Cafe born out of the coronavirus pandemic hosts celebrated local talent

A shining open business sign lights a window as cars line the dirt parking lot on a warm winter Friday night at the Coffee Ship in Shiprock.

Renown Native artists and residents gather inside as baristas fill coffee cups and Dion Hayes and Zakota Shade take turns strumming acoustic guitars and singing various big name renditions.

Nine-year-old Mary Benally and her mother greet patrons as they enter a space of fine art, exhibiting the works of Perry Shorty, Wes Willie, Bob Lansing, Jonathan Curley, Colina Yazzie and Matthew White.

The fourth grader and wrestler for the Shiprock Wrestling Club was elected to represent Nizhoni Elementary School in September. She was inspired by her older sister, a princess, and her father, a Shiprock police officer. She wants to be a canine police officer when she grows up.

Benally said she was at the art show and drive to ask for donations of shampoo, deodorant and other hygiene products for the community’s most vulnerable people. Benally’s mother said the café owners invited the Nizhoni Princess to help her collect products for the local women’s shelter.

Trudy Tso, marketing representative for The Coffee Ship, revealed that the unlikely response from patrons visiting the café for the first time is surprise and suspicion of who owns the business.

“Today, I got the question, is it white people that own the place?” she said.

The ambience and ownership of the café may suggest a non-Native influence, which can raise concerns among Indigenous residents, and Laurel White, a Navajo owner, said she hears that hesitancy daily from patrons.

Mindful of historical and cultural sensitivities, they foster positive relationships in the community, engaging with leaders, supporting local initiatives and showcasing inclusiveness and diversity in their business practices.

The business opened in August during the Northern Navajo Nation Fair. They chose the name after a suggestion from employee Gilbert Begay.

The owners attribute the use of the Shiprock landmark for their logo design to another employee and Black Street Apparrel, which designed the jersey for the Netflix film “Rez Ball,” did the rest.

Tso said the owner gathered artists to fill the exhibition. “Matthew White, he’s the one that put all the artists together, which is unheard-of.”

“It’s crazy having all these artists here, like Oreland Joe Sr.,” she said. “He made the sculptures at the entrance.”

He also made the life-size sculptures inside the Northern Navajo Medical Center.

From coloring books to chiseling Italian marble

Oreland C. Joe’s journey from humble beginnings to artistic success is a testament to the power of dedication and passion.

Joe’s early exposure to a coloring book from his mother sparked his interest, and his father’s influence and encouragement helped shape his artistic endeavors, instilling in him a love and drive for painting.

As Joe attended Shiprock High School, he focused on honing his skills, avoiding distractions and dedicating himself to his craft.

Guidance from his junior high and high school art teachers further fueled his passion for art, introducing him to new media such as stone and leading him to formal training in Italy in 1984.

His success in selling paintings at a young age showed him he could make a living from his art and motivated him to pursue his passion with fervor, while advocating for Native American artists, entrepreneurs and business owners. His collaboration with the owners of The Coffee Ship, Matthew and Laurel White, showcases a shared vision of promoting and showcasing Native American art and talent.

He also shared that he is working on an as-yet unpublicized project in Durango.

“I’m working on a 30-by-16-foot mural in Durango, right now at the new Three River Springs Surgical Center. It hasn’t opened. My son and a couple of other painters are on our fifth day there. Nobody knows about it. They’ll have an opening reception probably mid-March or something,” he said.

“That’s my latest project,” he said pointing at the framed painting leaning against the male sculpture. “So you go from that size to 30-foot; you know, that’s a humongous effort.”

The Coffee Ship’s mission

The Coffee Ship, owned by Matthew and Laurel White, has become a community hub, bridging a gap between creators and consumers. The Whites have created a space where Native artists can showcase their art and share a way of life, culture and history.

The café’s beginnings during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 came as blessing in disguise. As owners of Shiprock Windows and Glass LLC, the Whites were able to pivot and provide essential protective barriers to reservation businesses and entities in need. The experience shaped their perspective on community involvement.

Though The Coffee Ship operates as a café and coffee shop, the Whites have incorporated traditional staples such as blue corn mush and alkaan (Navajo cake), setting it apart from corporate shops and sharing their cultural heritage.

“I think having the coffee shop here kind of brings everyone together to enjoy each other’s company,” Laurel White said. “That’s something I really want to do for the people; you know a lot of times the reservation doesn’t have anything like this.”

Matthew and Laurel White’s dedication to their community goes beyond food and drink. They are actively involved in supporting local schools, providing Wi-Fi to students and hosting community organizations and business meetings. They hope to open a fine arts gallery for Native work to showcase and support local talent.

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