Navajo Trader Wallace James Jr gives enriching talks about the artistry and history of Navajo weaving. Navajo weaver Tonita Yazzie demonstrates throughout the day (Left and top right Martha Lochert Photography/WNP, bottom right M. DelVecchio/WNP).
Cultural program features authentic, handcrafted Navajo weavings and Native American–made jewelry, weaving demonstrations and talks at three parks in 2026.
TUCSON, AZ, UNITED STATES, April 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hubbell Trading Post, the oldest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest, will travel to three national park sites, bringing authentic Navajo weavings and handcrafted Native American–made jewelry and art, live demonstrations and cultural storytelling to broader audiences across Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
Presented by Western National Parks, this event series offers visitors a rare opportunity to engage directly with Diné (Navajo) artists and living traditions in iconic park settings. As travelers increasingly seek meaningful, experience-driven destinations, the talks and demonstrations given during a Hubbell program provide an immersive window into Indigenous artistry, heritage and cultural preservation.
Across participating park locations, visitors can:
• Explore and purchase authentic Navajo weavings from weavers, including Master Weavers
• Browse handcrafted sterling silver jewelry, featuring turquoise and other precious gemstones
• Experience live weaving demonstrations
• Attend interactive talks on Navajo art, history and culture
• Support Indigenous artists and national park programs
At the heart of the programs are Diné Trader Wallace James Jr and renowned Diné weaver Tonita Yazzie. James Jr shares personal insights and stories connecting Navajo artistry, history and the enduring traditions of Hubbell Trading Post, while Yazzie gives live weaving demonstrations that highlight the skill and cultural significance behind traditional Navajo textiles.
“My knowledge of Navajo weaving was passed down from generation to generation,” James Jr shared. “Not just the techniques, but also the history of my family at Hubbell’s. My talk helps share that story with a broader audience, as well as the deep and sacred meaning of the patterns, techniques and crafting of Navajo rugs and weavings.”
The 2026 Hubbell program includes stops at:
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, April 4–5, 2026
White Sands National Park, April 25–26, 2026
Petroglyph National Monument, June 6–7, 2026
Each event invites visitors to experience Navajo culture in an immersive setting while supporting Indigenous artists and national park educational programs.
Media Opportunities Include:
• Interviews with Diné Trader Wallace James Jr
• Interviews with Diné weaver Tonita Yazzie
• Visual coverage of live demonstrations and artwork
• Cultural heritage and Indigenous arts storytelling angles
About WNP
Western National Parks helps make the national park experience possible for everyone. As a nonprofit education and philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, WNP supports parks across the West, developing products, services, and programs that enhance the visitor experience, understanding, and appreciation of national parks. Since 1938, WNP has worked to connect new generations to parks in meaningful ways, all with one simple goal: create advocates who want to preserve and protect these special places for everyone, for all time. Learn more at www.wnp.org.
Julie Thompson
Western National Parks
julie.thompson@wnp.org
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