Trading posts found in areas close to Native American reservations may be the real thing or, unfortunately, they may be just another souvenir shop. To enter a genuine trading post that trades with local Native populations is an experience in commerce that has it's roots in Indian trade before the 1900's. And, for some trading posts, the families have been trading with locals for generations.
I have been a westerner all my life. Yet, it took a visit to Gallup, New Mexico for me to really understand and appreciate trading posts. I came away with an appreciation for the authentic goods that are traded there and how important trading posts are to Native American commerce and financial viability.
This is a photo tour of the treasures and history of trading posts. A trip into the back rooms of one trading post provides an amazing insight into the important part that trading posts play in Native American reservation life.
I have been a westerner all my life. Yet, it took a visit to Gallup, New Mexico for me to really understand and appreciate trading posts. I came away with an appreciation for the authentic goods that are traded there and how important trading posts are to Native American commerce and financial viability.
This is a photo tour of the treasures and history of trading posts. A trip into the back rooms of one trading post provides an amazing insight into the important part that trading posts play in Native American reservation life.
- Graphic Index
- Text Index
PrevNext