This painting is done on a piece of slate stone and is called The Long Walk. I was told it depicted the return home, back to their homeland after their incarceration.
In the mid 1800's the Indian people, called Dine' of northern Arizona and New Mexico were in conflict with the military. The military had built Fort Defiance on their land and had patrols going into their territory causing problems. In retaliation the Dine's started harassing the patrols and supply trains. By 1860 the annual report of Indian affairs called for a reservation for the Dine to be the best solution. It was eventually decided that the Dine' should be moved to Bosque Redondo, 400 miles away on the eastern planes to live in close proximity to their enemies the Apaches.
Kit Carson, under General Carlton, was put in charge and proceeded to destroy the Indians crops, kill or confiscate their animals until the Indians surrendered. This was not successful so they continued their burning of crops, sheep, horses and homes in the more settled area of Canyon de Chelly. When winter set in the people were starving and in February 1864 3000 Dines surrendered and were incarcerated at Fort Wingate. Many were dyeing of dysentery and exposure. Thus began the forced marches across New Mexico to Fort Sumner of about 9000 men, women and children called the Long Walk. Many died while walking in the midst of blizzards with little food.
Carltons goal were two fold: to defeat the Navajos and make New Mexico safe for further settlement and exploitation of mineral resources and to civilize and Christianize the Navajos and Apaches.
They were put on 6000 acres of land and 3000 was put under cultivation of corn and wheat. Cutworms infested the corn and storms destroyed the wheat. In 1865 and 1866, through the hard labor of the Navajos, nearly 6000 acres was planted. Once again the harvest was low. The government was spending $62,000 a month to feed the Navajos. Navajos were disappearing, going back to their native lands. This continued till 1868 when a treaty was signed allowing them to go back to their homelands. They were given some compensation for their rehabilitation.
The Navajo nation is made up of several Indian tribes but mostly Apache. The name Navajo was not used much until their incarceration at Bosque Redondo. The word Navajo comes from a Spanish word meaning 'farm fields in the valley' and was given to them because they lived in the canyons and grew crops. Early Spanish chronicles referred to the Navajo as,("Apaches who farm in the valley") Because it was not an original Indian name some prefer to be referred to as the Dine' which means 'the people' or the old people.
One account said that they are the only Indian nation to have their ancestral lands given to them for their reservation.
We drove a lady to the clinic this week and while she went in her seven year old nephew stayed in the van with us. This was the conversation:
"Do you have some candy?"
"No, we don't have candy today"
"Do you have cookies?"
"No, the cookies are at the trailer."
"Did you borrow this van?"(In his world you don't own a car you borrow one)
"No, this is our van."
(While touching my hair)
"Did you wash your hair?"
"Yes I washed my hair."
"Its bouncy. Are you going somewhere". (From this I assume that as far as he is concerned hair is washed only when you have somewhere to go.)
This continued on as he asked about everything in the van such as "Can you play games on that thing?", meaning the GPS. He was such fun I have been smiling about it ever since.
We started out our week with 60 in attendance at sacrament meeting and Elder Earl, Naaniibaa, and Antonia singing 'I Am A Child of God' in Navajo. It was a big hit.
This week we have had beautiful weather and we have been kept busy each day taking care of needs. On Friday we had a funeral at the church. Since the burial ground was a long way out on muddy roads we didn't attend but the young Elders went. It was a very traditional burial so they shot the horse belonging to the deceased and buried the saddle and belongings in the grave. Elder Earl, our ranch boy, had a hard time seeing a horse shot but burying a saddle was really to much.
The beautiful weather has turned to rain. It has been raining steady for 24 hours and no sign of quitting. This is great for this area. With all this moisture the natives say they will be able to plant their corn fields this year. In the meantime we stay on the pavement.
Love to All,
Elder and Sister Lybbert
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