November Celebrates Native American Heritage

Born and raised as a proud "Gallupian," I am a member of the Laguna-Hopi/Chippewa tribes. I dedicated 25 years to serving as an educator and administrator for the Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS), with a focus on New Mexico History.

My passion lies in "Culture," and I am grateful for the opportunity provided by the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF) to continue sharing culture through education. It is an honor to engage with the community and contribute to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our diverse cultural heritage.

I’m Sandy Freeland, the Educational Consultant for the Gallup Cultural Center (GCC). My role involves developing and implementing a curriculum that focuses on enhancing the arts program at GCC.

I am a licensed teacher, counselor, and school administrator with experience across private, state, federal, and public educational systems. As a proud member of the Diné Nation, I bring my cultural background into my work to create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences.

In addition to my role at GCC, I am the owner of Indigenous Cultural Advisors (ICA), where I continue to promote cultural education and engagement.

Sanders, Arizona is where I call home. As a Navajo man, I am grateful to be a part of the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF) and Gallup Cultural Center (GCC) staff. The opportunity to share knowledge about local cultures, both native and immigrant, offers meaningful insights not only for our visitors but also for myself.

My deep interest in history drives me to continuously expand my understanding of these topics, allowing me to share what I learn with others. It’s an honor to contribute to fostering cultural appreciation and education within our community.

Born and raised in Gallup, NM, I am proud to be a state champion in track for Gallup High School. I earned a degree in Computer Science from New Mexico State University (NMSU), which opened doors for me to work across the U.S. as a software engineer in Tampa, Florida, and later as a network engineer in San Francisco, California.

Before COVID-19, I returned to Gallup to teach technology at Gallup High School for the Arts and Media program. Wanting to further develop and enhance this program, I joined the Gallup Cultural Center (GCC) to promote Gallup’s rich culture to younger generations, combining my experiences in technology and education to make a meaningful impact.

Originally from the Onion Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada, I am a Plains Cree beadwork artist now residing on the Navajo Nation reservation in New Mexico. My journey has brought me to a place where I can explore and share my artistic passions with new communities.

I am honored to be a senior intern at the Gallup Cultural Center (GCC) and deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the community through the Native Professional Advancement Center (NPAC) program. It’s a privilege to use my art as a way to connect, inspire, and celebrate cultural expression.

I am from Towaoc, CO but have recently relocated to Gallup, NM. I am Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute, and my cultural heritage has always been a source of pride and inspiration for me.

In 2020-2021, I had the opportunity to collaborate on several projects with the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, focusing on spreading awareness of Ute culture and language. That experience deepened my passion for preserving and sharing indigenous knowledge.

Now, I am excited to bring that same energy and dedication to the Gallup Cultural Center (GCC). It’s an honor to contribute to the community here and help celebrate the beauty and diversity of indigenous cultures.