professionals in the U.S. An array of seminars, cooking demonstrations, networking, and social functions. Chef Lorencita Billiman is on a journey to tell the story of the Navajo people through the culinary arts, creating modern dishes and sharing the past with current times.
"I am very grateful to be participating in the student team competition. It is a fun way to put the skills you've learned in the classroom to the test. As a team competitor, you demonstrate dedication and experience in the culinary industry." – said Melvina Jones.
• Southeast Winner - Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College (competed at Nationals)
• Western Winner - Navajo Technical University
• Military Representative - U.S. Military Team (competed at Nationals)
Christine Reidhead and the rest of the NTU staff and faculty put together a surprise cake for Chef Robert Witte in his office. Chef Bob spoke of his early years as a culinary arts instructor at NTU, giving fellow instructors and staff members some insight from his advice and words of wisdom. At first, Chef Bob’s job presented many challenges: it
had three students and operated on a rough budget of around $50. It was also confined to a small kitchen for instruction space, eventually becoming overcrowded when Witte quickly grew enrollment from three students to 25. Congratulations, Chef Witte, on an exemplary achievement in your career!
For more information, contact:
Robert Witte
Master Technical Instructor / Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Food Services Coordinator
E: rwitte@navajotech.edu
P: 505.387.7384
Chef Brian Tatsukawa
Navajo Technical University Culinary Instructor
E: btatsukawa@navajotech.edu
P: 505-387-7413
Navajo Technical University continues to honor Diné culture and language while educating for the future.
Dale Morgan, Communications Specialist dmorgan@navajotech.edu
NTU Culinary Arts Instructors Chef Robert Witte (Left) and Chef Brian Tatsukawa (Right) pose at the ACF National Convention in New Orleans. 2023 Regional Winners, NTU Student Culinary Team stand with their award. (L-R) Walter Cloud, Melvina Jones, Brian Tatsukawa, Lorencita Billiman, and Sheila Begay.
Children who are active each day, studies show they do well in school, live healthier lifestyles, have high self-esteem and will enjoy being active throughout their lives.
Here are some ways to be more active with your family…
1. Instead of a movie night incorporate a hike, playing at the park, going to the soccer field and kicking around the ball
2. Limit TV time and do not have a TV in your child’s room
3. After dinner go for a walk instead of watching TV
4. Create a safe space inside and outside that allows your child to run, jump, roll and climb
5. Give toys that encourage your kids to be more active such as: frisbees,
jump ropes, balls, hula hoops, kites, bubbles
6. Encourage your child to try a new physical sport
7. If possible join a play group
8. Sign you child up for swim lessons
9. On the weekends designate an outdoor activity to try with your kids such as hiking, biking or going to the playground
10. Be a good example, let your kids see you being active each day for at least 60 minutes.
We have celebrated the opening of new businesses, introduced you to people who make Gallup the unique place it is and have done all of this with a positive voice.
We are your free community magazine. That means that you represent the voices of our community, the ideas, the people and the businesses.
All of us have a story to tell about our community. Stories that represent the best of Gallup. We want to hear those stories!
So, if you want to share that Gallup story with our readers, we invite you to put it into words.
If you are interested please contact by phone 722-3399 or send us an email, gallupjourney@ gmail.com. Stories are due by the 20th of each month and need to be around 800 words.
Remember to include images.
Thank you for making the Gallup Journey our favorite community magazine.
The Gallup Journey magazine has been part of our community for over 15 years!
American’s honor and remember those who were (or still are) listed as Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing In Action (MIA).
By Kenneth Riege USAF Veteran
National POW/MIA Day is observed across the United States on the 3rd Friday of September. This is a day many
All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/ MIA Flag which symbolizes our nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and for those who are still missing.
Here is a little history on this date:
On 18 July 1979, the United States Congress passed a resolution
Here is the display at the Comfort Suites honoring POW/MIA’s. This exhibit will remain until all have been returned and/ or accounted for. The POW/MIA Flag was donated by Hershey who survived nearly 28 months as a POW during the Korean War. This flag flew at his house, and I can still hear him telling the story of when he was released and was crossing “Freedom Bridge,” he looked up and saw the “Star Spangled Banner” waving in the breeze, it was then he knew he was finally safe and was going home.
This is the 2023 Official National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster. This can be found on the internet along with more information regarding this very revered day.
authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This event was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on 17 July in 1981/1982, but it wasn’t until 1986 when the date was moved to the 3rd Friday of September and each year the President of the United States proclaims this day as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Sadly, there are still many Americans listed as POW/MIA. The latest update from 22 May 2023, list more than 81,000 remain as either POW/MIA from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, The Cold War, The Gulf Wars and Global War on Terror. The breakdown is as follows:
Here are the official Prisoner of War Medal and Ribbon. Out of all the military medals and accolades that Hershey received he told me that wearing the POW Medal was the one he was most proud of.
