5.2 Navajo (Diné) history and the Long Walk

The Navajo, or Diné, faced a harrowing chapter in their history with the Long Walk. This forced relocation in 1864 uprooted thousands from their ancestral lands, marching them over 300 miles to Bosque Redondo reservation.

The Long Walk's impact on Navajo culture and society was profound. It disrupted traditional ways of life, caused immense suffering, and became a defining moment in their collective memory. Their eventual return and rebuilding efforts showcased remarkable resilience.

Origins of the Navajo

Migration and Early History

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• The Navajo, or Diné, are an Athabaskan-speaking people who migrated from northwestern Canada and eastern Alaska to the Southwest between 1100 and 1500 CE
• The Navajo were primarily hunter-gatherers and later adopted farming techniques from the Pueblos, growing crops such as corn, beans, and squash

Cultural Exchange and Development

• The Navajo developed a strong trading relationship with the Spanish, exchanging goods like textiles and livestock
• The Navajo culture was influenced by the Pueblos, adopting elements of their religion, art, and architecture, while maintaining their distinct language and traditions
• The Navajo were known for their skilled weaving, creating intricate textiles using wool from their sheep, which became an important part of their economy and cultural identity
  • Navajo weavers created distinctive patterns and designs that reflected their spiritual beliefs and connection to the natural world
  • The sale of Navajo textiles to traders and tourists provided a significant source of income for many Navajo families

Forced Relocation of the Navajo

Escalating Tensions and Military Campaign

• Tensions between the Navajo and the United States government escalated in the mid-19th century due to the expansion of American settlers into Navajo territory and the U.S. government's attempts to assert control over the region
• The U.S. Army, led by Colonel Kit Carson, launched a brutal campaign against the Navajo in 1863, destroying their crops, livestock, and homes to force them into submission
  • The "scorched earth" tactics employed by the U.S. Army aimed to starve the Navajo into surrender by eliminating their food sources and means of subsistence
  • Many Navajo were killed or captured during the military campaign, while others fled to remote areas to escape the violence

The Long Walk and Internment

• Many Navajo sought refuge in the remote Canyon de Chelly, but the U.S. Army pursued them, leading to the surrender of thousands of starving and demoralized Navajo
• In 1864, the U.S. government ordered the forced relocation of the Navajo from their homeland to the Bosque Redondo reservation at Fort Sumner, New Mexico, a journey of over 300 miles known as the "Long Walk"
• The Long Walk was marked by harsh conditions, including inadequate food, water, and shelter, leading to the death of hundreds of Navajo from starvation, exposure, and disease
  • Navajo elders, women, and children were forced to walk the grueling distance to Bosque Redondo, often with little rest or sustenance
  • The trauma of the Long Walk left a lasting impact on Navajo society, as families were separated and many never survived the journey

Impact of the Long Walk

Disruption of Traditional Life and Culture

• The forced relocation and internment at Bosque Redondo had devastating consequences for the Navajo, disrupting their traditional way of life and social structures
• The Navajo were forced to abandon their sacred homeland, which held deep spiritual and cultural significance, leading to a sense of displacement and loss of identity
• The confinement at Bosque Redondo made it difficult for the Navajo to maintain their traditional practices, such as weaving, farming, and religious ceremonies, threatening the survival of their culture
  • The Navajo were unable to grow their traditional crops or raise their livestock, which were central to their subsistence and cultural practices
  • The suppression of Navajo religious ceremonies and practices at Bosque Redondo further eroded their cultural identity and connection to their ancestral traditions

Suffering and Collective Memory

• The poor conditions at the reservation, including alkaline water, limited food supplies, and outbreaks of disease, led to widespread suffering and death among the Navajo
  • The Navajo faced starvation, malnutrition, and exposure to harsh weather conditions during their internment at Bosque Redondo
  • Diseases such as smallpox and dysentery spread rapidly among the confined population, claiming many lives
• The Long Walk and the experience at Bosque Redondo became a defining moment in Navajo history, shaping their collective memory and identity as a people who had endured and survived great hardship
  • The stories of the Long Walk and the suffering endured at Bosque Redondo were passed down through generations, becoming an integral part of Navajo oral history and cultural memory
  • The Long Walk serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the Navajo people in the face of adversity

Navajo Return and Rebuilding

Treaty of 1868 and Reservation Establishment

• In 1868, the U.S. government signed a treaty with the Navajo, allowing them to return to a portion of their ancestral homeland and establishing the Navajo Nation reservation
• The return to their homeland was a joyous occasion for the Navajo, but they faced significant challenges in rebuilding their communities and way of life
  • The Navajo had to start from scratch, constructing new homes, planting crops, and gathering livestock to reestablish their livelihoods
  • The process of rebuilding was slow and arduous, as the Navajo had limited resources and support from the U.S. government

Challenges and Ongoing Struggles

• The Navajo had to rebuild their homes, reestablish their farms and herds, and revive their cultural practices that had been disrupted during their time at Bosque Redondo
• The Navajo Nation reservation, while providing a land base for the Navajo, was smaller than their original territory and often lacked adequate resources and infrastructure
  • The reservation boundaries did not encompass all of the Navajo's traditional lands, leading to ongoing disputes over land rights and access to sacred sites
  • The reservation often lacked basic infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, making it difficult for the Navajo to thrive
• The Navajo faced ongoing challenges in their relationship with the U.S. government, including disputes over land rights, natural resources, and the implementation of federal policies that often undermined Navajo sovereignty and self-determination
  • The discovery of oil, coal, and uranium on Navajo lands led to exploitation by outside interests and environmental degradation, impacting the health and well-being of Navajo communities
  • Federal policies, such as the Indian Reorganization Act and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, often imposed external control over Navajo affairs, limiting their ability to make decisions about their own future