The **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation** stands as a testament to resilience and deep connection to the land. A federally recognized American Indian tribe, the Havasupai, whose name translates to “People of the Blue-Green Water,” have inhabited the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas for at least the past 800 years, their lives intricately interwoven with the canyon’s dramatic landscape and the life-giving waters that flow through it.
## A Glimpse into Supai: The Heart of Havasupai
The Havasupai’s story is etched into the very stone of the Grand Canyon. Their remote village, Supai, Arizona, serves as both the tribal headquarters and the center of their unique culture. Nestled deep within Havasu Canyon, approximately 3,000 feet below the rim of the Grand Canyon, Supai is one of the most isolated communities in the United States. This isolation has played a crucial role in preserving their traditions and distinct way of life.
To reach Supai, visitors typically embark on an eight-mile journey by foot, horseback, or helicopter, a testament to the canyon’s challenging terrain. The journey itself is an experience, offering breathtaking views of the canyon’s layered walls and the vibrant vegetation that thrives along Havasu Creek. This creek, fed by mineral-rich springs, gives the water its characteristic blue-green hue and sustains the lush environment that makes the Havasupai Reservation an oasis within the arid landscape.
**Contact Information:**
* **Address:** Havasupai Tribe, P. O. Box 10, Supai, Arizona 86435
* **Phone:** 928-448-2731
* **Fax:** 928-448-2731
* **Email:** [info@havasupai-nsn.gov](mailto:info@havasupai-nsn.gov)
* **Official Website:** [http://www.havasupai-nsn.gov](http://www.havasupai-nsn.gov)
## Identity and Nomenclature
The official tribal name, **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation**, reflects their legal recognition and connection to their designated land. The name “Havasupai” itself is deeply symbolic, directly referring to the turquoise waters of Havasu Creek, which are central to their existence.
Historically, the Havasupai have been linked to the Hualapai, another Yuman-speaking tribe, and both groups have been collectively referred to as the Pai Indians (“the People”). The Hualapai are considered the Western Pai, while the Havasupai are the Eastern Pai. Along with the Yavapai, they are also categorized as Upland Yumans, distinguishing them from River Yumans such as the Mojave and Quechan, based on their geographic location and cultural practices.
## Territory and Land: A History of Connection and Loss
The **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation** have called the Grand Canyon and north-central Arizona home for over a millennium. Their traditional territory encompassed a vast area, including the canyon itself and the surrounding plateaus, where they practiced a seasonal lifestyle of farming in the canyon during the summer and hunting on the plateau during the winter.
The establishment of the Havasupai Reservation in the late 19th century marked a significant turning point in their history. Initially, the reservation consisted of a mere 518 acres within the canyon, a fraction of their ancestral lands. This drastic reduction in land ownership severely impacted their traditional way of life, limiting their ability to hunt, gather, and sustain themselves.
In 1975, after decades of advocacy and legal battles, the tribe regained a portion of their ancestral homeland, adding 185,000 acres along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the reservation. This victory was a major step towards restoring their land base and preserving their cultural heritage. Today, the Havasupai Reservation encompasses 188,077 acres of canyon land and broken plateaus bordering the western edge of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. The tribe also holds year-to-year permits for grazing within Grand Canyon National Park and the adjacent National Forest, allowing them to continue their traditional practices to some extent.
## Governance and Society
The Havasupai Tribe operates under a constitution and by-laws adopted in 1939 and a tribal corporate charter established in 1946. The tribal government consists of a seven-member Tribal Council, elected by the Havasupai people. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman serve as the executive officers, leading the tribe in its governance and development.
The tribal government plays a crucial role in managing tribal programs and enterprises, employing approximately 87 Havasupai tribal members. These employees work to provide essential services to the community, including education, healthcare, and economic development initiatives.
## Language and Culture
The Havasupai language, a dialect of the Upland Yuman language family, is a vital part of their cultural identity. Remarkably, it is one of the few Native American languages in the United States spoken by virtually 100% of its indigenous population. As of 2005, Havasupai remained the primary language spoken in Supai Village, demonstrating the community’s commitment to preserving their linguistic heritage. The Havasupai dialect is closely related to the Hualapai dialect, reflecting their shared ancestry and cultural connections.
The origins of the Havasupai can be traced back to the prehistoric Cohonina people, a branch of the Hakataya culture. Historically, the Pai were divided into thirteen bands that hunted, farmed, and gathered resources across northwest Arizona along the Colorado River. Over time, these bands evolved into three subtribes: the Middle Mountain People, the Plateau People (including the ancestors of the Havasupai, known as the Blue Water People or Cataract Canyon Band), and the Yavapai Fighters.
## Traditions and Customs
Traditional Havasupai life revolved around a seasonal cycle of farming in the canyon and hunting on the plateaus. In Cataract Canyon, they cultivated crops such as corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, and tobacco. During the winter months, they ventured onto the surrounding plateau to hunt game, including mountain lions, deer, antelope, mountain sheep, fowl, and rabbits. They also gathered wild foods such as pinon nuts, cactus fruits, agave hearts, mesquite beans, and wild honey.
Baskets and pottery played a vital role in their daily lives. Women were skilled basket weavers, crafting burden baskets, seed beaters, parching trays, pitch-coated water bottles, and cradle hoods. Brown and unpainted pottery was dried in the sun and baked in hot coals.
Clothing was traditionally made from buckskin, skillfully worked by men. Women wore two-part dresses with yucca-fiber or textile belts, adorned with hoof tinklers. In the 19th century, they began wearing ornamental shawls. Moccasins, when worn, were made with a high upper that wrapped around the calf. Men wore shirts, loincloths, leggings, headbands, and high-ankle moccasins.
## Challenges and Resilience
The history of the **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation** is marked by both challenges and resilience. In the early 1800s, the opening of a trail from the Rio Grande to California through Pai country led to increased encroachment and treaty violations. The Hualapai War (1865-1869) further disrupted their lives, resulting in military defeat and the deportation of some Pai people.
Despite their remote location, the Havasupai were not immune to the effects of Anglo encroachment. The establishment of the reservation in 1880, with its limited land base, significantly impacted their traditional way of life. Severe epidemics in the early 20th century decimated their population, reducing it to just over 100.
However, the Havasupai have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. They have fought to protect their land, preserve their language and culture, and maintain their unique identity. The tribe’s successful efforts to regain a portion of their ancestral homeland in 1975 are a testament to their determination and perseverance.
## The Havasupai Today
Today, tourism plays a central role in the Havasupai economy. The tribe offers mule guides, a campground, a hostel, a restaurant, and a lodge, catering to visitors who come to experience the breathtaking beauty of Havasu Canyon and its iconic waterfalls, including Havasu Falls, Navajo Falls, and Mooney Falls.
The **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation** owns and manages several tourism-related businesses, including the Havasupai Lodge, Havasupai Cafe, Havasupai Trading Post and General Store, and Havasupai Tourism. These enterprises provide employment opportunities for tribal members and contribute to the economic well-being of the community.
Despite the influence of modern society, the Havasupai continue to maintain strong ties to their traditions and cultural heritage. They celebrate traditional ceremonies, such as the fall “peach festival,” and strive to pass on their language and customs to future generations.
The **Havasupai Tribe of the Havasupai Reservation** faces ongoing challenges, including the need to balance economic development with the preservation of their fragile environment and cultural identity. They are actively engaged in protecting their sacred sites and fighting against uranium pollution in the Kaibab National Forest.
The story of the Havasupai is a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between people and the land. Their resilience, cultural richness, and deep respect for the natural world offer valuable lessons for us all.