WW2 – 72,199
Korea – 7,494
Vietnam – 1,579
Cold War – 127
Gulf Wars – 5
Of course, with all military awards comes stolen valor. There are many who have gone so far as wearing medals they didn’t earn to receive recognition and benefits. The mere thought of this (for lack of better terms) “chaps my hide” and while lying about yourself may be covered under the 1 st Amendment it still doesn’t make it right, but who am I to judge.
The book “Stolen Valor” is highly recommended for all veteran’s and anyone wanting to know more about this cowardly practice.
In closing I would like to use Vietnam War MOH Recipient and survivor of the “Hanoi Hilton” retired US Air Force Colonel George “Bud” Day. “Go with honor, live with honor, return with honor. That is America in Action.”
The McKinley Soil & Water Conservation District is looking for Supervisors to serve on the Board. If you are someone who wants to serve the land and people of the MSWCD to enhance the health and productivity of the land, by coordinating and implementing measures to obtain maximum on-the-ground benefits, this may be a good fit for you. MSWCD acts as a go-between with local landowners/producers/gardeners/ranchers/ homesteaders/agriculturists and government agencies. You must be a resident landowner (within the District boundaries) to serve in this volunteer position.
If interested, or for more information contact Dudley (505-870-2535) or Gerald (505-314-4068)
Availability and quality of local healthcare is a vital ingredient for a thriving community. In the last few years, healthcare in McKinley County has suffered great losses, but we see also with reasons for great hope.
The losses are perhaps best symbolized by the closure of Labor and Delivery at RMCH in 2022, an event that left many local women scrambling to arrange pregnancy care in Grants, or Albuquerque. Shortly after, inpatient Pediatrics closed. Sick children who need hospital care need to be flown for admission to facilities far away from home. A once thriving Primary Care service at College Clinic has been reduced to two permanent Adult Medicine providers, and two permanent Pediatrics providers. A Family Medicine residency program that would have provided a sure pipeline for physician recruitment and retention was carelessly scrapped. Home Health and Hospice was closed, making transitions from hospital
care to home care challenging, and further limiting much-needed healthcare resources for our community.
Despite, and sometimes in response to, these troubling setbacks, Gallup has done what Gallup does best: rally community members to find ways to help. In this process we have seen that there is a path towards the healthcare system we need; paved not by corporate interests and superficial platitudes, but by the joint efforts of local, mission-oriented individuals creating positive community-centered change.
We have so many reasons to hope.
We have hope in the wisdom of community members. The Community Health Action Group (CHAG) was formed to create a voice at the table for community interests, and quickly became a respected leader in demanding transparency and proposing solutions. Those recommendations are coming to fruition: chief among them the creation
of a Community Advisory Group to ensure the ongoing presence of community input in local healthcare matters.
We have hope in leadership changes with the RMCH Board. The RMCH board is transitioning to local membership, and actively cultivating expertise in areas that need attention at the hospital. We believe that with a strong, local Board that is adherent to its responsibilities, cognizant of its mission, and responsive to community needs, the community’s priorities will be the hospital’s priorities - even when they don’t bring the most profit to the hospital.
We have hope in change at the hospital. The hospital in August was deemed Critical Access Hospital status, providing hope for improved economic viability for the hospital as the reimbursement structures are more favorable to hospitals serving rural areas like ours.
We have hope in the leadership of local,
mission-driven providers. Gallup Community Health (GCH), is a shining example of what can happen when clinical staff have a voice, patient interests matter, and corporate interests don’t. GCH formed a year ago to explicitly address the region’s primary care shortage, and since then has grown to employ 15 full and part time physicians and practitioners. They have served more than four thousand patients, filling in the gaps in care for all ages (pediatrics through geriatrics), with providers specializing in women’s health, gender-affirming care, and medication-assisted substance abuse treatment, and critically-needed prenatal services.
We have hope, because we know that this community can attract and retain medical providers. Gallup is home to a retired generation of providers who continue to live in McKinley County, to a mid-career generation that has stayed with the community through COVID, and continues to draw
mission-driven providers who want to serve, including the several providers who are slated to join GCH this fall. These professionals are not drawn to GCH by outrageous salaries, exceptional benefits, or a financial lure from other clinics. Rather, they are driven by a clear vision of service and mission: working in a rural area is a privilege, not a burden.
We have hope, too, because the RMCH providers are unionized, providing them with an important, organized voice regardless of hospital leadership. This is important because hospitals with provider engagement and leadership do better, and provide better quality of care.
We have hope because of the area Indian Health Service network of clinics and hospitals who provide stability and quality care for our Native American community members, which itself attracts mission-driven providers and service-oriented staff.
We want to make the coming years one of many more success stories. This is possible when local leaders, health care workers, and community members are freed from the drivers of corporate healthcare and are allowed to step up and do what they do best - take excellent care of their own community. Our hospital needs protection against the market forces that naturally work to exclude local input. We will work together provide that protection.
We invite the community to discuss this at a viewing of the documentary “American Hospitals: Healing A Broken System”, which will be followed with a solutions-oriented panel discussion of local experts, which will take place on September 10 at El Morro theatre at 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Together, we are stronger, and we can build better.
