Long Walk

Definition

The Long Walk refers to the forced relocation of the Navajo people in the 1860s by the United States government, which resulted in the movement of thousands of Navajo from their ancestral lands to a designated reservation at Bosque Redondo in New Mexico. This event is significant as it reflects the broader patterns of displacement and suffering faced by Native American tribes during westward expansion and U.S. policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Long Walk began in 1864 and involved a journey of approximately 300 miles across difficult terrain, with many Navajo suffering from starvation, disease, and harsh weather conditions.
2. Estimates suggest that around 8,000 to 9,000 Navajo were forced to walk to Bosque Redondo, with many not surviving the journey or suffering severe hardships upon arrival.
3. Conditions at Bosque Redondo were dire, with inadequate food supplies, poor sanitation, and overcrowding leading to high mortality rates among the Navajo population.
4. The Long Walk is often considered a traumatic event in Navajo history, symbolizing resilience and survival despite immense suffering and loss.
5. The Treaty of Fort Sumner allowed for some reparations to the Navajo and led to their return to a portion of their homeland, marking a significant moment in their struggle for rights and recognition.

Review Questions

• How did the Long Walk impact Navajo culture and identity?
  • The Long Walk had profound effects on Navajo culture and identity by creating a shared historical trauma that continues to influence their community today. The experience of forced relocation fostered a stronger sense of unity among the Navajo as they faced hardships together. This collective memory has been woven into their cultural narratives, ceremonies, and teachings, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity and reinforcing their connection to their land and traditions.
• Evaluate the role of U.S. government policies in the events leading up to the Long Walk.
  • U.S. government policies played a critical role in precipitating the Long Walk by promoting westward expansion and disregarding Indigenous land rights. The Navajo were viewed as obstacles to settlement by American settlers, leading to military campaigns aimed at subjugating them. The forced relocation reflected broader policies of assimilation that sought to control Native populations and integrate them into Euro-American society, demonstrating how governmental actions directly affected Indigenous communities.
• Discuss how the Long Walk and its aftermath have shaped contemporary Navajo political movements.
  • The Long Walk has had a lasting impact on contemporary Navajo political movements by highlighting themes of sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation. The legacy of this traumatic event has inspired modern advocacy for self-determination and autonomy within the framework of U.S. law. Many contemporary Navajo leaders draw upon the historical experiences of their ancestors during the Long Walk to galvanize support for issues such as land restoration, resource management, and cultural revitalization efforts that aim to strengthen their community against ongoing challenges.

Related terms

Bosque Redondo: The location in New Mexico where the Navajo were forcibly relocated during the Long Walk, which was intended as a reservation but ultimately failed to provide the necessary resources for survival.

Treaty of Fort Sumner:

The agreement signed in 1868 that ended the Long Walk and established a new reservation for the Navajo, granting them autonomy over their lands and a degree of self-governance.

Navajo Nation:

A sovereign Native American territory that encompasses a large portion of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah, established after the Long Walk and recognized as one of the largest tribal governments in the United States.