The Navajo Indian Reservation

                 

I always thought that Indian reservations were somewhat like refugee camps - small in size an densely populated. Not so.

The Navajo Nation is 28,000 square miles , (almost the same size as Ireland) occupying portions of Northeastern Arizona, Southeastern Utah, and Northwestern New Mexico. It is the largest land area given  to  Native American jurisdiction within the United States. It has a population of 300,00. They are self governed, raise taxes and have their own police and courts services.

For  Navajo Nation citizen rights you require a blood quantum of one-quarter for a person to be eligible for enrollment as a member, the equivalent of one grandparent - to receive a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB). In 2004, the Navajo Nation Council voted down a proposal to reduce the blood quantum to one-eighth, which would have effectively doubled the number of individuals qualified to be enrolled Navajo tribal members.

When we travelled through the Navajo Nation, Bob was a fountain of knowledge - as usual! he seems to have a photographic memory. I met this guy Joey - a navajo native in  a place called Mexican Hat - he showed me his tatooed back which has an imprint of  two AK47's.

He gave a fabulous interview on video - which I accidentally deleted! It was about his troubled childhood and how badly the Indians were treated in history - from Genocide by the US Calvary led by Kit Carson to the more recent (1970's) forced sterliisation of Navajo Indian Women.

So we have to rely on Bob for some more details.

The living arrangements and conditions are also interesting. The HOGAN is the traditional Navajo dwelling. seen here below.

Bob and I look across a small portion of the Navajo reservation.

We went in search of a genuine  Navajo "Kiva" - an underground ceremonial meeting place for the tribe leaders - Navajos believed that the human race emerged from a hole in the ground. We found one in Blanding and I went underground to see what was there.

THESE ARE THE NATURAL DYES USED BY THE INDIANS WHEN MAKING COLOURFUL RUGS

for more short videos on Indian Culture, Crafts and Art including the wonderful art of Sandpainting
 Navajo Sandpaintings Bob explains the process and medical healing properties.

Navajo Crafts - rug weaving - This Navajo weaver tells me how she spends 3 months weaving a small rug.