El Malpais National Monument had a premiere of its new park movie, “El Malpais, Land of Frozen Fire” on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the El Malpais Visitor Center. This 15-minute movie will show every half hour and tells the geology and unique landscape of the monument and shares Native American viewpoints.
If you could not make it that weekend, do not worry. The new film will be available to watch at the visitor center during our normal hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
El Malpais partnered with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Program (ZYEP) and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) Youth Program in the filming of the movie. Youth and Elders from the Pueblo of Acoma and the Pueblo of Zuni share their stories of connections to their ancestral land. Their voices add a powerful perspective to the story that is El Malpais National Monument.
“At El Malpais National Monument we strive to accomplish stewardship initiatives that conserve natural and cultural resources and provide engaging opportunities to experience these resources in their natural and historic settings that are integral and dynamic parts of western New Mexico’s rich geologic and cultural landscapes,” said Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann. “The new El Malpais National Monument movie shares the diverse rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage of the El Malpais with all visitors.”
The movie was filmed by Alphabet Media Group. Renowned for their nonfiction storytelling, Alphabet Media Group boasts an array of industry accolades, including National Association for Interpretation Awards, MUSE Awards, Cine Golden Eagles, and National Emmy nominations. Their portfolio of over 150 projects
includes the official film for Grand Canyon National Park and narratives from iconic sites including the White House, Mount Rushmore, and the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian.
Visitors are encouraged to visit and enjoy this truly unique film which is in both English and Spanish. The El Malpais Visitor Center is located at 1900 E. Santa Fe Avenue, Grants NM.
For more information, contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at 505-8762783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ elmalpaisnps.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s more than 400 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
The primary objective of a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) is to improve the response to and prevention of domestic violence by increasing the safety of survivors, and their dependents, while holding offenders accountable for their behavior. The focus of the CCR approach is
survivor-centered to ensure that the most vulnerable population is addressed in the unequal relationship dynamic. Survivors can often be revictimized when systems are not adequately addressing their needs, which can lead to mistrust in the system, increasing the likelihood of returning to a relationship where the cycle continues and/or worsens, and a low conviction rate of offenders
or supervision that doesn’t facilitate behavior change. A system that tolerates domestic violence creates an unsafe community.
The CCR requires the participation of various community agencies that interact with survivors and offenders, and the more participation, the better the response. Criminal justicerelated agencies such as
911 Dispatch, Law Enforcement agencies, Detention Centers, Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, District and Magistrate judges, Probation/Parole, Survivor Services Organizations, and Battering Intervention Programs, create the CCR team. Support agencies can also include behavioral health organizations, hospitals, CYFD, housing, schools, and others. For Gallup, NM as a focus site community, the best response would also include nearby tribal jurisdictions (Navajo and Zuni), since a majority of survivors served by our local domestic violence organizations are Native American, specifically, Navajo. The goal would be to have each of those jurisdictions coordinate and respond cross-jurisdictional and interagency through a partnership, where information is shared in a trauma-informed manner, to ensure a cohesive response that prevents cases from slipping through the cracks.
To accomplish the CCR goals, the team would meet and establish an agreement; a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) indicating the ongoing
between each agency, helping facilitate each part of the process.
activities they will participate in to build and sustain the CCR. This agreement helps each agency hold themselves and each other accountable, and aids in relationship building. During the initiation of the CCR, the team would collectively create a vision and mission to guide the effort. Survivor focus groups would provide victim perspectives and experiences in the system to the CCR team, as well as data gathered from each agency, to inform the response. The team would analyze the needs, barriers, and challenges within each agency of the system. In that evaluation, each agency would review its policies and procedures, revise as needed, and receive cross-training and technical assistance from the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NMCADV). The NMCADV focus site community organizer, hired from the local community, serves to assist in coordination
Historically, various social ills have existed in our community. There have been multiple efforts of various community agencies and tribal agencies to address them, including domestic violence. Some of those efforts had multiple agencies, and some have had some successes, however, efforts may have changed over time, due to funding, resources, staffing, or other issues, which may have been beyond agency control. Understanding that each agency has experienced challenges unique to their role within the system, and as the CCR team is established and grows in their collective strategic response, our community agencies can now position to create longlasting systemic change that is consistent, effective, and accessible. Everyone can be a social change advocate by supporting this effort.
NMCADV is proud to partner with Battered Families Services (BFS) to help increase survivor safety and offender accountability. Gallup is very deserving of this grant and we are elated to have a part in their work.
This year they are celebrating the centennial of the Aztec Ruins declared by President Warren G. Harding in January of 1923. Throughout this year, the park has been celebrating this event with some special activities. During the month of September, the park will hold a movie in the park.
Location: Aztec Ruins National Monument is located on Ruins Road about 1/2 mile north of New Mexico Highway 516 in the city of Aztec, New Mexico.
Hours of Operation:
Daily Hours: 8 am to 6 pm
Centennial Event: September 23
Movie in the Park
Bring your blanket, chairs, family, and friends for a free movie in the picnic area.
