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Hualapai

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The Hualapai Indian Land stretches 108 miles along the Colorado River and includes the western end of the Grand Canyon. The Indian Land is in Coconino and Mohave Counties. It shares its northern and eastern boundaries with the Grand Canyon National Park and also adjoins the Hualapai Indian Lands on the east. The elevation ranges from 1,200 feet to 7,400 feet. Currently, the tribe has 1,400 members.

The name Hualapai comes from the word “hwal’bay, which means “people of the tall pines. The Hualapai originally came from the Yuma Indians in Western Arizona, but they eventually moved to this region.
When settlers started to encroach on the Hualapai, battles erupted. After losing the war, the Indians were placed in a camp near the town of Parker. Many Hualapai perished at the camp, however, some did manage to escape.
They made their way back to their homeland and later the land was set aside for the tribe to live. The Hualapai Indian Lands covers almost 1 million acres and was created by Executive Order in January 1883.
Today, Peach Springs is the Tribal Capital. The town owes its name to the peach trees growing at the springs nearby. The Hualapai Indian Land is working hard make a positive future. There has been economic, social and government progress in recent years. This is evident with the building of new homes, an improved water and sewer system, paved and curbed streets and a mission to be an anti-drug and alcohol community.
The western section of the Indian Lands remains closed to the public. This area is viewed as sacred to the Hualapai tribe.

Attractions:
The Hualapai Indian Lands offers the only access by car into the Grand Canyon. By driving to Peach Springs and following Diamond Creek Road, you will arrive at the gorge where Diamond Creek and the Colorado River meet. The Hualapai Tribal River Runners is the only Indian owned and operated the river-rafting company on the Colorado River. The company offers one and two day Indian guided tours.

Hualapai Arts and Crafts Center has a variety of traditional and modern arts available for purchase. The center is located in Peach Springs.

Hualapai Indian Days May

Chinle

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Chinle, near the geographic center of the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona, is at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly National Monument.  Chinle became a center for population growth and trade after 1868 when the United States signed a treaty with the Navajos. The first trading post was established in 1882, the first mission in 1904, and the first government school in 1910.

Canyon de Chelly, a geological and historical wonder, is Chinle’s greatest scenic attraction. The Canyon was a Navajo stronghold during Colonel Kit Carson’s Navajo Campaign and was designated a National Monument in 1931. Evidence of Indian habitation as early as 2000 B.C. is found in artifacts and prehistoric cliff dwellings. As the angle of the sun changes, the colors in the rock formations change from brilliant red-browns to orange, pink, and even purple.

Thirty miles south of Chinle lies Ganado, site of Arizona’s most famous Indian trading post, Hubbell’s. In operation for nearly a century, it has been designated a National Historic Site. At Hubbell’s and other trading posts on the reservation, the famed handcrafted Navajo silver jewelry and hand-woven woolen rugs may be purchased.

Trout, bass, and catfish fishing is excellent at nearby lakes. Other area attractions include Window Rock, headquarters of the Navajo Tribe; the Painted Desert; Petrified Forest National Monument; Monument Valley; and the Hopi Indian Reservation.

Cocopah

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The Cocopah Indian Land is 13 miles south of Yuma and 15 miles north the San Luis, Mexico in Yuma County. It is at an elevation of 103 feet. Today, the tribe has 750 members.

President Woodrow Wilson established the Cocopah Indian Lands in 1917 through an Executive Order. The land created two sections, the West and East Cocopah Indian Lands covering 1,772 acres. In 1985, President Reagan signed the Cocopah Land Acquisition Bill. This bill increased the size of the Indian Land by almost 6,000 acres, including 600 acres of the North Cocopah Indian Lands.

In 1987, a convenience store, gas station, smoke shop and bingo hall were developed. These establishments were built to help the tribe become self-sufficient. Soon afterward, a casino and the Cocopah Bend Recreational Vehicle Resort were constructed.

Today, the Indian Lands are divided up into three separate areas, East Cocopah Indian Lands, West Cocopah Indian Lands and North Cocopah Indian Lands. The tribal headquarters is in Somerton.

Indian Arts:
The Cocopah are known for their beadwork. An 1800’s Cocopah Indian Village can be seen after taking a train excursion from Yuma to Cocopah West Indian Lands. Yuma Valley Live Steamers work with the tribe in creating this train line. The village welcomes visitors with jewelry sales and Indian fry bread.

Cocopah Land Acquisition Day April

CRIT

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Colorado River Indian Lands

Location:
The Colorado River Indian Lands cover 225,995 acres in Arizona and 42,696 acres in California. Ninety miles of Colorado River shoreline runs north and south through the Indian Lands and includes the town of Parker. Currently, there is a population of 3,1000. The Chemehuevi, Mohave, Hopi and Navajo are included in the population and all share the land.

History:
The Mohave Indians have lived along the Colorado River for centuries. They farmed the river bottoms and harvested plants in the surrounding area. In the summer, their homes were made of branches and during the winter they built pit style homes partially underground.
On the other hand, the Chemehuevi roamed the length of the Colorado River. They did not settle down. The Chemehuevi were hunters and gathers.
Both the Mohave and Chemehuevi Indians have fought each throughout history and were considered the “river people.” The Hopi and the Navajo originally came from Northern Arizona, but later moved down to this area along the river.
Charles Debrille Poston was the first Indian Superintendent for Arizona. In 1864, he chose the site for Arizona’s second Indian Land. The Colorado River Indian Land was established in March 1865 covering 225,995 acres in La Paz County, Arizona.
Today, all four Indian tribes share the land.

