JOE MILO’S TRADING COMPANY It’s worth a stop to visit historic Joe Milo’s on the way to Zuni. It’s just 18 miles south of Gallup. Part museum and part retail store, Joe Milo’s carries on a trading heritage that began in the 1940’s when Richard and Lee Van der Wagen opened the first trading post and U.S. Post office at the same location. Find Joe Milo’s at 1628 S. Highway 602, Vander Wagon, NM 87326. Phone: 505. 778.5531
Perry Null jewelry
chance you’ll find a rare collectible since Perry knows and deals with many of today’s most recognized artists. When you visit a large trading company, the retail store is only a small part of the building. We had the opportunity to tour
Perry Null in saddle room
the back rooms of the Perry Null Trading, the vaults, you might call them. We found rooms of beautiful saddles, treasured rifles, ceremonial skins, and wedding baskets. And, of course there was beautiful jewelry, much of it vintage turquoise and silver, handed down for generations. What I found out was that the ceremonial skins and baskets were stored there, families paid monthly, and when a ceremonial was planned, they would pay on the item and take it home. The same process took place for rifles, which might be needed only for the hunting season. Address: 1710 S 2nd St Gallup, New Mexico 87301 Phone: 505.863.5249
T&R JEWELRY AND PAWN T&R, owned by the Tanner family, has been in business for over 40 years. The family itself has been in business with the local Navajo and Zuni people since the 1800’s. They cater to the needs of the local Native Americans providing a retail and pawn business, cashing checks, providing Western Union service and operate a grocery store with goods familiar to those living on the reservations. They even run a feed store. Their customer base is mainly local but there are treasures to be found at their retail stores for the collector. Look for new Pendleton blankets and products, authentic jewelry and pottery. T&R has two locations: 934-1070 Metro Ave, Gallup, NM 87301 (Inside Rio West Mall) Phone: 505.722.3473 and T & R Jewelry and Pawn 6 Miles North on Hwy 491 505.722.4366
can provide certificates of authenticity for these items. They know the origin, meaning they know the families who made them. Dealing with a well-known trader means that you are purchasing a Native American item only one step removed from the person who made the item. When you are considering a purchase, ask who made the item and where they live. Feel free to ask about the stones set in the jewelry. When buying fine turquoise, ask the origin and you’ll often be told what mine the stone is from. When you go through weavings in the “rug rooms,” you’ll often see a certificate as well as a photo of the weaver. Weavers are used to holding their rugs up and having their picture taken as part of the buying process.
FROM TRADING POST TO INTERNET BUSINESS I have been a westerner all my life. Yet, it took a visit to Gallup, New Mexico for me to really understand and appreciate trading companies. I came away with an appreciation for the authentic goods that are traded there and how important the trading business is to Native American commerce and financial viability. These businesses have kept up with the times while remaining true to the values established by their families. Several of the trading companies such as Perry Null’s and ELLIS TANNER TRADING Ellis Tanner’s sell online, even on eBay. All COMPANY the trading companies listed in this article Ellis Tanner’s business is another that have websites with links to any online caters to the needs of the locals. People can business they do. Selling internationally bring in lambs, pinon nuts, jewelry, wool, and opens up more markets for local Native rugs to sell. Tanner’s has a pawn shop where American artisans who rely on the income people can pawn for cash, and a retail jewelry to support their families. store. During income tax season, they can file their taxes and get credit on their anticipated refund. Ellis Tanner is the fourth generation of the Tanner trading families. His greatgrandfather came west with Brigham Young and helped settle the area. The influence of the Tanner family can be seen in several geographic names around the area. There is Tanner Springs and Tanner Wash in Arizona, in the areas where Seth Tanner settled. Address: 1980 Hwy 602 Gallup NM 87301 Phone: 505.863.4434 BUYING AT A TRADING COMPANY Traders rely on long-established trusting business relationships with the local Native Americans. This trust is often established over generations in the trading business. Traders know the families and value their business. They deal in authentic Indian objects of art, jewelry, rugs, and pottery and
Window at Richardson's August 2016
39