The Winslow mail., 1926-01-01
ARIZONA HAS MORE
INDIANS THAN ANY
STATE IN THE UNION

Inc TACT JndL ArlZOUd Has LlOI6
fuli-bIooded Indians than any 9TH
er state in the union attracts many
interested tourists to this section.
Carl Hayden, a member OF the red
eral board which administers to
the needs of the "Redmen," states
that there are at least $4,000 real
American Indians in this state. The
original Americans in this section
are grouped into two main divisions
the Apaches and the Colorado In
dians Both of these Indian nations
have played important roles IN the
drama of civilization which was en-
acted here before the coming OF the
white man.
From the remains of Indian life
in the past we discover that the
Arizona natives met their problems
very effectively The Salt River val
ley now has just reason to be proud
of it's irrigation system. 1t is In
teresting to note that many OF the
new and improved bitches run par
allel to the old Indian canal chan-
nels. The Pima Indians had de-
veloped an especially interesting
system near the headwaters OF the
ella river. When the new project
went into operation the water con-
served for the cultivation of the
Indian crops was utilized in other
regions. There is movement now
under consideration by which GER
tain water rights will be restored
to the Pimas who have always been
friendly to their pale face friends
To one who has no knowledge of
Indian customs and the life and
characteristics of the 'Redmen, 1t
may appear that all Indians are
identical in most respects. This
idea. is erroneous. The tribes which
have been friendly to the white
men since the beginning of their
westward expansion movements
have been the Pimas, the Papago
and the Maricopa tribes. 1t IS gem
orally believed that 'the friendly
Indians" to which Coronado, the
famous western explorer, referred
were the Pimas and Papagos of this
area. These tribes have received
the advice and suggestions OF the
whites who came west to develop
the section.
The Navajo Indians are perhaps
the best known tribe in the United
States. The reason for this recog-
milton is due to the fact that the
women OF this tribe weave the
beautiful rugs which are much
sought after in the leading markets
Cf the country. The Indians in
this group are among the most in
dustrious of the entire Arizona In
dian population They are great
sheep raisers. They shear their
sheep when the proper season ar
riyes. The wool is carded, dyed
and used in the weaving OF the
rugs.
The Navajo women do the heavy
work about the tribal headquarters.
The position of the Indian woman
is practically the same IN all the
tribes. The water contalner, Whlch
they term an ola is made from the
same kind of clay as the adobe.
Tt is baked in the sun and the yes
sci serves its purpose well. The Ola
is supported upon the squaW's back
by band of material, cotton or
wool whichever is available, placed
in front of the forehead.
Hopi Indians are also listed
among the most Industrious and
thrifty of the Arizona tribes. These
people are famous for their baskets
and pottery. An observer discovers
that the Hopi designs in their pot
terry wearing apparel and baskets
tends to run in stripes. On the oth-
er hand the Navajo women favor
the diamond shaped and square de-
signs.
Yaqui Tribal Customs
The Yaoui tribe who inhabit the
area somewhat to the south ana
east of Phoenix are well known for
the Eastern dance, an important
tribal religious ceremonial when
takes place every Easter season. In
t. this dance which is called the
~"Passion Play" is woven the most
Interesting of the Yaqui legends and
customs. The portion of the dance
which begins on the Friday before
Eastern is said to deal with the
crucifixion of the Christ and has
never been open to an outsider
The portion of the dance proper
which begins at sunset of the Sat
urday just before the Eastern Sun
day draws many curious and inter
ested spectators THE Dance OF
the Deer" is said by students to be
the most famous part OF the cere-
monial. The Indians array them
selves in deer skins and mount ant
lers upon their heads and proceed
with the dance, symbollical OF their
reHgious beliefs. The deer and the
&C vote are animals.
Geronimo and Apache Indians
were words of terror for the plon-
GERS in this region. Before giving
up their rights to this territory
much white blood was spilled. The
Apaches are among the later ar
rivals of the Arizona Indians. The
legends have it that bride and
bridegroom transgressed the rules
bv which one Of the Mexican In
d an tribes were governed. For
their misdemeanors the couple were