To'Hajiilee Navajo Chapter facts for kids
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The To'Hajiilee Navajo Chapter, also called To'hajiilee, is a special part of the Navajo Nation. It used to be known as the Cañoncito Band of Navajo Indians. This area is not connected to the main Navajo Nation lands. It is located in parts of western Bernalillo, eastern Cibola, and southwestern Sandoval counties in New Mexico. It lies west of the city of Albuquerque. The name "Tó Hajiileehé" comes from the Navajo language. It means "Dipping Water."
This community was formed during a difficult time in history. In 1864, many Navajo people were forced to leave their homes. This event is known as the "Long Walk." Some people decided not to go all the way to the new area. Instead, they settled in this part of New Mexico. This land is sometimes called "checkerboard" land. It means that both Pueblo and Navajo people share the land and live there today.
Contents
What is To'Hajiilee?
To'Hajiilee is a unique part of the Navajo Nation. It is separate from the larger Navajo lands. This area covers about 121.588 square miles (314.911 square kilometers). In the year 2000, about 1,649 people lived there. This land area is only a small part of the entire Navajo Nation. It makes up about 0.5% of the total land.
The Meaning of the Name
The name To'Hajiilee comes from the Navajo language. The phrase is tó hajiileé. It means "where people draw up water by means of a cord or rope, one quantity after another." This name shows how important water was to the people living there. It also describes how they got water from the ground.
History of To'Hajiilee
The story of To'Hajiilee is an important part of Navajo history. It began during the "Long Walk" in 1864. During this time, the United States government forced many Navajo people to move far from their homes. They had to walk hundreds of miles.
Settling in a New Place
Some Navajo people decided to stop their journey early. They chose to settle in the area that is now To'Hajiilee. These people did not want to go to the new place the government had chosen. They wanted to stay closer to their traditional lands. This decision led to the creation of the To'Hajiilee community.
Sharing the Land
The land where To'Hajiilee is located is called "checkerboard" land. This means that different groups own different parts of the land. Both Navajo and Pueblo people live in this area. They have shared the land for many years. This shows how different communities can live side by side.
See also
- In Spanish: Reserva indígena de Cañoncito para niños
