Once-used gathering places and post offices now serve as galleries exhibiting Navajo rugs, pottery, and art; in many instances, these trading posts are run by family members.
Stray dogs linger outside the Totsoh Trading Post’s orange cinder block building, lounging in front of its gas pumps. A sign under one reads, “Ahe Hee Hagoonee.
Running a trading post is both an investment and a calling. One wall, in particular, may contain handwritten bills of sale with loans issued.
Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
If you’re curious about Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Indians, visiting the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post is an ideal way to do so. Situated along Mille Lacs Lake, it offers exhibits and activities such as hunting and berry picking, tapping maple syrup taps, and harvesting wild rice harvesting in its Four Seasons Room; its dioramas use casts from actual tribe members for figures. Museum Director Tim Travis describes them as incredible realistic experiences!
In 1918, Harry Ayer purchased a trading license from the White Earth Indian Agency and opened up shop at an occupied building along Shaub-rush-kung Bay on Mille Lacs. Soon enough, this post became a hub of local Ojibwe society and offered boat works and rental cabins owned by Harry’s family. Furthermore, local Ojibwe could trade cultural artifacts or harvests against the debt owed to Ayer’s store – all these factors resulted in his operation allowing only Ojibwe employees and operating a credit system to repay the debt owed to Ayer’s store!
Today, the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post is one of Minnesota’s premier historical sites for Native Americans. Exhibits cover topics ranging from Ojibwe prehistory in Minnesota to their modern-day heritage and culture; additionally, there is also a renovated 1930s trading post where visitors can purchase unique Native American items for themselves or others.
The trading post offers an expansive selection of handcrafted Native American arts and crafts, such as moccasins, birch bark products and beadwork, all designed in house by experienced Native artisans. Their goal is to preserve Ojibwe history while educating visitors about their culture – its store is open year-round with various programs and events hosted throughout the year – including storytelling workshops with experienced educators and storytellers, seasonal demonstrations by artisans as well as internship opportunities for college students interested in museum or education work careers.
Twin Rocks Trading Post
BLUFF, San Juan County — Nestled beneath towering twin sandstone pillars symbolic of the Navajo Hero Twins, Twin Rocks Trading Post is home to fine Navajo art. Co-owners Barry and Steve Simpson have dedicated themselves to traditional practices and exploring innovative new ones, inspiring Dine basketry revolution by encouraging weavers to experiment with different weaving techniques. Their works have been showcased at exhibitions all across the Southwest while garnering national acclaim – particularly their rugs!
When the brothers opened their trade post in 1989, they knew they had found something unique. Their two iconic pillars, known to the Navajo as Monster Slayer and Born for Water, can be seen from miles away–even along Highway 12 outside Bluff. While they also operated a family-run trading post in Blanding, it immediately felt like home to them when they saw this land.
Front rooms of their store are filled with popular items such as Hamburger Helper, motor oil, confetti cake mix, 40-pound bags of Blue Bird flour, fist-sized pickles jarred up in jars and boxes of lard, but in back rooms lies an array of handmade rugs woven by neighbors who roll them up and carry them under their arms, bartering for food or cash as they go.
Virginia Deal, 82, who works at Toadlena Trading Post, is more than just a customer; she considers it part of her daily life – just as stick-built hogans her ancestors inhabited, or their stone remains at Toadlena are an integral part of life for Native peoples like herself. Deal’s been coming here for decades as she appreciates having no chain store 10 miles down the road offering credit or buying her rugs.
Twin Rocks Trading Post provides visitors with art and other merchandise for sale while providing additional services that cater to them as a visitor. Ramps are provided to accommodate physically challenged visitors. At the same time, there is also a cafe serving lunch featuring delectable Navajo cuisine at reasonable prices – perfect for taking a break after browsing its trading post!
Cameron Trading Post
The Cameron Trading Post is an iconic Native American Indian restaurant and art gallery in southwest Arizona near Navajo and Hopi land, providing visitors with an authentic experience when traveling through Northern Arizona. Comprised of three buildings – hotel, store, and trading post – its president is descended from its founders and upholds their philosophy of hospitality and respect.
Hubert and C.D. Richardson established the Little Colorado River Trading Post after installing a suspension bridge over its canyon in 1911. Serving Navajo and Hopi locals who came from faraway places for bartering wool blankets and livestock in exchange for goods was its purpose.
Today the trading post is home to a museum, hotel, restaurant, and 66-room RV park. Its rustic stone architecture recalls national park structures, thus leading some people to refer to it as “parkitecture.” Its dining room combines American, Mexican and traditional regional Indian cuisine, reflecting its heritage while emphasizing local sourcing of its products.
Cameron Trading Post stands true to its frontier roots by serving as a meeting point for culture, community, and commerce in Tuba City and nearby regions. Their friendly staff will treat you like part of their family when visiting here – just a short drive from Grand Canyon East Entrance! Plus, it’s only 30 minutes away!
John Wayne, Errol Flynn, and Humphrey Bogart visited The Cameron Trading Post; its landscape inspired several scenes in The Outlaw movie! As well as being popular among tourists, locals also frequent the Cameron Trading Post for its authentic food, unique atmosphere, and wide array of handmade crafts – not only offering something to satisfy any craving! Additionally, its proximity to scenic treasures such as Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater National Recreation Area make this a great stopover on their way to visit these iconic locations!
Hubbell Trading Post
Trading posts are an integral part of life in the Navajo Nation, serving as exchanges where items such as sheep, rugs, and jewelry can be bought or sold to one another; people also exchange food items. Historically, traders traveled by wagon between villages exchanging goods in exchange for livestock or supplies.
Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado is one of the oldest trading posts in the Navajo Nation and is an important historical site. Established by John Lorenzo Hubbell – a half-Spanish Native American from Pajarito, New Mexico – in 1878, it now stands as a National Historic Site, though open for business until sold to National Park Service in 1967.
Today, visitors to the trading post can observe its operation. Visitors can shop for groceries and other supplies at the store; watch a weaver at work; learn about its history; or attend one of the Navajo Nation’s tours and programs, such as its famous Navajo Heritage Tour or Way of Life Tours – to name but two of many available tours or programs at this trading post.
Bring an America the Beautiful or National Park Pass when visiting Hubbell Trading Post to save on entrance fees. The passes can be purchased online or at any park visitor center, offering savings across national parks and federal recreation sites.
On your trip, you will experience Arizona’s breathtaking Grand Canyon region. Numerous activities are available at Hubbell Trading Post, such as hiking, camping, and horseback touring, that you can do while there. The ideal time of year to visit is early summer or spring when temperatures are pleasant and dry.
Hubbell Trading Post is a historic trading post featuring exhibits and programs about Navajo culture and history. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and accessible to the public, its museum also includes a gift shop specializing in handmade Navajo arts and crafts.
