American Indian History

Information and Facts




Indian Wars Of The Old West:
Arizona, Part 1

Encounters between the United States Army and American Indians occurred in many places throughout the nineteenth century. Sometimes the encounters were peaceful, but other times the two diverse cultures clashed.

Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

Navajo Citadel

This Navajo citadel was the scene of climatic events in the conquest of the Navajo Indians by the U.S. Army. Col. Christopher C. "Kit" Carson’s invasion of this bastion of Navajo defenses in the winter of 1863 - 1864 was a final blow that convinced most of the tribe to surrender.

 

Some 8,000 Navajos, three-fourths of the tribe, participated in the tragic "Long Walk" across New Mexico to Bosque Rendondo.

In 1868, after four years of exile, they were allowed to return to their homeland. The site is operated by the National Park Service.



Turret Peak, Arizona

Apaches

General George Crook

The Battle of Turret Peak in south central Arizona was one of the pivotal fights that broke the backs of the Apaches and Yavapais in their efforts to resist white encroachment into their lands.

Fought on March 27, 1873, the battle of Turret Peak formed part of Gen. George Crook’s Tonto Basin campaign to force the Apaches and Yavapais to submit to reservations.

 

Capt. George Randall, leading a small force including Apache scouts, surprised a rancheria ensconced near the crest of Turret Peak. The battle at Turret Peak proved to the Indians that there was no sanctuary from the soldiers.

Two weeks later, most of the Apaches and Yavapais surrendered to Crook at Camp Verde, Arizona. The site is within the jurisdiction of the National Forest Service.



Native American Event Calendar from nativegatherings.com:

July 04th, 2009 - Hobby Horse Ranch Native American Festival
pFourth of July three day celebration. /ppFriday, Sat, amp; Sun 10am-6pm July 3,4, amp; 5th./ppPublic invited to enjoy lots of great dancing, drumming, and crafts./ppHost Drum: Iroquois Thunderheart/ppTake Rt. 222N. to 12E. Turn left on Rt73W (1mile). Turn right onto Hartz Rd./ppnbsp;/pmore »

July 04th, 2009 - 15th Annual Wildhorse Powwow
pDANCING CONTEST:/ppAdult Categories:/ppMen's Traditional, Men's Fancy, Men's Grass, Men's Golden Age, Women's Tradional, Women's Fancy, Women's Jingle, Women's Golden Age/ppTeen Categories (13-18)/ppBoy's Traditional, Boy's Fancy, Boy's Grass, Girl's Traditional, Girl's Fancy, Girl's Jingle/ppJUnior Categories (7-12)/ppBoy's Traditional, Boy's Fancy, Boy's Grass, Girl's Traditional, Girl's Fancy, Girl's Jingle/ppDRUMMING CONTEST:/ppMore than $20,000 in cash amp; Prizesnbsp; All Drums welcome, day pay offered/ppHost Drum:/ppLittle Island Cree - Island Lake - Saskatchewan Canada/pmore »

July 04th, 2009 - Cherokee July Powwow
On the first full weekend in July our special brand of fireworks happen as a three-day explosion of authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions kick the excitement up even higher.more »

July 05th, 2009 - Hobby Horse Ranch Native American Festival
pFourth of July three day celebration. /ppFriday, Sat, amp; Sun 10am-6pm July 3,4, amp; 5th./ppPublic invited to enjoy lots of great dancing, drumming, and crafts./ppHost Drum: Iroquois Thunderheart/ppTake Rt. 222N. to 12E. Turn left on Rt73W (1mile). Turn right onto Hartz Rd./ppnbsp;/pmore »

July 05th, 2009 - 15th Annual Wildhorse Powwow
pDANCING CONTEST:/ppAdult Categories:/ppMen's Traditional, Men's Fancy, Men's Grass, Men's Golden Age, Women's Tradional, Women's Fancy, Women's Jingle, Women's Golden Age/ppTeen Categories (13-18)/ppBoy's Traditional, Boy's Fancy, Boy's Grass, Girl's Traditional, Girl's Fancy, Girl's Jingle/ppJUnior Categories (7-12)/ppBoy's Traditional, Boy's Fancy, Boy's Grass, Girl's Traditional, Girl's Fancy, Girl's Jingle/ppDRUMMING CONTEST:/ppMore than $20,000 in cash amp; Prizesnbsp; All Drums welcome, day pay offered/ppHost Drum:/ppLittle Island Cree - Island Lake - Saskatchewan Canada/pmore »