103 East Plaza, Suite B Taos, New Mexico | +1 (575) 224 - 6911
 
Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-7pm (Thursday closing at 5pm)
or by appointment

On Saturday, June 23rd the Michael Gorman Gallery and the Gorge Bar & Grill will host an evening with Zonnie Gorman, historian and lecturer. Ms. Gorman is considered the foremost expert on the subject of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.

 

Ms. Gorman is the daughter of the late Dr. Carl N. Gorman and his wife Mary.  She is also the youngest sister to the renowned Navajo artist, the late R.C. Gorman.  Zonnie has appeared in several documentaries including the History Channel documentary, In Search of History - Navajo Code Talkers; the MGM double DVD release of Windtalkers (historical documentary section); and the PBS documentary, True Whispers.  Zonnie earned her M.A. in History from The University of New Mexico and is currently working on her Ph.D.

 

In 1989, Zonnie Gorman embarked on a personal journey to discover that part of her father who was one of the original Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.  With a love of history, her journey has led her through a lifetime of research, interviews and archiving on the subject of Navajo Code Talkers and World War II. In fact, Zonnie conducted the first extensive interviews with the First Twenty-Nine Navajo Code Talkers and one of the Marine Corps recruiters involved with the Navajo Code Talker project.

 

Zonnie shares a touching story about the Navajo Code Talkers, and particularly about her father's role as one of the First Twenty-Nine.  Additionly, you will experience the Navajo reservation of the 1940s, the U.S. Government policy of Assimilation to eradicate indigenous languages and cultures and learn how the code was made.  Zonnie's personal insights, well-researched information and wry humor combine to offer a poignant, eye-opening and stirringly patriotic presentation.

 

The evening starts at 4pm in the private room at the Gorge Bar & Grill for Zonnie’s presentation “Growing up with Heroes” then moves into the gallery for a viewing of some of Carl Gorman’s original art works, an exhibit on the Code Talkers and a Q&A session and book signing with Zonnie. The event is free but seating is limited.