Gallup Tourist Traps
Tips and photos of Gallup tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Gallup locals.
Local Time 8:07 pm Friday, July 25, 2008
Gallup Map
Gallup Map
on February 26, 2004
My mother is a Six Nations Iroqouis/Mohawk and I am a Metis. I was saddened to see the American Indians taking their heirlooms into pawn shops for quick cash, then watching as older, predomintately white tourists gobbled up the goods. I felt disgusted and ill.
I tried to justify the need for such pawn shops, thinking that obviously the Natives needed the money to survive, but like many reserves I quickly came to realize alcoholism is a large problem here.
Their beautiful mural on the posts downtown even had a shadow move over it as one local told me I shouldn't sit in this area, as at night it is where the Natives get drunk and pass out there.
The other upsetting thing is the high-frequency of goods in shops that come across with an American Indian flair - only to turn the product around with a big ol' "Made in China" sticker slapped on the back.
Know the laws when buying goods labelled Native American Indian arts and don't get scammed for an imitation!