Indian Arts:
The Mohave Indians are known for their handicrafts, such as pottery, necklaces, belts, dolls, cradleboards and rattles. The Chemehuevi are known for their baskets and powwows.

Attractions:
The Colorado River Indian Tribal Museum and Library is located near the town of Parker. The museum’s mission is to preserve and show the four tribal Indian heritages living on the Colorado River Indian Land. There is a gift shop offering the handicrafts.

The land is home to the Blue Water Casino.

Indian Day Celebration September
All Indian Rodeo December

Fort Apache

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The Fort Apache Indian Land is in the White Mountains. It is 75 miles long, 45 miles wide and includes parts of Apache, Gila, and Navajo Counties. The Tonto National Forest, the Sitgreaves National Forest, and the Apache National Forest form the Indian Lands western, northern and eastern boundaries. The land ranges from an elevation of 2,700 feet at the Salt River Canyon to 11,000 feet at Mount Baldy. The Apaches live on close to 1.5 million acres. Currently, the White Mountain Apache Indian tribe has 11,000 members.

History:
The first fort built in this area was called Camp Ord. Later, the name was changed to Camp Thomas, in honor of the Civil War General George W. Thomas. Then, in 1870 the name was changed one last time to Fort Apache. The name was chosen after a visit from the Apache Indian chieftain, Cochise.

The Indian Land was established in 1897 and was named after the fort. When the White Mountain Apaches first began to live here, their number was only 2,000. Prior to the placement of the tribe on the Indian Land, the Apaches had been the most independent and determined Indian tribe in Arizona. The Apaches call themselves, “DiNeh” meaning “The People.”

The Fort was manned up until 1924 when the fort was turned into a school for Indian children. During the 1950’s, the White Mountain Apaches decided to make themselves self-sufficient and improve their standard of living. In order to do this, the tribe designed a plan to make their Indian Land the largest privately owned recreational area in the United States. This was accomplished by building a number of dams to create lakes and constructing access roads and campgrounds. Throughout the process, the tribe did not lose sight of maintaining nature’s natural beauty by treating the land with respect.

Today, the Fort Apache Indian Land is a recreation enthusiast and vacationer’s destination spot. Whiteriver is the center of the Indian Land and the seat of tribal government.

Indian Arts:
Fort Apache Indians are known for their burden baskets and beadwork.

Attractions:
The land has been turned into an outstanding recreational area. The tribe is proud of its Sunrise Ski Resort with its excellent varying ability levels of trails covering three mountains. There are six chair lifts and several lodges located nearby.

Hawley Lake is one of 25 lakes available for fishing. There are also 420 miles of streams that are stocked regularly. This makes them a fisherman’s paradise. With more than 7000 campsites, vacationer’s can always find a spot to spend the night.

The Salt River’s waters originate where the White and Black Rivers join on Fort Apache Indian Land. The Salt River offers water fun for kayakers and canoers or if white water rafting is more your speed tours are available. The river forms the Salt River Canyon, which is a spectacular sight. There are several lookout points along U.S. 60, north of Globe, which allow visitors a glimpse of this beautiful canyon.

Kinishba Ruins are a few miles southwest of Whiteriver. The ruins are of a large Indian apartment complex. It is believed that Kinishba or “The Brown House” was developed sometime around 700 A.D. and the community reached its peak around 1200 A.D. Today, the ruins are a national historic landmark.

Fort Apache National Historic Park is world famous. The Fort was the headquarters for Apache Scouts in the late 1800’s. The scouts were charged with the task of locating renegade Apaches and Navajos. The park also has a recreation of an Apache Village. There are several unique buildings at the fort. The gift shop is housed in General Cook’s log cabin. The fort is located just seven miles south of Whiteriver and walking tours are available.

The land is home to Hon-Dah Casino.

White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo September

Fort McDowell

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Location:
Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Land lies along the banks of the Verde River in Maricopa County. It borders Fountain Hills and Scottsdale and is 20 miles northeast of Phoenix. It sits at an elevation of 1,350 feet. Today, the tribe has 850 members consisting of the Yavapai, Mohave-Apache and the Apache Indians.

History:
In September 1903, the Fort McDowell Indian Lands were established by Executive Order. The 24,680 acres of land includes the site of Fort McDowell, which was named after General Irwin Mc Dowell. The fort was once an important outpost during the Apache Wars between 1865 and 1891.
This Indian community is also the birthplace of one of the first human rights advocates. During the 1920’s, Carlos Montezuma was stolen by Pima Indians and sold to an Italian photographer. The photographer took Carlos to Chicago and gave an education. Carlos went on to become a doctor. In his later years, he fought for Native American rights and was a crusader for regaining the Yavapai-Apache homeland.

Indian Arts:
The Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Land is known for its basketry and JoJo Bean Oil.

Attractions:
The tribe hosts recreational activities at the Verde River. Camping, swimming, picnicking and floating down the river are all popular pastimes, especially during the summer.

The land is home to Fort McDowell Gaming Center.

Sovereignty Day May
Orme Dam Recognition Day November