About Us

Ellis Tanner Trading Company History

Ellis started Ellis Tanner Trading Company on a cold windy day in March 1967 at a small store south of the present location. He is thanks everyone for doing business with us. New and long time customers are very important to him.

Ellis Tanner is a fourth generation trader and very proud to live and work within the Four Scared Mountains his whole life. Ellis Tanner grew up learning the trading business from his family by watching and helping his family with with the Native American people.

While other trading companies in Gallup can claim to be founded sooner than 1967, Ellis Tanner is the only and oldest continuous trader still serving as the original owner and operator of any trading company in the area. Ellis Tanner is committed to serving the Native and Gallup communities and provide the finest Native American jewelry and art.

The Navajos have honored Ellis Tanner with the name "Aye'hee' Yazzie" which means "Little In-law." In the Navajo way "Little In-law" is a great honor and great responsibility that Ellis Tanner takes very seriously. He works very hard to do what he can to help his "in-Laws" and to carry the Tanner tradition. Over the years he has built a good reputation of being a fair and honest businessman.

Ellis' great grandfather, Seth Tanner, came West with Brigham Young who sent Seth to scout Arizona, and he started settlement there. The Navajos called him "Hosteen Shush" which means "Mr. Bear" Ellis Tanner's grandfather Joseph Baldwin Tanner was also honored with a Navajo name; he was called "shush Yaz" which means "Little Bear." He was highly respected trader and a very good friend of Chee Dodge, the first Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council. Ellis Tanner's parents, Ruel Lehi and Stella Tanner were well respected traders and they had stores in several areas of the reservation.