History ETDs

Publication Date

6-3-1968

Abstract

This thesis presents a brief history, organizational concept, and operating structure of the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association.

The Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association was founded by citizens of the then isolated frontier coal mining city of Gallup, New Mexico in 1922 for the purpose of staging an annual demonstration of Indian ceremonialism and a display of Indian arts and crafts twelve years before a paved highway joined the city to the outside world.

The Ceremonial Association has continued in its ambitions to present the Indian in his true nature. Every August Ceremonial points out heritage of the Indian race and stresses various evidences of its distinct cultures. The Association also praises these assem­bled Indian cultures as a unique and irreplaceable part of the American scene. Accordingly, the Association urges the general public to share in the appreciation of the Indian and help promote and perpetuate the continuance of the Indians.

Throughout its forty-six years, the Ceremonial has never deviated from the great objective establish by its founders. Indeed, today the organization sees its task in a larger scope. The Association more clearly sees its mission now as a planned national tribute to the American Indian. The structure and organization of the Ceremonial are adopting to continue this tribute.

To achieve great tribute to the American Indian, the Association has expanded beyond the presentation of an annual August exposition. Its other related activities are legion.

Most of the knowledge concerning the Gallup Ceremonial Association is only incidental and based on the limited observations of inconsistent visitors to Gallup. These casual visitors to Gallup generally do not know how well or how poorly the Ceremonial succeeds in its envisioned goals.

It is the purpose of this study (1) to present the history and organization of the Ceremonial Association as well as its value; (2) to analyze selected Ceremonial expositions for the purpose of showing specific nature of all Ceremonial operations; (3) to show how the Ceremonial Association relates to similar such organizations, to the Indians, to the city of Gallup, the county, state, and nation; and (4) to determine the future of the Association.

Level of Degree

Masters

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Donald Colgett Cutter

Second Committee Member

Marc Simmons

Third Committee Member

Illegible

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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