Chinle’s Tatanka Means headlines new Feb. 16 documentary

CHINLE – As an actor, entertainer and clothing entrepreneur, Tatanka Means has performed everything from comedy, to dramas, to documentaries. But he insists that he doesn’t go out looking for film or stage roles.

“I have several manager and agents who look for roles for me,” Means told the Gallup Sun Feb. 10. “We are all on the same page about what type of roles I want to play and how I want to portray my people. “We pass on a lot of things that would put Native people in a negative light.”

Means, son of the late acclaimed Native American actor Russell Means, plays the leading role in a new movie, “Saints and...

PARK CITY, UTAH – Anna Tsouhlarakis, who is of Navajo and Greek descent, was recently selected for an artist fellowship by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, which is based in Portland, Ore. The honor was announced at the beginning of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.

Liz Hill, who handles public relations for the festival, said Tsouhlarakis was one of 13 native artists picked for the honor, which comes with a $10,000 financial component.

“For the fifth year, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation awarded its distinguished National Artist Fellowships to a new group of talented, recognizable and promising artists,” Hill said. “Thirteen awardees were selected from a...

The Boys and Girls Club of Gallup welcomed a new equine member on Feb. 4, courtesy of the Gallup Wells Fargo branch.  The stuffed pony, Nellie, was earned by the Gallup Wells Fargo employees for exceptional customer service, and they in turn decided to gift it to a local nonprofit organization.

Antonio Marquez of Wells Fargo attended Boys and Girls Club in his youth, and felt strongly that they deserved Nellie this year.

“It’s inspirational to see people helping these kids build a future,” he said.

“We knew this giant pony would bring a smile to the kids’ faces,” added Garret Waltz, also from Wells Fargo.

Nellie certainly didn’t disappoint.  Smiles abounded as the...

It may be something that Kristy Tiley and her crews of dancers have done before, but winning on consecutive weekends is still a thrill for them.

The Gallup High School Bengal Girls’ Dance Team pulled off that double fairly easily on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, earning the NM State Grand Championship at the first meet and then repeating at the Spirit of Hope Challenge the following week, despite missing one of their co-captains, Brianna Mortensen, who has been hospitalized recently.

The other team members, alphabetically, are: sophomore Taylor Begay; freshman Chastity Craig; sophomore Anissa Garcia; senior co-captain Mariah Gonzales; freshman Kamea Kerley; sophomore Lucia Kezele; sophomore...