Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Have Questions About the Auction?

If you have a question or want more information regarding the auction, please visit the Friends of Hubbell NHS, Inc. page.

 

If you have questions about Native American Art --

Questions about Native American art or items purchased or seen in the Trading Post should be directed to Trader Wallace James, Jr. He can be reached at:

Hubbell Trading Post
P.O. Box 388
Ganado, Arizona 86505

[phone] or FAX to [phone]

 

The hogan in the lane.

NPS Photo.

Miscellaneous Questions --

• What are the 8 sided round buildings along the road? They are traditional Navajo homes called Hogans.
• How long does it take to weave a rug? Depending on the size, the average rug (2.5 feet by 4 feet) takes 3-4 months when working 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Good weavers can complete approximately 2 and a half square inches per hour.
• What do the Navajo people think of Tony Hillerman? The Navajo Tribal Council made Mr. Hillerman an honorary member of the Navajo tribe. Generally, they like his stories and feel he presents the Navajo people in an honorable way.
• Are the traditions, language and culture being taught to the youth? Yes, the community schools and local colleges provide Navajo language, history and culture classes. Some families use the Navajo language at home, but fewer and fewer children are learning the language fluently.
• Was J.L. Hubbell good to the local people? In general, J. L. Hubbell was viewed as a good person because he treated the Navajo people fairly and with respect. Others may have different perspectives, therefore research about Mr. Hubbell is encouraged to form your own opinions.
• Does this area get a lot of rain and snow? Not much. This area receives approximately 8.5” of precipitation per year.
• Was the Hubbell Trading Post built on an old established wagon trail or trading route? Yes, the first documented use of this “route” was with the Dominguez-Escalante expedition in 1776.
• What job opportunities are available on the Navajo Nation? The types of day labor jobs available include working in the schools, at the hospitals, in the local businesses (Grocery stores, gas stations, and fast food restaurants), for the Navajo tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for the county. Some people continue to work from their home making things to sell (food, rugs, pottery, baskets, paintings, and jewelry, etc.).

 

Sculpture of Ya Ahtsa.

NPS Photo.

• Is all of the Trading Post original or has parts been renovated? The trading post is entirely original. Maintenance of the structure including repairs, both exterior and interior is ongoing.
• Who is the sculpture of above the door to the Trading Post? Ya Ahtsa. He was a local Navajo man. The sculpture was made by Edward Warren Sawyer.
• What is the status of land ownership on the Navajo Nation? Within the boundaries of the Navajo reservation, land ownership is not documented in the same way as elsewhere in the United States. "Ownership" does not mean you hold the title to the land. All of the Navajo Nation is held in trust for the Navajo people by the Federal Government. On the Navajo Nation, land ownership is understood by each family and the community. The ownership is passed down matrilineally through each family. Today, when a piece of land for a home becomes unoccupied rendering it available for a new occupant, the local tribal government office and the neighboring land occupants will review applicants requesting a home-site permit for the land and select from them. Land used for grazing livestock and agriculture is handled the same way.
• How do you pronounce Dine', the name for the Navajo people and why is Dine' preferred over the name "Navajo"? Pronounce the word as "Di Nay". The word Dine' is from their own language and means "the people." The word "Navajo" comes from a Tewa-puebloan, word "nava hu" meaning "place of large planted fields".
• Do the livestock animals in the fields at Hubbell Trading Post NHS belong to the park? Yes, the sheep, goats, horses, cats, chickens and llama are owned by Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site.