Passing through the community of Shiprock and Northern Navajo Agency, I have traveled U.S. Highway 64 many times and have always admired the dedication of our Navajo/Diné people, who set up along the roadside to sell food, jewelry, and clothing to support their families. This spirit of entrepreneurship reflects our community’s resilience and commitment.
When Tony Skrelunas and community leaders in Shiprock approached me with the idea of developing the area near the iconic Shiprock Bridge into an RV park, vendor market, camping site, and river walk trail, I was enthusiastic. The groundbreaking for this beautiful vision is now called the Shiprock Flea Market.
There are numerous plans and possibilities for this area, and I appreciate Tony’s collaboration with local leaders, including Bobby Martin, Lucinda Frank, Rose Morgan and Betty Ojaye. I also want to thank Council delegates Amber Crotty and Eugenia Charles-Newton for their advocacy to help our entrepreneurs. Their collective vision underscores the importance of safe economic development for our Navajo community and highlights how these initiatives will benefit our people.
I am excited about the potential of this project to enhance the experience of visiting Shiprock, a gateway community for the Four Corners region and the Navajo Nation. The vendor area will be ready in time for the upcoming Shiprock Fair, providing a secure space for our community to showcase their goods and services. Let’s continue to work together to bring this vision to fruition!
