The Long Walk: The Forced Navajo Exile

The Long Walk chronicles the 1864 forced relocation of the Navajo people from their homeland to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Author Jennifer Denetdale, herself a member of the Navajo Nation, documents this devastating chapter in Native American history through oral traditions, historical records, and family accounts. The book follows the journey of thousands of Navajo men, women, and children who were compelled to march over 300 miles through harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions. Denetdale presents the perspectives of both the Navajo people and the U.S. military officials who implemented this removal policy. The narrative incorporates traditional Navajo storytelling methods and historical documentation to reconstruct the events surrounding the Long Walk and its aftermath. The author examines the impact of this forced exile on Navajo culture, family structures, and tribal identity. Through this examination of the Long Walk, Denetdale explores broader themes of cultural resilience, historical memory, and the complex relationship between the U.S. government and Native American nations. The work stands as both a historical account and a testament to the endurance of Navajo cultural traditions.

Readers describe this as an accessible introduction to the Long Walk history, noting it works well for middle school students and those new to the topic. Several reviews mention the clear writing style and inclusion of Navajo perspectives rather than just government accounts. Liked: - Historical photos and illustrations - Personal stories and quotes from survivors - Straightforward chronological organization - Includes pre- and post-walk context - Good maps showing the routes taken Disliked: - Some found it too brief at 128 pages - Lacks in-depth analysis of causes - Limited coverage of resistance efforts - Few primary source documents included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (38 ratings) Scholastic: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Common comments note it serves as a solid starting point but readers seeking comprehensive research should look elsewhere. Teachers report it engages students and prompts good discussions about this historical event.

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Dispossessing the Wilderness: Indian Removal and the Making of the National Parks by Mark David Spence The creation of America's national parks reveals the systematic removal of Native peoples from their ancestral lands.

🔹 Though over 8,000 Navajos (Diné) were forced to march in the Long Walk, author Jennifer Denetdale carries a personal connection to this history - her great-great-great-grandmother survived the brutal 300-mile journey to Bosque Redondo in 1864. 🔹 Dr. Denetdale made history as the first Diné/Navajo to earn a Ph.D. in history, and she specifically focuses on telling Native American stories from indigenous perspectives rather than through a colonial lens. 🔹 The Navajo people held at Bosque Redondo were given unfamiliar foods like wheat flour and coffee instead of their traditional corn and herbs, leading to widespread illness and contributing to the deaths of over 2,000 people during their internment. 🔹 Before writing children's books about Navajo history, Denetdale taught at several universities and served as chair of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, bringing both academic expertise and cultural understanding to her work. 🔹 While many historical accounts focus on military records, this book incorporates oral histories passed down through generations of Navajo families, preserving stories that might otherwise have been lost to time.