Bear Springs Treaty facts for kids

The Bear Spring (Ojo del Oso) Treaty was signed on November 22, 1846. It was an agreement between Chief Narbona and 13 other Navajo leaders, and Colonel Alexander William Doniphan, who represented the United States government. The treaty was signed at Bear Springs, New Mexico, in Navajo country, near where Fort Wingate would later be built. This was the very first treaty between the Navajo people and the U.S. Government. However, the U.S. Senate never officially approved it.

Why the Treaty Happened

The traditional homeland of the Navajo people stretches from Arizona across western New Mexico. For a long time, different groups in the Southwest, like the Navajo, Spanish, Mexican, Apache, Comanche, and Ute, often raided and traded with each other. When American soldiers arrived in 1846, Chief Narbona called them "new men."

Before 1863, there was a cycle of peace agreements, raids, and counter-raids. The U.S. Army, the Navajo, and local groups (called militias) were all involved. Many of these militias were made up of Spanish descendants from northern New Mexico, who had been enemies of the Navajo for a long time.

Events Leading to the Treaty

Even after the U.S. military arrived in 1846, the Navajo continued to raid. General Stephen W. Kearny asked the Navajo leaders to meet him in Santa Fe in September 1846, but they didn't come.

On October 2, General Kearny sent a message to Colonel Doniphan. He told Doniphan to get back any people held captive by the Navajo and any property stolen from the people of New Mexico. A few days later, Kearny announced that all people in New Mexico (Mexican and Pueblo) could form groups to go into Navajo lands. They could try to get their property back and get even for the problems the Navajo had caused. He also said that old people, women, and children of the Navajo should not be harmed.

In late October, Kearny ordered Colonel Doniphan to send soldiers into Navajo country. Their goal was to make a peace treaty with the Navajo. A small group of 30 soldiers met with Chief Narbona in mid-October.

Signing the Bear Spring Treaty

A second, larger meeting happened on November 22, 1846. Chief Narbona and about five hundred Navajo people met with Colonel Doniphan at Bear Spring. Doniphan told the Navajo that all their land now belonged to the United States. He also said that both the Navajo and the New Mexicans were now "children of the United States."

The Navajo leaders signed the treaty, which became known as the Bear Spring Treaty. Since the Navajo people at that time could not read or write, it's likely they didn't fully understand everything in the agreement.

What the Treaty Said

The treaty was officially called "Memorandum of a treaty entered into between Colonel A. W. Doniphan, commanding the United States' forces in the Navajo country, and the chiefs of the Navajo Nation of Indians."

Here are some key points from the treaty:

• Article I: It stated that there would be "a firm and lasting peace and friendship" between the American people and the Navajo tribe.
• Article 2: It explained that "Americans" included people from New Mexico and Pueblo peoples.
• Article 3: It promised that both sides could trade freely and would be protected from harm.
• Articles 4 & 5: It said that any people held captive and any property taken by either side should be returned.

What Happened Next

After the treaty was signed, gifts were exchanged to show good will. However, the treaty did not stop the fighting between the Navajo, the New Mexicans, and the newly arrived Americans.

Navajo warriors continued to raid New Mexican settlements and take their livestock. In return, New Mexican groups also continued to raid the Navajo for livestock and to take people captive.

Many more treaties were signed, and military actions continued over the years. This eventually led to the Long Walk of the Navajo in 1863, when many Navajo people were forced to leave their homes. They were finally allowed to return in 1868.