Ellis Tanner, "Ye’hee Yazzie"

by Kathryn Retzler

Gallup, New Mexico (Summer 2003)

Ellis Tanner is an unusual man with a special mission—to help the young people of the Navajo Nation. A fourth generation member of a trading family that has lived ‘on the reservation’ as traders, Tanner is just the man who can do it. The Tanner family has a long history of helping the "Dineh " (Navajo for ‘the people’). Their Navajo Shopping Center, opened in 1957 near Farmington, provided the Navajo with their first opportunity to shop "white man style" at a Navajo Shopping Center. (Before that they had to purchase necessities at trading posts, often pointing at what they wanted, because the trader could not speak their language.)

The Navajo have bestowed honorary citizenship upon Tanner, giving him the tribal name Ye’hee Yazzie ("little inlaw," or one who helps others) and treating him as one of their own. "I consider myself very lucky to have spent my entire life among my inlaws, "Tanner explains. "I have spent most of my youth on the reservation in different locations. I have a great deal of respect for the Navajo people, and I take this honor very seriously. I try to help in every way I can."

This included establishing, in 1967, the Ellis Tanner Trading Company in Gallup, New Mexico, which has grown to be one of the largest and most comprehensive trading posts in the Four Corners area. Tanner counts among his customers the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Acama and Laguna. Tanner has also, personally, amassed one of the largest collections of ‘old pawn’ (more than 40,000 pieces of hand-crafted jewelry, most of it in silver and turquoise) in the United States. "These people tend to wear their wealth," Tanner explains. "When they come in to buy something, they pull a bracelet off their arm to pay for it. When they have the money, they come in and buy it back. I am proud to say that over 95 percent of it is bought back."

Tanner has also established ‘The Circle of Light," a group of professionals who serve as mentors to the young people, showing them how to walk in harmony in both the white man’s world and the Navajo world. "I want my young in-laws to look at these role models and walk tall and in beauty."
 
 

Ellis Tanner dances with two Navajo women during Gallup's Native American Days.    Photo / Courtesy Ellis Tanner

Another of Tanner’s community contributions is ‘Gallup Native American Appreciation Day," held annually, started by Tanner and now under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gallup and many local businesses. "It’s a good, old fashioned time for the entire family, with a 5K run/walk, traditional dances, ‘woolly riding’ (kids in chaps and cowboy riggin’ riding sheep), ‘bluebird sack race’ (two kids, three legs) and other games." Last year the live entertainment included Vincent Craig, Knifewing and Rick Trevino.

Tanner has been in the trading business 33 years. And, in the business of helping others for a life time. In all that he does, Tanner tries to encourage young people to learn about their culture and embrace the traditional ways. He helps their families by purchasing their beautiful jewelry, helping provide for them a living. "Life is difficult on the reservation," he says. "In many ways, it is like living in a third world country. We have a long way to go."

His reason for collecting the old pawn: "I wanted to preserve it." Of the Navajo, he simply says, "They are a beautiful people; it’s truly an honor to be a part of them." Of his life, he says, "I’m one of the lucky ones, to be able to make my living doing what I love."

And, this is the message he wants to pass on to his young inlaws through his Circle of Light: "Pick a career; choose one you enjoy. It makes the journey a whole lot easier."

Ye’hee Yazzie is truly living up to his name.