Visiting Indian Reservations
Mar 28th, 2002, 09:09 AM
#3
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Not all reservations are the same. So, how you go about visiting depends on what reservation you are going to. Some reservations like the one mentioned above will not look that different. Others like the ones in the Northeast corner of the state will probably look more like an Indian Reservation to you. Each reservation has it's own rules of etiquette for visiting. Some prohibit photography as they believe the camera steals their souls. Some reservations prohibit visiting period. Some allow visitors only at certain places and times.
I know this isn't too much help, but you once you decide where you will be able to visit, you can contact the Arizona Department of Tourism and perhaps they can steer you to the right rules etc.
The important thing to remember is that these reservations serve as the home to the local Indian Community. As you are visiting someone's home it is important to not make them feel bad or pathetic about their living conditions.
I know this isn't too much help, but you once you decide where you will be able to visit, you can contact the Arizona Department of Tourism and perhaps they can steer you to the right rules etc.
The important thing to remember is that these reservations serve as the home to the local Indian Community. As you are visiting someone's home it is important to not make them feel bad or pathetic about their living conditions.
Mar 28th, 2002, 12:04 PM
#4
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I second kkj, Eva...reservations are places where real people live, not theme parks. By all means visit, if it's permitted, and spend all the money you can while there, but in general, behave as respectfully as you would visiting anyone's neighborhood.
Mar 28th, 2002, 12:46 PM
#5
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I've been on a couple of reservations in AZ, south of the Grand Canyon, and I'm not sure what you're expecting to see on a "visit."
For instance, some are just vast expanses of desolate desert where you see an occasional house, farm or cluster of houses and trailers. And maybe there's some centrally located store. I guess of you've never seen a typical Southwest landscape, you might find it interesting, but not very.
For instance, some are just vast expanses of desolate desert where you see an occasional house, farm or cluster of houses and trailers. And maybe there's some centrally located store. I guess of you've never seen a typical Southwest landscape, you might find it interesting, but not very.
Mar 28th, 2002, 04:10 PM
#7
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As I have noticed with other posts, people often misinterpret peoples motives regarding travel. I do not intend to visit an Indian reservation because I think it has theme park qualities. I want to experience Arizona and just like I visited fishing villages when in Maine, I aim to see as much of the people and culture when I visit Arizona. I have never been to the Southwest and may very well never get there again therefore I want to experience as much as I can. My question was more in regard to how one finds out specifics regarding rules of ettiquette etc.and where it would be appropriate to go. I am an American Studies graduate student so I am not ignorant about Indian reservations, I just wanted to know what other people who are familiar with the area had to say.
Mar 28th, 2002, 07:00 PM
#10
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I was thinking of the one in Tucson. They are communities where people live.
And most of them are depressed and we would not want to live on them.
Sort of like the neighborhoods that used to be (and still are) in the deep South, poor shacks with falling down porches,kids playing in the dirt, dogs sleeping on the porch,run down cars.Same thing.
And believe me, the people that live in these places are not charmed by tourists driving by and gazing out at them, just as most of us would dislike that in our own neighborhoods.
And most of them are depressed and we would not want to live on them.
Sort of like the neighborhoods that used to be (and still are) in the deep South, poor shacks with falling down porches,kids playing in the dirt, dogs sleeping on the porch,run down cars.Same thing.
And believe me, the people that live in these places are not charmed by tourists driving by and gazing out at them, just as most of us would dislike that in our own neighborhoods.
Mar 28th, 2002, 08:01 PM
#11
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Eva:
Kkj and some of the others who responded had good advice.Ten years ago,we spent three weeks in AZ and visited reservations and/or homes.At Monument Valley(on a reservation)the guide encouraged us to pay for pictures taken of the hogans,which we did.An elderly woman invited us to see the inside(her husband had built it).She was very sweet and it was a nice experience.It was very interesting to see the difference between the Navajo and the Hopi tribes.We were warned the Hopi people inhabiting Old Orabi(I believe the oldest continually inhabited village in North Am.)would be unfriendly;but were delighted to find them very hospitable.My child was invited to play a game with the children involving carved,wooden toys. The oldest child(who made the toy) insisted my son keep it and would not take payment.Canyon de Chelly was amazing.I loved the Hopi culture as well as their art.This info does not specifically answer you question; but some of the responses were so negative.Good luck on your trip.
