Day 9: Navajo Reservation

Coal mine spotted on the road between Tuba City and Kayenta, reveals that resources are an important economic resource for the Navajo. Though not shown, there is a railway track that stretches for miles from the mine, presumably to transport the coal. 

Traveling through the lands of the Navajo Nation, which cover “over 27,000 square miles” (Navajo Nation Government), provided an insight into the current lives and culture of those living on the reservation, “an area of land reserved for a tribe or tribes under treaty or other agreement with the United States” (Bureau of Indian Affairs). At first glance, it is hard to tell that   we are on reservation land, because there does not seem much to distinguish it from previous scenery; still there are the long stretches of roads, with just the occasional house and road-side Navajo jewelry/souvenir stall. Even when arriving at the towns of Tuba City and Kayenta, one would not be able to immediately tell that they were on a reservation, for in their lay-out and shops i.e. McDonalds etc., they seem to resemble any other American town. The only major indications, in fact, come in the form of the inhabitants themselves  who unsurprisingly are predominantly Navajo and at times can be heard conversing in their native tongue, as well as from the presence of trading posts. These sights sadly seemed to confirm that despite regaining parts of their land, their lives have irreparably been changed, and not for the good, given the plethora of issues they face, not least among them, comparative poverty.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (n.d.) Frequently Asked Questions. Available at: http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/ [Accessed 14 May, 2016]

Navajo Nation Government (n.d.) History. Available at: http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/history.htm [Accessed 14 May, 2016]