Camping within the Navajo Nation

Use or non-use of the tern "Indian" is not so straight forward. I spent a year as a community organizer in a off-reservation Lakota Sioux community in the early '70s. I continue to work with several tribal communities in Alaska and Washington State. Some current examples:

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Both of these tribal communities have been very generous in donating to the Oso Landslide victims. They are good neighbors.

Brian Cladoosby of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is the current President of the National Congress of American Indians.

It is usually best to inquire, or ask. . . a bit of research helps beforehand. I generally do try to avoid the use of the term "Indian" unless it helps to describe a group of tribal members.

The acceptability of linguistic terms, whether here or in many, many other cases, is rarely a black-and-white issue, but one with a huge pile of gray in the middle. Determining factors include who uses the term in question, how it is used, to what purpose.

Just to give one example: On the Navajo reservation and on its edges, it is common to see "Navajo tacos" for sale. Sure, that's great (and they're incredibly tasty, too, if made right!). However, quite a few non-Navajos also make very similar tacos (and they can be extremely tasty, too!). Ah, but those other folks aren't about to call them Navajo tacos, either. So they're often called "Indian tacos" instead.

Ok, while I'm at it, a couple of really good places to eat these tacos, in no particular order of quality:

1. the restaurant at the back of the Cameron Trading Post
2. the restaurant next door to the Quality Inn in Tuba City
3. the Twin Rocks restaurant in Bluff
4. the restaurant attached to the gas station at San Felipe north of ABQ
5. The place in Tuba City that no longer exists*

It's been a while since I've been to these places, so, of course, the usual disclaimers apply!

:)
Lynn

*I guess that requires some explanation! Fran Kosik, in the first edition of her excellent book, Native Roads, indicated that the truck stop in Tuba City had the best tacos on the rez. Well, so we looked and looked and looked, only to discover that the truck stop had closed, the whole place razed to the ground. Along with the best tacos on the rez, according to her.

I have never camped or stayed at Tuba City. I have visited and stayed in many other locations on the Navajo reservation. I just recently returned from a week up there. I stayed at Spiderock CG inside Canyon De Chelly, I loved it. You will be safe, yes there is crime like anywhere else. The road side Navajo fry bread stands you see occasionally are awesome and very cheap. Have fun so may cool things to see. Enjoy

I am an enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe. You can address me as "Indian, Native American, Comanche, Hey You, whatever," and I will answer. None of those terms are pejorative to me. We refer to ourselves as "Comanche," although that itself is not quite correct. We are "Numunah," the Comanche word for us. Personally, I prefer Comanche since everyone is afraid of the Comanche. Nobody ever heard of Numunah.

GM

Grey Mountain wrote:
I am an enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe. You can address me as "Indian, Native American, Comanche, Hey You, whatever," and I will answer. None of those terms are pejorative to me. We refer to ourselves as "Comanche," although that itself is not quite correct. We are "Numunah," the Comanche word for us. Personally, I prefer Comanche since everyone is afraid of the Comanche. Nobody ever heard of Numunah.

GM

LMAO. Haudenosaunee means nothing to most but Iroquois ganders that same reaction.

Thanks rocmoc, for us this trip is all about the ride not necessarily the destination. Due to time constraints we take the camper with bike in truck to a central location where we will meet friends coming from MA. (they are retired and have more time and ride the bike all the way) We take day trips and explore. We have long pants, sometimes leather, and boots so we don't do much foot exploring. To move to all the campground would require one or both of us driving the truck and camper unable to enjoy the bike ride. We usually find places we like and we go back alone with just a vehicle to explore on non bike vacations.
Thanks to everyone for all the good information. Tuba City it is!!!

Grey Mountain wrote:
I am an enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe. You can address me as "Indian, Native American, Comanche, Hey You, whatever," and I will answer. None of those terms are pejorative to me. We refer to ourselves as "Comanche," although that itself is not quite correct. We are "Numunah," the Comanche word for us. Personally, I prefer Comanche since everyone is afraid of the Comanche. Nobody ever heard of Numunah.

GM

Great answer.

I think it's a little silly to worry about what to call people, normally when I meet someone I ask their name. I can't imagine a situation where I would call out Indian, Americana Indian,or Comanche. I would most likely start out with excuse me sir/ma'am.

Kiwi66 wrote:
Thank you to any rd also. Good info. We want to travel one day to north rim, one day to south rim, next to Navajo Monument and Hubbell Trading post. Tuba City just appears to be mid ground to explore. If you have stayed in the area any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. We will have camper and plan to visit areas on motorcycle. Thanks again for any ideas!!

In reference to your plans, I would highly suggest that you stay closer to each destination for a much better experience. Those are long drives you're planning and one day to each rim of the canyon will not be experiencing it. You've come a long way to get there, why not spend a couple nights at least at each?

As far as Tuba City, if there's a campground, yes, you'll be safe. However, we wouldn't boondock on their lands. However, Tuba City is not a scenic area at all.

I guess I'm wondering why you'd want to stay in a blah area to ride to see a national park wonder. Why not stay in the national park or nearby area and take a ride from there to other areas of the countryside. If you stay at each national park area you'll be in gorgeous country. Have a good trip!

2gypsies - well we figured this would give us access to ride to both the north rim and south rim each in a one day trip. Going from South to north and back to camp is close to 8 hours non stop, much to long of a day on bike if you want to have lunch and see anything. We can get to North in about 2 1/2 so 6 hour day with lunch and to the south in about 1 1/2 so we have tome to poke around. We can also do day trip to Hubbell trading post, a day trip to Betatakin ruin, and even one to Canyon DeChelly. Maybe even to Four Coners. Just appeared Tuba City was the only campground with shower house which would enable nice day rides to great places. That is what we are thinking anyhow!!