Kkj and some of the others who responded had good advice.Ten years ago,we spent three weeks in AZ and visited reservations and/or homes.At Monument Valley(on a reservation)the guide encouraged us to pay for pictures taken of the hogans,which we did.An elderly woman invited us to see the inside(her husband had built it).She was very sweet and it was a nice experience.It was very interesting to see the difference between the Navajo and the Hopi tribes.We were warned the Hopi people inhabiting Old Orabi(I believe the oldest continually inhabited village in North Am.)would be unfriendly;but were delighted to find them very hospitable.My child was invited to play a game with the children involving carved,wooden toys. The oldest child(who made the toy) insisted my son keep it and would not take payment.Canyon de Chelly was amazing.I loved the Hopi culture as well as their art.This info does not specifically answer you question; but some of the responses were so negative.Good luck on your trip.
Mar 28th, 2002, 08:21 PM
#12
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I suggest that you send for a tourism book from Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. From the books, you might get an idea of when certain festivals are at certain reservations, and what reservations welcome some tourists.I found those booklets filled with good information. For example, Taos Pueblo in New Mexico,plans for its tourists. You might not get the "real" feeling of pueblo or reservation life, but at least you won't feel like you walked onto someone's private property. My personal experience in visiting quite a few Indian sites and reservations is that each site is run uniquely by the group or families that have property rights. Some are open, some are closed. Another alternative is to visit sites that are designated historic or natural parks. Canyon de Chelly is an excellent example of a park that is a reservation and a historic site. Consider that a reservation is a community. For example, plan to make your lunch stop in one of the small towns located in the larger reservation. Look for the food speciality of the area. Like Navajo Fry Bread or Navajo Taco in Tuba City. Many of the reservations now have small cultural centers where residents might display some of their handmade goods. Visit these and ask for polite suggestions of interesting and available sites from the shopkeepers.
We visited a little hogan set up for curious travelers in one litte town.If you go through a larger town on a weekend, ask where the Indian Market might be in the area.
We visited a little hogan set up for curious travelers in one litte town.If you go through a larger town on a weekend, ask where the Indian Market might be in the area.
Mar 29th, 2002, 10:40 AM
#14
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We lived in arizona for many years and when we visited last year with our children, we noticed that the reservations really had not changed much. The info I had at that time was that there were 17 different native american tribes in az. We lived close to Gila River/bend near Chandler which is outside of Phoenix (about 25 miles south and right off of the highway. They have a small restaurant with great fry bread tacos and fry bread with honey and sugar. They also have a very intersting and informative little in and outdoor musuem with differnt housing structures from various groups as well as a gift shop with jewelry and baskets made on the reservation. Down the road is a small schoolhouse and church that gives you a feel that time has stood still.Tuscon, as mentioned has the beautiful San Xavier mission/church which is definitely worth a visit. The Hopi in the ne part of the state has signs requesting respect and non pictures. The Navajo is the wealthiest of all in terms of tribal income but it is intersting to see the housing on both. The apache area (san carlos near globe) is different as well. I guess my point is that this is where people LIVE and while we loved to visit all of the state, please do not do what tourists do here in Pennsylvania where they gawk at the amish (straight out of witness the movie). There is an incredibly amount of poverty and illness on many of these reservations and it always was a jolt to actually VIEW the land with its diverted rivers/canals to the big cities. Casa Grande is also worth seeing as well as the MANY, MANY ruins (Montezuma castle north of Phoenix) and Watpaki near flagstaff which is one of my favorites. I agree, get some books on the state, write to the tourism board, and enjoy your visit. Last year we rented a car and put 2800 miles on it from Tuscon, Chandler (take rt 87 up to phonix from tuscon), sedona, flagstaff (large native american population) and monument valley etc. Enjoy!!! It will be a great visit and learning expereince.
Mar 30th, 2002, 09:09 AM
#17
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I'd recommend a visit to the Hopi reservation in northern AZ. It's composed of three mesas, if I remember correctly, and I found it fascinating. When we entered a village, we checked in at the community center and were assigned a young Hopi girl as a guide. She was sweet, but very quiet. Once we started to ask questions, however, we found her to be very knowledgable and full of information. She knew an enormous amount about Hopi history, but also filled us in on life today for Hopi young people. It was a great trip for us.
