Long Walk of the Navajo

Definition

The Long Walk of the Navajo refers to the forced removal of the Navajo people from their ancestral lands in Arizona and New Mexico to a designated reservation in eastern New Mexico during the 1860s. This tragic event was part of a broader policy of relocation that aimed to consolidate Native American tribes onto reservations, often resulting in suffering and loss for Indigenous communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Long Walk took place between 1863 and 1868, during which thousands of Navajo were forcibly marched over 300 miles to the Bosque Redondo Reservation.
2. Many Navajo suffered from starvation, disease, and exposure during the Long Walk, leading to significant loss of life.
3. The U.S. government justified the removal as a means to control Navajo raids on settlements, but it was part of a larger effort to impose U.S. sovereignty over Native lands.
4. Upon their return, the Treaty of Bosque Redondo allowed for limited self-governance and established the boundaries of the Navajo Reservation.
5. The Long Walk has had lasting impacts on Navajo identity, culture, and community, symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity.

Review Questions

• How did the Long Walk of the Navajo reflect broader trends in U.S. government policies towards Native American tribes during the 19th century?
  • The Long Walk exemplified the aggressive policies of the U.S. government aimed at assimilating Native Americans and consolidating them onto reservations. This forced removal was justified under the pretense of control and safety for settlers but highlighted a pattern of displacement that many tribes faced. Such policies were part of a larger trend where Native American lands were appropriated for settlement and expansion by non-Indigenous populations.
• What were the immediate consequences of the Long Walk for the Navajo people and how did they impact their future governance?
  • The immediate consequences included severe loss of life due to starvation and exposure, as well as a profound disruption of traditional lifestyles. The experience of the Long Walk led to a greater emphasis on sovereignty and self-determination among the Navajo. The Treaty of Bosque Redondo, which allowed for their return, set a precedent for future negotiations between Native tribes and the federal government regarding land rights and governance.
• Evaluate the significance of cultural resilience in response to events like the Long Walk for Indigenous communities, particularly focusing on the Navajo experience.
  • Cultural resilience has been vital for Indigenous communities to survive and adapt following traumatic events like the Long Walk. For the Navajo, this resilience is evident in their efforts to reclaim their language, traditions, and lands post-removal. Such resilience not only contributes to community cohesion but also enables tribes to assert their identity against historical oppression. Analyzing these aspects reveals how events like the Long Walk shape not just immediate experiences but also long-term cultural survival and revival.

Related terms

Reservation System: A government policy that designated specific areas of land for Native American tribes, often leading to the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their traditional territories.

Treaty of Bosque Redondo: An 1868 treaty that formally established the Navajo Reservation and allowed the Navajo people to return to their homeland after enduring the Long Walk.

Cultural Resilience:

The ability of Indigenous peoples, including the Navajo, to maintain and adapt their cultural practices, languages, and traditions despite historical traumas such as forced removal.