Because the Navajos had traditionally received favorable treaties
regarding trading rights, both on- and off-reservation trading posts
thrived.  White traders became the economic and cultural middlemen between
the Navajos and the rest of America.  Not only did the traders pass on
technical innovations and inventions fro the white world, but they helped
the Navajos understand the complex regulations that came out of
Washington.  Often, it was up to the traders to enforce the laws as well,
though many of them imposed softer versions of those laws which would most
effect traditional Navajo life.  Shown here is a Navajo reservation
trading post in 1900.