On March 5th, Gallup’s Mitchell Center and Tammy Barton hosted a half day Trek with an afternoon of Invitational Native American Mini-Games program. More than 130 people from the northwest corner of the state joined us for some excellent workshops.

Workshops included Walking for Fun, Personal Awareness of Fitness, Diabetes, Hearing Disabilities, Shuffleboard Demonstrations, and Understanding Medicare.

The mini-games consisted of ten events: Discus, Shot Put, Soccer Accuracy, Frisbee Accuracy, Basketball Freethrow, 800 Estimated Run/Walk, the 1500 Meter Power Walk, and the 100m, the 200m, and 400m sprints.

Of those invited eight pueblos were represented. Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Santa Ana (had to cancel at the last moment) Santo Domingo, and Zuni came to the Trek and Mini-Games. They dressed up in their local colors and had a ball. Board Members, Peter Ortiz, Dick Griffith, Ernesto Ramos, Kathy Black, June Decker, and Dorie Sandoval turned out to conduct workshops and sports events. With the small army of volunteers provided by Tammy Barton for more support, the Trek and Mini-Games were a lot of fun. We want to thank them all.

Though many participants had experience with local and state games, some had never done anything in athletic competition, let alone win ribbons. One very happy lady from Santo Domingo insisted she get her picture taken with her two blue ribbons so she would have proof for her grandchildren! We hope the sense of fun and excitement brings them to their local Senior Olympic Games this Spring. .