The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the US, with a history of early tribal engagement, conflict with Europeans, and integration into modern society. They lived a nomadic lifestyle before adapting to the ways of neighboring tribes. The US government attempted to make treaties with them, but a series of failed attempts led to a relocation program and the Long Walk, a 400-mile forced march causing many casualties. Navajo men played a crucial role in WWII as Code Talkers. Today, the Navajo Tribe operates independently with their own government and advanced medical and educational systems.
The history of the Navajo people is usually seen as a robust mix of early tribal engagement, conflict with Europeans, and integration into the modern United States. The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United States, and its national reservation, Navajoland, spans more land than any other. Covering 24,000 square miles of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the sparse, arid lands bear little resemblance to the tribe’s homelands. The immigration of the tribe from northern Canada in AD 1400 is one of the earliest known events in Navajo history. Other key events include migration to the southwestern part of what is now the United States, struggle with settlers and militias, adoption of their neighbors’ traditions, and a 400-mile forced march known as the Long Walk, which caused many casualties. In more modern times, the tribal language proved invaluable once converted to military code, and Navajo men are credited with many of the United States’ victories in World War II. These men are known today as “Code Talkers”. Navajo reservations offer a wealth of historical appreciation for both residents and visitors, and the nation’s governmental structure has proven highly successful and effective.
The first nomadic life
When the Navajo made their journey to the desert lands of North America in AD 1400, they lived a nomadic lifestyle. The tribe hunted, gathered and migrated. Their lives had little in common with today’s tribal traditions. Of course, this story is sometimes met with resistance from those who believe legends linking early Navajo history to sacred landmarks in the area they inhabit in modern times.
Raids and warfare
Over time, the Navajos began to adapt to the ways of neighboring tribes. In the 1500s, they grew corn and beans, just like the Pueblo Indians. The Navajo changed again with the arrival of foreign settlers and began raising sheep and making silver jewelry, just like the Spanish. The Navajos also continued their tradition of raiding neighboring tribes. The Spanish introduction of the horse in the 1700s brought this practice to a turning point.
In 1804, with the help of the Pueblo, Ute, and Blackfoot tribes, the Spanish government attacked the Navajo in retaliation. Men died on both sides and troubles between the tribes subsided. Only when the United States expanded into New Mexico and new settlers moved into Navajo territory did raiding begin again.
US government treaty attempts
In 1849, the US government attempted to make a treaty with tribal leaders, but the meeting ended in conflict and tragedy. Eventually, seven Navajos were killed, including an influential warrior named Narbonne. The talks between the Indians and the United States, which had very different ways of concluding agreements, were tense and misunderstandings became a breeding ground for problems.
A series of failed treaties and attacks motivated the US government to form a relocation program for the Navajo and Apache Indian tribes. In 1863, General Kit Carson arrived with the intention of moving all members of the tribe to Fort Sumner in southeastern New Mexico. The roundup of Indian tribes was a messy and violent affair.
The Long Walk
In 1864, Navajo men, women and children of all ages were forced to walk 400 miles to an encampment called Bosque Redondo. This trek is known as the Long Walk and many people died on the 18 day journey. There was also suffering in Bosque Redondo, and a treaty was drawn up in 1868 allowing the return of the Indian tribe to their homeland. The Treaty of Bosque Redondo included several provisions, including an end to the raids that had plagued the southwest for centuries.
The long walk was the darkest point in Navajo history, but it also brought people together in a way they had never experienced. In 1923, they established a formal governing body and were working out land lease agreements with oil-hungry New Mexico companies. In 1924, they were counted as US citizens and secured the right to vote.
Role in wartime coding
In 1942, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a group of Navajo volunteers were recruited to create a secret code using their native language. The code proved unbreakable and was used during World War II efforts to transmit messages without any fear of the enemy intercepting them. They are credited with winning Iwo Jima, among others. Nearly 60 years after their efforts, in 2001, the so-called Navajo Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Modern life
Most modern Navajos live on land set aside specifically for the tribe, but not all do; The Navajos and their descendants are found in nearly every region of the United States, and some even live overseas. No matter where they are, however, registered members are usually entitled to a share and often a vote on how tribal affairs are handled. Like most U.S. tribes, the Navajo Tribe is an autonomous nation-state operating independently of federal jurisdiction. They have their own flag and government, and some of the most advanced medical and educational systems of any tribe. In 1991, they restructured the Navajo National Council to create a three-pronged form of government with executive, judicial, and legislative branches.
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