Ellis Tanner Trading Co.

Ellis Tanner Trading Company is a modern-day old fashion trading post. People can bring in piñons, jewelry, wool, and rugs to sell. In the general store, they can buy groceries, dry goods, and hardware. And there is a Pawn Shop where people can pawn for cash and a jewelry store where they can buy jewelry. During income tax season, they can file their taxes and get credit on their anticipated refund. With these services, Ellis Tanner Trading Company continues to serve its customers much like the old fashion trading posts from the past. Ellis Tanner is the fourth generation of the Tanner trading families. His great-grandfather, Seth Tanner, came West with Brigham Young and helped settle this area. The Navajos gave him a name which is an honor. They called him ''Hosteen Shush'' which means ''Mr. Bear''. Ellis Tanner's grandfather, Joseph Baldwin Tanner, was also honored with Navajo name; he was called ''Shush Yaz'' which means ''Little Bear''. He was a highly respected trader and a very good friend of Chee Dodge, the first Chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council. Joseph Baldwin Tanner played a major role in helping the Navajo leaders form the first Tribal Council. Ellis Tanner's parents, Rule Levi and Stella Tanner, were well-respected traders and they had stores in many different areas of the reservation.